Joe Marino's 9 point plan for improvement

[transient]

32 minutes ago, Sweats said:

..........or we can just follow the Sweats one point plan and fire some coaches

Unless you want to increase the possibility of filling those positions from within, this should be the offseason plan unless this season plays out drastically different than where it appears to be headed right now.

Just now, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

The coaches offices have a framed needlepoint of Buddy Ryan's old saying:

"If you listen to the fans, you'll be sitting up there with them."

 

🤔... in which case, clapping is an asset.  Just sayin'. 🤷‍♂️

[JP51]

7 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

From all accounts of the players, Babich is actually an excellent coach. He's had success with whatever position group he's been in charge of historically. I would hate to lose him.

 

But just like there are coaches that are excellent coordinators that make bad head coaches, I feel like Babich is an excellent position coach that isn't meant for the DC role. He struggles calling games and having a gameplan ready to roll out of the gate. It does seem like the defense gets better in the second half but I don't know if it's him or McDermott making the adjustments. But I definitely think McDermott needs to be calling the defense from this point on. 

 

I agree we really could use a WR in trade this year. I just don't see anyone that would help being available. Sure there are plenty of fans speculating on what teams should be in fire sale mode, but realistically, aside from possibly Jakobi Meyers I don't see any other big WR moves happening this trade deadline league wide. I expect most of the speculated WRs will stay put. 

Agree. Rapp is and has been terrible. He was awful last year too, people are just starting to catch on.

So, I have no problem at all with your thoughts here... He very well might be a great position coach... that couldnt make the transition fine with keeping him in a role that he can be productive at... but I wholeheartedly agree that he is poor at calling games... and I am 100% in synch with you (and everyone in my household will agree cause they hear me every week) he has no idea how to game plan a defense against a prospective opponents offense.. he is relagated to half time adjustments...  now is it McD or him I dont know... but either way its not good enough. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

11 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

But just like there are coaches that are excellent coordinators that make bad head coaches, I feel like Babich is an excellent position coach that isn't meant for the DC role. He struggles calling games and having a gameplan ready to roll out of the gate. It does seem like the defense gets better in the second half but I don't know if it's him or McDermott making the adjustments. But I definitely think McDermott needs to be calling the defense from this point on. 

 

The 'Peter Principle' is alive and well in the NFL.  That, and nepotism. (See 'Hackett, Nathaniel')

[RiotAct]

29 minutes ago, zevo said:

Unbelievable that we are going through another season like this with Josh. 

maybe his final season in the NFL with us when he can barely throw the ball downfield, we’ll finally get some decent WRs. 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

29 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

 

Don't do step 2.  At least not with White.  Please.  

I don’t understand why people are afraid of that. Look how bad we have been on the backend. What’s the worst that can happen? You try him in practice…if he sucks then cut him. He’s on the team. You owe it to yourself to see if he can be of use. He can’t play corner. See if he can be used before you dump him. It’s a low steaks thing. There is zero downside 

[Toledo Bill]

45 minutes ago, Heavy Kevi said:

 

The Keon thing is surprising... 

 

But I think everyone is sick of seeing the back shoulder throw to Keon this year. It has been a wasted down nearly every time

Being forced to justify the wasted draft pick 😡

[Tim Tindale]

2 hours ago, Walking Tall said:

Get the ball in space to Cook. That’s is as good as any trade to bring someone in. Figure it out, Brady. Scheme Cook open.

That, and keep him on the field for more than 56 percent of the offensive snaps. Seems kind of obvious after our defense got shredded by a top tier RB, who got a lot of snaps, touches, and particularly, touches in space.  It was a script for what we should be doing with Cook. 

[DaVinci]

1 hour ago, BillsFan692 said:

Tis funny how the fans always have all the answers

Let's hope the coaches and GM start finding some answers. 

[Matt_In_NH]

As usual, good work by Joe.   For me a WR is not urgent and not because I think they can’t improve their it’s more because of how they play.  Any wr will get little snap counts and won’t move the needle.  They need more help at safety and CB.  

[tigerthelion]

2 hours ago, Pete said:

There have way too many 3rd down back shoulder throws to Keon.  It’s not only that Keon has the most targets, it’s that Brady/Josh are foolish enough to target 0 in high leverage situations.  Again and again.  And again, what universe does this make sense?

