Injuries vs Steelers - Update from McDermott

[Dunkirk Donski]

2 hours ago, Xwnyer said:

sure looking that way especially on the Defense if I recall we were playing 4 Men that came up from Rochester

I wonder if Jeff Jillson can cover Kelce

[Rubes]

1 hour ago, RyanC883 said:

 

did we go after Rudolph, like send enough guys?  The Steelers OL is a bit underrated.  Looked like we rushed 4 most of the game, but I'm not sure (had to "watch" the second half on the radio while driving kids to lax practice).    

 

I worry about giving Mahomes too much time.  But a coverage sack could work.  Perhaps some delayed blitzes where we drop Williams, then send him?  

 

The Bills blitzed only eight times in 44 dropbacks (per the Buffalo News).

 

[wjag]

1 minute ago, Rubes said:

 

The Bills blitzed only eight times in 44 dropbacks (per the Buffalo News).

 

 

yep  and didn't Buffalo give the NFL the Chiefs blueprint a few years ago by not blitzing Mahommes at all?

[gordong]

6 minutes ago, wjag said:

 

yep  and didn't Buffalo give the NFL the Chiefs blueprint a few years ago by not blitzing Mahommes at all?

yes...    along with two safey's high

[Straight Hucklebuck]

11 hours ago, Brand J said:

Chiefs fans say the Raiders ran a 5-2-4 and beat up their OL all game. They don’t think Buffalo has the horses up front to replicate that success, namely one Maxx Crosby. 

Then use more DTs and get your hands up to bat passes down. 

 

The Bills couldn't get Rudolph on the ground. 

 

Clearly their OTs are the weakest links of their offensive line. 

14 minutes ago, wjag said:

 

yep  and didn't Buffalo give the NFL the Chiefs blueprint a few years ago by not blitzing Mahommes at all?

Just play off every WR 29-yards. 

 

That should work. 

[gordong]

7 minutes ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

Then use more DTs and get your hands up to bat passes down. 

 

The Bills couldn't get Rudolph on the ground. 

 

Clearly their OTs are the weakest links of their offensive line. 

Just play off every WR 29-yards. 

 

That should work. 

yeah because the bills haven't won 3 of the last 4 time they have played..

[HappyDays]

I think Taron being limited is a good sign... I think that means he is fairly far along in the concussion protocol.

 

 

 

Edited January 17 by HappyDays

[Rubes]

6 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think Taron being limited is a good sign... I think that means he is fairly far along in the concussion protocol.

 

Man, this is going to be a nail-biting week. Having Douglas, Dodson, and Johnson back would be fantastic. If they're the only three we get back, that still really helps.

 

Would really like to see Benford and Rapp back as well, if possible—anything to keep Lewis and Elam on the sidelines as much as possible. I doubt we'll see Bernard, but man that would be great if he could go.

 

Edited January 17 by Rubes

[SCBills]

Ty Johnson was limited all last week in concussion protocol and cleared before the weekend.  That's promising to see with Taron Johnson.

[Punching Bag]

2 hours ago, drummernut74 said:

Will Jordan Phillips be active this week?  He has now served the 4 games on IR

 

They would either need to cut someone or put someone  on IR.

[drummernut74]

Just now, Limeaid said:

 

They would either need to cut someone or put someone  on IR.

McD just said his situation hasn't changed.  Doesn't sound like he's ready to be activated

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

Just now, Limeaid said:

 

They would either need to cut someone or put someone  on IR.

"Hey Von, how's the knee, it looks like you took a bad hit at practice today"

"What are you talking about?"

"Look, either it's the easy way or we Kerrigan you"

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, Dunkirk Donski said:

I wonder if Jeff Jillson can cover Kelce

 

He would good at hitting him in the first 5 yards of line of scrimmage.

[eball]

26 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think Taron being limited is a good sign... I think that means he is fairly far along in the concussion protocol.

 

Yup...stage 3 or 4 of the protocol...

