BigBuff423

To the OP, I appreciate your time and the effort it took to put this thoughtful post together. However, I fear your diligent efforts will be lost on this board as many will simply dismiss your analytic information for Anderson apologetics. That said, while the analytics provide some empirical evidence for a scintilla of hope for Sunday, to me it would be somewhat obvious. Mainly, because as you pointed out, Allen has just been so dismal except for the Minny game where he pretty brilliant overall, but still lacked pocket presence and ran a bit too much. I think Anderson will play relatively well - meaning, not great but at about a slightly below average NFL level - and IF the Bills D shows up the way it has since the second half of the Chargers game, I think the Bills have a good chance at winning. Bills D stays on the plane, and I don't think there's really much of any viable chance at getting the W.

He had a strong Pre-Season. I hope he can take what he's learned thus far and apply it to Sunday's game and be that quick, shifty WR over the middle in the slot.

What I noticed on one of the plays, the one Josh runs and takes a big hit, KB is running toward the back corner of the end zone while Allen is scrambling and all the other receivers are running parallel with him. While KB is looking back, he just keeps running toward the opposite back pylon rather than breaking off his route and running parallel with Allen and there was NOTHING between him and Allen - just wide open spaces. Of course the CB would have run with KB, but it's his job - WHILE HE'S LOOKING BACK - to adjust and run back toward the QB to give his guy a chance. I"m convinced had KB done that, Allen would have thrown to him since there was NOTHING in the middle of the field. And it wouldn't have had to be so far across his body either like the one to Shady. That's the stuff that separates the good WRs from the ones who don't appear to really care about making the play...KB was happy to just keep jogging toward the opposite side of the field from where his QB was running. And Allen broke away early, KB still had 10 yards before he went toward the end zone to make the adjustment.

I understand the optics aren't a good one....but, honestly if you're losing and the guy sitting next to you says something funny, you laugh. Most of us have done it in church or at a funeral....it's a way of breaking the tension and getting your body to relax a bit. Now, if they're sipping brews and gnoshing down hot dogs, fine - that's a bit much. But levity can actually help a situation depending on how and when it's done. Getting guys to relax might actually help them play better. I'm not arguing that was his intent, just that a reporter is probably taking the situation out of context and basically....chill the f-out. It's a game. The guys are putting in work and doing their best, I don't want them to be miserable human beings to each other or toward anyone else. Once that final second drops off the clock, they become customer engagement specialists with the fans....no one wants a pissy Santa Clause and when they go back to the locker room, on their way there, that's what they are. I would want my QB of a team, permanent or temporary, to be ready to positively engage with the fans even if he's pissed or disappointed in the game, that's what being a professional is all about, IMO.

Here is a list according to Spotrac of 2019 FA QBs: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/all/quarterback/ The list....is ugly, to say the least. Out of that list, Trevor Siemian and Nate Sudfeld interest me the most for different reasons. The rest of that list, is not...ideal. Fitzy is on this list, but if you're getting a back-up QB that could possibly need to lead your team for weeks or like Foles did into the playoffs last year, as much as I love the guy - he's not it.

I agree, but....I also think some of it may be *how* the Bills are winning if that's the case. If it's the same ole, same ole Offense we've seen through five of the six weeks, then it would make sense to go back to Allen. But (and here's me crossing everything I can from head to toe) if Anderson comes out and puts together a competent Offense in those games - not prolific but NFL average - then I think it will be quite difficult for McD to sell to the team that it's better "for the team" in the current year to have Allen back at the helm.

To be fair, they had the Bills’ three years of film and history to add to their assessment. In fact, I think they didn’t intend to let him start the whole year anyways.

I'll say this: if Anderson comes in and does reasonably well in not having a full knowledge of the Offense and not in "game shape" whatever that means for a QB (not disparaging, just don't know really), and the Bills pull off a win, I think Anderson should be considered to play every week. I know it's week to week, but that would be quite the feat to do in such a short window of time. Also, playing on Monday Night Football against the Pats won't be too big for him since he's a rugged Vet. Again, we'll see....but I'm at least open to the idea based on his performance in Indy.

