Notes from the Bills' Line: Hall of Fame Game
by Ron From NM on Aug 10, 2009 12:25 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
Email
PrintI keep telling myself that it's early; that it's just the first pre-season game. The Buffalo Bills' new players are still all finding their way at new positions and/or against NFL competition for the first time. As NBC's Cris Collinsworth referenced several times during last night's Hall of Fame Game telecast (the Bills lost to the Titans 21-18, by the way), the offensive line was over-matched against a re-worked Titans defensive front. Each offensive lineman took his turn looking bad, and each of Buffalo's rookie linemen killed a drive. While it wasn't the auspicious beginning we'd hoped for, it was still the beginning. Let's hope the finished product is vastly improved and ready for the Patriots.
I broke down only the first two drives, as the Titans pulled their starters and Buffalo had pulled C Geoff Hangartner and LT Langston Walker by that point.
Drive 1
Run 1: Marshawn Lynch, 3 yards through the right C gap.
- Walker and LG Andy Levitre initially doubled 97. When Walker peeled off to pick up 52, Levitre blocked 97 across the formation. Hangartner was beaten by a counterclockwise circling move by 91, who got a hand on Lynch. RG Eric Wood went to the second level and turned 50 in a circle. RT Demetrius Bell, playing in place of injured starter Brad Butler, got under the shoulder of 90, who had slanted towards the inside, and wouldn't turn him loose. TE Derek Fine did an okay job on 93.
Pass 1: Terrell Owens, 15 yards against a safety blitz.
- 93 started to the outside of Walker but then jumped back inside. The move was too quick for Walker to counter, and it looked like Walker may have had a slight hold. The three interior linemen formed a good wall. Bell did a very good job of popping 90 and pushing him inside to Wood in time to reset and pick up a stunting 91.
Run 2: Lynch, 3 yards through the left B gap.
- Walker did a nice job on a DB in space. Levitre made a pathetic attempt to cut 97, who didn't even slow down. 97 was then inadvertently cut by a pulling Hangartner. Wood jumped inside of 91 and was doing an okay job of slowing him down until he fell backwards over a prone Levitre. Bell sprinted into the second level and chased 50, never catching him, but re-routing him well away from the play. Fine pulled a three stooges move on 93, using Levitre's prone body to topple 93 over.
Pass 2: Owens, 11 yards.
- 93 got under Walker's pads and turned the corner, possibly forcing another mild hold. Levitre had no one to block so he helped Hangartner with 97, who did an okay job even though 97 appeared to have illegal hands to Hangartner's face. Wood was beaten by 91's swim move after an initial good pop. 91 did appear to use Wood's shirt to pull him forward so he could swim by. 90 went right inside of Bell and got a hand on QB Trent Edwards, forcing what looked like a hold.
Run 3: Lynch, 0 yards through left C gap (against eight-man front).
- Walker put 97 down and laid on him after 97 got his feet tangled with 91. Levitre went to the second level and hit 52, but didn't sustain the block. He just kind of stood there. Hangartner stood up 91, who got his feet tangled with 97, allowing Hangartner to put 91 on his knees. Wood gave Hangartner a hand with 91 and then went to the second level but was caught in the wash. Bell and Fine took 90 off of his feet and then dogged him until the end of the play. TE Derek Schouman, who was on the field quite a bit for a guy who wasn't supposed to play at all, killed the play by whiffing on 93, who almost had a tackle for loss.
Pass 3: Fine, 7 yards.
- 93 again turned the corner on Walker, and this time Walker wound up on the ground. Levitre had no one to block. He looked to help Hangartner, but it was too late. 97 got a good bull rush on Hangartner. Wood did a good job on 91 and kept him from elevating into the passing lane. Bell rode 90 to the ground after he had turned the corner. Lynch should have helped Bell, but just kind of watched instead of keeping 90 from turning the corner in the first place.
Pass 4: Edwards scramble for 8 yards (against a blitz).
