Bills ranked dead last in YAC last season.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

The Top 4 teams listed are all West Coast offense teams which are short precision passing offense designed to get lots of YAC because that's how they move the football.

 

WC offense features lots of passes to RBs, Crossing routes, Slants, screens, etc.  It was designed for weaker armed QBs who are very accurate on the short pass.  The idea is to get rid of the ball fast.

 

Bills run a different Erhardt-Perkins system which features lots more deep passing down the field.  You need a strong armed accurate QB to play in that offense but generally not a lot of short passing unless its a checkdown.

 

EP makes the QB look deep first, if nothing there, take the short checkdown.

 

WC makes the QB look short first and if nothing there go deep for a man to man coverage.

 

So why so low YAC ?  Looking at the routes or route trees, Bills receivers ran almost exclusively tons of Dig routes.

 

That is the receiver runs down the field, turns around or starts running parallel to the LOS and Josh throws the ball right to him usually 40+ yards downfield.  By that time the CB is on top of the receiver so not a lot of YAC.  The CB has an easy tackle.

 

The question is why did Daboll call so many Dig routes ?  I suspect that its the route that Josh is most comfortable throwing.

 

But no doubt implementing crossers, slants, screen, etc. will improve YAC.

 

But its not as bad as many are making it out to be.  When your firing lasers 40+ yards down field you don't need YAC as much.

[TheBrownBear]

The Chiefs had almost +100 YAC against us in the divisional playoff game (227-135).  It's probably why despite putting up similar passing numbers, most fans came away from that game thinking Josh Allen was the better quarterback.  Mahomes got almost 2/3 of his yardage from YAC.  It would be nice if we could get more of those easy yards this year.

[Buffalo03]

16 hours ago, DCofNC said:

I know the Homers don’t want to see it, but there’s not a single “explosive” player on the O outside of Allen.  Diggs is a great player, but nobody worries about him burning them.  There’s nobody else on the team that can beat an average DB in a foot race.  The biggest reason I wanted a 1st rd WR was to add explosiveness to the playmaker group.  Right now, it’s not there.  
 

Knox is the best bet to add YAC, that’s not great.  Hopefully Cook brings some help in turning short throws to long gains again.  
 

As of Today the O goes as far as Allen takes it.

James Cook says hello

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, SCBills said:

 

I agree with a lot of this as well.  Allen is money on those intermediate lasers.. instead of a 7 yard slant that the WR takes another 7-10 yards, Allen just throws a 15-20 yard frozen rope down the field.  That definitely accounts for some of this.  

 

The issue I have is that we forget how stuck in the mud this team could get until we started running Josh.  That needs to stop moving forward (playoffs aside).  I think our coaches understand that and will address is on two fronts.. stronger run game and stronger YAC game. Part of that is Dorsey (hopefully) scheming up some short/easy throws into space as an extension of the run game.  

 

I believe we'll see a handful more runs from Singletary/Cook/Moss per game, but I truly believe/hope the short passing game to Cook, Crowder, McKenzie, perhaps Shakir etc., will be a bigger focus to take some of the stress off Allen's legs in the regular season.  

 

Come Playoff time, if we are more well rounded, and then we can simply run Allen because we want to.. this Offense will be absurd.  

What you say about the stalled offense is true, although I am reminded that McDermott often says that the reality is that there are always periods in the game when things just don't work well.   Still, the stuck in the mud feeling is real and should be improved.

 

Again, however, I don't think that focus on YAC as a "solution" makes sense.   It's focus on more effective offense.   I agree, Bills need better, more effective running out of the backs, to goose the numbers a bit and reduce Josh's carries.  That's part of what's needed.   But I don't think it's reasonable to expect much more out of Crowder/McKenzie.   Yes, Crowder might be a modest upgrade over Beas, but the Bills went into last season with a well developed slot game, and I don't think we can expect a lot more there.   