Trying to justify his draft status, I would guess. 

[machine gun kelly]

2 hours ago, Goin Breakdown said:

I don't have faith in our coaches to make many of these changes. Coleman is out there almost 100% of the time wasting space. Kincaid is less than 50% and is reliable. This is a choice Buffalo has been making. Let's sit Cook on 3rd and 1s and run reverses to guys who have never done it before. That's a choice our coaches have made week after week no less. Shakir is so good after the catch but well just throw to him behind the LOS and see what he gets rather than scheming him open. Again coaches. I'll just sit back and trust the process I guess. 

I hate to admit I agree.  I’m sick of Coleman out there and Kinkaid not out there.  We should have Palmer when healthy, and integrate Moore more along with Shakir and Cook of course on all plays.  They screwed the pooch on the Coleman pick.

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, 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.

 

 

I usually scoff when journalists pretend to know more than coaches.  

But I agree with most of this.

[SoMAn]

If it wasn't already mentioned...get healthier, stay healthy.  

[Kirby Jackson]

47 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

As usual, good work by Joe.   For me a WR is not urgent and not because I think they can’t improve their it’s more because of how they play.  Any wr will get little snap counts and won’t move the needle.  They need more help at safety and CB.  

I guess I would push back on that and say “why?” Why would they get little snap counts? Who is blocking them from getting on the field. If the Bills added Meyers (for example) what is preventing him from leading the WRs in snaps? He’d be the best WR on the team. Why wouldn’t he play? I don’t understand 

Edited 7 hours ago by Kirby Jackson

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Can’t believe we’re going into 2026 and Jordan Poyer is on the verge of starting. Guy is damn near as old as me. But welcome news I guess. Rapp is been a complete disaster and one of the worst Beane pickups in recent memory. From Injuring fellow players, terrible in coverage, injured, slow, etc he’s been a failure here minus a few plays here & there. 

[BillsVet]

1 hour ago, Heavy Kevi said:

 

The Keon thing is surprising... 

 

But I think everyone is sick of seeing the back shoulder throw to Keon this year. It has been a wasted down nearly every time

 

Have to wonder if the message from elsewhere to Brady is to feature Coleman to justify their draft pick amid all the criticism.  Pure speculation, but the snap count thing is surprising when viewed any other way.  He's not much of a threat to get open otherwise.  

[LABILLBACKER]

All good points...we went from having one of the best safety duos to one of the worst real fast. Coleman less touches...yes please!  Keep Cook on the field on 3rd down. Feature Kincaid and Palmer as your top targets with Shakir as the safety valve.

 

Defensively pray Hairston & Hoecht can give this D a boost. Shaq is clearly your MLB, figure it out McD.  And Beane get off your stubborn ass and do everything in your power to trade for Olave. 

 

[machine gun kelly]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

I hate to admit I agree.  I’m sick of Coleman out there and Kinkaid not out there.  We should have Palmer when healthy, and integrate Moore more along with Shakir and Cook of course on all plays.  They screwed the pooch on the Coleman pick.

FYI, I know everyone thinks I’m Pollyanna, or Mr. Positive, but I’m sick of this crap.  I’m sick of the way this team is being managed, and it can change.  I do believe in that completely.  This team can course correct.  I hate the negative Nelly stuff whenever a problem, but I can’t stand what’s happening now.  
 

what they need to listen to is this …

 

That’s how winning is done.  Cowherds make excuses and that’s not you.

 

At the right moment I’ve said that to my kids, and later they respected me for it.  My oldest said you wouldn’t let me feel sorry for myself even though I did nothing wrong.  Life punches you in the gut.  Get over it.  I know then can do it.

[Matt_In_NH]

2 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:

I guess I would push back on that and say “why?” Why would they get little snap counts? Who is blocking them from getting on the field. If the Bills added Meyers (for example) what is preventing him from leading the WRs in snaps? He’d be the best WR on the team. Why wouldn’t he play? I don’t understand 

Because their philosophy is about lots of personnel groupings.  And they want to play ball control.   Meyers is better than what they have?  Not really convinced.  Yes he has more volume over the last few years but he is not a world beater. 

[Buffalo Boy]

4 hours ago, zevo said:

Unbelievable that we are going through another season like this with Josh. 

Completely believable and foreseeable