GunnerBill Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 (edited) I am fully expecting @YoloinOhio to be all over the creation of a week 2 of camp thread at some point, and I am very happy for this to be merged into that but having caught up with a lot of the beat reporters' thoughts over the weekend I think the biggest area to watch this week is the offensive line. I think most fans have considered the return of Aaron Kromer, one of the most proven and respected OL coaches in the business, one of the biggest upgrades of the offseason for the Bills. However, for them to really benefit from his coaching they need to get their guys in practice and on the field, surely? Obviously Dion has a personal issue (and we all wish him / his family well), Saffold has been in a car accident (and again we wish him a speedy recovery), but in addition to those Spencer Brown is not all the way healthy following a back operation and hasn't been with first team yet in team drills and Ryan Bates missed time last week too. Sure, it is one week into camp. There is no need to be concerned or freak out yet, but with Kromer on board I think the practice time for that first unit is potentially really valuable so that they can hit their stride early. The Bills oline was a mess until December last year and it was a factor in us losing games against teams we were clearly better than in Pittsburgh and particularly Jacksonville. I don't think we can afford a slow start from that unit again this year and to get the full benefit of the coaching change I am keen to see the starters together and healthy sooner rather than later in camp. Also linked to that... we have had the discussion about Josh playing any of the pre-season games. Personally I'd prefer he sat for all three but I expect new playcaller etc they will try and get him a half somewhere. I am 100% against putting Josh Allen out there if we only have our 2nd team oline on the field to protect him. That feels like suicide. Edited August 1, 2022 by GunnerBill 5 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Agree with all points. In the “should Josh play in the preseason” thread I also suggested that one half of football is plenty for him to work out the kinks with Dorsey calling plays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Agree that the play of the offensive line is going to be key. The line struggles were the reason behind the Bills rough start to the season last year in my opinion not because they were getting too full of themselves and not taking things seriously like so many posters were suggesting last year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSBill Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 31 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: I am fully expecting @YoloinOhio to be all over the creation of a week 2 of camp thread at some point, and I am very happy for this to be merged into that but having caught up with a lot of the beat reporters' thoughts over the weekend I think the biggest area to watch this week is the offensive line. I think most fans have considered the return of Aaron Kromer, one of the most proven and respected OL coaches in the business, one of the biggest upgrades of the offseason for the Bills. However, for them to really benefit from his coaching they need to get their guys in practice and on the field, surely? Obviously Dion has a personal issue (and we all wish him / his family well), Saffold has been in a car accident (and again we wish him a speedy recovery), but in addition to those Spencer Brown is not all the way healthy following a back operation and hasn't been with first team yet in team drills and Ryan Bates missed time last week too. Sure, it is one week into camp. There is no need to be concerned or freak out yet, but with Kromer on board I think the practice time for that first unit is potentially really valuable so that they can hit their stride early. The Bills oline was a mess until December last year and it was a factor in us losing games against teams we were clearly better than in Pittsburgh and particularly Jacksonville. I don't think we can afford a slow start from that unit again this year and to get the full benefit of the coaching change I am keen to see the starters together and healthy sooner rather than later in camp. Also linked to that... we have had the discussion about Josh playing any of the pre-season games. Personally I'd prefer he sat for all three but I expect new playcaller etc they will try and get him a half somewhere. I am 100% against putting Josh Allen out there if we only have our 2nd team oline on the field to protect him. That feels like suicide. Agree. I'm not concerned yet, about the line issues. But if we go into next week with three projected starters still out, then I will officially worry. As for Josh, 3 productive drives in games 2 or 3, that's all I need to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 This can be the week 2 thread as far I’m concerned. Lets goooo 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 Just now, YoloinOhio said: This can be the week 2 thread as far I’m concerned. Lets goooo I have been here 9 years. This post means I *made it* 2 11 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBonhamRocks Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 The missed time seems more significant for the right side of the OL. Bates and Brown are inexperienced whereas Dawkins, Saffold, and