The Ford Report - Week 15, Panthers v. Bills, 12/19/21

[Freddie's Dead]

The Ford Report is back!  Pressed into service due to Covid knocking out Dawkins and Feliciano, Ford was back at RG today.  Spencer Brown was quite the circus at LT, so Ford escaped much of the normal GDT thrashing.  But The Ford Report is undaunted.  I will state what I see on a play, then assign a point system -1, 0, +1, and keep a running total.  The lingering question is whether Ford sucks as much as many here think he does.  Let's go to the tape.

 

Bills 1st possession

1st and 10, BUF 40 - 74 holds up in PB, Allen airmails it over Beas's head in the flat (+1,+1)  Josh had time, bad pass

2nd and 10, BUF 40 - 74 blocks right on RPO, Allen rolls left and hits Knox for 8, Williams ineligible downfield (+1,+2)

2nd and 15, BUF 35 - Morse pulls, 74 tries to block down on NT, 93 gets around him and gets in JA's grill, JA airmails it over Beas's head again (-1,+1)  74 clearly gave up a pressure there, bad play, looked like they were trying to set up a screen to Motor, no idea why JA tried for Beas instead

3rd and 15, BUF 35 - 74 sort of PBs 91 but lets him go, Reddick gets around Williams and JA coughs it up, Brown recovers (-1,0)  No idea why 74 let 91 go and then started running upfield to block

 

Bills 2nd possession

1st and 10, BUF 24 - 74 RB, pushed back two yards by 91, Motor no gain (-1,-1)  Brown holding penalty 

1st and 20, BUF 14 - 74 PB, 91 bull rushed him, went around at the end and got a hit on JA, JA complete to Gabe for 12 (-1,-2)

2nd and 8, BUF 16 - 74 combo pass block, rode the guy past JA, but forced JA up for sack by 53 (-1,-3)

3rd and 12, BUF 22 - 74 PB, passes 91 off to Morse, then 97 stunts and beats 74 to the inside, flushes JA out, complete to Knox for 9, Bills punt (-1,-4)  At this point, the Ford haterz and Joe B are way ahead, 74 is just completely brutal, 6 negative plays in a row

 

Bills 3rd possession

1st and 10, BUF 50 - 74 FINALLY stands up 93, Josh throws the bomb just off Gabe's fingertips, 15 got away with an IC that slowed Gabe up just enough (+1,-3)

2nd and 10, BUF 50 - 74 pulls and traps, Motor rips off 8 (+1,-2)

3rd and 2, CAR 42 - 74 blocks 90 at LOS and actually ends up taking down 2 Panther rushers, JA bootleg, hits Knox for 15 and FD (+1,-1)

1st and 10, CAR 27 - 74 blocks 90 initially, passes him off to Williams, then drives 93 about 2 yards upfield, Motor for 2 (0,-1)

2nd and 8, CAR 25 - 74 strong PB, Josh to Diggs for FD (+1,0)

1st and 10, CAR 16 - 74 pulls and traps 43, pushes him past Motor, who cuts inside the block, then off-tackle into the EZ (+1,+1)

 

Bills 4th possession

1st and 10, BUF 43 - 74 PB on 90, washes him to the left, JA hits Knox for FD (+1,+2)

1st and 10, CAR 47 - 74 pulls and washes CAR DT left, Josh rolls right, hits Beas for a FD (+1,+3)

1st and 10, CAR 36 - 74 blocks straight ahead on 71, Motor pulls in behind him for 7 yards and 71 pulls him down with a facemask (+1,+4)

1st and 10, CAR 15 - 74 blocks LB 5 yards upfield, Motor goes in behind him for 3 (0,+4)

2nd and 7, CAR 12 - 74 nice PB, JA to Diggs for TD (+1,+5)   Ford settled down a lot the last two drives

 

Bills 5th possession

1st and 10, BUF 11 - 74 pulls and does a nice job on 93, but rest of the line collapses, no gain for Motor (0,+5)

2nd and 10, BUF 11 - 74 lost the battle with 91, who pulls down Motor after 1 yd (-1,+4)

