vtnatefootball11 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 (edited) I'm sure all of you that watch the games closely have noticed Diggs coming off the field several times each game in crucial third down and other passing situations. Has happened a lot in recent weeks. His general snap count is down as well, has played less than 70% of offensive snaps in all recent weeks. Tim Graham has an article today in the Athletic about it, where he quotes Devin McCourty who has been examining this very issue leading up to the bills/fins game. https://theathletic.com/5180397/2024/01/05/buffalo-bills-dolphins-stefon-diggs-devin-mccourty/ It's behind a paywall but the gist of it is that McCourty is speculating that something is going on behind the scenes with Bills/Diggs, and the coaches/Allen won't say it but they are just trying to get through this season and the Bills may even be doing a little bit "we don't need you to win" type stuff by not playing him in certain crucial moments that any other #1WR would be in for. Why else would our best skill player not be on the field on crucial third downs in must win games? McCourty states that it has to be something serious going on or else it's coaching malpractice. I agree with him. I have noticed Diggs coming off the field too (not just when he asks for a breather but being designed off on third downs). Graham/McCourty got a lot of negative reaction from Bills fans in the comments, but I thought they were asking all the right questions. The coaches have said a few different things about why his production is down but none of them make sense. The double team thing has been sighted a lot, but then why isn't he playing almost every single play if that the case, as that would open up the offense ? Curious to hear people's thoughts on this board. Edited January 5 by vtnatefootball11 1 1 Quote
Not at the table Karlos Posted January 5 Posted January 5 (edited) He most likely has an injury. Up until last week he didn’t look like he was moving like he normally does. Sitting someone to show them you can win with out them is stupid. Stupid idea, stupid to report it, stupid all around. Shouldn’t this go under talking head says something stupid or whatever that thread was called. Edited January 5 by Not at the table Karlos 2 1 1 20 Quote
Milanos Milano Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Yeah I’m going with injury at this point. Diggs usage is puzzling. 2 1 Quote
Irv Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I was wondering this as well. He should be on the field EVERY third down regardless of the distance. 1 1 Quote
WEATHER DOT COM Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I think it's moreso Diggs taking himself out of the game than the coaching staff purposely replacing him at pivital spots in the game. Why is he taking himself out? That's the question that should be asked. 7 Quote
vtnatefootball11 Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 (edited) I want to believe the injury thing but then why aren't the Bills going along with a scheme to hid his injury and not report it? That would be stupid and would make no sense. They report nagging injuries all the time, including Josh's shoulder and whatnot (that would be the one to hide if any). I don't buy the injury thing. I think you're naive if you don't think there is anything going on behind the scenes. Don't know exactly what it is but something is up. Edited January 5 by vtnatefootball11 1 Quote
london_bills Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I'm guessing its because he's not always where he should be. I think diggs is a problem tbh in terms of attitude and it's his last season in buffalo depending what they can do contract wise. 1 1 2 1 1 Quote
Warriorspikes51 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 his back has been bothering him he appeared to be having fun in practice. Josh Diggs and Davis have been spending time together putting in extra work very encouraging 7 Quote
vtnatefootball11 Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 Just now, Warriorspikes51 said: his back has been bothering him That's not it. At least that would be stupid if so. The Bills already reported his back injury a while back, why would they hide it now? Also, even if Stef was nursing a back, do you think Stef would play part of the games but not crucial third downs? You think they would design screens to him so he automatically gets hit? That doesn't make sense. Something is going on. 1 Quote
JMM Posted January 5 Posted January 5 I noticed that as well and thought it was curious. Although they deny an injury, I tend to think he is injured and it will be revealed after the season. He's just too intense to be ok with not being in there and not being targeted as much. He would have had a bit of a tantrum on the sidelines by now. 1 2 Quote
