GunnerBill

Oh he isn't here for the 53. He was a guy they met in the pre draft process. I think he is a potential PS add if he can prove he is healthy. Now Couch has gone their depth beyond the guys likely to make the roster at corner is thin.

Yep. That is a misunderstanding as to what a S&C staff does.

I like him. I liked him as a fit for our scheme too. I support this 100%.

This is pretty close. I think Carter is in at the expense of either a LB or a DB. I'd happily cut him, not sure they will though. But I reckon 52/53 here are correct.

There have also been a number of games up one score where the defense has got the stop. Including two wins at Kansas City (22 and 23) and the division clincher in Miami two years ago just off the top of my head. I accept there have been some failures too. Maybe just the way my brain works I find the successes easier to recall quickly.

I promise you there have been specific differences between the way Leslie called the D, the way McD called the D and the way Babich has called the D.

Bishop isn't just struggling because he is getting beat when asked to cover multiple seconds though. He is consistently misplaying his assignments still in coverage. I actually think he has the old EJ Manuel "slow eyes" I think he is slow to process what happens in front of him.

He was solid against the run. He got much better against the run the more he played last year. But he was not solid in coverage. That has been a recurring problem.

Fair, the Mac Jones game was a disaster class I have wiped from my memory. The Denver game is also fair, as is the Eagles. I forgot how far ahead we were in that Eagles game. It was a particular issue in 2023. I don't think it has generally been an issue, but yep, that season we were bad at holding leads.

Which games have the Bills lost late protecting leads? The only I remember was Vikings at home 2 years ago and the defense got the stop. It was on Morse and Josh botching the snap for a safety.

AJE might be swappable for a safety. RVD might too. But you'd be getting someone else's 3rd safety for either of those two players. Nobody is giving you a starter for a backup DE / OL. I doubt Anderson gets you more than a bottom of the roster player in return via trade and Carter and Eddie O are worthless in trade value.

Yep. I said that after last season. That we went into the 2024 offseason knowing those were the two weak spots... spent our top two picks on those two positions and came out of the 2024 season with those as the two weak spots. You are right we have now gone through another roster building period - FA and Draft - and are still in that place. It's really disappointing.

That is a problem, it's fair to point that out. But while he has been unlucky, at some point you kinda have to show what you have. We know it is a what have you done for me lately league!

Maybe. But not enough to make me give him an edge in the returner battle. If ge is taking snaps at receiver you are in a very, very dark place.

Yea I think it is only in like the last 10 days they have shifted his focus to safety, almosy certianly because they were not happy with their options there. It was a mixed bag from him Sunday night, but there are flashes. I don't think it would be smart to put him out there day 1. But trying to get him up to speed by week 5 or 6 maybe in case whoever you start fails? Yea I can well see that. Him starting the season is unlikely. Him being the starter by the end of the season? Definitely possible.

This is exactly right.

Nope. Bishop the most critical one.

Yes - that's fair. There were individuals who you might class as our 2s on the field at the same time as individuals who are their 2s and likewise 3s and 3s... but they were relatively few. He could well be worried about how often we lost those battles.

Explains why Prather was in tears.

There was some legit three/fours against some three/fours in the second half of the fourth quarter. Probably the last drive from each team. But before that.... I mean it never really got to level pegging in terms of the teams that were out there. We had at least five threes starting against the Bears starters.

He was in the wrong spot, didn't anticipate and didn't react quickly enough. Sure, Hamlin missed the tackle, but Bishop misplayed his assignment.

Yea so could I.

None of them have made the number of just back breaking big play mental mistakes that he has in coverage. I liked the Bishop pick. I want him to work out. But we have to be honest about what we are seeing on the field and not make excuses for him just because we are desperate for someone to be an upgrade from our pretty poor starting safeties in 2024. Of course players develop at different rates. But if you are making back breaking mental mistakes that give up big plays at the rate Cole is you are not gonna be allowed to play through it for very long. You wouldn't be anywhere.

Nope. They traded down out of the first round to get back the third they spent on Douglas. They traded their 2025 third for Cooper.

If they wanted him they could have done it last year or at any time this year. But if I was the GM he'd have been here last season. Does he look like he has lost a step or two? Yep. But are we in desperation stakes? Yes. Yes we are. I know it hasn't been a popular view on this board but right know Damar Hamlin is still our second best safety.... and that is bad. Very, very bad.