 

 

[Herc11]

19 hours ago, Drew21PA said:

Why do people exaggerate and make stuff up

 

i. Sure it hurt a lot worse being that cold but I didn’t see anything “bad” on the fall

I agree. Hearing people say his leg was hanging, broke in half, etc... when I saw it I just thought he rolled his ankle

Edited January 17 by Herc11

[zevo]

1 hour ago, Dunkirk Donski said:

I wonder if Jeff Jillson can cover Kelce

that name still haunts me as a sabres fan.

[MiracleAtRich1393]

42 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

Man, this is going to be a nail-biting week. Having Douglas, Dodson, and Johnson back would be fantastic. If they're the only three we get back, that still really helps.

 

Would really like to see Benford and Rapp back as well, if possible—anything to keep Lewis and Elam on the sidelines as much as possible. I doubt we'll see Bernard, but man that would be great if he could go.

 

 

Worst part about 2 less days' rest than KC, seems like with an extra day or two a lot of these guys could be back

[Rich Stadium Original]

I think what can make some of these personnel calls tough on game day is not only can player X start, but how durable will they be, and at what % of healthy level are the playing at?

Probably the last thing you want to do is tie up a game day roster spot, and somebody's ankle swells up after just one series, and they have to come out..now you've put a lot of pressure on their limited  backups who may also be filling a special teams slot.

[gonzo1105]

49 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think Taron being limited is a good sign... I think that means he is fairly far along in the concussion protocol.

 

 

 

Weird a bunch of people told me I was a fool that Bernard could possibly play this week after it was announced it was a sprain. 

[Punching Bag]

6 minutes ago, MiracleAtRich1393 said:

 

Worst part about 2 less days' rest than KC, seems like with an extra day or two a lot of these guys could be back

 

So you are calling for roads closed day and a Monday playoff game again?

2 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Weird a bunch of people told me I was a fool that Bernard could possibly play this week after it was announced it was a sprain. 

 

Usually when they call you a fool they think you are like them and think it is a complement.

[Drew21PA]

Bendord

bwrnard

johnson

Dotson

douglas 

 

All will play I guarantee it 

 

biggest game of their lives they are playing and will be Extremely EFFECTIVE

 

BANK IT 

[HappyDays]

Just got an update on Gabe - He has a grade 2 PCL tear. I was told he will not play this week. He may be able to tough it out for the AFCCG but even then he would not be 100%.

 

@Einstein looks like you'll get your wish.

 

Edited January 17 by HappyDays

[Goin Breakdown]

3 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Just got an update on Gabe - He has a grade 2 PCL tear. I was told he will not play this week. He may be able to tough it out for the AFCCG but even then he would not be 100%.

 

@Einstein looks like you'll get your wish.

 

Not trying to be snarky at all. I feel like we are doing great without him, that if we got him back at less than healthy, it would be counterproductive. 

[HappyDays]

Just now, Goin Breakdown said:

Not trying to be snarky at all. I feel like we are doing great without him, that if we got him back at less than healthy, it would be counterproductive. 

 

I recognize that Davis is a better WR than Harty or Sherfield, but at the same time there are too many negative plays that occur on throws in his direction. Without him we lose some of our vertical passing but we also lose some of our worst tendencies as an offense. So on the whole I lean towards his absence being a good thing, not that I will ever celebrate a player being injured especially a Bills player.

[Success]

1 minute ago, HappyDays said:

 

I recognize that Davis is a better WR than Harty or Sherfield, but at the same time there are too many negative plays that occur on throws in his direction. Without him we lose some of our vertical passing but we also lose some of our worst tendencies as an offense. So on the whole I lean towards his absence being a good thing, not that I will ever celebrate a player being injured especially a Bills player.

 

I hate losing the option (if he can't play) - he is one of our long threats.  But we still have a potent offense.  Seems like the Knox/Kincaid combo is finally kicking into gear, and Diggs & Shakir give us a lot of versatility.  Cook can catch out of the backfield, and man, would I love to see them get the ball to Harty more in space.  When he has some room, he can really make things happen.

