hondo in seattle

It's great to see we've gotten bigger. And TampaBillsJunkie is right when he says that Beane is now going for sure-hands guys. That's also good news. But did we get faster? We lost Lil Dirty who was, I believe, our fastest receiver last year. But Sherfield and Harty are both about as fast. And if we involve Hines in the passing game, he's faster yet. Cook has good speed as well. I like our current receiving corps, but it would be nice to find someone as rapid as Smoke Brown. I'd love to be able to put defenses in a quandary. If their best CB is also their fastest, do they put him on Diggs or our fast guy? Either way, they lose.

Yup. I'm trying but I don't think I can remember a single day in my life from my 27th year.

I liked the Chris Long interview. It wasn't a surprise, but it was interesting to hear Beane talk about the evolution of the LB position. Beane told some Josh stories that I hadn't heard before. He was specific about why they drafted Kincaid - they needed someone to make plays in the middle of the field. He said that was supposed to be Crowder's role last year.

I'm with you. I don't watch many NFL games that don't involve the Bills. But I lived in Seattle a couple years ago so, yeah, I know Poo a little. Mostly, I know him from reading about the D Linemen that were available in free agency because I was hoping we'd get one.

My mistake. Thanks for correcting. But still interesting that his PFF grade dropped when he went to 3-4. Seems to perform better in a 4-3. And while it would be ideal if he excelled at getting after the QB as well as stuffing RBs, I'm glad he's a solid force against the run. We've been soft in the middle - he helps solve that.

That Ditka owns this record is amazing. He played a 14-game season back when running backs still ruled the gridiron. Even with 3 extra games, I don't think Kincaid will come close. Josh has too many weapons. Diggs may be a future HOFer... Shakir and Knox will get their share... 2 of our 4 backs are legit receiving threats - if Dorsey decides to use them... I even like our backup wideouts this year.

Random thoughts about Poona... Poo graded out at 73 or better for his first three seasons on PFF. 70-84 on their scale is a "starter quality." His rookie year, in limited action, he was a 90. Last year, he graded out at 56. Apparently, he did not thrive as a 3-4 NT. Though he did have 3 sacks, the most in his career. Obviously, he's better known as a run-stuffer than a sack artist. According to an SI article written in 2021, "Ford's run defense grade ranks in the 85th percentile since breaking into the league as an undrafted rookie out of Texas in 2018." At aged 27 and back in a 4-3, we should see a Poo in his prime doing what we need him to do: clogging up the middle of the field. www.si.com/nfl/seahawks/news/pro-football-focus-ranks-seahawks-defensive-standouts-heading-towards-2021-season#:~:text=Poona%20Ford%20PFF%20Ranking%3A%2019th%20out%20of%2032,wasn%27t%20known%20for%20his%20interior%20pass%20rushing%20ability.

I will say I think Beane is having himself a helluva offseason. Beginning free agency with 6 draft picks and a few million in cap space, I didn't think Beane had enough resources to do what needed to be done. But with today's signing of Poona Ford, Beane's managed to upgrade several position groups: DL, Safety, OL, RB, and WR.

I hate to be the contrarian, but Beane is articulate, engaged, and on top of things. That's pretty much what I would expect of any GM. When he talks, he doesn't seem extraordinary to me. His track record, on the other hand, is pretty good. He hit a home run with his QB pick and has done a nice - if imperfect - job building out the rest of the roster. I hope he improves but I would never fire him. After the drought, it's good to enter every season with a realistic chance. And, yup, he's our best GM since Butler.

