Alphadawg7

I would grade the Hollins play and Coleman play a half grade higher than you personally, but thats just splitting hairs. The only discrepancy I have in what you are saying here is the correlation I bolded above. The correlation you are implying here that the lack volume is an indicator that the receivers were not turning in enough high quality play is where I disagree. The lack of volume was related to game flow, not tied to how well they were/weren't playing. First quarter, Bills only had 1 drive and had the ball just 2:23 seconds and they ran 4 plays. The only pass attempt they had on that play was to Mack Hollins for 14 yards and a first down, a play you already gave Hollins high praise for in your first comment in this thread where you said you majorly agreed with me on Hollins play in the first game. Then, the next play was the Josh Allen fumble where he had open receivers and made the worst offensive play of the game holding on to the ball and then fumbling. Guys were open though. Second quarter, Bills only had 1 drive before they got the ball back with a little over 2 min left in the half. And that drive was 9 plays. First play was a pass where Coleman drew a PI flag (something else that people are overlooking are the flags our receivers were able to draw Sunday too). Then it was Cook run, Cook run. Then next play he hits Knox for a big play over the middle. Then the next 4 plays are all Cook runs again. Then Josh scores on the next play on a run, but it was overturned by penalty. Then the only other drop back was the next play in which Allen got sacked on a 3rd and 19 play (well 3rd and goal from the 19) before we kicked a FG. Allen had just 2 pass attempts through the first 33 minutes of the game, not because guys were not getting open, because Cook was running so well, our defense was allowing long drives by AZ, and Allen fumbled. Allen would go on to throw 21 more times over the next 33 minutes in which 16 passes were caught by 8 other players including 2 TD's and the offense would score 31 points over that stretch. All good, I have no major qualms with your thoughts, just I don't agree that the "low volume" had anything to do with the WR's as it was entirely based on game flow in the first half.

Well thats only because I graded the offense that put up 34 points, including 31 over the final 31 minutes. The grades are not as lovely for the defense and ST units outside a couple individual people like Groot.

Ha...Nah, not a dedication, just open discussion cuz it was great to be back week 1. Squish the fish!

Being fair to the cops here, their lives are on the line just going to work every day, and cops are quite vulnerable in the line of duty during traffic stops. They can't see peoples hands, if they are concealing anything illegal or a weapon, are out of their vehicle while they are still in theirs, etc. So to be defiant and refuse to comply and to do it behind a dark tinted window puts an officer in a vulnerable and dangerous position in general. So while I think police brutality, excessive use of force, bias against minorities, etc are all real problems that exist, this particular incident feels more on Hill than anyone. I have a hard time blaming to the officer who was put in a position by Hill to have to take back control of an unknown situation that puts his and the other officers lives in jeopardy. And all they did was secure him on the ground after Hill himself put their security at risk, it's not like they roughed him up.

Thanks! And hey, I am writing these grades in the moment, which are just really opinions, and putting them out there for discussion and I welcome the feedback and open to using that in how review my own grades too. For example, looking back at it now after good discussion with people here, I would probably reconsider my A+ on Allen and maybe use an A. After thinking about it more off of others comments, his fumble was probably the single worst offensive play of the game, cost us points, and had AZ been able to get a TD there at the end, very well could have been the difference in the game very much like Etienne's fumble was the difference in Jags losing instead of winning vs Miami. Couple that with how carelessly he held the ball running with it throughout the game, and he probably deserves some ding there on his grade despite his MVP level play putting up 31 points over the final 31 minutes. I would be open to small modifications to the RB and TE grades too after further discussion, although I still wouldn't drop below B+ on RB's as do think their play in the passing game is being over looked too much by those who want to go lower. I feel pretty good about my WR grade though, but hey that is also based on what I am looking for personally when making that grade. But by no means do I think my grades are "right" or set in stone, they are just my opinons, and I enjoy the discussion that follows.

Totally fair point, and I don't have an issue with that. The fumble was bad and 100% on him and he was lucky to not fumble again with how poorly he was carrying the ball on his runs holding it like a loaf of bread. He didn't fumble again, but he was carrying the ball in a way that certainly increased the chances for a fumble, something he needs to reign in. In my initial grade though, I gave the fumble less emphasis because it was early in the game and he only played like 4 min in the preseason despite the initial plan to be him playing in all 3 games but weather and injuries scrapped those plans. Then he followed that up with an excellent performance to end the half and through out the 2nd half scoring 31 points in 31 minutes. Haha that is the most emotion I have ever seen out of you haha, awesome

Its all good, I never expected everyone to have the same grading scale. And I have no issues with your thoughts or how you graded them, was just making clear where the difference is for me (and those that agreed with how I graded it) was beyond just the stat production as it was just continuing to pop back up.

