Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore is looking to make top-five cornerback money this offseason, but according to some, his play hasn’t garnered that kind of compensation.

When you put his season under a microscope you can see why his game has been scrutinized. According to Pro Football Focus, Gilmore has been targeted 38 times, allowing 23 receptions for 414 yards through the first eight games of the season.

Compared to his eight games to start the 2015 season, in which he was targeted 60 times, allowing 31 receptions for 428 yards you can see that he’s having a similar season.

In eight games last season he allowed four touchdowns and picked off two passes, this season one touchdown and two interceptions. So why so much criticism?

During the Bills 41-25 Week 8 loss to the Patriots game, Buffalo had quarterback Tom Brady and the New England offense in a 3rd-and-8 situation.

The future Hall of Fame passer hit wide receiver Julian Edelman on a deep pass for what would have been a huge play. Luckily for the Bills, the play was called back because right tackle Marcus Cannon was flagged for an illegal man down field penalty.

That play was critical for several reasons. First off, the touchdown was called back but also because the Buffalo sent Gilmore on a cornerback blitz and chased Brady out of the pocket.

But, Brady was able to get the ball out and upon release, he took a big hit from inside linebacker Zach Brown.

So the Patriots offense reset and the following play ensued:

Situation

Down and distance: 3rd-and-13

Ball at the Patriots’ 47-yard line

Personnel: 11 personnel

Set: 3×1 formation

Result: 53-yard touchdown by wide receiver Chris Hogan

The Bills’ defense appeared to be confused on how to align to New England’s 3×1 formation.

It’s a formation that the Patriots utilized on the prior drive, when Brady connected with Hogan for a 16-yard pass on an intermediate out route – yes, against Gilmore.

In the following play, New England had Julian Edelman wide to the bottom of the screen, Danny Amendola in the slot and tight end Rob Gronkowski in the off-line tight end position. Chris Hogan was the lone wide receiver to the top of the screen matched up against Gilmore.

Formation and concept

This 3×1 formation is commonly used to isolate a wide receiver. The defensive coverage typically rolls to the three receiver surface, allowing the solo wide receiver to work one-on-one with the opposing cornerback.

The Patriots version of this set is even more difficult to defend because New England’s primary playmakers, Gronkowski and Edelman were aligned to the wide side of the field.

The defense aligned in a 1-4-6 front, with one defensive lineman, four linebackers and six defensive backs. Gilmore is in off coverage with his eyes in the backfield.

The Bills struggle to get aligned, and the exact coverage is very difficult to determine, but according to coach Ryan the coverage was supposed to chance from cover 2 to cover 4 but Gilmore missed the check.

The check to cover 4 means that Gilmore and Meeks are reading the #2 WR, but on this play that is the RB. The running back stays in to block and Meeks gets caught in no man’s land. Gilmore thinks that he is in a cover 2 zone and has help from Meeks over the top.

Hughes executes a “RAT” coverage by dropping into the middle zone to take away any shallow crossing routes.

This also created a high/low coverage on Gronkowski.

But Brady recognizes it and as soon as Hogan clears Gilmore he releases the ball.

Chris Hogan vs. Stephon Gilmore

On the snap, Gilmore backpedals and keeps outside leverage. He does a great job of re-routing his former teammate to the top of the numbers.

As Hogan clears the corner, Hogan immediately turns his eyes to Meeks. Meeks doesn’t help Gilmore over the top like the 26-year old cornerback expected.

The four-year veteran didn’t make a living in this league with his straight line speed, instead, using his savvy route running and intelligence to get open. This play was no different. Hogan immediately looks up and the ball is already on its way from Brady.

When asked about the touchdown following the game Hogan was asked if he Gilmore had given him a free release after getting physical with him at the snap.

“No, he did (chuck me a little bit), but once I got past him I just had to get the ball.”

Gilmore realized that the ball was in the air, but it was too late, as Hogan was able to separate after he worked backed to the stem of the route.

But what happened next was what really caught the attention of fans and the coaching staff. Gilmore’s immediate reaction to the catch and the subsequent touchdown was absurd.

The ball is caught by Hogan at the 10-yard line, and Stephon appears to have a chance to make the tackle near the five-yard line. Instead, he turns and looks to Meeks to complain about him not providing help.

The ball is caught by Hogan at the 10-yard line, and Gilmore appears to have a chance to make the tackle near the five-yard line.

Instead, he turns and looks to Meeks to complain about the apparent blown coverage.

If I was his coach, this would drive me bonkers. I have nothing against him, but this is unacceptable….#Billsfanatics #Billsmafia pic.twitter.com/pSvCvnuuFN — Cover 1 (@Cover1Bills) October 31, 2016

Here’s the play in full:

Gilmore has reacted in this manner several times this year. It is upsetting to see because even if it wasn’t his fault, you don’t throw your teammates under the bus like that.

Even more eye-opening was that coach Ryan confirmed that Stephon blew the coverage.

“Stephon Gilmore needs to get back to where he was in training camp. It hasn’t been all bad, but clearly had some struggles.”

Gilmore needs to get back to the basics. He was the star of training camp, but it seems that he has gotten rattled in every other game.

For a guy that wants to be paid top-dollar, he has not lived up to that sort of compensation, or the expectations set for him prior to the season.

He has been beaten by opposing wide receivers, but that happens to every cornerback. What’s more concerning are his apparent selfish play and his attitude towards his teammates in his contract year.

Is that someone you want to pay big money for?