Offensive Line

[mgteich]

Let's see. First there was no TE who could block. Second, we couldn't run the hurry-up because of the inexperience of Thompkins and the lack of a TE. Third, Brady only had 2 receiving targets plus Thompkins who he had to use a lot, so they had to hold back the defense for more time.

The offensive line played reasonably well. We'll see the reps, but I think that Cannon played a lot. Our six man line made up for not having a blocking TE.

Let's re-sign Fells or even Ballard and stop this bad dream. And yes, we would than have Gronkowski and another blocker when Gronk comes back.

 

[patchick]

2 sacks allowed, and the RBs averaged 5.4 ypc for the game. Solid work against a strong DL without TE help.

BUT --- when did Ryan Wendell forget how to snap??? Shotgun snaps were low all day, and the Brady fumble looked like at least 50% a Wendell fumble.

 

[Mark.]

BUT --- when did Ryan Wendell forget how to snap??? Shotgun snaps were low all day, and the Brady fumble looked like at least 50% a Wendell fumble.

I noticed the low snaps too-and it looked like he was bobbing his head pre-snap.

 

[mgteich]

We all look forward to the team figuring out the unexplained issue with Wendell. Connolly must be a better option than what we saw today.

 

[RayClay]

I noticed the low snaps too-and it looked like he was bobbing his head pre-snap.

They've got some big mamajamas on that line.

 

[cstjohn17]

I agree the offensive line did fine. And I also agree about the TE blocking, HooMan sucks. I can't wait for the Gonk.

 

[woolster22]

Re: Re: Offensive Line

2 sacks allowed, and the RBs averaged 5.4 ypc for the game. Solid work against a strong DL without TE help.

BUT --- when did Ryan Wendell forget how to snap??? Shotgun snaps were low all day, and the Brady fumble looked like at least 50% a Wendell fumble.

He had a legitimate player in Marcel Dareus over his head all day. Dareus and Williams (add much as I hate to say it) each had very good games today. Much of the safety and lb pressure came on delays where our o line had their hands full with the dl pressure. One specifically came on a safety blitz (1-2 yards off the line), and either Brady blew the call or Vereen blew the read. Vereen took off into the flat, had he stepped up it would have been an easy block, instead a sack. That said, Buffalo threw the same look later in the game, this time Vereen stayed in to block, helped or on Dareus (saved a pressure at minimum) the safety dropped from the Blitz bluff and beau found a open receiver for a first.

It was an interesting game. Tompkins looked like a rookie and I don't remember seeing Boyce. Vereen played great and ridley looked like he was struggling all game. One run specifically early, Connelly pulls behind Mank and blows up the de just as ridley is planting (mankins and someone else was pushing the garbage 3 yds up field). What does he do? Stutter steps when he should have cut up, tries to bounce it outside and gets nailed by a cb for no gain.

Bolden would have been nice. Blount showed us what the Tb fans have railed him for all along. 250 lber who can't fall forward or get the tough yards. Anyone want to tell me wtf he is doing returning kicks? Lol. Who the hell is coaching special teams and why doesn't the team know about their crack habit? Slater? Lol. Epic fail. Go back to the third or fourth preseason game. Slater (or someone with a duplicate number...) receives a kickoff Caldwell style (bug eyed drop anyone?) Six yards deep, and then proceeds to run it out only to be stuffed around the fifteen. Not as bad as Blount not having the quickness, nor the blocking (again, who the F@$# is coaching st's? I thought BB placed a premium on ST?!) To reach the fifteen.

We were lucky to win this one. D played pretty damn well, one drive not included.

On a positive, Mr. Arrington, I take it all back! Excellent game sir. Gregory looked much improved as well.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Isn't it nice to hear "fans" moan, complain, and b!tch about a win. You would have thought the Patriots lost by 30.

We are back to normal...

 

[smg93]

I noticed a marked improvement in the second half. It seemed like Brady had very little time in the first half but things changed in the third quarter. I wonder what adjustments they did in half time or if this was more of a function of the Bills blitzing less.

 

[Dagg]

Tom was hurried alot and couldnt step into a number of throws the stats (only 2 sacks) dont tell the story accuratley. I thought pass protection was pretty bad overall.

They did do a decent job on the running game.

Overall a very C+/B- performance. Lack of time in the passing game and rookie WR/TE is a very dangerous mixture.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I noticed a marked improvement in the second half. It seemed like Brady had very little time in the first half but things changed in the third quarter. I wonder what adjustments they did in half time or if this was more of a function of the Bills blitzing less.

Noticed the same. Maybe a combo of Bills D tiring out as we ran so many more than average # of plays against them and Dante making some blocking assignment adjustments after receiving those texted death threats from Gisele in the 1st half.

 

[PatsFan2]

Let's see. First there was no TE who could block. Second, we couldn't run the hurry-up because of the inexperience of Thompkins and the lack of a TE. Third, Brady only had 2 receiving targets plus Thompkins who he had to use a lot, so they had to hold back the defense for more time.

