What makes a team "physical?"

[Success]

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

[SirAndrew]

I think every NFL team is “physical”. They’re all big guys with loads of talent. I think the use of the term comes down to results. A team is going to be considered “soft” if the QB is under constant pressure, they can’t run the ball, they don’t pressure the QB on defense, and can’t stop the run. That’s been the case with our losses, hence the label being applied. Winning football games erases all negative labels. 

[NewEra]

The media has a big part of it

[JerseyBills]

14 minutes ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

Women lie ,men lie, numbers don't Look at the numbers. 

We have the highest pressure % on D and top 5 ypc and 11th in rush ypg.

 

Ppl criticize our lines quite a bit but the numbers tell a different story and we're getting upgrades back in Star, Brown and Mongo

 

[John from Riverside]

They are all physical you just have some teams more then others

 

All starts at the LOS

[Victory Formation]

Blocking scheme matters. Mainly mismatches for instance. If you can get a lineman on a CB or S on a well designed run play, how do you stop that?

 

Having a fantastic center and guards also matters quite a bit on QB sneaks, HB dives during goal line and short yardage situations. The ability to overpower in situations when the play calling is obvious and when the game ultimately turns into a matter of will between the two teams. Having 2-3 TEs on the roster who can block as additional linemen in these situations can help also, as well as putting a 6th OL the field.

 

I also think that the most obvious response you’ll see in this thread is the presence of a quality NT, but I think that’s a position that is exceedingly difficult to fill given the circumstances especially when it pertains to finding an elite one. Many of these guys are drafted fairly high in RD1, but many of them fail to become even remotely average. There’s very few men on this Earth that are capable of throwing around and outmuscling some of the biggest, most gifted and talented athletes on this planet.

 

Short of the things I listed above, I think having an in the box safety is also a cheat code for defenses and hard to stop. The Troy Polamalu’s and Sean Taylor’s of the world etc. I suppose in the modern day NFL, players like Jamal Adams, Kyle Dugger and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would fill that role rather admirably. It may be too early for draft talk, but Kyle Hamilton of Notre Dame looks to be a nice player that could fit that mold. No idea where he will go as far as the draft is concerned.

 

I would also like to point out that having two shutdown CBs is very difficult for most offenses to overcome. This puts your two guys on the outside in man coverage while allowing your defense to put 8 in the box.

 

RB also matters, but I think without a quality line and especially a quality run blocking scheme they’ll faulter quickly. It truly does take an innovative coach to optimize the run game consistently.

[SCBills]

Scheme and Coaching can help an OL a ton…

 

If your OL is winning, your team is going to look a lot more physical.  Look no further than Singletary’s monster run later in the game last week.  Get him into the second level and he can do some things. 

 

Im watching the SEC Championship Game, and Bama’s OL was getting wrecked by Auburn last week.  They were the sole reason Bama almost lost that game. 
 

So far, against UGA, they are holding their own.  
 

 

Edited December 4, 2021 by SCBills

[First Round Bust]

it was our off-season review-feedback from coaches that we were too light in the trenches as far as dealing with the D running game last season, so Star comes back + and we draft two DEs to improve the pass rush and sign another Carolina (of course) DE...so did we effectively deal with issue ?  Yes and No...No because no interior size or talent added other than the return of Star, and yes because we expect edmunds and everyone to play a better scheme based on continuity which btw isthe secondary improvement to the O line other than the better-than-expected play of Brown, who as RT will have his hands full of Judon (10,5 sacks) who likely plays the right-side to edge rush and contain Josh in the pocket for the interior push to sack...we shall see down this key stretch of games with the Pats and Bucs and whether or not we make playoffs and further the off-season as far as what they do with the lines which is where they invest picks (D) and money (O)...speaking of which what the hell happened to D Williams and his fine 2020 season at RT has become a liability at same position this year ?  Not even bringing up Cody Ford who hased on his size, draft slot and position should be mauling-physical but appears to be too slow...

