How much do you dislike “The Bangles” (Bengals)
- Thread starter sukie
- Start date
sukie
Well-known member
The DBs were 10 yards off the line snap. Almost all first half. Higgins 2 touchdowns were perfectly thrown and incredible catches . Un defensible. Gisecki had that one catch where he clutched it with both arms outstretched with at least 1 arm of a DV in there. It was pure strength. Watch YouTube game highlights.
Victor7
Well-known member
They did. That has nothing to do with defense.
They sucked. Circus catches or not. If not for a couple of fluke turnovers they would've put up 40+ on us, easily.
Bills Mailbag: When Terrel Bernard returns, how can Shaq Thompson stay on the field?
"There is no way the Bills should take Thompson off the field right now. He might be their best defensive player. The problem is, Bernard is the defensive captain," Jay Skurski writes in this Bills Mailbag.
Welcome to the midweek Bills Mailbag. Let’s get right to your questions …
Josh asks: When Terrel Bernard comes back from his injury, do you think Shaq Thompson should get more playing time than Bernard? Why did the Bills use a timeout after Christian Benford’s pick-six?
Bills safety Cole Bishop, front, linebacker Shaq Thompson, right, and cornerback Tre'Davious White tackle Bengals wide receiver
Andrei Iosivas on Sunday at Highmark Stadium. Joshua Bessex, Buffalo News
Jay: That’s a good, and tricky, question, Josh. I feel like there is no way the Bills should take Thompson off the field right now. He might be their best defensive player. The problem is, Bernard is the defensive captain. That’s a tough move to make if you’re Sean McDermott. One solution could be to play Bernard at middle linebacker and shift Thompson to the weak side, where he could either share snaps with Matt Milano, or take over that role on a more permanent basis. The defensive signal caller typically isn’t going to rotate in and out, and that job falls to the middle linebacker, which means deciding between Thompson and Milano if Bernard goes back in the middle. That’s another tough call to make. Milano has given a lot of sweat equity to the defense in his career, but the Bills have to make decisions based on what gives them the best chance to win right now. That involves Thompson being on the field.
As for the timeout, the team wasn’t prepared to get the extra-point unit on the field in time after the sudden change. Rather than take a delay of game and make it a 38-yard extra point, McDermott elected to use a timeout. It was a terrible use of a timeout in a tight game. Personally, I would have taken the penalty and saved the timeout, but I understand with the tricky footing caused by the snow not wanting to make the kick any harder. The players on the extra-point unit and the coaching staff has to be better prepared moving forward so that doesn’t happen again.
Bob Rusinko asks: Is it time to play even more 4-3 defense considering the tough season that Taron Johnson is having? Against the Bengals, he had two penalties, including a costly one. He missed at least two tackles and lost coverage on a touchdown pass. When Terrel Bernard returns, that will keep Shaq Thompson on the field more.
Jay: You’re right, Bob, that this is another way for the Bills to keep Thompson on the field. Philosophically, the Bills have been a nickel defense for a long time under McDermott, but that has shifted some this year. The Bills traditionally have been a team that uses its nickel package – meaning five defensive backs on the field – as it’s true base defense. That is still used on a majority of snaps, but we’ve seen more of a traditional 4-3 schemed used this year, with some combination of Bernard, Milano, Thompson and Dorian Williams on the field, depending on who is healthy for the game. As the coaches remind us every week, it’s a matchup league, so I’d expect the Bills to be in a 4-3 more against run-heavy teams and to use its nickel package more when the opposing offense has at least three receivers on the field. Johnson’s struggles aren’t going to lead to him being taken off the field if the other offense is intent on throwing the ball.
Robert Champagne asks: I’d like to know what Terry Bradshaw’s problem with Josh Allen is. Never a kind word of praise or otherwise. I guess MVP is not enough for some credit. I know he didn’t care for his accuracy coming out of Wyoming. I was a huge Steelers fan back when Terry was drafted and he had his issues early with the boo birds. What say you?
