Who has been the biggest disappointment?

[Rico]

1st place in the AFC, I’m really not too disappointed in anything… so I will say overall injuries. If I had to name a player, I will say Jaquan Johnson, just not ready for prime-time at all.

[st pete gogolak]

I'm looking at team disappointments rather than individual players, especially problems that have seemed problems for some time.  I thought that the run defense was fixed with revamped D Line.  Last two games were a tremendous disappointment.  Offensive line and running attack.  I really like Spencer Brown and the offseason maladies and the ankle sprain haven't helped but yet again, the offensive line is an issue and a consistent non-QB running game is a mirage.  Couple that with a couple of lousy games from Josh and more injuries than we are used to (we've been awfully lucky in that respect for the last couple of years) and 6 - 2 seems just about right.  

 

Not giving up on this year by a long, long shot but (1) run D has to be fixed and (2) offense has to find some balance.  

[balln]

16 minutes ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

Davis just cannot make plays this year…I’d go with him because he has so much potential.  

Yea beasting away the ball from minkah against pit. simply can’t make plays 

 

 

[Bob in STL]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:09 AM, Virgil said:

1 - Davis

2 - Cook

3 - Knox

4 - Edmunds

5 - Shakir

I can see Davis on the list and that is it.  

 

Knox has suffered a personal tragedy, give him a break.  Plus he is called on to block a lot since the RT (Brown) is hurt so damn much.  

Edmunds is playing good football unless you are one of those "not enough splash plays" guys.  

 

Cook and especially Shakir are not getting enough touches to even rate and they are rookies .  

 

My list is:

 

1 -  Crowder - did not fill the Beasley spot adequately, then he got hurt and left two holes (slot and PR).

2 - McKenzie - not a top 3 WR and is error prone

3 - Saffold  -  Not helping the run game as expected 

4 - Jacquan Johnson - filling big shoes and has good moments but also poor tackling and a few blown assignments

5 -  Gabe Davis - inconsistent but shows up at times

Edited November 8, 2022 by Bob in STL

[BullBuchanan]

Too many on a team with Super Bowl aspirations

1. Davis - 16 catches on the year. Never open except on deep routes. bad hands
2. Saffold - Completely useless. I thought we were getting a great player and he might be the worst player on the line. Hits no one.

3. McKenzie - I didn't expect him to be lighting it up every week, but I legitimately expected big plays, high YAC value with occasional games over 100.
4. Knox - Rough personal issues, but hasn't been a factor at all. I really didn't like the signing because I saw a limited player produce in a system
5. Oliver - has regressed from last season where it looked like he finally took a big step. He's just a rotational level player.

6. Epenesa - 3 years in and he still doesn't look like he's figured out how to play in this league even as a abckup. I'm not sure he plays in a regular season game after this season

[Kaenon]

Based on all these threads, I'll say the fans.

 

This team is 6-2, with their two losses were by a combined 5 points with an injury decimated defense.

[TheFunPolice]

injuries

 

We lost our all pro safety tandem, haven't had our top CB, and lost our playmaking beast of a LB in Milano. That taking 4 of the top defensive players off the field and replacing them with a bunch of rookies, who have played about as well as you could expect, maybe better. 

 

But that's a lot. Subtract 4 of the top players on any defense in the league and it's going to hurt. 

[LABILLBACKER]

20 minutes ago, BullBuchanan said:

Too many on a team with Super Bowl aspirations

1. Davis - 16 catches on the year. Never open except on deep routes. bad hands
2. Saffold - Completely useless. I thought we were getting a great player and he might be the worst player on the line. Hits no one.

3. McKenzie - I didn't expect him to be lighting it up every week, but I legitimately expected big plays, high YAC value with occasional games over 100.
4. Knox - Rough personal issues, but hasn't been a factor at all. I really didn't like the signing because I saw a limited player produce in a system
5. Oliver - has regressed from last season where it looked like he finally took a big step. He's just a rotational level player.

6. Epenesa - 3 years in and he still doesn't look like he's figured out how to play in this league even as a abckup. I'm not sure he plays in a regular season game after this season

7. Daquan Johnson

8. Boogie Basham

Perfect list with these 2 added. 

