Justin Zimmer on Taron Johnson's Pick-6

[TheFunPolice]

Lamar was not going to get to Taron. White was in between the 2. No chance of success and he did us a favor not taking a big hit that could lead to some sort of flag negating the TD. 

[Bookie Man]

Do you guys remember when Shawn Merriman hurt himself coming out of the tunnel for the season opener vs KC? He was doing some kind rendition of his lights out dance. And you could tell he tweaked something. He played about 2 or 3 plays to save face before taking himself out of the game. 

[TroutDog]

7 hours ago, JESSEFEFFER said:

Buffalo Bills on Twitter: "TARON JOHNSON PICK SIX‼️ 📺 #BALvsBUF: https://t.co/VqXMJDH1vI https://t.co/WjuPWerVod" / Twitter

 

 

 

Best resolution is at ;55

Click that link and then watch the first reaction below by ‘Joe Cam’. His daughter was recording a Tic-Toc and you can hear him in the back doing exactly what I (and, probably, most of us did). Absolutely classic!

[Rochesterfan]

2 hours ago, 1ManRaid said:

 

Exhibit A: Josh pulling a fumbled snap from the pile and fighting for a first down vs Cam Newton balking on jumping on a loose ball in clear space leading to a turnover.

 

Jackson should have at least tried to shove the blocker towards Taron.  Could have gotten lucky and tripped him up or forced him out of bounds or something.  You don't give up on a play like that, especially in the playoffs.  He wasn't even in a position to get lit up or blindsided for trying to make the play.

I actually agree and think with his speed - Jackson actually had the ability to sprint ahead earlier and make his way to the sideline to force a cutback.

 

I get the self preservation, but I do not think he gave it his all and this comes after the pregame comments about how he has never used his full speed - just looks a bit bad to me.

 

I have watched Jackson several times with the ball look like the fastest athlete on the field, but that play he looked like he was just trying to find a way to get it over with and the cut up field behind Taron and essentially give up the TD was all self preservation- even a full dive straight in front of Tre maybe gets Johnson to slide out of bounds.

 

The play like this earlier in the season - DK Metcalf gave his all to make a play and prevent a TD on a potential pick 6 showing another level of speed, but Jackson sort of made a Minimal effort in a playoff game.

[FireChans]

48 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

I actually agree and think with his speed - Jackson actually had the ability to sprint ahead earlier and make his way to the sideline to force a cutback.

 

I get the self preservation, but I do not think he gave it his all and this comes after the pregame comments about how he has never used his full speed - just looks a bit bad to me.

 

I have watched Jackson several times with the ball look like the fastest athlete on the field, but that play he looked like he was just trying to find a way to get it over with and the cut up field behind Taron and essentially give up the TD was all self preservation- even a full dive straight in front of Tre maybe gets Johnson to slide out of bounds.

 

The play like this earlier in the season - DK Metcalf gave his all to make a play and prevent a TD on a potential pick 6 showing another level of speed, but Jackson sort of made a Minimal effort in a playoff game.

I'm not sure you've ever tried to go through a blocker to make a tackle. It's not easy.

 

DK had no blockers in front of him.

[Rochesterfan]

2 minutes ago, FireChans said:

I'm not sure you've ever tried to go through a blocker to make a tackle. It's not easy.

 

DK had no blockers in front of him.

 

Did it all through College.  Jackson did not need to make the tackle - he needed to try and at least force a cut back inside.  This happens all the time on kick returns where a guy breaks contain - the pursuit has to try and work ahead to cut off the front side or the sideline and force things back to the rest of the pursuit.

 

Jackson early on had the speed to make his pursuit work, but Johnson did a great job letting Tre get in front of him and Poyer cleaned up the back pursuit.  I would not expect Jackson to necessarily take on Tre, but if as they are running - Jackson dives across in front without taking on the block you at least have a chance.  The stopping and cutting under gave no shot at making a stop.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

Lamar could have moved heaven and earth and not gotten through Tre on that one.  Tre's a strong mofo.  

