GaryPinC

The only thing that makes sense to me is either an Allen keeper to that side or Dawson Knox sheds his seal block and gets the short throw from Allen. What you have with this play: -D is in pass protect, 3/5 receivers go far left of the field, both tight ends execute backside "seal" blocks. -O-lineman stay at the line of scrimmage to keep a potential pass in play. -pocket forms on the right side of the formation. -everyone on Baltimore's D gets sucked left except Josh's spy and the 2 weak side pass rushers. -Josh bails because of Van Noy, hoping to complete to his receivers he knows are on the left -Hollins with the deep route????? Possibly coming back right to try and make a downfield block? -Coleman with the sit-down route. Because of Josh staying left or just a decoy to pull coverage? So if Josh comes right and audibles the O-line for the run, they're able to get upfield seal, and try and get to the spy. Or Josh audibles Knox to release in the flats and he has the entire sideline all to himself. It's actually not a bad play in that context, sure worked on pulling the D. Two biggest problems were bad timing on the call (we were already grabbing the momentum) and not having a better bail out plan if Josh can't get right.

Actually, as I look at the play again I think the intent of the play was for Allen to run a keeper to the right. Tough to say for sure but both receiver patterns were far left of the field and we had hats on the only two guys remaining on the right. If needed, he could fake the throw to freeze the DBs and might have worked if he could have gotten around Van Noy. Instead he may have audibled to the left and should have thrown it away. Yep, or switch up the blocking or Josh just throw it out of bounds.

That would make the most sense, but I think they never practiced it enough because Coleman never looked back on his route and just sat down. No indication of a dig and when he hit that point he didn't know where Josh was. The other thing I see is Edwards' first look is left, none of the linemen ever look right to see where Josh is. Also, Kincaid pulling out of the left TE slot inhibited Dawkins from even having a chance at his block. Kincaid needed to pick up that block and let Dawkins go do the kickout. Which would be totally unnecessary if Josh wasn't coming back to that space.😂 But definitely your explanation makes the most sense because Brady should lose his job if he actually planned to have Samuel bring Josh the ball and occupy the same space.😂

I think the problem is he was always going to command a premium salary and so you're not just going to bury him on the lower rungs and make him climb. I'll wait until next year to decide how good he is. When he gets excited, his voice gets squeaky, which I find irritating but we'll see how he progresses. I remember when Beth Mowins started announcing and she was unlistenable. Trying to manufacture enthusiasm on every play with her super-irritating voice. Overall, she does a pretty good job now.

I was actually p*ssed when they ditched all but 2 register lines for self-checkouts. I'm the kind of guy that hates grocery shopping lines and prioritizes self checkout first, but not at Aldi. No way I can scan faster than the employees do. One of the genius things about Aldi. Almost everything (including produce) packaged for fast scanning and checkout. What a novel concept, trying to save customers time!😂

I'm certainly not suggesting Elam just suddenly gets the nod over Benford. But I also think it's counterproductive to continue to relegate him to garbage time unless he really is so much worse than Benford. He can be worked in for a series or two in the context where we have a two score lead and I don't think that's foolish. Give him the opportunity to gain some confidence. And players notice which of the younger guys have unique talents, so I would counter that even if teammates are unhappy short term I would bet they understand why it is being done. I would also argue the players could be unhappy with coach languishing a talented guy on the bench they know could be a difference maker on the field. We are contending for a super bowl, coach owes it to the players to develop and put the best team of playmakers out there for the playoffs. I can't say for sure this is the case for Elam, but I watch Bishop's instincts and Coleman height, size and work ethics and feel that these two need all the playing time they can get because they will both be important for success in the playoffs. I just don't think McDermott can afford to take the Terrel Bernard pathway. And who knows if Bernard would have been able to contribute his rookie year if gotten more playing time?

If I remember right, I think it took him weeks longer than expected to come back from his first one and regain confidence, so maybe again....

You're right, but I wish he would learn to change a bit sometimes. They want to hold onto Elam but not put him on the field. It's just insane to me for a first round pick. This year I also feel he really doesn't have the luxury to helicopter-parent Bishop and Coleman along. At least he's finally realizing this defense needs a big body in the middle!

Looks like DT will be the winner! https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/report-bills-to-sign-mammoth-rookie-dt-off-falcons-practice-squad/ar-AA1rwRVp?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=7d8ef9d4ae34400a988731cefb332088&ei=28 I like it, about time to shift our philosophy on our underperforming Dline.

Great write-up and thoughts as usual. I also appreciate that you picked up this interaction with Coleman. My question is do you really chalk this behavior up to a toxic prima donna? Coleman is struggling right now to adjust and make an impact in NFL games. He just starts to get cooking and McDermott pulls him. I get the whole 1/11 thing, but we need Keon being productive ASAP because he promises to be a playmaker. Why not leave him in to keep growing his game against a tough D? I know we're still stinging from the Diggs drama, but how many other #1s around the league are trying to hijack their offense? I know Amari Cooper in Cleveland wants the ball but he's being a good soldier with Watson behind center. And that is just not easy. Just one example. I like the "everyone eats" philosophy but at the same time want a receiver that's going to take it on himself to be a playmaker in tough games against elite talent like this. We're going to need that.

The other reason we did that in the past was because Lamar would only see the downfield in front of him and he was quick to take off running under pressure. Unfortunately McD didn't account for the fact that Lamar has improved in two years and a different strategy is needed.

That's up to the coaches and team. We flat out weren't ready to play them.

