Mister Defense

Um, yes, I think the answer is yes for almost all fans, media, and also folks in charge, a no brainer. See all of the other threads on all of the big name defensive players people want, please... How do you think we would go about getting a Garrett or a Crosby? Not all of the draft picks, of course, but the draft alone will not do it for the Bills, though the draft picks themselves will need to do some of the heavy lifting.

Excellent OP. I agree with all that you say except don't understand your points on Ty Johnson. Yes, like all of the running backs this year, underutilized in the running and passing game, but he is an excellent weapon when used correctly. It seems almost every time he touches the ball, whether running or passing, he makes a very positive play for the offense. I agree with the Cooper, idea, and the price you mention. I bet that will happen. If he still looks anything like he looked in Cleveland, when he's healthy again, he will be a superb weapon. Reminds me of a bigger Shakir or Beasley, but getting open in the intermediate range more. Great route runner and separator. If he still has those traits, a no brainer. But the Bills will still get a top tier wide receiver, in free agency or the draft. Leaning toward the former, as they want to win now, not wait for a rookie to develop.

Come on!! Just illogical nonsense in your initial point, making you sound like Nick Wright or, worse, Shannon Sharp, especially the latter, with zero basis in fact, reality there. Yup, the Bills are just good against weaker opponents--beat the #1 AFC seed this season, the only team to do so, beat the #1 NFC seed, in their own stadium, dominated the Broncos in the playoffs, shoot did they even threaten to score after that first TD?, beat the powerhouse, going to smash the Bills to smithereens Ravens in the divisional round... And you can go on and on, and do the same thing for the last season. Almost all would agree the Bills need an influx of talent on the d-line, and a few other key defensive players. But your first line above is a joke, complete BS.

Okay, thanks for the response. But keep thinking the process through from there, what they would need to do to implement it... Goodell would then need to make sure someone such as Ramon George, the head of NFL Officiating is informed of his decision to ensure that the Chiefs get preferential treatment against the teams they play, and the types of calls/non calls Goodell has in mind. Then, of course, the referees themselves would need the same information, if they are to help Goodell and the NFL with their scheme. And then the NFL would have to hope, beyond hope, I think, that all parties involved, every official, every referee, and all of Goodell's people who helped him implement this plan, remain completely quiet on this matter now and for the rest of their lives. If not, of course it would be the biggest scandal in sports history. 16 billion was bet on last year's Super Bowl, and they estimate 23 billion will be bet this year. And I assume several billion at least was wagered on the championship game, and ditto for each of the playoff games etcetera. If one referee stepped forward to spill the beans on this enormous and immensely illegal conspiracy by the NFL, the bettors would likely win tens of billions of dollars, at least, in their lawsuits against the league. I think many on this forum would be part of these enormous class action lawsuits. And they would win. And those attending these rigged games would also want their money back, and they too would likely win their huge class action lawsuits. Etcetera etcetera... And the most important thing to any sport, its basic integrity would be shattered for a very long time. Of course Goodell, and his goons, would also likely be sent to prison for the rest of their lives. Massive fraud, historically so. Seems a little bit risky when teams like the Bills and Lions would almost assuredly garner better ratings, don't you think?

Well, yes, the OP is talking about Kelce's retirement, but they are clearly focused on the reason they want Kelce to retire. Correct?--that is their main focus, why his retirement is so needed? As the short OP says: "Right now the Taylor factor is to big for the NFL to not want KC to make it to the super bowl. There is to much money to be had with her bringing in fans that would never watch the super bowl." etcetera It is clearly , and I would say unequivocally implying there has been a significant conspiracy by the NFL to favor KC in games, including playoff games and possibly the Super Bowl because of the relationship between Kelce and Swift. That is the point of the topic, the point of the OP--the conspiracy to favor KC in games by the NFL because of the Kelce/Swift relationship. And that is the only reason the poster gives for wanting Kelce to retire. It is crystal clear that that is the focus, the main topic of the OP, the reason why they want Kelce to retire. I cannot imagine how any sentient adult would support such a statement. Just a completely unsupported whim, a feeling, by one person, with zero to back it up, nothing. Do you agree with the OP's main point?

It seems above you are implying that is, at least in part, why she maintains the relationship with Kelce, as you connect the two ideas. But why would what many would say is the biggest star in the music world before dating Kelce care about the 'commercial benefits' of dating him as you indicate? Wouldn't this billionaire care less about the commercial benefits you point to and instead want a relationship based on other, more personal and legitimate qualities?

What makes you think Goodell gets 'much more' than 64 million under the table? And why would it be 'under the table'? With the kind of money you are suggesting it would be extremely illegal for both the NFL and Goodell. It would mean Goodell likely spends the rest of his life in prison when this all comes out in public, which is bound to happen soon, with the extensive number of people that would need to be involved.

Okay, an extremely bold statement above, so now in bold-see above. Since you say that, how do you see this all coming together? Who would tell the officials to "favor one team"? Who would have told someone to tell the officials to do this? In order for this conspiracy theory to have legs, one would have to have some basic answers on those parts. I am assuming you and others supporting this have your ideas, so please share with us. Thanks.

