Is Josh Allen bailing out of more clean pockets than he has the last few years?

[We Billieve #1]

Lately, it seems like he's had to bail because receivers are not getting open quick enough. Have we seen any play action yet? With Cook making some noise, it's time to use play action a bit more. That could help receivers gain a bit more separation and give Josh what he needs to be successful in the passing game. Thoughts?

[Allen2Coleman]

13 hours ago, Simon said:

I have been getting the sense that Allen is leaving clean pockets more than he has been over the last few years. Is anybody else feeling that also or is this just my imagination?

If he has been, it could be a factor in the offense's recent struggles. Unnecessary scramble drills foisted on a group of guys who are just learning to play together is a complication they really don't need.

I think so, often he’d be fine if he just slid to the right and took a shot, this diagonal run back makes it impossible to complete a pass on a lot of the plays. Receivers not getting separation or not coming back to him on a scramble drill. But something is off.

[Big Turk]

It looks like it the last few weeks because he has been under a lot of pressure...

 

The thing I WILL say is that if he starts getting pressured a lot at the start of the game, it seems he expects pressure and will bail early at times or even throw early in expectation of pressure being there even if it isn't.

[Mike in Horseheads]

Josh stayed in one time two long instead of bailing out and ended up with the twins in Cheektowaga

[Buffalo_Stampede]

On 10/8/2024 at 8:53 PM, Simon said:

I have been getting the sense that Allen is leaving clean pockets more than he has been over the last few years. Is anybody else feeling that also or is this just my imagination?

If he has been, it could be a factor in the offense's recent struggles. Unnecessary scramble drills foisted on a group of guys who are just learning to play together is a complication they really don't need.

Definitely this last game. It was noticeable.

15 hours ago, We Billieve #1 said:

Lately, it seems like he's had to bail because receivers are not getting open quick enough. Have we seen any play action yet? With Cook making some noise, it's time to use play action a bit more. That could help receivers gain a bit more separation and give Josh what he needs to be successful in the passing game. Thoughts?

Maybe he’s not trusting his WRs to win on routes so he turns to the scramble drill.

Edited October 10 by Buffalo_Stampede

[Solomon Grundy]

31 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Definitely this last game. It was noticeable.

Maybe he’s not trusting his WRs to win on routes so he turns to the scramble drill.

Or maybe he's not trusting his Oline. 🤷

[billsfan_34]

On 10/8/2024 at 8:57 PM, machine gun kelly said:

Simon, my impression is he is trying to create even more time as none of the WR’s are getting separation as they stink minus Shakir.  Coleman gets a pass as he’s a developing rookie.

Coleman was a big mistake. Slow as molasses. The pass that bounced off his helmet was all on Keon. He was literally looking at the defender while coming out of his break - ridiculous! 

[balln]

5 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

Coleman was a big mistake. Slow as molasses. The pass that bounced off his helmet was all on Keon. He was literally looking at the defender while coming out of his break - ridiculous! 

They wanted a basketball player I guess. They wanted a he’s open when he’s not. And contested guy. This FO is so in love of the idea of guys and the belief of their development - the don’t look objectively 

[SoonerBillsFan]

On 10/8/2024 at 7:53 PM, Simon said:

I have been getting the sense that Allen is leaving clean pockets more than he has been over the last few years. Is anybody else feeling that also or is this just my imagination?

If he has been, it could be a factor in the offense's recent struggles. Unnecessary scramble drills foisted on a group of guys who are just learning to play together is a complication they really don't need.

Yes, and I don't get why.  Until the Baltimore game we had the #1 rated pass blocking line. Starting with Baltimore something happened and esp. Last week, he bailed too often on clean pockets.  

 

I think he is more hurt then is being disclosed. 

21 hours ago, We Billieve #1 said:

Lately, it seems like he's had to bail because receivers are not getting open quick enough. Have we seen any play action yet? With Cook making some noise, it's time to use play action a bit more. That could help receivers gain a bit more separation and give Josh what he needs to be successful in the passing game. Thoughts?

No under center and play action which makes no sense either. His best stats last year were from doing that.

 

I worry Brady is overthinking things.

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 10/8/2024 at 8:57 PM, machine gun kelly said:

Simon, my impression is he is trying to create even more time as none of the WR’s are getting separation as they stink minus Shakir.  Coleman gets a pass as he’s a developing rookie.

