YoloinOhio Posted December 3, 2019 Share Posted December 3, 2019 Ford had a tough matchup against defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and the Cowboys did a great job of isolating those two in the game. When Lawrence was working against Ford one-on-one, the pass rusher thoroughly dominated the offensive lineman all game and routinely blew up the pocket against the Bills. As you’ll see in the clips below, the same problem from the spring, summer and fall has persisted into the summer. In pass-blocking, Ford is not quick enough at the line of scrimmage and doesn’t have quick feet to make up for it in his kick slide. It leads to the rookie abandoning his technique and going into “chase” mode with his back to the line of scrimmage. If his opponent is skilled at bending the edge, he’s almost certain to win the matchup. While Lawrence is a tough assignment, you’d expect to see some flashes of potential from Ford. Ford has the skillset of a guard and looks like he’s playing out of position in the NFL. The Bills have had to play him there in 2019 out of the necessity, because of Ty Nsekhe’s injury. At the end of the season, with left guard Quinton Spain on an expiring contract, the Bills should finally slide Ford inside and see if he can realize his potential. As for right tackle, the Bills should be back in the market for one in the 2020 NFL Draft. 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 That is generally disappointing, not a surprise, but disappointing. Hopefully Nsekhe is back soon, real soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PetermansRedemption Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I wanted Metcalf 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Brian Balldinger said the exact opposite about Ford... Not sure whose take is more accurate. Also, I'm not okay letting Spain walk just to try Ford at guard. I don't care what his pedigree is. 20 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krf139 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Thurman Thomas tweeted after the game about what a solid game Ford had.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Hooks Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) Is it just me or is this dude obsessed with Ford? Edited December 4, 2019 by Bobby Hooks 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I've taken some heat for mocking his pass pro lately. It's just been a fact that. He's not good in pass pro. But two of his worst plays Thursday did lead to TD's.......Allen bolting from the pocket and throwing the TD pass to Beasley and running the other one in for a TD. As I've said........the good things are that Ford is on Allen's front side so he can keep an eye on his whiffs and that Allen can get away and make big plays out of the pocket. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastMaster Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 1 minute ago, Bobby Hooks said: Is it just me but is this dude obsessed with Ford? Seems like it TBH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRA3196 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I dunno, its not like Peter King is calling Ford a bust at right tackle, at this point. If Ford was actually a turn style, then why not give Bates a chance out there? He is active on game days for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctk232 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) 13 minutes ago, whatdrought said: Brian Balldinger said the exact opposite about Ford... Not sure whose take is more accurate. Also, I'm not okay letting Spain walk just to try Ford at guard. I don't care what his pedigree is. Doesn't necessarily mean we have to let Spain go next year either - Long could be the odd man out at back-up Guard positions if we push Ford inside. in general to Ford, his footwork/agility was always a concern for the Tackle position in the NFL, but the kid is a stud in run blocking and while on his rookie contract there's no reason to dismiss him this early whatsoever. Hopefully Nsekhe is back sooner than later for this season's playoff push, and we can see about other RT options moving forward or if Ford improves with a good offseason. That said, Joe B. is consistently down on him where others have seen promise and good play. No question he's had bad reps against two of the best DE's in the league, as to be expected for any rookie, but he's been able to hold his own when needed as well. We also seem to have played both Denver and Dallas well enough with Ford at RT, so I'm not entirely concerned until Nsekhe's back either. Edited December 4, 2019 by ctk232 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TH3 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Not for nothing....but other than enthusiasm.....does Joe B have any qualifications to be breaking down film? 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7975 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 This is pretty surprising. I don't watch tape other than what people post and I don't have a subscription to see what he is talking about. However, I thought the line looked like it played pretty damn well outside of a few plays. Even the best line in the league will have some bad plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 14 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: It's not unheard of for OL players to improve a lot with a good offseason. I personally am not in favor of moving on from Spain. 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 4 minutes ago, Bobby Hooks said: Is it just me or is this dude obsessed with Ford? He had the same take on Allen last year so that should mean Ford will be fine. