THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Off and Running

[Shaw66]

I hope you're right.

You and me and about a million other Bills fans.

[Alphadawg7]

I should let this go, but I'm replying for several reasons:

 

1. I have a big ego. I like being right and I like arguing.

 

2. I learn things in these discussions.

 

3. Someone who reads this may learn something. YOU may learn something, but you seem more intent on arguing than listening and thinking.

 

4. Others may enjoy reading this, may even be amused by it.

 

Okay, are you ready? You really misunderstand some basic things about this aspect of football.

 

1. Where do I get the notion that the ball shouldn't be thrown high? It's very simple: quarterbacks are taught that when the defenders are BETWEEN the QB and the receiver, to throw it high so only the receiver can get it. When the defenders are BEHIND the receiver, QBs are supposed to throw low so that only the receiver can get it. Throwing high to receivers when the defenders are BEHIND the receiver leads to the possibility of tipped balls and INTs, which is EXACTLY what happened here. If Taylor had thrown low to Clay, there may or may not have been a completion, but there would have beeen no interception, and the Bills would have kicked a field goal.

 

The best example of this general rule is this exact case. When the receivers are at the back of end zone, the defenders are in front and the QB is supposed to throw high. If the ball goes off the receiver's hands, it carries out end zone and there's no INT.

 

But when the receiver is on the goal line, as in this case, the defenders typically are behind the receiver, so the QB is supposed to throw low.

 

2. There was no reason for Taylor to throw high. There's no advantage to throwing high in that situation, and there's a higher probability of an INT. You seem to think because it's OK in some circumstances to throw high that it's OK in this instance, and it isn't. Much of football decision making is about probabilities, and this case is a good example. THe probability of completing the pass is the same, whether it's thrown high or low, so long as the ball is within a reasonable catching radius. The probability of an INT is higher if the QB throws high. So the QB is taught to throw low. Simple.

 

3. You don't understand what high-pointing is. That is a term used to describe what the RECEIVER does, not what the QB does. High-pointing describes the receiving jumping to catch a pass at the highest point off the ground possible. By high-pointing, the receiver to reduce or eliminate the number of defenders who can make a play on the ball by virture of the receiver's height and jumping ability. It's a technique that is applied on passes with air uner them, because it's only those passes that give the receiver options as to where to catch the ball. The ball is coming down, the receiver could try to catch the ball when it is 6 feet, 8 feet or 10 feet off the ground. The best play is to high point it, to catch it 10 feet off the ground. A receiver running downfield has a chance to do that by jumping earlier rather than continuing to run and letting the ball fall to him.

 

This wasn't one of those situations. Clay was running across the field and the throw was going downfield. Clay's only option was to catch the ball at the point wher his path and the ball's path intersected.

 

High pointing is irrelevant. And it has nothing to do with how Taylor should throw the ball on this kind of play.

 

4. You say the point of having big targets is so they can out-jump defenders. That's true. But that doesn't mean that all throws to the end zone are supposed to be thrown high. The ball has to be thrown where the probabilities are best. See above.

 

5. You say throwing high to receivers in the end zone is a common practice. That's also true. But that is true when the receivers are deep in the end zone and the defenders are in front of the receiver. It is not true when the receiver is in the front of the end zone and the defenders are behind him. See above.

 

Rephrasing an old proverb, Abraham Lincoln once said "better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."

 

Thanks.

 

I agree with this. Tackles don't pile up stats, and they can have very good games without ever being visible to most of us unsophisticated viewers of the game. It takes some real discipline to see what the DTs are doing while watching the games. Kyle's play was easy because the stunt put him outside the DE and then running free in the backfield.

 

The Jets had so little success running the ball, Hughes, Dareus, Kyle and Shaq had to have played well. They either were making tackles or making it possible for linebackers and DBs to make tackles.