The offensive line played reasonably well. We'll see the reps, but I think that Cannon played a lot. Our six man line made up for not having a blocking TE.

Let's re-sign Fells or even Ballard and stop this bad dream. And yes, we would than have Gronkowski and another blocker when Gronk comes back.

The TE's were terrible I saw Sudfeld out there hitting air and even that got the better him. Sudfeld looks more like a Tall lean WR that a TE, no wonder he went undrafted. Put me down for bring Daniel Fells back atleast he can catch and block some. On closing does Hoo-man have pictures of BB or somthing? Ok he threw one good block all day but that still doesn't justify him seeing so many snaps where he was totally ineffective. Hooman is so bad he's not even one dimensional, he does NOTHING well.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Let's see. First there was no TE who could block. Second, we couldn't run the hurry-up because of the inexperience of Thompkins and the lack of a TE. Third, Brady only had 2 receiving targets plus Thompkins who he had to use a lot, so they had to hold back the defense for more time.

The offensive line played reasonably well. We'll see the reps, but I think that Cannon played a lot. Our six man line made up for not having a blocking TE.

Let's re-sign Fells or even Ballard and stop this bad dream. And yes, we would than have Gronkowski and another blocker when Gronk comes back.

Couldn't agree more. Let's get a TE who can block. Not only for right now. I don't really want Gronk to play 100pct of all plays. Give him a blow. Put the te who can block out there with Solder. Cannon coming in to be the extra OL.

I'll give Thompkins a case of the first game jitters pass. But, he's got to get better. Or, Aaron Dobson will get more playing time. The Steelers were beyond horrible yesterday on offense. Any chance to trade for Emanuelle Sanders? We tried to sign him. I know he's not a big guy either. But, at least he's a veteran player.

 

[mgteich]

Solder (ex-TE) was our "extra" blocker yesterday. He had 11 reps at TE, with Cannon coming in at LT.

Couldn't agree more. Let's get a TE who can block. Not only for right now. I don't really want Gronk to play 100pct of all plays. Give him a blow. Put the te who can block out there with Solder. Cannon coming in to be the extra OL.

I'll give Thompkins a case of the first game jitters pass. But, he's got to get better. Or, Aaron Dobson will get more playing time. The Steelers were beyond horrible yesterday on offense. Any chance to trade for Emanuelle Sanders? We tried to sign him. I know he's not a big guy either. But, at least he's a veteran player.

 

[IllegalContact]

the OL did fine yesterday

if it weren't for ridley forcing his own fumble, this game would have been a snoozer

 

[jmt57]

Heading into the game I felt like the Bills had two advantages that they needed to exploit if they had a chance to win: C.J. Spiller on the outside, and the interior of the Buffalo defensive line (Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams) versus the interior of the Patriots offensive line (specifically Wendell and Connolly). Considering the Bills held a talent advantage at those spots I thought that the Patriots held their own.

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots go with Cannon as an additional lineman, or sign another TE. With week one in the books the club can sign players without committing to a full year's salary.

Wendell's snaps were bothersome; I don't recall him ever having had that issue previously though. If it persists then he and Connolly can switch positions.

 

[BlueThunder]

the OL did fine yesterday

if it weren't for ridley forcing his own fumble, this game would have been a snoozer

With a clean game, I saw a score of about 33-7 .....30-14

They had the Vegas spread right, the oddsmakers just didn't account accurately for the errors on a BB coached team.

 

[PatsFan2]

Heading into the game I felt like the Bills had two advantages that they needed to exploit if they had a chance to win: C.J. Spiller on the outside, and the interior of the Buffalo defensive line (Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams) versus the interior of the Patriots offensive line (specifically Wendell and Connolly). Considering the Bills held a talent advantage at those spots I thought that the Patriots held their own.

I'll be curious to see if the Patriots go with Cannon as an additional lineman, or sign another TE. With week one in the books the club can sign players without committing to a full year's salary.

Wendell's snaps were bothersome; I don't recall him ever having had that issue previously though. If it persists then he and Connolly can switch positions.

I am not a Big Fan of Ryan Wendell at Center he's just too dam small...he gets consistently mauled by Big DT's. I think Conolly have the strenght and girth to handle those guys.

 

[fnordcircle]

Noticed the same. Maybe a combo of Bills D tiring out as we ran so many more than average # of plays against them and Dante making some blocking assignment adjustments after receiving those texted death threats from Gisele in the 1st half.

I dunno, I think Scar is one of the coaches on this team who finds a way to make the necessary adjustments consistently. We're really gonna miss him when he goes (I doubt he ever retires).

 

[AzPatsFan]

This entire post reeks of "We lost in a shutout and our O-line looks like the Jets or Steeler lines".

The reality is quite different.

Both injured RGs were healthier and removing rust. Cannon still has a chance to replace Connolly. Connolly as the chief interior reserve solves all interior reserve questions including C. Svitek is currently dinged, but he is a good swing tackle and can even handle some G assignments.

The entire line is young and talented. The reserves are older but experienced.

They opened enough holes to let the RBs acuumulate 162 yards on the ground. What's not to like?