Good Night / Bad Night - Pre-season game 1

[SectionC3]

16 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

It was a high ball, I agree. But it is a ball the receiver has to catch 99 times out of 100. 

 

I was at the game and watched the broadcast late last night.  I think Tasker said something about the velocity on that throw ambushing Crowder.  I couldn't disagree more having watched it live from a vantage point much closer than Tasker's.  It was not a high velocity throw.  Crowder is allowed to leave his feet to catch the football.  And that was a throw that had to have been caught. 

[AuntieEm]

25 minutes ago, clayboy54 said:

Remember, play selection in preseason is more about seeing what you’ve got and if it works. Don’t mistake play selection with regular season. That fade from the shotgun at the 2 was more about seeing if the guys on the field could execute it. They didn’t and now it’s on film.

 

yes, Tasker can’t even get names right. Someone said last night that they thought he doesn’t put in the work. I imagine that is correct.

 

    I disagree with thinking Tasker doesn't put in the work.  I am firmly in the opinion that the struggles we see with Task messing up names etc is more a result of how much the effects of  constant hits to the head accumulated to cause memory problems as he gets older.  

[Dan Darragh]

28 minutes ago, clayboy54 said:

That fade from the shotgun at the 2 was more about seeing if the guys on the field could execute it. They didn’t and now it’s on film.

Raise your hand if you knew they couldn't execute it. 🤚

 

That's a tough play with the 1s out there.  With the 3s out there he should have called a play he thought they might be able to execute.  Especially when Sean made it clear (by going for 2) that he was playing for the win.

[patzen]

Tim Settle was fantastic in my eyes. Can't wait to see him mixed in with Ed, Big Phil and the rest.

[Freddie's Dead]

50 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Agree. Blackshear was a kid who looks like he gets it. He knows that he has a very limited chance to be an NFL football player and NOTHING was going to keep him from getting back on the field. You have to love that sort of situational awareness 

 

That TD was all guts.  Dude was getting his ankle rearranged and he still lunged forward for the TD.  I want that guy on my team.

[Dr. Who]

2 hours ago, TBBills said:

I never said he wouldn't get a roster spot.  Nice try though.

GB gives a thorough, interesting write up and you give a thumbs down because of a quibble about Moss. Totally lacking in class, without even touching the matter of intellect.

[stinky finger]

1 hour ago, LeGOATski said:

Good write-up. I'm surprised by Crowder. When they signed him, he seemed like a bonafide slot guy who could easily find a role in Beasley's absence.

 

 

I'm surprised too. I figured he'd be a good fit.

 

You would think his experience would keep one of the youngsters at bay. 

 

He doesn't appear up to the competition. I don't think there's a spot for him.

 

 

[AmishRifle]

24 minutes ago, Freddie's Dead said:

 

That TD was all guts.  Dude was getting his ankle rearranged and he still lunged forward for the TD.  I want that guy on my team.

I also liked that he was doing everything possible to get back on the field after they rearranged his ankle.  I took a mental note that Allen and Diggs were encouraging him after the injury on the TD.

[Mattymafia]

We gotta give Tim Settle some love. I saw 2 or 3 plays on Twitter where he blew up Ryan Kelly and Quentin Nelson. I loved the Settle signing, he’s a dog. 

[Royale with Cheese]

Is it already determined DaQuan Jones is the starting 1-Tech and Settle is his back up?

[Shaw66]

Gunner -

 

Thanks for the analysis.   I always enjoy your take.  I was particularly interested in your special teams comments, which I hadn't focused on but seem right on the money.  I wouldn't give anyone a pass because of the revolving-door nature of camp - the door is spinning for the offense and defense, too. 

 

In fact, the thing that I was most impressed with last night was something that I saw more clearly last night than ever before.  McDermott has very high expectations, and one thing that he expects is year-over-year improvement.   Yeah, the ST coordinator changed, but so did the OC.  McDermott expects things to keep moving forward, regardless.  And he expects young guys to come in and to learn quickly to play at the high level that existed even before they joined the Bills.   