 

1. Ditto, I should too, but like you I enjoy the back and forth.

 

2. I take no offense in your conviction or arguing back, so all good, and hopefully you don't either. If you come back at me with reasons and logic (even though you will see I greatly disagree with your logic) then you have my respect.

 

3. I am using capitals to emphasize words, not to imply yelling. I get all cap words look like yelling, I just find it easier than going back and bolding or underlining words, so know its not me yelling just highlighting.

 

But...your assessment and understanding of football as you say, is completely wrong in this instance.

 

1. What are you talking about? Everything you wrote is factually wrong. One, High Pointing is not what you do when the defender is IN FRONT of the WR between the target and the QB, thats a high risk play. Teams spend big money on big targets so they can grab passes above the reach of defenders in the end zone, the sheer fact we arguing about how you seem to think throwing high in the end zone is not only wrong but discouraged is literally mind blowing to me.

 

2. No reason to throw high? For one, it was NOT that high, so this over exaggeration of how high it was has become comical. It was a ball that hit BOTH hands directly in FRONT of his face. You act like this was the pass Welker missed in the SB when the Giants upset the Pats where he leaped as high as he could and fully extended his arms above his head and couldn't quite hang on. This pass was no where near to "high" on a target Clays size.

 

More importantly, how can you say no reason? There was literally an OL and DL between Clay and TT, he threw to the right of them as the OL was guiding the DL to his left.

 

3. I actually fully understand high pointing and I don't think you do.

 

4. Who is taking about ALL the throws, we are talking about ONE throw where Clay was open enough to get him the ball in position to score. And again, the ball was not that high in the first place.

 

5. Literally every word of your 5th point is so inaccurate I am not even going to address it.

 

I think its time to just agree to disagree on this...there is no amount of excuses anyone can give me to allow the blame to fall on TT rather than Clay on this play. And that is not about defending TT, its squarely about the fact that it was inexcusable play by Clay. You can NOT at any time have receiving targets only capable of catching passes in certain spots. If their catch radius consists of passes to the gut, CUT THEM immediately. That is NOT how the NFL works...no QB in the NFL hits the exact spot they throw on every throw...if the ball hits the square in the hands of the receiving target and they fail to make the catch, its THEIR fault without question.

Edited September 13, 2017 by Alphadawg7

[Figster]

 

1. Ditto, I should too, but like you I enjoy the back and forth.

 

2. I take no offense in your conviction or arguing back, so all good, and hopefully you don't either. If you come back at me with reasons and logic (even though you will see I greatly disagree with your logic) then you have my respect.

 

3. I am using capitals to emphasize words, not to imply yelling. I get all cap words look like yelling, I just find it easier than going back and bolding or underlining words, so know its not me yelling just highlighting.

 

But...your assessment and understanding of football as you say, is completely wrong in this instance.

 

1. What are you talking about? Everything you wrote is factually wrong. One, High Pointing is not what you do when the defender is IN FRONT of the WR between the target and the QB, thats a high risk play. Teams spend big money on big targets so they can grab passes above the reach of defenders in the end zone, the sheer fact we arguing about how you seem to think throwing high in the end zone is not only wrong but discouraged is literally mind blowing to me.

 

2. No reason to throw high? For one, it was NOT that high, so this over exaggeration of how high it was has become comical. It was a ball that hit BOTH hands directly in FRONT of his face. You act like this was the pass Welker missed in the SB when the Giants upset the Pats where he leaped as high as he could and fully extended his arms above his head and couldn't quite hang on. This pass was no where near to "high" on a target Clays size.

 

More importantly, how can you say no reason? There was literally an OL and DL between Clay and TT, he threw to the right of them as the OL was guiding the DL to his left.

 

3. I actually fully understand high pointing and I don't think you do.

 

4. Who is taking about ALL the throws, we are talking about ONE throw where Clay was open enough to get him the ball in position to score. And again, the ball was not that high in the first place.

