Ford on Kromer (Paywall)

[mushypeaches]

Watching the team run the ball in limited pre-season action so far - it's amazing to see what Kromer is already bringing to the table.

 

I feel like the addition of him to the team (or finally jettisoning Bobby Johnson) is going to make a huge difference for this team.  

 

If we have a balanced non-Josh rushing attack, this team is nearly unstoppable

[nosejob]

While I've never been a fan of Ford, WGR certainly praised him after the game yesterday. I admit I didn't zero in on him but one play did stand out...the totally needless hands to the face penalty which I believe was on 3rd down when we were in FG range. Still not a fan.

[muppy]

  On 8/21/2022 at 12:12 PM, BillsFan4 said:

Sounds like ford had a bit of an attitude/entitlement issue last season.

 

sounds like he’s taking the coaching much better this year and starting to figure things out. It would be great if he could develop into a starter for us!

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one thing I do know is Cody Ford is a new father. With age and a significant life change such as that could come maturity. And what Im hearing is Kromer has already had a tremendously positive impact. That is great news for we fans 🙂 I root for them all to succeed. They've spent a lot of their lives prepping for it. And the desire to stay in the NFL is Huge I think. Im glad I don't have to make the decisions on who to keep and cut that is for sure.

[SCBills]

With Ford looking good in preseason and Brown or Quessenberry being the swing OT behind whichever starts… dare I say … I’m starting to become a bit confident in this group?  
 

Most of that confidence comes from Kromer leading the OL, but the Top 7 suddenly look quite competent and then we get back Boettger at some point down the line for added depth. 

 

Edited August 21, 2022 by SCBills

[Sierra Foothills]

  On 8/21/2022 at 12:44 PM, Dan Darragh said:

agree

 

It's the best sports writing since SI was in its heyday.  I hate paying subscriptions as much as anybody but this one is worth it.

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Yes the writing is generally excellent and The Athletic employs many of the writers who became unemployed during the now decades-long contraction of the newspaper business.

 

It's been a landing spot for many who were priced out of their previous jobs due to career longevity... and replaced which cheaper and poorer writers (I won't mention any names).

[ColoradoBills]

  On 8/21/2022 at 3:55 PM, SCBills said:

With Ford looking good in preseason and Brown or Quessenberry being the swing OT behind whichever starts… dare I say … I’m starting to become a bit confident in this group?  
 

Most of that confidence comes from Kromer leading this group, but the Top 7 suddenly look quite competent and then we get back Boettger at some point down the line. 

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Ford had a lot of natural talent coming out of college.  He has disappointed so far in his NFL career.

It's great to hear he may be able to rectify that under Kromer.

There are differences between teachers, coaches, mentors and trainers.  Sounds like Kromer has qualities of each.

 

Not near enough credit is given to McDermott for putting together his staff.

[racecitybills]

  On 8/21/2022 at 3:02 PM, nosejob said:

While I've never been a fan of Ford, WGR certainly praised him after the game yesterday. I admit I didn't zero in on him but one play did stand out...the totally needless hands to the face penalty which I believe was on 3rd down when we were in FG range. Still not a fan.

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I watched him several drives. He was really good yesterday.  Pulled for two running tds.  Pass pro very good.  Penalty only bad spot but he had a good day. 

[Big Turk]

Those gaping holes even with our backups in there were reminiscent of when TD Mike Gillislee was scampering for 50-60 yard TDs seemingly once a game

[hemma]

  On 8/21/2022 at 4:38 PM, Big Turk said:

Those gaping holes even with our backups in there were reminiscent of when TD Mike Gillislee was scampering for 50-60 yard TDs seemingly once a game

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For the folks that don’t remember that period, Kromer was our OL coach.

[Alphadawg7]

  On 8/21/2022 at 11:05 AM, Coach Tuesday said:

From yesterday’s Athletic (honestly, if you don’t have an Athletic subscription by now, your phone should be confiscated):

 

https://theathletic.com/3524555/2022/08/20/bills-cody-ford-training-camp/?source=user_shared_article
 

Ford admitted the attitude adjustment was necessary and overdue.

 

He and Dawkins cited new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer has been a significant factor. Asked about the difference between Kromer and previous assistant Bobby Johnson, Ford responded with eight seconds of silence. The corners of his lips curled upward as he mulled his reply.

 

“He’s doing a phenomenal job,” Ford said of Kromer. “I don’t know what that means, coming from me. But the way we’ve been coached and the techniques that we’ve learned is why I say there’s been so much improvement.”