Edited December 4, 2021 by First Round Bust

[Niagara Dude]

39 minutes ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

The Pats have one of biggest offensive lines in the league,  if Frazier call a conservative game and does not attack the rookie QB they will kick our butts.  

[Patrick Duffy]

Biting knee caps 

23 minutes ago, Niagara Dude said:

The Pats have one of biggest offensive lines in the league,  if Frazier call a conservative game and does not attack the rookie QB they will kick our butts.  

Maybe see a few more blitzes than normal this game. 

[Matt_In_NH]

Colts and titans games are what is referenced.   I do agree this is overblown.  The bills OL and DL are not their string points.   

[First Round Bust]

10 minutes ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

Biting knee caps 

Maybe see a few more blitzes than normal this game. 

Trent Brown their RT is 6-8 and 380 - that is about the biggest OL I have ever heard of

[RobbRiddick]

 

[Rockinon]

What makes a team "physical?" Well, it ain't leading the league in penalties.

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

1 hour ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

I think people are thinking the pats will be able to pick up a 3rd and short/medium running the football on us when we know it’s coming and that’s what they mean by soft. Diggs looked pretty physical outmuscling the pats bracket coverage all game last matchup last time…sanders is certainly a more physical receiver than John brown was also 

[Patrick Duffy]

10 minutes ago, First Round Bust said:

Trent Brown their RT is 6-8 and 380 - that is about the biggest OL I have ever heard of

yeah 380 is pretty big. Our own rookie Brown is same height, but not that heavy. At 380 one would think he'd be a little slow...

[RaoulDuke79]

It's a mindset.  It can be taught and improved to a certain extent, but some people are just born with the grinder mentality. This is a very talented team, but I wouldn't say they are a tough/physical team. Most of that is in the tranches. 

[78thealltimegreat]

1 hour ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

It means different things to different people but rule of thumb is usually a team that likes to run the football right at you and allows the line to initiate contact instead of the other way around physical teams have an MO of not being overtly fast while finesse teams have the MO of not being all that big 

[Rockinon]

1 minute ago, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

yeah 380 is pretty big. Our own rookie Brown is same height, but not that heavy. At 380 one would think he'd be a little slow...

Wow, that is big. Must take like a lunar year just to run around that guy. A blitz to that side might be effective. Or speed rush to the outside and leave Ed Oliver with plenty of room to take the inside move.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

I think it's part mental attitude and part physical mismatch for our guys.  Josh Allen has quoted his college coach saying "football is a Man Whupping Man game".   That starts between the ears.

 

There are clearly games where we are highly physical.  The KC game this year, the Ravens and Colts playoff games last year come to mind. 

 

There are games where we're not - the Titans game and Colts games this season come to mind, the Jags game on offense, as well as the KC AFCCG last season.  There are games where we're not, on one side of the ball or another.  

 

We tend to be a physically smaller team - for example, we typically play with 2 LB, and our DL and OL tend to be on the smaller side. 

 

That's a mismatch they overcome with attitude, technique, and energy.  If they know what they're seeing and play fast and with confidence, they can win.  If they need to process and it slows them a bit, if they don't bring the goods on technique, or if they think they can "phone it in", they get run over.

 

IMHO, there's some aspect of coaching involved - making sure the guys are 100% prepared mentally and not "behind the week" in getting ready, and also somehow getting them to play with the same energy and discipline week in and week out.   My feeling is that if we have a really hard physical game one week (like against the Ravens in the playoffs last season) we tend to have a bit of a letdown the following week. 

[oldmanfan]

Being able to beat the guy across from you.  And we don’t get that done as much as we should.

[billsbackto81]

Physicality comes in many forms.

 

IMO It's a mindset first and foremost but having the physical attributes like size, strength, arm length and power at point of attack help as well.

