What are some things that flew under the radar this season (good or bad)?

[warrior9]

Now that the season is over, I wanted to reflect on some things that I think flew under the radar both positive and negative. I'm curious everyone's thoughts. I'll start with a few:

 

1.) I can't say for certain if it's our analytics/ sports science department but our injury report this year (aside from the current Hughes news) was absolutely incredible. I think it was week 15 and we didn't have a single person on our injury report. The health of this team this year was amazing and I think it gave us a leg up. It seems as though since McDermott has been here, this has been common place. I think it's time we start giving kudos to him for being somewhat advanced in this category. I'm unsure how this has flown under national radar. 

 

2.) It seemed as though we thought our depth has gotten better but it's definitely still a weak point of this team in several spots. Our depth at LB, WR, DE, RB, and TE is pretty shallow. We have decent depth at CB/S (I think Marlowe actually played well and Kurt Coleman is fine), OL, and DT. This is something that will get better as our younger guys develop but it seems as though we need depth horribly at DE and LB. 

 

There are a few more I have on my mind but I wanted to see where the board may take this.

[Logic]

Sean McDermott became the second most aggressive 4th down play caller in the NFL. Not sure if that's due to lack of faith in Hauschka, added faith in the o-line/Josh, or input from the new analytics hire.

Whatever it was, McDermott's evolution in this regard is very encouraging.

[123719bwiqrb]

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

[cage]

On the injury front we definitely had a great year.  I don't really know whether / what we're doing that is different from others.  Is this just a matter of luck or something else?  Regarding sprains, pulls and recovery I know that the Bills have spent a lot on top-notch medical care for players.  I have not idea how that compares to the rest of the league.  Regarding breaks, ACLs and a myriad of other injuries may be just dumb luck.  Someone rolling up on an ankle or knee is just unfortunate bad break.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

The negativism of some Bills fans know no bounds

[Elite Poster]

2 minutes ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

 

He was top ten in avg punt return distance. 

[Logic]

3 minutes ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

Bills led the league in average drive start at the 27.5 yard line. Roberts was top three in kick return yardage.

I'm not gonna lose any sleep if they cut him, but to say he is a "non factor" is inaccurate.

[Motorin']

2 minutes ago, Logic said:

Bills led the league in average drive start at the 27.5 yard line. Roberts was top three in kick return yardage.

I'm not gonna lose any sleep if they cut him, but to say he is a "non factor" is inaccurate.

He has solid hands, and was reliable without any big plays. 

[ProcessAccepted]

5 minutes ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

 

2 minutes ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

The negativism of some Bills fans know no bounds

 

Not dropping a punt or kickoff and finishing top 10 in returns. @D. L. Hot-Flamethrower you are correct sir crazy levels of negativity out there.

[BuffaloHokie13]

I may be wrong, but I think we finished the year with 0 non-offensive TDs

[Utah John]

I don't think Spain got any props at all during the season.  And I believe he didn't give up a sack.  The Bills ran to the left more effectively than to the right.  Sounds to me like Spain did well, also since we never heard his name called.

[warrior9]

Just now, Utah John said:

I don't think Spain got any props at all during the season.  And I believe he didn't give up a sack.  The Bills ran to the left more effectively than to the right.  Sounds to me like Spain did well, also since we never heard his name called.

I am a BIG Spain supporter/fan. I want him back. I want Dawkins, Spain, Morse on that left side of the line next year for sure.

[BuffaloHokie13]

Just now, Utah John said:

I don't think Spain got any props at all during the season.  And I believe he didn't give up a sack.  The Bills ran to the left more effectively than to the right.  Sounds to me like Spain did well, also since we never heard his name called.

And he should also get some credit for Dawkins returning to form. Spain did well. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

2 hours ago, ProcessAccepted said:

 

 

Not dropping a punt or kickoff and finishing top 10 in returns. @D. L. Hot-Flamethrower you are correct sir crazy levels of negativity out there.

