Joe Marino's 9 point plan for improvement

[quincy]

His point number 8 on Rapp is the key one for me. Got to try somebody else at his position. Honestly I feel he should inactive on game days now. 

 

The Hancock/Bishop combination might be too green for McDermott to contemplate but then you look at the Lions and 49ers just playing the young guys when no other choice presents itself, one would assume that it couldn't be any worse.

 

Every DB we drafted in 2025 has been injured at some point. Fingers crossed for the health of Strong!  

 

 

[Coach Tuesday]

Rapp's regression has been the single biggest factor in the defense's struggles IMO.  He has been TERRIBLE.

[BillsVet]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Really well said!! That’s perfectly articulated. The irony is that if they stacked points and limited a team’s ability to run, the defense would be better (not good but better). Instead they try to limit the number of possesssions in a game and the defense’s time on the field. Every game is close for that reason.

 

They haven't taken a deep enough dive into whether the defensive scheme is sustainable/suitable either.  Every off-season they conclude the need is for different players to make it work.  

 

But last off-season they not only landed on the DLine being an issue, but that a cause was the susceptibility for injuries.  OK, but the response/solution was to find more guys who could play there.  And I get that they need DL depth because you have to manage snap counts to mitigate injuries, but the investment there impacted using resources in other areas, namely secondary and WR.

 

When you're devoting almost 20% of your cap to a collection of 10 or so DL who are all decent, but not elite, it's maybe not the best way to allocate resources.      

[Kirby Jackson]

1 minute ago, BillsVet said:

 

They haven't taken a deep enough dive into whether the defensive scheme is sustainable/suitable either.  Every off-season they conclude the need is for different players to make it work.  

 

But last off-season they not only landed on the DLine being an issue, but that a cause was the susceptibility for injuries.  OK, but the response/solution was to find more guys who could play there.  And I get that they need DL depth because you have to manage snap counts to mitigate injuries, but the investment there impacted using resources in other areas, namely secondary and WR.

 

When you're devoting almost 20% of your cap to a collection of 10 or so DL who are all decent, but not elite, it's maybe not the best way to allocate resources.      

Add in the draft resources over the last few years and it’s a much higher percentage in terms of your most valuable assets. 

[Warriorspikes51]

18 minutes ago, quincy said:

His point number 8 on Rapp is the key one for me. Got to try somebody else at his position. Honestly I feel he should inactive on game days now. 

 

The Hancock/Bishop combination might be too green for McDermott to contemplate but then you look at the Lions and 49ers just playing the young guys when no other choice presents itself, one would assume that it couldn't be any worse.

 

Every DB we drafted in 2025 has been injured at some point. Fingers crossed for the health of Strong!  

 

 

 

KC started a bunch of rookies in the secondary of course 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

59 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

KC started a bunch of rookies in the secondary of course 

I get the feeling with McD that we would rather have a 40 yr old vet out there that will prevent the big play by knowing the D. He was an overachieving, athletically challenged safety himself and doesn't value athleticism as high as he probably should.

[nedboy7]

Let's see if the staff is as smart and reasonable as Joe Marino. 

[MarlinTheMagician]

Trade Keon for Ladd McConkey.  Oh wait, the Chargers would never do that in a million years.  Hated the Keon pick when made, wanted to think I was wrong, hating it again.  I don't care if he is smaller or if we already had Shakir = he is who we should have picked!

 

Edited 7 hours ago by MarlinTheMagician

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

1 minute ago, MarlinTheMagician said:

Trade Keon for Ladd McConkey.  Oh wait, the Chargers would never do that in a million years.  Hated the Keon pick now, wanted to think I was wrong, hating it again.  I don't care if he is smaller or if we already had Shakir = he is who we should have picked!

 

Clearly blew the pick!

[Scorp83]

On 10/21/2025 at 9:50 AM, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

You should checkout Joes' podcast it always a great listen and very informative.

 

9 points in concise fashion

1. Get back to mismatches as our big people are our strength on offense. 11-12-22 formations etc. and throw from it more as well.

