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Joe Brady – History and Philosophy

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Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady in pregame prior to playing the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News

Previous Coordinating experience.

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, Joe Brady was the Offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in the years 2020 and 2021. He led a Panthers offense with QB Teddy Bridgewater running the show, firing the ball to weapons such as All-Pro RB Christian Mccaffery, DJ Moore, and new Buffalo Bill Curtis Samuel. The 2020 Panthers ended up with a 5-11 record and the 21st ranked offense in the league. The 2021 Panthers ended with a 5-12 record and the 30th ranked offense in the league. 

This may alarm you as the team was struggling heavily with Brady at the Offensive Coordinator position. There are many factors that played into these failed seasons that were far from Brady’s control. The first fault can be handed to the weak head coach of the Panthers, Matt Rhule, who proved for 2 years straight that he is unable to lead an NFL football team and coaching staff. The other issue in Carolina was the lack of stable and consistent quarterback play. 

In 2020, Teddy Bridgewater provided a lackluster performance at the QB position, posting 3,733 passing yards and a 15/11 Touchdown/Interception ratio. The 2020 season also saw the Panthers lose RB Christian Mccaffery to an injury that kept him out most of the season.  The 2021 season was no better, showing a 5-12 record, continuing sub-par QB play with 3 different quarterbacks at the helm, and another season ending Christian Mccaffery injury. Brady was then relieved of his duties after 2021.

Brady’s time in Carolina was nothing short of bad, the offense could never really find its footing to get up and score points for a variety of reasons. It could be blamed on the lack of consistent QB play or the injuries to core players in Carolina, or even the head coach, but it wouldn’t do any good to point fingers now.

Brady went on to be the Bills quarterbacks coach for the 2022 season and in the 2023 season was promoted to interim offensive coordinator following the departure of Ken Dorsey. Following his performance in the tail end of 2023, it seems that the sky’s the limit for Brady and the Bills.

Joe Brady – Philosophy

Joe Brady said that his offensive philosophy is to force the defense into defending every blade of grass and to get speed into space. This is exactly what he did with Carolina. During his days in Carolina he had players of high speed, including DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson, and Curtis Samuel who recently signed a 3 year deal with Buffalo, reuniting with Brady. Brady brought the absolute best out of Curtis Samuel, providing Samuel with the best statistical year of his career in 2020 before he signed with the Commanders. Samuel finished the 2020 season with 851 receiving yards, 200 rushing yards, and 5 touchdowns (3 passing, 2 rushing). Samuel flourished with Brady at the helm, this was because Brady had the perfect offense for Samuels talents. 

Teddy Bridgewater was not a perfect quarterback.  He could not push the field vertically and drive it as a one man army. Teddy was quite accurate however. What did Brady do when he recognized the speed and talent of his receivers, and the strengths and weaknesses of his QB? He stretched the field as far as he could horizontally, giving his receivers a fighting chance to get the ball.

Brady loved to put his own spin on things like the stick concept. Where typically, this would just be someone vertical, someone in the flats, and a stick from the 3rd receiver. Brady put his own spin on this, he would have a slot hook from the 1, a slot fade from the 2, and a stick from the 3. This would all happen on one side of the field, which would cause the corners and linebackers to be stretched too thin, and reveal a gap for an easy completion.

Brady really loves to run the football, evidenced by the utilization of James Cook and Ty Johnson late in the 2023 season. The offense in Carolina was fairly run centric featuring outside stretch plays and pitches to stretch the defense. He also was a fan of RPO plays as he showed in the 2023 season. Brady loves to get the RBs out of the backfield and down the sideline, to open up trips routes in the middle of the field, to keep the DBs and linebackers stretched out. Expect a big season from James Cook and the running back room.

In 2024, with a full offseason of planning, a mean looking defense at his back, speedy skill players, and the most versatile QB in the league, the sky’s the limit for Brady. His offense should allow a good mix for Josh Allen to hit the deep bombs, throw it over the middle short and just hand the ball off for good yards. Just remember that we have Josh Allen, not Teddy Bridgewater. Brady and Allen are about to put the league on notice.

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Buffalo Bills

Bills Sign Receiver Chase Claypool

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The Buffalo Bills announced the signing of veteran wide receiver, Chase Claypool today.

Claypool, a four-year veteran, played nine games with the Dolphins last season after being traded from the Bears to Miami.

In twelve total games in 2023, Claypool had 8 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown with a 38.1% catch percentage—the lowest numbers of his career.

The Bills hope to capture the success of Chase Claypool’s first two seasons in the NFL where he career where he averaged 60 receptions for 866 yards and recorded 11 total receiving touchdowns. 

Claypool joins a Bills receiving room that includes rookie Keon Coleman and veterans Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir and Mack Hollins.

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Buffalo Bills

Bills Pick Up Greg Rousseau’s Fifth-Year Option

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Rich Barnes/GettyImages

The Buffalo Bills have picked up the fifth-year option for defensive end, Greg Rousseau. 

Greg Rousseau was an enticing 6’ 6”, 265 lbs defensive end out of the University of Miami. Rousseau was taken by the Bills in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at pick 30, ever since then, Rousseau has been a large contributor in the Bills defense.