 

5. Literally every word of your 5th point is so inaccurate I am not even going to address it.

 

I think its time to just agree to disagree on this...there is no amount of excuses anyone can give me to allow the blame to fall on TT rather than Clay on this play. And that is not about defending TT, its squarely about the fact that it was inexcusable play by Clay. You can NOT at any time have receiving targets only capable of catching passes in certain spots. If their catch radius consists of passes to the gut, CUT THEM immediately. That is NOT how the NFL works...no QB in the NFL hits the exact spot they throw on every throw...if the ball hits the square in the hands of the receiving target and they fail to make the catch, its THEIR fault without question.

Ditto on your point 5, (I'm in agreement with OP/Shaw)

Edited September 13, 2017 by Figster

[Bills Pimpin']

Zay is open because the DB is watching Tyrod go in throwing motion to Clay. This is the problem with people trying to analyze all-22 and don't know crap.

Here is a still. Tyrod about to release the ball. Zay hasnt come on screen yet which means he is still bunched in the corner with the DB. I stole this off the board gif so the quality sucks, but I can see this from a tiny freaking square for christ sake. Stop watching all-22.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's another still for you. TT hasn't released the ball yet and the DB is already committed to the TE. Zay Jones has just started to streak across the back of the endzone. This is not a difficult play -- in fact it's considered QB 101. You look off the defender by staring down the TE and toss a gimmie TD over the middle. There's no possible way for that defender to cover the WR if executed properly. Of course, TT stares down the TE and then throws high and slightly behind him (when the ball should have been thrown low in a place that Clay and only Clay could possibly catch it). This is why people criticize TT for not being an anticipatory passer. Again, this is basic stuff here and with that protection every QB in the league should be able to connect on this. Maybe next time you should try putting down the pom-pom's before watching tape.

 

 

I agree with this. A better quarterback would have realized Zay would be open by looking off Clay (which he was doing) before he made the "commitment" to throw to Clay. Instead he stared down Clay and the defense was able to react and break it up and pick it off. I am not saying that a better throw would not have been a completion or that Clay should have caught the ball thrown; both of those could be argued either way. I also don't think it was a horrible play by Tyrod. But I do think a GREAT QB sees the defense commitment earlier and anticipates Zay sprinting across the back of the endzone AWAY from the 3 defenders for an easy completion.

[Alphadawg7]

 

 

 

 

I agree with this. A better quarterback would have realized Zay would be open by looking off Clay (which he was doing) before he made the "commitment" to throw to Clay. Instead he stared down Clay and the defense was able to react and break it up and pick it off. I am not saying that a better throw would not have been a completion or that Clay should have caught the ball thrown; both of those could be argued either way. I also don't think it was a horrible play by Tyrod. But I do think a GREAT QB sees the defense commitment earlier and anticipates Zay sprinting across the back of the endzone AWAY from the 3 defenders for an easy completion.

 

Huh? Clay wasn't even his first read and in this picture he is not staring down Clay he is literally in motion to throw the pass to Clay. You have to look at your target you are throwing to. And again, Clay was open, so this is in no way a bad read in the first place. Defender did not come close to touching the ball, it went off Clays hands.

[Shaw66]

Alpha -

 

You make an interesting point about the throwing lane. When I look at the replay, it's pretty clear that Glenn and his man are right in the throwing lane. Taylor COULDN'T throw it low with any zip on the ball.

 

What Taylor should have done, it's easy to see in retrospect, is step up into the pocket instead of taking a step back and to his left. That additional drop left Glenn right in the line of the throw. If he'd stepped up a step, the throwing lane was wide open.

 

I say easy to see in retrospect, because at full speed, under fire, stepping up isn't the obvious move. I've been one who's advocated deeper drops for Tyrod, so that he can see the rush and escape more easily, but dropping deeper got him in a little trouble here.

 

Given this view, I'd say Taylor knew he was taking a risk and let the pass go. The conservative move would have been to throw it away and take the three points, but I believe you can't learn to make the hard throws unless you take the risk and suffer the consequences when it doesn't work out. This was a good risk to take - 7 vs 3 points. Taylor watched the film this week and learned some things from that play.