Hmm... Okay, can you state what you believe is actually happening, specifically, and how it is being done?. When you read things like the OP here it is hard to imagine how that can be legitimate. The biggest scandal is sports history is still the 1919 Black Sox scandal when 8 Sox players conspired with gamblers to lose the World Series. What you and the OP clearly imply, state, would blow the roof off of the NFL and the US sports industry in general if confirmed. Like I said, it would be the biggest sports scandal, act of sports corruption in US history, making the Black Sox scandal pale in comparison. Billions of dollars would be involved with huge class action lawsuits against the NFL. So, what and how do you think has actually taken place behind the scenes for what you say above, supporting the OP? What do you mean "the power of hate watching"? I have no idea whatsoever what that means-?

Yikes. The Bills score the biggest ratings in almost every big game they are in. The NFL knows that the Bills in the Super Bowl may mean the best ratings ever. And if the Bills were playing a team like the Lions, who also have never won a Super Bowl, then it is even more likely that would happen. So you would think as they planned out something as elaborate as what is proposed, that someone would have pointed out to Goodell or or another leader how corrupt it would be, how illegal. The biggest scandal in the history of sports. And the dumbest. If you are going through all that trouble to basically fix games, wouldn't you want to pick the best match up? A crazy conspiracy theory no one should believe. So, a troll or joke?

Very very likely, and I think it is funny when people on here question whether we should trade our (end of the) first round picks for an elite player, like a Diggs, when we can. Their reasoning makes little sense, especially if the player we get is in his prime: we cannot give up draft picks... Of course we should! The Bills will likely never be in a position with Allen to get that elite d-lineman in the draft, unless they have mega draft capital to move far up, and then maybe they would sacrifice other areas of need if we do. The Bills will likely go after a Crosby or a Higgins in free agency this year, and may give up a #1 for Crosby. But it seems extremely unlikely the Raiders, or any team, would let a game changing D-lineman like him go for one draft pack, near the end of the first round. The draft is a crap shoot while a player like Crosby, if healthy, is not.

Yes, I feel the same, and especially about the bold above. To me the most under under utilized part of the Bills this year was their great stash of running backs. Cook was not just a fast and elusive running back with good vision anymore, but an elite running back, with much more power and elite vision. And it seems almost every time Johnson has touched the ball since he has been here it has been a very positive play that helped to move the sticks. While Davis almost disappeared in his touches after demonstrating he too looks like a top tier back, fast as well, but a little MJD like bulldozer, who can also catch the ball very well. I was hoping, as I have been saying almost all year in the prediction threads, that in this game the running backs stable would take over, and that would open up the passing game. It didn't happen, though it clearly could have if the Bills tried it--the Chiefs could not stop Cook, so throw in the others more too and it is a different game. Josh had said before the first playoff game that they were basically not going to reinvent the wheel, and instead do what what brought them here. But in the first two games that was not the case, as they did some things very differently to beat those specific teams. So I said his earlier words were a smokescreen to masque their true intentions--add, subtract, and change wherever it was needed. But against the Chiefs they were too static, did not do mix things up. Cannot do that against a great team, great coaching. Next year Brady opens things up, as he takes the next step. Does anyone not expect this guy to get better in his second full year as OC, after a superb first full year?

gotta grow up, Bud, stop the hate.... And keep dreaming...

Not clear, at all, what you mean by that last line? Related to beating the Bills??

Yes, and to me, they have maybe the best base they have had with Allen to now do that, as they were very close this year, with their best offense so far. Current team: the best O line, best OC, best stable of running backs (all under utilized this year, in the running and passing game--not next year..), best slot receiver, best tight ends, and best version of Josh. Now they will definitely get that stud wide receiver to blow the roof off defenses, and Coleman will also have a big second year. Unstoppable. Add in the best defensive lineman they have had (Crosby??) a huge defensive tackle, load up on defense with almost all draft capital, and the Bills become the team. Before Josh is 30. Plenty of time for our own dynasty, right here in Buffalo.

Wow, but where do Chiefs stand as far as points given up per game in their playoff games against the Bills? 28.5 per game So, right up there with all time worst defensive performances in NFL history, right? Hard to imagine a team with such a porous defense winning it all, ever. Must have just gotten lucky, as they likely will become again in a few weeks. Or, maybe both the Chiefs and Bills have two of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, with almost unstoppable offenses?

What a silly comment, considering the year the offense and Brady have had. True that McDermott likely would not have hired an offensive coordinator who did not consider running the ball a priority, but that is what a head coach does. It seems clear that Brady was no puppet this year and is on his way to becoming one of the top offensive coordinators in the league, and seems close to that already. Furthermore, I wish McDermott was much more hands on with Babich this year, as he seemed to be at times, especially earlier in the year. He is one of the best defensive minds, coaches in this league.

I was originally thinking something similar--might as well retain him, as he will cost us a lot anyway. And who knows... But he would be taking a roster spot from a player who could actually help the Bills, be someone who makes tackles, can disrupt an offense, and be someone opposing teams would actually have to be concerned with. Most of Miller's many 'pressures' lately were more like EJ Manuel's passing as he 'progressed' here--when he was throwing ball in the vicinity of the receivers, almost catchable. And Miller likely struck as much fear into opposing offenses as Manuel did to defenses. Every play and every player matters, so can't have him on the team next year.

