Bears 10, Bills 3: Quick Hitters Highlight Bills Offensive Attack
by MattRichWarren on Aug 16, 2011 10:30 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintI just finished re-watching the first quarter of Saturday night's game between the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears. I wanted to pay special attention to the changes in the offense with Lee Evans out of the passing game. The one thing that struck me with the offense in both the run and the pass was the time it took for the plays to develop.
In the passing game, Donald Jones took over for Evans outside. His only noticeable play was a huge push-off which resulted in a 10-yard penalty. Probably not the first impression he wanted to make, but it's probably his job unless Marcus Easley or Buster Davis really make a huge impact.
That Jones pass interference call happened 20 yards past the line of scrimmage and was the most developed play of the first quarter. That is to say, it's the only time in the whole quarter that the Bills' offensive line set up a pocket for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (which they did very effectively, I might add). Fitzpatrick was able to step up and fire the ball, albeit a little off target.
Only one other pass was thrown more than ten yards down the field. On Buffalo's first series when the team faced third and 11, Fitzpatrick couldn't find a receiver. Even that play was a quick drop and release. It was very clear during the entire quarter that the name of the game was getting the ball out of Fitzpatrick's hands.
The Bills threw the ball 10 times with Fitzpatrick at quarterback, and the pass he threw most was the quick slant. It's a three step drop and go. Stevie Johnson caught two and C.J. Spiller caught one from the slot. Other short passes were quick screens, a screen on third and long on the second drive, and quick outs to tight end Scott Chandler.
This urgency was mirrored in the running game. Only one run dialed up by Chan Gailey's offense was what I would call a "developed" play, requiring the offensive line to do more than block the guy across from him. It also happened to be the longest run of the night for Fred Jackson. On the play, Kraig Urbik pulled and sealed off the defender and Jackson stiff-armed his way to an 11-yard run.
That was the only time the first team executed a run outside the tackles. Jackson, Spiller, and Brad Smith all ran between the tackles on their gains in the first quarter.
The inference one could draw from this bit of analysis is simple: the Bills don't trust their offensive line. Gailey is putting his offense in a position to succeed, and that means not putting too much on their plate (figuratively, of course). Granted, this could solely be because the lockout cut short the team's off-season implementation. But when taken with the trade of Evans, whose career was built on routes that needed sustained blocking from the offensive line and time in the pocket, I think it speaks more towards what Gailey is trying to accomplish as a play caller. Get the ball out of Fitzpatrick's hands and into the playmakers'.
Let Jackson, Spiller, Johnson, and the rest of the skill position players do their thing. And if that means getting six yards a pop, so be it. As we saw Saturday, when the offense needs 11 yards, Gailey will dial up a play that covers that ground. If Gailey has his choice though, expect the Bills to take the pressure off the line (and Fitzpatrick) by sticking with short passes and straight-forward runs.
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Dinks, dunks, and tricks.
Ok. Whatever. Just score.
I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse
by oompaloompa on Aug 16, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
So this is okay?
Wasn’t this the problem we had we had with T. Edwards and the Jauron era? Short throws and check downs. Is it a better idea because there is more of a likeablity factor with Chan and Fitz?
If this is goin to be the offense, why not get a more accurate QB?
In the Jauronian era, we were throwing to Evans, Parrish, and Josh Reed. Now, we’re throwing to Johnson, Parrish, Jones, Nelson, Spiller, Jackson, and Smith. I’ll take this set of playmakers 1000x over the Jauronian group.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
So I don't understand the argument
There where outcries of Trent throwing the ball down field; giving him the name of “Cpt. Checkdown”. If what you are implying is accurate, that the receving core wasn’t good, than who the heck was he going to throw the ball down field to?
If the core is better now, than shouldn’t Fitz push the ball down the field?
I remember vividly the argument being, lets take more chances down field, lets attack the middle of the defense. But from this preseason game (objective), this will be the same attack Dick was trying to imploy.
If the core is better now, than shouldn’t Fitz push the ball down the field?
No, the point is that they are better playmakers in space than we had before. The short pass offensive scheme is designed to get them the ball quickly and in open space. I loved Evans, but he was never one to make huge plays in open space, neither was Reed. With the group we have now, I think the quick strike game plan could potentially be much more successful.
