Bills Playcalling with 10 Personnel

[cage]

From the Athletic...I don't think we've ever seen a Bills offense like this.  Even the K-gun was tame by comparison

 

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https://theathletic.com/2084441/2020/09/22/final-thoughts-10-things-we-learned-from-the-bills-win-over-the-dolphins/

 

The Bills have run 32 plays out of 10 personnel, which is when four wide receivers are on the field. That’s by far the most in the NFL. The next closest team is the Arizona Cardinals with 17. After that, the Seahawks and Patriots are tied with three each. There are 24 NFL teams who haven’t run a single play with four wide receivers on the field through two weeks of the season. Buffalo has a quarterback capable of running this offense and an offensive coordinator who isn’t afraid to let him loose. That’s a combination Bills fans haven’t seen in years.

Edited September 22, 2020 by cage

[MAJBobby]

I love this offense that I have seen for two weeks.  We have shown an offense that can carry a struggling Defense and just flat out out score you.  Just think that is also with them still taking the 3rd QTR off.  Wait to see what happens when they get this Sluggish 3rd QTR thing out.

[Bangarang]

Even before Knox’s injury, our TEs were unimpressive and unreliable. 
 

I don’t mind seeing Gabe Davis get on the field or McKenzie motioning for jet sweeps

Edited September 22, 2020 by Bangarang

[TroutDog]

3 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

Even before Knox’s injury, our TEs were unimpressive and unreliable. 
 

I don’t mind seeing Gabe Davis get on the field or McKenzie motioning for jet sweeps

Knox has only had one drop this year if I recall correctly. Yes the fumble but the kid is still learning. 
 

I view him much as I viewed Josh: a project with tremendous upside. Hopefully we all hold on a while longer as Kroft is invisible. 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

3 minutes ago, TroutDog said:

Knox has only had one drop this year if I recall correctly. Yes the fumble but the kid is still learning. 
 

I view him much as I viewed Josh: a project with tremendous upside. Hopefully we all hold on a while longer as Kroft is invisible. 

 

Yeah, but until then there is nothing wrong with limiting his play time. They put too much on his shoulders last year. I just don't think they need to do that again with all the WR weapons they have. 

 

Also, and this is my favorite part, their offensive line this year is realllllly good. They just don't need the extra blockers like they did in years past. 

Edited September 22, 2020 by JoshAllenHasBigHands

[Victory Formation]

12 minutes ago, TroutDog said:

Knox has only had one drop this year if I recall correctly. Yes the fumble but the kid is still learning. 
 

I view him much as I viewed Josh: a project with tremendous upside. Hopefully we all hold on a while longer as Kroft is invisible. 

Did he not have a 38 yard reception? He is very raw but he can occasionally make a big time play.. so yes I see the Josh Allen comparison... let em learn..

[SCBills]

Love it..  McKenzie has already been way more impressive in this offense than I thought he would be.  He has a defined role and does it well.  Davis obviously looks legit and warrants playing time.  They are also physical players for WR, so you can still run out of those formations.  

 

As mentioned above, if our offense can figure out how to do anything in the 3rd quarter, we could be looking at an offense that can outscore anyone in the NFL.

[ALLEN1QB]

Wooooohoooo

[Bangarang]

31 minutes ago, TroutDog said:

Knox has only had one drop this year if I recall correctly. Yes the fumble but the kid is still learning. 
 

I view him much as I viewed Josh: a project with tremendous upside. Hopefully we all hold on a while longer as Kroft is invisible. 

We have a stacked WR room who are far more reliable and deserving of targets. Knox is a role player at best at this point and struggles with drops. Fortunately for him he’s the most talented TE we have so he’ll continue getting reps once he gets back.

[mykidsdad]

I hope our TE's step up, but I'm fairly certain that this group is our best group and is likely why we have them out there. Why not put our best 11 on the field and try to make it work. If we had a great TE or 2 maybe the formations would be different more often.

[Big Turk]

I mean Gabe Davis is much better than most teams 4th CB so why not let him get after it??

 

And factoring in injuries many times its the 5th or 6th best CB he is facing

Edited September 22, 2020 by matter2003

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

1 hour ago, MAJBobby said:

I love this offense that I have seen for two weeks.  We have shown an offense that can carry a struggling Defense and just flat out out score you.  Just think that is also with them still taking the 3rd QTR off.  Wait to see what happens when they get this Sluggish 3rd QTR thing out.

