Rocky Landing

That is really quite a remarkable article. I will say that the grain of salt to be taken from it comes from the fact that it was written by Josh Schrock, who's kind of the equivalent of Maddy Glab for the Bears. You're not going to read a lot of criticism of the Bears' organization from him. But, the article certainly is a cautionary tale, and largely confirms what has been mainly discussed on this thread: the issues are between his ears. So really, the questions that have to be answered don't have much to do with what happens "when the pads come on." It's much more a matter of can he, and/or has he matured? Can he control his temper? Can he respond to the Bills' leadership? TBH, what I found most disturbing in the article was the unkind, and immature way he dealt with his own teammate in practices-- S Eddie Jackson. Sure, the Bills have practice field skirmishes, but there's always a resolution, and unity within the locker room. That's part and parcel of the Bills' culture. Perhaps that 14-game losing streak taught him a few lessons? We can only hope. Because as many have said in this thread, the talent is there.

nope

I watched quite a bit of tape on Clapp from last season, and to my eyes, I thought he played quite well, especially considering the inconsistency on that O-line, and being bracketed by very poor guard play. (Not to mention, an utterly crap coach). And from what I've read, the knee injury was minor, IR designation notwithstanding, and is not expected to be an issue going forward. Certainly not a frontrunner for the starting center position, but don't sleep on him. Solid depth, if nothing else.

The talent is clearly there. It would be a surprise if Claypool wasn't playing consistently good ball... in OTAs... The real concern is how long he can maintain that consistency during an entire NFL season.

I basically agree with this. But, I think the bigger concern on defense (where we lost all those aging veterans) is the lack of depth across the board. I also think that the loss of Leonard Floyd is a much bigger deal than is being talked about.

I think it's been as recent as within the last couple weeks that Beane has mentioned that the "plan" was to move McGovern over to center, and put Edwards in at LG. But, I'll say this-- I don't think this is written in stone. There's a lot to be said for continuity, IMO, and with Edwards playing as much as he did as a sixth lineman in Jumbo packages, the combo of C McGovern, and LG Edwards probably offers the most continuity. But, it's also to be expected that Kromer is going to play around with different combinations in TC. In that regard, I think there are several things that could very well happen. Van Pran-Granger could excel in TC, and win the starting job. But, even if he doesn't, he could show up well enough that Kromer/McD would plan to have him groomed for the starting role later in the season a la Spencer Brown, as early as week three or four. In such a scenario, it probably makes more sense to play McG at center, and then move him back to LG. (I'm assuming McG is the better option at LG than Edwards, or Edwards would have held the position last season). But... Don't sleep on Will Clapp. Watching the tape on Clapp's performance last season, he played competently on a wildly inconsistent IOL, and some really terrible coaching. It's hard to excel at center when your supporting cast isn't performing well, but Clapp held his own. He did end the season with an injury, but reports are that it shouldn't be an issue going forward. If Edwards appears to be a downgrade from McG at LG, Clapp could win the starting center job outright, or be used as a placeholder for VPG, if the above scenario occurs. GO BILLS

Not only that, he has Edwards as the starting LG, and McGovern not even on the starting roster.

I want to attend a Bills game overseas, preferably London, and meet up with some British Bills fans for a pint.

They should have it in Toronto.

I hope Aaron Rodgers gets blind-sided in the ribcage, and his spleen pops out of his colon.

No one should sleep on the Jets. They still have a very strong defense, and a solid offense. And, in fact, this might end up being the best O-line Tyrod Taylor's ever played behind.

If he's used in exactly the same way he was towards the end of the season, than 50-60 ypg, for around 1,000 yards on the season, is not an unrealistic expectation. However, I suspect his target number is likely to drop off a little from that. It seems likely the ball will get spread around quite a bit more this season, with Kincaid, Cook/Davis, getting more targets, as well as Coleman and whichever other 6'4" WR ends up on the field. I think 700-800 yards on the season is a reasonable expectation, and that would be great. It could certainly be more, however. He was so reliable at the end of the season, with a 0% drop rate. If Coleman doesn't excel, and the other acquisitions aren't as good as we hope, he could become the go-to guy, and end up with the same sort of usage he ended the '23 season with.