 

Huh? Clay wasn't even his first read and in this picture he is not staring down Clay he is literally in motion to throw the pass to Clay. You have to look at your target you are throwing to. And again, Clay was open, so this is in no way a bad read in the first place. Defender did not come close to touching the ball, it went off Clays hands.

You're right about this decision making. Clay wasn't the first read, and Clay was open. If he wasn't going to throw to Clay, he needed to begin scrambling. Not likely he could run it in, and it isn't clear where he was going to find an open receiver. Throwing to Clay was the right decision.

[Bills Pimpin']

 

Huh? Clay wasn't even his first read and in this picture he is not staring down Clay he is literally in motion to throw the pass to Clay. You have to look at your target you are throwing to. And again, Clay was open, so this is in no way a bad read in the first place. Defender did not come close to touching the ball, it went off Clays hands.

 

 

Alpha -

 

You make an interesting point about the throwing lane. When I look at the replay, it's pretty clear that Glenn and his man are right in the throwing lane. Taylor COULDN'T throw it low with any zip on the ball.

 

What Taylor should have done, it's easy to see in retrospect, is step up into the pocket instead of taking a step back and to his left. That additional drop left Glenn right in the line of the throw. If he'd stepped up a step, the throwing lane was wide open.

 

I say easy to see in retrospect, because at full speed, under fire, stepping up isn't the obvious move. I've been one who's advocated deeper drops for Tyrod, so that he can see the rush and escape more easily, but dropping deeper got him in a little trouble here.

 

Given this view, I'd say Taylor knew he was taking a risk and let the pass go. The conservative move would have been to throw it away and take the three points, but I believe you can't learn to make the hard throws unless you take the risk and suffer the consequences when it doesn't work out. This was a good risk to take - 7 vs 3 points. Taylor watched the film this week and learned some things from that play.

You're right about this decision making. Clay wasn't the first read, and Clay was open. If he wasn't going to throw to Clay, he needed to begin scrambling. Not likely he could run it in, and it isn't clear where he was going to find an open receiver. Throwing to Clay was the right decision.

We will have to agree to disagree. I don't ever think he was ever not throwing to Clay on that play regardless of whether it was his first read or not which is debatable. I have no idea how you could know with conviction that it wasn't. Also, IMO Clay was open immediately after his cut and maybe a step after. He was a little late on this throw. The ball should have been in Clays hands when Tyrod threw the ball. And the throw was a bit off. And as I said before, I don't think he anticipated Zay being open a mere split second later. I think if he throws the ball at the I in "BILLS" Zay catches it for an easy TD. Obviously this is nitpicking and I said the play Tyrod made wasn't that bad (at worst an incomplete pass if in Clays body), but 90% of this board conversation is if Tyrod can be a franchise QB and this play is an illustration why he can't.

[metzelaars_lives]

Ehh Rex Ryan is pretty stupid.

[Alphadawg7]

 

 

We will have to agree to disagree. I don't ever think he was ever not throwing to Clay on that play regardless of whether it was his first read or not which is debatable. I have no idea how you could know with conviction that it wasn't. Also, IMO Clay was open immediately after his cut and maybe a step after. He was a little late on this throw. The ball should have been in Clays hands when Tyrod threw the ball. And the throw was a bit off. And as I said before, I don't think he anticipated Zay being open a mere split second later. I think if he throws the ball at the I in "BILLS" Zay catches it for an easy TD. Obviously this is nitpicking and I said the play Tyrod made wasn't that bad (at worst an incomplete pass if in Clays body), but 90% of this board conversation is if Tyrod can be a franchise QB and this play is an illustration why he can't.

 

Zay was not remotely close to open when TT was throwing the pass, and Zay only became open because TT began to throw to TT. So for sake of discussion, ZJ was not a factor in this play at all in terms of being an open target.

