BigBuff423

Bills just named him Captain for the first time in his career, I doubt they trade him. I was in the group that really believed Beane *would* trade Shady during the FA period and he didn't. So, I was wrong then and could be wrong now, but it just seems late in the game to move the centerpiece of your Offense. If this were mid-Pre-Season, then maybe and only if you get tremendous value. Because essentially, your hopes of anything are really pinned on a dynamic run game, improved Defense and timely passing. I'm no fan of keeping guys beyond their replacement level especially at the cost Shady comes, but I just don't see this happening.

Um, no. Of course duh...the Bills got in based on the rules of the NFL, otherwise, they...um...wouldn't have made the playoffs. And as I referenced making the playoffs two years in a row would make this culture change ramped up into full swing - so that means I gave credit for the playoffs. But there is a true marked difference between winning your Division or missing the Division record but still winning double digit games and not waiting until the very last second of another game to end to know you've earned your way into the playoffs. Additionally, since I used it as a building year, I indicated I wanted to see the team get better, meaning progress - which does not detract from the accomplishment of making the drought. As for other teams: I don't give a camel's poo as to what other teams did in other years. I want a winner. A dominant winner. That's the end of the story. Anything else are all window dressing for helping us with our feelings. As for never heard any moaning about it....um, there were plenty of moans going around when the Bills lost to the Steelers with Mike Mularkey, not to mention when the Jets made it or the Pats won with Cassel, etc. Again, I didn't take away from the playoff berth or that finally the drought was snapped. But if the Bills had found a way in to the playoffs in similar fashion but won 11 games, no one would say anything. It was just the fact of making it into the playoffs the way they did, and HOW they played as a whole. Also....no excuses were made, just context provided. If that's excuses then that's your version and no need to discuss further. Rant done.

Nope, I'm done with all the Draft high b.s......I've seen years of Bills teams being bad and old enough to remember the best years of 4 straight Super Bowls - not old enough to remember OJ / Kemp - but it's time. And with Beane and his team at the helm, I truly believe the Bills can continue to get great talent in the late 1st and throughout the Draft. We forget it wasn't *that* long ago the Draft rounds went into the teens and decent players were found. Now, I know this is a different era, I'm merely saying that if a team does their job the right way, then a team can find good to great players anywhere in the Draft. I for one would take another playoff year - this time based solely on the Bills' wins and team effort and not based primarily on other teams losing - and Draft in the bottom portion of the order. Because that to me means two consecutive years of playoff football indicating a true change in culture and destiny for the team. Add to the mix younger players and great Cap and Draft position and yes - this is a team that if trajectory continues, will be bright and redeeming.

Ravens 24 Bills 20.... Really, really hope I'm wrong

And while it should be obvious to all fans, it simply isn't, that whenever you make a trade of that magnitude the ripple effects are significant. As you said, trading for Mack while exciting for *this* year, essentially paralyzes other parts of the organization. That said, I don't understand the Raiders' thinking. THIS is exactly why the Draft is so crucial to success. Because it cost YOU only one 1st round pick and then the proper Cap adjustment to retain him. And when you invest in a guy like that, you see the gains on the return. Beane knows there is still so much work to do and he was right to walk away. Furthermore, AJ nets a 5th round pick - and before everyone starts dumping on that pick, let's keep in mind that good to great players *can* be found in the 5th round. And for the first time since the Polian / Levy era, I have confidence in Beane and his team to unearth that 5th round pick. We'll see how Teller plays, but while many will dump on this, Peterman was a 5th round pick and of course one of the Bills' all time greats Kyle Williams was a 5th round pick. So, previous administrations failed in the Draft in nearly all rounds (except for a few key pieces, i.e. Wood, A. Williams, Glenn) I have more confidence that pick will be impactful and sustainable. If I'm wrong...so be it, but I think Beane's got this team moving in the right direction. Also, just for context this was his FIRST true Off-season as he didn't get to Buffalo until AFTER last year's Draft.

I laughed....but unfortunately, this is a fair point. And, I think it highlights what's happening regarding OBD. They want guys who love the process and who are talented enough to make plays, but rarely do those two meet. IMHO they're doing their diligence to see if Perriman can be one of those guys; one who maybe was buried amidst other players but needed some real coaching, direction and a different culture to succeed. Aside from Perriman, I really like Orchard being brought in as well. Hopefully both stay and become an integral part of the team's new direction. Also, on an somewhat unrelated note: why Offensive linemen thus far on the visit schedule? All things considered, I would think that would pique some interest from OBD. Easy folks....I trust the process, I'm just asking....

