Rocky Landing

It's a gamble, but maybe not such a huge one. I think a lot of fans are unwilling to account for the effects of injury. They become "excuses" for poor play, instead of "reasons." Murphy is only 28-- far from over the hill. Obviously, he was recovering from, and playing through injury last season. His production before that was stellar. So, the question become: Is he injury prone, or is he fully recovered? Fans tend to be far more apt to assume injury prone, and less willing to accept the possibility of recovery. Also, I don't see that there has been a lot of opportunity to improve Murphy's position, so far. Ansah has his own (more current) injury issues, and was likely too expensive. And I don't know of any later round picks that would have been better than what we already have. Maybe there will be an opportunity in the coming months to trade for someone dominant (we can dream of Clowney?), but Murphy at 100% isn't someone we have seen in a Bills uni, other than in these last OTAs, which don't show us much for defensive linemen. I think this is a guy that will be exciting to see once the pads come on.

I'm actually one of the people who apparently "can't stick to simple discussion" and have been put on ignore by Ronin, but that won't stop me from pointing out some of his intellectually dishonest crap. The explanations in the game he time-tagged were so biased, it was laughable. In the very first play he "analyzes" (quotation marks necessary) he opines that Allen "immediately defaults to looking downfield," rather than immediately throwing to Shady (whom he had just faked a handoff to!). Allen then avoids a sack, as he has a DT bearing down on him, and he is able to throw the ball away. For Ronin to say Allen "immediately defaults to looking downfield," is another way of saying "immediately defaults to running the play that was called." Like I said-- this guy is intellectually dishonest. He'll use conflicting arguments from one post to the next, he'll cherry pick stats, he'll move the goal posts in his arguments (example: "name for me one player that never, and I do mean never, read defenses very well either in HS or college"). And, more than anything, he wants you to know that he knows more about football than anyone here ("You won't find anyone here that's done more research on any of the players that I've opined on then me.") And, if you don't like it, he'll write you a nice, overly-long, condescending response that ends with him telling you not to bother responding, because he has put you on ignore. I'm happy to belong to that club.

Although, they did take Amendola (also a (white) UDFA) off some other team's PS, so they do have that history.

Out of curiosity: Did this come to you in a dream, or something?

Indeed.

Fixed it for you.

Will McDermott be gazing longingly at the Panthers' sideline?

This should go in the "bold predictions" thread.

So, fewer "bottom feeder veterans," and more "bright shiny toys." Got it. (definitely high...)

My real issue with that year was that we had set ourselves up to have to take a quarterback in a draft that had nothing better than mediocre quarterbacks. I think that when all was said, and done, the best quarterback of that draft was Matt Barkley! If we would have negotiated a more reasonable contract with Fitzpatrick, or just bit the bullet, and paid, and played him in 2013, we would have been in a much better position the following year.

Murphy would have to take a major step back for that to happen, or someone else (Shaq?) would have to take a major step forward. Neither seems likely.

This is such a bizarre post. Putting "good cap management" in quotations implies that the cap management isn't so good. And the phrase "bright shiny toys" implies overspending for flashy players. Are you high?

I guess this is one of the consequences of the "one year, prove it" deal. Some of these guys are going to prove it, and we may have to up some salaries to keep them.

Did he donate to the concussion unit?

This is the time of year that optimism abounds. But, it's entirely plausible that both Trent and Shaq take a step forward this season. We have yet to see a 100% Trent Murphy in a Bills uni. There's plenty of reasons to be hopeful that this season we might. As far as Shaq goes, he has (albeit slowly) been getting better every year. Has he reached his ceiling? Perhaps not. I could see Murphy and Shaq being a very effect rotation.

Who do you think will fall off when the pads come on?

Better than... he was in the CFL? In OTAs? Better than McKenzie, or the other bubble players? Also, not sure why this would be such a long shot? In my view, I think Williams has an opportunity to carve out a role on this team, assuming he fits onto special teams, which seems perfectly doable. He's an exceptionally physical WR, and blocker. He seems like he could be a natural on ST, and also an asset on multiple wide sets where downfield blocking is a necessity. Is there another WR on this team with that level, or type of physicality? Maybe John Brown, but they're not going to put him on ST, or give his too many blocking assignments, I wouldn't think. Nor Zay, for that matter. Suffice to say, I'm a bit of a Duke fan, at this point, so my opinions are certainly tainted. But, he is definitely a guy that I feel will excel once the practices become more physical.

