Beck Water

Salah appears to disagree with you, so, we'll see.

I don't think it's a "listen to the fans" thing. I think Wilson totally pissed off the defense with his responses in the post-game presser, especially if they reflect his demeanor in the locker room. I know if I were part of a defense that just held the Patriots to 3 points and lost on a stupid decision to punt down the middle of the field, I would want my QB to respond to a question "do you feel you let the defense down?" about 100 different ways other than "No. No." If Wilson honestly feels he played his ass off and the WR and OL and play design totally let him down, there are plenty of better responses - he can say something like "We lost. It sucks. Any time you put up less points than the other team, the offense needs to play better and that starts with me". Very canned and not particularly personally accountable, but better than "No. No." I'm just weirded out at how good the Bills managed to make Wilson look against us.

Actually....in my observation, "go out 5 yds off the snap and turn around" is not at all how Daboll used Beasley in the slot. Beasley ran lots and lots and lots of crossers and option routes. In 2020, when the Bills were totally deadly with the deeper intermediate routes, these took a bit of time to develop. In 2021, Beasley seemed as though he'd lost a step (or maybe two) and took longer to get there - and when teams were playing rush 3 or 4, 2 deep, flood the intermediate routes they weren't there at all. That's when Daboll started using Beasley on the quick "spot" routes or even in the flat (and Beasley's success in the flat was limited). In 2020 and 2021, Singletary was used far more often as the checkdown option in the flat or swing. Eventually in 2021 Josh learned to see him, but it was a challenge. As a slot, from what I've seen, McKenzie has been being used on those quick checkdown routes a lot, and growing lonely - this may have to do with how teams are defending us, more than how Dorsey wants to use a slot.

Seems like even when Chan Gailey was here, we were better with the bubble screens, but I could mis-remember. I do think folks may have a point that the very run threat Josh Allen poses makes it harder to execute RB screens. I haven't had the chance to watch much all-22 and the American NFL+ is freakin' broken, but when I've seen Shakir in the slot, that's what I've seen. The coaches see these guys in practice, they have GPS tracking them. If Shakir were getting it done in practice, he'd be getting more reps in games. Cook is a rookie. He needs to master the NFL RB position, including RB routes and pass protection. Let's not put "slot receiver in training" on his plate just yet.

But Dorsey doesn't scheme guys open! I heard it ...somewhere.... Diggs is our best WR anywhere on the field, and it isn't close. That said, I don't think he'd be happy being full-time in the slot, and I think it's a matchup nightmare for other teams when he's moved around the field. I don't think Diggs wants the full-time punishment a full-time slot receiver takes. And frankly, we'd have to go a long way to replace him outside as well. If we're looking for an outside receiver that's as exceptional as Diggs can be, is that really easier to find and develop than an exceptional slot guy? I think Shakir can potentially learn to play twitchier in the slot. I could be wrong of course, but it's my impression that a lot of what makes a guy a top slot against zone is mental processing speed added to "enough" natural athleticism. When I can watch Shakir on film, he seems to me to be playing like a guy who's still thinking. I hope so. Some folks express skepticism about Shakir as an outside WR. I take it you're not one of those who have concern about Shakir and his 29" arms fending off the 31-33" armed corners like Sauce Gardner, and I would be interested in why, if you care to share. Body control seems like it's only part of the equation, to me.

I Hear You, but I think that's beyond Beane's "price point" for a guy who is a strictly PR/KR/Gadget dude at this point in the Bills salary cap cycle. That was my point to @atlbillsfan1975 (and also, that Hines contract is not guaranteed next year, it's, if anything, easier to shed than McK because no dead cap at all). That said, I don't believe the Bills see Hines as PR/KR/Gadget guy. Hines put up 739 and 862 yds from scrimmage with Luck and Rivers throwing to him, and Hines is only 26; he should have some years and miles on him. The Bills have been looking for that pass-catching RB all off-season with their play for McKissic, signing Duke Johnson, then drafting James Cook. If Hines soaks up the playbook and starts flashing, I would expect the Bills to value Hines as more than a KR/PR/Gadget boy. PS on that onside kick at the end of the Browns game, Believe me, I missed Hyde. Compare and contrast that leaping, both hands on the ball, pirouette TD Micah Hyde pulled with that one handed tip by Gabe Davis. *shudder*

? Neither player has a deal that is hard to get out of next year and there is no appreciable difference between them. McKenzie basically got a 1 yr contract with about half his 2022 salary guaranteed in addition to signing bonus. So he carries a minimal dead cap hit in 2023, and the Bills could move on if they wish. Hines contract is even easier for the Bills to walk away from, as his amortized signing bonus was left behind with the Colts and he has no guarantees. But, if the Bills want to keep him, they either need to re-negotiate or find some serious cap space, because he's owed $4.45M next year and $5.1M in 2024. This season, $4.45M would give Hines the 12th highest cap hit on the team - a bit rich for a PR/KR and gadget guy.