 

Regardless if he was always going to throw to Clay or not (all speculation on who his first read was or intended target is as none of us know), he put the ball right in Clays 2 hands. People can the make the case it could have been a second sooner or in a slightly easier place to catch it all they want, but thats not how the NFL works. Rogers, Brady, Bress, Ryan, Montanna don't put the ball in the exact most ideal spot on every throw.

 

Again, if Clays dependency on catching that pass relies on the easiest and simplest ball placement then Clay should be cut immediately because that is not how the NFL works. You must make that catch on a 7 yard pass that hits you in both hands in the end zone. That pass was fully in the catch radius of Clay, and if that is not in Clays catch radius he should not be our starting TE.

 

What baffles me the most is this is the kind of throw people have been clamoring for TT to make...to not just throw it away, run when someone is open, or be too safe...they want him to fire a strike and take the opportunities that are there. He did that, Clay whiffed and yet the excuses keep coming for Clay and now people are complaining TT made that throw.

Alpha -

 

You make an interesting point about the throwing lane. When I look at the replay, it's pretty clear that Glenn and his man are right in the throwing lane. Taylor COULDN'T throw it low with any zip on the ball.

 

What Taylor should have done, it's easy to see in retrospect, is step up into the pocket instead of taking a step back and to his left. That additional drop left Glenn right in the line of the throw. If he'd stepped up a step, the throwing lane was wide open.

 

I say easy to see in retrospect, because at full speed, under fire, stepping up isn't the obvious move. I've been one who's advocated deeper drops for Tyrod, so that he can see the rush and escape more easily, but dropping deeper got him in a little trouble here.

 

Given this view, I'd say Taylor knew he was taking a risk and let the pass go. The conservative move would have been to throw it away and take the three points, but I believe you can't learn to make the hard throws unless you take the risk and suffer the consequences when it doesn't work out. This was a good risk to take - 7 vs 3 points. Taylor watched the film this week and learned some things from that play.

You're right about this decision making. Clay wasn't the first read, and Clay was open. If he wasn't going to throw to Clay, he needed to begin scrambling. Not likely he could run it in, and it isn't clear where he was going to find an open receiver. Throwing to Clay was the right decision.

 

Im glad you see that now, but I still think its the right throw and one I want him to make every time. I just expect Clay or whoever the target is to not let it go off both hands into a defender. That pass has to be in the catch radius of the receiving target at the NFL level, especially a starter making as much as Clay does.

[Shaw66]

 

Zay was not remotely close to open when TT was throwing the pass, and Zay only became open because TT began to throw to TT. So for sake of discussion, ZJ was not a factor in this play at all in terms of being an open target.

 

Regardless if he was always going to throw to Clay or not (all speculation on who his first read was or intended target is as none of us know), he put the ball right in Clays 2 hands. People can the make the case it could have been a second sooner or in a slightly easier place to catch it all they want, but thats not how the NFL works. Rogers, Brady, Bress, Ryan, Montanna don't put the ball in the exact most ideal spot on every throw.

 

Again, if Clays dependency on catching that pass relies on the easiest and simplest ball placement then Clay should be cut immediately because that is not how the NFL works. You must make that catch on a 7 yard pass that hits you in both hands in the end zone. That pass was fully in the catch radius of Clay, and if that is not in Clays catch radius he should not be our starting TE.

 

What baffles me the most is this is the kind of throw people have been clamoring for TT to make...to not just throw it away, run when someone is open, or be too safe...they want him to fire a strike and take the opportunities that are there. He did that, Clay whiffed and yet the excuses keep coming for Clay and now people are complaining TT made that throw.

 

Im glad you see that now, but I still think its the right throw and one I want him to make every time. I just expect Clay or whoever the target is to not let it go off both hands into a defender. That pass has to be in the catch radius of the receiving target at the NFL level, especially a starter making as much as Clay does.

