The Saffold Report - Week 8, Packers v. Bills, 10/30/22

[Freddie's Dead]

Saffold looked good against the Chefs.  How did he fare against the Pack?  The Saffold Report will state what I see on a play, then assign a point system -1, 0, +1, and keep a running total.  We didn't get another OG at the trade deadline, so did McBeane blow it?  Let's go to the tape.

 

Bills 1st possession

1st and 10, BUF 25 - 76 holds his block, Motor cuts in behind him for 6 (+1,+1)

2nd and 4, BUF 31 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA to Gabe, who drops it (+1,+2)

3rd and 4, BUF 31 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA to Gabe long, underthrown INC (+1,+3)

 

Bills 2nd possession

1st and 10, BUF 39 - 76 seals off his guy, Motor for 9 to the right (+1,+4)

2nd and 1, BUF 49 - 76 holds up his guy, Motor gets the FD between 76 and 73 (+1,+5)

1st and 10, GB 47 - 76 seals off his guy, 73 pulls and traps, Motor goes wild for 30 (+1,+6)

1st and 10, GB 17 - 76 drives his guy back and gets to 2nd level, but Motor gets stuffed for 1 (+1,+7)

2nd and 9, GB 16 - 76 drives his guy downfield, but the rest of the left side caves, McKittrick nearly stopped for 5 yard loss, reverses field to attempt chicken salad from chicken caca, still loses 5 yards after running another 40 (+1,+8)

3rd and 14, GB 21 - 76 solid PB, Josh scrambles left for 20 (+1,+9)

1st and goal, GB 1 - 76 and 73 bulldozed their guy into the EZ, but Motor goes up the gut for no gain (Knox and Morse got pwned) (+1,+10)

2nd and goal, GB 1 - 76 chips the DT, Josh rolls out, hits Dawesome for the TD (+1,+11)

 

Bills 3rd possession

1st and 10, BUF 49 - 76 and 73 combo PB, but JA scrambles, tackled for no gain (0,+11) First neutral play for 76.

2nd and 10, BUF 49 - 76 solid PB, Pass to Motor for 16 (+1,+12)

1st and 10, GB 35 - 76 ends up blocking air, pass to Diggs for 9 (0,+12)

2nd and 1, GB 26 - 76 stones his PB at the LOS, JA to "They Call Me Mister" Diggs for the TD (+1,+13)  This was the play where Douglas picked Diggs up and slammed him back to the ground after the TD.  McKittrick wraps his hands around Stef's waist and pulls him away before Stef got a retaliation penalty.  Brutal non-call by the officials for a PF on Douglas.

 

Bills 4th possession

1st and 10, BUF 20 - 76 pulls to fake a run, JA hits 88 for 9 (0,+13)

2nd and 1, BUF 29 - 76 seals his block at the LOS, Cook run for 17 (+1,+14)

1st and 10, BUF 46 - 76 pushes his man aside, Cook runs in behind him for 4 (+1,+15)

2nd and 6, BUF 50 - 76 pulls and traps, Cook runs behind him for a FD (+1,+16)  This was the play where Walker got a UC and was ejected.

1st and 10, GB 29 - 76 drives his block straight ahead, quick screen to Stef for 8 (+1,+17)

2nd and 2, GB 21 - 76 PB on delayed bull rush, JA to McKittrick for a FD (+1,+18) McKittrick haterz pissed that he once again made a play after the 50 yard reverse that lost 5 earlier.

1st and 10, GB 13 - 76 turns 97 at LOS, JA QB draw for 6 (+1,+19)

2nd and 4, GB 7 - 76 drives his man right, McKittrick jet sweep left, breaks 31's ankles and leaves his jockstrap at his feet for the TD (+1,+20)  McKittrick haterz were absolutely beside themselves when he scored what turned out to be the game winning TD.

 

Bills 5th possession

1st and 10, BUF 20 - 76 PB on 90, who gets around him and hits JA just after JA lets fly a 53 yard bomb to Diggs (-1,+19)  First negative play by Saffold, definitely a QB pressure.