 

I really think the extra element that has been missing is the screen/swing pass game.   That's what KC did, for example, with Edwards-Helaire - they goosed their offense by adding someone dangerous in a part of the field they weren't already attacking.   The Bills' downfield passing has been fine - it's the screen game and swing passes (not just outlet passes, but true swing passes where Josh's read of the defense says a quick attack on the flank is what is necessary).   Singletary and Moss simply haven't been effective in that game, and that stuff is Cook's bread and butter.  If the Bills can make Cook a threat out beyond the tackles in that way, it not only will account for more yards (yards that, incidentally, will improve YAC) - it also will occupy the attention of a DE and/or linebacker in a way that will make slants to the slot man easier and create gaps for occasional runs by the blocking back or others.   I think, for example, that's how the Chiefs generate success on those inside shovel passes to Kelce - they get a defender chasing Edwards-Helaire out of the box and send Kelce into gaps that are now easier for the line to create.   I'm not predicting, but I wouldn't be surprised if we don't see some of those plays to Knox this season.  

[Logic]

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned yet: 

Josh Allen shouldn't be completely absolved of blame for the lack of YAC in the Bills passing game.

A big part of it is scheme, yes. Another big part of it is Josh's love of throwing intermediate and deep and his hesitance -- sometimes seemingly bordering on disdain -- for checking down.

That's not all of it, though.

He also, for all the strides he's made in the accuracy department, doesn't always place the ball in such a way that his receivers are set up for YAC success. A few inches in ball location can be the difference between catching the ball and getting instantly tackled or catching the ball on the move and picking up another 10 yards. 

This isn't just me saying this, mind you. Josh himself has been saying for two offseasons in a row now that he's working on putting the ball in a place that allows his receivers gain YAC:

“I think, myself especially, making sure I’m on time, making the right reads and giving our guys good enough balls to get some more [yards after the catch]. That’s one thing I think, on offense, run after catch was wasn’t very high last year. But again, that’s me putting the ball where it needs to be and allow our guys to catch in a good position to make a run after the catch. So working on that, that’s been one of my biggest takeaways in this offseason and trying to work on just ball placement and allowing our receivers to do that.”

[Shaw66]

13 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

The Chiefs had almost +100 YAC against us in the divisional playoff game (227-135).  It's probably why despite putting up similar passing numbers, most fans came away from that game thinking Josh Allen was the better quarterback.  Mahomes got almost 2/3 of his yardage from YAC.  It would be nice if we could get more of those easy yards this year.

This highlights my point.  I can argue just as easily that the Bills don't need more YAC - they have to stop the opponent from getting so many.   If I did it correctly, Bills were 22 in defensive YAC.    The point is that YAC is a stat that helps see what's going on on the field, but it isn't uniquely an indicator of success.    

[Shaw66]

9 minutes ago, Logic said:

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned yet: 

Josh Allen shouldn't be completely absolved of blame for the lack of YAC in the Bills passing game.

A big part of it is scheme, yes. Another big part of it is Josh's love of throwing intermediate and deep and his hesitance -- sometimes seemingly bordering on disdain -- for checking down.

That's not all of it, though.

He also, for all the strides he's made in the accuracy department, doesn't always place the ball in such a way that his receivers are set up for YAC success. A few inches in ball location can be the difference between catching the ball and getting instantly tackled or catching the ball on the move and picking up another 10 yards. 

This isn't just me saying this, mind you. Josh himself has been saying for two offseasons in a row now that he's working on putting the ball in a place that allows his receivers gain YAC:

“I think, myself especially, making sure I’m on time, making the right reads and giving our guys good enough balls to get some more [yards after the catch]. That’s one thing I think, on offense, run after catch was wasn’t very high last year. But again, that’s me putting the ball where it needs to be and allow our guys to catch in a good position to make a run after the catch. So working on that, that’s been one of my biggest takeaways in this offseason and trying to work on just ball placement and allowing our receivers to do that.”

This is absolutely correct, but Josh being late to check down is very much a double edged sword.   Yes, he comes to his checkdown man late sometimes, but that is just part of his tendency to extend plays to get the most out of each play.   I think the yards lost because he's late to checkdown likely are a fair trade for the yards gained by letting him continue to extend plays.  

 

And, yes, his accuracy can improve - I agree, because I see a lot of plays where I wish the ball had been better placed, but by NFL standards, he's already quite accurate.   Would I like him to be laser-fine like Brees or Rodgers?  Sure.  And maybe he'll improve, but I can live with his current level of accuracy. 