Jay: Maybe he was upset that Allen and the Bills steamrolled the Steelers in Week 13? Otherwise … I’ve got nothing. It’s a while ago now, but Allen was one of the more polarizing draft prospects in history. Who can forget him being labeled a “parody” of a quarterback prospect by Football Outsiders? On an unrelated note, is that the worst sports take of all time? It’s got to be close. Anyway, it can be hard for some media members, analysts and fans to admit when they were wrong. Perhaps Bradshaw’s mind is made up on Allen and he’s dug in on his position – even if it’s the wrong one. I’m not sure how anyone could watch Allen’s game against the Bengals and leave it thinking anything other than he is one of the best football players on the planet.
Frank in Pendleton asks: The Bills have continued to be an awful third-down defense. It has gone on for years now. We watch other teams rush the passer with mediocre players and get off the field. Do you think it is due to the McDermott scheme?
Jay: The Bills entered Week 14 ranked No. 13 in the league in third-down defense, which probably might surprise even the closest team observers, because the eyeball test makes it feel a lot worse. The team dropped to No. 23 in the league after the game against Cincinnati thanks to the Bengals converting 9 of 11 third downs. For the season, the Bills are allowing successful third-down conversions 41.18% of the time. That is actually a slight improvement from 2024, when the team ranked 29th in the NFL on third down, allowing conversions 43.78% of the time. So, you’re right, Frank. The third-down defense has been a problem for too long. McDermott absolutely deserves some of the blame, especially in third-and-long situations with opposing offenses converting too much, although the reasons are varied. Sometimes the pass rush is lacking. Other times the coverage is too soft. It’s an issue that needs to improve.
Jeff asks: Because you know so much more than the coaches, what can be done about James Cook’s fumbles, except, ahem, holding onto the ball better? Punishment like less playing time would be asinine, I assume, for the team’s sake. Also, it seems to be the number of missed tackles has gone down the last couple games. Is that true? Finally, give us a spoiler alert: Who are you picking against the Patriots and Eagles?
Jay: That’s just it. He needs to hold onto the ball. Sometimes, there is no need to overthink things. Cook knows it, too. Here is what offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Monday when asked about it: “He knows that can't happen, and the only way we lose that game yesterday is if we turn the ball over. We knew that going into the game.” Brady went on to say that he’s got full confidence in Cook, which was evidenced by going right back to him after the lost fumble. Nevertheless, giving the football away has been a problem recently for the offense, not just Cook, and it has to get corrected. As for the tackling, analytics website Pro Football Focus charged the Bills with four missed tackles against the Steelers and six against the Bengals, so you’re right. It’s been a lot better in recent weeks. The team’s best tackling performance, according to PFF, came in Week 2 against the Jets when it missed two tackles. Finally, I’m picking the Bills over the Patriots … but you’ll have to read why later in the week. As for the Eagles game, I’m not there yet.
Victor7
Well-known member
It shouldn't have. But as I stated before the game .... Brad Rodgers is not a good ref.
I'm glad you had a good time up there, man. You deserved to see them in the final season!
Victor7
Well-known member
It was awesome. I mean it ended up being awesome because for most of the game it wasn't. I had already told my wife that if the Bills didn't score on the 1st drive of the 2nd half and the Bengals did on theirs we were leaving. But for sure from the Josh TD run and after that it was absolute fandemonium.
Not that it matters to anyone but I ended up having wings at Bar Bill and Anchor Bar. I had already been at Bar Bill so that was as good as usual. Anchor bar was pretty darn good too. Liked the wings at BB better but the buffalo chicken pizza from the Anchor Bar was ridiculous. Unreal flavor.
Can't wait to see the new digs come next season. It looks amazing already.
Which Bar Bil, East Aurora or Clarence? My brother lives near the Clarence restaurant so any time I get home, we go there
Victor7
Well-known member
Clarence. Went straight from the airport !