 

I'm curious to see if its a difference in playcalling, execution, or defensive adjustments

[thebandit27]

‘10’ sets really put Allen in a position to succeed; he will usually get man coverage looks, and the vertical stretch gives him the option to take it himself for a chunk play.

 

Smart coaching 

[Rubes]

Having 4 excellent WRs on the field is a huge advantage. It forces the defense to have more DBs on the field, which is great because (a) most DBs can't cover these guys, and (b) it opens things up for the running game since there are likely fewer LBs on the field. That includes running by Josh. Once this offense gets comfortable (especially the OL), I expect to see a lot of this formation.

[Rock'em Sock'em]

41 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

I mean Gabe Davis is much better than most teams 4th CB so why not let him get after it??

It's because Diggs, Brown, Beasley had even more favorable match-ups - at least against the Jets and Dolphins.

 

[njbuff]

Well, this is the best WR group the Bills have put on the field sine 1991.

 

Geez, did I just say that?

[4merper4mer]

 I know four receivers is a lot and creates problems fir the other team but I'd still use the full complement of eleven players.  Going to 10 personnel seems like we're being cocky and that's just bulletin board material.

[badassgixxer05]

1 hour ago, matter2003 said:

I mean Gabe Davis is much better than most teams 4th CB so why not let him get after it??

 

And factoring in injuries many times its the 5th or 6th best CB he is facing

Most teams aren't  running a 4th cb out there(well they prob will start to after reviewing some tape), so have chance of gettting an LB or S on one of our WRs. Winning...

[eball]

1 hour ago, thebandit27 said:

‘10’ sets really put Allen in a position to succeed; he will usually get man coverage looks, and the vertical stretch gives him the option to take it himself for a chunk play.

 

Smart coaching 

 

Shh...Daboll doesn’t have a clue and is a terrible OC.  That’s what I’ve heard repeatedly around here.

[Nextmanup]

There has been a lot of talk in the last few days of the Bills seemingly embracing a pass-heavy attacking offense on a conceptual level.  This is new territory.  

 

I agree with others, we haven't seen this in 20 years and I would like to see us continue...but still would like to see a lot of running with Allen as well.

 

 

[Magox]

It's pretty astounding to see how far along the Bills Receivers have come from just two short years ago.  Where the Bills had arguably the worst WR corps in the entire NFL to now arguably the best WR corps.  The addition of Diggs changes the entire makeup of the offense.  Brown was a solid #1 WR for us last year but we really had no #2 with Beasley as a good #3.  

 

Now with Diggs who is a bonafide superstar #1, that makes Brown a top end #2 and then you have Beasley who is another higher quality #3 and thrown in the Rookie Gabe who is a star in the making and add McKenzie in to boot for a fifth WR and we are absolutely stacked at the WR spot.   

 

Running the 10' set makes too much sense.  This is what you call playing to your strengths and I love it!  

 

Daboll is showing his mettle. 

Edited September 22, 2020 by Magox

[MJS]

Wow. I would have thought more teams would be running that occasionally.

[billsfan89]

When you don't have a good TE you go with your WR's more. Mac is a nice gadget guy and they seem to like Davis so it doesn't shock me that they are going with Knox on the field less and putting in some gadget plays for Mac and getting Davis some snaps. 

[Buffalo Boy]

15 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

but still would like to see a lot of running with Allen as well.

NOPE.

A scramble with a slide when necessary but designed QB runs are Not needed when you have  proficient passer.

[IgotBILLStopay]

3 hours ago, cage said:

From the Athletic...I don't think we've ever seen a Bills offense like this.  Even the K-gun was tame by comparison

 

Sorry, subscription required

https://theathletic.com/2084441/2020/09/22/final-thoughts-10-things-we-learned-from-the-bills-win-over-the-dolphins/

 

The Bills have run 32 plays out of 10 personnel, which is when four wide receivers are on the field. That’s by far the most in the NFL. The next closest team is the Arizona Cardinals with 17. After that, the Seahawks and Patriots are tied with three each. There are 24 NFL teams who haven’t run a single play with four wide receivers on the field through two weeks of the season. Buffalo has a quarterback capable of running this offense and an offensive coordinator who isn’t afraid to let him loose. That’s a combination Bills fans haven’t seen in years.

The Bills have a QB who can be a very effective RB when wants - so not losing anything with 10 personnel

[hondo in seattle]

No disrespect to Knox and the blocks of ice he calls hands, why not line up in a 10 formation when your four best receivers are wide receivers?

 

With the speed and talent our wide outs have, and the arm Josh has, we force opposing defenses to defend the entire length and breadth of the field.  That's a tall order.  

