The Athletic All-22: Why the film shows Duke Williams should be active in the playoffs

[transplantbillsfan]

https://theathletic.com/1498047/2019/12/31/bills-all-22-review-why-the-film-shows-duke-williams-should-be-active-in-the-playoffs-and-2-young-defenders-show-potential?source=shared-article

1. Why Duke Williams should be active vs. the Texans over Robert Foster

Immediately following Duke Williams’ six-catch, 108-yard game against the Jets, I was hesitant to think the Bills would change course at wide receiver. They aren’t prone to impulsive decisions from only one week of evidence, and Robert Foster has turned into a significant contributor on special-teams coverage units. However, after digging into the film (...) the Bills should make Williams active over Foster.

 

(...)Foster [has] always been lacking is in the overall deception of his routes. There is no doubting the player’s speed, and that element of his game is the reason the Bills have continued to go back to him. However, in non-deep ball situations, there is little opportunity for effectiveness with a varying route tree. The cornerback can easily decipher what Foster is doing with his footwork and body language

 

(..) Williams (...) made a handful of mistakes against the Jets (two drops, running a route short, whiffing on a run blocking opportunity), what he provided as a route runner and playmaker far outweighed them. Williams isn’t the quickest of receivers, though he makes up for it with his footwork. He gives his quarterbacks a throwing window by deceiving the cornerback at the top of his route. The double-move Williams ran at the end of the game to get him open for a 41-yard gain is something we haven’t seen from Foster the entire season. (...) He can make difficult plays in the tough areas of the field that require physicality that neither Foster nor Isaiah McKenzie has shown a consistent ability to do. Williams also delivered a helmet-twisting block (...)  At this point, Williams is a better offensive threat than Foster, and the Bills should adjust accordingly. Williams is not the best on special teams, and it’s part of the reason why he was inactive from Week 8 through Week 16. However, either Taron Johnson or Kevin Johnson can fill in capably for Foster as the primary punt gunner. It would allow the Bills to implement a two-pronged attack with their third receiver, using the different skill sets of Williams and McKenzie to keep the Texans on their toes.

 

[Edited for excessive copyright material -mod]

[NewEra]

And that’s the GIF you pick?  Pssssh.  Weak

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Weird how Foster can’t really fool the DBs when running deep routes, yet has enough moves to juke and run free as a gunner

apparently?  

[Don Otreply]

Well, there you have it folks, it has become Main Stream obvious, Duke Williams should be active and used in our offense, this has been very obvious to many off us here and in the greater Bills world for quite some time now. Now maybe, just maybe those who have not seen the forest through the trees might just notice the shrubbery....

 

Go Bills!!!

[1st Ammendment NoMas]

Maybe McD and Beaner will finally read the board and adjust accordingly.

[CSBill]

And what did they say about Jaquan Johnson? And Neal?

[Scott7975]

Been saying this all year.  Duke provides an element to the offense they simply don't have in any other player.  They aren't going to lose that much on ST if they don't have Foster.

[RobbRiddicksTDLeap]

2 hours ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

Weird how Foster can’t really fool the DBs when running deep routes, yet has enough moves to juke and run free as a gunner

apparently?  

That sort of makes sense. Getting separation on a go route, is different than a crossing pattern or a dig route, or splitting defenders. Gunning is pretty much a go route. Use your hands to get off your block and run like the wind. John Brown and Cole Beasley are really the only route runners in the WR room. That’s not good when only one of them has good hands. That alone is the reason why this offense struggles. Get reliable pass catchers and this offense scores at least 10 more points a game. 
 

Im not saying Duke Williams is that. Not even close. But we know that Foster, McKenzie, and Roberts, certainly are not getting it done. 

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

Weird how Foster can’t really fool the DBs when running deep routes, yet has enough moves to juke and run free as a gunner

apparently?  

The moral of the story is this coaching staff clearly values all those amazing fumble recoveries and TDs generated by the ST over any improvement on Offense. And apparently many Bills fans agree with this Philosophy. Yes this response is dripping in sarcasm. 

