GunnerBill

I'm not telling you the US is bad at proper sports. That isn't my argument. They have been a reasonably successful mid ranking soccer nation for much of the past 30 years and they are one of the better, more progressive, associate nations at cricket. But baseball still sucks.

I am chill, 'mericans just have no leg to stand on when it comes to sports beyond football. I suppose 1 outta 4 ain't bad.

Let me tell you hitting a Wasim Akram reverse swinger is harder than any curveball. Baseball sucks. I mean Bangers is a large chap. But he'd probably be the best player in some of your pretend sports.

If its purely a guy who will play a lot better in 2025 than 2024 then Ed Oliver. Last year by his standards was a disappointing year and I am certain he will be better in 2025. If you are looking more for someone who will "break out" then I agree O'Cyrus is a decent shout. There have been flashes with him but it is the inconsistency, especially against speed rushers attacking his inside shoulder. Regression? I'm sad to say but I think Matt Milano. He might just have missed too much football to ever be his old self. Honourable mention - Josh Allen. Not that Josh won't still be an elite Quarterback, he will. But I'm betting against back to back MVPs and as teams adjust to the Bills offense under Brady I do wonder whether the talent arpund Josh will be enough to win through if some of the schematic things we did to win last year are negated.

It was the safeties. That final year he was here the Bills had cluster injuries at safety and ended up with guys who should not be on an NFL field playing back there and dropping coverages for fun.

He'd have been picked before Lawrence still. Lawrence never really showed the pass rushing ability in college he has in the pros. He is a guy who has just legit outplayed what was on tape. That happens sometimes. He'd have been picked before Wilkins too. And if there was a redraft by NFL teams today he still would be picked above Wilkins. He is just a better football player. The one who was in Oliver's class as a prospect and would have been an interesting conversation is Simmons. Without the injury and off field I think he'd have been in the conversation with Oliver and Williams for DT1 in that class.

It's not my fault that except for football your 'merican sports are all total nonsense.

And worst location? Short form - family friends from Buffalo. I got in Bills first sport second if that makes sense.

This made me think who is the worst hero I met. And it's another cricketer. I met Marcus Trescothick at a game about 10 years ago and he was horrible. I was polite, didn't approach in a place where he could be embarrassed or harrased and he was just rude and dismissive. He is now England's batting coach.

I'd expect no less of Josh. I also met two of my heroes yesterday at the cricket. The Little Master Sachin Tendaulker and the incomparable Brian Charles Lara. The two finest batsmen of my and many lifetimes. Met them both on the same day. Both absolute gentlemen. I also got a tap on the shoulder at one point in the afternoon and turned around to see a former Prime Minister who I briefed a number of times when he was in office. That impressed my pals haha. One of my favourite days ever at a sporting event. The gorgeous weather we are having in London right now helps too.

I don't think this offense is a mirage and I don't think it relies on Allen's cape for for moving the offense efficiently. What it DOES rely on Allen's cape (and to a lesser extent Cook's vision) for is explosive plays. Most of our explosives last year were either Cook finding a crease other backs miss or Allen making a play in scramble drill scenarios in the pass game. I think about 85% of this offense is very repeatable. It's just the 15% that aren't are the explosives that make up more than 15% of the production. And I don't know that the additions the Bills have made this offseason will be enough to drastically alter that. Every top offense needs both. You need to repeatable meat and potatoes plays for your offense to function at a high level. But you need the cheat button plays as well that allow you to score from anywhere. And the only two players on the present Bills O I think that about are Josh and Jimbo. And it is why despite being anti paying running backs I am not moving off Cook without first seeing the pass catchers step up and help Josh make those explosive plays.

No question. I am not happy that Damar is in competition to start. But he is.

Damar makes it.

Not disinterested, no. But in 2015 and 2016 I did not enjoy watching the team. I hated Rex Ryan with a passion. And I found Tyrod a tough watch. They sucked all the joy out.

Different strokes for different folks