Joe Brady through 2 games

[newcam2012]

14 hours ago, Scott7975 said:

 

I don't hate second down runs. What I hate is not mixing it up. It gets too predictable. They almost never take a play action shot on 2nd and short for example. Also don't like that Ray Davis getting the ball seems like a wasted down to me. The dude is constantly stuffed or held to 3 yards or less.  I thought Davis would be decent because he had a good game last year when Cook was out. Disappointing =(  I'd rather see Ty in on those downs and mix up some play action with him. Dude had a drop against the Ravens, but he is usually money in the passing game.

Agree Davis hasn't done much when called upon. He looks hesitant and slow with his eyes to hit the hole. Hoping he will be a bigger impact going forward. 

[GunnerBill]

25 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

GB, agreed to a point.  We may not have a Justin Jefferson, but overall Coleman has delivered, Palmer is growing with each week synergy with Josh, Moore has made small contributions, Shakir is well Shakir, and Cook as you mention GB is one of the most dynamic RB’s this team has seen since Thurmon. (I didn’t add McCoy as we caught him later in his career).

 

The receivers we have are legit NFL players (maybe Shavers still a tbc - but Keon, Palmer, Shakir, Moore, Samuel and the two main pass catching tight ends) but none of them are (at least yet) difference makers and so we still have snaps when we are forced into pure dropback where nobody can get open downfield unless Josh gets out and extends the play. The Bills are finding ways to coach and scheme around that and to mask it to a large extent - but I do still worry at some point it becomes a limitation. 

[No_Matter_What]

22 hours ago, BillsFan130 said:

Haha I'm not comparing Joe Brady to Ken Dorsey lol.

 

Joe Brady overall is a pretty good OC and I've never said he's bad. 

 

But he can be extremely frustrating at times, and I think he leaves a lot of meat on the bone with this passing offence.

 

Against the jets you can get away with it, but it took a superman performance from Josh last week to bail out his conservative play calling against Baltimore. 

The bills 20 pt victory had little to do with the offence yesterday, outside of a few incredible James cook runs. It was the defence who was dominant and stole the show

I won't argue how good is Brady as OC since I don't feel competent enough.

 

But I can guarantee you that 100% of fanbases feel that their OCs are extremely frustrating at times, including 49ers, Rams and Chiefs fans, and that you would feel the same with any coordinator.

[newcam2012]

3 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The receivers we have are legit NFL players (maybe Shavers still a tbc - but Keon, Palmer, Shakir, Moore, Samuel and the two main pass catching tight ends) but none of them are (at least yet) difference makers and so we still have snaps when we are forced into pure dropback where nobody can get open downfield unless Josh gets out and extends the play. The Bills are finding ways to coach and scheme around that and to mask it to a large extent - but I do still worry at some point it becomes a limitation. 

For a few years now the Bills have not had enough difference makers. Allen on offense masks a lot. On offense, I think Cook is the only difference maker. The whole online is really good too which is huge. 

 

On defense, maybe Benford and Bosa has potential. I'm not sold on Oliver; he flashes in some games and then disappears in others. 

 

I think it's a great roster for the regular but come playoff time the Bills lack of a difference makers has certainly hurt them. We will see how it plays out this year. 

 

On the downside, I still not encouraged about McD's ability to get over the hump and lead the team to a SB. I think it's Allen willing the team to the SB despite of coach McD. Similar, to when Flacco led the Ravens to a SB win. 

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

 

But I can guarantee you that 100% of fanbases feel that their OCs are extremely frustrating at times, including 49ers, Rams and Chiefs fans, and that you would feel the same with any coordinator.

 

To this point there is a thread on Chiefs Plant at the moment called "Fire Matt Nagy into the Sun" followed by a debate as to where the blame lies between Nagy, Reid and Veach for their offensive woes. 

[Behindenemylines]

On 9/14/2025 at 9:19 PM, JoPoy88 said:

I think Brady’s never going to call games like Daboll did, and I predict you’re going to continue to be disappointed if you wish that’s gonna happen.

agree, but on another note do you think Daboll was trying to coach Danny Dimes to way he did Josh, and DD just couldnt follow it?  Danny is looking really good so far on the Colts.  Throwing better than he ever did in NY.  Was it all coaching possibly

[BuffaloBill]

1 hour ago, Billsfan1972 said:

The issue is (and not a bad one) that Buffalo is very, very good and as fans we want to see more. 

 

The were a "yawn" game, as we too expect the next three....  The defense I knew would step up against a bad team (don't let their play vs. Pitt  make you think otherwise with Justin Fields as the QB).