I hear you, but... Beane took over a mediocre team that went .500 over the prior three seasons (9-7, 8-8, 7-9) and transformed into a team that perennially gets to the playoffs. I appreciate that. But Polian took over a team that went a miserable 2-14 in back-to-back years and got them into the Super Bowl 3 consecutive times. Polian authored the bigger turnaround. And if you look at the entirety of Polian's resume, you have to say he's the more accomplished GM. Prior to the NFL, Polian built a Grey Cup-winning squad in Winnipeg. After his stint with the Bills, Polian got Carolina into the NFC Championship game in their second year of existence. He got Indy into the SB twice, winning once. I'm hoping when all is said and done, we'll confidently label Beane the best GM in Bills' history. But I think he's got more work to do before he earns that epithet.

Up there with Bill Polian?

Sherfield had 51 targets with Miami last season and did well with his opportunities. Why did we sign him if we're not going to throw to him?

Prior to last season, I guessed we had a 10% chance of going on to win the Super Bowl. Considering there are 32 teams, this is about 3x better than the average odds. I'd say this season we again have a 10% chance. We'll be one of several teams in the hunt. I believe we got nominally better at OL, WR, RB, and safety. I worry about the health of White, Miller, Poyer, and Hyde. I also worry about the loss of Edmunds. I'm curious how the D will be without Frazier. To say he brought no value, I believe, is wrong. But McD might be more creative this season with the roster he has, and may prove to be the better play-caller. I'm really curious about Dorsey. The OL isn't great but it does seem improved. And he's got more weapons to work with. Will he put it all together?

The Bills are not a power-running team, as you say. But it's great to have powerful backs on a passing team going up against nickel and dime defenses. I'm not sure how good this OL will be, but I do think it's realistic to expect it to be better than v.2022. Beane said that Hines didn't have time to learn the offense last year. He seemed to be suggesting that we'll see more of him in the backfield this year. With Hines' catching-out-of-the-backfield skills, we ought to.

Hmm. I'm not seeing a significant difference other than size. Maybe my estimation of Motor is higher than yours rather than my evaluation of Murray being lower. But I see you've got some folks agreeing with you so I'll keep an open mind and relook at Murray more closely. I would agree that Harris is "bigger, stronger and faster." At least he seemed to be all those things in his games against the Bills.

Schoen is right, but this is hardly news. I don't pay much attention to draft grades. There's no such thing as a "sure thing" in the NFL draft. To me, each guy is a mathematical possibility. The chances of a 1st rounder making an impact on the team is greater than a 7th rounder but you never really know until years go by. I just hope for the best and cheer our guys on.

I voted Davis. But I think the targets to folks not named Diggs or Davis will go up this year. Sherfield and Kincaid will both be important pieces of this offense. But who's Hardy? Did one of the Hardy Boys/Boyz join the Bills?

Not to be Debbie Downer but the video was not super impressive. With maybe one exception, I feel like Motor had the vision, power, and speed to make any of those runs. On the other hand, I think the new RB room of Harris, Murray, Cook, and Hines is the best group of RBs we've had since Shady was the headliner. And I like the variety.

But what are the odds of Murray and Harris being injured at the same time?

Well, I wasn't expecting a RB to be one of the two.

If Taiwan is gone, then we might carry four actual running backs with Hines being mostly special teams?

OL is better... We signed two guards in free agency, both of which are probably better than Saffold. Then we drafted two more guards. Safety is better is Poyer and Hyde are healthy this year since they weren't last. Plus we added Rapp. The receiver group is better with the free agents and Kincaid.

I was pretty happy with the RB room already. This signing is a surprise. But you can never have too much talent - though only 53 make the team.

You might be young if... you don't remember when Mini Max Anderson swallowed his tongue.

My offensive guesses (pun intended)... Harris will start over Cook. Cook will primarily be the third-down back. Kincaid won't start but we will see him as the move TE, which will take away playing time from Shakir (slot receiver goes out, 2nd TE comes in). I like both our backup wideouts (Harty and Sherfield) and expect both to get playing time. Maybe a little less Gabe, then. I'd love to see Hines more involved, particularly in the passing game. Torrance doesn't start the season as a starter. But he ends the season as one. This OL has to be better than last year's (said while praying on my knees).