Also, Trent’s checkdowns were on his third and fourth reads. If Fitz is throwing to his first read, it gets there a lot earlier and the timing is better, allowing the blockers to get into position when they’re supposed to be and push the play downfield into open space.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
As Brian said when it needs to go longer the call will be longer and Fitz will likely go longer. Cpt checkdown went short when he needed to go long regardless of the playcal
Harooo
by Robot Nixon on Aug 16, 2011 12:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think it’s different. It’s not a check down. It’s designed routes of 4-8 yards. It’s not waiting, waiting, check down.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 16, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
There is a difference between designed plays with blocking already setup and what happened before. The checkdowns were a last resort, a bailout on a failed play.
It is not the distance of the plays, it is the design.
So it’s what I’ve heard call ‘the five-yard-handoff’ play, then?
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair, I think a lot of these quick, short yardage plays are to be expected. They’ve only had a couple weeks together, and the playbook installation will start with the quick stuff.
I fully expect to see more complex, longer developing plays as we advance into the later preseason games.
This.
Gailey has said repeatedly that he has not installed much of the playbook yet because of the lockout.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
Unfortunatly, experience doesn't always lead to wisdom - Joe P.
by thefourwinds on Aug 16, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
His only noticeable play was a huge push-off which resulted in a 10-yard penalty. Probably not the first impression he wanted to make
that’s inaccurate – 26 stopped running while Jones was looking at the ball – I watched that play 5 times and just once more to verify – that should have been a defensive call because the CB was running with the WR and was in the path of the WR then stopped running.
There was no huge push off either – hyperbole much? – he ran into a stopped player that was running – regardless of the call on the field.
Only one other pass was thrown more than ten yards down the field
considering that almost 67% of Brady’s passes, almost 63% of Brees passes, almost 62.5% of Mannings passes last year were all under 10 yards this doesn’t concern me much. Fitz will push the ball down the field when warranted – I think they were, clearly, just working on the short passing game – which is a good thing.
by J2 on Aug 16, 2011 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
OR...
All the long passing plays were designed for Lee Evans. :)
by DubyaeffNYC on Aug 16, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree with you re: the Jones interference call.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 16, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought the same thing but when his arms extended, he got called. His drops are actually more troublesome. Including that play.
considering that almost 67% of Brady’s passes, almost 63% of Brees passes, almost 62.5% of Mannings passes last year were all under 10 yards this doesn’t concern me much.
80% is way more. Just sayin’.
Fitz will push the ball down the field when warranted
This I agree with and mentioned it in the article. When they needed 11 yards on third down, he threw the ball 12 yards.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 16, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
When they needed 11 yards on third down, he threw the ball 12 yards.
I think this is a big reason people preferred him to Edwards when there was a controversy over starting QB. In most instances, Fitz has an idea about how far the ball needs to travel. Whether he can get it there or not is a different issue, but he at least knows.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
It was also on 10 passes....
80% is way more. Just sayin’.
If his next pass is over 10 yards, he’s down to 72% and so on and so forth.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
Ha. Thanks for the stats lesson. :-) When the Bills were able to dictate the play call, i.e. without regards to down and distance, they threw one pass longer than ten yards in the first quarter and ran one running play to the outside.
by MattRichWarren on Aug 16, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
67% of Brady’s passes, almost 63% of Brees passes, almost 62.5% of Mannings
I absolutely agree that a short passing game can be deadly and effective, but I think this is a little misleading for one reason. These QBs have TEs that they work into their passing game. I really hope the Bills are able to either develop Chandler or get some faux TE in there to catch passes and pass block when necessary.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
why do you assume you can have short passing game only with TEs?… you can have an effective short passing game exactly the way gailey wants as well… infact the receivers will be better at catching and running after catch
by statcruncher on Aug 16, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
why do you assume you can have short passing game only with TEs?
I didn’t. I was saying that when you have effective pass catching TEs, you will be more likely to be successful with a short passing game, a la the three QBs on the list.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Yeah, I’m not overly concerned with the play choices at this point. I do agree, however, that this is likely to be what we see all season long if the O-Line doesn’t improve. Each day that they fail to do something about the O-Line makes me increasingly angry.
Im sure we will be running a quick, spread type of offense. But im also sure that this was the 1st preseason game and Gailey said he was going to use really simple plays. As to not make players think, that much, but to see what they can do. He added that the vets coupld probably handle more complicted calls, but he was going to keep it simple
Shun the non Billievers!
