Chan Gailey's Play Calling

[Mahdi]

The way Chan calls a game is impressive. He is very creative and he is doing things that I have been waiting for for a long time now;

1. Running the football out of 3 WR sets. I never understood why the Bills never tried this over the last few years. Defenses are constantly loading up against the run and we just keep pounding it with 2 TE sets. Running the football against a nickel defense is easier on the OL and it's one less LB for the RB do deal with.


2. Mis-direction runs. Wow, we have a lot of counter runs and runs out of trips formations and some really cool delayed draws. Defenses are really being kept guessing and by the time they make a guess Spiller was gone.


3. A real effort is being made to involve Parrish in the game. If this guy can get things going underneath it should really open up the game for Lee and Stevie.


4. SCREEN PLAYS! How many Bills fans have been waiting for the return of the screen play. It is definitely a staple of this offense and with the mobile OL we have we can really hurt teams that try and blitz a lot. Hangartner, Levitre, Bell and Wood were flying around on those screen plays and picking off defenders to clear a path. We will make good use of the screens with Spiller, Lynch and Jack.


5. Wildcat. That one wildcat play we ran was very well executed. I think Chan is working on the wildcat more than we anticipate and with the RBs we have we can make good use of it. Our strength is our run game so we might as well take full advantage. I wouldn't mind seeing us use the option play as well with Spiller as the QB running along side Jackson to the sideline and then pitching or keeping. Imagine that!


Anyone else notice anything in the play calling they particularly liked?

[elltrain22]

Great post!! I noticed all these things too, but you explain them alot better than I could have done. I wonder what he'll do though, when Jackson & Lynch are healthy.

[DBrown77]

The FB screen to McIntyre was a huge suprise. When is the last time you have seen that? I cant remember if they do that our of a 2 back set or not. The defense is watching CJ, then its a screen to the FB. nice play.

[BidsJr]

SLANT PASS. Where has that been in the last 15 years?

[psubills62]

How about the cross and drag routes? How dumb could Jauron be to not utilize these when he has a QB who loves to throw the short passes?

It's not directly related to the playcalling, but one thing I've noticed about Edwards is his ability to step up in the pocket. I don't remember seeing that before, but he did a good job of avoiding edge rushers against Cincy.

Back to the playcalling - we did do a lot of screen passes last year, but outside of the first game against NE, they were very predictable. With Gailey, it looked like he called them perfectly when the Bengals were bringing a blitz. Last year I remember seeing the screen pass get swallowed up by 5-6 defensive players. This year there's the pass and one defensive guy in space who gets blocked and the runner gets about 20 yards.

All in all, good thread Mahdi. I'm trying not to get too optimistic about the offense and how it will perform during the regular season.

[Philagape]

I'll never forget how much and how well they used the screen at the Pats last year, and then it inexplicably disappeared the rest of the season.
Jauron & crew make Gailey look like Bill Walsh by comparison.

[Mahdi]

How about the cross and drag routes? How dumb could Jauron be to not utilize these when he has a QB who loves to throw the short passes?

It's not directly related to the playcalling, but one thing I've noticed about Edwards is his ability to step up in the pocket. I don't remember seeing that before, but he did a good job of avoiding edge rushers against Cincy.

Back to the playcalling - we did do a lot of screen passes last year, but outside of the first game against NE, they were very predictable. With Gailey, it looked like he called them perfectly when the Bengals were bringing a blitz. Last year I remember seeing the screen pass get swallowed up by 5-6 defensive players. This year there's the pass and one defensive guy in space who gets blocked and the runner gets about 20 yards.

All in all, good thread Mahdi. I'm trying not to get too optimistic about the offense and how it will perform during the regular season.
Yeah game one against the Pats there was a few screens. But we kind of went away from it. It never became a go-to play for our offense. It seems with Gailey like it's a must-do play. I remember the Packers living off that play for a long time. I see it being similar to that for Buffalo. Not just a once in a while thing.

[BAM]

Lovin' the playbook. The exciting thing is this has all been in the preseason. Can't wait to see what the regular season brings!

