Run it back on offense...

[Thrivefourfive]

On 2/4/2025 at 2:04 PM, folz said:

 

Ok, I actually watched the whole video.

 

This analysis is from one person only (Steve Smith). The video is from week 9 or 10. Keon had only played 8 games as a rookie and had 36 total targets. Smith admits that he didn't like him coming out of college, so, he of course is also wanting to confirm his bias. He also says things like, "Am I being critical, yes, but prior to the trade for Amari Cooper, this is a guy that they said was going to replace Stefon Diggs." No one expected him to replace Diggs. Different types of receivers, Bills offense was going in a different direction (bigger, stronger WRs), he wasn't expected to perform as a #1 WR (Bills were easing him in his rookie year). So, that already calls into question his analysis. Also, when this video was made, Keon's last two games he had just gone for 170 yards and a TD. No mention of that. Keon was coming on at that point (just before the injury). Maybe Steve wanted to keep his pre-draft analysis relevant. 

 

Now, does he have some points about Keon's footwork, or strength at the line, or whatever, sure, yeah, Keon probably has a lot to improve on/get coached up on. He was a rookie with only 8 games under his belt.

 

BUT, Smith's film analysis consisted of 5 plays:

Play 1: It does look like Keon is the #1 read, he does not get clean/great separation. But Steve says himself, it's not Keon's fault that Josh didn't go to him, because the LBer cracking down on the RB closed the window. So, play one...could be better technique, but not his fault. Play went to Shakir for 6 yards, close to a first down.

Play 2: He's against Jalen Ramsey (a very good CB). Josh drops the snap, so the play is already busted from the get-go. Jalen jams Keon good, but then Keon releases and is actually wide open down the field, but Josh does't get him the ball. Steve says, "Does he win in the end? Yeah, but..." Can't quite tell from the video, but it looks like the play goes to Shakir for a first down on the scramble drill. And in the end, Keon won against Ramsey and was open, so...

Play 3: Keon is on the far right. Josh reads the field from left to right, hitting Shakir, his third read, over the middle. Again, could Keon's footwork have been better on his route, sure, but he was at best, the 4th read on the play. And the play went for a 16-yard completion and first down to Shakir.

Play 4: Again, Josh starts reading the field from the opposite side of Keon. So, again, Keon is probably the 4th read. When Josh got to his second read, he started to run, because the line was collapsing. Josh scrambles for like 6 yards and the first.

[With both plays 3 and 4 Smith and the host say things like, Josh isn't even looking at him...even when the play breaks down, Josh isn't looking for his big man. Smith actually says, "the quarterback isn't even looking at him...the QB is like I'm playing 10 on 11." Josh wasn't looking at him because he was like the 4th read in the progression.]

Play 5: Is a Coleman reception. A beautiful 23-yard sideline catch. Steve starts out by saying, "This is a good play, but..." "Does he make the catch, yes, great catch, but..."

 

So, the really bad plays he has to show us are: one great catch, another play he wins on a scramble drill but Josh doesn't find him, another play that Smith says wasn't Keon's fault, and two plays where he was like the 4th read in the play (not to mention that all 5 of those plays still ended up being positive plays for the Bills---4 of them went for first downs). Tough to take his analysis too seriously---despite agreeing that Keon probably does need to work on his technique. But, that's for all rookies really.

When I saw red shoe blue shoe, I knew he was done. Changed shoes, made a couple plays. I agree with Santa Monica CC great Steve Smith on him keeping the quiet and getting to work. 
 

Coleman in the slot: that’s an indictment on Beane man. We don’t need any more TEs and slot WRs.

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Yeah this is the same junkyard offense around Josh Allen that he’s had since he got here in 2018. 
 

Not one deep threat or athletic mismatch on the field. 

 

NOT ONE.
 

Honestly, what objections would I have if the Bills got their hands on Tyler Warren and shipped Dalton Kincaid out of here? 
 

Sorry Ty Johnson and Ray Davis, maybe Henderson or Judkins represent athletic upgrades.

 

Could not disagree with this OP more. The talent on this roster is average everywhere.

