Pleasant surprises through two weeks...

[Pete]

I won't say it's a surprise, I have always had faith in Josh.  But we were all hoping he would make a big jump in year 2.  You never know until the season plays out.  Josh really seems to be getting a better grasp each and every game.  He's smart.  He's athletic.  He's big.  He has a cannon.  And he has swag.  What else would you want in a QB?  Go Josh!  Go Bills!

[Pokebball]

4 minutes ago, Pete said:

I won't say it's a surprise, I have always had faith in Josh.  But we were all hoping he would make a big jump in year 2.  You never know until the season plays out.  Josh really seems to be getting a better grasp each and every game.  He's smart.  He's athletic.  He's big.  He has a cannon.  And he has swag.  What else would you want in a QB?  Go Josh!  Go Bills!

I think he'll have a hiccup in a game or two this season.  And I'm not talking about a mistake here and there, but a couple of games where he slumps.  I think it remains really important for the fans to continue to have patience with Allen as he grows and matures.  We might be seeing too much too soon and I hope we all temper our expectations some.  

[Jerome007]

Besides Felacio and Bojo, it's not really "surprises" as that was the plan,  but still sooooo pleasant to see it become a reality

 

Josh often has a pocket to throw from, and while not a surprise, when he doesn't , he scrambles like the best of them. 

 

Feliciano nasty efficient blocking and Morse pulling like a 240 pound dude.

 

TE play. All of them! At least medium long pass routes. I haven't watched their blocking closely TBH.

 

Defense. Yes they are as good as last year but we never know for sure if that will keep happening

 

 

And yes for me as well, Dabbol making creative full use of all his new toys. Bills O is very unpredictable and that's good!

Bills O doesn't have true "big names" but the talent is so spread out it's tough to defend for sure, especially combined with the playcalling.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, ganesh said:

Levi Wallace continuing to hold off Kevin Johnson from the starting CB.

 

If he plays as he did Sunday not sure how much longer that lasts. 

[GreggTX]

On 9/17/2019 at 6:02 AM, 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.

-- Micah Hyde and Trent Murphy are off to a great start

-- Devin Singletary and Isaah McKenzie are looking really good.

-- Despite the continuing efforts to build a solid OL, we're already much better than 2018.

-- Zay Jones was wide open on 2 of Allen's worst throws. He missed out on 2 big gains.

 -- Most Bills fans didn't want to admit how bad Allen truly was last year, but it's clear that both he and the rest of the offense have made strides. I look forward to seeing JA get even better. The accuracy still needs a lot of work, but it's also been the area where JA has improved the most.

-- Levi Wallace will be replaced by an early pick in the next draft. Then you'll really start to see this D rock.

-- Why no love for McDermott? He made some mistakes early on, but how many HC's are doing any better right now? (Besides BB). Both Coordinators too.

-- So far our kicking game has been WAY better than our opponents.

-- Dawson Knox just learned that when Josh Allen is throwing the ball into a tight window, you need to get your hands up a little quicker. It doesn't take long for the ball to arrive.

-- JA may not be the most exciting news on O thus far. Brown and Singletary are giving him a run for his money.

-- The place is gonna be rockin' when the Pats show up.

--  Siran Neal has also been a pleasant surprise so far.

Edited September 18, 2019 by GreggTX

[TroutDog]

2 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I have actually been a bit frustrated at times with Dabolls playcalling.  It hasn’t been all bad by any means, but I found myself frustrated last parts of 2nd quarter and early 3rd qtr week 1.  Week 2 I felt he got too complacent and conservative in the 2nd half where it allowed Giants to get back in the game too. 

 

But, that being said he also made nice adjustments after those spells where I was frustrated and got the O back on track in each game.  So still quite high on Daboll overall.

 

I would also add Singletary to your list and yes, I did expect 14 catches by Brown first 2 weeks.  I thought he was going to be a 80+ catch, 1200 yard season with 8+ TDS this year.  

This was discussed on WGR and it was mentioned that, since they felt the game was in hand, they chose not to show any more of the offense than necessary. 

 

I thought that was an interesting take that I had not considered. 

[MDH]

3 hours ago, eball said:

 

I should have included this in my original post.  Six drives of 70+ yards for TDs in just two game is stupendous for this team.

 

5 TDs on 5 trips in the red zone!

[Drake]

Interesting!

[CLTbills]

8 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Siran Neal was EVERYWHERE on Sunday 

Especially on ST's. Had a couple Tasker-like coverage tackles.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

9 hours 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 played well vs Jets. Solder seemed to handle him fairly well, but there was a heavy rotation it seemed. Saw a lot of shaq, Trent and even Johnson. 

[GoBills808]

My big one is special teams. They cost games last year and this year zero issues thus far.

[davspo]

8 hours ago, Dat said:

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.

 

This

[Rock'em Sock'em]

Teamwork

[1st Ammendment NoMas]

What's surprising!

 

1. 3rd Down. For years the Bills have failed to convert on 3rd and failed to stop on 3rd down. This year we've been doing it on both sides of the ball. Man, I hope this continues.