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This is what I have been saying all off season!  
 

I have kept saying to the “we didn’t do enough” to address the OL crowd all off season that they keep grossly over looking and under valuing the massive upgrade from that loser Bobby Johnson to one of the best OL coaches in the league in Kromer.

 

And you can already see the difference on the field.  Our OL is going to be much improved this year, especially in the run game where the run blocking already looks night and day difference.  

Edited August 21, 2022 by Alphadawg7

[Big Turk]

  On 8/21/2022 at 4:44 PM, hemma said:

 

For the folks that don’t remember that period, Kromer was our OL coach.

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And Greg Roman was our OC

[Saxum]

  On 8/21/2022 at 3:55 PM, SCBills said:

With Ford looking good in preseason and Brown or Quessenberry being the swing OT behind whichever starts… dare I say … I’m starting to become a bit confident in this group?  
 

Most of that confidence comes from Kromer leading the OL, but the Top 7 suddenly look quite competent and then we get back Boettger at some point down the line for added depth. 

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One thing which will help is Kromer had experience as "run game coordinator" and with a rookie OC I think he will be consulting with him quite a bit.

[Captain_Quint]

  On 8/21/2022 at 12:22 PM, TheyCallMeAndy said:

OP took my phone  

That said, Ford has actually looked decent this summer.

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They pulled him on Moss's first TD and he led the way into the endzone. One of the first productive things I've seen that guy do since coming here. Hopefully he can rebound under Kromer and work his way onto the field. 

[Doc]

  On 8/21/2022 at 6:24 PM, Captain_Quint said:

They pulled him on Moss's first TD and he led the way into the endzone. One of the first productive things I've seen that guy do since coming here. Hopefully he can rebound under Kromer and work his way onto the field. 

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If he can be a good backup, it will be a small win. 

[Ralonzo]

  On 8/21/2022 at 11:14 AM, Chandler#81 said:

Thanks for your opine, but there’s just too many free quality sports articles, programs and podcasts to bother spending a freakin dime on. I do appreciate you posting the highlights of their writer’s opinions though.

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I forget the exact offer I got from the Athletic, maybe $10 for the year, but being a voracious content junkie and the Bills and Sabres both poised to be interesting for the first time in a long time, it was worth it to me. 

[Saxum]

  On 8/21/2022 at 4:13 PM, ColoradoBills said:

Not near enough credit is given to McDermott for putting together his staff.

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Well that is partly because Coach McDermott has selected some awful coaches.

Vey few of coaches who have left have done so for promotions to higher positions.

 

[hondo in seattle]

  On 8/22/2022 at 12:12 AM, Limeaid said:

 

Well that is partly because Coach McDermott has selected some awful coaches.

Vey few of coaches who have left have done so for promotions to higher positions.

 

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When you become a new HC, the first staff you build will be suboptimal.   Most the best coaches will be under contract and unavailable.    And some coaches may be reluctant to take a job with a first time HC in a rebuilding situation.   And, of course, the new HC is bound to make hiring mistakes based on bad recommendations or whatever.

 

Given the challenges,  I think McD has done a commendable job building his team of coaches.

 

 

 

 

[Sierra Foothills]

  On 8/22/2022 at 12:47 AM, hondo in seattle said:

When you become a new HC, the first staff you build will be suboptimal.   Most the best coaches will be under contract and unavailable.    And some coaches may be reluctant to take a job with a first time HC in a rebuilding situation.   And, of course, the new HC is bound to make hiring mistakes based on bad recommendations or whatever.

 

Given the challenges,  I think McD has done a commendable job building his team of coaches.

 

 

 

 

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Could not agree more.

 

For instance it's a widely-held belief that Rick Dennison was not McDermott's first choice.

 

Dennison was released after one season after McDermott was able to convince Brian Daboll to come to Buffalo.

[Billy Claude]

  On 8/22/2022 at 12:55 AM, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Could not agree more.

 

For instance it's a widely-held belief that Rick Dennison was not McDermott's first choice.

 

Dennison was released after one season after McDermott was able to convince Brian Daboll to come to Buffalo.

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Of course this does not say much for McDermott ability to pick coaches since he supposedly wanted Mike McCoy who did not even last a season as OC at his next two stops.

 

 

[That's No Moon]

  On 8/21/2022 at 11:14 AM, Chandler#81 said:

Thanks for your opine, but there’s just too many free quality sports articles, programs and podcasts to bother spending a freakin dime on. I do appreciate you posting the highlights of their writer’s opinions though.

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It's easy to get around the paywall tbh