[Augie]

2 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Well, there you have it folks, it has become Main Stream obvious, Duke Williams should be active and used in our offense, this has been very obvious to many off us here and in the greater Bills world for quite some time now. Now maybe, just maybe those who have not seen the forest through the trees might just notice the shrubbery....

 

Go Bills!!!

 

Now, now, that cannot be said with certainty without at least two dozen more Duke threads. Stop jumping to conclusions! We need more threads to confirm this! 

[transplantbillsfan]

3 hours ago, NewEra said:

And that’s the GIF you pick?  Pssssh.  Weak

 

And you would have gone with...?

2 hours ago, BillsRdue said:

Maybe McD and Beaner will finally read the board and adjust accordingly.

 

In this case, they could have read The Athletic's weekly All-22 review.

[offyourocker]

They seem really hard headed on some players sometimes

[Albany,n.y.]

After reading the article I have to say Beane is killing it in the draft, hitting on mid-late rounders as well as the early guys.  The mantle as top GM was vacated when Ozzie Newsome retired after the 2018 season (that is after his 2018 draft class made the 2019 Ravens the AFC best team based on the regular season record) and Beane is right up there reaching for the torch Ozzie left behind.  The 2018 & 2019 draft classes are the type you look back on after a Super Bowl win and point to those drafts.  We already have 4 starters from the 2019 draft (although Ford may end up at guard) and 3 other players with promise & a guy on IR who we'll see next year.   Not bad for 8 picks.  

Edited January 1, 2020 by Albany,n.y.

[Don Otreply]

29 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Now, now, that cannot be said with certainty without at least two dozen more Duke threads. Stop jumping to conclusions! We need more threads to confirm this! 

No we don’t ?

[ticketssince61]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

After reading the article I have to say Beane is killing it in the draft, hitting on mid-late rounders as well as the early guys.  The mantle as top GM was vacated when Ozzie Newsome retired after the 2018 season (that is after his 2018 draft class made the 2019 Ravens the AFC best team based on the regular season record) and Beane is right up there reaching for the torch Ozzie left behind.  The 2018 & 2019 draft classes are the type you look back on after a Super Bowl win and point to those drafts.  We already have 4 starters from the 2019 draft (although Ford may end up at guard) and 3 other players with promise & a guy on IR who we'll see next year.   Not bad for 8 picks.  

 

It is alot more than 8 picks:

- Allen was 4 (?)

- Edmunds was 2

- Ford was 2

- Knox was 2

So it was really 15 picks

[oldschoolfootball1963]

Just confirming what we already know. Not only should Duke be starting but Sweeney should be in there with knox when the Bills go to 2 TE sets. Also put Singletary and Yeldon on the field at the same time. This is so easy to see. Maybe our coaching staff will wise up. We need points not a fullback or TE that just blocks.  Sean McDermott  started Peterman out of the blue against the Chargers 2 years ago and benched Tyrod. Maybe lighting will strike twice. We need to score, wtf is wrong with the Bills flood the field with your best weapons and let’s attack. 

Edited January 1, 2020 by oldschoolfootball1963

[mykidsdad]

Poor specilal teams plus poor execution on blockingassignment equals more bench time. Love William's for the future, but he either breaks into the top 3 WR or he becomes a better special teamer.

[NewEra]

3 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

 

And you would have gone with...?

 

In this case, they could have read The Athletic's weekly All-22 review.

Anything but Floribama

[GunnerBill]

So we are thin at corner and the Athletic thinks one of our healthy ones should be used as a gunner? Yea.... not happening. 

 

If they are activating Duke the way I see you do it is by sitting a tight end and having all 6 receivers up. Roberts and Foster are not really up for offense they are up for special teams and I think making a significant change to your special teams groupings in a playoff game is fraught with danger. 

