Meaningless thoughts on a meaningless scrimmage

[Simon]

Offense:

> Encouraged by what we saw out of Cordy Glenn. He had some rookie jitters early but when he settled in, I thought he looked like he belonged.

> Not so encouraged by what we saw from Hairston and Reinhardt. Fortunately they're depth and shouldn't have to carry too much weight.

> If Chandler wants to carve out a career in this league, he really needs to develop some sense of self-preservation. He's got a habit of giving himself up to make plays that is admirable to a point. The tendency to stretch that point beyond good sense is a little troubling when you look at the entirety of the Bills TE corps.

> I like the idea of Fitzpatrick getting more input on play selection. Not because of Fitzpatrick himself, but more so because of Chan's career-long tendency to marginalize his ground game. Another guy providing input might result in the Bills being a little more restrained with their passing attack. With any luck, Fitz will feel some obligation to take care of Fred because he's the leader of the offense.

> I'm not convinced that Spiller has the mental game to do what the Bills would like him to be able to do. Flexing him out has some potential to create real problems with defenses but if he can't execute it he might as well be kept in the backfield.

 

Defense:

> Looks like Jairus Byrd picked up right where he left off. I get the feeling this kid is primed for a ProBowl caliber season.

> I'm still scared of our LB's. With the crew they've got fronting them, these guys should be running around tearing **** up and they don't look ready to do that. Barnett is the only one you can trust right now and nobody else is giving us any reason to alter that view. I know they don't have to be great in this particular Front 7, but they DO have to be competent and I'm not convinced that's the case.

> I'm typically a "just because they look good on paper doesn't mean anything 'til they show it" guy, but I think teams are going to have real problems producing offense against these guys.

 

Overall:

> Look for some live refs to be at Bills practices this week. The mass of penalties had to be driving Chan absolutely batty.

> With the addition of Cordy Glenn and the fact that Urbik really started showing something as last year went on, I'm very encouraged about the Bills OLIne.

> One of the nicest things to watch last night was the Bills showing legitimate depth in several places; that hasn't been the case in a veeeeery long time.

> They didn't play well last night, but I still think they're going to be a good team.

[ajzepp]

I'm on record with this from earlier in the year, but I truly think it won't be this year when we really make some noise, but next year. In 2013 and 2014, I really think we'll win the AFCE and take our shots in the playoffs.

[eball]

I'm on record with this from earlier in the year, but I truly think it won't be this year when we really make some noise, but next year. In 2013 and 2014, I really think we'll win the AFCE and take our shots in the playoffs.

 

I'd agree with you if the Bills had a young HC, but I believe the coaching staff -- particularly Chan and Wanny -- will keep this team focused and humble. Talent is talent, and they have enough to match up with anyone on the schedule this year.

[ajzepp]

I'd agree with you if the Bills had a young HC, but I believe the coaching staff -- particularly Chan and Wanny -- will keep this team focused and humble. Talent is talent, and they have enough to match up with anyone on the schedule this year.

 

Well, it's not like I wouldn't be happy to be off in my prediction

[Ramius]

What specifically are yoiu talking about when you say that Spiller didn't execute? I saw him split out wide on a few plays, and got the 2 short passes thrown his direction. I'm curious as to what was he supposed to execute that he didn't?

[Johnny Hammersticks]

 

> I'm still scared of our LB's. With the crew they've got fronting them, these guys should be running around tearing **** up and they don't look ready to do that. Barnett is the only one you can trust right now and nobody else is giving us any reason to alter that view. I know they don't have to be great in this particular Front 7, but they DO have to be competent and I'm not convinced that's the case.

 

 

Interesting...

 

I watched the first half three times very closely, and I thought that the 1st team linebackers looked pretty solid. Overall, they were good in coverage, were very good at diagnosing the blocking schemes and attacking the gaps, and tackled well. Moats, in particular, looked surprisingly good to me. Maybe I missed something you picked up on....what exactly did you see from them that would cause you apprehension about this unit?

 

By the way....Tank Carder is going to be a really good player IMO. To me, the guy looks like a young Zach Thomas.

[ajzepp]

 

 

By the way....Tank Carder is going to be a really good player IMO. To me, the guy looks like a young Zach Thomas.

 

Watching the replay and seeing Carder for the first time...love how he attacks the Olinemen and just blows them up...impressive for a guy who isn't all that physically imposing.

[John from Riverside]

I am also a big fan of Carder.....SOMETHING is telling me he is going to be getting on the field sooner rather then later. I was NOT a fan of Moates play last night.

 

We were running a very vanilla defense.....really irked me to listen to RGIII talk about how he was seeing everything....RG..you were seeing everything because we were playing a straight up vanilla defense.