The inference one could draw from this bit of analysis is simple: the Bills don’t trust their offensive line.
And don’t put Fitz at any real risk of injury perhaps.
And…Gailey has said he hasn’t installed much of the playbook yet.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
Unfortunatly, experience doesn't always lead to wisdom - Joe P.
by thefourwinds on Aug 16, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I am not so sure what to think at this point, I do have an opinion of course
Post game Gailey talks about how behind the down liners are on offense. Pre Game the team loses their veteran Wide Out. The field conditions are terrible or at least not ideal. I am thinking the Offensive attack was more planned and potentially schemed to keep things conservative. I don’t think it is an indication of what to expect on a regular basis. The only conflict I have with my opinion is that you are correct in the fact that it does get the ball into the playmakers hands and protects against the monster rush that we will inevitably see during the season.
I do love the between the tackle runs. If our WR’s can pull coverage to the middle and we can penetrate the second level it does leave us with a side of the field that Freddy, C.J. and even Johnny White to work their stuff. Let’s hope Chan’s fire he lit the last couple days improves the run blocking and pass protection and worst case make it more consistently better.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Could be they wanted to stay conservative. But I think it makes a lot of sense if this is the direction of the offense. I don’t really care whether we score by running a spread and a bunch of screen plays or if we score by taking seven step drops and hucking it up, just so long as we score. The NFL has generally been veering toward this sort of thing. I don’t need a highlight reel of 45 yard bombs in a losing effort (JP!).
by greysquirrel on Aug 16, 2011 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that the play calling will of course develop and get more complicated, and everything you mentioned comes into play when dissecting the play calls. That being said, it does look like this is the kind of offense Gailey wants to be running. Spreading out the field, high percentage passes that get the balls into the hands of the WRs and RBs in space. Our entire offense is built with people that can do something in space.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
I just keep recalling that Urlacher tried to take Stevie's head of on that one slant inside.
When I watch the offense start out like this I picture it as a scheme to set up the longer more intermediate play. There was the one to Jones and one in the middle to Nelson that never developed. An opportunity for Fitz to build confidence and timing.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Yeah, it makes sense. I really hope you’re right. I’d love to see Stevie and Fitz pick right back up where they left off, especially with Stevie’s ability to run intermediate routes. I am absolutely going to miss the deep threat, but many teams don’t have a true deep threat guy and orchestrate their offenses effectively.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Ball Control
One stat that has not been discussed is that the Bills had 18+ minutes of possession in the first half. The short yardarge passes will be successful if the Bills are penalty free AND they convert on third and short. We clearly do not have a power back that will consistently get you a third and two so Brad Smith and Gaileys inovative third and short play calling will be critical to the teams overall success.
If the team does not have a penalty problem and has a solid third down sucess rate you can control the clock and keep your D fresh on the sideline.
Spread Offense
So I totally understand the theory behind the spread offense, but I may be wrong but the reason it works so well is that the guys getting the ball are playmakers and are “faster, stronger, and more agile” then the defensive guys on the field (reason it works well in college?). Are the rest of our offensive WR…Jones, Easley, Nelson, Chandler playmakers? or are we counting on Johnson, Spiller, and Jackson to carry that load?What’s the reason the rest of the pro teams don’t use this offense?
Throw in Parrish and the mix seems pretty solid between the lesser knowns and the guys we think can make plays in space.
by greysquirrel on Aug 16, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. We certainly don’t lack for playmakers on the offense. I just hope that opposing defenses don’t catch on to how to beat our spread like I’m afraid they will.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
First lets worry if it can be effective. Worrying whether it can be ‘figured out’ is a high quality problem (i.e. you’ve got something that works!). I’ll take that problem any day over no plan and ineffective.
by greysquirrel on Aug 16, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, I guess the effectiveness is still in question, but there’s absolutely a plan in place. But you do have to worry about opposing defenses this early, since you’re trying ot plan an offensive scheme.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Other teams don’t run it b/c they have a high quality line that allows plays to develop and gives the QB time to do his job. Other teams are just built differently. Chan has been running similar type offenses his whole career. Different strokes for different folks and personally I think he does a real nice job orchestrating it.
Given what he has to work with...