- 93 tried a spin move on Walker, to no avail. Levitre locked up 97. A linebacker waited for Levitre to commit before blitzing. (Lynch should have been there for the blitz pickup, but he instead released to the outside.) Hangartner and Wood doubled 91 and Bell beat 90 to the corner.
Run 4: Fred Jackson, 1 yard through the A gap.
- Walker looked at 98 for a second before he went to the second level and tapped 53 on the shoulder. Levitre pulled to the right C gap and locked up 50, driving him around in a circle. Hangartner was stood up by 96, who slid off of him to get in on the tackle. Wood and Bell doubled 75. Schouman had a half-hearted block on 95, who was in on the tackle.
Pass 5: Edwards INT on long throw to Lee Evans.
- 93 got under Walker again and around the edge. It looked quite a bit like a hold, with Walker's forearm across his throat. Levitre was bull rushed into Edwards by 96. To be fair, 96 did have his hands under Levitre's chin, which is illegal. Hangartner and Wood doubled 75. Bell rode 95 in a circle, but 95 did get around him at the end. It may have been a hold.
Drive killed by: Levitre (and the lack of a penalty for illegal hands to face).
Drive stats: Two Titans blitzes, one stacked box.
Drive 2
Run 5: Jackson, -1 yard through A gap.
- Walker pushed 93 inside with help from Fine. Levitre went to the second level and fell down. (I guess it comes with wearing Fowler's old number.) Wood and Hangartner doubled 97 and shoved him downfield. Unfortunately, Wood completely ignored 91, who got to Jackson. Bell popped 90 and kept him out of the play. WR Josh Reed made no attempt to block 53, who got the tackle for loss.
Run 6: Jackson, 3 yards through left B gap.
- Walker pulled but wasn't fast enough to get out in front of the play, so he never blocked anyone. Levitre was pushed into the backfield by 93 and 97, which disrupted the timing of the play. Hangartner went to the second level and chased 52. He never caught him, but did send him far upfield. Wood tried to jump inside of 90, who went around him but couldn't catch the play. Bell went to the second level but wasn't fast enough to cut off 50. Rookie TE Shawn Nelson had a poor block on 31, who was in on the tackle. Reed had a good block on 53.
Pass 6: Ryan Fitzpatrick scramble, 0 yards.
- Walker and Levitre did a good job handling a stunt by 97 and 93. Hangartner helped Levitre with 97. 91 blew right past Wood to force the scramble. Bell did a good job on 90.
Drive killed by: Wood.
Drive stats: Zero blitzes, zero stacked boxes.
General Impressions
I'm worried about Bell and Walker. Each of them demonstrated that they were vulnerable to speed rushes. It appeared that each of them could have been called for holding on a couple of occasions. When the Bills are facing the rush linebackers common to 3-4 defenses, it may be necessary to give both of them (TE or RB) help, or at least a solid chip.
Wood needs to work on countering swim moves, including illegal maneuvers like having his jersey used to pull him forward to enable the swim move. He also needs to get more comfortable with identifying his responsibilities, as there was simply no one else to block 91 on run five. Levitre seemed to lack a killer instinct. I'm really puzzled as to why he didn't sustain the block on run three. I'm not as worried about the bull rush which led to the INT. (Kudos to Edwards, by the way, who in a post game interview took the blame for the INT when Levitre clearly slammed into Edwards before the ball was gone.)
I'm worried about how Hangartner will do against guys like Vince Wilfork. He had a tough time dealing with the Titans' defensive tackles. They aren't anywhere near as formidable as the nose guards Hangartner will face when the Bills play the better 3-4 defenses in the league - like in Week 1, for example.
Fine again demonstrated that he's a better blocking TE than Schouman. If Schouman is going to be the nominal starter, it will be based on his all-around ability as opposed to his stellar blocking. Don't get me wrong; Schouman isn't a terrible blocking TE, but Fine is better. The coaching staff must see a decided advantage to Schouman as a receiver. Nelson definitely needs to work on his blocking.
