billsfan1959

Pretty damn funny, actually...

Wreaking havoc or wrecking crew? Inquiring minds want to know....

Claims about how any team will perform are premature. They are merely projections based on past performance, off-season improvements, overall talent level on the roster, and any number of other variables taken alone or together. Anyone who objectively looks at the Cleveland Browns will see a team that has been stockpiling talent and was trending upward in play last season. They absolutely deserve to be in the conversation of which teams could be the best in the AFC in 2019.

To each their own; however, I have never understood those posters, who are fans of other teams, that feel the need to come onto this board and lecture us about our QB. I don't have enough time in my day to get to all of the things I enjoy or that have some real meaning in my life. I couldn't imagine wasting one minute of my life on another team's message board offering my critique of any particular player on that team - or responding to those that do so on our board. But, like I said, to each their own...

Tyreek Hill should be out of the league...

I think things will be fine as long as everything is going well. There are some very strong, self centered personalities on that team - and the test will be when things are not going well.

I'll take "At least play competently" for $500.00, Alex....

RIP my friend

It is not that I believe he doesn't have the ability to be very effective in the short game. When I say it will never be his strength, I am referring to the fact that the 15-25 yd range is where his strength will be. I agree if he becomes very effective in the short game, it will make his real strengths that much better.

Agree. The improvements they made on offense are designed to play to his strengths. He should have a better play action game, more time to make those intermediate throws, better speed, athleticism and reliability at the receiver positions, rely less on his legs, and he shouldn't have to carry most of the offensive burden. I would be very disappointed if he averaged less than 220 yards per game, and didn't improve his completion %, TD%, and INT%. I don't think the short game is ever going to be his strength either. The question will be, "Can he master it enough (1) to know those moments when it is most advantageous / critical to take those short throws, (2) to complement his skill set, and (3) to take him to that true franchise level. It will be a telling year.

I think Allen will learn to take the shorter routes more often; however, I believe he will always look to make the big play first. That just seems to be his mentality and, honestly, that's the kind of QB I want. My guess is that he will improve his completion %, but, he will likely stay in that 58 - 60% range. I am fine with that and I think he can be very successful in that range. Cam Newton was the MVP with a 59.8 completion percentage. I think it is more important that he have a TD% of 5+ and an INT% of under 3.

This must be one of those rhetorical questions...

Because religion and a background in wrestling are the primary criteria for drafting or signing players. There are few narratives more tiring on this board....

I subscribe to the BN Blitz, The Athletic, and Cover 1. IMO, worth the subscriptions.

I'm in favor of retiring all three...

Sweeney doesn't need gloves. He doesn't even need both hands... #TheLegendOfSweeneyBegins

I heard Sweeney's grandfather once watched Jack Nicklaus win the Masters on television...

As far as I know, he hasn't had any off the field issues since he left Auburn. Hopefully, he turns out to be a good pick up.

I don't disagree with you. I would love to see an elite receiving talent to help Allen progress. I think Beane and McDermott would love it as well. I just do not think there was a WR in this year's FA or Draft groups that would have provided that this year. The only two elite receivers that were openly available via trade were Brown and OBJ. Beane tried with Brown and the value to give up for OBJ was, IMO, too great, in spite of what he could have provided for Allen. I am still hoping Beane can find a trade partner to bring in an upper echelon receiver at a reasonable cost. My guess is he has been trying and will continue to do so. However, there are not a lot of options and it may have to wait until next year's FA and draft. If that is the way it works out, then it is what it is. I just do not happen to be of the same opinion as some regarding how detrimental it will be to Allen this year if the receiving corps stays as it is. If the offensive line turns out to be a strength of this team (which I think it will), that alone will make Allen and this group of receivers better. As a matter of fact, I will go so far as to say an offensive line that is strong from tackle to tackle provides a quicker path to Allen's improvement than a true #1. Have heart, my friend, I see good things coming

Honestly, I doubt Metcalf or Butler would be in the conversation of top 10 WRs in next year's draft...

Jones would be the wiser choice. An immediate help to Allen this year and a mentor next year to the future #1 we take in the draft...

I think the Browns are a year ahead of the Bills in building their team and could afford the asking price for OBJ. I think, if there is a possibility of a trade, it will be sometime in May, - and it may be a 1 -2 year fix. Looking at teams that could afford to part with a top wideout for a reasonable price, Cincinnati (Green) and Atlanta (Jones) come to mind. Thoughts on who they could target?

Good assessment. I think this year's WR class had a number of options for #2 - #4 receivers and was very thin on potential #1s. I think Oliver and Ford were both better picks and will help this team more than any WR pick in those slots. From the 3rd round on it didn't really matter to me that they didn't select a WR because I didn't see anyone that was likely going to come in and be any better than what is already on the team. I believe next year is going to be the draft for WRs, but, it doesn't help the team this year. Beane is well aware of the need for an elite receiving talent now, as evidenced by his willingness to go after a cancer like Antonio Brown. Unfortunately, it is a year where both, FA and the draft, were lacking in WRs who could come in and be that elite talent now. For all those pissed at Beane for not finding Allen that elite receiver, I think it is more a about the lack of options rather than lack of desire. I believe he is looking to make a trade to bring someone in - if it is the right kind of WR for the right price. I hope he does. However, if he does not, I think the offensive improvements on this team, in total, will make them much better this year than people think - and next year will be when they add some elite level receiving options.

I will trust what the FO and coaching staff are doing until they show me I shouldn't. I am fine with their selections, and they will ultimately be judged by the product they put on the field. We'll see how it unfolds...

Extremely optimistic. Not necessarily for where the team will be at the end of the year (playoffs, hopefully), but, for where the team is headed down the road. Feeling better about that than I have in many years.