Sincere question, are you a Bills fan? Because you say, "you nor any of the other Bills fans"....if not, why come here? If you are, then let me answer your question with an answer: "The process" is the aggregation of effort, focus, resources, and design that initially eliminates any person that does not embrace the team first mentality, who is not willing to work hard every day at all things assigned, and whose general position within the team causes the team to be weaker. Then, the process uses the same set of aforementioned standards to begin to illuminate those players, coaches, evaluators, front office staff, and support staff that accomplish those tasks with a team first approach and who will utilize their talent and motivation to excel to achieve a collective outcome that no one could attain without a unified and singularly focused intent. It is taking all the parts and making it greater that its total by exponentially improving each individual part because the whole is working cohesively. That means the players, not just their talent but all of the previously stated traits, the coaches and the entire staff including scouts and administrative support staff, work as one entity making the individual less important for their specific success but increasing their effectiveness through a sacrificial and selfless drive for the greater good of the team. The process to sustain this model is merely a continuous cycling of elimination and acquisition of the players and staff whom fit within the paradigm and advance the only metric of success that matters in the NFL: a championship. The process is essentially cutting off the dead branches, pruning the good ones to bring out a more productive tree, and continuously finding the mulch, fertilizer, essential nutrients to the soil, sunshine to shade ratio, and basic water to insure a vibrant and healthy environment that allows the tree, or in this analogy the organization / franchise, to thrive. But more to the point, the process, is exactly as it sounds. The culture change, the player development, the coaching synergy, and the front office efficacy is NOT an overnight event.....it takes time and a didactic march toward improvement. Sometimes, as in battle, you must retreat to a higher ground, gather your resources and rally the troops, wait for reinforcements, before you advance once again. I have no idea how this year will turn out. But what I truly believe is in the process because it's been a mild success thus far and no the playoff drought snap does NOT buy Beane and McD 10 years. But I do think it gets them 3 more without calling into question their methods unless this team does a total Chip Kelly tank. What should also be noted is not just "us Bills fans", but reports coming out of training camp were virtually every national media outlet who sent someone to training camp came away impressed with Sean and Beane and how their "process" is moving along. I would hate to throw away this year and say, "Eh, we made the playoffs last year so who cares with this year"....because great organizations don't do that and I don't think they're doing that at all. But, I also think they know that they have to swallow all this dead Cap money in order to move forward in a healthy way. Looking at the trades and roster cuts, I think that was Beane's primary focus - outside of the Draft - this off-season. Eliminate the dead wood and prepare to grow organically and in a way that is healthy for sustainable success in the future. Long post, but you came in poked the bear and presumed someone would just come in with a couple sentences telling you to "f" off.....I am saying that....but politely and with more reasoned insight, albeit IMHO. Btw, whatever team you're rooting for - because obviously it's not the Bills - enjoy the season.

I'm not on the same ship the OP is sailing, but I'm at least within distance of seeing the boat. I don't think this team is anywhere near Super Bowl ready, but I DO think they're much better than they've shown through the Pre-Season. Ironically enough, I think the first drive of the Pre-Season with Carolina is much closer to what we can expect Offensively and that was without using Shady. Defensively, I think we've seen the bad run D and then the bad pass D and the mediocre middle due to, 1. injuries to KW / Trent 2. Rookies playing a part in Edmunds (needs a nickname) & Horrible Harry (see how much better that is?) 3. McD doing new things with his scheme and to see how guys play / evaluate That said, I think the team makes a playoff push, especially with a favorable second half of the season, and could be a 9 or 10 win team....if it's less by a couple games, I think that's reasonable. If it's more, that's really overachieving and this coaching staff all deserve awards. If it's much worse or much better, I will be shocked for different reasons obviously.

I won't speak for anyone else, but Daboll brings the kind of ingenuity I'm willing to give a couple years due to the Offensive mess he inherited. We also need to give him time to develop Josh Allen, whether that's trial by fire with Allen this year or getting Allen going in a year or two. But, that also takes time which as everyone else has said, can make the Offense actually function. I think the year will actually get better as the games go on and the system sets into the minds of the players and there is continuity on the Offensive line, the QB and skill positions. Right now all we've seen is constant change as they evaluate players and try to give guys reps and playing time. IMHO, continuity and building chemistry with the other players on your side of the ball is an intangible asset that cannot be quantified - only seen in games. Even the Defense which has had its ups and downs has been going through experimental phases along with missing KW and Trent. So, I think the Offense will be "ok" this year - with more dynamic changes in the highs and lows because of who's on the field. That said, next year with the continuity at the QB position, skills position and I would think at least a couple of the Offensive line positions is when I think we see the major step forward. Still, I give Daboll AT LEAST the next two years and probably into the first half of the 3rd before I'm ready to pull the plug on this project.