 

I mentioned it last night in the postgame thread: it was amazing to see the second and third teams on offense and on defense play the full playbook.  They were subbing every play, and they were running all different kinds formations, plays, defenses.   It wasn't some dumbed-down offense of defense - the players were expected to run the plays they'll be running in November, and they did it.   In fact, one reason the missed assignment on that TD pass the Colts had stood out so much is that the Bills ordinarily don't miss assignments.   They just don't.   Doesn't matter if it's only August, they come ready to play.  By having expectations like that, and by getting players new to the system up to speed, they get performances like we saw from Shakir and Benford - two third-day picks who have slotted themselves right into roster spots.  They both have figured out how play at that level.  

 

So, maybe it was just a rough night for special teams, but it was the one area where the Bills didn't have the performance that the system is supposed to generate.  

 

I agree about Moss.   He showed what we saw late in his rookie season.  Once the coaching staff saw that, they got him out of the game.  Same with Cook - give him a few touches, see that he can do in games what he's showed in camp, and get him out of the game.  

 

I'd be playing Benford ahead of Elam.  I could see yesterday why there has been persistent noise coming out of camp about Benford.  He just seems to do his job consistently and solidly.  Cam Lewis kept showing up, too.   Bills should be fine at corner when Tre comes back - Tre plus whoever ultimately wins the #2 spot will be a very good duo, with three young, solid guys in reserve.  

 

All that's left is we have to see the actual oline play and get the job done.   To me, it's the biggest open question. 

[Scott7975]

Nice writeup @GunnerBill.  I thought Keenum was terrible.  Probably the biggest surprised to me.  It was a terrible pass but Crowder did need to catch that.  He definitely did himself no favors there.  The other thing I was surprised about was the lack of playtime for Cook.  I thought he would have been involved more than he was.  I wonder if its because he is a roster lock and they wanted to get other guys looks or if its because he isn't where he needs to be in this offense yet.

[MasterStrategist]

3 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Is it already determined DaQuan Jones is the starting 1-Tech and Settle is his back up?

I think "starter" can be used loosely, both those guys will rotate and get their opportunities.  

 

Great signings, IMO.  One of the major weaknesses last couple years.  Von was obviously the big $$/hype, and deservedly so, but Jones/Settle/Phillips were very important in their own right.  It's early, but I'm very excited about our front 4 this season....ability to shut down the run and pass rush with only 4.  EWas already expecting Boogie/Groot/Ed to take their next step...Boogie came thru yesterday...he's got more explosiveness and added some variety to his pass rush arsenal

[Mr. WEO]

Maybe they are showcasing Moss?  Full doll-up, slapping the "Certified Pre-Owned" sticker on and listing him on "RBs.com".........

[Alphadawg7]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Back, by absolutely no popular acclaim, it is my good night / bad night pre-season breakdowns as I try and work out who hurt themselves and who helped themselves in the exhibition season. So as the Bills extend the pre-season winning run to 9, it's time to do that vs the Colts. I should say this is the first pre-season game I have missed watching live for 9 years, and sometimes I feel you get a different perspective watching later knowing the outcome, but here goes. 

 

Good Night for...

 

Zack Moss - the fact that Moss got all three of his carries in the first series tells you all you need to know. The Bills brass had seen what they needed to see from him. After a promising rookie season, followed by a sophomore slump Moss came into this offseason with a slight question mark over his roster status. Those questions had been all but erased after a strong camp but any lingering doubt was extinguished last night particularly with the burst he showed to get to the edge on his longest run. He is on this roster and how the Bills balance him vs Singletary and Cook promises to be intriguing. 

 

 

All of the observations in this whole post are pretty obvious and accurate.  Wasn't hard to see who helped their case and who hurt their case with the game yesterday.

 

However, I do agree with one of the responding posters that I think a bit too much is being read into Zack Moss here off of 3 carries.  Moss has always seemed to be a pretty safe bet to be on the active 53, but Devin has arguably had an even better camp than Moss and reportedly looks even better than he did last year.  So I don't think these 3 carries are evidence that Devin won't still get the lions share of the carries between the 2.  

 

While I do think most likely Moss is here week 1, there is also still another possibility here, and one Beane has done before.  Cook has been showing some real potential as a runner himself, and the best comments so far about Moss this camp IMHO came from Beane.  So if they are looking at Cook as more than just a receiving specialist and want to get him carries too, its not out of the question they talked Moss up a bit and then featured him in this first game to see if it might spark a potential interesting trade offer.  

 

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

All of the observations in this whole post are pretty obvious and accurate.  Wasn't hard to see who helped their case and who hurt their case with the game yesterday.