2. TE's Sweeney and Knox. Wasn't expecting much after Kroft went down, especially from a 7th rounder, but both have looked good blocking downfield and receiving.

3. The Swagger.  I haven't seen a Bills team in a long, long time that has had a confident swagger and doesn't panic or make stupid mistakes or stupid coaching calls in crucial situations. For years and years when it mattered, we would do something stupid to make my head spin and my turrets come out.

4. RT. I figured we had this problem solved and both Ford or Nsekhe would be way better than Mills. I haven't seen it yet. I think we will soon, just hasn't come together yet.

5. Gore. I love and respect his game and career, but he looks slow and old. I'm not sure why we feed him so much. I'd like to see a lot more Devin and some Yeldon. 

6. DiMarco. Why are we throwing screens to him for no gain. I'm surprised we used this play multiple times.

7. (future surprise) Beating the Patriots week 4 by 14 points. I thought we'd fold but YES YES YES... GO BILLS!

[Shaw66]

8 hours ago, Seven-N-Nine said:

 You expected a 10-11 point improvement right out of the gate? 

I expected his season average to be 10 points better.  I didn't think about when it would happen, but I guess to finish there he would pretty much have to start there.  I didn't think he'd start slow and grow to 80% in order to average 64.  So yeah, from the beginning. 

[Stank_Nasty]

I’m seeing a couple posts about Morse pulling.... IMO that really shouldnt be much of a surprise. The dude just got PAID and if anyone watched his reels from KC his mobility and pulling arguably stuck out more than anything else. 

[Shaw66]

Read this thread and there's one conclusion: THE WHOLE TEAM IS A PLEASANT SURPRISE.  

 

But I gotta say, I wasn't surprised. 

[HappyDays]

12 hours ago, Stank_Nasty said:

I'll start by saying I loved that signing from the beginning but I wasn't expecting quite as complete a wr as he's been so far.

 

crisp routes and he really seems to WORK them.

 

Yeah i admit this is probably just me being ignorant but i always thought of John Brown as a pure vertical threat. But he does everything right, even the little things. I don't think he has dropped a ball and his target to catch ratio must be around 90%. The deep comeback/out route from Allen to Brown has been an easy 1st down every time.

[Success]

Shaq has been mentioned, but I love what he’s doing.  Who had him pegged as the guy who would emerge as one of the standouts on this defense, and a leader?

 

I don’t think it’s a fluke.  He looks relentless out there at times.  

[folz]

I agree with so many of the answers above, but I don't want to repeat them, so I'm going to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the depth.

 

We went from no Offensive line to at least 7 deep starting caliber players. Feliciano being the biggest surprise.

 

Our #1 WR over the last 7 games last year is now 5th or 6th on the depth chart. 

 

Last year, the TE situation was ugly. When Kroft comes back, we will be 4 deep at TE.

 

We're 4 deep at DT and DE

 

Last year, when T. Johnson went down, we were in trouble. This year, in comes Neal, Marlowe, and the other Johnson and they hold down the slot.

 

The rookies all look good. The young guys are ballin' out on special teams. Beane took multiple areas of weakness and made them strengths!

[Kelly the Dog]

12 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Read this thread and there's one conclusion: THE WHOLE TEAM IS A PLEASANT SURPRISE.  

 

But I gotta say, I wasn't surprised. 

It will end with one loss, don't worry.

 

[Chandler#81]

15 hours ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

pleasant  yes .. a surprise?  after the WR upgrades?  

 

Not surprised at all.   It was bound to improve IMO 

Thread asks what our surprises are. Who are you to crap on someone’s surprises?..

14 hours ago, Pete said:

I won't say it's a surprise, I have always had faith in Josh.  But we were all hoping he would make a big jump in year 2.  You never know until the season plays out.  Josh really seems to be getting a better grasp each and every game.  He's smart.  He's athletic.  He's big.  He has a cannon.  And he has swag.  What else would you want in a QB?  Go Josh!  Go Bills!

Love the kid!

 

My surprise is RedZone effectiveness. I figured by week 3 we’d know if Hausch is washed up. We don’t. The offense is scoring TDs at a ?% clip.

 

Great thread, eball!

[Seven-N-Nine]

5 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

Read this thread and there's one conclusion: THE WHOLE TEAM IS A PLEASANT SURPRISE.  

 

But I gotta say, I wasn't surprised. 

I figured best case scenario was above 60% by mid season. 

[Apocalypse Nuts]

20 hours ago, whatdrought said:

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.

 

And he seems to have chemistry with JA already for those broken plays.  Allen is finding him for those big first downs and that's only because Brown is working his way open in those gaps.  Man he's really turning out to be the all around receiving threat Beane and the coaches have been talking about.  Looking like a true #1 receiver and it's only 2 games in!!!

 

Great thread OP.  Highlights something that is unfamiliar with Bills fans the last few decades:  so many pleasant surprises to choose from.  Just look at the rookies alone.

