GunnerBill

I believe it was contract length not incentives that caused this to break down.

It's placebo effect though IMO. People think it makes a difference. In reality I'm not sure it does.

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Defensive adjustments is another area where you need the offense to help out. You can't easily make defensive adjustments if your O is going 3 or 4 and out.

I agree with everything in this post except the very last line. I'm still not sure Hamlin is "good enough" in the big picture. He is not a total liability in the way some fans like to depict him, he is normally in the right spot. He has clearly been better out there than their second round pick despite the almost season long desperation to put Bishop on the field over him. But he is the single weakest starting spot on the entire team. The Bills general do not ask their safeties to make 1 on 1 plays but on the occasions that teams have been able to isolate and attack Hamlin they almost always win. I am not asking them to spend another high pick on safety either before you ask that. My view last year was that was the spot to get a mid tier vet FA and I still think that. Hamlin is a FA himself and I don't expect him to be brought back, but if we go into next season with Rapp, Bishop and Hamlin again that is still a personnel fail IMO and a bottom 5 safety room in the league.

I can't believe we are a page and half in and nobody has said it..... it falls to me: "only one treatment option, remove the spleen!"

Also.... it took a long time for Sean McVay to realise that to beat Kyle Shanahan you might need to run something other than his own playbook against him. It seems Kevin O'Connell is having the same issue against McVay. Did it look to you like the Rams knew what play was coming? Yea? Because they did. They are Sean McVay's plays. They are definitely better than their record. Remember they were 1-4 in a run where neither Kupp nor Nacu were healthy. When they got their guys back they rolled.

I think the struggle with pressure is the symptom. Holding the ball too long is the root cause. You can't regularly hold the ball in the modern NFL. Defensive lines are too good, schemes are too clever. You have to have ways of getting the ball out of your hands quickly and Darnold struggles with that. He might have the old EJ Manuel "slow eyes".

I increasingly do think it is going to happen. I don't see Jones hiring him (not a big enough name) and McCarthy is now a realistic possibility in Chicago and New Orleans which potentially closes off another spot. Jacksonville is the wildcard. I have no idea what they are going to do and, likely, nor do they.

Agreed.

Yep Justice Hill. To the should we play more 3 linebacker sets, I'm not against it per se. When you have the personnel to run it: Milano - Bernard - Williams, it can be part of your plan. Why I dislike going too heavy with it is taking Taron Johnson who is one of your best players off the field. I know people say "oh play him as a strong safety" but asking a guy to play a position he has never played for the first time in a playoff game doesn't strike me as smart. I am all for mixing looks up a bit but it is going to come down to execution and fundamentals. Baltimore are going to make plays. Stay patient. Trust your scheme. Play your cues. Maintain your discipline and fundamentals and don't get dragged into playing a Baltimore Ravens football game.

Not really.

Morrow played 17 snaps in Baltimore and I don't think Williams or Spector came out from memory. They were pretty much all on the 2nd and 3rd Baltimore drives. Both of which they marched down the field and scored touchdowns.

Yea. I don't think the mid 00s Manning offense works today. Dorsey had a lot of Manning Indy concepts. You need studs outside to run that stuff today.

It wasn't his offense in 2021 it was Kellen Moore's. They did have a good offense last year but it is so basic and outdated I think you need a super elite weapon like CeeDee to make it effective. I get people are looking for someone who won't be poached but I think that is the wrong way to be. I say it all the time when I recruit. I'd rather get the right person and only have them 18 months because they are bright, creative, innovative and in demand rather than take a steddie eddie who will do okay and stay 5 years because they have no market. If Joe Brady leaves go find another bright, creative, offensive mind. Don't hire a dinosaur.

Yea. 2004 called. It wants its offense back. Twice in a row now at Dallas.

It was specifically taunting.

You can kick your leg free. You can't high step. You can't direct your celebration at an opponent. Hollins did both. It's a clear flag.

But you can't do those things. You can hate the rule if you like but it is clear.

I liked "honestly, only 4th on defense is a bit disappointing with the talent they have here. We are going to lead the league in defense that is just a fact." Followed by a fall from 4th to 19th, an offseason of talk about how the guys had "bought in" and "taken ownership" of the defense and then a second season where the defense ranked *checks notes* 19th. Snake. Oil. Salesman.

Just step normally.

He high stepped over him and then was giving it the thumb over the shoulder towards Surtain like "what's that joker's problem?" you can't do either of those things. It is taunting. Correct flag thrown. Agree with @DrDawkinstein on the spots. The line judge on the far side from the tv view must have been drunk. He blew at least 4 that I counted. 3 Bills, 1 Broncos.

And then they came back week 2, TNF the following year and destroyed us. Fitz's Jets tenure faded fast after that. But yea. The whole Rex period felt like trying to fit an every growing cube into a cylinder shaped hole.

Im fairness on the replay you see the back judge (who I think was Vinovich himself) has eyes on what's happening right in front. His eyes flick to his right to Kincaid at the precise moment that Surtain lets go. I don't know if the side judge could have got involved to help there but when yoi are dealing with humans you are relying on their eyes being in the right place right on cue. It was a blown call but if you don't see it you can't call it.

Smiley is definitely in over his head. We have had a good return game all year though and it didn't miss a beat yesterday without Codrington. That's a positive. Totally where I am on it. I think when opponents down punts inside the five there is a limit to what coaching can do about that. Great punt, good pursuit, favourable bounce. What you don't do there is make the big mistake. If you think you can clean catch it, fine. Otherwise get the hell away.