hondo in seattle

Agreed. The identical titles are weird. But I don't believe sportswriters actually choose their own article titles normally. The articles themselves are different. Both writers are responding to the same SI MMQB piece saying the Bills have the worst QB situation in the NFL. But Dunne and Axe go off in different directions.

The term they coin, "Fan Equity," is the measure of a team's actual revenues versus the "forecasted revenues" of the team based on the team's performance. Forecasted revenues are calculated by some algorithm they've created. Curiously, they've concluded that if their forecast is wrong, it's the fault of the fans. It's not because their algorithm is wrong. But I would suggest the algorithm is flawed. For example, they look at median income but they should look at disposable income. Disposable income is comparatively low in Buffalo. Lots of people in WNY live paycheck to paycheck and can't reasonably be expected to spend money at the Ralph. When disposable income is low, luxury expenses are curtailed. Here's another way to rank fans, one that favors Buffalo. Let's measure what percentage of the population is at the game site on game day. For example, in the old days when the stadium held 80,000 there would be maybe 20,000 more in the parking lot. 100,000 at the game site when metro Buffalo has a population of only about one million! In other words, 10% of the population is at the game site (ignoring the fact some of the fans aren't local). That 10% score would only be beaten by Green Bay. Chicago or NY wouldn't come close. Here in Seattle, only about 2% of the population shows up at the game site on a home game day. Buffalo rocks.

I agree, particularly the grabbing of jersey's when reaching out to make a tackle. It's got to be harder without an index finger. I wonder how many of a DE's tackles begin with him grabbing a jersey. I'm guessing it's a fair number.

Wow. I didn't know this book exists. It's currently out of print but I'll find a copy. Thanks!

Ken, great stuff! I have a soft spot for the players of yore - the guys who gutted it out more for the love of the game than for money. On another note, I'd love to see you write a book about the 1921 Championship scandal - aka the "Staley Swindle." It could be a very cool vehicle for exploring the very early days of the NFL.

Maybe cuz I am a Bills fan, I don't see it. Geno is erratic. Both MC and EJ are just as good, if not better. The NYJ do not have an advantage at QB. Plus you have to look at the whole passing game. I think, given the overall talent we have, that our passing attack will be more effective than NY's.

I read it the same way you do. Especially for a player on the bubble, I'd rather him say, "My dream is to be a great NFL receiver and am dedicating everything I got to that one ambition. I'm giving this opportunity 100% effort and won't let anyone or anything sidetrack me. I'm a Buffalo Bill 24 hours a day, every day." This might be accurate. I guess I wish he would've waited to see if he could earn a roster spot with Rex first and learn how he'd fit in Roman's offense. His comments don't bode well for his Buffalo Bills career. Putting one foot back in track is putting one foot out the OBD door.

This guy is reasonably informed about the Bills roster; I just don't like the final conclusion. It does matter if TT, MC or EJ is QB. Whoever is under center, we're still better than the Jets or Fins. Cool he gave a shout-out to TBD.

I've always thought Trump was a buffoon and was dismayed when he talked of buying the Bills. I guess if he kept the Bills in Buffalo, I'd develop some affection for the man, but he was the last person I wanted to win the bidding process. I'm really happy the Pegulas won.

I hate when coaches use players like this: You’re going to look at this famous NFL head coach in total disbelief and say, “You want to pay me $100 million to grab the center?” And he’s going to say, with a straight face, “Albert, if you have more than one sack this season, I’m going to be pissed.” The last thing you’ll say before walking out of the office is, “Can’t you just pay someone $300,000 a year to do that?”

I used to run multiple plays from every formation in the playbook of my college flag football team. Yep, the idea is pretty basic. Nonetheless, I liked watching Roman use the idea successfully. Defenders know these basic ideas too yet Roman sucked them in. At least in this case. Consistency is the challenge.

Probably true. In the end, I think they chose the guy who gave us the best chance of winning. I like the staff Rex put together and - minus QB - I like the roster Whaley put together. And I like that Whaley and Ryan seem to get along. The fact that Rex is a Buffalo kind of guy with some ties to the Buffalo area is just bonus.

Kind of shocking. But there has been some good national media about the strength of the Bills squad this year... and the strength of the new coaching staff.

I guess Kim's attitude scares me a little. She wanted someone who could relate to the Buffalo community. The criteria for HC shouldn't be diluted. There should be one criterion only: this guy is a great HC. Tenure considerations do matter, but not the touchy-feely PR stuff. Which HC gives us the best chance of getting to the playoffs year after year? That's the only question that really needs to be answered. Having said all that, I'm happy with Rex.

I suppose if someone starts a Kyle Williams thread 40 years from now, no one will care. I know I won't since my ashes will be floating around the Pacific Ocean someplace.

Hmm. I'm guessing the lack of interest in this thread stems from a lack of interest in 70s era players. Reggie was a HOF talent and a class act to boot but the younger Bills fans don't know him.

I like this line of thinking!

Or you're just older than you think.

We didn't blitz much last year (#30 in the NFL if I recall correctly) yet we still produced a lot of sacks. Given Ryan's aggressiveness, I expect a lot of sacks again this year.

Rodgers Luck Wilson Flacco EJ (pure homer vote)

It's always heartening to hear that ex-Bills are doing good things with their lives... http://pro32.ap.org/article/former-nfl-star-tackles-overgrown-field-football-camp

The guy flashed talent with the Bills and I was disappointed he couldn't get his act together. Sad article. A lot of his wounds are self-inflicted but not all. Wish him the best.

Sometimes a D pressures the QB all game and gets 3 sacks as well as a high number of hurries and QB knock-downs and maybe a couple tips. Sometimes a D gets 3 sacks but other than those 3 plays, doesn't bring a lot of pressure allowing the QB to get comfortable. Generally speaking, though, the more you pressure a QB, the more sacks you get. Good Ds usually produce a lot of sacks. In a passing league, this is important.

It was bad... but probably not the worst interview you've ever heard.

Wow. Given the vagaries of the NFL, you'd have to be a soothsayer to predict 2-3 years out. Star players get injured or surprisingly retire. Coaches unexpectedly quit or get fired. Unheralded draft picks and no name coaches sometimes emerge as superstars. Key personnel sometimes succumb to drug, alcohol, or other personal problems. Owners sometimes die or sell, leading to wholesale changes. It's hard enough to predict the upcoming season let alone the next 3! I guess the exercise is interesting but I'd love to revisit this 4 years from and see how accurate the "panel of experts" was. My guess is that the accuracy of the rankings (versus actual 3 year won-loss records) won't be spectacularly high. Their rankings versus Year 3 standings will be low, I'd wager. Despite Buffalo's #26 ranking here, I'm personally happy with the direction of the Bills.