His drop rate is 3.3%, which is pretty average. Someone could correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that WRs who average more shorter targets tend to have a higher drop rate. Edelman's drop rate was 7.4%! Mind you, I don't put a lot of stock in these stats, as far as proving any sort of point-- just for placing context. And, other than one kinda bad drop that I remember (and I don't even remember the game, or opponent), I don't remember McKenzie as having particularly bad hands. Quite the contrary, IMO.

I agree about McKenzie. He was a great addition last season, and it was really impressive with how quickly he contributed. There's a lot about him to admire-- his acceleration, his cuts, and his versatility. He also threw down 110% every play he was on the field. And, he is always smiling. That might not play too big with a lot of fans, but I put attitude, and character high on my list of things I want on the team. That's just me. My fear for him is that between Roberts on ST, and Beasley on offense, the FO might feel his role is too diminished to keep a spot on the 53. I believe they value him highly as a player. I just fear they might see him as redundant. And, other than approximate size, vaguely Irish surnames, and propensities to smile, I don't really compare McKenzie to McCloud at all.

With only a few exceptions of some rather loquacious posters, I'd say you're more or less preaching to the choir. Most will be a bit more tepid than you-- your thoughts on TE strike me as overly optimistic, especially. But, I think that the clear majority of Bills fans are not only excited for this team, but excited for, and fully behind Allen. Indeed, I don't ever remember the fanbase being as united behind their quarterback, Ronin, and SoTier notwithstanding. Certainly, there are a lot of unknowns going into this season, and you mention several of them. Duke Williams might be awesome. I wouldn't compare Allen's "upside" to the likes of Aaron Rodgers/Big Ben/ Brett Favre, just yet. But, his ceiling could be right up there, or higher. And, a lot of hay has been made over the improvements of the O-line-- and rightfully so. It would be hard for any additions to not be an upgrade over last season's dysfunctional mess. But, as good as they look on paper, they are still an unknown, and unproven unit. So, maybe I'm not doing backflips, exactly. But, there is so much to look forward to this season. I believe there are going to be some real disappointments with how this team comes together, but you'd really have to stretch (as some on this thread certainly have!) not to see this team moving in the right direction. I predict that this is going to be a fun season to be a Bills fan. GO BILLS!

Several things I don't agree with here: - I don't think TJ Yeldon makes the cut. - I do think Perry makes the cut. - Is DiMarco some sort of sacred cow? - I didn't realize that Christian Wade could be on the team and not count against the 53. I thought he just didn't count against the 90. Does he get to suit up? - I don't think Tyler Kroft will ever play a down as a Bill. I believe he will be cut as soon as they are allowed. - Mike Love over Eli Harold (or Eddie Yarbrough, for that matter)? I don't think so. - I hope they hold onto Tyree, but doubt they will.

I agree entirely. I was arguing for Barkley to finish the season after his showing in the Jets game. Glad I was wrong. Im just trying to figure out where someone like Nextmanup’s head is at.

I’m curious to know if you thought Allen improved last season after coming back from his elbow injury? and, is there anything in his tape that would lead you to believe he will “flame out horrifically?"

Well, some players might look a lot better in OTAs when they know they’re not going to get tackled by Edmunds, for example. Linemen, especially, will look a lot different when the pads come on— they’re literally not allowed to do their jobs during OTAs. Maybe we’ll get a better glimpse of how much Jones’ increased upper body strength will help his game when Tre White is able to make contact? And, obviously, McD is aware of this. It’s part of his process.

I think such stats are of limited use. I personally believe they can be used to provide context to some position you might want to take on a given subject, but it’s foolish, in most cases, to use them as proof. Especially if the stat in question is taken out of context, or without other stats that might run contrary to one’s opinion. I think they often get used by people who spend a lot more time reading about football, rather than watching football to try to make themselves look smart.