2. Use Keon Coleman less, he has the most snaps and targets of any receiver.

3. Use Kincaid and Palmer more.

4. Use the Backs more in the pass game (doesn't understand where this went to).

5. Get Larry O and Hoecht up to speed and reduce the DL snaps by rookies and practice squad guys. Easy one.

6. Shaq Thompson is our best LB and needs to be treated as such. Try Bernard some at WLB.

7. Get Hairston going soon. Mentions ramping up and platooning and having ready by late season and playoffs.

8. Replace Taylor Rapp with Poyer. Not optimal, but addition by subtraction. 

9. Workout a trade for WR who can stretch and cause some fear, mentions Olave and Shaheed (PR too).

 

Many of us have mentioned some of these. The Coleman thing and being treated as if the #1 is shocking to me. We have stopped using the backs receiving as much as last year and its inexplicable. The reinforcements are self explanatory, but the safety question is bleak. All in all, there is hope, if they make some of the correct moves and don't be stubborn.

 

Joe Marino is a beast! Love that he put this information out there. #2 is the biggest one on the list! Just stop giving Keon the ball, it’s literally a wasted play.

 

My Goodness, Beane really messed this one up didn’t he? Because there’s no way to justify drafting Keon without facing any scrutiny! 
if you move Keon to the slot, your taking Shakir and/or Kincaid off the field. If you bench Skakir, then you’re going to get destroyed for paying him $38M … it’s just bad. Beane should have definitely used those wasted defensive picks to move up and draft Rome Odunze or Brian Thomas last year. Or The 2023 Draft, move up to 18 with Tampa and take JSN. 
My point is, Beane needs to be much more aggressive in the 1st Rd of the draft to move up and secure a true stud WR. 
I’m sure everyone would rather have JSN over Kincaid, Dorian Williams (2023 3rd Pick) & Justin Shorter (2023 5th Rd Pick)…cause that’s what it would have cost to move up 7 spots! 
 

[TheBrownBear]

2 hours ago, quincy said:

His point number 8 on Rapp is the key one for me. Got to try somebody else at his position. Honestly I feel he should inactive on game days now. 

 

The Hancock/Bishop combination might be too green for McDermott to contemplate but then you look at the Lions and 49ers just playing the young guys when no other choice presents itself, one would assume that it couldn't be any worse.

 

Every DB we drafted in 2025 has been injured at some point. Fingers crossed for the health of Strong!  

 

 

Agree 100%. This season is turning out to be what we thought last year was going to be - a step-back/mini-rebuild where we aren't true Super Bowl contenders.  Play Poyer alongside Bishop to hopefully impart on him how a functional safety tandem should communicate. Once healthy, play the young secondary guys as much as possible. Let them play through mistakes. 

 

On offense, even though he's been underwhelming, keep giving Keon a bunch of run to either develop him or confirm that he's not a real piece of the puzzle moving forward. I'd like to see more touches for Davis on early downs and more throws to and usage of Cook on 3rd down.  It's infuriating that we consistently remove our best playmaker on the money down.

[Jauronimo]

On 10/21/2025 at 9:21 AM, The Firebaugh Kid said:

I have said this before and I will continue to say it. Joe is the best analyst out there and if you’re listening to anybody else you’re wasting your time. Especially Dan Mitchell, who sucks.

Its true, JoeMa is the best in the LockedDown biz.  I have completely stopped listening to my wife and kids in favor of JoeMa.

[ganesh]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

He puts out better output than any “journalist” and it’s not even close.

 

is your definition of a journalist is someone who works for a corporation?

Marino uses a lot of statistics to build his content for his show and it is a fixed structure.  It is predominantly based on the statistics around the game (both pre and both) as the basis for his show.  These are typical of bloggers and podcaster's.   Journalists by nature are looking at the events and report them as is without attaching different contexts to it.  They are more of reporters than analysts if that makes sense.  

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

25 minutes ago, Scorp83 said:

Joe Marino is a beast! Love that he put this information out there. #2 is the biggest one on the list! Just stop giving Keon the ball, it’s literally a wasted play.

 

My Goodness, Beane really messed this one up didn’t he? Because there’s no way to justify drafting Keon without facing any scrutiny! 
if you move Keon to the slot, your taking Shakir and/or Kincaid off the field. If you bench Skakir, then you’re going to get destroyed for paying him $38M … it’s just bad. Beane should have definitely used those wasted defensive picks to move up and draft Rome Odunze or Brian Thomas last year. Or The 2023 Draft, move up to 18 with Tampa and take JSN. 
My point is, Beane needs to be much more aggressive in the 1st Rd of the draft to move up and secure a true stud WR. 
I’m sure everyone would rather have JSN over Kincaid, Dorian Williams (2023 3rd Pick) & Justin Shorter (2023 5th Rd Pick)…cause that’s what it would have cost to move up 7 spots! 
 

