Pleasant surprises through two weeks...

[eball 5,676]

What are some things even the optimistic fans among us are pleasantly surprised by after two weeks?  I'll throw out a few:

 

-- Daboll's scheming and playcalling

-- Bojo!

-- Lee Smith (and overall TE play)

-- Shaq Lawson (and overall DL depth)

-- Feliciano

-- productivity of John Brown (did anyone expect 14 catches in two weeks?)

 

Discuss.

[BuffaloMatt 161]

I know productivity is not always measured with your # being called by the commentators or showing up on the stat line but I have not heard #55 as much as I expected especialy with the new additions this year. 

[Royale with Cheese 5,875]

14 minutes ago, BuffaloMatt said:

I know productivity is not always measured with your # being called by the commentators or showing up on the stat line but I have not heard #55 as much as I expected especialy with the new additions this year. 

 

He’s got 1.5 sacks and 5 tackles.

[Jumpsuit Jim 154]

The interior o line is much better than I thought it would be. They are beasts. I didn’t like it at the time, but I now understand how Teller came to be traded. 

[FeelingOnYouboty 901]

I really like how chippy Dawson Knox is lol

[eball 5,676]

24 minutes ago, BuffaloMatt said:

I know productivity is not always measured with your # being called by the commentators or showing up on the stat line but I have not heard #55 as much as I expected especialy with the new additions this year. 

I think you misunderstood the thread topic.

[I am the egg man 898]

Weather has been nice.

[Kirby Jackson 7,088]

Siran Neal was EVERYWHERE on Sunday 

[aristocrat 1,307]

john brown and moving those chains.  it finally seems like we can get first downs even if we're 3rd and long instead of doing a draw play or just throwing a screen and giving up.  

[kenny3000 10]

CorBojor!!  Ay dios

[co_springs_billsfan 323]

HauschMoney is back! No missed kicks so far 

[Wayne Cubed 694]

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Siran Neal was EVERYWHERE on Sunday 

 

I really like how they used him and Marlowe on Engram. Proved very effective. Also gave them someone bigger in the slot to slow down Barkley.

[Philo 236]

Bojo and Neal for me. Had lukewarm expectations at best going into the season, but they have both played very well so far. 

[Ramza86 288]

1 hour ago, eball said:

What are some things even the optimistic fans among us are pleasantly surprised by after two weeks?  I'll throw out a few:

 

-- Daboll's scheming and playcalling

-- Bojo!

-- Lee Smith (and overall TE play)

-- Shaq Lawson (and overall DL depth)

-- Feliciano

-- productivity of John Brown (did anyone expect 14 catches in two weeks?)

 

Discuss.

 

John Brown was my biggest surprise. I actually took him in a lot of my fantasy leagues for the upside.

 

But what impresses me the most.. is that there isnt a route he cannot run. Hes effective everywhere on the field and thats fantastic. 

[Dat 93]

Wide receivers who actually get separation, but also realize that we have a QB who can scramble and know to keep playing, find an open spot and show him their number or work back towards him.

[Buffalo Timmy 217]

14 catches for anyone who is just starting with a qb is impressive. I am also impressed with Josh taking what the D is giving, at some point they will have to start pushing the DBs tighter and that should allow more deep shots.

[GunnerBill 7,264]

Josh's play - I thought he would be better than last year but I have been very encouraged.

Siran Neal on Sunday - thought he was a weak link when he came in against the Jets but very good against the Giants

BoJo

Trent Murhpy not being hurt yet

[ScottLaw 2,159]

Think I underestimated John Brown to this point.

 

Guy gets open and has caught everything thrown his way... including some tough one. Like what I see to this point. 

[Roch-A-Bill 99]

Harrison Phillips stepping up bigtime...

[TPS 896]

Darryl Johnson jr.

given his pedigree, I thought they would bring him along very slowly. It looks like the game isn't too big for him, and I expect him to become a force as the season proceeds.

[Shaw66 3,686]

eball

 

Thanks for this.  Your list is a good one, and other names that people have mentioned are good additions.   Which makes what I keep saying is the more fundamental and important point:  McDermott's system, his process, works.   His system leads to pleasant surprises.  Milano, Wallace, Allen, Edmunds - all young guys who contributed almost right away.  And what's cool about the system is that when young players have success in the system, they want to STAY in the system, because they understand that the system helps them be successful.   It feels good to do your job, and it feels good to win.  

 

So, yeah, there are some pleasant surprises, and those guys earned the right to be on your list.   McDermott created the environment that allows them to be surprises.  

[BuffaloMatt 161]

1 hour ago, eball said:

I think you misunderstood the thread topic.

Long nights and early mornings does that.  I'll be quite now.

[Sig1Hunter 405]

Bojo has been the biggest surprise to me so far. Hopefully, he keeps it up!

[gonzo1105 321]

As it pertains to Offensive Coordinator playcalling, I’ve always been an advocate that most offensive coordinators are the same. They run the same run schemes, and pass route combinations. 

 

The difference in the “playcalling” is the level of talent you have to run said schemes to success. 

 

Last year a lot of people were complaining about the schemes and the lack of production but now that the QB, WRs,TEs and OL have been replaced, or gotten a lot better,  Daboll all of a sudden is a rocket scientist who is dialing up all the right calls at the right time.   

 

Its just my opinion as I don’t think every Bills OC was terrible over the last 25 years, they just lacked the tools for success

[whatdrought 5,281]

John Brown has impressed me with his crossing routes... seems like every time we need a chunk play, he gets the ball in the middle of the field for 15+ yards.