Doomsday101
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If it seems like a long time since the tight ends were used as extensively as they were in the passing game this past Sunday in Buffalo's win over the Jets, you'd be right. Tight ends Robert Royal and Michael Gaines combined for seven catches for 51 yards and what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the Bills' 17-14 win.
So when was the last time Buffalo had seven completions to tight ends in a game? How about almost five years ago to the day of last Sunday's game?
Not since Sept. 29, 2002 have the Bills used their tight ends as often and effectively. In a 33-27 overtime win over a then Dick Jauron coached Chicago club, Buffalo tight ends Jay Riemersma and Dave Moore combined for seven receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.
When asked about the importance of using the tight ends in the passing game, Buffalo's head coach was quick to caution that an offense can only exploit what a defense gives them.
"It's important to take what you have every week," said Jauron. "It was a different game against a different scheme so it's important to take what they give you all the time, every week, every game and every down and not force the ball. So if the tight ends are there and they're the first look then they should get the ball. Sometimes they're not."
But Royal and Gaines were very effective in the short to intermediate passing game where rookie quarterback Trent Edwards usually thrives. Royal believes having Edwards in the lineup impacted how much the tight ends were utilized last weekend.
"I think one of the reasons we did that was it was Trent's first start and we wanted to run some plays where he could get the ball out of his hands faster," said Royal. "Once we started hitting the balls underneath then we were able to go over the top."
And going over the top had been nearly impossible the first few weeks of the season with opponents respecting Lee Evans big play ability. That didn't change this past Sunday with the Jets playing a lot of three deep zone behind an eight-man front designed to stop Marshawn Lynch.
"The Jets were playing pretty soft zone coverage and we had the opportunity to get Mike (Gaines) and Rock (Royal) the ball when the guys down the field weren't open," said Edwards. "That's something that the quarterback needs to do and it keeps the clock running and keeps the defense off the field and keeps you in manageable down and distances."
A perfect example came on Buffalo's first drive of the second quarter. Facing a 2nd-and-9 from their own 16-yard line, Edwards went to Michael Gaines for a six-yard catch putting Buffalo in a very makeable 3rd-and-3, which the Bills converted. Four plays later again facing a 2nd-and-9 situation at their own 41, Edwards again hit Gaines on a dump pass for a seven-yard gain putting them in 3rd-and-2. Buffalo converted that third down as well. The drive didn't put any points on the board, but went 12 plays covering 60 yards and at the very least gave the Bills defense more than seven minutes to rest on the bench.
"I think Robert Royal and I, us getting the ball makes the other team have to pay attention to us," said Gaines. "We have to give our receivers (Lee) Evans and Roscoe (Parrish) opportunities. When we get more involved it is more wide open for the whole team."
And it was evident the Jets defense reacted to Buffalo's use of the tight ends. On the Bills' first possession in the second half following that second quarter drive, Edwards had more opportunities to connect with the wideouts and did. Roscoe Parrish, Peerless Price, Lee Evans and Josh Reed each had a reception between seven and 14 yards. That drive ultimately led to a 10-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch and a 7-0 lead.
"We did well overall," said Royal. "Coach wanted to try and get the ball in everybody's hands which he did and I think it paid off for us."
The tight ends are just hoping another five years don't pass by before they're used in the same successful fashion they were last Sunday.
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=5343
So when was the last time Buffalo had seven completions to tight ends in a game? How about almost five years ago to the day of last Sunday's game?
Not since Sept. 29, 2002 have the Bills used their tight ends as often and effectively. In a 33-27 overtime win over a then Dick Jauron coached Chicago club, Buffalo tight ends Jay Riemersma and Dave Moore combined for seven receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.
When asked about the importance of using the tight ends in the passing game, Buffalo's head coach was quick to caution that an offense can only exploit what a defense gives them.
"It's important to take what you have every week," said Jauron. "It was a different game against a different scheme so it's important to take what they give you all the time, every week, every game and every down and not force the ball. So if the tight ends are there and they're the first look then they should get the ball. Sometimes they're not."
But Royal and Gaines were very effective in the short to intermediate passing game where rookie quarterback Trent Edwards usually thrives. Royal believes having Edwards in the lineup impacted how much the tight ends were utilized last weekend.
"I think one of the reasons we did that was it was Trent's first start and we wanted to run some plays where he could get the ball out of his hands faster," said Royal. "Once we started hitting the balls underneath then we were able to go over the top."
And going over the top had been nearly impossible the first few weeks of the season with opponents respecting Lee Evans big play ability. That didn't change this past Sunday with the Jets playing a lot of three deep zone behind an eight-man front designed to stop Marshawn Lynch.
"The Jets were playing pretty soft zone coverage and we had the opportunity to get Mike (Gaines) and Rock (Royal) the ball when the guys down the field weren't open," said Edwards. "That's something that the quarterback needs to do and it keeps the clock running and keeps the defense off the field and keeps you in manageable down and distances."
A perfect example came on Buffalo's first drive of the second quarter. Facing a 2nd-and-9 from their own 16-yard line, Edwards went to Michael Gaines for a six-yard catch putting Buffalo in a very makeable 3rd-and-3, which the Bills converted. Four plays later again facing a 2nd-and-9 situation at their own 41, Edwards again hit Gaines on a dump pass for a seven-yard gain putting them in 3rd-and-2. Buffalo converted that third down as well. The drive didn't put any points on the board, but went 12 plays covering 60 yards and at the very least gave the Bills defense more than seven minutes to rest on the bench.
"I think Robert Royal and I, us getting the ball makes the other team have to pay attention to us," said Gaines. "We have to give our receivers (Lee) Evans and Roscoe (Parrish) opportunities. When we get more involved it is more wide open for the whole team."
And it was evident the Jets defense reacted to Buffalo's use of the tight ends. On the Bills' first possession in the second half following that second quarter drive, Edwards had more opportunities to connect with the wideouts and did. Roscoe Parrish, Peerless Price, Lee Evans and Josh Reed each had a reception between seven and 14 yards. That drive ultimately led to a 10-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch and a 7-0 lead.
"We did well overall," said Royal. "Coach wanted to try and get the ball in everybody's hands which he did and I think it paid off for us."
The tight ends are just hoping another five years don't pass by before they're used in the same successful fashion they were last Sunday.
http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=5343