[ProcessTruster]

3 hours ago, mykidsdad said:

Poor specilal teams plus poor execution on blockingassignment equals more bench time. Love William's for the future, but he either breaks into the top 3 WR or he becomes a better special teamer.

yeah Duke is nothing but a slower, bigger pass catcher who can't yet do anything else..  With limited roster sizes,  If you are not a top 2 wideout or a top 2 DB , on most teams you better be a strong blocker or strong on special teams, neither of which Duke is remotely close to being.   Playoff football is field position football, and what I see is we have a somewhat limited, but improving talent and therefore (IMO) field position management team, and special teams is all about gaining field position advantage.   If a team like the Bills just rolls out anyone on ST they will lose the special teams field position battle and be at a bigger disadvantage  than super talented teams that can just still score a bunch of points regardless of field position.. Bills obviously do not yet have the roster on offense to do that.  just my view

[GunnerBill]

23 minutes ago, ProcessTruster said:

yeah Duke is nothing but a slower, bigger pass catcher who can't yet do anything else..  With limited roster sizes,  If you are not a top 2 wideout or a top 2 DB , on most teams you better be a strong blocker or strong on special teams, neither of which Duke is remotely close to being.   Playoff football is field position football, and what I see is we have a somewhat limited, but improving talent and therefore (IMO) field position management team, and special teams is all about gaining field position advantage.   If a team like the Bills just rolls out anyone on ST they will lose the special teams field position battle and be at a bigger disadvantage  than super talented teams that can just still score a bunch of points regardless of field position.. Bills obviously do not yet have the roster on offense to do that.  just my view

 

In fairness Duke's run blocking overall has been pretty decent when he has been on the field despite a couple of whiffs on Sunday. Otherwise I agree with everything you posted above. 

 

I wonder if people actually watch the Bills and really understand what their plan is?

 

The Bills win on defense by not giving up big plays and by making teams put together 8-12 play drives to score. Make one mistake in there and get yourself behind the chains and the Bills defense almost always gets you off the field. That has to be allied with a special teams unit that at the very least holds its own in the field position game. Make teams start drives against you from their 30 at best. If you have a couple of special teams breakdowns that give your opponent, in this case Deshaun Watson and the Texans, starts at midfield it undermines your whole defensive gameplan. 

 

The Bills are not going to risk that for a marginal talent at wide receiver. I still say the route to get Duke active if that is the way they decide to go is at the expense of a tight end. 

[jwhit34]

Interesting how The Athletic points out all the deficiencies for Duke (running route short, 2 drops, missed block) and then states that he should play.

 

Duke's blocking is often cited on this board as an additional reason to play him. 

 

Prediction: Duke WIlliams doesn't make the team in 2020. I think they will sign a WR in free agency and draft 2, 1 in first or second round and one in late rounds because the position is stacked in the draft. If they keep 6 WRs they will be:

 

Brown

Beasley

Free agent WR

1st or 2nd round draft pick

Roberts (for return game)

McKenzie or late round pick

 

Duke will follow in the great TBD Stadium Wall tradition of Brandon Reilly, Da'Rick Rogers and Naaman Roosevelt and drift into oblivion after the board clamoring for more snaps. 

[Putin]

7 hours ago, oldschoolfootball1963 said:

Just confirming what we already know. Not only should Duke be starting but Sweeney should be in there with knox when the Bills go to 2 TE sets. Also put Singletary and Yeldon on the field at the same time. This is so easy to see. Maybe our coaching staff will wise up. We need points not a fullback or TE that just blocks.  Sean McDermott  started Peterman out of the blue against the Chargers 2 years ago and benched Tyrod. Maybe lighting will strike twice. We need to score, wtf is wrong with the Bills flood the field with your best weapons and let’s attack. 

We are a running team first ,  # 8 in rushing that’s why we have a fullback & TE who blocks , 

[ProcessTruster]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

In fairness Duke's run blocking overall has been pretty decent when he has been on the field despite a couple of whiffs on Sunday. Otherwise I agree with everything you posted above. 

 

I wonder if people actually watch the Bills and really understand what their plan is?

 

The Bills win on defense by not giving up big plays and by making teams put together 8-12 play drives to score. Make one mistake in there and get yourself behind the chains and the Bills defense almost always gets you off the field. That has to be allied with a special teams unit that at the very least holds its own in the field position game. Make teams start drives against you from their 30 at best. If you have a couple of special teams breakdowns that give your opponent, in this case Deshaun Watson and the Texans, starts at midfield it undermines your whole defensive gameplan. 

