Away for Christmas so just had time to do a quick All-22 review. Just a couple notes. I concentrated mainly on Layden Robinson.
Robinson played his best run blocking game of the year, IMO. He wasn't perfect but he got regular movement, got to second level, got push. Played very well in run blocking. His pass blocking was not as strong. He struggles less with stunts and hand-offs than he did earlier in the year. Was also smarter in his decision making on who to block. He was really dumb on that early in the year so it was progress but not does not mean it was good.
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One play in 4Q, the Bills sent 2 blitzers tight thru his gap, a gap that he created by following the guy in front of him that looped to Ben Brown, once he saw the guy was going to be blocked by Brown it was too late to block the blitzers. Maye ran right and hit Douglas on the sideline but he had to escape 2 completely free blitzers to do it.
There was a play he got beat on a spin move, another 2 plays where quickness just beat him.
So strong run blocking, improvement in pass blocking but still below where you want him to be as a pass blocker. As a rookie he's getting better and the fact he is already starting to be a good run blocker is great progress, hopefully in off season can work to improve the pass blocking. He's a solid starting guard as a run blocker. Progress!
Jacobs was the worst of the lineman. He accounted for almost half the pressures. He can't be starting here next year. Lowe bounced back with a solid game. On average he does struggle more in run blocking. 3 of his last 4 games has had good games pass blocking, with off season improvement I think he could possibly be a solid pass blocker. Run blocking has been a big issue, especially the last 3 games. I'm not sure he has the power to run block successfully on a regular basis.
The Bills toward the end of the game just decided to Rush 4-6 and play man. Every other play was a blitz of 5 or 6. The biggest thing I noticed is the receivers could not get open against man. On some plays for the entire route, on others just not quick enough. Bills brought enough guys so Maye could not run but the 4 or 5 receivers couldn't get open vs man.
It's normally a dangerous way to play defense but they got away with it because the pressure was quick, and the receivers were blanketed.
Need that guy that can get a quick release and get some separation and maybe give some fear to the defense you might get over the top. Bills played 1 deep or zero deep on quite a few plays in Q4. No respect for receivers to get open.