Rocky Landing

I would put catch %, and a low drop-rate above the 50/50 balls. I would put route running, and versatility above that as well. For example, I'd rather have Coleman be able to run a proper fade, than rely on a contested catch. YAC's pretty important, also-- and something we've lacked from some of our receivers. It's an interesting discussion, though. I wonder how some of our other, illustrious contributors prioritize a WR's skillsets?

Regarding point 2): The data for ranking WR rooms going into a season, is a lot foggier for some teams than it is for others. It is especially foggy for the Bills for numerous reasons-- Shakir is our only returning WR, the data for the FA WRs comes from other teams, and QBs (far lesser teams, and QBs for most of them), and the way they get used, and who rises in the system is speculatory. I submit that that uncertainty alone will push the Bills WR room ranking down from teams for which the data is more relevant. And if you judge someone like Curtis Samuel on his past performance, without applying the context of the unquestionably better situation he will be entering with the Bills, then it's reasonable to believe he will exceed expectations. That 2020 group of Diggs, Beasley, and Brown, who all had career years with Allen, provide compelling evidence for an optimist like myself. Regarding point 4): Perhaps I've misrepresented your opinion regarding Shakir, or whomever ascends to WR#1, and the "extra attention" that receiver will attract. Obviously, that will happen. But some on this thread seem to suggest that Khalil Shakir is going to be smothered, or at least receive the same attention that Diggs did. But I don't think it's going to be as significant as all that. Regardless of what personnel is on the field-- 12, 11, or even that jumbo package that Brady seems to love-- there will almost always be four legit receivers on the field, and often five. But, you're definitely right about one thing: It does all look easier in the offseason. At least, for an optimist like myself. But, for the pessimists around here, it seems to go the other way.

It's not really an apples to apples comparison, though, to cite how the receivers in 2020 finished the season, and compare it to how this WR room (with all the unknowns they bring) ranks entering the season. I don't know where the 2020, or 2023 corps ranked entering their seasons, but considering that there is only one player returning in 2024 from last season (Shakir), I would suspect that one factor alone would push the ranking down for many analysts, as would the lack of clear data as a whole. I also believe (and perhaps I'm merely being optimistic here) that this ranking will very likely be higher at the end of the season, than entering the season. Especially if the ranking is for "receiving corps,"and not just "WR corps." How much higher is, of course, speculation. But, it's not really pure speculation. There is relevant data that we can apply. For example, we can look at Samuel, and the QBs, and offenses he has worked under, and make an assumption that he will produce better with Allen. I'm sure you would say that's an optimistic application of the data, and I suppose it is. But it's not unrealistic. It becomes unrealistic when it is over emphasized. Conversely, I think you are overemphasizing some of the contrary data-- like how much more Shakir, Kincaid, and/or Samuel will be pressured by the top defenders in any given game because of Diggs' departure. Certainly, that's going to happen, but I do believe that you, and others, have been overstating it.

I can't speak for all the other dads out there, but speaking for myself (60yo, with an 18yo entering college, and a 14yo entering high school), I can't afford to die.

Here's a fun exercise: Google "Florida man," and the month, and day you were born, and see what article pops up. My birthday is june 20th, and I got, "Florida Man Pulled Gun at Starbucks Over Cream Cheese."

I voted Allen. If this question had been asked even at the beginning of last season, I still would have voted Allen, but deep down, I wouldn't have meant it. I'm just a homer. But, now? I actually believe it.

Have you ever seen Dion Dawkins with his shirt off? It's not a pretty sight...

His one TD against the Fish was one helluva heads-up play.

I've also seen a grown man naked.

Just one more reason I think that players have been changing their numbers too frequently.

Misleading thread title, and yes, I like movies about gladiators.

I think he has the potential to be a decent NCB.