 

I personally can't decide and I love having that problem.  Trent Murphy is starting to earn his big contract and show us why they gave him that dough.  Singletary for obvious reasons.  The D as a whole unit so far (they're going to be legendary if they keep this up).

 

Just based on this last game I have to go with Siran Neal. I think he needs a some good attention given his production.  He was ALL OVER the place making plays.  Saved a punt return for a touchdown and laid dude out with a passion.  He's playing with real fire in his gut and you can see it all day and he seems to be in the right position all the time.   A 2nd year pro and 5th round draft pick?  What?  This front office is finding some real gems out there in the draft and free agency.

 

I'm not used to having so much positive to talk about with my Bills.  If I'm dreaming then just let me sleep.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

Thread asks what our surprises are. Who are you to crap on someone’s surprises?..

 

It's a family site.   I can't tell you about those kind of surprises.  

 

The team is growing because of "The Process (c)". 

I love the Defense, the Offense is looking good for being a team in 2 real football games, Josh made one real blunder pass instead of throwing it away in week one that wasn't seen since.  

 

I've said 12-4 or better as my bold prediction.  No surprise as I expected it.    

 

[BuffaloMatt]

20 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

He played well vs Jets. Solder seemed to handle him fairly well, but there was a heavy rotation it seemed. Saw a lot of shaq, Trent and even Johnson. 

He is certainly part of the equation. Draws attention and frees up others 

[LSHMEAB]

Unfortunately, my choice has a "hamstring," but Singletary has been a really pleasant surprise for me personally. I had serious reservations about him based on measureables/level of competition in college, but he looks legit.

[Rocket94]

I was impressed with the Jets game. Though not a thing of beauty, the Bills would have lost that game last year.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

1 hour ago, BuffaloMatt said:

He is certainly part of the equation. Draws attention and frees up others 

 

Yeah I like Jerry a lot. I just think there are some tackles that can handle him. Certainly Soldier has seen him twice a year for many years 

[Apocalypse Nuts]

Not sure if others have mentioned it but TE depth is a really nice surprise so far and Kroft, the big FA signing isn't even on the field yet.  How often do see Sweeney out there.  Seems like he's in on 90% of offensive plays.  A 7th round pick and a late one at that.  Beane and Co. knocked it out of the park with the 2019 draft.  Not all of them but the ones that hit are very good.I really like the Lee Smith signing.  He has the blocker reputation but he can do it all.  That first down catch last weekend over the middle was a great example.  He's really into being a Bill too.  Passion!

[FeelingOnYouboty]

Darryl Johnson as our Danielle Hunter ? 

[BuffaloBill]

On 9/17/2019 at 11:36 AM, Mark Vader said:

I'm not surprised at how good John Brown is doing. I was hoping the Bills would sign him last year. He's more than a speedy receiver.

 

A surprise for me is Ed Oliver. I know, I know, he's our first round pick.  I thought he would start slowly and then as the season progressed he would become a dominant. That is not the case. He may not have a sack yet, but he has been a force in the middle, and is getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback.

 

Shaq Lawson, has surprised me also. He wants that big payday and he's working hard for it.

 

The batted balls have been great. Love watching our defense play volleyball.

 

Josh Allen's progression has been great to see.

 

I have to give a shout out to Mitch Morse. We already knew how good of a player he is, but I was worried about the concussions being a big problem, and we never saw him in the preseason. Since  week 1, he has looked fantastic. He's a damn good run blocker. The nightmare of watching Bodine & Groy last season is over.

 

 

I agree ree with the Lawson comments. Hopefully he plays consistently throughout the year. Then it will be a question as to whether he signs with the Bills. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

On 9/17/2019 at 7:02 AM, 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.

 

Bojo! should always from now on have an exclamation point right after his name. 

[Big Blitz]

I need to start a Mitch Morse appreciation thread:

 

Fyi....notice its 57 Morse takes out.  

 

In that last clip....watch Ty get to him at the 2nd level and wipe him out.  

 

He was also the guy Gore destroyed on his TD run.  

 

Monday must have been an uncomfortable film day for 57.  Don't care to check on his name lol.

Edited September 19, 2019 by Big Blitz

[Ralonzo]

51 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

I need to start a Mitch Morse appreciation thread:

 

Fyi....notice its 57 Morse takes out.  

 

In that last clip....watch Ty get to him at the 2nd level and wipe him out.  

 

He was also the guy Gore destroyed on his TD run.  

 

Monday must have been an uncomfortable film day for 57.  Don't care to check on his name lol.

 

I just love that first clip where PBP is dumbfounded silent because he can't believe what he just saw.

[rayray808]

1) O line giving Josh time

2) Josh throwing accurate lasers because of it

3) Devin Singletary making me not miss Shady one bit

[BuffaloMatt]

On 9/18/2019 at 2:18 PM, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Yeah I like Jerry a lot. I just think there are some tackles that can handle him. Certainly Soldier has seen him twice a year for many years 

Good point. Need a game from him on Sunday for sure!