Rocky Landing

This bears repeating: Does anyone else remember how bad our O-line was in 2018? Followup question: Does anyone think we would have dominated our division, and gone as far in the five years since if we hadn't addressed the O-line?

I'm generally of the opinion that games are won in the trenches. There is generally an agreement on here that Josh shouldn't rely open his legs so much. But if we don't give him proper protection, how does that help him not run? The alternative is to throw the ball away more. Having a true #1 receiver is important, and worth spending cap on, sure, and maybe a #2. But IMO, after that, having a top O-line is more important than the rest of the WR contracts. There's been a common narrative in the media regarding Josh Allen, that goes along the lines of "defending Allen means keeping him in the pocket." I've always thought that was absurd. Leave Allen in the pocket, and he will pick apart offenses all day.

Then you're just arguing that we shouldn't extend him. I disagree with that. I'm of the opinion that having a top tier O-line is important.

Does anyone else remember how bad our O-line was in 2018?

Point all you want. It's cheaper to extend him now rather than later.

Better wait until he would have been more expensive? And what do you mean by "forced?" Forced by whom?

I love this move. He's become a great RT. For all the talk of his injury history, he's only missed three games since starting in '21, and there doesn't appear to be any lingering issues from his late-season injury vs. the Chiefs. He's the best RT we've had since, who... Jordan Mills...??? We have one of the better RTs in the league now, and he's 26. And going forward, one would imagine that Brown will be a starter longer than Dawkins. If Grable is all that (and he very well might be), then eventually we end up with him at LT. As far as his contract is concerned, if it's top end money, it's better Beane signed him now, rather than later (just like when he extended Josh Allen, who is now the seventh highest paid QB in total value, and not even in the top ten for this season). Since this is a 2025 extension, I assume it has no affect on this year's cap. Salaries only go up each season-- great we locked him down now.

Coleman's the guy Josh wanted. That's good enough for me.

Trust the process, HD.

All white after Labor Day???

That was a hype video? I thought it was a commercial for some dystopian Netflix joint...

I believe the Bills' O-line goes into the season ranked around eighth, which sounds about right to me. But, there is still an amount of uncertainty, as McGovern is taking over at center (which he did in college, but hasn't in the NFL), and, of course, Edwards at LG. The part of this scenario that bothers me is that it almost has to be assumed that Edwards will be a downgrade at LG. He was on the team last season, and was on the field frequently as the sixth lineman in jumbo packages. But, if he were a better option at LG than McGovern, he would have been the LG.

Describing Miami as an "offensive juggernaut" is absurd. The Fish started off their '23 season with an impressive string of wins, with an impressive number of points. But McDermott had their number from the get-go, and it didn't take long for the rest of the league to figure them out. Their system was built on super-quick timing routes that required that Tua get the ball out incredibly fast-- which he did. And don't get me wrong-- that's an impressive skillset he has. He had the league's fastest release, and was extremely accurate. That was hard to defend. But, the league figured out that the key was to simply disrupt the timing of the routes, and force Tua to hold onto the ball longer than he wanted. And once Tua was pressured, he folded like a lawn chair. The problem they have this season is that they have done little to change their identity. One might think that the first thing they would do-- now that they've doubled down on Tua, and the speed game-- is give Tua some better protection so he can adjust to a disrupted timing route. But their O-line may have taken a step backwards with their replacement of center Connor Williams with Aaron Brewer-- the Titan's previous Guard. This article also severely downplays the steps back their defense has taken. It was a lot more than just Christian Wilkins they lost. And their new DC is unproven, to say the least.

... probably...could...might...if...should...potential......... some of my least favorite words in the English language. But, it's why we watch the game.

How have they improved this year?

I don't really put much stock in the "disarray" element of this story. But the level hubris involved is pretty stunning. I don't generally put much stock in season openers, either, but the Jets starting their season in San Francisco, on MNF, is likely to have a huge impact on their season, win, or lose.

I mentioned this in another thread-- I kind of hope the Bills lose the coin toss, the Card defer, and the first regular season play we see is a kick return by UDFA Brandon Codrington, who was completely unknown to me before yesterday.

I'm kinda hoping that the Bills lose the coin toss vs. the Cardinals in week one, and the first regular season play we see is a kick return by UDFA Brandon Codrington, whose name I had never seen until yesterday.

My pessimist take: I feel like the only two positions one could argue have improved are RB, and CB-- the former being on the shoulders of a rookie backup, Ray Davis, and the latter on the training camp performance of two backups, Elam, and Ingram. I suppose you could say that WR depth has improved, but even that is highly speculative, and of course, there is no true #1. To say the team has improved as a whole is a hard argument to make. My optimist take: Groot, Epenesa, Miller, Elam, Shakir, and Kincaid-- all veterans from last year-- enter this season on better footing than they entered last season. WR depth (beyond the #1) is better. And while the departure of Diggs leaves a gaping hole on the field, it may very well have repaired the mood in the locker room. Sky's the limit. Bottom line-- there's plenty to be optimistic about, but this team ain't the Chiefs, or the Belichick*/Brady* era Patriots*. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

Just saw that. My bad.

Does it strike anyone else as weird that we cut Daquan Hardy, and traded with the Jets for a rookie UDFA DB, Brandon Codrington, that no one's heard of, but is described as a "speedy kick returner," and put him on the 53?

He's a #4 role player, special teams standout, exceptional downfield blocker, has a better catch %, and drop rate than MVS, and as a bonus, he's a great locker room presence. Why is that so hard to understand, Einstein?

Brandon Codrington. A UDFA we got in a meager trade with the Jets. Described as a "speedy kick returner." Weird...

If Late Nate Peterman, and Mac & Cheese Jones are still in the league, there should be a place for Zappe somewhere.

I will never eat Diggs' Hotsauce again.