I wouldn't automatically keep Holmes or even Kerley....I like Kerley, but Coleman IMHO makes him more expendable. Kerley can add that vet presence in the slot, but Zay Jones' natural abilities put him in the slot as well and even Coleman could move outside or inside. I think Coleman adds a dimension to the team that no one else brings and they traded (yes, basically a dog whistle & some Cracker Jacks) for him when they did because I think they see Coleman as an essential piece of the Offense once the season is underway. We haven't seen him in large part due to still gaining the comfort with the playbook and coming up to speed on their culture, but I don't think Coleman is really at risk of being cut. Possibly....but I just think his strengths help the team more than some of the other WRs. So: Benji, Zay, Kerley, Coleman, Ray-Ray, Reilly and Streater are the guys I think make the strongest cases for the 53 with Ray-Ray being inactive on game days for awhile. Phillips and either Foster or Proehl go to PS and the rest are cut. Reilly I think makes it due to his size and quicks that allow him to move from slot to boundary - that versatility that Daboll really likes.

To your point of Kyle - agreed on both counts: his influence on the team and the desire to bring him back in some form as a coach. He will make a fantastic coach at some point, because you know he's going somewhere eventually - hopefully the Bills. However, that brings me to the larger issue over the long-haul. If KW is the engine driving that D bus, someone younger needs to step into his shoes and push the D in his absence. Not because of KW, but because effective leadership is always about identifying the next level of leaders and developing them. Edmunds or Milano or Harrison Phillips or someone else that is young but will be on the team for the next several years needs to step up and become that authentic, driving force on the Defense right alongside KW so that he can take the reins once KW has called it a career. Even if KW were to come back as a coach in some form, you have to have a player being that driving force in order for the team to truly be driven to greatness.

IMO, that's exactly what separates the good from the great...how to handle those pressure situations. The best QBs handle them with poise, focus, and elevated game production. This isn't a pressure situation from the Bills' seasonal outcomes, but obviously it is for his own career trajectory. Additionally, it's his first "start" so it will be interesting to see how he takes the next step in the progress. I wouldn't be disappointed or upset if he stumbles a bit given his Rookie status and his youthfulness. However, I would be quite impressed and excited if he's able to truly elevate his game to meet the competition. Also, you wonder how much "vanilla" the Offense will be vs. the Bengals' Defense. Anyways, exciting to see and certainly hope he can come out and put all of the talk to rest with an incredible game (half).

Much of that over striding almost sounds like it was a baseball delivery. As though he was standing / bouncing and when he was ready to deliver, he stepped into it like a baseball pitch. If I recall, Allen played a bit of baseball as well, right? If that's accurate and presuming my conclusion is accurate, it's interesting that it was really that *simple* in terms of placing the correction toward a football stride instead of a pitcher's stride. I'm sure it isn't easy to overcome when muscle memory has been developed, but being able to notice it, address it, and then make sense of the correction is a good indication of when coaching works and makes a difference. Jury is still out on Allen - and count me among the hopeful - but early signs indicate the hard work is paying off.

Good....fine.....let the whole NFL sleep on the Bills and then, BAM! Smacked right in the mouth....somewhere in the middle of the season, there will be talking points and discussions by the pundits and "experts" about the Bills over-achieving when all the fans will simply say, "You have to trust the process".

And yet, not many coaches do it that way. Many of them *might* plan it that way, but they pull the plug after the first poor series by one of the other QBs. To McD's credit, and the OP's point, he stuck to his plan. I think sometimes we fans diminish the dramatic impact of a well-informed, prepared, and strategic coach. I think we can all agree that having a phenomenal head coach (and McD has a long way to go and sustained success to prove before we can dub him that) is right there with a franchise QB in terms of importance to winning. So, Hue might have many of the same ideas as McD and other (more proven) great coaches, but it's in the doing - the execution of their plan - that separates the great ones from the mediocre and certainly, the failures.

I like Cover1 quite a bit and have been reading their stuff not long after they came on-line via Twitter, so I have respect for Erik's take and their analysis. That said, it's Pre-Season and Edmunds is a Rookie. So, I'm going to hold opinion until we're 4 games in and going against some very good teams / Offenses. Vikings, Packers, Chargers are all good teams and specifically, good Offenses (or, they're supposed to be). So, let's see where things stand at that point - between Rookie gaining experience, game planning specifically for teams, and guys generally just playing together more, like Harry and Star, chemistry can't be overlooked either. Taron added to the mix along with Vontae Davis and Philip Gaines in there somewhere. Trent Murphy is a wild card as of now, not knowing what the Bills will get. So, all of this takes a little bit to coalesce and bring the totality of their cumulative effectiveness together. Let's be patient before anyone starts looking for a life boat to jump ship.

In a word: Yes.