Yes and at 10-6, with 2 playoff appearances in 3 years and a fun, developing young QB etc. You'd think we were back in the mid 80s with back to back 2-14 years. Will people learn to enjoy that it isn't just the final outcome and a rush to get there. Enjoy the process, and most of all you don't know everything and it's Ok to admit being wrong.

Edited January 10, 2020 by D. L. Hot-Flamethrower

[Ray Finkel]

6 minutes ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

I may be wrong, but I think we finished the year with 0 non-offensive TDs

We had 1 on the onside kick that Miami tried.  We returned it for TD

[BuffaloHokie13]

1 minute ago, Ray Finkel said:

We had 1 on the onside kick that Miami tried.  We returned it for TD

Ah, right. So none that mattered, as just falling on it would've won the game. Still feels like a bit of an anomaly. 

[Mr. WEO]

16 minutes ago, Logic said:

Sean McDermott became the second most aggressive 4th down play caller in the NFL. Not sure if that's due to lack of faith in Hauschka, added faith in the o-line/Josh, or input from the new analytics hire.

Whatever it was, McDermott's evolution in this regard is very encouraging.

 

 

 

 

4th and 27: pass.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

22 minutes ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

 

....uh oh.....STILL 3rd in the NFL for 2019...........

Kick & Punt Returns

• * Selected to Pro Bowl, + First-Team All-Pro

					Games		Punt Returns					Kick Returns
Rk	Player	Tm	Age	Pos	G	GS	Ret	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/R	Rt	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/Rt	APYd
1	Deonte Harris*+	NOR	22	wr	14	1	36	338	1	53	9.4	24	644	0	51	26.8	1037
2	Richie James	SFO	24	wr	16	1	33	264	0	32	8.0	20	428	0	81	21.4	849
3	Andre Roberts	BUF	31		13	0	28	223	0	22	8.0	25	664	0	66	26.6	914
4	Kenjon Barner	ATL	29		14	0	35	267	1	78	7.6	17	406	0	47	23.9	723
5	Trevor Davis	3TM	26		14	4	22	145	0	32	6.6	23	506	0	52	22.0	83

[Rc2catch]

Best under the radar for me was Lawson. He’s been talked about a lot cause of the 5th year option declined and his free agent status. His stats don’t jump off the page and I think it’s overlooked what he actually accomplished this year. All the Yannick talk i dug deeper into stuff and was looking over snap counts. Shaq had like 480 snaps played. His QB hits and TFL were very impressive. Had he played over 700 snaps like Murphy did his numbers would be approaching elite levels. The trick though was he wouldn’t have the same numbers in Murphy’s spot. I think Lawson has developed a helluva game coming in for Hughes matching up against left tackles. I could not find what % of snaps he played at each end spot. 
 

I started browsing Chandler Jones who was amazing this year 

1069 snaps 
19 sacks 

53 tackles 

11 TFL

26 QB hits 

 

then Khalil Mack who was a little down this year 

925 snaps 

8.5 sacks 

47 tackles 

8 TFL

14 QB hits 

 

the new kid on the block nick bosa

783 snaps 

9 sacks

47 tackles 

16 TFL 

25 QB hits 

 

Lawson 

483 snaps 

6.5 sacks

32 tackles 

13 TFL 

18 QB hits 

His numbers really jump when you consider how little he played compared to others. There’s of course other factors and I’m not calling him elite but his stats this year in a limited role were really impressive. 
 

I don’t want to get into the sign him or let him walk or any of that stuff it’s on tons of other threads. I just wanted to give a little insight since I had done a little homework about Yannick and people saying what an upgrade he is and this qualified as under the radar to me 

[buffalostu2]

In hindsight was trading Zay Jones (7 TDs with Josh last year) the right move?   3 catches for Foster all season and hardly put Duke on the field. 

 

Could Zay have helped down the stretch?      

[BuffaloBillies]

Allen's numbers (and Bills offensive production) would have been much better had we not dropped so many passes this year (not to mention missed YAC). Granted, he does throw some wild ones and fastballs at times, but seemed like more drops this year than I can remember. Had to be over 25 drops. Anyone have the actual #?

