Rocky Landing

I'm sure that Ty Nsekhe would be happy to be his backup... again...

I don't agree with this, entirely. but I do believe there is a certain truth, here. I honestly can't remember when the fanbase has been this united behind their QB. That really is a remarkable thing. But, I do also believe there is more to it, and I suspect that is has a lot to do with the culture that has developed in Buffalo. Certainly, McD/Beane has a lot to do with this. But, I also feel like it is a culmination of past players, as well. Kyle Williams, for example, had an enormous impact on the tenor of the locker room. So does Lorenzo Alexander. That McD/Beane have held onto people that we, as fans who are not entirely privy to the inner-workings of the locker room, under-appreciate is a testament to the value they place on this element of team culture. Patrick DiMarco comes to mind. He has often been heralded as a positive locker room presence, and we wonder why they have held onto him. I don't think it would be inaccurate to say that Josh Allen has benefitted from the positive, admirable culture that has/is being built in Buffalo, as much as he has contributed to it. And, yeah, I'm proud of them, too.

It's an interesting exercise, albeit, not particularly enlightening. There are some on these boards who are willing to compare, for example, the statistic-- percentage of receptions per target for Zay Jones NFL career, with David Sills college percentage of receptions per target, and actually draw some conclusion as to Jones' value compared to Sills, with no other context. But, it is still interesting. Zay Jones was sold as the "most NFL ready WR" of his draft, even if he wasn't the most dynamic, or worthy of the highest ceiling. That evaluation proved not to be the case in his rookie year. But, it has turned out to be somewhat applicable in his second year, and the type of WR he seems to be-- a solid #2 with a lot of versatility. As another poster (rather flippantly) pointed out: college stats are fairly meaningless. You only need to look at Sammy Watkins' college highlight reel to realize that coverage, blocking, and defenses in general, in college, do not have a lot of relevance to the professional level. That being said, you are right: it is interesting to look back at their college careers...

I don't want to cast shade on anybody because of what they look like, or anything like that. I don't want to draw conclusions on somebody merely because of their age, or their fashion choices, or their life experiences. I just want to put this thread into some sort of perspective. This is a recent picture of the guy whose opinion we are currently debating: This is not a joke. This is an actual, recent photograph of Benjamin Solak, the author of the article that we, as Bills fans, are debating on June 9th, 2019. I'm sure he is a fine, young man. I have nothing but respect for the work, and dedication he has shown to get his article featured in the online football journal, The Draft Network. Good job, kid! A+ Forgive me if I don't put an enormous amount of stock in the opinion of someone whom, I assume, is still in high school. I have a daughter in high school, and she is also convinced that she knows far more than me. And, in all honesty, she might be right. I can't say that I have ever won an argument with her that didn't end with me uttering the phrase, "because I said so..." An adult sized cop-out if ever there was one. Now, let's move on.

I'm not angry, I'm drunk! (kidding) Jones first season in the pros was terrible! I was definitely one arguing that his position was not, and should not have been safe going into the 2018 season, regardless of where he was drafted, and I see him proving me wrong! And, I don't think there should be anything given to him this season. That being said, at this point, I believe that he not only improved during the 2018 offseason, which was immediately evident at the outset of last season, I believe that he improved throughout last season. And I am not alone. I don't think I am saying anything particularly controversial. Zones had more targets last season than any other WR on the team, right up until week 17. I also think he just might be our most versatile WR, which, IMO, could make him our most valuable #2. He has also, very evidently, worked on his athleticism, and strength this offseason. That's a good thing-- perhaps he will be able to improve his catch radius, and ability to fight for contested ball, which I think are his two main deficiencies. To be honest, I don't see him as ever being a true #1 caliber WR. (I hope he proves me wrong, there, too!) But, what does bother me about the Jones debate, are certain people's proclivity to crow about Foster's improvements, and athleticism, and Sills untapped, and unknown potential, while utterly ignoring the improvements Jones has made, and relying on stats that encompass his entire career, without acknowledging their upward trend, or providing an ounce of context to such stats. Of course, these sorts of debates occur on these threads all the time. I just find that sort of debate dishonest.

Yep. Operative word: could.

The NFL should merge with the CFL. It would be worth it just to watch Miami play an away game in Edmonton.

