Bills’ special teams— mea culpa (for now)

[pennstate10]

Let’s be serious, that wasn’t a good route and great throw..

 

That was your cousin Charlie and uncle Billy playing catch in the backyard. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

5 hours ago, NoSaint said:

the one defense there is he isn’t the guy back there regularly. To some degree, especially in this game, you tell him to keep it real simple back there. 
 

If the guy playing the position regularly can’t handle it - totally different but with a fill in I’m pretty ok with him being reigned in completely 

I think our expectations are pretty low. If it’s plus, it’s barely. 
 

they gave up a possession. That’s massive in playoff football. Most of the rest was just executing pretty normal expectations. 

They did give up a possession. Which ended up resulting  in zero points.

 

However, they kept one of the better returners in the game in check while having a few nice returns of their own. They had a backup KR/PR in that could have been an issue, but instead did well and I don't remember seeing any penalties on ST yesterday, but maybe I'm forgetting if there was one. All in all I'd call that plus football.

[GunnerBill]

11 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

They lack detail on special teams. Little things that turn into big things.

 

Tells me the ST coach is in over his head. 

 

Smiley is definitely in over his head. We have had a good return game all year though and it didn't miss a beat yesterday without Codrington. That's a positive. 

7 hours ago, Simon said:

 

Did he wave for a FC?

If so, he's not allowed to contact the gunners.

Regardless, it's his first game returning punts and it's an elimination game.

I'm OK with coach keeping it simple and telling him if he's not going to field it, just get the hell out of there.

 

Totally where I am on it. I think when opponents down punts inside the five there is a limit to what coaching can do about that. Great punt, good pursuit, favourable bounce. What you don't do there is make the big mistake. If you think you can clean catch it, fine. Otherwise get the hell away. 

[NoSaint]

8 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Smiley is definitely in over his head. We have had a good return game all year though and it didn't miss a beat yesterday without Codrington. That's a positive. 

 

Totally where I am on it. I think when opponents down punts inside the five there is a limit to what coaching can do about that. Great punt, good pursuit, favourable bounce. What you don't do there is make the big mistake. If you think you can clean catch it, fine. Otherwise get the hell away. 

we did put our WR2 back there, which is a risky move but did help.

[Sweats]

14 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

He pulled it too early 

 

 

 

That's usually me on first dates, which would explain why i never get a second one.......

[thenorthremembers]

The fakes are embarrassing at this point.    Is that three in one year now?   

[Captain Caveman]

I think the Bills should look to improve in Special Teams coaching in the offseason.  I'm surprised Denver fired Kotwica, they had a great overall season on special teams, but it sounds like maybe Payton wanted to bring in his old Saints coach.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6069452/2025/01/17/broncos-special-teams-coordinator-ben-kotwica-fired/

[Rubes]

On 1/13/2025 at 6:21 AM, thenorthremembers said:

The fakes are embarrassing at this point.    Is that three in one year now?   

Plus the blocked punt for a TD.

 

[JP51]

On 1/12/2025 at 5:00 PM, GASabresIUFan said:

Smiley must do a better job sniffing out fake kicks.

I agree I believe that is the 2nd one this year... they got it on tape... not sure how you  let that happen twice... D bailed them out but if that turned the game around I am not sure we would be talking about decent special teams...  Bass missing extra points has to stop too...