 

EDIT: I'll answer my own question, just looked it up here (http://stats.washingtonpost.com/fb/tmleaders.asp?range=NFL&rank=232&type=Receiving)

Bills had the second worst # of drops in the league (26), only behind Dolphins (28).

Edited January 10, 2020 by BuffaloBillies

[BuffaloHokie13]

3 minutes ago, buffalostu2 said:

In hindsight was trading Zay Jones (7 TDs with Josh last year) the right move?   3 catches for Foster all season and hardly put Duke on the field. 

 

Could Zay have helped down the stretch?      

Absolutely not. I would be surprised if he isn't out of the league once his contract expires. 

[Motorin']

6 minutes ago, buffalostu2 said:

In hindsight was trading Zay Jones (7 TDs with Josh last year) the right move?   3 catches for Foster all season and hardly put Duke on the field. 

 

Could Zay have helped down the stretch?      

 

Zay was supposed to be the physical #1 wr that can be the go to guy. Can't fault the Bills for Zay's mental breakdowns. 

 

He didn't do much to support the Raiders, so not much evidence that he would have contributed more here... Wish they would have taken JuJu.

Edited January 10, 2020 by Motorin'

[Rc2catch]

9 minutes ago, buffalostu2 said:

In hindsight was trading Zay Jones (7 TDs with Josh last year) the right move?   3 catches for Foster all season and hardly put Duke on the field. 

 

Could Zay have helped down the stretch?      

I questioned it some when we traded him given our depth only. But he was trash in Oakland too and was lining up as their number 2 a lot and even got slot time. He couldn’t make any difference there 

[MAJBobby]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

Sean McDermott became the second most aggressive 4th down play caller in the NFL. Not sure if that's due to lack of faith in Hauschka, added faith in the o-line/Josh, or input from the new analytics hire.

Whatever it was, McDermott's evolution in this regard is very encouraging.

Well Hauschka being 1/5 from 50 plus probably aided greatly in that evolution 

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

 

I believe he ended up being the 3rd best returner in the NFL.

[ILBillsfan]

46 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Best under the radar for me was Lawson. He’s been talked about a lot cause of the 5th year option declined and his free agent status. His stats don’t jump off the page and I think it’s overlooked what he actually accomplished this year. All the Yannick talk i dug deeper into stuff and was looking over snap counts. Shaq had like 480 snaps played. His QB hits and TFL were very impressive. Had he played over 700 snaps like Murphy did his numbers would be approaching elite levels. The trick though was he wouldn’t have the same numbers in Murphy’s spot. I think Lawson has developed a helluva game coming in for Hughes matching up against left tackles. I could not find what % of snaps he played at each end spot. 
 

I started browsing Chandler Jones who was amazing this year 

1069 snaps 
19 sacks 

53 tackles 

11 TFL

26 QB hits 

 

then Khalil Mack who was a little down this year 

925 snaps 

8.5 sacks 

47 tackles 

8 TFL

14 QB hits 

 

the new kid on the block nick bosa

783 snaps 

9 sacks

47 tackles 

16 TFL 

25 QB hits 

 

Lawson 

483 snaps 

6.5 sacks

32 tackles 

13 TFL 

18 QB hits 

His numbers really jump when you consider how little he played compared to others. There’s of course other factors and I’m not calling him elite but his stats this year in a limited role were really impressive. 
 

I don’t want to get into the sign him or let him walk or any of that stuff it’s on tons of other threads. I just wanted to give a little insight since I had done a little homework about Yannick and people saying what an upgrade he is and this qualified as under the radar to me 

that was eye popping I like Lawson and this makes me like him even more.  Did not realize how few snaps he had.  he sure made the most of them.

[Rc2catch]

3 minutes ago, ILBillsfan said:

that was eye popping I like Lawson and this makes me like him even more.  Did not realize how few snaps he had.  he sure made the most of them.

Yeah I think Murphy was over 675 or something similar, even more than Hughes. Murphy has the highest snap count on the defensive line which I was actually very surprised about. 

