GunnerBill

Nah, he wasn't. That was a non-story. He is still appearing.

Fair. Responsibility probably split on that one. I just thought the defense and Sean's playcalling was a mess at the end. But you are right, the offense threw up over itself multiple times.

Someone should tell Rodgers to get off the Pat McAfee show. That weekly sideshow is not helping anyone.

I think that is fair but then nor did Kaiir Elam. It was the best combination of position of need and value on the board. I can take the argument that Bullard from Georgia might be more naturally their type (i.e. probably more akin to Hyde) it was a bit of a toin coss of the two. But they do tend to like "big" which was my thinking on Bullock.

I think Pats, Broncos, Jags (although extenuating circumstances) and then the playoff loss are the games this year where I'd say the D bore the brunt of the culpability for the loss. Jets was offense and special teams Bengals was offense Eagles was special teams - most notably Tyler Bass

Except they have a gaping hole at corner.

He had already taken the big, strong, toolsy guy twice by that point and failed - the Brocketship and Paxton Lynch. I definitely think that was a factor in him not trusting himself.

And a quote from Todd Downing. All the big hitters. I think I'd rather eat soap than read that.

In the least shocking development of the year....

I don't really care for the Pro-Bowl tbh and the rosters are a glorified popularity contest based on name recognition. But at the same time I don't love the look that a football player puts a ceremonial golf event ahead of a ceremonial football event.

This is my expectation too. That he essentially is responsible for game planning and installation but McDermott will remain the primary play caller. They might want to give Babich some packages that he calls - maybe he is responsible for the blitz package for instance, so when McDermott wants a blitz Babich calls it, to try and get his feet wet. I expect if the regime stays for multiple years Babich will end up as the primary playcaller. But in 2024 I'd be surprised if it is not still McDermott.

We should have beat the Chiefs. And there are reasons we didn't. But it wasn't coaching that failed us right at the end with the game on the line. It was pure execution.

It depends what underperforms means doesn't it? And that is kind of where I think the McDermott conversation is stuck. Is not reaching a Superbowl underperforming? Is not reaching a second AFCCG underperforming? In a vacuum, sure, you can argue with Josh Allen it is. But then in context is losing playoff games that come down to one or two plays to Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid underperforming? I'm always going to struggle to get myself there. The clear examples of underperformance would be: 1) missing the playoffs - and I was clear that if he missed the playoffs this year I'd have fired him. When it looked like that was the likely outcome I was fine if the Bills wanted to move on. 2) losing a playoff game to a non-elite / top end Quarterback. If they were to lose in the playoffs to a team where they had a clear Quarterback advantage with Josh then I think you say "okay, that is failure." There is then the cumulative effect. And that is where a lot of fans are, with a gut feeling that we will just always be close with no cigar under McDermott and eventually you have to give someone else a go. I understand that line of thinking. I just struggle to get myself there, but maybe with another year of losing in the playoffs I'd feel different. I like Ben Johnson, I do. I don't think he is the offensive whizz kid some make out but that makes me like him more. I think he is a coach that knows who he has on offense, knows what they can do and knows what they can't and he really leans into it. There isn't anything revolutionary about the Lions offense it just knows what it is and they execute it effectively and put their players in the best position to make plays. That is the kind of awareness that makes me think he has a future as a Head Coach in this league much more so than being a whizz kid who is gonna try and impose his scheme on everyone he comes across. He worked under Philbin (who was a WCO - spread variant guy) and Gase (who was a modified E-P guy) in Miami so he definitely has some experience in both of the two pre-eminent offensive systems in the NFL right now. I'd be interested in having him as the Bills Head Coach (and de-facto OC), but I am not sure I'm at "my word we MUST have this guy, fire everyone to get him."

Meh. It sounds like religious propoganda with a bit of sex up front to make it a jazzier read.

As did Rashee Rice. He was a borderline first rounder to some coming out of the season. Bombed the Senior Bowl week and ended up at the end of the second. Worked out for him though.

No question this team needs better weapons. No question at all. But so do the Chiefs. Their receivers (I stress receivers not pass catchers, excluding Kelce) were bottom 3 in the NFL this year.