I really think you aren't seeing the catch of that ball correctly at all. It was higher than you keep saying, and it was behind him. As I've said before, it may have been that Taylor expected Clay to stop running and Clay didn't. It wasn't an easy catch, and unless your tight end is Jimmy Graham, it isn't surprising that the tight end didn't catch it. Should have, I agree, but it wasn't a gimme.

 

I'm now more convinced that the whole play was a Tyrod problem. Shouldn't have drifted back - should have moved up to create a throwing lane. And should have thrown it earlier. Those are all things TT has been accused of - not managing the pocket properly and being slow to pull the trigger.

 

As you said, I think, long ago in this thread, TT will say it was on him and CC will say it was on him, and I think they're both right.

[Alphadawg7]

I really think you aren't seeing the catch of that ball correctly at all. It was higher than you keep saying, and it was behind him. As I've said before, it may have been that Taylor expected Clay to stop running and Clay didn't. It wasn't an easy catch, and unless your tight end is Jimmy Graham, it isn't surprising that the tight end didn't catch it. Should have, I agree, but it wasn't a gimme.

 

I'm now more convinced that the whole play was a Tyrod problem. Shouldn't have drifted back - should have moved up to create a throwing lane. And should have thrown it earlier. Those are all things TT has been accused of - not managing the pocket properly and being slow to pull the trigger.

 

As you said, I think, long ago in this thread, TT will say it was on him and CC will say it was on him, and I think they're both right.

 

I have watched it many times, and that catch is no different than any back shoulder catch. And again, if that catch is not in his catch radius, then he should not be our starting TE. There is no excuse for it, you can't just hope every throw is the easiest possible ball placement, that isn't how the NFL works.

 

If Rogers makes that throw and it goes off Bennetts hands you would all be blaming Bennett. There is no validation for any receiving target in the NFL to have both hands on the ball, facing the direction the ball is coming, and have his hands right in front of his face and still not catch it. It was a 7 yard pass, not like he had to track this ball 40 yards in the air and change his position.

 

Its all good bro, I have enjoyed the conversation despite being on opposite fences on this one. In this particular case, we can just agree to disagree, I just could not possibly disagree more with the excuses you and a couple are making for Clay. There is a zero percent chance I want a TE who is NOT expected to catch that pass. If you truly believe he is not expected to catch that pass and that it was just too difficult for Clay, then we should all start threads demanding his immediate release. I would wager any amount of money that no coach, assistant coach, or positional coach is going to give Clay the pass some people want to give him.

 

But again...all good man...no love lost. Good convo none the less

Edited September 14, 2017 by Alphadawg7

[oldmanfan]

Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is that placing so much emphasis on one pass might be a little bit of overkill.

[Alphadawg7]

Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is that placing so much emphasis on one pass might be a little bit of overkill.

 

Ha, true...but its not very often where a good convo stays on point with good back and forth around here. Too often it turns to nonsense and 15 different topics all at once, usually about TT or the Trades lately lol. I rather enjoyed it actually.

[oldmanfan]

 

Ha, true...but its not very often where a good convo stays on point with good back and forth around here. Too often it turns to nonsense and 15 different topics all at once, usually about TT or the Trades lately lol. I rather enjoyed it actually.

. I did as well. Have always liked Shaw's analysis and your's was also well thought out. I wonder if coaches ever debate a play like you guys did?

[CommonCents]

. I did as well. Have always liked Shaw's analysis and your's was also well thought out. I wonder if coaches ever debate a play like you guys did?

The coach knows what was supposed to happen. If Glenn was supposed to push his defender and create a throwing lane for TT they are probably focused on fixing that. Taylor drifted left and wasted a good lane so that would also be mention.

 

Good play call just have to execute better. Bottom line is he hit a pass catcher in the hands so Clay will admit he needs to make that play.

[oldmanfan]

The coach knows what was supposed to happen. If Glenn was supposed to push his defender and create a throwing lane for TT they are probably focused on fixing that. Taylor drifted left and wasted a good lane so that would also be mention.