 

The offense didn't seem overly precise and efficient and the Jets made plays and often the receivers looked blanketed.  The Jets also had penalties and were undisciplined. 

 

Sorry any game Josh throws for <200 is bothersome to me, as 250 in his sleep should be the floor.

 

We have this everyone eats mantra, but if Shakir is our #1 receiver and has two targets and Coleman only three that to me is not enough. 

 

 

Joe Marino may have explained it. The Bills most likely game planned for heavy man coverage as that is what Aaron Glenn Defenses are known for. The Jets played counter tendency and went to more zone coverage. The Bills were not this early in the season ready to just flip the switch to deal with it. The Bills also played a lot of 3 TE sets which is a new wrinkle for them.

 

Keep in mind this early in the season Josh is still setting chemistry with Palmer. They are starting to connect which will open things up eventually.  

[Billsfan1972]

28 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said:

 

 

Joe Marino may have explained it. The Bills most likely game planned for heavy man coverage as that is what Aaron Glenn Defenses are known for. The Jets played counter tendency and went to more zone coverage. The Bills were not this early in the season ready to just flip the switch to deal with it. The Bills also played a lot of 3 TE sets which is a new wrinkle for them.

 

Keep in mind this early in the season Josh is still setting chemistry with Palmer. They are starting to connect which will open things up eventually.  

I don't go deep into analysis and just what my eyes see and what the boxscore then says.  Allen's 40-yard run better then any pass as nothing but open field when he got past the rush. 

 

The issue as said above is we as fans keep trying to push the everyone eats narrative, but we need a difference maker or someone who has separation.  Shakir finds pockets off the line and on scramble drills.  Coleman, we have fingers crossed, Kincaid we want the next step and Palmer looks to be a decent pickup.   

 

But as said only two targets to Shakir & three to Coleman says very little.

Edited September 16 by Billsfan1972

[BillsFan130]

1 hour ago, No_Matter_What said:

I won't argue how good is Brady as OC since I don't feel competent enough.

 

But I can guarantee you that 100% of fanbases feel that their OCs are extremely frustrating at times, including 49ers, Rams and Chiefs fans, and that you would feel the same with any coordinator.

Oh for sure. Ya when I say I get frustrated with him, I don't mean nitpicking his play calls during the game. As to your point, every fan base will get frustrated with play calls.

What I mean is just the overall philosophy. I think his offensive game plans are too conservative at times.
 

Overall I think Joe Brady is good. But I am a bit concerned that his "tight to the chest" play calling will hurt them in a big game. (Kind of like the ravens game in the 1st half in week 1)

[Lost]

49 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said:

 

 

Joe Marino may have explained it. The Bills most likely game planned for heavy man coverage as that is what Aaron Glenn Defenses are known for. The Jets played counter tendency and went to more zone coverage. The Bills were not this early in the season ready to just flip the switch to deal with it. The Bills also played a lot of 3 TE sets which is a new wrinkle for them.

 

Keep in mind this early in the season Josh is still setting chemistry with Palmer. They are starting to connect which will open things up eventually.  

 

From my eyes it looked like the Jets were playing man and there was no receiver separation anywhere.  

 

 

[Cray51]

The Bills are a top 5 offense no question again this season.  Look at other teams, the only offenses that look as complete (can dominate via the run or the pass) are Baltimore and maybe Green Bay/Detroit.  Season is early, there are obviously things to work on, but Brady continues to show he is a strong OC who know's how to use what he has on the team to put points on the board.

[Big Turk]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I don't think we have the receiving talent to have Josh tossing it all over the field. I suppose that goes to the heart of the debate. Any limitations that exist in this offense are less about the scheme and the playcalling to my eye than they are about the skill position talent. 

 

It's also why despite generally being against paying running backs I saw the value in retaining Cook. He is by far our most explosive skill position player. I wish that weren't the case, but given that it is I think it's prudent to retain that. 

 

Also by far our best one.

56 minutes ago, Cray51 said:

The Bills are a top 5 offense no question again this season.  Look at other teams, the only offenses that look as complete (can dominate via the run or the pass) are Baltimore and maybe Green Bay/Detroit.  Season is early, there are obviously things to work on, but Brady continues to show he is a strong OC who know's how to use what he has on the team to put points on the board.

 

You would think the Eagles should be there with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith but their passing game is kinda trash far too often for the talent they have.

[Cray51]

29 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Also by far our best one.

 

You would think the Eagles should be there with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith but their passing game is kinda trash far too often for the talent they have.

