1st half offense...

[Emmanouel8]

I watched the tape, but only up to the 1st half and only for the offense. I'm not going to list all the specifics but here's my assessment...

In the 1st drive Buffalo went after the left side of the line, Samuels and Dockery and they made them look silly. On the 4th play (3rd down) they used a stunt and a delayed blitz sending Dockery against Samuels. I'm not kidding at one point during that play Dockery was turned completely around appearing as if he was rushing the QB and Samuels no joke started blocking him. A few shove blocks by Chamberlain and Betts and Ramsey got rid of it.

The next drive Rod Gardener didn't fire off the line on the running plays. Teams appear to be telegraphing certain plays I wonder if Rod is one of the keys? Anyways it appeared the bills defense was disciplined and the plays just came to them. They ran Betts to the left side nothing there he cuts back right and found a DB and a LB just waiting for him.

The 3rd drive was the best drive by far. Every lineman took care of their assignments good route running but none of the WRs fired off the ball on one running play up the gut. Bills overloaded the right side once and Ramsey found Coles on that big gainer. They overloaded again and batted a short pass down. Then it was the McCants goaling catch and then things went downhill w/ the Ramsey fumble.

4th drive Ramsey fumbled twice...buffalo did some different things on the line ie send in LB drop back a lineman...Then there was a drop by Coles punt...

5th drive started out w/ a Samuels false start then an incomplete pass and then a huge dropped pass by Rock, huge. On that rock drop Betts made a very bad block... Next play a delay blitz and a bad throw.

Last drive we ran a WR screen to Gardener. I'm not sure what to blame on this one. McCants gave a weak block upfield, Coles throw a block but lost his guy. The problem I felt was Gardener took a bit to get upfield, I'm not sure if it was the ball placement or what but Rod took an extra step or two. It looked like Coles expected Rod to be gone by the time he released. It also looked the defense read the play...Next play was a Ramsey overthrow,,,and on 3rd down there was a declined penalty for chop blocking on Betts. I noticed Samuels was very late helping Flemister on this one, it appeared Samuels had the inside tackle, when the tackle went back in coverage Samuels took way to long to get Flemister help on a wide rush, incomplete pass and penalty anyway.

I can safely say our bast offensive performer in the 1st half was Randy Thomas. What a stud. Buy his jersey floks he is the man. Our 2nd best is probably Coles.

Jensen looked good too not as good as RThomas but good. Our strength is the right side.

Gardener is streaky w/ his blocking needs more consistency.

Our Oline is streaky too. The 3rd drive was how it should be but it seemed like once a flag is thrown everything just goes down hill.

Give the Bills D credit they were definitely ready. They knew when to blitz and how to stay at home.

[NamVet4]

Emmanouel8

Great recap! It must be hard to watch it all over again!
I get the impression that you feel our O Line, while spotty, can do better.
The receiving corps definitely needs to execute in a crisp manner.
Samuel’s is a mystery to me – that glaring, highlight reel move he made, abandoning the on-coming DE to triple team another player, still has me baffled.
The “Rock” dropped pass was significant, but then again I question just how many times that play is practiced.
This was the 23rd ranked run defense – our effort and outcome certainly didn’t reflect that. Got to give the Bills credit for recognizing their own weakness and being prepared to improve, and doing it!
Just my 2 cents

[dj_stouty]

Originally posted by Emmanouel8
The next drive Rod Gardener didn't fire off the line on the running plays. Teams appear to be telegraphing certain plays I wonder if Rod is one of the keys?

Thanks for bringing this up, E8!

I have CERTAINLY noticed this on several occasions with Rod. Its just like a poker expert finding out his opponent's "tells" at the poker table. "Tells" are the the little involuntary things you do that give others the impression of what cards you are holding.

The same applies in football. I've noticed that Randy Moss is the biggest offender. On running plays...he barely even gets into a stance.

Rod Gardner does line up...and he does get into a stance. But his posture...and/or the way he holds his head totally gives away the next play. Twice during the Bills game I called out the play before the snap simply by looking at Rod. His actions on run plays are opposite of his actions on pass plays.

BTW - I've noticed that Coles ALWAYS looks like he is going to tear downfield. (and that is why he gets the big bucks)

[Emmanouel8]

Thanks Nam, yes it was hard watching that. I wanted to watch it all but I think I've had enough. I did actually come away w/ a better impression of Samuels and the rest of the oline believe it or not. They can do it I saw it they just don't.

Randy Thomas and Jesse Armstead are the best players on the team.

DJ, I also noticed variations Rod's stance. His legs are further apart when it's a pass for the most part. I think all but one plat it was the case. Rod also looks a lot at the line of scrimmage on running plays IMO. Coles comes off the ball every play the same.

It seems like week to week defenses know exactly what we're doing certain times and stuff it. They have to be telegraphing somewhere.

[Redskinmayhem]

Sounds like simple fundamentals to me. it's not like our o-lineman are giving it their all and simply getting beaten. I guess that falls on both the coaches and players laps. Good Racap E8!!!

[skins74]

Do we have a LT to put in for Samuels, cause he sucks. Also, I bought a Jansen Jersey over the winter and he has been awful to. I might have to retire the jersey until things turn around. Dockery is not ready. Moore has been stepping on Ramsey's foot quite a bit, it could be because Ramsey gearing up to run for his life every time we throw.

[Emmanouel8]

Actually Jensen played well in this game and has improved from the 1st couple of weeks. The only guy that looked like pro bowl material though was Thomas. That guy just beats up his guy. The right side of our line is the strength, buffalo tested them and could not get them to commit the mistakes on the left.