I get that. Please don't mistake me saying EJ and Allen are even in the same country regarding talent or ability, let alone zip code. I only meant that the original intent was to bring EJ along slowly, with black-mat-cursed Kolb to hold the spot for a season or two, and that fell apart. Now, I don't know, none of us do right now, just how slow they wanted to bring Allen around, I just don't want them to abandon the plan due to injured AJ with shades of Kolb and EJ. That's all.

I really like what I've seen from Allen. But, given McD's comments noted by Joe B. I think Peterman is the starter for the 3rd game and I think he starts the season. McD and Beane are absolutely intent on making sure they don't repeat an EJ Manuel mistake. They want him to learn and grow before the bullets start flying for real. It's hard to argue that point since nearly everyone on this board believed he needed this season be truly ready. Now, I was NOT an Allen guy before the Draft but he has shown significant strides in development I would be fine with "ride or die" with Allen. That said, I also really want him to be the guy for the next 15 years and I do trust McD and their entire FO and coaching staff. So, if they believe the best thing is to let him be the #2 for at least the foreseeable future, then so be it. They've done enough - including drafting Allen to start with btw - to give them the benefit of the doubt. So, I "think" Peterman starts based on McD and Beane's approach with Allen, but it could also be a situation where he starts at some point during the year. Regardless, from what Peterman has shown thus far, which is all we can go by at this point (yes, we all know his Chargers game but players can improve), that's gotten better. Time will tell....but for now, the future is bright.

Trying to get a job on the team

I mean, it's "possible", but given Dorsey's resume and other coaches he's been with, I find it hard to believe he thinks Hue is coaching in a way or at a level he thinks is championship caliber. Honestly, and many of us have speculated the same thing since Dorsey retained Hue, I think Dorsey is merely allowing Hue to demonstrate his incompetence for this year so he can either promote Haley or bring in someone else. Getting Tyrod for him probably allows him to appear as though they're trying to win this year, when in reality, they're all holding their spots until Mayfield is ready. And Landry's contract and signing is also more about the years to come than the present. JMO....

What I think Hard Knocks does, and this goes to the Hue Jackson issue of his loss, is it humanizes the coaches and players. It demonstrates that the players, while trying to make the team or improve the team and do well, also have families, interests, concerns, challenges, and disappointments or loss in their lives. I find that aspect of it fascinating. Not to say we don't already know these men are human beings, but it is easy to be disassociated with their humanity. Hard Knocks helps to bring some of that back into focus. As for Hue, just about everyone has said it, I feel bad for the guy because you can see he's trying - but you can also see he's in way over his head. The loss of his brother and mother in a short time at what is probably the most crucial period of his professional life, is significant amount of trauma to manage in the midst of having all of the work pressures come to bear. That said, Haley to me is funny in some respects but in other ways he's an impish, arrogant d-bag. Greggo just feels the need to always try and bully his players rather than inspire them - and, while it may or may not be true - the "heart" of that team feels....manufactured in my opinion. I'll watch next week for many of the reasons mentioned plus they play the Bills....so, of course I'll watch. But, that team really seems like a cluster of dysfunction.

Ironically enough, I think that *could* be the benefit of playing behind an abysmal line his last year at Wyoming. The clock is ticking the second the ball is snapped and a QB used to running for his life and keeping his awareness at its peak might help him be fervently cognizant of the pocket. One of my worries with Mayfield was that he had soooooooo much time behind a great line at Oklahoma that he would struggle to adjust to the speed of the NFL Defense. I won't presume anything good or bad about one pre-season start. It won't be until the game is live with real scheme, passion and relentless pursuit before we know anything about any of them but IMHO especially Mayfield just because of the wide pocket he consistently had to throw from....but, we'll see. Either way, RE: Allen, it's encouraging to see but I will reserve my highs or lows until the season starts and then wait until he's actually playing in the games before I make any concrete conclusions.

Well, one - you would need to more clearly define an “explosive weapon” since KB and Coleman might be it... Second they didn’t Draft Allen as an arm, they did so as a QB. Which means arm strength is just one aspect of his game and a means of delivering the ball to receivers in various ways - good to great teams of recent have shown us various ways that can be achieved.

Thank you - my mistake about Indy. I read the stat years ago when the point was made about the Lions going 4-0 in Pre Season and then lost every game. I presumed the site did their research, obviously I was wrong...and so were they. 1-3 isn’t much better but it does diminish the point a bit. However, your larger point is well taken. I’m not sure there is enough empirical evidence to suggest a strong correlation between winning the Pre Season and the Super Bowl Champ, as more data would be needed. But again, your point directly contradicts mine with relevant information - so, I accept that you’ve got a better data set to at least build a more informed hypothesis. Thanks for this...thought provoking at the least.