 

However, I do agree with one of the responding posters that I think a bit too much is being read into Zack Moss here off of 3 carries.  Moss has always seemed to be a pretty safe bet to be on the active 53, but Devin has arguably had an even better camp than Moss and reportedly looks even better than he did last year.  So I don't think these 3 carries are evidence that Devin won't still get the lions share of the carries between the 2.  

 

While I do think most likely Moss is here week 1, there is also still another possibility here, and one Beane has done before.  Cook has been showing some real potential as a runner himself, and the best comments so far about Moss this camp IMHO came from Beane.  So if they are looking at Cook as more than just a receiving specialist and want to get him carries too, its not out of the question they talked Moss up a bit and then featured him in this first game to see if it might spark a potential interesting trade offer.  

 

 

Nor do I. My assertion on Moss is simply that earlier in the offseason I think there was a bit of doubt about his roster spot. Last night pretty much assured me he is on the 53. 

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, Big Turk said:

I wouldn't be surprised to only keep 2 and try to sneak Barkley onto the PS

 

I do not think Bills need to sneak Barkley onto the practice squad.  

He spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons last season and never got a snap.

If a team needs him they will sign him off Bills practice squad - Let Bills pay for his game weeks until they need.

[Alphadawg7]

20 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Nor do I. My assertion on Moss is simply that earlier in the offseason I think there was a bit of doubt about his roster spot. Last night pretty much assured me he is on the 53. 

 

Personally, I think it's always been one of 2 options...he is on the 53 or gets traded if Beane gets an intriguing offer.  I didn't think Moss was ever in danger of being dumped in a trade like for peanuts or flat out cut without having a terrible camp to prompt that.  

 

I do agree the most likely scenario is Moss makes the 53.  I think to trade him, Beane would have to get a good offer, and that seems unlikely given he is coming off a forgettable season.  But to the team, in a SB push, Moss has value as a backup and also has value for next season when it comes to making a decision on Devin's future.

[SectionC3]

51 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

Is it already determined DaQuan Jones is the starting 1-Tech and Settle is his back up?

 

Settle looked like he was at 3-tech last night live in the stadium.  Bryant, I thought, played pretty well opposite him when they were paired.  

7 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Personally, I think it's always been one of 2 options...he is on the 53 or gets traded if Beane gets an intriguing offer.  I didn't think Moss was ever in danger of being dumped in a trade like for peanuts or flat out cut without having a terrible camp to prompt that.  

 

I do agree the most likely scenario is Moss makes the 53.  I think to trade him, Beane would have to get a good offer, and that seems unlikely given he is coming off a forgettable season.  But to the team, in a SB push, Moss has value as a backup and also has value for next season when it comes to making a decision on Devin's future.

I think Moss stays and splits time with Cook next year when Singletary gets a better deal in FA. 

47 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

Nice writeup @GunnerBill.  I thought Keenum was terrible.  Probably the biggest surprised to me.  It was a terrible pass but Crowder did need to catch that.  He definitely did himself no favors there.  The other thing I was surprised about was the lack of playtime for Cook.  I thought he would have been involved more than he was.  I wonder if its because he is a roster lock and they wanted to get other guys looks or if its because he isn't where he needs to be in this offense yet.

 

The question they will have to ask themselves if Keenum is bad with the 1s next week and with a big of game planning is whether they're better off with him at $4m at QB2 or with Barkley at vet min at QB2 and repurposing the Keenum cash.  

Edited August 14, 2022 by SectionC3

[Simon Says]

There's nothing eye-opening here. Same observations as most NFL analysts and those of us who follow the Bills. But thanks for the effort.

P.S. "Shorn"? Looking for style points?

3 hours ago, hemma said:

Not so sure he makes the PS.  I thought Anderson looked much better at RT.

I think Anderson is a PS keeper.

Did I see Anderson at left tackle,too? 

25 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

 

Settle looked like he was at 3-tech last night live in the stadium.  Bryant, I thought, played pretty well opposite him when they were paired.  

I think Moss stays and splits time with Cook next year when Singletary gets a better deal in FA. 

 

The question they will have to ask themselves if Keenum is bad with the 1s next week and with a big of game planning is whether they're better off with him at $4m at QB2 or with Barkley at vet min at QB2 and repurposing the Keenum cash.  

If Allen never gets hurt and Barkley never has to play, it would like a good move. I don't want Barkley in there ,long term, if Josh misses a few ganes.