My concern is that we may be faced with a "fierce camp competition" for a stable of solid #2 WRs. It would be nice if one of these guys could develop into a solid #1. Foster may, indeed, be the guy to get there, as he has likely not yet found his ceiling. After Foster, we have a bunch of solid guys who, while they may not have yet reached their ceiling, have been playing professional football long enough that we could assume they are probably pretty close.

When did he become a "very bad route runner?" It is one of his strengths.

You're seriously putting Jones' career catch percentage (without one iota of context), comparing it to Sills college percentage, and drawing a conclusion? THAT is a bizarre, and silly numbers game, there. Perhaps I could just throw out Jones' catch percentages for his last two games, (55.6%, and 66.7%, respectively) and proclaim that he improved towards the end of the season? Perhaps I could cite his catch percentage in the Jets game (with Barkley throwing him the ball) of 72.7%, and his following game's percentage of 0.0% (only one target), and proclaim him WILDLY INCONSISTENT. Perhaps I could cite his actually drop percentage (slightly under 3%-- lower than most of the top receivers in the 2018 league, btw), and declare that he is the second coming of Jerry Rice. Perhaps I could cite how much different his numbers were when he was facing different defenses, or had different QBs throwing him the ball. Or, perhaps I could ignore all context, throw out one incomplete stat, and declare that Sills is a better NFL QB than Zay Jones.

I think the NFL is going to get a team going in Banff.

Never forget this guy. 0:18-0:28, and 1:45-1:55, btw, are 20 seconds of must-see TV.

I wonder if they could give him a regular spot (not the one granted by the International Pathway Program), and be able to activate him during the 2019 season?

I did not know this. I assume this also means that other teams would not be able to claim him off our practice squad during 2019?

I said in another thread that I think Duke could become the best blocking WR we've ever had.

I think Duke Williams, and David Sills are both far enough down the depth chart that their chances of making the 53 are dependent on how well they fit into special teams. I don't know if Duke ever played ST in the CFL (I suspect not, as he was a starting WR), but he would seem to be a likely fit, as he is super strong, and an effective blocker. (There's an hilarious clip of him plowing over a CB who was taunting him that made the rounds). Sills on the other hand... just watching him run, he looks lanky, and perhaps not a natural fit into ST work. I also suspect that once the pads come on, Duke's true worth will become more evident.

There are no stats for kick returns for Yeldon. Perry had 18 kick returns for Miami over the last two years averaging over 20 ypc. I don't really know anything about him, either. But, he did get four sacks last season with Detroit without any game starts. Not bad for a non-starter, I suppose.

One would assume if he was playing OLB in a 3-4.

It's crazy to put Ray Ray above Zay Jones, or Andre Roberts on the depth chart. They brought Roberts in as a return specialist-- he may not see a single offensive snap in most games. And Zay had more targets, and receptions than any other WR on the team, right up to the final game vs. Miami. I have to believe that Brown, Beasley, Roberts, Jones, and Foster are closest to locks. After that, the competition for the final roster spots will have to include their performance on special teams for them to have a chance.

I think the Bills will carry four RBs, and Senorise Perry makes the 53. They're going to take special teams very seriously this season, and Perry will be a core contributor. But, I also think we may see him on the field for some short yard situations. But, here's an even darker horse: Christian Wade. I believe he will transition to the NFL, and I believe he will be a great RB. I certainly don't think he will make the 53 in September, but he will be on the practice squad, as he will have his own additional open spot, per the International Player Pathway Program. And, if we end up going down a running back in the regular season (not unlikely), we could absolutely see him on the field later in the season. Watch the guy's game tape playing rugby. He's incredibly strong, shifty, and has exceptional acceleration. I can't wait to see what he can do with pads on.

The peloton is getting a bit deep...

“If they see you with ranch dressing, your days are numbered”

Then, I'll just repeat, and clarify my initial response to your obnoxious post: You don't have the perspective to judge other people's life choices, especially as it pertains to their dedication to their careers, and families. The suggestion that people who do jobs on spec in the furtherment of their careers are being "exploited" by their "overlords," and are lesser as parents, or spouses is just plain ignorant. And, I'll leave it at that.

And, you never play music unless you're getting paid? I call BS.