Rocky Landing

I feel like I've read (maybe in 202?) that Ike Boettger gets reps at center in practice. Does anyone know if this is true?

Perhaps this little anecdotal situation will bring some of the other top-tier WRs back to Earth regarding their upcoming contract expectations. And perhaps this will help assuage Diggs' dissatisfaction with his own situation.

I wonder if (and if so, how much) Beane conferred with Kromer when deciding how to handle the Bates situation, and the rest of the O-line in this offseason?

I basically agree with all of this. And I would add (and I have said as much in this, and other forums) that it is a mistake to draft a player based on his "NFL readiness." Zay Jones is an example of this (although he seems to be doing pretty well for himself, production notwithstanding). If the Jets can manage to upgrade their O-line (they seem to be, with the addition of Laken Tomlinson), and with the obvious upgrades in Miami, it's hard to predict who will be the poorest starting QB in the AFCE.

In my opinion, Mills would look worse than Jones did in NE, and Jones would look worse than Mills did in Houston. Jones benefitted from a risk-averse playbook that highlighted his strengths (accuracy, and processing ability) , and protected him from his weaknesses (lack of athleticism, and a weak arm). Mills certainly does not have Jones accuracy, but his toughness, and athleticism allowed him to shine in an otherwise anemic offense. Jones would have been crushed in that situation, but Mills would have had less to offer Belichick*, and the Patriots*.

I kinda stepped in it with complimenting Mac & Cheese! I will certainly say that he benefitted from good scheming, and being given the most risk-averse playbook possible. The fact that he passed on us a whopping total of three times in our first meeting says a lot (windstorm notwithstanding). But, you have to admit that as the season progressed, his playbook grew larger. He finished the season with a 67.6% completion percentage, and a 92.5 passer rating. And that ain't bad for a rook. I actually agree with this, except for the degree. In the context of the Texans vs the Patriots*, Mills was very impressive, and I think that had Jones been put in that position, he would have crumbled. Conversely, I think that Mills with that Patriots* scheme would not have faired as well as as Jones. You really can't deny Jones' accuracy. And I would sure like this to be the end of this discussion! I can't believe I've put myself in the position of defending Mac & Cheese Jones. I feel ugly and tainted...

Doesn't Tua not feel not wanted now?

Agree. Glad he remained a Washington.

Kinda sickens me to say it, but... it's hard to argue against Mac & Cheese being the best rookie QB last season. He got them to the playoffs, which really makes him look like a bullseye draft pick.

It doesn't. https://www.sportsmd.com/2021/09/01/recovery-time-for-acl-surgery-timeline-tips-and-faqs/

There has, actually. https://www.profootballrumors.com/2022/02/bills-tredavious-white-on-track-to-return-in-2022 https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/3/2/22958602/tredavious-white-on-schedule-in-return-from-injury I agree that CB is a concern, but not because of Tre White.

Tre onto the PUP list? Not happening.

I’ve had my left ACL done twice (both ski injuries). If you keep up with your rehab (and obviously Tre is) Then at nine months he should be a full go, and that includes conditioning. ACL replacement has become utterly routine. If Tre’s putting in the work, I don’t think we have anything to worry about (other than Dane Jackson being our #2).

I like this signing. Field position is important. You can go to probably any game last season and key in on him during returns and P/KOs and see him making plays. That said, I wonder if Taiwan spends any time in the RB room anymore? Maybe he just hangs out and does a crossword puzzle?

Dang. really liked the guy. He really wasn't too effective though...

Not to take anything away from Bates, or Motor there, but Van Noy looks like he's asleep standing in that play.

IIRC, wasn't Dawkins drafted at G?

Great interview. After reading this, and hearing his thoughts on competing with his peers, it makes me think that OJ Howard could really be a great fit as TE#2. I know Howard underperformed out of the draft, but he is super athletic. I could see he and Knox really pushing each other to be a great tandem.

When you look at some of the trades, and deals Beane has made in the past-- the things that have given him the moniker of "Wizard"-- it's clear that he has a reputation for being a man of his word, with high integrity. I imagine reputation goes a long way in Beane's field, and must apply to Martin Mayhew, as well. The Commanders lost a lot of their FAs last week, and I wonder what effect their free agency had on Mayhew's reputation around the league?

I'm wondering if some of the posters on here who follow college ball, and draft prospects can share their opinions on some of the top corners in the draft, and would there be one worth trading up for?

I think also they take development on the practice squad very seriously, and I'm assuming that the practice squad rules from '21 will remain for another season (or indefinitely), and Barkley will land on the PS. You look at what they did with guys like Boettger, and Dane Jackson, and have continued to do with Hodgins. Pretty useful to have a decent #3 who knows the system.

I hope it means he's gone.

Oh yeah? How do you feel about CB depth?

I'm not drawing any necessary correlation between the run game, and Bates' presence as a starter, and I know the Bills were working on fixing the run game well before he started, but... I don't think the run game really started to gel until the second Pats* game, and I feel like it really took a subsequent big step in the Falcons game the following week. And that does actually coincide with Bates starting. I also never felt like the "big issue" in the run game was the quality of our RBs, especially Motor. I always thought it was scheme, and O-line. (And correct me if I'm wrong, but was it 2019 that the Bills switched to zone blocking, at which point pass protection improved, and the run game took a dive?) At least, this is the narrative that I've built in my head, and I might be way off (I often am). And now that I'm writing this, I'm going to have to go back and re-watch that Falcons game.

I've been wondering what Ike's future is, also. Even without the injury, I don't know that there was enough film on him to get a significant offer from another team. But, they've invested a lot of time in his development (I believe also occasionally using him as a C in practice?). He looked pretty good up until that non-contact injury-- seemed to improve each game. Do the Bills keep him? And does anyone know the timeline for his possible return?