3rd and 9 BUF 12 - Gilmore jumps Offside

3rd and 4, BUF 17 - 74 strong PB, JA to Knox for FD (+1,+5)

1st and 10 BUF 22 - 74 strong PB, JA had all day, throws a terrible INT (+1,+6)

 

Bills 6th possession

1st and 10, BUF 29 - 74 gets to 2nd level, but Ike loses his battle, Motor for 1 (0,+6)  Brown with another hold

1st and 20, BUF 19 - 74 combos 91 with Mitch, but he splits them, Josh hits Motor for 10 (0,+6)

2nd and 10, BUF 29 - 74 blocks air, JA hits Beas for 8 (0,+6)

3rd and 2, BUF 37 - 74 strong PB, JA hits McKittrick for FD (+1,+7)

1st and 10, BUF 45 - 74 combos 91 with Williams Josh hits Gabe for another FD (+1,+8)

1st and 10, CAR 44 - 74 strong PB again, Brown lets Burns get a hit on JA, pass falls INC (+1,+9)  This was JA calling the 12 men on the field penalty

1st and 5, CAR 39 - CAR runs stunt at 74, 74 blocks 91, and Motor takes on a leaping CB, JA hits Beas over the middle for a FD (+1,+10)

1st and 10, CAR 32 - Brown false starts when CAR jumps, but doesn't encroach 

1st and 15, CAR 37 - Another stunt at 74, 91 passes to Williams, 74 takes 43, 91 gets away from Williams and JA throws it into the ground (0,+10)

2nd and 15, CAR 37 - 74 strong PB, Josh hits Diggs for 7 (+1,+11)  RTP called when Burns takes three steps after the pass is gone and drills JA

1st and 10, CAR 15 - Another stunt at 74, 74 rides 53 past JA, who throws INC to Diggs at the 3 (-1,+10)  This is likely scored a pressure against 74

2nd and 10, CAR 15 - Strong PB by 74, Josh has time, hits Beas on the sideline for 7 (+1,+11)

3rd and 3, CAR 8 - Strong PB by 74, Brown collapsed, and JA barely got the ball off for an INC to stop the clock so we could kick the FG (+1,+12)

4th and 3, CAR 8 - 74 handles 93 and Bass-o-Matic puts 3 on the board (+1,+13)

 

First half observations

Ford was the worst RG on the planet during the first two drives.  Couldn't run or pass block to save his life.  He settled down a lot, and was a big reason the Bills scored two successive TD's on the 3rd and 4th drives, and a FG on the 6th drive.  Definitely a Dow Joneser in this game.  He continues to excel at pulling and trapping, but that's just not the Bills running game.  Daboll likes stretch and zone blocking, and it just ain't Ford's game.  I think he's ultimately mismatched on the Bills, who don't run a lot of plays that take advantage of Ford's pulling and trapping skills.  We'll see how he fares the rest of the way.  

 

Bills 7th possession

1st and 10, BUF 26 - 74 and Sweeney double-team Burns, cannot move him (great edge set), Motor cut inside that cluster for 2 yds (-1,+12)

2nd and 8, BUF 28 - 74 double-teams 91 with Williams, Morse pulls to pickup DB blitz, JA throws behind Beas into the dirt (+1,+13)

3rd and 8, BUF 28 - 91 and 53 stunt again, 74 recognizes and stones 53, Brown again beaten on the left, JA airmails it over Motor's head (+1,+14) offsetting penalties

3rd and 8, BUF 28 - 91 and 53 stunt yet again, 74 and 75 pick it up no problem, but 43 beats Brown yet again, so JA says "Enough!" and scrambles for 26 yards (+1,+15)

1st and 10, CAR 46 - 90 manhandles 74 in straight ahead power blocking, Motor gets 3 tough yards (-1,+14)

2nd and 7, CAR 43 - 74 pulls left, JA bootlegs right, all day to throw, hits Sweeney in a bad spot (his hands), and Sweeney drops it (+1,+15)

3rd and 7, CAR 43 - 74 stands up 91 on a PB 3 yards into the backfield, but everyone else on the OL is 10 yards in the backfield, JA gets rid of it to avoid the sack (+1,+16)

 