Here's the link to the 2009 roster where Brady Quinn was the starter for about half the season: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2009_roster.htm Talk about no one to throw to, woof! Here's the link to the 2007 season when Anderson went 10-5: https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/cleveland-browns/roster/2007?sort=pos In 2007 there were some better options, Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow to name a couple while Jamal Lewis was younger and playing like it with 1,300 yards; Edwards had almost 1,300 yds and 16 TDs - mostly from Derek Anderson. Now, I have NO idea if Anderson will be any good, but pointing just to 2009 may be like pointing to 2018 for Josh Allen seven years from now when only Bills fans will remember a quitter at outside WR, often injured over-priced TE, an aging RB, two Rookie WRs, and one second year WR that is still rounding into form. That said, I think Anderson does better than Allen or Peterman, although that's not saying much.

Dude...you're on a roll today!

The much bigger issue: apparently, Nathan Peterman has herpes given where McD's new sore is located..... What? Too soon?

Hard part: not knowing what Anderson knows in Bills' Offense. Easy part, Bills D showing up again since they know everything is on their shoulders and for the most part, they're healthy. In a slight surprise: Bills 24 Colts 16

First, I don't think the Bills are so bad they overcome the Cards, Indy, or the Giants to be 1st overall. Second, you're factually inaccurate when you say the Bills Defense isn't top 10. In fact, most recently they are ranked 3rd overall in Defense. So, even if we take different sources of Defensive ranking, they're not out of the top 10. As for Drafting another QB in the 1st round, I don't see it and I don't think it makes a lot of sense. If you want to go all in on the QB position, trade for a good to great one to school Allen and go from there, IMO.

I know this is sarcasm, but I did mention this strategy in another thread but presented it with some thoughtful reasons why. I know....I'll get burned in effigy but, hey all great ideas started out with criticism.

I've defended McD and Beane since they arrived in Buffalo, and for the most part I've been a fan of what they've done because I think I can see their vision for the future. All of that said, I cannot defend their decision to NOT have a Vet QB on the roster to start the season. When they traded AJ I was a bit shocked but I did understand their desire to continue to build Draft assets as they completely redesign the roster. However, when they *didn't* go get another Vet QB, that puzzled me. I'm not going to type away and say I saw all of this coming, but I think any average fan could say they saw something similar occurring in terms of needing a Vet presence with Allen and to be the stop-gap in the event of an injury. I wasn't a Bridgewater guy b/c I didn't want all the controversy between starting him or Allen or how the succession plan would occur. But, I can also see how that would have worked out much better than what the Bills have right now. IMHO, it is better just to admit the mistake and make a play for a decent QB that can be the long-term back-up / spot starter. Anderson is fine for this year, but that doesn't answer the long-term (i.e. next 3 years) back-up issue. So, I know I'm going to get lit up for this for so many reasons, but let me make a suggestion: Trade for Andrew Luck: He signed a 5 year contract 3 years ago, with minimal dead money if you needed to cut him in 2020. He becomes the Vet to school Allen, he keeps playing at least the next two to three years and now that we can see he's healthy, there's minimal risk. Bills will have the money to do it without question, Indy is on the fast-track to compete for the 1st overall pick and they can pick their QB, while the Bills get out of this QB purgatory and still have Allen waiting to ascend the position in two or three years. Luck is 29, so he's not at that 33 / 34 year old juncture yet, so your financial commitment to him would be limited. Indy wants picks, the Bills have them and they can trade a player or two if they'd like. Additionally, Luck comes to Buffalo, with a great deal of FA money, the Bills can get the players they need on Offense to surround Luck to be successful, including an improved Offensive line. Defensively the Bills are already good and young. Of course I don't know how much it would take, but right now, given his tenuous status in Indy before the season with Irsay, and how the team has just not looked good, I think it's worth the call to find out what it would take. I know it would be a lot, but as I presented above, the Bills might be in a truly unique position to be able to leverage Draft picks and a player or two to get it done and with substantial Cap money, nothing is impossible. Flame away....

Ok, so good enough for Sean McVay the new heir apparent to Belichick, but Buffalo says, "Naw, we're good.".....(there's some sarcasm about the McVay - Belichick comparison, but not the latter part of my comment).