 

The Bills are not going to risk that for a marginal talent at wide receiver. I still say the route to get Duke active if that is the way they decide to go is at the expense of a tight end. 

To your second line above, my sense is that many who watch the Bills intently desperately want them to be like the Chiefs, Saints, the popular entertaining offensive teams.   The cool kids of the league with the shiny toys and the goats.   That's fine, but McD is working to win games, and trying to imitate the cool kids and throw it all over the place with a 2nd tier offensive roster will lose you more games than it will win.   Bills-style football(this year) is pretty boring, lunch pail, field position, stay in the game stuff,  in comparison to the other top 10 teams.   and I'm a fan.   but it works.  the media ignore it, bc there are no splash plays or players to sell advertising off of.   but it works.   Trust the Process; barring a pile of injuries,  my sense is McBeanes will ultimately prevail over time.

[The Wiz]

56 minutes ago, jwhit34 said:

Interesting how The Athletic points out all the deficiencies for Duke (running route short, 2 drops, missed block) and then states that he should play.

 

Duke's blocking is often cited on this board as an additional reason to play him. 

 

Prediction: Duke WIlliams doesn't make the team in 2020. I think they will sign a WR in free agency and draft 2, 1 in first or second round and one in late rounds because the position is stacked in the draft. If they keep 6 WRs they will be:

 

Brown

Beasley

Free agent WR

1st or 2nd round draft pick

Roberts (for return game)

McKenzie or late round pick

 

Duke will follow in the great TBD Stadium Wall tradition of Brandon Reilly, Da'Rick Rogers and Naaman Roosevelt and drift into oblivion after the board clamoring for more snaps. 

Not really that interesting if you keep reading. 

 

It's basically the lesser of two evils. 

 

Duke has problems with his game but fosters are worse and since the deep ball hasn't been there this season he's not looking very good as a receiver either. 

Edited January 1, 2020 by The Wiz

[djp14150]

Why can’t the team dress both Foster and Williams and Yeldon too.

 

 

[TwistofFate]

13 hours ago, NewEra said:

And that’s the GIF you pick?  Pssssh.  Weak

yeah should have been this one... https://giphy.com/gifs/Grittv-grit-tv-grittv-8mh0dbDPESfHC9QbCG

 

Ps...sorry, dont know how to embed the gif to the page... 

Edited January 1, 2020 by TwistofFate

[DuckyBoys]

Go look at the snap counts for offense and more importantly special teams and tell me Foster, Roberts, Dimarco and Perry are all irreplacable    I can guarantee you all 4 are worthless on offense  If only McKenzie could hold onto returns we wouldn't be wasting a wr spot for Roberts

[Doc]

1 hour ago, djp14150 said:

Why can’t the team dress both Foster and Williams and Yeldon too.

 

And Sweeney.

[298Woody]

2 hours ago, jwhit34 said:

Interesting how The Athletic points out all the deficiencies for Duke (running route short, 2 drops, missed block) and then states that he should play.

 

Duke's blocking is often cited on this board as an additional reason to play him. 

 

Prediction: Duke WIlliams doesn't make the team in 2020. I think they will sign a WR in free agency and draft 2, 1 in first or second round and one in late rounds because the position is stacked in the draft. If they keep 6 WRs they will be:

 

Brown

Beasley

Free agent WR

1st or 2nd round draft pick

Roberts (for return game)

McKenzie or late round pick

 

Duke will follow in the great TBD Stadium Wall tradition of Brandon Reilly, Da'Rick Rogers and Naaman Roosevelt and drift into oblivion after the board clamoring for more snaps. 

I agree with all but Roberts, I like him but he is a waste of a roster spot. No kickoffs should ever be returned from the end zone and all you need is sure hands for punts. If he can't be a contributing part of an anemic offense why keep him?

 

[MAJBobby]

So this week. 
 

Levi Wallace inactive (INJ) - Duke Williams activated 

 

Could easily deactivate Perry - Yeldon Activated 

Foster stays active like he has been. 
 

Could easily Deactivate Kroft - Sweeney Activated 

 

 

now that said that it won’t happen except likely Duke Williams being activated 

5 minutes ago, 298Woody said:

I agree with all but Roberts, I like him but he is a waste of a roster spot. No kickoffs should ever be returned from the end zone and all you need is sure hands for punts. If he can't be a contributing part of an anemic offense why keep him?

