He also plays right up on the line of scrimmage, which is not common. He likes to get his hands on the rusher as quick as possible. Most tackles want to line up far off the line of scrimmage to give them more time to react to the rusher. Dawkins just trusts his athleticism and technique.
The fans mostly watch on TV. Some fans go to games. It is prioritizing the TV viewing experience for fans over the stadium experience for attending fans.
The fact is, most people watch on TV. That is where all the money comes from. Ticket sales are just a drop in the bucket these days. So, everything the NFL does is going to be about the TV viewing experience first and foremost. Everything else is secondary.
They weren't really decimated with injury. They were more healthy than in recent weeks. It was more like the Bills defense was decimated with injuries.
Oh man, Ravens fans will be throwing full on temper tantrums after they believe Lamar Jackson had the greatest game in sports history. And he didn't even win player of the week 😆
But we've had big, physical receivers and TEs before who have not been good at drawing PI. You have to do a little acting. You have to play back through the defender for the ball. It's something you have to actually work for.
He wouldn't throw as many today because offenses have changed. Back then it was about 5 step dropbacks and pushing the ball down the field. Defenders could also be much more physical with receivers. Put Kelly in a modern offense with modern dropbacks and shotgun and his turnovers would come way down.
Jim Kelly threw a beautiful ball, that's for sure. I remember admiring that as a young kid, and then later when we had other QBs I always wondered why they couldn't throw it like Jim Kelly.
I think Benford could be the 2nd best player on the team. He has had an outstanding year, exceeding expectations. He is a good tackler as well, which is big.
He also would have come up in today's athletic environment with better training, better sports science, and FAR easier rules for the offense and QBs, without getting his teeth knocked in every time he dropped back to pass.