This is why I am more encouraged than I was last year. They have some real contributors now on their rookie deals still. The 2022 draft with Cook, Bernard, Shakir and Benford suddenly looks really strong. Needs to hit another good class here.

Well at the moment the only WRs under contract are Diggs, Shakir and Shorter. Not sure Shorter is going to amount to much so it is about making sure not just that they find an impactful guy early in the draft but that they also find depth guys with a bit of dynamism who can have roles on the team and be used in certain packages.

I think you are slightly overselling what I am saying. I am not saying that the Chiefs were not trying to score or that the Ravens defense didn't play better than ours. Our defense sucked the week before. I am just saying that the Chiefs call the game differently when the guy on the other side is #17. No two games are the same and every game has its own flow. Baltimore has a lot of talent on that defense and they played a really nice second half. They deserve credit for that. But as soon as Mahomes needed a play he found one. As he just always seems to in the post season. And I haven't ever argued that the difference between the two teams is Mahomes over Allen. Mahomes is still to me the best Quarterback in football. Allen is #2. But the difference between those two isn't the reason we haven't got over the hump.

I agree. The defense and the injuries are factors in the loss. But if I'd given you the exact situation coming out of the 2 minute warning before the game and said "will you sign for that?" 95%of this board would have gladly signed for it. The game was right there for us and we just couldn't execute well enough.

I have only just got around to watching it. Been hitting the draft stuff hard the past week so only just sat down and watched the presser. I didn't think he sounded defeatist in the slightest. Certainly not compared to last year's when he definitely did. I thought Beane was quite upbeat and realistic that this team is literally 3 or 4 plays a way and it is going to be small margins that is the difference between whether we can make those extra 3 or 4 plays or not. The two things I liked most about what he said in terms of strategy and potential changes there: 1. We might not be able to keep five vet D Tackles we think can play - Halle-freaking-luja. Beane has thrown way too much cash at bad value vet D tackles. From Jordan Phillips to Vernon Butler to PooPoo Ford. They HAVE to find a guy there eventually who can play on a cheap deal. Ideally a day 3 pick they feel comfortable with in that rotation. 2. We might have to sacrifice some depth to put the most competitive team around Josh. YES. We have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, we have had for 3-4 years. That is part of why we can absorb so many key injuries the last two seasons and still win our division. The problem is that depth eventually comes at the cost of another potential difference maker or two. Tyrel Dodsons and Dane Jacksons might well make sure you can still be competitive down starters. But are you better with a bigger drop off at those spots and at defensive tackle and at guard or something than with an extra receiver who make a difference or an extra impactful defender? I'd take being slightly thinner in some spots next year if it is the difference between bringing in a good vet safety to partner with Poyer or an extra vet receiver to compliment Diggs and our shiny draft pick.

Compared to Ken Dorsey, it is going to be more motion, more use of choice routes inside to gain leverage and a bit more empty in the pass game. Now Brandon Beane needs to give him the pieces to make it happen.

Yep. You just don't need to spend a first round pick to do it that way when you have needs at premium spots.

Just a reminder that my first mock last year I mocked Rashee Rice to the Bills in round 1 he had a tough Senior Bowl week and people were absolutely killing me for that pick. Looks a tad better now....

I did criticise their first round and I think Campbell has already proven a reach. He has been a liability in coverage. And while Gibbs is talented and has definitely played well for them I still contend a team with their need at a premium position - CB - should have taken a corner. Christian Gonzalez or Joey Porter. That would have made a bigger difference than another running back especially when the guy they have playing on $6m AAV had 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns and the guy they gave away also had a 1,000 yard season. It isn't that Gibbs isn't good. Or that I care whether he was 12 or 18. It is the opportunity cost when you pick a running back as against a premium position. And they end up playing an NFCCG with Cam Sutton as their best corner. No surprise they couldn't hold onto a big lead. I gave them credit for their day 2 picks at the time, hated day 1, liked what they did day 2. LaPorta and Branch were excellent picks.