I like Gailey. He’s creative, he’s an innovator, he works with the tools he’s got and he doesn’t bitch to the fans and the writers about what he doesn’t have. He will let you know, flat out, who’s not performing and who needs to pick it up if he wants to stick in this league, no less on this team (think Maybin and the O-line this week, but there are many similar examples). Lot to be said for a straight-shooter head coach who lays down clear expectations, doesn’t bitch about what could have been, AND has a creative offfensive mind.
by Defensewinsgames on Aug 16, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Because the pro game isn’t typically very innovative and is very much a copycat league – it takes a while for things in college to catch on in the NFL – and sometimes they don’t at all (like the option) because defenses are just that much faster. I do think more teams will incoporate the pistol, just like they have the wildcat.
by JustAskTheAxis on Aug 16, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Donald Jones.....
I can’t believe the flack Donald Jones is getting from posters. I don’t know how the coaches broke the news to him that he is no longer the forth WR, he is now a starter. And his captain is gone, but Anyway it was said had to be a shock. I think going from street FA to starter, there is going to be some adjustment period, he is just a kid.
Let the poor kid play at least till october before tearing him a new one.
let’s support the kid.
gobills!
PodunkO - The great post ender!
well if it was a shock for him
then obviously he is no good if he cant handle pressure… all he still has to do is what he has been doing, catch the ball…. if now he feels pressure then push him down the order again
by statcruncher on Aug 16, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather have a guy That feels the pressure. Maybin said many a times he didn’t feel any pressure. No pressure no drive to get better.
Harooo
by Robot Nixon on Aug 16, 2011 12:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The analysis is right, but I think this is just temporary
What we were looking at last Saturday was an offensive plan designed specifically for the first preseason game. I will be very surprised if the scheme doesn’t become far more complicated as time goes on, with lots of longer plays. The o-line is always the last part of an NFL team to get tuned up because of their need to coordinate with each other, so why not make it easy on them for the first game with so little of the offseason available to get them ready?
Right Mac. We’ve seen two series from the Bills offence so far, and people are trying to infer too much with too little info.
It was smart to run quick plays with two weeks of practice. Does one really have to see a bunch of well developed pockets on the first two series of the first game of the preseason to feel good about the line?
It's simple, but it aint easy. *2
by Undee on Aug 16, 2011 12:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It's stll too early
We’ll get a better look this week in Denver. The 1st team Offense will have more opportunities for us to pick thru. I was surprised to see Easley on kick off returns though. I glad he’s healthy enough to take on hits like that. I’m still hoping he came make this team and be productive as a wideout. Stay healthy boys!
I was wondering if that wasn’t something to build his confidence in his knee.
Harooo
by Robot Nixon on Aug 16, 2011 12:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Quick slants
With some QB’s a lot of quick slants make sense. With a guy that has the inaccuracy issues that Fitz has, it could lead to plenty of disasters. I hope Gailey doesn’t use too many slants because not only will defenses quickly catch on, but Fitz will make his patented one awful throw that results in a major mistake. With him, I’d prefer more bubble screens or quick outs. Other than Johnson, I’m not sure I trust any of the other WR’s on slants yet anyhow. I guess Nelson could use his frame, but we haven’t seen that from him yet. Jones needs consistency and some more experience in setting up his defender on slants. Stevie’s good route running and wiggle give him an advantage the other WR’s don’t seem to have. He has the jab step to freeze his defender down to a science.
However, if they do utilize a lot of quick slants, they better run some slant and go’s. That’s a great way to get a guy open deep. I hope they give Spiller some chances in this area…
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Aug 16, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
The slugo's is a great point
Slant’s would fine with a guy lik Lee on the team since he just needs the corner to bite for just a fraction of a second to get by him.
Spiller is the only other RB/WR with the long speed to make those routes deadly. Maybe Parrish too, but I’ve never been able to figure if he really has great long speed or just quickness.
Agree with you K.
The good:
Fitz didn’t get hammered like the Bears QBs did. I think his gameplan was to just keep Fitz healthy by throwing quickies. Plus, not exposing our Week #1 gameplan.
When Chan is more comfortable with the offense grasping everything, then he will do it.
I actually hope it does not happen until week 1.
But, it sure was fun, for once, watching the Bills get sacks!
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 16, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Start looking for offensive line help right away, because the first team o-line did not push Chicago off the ball 3 yards when the Bills ran the ball. That’s a sure sign of weakness from both Guards on the line. Although it is preseason, look for more acquisition on the Offensive line to compete with New England.
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