 

he has given more yards than a TB. He also is top 5 in KR and top 10 in PR. Yeah let’s take that production off the field. 

Edited January 1, 2020 by MAJBobby

[JoPoy88]

We’ve not reached a critical mass of duke threads yet huh? Honestly i hope he gets cut at this point.

[298Woody]

3 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

So this week. 
 

Levi Wallace inactive (INJ) - Duke Williams activated 

 

Could easily deactivate Perry - Yeldon Activated 

Foster stays active like he has been. 
 

Could easily Deactivate Kroft - Sweeney Activated 

 

 

no said that it won’t happen except likely Duke Williams being activated 

he has given more yards than a TB. He also is top 5 in KR and top 10 in PR. Yeah let’s take that production off the field. 

I said I like him but kick returns are less and for every return out of the end zone 25 yards should be subtracted. I don't think a kick should ever be returned from the end zone because the risk of penalty and injury added to getting to the 25 yard line isn't worth the gamble so it reduces the value of the position. Punt returns are another matter and he is the best returner in a long long time. He also is getting old and missed games this year. My only point is game day roster positions on a under performing office are valuable.

[MAJBobby]

25 minutes ago, 298Woody said:

I said I like him but kick returns are less and for every return out of the end zone 25 yards should be subtracted. I don't think a kick should ever be returned from the end zone because the risk of penalty and injury added to getting to the 25 yard line isn't worth the gamble so it reduces the value of the position. Punt returns are another matter and he is the best returner in a long long time. He also is getting old and missed games this year. My only point is game day roster positions on a under performing office are valuable.

Stats have shown this to be wrong. There are just as many kick returns this year than those in the past. Also Texans ST are very good so doesn’t make sense taking off one of our best ST weapons. 
 

so let’s say you lose his Return yards because of Hyde just catching the Punt. You don’t think those extra yards Help an offense?

[HappyDays]

5 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

I still say the route to get Duke active if that is the way they decide to go is at the expense of a tight end. 

 

I agree with Joe Marino's take - inactivate Kurt Coleman for Duke Williams. His special teams snaps have declined since the beginning of the year and he was terrible against the Jets. It is useless to keep him active over a receiver that offers something different on offense.

[artmalibu]

Well the coaching staff will surly have a long conversation about activating him after a 100 yard game with a 2nd QB against a good defense. 

 

I trust whatever decision they make... 

[Freddie's Dead]

Duke gives the Bills a dimension they don't have, a big, physical receiver who can catch 50/50 balls.  They're gonna need it going against Houston's secondary.  Duke should be active, but I don't think McD is going to do it, even though it goes against the "ya gotta earn it" mantra.  McD just has a massive woody for Foster.

[MAJBobby]

1 minute ago, Freddie's Dead said:

Duke gives the Bills a dimension they don't have, a big, physical receiver who can catch 50/50 balls.  They're gonna need it going against Houston's secondary.  Duke should be active, but I don't think McD is going to do it, even though it goes against the "ya gotta earn it" mantra.  McD just has a massive woody for Foster.

houstons secondary is exposed by speed. Has been all year. My prediction BOTH Foster and Williams will be active. 

[Foxx]

1 hour ago, TwistofFate said:

yeah should have been this one... https://giphy.com/gifs/Grittv-grit-tv-grittv-8mh0dbDPESfHC9QbCG

 

Ps...sorry, dont know how to embed the gif to the page... 

right click on the .gif > in the dialogue box that opens select, "Copy Image Address" > come back here and "Paste".

 

Edited January 1, 2020 by Foxx

[LABILLBACKER]

9 hours ago, mykidsdad said:

Poor specilal teams plus poor execution on blockingassignment equals more bench time. Love William's for the future, but he either breaks into the top 3 WR or he becomes a better special teamer.

Or we do what most teams do with their #3 wr. Not play him on ST. There, problem solved. Let Kevin, Taron and Perry cover fair catches & touchbacks. This ST argument for benching Duke is so incredibly lame.