Rousseau will make $13.4 million in 2025, the fifth-year, and will make $2.3 million this upcoming season, which is a part of his four year rookie contract.

In the 2023 regular season, Rousseau played 16 games where he had 42 total tackles, 30 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 4 passes defended. In his three years with the Bills, Rousseau has 17 sacks and 129 tackles. Greg Rousseau was second in terms of tackles on the Bills defensive line last season. 

The Buffalo Bills current defensive ends consists of Greg Rousseau, Von Miller, AJ Epenesa, Javon Solomon, Casey Toohill, Kingsley Jonathan, and Kameron Cline. 

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Buffalo Bills 2024 UDFA Tracker

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Robert McDuffie/USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills finished their draft with ten new players added to the roster. However, the fun didn’t stop there for General Manager Brandon Beane and company. As they do every year, all 32 NFL teams rushed to sign their favorite undrafted free agents once the draft concluded. Buffalo came away with 11 undrafted free agent signings so far, along with 10 rookie minicamp invites. Let’s take a look at all the new signings and players invited:

Undrafted Free Agents

Southern Miss RB Frank Gore Jr.

We all know legendary running back and former Buffalo Bill, Frank Gore. While his playing time is done, his sons is just getting started. Gore is a 5’8″, 201 lbs back that knows how to find ways through holes and has good contact balance. He’s plays a bit slower than his 40-yard dash time tells, but he should be able to make a good run at the final-53.

Ohio State WR Xavier Johnson Jr.

Xavier Johnson Jr. is a 6’0″, 202 lbs wideout. He’s an exciting player that can do a little bit of everything. He’s not the biggest, fastest, or strongest. Although, he can be a great special teamer – both as a gunner and returner – but he’ll need to work on his receiving attributes, if he wants to fit into an NFL offense.

Tulane WR Lawrence Keys

A smaller receiver, Lawrence Keys comes in at 5’11”, 170 lbs. Keys is a versatile wideout that can take a screen to the house or track a deep ball downfield. He’s a bit undersized, but it’ll be interesting to see if the Bills see him as a special teamer with the potential to be used in creative ways offensively.

Auburn OL Gunner Britton

Britton is a massive lineman coming in at 6’6″, 312 lbs. He has long arms and quick feet while excelling in the passing game. He’ll play through the whistle, but his agility and athleticism limits his ability to be consistently dominant.

Campbell OT Mike Edwards

Edwards is a gigantic tackle that comes in at 6’7″, 355 lbs. He knows how to use his size as he’s not afraid to lay a big hit downfield. His feet are great but his size limits his athletic ability. He’ll need to improve his run block and hasn’t played against top talent, leaving some questions.

Utah OG Keaton Bills

A player that was born to be a Bill. Keaton Bills is a 6’4″, 321 lbs guard that was projected to be a draft pick by many. His feet never stop moving and is very in control of his body while engaged in a block. His size makes it tough for him to consistently get out of his stance. He’s got the name to be in Buffalo, but he’ll need to prove it in camp.

Miami DT Branson Deen

Branson Deen is a 6’2″, 280 lbs defensive tackle that comes in after never playing a full season of college football. He has a good mix of pass rush moves and excels in the run game. He’ll need to stay healthy to make this Bills team but has the ability to be a force despite being a bit undersized at the position.

Houston EDGE David Ugwoegbu

The former Houston edge rusher, David Ugwoegbu, comes in at 6’4″, 250 lbs. David has a long arms and big hands, helping him chase down ball carriers and wrap up. He’ll need to work on angling but also has the ability to be an inside linebacker. The Bills will need to decide how they view him and would like to use him.

Oklahoma EDGE Rondell Bothroyd

Bothroyd is a 6’4″, 277 lbs edge rusher that knows how to get after the quarterback. His quickness off the line stands out and keeps his balance while engaged with blockers. He isn’t elite in any one area and will need to become a very well rounded edge rusher if he wants to have a long career.

Western Michigan CB Keni-H Lovely

Keni-H is an athetic 5’10” corner that is terrific at mirroring wideouts. He has to add some strength to make up for his lack of size, but can go up and get the ball. Lovely is an interesting UDFA that could fit as a depth piece for the Bills that can line up outside and in the slot.

San Diego State P Jack Browning

After being a zero star recruit, Browning finds his way in the NFL after a playing both kicker and punter in college. His versatility could earn him a spot on the practice squad, but it’ll be hard for him to crack the top-53. He has a great leg as a kicker, but is more known for accuracy as a punter.

Rookie Minicamp Invites
  • Troy QB Gunnar Watson
  • Kansas TE Mason Fairchild
  • Wisconsin OL Michael Furtney
  • FIU DT Jack Daly
  • South Dakota LB Stephen Hillis
  • Jacksonville State LB Kolbi Fuqua
  • Clemson CB Sheridan Jones
  • Arkansas CB Al Walcott
  • Furman CB Travis Blackshear
  • Syracuse DB Jason Simmons
  • UB K Alex McNulty-Romaguera

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