Morse are vets who I’d expect would have an easier time gelling on the fly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YattaOkasan Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Agree with the points about getting the 1's working together. Isnt Kromer sorta known for rotating players more than other coaches though? Maybe they are taking the opportunity to do that at the start of camp cause of the inuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Not a big deal yet….but possibly very big deal unless these guys get to practicing and get healthy. The OL, boundary WR and Kaiir Elam scare me. Excited to see more Cook, Mckenzie, Shakir, young DEs, Dodson and Bernard 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, NewEra said: Not a big deal yet….but possibly very big deal unless these guys get to practicing and get healthy. The OL, boundary WR and Kaiir Elam scare me. Excited to see more Cook, Mckenzie, Shakir, young DEs, Dodson and Bernard Joe B is really high on that Dodson / Bernard battle for LB3 and LB4. Says the standard has been super high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 minute ago, ScottLaw said: Their defensive depth is ridiculously good everywhere except maybe safety behind Poyer/Hyde. I am high on Jaquan Johnson as well tbf and when he started that one game last year (albeit vs Houston) he was very good. My only concern depth wise on defense is defensive end where if Von goes down we are very inexperienced and our ceiling as a rush team reduces big time. They have to see what the young guys have, so not criticising the decision to roll with them, it's now or never to an extent, but that is the one defensive position where I do think 1 injury could really hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: Joe B is really high on that Dodson / Bernard battle for LB3 and LB4. Says the standard has been super high. I saw that. Hoping that one of them can be a low cost Edmunds replacement. Not because I don’t like 49, but because we can’t pay everyone and I don’t think that position will be worth what he wants. We’re already over the cap for next season (iirc) and have a handful of mouths that need feeding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, GunnerBill said: I have been here 9 years. This post means I *made it* Not bad for a retread. 😄😜 Edited August 1, 2022 by Beerball 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No_Matter_What Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 (edited) 58 minutes ago, NewEra said: Not a big deal yet….but possibly very big deal unless these guys get to practicing and get healthy. The OL, boundary WR and Kaiir Elam scare me. Excited to see more Cook, Mckenzie, Shakir, young DEs, Dodson and Bernard Why does Elam scare you? I am not following everything but I thought he was getting tested a lot by Diggs which is a great thing. He presumably loses more than he wins but that's fine for the time being against one of the very best, isn't it? Edited August 1, 2022 by No_Matter_What Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve O Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 49 minutes ago, ScottLaw said: Their defensive depth is ridiculously good everywhere except maybe safety behind Poyer/Hyde. What did Marv used to say about depth...oh yeah...depth is a great thing, until you have to use it 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 (edited) 26 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said: Why does Elam scare you? I am not following everything but I thought he was getting tested a lot by Diggs which is a great thing. He presumably loses more than he wins but that's fine for the time being against one of the very best, isn't it? He scares me because I didn’t think he was a 1st rd corner. He held a lot in college and according to some of the reports I’ve read, he’s been holding a lot in training camp. If he’s going to be our #2, possibly #1 cb (if 27 doesn’t start the season) I want to hear more good than bad. To date, I’ve heard more bad than good. Jmo. Edited August 1, 2022 by NewEra 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted August 1, 2022 Author Share Posted August 1, 2022 4 minutes ago, NewEra said: He scares me because I didn’t think he was a 1st rd corner. He held a lot on college and according to some of the reports I’ve read, he’s been holding a lot in training camp. If he’s going to be our #2, possibly #1 cb (if 27 doesn’t start the season) I want to hear more good than bad. To date, I’ve heard more bad than good. Jmo. Yea he did hold a lot in college. I didn't have a first on him either. I confess the reports about Andrew Booth standing out even against Justin Jefferson in Vikings camp are making me very sad. Don't get me wrong I still see a good ceiling for Elam and they had a need at corner and there was a big drop off after the 2nd tier (McDuffie, Gordon, McCreary and Elam) but man.... Andrew Booth if healthy was always gonna crush it IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uninja Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 minute ago, ScottLaw said: Yea… I expect him to get flagged early and often before getting a better understanding/adapting. He'll learn. I'd rather he be overly aggressive/eager and learn to hone the edge than be timid/unsure. White is a pretty aggressive CB and gets his fair share of holding and DPI calls but he knows where the line is by now. If Elam can do the same the