1st and 10, GB 27 - 76 and later 26 combo PB on 90, JA scrambles right and stupidly runs OB 2 yards behind the LOS to cost his OL a sack, gotta throw it away there JA (+1,+20)

2nd and 12, GB 29 - 76 stones his guy in PB, then combos, JA INC to Gabe in the EZ, but GB Offside 

2nd and 7, GB 24 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA INC to Tupac in the EZ (+1,+21)

 

1st half observations

If Rodger Saffold is not one of the best LG's in the NFL, then I don't know who is.  I saw one negative play, where he gave up a pressure, but since the play was the 53 yard bomb to Diggs, not so bad.  Bottom line, his guy never made the tackle on a run, and he only gave up one pressure on the longest pass completion of the first half.  I'm curious to see what the second half holds.

 

Bills 6th possession

1st and 10, BUF 30 - 76 pushes his man left, JA rolls right and hits Gabe for 9, but GB flagged for DH

1st and 10, BUF 35 - 90 gets outside 76, and pressures JA, who throws low and INC to 88, who should have caught it, he had two hands on it (-1,+20)

2nd and 10, BUF 35 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA hits Gabe for 29 (+1,+21)

1st and 10, GB 36 - 76 stones 93, JA throws wide of Motor INC (+1,+22)

2nd and 10, GB 36 - 76 and Morse with another combo PB, JA scrambles for the FD (+1,+23)

1st and 10, GB 26 - 76 pushes his guy 6 yards upfield, Motor for 8, 73 called for OH

1st and 20, GB 36 - 76 pulls and blocks air, Motor stuffed for 1 (-1,+22)

2nd and 19, GB 35 - 76 solid PB, JA to Diggs for 6 (+1,+23)

3rd and 13, GB 29 - 76 combo with 73 on 90, JA scrambles for 10 (+1,+24)

 

Bills 7th possession

1st and 10, BUF 27 - 76 solid PB, JA INC to Diggs (+1,+25)

2nd and 10, BUF 27 - 76 missed his PB, JA to Gabe who drops another one (-1,+24)

3rd and 10, BUF 27 - 90 gets around 76 this time to pressure JA, who overthrows Diggs, but GB had an IHF call

1st and 10, BUF 32 - 76 pulls but doesn't get much push, Motor tackled for 5 yard loss (0,+24)

2nd and 15, BUF 27 - 76 holds up his PB, but GB jumped Offside

2nd and 10, BUF 32 - 76 pushes his PB right, Josh flushed to left and throws into the ground (0,+24)

3rd and 10, BUF 32 - 76 solid PB, JA rolls right, throws INT to Douglas (+1,+25)

 

Bills 8th possession

1st and 10, GB 44 - 76 completely whiffs on his run block, and Motor is snuffed for a 4 yard loss (-1,+24)

2nd and 14, GB 48 - 76 solid PB, JA to Cook for 41 (+1,+25)

1st and goal, GB 7 - 76 pushes his guy upfield, Cook runs behind him for 4 (+1,+26)

2nd and goal, GB 3 - 76 solid RB on RPO, JA airmails it INC (+1,+27)

3rd and goal GB3 - 76 combo with morse, JA rolls right, throws the INT to that ####### Jaire Alexander (+1,+28)  That's two game in a row that the Bills had 2nd and goal from the 3 and came away with 0 points.  HEY DORSEY, NUT IT UP NEXT TIME AND POUND THE ROCK!!!