[BullBuchanan]

5 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

7. Daquan Johnson

8. Boogie Basham

Perfect list with these 2 added. 

no argument there. I LOVED the Boogie pick. I thought he may outplay Groot, but right now he looks like next year's AJ Epenesa.

Edited November 8, 2022 by BullBuchanan

[BillsFanSD]

21 minutes ago, Kaenon said:

Based on all these threads, I'll say the fans.

 

This team is 6-2, with their two losses were by a combined 5 points with an injury decimated defense.

Nobody (I think) is disputing that the Bills have a good team with a loaded roster.  If Davis is currently living up to your expectations, your expectations were set far too low.

[Yawning Frog]

All of them

[TheBrownBear]

Davis, Saffold, Crowder and Knox for me.  Crowder was signed to be the starting slot receiver (not McKenzie) and he was below average before his injury.  Davis is just too inconsistent, and I didn't realize his hands were an issue until a few weeks ago.  Now I'm legitimately concerned about a real lack of depth at WR.  We really need Shakir to step up over the second half or we are going to watch an ailing Josh continue to struggle.  

[Chaos]

Disappointment requires expectations. The only person I expect to excel was Josh Allen. His recent blip is by far the most disappointing part of the season.  Every other problem will be solved when Josh returns to form.  

[blacklabel]

I thought we'd see a little more from Gabe. I wonder if the injury has hampered him all season or what but yeah, hoping he finds a new gear for the second half of the season here. 

 

I also hope Knox can kick it up another level. They need to involve him more but right now he's their top blocking TE so he's being kept in line more than he was last season. 

 

I saw Shakir and Cook mentioned a lot. I give rookies the benefit of the doubt. Especially on a McDermott let Bills team where they always bring along their rookies slowly. Both of them have had some nice moments and I'm sure there will be more. I do tend to agree a little with those that'd like to see Shakir get a few more snaps over McKenzie. Not sure what's up with him this season but it feels like he's struggling somewhat. 

 

Defensively, I really thought Jaquan Johnson would be a little better than he's been. In spot duty previously he had some decent plays, but right now they don't seem to trust him out there. I expect it to be Marlowe and Hamlin if Poyer can't go again and then probably a rotation of Marlow and Hamlin alongside Poyer when he can play. On the flip side, I've been pretty impressed with Hamlin. 

 

Oh, I also blame Siran Neal for the loss Sunday. Taron had to sit out a play and wouldn't ya know it, they hit some 35-40 yard pass up the seam right on Neal. Really good special teamer just not a very good secondary player. 

[Maine-iac]

3 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

Too many on a team with Super Bowl aspirations

1. Davis - 16 catches on the year. Never open except on deep routes. bad hands
2. Saffold - Completely useless. I thought we were getting a great player and he might be the worst player on the line. Hits no one.

3. McKenzie - I didn't expect him to be lighting it up every week, but I legitimately expected big plays, high YAC value with occasional games over 100.
4. Knox - Rough personal issues, but hasn't been a factor at all. I really didn't like the signing because I saw a limited player produce in a system
5. Oliver - has regressed from last season where it looked like he finally took a big step. He's just a rotational level player.

6. Epenesa - 3 years in and he still doesn't look like he's figured out how to play in this league even as a abckup. I'm not sure he plays in a regular season game after this season

I'm on board with Saffold.  Davis has had some bright spots.  MicKenzie was always a question mark for me.  Knox has had off the field things going on.  Oliver has had bright spots along with Espenesa (who is actually 3rd in sacks).  I thought Saffold was going to be the next coming of Incognito.  I real mauler who stood up well at the point of attack.  Have not seen much from Saffold to be impressed with.  Hoping the line plays into shape together as a unit.

[The Frankish Reich]

Weird picks, I know: Saffold and Bates. Bates seemed to stabilize the line at LG last season, and I thought he’d be a clear upgrade over what we had last year on the right side. Saffold is old but I thought he had something left. In other words, I thought Beane had modestly upgraded the line for little money. Now I think the line is actually worse than it was the second half/playoff time last season. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Talking strictly offense it has to be Davis #1 and Knox #2.