It’s not the WRs fault they got thrust into their positions. Guys like Mack Hollins are excellent options as a 4th or 5th option, but really has no business being in a starting role. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

His play style has definitely been different this year in my opinion. There have been many times where he has open field and an easy 1st down and he chooses to stop and throw rather than hit the easy button. Also seeing him slide more this season then I can ever remember.

 

I don't think he's being coached out of his play style either. I think he's getting a tad older and realizes the body responds differently to bumps, bruises and pounding as you age. Perhaps he's making (and this isn't meant derogatory) some business decisions that he hasn't made in the past. It's smart on his part. 

 

As far as leaving clean pockets, I voted about the same. Problem is over the last 2 weeks he hasn't seemed to have too many clean pockets to leave .

[Yobogoya!]

21 hours ago, Big Turk said:

The thing I WILL say is that if he starts getting pressured a lot at the start of the game, it seems he expects pressure and will bail early at times or even throw early in expectation of pressure being there even if it isn't.

 

In years past he would be pressured all game and STILL hang in the pocket late, trusting his linemen-- only to get clobbered, fumble, etc.

 

So I can totally understand where he might have developed this tendency.

[Sweats]

From what i've seen the last two games, JA has had to run for his life with very little time or success to create a play with the WR's not being able to get open and not being able to throw to his outlet......a bull rushing front D and blanketing CB/DB's will do that.

[Mango]

22 hours ago, Big Turk said:

It looks like it the last few weeks because he has been under a lot of pressure...

 

The thing I WILL say is that if he starts getting pressured a lot at the start of the game, it seems he expects pressure and will bail early at times or even throw early in expectation of pressure being there even if it isn't.

 

Just in general I think when he gets rattled or doesn't trust what he is seeing it is his go to. Simms sort of eluded to it this week in his review. He just thinks he can make magic happen every play. I will add on that if he doesn't quite get what is happening in front of him he is physically talented enough to do it on his own fairly often even if there is easy money in front of him. 

[zow2]

Josh has resembled a QB with slow eyes in the pocket,  and add some inaccuracy to that it's a recipe for some bad games.   I think he should run more and make plays while scrambling.  That's when he is great.  Standing there scanning the field and passing from the pocket is not his best attribute imo.

[ProcessTruster]

On 10/8/2024 at 9:00 PM, Lost said:

Yep, he seems very jumpy in the pocket last two games and not always getting his feet set properly on a lot of throws.   Could be why his accuracy is off too.

defenses taking away the middle of the field in zone and daring the WR to beat man coverage, which they can't, so Josh bailing to buy time 

[CincyBillsFan]

1 hour ago, zow2 said:

Josh has resembled a QB with slow eyes in the pocket,  and add some inaccuracy to that it's a recipe for some bad games.   I think he should run more and make plays while scrambling.  That's when he is great.  Standing there scanning the field and passing from the pocket is not his best attribute imo.

I think his eyes are working just fine.  He is seeing that on most plays nobody is getting open.

 

 

[Not at the table Karlos]

On 10/8/2024 at 8:14 PM, MPL said:

I feel like Josh bails early when he doesn't trust what he is seeing from the defense. I've kind of started to think it doesn't really have anything to do with pressure. When he doesn't recognize what the defense is doing, he bails, because it's easier for him to improvise from outside of the pocket. And sometimes — as in the Ravens and Texans games — this creates pressure when there may not have been if he had hung in the pocket. I don't think it's better or worse this year. I think he's always been like this. 

This. He has some issues reading defenses. He himself has said he doesn’t watch a ton of film. Maybe he needs to. 
 

He also needs to see receivers open and struggles to anticipate them coming open. Not a good combo with current WR group. The front office understood this for a bit then got back to their Carolina obsession with big plodding WRs. 

Edited October 10 by Not at the table Karlos

[frostbitmic]

I didn't vote in the poll ... I don't see him escaping a good pocket, but more out of necessity because there's someone coming in up the middle untouched.

 

Is the experiment of playing a guy at Center who barely has played the position since his sophomore season in college working ? ... The interior of the line seems to be a problem this year, it was strong last year.

[kota]

pass blocking has been terrible the last 2 weeks.