A few thoughts after the Miami debacle

[PoundingDog]

Well, well, well ... I, like most Bills fan, thought this game was a shoo-in win before 1pm today. I still had somewhat confidence at half time, even though failing to get even 3 points by the end of the half gave me some bad vibes because ... on paper, our offense SHOULD destroy the Dolphins D (who missed some key guys and traded away their best guy), even if it takes some time for Brady and Allen to figure them out, right?

 

We are talking about the same offense destroyed the Chiefs just last week.

 

This Bills team mirrors what happens in NFL this year. There is not so much distinction between the haves and have nots. Like the Eagles can lose to Giants. Reputation of the favorites like the Chiefs, the Ravens, the Texans, and the Bills meant very little.

 

I'm kind of seeing what every coach says "it is hard to win in NFL." And it makes you appreciate what the Belichick's Patriots and Reid's Chiefs had accomplished consistently over long period of time to get to the top. It is hard, especially when you have a big target on your back for all teams, contender or not.

 

Allen's statement "they wanted it a little more than us" stuck with me. It meant they didn't get out of the bed for this game as much as they did for last week's Chiefs game. Dion Dawkins said almost the same thing. And that is something hard for me to stomach. Have the Bills won anything thus far, for all the vets and McDermott etc.? Have they not taken those failures the past few years to heart. That is a big failure at OBD, as well as the veteran leadership. 

 

This team has several flaws. WR, DT, LB. Some of the strength like the O-Line is not as good as the last couple of years. Looking back, it might not be a bad idea that Beane didn't give up multiple high picks to get a Waddle or Williams because we may need those picks to address multiple positions - in theory, that's how you do it under the full cap situation we have for the next few years. Whether they do it properly (picking the right guys) is another story but you gotta have a chance first. I know people have used the Rams as an example for trading away high picks for a number of years and won once. But that's a rare case; I don't think anyone else has been successful with that strategy. Besides, the Rams have drafted well in later rounds.

 

In the immediate future, I see the Bills continue this roller coaster, winning some big games, and losing some heart breakers. They will have Palmer, maybe Davis next few weeks, but none of them is a game changer for us. On offense, we have one way to win. That is, to get James Cook going. Play a clean game.

 

On defense, it will be hard. Teams will be gunning to run the ball on us. So much focus is on the D line, but I think our LBs are a big problem. I'm glad Bishop and Hairston showed there is some hope for continued improvement in the secondary but there is nothing behind Bernard, Milano, and Williams. As it stands, they have to have the offense to take a lead on teams to force them to play catchup with passing. That will play into our defense's hand.

 

 

 

  

[Da webster guy]

When you can't drop back with a good Oline, hit your back foot and throw timing patterns to your WR's its exactly the same as not being able to run the ball-- you can win a few without it but all the scheming and fancy play calling in the world isn't going to cover it up for long.

 

The fact that Josh was able to hold the ball for well over 5 seconds on multiple drop backs today and still not have an open guy is really bad news.   You don't have to ask what the problem is anymore, we have a top running game, great Oline and MVP qb.   There's only one thing that's missing:  separation and trusttargets.

 

I have to defend Brady a little, even though I'm not a fan of how he chickens out and refuses to pound Ty Johnson on short yardage plays, he can't be asked to consistenly scheme guys open if they lack talent. 

 

Beaner should have known to keep Mack Hollins as insurance for this very situation, backyard scrambles are part of Josh's game and could have kept us in this today (Hollins busted 100 yds w New England today ironically).   Beane also is probably regretting making a hard move for a stud WR, I feel like he thinks bringing someone on this late in the season to develop timing with Josh isn't happening without a full offseason. 

 

Maybe Palmer could be that guy, we need him back yesterday. 

 

 

[jahnyc]

I don't think Palmer will be the savior for this WR group.  He did not have great success with the Chargers with Herbert at QB and he certainly was no better than the #2 WR (or even #3 WR at times) for the Chargers over the last few years.

[CincyBillsFan]

It's not whether or not Palmer and Davis can save the Bills WR room.  It a question of whether or not they can elevate it from being hopelessly ineffective to being an average unit.  If they do that we might actually notice a big improvement in the passing game.  

 

The only WR group worse then this one in the Josh Allen era was the 2018 WR room. If this seasons Bills receivers can just get to the level of the 2019 group it will seem explosively better in comparison to what we're currently seeing.