42 comments
|
3 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Oh heck yes Ron. I was hoping against hope you’d do a line analysis of this game. I didn’t even realize until after the game that Brad Butler didn’t play. And many in the post analysis thread still don’t.
Butler didn’t play (at least I didn’t see him, though I only looked carefully at the first two drives) but Schouman did.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
by Ron From NM on Aug 10, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Ron, thanks so much for the terrific analysis. I think your findings are pretty much in synch with mine, but I wonder why at the end you are so worried about Bell. As I read through your post it seems to me that he had only one truly bad play in those first two drives — Pass 2. One could also argue that he deserves low marks for Pass 5, but as I watched it on my DVD it seemed clear that he managed to get 95 to the ground in time to prevent 95 from pressuring Edwards (although Bell may have been holding to accomplish that, as you say). And on Run 6 he overshot his target at the second level (which made no difference to the play). Otherwise he seemed to carry out his assignments very well in your account.
Am I being too generous to Bell? If you were scoring the guys on the o-line in the way you usually do wouldn’t he come out ahead of everyone else but Walker?
By the way, I was especially struck by Brandon Rodd, the second-string Center, and I’m wondering if you had any impression of him.
Bell would come out ahead of everyone in the run game except Wood, though Wood had a killed play and Bell had none. Bell would also come out ahead of everyone in the pass game except Wood, who once again had one killed play and Bell had none. Left defensive ends aren’t generally the fastest guys out there and Bell struggled to match their speed. I don’t know that I want to see how he does against a rush LB.
I didn’t do any drives after the first two because by then the players were going against scrubs. Impressive against scrubs isn’t much of an endorsement.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Thanks, Ron. One of Bell’s foremost attributes is his quickness (and especially his quick feet), but I’m sure he was working very hard last night to avoid mistakes and so slowed himself down. I know I would in that situation. So I’m not worried about how he will do eventually against rush LB’s.
It does seem to me that he is still a bit shaky — more shaky than one would hope for in a starter. But then the rest of the Bills’ o-line was, as you point out, as shaky or shakier. Let’s hope they make progress very fast.
We need butler to come back completely healthy in a bad way
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on Aug 10, 2009 4:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Levitre has a leverage problem, and they might have to shake up this oline by putting Butler back inside if this experiment doesn’t work…but something has to happen
The Bills CAN win any game
One game... please hold judgement
I think LeVitre was the cause for Trent not able to step into his throw, but he is a rookie. LeVitre and Wood got some good playing time and they still have four more preseason games to gain experience. He will be better then Dockery, I can almost guarantee that. But I do agree that if Bell plays really well at RT, then they could move Wood to LG and Butler to RG. Who knows, but this is too early to tell about LeVitre. DJ wont make a drastic move quite yet.
by hilliarddavid on Aug 10, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
just saying
we have to have the best 5….and I think moving Butler to LG, keeping Wood at RG, because Butler is a vet and has wroked next to Walker, would be better than moving the rookie to LG
The Bills CAN win any game
Jauron has proven to be willing to move linemen around. I wouldn’t be all that surprised to see a bit of shuffling during the preseason, particularly among the second unit.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
I’m not sure that I’d say Levitre has a leverage issue at this point. The one play where he was driven back was one in which the defensive tackle had his hand up under Levitre’s helmet. It should have been flagged. Of course, the refs weren’t calling the holding penalties the Bills were committing either.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Ron, thanks again for the outstanding work you do breaking down the line play. Walker has me extremely worried given the critical nature of the position (and it’s impact on the QB) and the fact that—at this point in his career—Langston probably isn’t going to get much better. Let’s hope he just didn’t want to over exert himself and is saving his “A” game for the ones that count.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
I'm not as worried about Walker as our Right side
When Walker misses I think it will be to his outside….provided Trent keeps the three step or just moves up into the pocket I will be happy with Walker. The worry is with Bell right now (granted I’m not sure how Butler will do either). Bell tends to push people to the inside a little to much on the pass rush. Combined with is leaning back (which needs to be fixed) on the blocks I can see Trent stepping right into one.
