http://gty.im/490352392
That was certainly a better experience than last week. With the 41-14 smackdown(tm The Rock) given to the Dolphins the Bills are now tied for 2nd in the AFC East and the bad taste of the Patriots loss can be washed out. Seeing the way the team in general and Tyrod in particular responded to that loss was encouraging and lead to some thoughts:
- The Rhetoric Was Turned Down; Their Attitudes Were Not – While media, fans and the general public (myself included) rubbed the Bills’ tough talk in their face, for Miami week it was a noticeably quieter event. When the game started however, that changed. The Bills played just as tough and physical as they had in weeks one and two and that was encouraging. Even more encouraging was Rex returning to his blitzing ways on defense vs Ryan Tannehill and company. While the sacks didn’t get piled up the pressure/QB hits did, allowing the Bills to stay tight in their coverages, pick Tannehill off three times and severely limit the Miami passing game.
- The “Lost Dolphins” All Contributed – Charles Clay. Richie Incognito. Chris Hogan. Marcus Thigpen. Dan Carpenter. Each of the ex-Dolphins (and guest-captain Seantrel Henderson of “U” fame) contributed to the destruction of the Dolphins today. Clay’s juking alone on the opening drive was something out of Madden 16 rather than real life – but it happened! While the players won’t admit it publicly, being able to show their old team what they’re missing had to have felt good.
- Injuries Need To Be Addressed – Sammy leaving with a calf injury, Shady’s hamstring and John Miller’s groin are three injuries to watch going forward. Shady in particular may be served best by sitting out a week or two to allow his hamstring to be good for the rest of the season. If there was anything I learned during the Doug Marrone era, it was that unnecessarily playing key players hurt will only come back to bite you in the end.
- Karlos / Darby Commentary – Shortly after the Bills win, I saw a number of tweets focused on making fun of Mike Rodak for his article decrying the off-the-field issues that both players were a part of at Florida State. While “bag on Rodak” is a fan sport, jumping on him for rightly questioning the situations both players got themselves in while in college is a curious. Just like when Richie Incognito was signed, their drafting was a sign that production and an ownership-down belief a player could turn the corner would be the M.O. going forward. In their short careers both players have stepped up big – Karlos establishing himself as a solid complement to McCoy and Darby playing way better than in pre-season. Both also have yet to be in trouble off-the-field in the NFL, which helps to re-enforce that trust. Asking a writer to apologize for an article that asks, “is the risk worth it” three games in is bit over the top. C’mon folks.
- Tyrod Bounces Back – After the Pats, the concern that Taylor was “figured out” was starting to emerge. Heck, even after this game Tim Graham brought up the FitzMagic Era offense and how that was figured out. However, the throws that Taylor makes in the game are a bit different than Fitz in my opinion. First, he’s hitting every level of the field. Having the courage to attempt deep shots (ala Fitz) but completing them with regularity has been part of Taylor’s game thus far and it’s encouraging. Secondly, with each game Tyrod is picking up where he left off the game before – and in the case of New England, little nuances like stepping up or to the side were improved in Miami. That gives me hope the best is yet to come from Tyrod, a possibility that leaves me giddy.
So now that those thoughts are out there, let’s check the Twittah:
@RDotDeuce @BuffaloWins ETA on the Philibin firing? Last Bills win this entertaining?
— Jim Barg (@JimBargJr) September 28, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWell Jim I think it depends on how the Dolphins respond. If they continue to spiral and lose the next 3-4 in a row, I think his days are numbered in-season. Overall, I wouldn’t be surprised if Philbin were fired week nine OR on the first Monday of the post-season. In terms of your second question, I would say the Bills opening with comeback games and a NE win a few years ago was equally exciting, but I may be the weirdo on that one…
@BuffaloWins @RDotDeuce Please explain for us the love affair coaches have with the endzone fade route.
— JG_1611 (@JG_1611) September 28, 2015
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JG, there’s a great article on that subject. Ultimately, it’s the lotto ticket of pass routes. Once one coach sees that it worked, everyone wants to keep using it. Ultimately making it a regular part of your red-zone offense may not help but it’s so ingrained into the NFL logic it would be impossible to fight it off as the “go-to” play. Make sense? No? Me neither.
@BuffaloWins @RDotDeuce Hi Rich, 1st time long time, please tell everyone why Watkins injury today was/is an issue? I’ll hit tweet & listen
— Michael (@manecci) September 28, 2015
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Michael, MY MAN! Looking at the injury on its own it wouldn’t be AS big a deal. But for a player that has the pedigree Watkins has to not even come in for a snap or two and then leave again is curious. He either has a really bad injury or they’re being doubly safe. Here’s where it gets a bit greasy – with the Giants coming to town, the OBJ / Watkins comparisons will get back to being an all-time high and Sammy being out (or getting the dreaded “injury prone label”) is something that would be detrimental. Additionally, with Tyrod not having extensive experience as the starter with the starting receivers, even a couple of snaps could have helped in continuing to develop chemistry among the skill players with Tyrod. At least that’s how I see it…
Alright folks that’s all I have for this week. Next week is another home game and hopefully the fans give the Giants a warm welcome back to state of New York!!
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