Bledsoe Holds on to the Ball a long time - But I am ok with it.

[Mike 1967]

People, this was his first game with this team. First game for 2 out of 5 of our lineman. Let him get his timing down. He does hold the ball a long time, but his speed should improve at least a little.

I don't think it is all a timing thing.

He had a reputation for this coming in.

And what I am seeing is a man who will not give up on the play.

I am not seeing a man that is missing throws because of timing. He is making very accurate throws.

But the best timing in the world does not mean that the receiver will get open. And when the receivers are not open...then 19 times out of 20 Bledsoe will hold the ball until they are.

I'm beginning to understand the reason behind the reputation and the reason why he has been sacked so many times. But...I am ok with it.

 

[wileedog]

Everybody in Upper New York was no doubt ecstatic following that game. And the press was talking about what a great move the Bills made. But things went down quickly after that first game.

I think you have your years mixed up.

Bledsoe's first year with the Bills he threw for 4360 yards and 24 TDs.

The next year they got rid of Price and Riermsma (sp?) and that's when things started to go downhill.

 

[Mike 1967]

I think you have your years mixed up.

Bledsoe's first year with the Bills he threw for 4360 yards and 24 TDs.

The next year they got rid of Price and Riermsma (sp?) and that's when things started to go downhill.

I very well could.

I am thinking about the year they started with there first game against the Patriots....and they put a lot of points up on them.

And then I remember that they did not put many points up after that 1st game.

 

[smashmouth]

Let me first say that holding the ball too long is EXTREMELY dangerous . turnovers come from too many blind side sacks - and holding on to the ball too long will cause un-neccessary turnovers.

As I continue to re-watch the game on tape all this week, if we avoid 2 of those sacks and that fumble and a couple of penalties, are offense could have easily put up 6 touches or a couple more field goals.

With that being said, we need Julius to be more involved in the passing game - the problem is, we keep him in to block most of the time, so our offensive line could do us a favor and pick up the blitzs to allow JJ to get into the patterns. The problem there is when they send 1 too many defenders, you need JJ in there to keep Bledsoe from getting mutilated.

 

[wileedog]

I very well could.

I am thinking about the year they started with there first game against the Patriots....and they put a lot of points up on them.

And then I remember that they did not put many points up after that 1st game.

That was 2003, his 2nd year with Buff. They beat the Pats 31-0.

The next week they actually lit up Jax for 38 too.

But you're right it was pretty much downhill after that.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

I don't think it is all a timing thing.

He had a reputation for this coming in.

And what I am seeing is a man who will not give up on the play.

I am not seeing a man that is missing throws because of timing. He is making very accurate throws.

But the best timing in the world does not mean that the receiver will get open. And when the receivers are not open...then 19 times out of 20 Bledsoe will hold the ball until they are.

I'm beginning to understand the reason behind the reputation and the reason why he has been sacked so many times. But...I am ok with it.

What has impressed me is Zero Interceptions including the preseason. That 1st Keyshawn touchdown was nice. I think 3 step drops and quick timing plays should help to eliminate some sacks. We will learn a lot more about our new QB against this Washington D.

 

[Mike 1967]

That was 2003, his 2nd year with Buff. They beat the Pats 31-0.

The next week they actually lit up Jax for 38 too.

But you're right it was pretty much downhill after that.

Great

Now even if we blow the Skins out next Monday I will still have that nagging fear :

 

[Mike 1967]

What has impressed me is Zero Interceptions including the preseason. That 1st Keyshawn touchdown was nice. I think 3 step drops and quick timing plays should help to eliminate some sacks. We will learn a lot more about our new QB against this Washington D.

I was also impressed by the zero interceptions.

He had very good accuracy in that game.

I also agree on the 3 step drops. We have 3 physical possession receivers in Witten, Key and Crayton....so he should have a target. The opposing defense will not be able to key on all 3 of those guys. One of them should be able to get open the majority of the time. Although, i may be incorrect in my assesment that all 3 would be on the field at the same time. Because you would also need a speed guy in the lineup (Glenn or Price) to keep the safeties honest.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It is interesting, how I have personally viewed Bledsoe through out his career.

When he was young, I loved him. I just thought that his toughness and his arm strength were eventually going to win him championships. Now that he is older and I see how the punishment inflicted effects him, I worry every time I see him waiting.

I honestly admire the fact that he will stand in and take the shot but, I also understand that we are a ball control, field position team with nobody behind him. I can't help but feel as if it's just a matter of time with Bledsoe. He has been amazingly durable over his career but how often can you go to the well?

I guess we will see.

 

[Nors]

I hear you loud and clear.

I keep thinking back to Bledsoes first game as a Bill. The one where he had a huge game against his former team.

Everybody in Upper New York was no doubt ecstatic following that game. And the press was talking about what a great move the Bills made. But things went down quickly after that first game.

I do have a nagging fear that my hopes may get dashed.

But...my confidence in this receiving corp is what keeps me hopeful that this was more than a 1 time show.

Was that 2003? BLEDSOE TOOK OVER A 3-13 FOOTBALL TEAM from 2001!
And yes - they crushed Pats that game.

 

[Mike 1967]

Was that 2003? BLEDSOE TOOK OVER A 3-13 FOOTBALL TEAM from 2001!
And yes - they crushed Pats that game.

And wasn't Gilbride the Offensive Coordinator for 1 or 2 years ?

That guy could not coordinate his way out of a paper sack.

 

[DLCassidy]

And wasn't Gilbride the Offensive Coordinator for 1 or 2 years ?

That guy could not coordinate his way out of a paper sack.