 

[Goin Breakdown]

6 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I recognize that Davis is a better WR than Harty or Sherfield, but at the same time there are too many negative plays that occur on throws in his direction. Without him we lose some of our vertical passing but we also lose some of our worst tendencies as an offense. So on the whole I lean towards his absence being a good thing, not that I will ever celebrate a player being injured especially a Bills player.

Very well said 

[Einstein]

16 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Just got an update on Gabe - He has a grade 2 PCL tear. I was told he will not play this week. He may be able to tough it out for the AFCCG but even then he would not be 100%.

 

@Einstein looks like you'll get your wish.

 

 

Thank you for the update. I appreciate you.

Definitely don't want anyone hurt and I hope he heals up well. I do think our offense may be better without him in though.

[Einstein]

42 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Weird a bunch of people told me I was a fool that Bernard could possibly play this week after it was announced it was a sprain. 

You feel that McD's comment about hope pertained to this week? I hope you're right. I assumed he meant hope that he comes back at some point in the playoffs/SB.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

21 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

Just got an update on Gabe - He has a grade 2 PCL tear. I was told he will not play this week. He may be able to tough it out for the AFCCG but even then he would not be 100%.

 

@Einstein looks like you'll get your wish.

 

I appreciate the inside source, even if I am ambivalent about the outcome. Just knowing means we have a guess at what we are going to see.

 

Any changes to Benford? Last I remember it was a meniscus but he didn't practice today.

[BADOLBILZ]

On 1/15/2024 at 7:33 PM, Einstein said:

Benford (knee, but jogged off the field) and Taron (concussion) I assume will be back next week. 

 

Same for Rapp.

 

Dodson and Rasul were questionable for this game, so one would think they’d be close to back for next game.

 

Really the only definite out is Bernard, which sucks so much.

 

 

Bernard is definite?

 

I've told this story before but after that bitter cold divisional game against the Raiders I ended up at the home of a Bills LB and a bunch of us were re-watching the game and he was sitting on the floor with an ankle swollen to the size of a regulation sized football.    I suggested he should maybe put some ice on it and he said he would if his wife would get it for him.   So he wasn't exactly hyperbaric chambering a severe injury and he didn't miss any time thru the SB.   These guys can play thru some pretty awful ankle injuries when it's a big game.

[Punch]

46 minutes ago, gonzo1105 said:

Weird a bunch of people told me I was a fool that Bernard could possibly play this week after it was announced it was a sprain. 

 

 

[billsfan_34]

32 minutes ago, Drew21PA said:

Bendord

bwrnard

johnson

Dotson

douglas 

 

All will play I guarantee it 

 

biggest game of their lives they are playing and will be Extremely EFFECTIVE

 

BANK IT 

I am never much of a “grammar police” type but come on 😂😂😂…do better lol 😝 

[Drew21PA]

1 minute ago, billsfan_34 said:

I am never much of a “grammar police” type but come on 😂😂😂…do better lol 😝 

😂😂😂

 

sheesh I hate these iphones

 

ugh spell check and my fat fingers 

[Warriorspikes51]

23 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I recognize that Davis is a better WR than Harty or Sherfield, but at the same time there are too many negative plays that occur on throws in his direction. Without him we lose some of our vertical passing but we also lose some of our worst tendencies as an offense. So on the whole I lean towards his absence being a good thing, not that I will ever celebrate a player being injured especially a Bills player.

 

Except Gabe is a physical blocker and we could have really used that this week....along with just the idea of him going crazy again.  KC may have considered doubling him on some plays 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Bernard is definite?

 

I've told this story before but after that bitter cold divisional game against the Raiders I ended up at the home of a Bills LB and a bunch of us were re-watching the game and he was sitting on the floor with an ankle swollen to the size of a regulation sized football.    I suggested he should maybe put some ice on it and he said he would if his wife would get it for him.   So he wasn't exactly hyperbaric chambering a severe injury and he didn't miss any time thru the SB.   These guys can play thru some pretty awful ankle injuries when it's a big game.

