The Slide (Stefon Diggs): smart move?

[Maynard]

I think it was a smart move. I remember that play quite well. He would have taken an unnecessary hit if he didn’t go down and wasn’t going to get any further than where he was. We need Diggs healthy! 

[Shaw66]

50 years ago a running back was a wimp if he ran out of bounds to avoid a hit. Happens all the time now.  

 

I've seen other receivers give themselves up. 

[947]

Remember all the shots Diggs took in Week 1? He surely does, and wouldn't finish the season if that was every game. Smart move to avoid getting hit by the 4 Sehawks closing in around him. He's got to be available to keep coming up with catches all game. He's being going out of bounds when it's the smart thing to do too.

[Don Otreply]

29 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/every-stefon-diggs-catch-from-his-118-yard-game-week-9

about 50 seconds in.  Diggs makes the catch for the first down, gains about 10 yds RAC, and finishes up with a nifty slide.  4 SeaSnakes defenders are closing on him when he slides and they're all like standing around looking a bit confused.  I think on some teams, a few of them would hit Diggs anyway and take their chances that the refs wouldn't call it.

 

I don't remember if I've ever seen a WR do this.  I guess I thought the "player who gives himself up" and slides rule only applies to QBs, because after all football is a tough game where usually players take pride in fighting for every yard.  But of course we had a good lead at the time and Diggs had just gained another 10 or so YAC. 

 

I didn't know what to think at the time but I decided it's smart savvy football.  Diggs is tough and will make those contested catches where he knows he's going to get hammered and fight for every yard when he needs it; why shouldn't he save his body and slide or go out of bounds when he can? Plus of course he's in the redzone, and if they managed to hold him up and strip the ball it could turn the game.

 

I was just surprised at the time.  I can't recall seeing another WR do this

 

Thoughts?

 

It was my thought that Diggs had a choice of getting gang tackled by four opponents and gaining no more yards, or sliding for the same yards gained and not get his clock cleaned, imo it was a astute move by Diggs.

 

Go Bills!!!

[Kwai San]

37 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Yeah but what was up with the high stepping he was doing out there on a couple of plays? That was a bit odd. Not sure Coach wants him doing that. 

 

I thought the same - not like that mini high step was gaining him anything....nothing at all was gained.  He can keep that for when he is crossing the goal line.....then?  High Step all ya want!

[corta765]

I thought honestly he expected a hit and as he slid kinda realized oh crap I couldve kept going. To me I was trying to figure out what the heck the Seahawks were doing there

[Kwai San]

29 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

High stepping gives you the set up to hit a quick juke...he's not showboating.

 

Hmmm - I learned something today - THANKS!!!!

[TigerJ]

Diggs' play this season has earned him the right to act with discretion on a play like that with defenders all around him.  Who knows, maybe he avoided a strip fumble on the play because of it.

[Numark3]

11 minutes ago, Kwai San said:

 

Hmmm - I learned something today - THANKS!!!!

Yup it’s like throwing a change up.  He slows down and it naturally makes defenders slow down and get on their toes 

[MarkyMannn]

53 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Yeah but what was up with the high stepping he was doing out there on a couple of plays? That was a bit odd. Not sure Coach wants him doing that. 

At worst that could open him up to a taunting penalty.  Can't say if that has ever been called, but if there is a first time it would be against the Bills

[John from Riverside]

56 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Yeah but what was up with the high stepping he was doing out there on a couple of plays? That was a bit odd. Not sure Coach wants him doing that. 

Singleterry also does it

[ALLEN1QB]

Diggs was obviously having fun out there Sunday. The guy was an amazing pickup and and gets better every week. So glad he's a Buffalo Bill wooooohooo.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/every-stefon-diggs-catch-from-his-118-yard-game-week-9

about 50 seconds in.  Diggs makes the catch for the first down, gains about 10 yds RAC, and finishes up with a nifty slide.  4 SeaSnakes defenders are closing on him when he slides and they're all like standing around looking a bit confused.  I think on some teams, a few of them would hit Diggs anyway and take their chances that the refs wouldn't call it.

 

I don't remember if I've ever seen a WR do this.  I guess I thought the "player who gives himself up" and slides rule only applies to QBs, because after all football is a tough game where usually players take pride in fighting for every yard.  But of course we had a good lead at the time and Diggs had just gained another 10 or so YAC. 

 

I didn't know what to think at the time but I decided it's smart savvy football.  Diggs is tough and will make those contested catches where he knows he's going to get hammered and fight for every yard when he needs it; why shouldn't he save his body and slide or go out of bounds when he can? Plus of course he's in the redzone, and if they managed to hold him up and strip the ball it could turn the game.

 

I was just surprised at the time.  I can't recall seeing another WR do this

 

Thoughts?

 

 

Play safe, keep the clock running with 5 minutes to go in the 2nd QTR and if hit draw a flag.

 

[Rocky Landing]

I was a little surprised at the time, as well. But, two things struck me: 1) I completely trust Diggs' instincts, and if he thought there were no more yards to gain there, then that's his decision. We've seen him fight for yards, and put his body on the line enough to know he's no coward. And 2) Thank you, Diggs for protecting your body. If there's one guy on offense (other than Allen) that we want to remain as healthy as possible, it's Diggs. 

 

So, yeah. Smart football.

[Jerome007]

It can be a weak b*tch move, but there were 4 guys coming down hard on him, unblocked. I didn't find anything odd TBH.

[die hard bills fan]

smart move.  

[Doc]

Very smart move.  I said so in the Shoutbox at the time.  No need to take an unnecessary hit to gain an extra yard or two when you've already got the first down and then some.

[mabden]

2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

  I think on some teams, a few of them would hit Diggs anyway and take their chances that the refs wouldn't call it.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

At worst it would be a Personal Foul, hit on a defenseless player rule since the WR has "given himself up."

[Thurman#1]

I feel like I've seen it pretty often. 

 

A reasonable move as long as the next few yards are not important, and in this case they weren't. I wouldn't consider it so much a savvy play as just a way to cut down on wear and tear. He's a crucial part of our offense. Makes sense.

Edited November 11, 2020 by Thurman#1

[GoBills808]

Fighting through tackles takes a lot of energy. I'd rather he not try to take four defenders on and save it for the one he ends up taking to the house.