Other than that no one seems to know

But did he Climb a Mountain and Turn Around? Did he see his reflection in the snow-covered hills?

I appreciate @freddyjj posting the link to that article - which I’d read, actually - but I’m looking for a site that has these data overall for the season, and for each week, which Sharp Football Stats used to provide. No idea why I deserve the “obviously can’t do their own research” crack, but Hey, if it makes your day better, Have At It.

Name must be irony https://www.twobillsdrive.com/community/topic/243841-the-bills-will-never-beat-the-chiefs-in-a-play-off-game/?do=findComment&comment=8059508

oh, you’re no fun

McKenzie's snap count did decrease last week against the Browns, from ~50-60% to 40%. As far as I can tell, that's because the Bills gave more snaps to Quintin Morris (from ~20% to 42% of the snaps) and to Reggie Gilliam (from ~15% to 25% of the snaps), not because they gave more snaps to another WR. In fact, Diggs snaps also decreased from ~84% to 66%, which leads me to believe it was due to a more run-focused game plan using heavier sets.

This is legitimately funny

I know you legit have some player contacts, but c'mon man, he misses 2 - 3 more games then he comes back Thursday week, within a few posts of each other? This is right next to the guy who met Josh Allen's cousin out in Cali and learned he would miss 3-4 games.

Yeah, when I mouseover that and see a different link and short URL to boot, I'm not going there. Nice try though.

Anyone know of a site (pref. free) that provides these data? Sharp Football Stats used to, but seems to have stopped this season. I have a hunch Bills personnel sets changed a lot last week vs. Browns and would like to confirm. Looked to me like we were running more 2 TE sets (12) and 2 RB sets with Gilliam (21).

Shakir has had a consistent ~15 snaps per game, 57 snaps in the last 4 games. He has 1 reception on 4 targets in those games, for 6 yds. We all know that the receiver can't throw himself the ball, so that's not the measure of whether or not the guy is getting open and deserves more snaps, but I'd like to know when he's been seen to "look decent" and show himself able to get open in the slot and all that stuff? Go For It! Break out the all-22 and go on a "Shakir Watch". Solve the mystery - explain what he's doing on each of those 57 snaps and figure it out.

I could be mistaken, but I don't think the Bills see Hines as a WR In any event...Hines has been active all 3 of his games as a Bill, without inactivating McKenzie, which returns me to my question: you want the Bills to inactivate McKenzie, the Bills want 5 WR active on game day, who you want active at WR instead?

He may be getting open and not getting targeted. Same with Knox and McKenzie. Whaaaat?

You mean the clueless lacrosse guy who was the #2 WR on the Patriots 2016 Superbowl team, in a season where he caught 65% of the 58 passes thrown his way for 680 yds? The one who stuck with NWE for 3 years and played in 2 more Superbowls? Man, it's amazing how the Pats won anything, with a WR who had no idea where he was or what else was happening around him on their squad. Surely, they coulda pulled someone better in off the street. Simon, I Love You Man, You can have ALL my Bud Light, and that seems like kind of a bad take on Chris Hogan. I dunno about "instinctive", but typically when you got a guy who does not have multiple elite physical traits who manages to stick in the league for 9 years (Hogan) or 6 years (McKenzie), they've got something going on for them.

Yeah? And activate who, in his stead? Crowder and Kumerow are on IR. Hodgins is on the Giants 53 man roster. The Bills like to activate 5 WR on gameday. Last week it was Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, Shakir, and Gentry. You wanna inactivate McKenzie, who you want for those 5? Diggs, Davis, Shakir, Gentry and....Isaiah Coulter? KeeSean Johnson?

"Only Josh Allen can defeat the Bills"

I'd say "Good" because I thought Bates did a perfectly capable job at center when he's gotten the chance, but then who plays RG and what effect does that have on the running game, which finally looked as though it were getting tuned up?