GunnerBill

I think the final 5 or 6 games the offense had collapsed under Dorsey. His "keep it simple and out execute them" approach had left us predictable and easily stoppable. While I accept the offense hasn't been perfect under Brady, and some of the issues that plagued Dorsey at the end remain (execution errors) Brady has done a better job at at creating plays with formation, motion and leverage. So taken from where they ended with Dorsey the offense is better and it has helped the D too by giving them more of a break. You go to some of those mid-season games and we were 3 and outting at an alarming rate. However, you are right the defense is the key. The middle of the season post the 3 big injuries the Bills were really struggling to work stuff out. McDermott looked out of ideas short of send the house every play and our execution was sloppy. They have turned it around. Even pre-bye in Philly I thought the defense was very good. They ultimately got beat by some really talented individuals making some high level plays late on. But schematically and playcalling the Bills won that battle even in defeat. Since the bye the defensive plans have been really good. Even on Sunday when they struggled early to get a beat on the pitch motion they adjusted 2nd half and shut the game down. In terms of future investment they definitely need to keep adding to the offense and I have long argued that the area where they need to make savings is the defensive line. They can't sustain an 8 or 9 man rotation where everyone is either a vet on a nice contract or a day 1 or 2 pick. Justin Zimmer is the only time I can remember them really living with a guy who gave them cheap production (suppose Shaq might qualify but he is very much the 9th guy of 9) and they need to be able to find another of those types.... draft a couple of DL prospects with all those 6th and 7th round picks we have... and divert that extra money to offense. That said they will need to bring in at least one premium DL and one premium safety somewhere this offseason. Whether that is through FA or an early pick. But they must also address wide receiver in that way. My strong view remains that should be their priority in round 1 (as I have thought it should have been the last two years) their issue in a really strong class is going to be how late are they drafting and who gets to them. What I really think they need is a guy who can be a #2 in 2024 but eventually has #1 upside. I slightly worry that the guys who fit that profile might be gone and you might be left with picking a proper #2 receiver type, which still is a need and particularly if we are picking later 20s might still represent some value. My ideal approach to this offseason is that they find a starting safety in free agency (I have my eye on Kamren Curl he would be absolutely perfect for this scheme and like Poyer and Hyde can play both center field and in the box) and that allows them to go WR and DL with their first two picks and then gives them the flexibility to target an offensive tackle in the 3rd / 4th because while Dawkins has had a very good year, and Brown his best year as a pro my long term concerns about Dion's viability as a tackle into his 30s with weight issues and the fact that Brown is a pending FA after 2024 means that is a position they would be well served to have some stock in the cupboard.

They did two things. Poyer came down into the box more. And they made a conscious decision to call the pass rush off. First half the Bills front 4 was penetrating upfield only to find a ball that was either gone laterally on the toss or a quick strike out of Tua's hand. Second half they were noticeably holding their ground at the line more. I think they basically said "we are not winning this game based on whether we get to Tua or not, we are winning it based on whether we can control the line." That combination definitely spooked McDaniel out of running the ball more (mistake IMO) and got McDermott what he wanted. The game in Tua's hands having to make tight window throws. Interfering, don't like spending money, operate a patchwork infrastructure behind the scenes. Since firing Marty they have gone for coaches they can control to an extent. That isn't Jim Harbaugh.

If it is his only option, yes. I think he is attracted to the Chargers but I wonder if he will still be once he meets ownership. Because they are a nightmare.

We would. In next year's draft. Problem is the calendar is too tight for that. It puts hiring teams waaay behind the 8 ball for free agency and to a lesser extent for the draft too. This new rule that you can't interview coaches before 21 Jan is as far as they can afford to go.

He will be a candidate I'm sure.

Is that confirmed?

Dan isn't a GM yet. But yes, would be a 3rd guy from Brandon's GM tree. The first staff he hired here was a complete all star staff. Pegs must of got the cheque book out. I am not totally sold on TG as a GM. He seems a nervous and uncomfortable communicator a bit in the Whaley mode. And I think communication is a big part of the job. But if he gets it I will root for him to succeed.