 

For his first game and considering the competition? I thought Cordy did awesome....I REALLY want to see this O line with everyone back where they are supposed to be with Wood back and center and Urbik back at RG

[billsfan89]

I thought the D looked good, I thought the offense not so much. I think that its nothing to look too much into, I always like to look at the 2nd and 3rd regular season games as the most meaningful of games.

[Maury Ballstein]

What specifically are yoiu talking about when you say that Spiller didn't execute? I saw him split out wide on a few plays, and got the 2 short passes thrown his direction. I'm curious as to what was he supposed to execute that he didn't?

 

 

This confuses me as well. I'm not sure what you mean about Spillers mindset.....sounds like someone's still mad about that spilled draft pick....IMO Spillers as legit as it gets.

 

I am also a big fan of Carder.....SOMETHING is telling me he is going to be getting on the field sooner rather then later. I was NOT a fan of Moates play last night.

 

We were running a very vanilla defense.....really irked me to listen to RGIII talk about how he was seeing everything....RG..you were seeing everything because we were playing a straight up vanilla defense.

 

For his first game and considering the competition? I thought Cordy did awesome....I REALLY want to see this O line with everyone back where they are supposed to be with Wood back and center and Urbik back at RG

 

I'm with ya on carder he seems like he could have some real value....seems like one tough player

[Simon]

What specifically are yoiu talking about when you say that Spiller didn't execute? I saw him split out wide on a few plays, and got the 2 short passes thrown his direction. I'm curious as to what was he supposed to execute that he didn't?

He just looks lost at times, like he can't process all his options and responsibilities. Taking penalties, getting himself spun around on routes, the same kind of things we've always seen from him at times. I just wonder if its time to put him in the backfield on early downs amd let Fred handle everything else because he can.

 

Interesting...

 

I watched the first half three times very closely, and I thought that the 1st team linebackers looked pretty solid. Overall, they were good in coverage, were very good at diagnosing the blocking schemes and attacking the gaps, and tackled well. Moats, in particular, looked surprisingly good to me. Maybe I missed something you picked up on....what exactly did you see from them that would cause you apprehension about this unit?

 

With the D-Line regularly getting penetration and drawing doubles on every down, there's a lot of space out there for the 'backers to move and they're just not making as many plays as they ought to be, imo. We know Barnett is going to be all right but there's nothing else there right now. Sheppard still looks overmatched, Moats is never going to be more than a 3rd/long specialist, and Morrison has been virtually invisible since he was signed. I'm holding out some hope for McKillop (although half that is probably wishful thinking cuz he's a Western Pennsyltucky boy), but even if he can play he's still not enough to fill what looks to be a glaring talent gap. I'm hoping to hear some news soon that the Bills have every intention of picking up another veteran LB before the season starts, but if they don't I think our second level is going to be a trouble spot this year.

[HOUSE]

Nice thread dude

[Reed83HOF]

This are really the kind of posts we need on here. Good post Simon

 

LBs were hard to gauge last year as there was no pass rush. This year we have asolid front 4 and the DBs are solid as well. As the year goes on we will see what LBs need to be upgraded. The Moats/Morrison battle is worth watching and I am curious to see how Sheppard develops. This is his second year and he is calling the plays and his first as a full time starter that is a lot of resposibility for a youngster, I hope he can handle it.

 

The reserve OL was terrible, but that is to be expected with late round picks and UFDAs. After last night, I think Young wins the backup QB position by default. Thigpen is terrible and should be ahead of Young in terms of the playbook, but he can't throw. Young can at least run...

 

Glenn is a rookie and will have ups and downs, as Simon said, he looks like he belongs thus far. Johnny White impressed as did Ron Brooks.

[jjmac]

Offense:

> Encouraged by what we saw out of Cordy Glenn. He had some rookie jitters early but when he settled in, I thought he looked like he belonged.

> Not so encouraged by what we saw from Hairston and Reinhardt. Fortunately they're depth and shouldn't have to carry too much weight.

> If Chandler wants to carve out a career in this league, he really needs to develop some sense of self-preservation. He's got a habit of giving himself up to make plays that is admirable to a point. The tendency to stretch that point beyond good sense is a little troubling when you look at the entirety of the Bills TE corps.

> I like the idea of Fitzpatrick getting more input on play selection. Not because of Fitzpatrick himself, but more so because of Chan's career-long tendency to marginalize his ground game. Another guy providing input might result in the Bills being a little more restrained with their passing attack. With any luck, Fitz will feel some obligation to take care of Fred because he's the leader of the offense.

> I'm not convinced that Spiller has the mental game to do what the Bills would like him to be able to do. Flexing him out has some potential to create real problems with defenses but if he can't execute it he might as well be kept in the backfield.