 

Bills 9th possession

1st and 10, BUF 26 - 76 seals his guy left, Motor right for 7 (+1,+29)

2nd and 3, BUF 33 - 76 good PB, JA to Diggs for FD (+1,+30)

1st and 10, BUF 40 - 76 food PB, JA to Gabe for 6 (+1,+31)

2nd and 4, BUF 46 - 76 blocks 2nd level LB, Motor for 3 (0,+31)

3rd and 1, BUF 49 - 76 drives 58 4 yards upfield, JA sneaks behind 76 for 4 with a push from Gabe (+1,+32)

1st and 10, GB 47 - 76 gets to 2nd level, seals off CB, Motor for 9 (+1,+33)

2nd and 2, GB 38 - 76 drives his guy off the ball, Motor for a FD (+1,+34)  PF on Gabe for stupidly bumping Alexander from behind

1st and 10, GB 49 - 76 gets pushed by 97, then he throws 97 to the ground, Motor for no gain (0,+34)

2nd and 10, GB 49 - 76 looks for someone to block, Cook for 3 (0,+34)

3rd and 7, GB 46 - 76 PB, JA scrambles, overthrows Kumerow INC (0,+34) Dawkins ineligible downfield, declined

 

Bills 10th possession

1st and 10, BUF 45 Victory formation

 

Conclusions

1.  Saffold had an excellent first half (1 negative play) and an average second half (4 negative plays).  

2.  He gave up three pressures and no sacks.

3.  I did not see his guy make the tackle on any play.

4.  Josh followed him on the critical 3rd and 1 that helped to ice the game late.

5.  I have not seen the big negatives that others have seen in the last two games (I'm really interested to see Joe B's All-22 grade for Saffold this week).

6.  Are there any games or plays that anyone can point me to that would justify the Saffold hate?  I'm just not seeing it.  I like this guy, a lot.

 

76 grades overall:

Chefs - A

Packers - A-

[NewEra]

Thanks Dead.  I’ve always wanted to call someone Dead.  
 

I appreciate the time and effort you put into giving us a better understanding of what everyone is crying about every year.  👊🏻 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Our interior OL will have a challenge ahead of them, with Quinnen Williams on the docket. Glad to hear Saffold is playing well. Hopefully they can continue this upward trend the past few weeks up front!

[Da webster guy]

All I can say is I watched him closely vs the Chefs and they're strong inside.  He took care of business.

[Nephilim17]

Saffold got a lot of grief from folks around here... I can't verify your conclusions but have no reason to doubt that you're reasonably correct in many of them. Would love to see him keep improving. Just maybe... he's getting healthier after the car accident and he will be a consistently good player on the line.

[billybrew1]

4 hours ago, NewEra said:

Thanks Dead.  I’ve always wanted to call someone Dead.  
 

I appreciate the time and effort you put into giving us a better understanding of what everyone is crying about every year.  👊🏻 

Why? They won’t answer….

[JoPoy88]

4 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

Saffold looked good against the Chefs.  How did he fare against the Pack?  The Saffold Report will state what I see on a play, then assign a point system -1, 0, +1, and keep a running total.  We didn't get another OG at the trade deadline, so did McBeane blow it?  Let's go to the tape.

 

Bills 1st possession

1st and 10, BUF 25 - 76 holds his block, Motor cuts in behind him for 6 (+1,+1)

2nd and 4, BUF 31 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA to Gabe, who drops it (+1,+2)

3rd and 4, BUF 31 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA to Gabe long, underthrown INC (+1,+3)

 

Bills 2nd possession

1st and 10, BUF 39 - 76 seals off his guy, Motor for 9 to the right (+1,+4)

2nd and 1, BUF 49 - 76 holds up his guy, Motor gets the FD between 76 and 73 (+1,+5)

1st and 10, GB 47 - 76 seals off his guy, 73 pulls and traps, Motor goes wild for 30 (+1,+6)

1st and 10, GB 17 - 76 drives his guy back and gets to 2nd level, but Motor gets stuffed for 1 (+1,+7)

2nd and 9, GB 16 - 76 drives his guy downfield, but the rest of the left side caves, McKittrick nearly stopped for 5 yard loss, reverses field to attempt chicken salad from chicken caca, still loses 5 yards after running another 40 (+1,+8)

3rd and 14, GB 21 - 76 solid PB, Josh scrambles left for 20 (+1,+9)

1st and goal, GB 1 - 76 and 73 bulldozed their guy into the EZ, but Motor goes up the gut for no gain (Knox and Morse got pwned) (+1,+10)

2nd and goal, GB 1 - 76 chips the DT, Josh rolls out, hits Dawesome for the TD (+1,+11)

 

Bills 3rd possession

1st and 10, BUF 49 - 76 and 73 combo PB, but JA scrambles, tackled for no gain (0,+11) First neutral play for 76.