As a Dolphins fan I am not surprised you are rooting for them next week. Nice of you to pop by and tell us about it though. Your own forum a bit too depressing today?

That is a fair way of looking at it. Some of the people who end up getting these jobs are just patently unsuitable. But there may well be very suitable people who never get the break to be in that position.

He did. But when I look over the course of the season he has struggled with kickoff depth too. It is possible he is a bit healthier now, but he has been struggling with distance most of the year.

Yes, but the turnover rate has gone up and what I think we are seeing more now is bad Head Coach Candidates. I'm sure that has always existed to an extent but there are guys getting jobs now who are not even good candidates. Forget whether they become good HCs or not.

100% this.

Exclude the GDT though, that isn't an opinion thread it is just cataloguing emotions in real time... where are the over the top attacks on Josh? Maybe they are in threads I am not seeing and I confess if a thread has a stupid title I just don't open it. But I don't really see over the top attacks on him. I see people sometimes criticising him for mistakes he makes. He should not be above that. Even for his greatness. No player or coach should.

Again, tongue in cheek. Danny Crossman sucked here, and his STs always seem to suck. I was being sarcastic blaming him for last night.

Josh doesn't make excuses for himself. It is a big part of what makes him great. It isn't about taking blame for others it is about being really honest with himself.

Against that misdirection heavy offense Dorian Williams would have been a major liability. He is a rookie. The game will slow down for him. His head will stop spinning. And when it does he has the physical talent to be a player. But at the moment mentally he isn't at the level.

Just watched his presser. In answer to "what was the feeling at half time?" Josh said: "We were beating ourselves. I was beating us." Josh Allen must be a Josh Allen hater!

He is 25-8 regular season in December and January as the Bills HC.

If I had a game manager Quarterback and wanted to be a team that ran the ball and relied on play action I would hire Arthur Smith as my OC tomorrow. There are a lot of teams for whom he would be absolutely perfect. Even the Jets where he would be a major upgrade on Hackett and is what a 40 year old Rodgers needs. But if I have an alien like Josh Allen or Mahomes or even a Burrow or a Herbert? Nah. I'd pass.

Spector too. I was worried when Dodson (himself a backup who has way outplayed expectations) went out but Braylon was really good. And Jackson made a critical pass breakup too on a 3rd down. Both teams had injuries last night and coming in for the Dolphins. It was clear which team's backups had been coached up and were ready to play.

Yea our run game with Cook kind of needs the stretch plays to create the cut back lanes as well. It is designed so that every run looks like it could be a perimeter run at the exchange but then sometimes he attacks upfield. The problem last night was the Dolphins speed getting outside meant our pulling linemen never had time to get to their landmarks and as such we probably had more negative runs than any other game this year. And it meant they could continue to play tight fronts inside because they weren't as worried as most teams about being gashed on the edge. I'd have gone to more playoff Lenny and a cloud of dust sooner.

Tyler Bass is hurt. I promise you all. We will find out after the season there has been something lingering with Bass. They have been way more conservative with him all year on longer kicks. There is a reason. I agree with you. You go for it on 4th down there.

Yea. Although on the other side of the pond that is not my favourite thing.... I am VERY happy with next week's scheduling for the Wild Card round. Yea I slightly recant my criticism of him on that shot. I know stills are not always the best way to judge but based on that picture I understand why he threw it. I think that is a chance you can take.

Realistically I think going 7-1 at home (I mean proper home) again is well in our power. The road slate has some tricky opponents but we have matched up well with Baltimore in the past, we do with Miami as we have seen and I just feel like vs the Lions if it becomes Josh vs Jared then the Bills have the advantage (and I have always liked Goff more than the average man on the street, took pelters after their rookie years for saying he would be a better NFL QB than Wentz).

Yep. And he totally took over the game in the 4th Quarter. He does owe some thanks to his teammates though - especially on D where we are down to about our 7th linebacker - and Harty for keeping the game there for him to influence late. Josh Allen is always the most talented guy on the football field. Collinsworth said it early last night.... most of the time the opposition can't beat Josh Allen but sometimes Josh Allen beats Josh Allen.