 

Defense:

> Looks like Jairus Byrd picked up right where he left off. I get the feeling this kid is primed for a ProBowl caliber season.

> I'm still scared of our LB's. With the crew they've got fronting them, these guys should be running around tearing **** up and they don't look ready to do that. Barnett is the only one you can trust right now and nobody else is giving us any reason to alter that view. I know they don't have to be great in this particular Front 7, but they DO have to be competent and I'm not convinced that's the case.

> I'm typically a "just because they look good on paper doesn't mean anything 'til they show it" guy, but I think teams are going to have real problems producing offense against these guys.

 

Overall:

> Look for some live refs to be at Bills practices this week. The mass of penalties had to be driving Chan absolutely batty.

> With the addition of Cordy Glenn and the fact that Urbik really started showing something as last year went on, I'm very encouraged about the Bills OLIne.

> One of the nicest things to watch last night was the Bills showing legitimate depth in several places; that hasn't been the case in a veeeeery long time.

> They didn't play well last night, but I still think they're going to be a good team.

 

Don't they have a habit of doing this every preseason?

[Fan in San Diego]

Don't you think 1/2 of those penalties if not more were because of the replacements ineptness?

[Simon]

Don't you think 1/2 of those penalties if not more were because of the replacements ineptness?

Are you seriously suggesting that all those false starts, offsides and procedure penalties were somehow not the fault of the players who kept committing them and would somehow not have been called had there been different officials on the field?

 

I didn't see every single snap from start to finish, but I caught nearly half of it and didn't see a single penalty that had anything to do with the guys throwing the flags.

 

 

The reserve OL was terrible, but that is to be expected with late round picks and UFDAs. After last night, I think Young wins the backup QB position by default. Thigpen is terrible and should be ahead of Young in terms of the playbook, but he can't throw. Young can at least run....

 

I didn't watch long enough to see Prince Vince on the field, but Thigpen looks like he's scared of his own shadow. I hope we don't have to endure him in a Bills uni much longer.

[Reed83HOF]

I didn't watch long enough to see Prince Vince on the field, but Thigpen looks like he's scared of his own shadow. I hope we don't have to endure him in a Bills uni much longer.

 

I forget who was going over the middle near the 'Skins goal line but he was open if Thig led him and could have had a nice gain if not a cut and run TD; he threw it high and behind the receiver...That was all I needed to see. Terrible, he needs to get cut asap and we just need to move on from him.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I forget who was going over the middle near the 'Skins goal line but he was open if Thig led him and could have had a nice gain if not a cut and run TD; he threw it high and behind the receiver...That was all I needed to see. Terrible, he needs to get cut asap and we just need to move on from him.

 

I believe it was Graham, and yes, Thigpen needs to go ASAP.

[Ramius]

He just looks lost at times, like he can't process all his options and responsibilities. Taking penalties, getting himself spun around on routes, the same kind of things we've always seen from him at times. I just wonder if its time to put him in the backfield on early downs amd let Fred handle everything else because he can.

 

Of course Fred is better, but he's one of the best all-purpose backs in the league. As for CJs play, i didn't see anything that made me question any of his mental abilities on the field. The pass he got "spun-around" on wasn't the greatest throw by fitzy and it looked as if CJ was adjusting to try and catch it. The best thing is that if we choose to split Fred out wide, there should be minimal drop-off with CJ in the backfield.

 

I didn't see every single snap from start to finish, but I caught nearly half of it and didn't see a single penalty that had anything to do with the guys throwing the flags.

 

I didn't watch long enough to see Prince Vince on the field, but Thigpen looks like he's scared of his own shadow. I hope we don't have to endure him in a Bills uni much longer.

 

There were a few false starts in the 4th quarter that were highly questionable. Including 2 on the 3rd string center where you couldn't even tell that he moved. But the first team was a bit rough with the penalties.

 

As for the QBs, Young's passing was marginally better than thigpen. He overthrew a wide open Clowney for what should have been a walk-in TD. The biggest difference between him and pigpen was that he kept some drives alive and made some great plays with his feet. For that reason alone, i'd keep him over thigpen. With Gailey's mind and young's athleticism, i'd trust that situation over thigpen as a backup.

[Simon]

As for CJs play, i didn't see anything that made me question any of his mental abilities on the field. The pass he got "spun-around" on wasn't the greatest throw by fitzy and it looked as if CJ was adjusting to try and catch it.

That wasn't the only time he seemed to have issues with his timing or positioning. And when you consider that he has a regular history of it, it just looks like it's more of the same as opposed to opening night jitters. I agree that he's a legitimate player when he's working out of the backfield; I just wonder if it's time to stop forcing him into situations where he doesn't appear comfortable and instead let him excel by limiting him to what he does best.