 

I really think the primary problem on the offense (besides the running game) has been attacking the flanks effectively.  Not check downs to the flat, but designed plays to the flat, where off the snap Josh immediately unloads it to a back who can beat the LB to the edge and take yardage in space cleared out by a slanting receiver.   That, and better quick screens to the back, plays where on the snap, the back sprints right and Spencer Brown sprints right creating a one-man screen at the point of attack. 

 

It's all about getting speed in favorable matchups, and the Bills have not been able to that in the flat in previous seasons.  

[DCofNC]

1 hour ago, JerseyBills said:

Diggs leads the league in yardage against single coverage since 2020.

He's fast and explosive imo. But I agree about the others. Bease was definitely too banged up to get yac and seemed to avoid contact.Hopefully Crowder can help and a guy like McKenzie needs more opportunities in open space. And ya Cook should be a beast with YAC in this offense 

Thank you for taking time to actually read what I posted and responding with a thought our response, it’s appreciated.   While I understand Diggs will get yards if you put him one on one, he’s not somebody that teams are really scared of.  He’s not going to burn you like Hill or bully you like Michale Thomas etc.  He’s containable, the Chiefs proved that, but he will get his yards and there’s not much you can do about it because he is such a crisp route runner.  You just don’t have to worry about him taking the top off a D.  
 

Crowder and McKenzie should get more YAC than Beasley who was just taking the catch and diving forward all too frequently. He did that when healthy, so I’m not going to say it was all injuries last year, he just doesn’t want to get crushed and I honestly don’t blame him, but it’s what separates the guys like Edelman from him.   If Crowder can stay healthy, he should enjoy a career year with Josh.   I hope McKenzie gets more use this year, he’s flashed quite a bit, but it seems like as soon as he’s getting rolling he’s off the field again.  I’ll be interested to see if that was Dabs or McD.  
 

Cook hasn’t played a down in the NFL and won’t get on the field if he can’t pass protect, he seems willing, but is he effective against NFL players? We’ll see.  He definitely has a chance to add a missing element to the O. 

 

37 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

James Cook says hello

See above.

[Shaw66]

39 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

Thank you for taking time to actually read what I posted and responding with a thought our response, it’s appreciated.   While I understand Diggs will get yards if you put him one on one, he’s not somebody that teams are really scared of.  He’s not going to burn you like Hill or bully you like Michale Thomas etc.  He’s containable, the Chiefs proved that, but he will get his yards and there’s not much you can do about it because he is such a crisp route runner.  You just don’t have to worry about him taking the top off a D.  
 

Crowder and McKenzie should get more YAC than Beasley who was just taking the catch and diving forward all too frequently. He did that when healthy, so I’m not going to say it was all injuries last year, he just doesn’t want to get crushed and I honestly don’t blame him, but it’s what separates the guys like Edelman from him.   If Crowder can stay healthy, he should enjoy a career year with Josh.   I hope McKenzie gets more use this year, he’s flashed quite a bit, but it seems like as soon as he’s getting rolling he’s off the field again.  I’ll be interested to see if that was Dabs or McD.  
 

Cook hasn’t played a down in the NFL and won’t get on the field if he can’t pass protect, he seems willing, but is he effective against NFL players? We’ll see.  He definitely has a chance to add a missing element to the O. 

 

Not saying any of this truly wrong.  I'm really just commenting on this. 

 

Diggs scares teams big time.  Don't kid yourself.   Sure, he's not Hill, but no one else in the league is, either.   And soon we may be saying the same about the guy the Bengals have.   But Diggs gets doubled a lot, and Diggs hurts teams in the short and intermediate possession game.   He's the focus of the defense every week.  

 

I think McKenzie is limited, and we've seen what he can do.   More time on the field won't result in a lot more production.   Crowder at his best will be better than Beas, but he's certainly not scaring anyone.   Davis is the guy who could be the serious threat. 

 

And of course Cook is a rook, but he played in a sophisticated offense and likely has reasonably developed pass pro skills, to the extent a good college team needs it.   Even so, unless he shows that he just isn't quick enough or something, the Bills are going to find ways to get him on the field and get him the ball.   For example, if he can't do anything else, he probably will take snaps from McKenzie in jet sweeps and on certain pass routes.   They didn't draft the guy to be on the bench, and running back is one of those positions where rooks can see time.  