 

McKenzie is a disappointment, but I place him third because he's not under a big contract like Knox and wasn't on the same upward trajectory that Davis was on. McKenzie had expectations but not that he would be one of the elite players at his position like Davis and Knox were thought of coming into this season. 

 

Davis does at least have that one huge game against the Steelers so we do have that. There might be hope yet for him. And how much of this is also on Allen and Dorsey? Are they over forcing the ball to Diggs? 

 

I actually thought Davis would have a better statistical season than Diggs coming into this season. Boy was I wrong. 

[Alphadawg7]

On 11/7/2022 at 6:07 AM, IronMaidenBills said:

For me it’s a tie between Davis and McKenzie. If it wasn’t for Diggs being the dawg that he is, we’d be in deep trouble. When we face good secondaries, we have nobody that can take over a game when Diggs is taken out. It’s depressing because I though Davis could be that dude after the KC game last year. What is even more maddening is Shakir has shown flashes and yet he doesn’t get the playing time he deserves over McKenzie. It blows my mind that you have an elite QB and you can’t even get 50 yards a game. McKenzie has been an absolute soul crusher. 

 

Easy Davis.  I said all off season McKenzie is not a starter, that was clear as day to me.  And I knew the staff doubted it to after only signing him to backup money and then going out and adding a more accomplished Slot WR in Crowder and drafting Shakir.  

 

But Davis was someone I thought had the potential to lead the team in yards and TD's with his big play ability and all the attention Diggs was going to get.  Firugred Diggs had a lock on receptions, but really expected Davis to take that next step.  And while he has flashed, his consistency to get open on non big plays is a concern as his low catch rate of 54%.  

 

Early on I gave him a pass on his total catches with missing some time and playing hurt.  But the last 2 weeks he was back to full strength and he really struggled against good corners.  With how many big plays he was making, he seemed poised for a breakout coming into this year.  He just hasn't progressed from the occassional big play to consistent producer and threat in all areas of the field.  

 

I am not writing him off, but I really hope Dorsey starts to scheme up some better play designs to get him more involved because what ever they are doing now isn't working.  

 

Runner Up:  Dorsey.  He isn't a huge disappointment overall, I mean we have been one of the top 2 offenses most the season.  However, where I am disappointed is I thought he would look to involve our RB's more in both rush attempts and as pass receivers and also design more offensive plays for Knox with his own history of using TE's when he played.  This is one area I hope he looks at the tape these past 2 weeks and goes back and makes those adjustments.  

 

NOTE:  Dorsey also needs to abandon the McKenzie experiment and focus on making Shakir the featured slot guy.  We need another threat to take pressure off Diggs and Davis.  This offense has shown it misses Cole at times, especially on important 3rd down plays where Cole was a first down machine.  

[Augie]

Has anyone asked my parents? 

 

 

 

😋

 

.

Edited November 9, 2022 by Augie

[Buffalo Junction]

On 11/7/2022 at 9:09 AM, BruceVilanch said:

I had pretty big expectations for Gabe and he's been pretty non existent outside of the Pittsburgh game. Knox has been disappointing but I give him a pass considering what he went through over the summer. 

I’m not too down on Davis yet. Aside from his injury he’s only really been taken out by an all pro CB (Alexander) and the likely DROY (Sauce). That’s not too bad. 

[CSBill]

22 hours ago, HOUSE said:

 

#5 Tia Wana Jones

 
He’s still on the team?

 

Well, I’m not disappointed in him - I have no expectations that he will contribute to the success of this team. 

[mrags]

Davis

cook

edmunds

shakir

mckenzie

dorsey

mcdermott

frazier

stadium renderings

singletary

phillips

the OL

elam

poyer

 

can I keep going? Sure, but did we really expect anything out of the 2nd RB? Or 5th WR, or any other backup at this point. 
 

better to start a thread that’s started as who has impressed:

Allen (when he’s not playing off)

Diggs

Milano (when he’s actually on the field) more if the same with him and always has been. Why he’s not worth his contract, he misses multiple games every single year. He’s soft like a fresh baked cookie 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

On 11/7/2022 at 10:33 AM, RocCityRoller said:

Ken Dorsey - Daboll did much better than Dorsey scheming guys open. Loads of posts about Knox, Davis, McKenzie etc disappearing in games, Josh Allen is regressing etc.