Great thoughts and summary, thanks. I definitely appreciate and agree with your opinion about winning the sideline, it's right on. That will be for Keon Coleman and he started to show signs of it. My biggest problem with last night was our D-line. Way too much money tied up not to show out better in an important game, but it is early. The rest of it is growing pains and catching Baltimore really ready to rumble after a slow season start. Last year KC was not a juggernaut until it mattered the most. Given the salary structure and free agency, I feel like even strong contenders have to remake their roster almost every year in certain areas, this year KC is struggling with their left tackle right now. So for the Bills, safety and receiver are their two biggest issues with LB close behind. But we need to develop our safeties and receivers at max speed and are we? I saw after the Keon drop a mixture of anger, confusion, and thoughtfulness on his face. He came back and made some plays the second half, but we need to target him every game with plays to help him along. Same with Samuel, we don't seem sure of his role but we need to figure it out quickly. One of the biggest problems with our safeties is a general lack of anticipation. Cole's anticipation jumps off the screen at me. He needs to be in there ASAP to set that example and develop his partner also, veterans be damned. I'm ok dropping games like this if it propels us forward. Peaking during the playoffs is the only thing that matters and I hope McD pushes development at max speed in those critical areas right now. I also wish he would change his approach to our D-line, lol.

Where do I get my free barrel?😁

Cool, but any chance you could put the appropriate species in there?😂

why is Josh running with a herd of cattle?

It's always a team game. Mahomes still had to come in with 13 seconds and make all the right plays to win. He ended up bettering Josh, through zero fault of Josh. Last year Diggs dropped that deep ball, but it was Josh who made the decision and wasted that down. And that wasn't the last play of the game. But that's highly subjective and argumentative, that's why for me team end results have to factor in. But, it doesn't mean Josh has to beat Mahomes in the playoffs. That would be great and highly symbolic, but KC could get beat early by another team and the Bills win a Superbowl. That would cement things for a change of guard situation. ..

Absolutely Josh and the entire offense are playing awesome football and Josh is at the top of his game right now. It was the varsity offense vs JV defense last night. But to me, a changing of the guard is a changing of a standard for consistency and greatness over time. It has not been long enough yet, and part of being the "guard" of the entire NFL is inexorably tied to results. Because enough of the league and fans have to buy in. Josh has had amazing runs in the past only to revert to tunnel vision hero ball with turnovers. It's his biggest weakness. The Chiefs offense is struggling as a whole right now, especially with their turnstile left tackles. The team struggled last year part of the year also, having to come play in Buffalo. But they overcame. Things can change quickly in the NFL. I'll need to see where both QB's and their teams end after the season before declaring a changing of the guard

Root against Miami and Dallas, also Philly unless they're playing one of the other two. Miami for obvious reasons, Dallas because of the whole "America's team crap and the high percent of token, bandwagon, useless fans. Philly because of the high percent of vindictive a-hole fans. Everyone else, it just depends on who's playing. Usually root for the underdog.

Definitely agree about one or both being gone IF success continues. It's a great problem to have and to counter it you have an established HC who knows what he needs in a replacement. He has guys he can develop on staff but also pays attention to what's in the league. McD strikes me as the kind of detail-oriented guy who will perfect how he chooses. I'm sure he learned between Dorsey and Brady.

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/06/baker-in-some-ways-got-screwed-by-browns-ownership-kevin-stefanski-had-no-doubts-moving-forward-with-mayfield/ There was some friction with Stefanski, but I agree with the article that it was primarily Haslam meddling again. The FO wanted "an adult in the locker room" so they brought in a pervert. Smooth move Jimmy.

Albany covered Mayfield's two good seasons quite well, but let's be real. Them's the breaks?? Hue Jackson (3-33-1, 2-5-1 in 2018) was his coach for half a rookie season replaced by Greggo Williams. After the season no one likes Greggo and there was a sense that Freddie Kitchens really made Mayfield effective 2018 so they made Kitchens a first time head coach for 2019. That was a one season disaster and Kitchens will never be a head coach again. Mayfield did well under Stefanski in 2020 and in 2021 dislocated/tore his labrum in his left shoulder the second game of the season. It totally killed his accuracy, especially throwing to the right side. I live in Cleveland and watched it happen. Mayfield was injured the entire season, reinjuring the shoulder and adding on a knee injury. On top of that, 2021 was Mayfield's contract year so both him and the FO wanted to see if he was worth a big contract. Mayfield has also confessed to having an attitude problem during his time there. It was no surprise Cleveland bolted on him but it was also very wrong they kept playing him as injured as he was. As said already, Mayfield's no Josh Allen but he's a fairly accurate passer with a above average arm. Not fast but slippery and some scrambling ability. Good at making reads pre-snap and overall good field intelligence. Glad to see him get his career back on path. Not a big fan of his personality, but he can play. For me, he's a cut above Geno Smith but not in the elite group.

I saw the game. Did you watch the replay? That was blatant. The only thing dumb was the Cincinnati defender. He came up directly behind, elbowed the KC receiver in the back of the head driving his head down and body chucking him before the ball ever got there. I can understand a controversy if it's a hail Mary scrum or they're battling side by side, but one on one from behind before the ball arrives on 4th and 16? Rightfully called.

Thanks for posting this, I feel that McDermott played conservative and a lot of field position in his early years and over time began loosening up. But I felt like after this loss he really opened up his fourth down decision-making to what it is today. Continuous improvement.

I'd kick him well higher up than that, lol! We're not even two full games in, let's give it a few more weeks please!