I would try to trade Coleman if at all possible and try to get something for your dollar. His philosophy is unfortunately the Carolina one that values receivers very low.

[hondo in seattle]

6 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

They have built an offense which prioritizes protecting their defense over scoring points.  The entire architecture of the football operation at OBD is designed around protecting and supporting Sean’s flailing defense.  It’s borderline insane.

 

It's hard to know but I don't think that was Beane's intent.  Beane can only spend real money on a limited number of position groups and I'm guessing he had a thoughtful plan on how to build a good overall roster within the restraints of the cap.  

 

I think Beane thought he built a good OL.  And, with Josh at QB, he believed he didn't really need elite receivers for this offense to work. Give Josh some protection and he'll find a way to get yards.  

 

I also think Beane may have overestimated the OL, DL, DBs, and receivers he had acquired.  That's my guess.  

[Alphadawg7]

On 10/21/2025 at 6:53 AM, Gigs said:

Thats a 9 point plan for a team that is fighting just to stay alive for the playoffs, not a heavily-favortied SB contender. 

 

Why do we put up with this?

 

Why do we put up with a team that was a ref screw job away from the SB last year?  The nerve us to accept such mediocrity.  

[mjt328]

Joe Marino is extremely intelligent on the sport and really does his homework when it comes to watching film.  He's also got a pretty level head when it comes to overreacting to what is happening each week.

 

It's pretty disturbing after getting the full bye week to digest everything, he needed a NINE point list of areas we need to fix just to get back on track.  We aren't talking about a slight adjustment or quick fix.  We just need to completely shift our strategy on offense and defense, bench a handful of starters and make some trades.  Yikes.

 

Usually the All-22 film guys start digging in after a loss, and can find a few areas the Bills need to tweak.  I've noticed those guys are uncharacteristically down, depressed and frustrated this time around.  I think everyone is starting to realize we are screwed.

 

[Nihilarian]

3 hours ago, Scorp83 said:

2. Use Keon Coleman less, he has the most snaps and targets of any receiver.

Okay, Coleman has one more snap than Shakir in 35 vs 34. Kincade has only 24 targets. Palmer 20 and Cook with 14.

 

Keon Colman 35 targets, 24 receptions, 237 yards, 2 TDs, with a catch percentage of 65.6%.

Kahil Shakir 34 targets, 25 receptions, 268 yards, 2 TDs, with a catch percentage of 73.5%

Dalton Kincade 24 targets, 20 receptions, 287 yards, 3 TDs, with a catch percentage of 83.3%

Josh Palmer 20 targets, 14 receptions, 234 yards, 0 TDs, with a catch percentage of 70.0%

James Cook 14 targets, 12 receptions, 89 yards, 0 TDs, with a catch percentage of 85.7%

Dawson Knox 12 targets, 7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD, with a catch percentage of 58.3%

 

Go back to that fourth quarter of the Ravens game to see some of the big plays that Coleman made  

 

Remember that play that Chris Collingsworth stated was the one play that the Bills had been working on every practice. Let's not forget all the holding and Jersey-tearing that the Ravens' rookie DB Wiggens was doing to Coleman that first game. Nearly ripped his jersey off on that one end zone play that should have been called. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Nihilarian

[Nihilarian]

Wanna talk first downs by pass? 

 

Coleman 16

Kincade 14

Shakir 12

Palmer 10

Knox 5

Shavers, Hawes, Samuel 3

Cook, Moore, Davis 2

Ty Johnson 1

[Pete]

3 hours ago, ganesh said:

Marino uses a lot of statistics to build his content for his show and it is a fixed structure.  It is predominantly based on the statistics around the game (both pre and both) as the basis for his show.  These are typical of bloggers and podcaster's.   Journalists by nature are looking at the events and report them as is without attaching different contexts to it.  They are more of reporters than analysts if that makes sense.  

Thank you for a good explanation.
 

So bloggers are more researched and fact based? 😊