Joe Buscaglia Shares The Root Cause of The Bills Struggles and Why It’s a Major Issue

[Heels20X6]

4 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Yep.  Remember the AFC Championship game.  The Chiefs had 5, 6 backs in the game all day long - made it hard for receivers to get open.  They only rushed four.  Dared us to run.

 

But we're a one dimensional offense.  Passing is all we're good at.  We can't run effectively against light defenses.  And our OL can't even protect our QB when the D only rushes 4.  

 

I don't have a major beef with Joe's B's analysis but my first thought when reading it was: In other breaking news, President Kennedy was shot in Dallas.  

 

As Baltimore has shown us already, you can't win games if your QB is your best running back.  There's a limit to how far that can take you and it seems like the Bills refuse to learn from watching Baltimore continually falter come playoff time.

[MJS]

6 hours ago, SWATeam said:

I think having knox to threaten the seem is how they plan to attack cover 2

Yes, Knox being out has been a huge issue to overcome. Hopefully he is back this week.

[NewEra]

38 minutes ago, hondo in seattle said:

 

Yep.  Remember the AFC Championship game.  The Chiefs had 5, 6 backs in the game all day long - made it hard for receivers to get open.  They only rushed four.  Dared us to run.

 

But we're a one dimensional offense.  Passing is all we're good at.  We can't run effectively against light defenses.  And our OL can't even protect our QB when the D only rushes 4.  

 

I don't have a major beef with Joe's B's analysis but my first thought when reading it was: In other breaking news, President Kennedy was shot in Dallas.  

My thoughts exactly.  Well said

[Niagara Dude]

5 hours ago, Toyo321 said:

Yes he did, and he did nothing at all to address the issue in the off season.  How many time have you seen our RB's in the open field out run a defensive player.  Straight up you haven't because quickness still does not equal or beat raw speed and power.  We got Breida, we don't use him and he has been back shelved.  We have no Jet sweeps anymore.  We don't have any speed in the backfield at all.  Just sad to have a OC that can't call plays to offset the what the defense is throwing at us during the game.  Isn't that a requirement at OC in the NFL anymore.  I just don't get the coaching philosophy in the last two games, very poor and way below average.

I get the line is not great but even when they do open holes Singeltary is stil not hitting the hole fast enough and then tries to juke and jive.  Have we seem any sweeps?  no because Bills know better.  I agree Breida should get a shot this week,  could not do any worse3 

[Scott7975]

7 hours ago, JohnNord said:

Is it Daboll, Josh, The O-Line, the RB’s?   YES to all, but it’s a bit more complex.  

 

On the Bills Beat podcast Joe Buscaglia revealed the reason for the Bills offensive struggles:

 

The short:

Teams are selling out to stop the passing game and the Bills haven’t found an answer.

 

The long:

The offense has not been able to beat a Cover 2 Shell defense.  The scheme has allowed less talented teams to bridge the gap with inferior players.   It’s basically the KC treatment this season and unless they can figure out a way to solve this, I think what has happened to KC might be a comp.

Of course like any issue, there are many reasons:

 

Offensive line - perhaps the “trunk” of the issue.   Can’t pass protect and can’t run block.  OL is getting good running looks but can’t generate any yards.  Easily the biggest issue.

 

Running backs - See above…but also our backs don’t threaten anyone or make teams pay for having a light box.

Quarterback - Josh, like Mahomes this season, is getting no help from his backs & OL.  He’s trying to do much including moving when he doesn’t need to.  

Play calling - Brian Daboll had not found a scheme to consistently get teams out of Cover 2.  The easiest thing to do would be to run the ball against a light box. But issues with #1 and #2 above really limit what they can do.  They did try to use Beasley as a RB yesterday to move the sticks but he couldn’t get any YAC.  This week, Daboll & crew need to go back to the drawing board and completely install new routes plays to offset the terrible OL and of course this scheme.  

 

Next week will be a major test for the Bills and could be the turning point of the season.  It’s possible they could find an answer.  Also possible that the a question mark going into this season (the OL) could sink their chances.  
 

Joe isn’t pushing the panic button yet but says that this is a major concern that the Bills will need to address or else, teams will just play the same defense.  
 

As fans we just have to take this week to week.  Hopefully they find an answer.  
 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-buffalo-beat-a-show-about-the-buffalo-bills/id1373776577?i=1000541080089

 

 

This is all true and I have been saying it all season.  Wasn't it Joe B that said last week our line wasn't as bad as it looked though?

[Niagara Dude]

5 hours ago, Toyo321 said:

Yes he did, and he did nothing at all to address the issue in the off season.  How many time have you seen our RB's in the open field out run a defensive player.  Straight up you haven't because quickness still does not equal or beat raw speed and power.  We got Breida, we don't use him and he has been back shelved.  We have no Jet sweeps anymore.  We don't have any speed in the backfield at all.  Just sad to have a OC that can't call plays to offset the what the defense is throwing at us during the game.  Isn't that a requirement at OC in the NFL anymore.  I just don't get the coaching philosophy in the last two games, very poor and way below average.

