A few random thoughts about the Saints Game - Please share yours as well

[corta765]

1 - Defensive Line rotation - Agreed. Maybe with Oliver out and Rousseau apparently banged up they are trying to keep things light, but at some point your going to need to settle in more with your best guys.

 

2 - Bosa - I thought this was a product of trying new things... and we should not be putting him in contain lol.

 

3 - Walker - The potential is there for all pro talent. Not saying he will get there but the potential exists, he is fun to watch. If Harrison becomes a quality starter Beane will have nailed two more young studs for the future.

 

4 - Kincaid - I have been critical of Kincaid the last two years and he has leveled up. Good for him.

 

5 - Bishop - No longer worried about him. Now the other safety spot... sh*t

 

7 - Cook - I was fine with what they paid him and I am stunned he is playing this well. I truthfully thought a small step back. Credit to him tenfold he is awesome.

 

8 - 4th and short to Shakir - Curse words were flying at the TV, we got too cute at time we didn't need to. Awful.

 

9 - Josh 2nd quarter - Through the 3rd quarter Josh had attempted 16 passes. That is too little game plan be damned. I really hope they are holding back and yes Cook is stellar but when they do attack passing wise it is glorious and aggravating they aren't passing that much.

 

10 - Coaching - I come down on the coaches because they looked like a team that had ten days off, under estimated the Saints who to their credit played really hard and made a real game, and play calls at times like the Shakir play were just mind boggling. The entire team coach to player gets criticized for the lack of effort & emotion which allowed a feisty Saints team to hang around much longer then they should have.

 

My own note:

 

Babich- I would can him now. Fraziers defenses at least vs lower opponents feasted on teams were it would be embarrassing. Babich just seems too much like Dorsey where sometimes its decent but other times he is so behind the opponents OC and he doesn't have answers. The Saints play a quick pace on offense which isn't surprising given Kellen Moore as the head coach. Buffalo looked completely out of sorts for a long time with this. The run defense still is no better no is the 3rd down defense. Does Babich have a quality performance as DC vs a solid opponent at this point? Frazier's defenses may have faded in the post season which is its own issue but they at least had some truly good games vs BALor KC. Babich to me just doesn't have it and while I have been pretty consistent with seeing where the D is when it is healthy come week 10/11 and had time to gel, I just don't think he has the meddle to coach it to the max potential either.

 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

I am starting to get concerned about our backup RB situation. Cook can’t have this manny carries. Ty looks like a shell of his former self. Ray has gotten almost no action.

 

i was actually thinking that trading for a guy like Raheem Mostert near the deadline might be a risk worth taking. He’s obviously old and coming off injuries, but probably nice to have one experienced ball carrier back there down the stretch. 

[corta765]

3 hours ago, ProcessTruster said:

Bills look good to get through the AFC this year.   I am looking at the Eagles game as the real test.   See ya in December.  

Bring your brass knuckles because that game is going to be a war between them. Also TB will be Eagles light come Nov, they are no joke and just as fiesty.

[MikePJ76]

Dorian strong was one on one outside on the third saints drive, they threw a swing pass to kamara and strong fought through the wr block and tackled kamara out of bounds for two yards.  that was a really nice play.

 

So far in the first half watching this Walker fires off the ball unlike any other defensive lineman.  Ironically I have seen Jordan phillips with a similar get off also in the second quarter.

 

The back to back sacks on the fourth drive in the second quarter Josh had guys open all over.  the first one I think he felt pressure before it was actually there and played it safe...no harm in that. 

 

The second one curtis samuel was open for what would have been like a 25 yard plus play.  He was running across the field while the saints blitzed and josh had no chance to get him the ball, credit the saints.   Josh stepped to his right instead of moving up in the pocket which is odd for him.  Would have been a huge play.

 

 

Edited September 29 by MikePJ76

[Sierra Foothills]

6 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

1.  
2. Ty Johnson had an incredible '24 season. He made incredible plays every game, especially receiving. What happened? Why has his production fallen so far off?
3. Cole Bishop is really developing into a quality starter. He's gotten better each game-- and I don't think it's just that we played a weaker opponent. I also continue to have faith in Rapp, recent struggles notwithstanding. I think they have the potential to develop into a special duo.
4. TJ Sanders looked decent. But to my eyes, Deone Walker looked better.
5. GO BILLS!