As I suggested in another thread, stay in Tampa Bay, but look at Ryan Griffin instead of Fitzy. He's 28, 6-5, has a live arm and has progressively gotten better since he went UDFA to the Saints. He played in all 4 Pre-Season games and didn't throw an INT while completing a high percentage of passes and throwing some TDs. Worth a look IMHO and might worth a trade, i.e. 6th round pick for a guy who could do better in the long-term back-up role and if Allen needs surgery, may need to hold the spot for the foreseeable future.

Given how this season has unfolded, I'd almost rather see Josh Allen shut down for at least a month, without question and basically let someone, i.e. D. Anderson, take the team through its lumps. If it's determined Josh needs surgery - unlikely but still a possibility - I think the Bills should trade for a decent QB. Surgery virtually guarantees Allen to start the year on I.R. in 2019 and giving up two seasons, is not acceptable IMO. At the point surgery is determined to be necessary - again IF it is - then the Bills should cut Peterman, start Anderson this week with whatever he knows, and trade for a decent QB. To this end I submit Ryan Griffin, QB for the Bucs. He's 28, went UDFA to the Saints, then went on waivers a couple years later and was claimed by the Bucs. He's been developed by Koetter and had a strong 2018 Pre-Season. We've seen that before, but he's also 6'5" and throws a nice ball from what I can see. He played in all four games and didn't throw an interception and has some zip to his throws. I don't think it would take a great deal to pry him from the Bucs, i.e. a 6th maybe? IMHO, he's a guy who is already better than Peterman and certainly has a better arm and has worked his way onto two rosters and even had some articles written in the Pre-Season that he may have been the better choice than Fitzy as the place holder for Winston. Now, Fitzy did Fitzy things and I love the guy, but given how Griffin played, I can understand the discussion. Just a suggestion for discussion and consideration.

I’m getting the feeling Benjamin wants to be traded. I think his attitude and lack of effort is a play to get Beane to trade him to a different team. And at this point, I would trade him and bring back Reilly.

I disagree with the bolded part. Star has taken on double teams and one exactly what they've asked of him. He's a classic example of what doesn't show up in stats but really plays a big role in the Defense. And in case you didn't notice, since the half of the Chargers game, this Defense has been very, very good. Even the Packers game they were much better than some believe simply because of poor Offensive play putting them in difficult spots with one of the best QBs to ever play the game. Look on-line at some of the analysis of Star and I think you'll be surprise. As for Murphy, he wasn't healthy until the Vikes game and then he started to show up and even last week, his name was brought up a few times and caused the near INT by White when Mariota threw falling backwards. He's coming into what many believed he could be to this team.

I appreciate the OP's honesty and willingness to lead a reasoned and balanced approach. I have to say, I've held this approach since they Drafted him. I was not an "Allen guy", although I didn't "hate" him as much as many people on this board and Bills fans in general did either. So, taking the "wait and see" approach was easier for me to swallow. Honestly, when Josh Rosen was still on the board when the Bills Drafted at 7, I really did think Rosen was the guy. After the initial shock was over, I made a similar commitment as the OP by simply saying it would take time and to see the long-term benefit and plan. What helped me was the team making the playoffs last year and McD getting the most of out the underwhelming unit to break the drought. Beane, IMHO, has done mostly good things (Darby trade still bothers me) and I knew the plan was to ride out one more truly bad year before it started to really turn around. I was happy about last year and I give the team credit b/c no matter how we couch the playoffs, they still had to win to put themselves in position to be in the playoffs. So, here we are. The Bills believe they have their Franchise QB of the future, they built on their existing strength in Defense, and have cleared Cap space without giving up Draft picks for 2019. Let's see this thing through and in the meantime enjoy the ride.

Yeah, I understand. I wasn’t saying I’m a fan of Dez in particular b/c I believe he is the antithesis to what McD & Beane are building. It was more that FA WRs in general will hopefully see the vision. I don’t think they necessarily want the top WR in the market. I think they’re looking for WRs who are good but unselfish with a team first mentality and those types of WRs will value the build that is occurring in Buffalo.