2nd and 10, BUF 49 - 76 solid PB, Pass to Motor for 16 (+1,+12)

1st and 10, GB 35 - 76 ends up blocking air, pass to Diggs for 9 (0,+12)

2nd and 1, GB 26 - 76 stones his PB at the LOS, JA to "They Call Me Mister" Diggs for the TD (+1,+13)  This was the play where Douglas picked Diggs up and slammed him back to the ground after the TD.  McKittrick wraps his hands around Stef's waist and pulls him away before Stef got a retaliation penalty.  Brutal non-call by the officials for a PF on Douglas.

 

Bills 4th possession

1st and 10, BUF 20 - 76 pulls to fake a run, JA hits 88 for 9 (0,+13)

2nd and 1, BUF 29 - 76 seals his block at the LOS, Cook run for 17 (+1,+14)

1st and 10, BUF 46 - 76 pushes his man aside, Cook runs in behind him for 4 (+1,+15)

2nd and 6, BUF 50 - 76 pulls and traps, Cook runs behind him for a FD (+1,+16)  This was the play where Walker got a UC and was ejected.

1st and 10, GB 29 - 76 drives his block straight ahead, quick screen to Stef for 8 (+1,+17)

2nd and 2, GB 21 - 76 PB on delayed bull rush, JA to McKittrick for a FD (+1,+18) McKittrick haterz pissed that he once again made a play after the 50 yard reverse that lost 5 earlier.

1st and 10, GB 13 - 76 turns 97 at LOS, JA QB draw for 6 (+1,+19)

2nd and 4, GB 7 - 76 drives his man right, McKittrick jet sweep left, breaks 31's ankles and leaves his jockstrap at his feet for the TD (+1,+20)  McKittrick haterz were absolutely beside themselves when he scored what turned out to be the game winning TD.

 

Bills 5th possession

1st and 10, BUF 20 - 76 PB on 90, who gets around him and hits JA just after JA lets fly a 53 yard bomb to Diggs (-1,+19)  First negative play by Saffold, definitely a QB pressure.

1st and 10, GB 27 - 76 and later 26 combo PB on 90, JA scrambles right and stupidly runs OB 2 yards behind the LOS to cost his OL a sack, gotta throw it away there JA (+1,+20)

2nd and 12, GB 29 - 76 stones his guy in PB, then combos, JA INC to Gabe in the EZ, but GB Offside 

2nd and 7, GB 24 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA INC to Tupac in the EZ (+1,+21)

 

1st half observations

If Rodger Saffold is not one of the best LG's in the NFL, then I don't know who is.  I saw one negative play, where he gave up a pressure, but since the play was the 53 yard bomb to Diggs, not so bad.  Bottom line, his guy never made the tackle on a run, and he only gave up one pressure on the longest pass completion of the first half.  I'm curious to see what the second half holds.

 

Bills 6th possession

1st and 10, BUF 30 - 76 pushes his man left, JA rolls right and hits Gabe for 9, but GB flagged for DH

1st and 10, BUF 35 - 90 gets outside 76, and pressures JA, who throws low and INC to 88, who should have caught it, he had two hands on it (-1,+20)

2nd and 10, BUF 35 - 76 combo PB with Morse, JA hits Gabe for 29 (+1,+21)

1st and 10, GB 36 - 76 stones 93, JA throws wide of Motor INC (+1,+22)

2nd and 10, GB 36 - 76 and Morse with another combo PB, JA scrambles for the FD (+1,+23)