Bills 8th possession

1st and 10, BUF 26 - 74 good PB, JA hits Diggs for 8, putting Diggs over 1000 yards on the season (+1,+17)

2nd and 2, BUF 34 - 74 pulls and drives 90 4 yards upfield, Motor gets the FD (+1,+18)

1st and 10, BUF 38 - Good PB by 74, JA misses Gabe on a crossing route (+1,+19)

2nd and 10, BUF 38 - Toss sweep to Breida running right, 74 blocks 91 to the left and out of the play (+1,+20)  Holding on Mitch declined

3rd and 9,BUF 39 - 74 combo on 91 with Morse, 91 splits them and chases JA out the pocket, JA runs OB 1 yd behind LOS for sack (-1,+19)  First bad play from Ford in a while, but it hurt.  We did get the cheap ass PF to keep the drive alive

1st and 10, CAR, 46 - 74 with solid pass blocking, Sweeney gives 43 an OLE', and JA has to throw it away to avoid the sack (+1,+20)

2nd and 10, CAR 46 - 74 pulls and traps RDE, JA hits Gabe with a strike for 28 yards (+1,+21)

1st and 10, CAR 18 - 74 pulls and traps, Sweeney and Brown let 43 and 53 get to JA, who throws it at Sweeney's feet (+1,+22)  If Sweeney was kept for his blocking vs. Jacob Hollister, Jesus

2nd and 10, CAR 18 - 74 pulls and traps 43, but Morse misses his block, Motor for -2 (0,+22)

3rd and 12, CAR 20 - 74 combo blocks both 53 and 91, JA has all day, and THROWS A LASER TO GABE DAVIS FOR THE TD!!!! (+1,+23)

 

Bills 9th possession

1st and 10, BUF 10 - 74 takes down his block, Motor goes for 13 and FD (+1,+24)  Brown for taunting, benched for Doyle

1st and 10, BUF 12 - 74 run block on 93, gets to 2nd level late, Motor for 3 (-1,+23)

2nd and 7, BUF 15 - 74 pulls, Motor follows him, Knox's guy makes the tackle after 1 yard (0,+23)

3rd and 6, BUF 16 - 74 with a strong pass block, 97 gets around Brown, and JA takes a stupid sack on the 5 yard line (+1,+24)

 

Bills 10th possession

1st and 10, BUF 43 - 74 good pass block, JA throws it at McKittrick's feet (+1,+25)

2nd and 10, BUF 43 - 74 pulls and has ineffective block on DB, Motor for 2 (-1,+24)

3rd and 8, BUF 45 - 74 PB, Josh runs around, hits Diggs on sideline, pushed OB by DB (+1,+25)

 

Bills 11th possession

1st and 10, CAR 46 - 74 blocks right, gets to 2nd level, Motor for 4 (+1,+26)

2nd and 6, CAR 42 - 74 misses 92, Motor for 1 (-1,+25)

3rd and 5, CAR 41 - McKittrick in wildcat, 74 seals 91 as McKittrick runs right sweep for 8 yards and FD (+1,+26)

1st and 10, CAR 33 - 74 seals 7 off on the right, Motor runs through the gap for 7 (+1,+27)

2nd and 3, CAR 27 - 74 pulls right, seals off his guy again, Motor runs behind that for FD (+1,+28)

1st and 10, CAR 22 - 74 pulls right, Motor cuts back for 5 (0,+28)

2nd and 5, CAR 17 - 74 rides 93 down LOS to left, but 93 tackles Motor after 2 (-1,+27)

3rd and 3, CAR 15 - 74 blocks to the left, but blocks no one, Motor for 1 (-1,+26)

4th and 2, CAR 14 - 74 pulls, drawing defenders with him, JA play action to Motor, then bootlegs and lofts a beauty to a wide open Gabe Davis for the TD, game over (0,+26)

 

Conclusions

1.  Ford had a typical Ford game.  Mostly solid, but head-scratchingly bad at times, like he was on the first two series.

2.  I was impressed again by Ford's blocking when pulling and trapping.  Dude is much less effective with straight ahead and power blocking.  

