Drunken Pygmy Goat

I don't want to seem like a "Mr. Argue", but based on what we've seen so far with Allen and the Bills offense, going back to the Panthers game, combined with the lack of talent/cohesion across the line, these type of blitzes are exactly what I expect to see from time to time. Maybe not often, but depending on the scenario. Kind of like a trick play on offense. It's a risk that DCs can afford to take against rookie QBs, especially when you're up 3 TDs while shutting them out...just trying to put myself in that situation and understand the mentality there. I don't mean to sound condescending if I do, and if I'm wrong, it wouldn't be the first time. Obviously the DC schemes for this, but so should the opponent. There's a lot of blame to go around here, and you cannot simply point to one thing (although the vocal crowd will quickly point to Castillo and Castillo only). Mike Pettine is a deciple of Rex Ryan. Say what you will about Rex, but he has a really good track record of making rookie QBs look like rookie QBs. Part of the reason is disguising blitzes, and part of it is blitzing often. The Packers did that against Allen, as they should have. The Bills have a weak/ non-cohesive offensive line, and a bottom 5 WR group, ON TOP OF a rookie QB in his 3rd start. ***As I'm typing this, I have the game on, but paying very little attention at this point (I was originally looking for the play at the end of the 2nd that's being disussed, but it was the wrong play at the time given). I put a pause to my typing because I hear Ian Eagle in the background say that Pettine is in his 1st year as DC of the Packers, part of the Rex Ryan head coaching tree (but mistakenly says that, followed by "in Buffalo"). So since I literally just typed the same comment right before Eagle says the same, I look up and see this play: There's 13 seconds left in the 3rd. 3rd and 3 just short of the Bills 45. The Packers do a good job of disguising their blitz, and a DB runs free to make the sack (pics coming soon) ***EDIT: tried to upload picks, but too large for this site. I'll edit later with a YouTube clip if I can*** This is kind of the point I'm making. Until Allen and the Bills show that they can adjust and stop this, teams will continue to do this, especially good exotic blitzing DCs like Pettine. It may look bad now, but my guess is that the Bills staff would rather Allen take his lumps and see these things now, in a "known" down year, and hopefully be better for it down the road (hopefully with better weapons and offensive line).

When I read the OP, my fist thought was "why are the Bills throwing the ball on 2nd down, at midfield, with 1:49 left in the half?" The Packers offense has been moving the ball pretty much at will, and risking an incompletion in that situation would potentially spare the Packers a timeout in the event that they get the ball back. When you're facing the best QB of all time, hobbled or not, you burn clock or opponent's timeouts before the half. But that wasn't the scenario. That being said, the Bills game plan on offense against the Packers was HORRIBLE to put it mildly. It's as if they were expecting Josh Allen and the Bills outclassed offense to be competetive in a shootout against the best QB of all time. Their misuse of McCoy (really the run game in general; the Packers were abused on the ground by Washington the week prior) was comparable to the Bills' misuse of C.J. Spiller against the Chargers several years ago, bruised rubs and all. The Bills offensive play calling against Minnesota was heavily gifted by the defense balling out very early and often. A high school OC could seal the deal after the hole Minnesota was put in during the 1st quarter. I was rather encouraged by the Daboll hire, even after his previously failed OC stints in the NFL, but so far, I'm not impressed. And that's while considering the circumstances. I fully expect the run game to be much more of a focal point going forward, especially after McDermott's and McCoy's post game comments.

Yes. Shouldn't the DC get more credit here, as opposed to simply laying blame on the Bills? Not trying to absolve them; they've looked bad more than good this year, but this was good scheming and study by Pettine and the Packers defense.

I totally get that. In fact, that's more "common sense" to me. I wasn't trying to put down Allen so much, as opposed to simply pointing out that this type of thing happening is to be expected somewhat..."rookie mistakes" and all. Yeah, the center probably "deserves" more blame in this instance, and in instances like this that we've seen since the preseason, where blitzers are unaccounted for and run free (the first red flag was the Panthers sending a DB blitz in the preseason). Bodine, and to an extent, Groy, are obviously much more experienced in this department than Allen (or any rookie) is. I put quotations around "deserves" because IMO the play being dissected here is more about the defense and the DC doing a good job, as opposed to the Bills offensive line/QB doing a bad job (although the discrepancy isn't very large; Bills obviously didn't do a good enough job). Also, I'm trying to watch the replay to see in real time. This play wasn't at the 1:49 mark of the 2nd quarter, but I remember thinking to myself, watching that play live, that it was atrocious. I actually like what Allen has done so far, given the circumstances he's been thrust into (just in case my first post was taken more as an "I'm 'negative Allen'" comment). I'm hopeful for him, yet I wasnt ready to annoint him like many were after the Vikings game, just like many were after week 2 of the preseason. Just want to make that clear.

