Bleeding Bills Blue

Everyone has to admit - Tyrod played very well against seattle and in Miami 2. Thats a fact that can't be denied. We lost both games because our defense can't tackle, line up correctly, or generally cover anyone. We even had special teams breakdowns in both games.

I think the biggest issue is the old boys club of dudes who have been here for many years under ralph, and who remained under Pegula. Seems like a bunch of Brandon's buddies who have been promoted. It's not necessarily on them that we were unsuccessful, but they've seemed to be a burden as we have a massive staff of executives and directors.

To be fair - the media pundit gave the dolphins a D+ because of the extensions and free agent deals that they just offered by trying to "win the offseason".

I just look at it like... if our defense wasn't garbage... we don't go 1-5 in the division. NYJ game 1 and both Miami games are for the taking. That's 10-6 and possibly playoffs. We had 30 First downs and almost 600 yards... and no turnovers. And still lost to Miami week 16. Fitz shredded us for 300+ yards. We had the return by NRC for a TD, but that doesn't counter the fact that they marched up and down the field all game long to the tune of about 500 yards. 8 games of 27 or more points allowed. 3 games of 200+ yard rushers. 7 games with no takeaways. Do I think TT is the answer, no... not really. But unless the defense stops being terrible, it doesn't matter who plays QB. Maybe the loser defensive players shouldn't be handed starting jobs.

Is brandon responsible for getting rid of the organ player at the sabres games? It doesn't sound like an Organ anymore, and they don't seem to be as good at whatever instrument that they are playing. If so - Brandon's got to go.

First off - I don't think that the Raiders are a lock here. On the road a year ago on their East coast swing they beat NO and B-more by 1, and beat TB in OT. Only put up 17 on Tenn. After looking at their 2016 record too... part of me thinks they are a regression candidate. 9-1 in 1 score games?!! As for fixing penalties - my hope is that he breaks down why they're happening and focuses on that. Instead of just punishing mistakes. Questionable challenges? Isn't that why we fired the team chaplain?

They weren't going to a super bowl with newton playing like crap all year. Norman plays on defense.

I mean yea the secondary suffered post norman... But they did get a 2017 3rd round comp pick. I think they used that in the Ealy trade to move up in the 2nd round. Used the space to extend Short. They had 0 interest in extending him an offer, and he was not likely to play under the tag. Why not keep the cap space and bank a pick in the process? To me it showed some foresight to at least get something for him. But Newton went from 3800 and 36TDs, 60% passer to a 3500 19 and 52% passer... Thats probably a big part of why they ended up where they did.

Kills their recruiting actually... in like 3-5 years they will be near the bottom of the FBS. Not to mention it's pretty clear they lied to him when they recruited him. Or he was at least misled that he would be able to get out of it after that ruling a year ago. Either way - smart move coming here. We need help at that position.

My expecatation... Play some good football. Get to the QB, work well with zo and create havoc on the strong side.

We did lose like.. a ton of players... and needed upgrades all over the place. The key is structuring contracts better if you want to get comp picks (http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/13/some-teams-are-using-option-years-to-enhance-compensatory-draft-picks/). Needed: Kicker, backup QB, WR2, WR3, TE2, FB1, CB1, CB3, DE3/4, WLB, FS, SS, RT Several of those players were released - Graham, Robey-Coleman, A-will from their contracts because of cost/performance and don't count in a comp-pick situation. Couple those 3 with the loss of gilmore, and we have a ton of holes in the secondary. If we waited to sign replacements, we're left with many of the players we released/let walk.... See below Aaron Williams Corey Graham Dan Carpenter Marcus Easley Percy Harvin Corbin Bryant Reggie Bush Jerome Felton Leger Douzable James Ihedigbo Corey White Brandon Spikes Sergio Brown Scott Crichton IK Enemkpali Dri Archer Chris Gragg Jonathan Meeks Phillip Thomas Gerald Christian Greg Salas

If we weren't willing to tag & trade Gilmore, then they aren't going to trade Tyrod after giving him all that money. Just doesn't make sense.

Yeah - the marketing argument is ridiculous. His "marketing" is the reason we've brought in guys like TO, and Rex Ryan.

Fire him - clean start with new ownership... which is what they should've done from the beginning. I honestly have no idea why people want to keep him... good marketing guy? We can find someone cheaper and less hated in the buffalo area to do that job.

Hopefully he can form a connection with McDermott. I'd like to see him succeed here.

Nice - new punter!

The signing bonus and workout bonuses were spread over all 5 years. The lowest cap hit we can get to cut him would be in 2019 at 2.625.

I think 1 more year after this we probably keep him. Draft a full replacement and phase him out.

in 2018 8.95 cap hit to keep him 5.25 cap hit to cut him The out exists... but i dunno if 3.7 mil savings is really worth it with no replacement

He's a coach killer, and has the reputation of being a poor locker room guy. Why would you want to bring him in as a backup QB?

I wanted to like Rex. I liked the swagger, some of the annoying cockiness aside, i wanted to be the team that smacked you in the mouth. Only problem - he's a terrible coach. Dick Jauron was just so... ugh. 1 winning season in 9 seasons of HCing.

Roman had the same problems here that he had in SF. Simple pass plays, no middle of the field, too long to get plays in, no 2 minute offense, too many deep routes, and lots of sacks.

I think you can look at efficiency ratings and see that we weren't a terrible offensive unit. YPG has a 14 yard difference between us at 16th and GB at 8th. Those 14 yards per game aren't the difference between a win and a loss. Points per play - buffalo is pretty good there (8th in the NFL). 13th in 3rd down% - not bad all things considered. 3rd in the NFL in giveaways. 7th in RZ TD scoring % --> this could be why we are higher in PPG than YPG in leaguewide rankings

His first draft seemed to signify that he wants players who care about the organization and winning, not paycheck players who just show up. Also he seemed to target players who have a good history with leadership, as well as avoiding players with red flags. More of a vision than Rex Ryan probably ever had...?

This is kind of what i see. What did whaley want? Did he want to build around EJ? Or was he stuck with him? Does he want to be a run first team? Or would he like to air it out? He always seemed to be clashing with HC's because he didn't want to put a team together based on their philosophy. But what is his philosophy? I know finding the QB is the most important piece. And he did a really crappy job at it. Even complaining about "QB purgatory" If he wanted to bottom out and get his QB near the top of the draft, he should never have traded up for watkins. Should've probably either traded down or stood pat. And gone for winston/mariota in 2015. Instead we go into that draft with 0 1st rounders and EJ Manuel.