 

I got to imagine this will eventually benefit the running game as well.  

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, 4merper4mer said:

 I know four receivers is a lot and creates problems fir the other team but I'd still use the full complement of eleven players.  Going to 10 personnel seems like we're being cocky and that's just bulletin board material.

Exactly.  I figured Wrecks was back, and had lost count again.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

I love it. It is not without it's limitations though. Without a TE on the field the defense switches to dime package and it is still hard to run the ball.  With Knox it forces them to consider run or pass.

4 WR set is best with a bunch formation to one side and a single WR to the other.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

4 hours ago, TroutDog said:

Knox has only had one drop this year if I recall correctly. Yes the fumble but the kid is still learning. 
 

I view him much as I viewed Josh: a project with tremendous upside. Hopefully we all hold on a while longer as Kroft is invisible. 

 

Kroft was invisible in a good way on a couple plays on Sunday.  He was asked to block a good NFL player, and he did so.

[TroutDog]

21 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Kroft was invisible in a good way on a couple plays on Sunday.  He was asked to block a good NFL player, and he did so.

Agreed but he was a solid pass catcher at Cincinnati, I believe. Not so much here. That was my point. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 hours ago, mykidsdad said:

I hope our TE's step up, but I'm fairly certain that this group is our best group and is likely why we have them out there. Why not put our best 11 on the field and try to make it work. If we had a great TE or 2 maybe the formations would be different more often.

 

So according to this article in the Athletic, the Bills ran 1-0 (4 WR, 1 RB, 0 TE) 32 offensive plays, most in the league

Per Pro Football Reference (not to be confused with PFF), we've run 140 offensive plays.

 

Not to take away from the importance of Diggs, Brown, Beas and Davis, because they're great, but we're still in other sets something like 75% of the time.

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, TroutDog said:

Agreed but he was a solid pass catcher at Cincinnati, I believe. Not so much here. That was my point. 

 

Kroft is kind of a riddle wrapped in an enigma.

His first two seasons, he played almost every game but saw few targets.  When he was targeted (an average of 1x per game), he brought it in.

His third season, he saw aload of playing time due to injury, and he did very well.  Almost 4 targets per game, caught 67% of 'em.  2017.

2018 he was injured.  2019 at the start, injured.

 

The Bills hoped they were getting 2017 Kroft and with Knox, hoped to have a 1-2 punch at an all-purpose TE.

 

Unfortunately so far, it looks like we're getting 2015-2016 Kroft.

[TroutDog]

3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Kroft is kind of a riddle wrapped in an enigma.

His first two seasons, he played almost every game but saw few targets.  When he was targeted (an average of 1x per game), he brought it in.

His third season, he saw aload of playing time due to injury, and he did very well.  Almost 4 targets per game, caught 67% of 'em.  2017.

2018 he was injured.  2019 at the start, injured.

 

The Bills hoped they were getting 2017 Kroft and with Knox, hoped to have a 1-2 punch at an all-purpose TE.

 

Unfortunately so far, it looks like we're getting 2015-2016 Kroft.

I sit on my couch corrected. 😃 

[Buffalo Bills Fan]

4 hours ago, Magox said:

It's pretty astounding to see how far along the Bills Receivers have come from just two short years ago.  Where the Bills had arguably the worst WR corps in the entire NFL to now arguably the best WR corps.  The addition of Diggs changes the entire makeup of the offense.  Brown was a solid #1 WR for us last year but we really had no #2 with Beasley as a good #3.  

 

Now with Diggs who is a bonafide superstar #1, that makes Brown a top end #2 and then you have Beasley who is another higher quality #3 and thrown in the Rookie Gabe who is a star in the making and add McKenzie in to boot for a fifth WR and we are absolutely stacked at the WR spot.   

 

Running the 10' set makes too much sense.  This is what you call playing to your strengths and I love it!  

 

Daboll is showing his mettle. 

 

Me too astounding how far along  (couple years ago to now)and other stuff. Magox. Loving this offense so much. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

25 minutes ago, TroutDog said:

I sit on my couch corrected. 😃 

 

Last year, Kroft had some bad whiffs on blocks that cost us - one on the final play of the Ravens game (incomplete pass to Brown), I believe Kroft was involved in the play where 3 Bills were supposed to be blocking Mercilus and he strip-sacked Josh anyway.  Then there was the Knox-on-Judon Ravens strip-sack debacle down near our goal line.

 

So I appreciate good blocking from TE other than Lee "Laundry!!" Smith