 

The guy who lines up and looks at the QB like he's trying to hurt his family. You know like Alvin Mack in "The Program" 

 

That nastiness that some guys just possess. The ones that either pancake or knock the snot out of you then let you know its only going to get worse.

 

One thing is certain, either you have it in you or you don't.

[BuffaloRebound]

How confident are you converting a 3rd or 4th and short?  Seems like majority of teams are weak at this since the League went pass-crazy.  Given that it’s still extremely important to move the chains or get 7 points instead of 3, I’m surprised teams don’t carry more short yardage specialist O-Linemen and insert them in short yardage situations.  

[In Summary]

It's the guys who are uber hard wired to look for contact.

[LeGOATski]

The Bills are physical. Maybe not the most, but certainly not the least.

[TampaBillsJunkie]

I think it comes down to using that stupid 4-2-5 against big running teams when we are getting gouged.  We get outweighed and outmuscled running 5 db's and a light D line.  I think Ankou helped a bit last week. He and Star are big guys. Throw in Butler in the rotation and we're not so soft down the middle.  I'd like to see 5 DL sometimes against these run heavy teams like Tenn and Indy, maybe NE.

 

Our OL injuries exposed more of a lack of talent then toughness. Ford is tough, but not good. Dawkins is still recovering and lost body strength. Feliciano has half a pec and half a calf.  Brown is a big, tough dude.  Morse is smart, just not strong. He doesn't lack for effort. Williams is a big dude with average talent.  When everyone is healthy it's a little better, but we can use some maulers at G next year.

 

 

[folz]

All I know is that I hope the media keeps pumping the "Bills are soft" angle. 

 

Nothing motivates a group of men more (especially ultra-competitive football players) than to call them soft/not tough. Even in today's society, if you question someone's manhood at that level, you better be ready for a fight.

 

McDermott and Beane have consistently brought in mentally-tough, driven, grinders...all football all the time guys. This team is not soft. They just haven't always played up to their potential this year (some games due to key injuries---not a big surprise to struggle against the run missing your nose tackle and middle linebacker for instance).

 

I think the "soft" perception comes from four things: 1. Derrick Henry (best RB in the game having an All-Pro/HOF-type season at the time the Bills played them), 2. Jonathan Taylor (the best running back in the league after Henry went down, having a Pro Bowl season himself), 3. the Jacksonville Jaguars game (we played down to the competition in that one), and 4. our middling run game (minus Josh).

 

But, we won't see another back like either of those two until maybe the playoffs. And even in the playoffs, the only other rushing attack that might scare me a bit besides Indy might be the Browns (Chubb and Hunt). But the Browns probably aren't even going to make the playoffs. Mixon is good, but he doesn't scare me. There really isn't another AFC team that I think could just run over us (especially if Star is playing). We have held 8 teams this year to under 79 yards total rushing. The only other team to rush for more than 100 (besides Indy and Tenn) was KC (which had 120 yards total, but 61 of that was by Mahomes. The KC backs combined for 59 yards).

 

And hopefully, the team has learned their lesson and won't be taking anyone lightly, like it seems they did with the Jags.

 

That just leaves our own run game. There has been a slight uptick running with Singletary and Breida, and hopefully the return of Feliciano and Brown will help there too. But, ultimately, we are a passing team. We will live and die by the pass. The rushing game just needs to be complimentary, not dominant, or even even with the passing game.

 

I think the Bills will put the "soft" label to bed on Monday night.

 

 

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

10 hours ago, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

 

The ability to run and stop the run. 

[billybrew1]

What makes teams physical is the ability to run and stop the run.

 

But balance is needed to win Super Bowls....

[Shortchaz]

What makes the bills a “soft” team is their philosophy (imo). They play a pass first offense combined with a zone defense. they essentially say we’re going to get a lead and you won’t be able to catch us. 
 

this has/can work but isn’t the same as a “we’re going to run the ball and you can’t stop us”philosophy. Teams that successfully operate this philosophy typically combine it with an aggressive defense. 
 

the bills style is dependent on their passing game being successful. Passing is, on its face, more dependent on other factors than running. E.g. precipitation, wind, timing, the day, specific matchups etc. 