[DCofNC]

45 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

Not saying any of this truly wrong.  I'm really just commenting on this. 

 

Diggs scares teams big time.  Don't kid yourself.   Sure, he's not Hill, but no one else in the league is, either.   And soon we may be saying the same about the guy the Bengals have.   But Diggs gets doubled a lot, and Diggs hurts teams in the short and intermediate possession game.   He's the focus of the defense every week.  

 

I think McKenzie is limited, and we've seen what he can do.   More time on the field won't result in a lot more production.   Crowder at his best will be better than Beas, but he's certainly not scaring anyone.   Davis is the guy who could be the serious threat. 

 

And of course Cook is a rook, but he played in a sophisticated offense and likely has reasonably developed pass pro skills, to the extent a good college team needs it.   Even so, unless he shows that he just isn't quick enough or something, the Bills are going to find ways to get him on the field and get him the ball.   For example, if he can't do anything else, he probably will take snaps from McKenzie in jet sweeps and on certain pass routes.   They didn't draft the guy to be on the bench, and running back is one of those positions where rooks can see time.  

I think we are on a similar page, I know Diggs is a focus because he will keep possessions going, he’s just not an explosive playmaker.  I think you said it well in that he’s a possession type. 
 

Mckenzie has some explosive traits, you may be right, he may just be limited in what he can do and that’s why he hasn’t gotten a lot of looks.  
 

Crowder has had some good years, in fact, statistically, he’s been far better than Beasley.  With JA’s tendency to make WRs look better than they ever have, I expect he will hit 1k this year IF he is healthy. 

 

Davis is an X-Factor.  IF he steps into the #2 roll and IF he can bring his play up to what we saw in the playoffs on a reasonably consistent basis, he could have a big year.  That said, he didn’t make any major strides over his rookie year for the entirety of the season last year, but had one big game that everyone wants to point to.  It was a great performance, hopefully an indication of what’s to come, but I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch.

 

I agree Cook will get time and maybe it’s as a hybrid out of the slot if he can’t handle the blocking assignments.  I doubt he will have any real issue, but he’s not exactly built like a tank, so it may be a problem.  Either way, completely agreed they will find a way to use him, you pretty much have to with the draft position.  

[Shaw66]

59 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

I think we are on a similar page, I know Diggs is a focus because he will keep possessions going, he’s just not an explosive playmaker.  I think you said it well in that he’s a possession type. 
 

Mckenzie has some explosive traits, you may be right, he may just be limited in what he can do and that’s why he hasn’t gotten a lot of looks.  
 

Crowder has had some good years, in fact, statistically, he’s been far better than Beasley.  With JA’s tendency to make WRs look better than they ever have, I expect he will hit 1k this year IF he is healthy. 

 

Davis is an X-Factor.  IF he steps into the #2 roll and IF he can bring his play up to what we saw in the playoffs on a reasonably consistent basis, he could have a big year.  That said, he didn’t make any major strides over his rookie year for the entirety of the season last year, but had one big game that everyone wants to point to.  It was a great performance, hopefully an indication of what’s to come, but I’m not counting my chickens before they hatch.

 

I agree Cook will get time and maybe it’s as a hybrid out of the slot if he can’t handle the blocking assignments.  I doubt he will have any real issue, but he’s not exactly built like a tank, so it may be a problem.  Either way, completely agreed they will find a way to use him, you pretty much have to with the draft position.  

You stated it well, position by position.  I would add that I think we actually will see that Davis is a solid #2, if not a break-out star.  I say this mostly based on a few things we saw about his off-season work and attitude.   I know those things often are fluff, but there's a reason it's only certain guys we see.  I get the sense that this is a guy determined to be better, a guy who has seen he can make it work almost by sheer determination.   I don't know any of that as a matter of fact, but I get that vibe. 

 

Writing this reminds me of one my first ever favorite receivers - Gary Collins.  In 1964, I was a senior in high school, a big Browns fan as well as Bills fan, and Gary Collins was the split end (not the flanker, the split end).  He was big but not the biggest, a good runner but by no means a burner, with really good hands and fierce determination, determination like Kittle.  And he was the Bills punter, and would run fake punts.   

