Can Brady scheme for #1 WR’s?

[Mikie2times]

Diggs for his sample under Brady was his worst since joining Buffalo. Cooper just had one of his worst seasons as a pro. I think most people see these outcomes as two separate things and that very well could be the case. Diggs was a little banged up + drama and Cooper was also banged up. But I’m also not ignoring the common denominator of the two being Brady especially when I see people advocating for that #1 WR. 
 

Do you think these two WR’s suffered decreases independent of Brady or do think his scheme limited them?  If the scheme limits #1’s do you still value a true #1 the same as you would in another scheme?
 

 

[billieve420]

I just want an offense that can attack at all 3 levels of the field. Have my doubts with Brady and the passing side of things. We finally have a good run game but the pass offense is not as dynamic. Is part of it talent sure but I need see Brady be more creative in scheming guys open for Josh. Offense too reliant on Josh buying time scrambling when guys are not open and then trying to make a play which is not sustainable. Jealous of the Chiefs and how they run their offense. 

[Richard Noggin]

Brady's scheme with Buffalo, to date, obviously hasn't been designed to feature a particular WR/target consistently, week-over-week. So the "everyone eats" mantra has been touted instead, and for the most part, I appreciate that approach.

 

However, doesn't it seem like anything the Bills have really wanted to do in the passing game, generally, philosophically, like any ways they've intended to utilize specific targets, has either been anticipated by defenses and shut down, or just hasn't worked. I'm thinking of Harty and Samuel each of the last two years, respectively, being that motion/sweep guy, or screen guy, and also of Davis and Coleman, respectively, being that sideline/contested catch guy, and even Kincaid being much of anything to fear/respect. The obvious fits haven't "fit" in the passing game. 

 

Brady's real successes have come from isolating Ty Johnson in the passing game one week, and Dawson Knox another week, and often from Allen just making plays and finding Shakir (along with some flashes by the rookie Coleman and decent skinny posts by Hollins). Something still seems to be missing from the passing game, if we're looking for things to flag. It's gotta be the downfield threat, or lack thereof. Right?

[MasterStrategist]

Diggs wasn't a #1 anymore, and he was battling injury/ego issues.  Cooper coming in during season, creates challenges in of itself, then his wrist injury-and not even sure he's more than a #2 at this point either.

 

I'm slightly concerned with the style of offense we ran, that it will be near impossible to replicate next year--- OL stayed almost perfectly healthy, 0 turnovers by skill players, Josh played most efficient I've ever seen.  

 

Can't argue with the results, but just felt like we were taking the ball out of Josh's hands too much.  Understandably though, when our defense was so talent deficient and we wanted to eat clock.

 

All that to say, I hope Beane can add more speed/"separation" ability to this offense.  It's a missing piece that even 1 key addition could lead to a much more opened up offense.

 

 

EDIT: I also find it alarming when we see Beane's top picks in past 2 drafts underwhelm this year.  Plus, Samuel hobbled or not was a miss.  And the Cooper trade never worked out as well as intended.  Lots of variables.  But I will say, Beane has missed alot on the draft at certain spots- rookie Josh contract allowed Beane to go after Beas/Brown/trade #1 for Diggs.  Now, it gets tougher and he needs to start really hitting humeruns at DL/WR if we want to stay elite.

 

Edited February 5 by MasterStrategist

[eSJayDee]

I think one question is - why would you want to?  The idea is to get someONE open.  Doesn't matter who.  Yes, you'd rather have someone wide open 30 yds downfield as opposed to 3, but it's much easier to take what the defense gives you.  If you're trying to "scheme" that guy open 30 yds downfield, that is much easier accomplished if the defense doesn't know who you're gonna throw it to.  Look at the success throwing to Diggs as opposed to Shakir or Kincaid the end of '23.  Shakir was FAR more successful - more completions for more yards on far less attempts.

[LABILLBACKER]

I have absolutely no idea how Brady's offense will evolve?  I think the use of so many receiving options helped but the everyone eats philosophy will get figured out.  I still see great value in a field stretching X.  BTJ would've been amazing. And it's not like we saw alot of separation throughout the season.  

 

Josh needs a reliable #1 WR he can finish his last 8+ years with. This organization owes him that much. And if Joe's system doesn't work with a true speed #1, then he better be prepared to figure it out.

Edited February 5 by LABILLBACKER

[Doc Brown]

I'm not going to complain too much about an offense that finished second in points and 10th in yards.  That discrepancy has a lot to do with overwhelmingly protecting the ball and the defense taking it away.  Brady in his short stint with the ingenious Matt Rhule in Carolina showed me he can give DJ Moore and Robbie Whatevertheheckhislastnameisnow  over 1,000 yards receiving. 

 

I do think having a #1WR that creates instant separation is still extremely valuable not only opening things up on offense but having that option in those got to have it moments.  I know Diggs is public enemy number one for a lot of people but I think of all those late end of half end of game series (yes-only in the regular season I know) where Josh just went to him knowing he'd beat single man coverage.  If you want this offense to go from tenth in yards to top five then that's what we need.  

[BuffaloBillyG]

I think he did ok with a pair of them at LSU...

[The Cincinnati Kid]

6 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

Do you think these two WR’s suffered decreases independent of Brady or do think his scheme limited them?  If the scheme limits #1’s do you still value a true #1 the same as you would in another scheme?