[BidsJr]

You can bet that is part of Gaileys strategy of neutralizing the opponents pass rush with a young O-Line. That plus counters, draws, play action and Spiller. Which we have seen all of so far.

He is really going to try and keep the D from teeing off on our QB. At least that is what I see.

[ublinkwescore]

Lovin' the playbook. The exciting thing is this has all been in the preseason. Can't wait to see what the regular season brings!

that's exactly how I'm looking at it too. All these naysayers also need to realize, we're not necessarily bringing our A game in the preseason - not like we will when the regular season starts.

[BigZ]

Lovin' the playbook. The exciting thing is this has all been in the preseason. Can't wait to see what the regular season brings!

I was going to point that out too. Teams don't show everything in preseason. I can't wait to see what we do when it counts.

Impressed with the adjustments we're beginning to make. Hopefully the D will show more when they start blitzing in the regular season. The real key to the 3-4 is not knowing where the 4th and sometimes 5th rusher is coming from. Haven't seen much so far but again it's preseason.


Only hoping that the ST are holding back too!

[HHURRICANE]

What is so sad is that for all of the ripping on Lynch and Parrish it is now appearing that it was our ****ty coahing staff that was too stupid to draw up plays that could give them the opportunities they needed.

"Pop Warner" sounds about right. Are we sure Jauron ever went to Yale?

[AustinTransplant]

Slants? I forgot about slants. Last time I saw a Bills team run slants, we had Andre Reed and James Lofton catching them.

Does anyone know why we avoided slants the last 15 years?
For real, does anyone know any cons that would cause you to avoid them?

I mean Malarkey is still in the league, so are most coaches that have contributed to our lack of offense. IDK... its mind boggling.

[Night Train]

Agreed Mahdi.

In other words, he can think fast on his feet and make quick adjustments that succeed...something the last 3 coaches could NEVER do.

[Mahdi]

Agreed Mahdi.

In other words, he can think fast on his feet and make quick adjustments that succeed...something the last 3 coaches could NEVER do.
Yep. His play calling experience is evident. I really think that if you look at all our past OC they were new on the job or unproven. Gailey has done it at many different levels and for a long time now. It's great that he calls his own plays. That is characteristic of a lot of the best offenses. HCs who call their own plays that is.

[better days]

I was going to point that out too. Teams don't show everything in preseason. I can't wait to see what we do when it counts.

Impressed with the adjustments we're beginning to make. Hopefully the D will show more when they start blitzing in the regular season. The real key to the 3-4 is not knowing where the 4th and sometimes 5th rusher is coming from. Haven't seen much so far but again it's preseason.


Only hoping that the ST are holding back too!

Watching Miami, Bob Griese was saying the exact same thing when Miami was on Defense. "Well they aren't showing anything, they are saving it for Buffalo".

Miami's special teams looked worse than the Bills, hopefully they weren't holding anything back.

[methos4ever]

I like the fact that he's running man and zone beaters inside of the passing concepts - the TD to Parrish being a great example.

[madness]

I was going to point that out too. Teams don't show everything in preseason. I can't wait to see what we do when it counts.

Impressed with the adjustments we're beginning to make. Hopefully the D will show more when they start blitzing in the regular season. The real key to the 3-4 is not knowing where the 4th and sometimes 5th rusher is coming from. Haven't seen much so far but again it's preseason.


Only hoping that the ST are holding back too!
I agree, the defense/ST thing is already getting old.


Keep in mind, however, that the Bills still aren't utilizing all resources available to them in covering kicks and punts. Including kicker Rian Lindell (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1880/Rian_Lindell), here are the ten players that covered the opening kickoff of Saturday's win over Cincinnati: David Nelson (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109627/David_Nelson), Jonathan Stupar (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34883/Jonathan_Stupar), Alex Carrington (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108407/Alex_Carrington), Aaron Maybin (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71165/Aaron_Maybin), Arthur Moats (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/108463/Arthur_Moats), Antonio Coleman (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/109621/Antonio_Coleman), Reggie Corner (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/34854/Reggie_Corner), Ashton Youboty (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1917/Ashton_Youboty), Ellis Lankster (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/71163/Ellis_Lankster) and Bryan Scott (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/2049/Bryan_Scott).
Not all of these players will be covering kicks for the Bills in 2010; some may not even make the team. Proven special teams players like George Wilson (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1915/George_Wilson), Corey McIntyre (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1164/Corey_McIntyre), Keith Ellison (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/1865/Keith_Ellison) and a few others haven't even seen the field yet. For now, I'm at ease knowing the Bills have sacrificed some teams time to play better offense and defense. I'll worry more about the coverage units if they're making the same mistakes at full personnel strength.
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/8/30/1658520/bills-not-yet-using-all-special

