Ray Davis' Blocking

[PoundingDog]

I know Torrence blocking two guys on the 2nd Cooper reception play was talked about a lot by many. I sometimes look other guys in those plays to see what they were doing. In this case, I notice the Ray Davis blocking on that play (blitz pickup) is pretty impressive. This is also why Cook is not on 3rd down very much because I have not seen him capable of doing that even 3 year into his career. There is talk about extension of Cook beyond his rookie contract. But seeing this kind of play makes you wonder though.

 

 

 

[CNYfan]

26 was in on most 3rd downs against the Chiefs.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

4 minutes ago, PoundingDog said:

I know Torrence blocking two guys on the 2nd Cooper reception play was talked about a lot by many. I sometimes look other guys in those plays to see what they were doing. In this case, I notice the Ray Davis blocking on that play (blitz pickup) is pretty impressive. This is also why Cook is not on 3rd down very much because I have not seen him capable of doing that even 3 year into his career. There is talk about extension of Cook beyond his rookie contract. But seeing this kind of play makes you wonder though.

 

 

 

 

Honestly if allen finds the back there he's got the first down easy too, good job showing his numbers to the QB after the chip.  He was already throwing to cooper but if he instead stepped up i think he finds davis for a nice gain.  

[JP51]

He definately seems willing to engage and that is a really good thing... 

[YattaOkasan]

1 minute ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Honestly if allen finds the back there he's got the first down easy too, good job showing his numbers to the QB after the chip.  He was already throwing to cooper but if he instead stepped up i think he finds davis for a nice gain.  

you think he can step up into the pocket on that play?  agree davis would be open but he would have to back pedal to get to him.

[hondo in seattle]

Holy crap, I hadn't seen this angle/replay and hadn't realized the Chiefs rushed 7.   Thanks for posting.  

 

Yeah, Davis does a fine job but Torrence is a beast.  I also watched Baldinger's video on how Torrence, working solo, manhandled Chris Jones.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

15 minutes ago, YattaOkasan said:

you think he can step up into the pocket on that play?  agree davis would be open but he would have to back pedal to get to him.

 

Either way he's getting hit most likely, i'd say moving into the contact makes the throw a bit easier.  

[4BillsintheBurgh]

7 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Either way he's getting hit most likely, i'd say moving into the contact makes the throw a bit easier.  

That's a tough ask. Josh would have had to been committed to Davis well before throwing the ball and there was no guarantee Davis was going to free up the way he did. He could have gotten tangled up with the rusher and not been available. Josh had to get rid of the ball quickly and couldn't wait, he had to assume Davis was blocking.

[YattaOkasan]

10 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Either way he's getting hit most likely, i'd say moving into the contact makes the throw a bit easier.  

I think he gets destroyed and risks a lot of injury if he steps into bolton charging at him.  When he gets cover 0 he almost always slides/fades aways from it.  Stepping into a throw makes it stronger but with Josh's arm he doesnt need to so he can avoid the hit.  part of why he has the longest active start streak is cause he fades away from that type of contact.  Not walk into.  Others have to we should not want him to.  

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Just now, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

That's a tough ask. Josh would have had to been committed to Davis well before throwing the ball and there was no guarantee Davis was going to free up the way he did. He could have gotten tangled up with the rusher and not been available. Josh had to get rid of the ball quickly and couldn't wait, he had to assume Davis was blocking.

 

For sure - its a different type of counter to a 0 blitz, but allen's clock is accelerated and he's got cooper in a 1x1 so let it rip.  

[Chugga]

I thought this post was going to be about the Curtis Samuel TD.  Davis completely walls off his guy and drives him out of bounds to make that TD work.  I really like the kid and love his running style.  Would like to see more of him but Cook has been electric this year too.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

Just now, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

For sure - its a different type of counter to a 0 blitz, but allen's clock is accelerated and he's got cooper in a 1x1 so let it rip.  

Yes, but that would have been called (Davis releasing instead of blocking) in the huddle or at the line. The way the play was run it couldn't happen, Josh couldn't find the back. The only way Josh was going to get him the ball was to bail on the pocket and find Davis if he flared out with him.

[Logic]

The combination of:

- How effective Ray Davis has looked in limited work

- The amount of contract extensions for key players coming up (Groot, Bernard, Benford, Shakir)
- The replaceability of running backs in general

 

It is my belief that James Cook should not be given a contract extension. I almost never believe in giving a running back a second contract, unless he's a truly elite player who contributes to the passing game in a big way. If the Bills were flush with money and didn't have so many other key extensions coming up, I might feel differently. As it stands -- with other more pressing extensions on the horizon, with Ray Davis in-house and looking good, with the Bills front office showing over the years that it's not afraid to spend day two picks on running backs -- I think they should let Cook walk.