[Uncle Joe]

The good:
After getting run over by the Eagles we made changes to the Dline.

Cut Peko, added Liuget and called up Taylor.

[Hebert19]

1 hour ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

I may be wrong, but I think we finished the year with 0 non-offensive TDs

Hyde

[BillsfaninSB]

Allen missed very little time as a result of an injury.   Racking up that experience will pay huge dividends next year. 

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 hour ago, buffalostu2 said:

In hindsight was trading Zay Jones (7 TDs with Josh last year) the right move?   3 catches for Foster all season and hardly put Duke on the field. 

 

Could Zay have helped down the stretch?      

 

No.

 

The man had something like 150 yards in 7 games starts.

 

Great call by Bills management to get rid of him, (actually trade for him) esp with his fathers  negative tweets re the Bills.

[klos63]

1 hour ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

Why is anyone concerned about the cap for next season? We have no reason to release a player unless someone better is found.

[egd]

1 hour ago, warrior9 said:

 

 

2.) It seemed as though we thought our depth has gotten better but it's definitely still a weak point of this team in several spots. Our depth at LB, WR, DE, RB, and TE is pretty shallow. We have decent depth at CB/S (I think Marlowe actually played well and Kurt Coleman is fine), OL, and DT. This is something that will get better as our younger guys develop but it seems as though we need depth horribly at DE and LB. 

 

 

 

Wasn't there some guy complaining here last month we had no depth at CB?

 

Also, we seem pretty deep at TE with Knox, Sweeney, Kroft, and Smith.

[RoyBatty is alive]

1 minute ago, egd said:

 

Wasn't there some guy complaining here last month we had no depth at CB?

 

Also, we seem pretty deep at TE with Knox, Sweeney, Kroft, and Smith.

 

 

Define "deep", yes we have a lot of very mediocre TEs.  Maybe Knox can improve on blocking and learn to catch the ball, Smith & Kroft were major disappointment to me.  Sweeney is ok but very limited upside athletically.

 

I will be shocked if both Kroft and Smith return, one of them is a goner.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Great Topic, OP. 
 

Bojo was a pleasant surprise to me. I’m not even joking here, but despite being in the bottom 5 for net average, the guy actually was okay in hitting punts inside of the 20, and more importantly, only had 1 negative play (block against NE).

 

i was terrified with him as the holder and punter, and he ended up being passably competent. 
 

 

[Franco_92]

1 hour ago, ScotSHO said:

While Andre Roberts did not drop a punt or kickoff, he is a non factor anymore.  No breakaway speed.  Cap cut for me, 100%.

Interestingly, given last season's adventures with either Hyde (who caught well, but always fair-caught to avoid injury, which I 100% support since it's Hyde but would rather not have to settle with in this scenario) or McKenzie (who had the dropsies) I found Roberts' sure hands and ability to get some, if not a lot, yards on just about every return, a positive under-the-radar part of the season. I was never once nervous on those plays, contrasted with 2018 when it was a nightmare every time we forced a punt.

[Ray Finkel]

2 hours ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

Ah, right. So none that mattered, as just falling on it would've won the game. Still feels like a bit of an anomaly. 

I was expecting bigger things from that unit this year.

[BuffaloHokie13]

9 minutes ago, Ray Finkel said:

I was expecting bigger things from that unit this year.

Yep, and the D. They held up well, but its strange not to have a single pick 6 or scoop and score. Especially for a top unit.

[123719bwiqrb]

3 hours ago, Elite Poster said:

 

He was top ten in avg punt return distance. 

Is he worth a WR spot when we've proven we can't field good ones beyond Brown, Beasely and potentially Dukie?  I would have rather taken a flier on a new WR every week and had Hyde fair catch punts.

3 hours ago, Logic said:

Bills led the league in average drive start at the 27.5 yard line. Roberts was top three in kick return yardage.

I'm not gonna lose any sleep if they cut him, but to say he is a "non factor" is inaccurate.

I'm not sure that 2.5 extra yards was worth his WR roster spot, that's all I'm saying.