 

3 hours ago, finn said:

That's when Ty Johnson subbed in, got the ball and hesitated, then ran into a wall. Not what you want. He hasn't shown up this year yet this year, either as runner or a passer. That dropped TD pass against the Dolphins is etched on my brain, in part because, as Collinsworth said, you will not see a better-thrown football. It's still early, but so far RB depth has gone from team strength to nothing special, at best. 

 

Ty did have a great 2024. He has great straight line speed and he's best when the play utilizes that speed. But he's been a journeyman throughout his career... this is his 8th season in the NFL. I was certainly expecting a regression but I think also he bounces back and plays better.

 

5 hours ago, ganesh said:

Still waiting for a breakout game for Josh Palmer.

Where is Dawson Knox?

Where is Taylor Rapp?

Where is Groot ?

 

 

IMO this is not an offense where WRs are going to have big statistical games. The team truly embraces the "Everyone eats" mantra and I believe that in all 4 games this year at least 8 players have caught passes.

 

To me it's only important that people play their roles and catch the passes thrown to them.

 

2 hours ago, Mat68 said:

Rotation wise I think Jackson is a healthy scratch because Mcdermott doesnt want to put 3 rookies on the dline on the field at once.  Solomon getting the playing time was for him to earn a spot.  It is becoming more clear that he trending toward being waived when Hiecht returns. I would already be willing play Jackson over Solomon based of his performances.  

 

Yes, Solomon is getting every opportunity to win the chance to continue his career with the Bills. He's starting to look more like a career special teamer, as is Dorian Williams. I hope I'm wrong but that's how it looks and it makes me disappointed of course. On the other hand I'm excited to see Buffalo Joe get more snaps with the starters.

 

51 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Watching the all 22 for fun and on the third offensive drive, Allen threw the deep corner to knox which got batted down but he had coleman wide open on an in route on the other side of the field....on the next play, Allen goes deep to Coleman and he had Kincaid for a checkdown which would have been a one on one to see if he could break a tackle and get the first down.    Interesting stuff.  

 

easy pitch and catch to coleman but he went to knox and then under pressure he took a shot to coleman...might have had moore on the crosser if he had another half a second. 

 

 

 

Thanks for posting.

 

The safety didn't hesitate at all making the INT... he had a conviction where the ball was going to be thrown.

 

Edited September 29 by Sierra Foothills

[MikePJ76]

Cole Bishop's Interception.  He is never fooled on the play and goes from the left hash mark all the way across the field to make a one handed diving interception and then had the heads up ability to get up and run.  Great Play.

 

 

Edited September 29 by MikePJ76

[Ralonzo]

9 hours ago, Virgil said:

4 - Kincaid - While that touchdown pass was a thing of beauty, both in route and Josh throwing Kincaid open, I really want to talk about the Shakir touchdown.  Yes, Shakir deserves a ton of credit for keeping his balance and taking it to the house.  But Kincaid made THREE huge blocks on that play that made it all possible.  Kincaid was solid in protection all game, but still ready to contribute to seal the game.

 

I had a deja vu on that TD

 

 

[Big Turk]

My thoughts are the Bills are a Ferrari that realizes to ensure a longer lifespan on the engine you don't need to floor it to 200 mph when you are racing against Honda Civics.  You simply need to drive 5 mph faster and then step on the gas a little when needed to coast to victory. Similar to driving a Ferrari where you know how much fuel you have and how far you are away from the nearest gas station, this team is pacing itself which is smart because you cannot burn up that amount of emotional and mental energy every week for 17 weeks and expect to be at your best going into the playoffs. You just can't.  Unless you want to see a repeat of the Cincinnati game where the team looked dead from having burnt it all during the year and having nothing left.  

 

Stop expecting them to "show what they can do" when it's not needed.  I think they have a pretty good grasp on what is needed every game to get the Dub based on their record over the last 5.5 years. 

 

The goal is to be peaking heading into the playoffs late in the year, not in week 4. 

Edited September 29 by Big Turk

[Roundybout]

18 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Cole Bishop's Interception.  He is never fooled on the play and goes from the left hash mark all the way across the field to make a one handed diving interception and then had the heads up ability to get up and run.  Great Play.

 

 

I believe one of his major props at Utah was that he was incredibly smart and had great instincts. Hopefully those start to shine more consistently as he gets regular starts. 