[Warcodered]

6 hours ago, buffalo2218 said:

There wasn't anything Jackson could do to catch Johnson with Tre giving Johnson an escort. Sure he's fast, but hardly the type to run through someone to make a play

I mean it's a long shot he stops him but also maybe he gets lucky and gets a penalty from Tre on the block. Got to at least try it's the playoffs.

Edited January 17, 2021 by Warcodered

[Warcodered]

3 hours ago, finn said:

I was impressed by Trevarious White's speed on that play. He looked like he could have run right past Taron if he wanted. 

Trevarious White is quite fast, when did we sign that guy?

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Johnson has got credited with a 101 yard return tying the post season record.  While there's no yard markers in the endzone which makes to tough to judge, looking at the replays to me it looks like he was more than one yard deep. 

 

I do wonder if in a couple days as they go through and update stats, I wonder if it might get changed to a 102 yard return thus setting the record.

[transplantbillsfan]

Great find.  Yes it's pretty clear he at least got a small piece of that ball, but I think Johnson was there to intercept it, regardless.

[JESSEFEFFER]

10 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Johnson has got credited with a 101 yard return tying the post season record.  While there's no yard markers in the endzone which makes to tough to judge, looking at the replays to me it looks like he was more than one yard deep. 

 

I do wonder if in a couple days as they go through and update stats, I wonder if it might get changed to a 102 yard return thus setting the record.

First touch may have been 1 yard deep but his momentum carried him further into the EZ with his next two steps.  I think you are correct and by the time the process of the catch was officially completed he was at least two yards deep.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Just now, JESSEFEFFER said:

First touch may have been 1 yard deep but his momentum carried him further into the EZ with his next two steps.  I think you are correct and by the time the process of the catch was officially completed he was at least two yards deep.

 

Yeah did look like he went backwards some.  May be the stats are based off where first touched??  No idea?

[NewEra]

41 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Did it all through College.  Jackson did not need to make the tackle - he needed to try and at least force a cut back inside.  This happens all the time on kick returns where a guy breaks contain - the pursuit has to try and work ahead to cut off the front side or the sideline and force things back to the rest of the pursuit.

 

Jackson early on had the speed to make his pursuit work, but Johnson did a great job letting Tre get in front of him and Poyer cleaned up the back pursuit.  I would not expect Jackson to necessarily take on Tre, but if as they are running - Jackson dives across in front without taking on the block you at least have a chance.  The stopping and cutting under gave no shot at making a stop.

This is your opinion and you’re certainly entitled to it.  After watching it 473924 times. I disagree.  He IS really fast.  He’s not THAT fast

[In Summary]

Jackson in a tough spot. That said, this is how you defend an interception:

 

[3rdand12]

42 minutes ago, In Summary said:

Jackson in a tough spot. That said, this is how you defend an interception:

 

oh gosh that's gross.

 But yes.

 That is how you play to win !

BTW 

 I am big Fan of Zimmer. he keeps getting better i feel.
Keeper 

 Go Bills

[Augie]

6 hours ago, whatdrought said:

I’m not sure if the tip made much of a difference... Lamar essentially used a fountain pen to write a letter, seal it with wax, and have it hand delivered by a courier telling Taron exactly where the ball was going. 

 

I thought letters written with fountain pens and sealed with wax left the league when Captain Andrew Luck retired! 

 

 

That was some funny stuff. 

[Big Turk]

Not surprising, Zimmer might be the most athletic DT not named Donald in the NFL

[Doc]

3 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Not surprising, Zimmer might be the most athletic DT not named Donald in the NFL

 

There was an article claiming he was the most athletic 300# DT to come into the league in 15 years.

[RiotAct]

11 hours ago, Stranded in Boston said:

Lamar Jackson is a terrific player, but he surprisingly gave up chasing Taron at the Bills 30. Sure, maybe he figured Tre was going to screen him off anyhow, or he wanted to save it for the next series -- blah, blah. But everybody here who's watched Josh the last 3 years knows that Josh would have run down Taron -- or died trying. Sometimes it's not so hard to measure heart. 

how about that one offensive tackle... #78.  Seemed like he had a good chance at Taron but no effort whatsoever.

[Doc]

1 minute ago, RiotAct said:

how about that one offensive tackle... #78.  Seemed like he had a good chance at Taron but no effort whatsoever.