 

Did Knox just forget how to run routes and get open? Why are so many of Davis targets so contested? Why is McKenzie an afterthought? Why does such a higher percent of passes look like they are into tighter and tighter windows? Daboll is genius level at designing plays that puts a defense off balance and get guys open, even if a defense knows an offense will be pass first.

 

All of the players above have had forgettable plays and have been sloppy at times. Absolutely true. But I'm just not seeing the dynamic routes and play design. Where is the motion? Motion helps a QB understand the defense being played by how they react. I want to give my QB all the help I can whether it is Heineke or Mahomes.

 

When the run game stalled and defenses were teeing off on the pass, Dabs would call a Jet Sweep, end around or bubble screen, or he would go 4-5 wide and use a quick hit to slow a pass rush down, or generate a semblance of a run game. We don't see that this year.

 

This offense is terribly one dimensional and it is not innovative enough to impose it's will on better defenses. The hardest thing for a defense to do is make an offense one dimensional and then shut it down. The Bills do that for opponents on its own. Very little is being done to keep opposing defenses off balance.

 

Lastly, If a team brackets Diggs and spies Allen, there is no steady third option. Like the guy's point of view or not, Beasley was always a steady option to go if a D tried to take Diggs out and slow down Allen's run threat. Many many games that happened and Dabs went to quick hits to Beasley in the slot to get things going. Bease is not here, and I am not advocating he should have been here, but no replacement has stepped up. Some of that is on the players. Some of that is on the OC not utilizing what he has and using it more effectively.

That's right.

 

Dorsey is the problem !

 

Dorsey is running his BS U of Miami college offense and defenses are starting to figure it out.

 

FIRE DORSEY!!!!

[frostbitmic]

Matt Araiza ..... Why punt god why ?

[SirAndrew]

Davis, he doesn’t look good doing anything besides catching deep passes. I’m more conflicted on Knox. He’s flashed potential ever since joining this team, and looks the part. I’m not convinced he’s given an adequate opportunity to show much. There isn’t enough for me to asses. Allen can’t force passes to Knox, but it seems like this team doesn’t use the tight end position as a safety valve like most modern offenses. There’s no emphasis on getting the ball to Knox. 

[EasternOHBillsFan]

Ken Dorsey....

 

RUN THE DAMN BALL

[RevWarRifleman]

Mc D & our O-coordinator for not putting in more running plays!

[Scott7975]

Gabe Davis.  Everyone knows McKenzie is just an average piece.  Most people thought Gabe would be a good number 2.  He isnt.  He is a one trick pony that drops footballs.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Gabe Davis make that damn catch! Hit in the #s 

[Success]

It's gotta be Davis - but I'll give some benefit of the doubt for the idea that he has had a nagging injury and might still not be 100%.

 

We need the guy from that KC playoff game again.  

 

[RocCityRoller]

2 hours ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

That's right.

 

Dorsey is the problem !

 

Dorsey is running his BS U of Miami college offense and defenses are starting to figure it out.

 

FIRE DORSEY!!!!

Not saying fire Dorsey, I am saying the coaching staff needs to sit down and evaluate the situation and figure out how to be less one dimensional.

[Nihilarian]

I realize that a defense allowing 20 points to a team in a week is doing pretty good...and yet!

 

I also realize that the Buffalo Bills defense is ranked in the top 5 and nearly #1...and yet!

 

Do they play scared? Are they so afraid of giving up a big play they refuse to switch out of the Nickle defense or substitute in bigger players to stop the run? Change things up when the situation calls for it?

 

That last Jets series, 13 plays, 86 yards for 6:10, a FG. The Bills did sack Wilson 2x but he played probably his best game in the league against that supposed top 5 Buffalo defense. The Patriots made the kid look lost the week before.