Edited December 5, 2021 by Shortchaz

[oldmanfan]

Watch the games.  When you see our O line guys get pushed straight back by the other guys, and when you see the opposite with our D line, that’s soft.

 

Since it’s invention football is about physicality and strength.  It is about imposing your will on the opposing team.  There are teams that have physically dominated us this year because we were too soft.

Edited December 5, 2021 by oldmanfan

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

There’s an old Olivia Newton John song that can help with this 

[machine gun kelly]

11 hours ago, JerseyBills said:

Women lie ,men lie, numbers don't Look at the numbers. 

We have the highest pressure % on D and top 5 ypc and 11th in rush ypg.

 

Ppl criticize our lines quite a bit but the numbers tell a different story and we're getting upgrades back in Star, Brown and Mongo

 

Thanks JB.

 

NFL Team Stats

 

Yards

Bills 5th

Cheats 14th

 

Rushing

Bills 11th

Pats 12th

 

Passing

Bills 7th

Pats 14th

 

Pts.

Bills 2nd

Pats 7th

 

Lets let go of this the Pats are world beaters.  They have the same darn schedule as us except the three based on last yrs performance and nfc team.

 

As of today, we are still the #1 defense after 11 games in the NFL.  The vaunted Pats defense is 4th.   Their rush defense is freakin 20th.  Time for Allen is to run when needed, Singletary and Breida used inside and outside respectively with Gilliam plowing a field up the middle for motor.  Knox will be difficult to beat, short passes as if part of our run game with Bease, and when needed we let Diggs be Diggs, and he’ll get one of those amazing catches for 40 yards.

 

All if this talk from a small group about what if and are we able, phew.  Tomorrow night is a Bills make me want to Shout night.

 

Heres to us 8-4 by midnight tomorrow.

[Buffalo ill]

A physical team would have handled the Titans better.  

[Buffalo ill]

Also, a physical team wouldn't walk away like nothing happened when Gronk threw a flying elbow into the back of Tre's neck.  Inexcusable 

[BillMafia716ix]

Dominating the line of scrimmage. Being able to run it down the other teams throat and stoping the run.

Edited December 5, 2021 by BillMafia716ix

[Dablitzkrieg]

Check out this thread of tweets by Mitchell Schwartz.  I think he sums it up perfectly.....

 

 

[Success]

Thanks for all of the responses.  I wasn't sure what kind of discussion to expect, but there are some really interesting perspectives and takes here.

 

I tend to agree w/ those who say that the Bills ARE a physical team in general, but had weeks that they were "softer" (either a week after a really physical game, or just a letdown).

 

I think we can out-physical the Pats.  Not guaranteeing it, but we can play w/ the same intensity they do.

 

[TheCockSportif]

Leg warmers.

 

 

[Beerball]

On 12/4/2021 at 4:38 PM, Success said:

I keep hearing that the Patriots & other teams are "physical," and that the Bills are "soft." 

 

What is it in particular that makes a team physical?  I think the Bills are called "soft" largely because of the Colts game, where we definitely got run over.  But I've seen other games this season, and definitely last season, where our lines were much more assertive and dictating in terms of the pace & style of play.  Players like Addison, Oliver & Edmunds, Hyde & Poyer are all hard hitters on the defense, and even our O-line has a couple of guys who are in that "mauler" mode.

 

Our receivers are more finesse - we don't have that Metcalf kind of guy - but Knox is as tough as they come at TE, and Beasley for his size is a very physical player.

 

Is this aspect of the game overplayed?  Are we really a "soft" team?  Thoughts welcome.

 

Bills v KC last season=soft

Bills v KC this season=physical