[Ralonzo]

On the Saints side I thought Jonas Sanker out of Virginia in the 3rd might have been a little reachy but he had a Jairus Byrd rookie year type game, he was all over the place. Looks like they have a solid piece moving forward.

[muppy]

1 hour ago, Joe Mama said:

 

 

Playing Patsies. no  punter needed!

atta boy JoeMama what was I thinking?

 

lol

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

29 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Cole Bishop's Interception.  He is never fooled on the play and goes from the left hash mark all the way across the field to make a one handed diving interception and then had the heads up ability to get up and run.  Great Play.

 

 

Interesting to see how Rapp and Bishop switched sides of the field on this one. 
Also, how stupid and unnecessary Williams blindside block was. 

[HappyDays]

I've criticized Van Demark a few times, so I feel obligated to point out that his overall game apparently was much better than it seemed live. He lost a couple pass protection reps but apparently was excellent as a run defender:

 

PFF reinforces this - they gave Van Demark the 2nd highest grade on offense for this game. Overall rating of 79.0, 68.6 in pass blocking and 82.0 in run blocking.

[Mark Vader]

43 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

Cole Bishop's Interception.  He is never fooled on the play and goes from the left hash mark all the way across the field to make a one handed diving interception and then had the heads up ability to get up and run.  Great Play.

 

 

Great read by Bishop and what an interception. Fantastic!

 

That penalty on Williams is a big pile of crap.

[pennstate10]

6 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

While I definitely agree with that.... there were a couple where it was just a terrible playcall, Bosa half assed it last night when he had to play the run. There is zero doubt in my mind. That is not good enough and he needs a rocket up his arse. Yes, we want him to rush the passer, yes, when Hoecht is back we might have a better option to play opposite Greg on some of those early downs and intermediate distance plays and allow Bosa to be more of a rush specialist.... but he has to play better too. 

 

They are both 3 techs. 

When Walker and Jones were on the field together Jones was playing 3 and Walker 1T. At least in some plays. 

[Mango]

1 hour ago, MikePJ76 said:

Watching the all 22 for fun and on the third offensive drive, Allen threw the deep corner to knox which got batted down but he had coleman wide open on an in route on the other side of the field....on the next play, Allen goes deep to Coleman and he had Kincaid for a checkdown which would have been a one on one to see if he could break a tackle and get the first down.    Interesting stuff.  

 

easy pitch and catch to coleman but he went to knox and then under pressure he took a shot to coleman...might have had moore on the crosser if he had another half a second. 

 

 

 

I know I know we scored 30.

 

But sitting up high around mid field, I thought some of the decision make was not great yesterday. Some of that was play call/play design, some was Allen trying to force some things.

 

A number of very low percentage throws when there were other options to leave us with 3rd and manageable or even convert 3rd downs.

 

Allen is still MVP of this team and without him we lose the game. 

[Big Turk]

12 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I've criticized Van Demark a few times, so I feel obligated to point out that his overall game apparently was much better than it seemed live. He lost a couple pass protection reps but apparently was excellent as a run defender:

 

PFF reinforces this - they gave Van Demark the 2nd highest grade on offense for this game. Overall rating of 79.0, 68.6 in pass blocking and 82.0 in run blocking.

 

Was also noticeably not great on a couple plays as well including the one sack by Jordan and the 4th down play where he tripped and ended up whiffing on his block because of it and Shakir got buried by Granderson.

[Einstein's Dog]

2 hours ago, Mat68 said:

Samuel as kick returner and Shakir at punt returner makes Codrington very replaceable.   Bass, Hairston, Grable, Hoecht, and Ogunjobi are all returning here soon.  Spots are certainly getting taken.  First is a return specialist.   

I think I may have a different interpretation of the test for Samuel.  He failed.  Codrington as returner and Moore as a receiver make Samuel and his large contract replaceable.  

 

Samuel, IMO, would make a great addition to an in-season trade for a top flight safety (to pair w Bishop) or an RB of better caliber to back up Cook (I'm getting worried about our current backups)

[Mango]

1 hour ago, corta765 said:

Bring your brass knuckles because that game is going to be a war between them. Also TB will be Eagles light come Nov, they are no joke and just as fiesty.

 

That is week 16. There is a world where both teams have everything wrapped up by then.

 

 

[Roundybout]

I found this very amusing as I know a lot of people were miffed that we passed on Green in the draft