Hapless Bills Fan

So basically, you're saying there's no significant difference between Butler, Phillips, and Zimmer? And since you're saying Zimmer is a "marginal NFL talent" transitive property would say Butler and Phillips are also "marginal NFL talents"? I'm not trying to put words in your mouth here, just trying to connect the dots of the various things you're saying.

I vote "Yes"

FWIW, the Bills kept 4 DT and 5 DE last season. One of the DTs was Q Jefferson, who was a bit of a "hybrid", and between injuries and Star opting out, it was a bit of a problem. I won't tell you it's impossible that they keep Zimmer over Butler. But Butler is the biggest guy (height and weight) on a relatively undersized group of DTs, so I think he gets every chance to earn his spot.

If you're on a computer, try right clicking on the date and choose "open link in new tab" McKenzie was also waiting for the ball and telegraphing its arrival. He needs to be better there. But agree, he shouldn't allow himself to be out-fought like that. Hopefully a "growth experience" for McKenzie And also agree with @Forward Progress, hope Lil' Dirty's OK and was grabbing his helmet in horror at having lost possession of the football, not because he injured his head.

OK then! I'm really not sure how Lewis pulled that one off, but perhaps a bit off-target from Trubisky?

Perhaps you should hang with Bill Barnwell

In case hard work at OBD isn't enough, he has something else McDermott values: he was a winning wrestler in HS And from the Athletic article, it sounds as though he epitomizes the "Growth Mindset"

It sounds as though he has the innate athleticism, but coming from a DII school he had a ways to go as far as learning his craft. Sounds as though he may be getting there, especially on a roster that is not loaded with young talent at DT. I dunno, I think Horrible Harry seems like a marvelous guy, but he seems so into his activities outside football that I wonder if he's really putting in the same kinds of efforts to get better, or if he figures being physically strong and recovered from his torn ACL is enough.

https://theathletic.com/2759774/2021/08/09/after-his-share-of-letdowns-justin-zimmer-has-become-one-of-the-most-respected-players-on-the-bills-roster/?source=emp_shared_article Sounds like Zimmer is trying to outwork his way onto the roster: And out-strength Sounds like a very self-aware guy who has made himself into an NFL player by hard work: And the coaches see it: Good article

Dude, what is this "multiple weeks" thing? He was reported out with Covid on July 28. Per NFL protocol, Fri or Sat (depending on the date of his +) was the soonest he could have been back (minimum 10 days) and they had off Sunday. We're talking a week and a half here, tops, and there's no saying he wasn't healthy enough to work out during that time.

Good to see Dawkins back, my understanding is he's cleared his quarantine but he has to clear medical protocols and be progressed back into the workouts (what kept Boettger on the sideline for two days) Would like to know the "non-Covid illness" though I'm worried about that myself. It was a bit surprising to see Hyde going that hard in a practice, but I guess he's trying to "set the tone" Everyone's down with "Steel sharpens Steel" until someone gets stabbed

It’s always a judgement call aka subjective, I might have closed it too but when I searched I couldn’t find discussion I know I’d seen, so 🤷‍♂️

Since he already missed a couple practices with a shoulder injury, that's not good As far as Milano, I would assume that Thad surmised because he saw what could have been a blow to the head on a play, but maybe not.

Wonder what's up with Mongo? Also concerned about Diggs. He really took a shot on that INT by Hyde and was slow getting up. Good on him that he stayed after practice signing little footballs and throwing them into the stands, but he could have still had his adrenaline up.

Unlikely on the "cautious". There are specific NFL protocols for returning a player to the facility after they test positive. https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/07/23/vaccinated-players-who-test-positive-have-a-much-quicker-path-to-return/ Minimum is 10 days if asymptomatic, which would have been last Friday if his pos. test was the prev. Tuesday., or Sat if it was Weds. But if symptomatic And folks, let's not use this as a venue to insert our personal opinions on the NFL protocols. They Are what they Are.

Agree on the confusing, but yes, the latter is what I think. I think Boettger was the one who was vaccinated and asymptomatic, based on the timeline for his return and the fact that he was not wearing a mask on the sidelines.

Feliciano said that he wasn't asked to lose weight to that target by the Bills though. So I dunno if maybe he's below his weight target? Anyone know what kind of target range the OLmen get? Mongo has to be kidding about "we're probably going to throw 60 or 70 times" (unless he's talking about over the course of a practice?) For reference, last season the top team for passing attempts was the Steelers, who had an embarassing lack of run game. They had 656 pass attempts on the season, which averages to 41 times a game.

I think the reporters are not allowed to tweet about the practice until afterwards, but usually there's a shot of the field and a comment about the weather and the practice location (inside or out) but.....🦗🦗🦗 I'm actually worried right now. I think we now know which player was unvaccinated and symptomatic, because Boettger was seen back in the facility on the minimum timeline for an unvaccinated player with no symptoms (5 days after 2 negative tests). The worry (while rare) is that when he returns, will Dawkins pass all his medical screening and not do a Sweeney.

I remember seeing discussion - I think in the practice and press conference thread Then I had a couple searches and couldn't find said discussion. So re-opening, seems reasonable topic to discuss

Yes and also - did he think we would sign a FA DT who could fill in for Dawkins with little drop-off? When you've got a starting-quality OT, there's very likely going to be a drop off in quality to the backup. An exception would be someone like Orlando Brown Jr, who was starting at RT but was able to fill in capably at LT - but then didn't want to go back to play RT again. You just don't keep starting-caliber LT hanging on your bench, not for long.

This seems an appropriate place to put this: https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2021/08/buffalo-bills-on-the-bubble-what-theyre-saying-about-jake-kumerow-darryl-johnson-efe-obada-more.html Also for Obada, don't discount the familiarity factor: Then this on Zimmer:

LOL Baker https://thespun.com/nfl/afc-north/cleveland-browns/baker-mayfield-reacts-to-browns-practice-crowd-on-sunday Apparently they had about 20,000 people in attendance - you know, like the sold-out Buffalo practice did.

Yeah, lot of stuff in there - a lot of PR fluff but also some useful info I haven't been able to find too easily elsewhere.