 

 You'd look at the guy and you'd say "nothing  about him says 'star.'  'Nothing.'"  And yet, Gary Collins is going to beat you.  

 

Something tells me that's what Davis is becoming.  He's figuring out how to be good speed, good size, good blocker, good fighter, good everything.  Nothing's great, but everything is very good.   And combined, it's great.  Not necessarily pretty, because it's not Lance Alworth grace, or Megatron size, or Rice otherworldliness, but together, it's still something that makes you great.   Maybe not great for a long career, but someone who for a few years forces you to deal with him.    

[MJS]

22 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Partially on not having great YAC receivers….

Possibly this as well. Crowder is a good YAC guy, though. I think he is going to have a big year.

[ColoradoBills]

This proves it.  It's all a mirage with Josh and the Bills.

[BADOLBILZ]

11 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

I'm not 100% confident in Cook's ability to run inside consistently, not yet anyways. My understanding is that he wasn't asked to do it that much at Georgia. Singletary I think has better contact balance. And almost certainly better pass protection ability. But I am certain that when a hole is there Cook will hit it much faster and maximize the opportunity. There were a number of times last year when Singletary was too slow to hit the hole and it closed around him. So yeah I would expect Cook to be better there but it remains to be seen. Where I am 100% confident in Cook as an upgrade is as a receiving back. It is not even a question in my mind that his YAC per reception will be better than Singletary.

 

 

Sure, but it's even better if you can get yards from both roles. You're the one that's been saying the Bills should have focused on upgrading the offense this year. Our RB pass game, the outside run game, and the RB screen game have been practically non-existent since Allen came to town. Breida couldn't figure out which side of the field he was supposed to be on and fans still latched on to him because he gave us any level of dynamic ability at the position. Cook gives us that ability and opens up the play book. Just by adding him the primary offense now has zero glaring weaknesses.

 

 

1. So to clarify.......you claimed that any dime-a-dozen RB can produce on the ground like Devin Singletary has the past 3 seasons but you have your doubts about James Cook being able to run the ball anywhere but outside?   

 

2. There is no "but" about it.........slot receivers were the very last nail in the coffin of the 3 down back.   Teams that rely on backs in any aspect of the game haven't proven to be effective in the playoffs for the past 20 years.   When the defensive intensity gets wratcheted up in the playoffs.........running backs get no room.   That's why teams lead by great rushers don't win SB's.    It applies to receiving backs as well.........ask the Saints........Alvin Kamara has averaged 3.8 yards rushing and 8.3 yards per reception in 7 playoff games.  Throw the ball to the slot receiver for 10-12 yards and call it a day.

 

[DCofNC]

3 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

You stated it well, position by position.  I would add that I think we actually will see that Davis is a solid #2, if not a break-out star.  I say this mostly based on a few things we saw about his off-season work and attitude.   I know those things often are fluff, but there's a reason it's only certain guys we see.  I get the sense that this is a guy determined to be better, a guy who has seen he can make it work almost by sheer determination.   I don't know any of that as a matter of fact, but I get that vibe. 

 

Writing this reminds me of one my first ever favorite receivers - Gary Collins.  In 1964, I was a senior in high school, a big Browns fan as well as Bills fan, and Gary Collins was the split end (not the flanker, the split end).  He was big but not the biggest, a good runner but by no means a burner, with really good hands and fierce determination, determination like Kittle.  And he was the Bills punter, and would run fake punts.   

 

 You'd look at the guy and you'd say "nothing  about him says 'star.'  'Nothing.'"  And yet, Gary Collins is going to beat you.  

 

Something tells me that's what Davis is becoming.  He's figuring out how to be good speed, good size, good blocker, good fighter, good everything.  Nothing's great, but everything is very good.   And combined, it's great.  Not necessarily pretty, because it's not Lance Alworth grace, or Megatron size, or Rice otherworldliness, but together, it's still something that makes you great.   Maybe not great for a long career, but someone who for a few years forces you to deal with him.    