 

Good play call just have to execute better. Bottom line is he hit a pass catcher in the hands so Clay will admit he needs to make that play.

Hadn't considered Glenn's role in this.

[Alphadawg7]

. I did as well. Have always liked Shaw's analysis and your's was also well thought out. I wonder if coaches ever debate a play like you guys did?

 

Good question, only coaches inside a film room will know that answer. If I had to guess, I would think it happens from time to time, but probably not very often because they will have all the info we don't have to know what went right or wrong on the play. Like who the hot read was, the type of throw that was called, was there an audible, etc etc.

 

I would think they would be less hard on TT since these are the throws they want to see from him, less conservative and give our guys a chance to make plays. I am fairly certain they would be harder on Clay because he just has to make that play and not only did he not make the catch, but he cost us a scoring opportunity with the turnover in a divisional game to kill a great drive.

Edited September 14, 2017 by Alphadawg7

[yungmack]

That's generally true but it's also the difference between average play and great play. Taylor's job is to be accurate. He wasn't rushed. He missed by 4 or 5 feet too high. That is not NFL accuracy at the highest level.

And his job is to be sure that whatever else happens there us not a turnover. He put it in a position that led to a turnover.

Yes, everyone makes mistakes, but these guys are measured against perfection. Taylor wasn't perfect here.

Please just stop with this quibbling at the margins. So the pass was a little high and a little behind Clay. So what? That is far more the rule with every QB than the "perfectly thrown pass."

 

The niggling on TT's "shortcomings" includes someone posting earlier in the thread that he should have gotten the ball out a 1/4 of a second quicker! What?

 

And "the Zay was open" critics seem not to have noticed he was actually well covered...until TT committed to Clay. The defender switching to Clay is what opened up Zay. Considering the pettiness and harping on miniscule flaws, imagine he'd thrown to Zay, with a defender in front of him. The odds of a TD were low and that of an interception were high. The critics surely would be screaming that Clay was wide open and TT stinks.

 

The guy can't win with some of you. I wonder why that is.

[Figster]

The coach knows what was supposed to happen. If Glenn was supposed to push his defender and create a throwing lane for TT they are probably focused on fixing that. Taylor drifted left and wasted a good lane so that would also be mention.

 

Good play call just have to execute better. Bottom line is he hit a pass catcher in the hands so Clay will admit he needs to make that play.

I agree,

 

You could probably dissect any play and find something that fits your narrative.

[Shaw66]

Please just stop with this quibbling at the margins. So the pass was a little high and a little behind Clay. So what? That is far more the rule with every QB than the "perfectly thrown pass."

 

The niggling on TT's "shortcomings" includes someone posting earlier in the thread that he should have gotten the ball out a 1/4 of a second quicker! What?

 

And "the Zay was open" critics seem not to have noticed he was actually well covered...until TT committed to Clay. The defender switching to Clay is what opened up Zay. Considering the pettiness and harping on miniscule flaws, imagine he'd thrown to Zay, with a defender in front of him. The odds of a TD were low and that of an interception were high. The critics surely would be screaming that Clay was wide open and TT stinks.

 

The guy can't win with some of you. I wonder why that is.

I'm a Tyrod fan. And I think, and I said, he had a good game.

 

But football games generally turn on five or six key plays, and the interception was one of those plays. It's worth discussion.

 

And in the case of the Bills, it's worth discussion because most people agree that the best way to build a good team is to have a really good quarterback. Whether Taylor can be a really good quarterback turns on little things. Among the things people think needs to improve are accuracy on short balls, pocket management and quick decision making and throwing. Missing by 5 feet on a pass 10 yards down field is a big miss. Drifting back and left and thereby missing the throwing lane is a problem. Throwing late because he doesn't have a good throwing lane is a problem.

 

I'm grateful for the discussion here, even if it did bother you, because it helped me understand what happened on the play. I still don't agree with everyone about what happened on the play, but my understanding of Tyrod's play has been enhanced.