1st and 10, GB 26 - 76 pushes his guy 6 yards upfield, Motor for 8, 73 called for OH

1st and 20, GB 36 - 76 pulls and blocks air, Motor stuffed for 1 (-1,+22)

2nd and 19, GB 35 - 76 solid PB, JA to Diggs for 6 (+1,+23)

3rd and 13, GB 29 - 76 combo with 73 on 90, JA scrambles for 10 (+1,+24)

 

Bills 7th possession

1st and 10, BUF 27 - 76 solid PB, JA INC to Diggs (+1,+25)

2nd and 10, BUF 27 - 76 missed his PB, JA to Gabe who drops another one (-1,+24)

3rd and 10, BUF 27 - 90 gets around 76 this time to pressure JA, who overthrows Diggs, but GB had an IHF call

1st and 10, BUF 32 - 76 pulls but doesn't get much push, Motor tackled for 5 yard loss (0,+24)

2nd and 15, BUF 27 - 76 holds up his PB, but GB jumped Offside

2nd and 10, BUF 32 - 76 pushes his PB right, Josh flushed to left and throws into the ground (0,+24)

3rd and 10, BUF 32 - 76 solid PB, JA rolls right, throws INT to Douglas (+1,+25)

 

Bills 8th possession

1st and 10, GB 44 - 76 completely whiffs on his run block, and Motor is snuffed for a 4 yard loss (-1,+24)

2nd and 14, GB 48 - 76 solid PB, JA to Cook for 41 (+1,+25)

1st and goal, GB 7 - 76 pushes his guy upfield, Cook runs behind him for 4 (+1,+26)

2nd and goal, GB 3 - 76 solid RB on RPO, JA airmails it INC (+1,+27)

3rd and goal GB3 - 76 combo with morse, JA rolls right, throws the INT to that ####### Jaire Alexander (+1,+28)  That's two game in a row that the Bills had 2nd and goal from the 3 and came away with 0 points.  HEY DORSEY, NUT IT UP NEXT TIME AND POUND THE ROCK!!!

 

Bills 9th possession

1st and 10, BUF 26 - 76 seals his guy left, Motor right for 7 (+1,+29)

2nd and 3, BUF 33 - 76 good PB, JA to Diggs for FD (+1,+30)

1st and 10, BUF 40 - 76 food PB, JA to Gabe for 6 (+1,+31)

2nd and 4, BUF 46 - 76 blocks 2nd level LB, Motor for 3 (0,+31)

3rd and 1, BUF 49 - 76 drives 58 4 yards upfield, JA sneaks behind 76 for 4 with a push from Gabe (+1,+32)

1st and 10, GB 47 - 76 gets to 2nd level, seals off CB, Motor for 9 (+1,+33)

2nd and 2, GB 38 - 76 drives his guy off the ball, Motor for a FD (+1,+34)  PF on Gabe for stupidly bumping Alexander from behind

1st and 10, GB 49 - 76 gets pushed by 97, then he throws 97 to the ground, Motor for no gain (0,+34)

2nd and 10, GB 49 - 76 looks for someone to block, Cook for 3 (0,+34)

3rd and 7, GB 46 - 76 PB, JA scrambles, overthrows Kumerow INC (0,+34) Dawkins ineligible downfield, declined

 

Bills 10th possession

1st and 10, BUF 45 Victory formation

 

Conclusions

1.  Saffold had an excellent first half (1 negative play) and an average second half (4 negative plays).  

2.  He gave up three pressures and no sacks.

3.  I did not see his guy make the tackle on any play.

4.  Josh followed him on the critical 3rd and 1 that helped to ice the game late.

5.  I have not seen the big negatives that others have seen in the last two games (I'm really interested to see Joe B's All-22 grade for Saffold this week).

6.  Are there any games or plays that anyone can point me to that would justify the Saffold hate?  I'm just not seeing it.  I like this guy, a lot.

 

76 grades overall:

Chefs - A

Packers - A-

doing God’s work here thank you.