Joe Brady, a proven offensive coordinator at the NCAA FBS and NFL levels absolutely and unequivocally cannot develop an offensive scheme that would maximize the talents of his best players. Obviously Joe Brady does not understand offensive football, but he has never seen a coverage he could dissect. The guy is a Fraud, a Joke, and the Bills are the laughing stock of the NFL. 
 

Wait, the Bills scored the most points ever in 2024 with Brady running the Offense? Must have been lucky.

[oldmanfan]

Yes.  Next question.

[Magox]

It’s not a boundary wide receiver centric sort of offense. Which is why Buffalo will not go into FA and spend gobs of money on one, the ROI wouldn’t make sense.

 

Also, reading some of these comments complaining about the offense and pining for KC’s offense is L O L.

 

Buffalo averaged 3 points per drive which is historically one of the most efficient scoring offenses EVER!  Buffalo had less sacks and turnover combination than any team in decades.  KC gave up 29 or more points only twice this year and both of those times were against the Bills.

 

And all year everyone criticized KC’s lack of dynamism on offense which averaged only 22.6 points a game, nearly 8 points less than the Chiefs and people want that? 
 

Some of you guys are silly

[Billzgobowlin]

7 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

Diggs for his sample under Brady was his worst since joining Buffalo. Cooper just had one of his worst seasons as a pro. I think most people see these outcomes as two separate things and that very well could be the case. Diggs was a little banged up + drama and Cooper was also banged up. But I’m also not ignoring the common denominator of the two being Brady especially when I see people advocating for that #1 WR. 
 

Do you think these two WR’s suffered decreases independent of Brady or do think his scheme limited them?  If the scheme limits #1’s do you still value a true #1 the same as you would in another scheme?
 

 

Does he want to?  Most typical #1 receivers get the volume but can not consistently catch the ball.  A player like Shakir has a high completion percentage.  Look at someone like Diggs or Amari and they are generally in the 50-60%.  Shakir I'm thinking is more in the 80% range.  

[Kirby Jackson]

When Brady was at LSU Burrow had no problem getting the ball to Ja’marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. (My god was that team good).

[Xwnyer]

6 hours ago, billieve420 said:

I just want an offense that can attack at all 3 levels of the field. Have my doubts with Brady and the passing side of things. We finally have a good run game but the pass offense is not as dynamic. Is part of it talent sure but I need see Brady be more creative in scheming guys open for Josh. Offense too reliant on Josh buying time scrambling when guys are not open and then trying to make a play which is not sustainable. Jealous of the Chiefs and how they run their offense. 

The pass offense is amateurish. There is no creativity, we run tunnel screens,  very little play action and hardly any crossing routes that force defenders in zone to adjust.

[Sweats]

You see, Brady's time at LSU had him scheming for long balls by using the run and they were unstoppable, so i don't understand all of this underneath, pump and dump, middle of the field strategy cause it goes completely against what made LSU a force.

 

[CoudyBills]

7 hours ago, eSJayDee said:

I think one question is - why would you want to?  The idea is to get someONE open.  Doesn't matter who.  Yes, you'd rather have someone wide open 30 yds downfield as opposed to 3, but it's much easier to take what the defense gives you.  If you're trying to "scheme" that guy open 30 yds downfield, that is much easier accomplished if the defense doesn't know who you're gonna throw it to.  Look at the success throwing to Diggs as opposed to Shakir or Kincaid the end of '23.  Shakir was FAR more successful - more completions for more yards on far less attempts.

You take what the defense gives you when you don't have a horse.  The Bills don't have a horse.  A guy like Randy Moss took whatever he wanted.  I dont see Randy Moss walking through the door anytime soon.  

[BuffaloMatt]

Brady schemed fine with Burrow & Chase at LSU

[Don Otreply]

11 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

Diggs for his sample under Brady was his worst since joining Buffalo. Cooper just had one of his worst seasons as a pro. I think most people see these outcomes as two separate things and that very well could be the case. Diggs was a little banged up + drama and Cooper was also banged up. But I’m also not ignoring the common denominator of the two being Brady especially when I see people advocating for that #1 WR. 
 

Do you think these two WR’s suffered decreases independent of Brady or do think his scheme limited them?  If the scheme limits #1’s do you still value a true #1 the same as you would in another scheme?
 

 

The answer to your thread title question is , Yes

 

Time to make coffee now…, 

[Don Otreply]

3 hours ago, Sweats said:

You see, Brady's time at LSU had him scheming for long balls by using the run and they were unstoppable, so i don't understand all of this underneath, pump and dump, middle of the field strategy cause it goes completely against what made LSU a force.

 

Maybe it was because we didn’t/ don’t have a WR that has game speed and runs routes well down field, or, we could have been terribly unlucky, Cooper with a F ed up wrist pretty much since he got here, Coleman when starting to shine got jobbed by Poyer, Samuel with his toe being a f ing mess all season, wrists and feet matter (lol) for wide outs, fingers crossed 🤞 for this upcoming draft & FA, and getting our WR guys actually healed all the way, just a thought, damn unfortunate either way, 

[Steptide]

I don't think Diggs getting open had anything to do with scheme. Him being as good as he was, had everything to do with how talented he was. No offensive coordinator has a scheme that keeps wr's covered. I mean do you think Shakir got open because Brady schemed him open, but not Coleman? 90% of it is just the receivers being talented 

Edited February 5 by Steptide