If you build it, they will come.... I don't blame the notable WRs who want to win this year for not wanting to take a ride on this roller coaster. As for next year, if they're a FA WR, then they should be knowledgeable about how this team is being built for the years to come and want to be part of it. Allen will take his steps and grow, the Offensive line will improve and the team will become a strong contender once we make it through this year. And I'm not giving up entirely on the team this year, I'm merely point out that this year is so much more about setting the table for the years to come than it is about winning in 2018.

What....are you talking about? McD and Beane Drafted Dawkins....Miller was here, Mills was here, Groy was here....Ducasse was brought in and Bodine was brought in. Keep in mind, with Groy at C in the first two games, it was abysmal. Bodine started for the Vikings game and instantly the Offensive line showed real improvement. McD and Beane were committed to cutting Cap money and letting dead cap drift off through the first two years, you can't do that and spend a bunch of money. Additionally, fans dump all over Ducasse - and I was one of them last year - until I started reading more about how he excelled in the second half of the year, when Dennison heard footsteps changed his Offense. He's been decent this year too. Actually, as Offensive lines grade out, they haven't been as bad as fans think - the first two games were horrible, since then they've been much better. Bodine calling protections helps, but also getting Daboll's Offense down and building chemistry helps. Now, that said, I hope they are able to get a Center and RT next year in FA and maybe a RG in the Draft since Teller showed promise and I'd like him to get this year to learn and next year to start. Beane traded for KB, fair enough - but his lack of interest is his own doing and I don't know if there was any way to foresee that. Zay they Drafted, but again fans want stats. You have to look at everything. Last year he had a torn labrum, then when he started to turn a corner he was tripped and injured in the Jets game and never came back to full health. Then, the Offense as a whole has struggled but he's getting separation and doing some good blocking over the last couple weeks. Again, familiarity with Allen since Josh only got a brief stint as a starter in the Pre-Season and then thrown into the mix half way through Baltimore as well as learning the Offense well enough to not have to think every step through helps. Clay was Whaley, Holmes was Whaley. The best TE thus far, IMHO? Croom. You just need to take the hate off your lens and realize this was always going to be a two to three year rebuild and accept it. So many have said it before, but this team hasn't been taken down to the studs in over 20 years...it hurts. But we've seen mediocrity ever since then. If we reverse the years, last year was like this year and this year was like last and we made the playoffs, no one would be saying diddly squat....the fact that the Bills beat Vikings and Titans thus far with all things considered, I'd say that is quite a feat. Just, be patient. This is the first time in forever the team has a real strategic plan, has executed even at the cost of real pain the plan, and has made the hard decisions to look a year ahead.

Considering you have 5 total posts, let me welcome you to the board. As for your dumping all over Allen, McD and Beane, there's an exit door, you should use it. In the meantime, Buffalo fans have often been impatient since the drought started (maybe always, I can't remember that far back), but your take is on a whole-nother level....I won't do it for you, but please take some time to enlighten yourself on additional information and comparisons before you presume Allen is so terrible. Additionally, while Allen remains an unknown commodity and for all the criticism the FO has received for believing him since Draft Day, there needs to be a look at the rest of the Drafted talent which thus far has proven to be quite good. I'm not going too hard on their Pro Personnel except for Star since that was the only "real" contract they handed out. The rest have been guys to come in and fill a void over the short term. Look at their contracts, most are for a year or two....they didn't commit to anyone other than Star and Trent and while Trent took some games to get healthy, he's started doing what they're paying him to do and Star has been unheralded because they've asked him to be the guy who takes on two linemen to free up the LBers and DEs, and he's done that pretty well also. I have no idea if Allen will be good or not, but I DO know in context of the other 4 starting Rookies, he's right in the middle with them and that's with much less talent at WR / TE than the other QBs have a worse Offensive line than Browns and Jets. All things considered, while he still has a long way to go (here's a little secret, they all do), early signs point to real growth over the last month and that he's continuing to develop. Keep in mind as well, thus far, he's faced a much tougher test than any of the other QBs in terms of Defenses faced and while the Bills have played 3 of their first 5 games on the road.