Where are you at this brand new “No running Josh” ?

[Italian Bills]

After three to four years where Josh piled yards with his freaking athleticism, this season, in this first six games, his game is pretty different, very less runs (almost none even where some good opportunities come) and more of a pocket passer if not when he must escape from a sack, but also in this cases, he try to find someone open in a broken play and if none is free, then he wisely throws an incomplete. 
 

Now, i know that most of us were asking for less runs to avoid injuries first and then fumbles, but isn’t too much a change right now ? 
 

it seem that defenses know that he won’t run anymore so their job is a lot easier now. 
 

Maybe adding some good run here and there during every game would keep other D honest and would open the field for our guys. 
 

What you think ? 
 

And what about Josh ? Do you think he’s 100% ok with this new concept or maybe he would just want to be the “real” Josh when chances come ?

Edited October 17, 2023 by Italian Bills

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

I hope he runs without any hesitation at all in the postseason that’s for damn sure.

[Gregg]

The Bills are doing a better job running the ball this year without Allen having to do the running. After last season Allen said it himself that he can't continue taking the hits if he wants to play in the league a long time. Look at what happened to Cam Newton.

[Charles Romes]

The negative is that defenses are preparing for a non-running Allen, which is easier. 

[dave mcbride]

Haven't all of Allen's injuries, including the shoulder on Sunday night, come from plays in the pocket? And weren't almost all of Newton's injuries pocket-based? 

[zow2]

I'm worried that the shoulder is hurting more than he will admit.  Last year they brushed off the elbow injury but it clearly was an issue and needed rest.

 

So to that end he can run all day, just avoid contact please.  And the Bills should try to grind out some rushing attack vs NE and Tampa.  Running and some quick efficient passing and play action might be their strong suit now.

[HOUSE]

How many times was Josh injured running vs in the pocket?

Run Josh run....

[Goin Breakdown]

It sucks

[Big Turk]

I think Allen is not running at times almost to a fault, which is in some ways holding the offense back...

 

There have been multiple times where huge areas of green are in front of him to exploit but he chooses to throw a low percentage pass instead and those usually don't get completed.  

 

I get him not wanting to run as much, but there is a difference between running just to run and running when it's the best play available.  Allen too often is now not running when it's the best play available and when he is near the sidelines and could easily outrun the defender and get out of bounds to avoid a hit.  

 

Seems like he has over-corrected in the other direction and gone from running maybe a little too much to maybe running not frequently enough(when it's the best play available).  Hoping he finds a middle ground as the season goes on.

[oldmanfan]

Run when necessary, but slide.

[Italian Bills]

30 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

Haven't all of Allen's injuries, including the shoulder on Sunday night, come from plays in the pocket? And weren't almost all of Newton's injuries pocket-based? 

 

13 minutes ago, Bogie_Klinkhammer said:

How many times was Josh injured running vs in the pocket?

Run Josh run....

Yes because when you are sacked or when you get the hit just after you released the football, contacts are like heavy a train, when you run the body is more prepared to contacts and can reduce the impact’s effect. 

4 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

I think Allen is not running at times almost to a fault, which is in some ways holding the offense back...

 

There have been multiple times where huge areas of green are in front of him to exploit but he chooses to throw a low percentage pass instead and those usually don't get completed.  

 

I get him not wanting to run as much, but there is a difference between running just to run and running when it's the best play available.  Allen too often is now not running when it's the best play available and when he is near the sidelines and could easily outrun the defender and get out of bounds to avoid a hit.  

 

Seems like he has over-corrected in the other direction and gone from running maybe a little too much to maybe running not frequently enough(when it's the best play available).  Hoping he finds a middle ground as the season goes on.

Exactly my point. 
 

Take the few chances that come to you to run and then you can protect yourself by sliding or coming out of bounds. 
 

It seem that he really decided to not run anymore if not when he has to avoid a sack, he doesn’t consider anymore the run like an option. 

[Trogdor]

23 minutes ago, NUT said:

It will work if the receivers stop dropping the damn ball.

The bills have 4 drops on the year and are near the bottom of the league in that category. It doesn't seem to make a difference because the open guy isn't getting the ball even against stacked boxes. 