 

Yeah.  I think he knew he had no chance.

[Chuck Schick]

4 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

oh gosh that's gross.

 But yes.

 That is how you play to win !

BTW 

 I am big Fan of Zimmer. he keeps getting better i feel.
Keeper 

 Go Bills

Am I missing something (which is very possible)?  Zimmer to me looks extremely mediocre out there...I don’t think I’ve ever seen him beat his man on a pass rush, and is not exactly Randy White vs the run.   Nice guy, lots of hustle

[mabden]

13 hours ago, wjag said:

 

I often marvel at how players don't get hurt during impromptu celebrations like that.  My first reaction was don't hurt him!  At least he could see him coming in the TV...

 

The 86 Bears were told to cut out the head butts because they were causing too many concussions.   If my memory serves me correctly. 

[BRH]

2 hours ago, Chuck Schick said:

Am I missing something (which is very possible)?  Zimmer to me looks extremely mediocre out there...I don’t think I’ve ever seen him beat his man on a pass rush, and is not exactly Randy White vs the run.   Nice guy, lots of hustle

His speed and agility makes him the ideal type of lineman to deal with a Lamar-type QB.  He has a role to play on this team, not every week, but when he’s called on he does it well. 

[Nextmanup]

Having watched the replay tons of times, I don't think Zimmer touched the pass.  

 

He definitely got down the field fast though.

 

 

[Rocky Landing]

18 hours ago, Conlan58 said:

Great play and effort. Poyer took out Brown, and White took out Jackson - the only two real threats to stop Johnson (except #78... wtf was he doing?!) 

 

Also... first Bill to Johnson to celebrate was Hyde with him slamming Johnsons face off the camera/screen lol... shakes the dang feed!

I was thinking when I saw that during the game, "dang! did Micah just give Taron a concussion???" 

 

 

19 hours ago, JESSEFEFFER said:

Next Gen Stats had Justin at 18.5+ mph and the only DT clocked higher this season is Aaron Donald.  Justin was the first Bill to get to Taron for the celebration and, more importantly, I think he tipped that pass.  The deflection slowed it down and made it land short.  If so, I would want him written into the story of one of the biggest plays in Bills history.

 

 

Wow, good catch! If you go to the replay, where you showed that particular frame, and you advance frame by frame, it's pretty clear: Zimmer got two fingers on it. Pretty cool!

 

 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Rocky Landing

[Freddie's Dead]

The end zone replay behind Taron Johnson showed clearly that Zimmer did not tip the ball, it was quacking out of LJ's hand.

[JESSEFEFFER]

22 hours ago, TBBills said:

After rewatching from a different angle he actually never touched the ball. Still good effort on the defense.

 

For the record, you are correct.  I saw the best camera angle of it on Twitter and it is as you say,  Damn if I can find it again so just take my word for it.  This particiulasr clip had a CHCH logo on the screen but the video locked up and when refreshed I went back to the top of the timeline.  The entire video story was over 2 minutes.

[Punching Bag]

On 1/17/2021 at 6:10 AM, Conlan58 said:

Great play and effort. Poyer took out Brown, and White took out Jackson - the only two real threats to stop Johnson (except #78... wtf was he doing?!) 

 

Also... first Bill to Johnson to celebrate was Hyde with him slamming Johnsons face off the camera/screen lol... shakes the dang feed!

 

Just noticed something - the reason why #43 does not catch him in red zone is because #61, Justin Zimmer, is running down field with Bills posse too so he goes around him on left on 40 yard line while Taron goes right.  He still almost caught him in red zone but it was enough of a delay that he could not catch him.  Zimmer also passed several Ravens on his run.

 

I have heard comments on how he was first one there to Johnson and that is because he did not stop running and was part of posse.

[John from Riverside]

On 1/17/2021 at 3:10 AM, Conlan58 said:

Great play and effort. Poyer took out Brown, and White took out Jackson - the only two real threats to stop Johnson (except #78... wtf was he doing?!) 

 

Also... first Bill to Johnson to celebrate was Hyde with him slamming Johnsons face off the camera/screen lol... shakes the dang feed!

Don’t score if you can’t handle the celebration