The primary problem with the long conversions

[ganesh]

11 hours ago, CincyBillsFan said:

What's kind of amazing considering how bleak things looked a few weeks ago in the secondary is that the raw material is there for a very good, maybe even an elite secondary.

 

 

Forget a few weeks.  The view on this board was bleak about 5 minutes before the game's kickoff !!!

[AKC]

14 hours ago, Simon said:

I think they can ameliorate it by just making 3 permanent switches right now and stop trying to pull off the juggling act while you acclimate new guys in. Just tear off the bandaid tomorrow morning and start Hairston and Hancock with Tre as the full time dimeback (and primary backup) and leave those guys in those positions for 100% of the game. Cam Lewis is the primary backup at both nickel/dime with Poyer backing up both safety positions.

Do it right now and let these guys get an opportunity to learn and get better together and maybe by December you've got a unit that is starting to gel and getting better every week right at the time you need them to be doing that. I appreciate working Hairston and Hancock in slowly as green rookies, but it's November and the time for that is done with. It's hurting this team right now, and is going to for several weeks, but if you make an immediate commitment to your final configuration with no more dithering they can shorten the pain of that transition and still have a potentially good unit when we're really going to need it.

I was thinking a good title for a game recap would be The Kids are Alright. IRing Hamlin and Rapp forced us to finally get our best athletes onto the field and they proved why they should continue to be there. Our poor secondary play leading up to Sunday is unfair to the rest of the team and the simple changes at safety already paid off by highlighting Bishop’s ability to disrupt.  Watching Max running with one of the fastest players in the game was a sight. Let ‘em play!

[zow2]

20 hours ago, Tulsabillsfanz said:

Good analysis of the defensive backfield.   For me, one big reason we give up too many 3rd & longs is because we don’t blitz enough on 3rd & long…..or 4th & long.
 

  I was thrilled we sent 5 on the last play of the game. It forced Mahomes to throw off his back foot while backpedaling.  Even though the play started at the Bills 40, Mahomes couldn’t even get his throw to the end zone! 

 

Hopefully the coaches learned something from that last play.  Bottom line is when you allow an elite QB some time to survey the field, he will find someone breaking open eventually.  Quick Pressure in the key. 

[No_Matter_What]

20 hours ago, HappyDays said:

Bernard unfortunately was the culprit on at least a couple of those 3rd and longs today. Regardless of his contract and the C on his jersey, they need Thompson to be the full time starter when he's healthy. Awkward situation but you have to play the better performing player.

 

I agree they need to put Hairston out there full time. He hasn't had to cover any big time pass catchers yet (unless I missed him covering Rice tonight) but he's been erasing his matchup players. You can tell he's confident and full of energy.

 

Hancock I think I am okay rotating for now. He looks a bit lost and slow to react at times. Safety as we have seen is not an easy position to learn in this defense.

 

I wonder if Cam might just be better than Taron at this point... The Carolina tape was brutally bad for him. Maybe give him another week to "recover" and see how it goes.

I just finished watching defensive All-22 and I though Cam was really good vs Chiefs. Better than Taron 2025 version imo.