Major Improvements To The Run Game

mgteich · Mar 11, 2026

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RUNNING GAME

1) AVT - an excellent run blocking LG

2) Gilliam - a top blocking FB

3) Hill - a blocking TE and STer (Vrabel knows him well)

JoeSixPat · Mar 11, 2026

mgteich said:
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RUNNING GAME

1) AVT - an excellent run blocking LG

2) Gilliam - a top blocking FB

3) Hill - a blocking TE and STer (Vrabel knows him well)

Especially in the red zone and goal line

I'm sure no one forgets how frustrated we were trying to run the ball in from inside the 5

There were a lot of points left on the field in that area and seems like they've made that a priority

People won't be second guessing Gilliam when they see him run block in those situations

Having Hill as a blocker on the field is bound to spring Maye loose in his runs too

Ring 6 · Mar 11, 2026

mgteich said:
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RUNNING GAME

1) AVT - an excellent run blocking LG

2) Gilliam - a top blocking FB

3) Hill - a blocking TE and STer (Vrabel knows him well)

What do you mean “Vrabel knows him well”
A) why do you think that and
B) what is the relevance?

Ring 6 · Mar 11, 2026

JoeSixPat said:
Especially in the red zone and goal line

I'm sure no one forgets how frustrated we were trying to run the ball in from inside the 5

There were a lot of points left on the field in that area and seems like they've made that a priority

People won't be second guessing Gilliam when they see him run block in those situations

The FB should make a huge difference. We had way too many short yardage runs stopped behind the LOS. Running them with a true FB should reduce that a lot. Also if we have a true FB to lead those plays it causes the defense to tighten the middle and can create more room to get to the edge.

40yrpatsfan · Mar 12, 2026

mgteich said:
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RUNNING GAME

1) AVT - an excellent run blocking LG

2) Gilliam - a top blocking FB

3) Hill - a blocking TE and STer (Vrabel knows him well)

Plus the ripple effects of AVT -
- Wilson at Center is a better run blocker than Bradbury was, plus he'll be flanked by two very good guards
- Campbell becomes a better LT with a talented/experienced G beside him
- all 3 will be above average 2nd level run and screen blockers

40yrpatsfan · Mar 12, 2026

JoeSixPat said:
Especially in the red zone and goal line

I'm sure no one forgets how frustrated we were trying to run the ball in from inside the 5

There were a lot of points left on the field in that area and seems like they've made that a priority

People won't be second guessing Gilliam when they see him run block in those situations

Having Hill as a blocker on the field is bound to spring Maye loose in his runs too

Also, how many times was Henderson hit behind the los before he could get going? Some of that's on him, but most of it on the OL.

Hugepatsfan · Mar 12, 2026

In terms of overall talent level, I think this has mostly been a lateral moving offseason. I think this here is the best opportunity for improvement though because the complimentary nature of these additions creates some synergies that can turn something that was a weakness (power running) into at least average, maybe even a strength.

borisman · Mar 12, 2026

I see everyone saying how great of a blocking FB Gilliam is. But, who doesn’t want to see a James Develin-type run? I need that.

DaBruinz · Mar 12, 2026

borisman said:
I see everyone saying how great of a blocking FB Gilliam is. But, who doesn’t want to see a James Develin-type run? I need that.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the FB plunge with Gilliam make a return.. Buffalo didn't use him that way, but that doesn't mean he can't do it.

Zuma · Mar 12, 2026

borisman said:
I see everyone saying how great of a blocking FB Gilliam is. But, who doesn’t want to see a James Develin-type run? I need that.

I'd also like to see a few throws to Gilliam in pre-season to let teams know that is an option and they need to account for it. Develin had 18 receptions from 2017-2018.

Hammer of Thor · Mar 12, 2026

borisman said:
I see everyone saying how great of a blocking FB Gilliam is. But, who doesn’t want to see a James Develin-type run? I need that.

Did you say a James Develin-type run?

DaBruinz · Mar 12, 2026

Zuma said:
I'd also like to see a few throws to Gilliam in pre-season to let teams know that is an option and they need to account for it. Develin had 18 receptions from 2017-2018.

I want to see throws to Gilliam AND Hill in Pre-season.

borisman · Mar 12, 2026

Zuma said:
I'd also like to see a few throws to Gilliam in pre-season to let teams know that is an option and they need to account for it. Develin had 18 receptions from 2017-2018.

When Ken Dorsey was the OC, in 2022, Gilliam had 8 receptions and 1 TD. Josh isn’t averse to do that same thing.

borisman · Mar 12, 2026

Hammer of Thor said:
Did you say a James Develin-type run?

One of the best 1 yard runs in history.

borisman · Mar 12, 2026

DaBruinz said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see the FB plunge with Gilliam make a return.. Buffalo didn't use him that way, but that doesn't mean he can't do it.

I would definitely try it in TC and/or preseason games to find out if he can hold on to the football. He only has like 4 Rush attempts in 5 years and was a TE at Toledo.

Rob0729 · Mar 12, 2026

DaBruinz said:
I wouldn't be surprised to see the FB plunge with Gilliam make a return.. Buffalo didn't use him that way, but that doesn't mean he can't do it.

It is impossible to know what Gilliam can do as a rusher or a receiver. The Bills just never used him as anything but a blocker for the most part. I don’t think it is on Gilliam. I think it is just that the Bills defense never really used him that way.

DaBruinz · Mar 12, 2026

Rob0729 said:
It is impossible to know what Gilliam can do as a rusher or a receiver. The Bills just never used him as anything but a blocker for the most part. I don’t think it is on Gilliam. I think it is just that the Bills ~~defense~~ Offense never really used him that way.

FIFY.. And I did mention that Buffalo didn't use him that way..

Hugepatsfan · Mar 12, 2026

Rob0729 said:
It is impossible to know what Gilliam can do as a rusher or a receiver. The Bills just never used him as anything but a blocker for the most part. I don’t think it is on Gilliam. I think it is just that the Bills defense never really used him that way.

You never know. Wouldn't be the first time a player showcases something new in a different system. I do think there's definitely SOMETHING you can take away from the fact that BUF never used him as a rusher or a receiver. I'm sure their coaches all had the same thoughts as us that it'd be a nice little wrinkle of the FB could contribute with a few touches to make the defenses respect it, yet they never actually used him for it. Has to reflect in some level what they thought of his skills for it.

Rob0729 · Mar 12, 2026

DaBruinz said:
FIFY.. And I did mention that Buffalo didn't use him that way..

I am not trying to dispute you. I am stating we do not know what he can be.

Rob0729 · Mar 12, 2026

Hugepatsfan said:
You never know. Wouldn't be the first time a player showcases something new in a different system. I do think there's definitely SOMETHING you can take away from the fact that BUF never used him as a rusher or a receiver. I'm sure their coaches all had the same thoughts as us that it'd be a nice little wrinkle of the FB could contribute with a few touches to make the defenses respect it, yet they never actually used him for it. Has to reflect in some level what they thought of his skills for it.

The thing is most teams devalue the FB position. Many teams only use the FB in obvious run situations or just to pass block. It is the most devalued position in football. Some teams don’t even have a FB.

Any other position I might agree with you, but with the FB position, I just assume a team didn’t value the player enough to try to make him a running or receiving option.

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