3.  Ford gave up a few pressures, but his pass blocking was solid most plays.  It's those one or two pressures a game he gives up that scare the crap out of you.  

4.  I think Ford will be a serviceable lineman for years to come.  A decent depth player, but not a starter.  We definitely need an upgrade.  Coin flip if the Bills will offer him a contract next season.

 

74 grades overall:

Jagoffs - D- (from Jagoffs highlight tape on YouTube, so it will be skewed negative, but more bad plays from Ford in this limited highlight tape than I've seen in Colts and Saints games combined, thanks again to @FireChans)

Colts - A-  

Saints - B

Panthers - C+

[CSBill]

Yeah, at this point he is a serviceable backup to be called upon only when needed. Which would be fine for a late round pick, but not for a traded-up-for 2nd rounder. Offer him backup money next year, if he stays we have some depth. If not, use the money to sign a top FA guard.

[Utah John]

I don't know if it was mentioned during the Bills-Panthers game, but the Panthers had John Miller playing guard.  Miller was drafted by the Bills in the third round in 2015 and played four years in Buffalo, generally underwhelming fans and the team, and had the distinction of being benched in favor of the immortal Vlad Ducasse.  Cinci signed him in 2019 on a three year contract but cut him after one year.  He's played for the Panthers in 2020 and 2021.  

 

It's looking like Ford will be following Miller down that career path road, bouncing along, never excelling, but always being employed by someone.

 

The Bills quest for strong guards seems to be going on just as long as the search for a franchise QB did.  Andy Levitre did well but got a huge FA to sign elsewhere.  Other than that, I think you have to go back to Ruben Brown for a really good guard.

[TAinLack.]

Can you do this on Edmunds?11

[Captain_Quint]

29 minutes ago, TAinLA said:

Can you do this on Edmunds?11

A Spencer Brown report may break the internet. The guy had 5 penalties and drank a beer while getting beat like a drum. 

[TAinLack.]

8 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

A Spencer Brown report may break the internet. The guy had 5 penalties and drank a beer while getting beat like a drum. 

YUP, I think 4 in the 1st half!!

[SydneyBillsFan]

Great write up again Freddie!

 

It's quite sad if you think about it....Beane really wanted him in that draft, then thought he missed out on him to another team who then took another guard, then Beane got his guy. And then who could forget how emotional Ford got when he knew the Bills drafted him?

 

I'm probably dreaming or deluded but maybe something clicks next year - however it's looking more and more unlikely.

Edited December 20, 2021 by SydneyBillsFan

[Mr. WEO]

everyone has their kink....

[Freddie's Dead]

5 hours ago, Utah John said:

I don't know if it was mentioned during the Bills-Panthers game, but the Panthers had John Miller playing guard.  Miller was drafted by the Bills in the third round in 2015 and played four years in Buffalo, generally underwhelming fans and the team, and had the distinction of being benched in favor of the immortal Vlad Ducasse.  Cinci signed him in 2019 on a three year contract but cut him after one year.  He's played for the Panthers in 2020 and 2021.  

 

It's looking like Ford will be following Miller down that career path road, bouncing along, never excelling, but always being employed by someone.

 

The Bills quest for strong guards seems to be going on just as long as the search for a franchise QB did.  Andy Levitre did well but got a huge FA to sign elsewhere.  Other than that, I think you have to go back to Ruben Brown for a really good guard.

 

Agreed, John Miller redux.

[Big Turk]

4 hours ago, Captain_Quint said:

A Spencer Brown report may break the internet. The guy had 5 penalties and drank a beer while getting beat like a drum. 

 

And then taunted a guy and drew a personal foul.

[Captain_Quint]

16 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

And then taunted a guy and drew a personal foul.

Haha....McD gave him an earful after that one. He's young, he'll learn. This will be a big offseason for him coming up. 

[Freddie's Dead]

1 hour ago, Captain_Quint said:

Haha....McD gave him an earful after that one. He's young, he'll learn. This will be a big offseason for him coming up. 

 

Looking at the replay, it seemed more like "Get a drink, chill out, take two plays off, then you're back in".

[JaBu]

8 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

everyone has their kink....

 

what's yours?