I know its only game one and this is Bells first real game action. I hope he continues to make the strides he has to this point.
Honestly I don’t think Bell we have to worry about as much just due to the fact that I don’t think he will be starting. If they really lose confidence with Levitre I think they are more likely to slot in Chambers then shuffle other players around. If during the season a LT/RT go down then Bell will go in and if he performs amazingly then then something might happen. I really think the work Bell is getting now is to prep him for next season – IMHO
Possible O-Line weakness
The reason for the O-line not being too effective probably related to the D-line being ineffective. The O-line practices against a very poor pash rush from the D-line every day and its now showing up in real games.
If you never get chances against a quality pass rush, then how will you ever learn to defend against it? The importance of signing Aaron Maybin might have become even more important.
I don’t agree with the idea that Buffalo’s pass rush makes their offensive line less equipped to handle good pass rushes. That implies that these linemen have never seen good pass rushes before. These guys have played football for a long time (with the obvious exception of Bell). They know how to handle good pass rushers. They just need to play together for longer; that’s the long and short of it.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"Our style is simple but not that easy. Roll up your sleeves and play good, solid football." -- Marv Levy
by Brian Galliford on Aug 10, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven’t ridden a bike in awhile, but I am sureIi will still be able to do it. I do however think that I may be a bit shaky at first until I get some practice at it again. Just because someone has done something before doesn’t make them good at it right out of the box when they pick it up again.
Which is exactly why we can’t judge our lines on this first preseason game since last year. They haven’t hit the field at game speed in a while
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on Aug 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Great write up – my thoughts were the exact same and I was mostly worried about Walker as well. He seems to be too used to just using his huge frame to ‘nudge’ defenders out of the way. Someone needs to slap his head and say ‘go attack those defenders and make them run from your gigantic body’
The problem with that is that Walker can be beaten by a quick second move by the DE. I guess I could shorten that and say that Walker can be beaten by quick moves by the DE, whether initally or later in the play.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
I think
our right side with Wood and Butler will be the strength of this line. Hangartner worries me, but honestly he can’t be worse than Fowler/Preston. I liked what I saw from Seth McKinney although it was against the backups. This OL will be the talking point all season and so no reason it shouldn’t be after the first pre-season game. The whole key to this OL, is if they are as smart and willing workers as Jauron would have us believe, and they can pick up the calls, do the correct assignments, and gel together, then there truly is hope for this OL. And it will constantly be a work in progress
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
A comparison
Ron you put in a lot of time on the breakdowns. Is there anyway you could breakdown the Titan’s offensive line play for the first 2 series? I would like to see how it compares with the Bills O-line plus it would give us a better idea on how the Bills front 7 performed.
Thanks for the stats Ron...
keep it up buddy…seriously, I check the site after every game hoping to see your breakdown.
My quick take: The Bills called what they practiced, I am sure it will be the same for this weeks game as well…during the week, they worked on draws, screens, and some playaction, exactly what we saw in the game. This is the best way to improve…practice, execute, and improve because now you have gametape. I am not worried at all, to be honest. Also, Oman/Harris/Bell/Jones/Hamdam all played better than expected, IMO. Don’t count Hamdan out yet Brian (yes, I know Fitzy is our #2 by design), I was saying a few weeks ago (not interested in fnding the post) that there is a reason the Bills keep him around. He plays well when given a chance, not flashy, but no mistakes. All I am saying is that if given a chance, he will outplay Fitzy.
by NorCal BillsFan on Aug 10, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions
I'm willing to admit there's some possibility out there
that Hamdan could be a better quarterback than Ryan Fitzpatrick. But with the knowledge of football RF has accumulated along with his starting experience with St. Louis and Cincinnati, it would take a few years of Fitz’s regressing and improving by Hamdan to get to that point. Fitz could honestly run our offense for a couple games and give us a chance to win. Do you think Hamdan could?