That play stuck out to me on Sunday. Maybe I'm wrong here, but I believe this play falls on the QB and C. It's up to them to see the pre-snap defensive allignment and adjust the protection. It's something that's been an issue with Allen ever since preseason week 1. Guys have been getting in untouched, and defenses know this. It was a good job by the Packers of exploiting an obvious weakness in Allen's game, which isn't exactly surprising to see since he's a rookie. But hopefully it's something that improves with time and film study. It did seem better with Bodine at C against Minnesota; not sure why it seemed like a 180 last week.

My assessment is that last year has nothing to do with this year. This team is totally different. So many new players, and new OC. That shouldn't be hard to comprehend. You're lol at an assessment that I didn't make. My assessment is that the Bills are 1-3 in their last 4 (the only games that matter right now), and that they suck, which is exactly how I though they would look.

You're good

That was probably the least encouraging thing I could have read after opening this thread.

WIVB is the local CBS station for Ellicottville. If you download the NFL Mobile app, you'll be able to watch as long as you have an internet connection.

What exactly do you expect the HC to say? "So...yeah, we're going to suck this year, but fear not! That's part of the plan."

Seems most fans can't see the forest for the trees, or just don't want to and would rather whine.

Doesn't matter what the record is over the last 16, unless its post week 17. This year's team is completely different. This seems like one of those cherry-picking to support agenda comments (although a motivated/level headed Dareus would have a much greater impact than a motivated Benjamin).

Jersey: ordered!

Those are huge losses, considering we have a rookie QB. But the amount of drops this year is ridiculous, and would have altered drives (to whatever extent). Zay had a few last year, but guys like Matthews and Thompson, while "jag", at least caught the ball most of the time. Still, even under better circumstances, 8 wins was probably the ceiling this year. Thats with far less drops, more accurate throws, and stellar defense...a tall order, considering the current state of the team.

Sunday's loss was ugly, and there have been some head scratching moves over the last year and a half, but I'm not ready to abandon ship like so many others. That's not because I'm a blind homer...This is pretty much what I expected to see this year. I wasn't necessarily expecting shutouts or blowouts on the road (although really not surprising). I was expecting ups and downs, with more downs than ups. Its year two, but year one for our QB and defensive "QB", new OC, lack of weapons at WR. Playoffs last year means nothing for this year, other than scheduled opponents (which is technically based on divisional record). Regardless of what you think of TT and his limitations, he did lead the team to the post season. He's gone. His center is gone. Left guard, gone. Left tackle, gone. There's just too much newness, inexperience, and lack of talent with this year's team to have been realistically expecting "big things", for me at least.

"Culture" seems to be a loose term. To me, this isn't much different than the idea that "effort trumps talent".

I was going to mention that part of the quote, but then we wouldn't have a controversial quote to stir the pot and rile up fans now would we??

I wasn't inferring that a downtown stadium is imminent or likely. If the Bills are to build downtown, the owners will probably have to pay for most of the total cost. Even for a dome at around, say, $750 mil, total cost would end up being closer to double that price due to surrounding infrastructure. Even though the state may kick in a bunch of money, I have a hard time seeing more than $500-600 mil in contribution (the Bills may be the only pro football team in NY, but I doubt it will be treated like the new Yankee Stadium was). That might cover infrastructure costs, but I'm no expert there, and I assume that would cost much more. If I had to guess, the most feasable solution would be a major retrofit to NEF. Cost of about $500-600 mil. League contribution of about $180 mil, matching contribution from ownership, the rest by the state and county.

This is actually significant news, especially when you consider his ties and history.

Husbands leave your wives and claim she's addicted to drugs so you get the kids

Talent plays a role too. Losing Dareus against the Raiders was a big deal. And what about guys like Bryce Brown fumbling away a TD against KC in week 10? Cherry picking one thing from that Raiders game doesn't really prove the point of this thread IMO. Everything about this post is spot on. Well done!

You don't necessarily need an offensive minded head coach. You just need a good/great offensive mind in the room (OC). 2016 Falcons is a great example. Since Shanahan left, they've been short a cylinder on offense. The main issue there, though, is that your window shrinks because that guy will be a head coach very soon.

20 lbs of muscle is asking a lot IMO, but a year of NFL conditioning makes a difference. Maybe, but a good GM makes it work. The Raiders really botched the whole Mack situation, and I doubt Edmunds will command #1 edge rusher money at MLB.

Got ya. Not that big a deal to me, though. If you're trying to build through the draft, and he turns out to be an integral piece to success, pay the man.

That doesn't mean he won't be good until then. He very well could be a pro bowler player well before his rookie contract is up. And how is that any different than any other player in the league? I'll tell you: he will be 2-3 years younger than those other players.