WhitewalkerInPhilly

There is a line between being worried and taking the Steelers seriously. The Bills should handle business, but if they slack they'll be in trouble. Tomlin teams aren't going to lie down and die.

how may times do we complain when the ball gets ripped out after forward progress stops?

I haven't been able to check out the show reports due to constant narc presence at work today. Any good stuff?

To your point, I am pretty sure they activated the 5th year option https://overthecap.com/player/tua-tagovailoa/8745 The sticking point is that because they drafted him so high, the option works out to a $23 million hit. The Dolphins are about as cap strapped as we are, but we can lop off ~$20 M easy if we kick the can down the road on Josh who we have a reliable idea is going to on the team a while. I don't think the Dolphins can ask for a price cut on a 5th year option, so the only way they could lower that hit is by extending him. They have other sources they can squeeze from. but with a lot of departing free agents there's a good chance the talent around Tua is worse next year not better.

That does seem to be his ultimate path. He can run north-south, but he seems best when he can have half a step to identify a crease or lane and then charge.

I remember thinking about that as in the 2nd half he kept coming to the sideline when they really needed him. If he was in pain, then that might be partially behind is drops/letting the ball get punched out. I mean, it would be delicious karma.

I also want to take a moment to shout out to the admins who keep this board running and whomever maintains the system and coding. Because every time I head to an opponent's message board to gloat it makes my eyes bleed. Come on, it's 2024, a decade ago you couldn't throw a stone without braining a web designer. (Note to self, see if that warrant is still out)

Pretty much. I will give Sherfield this: he had some real heads up play Week 18. I don't hate having him in a bit. But I can't even say that Shakir is a solid #2 for the role it needs to be in this offence (though he is looking like a fantastic piece, like Gabe before expectations) never mind Sherfield. Let's get through this season and then look to upgrade. Hopefully Gabe is ready to roll and get us as far as we can go.

I want Belicheck gone because of all the grief we caused us so I know I am biased, but people have pointed out the HC work is hard. Never mind the multiple month pressure cooker of the season and then the post season you should be getting into if you're good at your job. Even the offseason is long hours of watching tape and scheming concepts. Even the downtime is a grind. That's a lot for a 71 year old who doesn't need the money

I have been thinking about this too. Not only has Reid hung around a long time and been successful, he appears to have trained up his assistants to be well prepared to succeed outside his shadow. Those are some pretty darn tenured HCs. It's in stark contrast to Belicheck

The Cover One guys made the best point I've heard: Gabe Davis has been a disappointment this year. However his physicality in blocking, the route tree he runs and the cascade of new assignments just as the playoffs start is non-ideal. I mean, who knows, if he turns on Playoff Mode and rattles off a series of 4 TD games I'll be thrilled. Or even in the Divisional round or AFC championship game. But he's not part of my long term vision.

Pitts defense has been good, especially in the last few weeks as their offense has stopped being an epic liability. As a whole unit, they are going to be a tough nut to crack. They have been solid at limiting points. Tomlin coaches disciplined squads. But honestly, the Chiefs defense has been playing better than them in the second half of the year when we faced them. I don't mean that to go with "We Did This to A and A did this to B, so we are going to-" as much as context to how good teams are now with a full season aggregate. If someone has been more recently focused numbers I would appreciate it. Here are Bills 2023 opponents whose ranking in category is better than the Steelers: Points per game KC Dallas Total Yards Per Game KC Jets Dallas New England Miami Yards Per Play Jets (#1) NE KC Dallas Miami Effectively, the same group of opponents give up the same yardage. So it's not that Pitt isn't good, but we are battle tested at this point. Someone who watches them more tell me if I am wrong that they sound like the bend but don't break defense we specialize in. They are middle of the pack in yards allowed, and are about equally weighted pass to run. My guess is a balanced attack, hopefully with more play action. I love the PA pass to Kincaid (I think in the 1st quarter)

That is an entirely different issue, though the same model. The net neutrality was to make sure that Internet Service Providers be considered a utility, so that Comcast can't throttle internet access to all other shows but NBCs so other shows are continuously buffering. However, entertainment is not a utility, so they are able to legally restrict it. Which is why a second golden age of internet piracy is starting, yo ho, yo ho!

Media companies are finding that streaming is not the cash cow they have made it out to be. I wonder how much of a loss NBC takes

I actually like the streaming movement at first. It was when they were putting full seasons of old shows, or new shows with ads out. The problem now is that the model works when it can aggregate content. Now, every single media company wants their own and claims first dibs on those rights making it less user friendly cable.

I know this is off the point, did anyone else notice that all three AFC games are being played in a row?

I mean, I love the message, hate the messenger. In particular, I am personally pissed off about the portioning off streaming exclusives. I paid for Sunday Ticket because I wanted a functional, legal way to watch the Bills. I have been able to watch...I think 2-4 games on it this season between prime time exceptions, local broadcast claims, and exclusives. So the the NFL should be not at all surprised when this game gets pirated to death.

I still do think that the team scheme needs a #1 CB, to hold steady, but I think Douglas can be that for a few more years. As you said, guys who don't have elite measurables, one on one burst (and get away with DPI) drop or don't get major contacts. I think we can fill up the back end for some time to come.

Levi Wallace. Dane Jackson. Christian Benford. Getting an 6th, 7th and USDA to be a #2CB/spot #1 could be lucky if it happens once. Three times? It has to be partially coaching/scheme

You're not alone in thinking that. I know I have been wondering what happens next year, especially with Hyde and Rapp's contracts ending, and Poyer's end looming at the horizon. Do we go back to more of a standard 4-3 with Taron Johnson acting as more of a tweener? Do we shuffle one of our undersized LBs into a hybrid safety? I think we add safety in the offseason, but I find it hard to keep playmaking LBs off the field.

As a quick aside, who here has been pleasantly surprised at the quality of our LB depth this year? Because, uh, I was worried at season start.

To be fair, it was both alphabetically correct and quickly seen more likely as you watched the quality of play on the field.

I actually wouldn't hate that. McDermott has done a great job in the second half of the year, but there's a reason even coaches who call offensive plays have an OC. I am ok with him calling, but he could use some administrative help.

Are they doing a study on irregular heartbeats?

No. No bobsled. I know the Olympics are coming NBC and you are trying to pump viewership but that's a no for me dawg