Drugs 

[Einstein]

5 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

Bernard is definite?

 

I've told this story before but after that bitter cold divisional game against the Raiders I ended up at the home of a Bills LB and a bunch of us were re-watching the game and he was sitting on the floor with an ankle swollen to the size of a regulation sized football.    I suggested he should maybe put some ice on it and he said he would if his wife would get it for him.   So he wasn't exactly hyperbaric chambering a severe injury and he didn't miss any time thru the SB.   These guys can play thru some pretty awful ankle injuries when it's a big game.

I posted that right after the game when I assumed he broke it. At the time I thought it was definite. I hop I was wrong.

[WhitewalkerInPhilly]

17 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

I recognize that Davis is a better WR than Harty or Sherfield, but at the same time there are too many negative plays that occur on throws in his direction. Without him we lose some of our vertical passing but we also lose some of our worst tendencies as an offense. So on the whole I lean towards his absence being a good thing, not that I will ever celebrate a player being injured especially a Bills player.

I agree with you. On a pure talent perspective there is no doubt that he's better than Harty or Sherfield who are fringers. I might be dubious about Davis as a #2, but he was still a useful component.

 

My issue, like you said, is the negative plays. I think Option Routes are the logical choice for Josh's playstyle. He's never going to be a Brady-esque "diagnose at the line, timing route" QB and I would never try to force that. But that means your QB trusting his WRs to see the field the way he does and anticipating. It means chemistry and field awareness.

 

Diggs has this. I've seen signs of this from Kincaid this year. Gabe, for whatever reason, hasn't had it this year.

 

The point I go back to was the KC game where the potential game winning pass hits the ground. Josh could have thrown that better. It could be a simple miscommunication. But the moment that the ball was snapped it was obvious that the defense was doing a Cover 0 blitz. Gabe needs to know on that route that if he gets off the line untouched he is supposed to turn and look so Allen knows where to deliver it other than guesswork. Even if Allen has it in the air, it is a high arc and Davis has time to still make a play on it.

 

Davis did neither. And that for me is enough to mean that I can't trust him on option routes which really limits his usability in our scheme. I wish him well, but we need better.

 

/end rant

[DCofNC]

17 minutes ago, Success said:

 

I hate losing the option (if he can't play) - he is one of our long threats.  But we still have a potent offense.  Seems like the Knox/Kincaid combo is finally kicking into gear, and Diggs & Shakir give us a lot of versatility.  Cook can catch out of the backfield, and man, would I love to see them get the ball to Harty more in space.  When he has some room, he can really make things happen.

 

Let’s be real, Davis is not fast when he’s healthy, he’s only a deep threat because he is the guy they would rather have run straight vs try to nuanced tree.  Shakir and Harty can both do more than him as a WR, blocking, well that’s better with the big body.   The other consideration, exactly how many times does anyone think we are “going deep” in the middle of January in Buffalo?  Honestly, Davis is not a big loss and it might well be a net gain to get the more explosive guys on the field.  No offense to Davis, but I don’t think he scores the way Shakir did last week.  Shakir was absolutely electric in college and has found his sea legs in the pros, he should get more touches and has been earning them.   I know this is Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early, but I think the kid can be a Diggs-type WR for us next year and beyond.  I’m not saying he’s going to be a 100 catch guy, but he got similar size and skills to Diggs and looks like he can do a little of everything, kind of like Diggs.   Given the opportunity, I think he can actually do considerably more than Davis if he’s pressed into the #2 role.

[billsfan_34]

2 minutes ago, Drew21PA said:

😂😂😂

 

sheesh I hate these iphones

 

ugh spell check and my fat fingers 

All good just bustin balls. We all know what you are saying 😊

[HappyDays]

9 minutes ago, WhitewalkerInPhilly said:

Any changes to Benford?

 

I haven't heard of any changes on anything I was told yesterday. Still just a minor tear in his meniscus which some players are able to play on but not all. It is normal for the Bills to rest injured players on Wednesday regardless of their game status.