To me a no brainer--of course he will be cut. Though I am thankful that he took a big pay cut in the off season when he did not have to. I am a big Beane fan, but hated this move on day one, dramatically over spending for a player whose speed and athleticism had been the cornerstone of almost all of his elite ability. He was 32. This year: 17 tackles, 3 assists, 6 sacks. He will not be a part of a championship team again, unless he is a coach. And, to me, while getting a good number of sacks with the Rams, he looked like Bruce Smith late in his career, after the he left the Bills, running on fumes, not close to the player he was. The Bills needed a younger, up and coming player who is fast and physical and talented at the position. Miller set the Bills back on defense. But now they will go and get that player, whether in the draft in free agency, or both. It was Beane's biggest mistake, a splash move, a bad risk, a roll of the dice, a violation of their philosophy. He redeems himself in this off season, I believe.

I have known several people with concussions, and several with very serious ones. I have worked closely with two for months to help get them back on their feet. It was hyperbole, absurdity, to show our mindsets as Bills' fans right now, me included, and how important this game was. And his importance to this team, as we saw last night when he left the game and Elam took over. BUT, of course no reasonable person who knows anything about concussions would actually expect, want, or accept a player with a concussion to play in any sport while recovering, especially and NFL football game.

After reading your post it does make sense that you would think this is a good, objective poll.. As you clearly are very level headed and objective when it comes to our hair on fire disastrous head coach and his entire coaching staff. Makes me surprised they won any games this year, last, and the year before, let alone more games than any team in the league other than the Chiefs over the last 5 years. Therefore I think Two Bills Drive should appoint you as the Official Arbiter of Objectivity for All Polls on McDermott in the future. (I may do a poll on this.) I am hoping that the OP poster adds in your poll option above, see bold, to make crystal clear just how objective and rational all of this is...

The options for those supporting McDermott are poorly worded, and biased, with almost all of them making those choosing those options look ridiculous, pathetic. But those doing so only did so because there are no good options, not because they are so. An extremely poor, loaded poll, considerably undermining its validity. Look closely at the pro McDermott options: 1. “its fine, leave it alone”: The idea and wording sound weak and pathetic less than one day after an important loss, as if the state of the team itself is perfectly fine, when clearly the Bills need some changes, additions, to take the next step. Almost no one TODAY would say, “it’s fine”, including McDermott—especially him. 2. “Please don't change the coach, we will return to the drought era:” Sounds even more pathetic than the first option, ignorant and weak, first groveling (to who?) and then the illogical phrase at the end, which no one thinks will happen with this ownership, GM, and Allen. If the goal is to make posters like weak, pathetic, this is also a great option. That is no shade on those choosing this option, as there are no good options for those who think McDermott is an excellent coach. That is the problem with this poll. 3. “Change is high risk, we could very well return to the drought era” For the reasons this too is an awful option, read the previous analysis of the 2nd option. Just as bad, if not worse here. Weak minded idea and then the same nonsense no one believes will happen. 5. “I thought this year was a rebuild, give coach 1 more year to finish the job.” Again, the pathetic factor here. Please, give him one more year, he will do better next year. For the coach whose team made it to the AFC Championship game and lost to the two time champions 32-29. 6. “Extend coach now, he is the main reason for our success.” The morning after they lose a huge game, and in general, is not the time to talk about extending a contract that ends after THREE(?) more seasons. His contract expires after the 2027 season. Makes no sense—and again, so would make anyone picking that choice seem ridiculous, dumb even, pathetic. Again, those picking the above options are not the problem, as they had no choice but to pick one of the awful options if they are a supporter of McDermott and wanted to participate. But I also do not believe that the poll was intentionally designed by Chaos to give those supporting our coach awful options. Rather, the negative mindset of the creator is crystal clear and is at the base of it all. It dramatically undermines the poll and so one can ever look at the results and make any conclusions. The fact that this very poor poll was posted less than one day after the Bills lost the AFC Championship game obviously compounds the problem. Not objective all. I was going to vote, then re-read the options and saw how loaded and biased they were. I passed—and I believe many posters did the same. Or, did what I almost did, and choose the best awful option.

What a ridiculous post for anyone who actually watched the game. He looked nervous early, but had an excellent game.

Come on, Chaos! You're better than that... Such an awful poll, options, clearly designed to be ultra negative, with comically worded choices for those who feel differently than you. You have created a hater thread here, and that is what it will become.

The O line does what it did so well against Denver and for most of the game against Baltimore. They take over the game and lead the way, setting up the defense to shine as well. Early short or intermediate passes to set up the run or visa versa, the run to set up those passes. Depends on what is working best. Then, for the first time in the playoffs wide receivers other than the excellent Shakir make big plays. The Bills goal is to do what has brought them to this point, to get better each game, and will even in this game. As that is how they have won, improving and adding as they progress. ALL of the backs play a roll and the defense continues to make big plays. And a big play on special teams too. Bills 33, chiefs 24