Thanks and no problem The RB's also caught passes, including a couple of big ones. I have yet to see anyone discussing the RB grade to even mention the passes they caught. Otherwise I would have given them a lower grade. To avoid repeating the same answer, I will just direct you to my post just above this I just responded to another poster that contains the Shakir TD highlight. I use that clip because that play has multiple replay angles where you can clearly see the impact our other receivers as well as Dawkins made to make that play happen. If we reserve A grades for just the highest statistical games, a lot of great individual efforts are going to get missed. Perfect example: Kirby keeps citing the Gabe Davis vs KC game as an A+. Yet Gabe Davis got the game ball vs Dallas last year when he had 0 targets and no stats because of how much impacted the game to spring open our running game as a blocker. I would be everything I own in this world that everyone of his teammates, coaches, and the FO would give Gabe Davis an A+ for both games...one was an NFL record playoff game, the other was a game with 0 stats in a game. When I am reviewing this, I am doing so more from a coaches eye on what I want to see these players do with their assignment each given play. And for week 1, the receivers execution in all phases of the game were at a high level for me personally. And when there are only 23 pass attempts, and 9 people caught 18 of the completions, no one person nor the group as a whole are going to have gaudy stats...but that does not also mean they didn't play at a high level either though. But, this is also how I am grading them, I fully realize not everyone is going to have the same grading scale, and there is nothing wrong with that or how you want to grade them. Just answering your question about why I did.

Our WR's were not given an A+ because of production alone. It is totally ok if you or others want to grade on a different scale where the primary emphasis is on individual statistical production. I don't expect everyone to have the same grading scale, but it seems pretty pointless to keep disputing the grades over stats with people who factored more into the grade than just the stats. I am gonna post this play now a third time. Not to be argumentative, but to illustrate the difference in how some of us graded their performances. If you can't understand how this is A+ execution from Hollins off the snap, Shakir with the ball, and Coleman wiping out his defender (and Dawkins destroying the safety) then you are not going to understand why my grade was an A+ and why some others agreed with that. Which is again fine, everyone is free to grade using their own scale and factors, but just illustrating the difference in grading with an emphasis on production vs grading where execution, blocking, etc is as highly valued as production. There is no TD on this play if any one of those players did not do what they did on this play, and the only one of the 4 that will see this play on a stat sheet is Shakir.

Fair question...and I will give you my honest answer...Yes. Keep in mind, I did not give a team grade here or defensive grades. I do not consider the Bills grade overall an A for this game, and you can see some previous posts of mine in this thread stating that as well. My grades were only on the offensive groups and how well they executed their individual jobs. I would not change my grades on the offensive groups because the ST gave up a TD KO return and then the defense would have gave up a game ending drive in your question above.

I have no issue with your grades as I don't expect everyone to have the same grading scale as me or anyone else for that other. For me, I have a high value on the execution and the dirty work, and that stuff popped for me from this game, which is where my grades are gonna differ more than some others, which is fine. And for me in reviewing the film, it was honestly one of the best group efforts I can recall seeing in that regard to go along with all of them making the plays when they got their targets as well.

I came here to say this…well more like Groot and combo of Cook/Davis. Miami is a mess in the trenches. As much as I am sure we want to watch Allen light the fins up per usual, I have a feeling we are going to have a lot of success on the ground. 1 - It’s a short week, and it will be hot and humid. That affects the DL more than anyone. I can see us having a day on the ground like we did against Dallas last year. 2 - Best way to negate speed is by keeping it off the field and dominate the TOP. So if the run game is clicking it won’t surprise me to see them lean into it.

I agree. Did you watch his Mic’d up video? If not, I posted it in my Calling it now thread about Shakir earlier today. It was a good watch and you can see he is the leader in that WR room and emerging as a leader on this team. You wouldn’t know it from his calm demeanor in his interviews, but he’s bringing the juice out there all game long.

I get that, and I don’t think you’re being unfair, just capping his ceiling too much. All I was saying is that the opportunities to get Shakir say 8 targets Sunday was there. He was open a lot more than he got targets for. But Allen only had 2 completed passes with just over 2 min left in the first half. And it resulted in just 18 completions, but to 9 people. So I was just saying I didn’t come away from the game that his low targets Sunday were because of his limitations. On many completions Allen had multiple places he could have went with the ball but only one can get the target. And it’s why no one individual got a heavy target load on a relatively low volume passing game by Allen in general. But to your point, if this spread the ball around philosophy keeps working this well then maybe no one will get enough targets on the season to get a 1000+ yards individually. It’s gonna be fun seeing his this develops this year though

I was just coming here to do the same. It gave me goosebumps too

Your opinion isn’t bad on Shakir, but I do think you’re selling Shakir’s ceiling a little short here. For example, Shakir could have easily had a 100 yard game this week, he was getting open, but Allen only completed 18 passes and did so to 9 players spreading the ball around. It wasn’t because Shakir wasn’t effective enough or capable of higher volume.

MIC"D UP! Debated on starting a new thread or not for this...but figured might as well put it here rather than a new thread. Shakir was mic'd up week 1...and one thing is clear, he has emerged as the leader in the WR room and one of the leaders overall on the team too. Third straight game with a TD too going back to the 2 playoff games last year. He was getting open a lot too on Sunday and flying all over the place as a blocker when he didn't get the ball. The genuine excitement he has for others when they make plays and get the target is awesome to see too.