On the one hand… We have the thinnest defensive roster of recent memory, and they really can’t afford too many injuries on D. So, maybe we see some more cover 2, bend, don’t break? We’ve gotten younger at safety. It’s not too comfortable a feeling to be hanging our hats on Rasul Douglas, but he is going to need to stay healthy, along with Benford, and Taron. On the other hand… We have the weakest pass rush of recent memory, as well— especially in terms of rotation. And, quite frankly, I’m not expecting much of anything (other than an injury settlement) out of Von Miller. Sorry if that’s an unpopular opinion. And I just don't see our front four having much ability to get to the quarterback. So, maybe we see more blitzing this season? Perhaps our defensive identity is going to be just trying to stay healthy enough to give the offense a shot? I’ll say this also: I know a lot of people on this site, especially this time of year, downplay the importance of special teams. But, IMO, field position is going to matter more than ever. I would expect, and hope that the depth players are going to reflect that.

AS I understand (and I'm terrible with these contract issues), When a player is released after June 1, the team is again relieved of paying that player's base salary for the year in which he is released (and all future years) and the only amount that counts against the team's Cap in that year is the player's bonus proration for that year. Which I think means that the cap hit if MVS is cut before the regular season would be $225,000. IMO, that doesn't make him a lock.

If the Jags fired them because McManus couldn't keep his hands to himself, then they have every right, and reason to sue.

Not sure why you would consider MVS a roster lock?

Of course Beane has the final say. I don't think anyone disputes that. But, it would be foolish to think that Beane doesn't listen to McD. He listens to Allen, for that matter. And, off course, they're both looking at the same board.

For me, Rex Ryan surpasses him. But... I'm with ya. Jauron's No Huddle/No O-line offense is what turned Trent Edwards into Captain Checkdown, IMO.

Good heavens. If your point is that every one of these WRs was brought in to fill some role as a... WR, then, uh... I guess I agree with you(?). But, if you're still trying to sell some point that all of these guys were brought in to fill the same role that Hollins will likely fill (which again, is a #4-#6 situational WR, and core ST, with the bonus of being a leader on the practice field) then you're still wrong.

I used to post these little poems about him, in the style of the old Burma Shave ads they used to put along the side of Old Rte 66, back in the fifties. If you don't know what they are, you can google them. They were really famous 75 years ago. Here's another one: You can’t overstate The Hate for Late Nate I rue the day he was born A waste of a day and money thrown away He sticks in my head like a thorn. Peterman

Both of these are easy for me. Player: Late Nate Peterman. I've lived in Los Angeles since '91, so getting to see a Bills game live is a cherished experience. I was at that game against the Chargers in 2017. It was a beautiful day, in a wonderfully intimate 24,000-seat Stubhub Arena. Fourteen passing attempts, six completions, five interceptions. All in the first half. And let me tell you, friends-- those tickets were ***** expensive. Perhaps, I could have just moved on, and not held on to my bitterness all these years. But, the salt in the wound was... the Bills kept him on the roster. They kept him on the roster the following season! He has never done anything but stunk up the field whenever he takes a snap, but that muther ***** is still in the league!!! (Currently on the NO Saints.) Coach: Rex Ryan. I was sickened when they hired that fat tub of *****. I was afraid he was going to turn the Bills-- a team that was enduring the longest playoff drought in the league-- into even more of a laughing stock. And he did. His tenure was a weekly crap show of embarrassment. It was some of the most press coverage the Bills have ever received, and for all the wrong reasons. Without exaggeration, he took a top three ranked defense, and with one starting personnel change, put them into the bottom three. After the Jet's released IK Enemkpali for breaking Gino Smith's jaw in the Jet's locker room shower, Ryan promptly signed him, and made him a captain for the Jets game, so he could be out in middle of the field, avoiding eye contact with Smith, for the coin toss. That classless move is everything one needs to know about that man's integrity.

So much silliness in such a short response!

I felt the same way. Utterly classless individual.

The difference is that he was answering a question about Kumerow. No one had asked Josh, or Beane about Hollins when they brought him up. They've both mentioned Hollins several times now, without provocation. That's why I started this thread-- It really struck me that after acquiring so many WRs this offseason, that he would be the guy they would mention first.

Don't take this the wrong way: This is kinda sad for you. You really need to make a trip to WNY, check out the scenery, and culture, go for a sunset sail on Lake Ontario, eat some proper chicken wings (with blue cheese dressing), maybe check out the Falls (I recommend a guided tour-- not that interesting, what with you coming from England, and all-- but better with, than without...), experience the awesomeness that is a Bills tailgate, and watch a home game live. (I have to assume you haven't been, or it would have obviously surpassed your Wrecks Ryan thing). I guarantee you, it will be worth it.