2002 and 2003. Gilbride was a disciple of the Mouse Davis "run and shoot" offensive philosophy. The idea was to maximize the # of receivers on each play with the receivers given a choice of several options depending on the defense they were reading. It's an interesting theory but in practice in leads to a lot of miscommunication between QB and receiver and it exposes the QB to major punishment, particularly from the blitz. Warren Moon ran this offense in Houston with success but like Bledsoe he took a lot of hits.

Parcells knows the importance of protecting Bledsoe. It's not even the sacks I worry about so much as the # of hits Bledsoe takes that over time will take their toll and lead him to become less accurate and less effective. The man is a warrior but so was Rocky Balboa, you know? If we can do a good job Monday night picking up the blitz I expect some big plays- but that assumes your receivers can get separation. Against a team like Washington I would have a package of plays for Price. He has the speed to make teams pay for blitzing.

 

[Mike 1967]

2002 and 2003. Gilbride was a disciple of the Mouse Davis "run and shoot" offensive philosophy. The idea was to maximize the # of receivers on each play with the receivers given a choice of several options depending on the defense they were reading. It's an interesting theory but in practice in leads to a lot of miscommunication between QB and receiver and it exposes the QB to major punishment, particularly from the blitz. Warren Moon ran this offense in Houston with success but like Bledsoe he took a lot of hits.

Parcells knows the importance of protecting Bledsoe. It's not even the sacks I worry about so much as the # of hits Bledsoe takes that over time will take their toll and lead him to become less accurate and less effective. The man is a warrior but so was Rocky Balboa, you know? If we can do a good job Monday night picking up the blitz I expect some big plays- but that assumes your receivers can get separation. Against a team like Washington I would have a package of plays for Price. He has the speed to make teams pay for blitzing.

Speaking of Rocky. I still have visions of that fight between him and Buddy Ryan in Arizona.

He looked like he was going to cry.

 

[DLCassidy]

Speaking of Rocky. I still have visions of that fight between him and Buddy Ryan in Arizona.

He looked like he was going to cry.

Ryan was right to punch Gilbride. The run and shoot is pass happy and thinks 3rd and 2 is almost always a passing down. If you're the DC, watching that gets old in a hurry, especially if you're trying to hold a lead late in a game as Houston was on the night Ryan lost it on Gilbride. You'd better have 5 blocks of granite for an OL and a QB that enjoys the taste of turf if you're going to run that offense.

 

[Mike 1967]

Ryan was right to punch Gilbride. The run and shoot is pass happy and thinks 3rd and 2 is almost always a passing down. If you're the DC, watching that gets old in a hurry, especially if you're trying to hold a lead late in a game as Houston was on the night Ryan lost it on Gilbride. You'd better have 5 blocks of granite for an OL and a QB that enjoys the taste of turf if you're going to run that offense.

Moon did run that offense to a Tee

I think that offense was designed specifically for him. Nobody ran it like he did.

Except maybe Texas Tech

 

[DLCassidy]

Moon did run that offense to a Tee

I think that offense was designed specifically for him. Nobody ran it like he did.

Except maybe Texas Tech

He sure did. Moon was a great QB IMO. But he would've gotten bludgeoned playing that offense behind Buffalo's line.

 

[Cbz40]

I don't think it is all a timing thing.

He had a reputation for this coming in.

And what I am seeing is a man who will not give up on the play.

I am not seeing a man that is missing throws because of timing. He is making very accurate throws.

But the best timing in the world does not mean that the receiver will get open. And when the receivers are not open...then 19 times out of 20 Bledsoe will hold the ball until they are.

I'm beginning to understand the reason behind the reputation and the reason why he has been sacked so many times. But...I am ok with it.

Maybe a better word would be tendencies. The O has now played a total of what? 6weeks together. 4 pre-season games 1 regular season game. Bledsoe's release time should get better with reps w/ the WRs, same with protection, as the OL adapts too Bledsoe's "tendenses" protection should improve. The OL should also improve with playing time together.

Picking up the blitz when playing teams that will bring it such as Washington, Eagles, Giants,....If we can.....we win. We have the firepower to burn the blitz...if the OL can only slow it down.

 

[NorTex]

I have no problem with Bledsoe holding the ball and taking a sack. I'd rather risk the fumble than throw the ball up for an interception. So what if you lose seven yards or even ten.

People talk about Bledsoe being slow, but he ran up field for a nice 8 yard gain...looked pretty good too.

IMO, QBs getting sacked and that its a negative, is way overrated. If it happens on 3rd down, big deal. Punt the ball, its no different than an incompletion or failed run attempt.

 

[smashmouth]

I have no problem with Bledsoe holding the ball and taking a sack. I'd rather risk the fumble than throw the ball up for an interception. So what if you lose seven yards or even ten.

People talk about Bledsoe being slow, but he ran up field for a nice 8 yard gain...looked pretty good too.

IMO, QBs getting sacked and that its a negative, is way overrated. If it happens on 3rd down, big deal. Punt the ball, its no different than an incompletion or failed run attempt.

What's wrong with throwing the ball away?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I honestly don't believe Bledsoe hold onto the ball too long. That's really not his problem. His problem is that his footwork sucks.

There are plenty of bad QB's in the league that will get rid of the ball too soon and not give the play a chance or force a throw into coverage.

The good ones, (i.e. Brady, Manning) have exceptional footwork. Watch Brady and he'll sidestep a converging D-Lineman and then make the throw. Brady is the best I've seen at actually taking a step and a half up the field in the pocket to make the throw. Essentially, he's holding onto the ball just as long as Bledsoe, but he has the footwork to buy himself more time.

Bledsoe looked good against SD, but it's clear he doesn't have the ability or willingness to sidestep the rush.

It appears that Parcells is trying to counter that with giving him effective safety valves at receiver (Witten and Crayton) and telling him that he needs to get rid of quicker or take off running because he doesn't have the footwork to buy himself the time needed to make a play.


Rich.......