 

 

 

 

[Magox]

I didn't know where to post this and didn't want to start a new thread.   Thought this was kinda cool.

 

 

[sleeby]

This season the Bills offense scored a ton of points.  Extend cook.  Focus on the defense.  This seems very clear to me.

 

Buffalo scored a franchise record 525 points and 65 touchdowns in a single season. The Bills scored a franchise record 32 rushing touchdowns in a single season. First team since 1960 to allow less than a sack (0.82) and a giveaway (0.47) per game in a single season.

 

Edit - and please, no prima donna WR like S Watkins on this team.

Edited 4 hours ago by sleeby

[Shaw66]

On 2/3/2025 at 11:37 PM, transplantbillsfan said:

and focus on Defense almost entirely.

 

UFAs: Amari Cooper, Reggie Gilliam, Ty Johnson 

 

Over a week to reflect on that loss and the personell on our team is pretty clearly lacking on Defense, not offense.

 

OL: 100% set. I don't even see a single OL from the 53 man roster who won't be on there again next year.

 

For all the criticism Beane has been getting, applaud him for a pretty awesome OL... both starters and depth.

 

QB: obviously it's JA17 and who cares other than maybe money and who gives him the best vibes.

 

TE: set. Knox and Kincaid are pretty much roster locks. Morris and Davidson can fight it out for TE3 even though it'll probably be Morris.

 

RB: obviously Cook and Davis. Team loves Gilliam so I assume they're going to work something out. Ty Johnson is the wildcard. He was honestly really good this year and might be the only offensive player we're going to see leave. I do think Ray Davis has a similar skillset and if he absorbed anything from Ty, I hope it's pass blocking. Hope Cook absorbed that, too.

 

(Side note: extend Cook and create an offense that is Cook-centric in BOTH the run and pass game the way Thurm was in the 90s)

 

Wide Receiver: Here's the one everyone is up in arms about, but after McBeane's presser I feel differently.

 

Shakir is great and I hope Beane finds a way to lock him up long term on a deal good for both sides. He's obviously Josh's favorite target and they have great chemistry that can grow.

 

Samuel is on the team, contractually. He flashed when he was healthy. If he can stay healthy, he has great separation skills and speed.

 

Coleman is on the team, obviously. Good rookie season and getting better up til he got hurt. Then we all heard McBeane's comments. They had their exit interview and told Keon what they needed to. Work hard in the offseason (with the next 2 dudes) Keon.

 

Mack Hollins seems like a guy who isn't chasing money. Sign him, please. Awesome special teamer who legitimately plays the WR position well and has awesome perspective for the other guys.

 

Amari Cooper is the most controversial, but I think we should keep him. He was playing with a wrist injured enough that doctors said he could use surgery. First thing about him is his attitude. He's the anti-WR... just listen to his interviews. And he seems to love Buffalo. I heard someone say he's estimated at $15m per year? That's too much. I also doubt that's reality. I could see us re-signing him to a 2 year $18-$20 million deal and I'd be good with that. In the 90s Buffalo traded for a #2 WR who was 33 years old and that worked out pretty well. I think a healthy Amari Cooper with a full offseason with Buffalo would make for a much improved WR corps on its own.

 

At that point, it's playcalling not personell.

 

It's on you Brady!

 

GO BILLS!!!

Hey, Plant 

 

Been meaning to respond to this.  I generally agree - I look at the lineup and how well it performed, and I don't see much need to change.

 

However, I'm sure there'll be more change than your post suggests.  I think the receiver room will change, for sure.  I think it's even possible there will be change on the oline.  Johnson is probably gone, and there'll be a replacement there. 

 

In general, I think every GM knows that standing pat is the way to a slow death, so I think we'll see at least a surprise or two on offense.  

 

I do agree, though, that where this team has room for improvement is on the defensive side. The Bills haven't gotten quality defensive help out of the draft, quality that helps in the guy's rookie season since Benford.  Bishop disappointed, but maybe he'll be more solid this season.  I'd love it if by October there were a couple of new young faces on the field on defense.