I'm sure that opinion will go over like a lead balloon, but I'm sticking to it. Give me the Edge rusher, the defensive captain, the elite corner, and the elite YAC receiver over the running back, please and thank you.

[GunnerBill]

That was a decent enough blitz pickup but Davis hasn't done a good job pass blocking as a whole this year - though they don't ask him to do it much. Cook has done it better, but the guy the ask to pass block most often is Ty Johnson. He is their trusted go to 3rd down back because he can stay in and protect or he can get out and catch a pass. It is why for the first time almost ever under this regime they are dressing three running backs without any of them being stud special teamers. Because they believe Johnson has so much combined value on 3rd down that he is worth a jersey. 

[YattaOkasan]

15 minutes ago, 4BillsintheBurgh said:

Yes, but that would have been called (Davis releasing instead of blocking) in the huddle or at the line. The way the play was run it couldn't happen, Josh couldn't find the back. The only way Josh was going to get him the ball was to bail on the pocket and find Davis if he flared out with him.

If Davis releases one of the rusher likely peels off to cover him too.  I would be shocked if they dont green dog that one.

[947]

Cook will get a nice deal from some "up & comer" team with a QB still on a rookie contract. There's no way we try to match the offer he's likely to get from a team like that.

[Rubes]

25 minutes ago, Logic said:

The combination of:

- How effective Ray Davis has looked in limited work

- The amount of contract extensions for key players coming up (Groot, Bernard, Benford, Shakir)
- The replaceability of running backs in general

 

It is my belief that James Cook should not be given a contract extension. I almost never believe in giving a running back a second contract, unless he's a truly elite player who contributes to the passing game in a big way. If the Bills were flush with money and didn't have so many other key extensions coming up, I might feel differently. As it stands -- with other more pressing extensions on the horizon, with Ray Davis in-house and looking good, with the Bills front office showing over the years that it's not afraid to spend day two picks on running backs -- I think they should let Cook walk.

I'm sure that opinion will go over like a lead balloon, but I'm sticking to it. Give me the Edge rusher, the defensive captain, the elite corner, and the elite YAC receiver over the running back, please and thank you.

 

Joe Marino had a discussion about this on yesterday's podcast with his guest. It's theoretically possible to resign all 5 of Groot, Bernard, Benford, Shakir, and Cook, but not very likely. Best case scenario is probably 4 of the 5, and Cook would be at the bottom of that list, despite how effective he has been this year.

 

I have a buddy who bets a lot on games, and he bet on Cook to achieve some individual stats last game. He was bitching about Cook not being in the game that much against the Chiefs, and I tried to explain it's because the running lanes are clogged, the Chiefs are blitzing a lot, Cook has had some dropsies, and Ty Johnson (and even Ray Davis) is a much better blocker. He couldn't believe the Bills were keeping "their best player" off the field, thought the Bills deserved to lose, and the Bills coaches were terrible.

 

Oh well.

 

[MJS]

Ty Johnson has turned into the best blocker in the running back stable. I think this group of running backs is really excellent. Different styles and strengths. All of them pretty darn effective.

[Logic]

1 minute ago, Rubes said:

 

 

I have a buddy who bets a lot on games, and he bet on Cook to achieve some individual stats last game. He was bitching about Cook not being in the game that much against the Chiefs, and I tried to explain it's because the running lanes are clogged, the Chiefs are blitzing a lot, Cook has had some dropsies, and Ty Johnson (and even Ray Davis) is a much better blocker. He couldn't believe the Bills were keeping "their best player" off the field, thought the Bills deserved to lose, and the Bills coaches were terrible.

 

Oh well.

 

Gambling and fantasy football warp people's brains.

Team wins the game but doesn't feature your favorite skill player? Coaches should be fired.

Your favorite skill player comes 2 yards shy of causing you to hit on your 6-leg parlay? Send him a Tweet telling him to kill himself.

I'm telling you -- fantasy football and gambling (both of which I participate in) are ruining sports viewers.

[LABILLBACKER]

6 minutes ago, Rubes said:

 

Joe Marino had a discussion about this on yesterday's podcast with his guest. It's theoretically possible to resign all 5 of Groot, Bernard, Benford, Shakir, and Cook, but not very likely. Best case scenario is probably 4 of the 5, and Cook would be at the bottom of that list, despite how effective he has been this year.

 

I have a buddy who bets a lot on games, and he bet on Cook to achieve some individual stats last game. He was bitching about Cook not being in the game that much against the Chiefs, and I tried to explain it's because the running lanes are clogged, the Chiefs are blitzing a lot, Cook has had some dropsies, and Ty Johnson (and even Ray Davis) is a much better blocker. He couldn't believe the Bills were keeping "their best player" off the field, thought the Bills deserved to lose, and the Bills coaches were terrible.

 

Oh well.

 

Out of those 5 guys, Cook is easily the least priority. Davis and Ty can cover as we draft another RB.