Happy

He should retire. Good career and won a SB. He's ahead of 99.9% of the guys who have ever played in the NFL.

Logical point which makes me wonder if the same couldn't be said about Matt Stafford. Detroit hasn't exactly been a model organization and the Ford family has been too old, out of touch, and hands off (good thing in this case) to be of any help.

I'm not convinced about this. He didn't learn from forcing the passing game vs Philly as evidenced by forcing deep throws on a windy day vs Baltimore. Josh hasn't done a good job with the deep throw all year long, yet Daboll still tries to fool other teams with it, which isn't working. I've mentioned this a couple of times in other threads: Daboll takes an academic approach to the offense where the play as designed is what matters, not the opponent, weather conditions, where Josh or anyone else is development-wise. Not a sign of a good OC. I think Daboll draws up good plays and I don't necessarily dislike his offense, I just don't think he should be the one that runs it; he shouldn't be calling the plays. I'm not sure of any examples of someone else calling the plays in lieu of the OC, but I think this might be necessary if Daboll stays in Buffalo. I agree with the takes by @Nihilarian who does a better job of expanding on this than I do. I don't however see the Bills going 9-7 as the defense will propel the team past Pitt and NYJ, so I can see 11-5. Unfortunately, they could be one and done in the playoffs given the offense disfunction under Daboll's command.

No. Don't want any loss of momentum nor do we want them to get rusty. A repeat of the week after the bye would be bad.

Because a good HC is a good game manager and strategist. I don't think Daboll would be a good game manager and I don't think he is a good offensive manager by the type of play calls he makes, which has been discussed quite a bit here. I don't think Daboll is a good strategist either as he usually outsmarts himself with his head scratching situational decisions -- long ball on 3rd and short, FB lining up as a WR, running wide when less than a yard to the end zone rather than QB sneak, etc. Note that I'm leaving out the Bills bottom half of the league offense (thought I saw 20-27th in various categories) due to Josh being a young NFL QB, making young QB mistakes, and growing into the position, but I think Daboll could be of more help by instituting short/quick passes and screens...more rookie/young qb friendly offense. Daboll appears to call the offense in an academic manner, where the play as designed is the only thing that matters and not the weather or opponent; that is poor management and strategy. I suspect the offense could be at least somewhat better than what it is now if Daboll would keep this in mind. IMO, the best coaches in the NFL right now are Belichick, Harbaugh, and Payton; I can't see Daboll being anywhere near these guys. A final point, if Daboll is recognized in league circles as being associated with, and highly thought of by Bill Belichick, why didn't Belichick promote him to OC from TE coach? I believe this is where Daboll left NE. Quite telling and at least something to consider. Perhaps BB doesn't think so highly of Daboll after all. I do think Brian Daboll architects a good playbook, but he doesn't seem to understand what plays to execute and when; a good HC will have a firm grasp on this (and participate in the planning) even though the coordinator typically calls the plays.

How about the long balls on third and short? The outside run on 1st and goal from inside the 1 yard line, rather than a QB sneak? Daboll tries to outsmart everyone rather than think practically most times. I understand your point, it’s just flawed logic (not on your part) within NFL circles. I suspect Daboll would be fired within three years if he got a HC job.

I'm not sure there is any precedence for this, at least I don't know about it. But that really isn't a concern, TBH. Daboll put together some good plays, just that he calls some of them at the strangest times. He may just be someone who is terrible at game situations, which is why it is perplexing that Daboll is even being considered for a HC position.

Interesting. If the Panthers hire Daboll, it won't be long until they're begging Ron Rivera to come back.

I know it's been 8-10 years or so since Frazier was coaching the Vikings, but don't people remember just how bad a job he did with the Vikings, save one season? I can't fathom anyone considering Daboll, at least this point.

I'd take the Bills at +2. Not sure on over/under, that is tricky; while 37 points is not a lot of scoring, neither offense is exactly high powered. It should be a defensive struggle, and neither coach tends to run up the score. I'd dub this game the Conservative Bowl.

Or how about Ken Dorsey being the play caller? Daboll creates some nice plays, I suspect he has problems with when to call what plays at the right situation. The offense would be set back if you blew up Daboll's play book, but I don't think he should be calling plays.

Murphy is one ugly looking dude, almost as ugly as his play. Watching his play, Murphy was owned by the RT; pushed back and blocked to the ground. When he does get in the vicinity of the QB and tries for a sack, he usually misses. Just not an impact player at DE. I'm fine with moving on from Hughes and Murphy. With regard to Hughes, having a DT that the refs allow the LT to hold, drive into the ground with his arm around Hughes' neck, and not call a holding penalty probably due to Hughes' history with the officials creates a useless situation. Hughes' value is not greater than what the LT is allowed to negate.

If he'll redo his contract to half of what it is now, then maybe I'd consider keeping Trent Murphy around. Otherwise, he is easily replaceable.

A few I don't like which come to mind: Julian Edelman -- total punk Jarvis Landry, though I admit I would want him on the Bills OBJ -- overrated weirdo Cam Newton -- overrated crybaby Kiko Alonso -- dirty player, not sure what happened to him along the way Zeke Elliott -- thug, not much else needs to be said

My guess is Daboll is the milk man's kid that Belichick was forced by Kraft to take in for a while. Daboll's approach to offense appears largely academic; run the plays as they have been drawn up, where the weather and opponent do not matter...the play as designed is the only thing that matters. It's really up to McD to tell Daboll how he wants the offense to look and what type of plays Josh should be running at this point in his career. I don't think McD is managing Daboll like that, though. I doubt Lamar and the Raven's offense is any where near as good as it is if Harbaugh isn't the HC; Roman left to his own devices wouldn't be as practical as the offense currently is given Lamar's abilities. McD needs to exert that type of pressure on Daboll or find a more practical play caller.

I don't think Hodges moves the ball against us, plus we'll take away Connors. JuJu won't be enough to buoy their offense. Pitt's D is respectable, but I think we'll be able to move the ball against them. Bills 24 Pitt 9

It would make sense that McD suspected that it wouldn't be reversed due to the league's stance on PI calls made by the refs, which the league stays with the refs calls unless it is a playoff situation. It looked like he wanted to, but I think that was in the back of his mind.

You weren't exaggerating. Maybe Ben will finish his career as their nose tackle (I believe Pitt plays a 3-4).

Good topic, I think Edmunds' play needs to be recognized. Not only yesterday, but in the past several weeks. He has become very good in rush defense, rushing the passer, and is looking like the player they drafted him to be.

Well, yeah, we need to beat Pittsburgh. That is more important to us than beating NE given the choice. Beating NE is the cherry on top.

They could, but not likely. It's up to the Bills to beat NE, which they have a good chance of doing so.

Shocking. I expected the score to be the reverse of what it is now. I still think the Rams miss the playoffs, even if they win tonight.

The WR class this year is supposed to be deep, so I wouldn't be surprised if Beane snagged one in the earlier rounds. I would also like to see a RB to compliment Singletary, as well as a RT. I don't think a TE is a position of need. Let Knox develop; he drops a few too many, but he also makes some good catches for "angry runs"

Yeah, I think Kroft was supposed to be the #1 TE. It just hasn't worked out real well.

This isn't the history of now. Yes, 2/3 lost today and the other was in a tough fight. But they have won in the past by coaching to win, that is why I didn't have a problem with the final play of the first half. As a side note, I would like to see McD adopt that type of mindset. Don't take your foot off the gas pedal. If "THAT's why? Lol ok" is a question to my presented concept, I suppose I should just consider myself enlightened.