[Chaos]

Niether the botched overtime against the Jets, nor the loss to the Jags had anything do with Josh not running.   Its more fun to watch Josh running, but I am not sure it is less effective.   It will be interesting to see if there is a change in strategy against the teams we expect to score more points against us, like the Chiefs. 

[DrDawkinstein]

6 minutes ago, Chaos said:

Niether the botched overtime against the Jets, nor the loss to the Jags had anything do with Josh not running.   Its more fun to watch Josh running, but I am not sure it is less effective.   It will be interesting to see if there is a change in strategy against the teams we expect to score more points against us, like the Chiefs. 

 

Disagree.

 

In both games our Offense would be totally different if Josh were running. On both called QB runs AND scrambles.

 

Historically, Josh getting a couple runs in and laying some lumber to the defense settles him down. Nothing is for certain, but I could see it breaking him out of whatever weird head-space he was in in New Jersey.

 

In London, the offense needed a spark and to find its identity. I fully believe Josh running answers both of those needs. Maybe a couple of called runs and a scramble or two to keep the chains moving is all that is needed to change a one-score game.

 

I've said it in a number of threads, but it's a numbers game. When Josh is running the Bills are +1 on skills guys the defense must cover. When he isnt running, the numbers sway back to the defense's favor and it's easier for them to cover and defend.

[The Jokeman]

I don't mind Josh running as long he isn't taking hits and honestly if he runs and slides he shouldn't be taking any hits. Hopefully we see it more as the weather gets worse. 

[ddaryl]

There has been a dozen times this season where I thought Josh should of taken the 5 to 8 yds in front of him and slide. The sliding issue has been the issue and the trying to much. But I would like ot see him take those yards when they are there.

But he also doesn't seemed to be dialed into the X's and O's that Dorsey draws up for him. He is best when a play breaks down. Last few weeks I've seen Josh trying to squeeze the short underneath game in triple coverage. SO either the X's and O's are not drawn up correctly or Josh does not recognize the open man when he surveils the D before the snap in regards to the quick passing game

[T master]

3 hours ago, Italian Bills said:

After three to four years where Josh piled yards with his freaking athleticism, this season, in this first six games, his game is pretty different, very less runs (almost none even where some good opportunities come) and more of a pocket passer if not when he must escape from a sack, but also in this cases, he try to find someone open in a broken play and if none is free, then he wisely throws an incomplete. 
 

Now, i know that most of us were asking for less runs to avoid injuries first and then fumbles, but isn’t too much a change right now ? 
 

it seem that defenses know that he won’t run anymore so their job is a lot easier now. 
 

Maybe adding some good run here and there during every game would keep other D honest and would open the field for our guys. 
 

What you think ? 
 

And what about Josh ? Do you think he’s 100% ok with this new concept or maybe he would just want to be the “real” Josh when chances come ?

 

Josh is a weapon with both his arm & his legs Dorcey needs to put a few QB run plays in to keep the opposition guessing & that is the thing i feel they are not doing now.

 

I'm glad that Josh isn't running as much & that they have brought in some bigger backs which are doing well but Josh is a weapon that still needs to be utilized in all the ways he has proven he can be used . 

 

I do think they have pushed the pendulum to far to the other side & they need to let it come back a bit more on some designed runs for Josh .

[DabillsDaBillsDaBills]

40 minutes ago, Trogdor said:

The bills have 4 drops on the year and are near the bottom of the league in that category. It doesn't seem to make a difference because the open guy isn't getting the ball even against stacked boxes. 

 

4 seems unbelievably low, where is that number from ?

 

https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/advanced-stats-wr.php

 

Looking up individual players

Knox: 4 (yikes)

Diggs: 2

Davis: 2

Harty: 1

 

Doesn't look like they track RBs but Cook has at least 1 drop this season. That would put us at 10 for the year, which passes the eye test for me. No idea how it compares league wide. 

 

For Josh running the ball: I'd love to see more scrambles and bring the designed runs back. Josh has that 6th sense where he avoids big hits while running the ball. With a few exceptions he's the one delivering the energy of the hit not absorbing the energy from the defender. 

[Warriorspikes51]

We should be starting games with multiple designed Allen runs behind blockers outside the hashmarks on opening drives. 

 

This will get the offense ignited and bait LB's throughout the game 

Edited October 17, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[DapperCam]

I’m fine with him running if he could slide or get out of bounds.

 

I’m hoping they let him loose in the playoffs.