Homer says "Yes"...
Yes I do, actually. I am not saying that Fitzy can’t do it, I am just saying that from I have seen from Hamdam over the years in preseason games and during NFL Europa (and yes, I actually watched those games. Not to toot my horn too much either, but I was talking up F. Jackson three years ago) that he moves his offense when he can and he doesn’t make the mistakes that plagued JP. I just think that he fits with DJ’s program and his philosphy, a litter better than Fitzy. I am not a huge Fitzy fan, nor do I dislike the guy, the truth is, ever since the whole R. Johson/D. Flutie debate along with the more recent and relevant A-Train/F.Jackson debacle where A-Train got all the looks when it was easy to see to everyone that Thomas no longer had it, I simply make the calls myself and go with it. I am wrong way more than I am right (or I might be getting paid to say what I thought), but Hammy is a solid developmental guy who IMO has better tools and more bravado than Fitzy.
by NorCal BillsFan on Aug 10, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not as worried about our T play because as was mentioned more than once during the broadcast that Tenn. DE’s line up very wide and force everything inside. By doing this an OT isn’t engaged on a pass until he is already a few yards up field. As long as our T’s continue to let them run up field around our QB that is then considerd a win for the T and our guys did that consistantly all night long (especially Bell). Levetrie settled down and played much better in the 2nd Qtr. Yes it was against 2nd and 3rd string lineman but you could see him getting more comfortable.
Our biggest issue is going to be our C. We need someone that is able to get a push up the middle. Hang. was ok but nothing too impressive and he very seldom got any push. Imagine what Wilfork is going to do against him?
I still think our best line will be Walker, Levitre, Wood, Butler, Bell. Won’t happen this year but I believe that is where we are headed. This way you then use Hangarter and McKinney as your swing lineman.
After just watching two series last night I’d take Hang over Preston or Fowler. He may not be spectacular but I don’t think he’s going to get destroyed either.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Something else
I liked the way the DEs for the Thumbtacks lined up. It forced Walker and Bell to move quickly, perhaps more so than they would have had to if the DEs had lined up right next to the DTs. I know that Belicheat sometimes had his rush LBs line up offsides to prepare his linemen for a particularly fast defensive player his team was going to face.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Good work Ron!
Wow Buddy. All I can say is that I’m glad you weren’t sitting in the next cubicle to break down my first day on the job.
I’m suddenly very happy that Buffalo has the extra preseason game this year to get the O-Line worked out. Let’s see if they improve for the next game.
I agree completly
I realize it is early, but I saw 2008 Bills football with the addition of TO. The O line was horrible. There was not even a crack for marshawn and freddy much less a hole. Omon looked pretty good. The D line was almost as bad. No pressure on the QB what so ever and they rarely got up field.
In the Bills defense, Tenn does have a good O line and D line, But we also have to remember we had an extra week of practice than Tenn,
I think we did a good job moving the ball with Trent and his 3 step drops. Still no spread formations tho. Nice to see the slant back. (TO)
Its going to be a long years boys and girls. Buckle those chin straps.
The line is a work in progress; 5 guys starting at 5 new positions. They have a month to iron out the mistakes and function as a cohesive unit. I’m not going to write them off after just a pair of drives.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
schouman
I definitely saw the same thing you did with him, I winced when he missed that tackle because it could have been disastrous.
As for those big Nose Tackles hopefully Hangartner will have help either from Wood or Levitre depending on which gap he takes up.
Maybe Hang and Wood can give Wilfork the same treatment Wilfork and Seymour gave Teague (I think, it could have been Jennings): one holds Wilfork up and the other clubs him in the side of the head, knocking him unconscious.
Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner
Great job, Ron.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 12, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