[YardRat]

I'm pretty impressed with what Gailey has shown so far...I have to admit, I wasn't initially thrilled with the idea of him calling plays and wearing both hats, but if he can continue to give the players opportunities to make plays and succeed, I'm all for it.

[shelby]

Words cannot express how happy it makes me to read a thread and not ONCE do i see the word "vanilla"!
*sniff* :bighug:

[Bufftp]

Words cannot express how happy it makes me to read a thread and not ONCE do i see the word "vanilla"!
*sniff* :bighug:
I think Chan read your warning on vanilla, hence the great play calling. We can thank you Shelbers!

[Luisito23]

I'll never forget how much and how well they used the screen at the Pats last year, and then it inexplicably disappeared the rest of the season.


It was working, so you knew that wasn't encouraged...:maggie:

[madness]

I'll never forget how much and how well they used the screen at the Pats last year, and then it inexplicably disappeared the rest of the season.
Jauron & crew make Gailey look like Bill Walsh by comparison.

Screen game has potential (http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/08/31/screen-game-has-potential/)

By Chris Brown - Posted August 31, 2010 – 8:47 am
Screens and draws are two elements of Buffalo’s offense that have been noticeably absent the past few years as they’ve been run rather infrequently. That could change this season.
The Bills had a pair of well executed screens in Saturday night’s win over Cincinnati. One went to Corey McIntyre and picked up 16 yards, while the other went to C.J. Spiller and picked up 26. One of the main reasons for that success were the key blocks delivered by Buffalo’s offensive linemen who got downfield.
“They did a good job,” said Chan Gailey of his offensive linemen. ”We’ve got some pretty good athletes up front that can run, so that’s got a chance to be a pretty big part of our ball game before it’s over with.”

[HHURRICANE]

After watching the game last night we finally have an OC. I don't know if he can coach an entire team but he sure can coach an offense. His play calling was terrific.

[justasportsfan]

Oct. 31st.

Chan Gailey vs. Chiefs .... payback.

[NextbillsQB]

I thought we did alot of screens last year but it might be due to Trents dump offs

[stuckincincy]

Words cannot express how happy it makes me to read a thread and not ONCE do i see the word "vanilla"!
*sniff* :bighug:


Hear, Hear! :nod:

I've never understood the "keep it close to the vest" idea. Pre-season is to practice plays, work out the kinks that might have crept in during the off season, see how new players perform.

[methos4ever]

If any of you get a chance, re-watch the Spiller Screen for 20+. On it, Edwards' fake to the right prior to the screen had to be accounted for, because Stevie came in (with two other receivers blocking) for a WR screen.

See 2:14 on Video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a1685d/Bills-vs-Bengals-highlights

I have no doubt that at some point, people keying on Spiller on a screen are going to let that WR screen go, leaving whomever that is wide open.

[madness]

If any of you get a chance, re-watch the Spiller Screen for 20+. On it, Edwards' fake to the right prior to the screen had to be accounted for, because Stevie came in (with two other receivers blocking) for a WR screen.

See 2:14 on Video: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81a1685d/Bills-vs-Bengals-highlights

I have no doubt that at some point, people keying on Spiller on a screen are going to let that WR screen go, leaving whomever that is wide open.

There are a lot of fundamental things like this being done that I never saw under the last few HC's. I was impressed with the attention to minor details in the Bengals game... especially with Trent's game. I see a major difference in his throwing motion (more quick, compact) and his pocket awareness seems to improve with each game. As you noted, he is also doing a better job at setting up and selling plays.