Increasing the tempo and reducing game plan volume are two main changes being implemented by new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn in the hope that it will allow Buffalo’s most talented playmakers to shine.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
Through the first two weeks of the 2016 campaign Buffalo’s offense was uneven in performance, efficiency and execution. It’s partly why head coach Rex Ryan felt a change had to be made. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn didn’t get to choose the scheme, but he will be choosing what plays are run and how the Bills will operate. Step one for Lynn is to increase the pace of their game.
In an appearance on the John Murphy Show, Lynn confirmed that Buffalo’s offense won’t be methodically huddling, walking up to the line and running clock before snapping the ball.
“I just know that when you’re playing at a faster pace you put more pressure on a defense over four quarters and that’s what we’re going to do,” Lynn said.
Through the first two weeks and for part of last season plays were coming in late at times to Tyrod Taylor. In Week 1 the Bills weren’t breaking the huddle until about 10 seconds were left on the play clock. The Bills quarterback didn’t have much time to get the snap off, and had little to no opportunity to diagnose the defensive call in case an audible was required.
Lynn has a plan in place to make those issues disappear.
“We’re going to use the numbers on the wristband,” said Lynn in reference to his quarterback’s play list. “We’re going to get the plays in a little faster so we can go to the line of scrimmage and make a few more things happen at the line of scrimmage with the flexibility of the offense.”
Lynn, who will be up in the coach’s booth by choice, will have direct communication to Taylor’s helmet until the 15-second mark on the play clock.
“I’ve been in offenses where it’s come from the sidelines and it’s come from upstairs,” Taylor said. “It’s definitely a little different as far as his perspective being able to see things from upstairs. It’s a different viewpoint, but I definitely think it’ll help speed up the process and push the tempo.”
In addition to the speed at which the offense will be run, Lynn’s other main objective is to let the talent on the offensive side of the ball play at top speed. Buffalo has skill position players who present weekly mismatches, but those advantages haven’t presented themselves nearly enough through the first two games.
Part of the issue by most player accounts was the volume of plays that made up the game plan week to week.
“It won’t be a drastic change, but there will be a difference. I think the plays will be simplified a lot better than before,” said LeSean McCoy. “Coach Roman has big installs and a lot of plays and it’s the type of offense that requires a lot of thinking. That can be a good thing, but this will be different just simplifying it. Not as much thinking, just more letting the players’ natural talent show and let them go out there and play.”
“We had a lot of guys thinking and spending a lot of time studying,” said Richie Incognito. “What A. Lynn is doing is figuring out what our strengths are week to week and he’s installing what he sees that’ll put us in the best position to win.”
Lynn gave strong indication that the Bills game plan this week will be reduced in terms of the play call load on players.
“Sixty-five to 70 plays is the average NFL game,” he said. “If you had 25 runs and 35 passes and you call them all once that’s a game. If you call them all twice that’s two games. So you don’t need a whole lot.”
McCoy estimated that under Roman they would typically have close to 100 possible play calls in the game plan. He’s anticipating close to half that each week moving forward.
“If you have 80 or 90 plays that you can call it’s harder than if the list is shorter, where you have 30 or 40 plays in an 80-play game,” said McCoy. “So that’s probably the difference.”
“Taking some of the volume out and letting guys go out there and play is definitely something we’ve put our focus on,” said Taylor.
The hope is that allows Buffalo’s skill position players to play at top speed to win matchups and make plays.
“The main thing is just getting the ball to our playmakers,” Taylor said. “We have a bunch of talented guys on the offensive side of the ball and I think coach Lynn has a great vision as far as doing what it takes to get those guys the football.”