Bills o-line scheme and reliance on mesh routes - The Athletic (Mike Sando)

[Nihilarian]

6 minutes ago, Low Positive said:

They're not doing things just to spite Josh Allen and Bills fans. McDermott and Beane want to win, of course. They believe that the place to spend resources are on QB, OL, and DL. And there is data to suggest that this is the correct approach. I don't agree, mostly because elite WRs are fun to watch and the Bills right now are a boring team that isn't winning enough to make up for it. 

Oh, I dunno, that 4th and 27 with a hook n ladder play was pretty darn exciting. Shame we don't see more of stuff like that.

 

Anyway, what gets me is the Bills came out throwing against a Houston team with a very solid secondary and a top pass defense. Whereas their run defense was mid pack in the 20s. James Cook finished 17 carries for 116 yards, 1 TD. So why wasn't he used more in the run game? Why attack them at their strongest point? Then Buffalo could have won that game if not for a few missteps.  Like the false start on Dawkins on 4th and 1. Like Gabe Davis not getting both feet in bounds. The three turnovers killed them. 

[corta765]

6 hours ago, ProcessTruster said:

Bills were in real trouble on offense from the get go in this one.   

 

But if Gabe gets that second foot in , they win anyway.   Funny game this is.  

To me the killer was HOU getting the lead before half. BUF was not perfect but held the hammer in the game and didn't have to chase or press. Once the Texans got the lead it felt like the offense reallyy had to press and it got bad quickly. The defense certainly got better in the 2nd half, but that TD drive before half was sooo bad I have no idea what we were doing.

 

Like you said funny game, if Prater makes that XP then Josh ties the game late and who knows. Funny game.

[BillsShredder83]

5 hours ago, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

Worth a watch!I view it much differently after watching. Beane and Brady have really screwed the pooch!!!

Im saying this rationally: the worst thing that can happen to us is making the playoffs and not "bottoming out" (as much as you can with Josh under center).

 

Miss playoffs and guaranteed a top 18 overall pick at worst (17 maybe?).

 

Doesn't matter what coaching problem is, they cant identify it and they arent going to. Scrap everyone but Kromer. Need a different voice anyways.

 

Eat some bad contracts. Hope that the improved draft position and rookies contribute enough to off set the salary cap being blown out... new coaching/scheme too.

 

We can still make playoffs in 2026, and who knows from there. 2027 the serious window is back open.

 

This team does not have "it" , theres no magic. Our talent is depleted. Injuries (guys weve chose to pay) are too much.

 

I think we have one chance for a serious legit re-tooling and a bonafide chance to win one with a still prime Josh. If we continue this path for 2 more years, it might be too late, as far as catching his prime.

 

A half measure here is not acceptable.

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

14 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Im saying this rationally: the worst thing that can happen to us is making the playoffs and not "bottoming out" (as much as you can with Josh under center).

 

Miss playoffs and guaranteed a top 18 overall pick at worst (17 maybe?).

 

Doesn't matter what coaching problem is, they cant identify it and they arent going to. Scrap everyone but Kromer. Need a different voice anyways.

 

Eat some bad contracts. Hope that the improved draft position and rookies contribute enough to off set the salary cap being blown out... new coaching/scheme too.

 

We can still make playoffs in 2026, and who knows from there. 2027 the serious window is back open.

 

This team does not have "it" , theres no magic. Our talent is depleted. Injuries (guys weve chose to pay) are too much.

 

I think we have one chance for a serious legit re-tooling and a bonafide chance to win one with a still prime Josh. If we continue this path for 2 more years, it might be too late, as far as catching his prime.

 

A half measure here is not acceptable.

I don't want Beane making these decisions again!

[stlbills13]

The mesh routes drive me nuts but I will never in my life forget the fumbled end-around to....DAWSON KNOX

[BigAl2526]

Has anybody asked Brady about the declining effectiveness of mesh routes and receivers not getting open in recent press conferences?

[dave mcbride]

1 hour ago, corta765 said:

To me the killer was HOU getting the lead before half. BUF was not perfect but held the hammer in the game and didn't have to chase or press. Once the Texans got the lead it felt like the offense reallyy had to press and it got bad quickly. The defense certainly got better in the 2nd half, but that TD drive before half was sooo bad I have no idea what we were doing.

 

Like you said funny game, if Prater makes that XP then Josh ties the game late and who knows. Funny game.

For the life of me, I can't understand why they went into prevent mode with zone coverage all the way down the field right before the half. Houston had plenty of time, and they predictably picked the Bills apart because a) the Bills couldn't get close with only four rushers and b) someone is always open in the Bills zone scheme if no one applies quick pressure on the QB.   

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

5 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

Guys, I get it that fans are frustrated with how things are going, especially with the Patriots' 10-2.

 

It's not the drafts or free agents or even the schemes. It's all on the injuries in my view, with so many on the defense, the rookies this past draft class, and the receivers.

 

Just think, if it weren't for all the injuries that the #1 draft pick would have seen preseason and would have been playing since day one. Instead, we have Tre White, who was brought in as a mentor and not a starter. Taylor Rapp is out, and Jordan Poyer is starting. Ed Oliver out for so many games, and we had Michael Hoecht for one game looked to be a game wrecker.... Joey Bosa, playing with one hand, and the list goes on...and on...and on! 

 

Mecole Hardman looked good...then Poof. Shakir DNP, Kincaid DNP, Samuel DNP, seriously, WTF is going on!