[Freddie's Dead]

Just saw that Joe B gave Saffold a C on the All 22.  I know he can't spend two hours on each player, which is what it takes for me just to do the Saffold Report.  He must condense his film review.  He must also heavily weight negative plays like pressures, of which Saffold had 3.  But I also saw him drive guys multiple yards upfield and get to the 2nd level.  Motor and Cook followed him for big gains all game long.  Joe B's C grade makes no sense to me.

 

I saw a lot of plays where Morse got punked and Joe had him at an A-.  I just don't get it.  Am I missing something with Saffold?  Dude looks pretty good to me.

[Manther]

Freddie's Dead, thanks for doing this.  Greatly appreciated, I really enjoy it and great insight.

[Pete]

9 hours ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Our interior OL will have a challenge ahead of them, with Quinnen Williams on the docket. Glad to hear Saffold is playing well. Hopefully they can continue this upward trend the past few weeks up front!

Aaron Donald, Jeffrey Simmons, Chris Smith....and now Quinnen.   That is a murderers row of DL.  All we need now is Fletcher Cox- see you in the Superbowl Fletcher.  Bills OLine has been up to task so far

[MJS]

5 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

Just saw that Joe B gave Saffold a C on the All 22.  I know he can't spend two hours on each player, which is what it takes for me just to do the Saffold Report.  He must condense his film review.  He must also heavily weight negative plays like pressures, of which Saffold had 3.  But I also saw him drive guys multiple yards upfield and get to the 2nd level.  Motor and Cook followed him for big gains all game long.  Joe B's C grade makes no sense to me.

 

I saw a lot of plays where Morse got punked and Joe had him at an A-.  I just don't get it.  Am I missing something with Saffold?  Dude looks pretty good to me.

I think Joe has his biases and I doubt sometimes that he actually watches each player. My guess is he watches the entire oline at once to save time. He always has a few head scratchers each week. Also, grades are a very subjective thing, especially for the oline.

[hemma]

He may only look at 1/4 of the plays.

 

I’m definitely with you on your rating and I’ll bet Kromer is too.

[BillsShredder83]

16 minutes ago, hemma said:

He may only look at 1/4 of the plays.

 

I’m definitely with you on your rating and I’ll bet Kromer is too.

Crazy that the reporter is obviously glancing over his job while a fan is zooming in on the detail.

 

In fairness there's probably pressure for him to get a grade up by midweek, which really just brings all the grades into question.

 

Thanks OP!

[Freddie's Dead]

21 minutes ago, BillsShredder83 said:

Crazy that the reporter is obviously glancing over his job while a fan is zooming in on the detail.

 

In fairness there's probably pressure for him to get a grade up by midweek, which really just brings all the grades into question.

 

Thanks OP!

 

You're welcome!  Time is the issue. Joe B has to crank out the All 22 by Wednesday, so he can't possibly analyze every play by every player (22 players @2 hours per player is 44 hours, so he'd have to work 16-hour days to really break it down). That's why I think the negative plays jump out and get a weighting that drags down the grade.  I can't really explain it any other way.  Not everyone agrees with The Saffold Report, but I show you my work, and you can decide.

[Big Turk]

12 hours ago, Nephilim17 said:

Saffold got a lot of grief from folks around here... I can't verify your conclusions but have no reason to doubt that you're reasonably correct in many of them. Would love to see him keep improving. Just maybe... he's getting healthier after the car accident and he will be a consistently good player on the line.

 

The Bills have one of the lowest pressure rates in the NFL so I am assuming in pass pro at least he has done well throughout the year.

[msw2112]

So far, and based on the above analysis, Saffold looks like a good signing.  Quessenberry also looks like a good signing.  With the Doyle and Brown injuries, Quessenberry has held down the fort.  I have not done a full film analysis, but I am seeing three things that I like 1) improved running game; 2) Allen not getting blown up and 3) wins (6-1 with a tough schedule).

[RiotAct]

That’s some dedication, @Freddie's Dead