I think you are right about Davis, I expect him to step up.  I think he could be similar to Robert Woods with the Rams.  He’ll have really big games and always make you account for him, but still wouldn’t be a “true” #1 if you will.  If he can bring it to that level, it will be amazing.  I have a lot of hope that he can, for all the reasons you stated.  If you look at his measurables, he’s got what it takes to be a true #1, the work ethic is there, the QB is there, it’s a matter of it all coming to fruition.

 

I can’t speak to Gary Collins, but he reminds me a lot of Boldin, Woods, Moulds, etc who have a similar skill set, like you said, good at everything, maybe not that particular standout quality, but you have to account for them at all times or they will kill you.  Example: KC game.

[Shaw66]

2 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

I think you are right about Davis, I expect him to step up.  I think he could be similar to Robert Woods with the Rams.  He’ll have really big games and always make you account for him, but still wouldn’t be a “true” #1 if you will.  If he can bring it to that level, it will be amazing.  I have a lot of hope that he can, for all the reasons you stated.  If you look at his measurables, he’s got what it takes to be a true #1, the work ethic is there, the QB is there, it’s a matter of it all coming to fruition.

 

I can’t speak to Gary Collins, but he reminds me a lot of Boldin, Woods, Moulds, etc who have a similar skill set, like you said, good at everything, maybe not that particular standout quality, but you have to account for them at all times or they will kill you.  Example: KC game.

Yes about Boldin, Woods, and Moulds.  All a little different, but that's the type.  Not quite a #1 but a handful as a #2. 

[DCofNC]

9 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

1. So to clarify.......you claimed that any dime-a-dozen RB can produce on the ground like Devin Singletary has the past 3 seasons but you have your doubts about James Cook being able to run the ball anywhere but outside?   

 

2. There is no "but" about it.........slot receivers were the very last nail in the coffin of the 3 down back.   Teams that rely on backs in any aspect of the game haven't proven to be effective in the playoffs for the past 20 years.   When the defensive intensity gets wratcheted up in the playoffs.........running backs get no room.   That's why teams lead by great rushers don't win SB's.    It applies to receiving backs as well.........ask the Saints........Alvin Kamara has averaged 3.8 yards rushing and 8.3 yards per reception in 7 playoff games.  Throw the ball to the slot receiver for 10-12 yards and call it a day.

 

I don’t think the concerns are far off, Cook has not shown the ability to run between the tackles, his contact balance has appeared below average and Beane even stated he wasn’t a primary back when he drafted him.  Personally, I don’t think it was a good pick and I expect him to struggle to do anything meaningful.  If there’s one thing this regime has really sucked at, it’s getting a RB.  They have swung and missed multiple times, I’ll go on record as saying, I think this is another miss because you drafted a guy to take the role of McKissic that you had signed for 3M a year. That’s not second round value.  I hope I’m wrong, but this Cook is not Dalvin. 

[wppete]

80 yard bombs! No need for YAC

[BADOLBILZ]

19 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

I don’t think the concerns are far off, Cook has not shown the ability to run between the tackles, his contact balance has appeared below average and Beane even stated he wasn’t a primary back when he drafted him.  Personally, I don’t think it was a good pick and I expect him to struggle to do anything meaningful.  If there’s one thing this regime has really sucked at, it’s getting a RB.  They have swung and missed multiple times, I’ll go on record as saying, I think this is another miss because you drafted a guy to take the role of McKissic that you had signed for 3M a year. That’s not second round value.  I hope I’m wrong, but this Cook is not Dalvin. 

 

 

Yeah..........draft picks have cash value.........especially the early ones.

 

A first rounder is a pick you should only use on a guy with a big money ceiling.........QB/PassRush/WR1/LT/CB1.........the kind of guys who are getting upwards of $20M AAV's right now.

 

The second round doesn't drop off to $3M aav. 

 

They reached for a perceived need there.

 

I really liked the McKissic signing but a second rounder or even early 3rd round pick needs to be a player with an 8 figure AAV ceiling still.

 

I like James Cook.........hopefully he outplays Beane's expectations and becomes the actual lead back his draft pedigree suggests......so they can justify keeping him on the field for all 3 downs.......because there really isn't much need for a "third down back" in the NFL anymore.   That position is f*cking dead.    If everyone knows you are passing the ball it's irrational to take a receiver off the field for a RB.

[Fr. Jerk]

We almost made the SB, ya dig?