Dude we lost the game yesterday on our first series,  first and goal at the 3 and Dabol gives it to Moss who does not even get back the line of scrimmage.  Then they have trash TE's and were kicking a FG over a TD. The whole league is laughing at the Bills for losing to the Jaguars.  How many difference maker player do we really have on this roster?  Diggs/Allen and maybe White,  that's it. No one else scaring anyone.  

[JohnNord]

4 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

 

This is all true and I have been saying it all season.  Wasn't it Joe B that said last week our line wasn't as bad as it looked though?

No that was John Fina 

[Scott7975]

6 minutes ago, JohnNord said:

No that was John Fina 

 

Joe B said..."-Why the OL had a much better day on film than it felt like Sunday"

[Scott7975]

5 hours ago, Motorin' said:

 

We miss Knox, big time. He's a mismatch that can take the top off and draw a Safety away from half the field, which opens it up for the wrs on that side. 

 

I agree the offense does miss Knox.  That is part of the problem.  O line is the other part.  Nobody but Diggs can get YAC so that's the other part.

5 hours ago, KOKBILLS said:

 

They sure as heck seem to think WR screens are the answer...

 

They're not btw...At least not the way the Bills run them...

 

Bubble screens are actually a good answer against a cover 2 shell when the o line sucks this bad.  Problem is what you said... they aren't good at those either.  Diggs is the only one that seems to be able to get any YAC and none of the receivers seem to be able to block either.

[Coffeesforclosers]

2 hours ago, wvbillsfan said:

We’ve lost games when we haven’t been able to protect against a four man rush

Getting Brown healthy solves two spots because we kick Williams inside and that has looked ok

 

Dont really care for our zone running scheme. We run better when we pull someone. 
 

Still had a top 5 offense before the jags game. 

 

Pick a running scheme, commit to it, get the OL you need for it, and a new OL coach who can run it if needs be.  This little bit of everything approach has produced mediocrity instead of flexibility.

[Scott7975]

2 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I won't be surprised if Singletary is inactive for the Jets game and Brieda plays. Moss is a no brainer and needs to play.

Tough to see positives but Allen has been using RBs in the passing game more than before. 

 

Moss might not be able to play.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

7 hours ago, Greg S said:

 

Surprised the Bills didn't look to bring in AP like the Titans did. He is not in his prime anymore but he is probably still better than what we have.

I’m not sure that’s what I saw last night… 

[Motorin']

41 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

Bubble screens are actually a good answer against a cover 2 shell when the o line sucks this bad.  Problem is what you said... they aren't good at those either.  Diggs is the only one that seems to be able to get any YAC and none of the receivers seem to be able to block either.

 

Davis needs to be on the field more. He's the best blocking wr we have. We kept throwing bubble screens to Sanders side and asking him to block. 

[Success]

I feel like we have 3 RB's who are all essentially the same.  They're all solid #2 guys, and do better in space.  I don't see any as the classic 30-carry a game type of guy.

 

The line contributes to that, but we're really missing someone who can both create & pound a little more.  The running game is not a threat at all - we're in the same place we were last year.

 

It's extremely limiting - and a big part of the reason why Allen is always pressured.  We're a tough offense to plan against in terms of talent, but not in terms of scheme or versatility.

 

[JohnNord]

1 hour ago, Success said:

I feel like we have 3 RB's who are all essentially the same.  They're all solid #2 guys, and do better in space.  I don't see any as the classic 30-carry a game type of guy.

 

The line contributes to that, but we're really missing someone who can both create & pound a little more.  The running game is not a threat at all - we're in the same place we were last year.

 

It's extremely limiting - and a big part of the reason why Allen is always pressured.  We're a tough offense to plan against in terms of talent, but not in terms of scheme or versatility.

 

To be fair, there really aren’t any back that can carry the ball 30 times a game.  Maybe Derrick Henry… but now most teams have 2 backs

[Big Blitz]

If I see another RPO with this current group of RBs in situations where it's obvious pass I'm going to lose my mind.  

[97bills]

11 hours ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

The Bills could lose to the Jets, that’s obvious cause they lost to Jax. Yesterday’s loss says any team can beat the Bills…. Not looking good fans.

I hate it but this is true, and we no how the nfl is when there’s blood in the water teams go for the kill. You better believe the jets coaches are telling there players the bills are soft, bring that heat and they will fold  

20 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

If I see another RPO with this current group of RBs in situations where it's obvious pass I'm going to lose my mind.  

Lol I think this every game, there linebacker just laugh as they drop in coverage. 

[Governor]

Ok, so if this is true, that explains why KC drafted a RB and signed multiple other backs through last season. They were trying to get out in front of it because the league figured them out.

 

If KC knew, and we knew, why do we still have 2 bad backs and a terrible run-blocking line?

 

That tells me McBeane thinks we’re still at least 1 draft away from being good.

Edited November 9, 2021 by Governor

[Big Blitz]

1 minute ago, 97bills said:

I hate it but this is true, and we no how the nfl is when there’s blood in the water teams go for the kill. You better believe the jets coaches are telling there players the bills are soft, bring that heat and they will fold  

Lol I think this every game, there linebacker just laugh as they drop in coverage. 

 

 

All it's doing is taking away someone to pass protect, chip, or head straight to his route.  

 

It's ridiculous 

[billsherd]

Bills for problems.