The most important piece of "stuff going their way" would be for Drake May to exceed all expectations, and very quickly transform from a raw, boom/bust prospect into an NFL phenom. The idea that he could do that quickly enough, and to a degree that they could take the division from three teams that are clearly more talented, with the specious O-line, and pedestrian receiving corp they currently have, is a sucker's bet.

In my opinion, Joe Douglas, and the Jets did a much better job in the offseason than Grier in Miami, and I think the Fish take a step back from last season. The Fish lost a lot of key defensive talent-- Van Ginkel, Wilkins, Jerome Baker, David Long Jr., Xavian Howard, and DeShon Elliot. That's six out of eleven starters, and Bradley Chubb is coming back from a late-season ACL. They also did very little to address O-line issues. The Fish will lose in the trenches, which blows up all those precise timing routes that the league figured out mid-last season, and their D will have a hard time getting off the field. The Jets, on the other hand, focused on improving their O-line, and protecting their last chance at a playing a HOF QB. It's hard to imagine Rodgers lasting an entire season, but he has a better shot going into '24 than he did in '23.

As good as Taiwan Jones was as a gunner (and he was really good), he was an absolutely terrible RB.

It would seem that at least for this season, the Bills are moving away from the ST-only players. But I never understood the problem people have had with guys like Siran, Taiwan, and Matakevich. They’d rather have poor ST play, so the Bills could carry a #6, or #7 WR, who would probably be inactive on game day, and would otherwise be carried on the practice squad? Special Teams matter. Field position matters!

Does Patrick Moran's interview of Tyler Dunne's interview of Brandon Beane discuss Beane's interview of Keon Coleman asking questions of Sean McDermott?

I was a bit puzzled by this, until I found out it’s been around for 20+ years. It reminds me a little bit of affirmative action— it’s relevant, it’s necessary, and it’s helpful. And, at some point it (hopefully) renders itself obsolete. It may even be the next generation of professional athletes that does it. My daughter just graduated high school. My wife teaches there, and my son is entering his freshman year. I have been struck by how utterly accepting these kids are. It was almost ten years ago that I saw a sign for the “LGBT Club” posted on a school bulletin board. When I was a child, that would have been called the “Line Up for a Beating Club.” Now, there are openly gay students, including athletes, and they receive zero bullying. My daughter is openly gay, and went to the prom with her girlfriend. If there are other students who have a problem with it, they keep it to themselves, lest they get scolded for their intolerance. Hell— I’m a Scoutmaster with my son’s Boy Scout troop, and we have openly gay scouts. I’m sure that nationally, my kids’ HS is not the norm (I do live in Los Angeles, after all…), and there are plenty of posts in this thread that illustrate how far there is yet to go. But I can well imagine how the tenor of the current NGFFL differs from its inception. And of all the the organizations from the last several decades that have helped bring the LGBT community out of the shadows, It seems perfectly appropriate that the Buffalo Bills lend their support to this one.

I remember during the drought, these were the best of times. We always seemed to win the offseason...

If this weren't a public poll, those votes would already be there.

Preseason denotes a healthy team. I voted 1-4 going into the season. Of course, many things will change as the season progresses. My biggest concern is depth, especially on defense, but on offense, we've got 17. That bumps us up the league regardless. I feel like 1-4 is pretty optimistic on my part, but homer's gotta home.

I don't care at all about "disgruntled ex-players." As long as all our current players are gruntled, I think we're good.

UPDATE: CHAMPS! My son was also named Defensive MVP for the season, making TODAY my best Father/Son sports moment, and one helluva great Father's Day!

My son has been playing NFL Flag Football for four years. They have four seasons a year, so this will be his 16th, and last season, as he's entering high school in the Fall. He's never won a Super Bowl. Today, he plays at 3:00 (PDT). If they win, they'll play in his first Super Bowl at 6:00. They actually give the kids rings. Wish him luck!

Miami may have been the higher seeded team, but the Chiefs had an easier game of it. The Fish hated every minute of that cold-weather game. They barely showed up. If Tua could have played wearing mittens, he would have.