Fair criticisms, and I will add Josh was carrying the ball on runs like a loaf of bread all game and he needs to fix that. I still think it was an MVP level performance overall, but I can't disagree really with anything here. I agree on Groot, and I agree it wasn't AJE's best overall game, he still did have some good reps out there too. Agreed. Von was never gonna "be back", it was always an unrealistic expectation IMHO at his age. But the positive is he showed he can maybe still have some value this year which is a big improvement over no value last year. Agreed, the fact he was not looking back for the ball could have drawn the flag, but I agree, it was the proper non-call and shockingly a play the refs got right during a terrible day from these refs who blew calls against both teams. Preach! Yeah, this is what they wanted from him when they signed him. It is only one week, but it was an impressive first week. If there were fans upset at the amount of times we ran the ball compared to throwing, then I think they may be upset again Thursday. While I don't expect Allen to only throw 23 times every week, this weeks matchup is a fast fins team who is a mess in their front 7. The run game has a real shot to be clicking this week like we did against Dallas last year, and the best way to negate speed is to keep it off the field and dominate the TOP. So if the run game is clicking, I wouldn't be surprised to see another run heavy game. Good post and go Bills!

That is where his basketball background is a real benefit to him giving him now 2 advantages over the DB in both size and body control. FWIW, Randy Moss loves him and thinks he is going to be a star as do some other highly successful past WR's. And the thing that keeps coming up the most often is that athleticism combined with elite body control.

I am all there with you on the optimism on Keon...but for this week...I don't know...the Fins front 7 is a mess. Don't be surprised if the run game is clicking all game this week. One way to negate speed is keep Miami's offense off the field and dominate the time of possession. And don't forget, one of the lone bright spots for the Fins D is still Ramsey, so he may see a lot of him this week which will be a much stiffer test than anything he saw from AZ too. However, its still possible, especially if we are a more pass heavy offense this week. But I do think we are going to find success running on Miami and look to dominate the TOP this week on our way to a decisive win.

His All-22 film week 1 was quite impressive. He easily could have had a big game this week between the slant he won for a TD that Allen said he should have thrown him before running it in himself, to other times he was open but so were others and the ball was spread around. What I highlighted in bold is exactly what Allen alluded to in his post-game conference too. He said he should have thrown Keon the ball and seeing him win there and throughout the game made him realize he needs to just trust in him fully and it gave him the confidence to throw that deep shot he caught. What I loved the most about it is how hard he played when he wasn't getting the ball, he was all in committed to all the dirty work and it was pivotal on some other players big plays, including Shakir's TD. Its one game, each game is different, and teams may start giving him more attention. So not sure what the next game holds, but it was an impressive start to his career here. Its a shame Ward doesn't get more recognition for just how good he was.

I didn’t give the Bills as a whole an A. I graded only the offensive groups individually. I wouldn’t give either the D or ST an A.

Ha good throwback reference with Sammy, man am I glad those days are gone haha But not sure what agenda you think I have is, but I can assure you there was no agenda on my TE grade. If you want to show me film of them doing their job poorly, I am happy to revisit it, I just didn't personally see it...it's just as simple as that for me.

And that is fair, although I think you are taking my words a bit more vanilla and of context of what I was implying, but I get where you are coming from. I already posted this earlier in this thread a page or two back, but posting here again to show where my personal grading scale is impacted above the stat sheet and what I mean doing everything that was asked of them, and at a high level. Look at the Hollins block on the Nickel here. That is executing at a high level, an A+ block on this play that was vital to the outcome. Then look at Coleman, again, another instance of where Coleman completely took his defender out of the play to keep him from preventing the TD. That was an A+ block on this play as well. Then you have Dawkins destroying the safety too, again, an A+ play...and all of that was equally necessary for Shakir to make what was maybe the play of the game, and certain A+ play to get in and score on this. All 4 of those guys execution on this play had to happen, and 3 of them were WR's, or Shakir doesn't get in for the TD in a game we won by 6. In my personal grading style, this stands out for me. And this was not an isolated incident. Keon, Shakir, and especially Hollins were all over the field blocking on plays the pass went to someone else, runs, or scrambles. So, I value this a lot personally, and hence where my personal grade came from.

To answer your question, they would have had to do their jobs poorly. Show me the film that shows them doing a poor job and I will happily change my grade. You seem to want to base it on stats, but they can only catch what is thrown to them. Allen only completed 18 passes Sunday, and that was to 9 different players. And what does a poor outing look like...not getting open, not making their blocks, dropping passes, bad penalties, etc. None of that occurred. Instead, what the film showed was there were plenty more opportunities to throw them the ball, but Allen had multiple choices and spread the ball around. They blocked well, and despite one catch, Kincaid sold his routes well that opened up the field for other players. For me, they did exactly what was asked of them.