Ryan O'Halloran: Bills' penalty issues against Chicago not a concern ... yet
The Buffalo Bills’ 11 penalties (for 75 yards) were the most in the NFL through the first 14 games of the preseason. The positive – and why it is not a big concern – is none of the penalties were committed by projected Week 1 starters.
Five things about the Buffalo Bills’ 33-6 preseason loss to the Chicago Bears on Saturday:
1 Double-digit penalties a concern? The Bills’ 11 penalties (for 75 yards) were the most in the NFL through the first 14 games of the preseason, and contributed to a 27-point loss, the largest preseason margin in head coach Sean McDermott’s tenure.
Nine of the penalties can be termed as unforced errors. Three false starts (know the snap count), two illegal formations (know how to line up), two neutral zone infractions (just wait for the football to move), one unnecessary roughness (expect a fine from the league, Kendall Williamson) and one defensive offside (again, just wait for the football to move).
The only positive – and why it is not a big concern – is none of the penalties were committed by projected Week 1 starters. Remember, in last year’s second preseason game, the Bills were called for 13 penalties, but they squared that away and had only a combined 15 over their first three regular-season games.
Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas played only eight snaps but was credited with three tackles, including this stop of Bears receiver D.J. Moore. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
2. About the starters (defense). The Bills’ projected starting defense (and line rotation players), minus linebacker Matt Milano, played the opening series (maximum eight snaps).
The Bears drove 58 yards, including 42 on a screen catch and pass by running back D’Andre Swift that was a good call against good pressure – linebacker Terrel Bernard blitzed, leaving his area open for Swift. … Khalil Herbert gained 5 yards on a draw when rookie tackle DeWayne Carter rushed upfield and tackle Austin Johnson was double-teamed, opening a lane up the middle. … End Greg Rousseau drew a holding penalty. … Bears quarterback Caleb Williams had 3.81 seconds to throw on his third-and-12 conversion (12-yard pass). … On a third-and-1 play from the Bills’ 9, cornerback Rasul Douglas played physical to stop Khalil Herbert for a 2-yard loss.
A bright spot offensively on Saturday was new Buffalo Bills receiver Curtis Samuel, who caught two passes for 23 yards. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
3. About the starters (offense). Quarterback Josh Allen played eight snaps, leaving mid-possession after the first quarter, and all the starters were gone after 20 snaps.
Personnel usage with Allen in the game: “12” (one back-two tight end-two receiver) on five snaps and “11” (one back-three receiver) on three snaps. … On his 7-yard catch, receiver Khalil Shakir lined up wide left. … The drive opener on the second possession should be a go-to play – receiver Curtis Samuel lined up in the right slot for a tunnel screen (quick Allen throw along the line of scrimmage), and Samuel gained 15 yards by showing acceleration and vision to pick his way through traffic. … The Bears rushed five against a six-man protection, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds blitzed unblocked to tip Allen’s pass incomplete. Running back James Cook appeared to be looking elsewhere and didn’t account for Edmunds.
4. About the special teams. How the Bills use their roster on the first wave of return and coverage teams does provide a glimpse on who they are as core players.
Playing kick return, kick coverage and punt coverage in the first quarter were cornerback Cam Lewis, tight end Quintin Morris and linebackers Baylon Spector and Dorian Williams.
The positional makeup for the first kick coverage unit, aside from kicker Tyler Bass: four defensive backs (Lewis, Kaiir Elam, Damar Hamlin and Te’Cory Couch), two edge rushers (Kingsley Jonathan and Javon Solomon) and linebackers (Spector and Williams) apiece, and one tight end (Morris) and fullback (Reggie Gilliam) apiece. No big bodies, choosing instead guys who play defense and are more accustomed to get off blocks.
5. Playing time leaders. On offense, 10 Bills played at least 25 snaps, led by offensive tackle Tylan Grable (35) and, with 30 apiece, guard Gunner Britton, tackle Richard Gouraige, center/guard Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and quarterbacks Shane Buechele and Mitchell Trubisky.
The Bills’ first-team offensive line played 20 snaps, as did rookie receiver Keon Coleman.
On defense, Carter led with 34 snaps, followed by Williamson, defensive lineman DeShawn Williams and Dorian Williams (31 apiece). Eleven players on defense played at least 25 snaps.