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just now, Scott7975 said: This is pretty surprising. I don't watch tape other than what people post and I don't have a subscription to see what he is talking about. However, I thought the line looked like it played pretty damn well outside of a few plays. Even the best line in the league will have some bad plays. Especially against the one of the best pass rushing teams in the league. The last two games have been against elite competition and we've heard mixed reviews about ford. I'm fine waiting to a bit longer before deciding his fate for next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 2 minutes ago, TH3 said: Not for nothing....but other than enthusiasm.....does Joe B have any qualifications to be breaking down film? I kind of took some heat for asking the same question after the Denver game. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whatdrought Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just now, Hapless Bills Fan said: It's not unheard of for OL players to improve a lot with a good offseason. I personally am not in favor of moving on from Spain. Same. I think Spain has been one of the unsung heroes of this team and I don't see any reason not to sign him. I would keep Dawkins, Spain, More, and Feliciano and then figure RT out - whether or not that can be Ford. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 11 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said: I've taken some heat for mocking his pass pro lately. It's just been a fact that. He's not good in pass pro. But two of his worst plays Thursday did lead to TD's.......Allen bolting from the pocket and throwing the TD pass to Beasley and running the other one in for a TD. According to Erik Turner's piece in The Athletic on the play concepts behind the Beasley TD, it's less bolting from the pocket than the designed roll-out and secondary routes concepts from Mouse Davis run-and-shoot that Beasley ran at SMU under June Jones. It's not just pass protection that's a weakness for Ford. There have been too many good Allen runs called back by holding against Ford. None vs. Dallas, but before that 1 each vs Cle, Mia, Den. The Cle was particularly killer as it negated a nice Singletary run and turned 1st and 15 into 1st and 25 in the 3Q with a 9-9 tie game. (the 1st and 15 was due to a false start penalty, guess who?). We made it 3rd and 3 then had to punt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted December 4, 2019 Author Share Posted December 4, 2019 (edited) Heard this earlier. Sounds promising, no longer week to week Edited December 4, 2019 by YoloinOhio 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just now, Hapless Bills Fan said: According to Erik Turner's piece in The Athletic on the play concepts behind the Beasley TD, it's less bolting from the pocket than the designed roll-out and secondary routes concepts from Mouse Davis run-and-shoot that Beasley ran at SMU under June Jones. All credit to Daboll for turning a vulnerability in pass pro into an opportunity then.........5D chess. ♟️ He can't pass block........you know that right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CEN-CAL17 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I too think the Bills move Ford to RG... Move Feliciano to LG, Spain does not resign. Bills Draft OT, one that played LT or has potential to play LT but will play RT as a rookie. Also insurance for Dawkins being in a contract year. Alex Leatherwood, Austin Jackson, Tristan Wirf, Walker Little... there’s about 4-5 OTs being talked about now as round 1 guys. Potential to be a best player available too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njbuff Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 How come current and former NFL players have said Ford was solid? I’m confused by this analysis too. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain_Quint Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 16 minutes ago, Scott7975 said: This is pretty surprising. I don't watch tape other than what people post and I don't have a subscription to see what he is talking about. However, I thought the line looked like it played pretty damn well outside of a few plays. Even the best line in the league will have some bad plays. Those few plays where they didnt look good have been from Ford. He's a step behind the DE most of the time and isnt quick enough to catch up. Unless he finds some technique to change that, he'll continue getting beat around the edge. It wasnt just Dallas either. Find the blown plays from other games and you'll see Ford missing assignments on the right side. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincec Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I haven't broken down film or anything, but to the naked eye it certainly looks like he has struggled in 1v1 pass protection. However, I think it's crazy to say that he has "sealed his fate" to play guard. The guy is a rookie. I think he deserves a chance to work on his game a little- at least one offseason, at minimum. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcampbell104 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 olineman can improve a lot going from their first to second seasons, i believe baldinger a hell of a lot more than joe b 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Just now, vincec said: I haven't broken down film or anything, but to the naked eye it certainly looks like he has struggled in 1v1 pass protection. However, I think it's crazy to say that he has "sealed his fate" to play guard. The guy is a rookie. I think he deserves a chance to work on his game a little- at least one offseason, at minimum. That's where I am. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 This is the way I think its going to play out Spain is going to want a huge contract......one of the reasons he was even available to us was because he was waiting for money that never materialized and it didnt happen. He has been solid this year.....on a team going to the playoffs......and when the season is over he is going to be looking for one again. Ford is waiting in the wings as a starting guard....and we have a insane amount of depth at the position. Ford to LT.....Jon F. gets extended at RT.......we keep the ex Jet C/G and the guy we traded for as depth......we find another RT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7975 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 7 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said: Those few plays where they didnt look good have been from Ford. He's a step behind the DE most of the time and isnt quick enough to catch up. Unless he finds some technique to change that, he'll continue getting beat around the edge. It wasnt just Dallas either. Find the blown plays from other games and you'll see Ford missing assignments on the right side. Im sure you are correct on that. I've seen him get blown up a few times when paying attention to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 The Bills definitely like versatile OL. I think if a stud OT falls their way in the draft or in free agency they might move him to guard - especially if Spain walks (hopefully not) - and they can always kick him back outside if need be. But for now I think we need to see Ford grow through experience and give him a chance to stay. He just needs work on his technique in pass pro. It can be coached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iccrewman112 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 31 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said: I've taken some heat for mocking his pass pro lately. It's just been a fact that. He's not good in pass pro. But two of his worst plays Thursday did lead to TD's.......Allen bolting from the pocket and throwing the TD pass to Beasley and running the other one in for a TD. As I've said........the good things are that Ford is on Allen's front side so he can keep an eye on his whiffs and that Allen can get away and make big plays out of the pocket. Sounds like it was all part of Brian “from the booth” Daboll’s scheme. Just like he drew it up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 6 minutes ago, vincec said: I haven't broken down film or anything, but to the naked eye it certainly looks like he has struggled in 1v1 pass protection. However, I think it's crazy to say that he has "sealed his fate" to play guard. The guy is a rookie. I think he deserves a chance to work on his game a little- at least one offseason, at minimum. Yeah he hasn't sealed his fate. And even if he never becomes a good pass blocker he could start for a long time at RT. Most RT's suck in pass pro. It's a position that teams just assume they are going to have to help a lot with TE's and backs chipping etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlando Tim Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 43 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: If he was one on one with such a good defensive end and the offense played that well then I am confident he is not terrible. If Joe is simply stating his skill set is more in line with a guard then I can accept it but do not say he was dominated when our line generally was so much better than theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Wasn’t Joe the guy that said pump the brakes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaCrispy Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 37 minutes ago, whatdrought said: Brian Balldinger said the exact opposite about Ford... Not sure whose take is more accurate. Also, I'm not okay letting Spain walk just to try Ford at guard. I don't care what his pedigree is. The last paragraph is absolutely correct...at the very least, Ford will need to see stiff competition at guard...we still don’t even know if he is adequate at that position- no way in hell should the Bills just hand it to him because he was a high pick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan89 Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I thought Ford had been playing well since Ty went down. but what do I know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 Why do people take what Joe B says as Gospel? He is just stating an opinion. He is not some film guru. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Otreply Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 16 minutes ago, njbuff said: How come current and former NFL players have said Ford was solid? I’m confused by this analysis too. It could be that Joe does not always know what he is looking at, does he have a history of this type of expertise? Does anyone have an answer to this question? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobbRiddicksTDLeap Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 I love these threads where everyone jumps on a rookie who plays hard on every down, and has show improvement week to week. Thank God that Joe B hides behind a pay wall now. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IgotBILLStopay Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 https://billswire.usatoday.com/2019/11/25/broncos-von-miller-praises-bills-dion-dawkins-cody-ford/ I'll just let Von Miller do the talking on this. That is Von freaking Miller man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted December 4, 2019 Share Posted December 4, 2019 47 minutes ago, PetermansRedemption said: I wanted Metcalf I am sure Metcalf would great at blocking as RT you from getting sacked but would like to try it a few times before I took your word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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