backfield is Buffalo will be a no fly zone. 3 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott7975 Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Oline is for sure the weak spot of this team. If this coach cant get them going then no coach will. Hopefully the injured guys get back sooner than later because they need the time, vet or not. These scrubs in their place aren't going to cut it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Of course, we all would like to see the OL completely healthy to start camp. That's just a fact. Thing is it's a long, long season and who is healthy at the end is the MOST important. Looking for anything positive we could say at least the depth players get more 1st team snaps. If Bates, Brown and Saffold are all back by next week I see no long-term detriment. I know getting all the 1's reps is important at this time of the year, but we sure don't want them returning too quickly and prolonging injuries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 hmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 54 minutes ago, Warcodered said: Very telling on how much Von praises Brandon Beane in multi parts of this talk. Buying a house next to Coach McDermott and his comments of Orchard Park were cool. Had to laugh about how he has instructed Josh about "Club 17" was great. Thanks @Warcodered, I would of never found this on my own! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strive_for_five_guy Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 hour ago, Warcodered said: While Von continues to sing praises to LA (McVey, Donald, etc.), just shows how passionate the guy is and what he’s going to bring to us in Buffalo now. I predict he’ll have that same love for Buffalo over time too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DD4Bills Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 Don't think I've seen Rousseau mentioned at all in any training camp updates...good, bad, or otherwise. Is he just quietly going about his business? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 2 minutes ago, DD4Bills said: Don't think I've seen Rousseau mentioned at all in any training camp updates...good, bad, or otherwise. Is he just quietly going about his business? Just got some positive coverage in the NYUpstate camp report. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 https://clutchpoints.com/bills-news-buffalo-doubles-down-on-physicality-in-practice-following-josh-allens-training-camp-scuffle/ It looks like the heat is still on in Buffalo, with Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reporting more fights in the Bills’ training camp to start the week off. So that’s how he does it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjt328 Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 9 hours ago, GunnerBill said: I am fully expecting @YoloinOhio to be all over the creation of a week 2 of camp thread at some point, and I am very happy for this to be merged into that but having caught up with a lot of the beat reporters' thoughts over the weekend I think the biggest area to watch this week is the offensive line. I think most fans have considered the return of Aaron Kromer, one of the most proven and respected OL coaches in the business, one of the biggest upgrades of the offseason for the Bills. However, for them to really benefit from his coaching they need to get their guys in practice and on the field, surely? Obviously Dion has a personal issue (and we all wish him / his family well), Saffold has been in a car accident (and again we wish him a speedy recovery), but in addition to those Spencer Brown is not all the way healthy following a back operation and hasn't been with first team yet in team drills and Ryan Bates missed time last week too. Sure, it is one week into camp. There is no need to be concerned or freak out yet, but with Kromer on board I think the practice time for that first unit is potentially really valuable so that they can hit their stride early. The Bills oline was a mess until December last year and it was a factor in us losing games against teams we were clearly better than in Pittsburgh and particularly Jacksonville. I don't think we can afford a slow start from that unit again this year and to get the full benefit of the coaching change I am keen to see the starters together and healthy sooner rather than later in camp. Also linked to that... we have had the discussion about Josh playing any of the pre-season games. Personally I'd prefer he sat for all three but I expect new playcaller etc they will try and get him a half somewhere. I am 100% against putting Josh Allen out there if we only have our 2nd team oline on the field to protect him. That feels like suicide. Agree with all of this. There seemed to be a couple consistent trends over the first week of training camp: - The offense has been lagging way behind the defense - Almost everyone on the D-Line has looked incredible - Almost our entire starting O-Line has been off the field Dawkins came back today, and it doesn't sound like the Saffold/Bates injuries are long-term. The guy to watch may be Spencer Brown. Back injuries can have a tendency to nag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl2526 Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 43 minutes ago, DD4Bills said: Don't think I've seen Rousseau mentioned at all in any training camp updates...good, bad, or otherwise. Is he just quietly going about his business? I think there were positive comments about him today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 8 hours ago, YattaOkasan said: Agree with the points about getting the 1's working together. Isnt Kromer sorta known for rotating players more than other coaches though? Maybe they are taking the opportunity to do that at the start of camp cause of the inuries. Kromer has been known to favor best run or best pass linemen when players are rotated which when practiced works well especially in eat up clock at end of game situations and need to tire opposing defense situations. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 13 minutes ago, Turk71 said: Dont worry about the offensive line, its not important in this offense. Dont waste high draft picks on o linemen, (imagine if Beane had taken Creed Humphrey and missed out on the talent of Boogie Basham). Dont waste cap space bringing in top talent in free agency, that money is for the defense. While I agree with some of your points, especially bringing in expensive UFAs, a "decent" line is needed by every team. Once all the starters return for the Bills they will be decent. They lack some decent long-term young depth to eventually take over. Next year I could see the need and willingness of Beane to go as high as a 2nd on the OL and at least someone else around the 4th. IMO it's the last pipeline to fill with some younger talent (C and G) and expect it to happen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turk71 Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 29 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said: While I agree with some of your points, especially bringing in expensive UFAs, a "decent" line is needed by every team. Once all the starters return for the Bills they will be decent. They lack some decent long-term young depth to eventually take over. Next year I could see the need and willingness of Beane to go as high as a 2nd on the OL and at least someone else around the 4th. IMO it's the last pipeline to fill with some younger talent (C and G) and expect it to happen. My post was sarcastic. Of course the o line is important and Josh Allen is not really Superman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColoradoBills Posted August 1, 2022 Share Posted August 1, 2022 1 minute ago, Turk71 said: My post was sarcastic. Of course the o line is important and Josh Allen is not really Superman LOL, it reads well even if you didn't mean it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 OLine is the weakness by a mile. I don't dislike the top 5 (I'm higher on brown than some), but I don't know if I trust a single depth player. It's the only thing that's "controllable" (to a degree) that worries me about this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 3 minutes ago, NickelCity said: OLine is the weakness by a mile. I don't dislike the top 5 (I'm higher on brown than some), but I don't know if I trust a single depth player. It's the only thing that's "controllable" (to a degree) that worries me about this team. CB depth is terrifying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) 3 minutes ago, That's No Moon said: CB depth is terrifying. Tre, Taron, Elam, Dane, Neal (with McCloud, Lewis and Harris having some plays made in camp)...I don't think I'd call it terrifying. Especially with Poyer and Hyde over the top. The offensive line depth is almost criminal. Edited August 2, 2022 by NickelCity 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That's No Moon Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 9 minutes ago, NickelCity said: Tre, Taron, Elam, Dane, Neal (with McCloud, Lewis and Harris having some plays made in camp)...I don't think I'd call it terrifying. Especially with Poyer and Hyde over the top. The offensive line depth is almost criminal. Tre doesn't count until he can play. Elam is a rookie. Johnson is good but he plays slot only. Dane Jackson is exceedingly unproven, Siran Neal never plays defense and isn't an outside corner when he does. It's scary to need a rookie CB or raw UDFAs to come in day one and not get consistently set ablaze or die in an avalanche of yellow and that's basically where we are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickelCity Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Just now, That's No Moon said: Tre doesn't count until he can play. Elam is a rookie. Johnson is good but he plays slot only. Dane Jackson is exceedingly unproven, Siran Neal never plays defense and isn't an outside corner when he does. It's scary to need a rookie CB or raw UDFAs to come in day one and not get consistently set ablaze or die in an avalanche of yellow and that's basically where we are. I think you're undervaluing Dane and Neal, and I think we've got a scheme to at least compete even with Tre out. But 🤷♂️. OLine depth to me looks like a legitimate long term (season length) problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Noggin Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 33 minutes ago, That's No Moon said: CB depth is terrifying. Strongly disagree. The team played well during White's absence last year (minus the Chiefs), and while Wallace is now gone, guys like Lewis, McCloud, and Neal (not to mention Elam) are ready to step up. Leslie Frazier and Sean McDermott develop DBs, BELIEVE THAT! Plenty of other, more rational areas for concern. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.