HappyDays

I just don't agree with that. There are plays where no pass catchers get open in the rhythm of the play. A lack of offensive talent means those plays are going to happen more often. We'll see what the all-22 shows. It's hard to tell on broadcast footage but in the limited camera views we got of the field I wasn't seeing a lot of separation or leverage for Trubisky to fit the ball. I don't want to oversell my point either though. Trubisky was really bad. He missed a hot read to a wide open Cook on one play that ended in a sack, and on the INT it doesn't matter if no one is open that is an inexcusable mistake for any QB in any circumstance. Still I struggle to think of any backup QB out there that could move the ball through the air with any level of consistency in this offense.

My hot take is that if Purdy played in place of Trubisky last night the passing offense wouldn't have looked much better. No Kincaid and no Samuel. We're really expecting a backup QB to look good throwing to Mack Hollins and Tyrell Shavers? The Bills have intentionally chosen to build a room of offensive personnel that only an elite QB can make chicken salad out of. Anyone expecting to find a magical solution at backup QB is going to be disappointed in anyone that we bring in IMO. Kyle Allen, Case Keenum, Mitch Trubisky. Different names, same result.

Here's a thought - every time the Chiefs, Ravens, or Bengals backup QB takes the field their offense still looks at least competent. Every time our backup QB takes the field our offense is unwatchable. I don't really believe that Jake Browning for example is leagues better than Trubisky so there might be something else going on there.

Not going to take anything away from Trubisky's awful performance but it's possible that there simply isn't a lot of room to fit the ball. For a QB with a slow trigger, a lack of separation would compound how bad he looks. Put a backup QB on the field with a bottom of the barrel WR corps and this is what you get.

Rousseau had a very good night although it's fair to note Broderick Jones was playing out of position (he was an LT in college and has been throughout the offseason, I think injury forced him into the RT spot) and apparently he is banged up according to Steelers fans. But there are plenty of bad RTs out there so if Rousseau can take advantage it is still a meaningful development. What struck me is that these weren't clean up sacks, he just straight up won the reps quickly and took the QB down. That ability has been missing from his game. Hopefully it continues.

The WRs as a whole have had a poor preseason. I know people use the excuse of "you can't evaluate them with this QB play" but other teams' backup QBs are finding ways to move the ball and score TDs in preseason. Our supposedly great WR depth hasn't showed up at all. Hollins is showing zero separation out there, MVS has 1 catch in two games (hopefully his neck is okay), Shavers and other guys vying for the WR6 spot have all but vanished. Also to my eyes it looks like the game is moving too fast for Coleman right now, he has a lot of learning still to do before he is ready to be a primary outside WR. As of right now I only feel good about Shakir and Samuel (and only good, not great, at that), and if Samuel ever misses time as is very possible with his body type we are in serious danger of fielding a 2018-esque WR corps. Defenses are quickly going to learn to clog the middle of the field to slow down our TEs and RBs and slots and dare our outside WRs to punish them for it. Based on what I've seen in preseason I'm not remotely convinced they can.

Fields isn't much better than Wilson. Throws what should have been two picks on this drive and overthrows a wide open TD by several feet. Only thing he has going for him is his legs.

His instincts and play recognition have been incredible tonight. Lack of high end physical skills is the only thing holding him back.

Andreessen has dropped off quickly. He looks gassed.

Hopefully the run game we're seeing tonight is for real. It's going to have to be a major part of our offense this year.

Those are our starting outside WRs... It is going to be tough sledding as offense without a single high end talent outside. We'll have to thread a lot of needles to score TDs.

Hardy has been good too, at CB anyways. As a returner he's been an adventure but he's been locking guys down outside and he was supposed to be more of a slot prospect.

I watched Andreessen specifically there, he immediately diagnosed the play and got running that way to take an angle away from Fields. Quite possibly the most impressed I've ever been with a backup defensive player in a Bills preseason game.

Joe Andresseen taking down Justin Fields 1v1 in the open field. Just like we all predicted.

I think Dorian Willams allowed that 11 yard completion. He got lost in pass coverage. I hope the live reps help him figure out that part of his game soon.

Well, he proved it.

Genuinely think we are a 2-14 team without Allen.

I feel bad for Steelers fans. I know how QB purgatory feels. Watching Trubisky followed by Wilson has to feel like torture, like this is the best your team has been able to find.

Spector is out with a calf injury. I have to think he'd usually be the 2nd MLB. The local kid getting time ahead of Morrow and Jones is meaningful though. He must have impressed McDermott to earn that spot.

I think he has made a poor decision to field punts in consecutive weeks. The last one he caught tonight he should have let bounce into the endzone. Not a fan of what he just did either. This isn't college. You try to get the edge on an NFL special teams and you're more likely to get tackled at the 1.

That was actually a really nice play from the local kid. Is he really in line to make the roster?

Alright I don't need Cook getting tackled on random screens on 3rd and long in a preseason game. Davis the rest of the half please.

God Trubisky is so late with the ball. Stared at Morris wide open for a full second before throwing that one.

Ok I've seen enough of the starting DL. Get everyone out.

Just get all the starters out of the game if the field is that wet. Can't evaluate these pass catchers anyways with Trubisky throwing the ball.