london_bills Posted January 5 Posted January 5 2 minutes ago, vtnatefootball11 said: I want to believe the injury thing but then why aren't the Bills going along with a scheme to hid his injury and not report it? That would be stupid and would make no sense. They report nagging injuries all the time, including Josh's shoulder and whatnot (that would be the one to hide if any). I don't buy the injury thing. I think you're naive if you don't think there is anything going on behind the scenes. Don't know exactly what it is but something is up. I don't either. Brady was saying something about it saying it's not like anyone isn't where they are supposed to be, diggs gets constant targets under Dorsey then he's fired Quote
NoSaint Posted January 5 Posted January 5 7 minutes ago, Not at the table Karlos said: He most likely has an injury. Up until last week he didn’t look like he was moving like he normally does. Sitting someone to show them you can win with out them is stupid. Stupid idea, stupid to report it, stupid all around. Shouldn’t this go under talking head says something stupid or whatever that thread was called. yea- I have to think that an injury makes way more sense than a battle of egos. That he’s unhappy so they are intentionally going out of their way to poke him and agitate him more makes very little sense. That they are lying to cover an injury and protect his well being makes way more for now. 9 Quote
Brand J Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Quote When the third quarter began, Buffalo led by just six points. And there Diggs stood on the sideline for all eight plays, 75 yards and 4 minutes, 18 seconds it took to score a touchdown. Sherfield, with eight receptions all season, got Diggs’ snaps. He has played 46 percent, 60 percent and 65 percent of Buffalo’s offensive snaps the past three games. Gabe Davis and Khalil Shakir have played more. Sherfield has played more snaps than Diggs two of the past three weeks. I didn’t realize his usage had fallen off that much, especially to the bolded. 1 Quote
vtnatefootball11 Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 (edited) 1 minute ago, NoSaint said: yea- I have to think that an injury makes way more sense than a battle of egos. That he’s unhappy so they are intentionally going out of their way to poke him and agitate him more makes very little sense. That they are lying to cover an injury and protect his well being makes way more for now. But then why is he playing some unimportant plays but coming out crucial third downs in must win games? Why are they throwing screen passes to him that all but ensure he's getting hit? Edited January 5 by vtnatefootball11 1 2 Quote
Milanos Milano Posted January 5 Posted January 5 If it’s not an injury it’s definitely bizarre. 1 2 Quote
1onemangang7 Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Same game parlays. Gotta shake the bettors off before he can rack up fantasy points in the playoffs 2 Quote
DrDawkinstein Posted January 5 Posted January 5 1 minute ago, vtnatefootball11 said: But then why is he playing some unimportant plays but coming out crucial third downs in must win games? Why are they throwing screen passes to him that all but ensure he's getting hit? When he's in the game they throw him the ball. When he takes himself out of the game they throw to other people. Quote
WEATHER DOT COM Posted January 5 Posted January 5 If Diggs was injured he would not have lined up at RB and taken a carry near the goal line last week IMO 3 7 2 Quote
vtnatefootball11 Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 (edited) 4 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said: When he's in the game they throw him the ball. When he takes himself out of the game they throw to other people. This has been proven incorrect. Josh hasn't even looked his way when is open on several intermediate routes in recent games, which is crazy and never would have happened in the past. He also has been intentionally schemed off on some third downs (not asking for it), and the Bills coaches have confirmed as much. Unless they are part of a massive coverup that could subject them to fines/loss of draft picks (which why would they do that? just report he has a nagging back), it's not just an injury thing. I'm sure everyone is banged up right now, but something else is going on. Edited January 5 by vtnatefootball11 1 Quote
DrDawkinstein Posted January 5 Posted January 5 Just now, vtnatefootball11 said: This has been proven incorrect. Josh isn't even targeting him when is open, which is crazy and never would have happened in the past. He also has been intentionally schemed off on some third downs (not asking for it), and the Bills coaches have confirmed as much. Unless they are part of a massive coverup that could subject them to fines/loss of draft picks (which why would they do that? just report he has a nagging back), it's not just an injury thing. I'm sure everyone is banged up right now, but something else is going on. What are the numbers on this that prove it? What are his snaps and target numbers? 1 Quote
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