Bills @ Hawks

[c_hawkbob]

No it was much simpler than that. Williams took too big a step back too soon and pinned Geno's foot to the ground. Everything else going was superfluous. It's very basic sh!t you learn in Pop Warner.

[NorthHawk]

I think it's because we can't get any push up front. It's the same story that we've seen for the last 7 or 8 years - no push on short yardage.
Brady had a couple of points about this play and one was he always staggered his feet so there was less chance of being stepped on as well he thought we need to run more plays from under Center.
Both points make sense to me.

[River Dog]

No it was much simpler than that. Williams took too big a step back too soon and pinned Geno's foot to the ground. Everything else going was superfluous. It's very basic sh!t you learn in Pop Warner.

I've watched that replay a dozen times. Williams is being asked to block the DT in the A gap to his right. He first has to snap the ball, giving the DT a split-second head start. If Williams leaves too quickly, the exchange won't be clean. Leave too late, the DT is in the backfield. Williams has to turn slightly to his right or else he won't be able to get leverage on the DT. I'm not sure how he can get turned so that he has that leverage without taking a very slight backwards step to his right.

IMO it wasn't execution as much as it was a poor play design for a short yardage situation like that.

[c_hawkbob]

You're overthinking it Riv. Every NFL play has those sort of complexities, but it still all starts with the basics and there is nothing more basic than not stepping on your QB's foot when he's under center or snapping the ball over his head when he's in the shotgun.

[River Dog]

You're overthinking it Riv. Every NFL play has those sort of complexities, but it still all starts with the basics and there is nothing more basic than not stepping on your QB's foot when he's under center or snapping the ball over his head when he's in the shotgun.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I see plenty of blame to spread around on that play, including Geno, Williams, and Grubbs.

[HappyHawk]

I remember a game from 2010, right after the Marshawn Lynch trade, where we got steamrolled by the Giants. Clipboard Jesus (Whitehurst) was having issues, the defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed, nothing was working.

This sort of reminded me of that. It’s going to take some time.


Now, I understand I’m new so I’m going to be bringing my opinions to the table. I’ve been banished from another forum, former username Jerhawk. Please mods, don’t ban me. I may be a bit pessimistic but I try to bring a realistic viewpoint and as die hard of a fan as all of you.

One thing I would like to bring up, regarding our inability to stop the run, is that we’re running primarily Nickel defense. Linebacker depth has been an issue here, but so you guys think we had another capable inside linebacker we’d be running more of a 4-3, 3-4 hybrid scheme, taking a corner off the field to meet the other team at the point of attack, especially on those stretch runs in the C gap we’re having so much difficulty stopping? I feel like that would help, we just don’t have the personnel to counter that play as of now.

[River Dog]

I remember a game from 2010, right after the Marshawn Lynch trade, where we got steamrolled by the Giants. Clipboard Jesus (Whitehurst) was having issues, the defense couldn’t stop a nosebleed, nothing was working.

This sort of reminded me of that. It’s going to take some time.


Now, I understand I’m new so I’m going to be bringing my opinions to the table. I’ve been banished from another forum, former username Jerhawk. Please mods, don’t ban me. I may be a bit pessimistic but I try to bring a realistic viewpoint and as die hard of a fan as all of you.

One thing I would like to bring up, regarding our inability to stop the run, is that we’re running primarily Nickel defense. Linebacker depth has been an issue here, but so you guys think we had another capable inside linebacker we’d be running more of a 4-3, 3-4 hybrid scheme, taking a corner off the field to meet the other team at the point of attack, especially on those stretch runs in the C gap we’re having so much difficulty stopping? I feel like that would help, we just don’t have the personnel to counter that play as of now.

Welcome to the Shack!

We're a small, tight knit group here with only about 10-12 regular posters. We'll often times disagree, as Cbob and I have in this thread, but we're always respectful of others. Unless you're the type that likes to engage in name calling or trolling, I don't think you'll have any problems at all.

I, too, tend to express mildly pessimistic outlooks. Part of it is my age, I just turned 70, and that I've been there, done that, and I'm leary of getting my hopes up only to see them dashed. I'd rather expect the worst and be surprised by the best.

[Vegaseahawk]

What bothered me most was the apparent apathy & lack of effort by the players. Add to that the infighting, & poor coaching decisions & you've got a perfect recipe for disaster. They played like they'd been on a classic Vegas bender all week instead of practicing. It would've been comical if it wasn't so pathetic. I'll bet Rambo peed in his short pants with unabated glee watching this debacle.

[MackStrongIsMyHero]

What bothered me most was the apparent apathy & lack of effort by the players. Add to that the infighting, & poor coaching decisions & you've got a perfect recipe for disaster. They played like they'd been on a classic Vegas bender all week instead of practicing. It would've been comical if it wasn't so pathetic. I'll bet Rambo peed in his short pants with unabated glee watching this debacle.

I didn't mind Reed getting on Hall's arse over that blatantly late hit on Allen, if that's the infighting you're referring to. Hall hurt the team badly; instead of getting Allen off the field, he extended the drive that ended in a TD before half time. I'm glad one of the vets showed some fire.

I don't know how coaching fixes a bad snap and stepping on your QB, but those were killers.

Not getting any points off Allen's first interception was huge. I don't care what the analytics say, you take the points you can when you can, especially that early.

[NorthHawk]

I think the up and down from the Falcons game to the Bills is an expected result of coaches trying to find out what works wit their personnel within their systems and who reacts properly within that system and who doesn’t. As well, Grubb is finding out that some plays and strategies that worked in College might not work in the NFL. I’d rather he learn those lessons now in the first year than in a close playoff game down the road.

[River Dog]

What bothered me most was the apparent apathy & lack of effort by the players. Add to that the infighting, & poor coaching decisions & you've got a perfect recipe for disaster. They played like they'd been on a classic Vegas bender all week instead of practicing. It would've been comical if it wasn't so pathetic. I'll bet Rambo peed in his short pants with unabated glee watching this debacle.

I didn't mind Reed getting on Hall's arse over that blatantly late hit on Allen, if that's the infighting you're referring to. Hall hurt the team badly; instead of getting Allen off the field, he extended the drive that ended in a TD before half time. I'm glad one of the vets showed some fire.

I don't know how coaching fixes a bad snap and stepping on your QB, but those were killers.

Not getting any points off Allen's first interception was huge. I don't care what the analytics say, you take the points you can when you can, especially that early.

Social media and a few sportswriters made a lot out of that exchange, but what most failed to include is that later on, the two kissed and made up. At least it shows that the players care about getting embarrassed like they did. I'm more on Mack's side on this one, that I'm glad one of the veterans called out one of the younger guys.