 

If Von Miller doesn't collapse that entire side of the Packers offense on that 4th down play is it a different game?

 

Leslie Frazier gets my vote for biggest disappointment so far, JMO 

 

 

Lastly, Cole Beasley where are you?   Man, this team is really missing that first down maker right now! Somebody needs to step into that role and step up, "Lil Dirty", Shakir (was he even active last game?) Hines,...OBJ?

[BillMafia716ix]

Davis is definitely not 100%. He’s had a few subpar games but I’m not ready to say he’s  a disappointment. You don't do what he did in KC last season on the biggest stage and not be capable. He’ll be fine. 
 

I’m more disappointed in our inability to find a consistent slot guy. Beasley was so clutch for us especially on 3rd downs and we haven’t found a guy to replace him. Thought McKenzie was going to be the guy but he hasn’t shown much. It’s still early though and we’re 6-2. We still have time to figure it out 

[njbuff]

I think the disappointment is the whole team letting the SB favorite talk getting into their heads and treating the Jets game like it was going to be an easy victory by just showing up.

 

Everything that everyone is mentioning is correctable.

 

I’m not panicking. Throw the Jets loss behind them and just concentrate on beating the Vikings. Also, treat the Vikings like they’re a threat, not some also ran.

 

All assuming Allen is playing.

[mjt328]

Gabe Davis by far.  I thought he was going to step into the "Reggie Wayne" #2 roll on a high-flying pass attack.  The guy is pretty much a deep touchdown catch or a horrible drop.  Nothing in between.  He hasn't even been a factor in the red zone this year, which is baffling.

 

Isaiah McKenzie was always a wildcard.  I figured he was going to be a backup to Jamison Crowder, and was surprised when he won the job in training camp.  The injury to Crowder was a much bigger problem than most would have guessed.  I don't understand why Khalil Shakir hasn't taken the job yet.

 

Dawson Knox is a total mystery to me.  He signs a big extension, then completely disappears from the offense.  It's not like he's dropping passes.  We clearly need an underneath threat, but he's just not doing anything at all.  

 

11 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Gabe Davis make that damn catch! Hit in the #s 

 

Davis also dropped a touchdown pass against Miami.

 

If he catches that deep ball on Sunday, we are in field goal position and have a legitimate chance to win the game.

 

So it's not a real stretch to say Davis played a significant role in both of our losses.  He's been a huge disappointment this season, and the main reason OBJ has gone from a luxury signing to a must.

 

[SoCal Deek]

Lots and lots of doom and gloom on here and rightly so but in the end this all comes down to making a few key plays in the clutch late in the fourth quarter or on a final drive when the game is on the line. We’re 6-2 and in BOTH games we had the ball and the opportunity to win the game and failed. It’s a real problem. The Bills got the ball with two minutes remaining on Sunday, and while they had no timeouts they ended up not needing them because they couldn’t pick up a single first down. Not good! 
 

You’re not going to beat everyone by two touchdowns. You have to learn how to win close games like against the Jets and Dolphins. This week’s opponent, the Vikings, are 7-1 partly because they’re getting it done in the clutch. It’s about winning! 

[Meatloaf63]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:33 AM, IronMaidenBills said:

I agree with your list. I’d like to include an honorable mention with Knox. Not sure what happened to him this year, he’s been a ghost at times when we need him to take a game over. So jealous of KC having Kelce. 

Is it Knox or is it Dorsey?

[BillyBilliams]

I'm going to say Knox.  Dude had a breakout year last year and now that he got paid, he's basically just been a body on the field.  He can't be helping with the pass blocking, because Allen is still having to scramble and getting hit.  Davis has been disappointing, but at least he's made some big plays this year.

[Joe Ferguson]

There's a reason Gabe Davis was a 4th rounder. We have a $250 million QB  on the  team and we wasted the draft picks on defense? With the exception of Diggs, Allen has no help. NONE.

[Turk71]

The offensive line as usual.

Every year the same

Little talent and no depth

Josh has to be Superman all the time but alas he is mortal and from this planet.