They have another new OC, I wonder if they are dealing with some Ken Dorsey type issues.  Their offense looks VANILLA

[rajinka]

On 9/14/2025 at 9:50 PM, Since1981 said:

It is interesting that Brady never has run a trick play. The 49 snow toss td was ad hoc. I’m not complaining but it is a point of difference 

Wasn't there an epic fail flea flicker or something that ended in a pic and turned the game the other way? 

[Ayjent]

37 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Also by far our best one.

 

You would think the Eagles should be there with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith but their passing game is kinda trash far too often for the talent they have.

Agree on both points.  I think the Bills are playing a game of not being dependent on any particular player other than Josh too much.  Ideally you draft and develop a talent somewhere near AJ Brown but that is a home run.  The Bills have drafted and developed talent though with Shakir, and still a wait and see with Kincaid and Coleman, but these guys all have unique skill sets that allow the Bills to adjust to what defenses present and that is what makes this team so difficult to play defense against.  Sure they have limitations in deep routes and sometimes in getting open, but I wouldn't put the ability to get over the hump of getting a championship on them.  It would be nice to see Coleman become a revelation and develop into a Mike Evans type threat, but the Bills aren't going to take the top off of many defenses, and the defenses don't really seem inclined to give the Bills many opportunities to do that the way they play them anyhow.  

[GunnerBill]

9 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

 

Overall I think Joe Brady is good. But I am a bit concerned that his "tight to the chest" play calling will hurt them in a big game. (Kind of like the ravens game in the 1st half in week 1)

 

He called downfield shots in that first half against the Ravens. They weren't there. Josh came off two and checked down and I still think he checked out of a pass on the 2nd and 1. That's part of the point.... I think what is driving the conservative narrative is the fact that the lack of separation means we don't actually go deep even when there are deeper shots called.

[JohnNord]

On 9/14/2025 at 9:12 PM, dayman said:

We’re scoring points, so I can’t complain too much—but doesn’t it feel like we have a lot of predictable 2nd-down runs that go nowhere and start slow? Came back strong vs. the Ravens, but it’d be nice to open things up earlier. Against the Jets it didn’t matter, but I’m still waiting to see more schemed explosive plays in the passing game, especially early. Similar issues as last year. What do you guys think?

Joe is a smart OC.  He’s making use of the talent that he has.   There’s times when the Bills WR’s (sans Palmer) struggle with separation against good CB’s.  You saw this early on in the Baltimore game and thats why I think he dialed up some screens.  
 

Going into the game against NYJ the Bills knew they could move the ball on the ground and it became a focus.  So they didn’t really even need to pass.  
 

I’m guessing the reason you reason you’re saying this is because Allen isn’t slinging the ball around through the air like he did when Dorsey was at the helm.  I’m fine with that 

[Ayjent]

5 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

I think the Jets game plan on defense would’ve been entirely different. And the receivers wouldn’t be nearly as open. You have to defend the entire field when you play Allen. Trubisky they would’ve stacked the box and dared him to throw. 

Fair enough.  Thankfully we didn't have to find out.

 

[BillsFan130]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He called downfield shots in that first half against the Ravens. They weren't there. Josh came off two and checked down and I still think he checked out of a pass on the 2nd and 1. That's part of the point.... I think what is driving the conservative narrative is the fact that the lack of separation means we don't actually go deep even when there are deeper shots called.

I think pretty objectively, it was a very conservative game plan as the bills were definitely trying to establish clock control.

I am not saying all of it is Joe Brady's fault- Like on the 3rd and 6 screen to Kincaid, it looked like Josh definitely called an audible into that.

 

The 2nd and 1 I've seen a few times myself . I'm pretty convinced that Josh  checked to running to the left side, instead of running to the right. (I def could be wrong)

 

Also, I don't really give Joe the benefit of the doubt on that one^, as he's notorious for running on 2nd and shorts
 

 

[GunnerBill]

Just now, BillsFan130 said:

I think pretty objectively, it was a very conservative game plan as the bills were definitely trying to establish clock control.

I am not saying all of it is Joe Brady's fault- Like on the 3rd and 6 screen to Kincaid, it looked like Josh definitely called an audible into that.

 

The 2nd and 1 I've seen a few times myself . I'm pretty convinced that Josh  checked to running to the left side, instead of running to the right. (I def could be wrong)

 

 

 

I disagree. I don't think it was a conservative plan. I think it felt conservative because when they more aggressive plays were called Josh checked down. He was right to check down. Nobody was open deep.

 

On the audible on 2nd and the reason I think it was a pass is because he alerts and then he points behind his back to Cook and "Omahas." Could that all be part of one call? Sure. But I'd need evidence that he has double signalled that way on other alerts. I think he alerted from a pass to a run and then flipped the run. Don't know for certain but that is my rationale.