Last Guy on the Bench

I second this. Love that guy. Think he will significantly outperform his draft slot. Won't be a superstar, but should be a steady, productive NFL receiver for a long time, once he gets on the field.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Thanks for taking the time to share. We all get great joy from this crazy Forum. Glad it was some solace to your husband.

Bonus feature (sorry if already posted): Diggs playing Family Feud, withs special guest appearances from Tre and Tyrod. Celebrity Family Feud

True, I did notice how accurate some of those throws were. But a lot of them also seemed to take several weeks to get there. Josh can throw some ropes to Diggs while he's still wide open before the DB can close again, unlike Cousins. And Diggs has great, snatchy hands, so he should handle those JA fastballs no problem. Hopefully Josh has been working on that deep ball too, because Smoke and Diggs are going to get each other open deep regularly. We'll see. Fun times!

Some interesting comments in The Athletic from scouts about the WRs in this year's draft. Makes you realize how hit and miss even the "best" ones are in the draft. Look at the varieties of opinions. Not everyone is at all in love with Jeudy and Ruggs for example, let alone the guys who will likely be there at 22. More reason to love the Diggs trade. Adds fodder to the post that said the Bills were not thrilled about the WR value in the second part of the first round. (I've pasted the WR part below, but it's just an excerpt from a much longer article on offensive players as a whole, so I hope that's OK.) https://theathletic.com/1665631/2020/03/17/mcginn-scouts-size-up-their-top-prospects-on-offense/ Wide receivers (9) CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (6-1 1/2, 195): Lamb’s ordinary combine workout — a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, a 34 1/2-inch vertical jump — encapsulated what is viewed as one of the deepest wide receiver classes ever, but one that perhaps lacks a generational talent. “I think this is a really good wide receiver group but this isn’t a slam-dunk, top-five group,” one scout said. “It’s loaded from like (picks) 20 to 50. There are 10 guys in that one. But there’s no Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, those types of guys.” Lamb, a three-year starter, averaged 19 yards per catch and caught 32 touchdown passes. “Best run after the catch since Amari Cooper,” another scout said. “Every time he touches the ball it’s a potential touchdown. He had one drop in the six games I watched. He’s just so quick. Gets separation. Excellent on fly sweeps. He’d be a bigger Marquise Brown from there last year.” He returned punts all three years, averaging 8.8 yards per return. “You see him in person, you’re kind of turned off a little bit,” a third scout said. “Then you watch the guy after the catch. For a guy that’s his build, he plays stronger than you would expect. He’s a big-time playmaker.” Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State (5-11 1/2, 205): A onetime junior college player, Aiyuk “was a backup (in 2018),” said one scout. “Nobody even knew who the guy was prior to the season. Each game the guy improved. He’s much better than (N’Keal Harry) the guy last year that went in the first round. That guy was a jumper; this guy is a separator.” He ran the 40 OK at 4.53 seconds but had jumps of 40 inches in the vertical leap and 10 feet, 7 inches in the broad jump. “Really a utility player similar to Deebo Samuel,” another scout said. “Not a natural receiver. More of a jack of all trades. Just quick routes, end-arounds. Returns. He’s tough and has some explosiveness in his route-running.” Scored a 23 on his first crack at the Wonderlic intelligence test. Tee Higgins, Clemson (6-3 1/2, 216): He elected not to work at the combine but did test Thursday at Clemson’s pro day. “He’s got great size, he’s exceptionally athletic, his ball skills are top-notch and he’s a really good route runner,” said one scout. He caught 135 passes, averaged 18.1 yards per catch and had 27 touchdown receptions. “He wasn’t the best receiver at Clemson,” another scout said. “The sophomore, Justyn Ross, was. When they needed a big play, they went to Ross. Physical receiver, excellent strength, body control and hands. I question his top speed and explosion. Reminds me of Mike Williams, who San Diego drafted in the first round (in 2017). He’s more of a strong, possession-type guy than a top speed guy. I’d estimate he’s 4.55.” Henry Ruggs, Alabama (5-11, 188): He led everyone at the combine with a 4.24 in the 40, not to mention a vertical jump of 42 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 9 inches. “He’s super fast,” said one scout. “Speed, speed, speed. He’s really good.” Ruggs had 98 receptions, a 17.5-yard average and 24 touchdown catches in a three-year career. “Go look at the top 20 receivers that have run fast and none of them are any good,” another scout said. “People say, ‘Ruggs ran 4.2. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer.’ He was essentially, in Alabama’s offense, the third guy. He was really a specialist where they designed certain plays for him, mainly that over route where he goes from one side of the field to the other … and outruns everybody. He is fast, but when people get on him, you don’t see the same speed and route-running. He’s not a make-you-miss player. If you use him for what his strengths are, he’ll be good in your offense. If you expect him to come in and be your No. 1 receiver, I don’t see that. He’s a space-vertical linear route runner that needs space to catch the ball.” Justin Jefferson, LSU (6-1, 202): The junior slot receiver for the national champions. “Whole thing with him will get down to speed,” one scout said in late December. “He was their second-best guy there. They have the sophomore (Ja’Marr Chase). He runs mostly possession routes. Acrobatic type catcher. Plays strong in traffic.” Jefferson made a statement at the combine by running 4.47 seconds in the 40. “He elevated his status when people were questioning if he was legit speed,” another scout said. “You didn’t see the 4.4 on tape. He worked out really well. Does his best work in the slot. Great feel. Really good hands. Savvy. Quick.” Jerry Jeudy, Alabama (6-1, 193): A third-year junior and two-year starter. “He has good speed and runs great routes,” said one scout. “Gets a lot of separation. More of a polished guy than Ruggs and also taller.” Jeudy solidified his status by running 4.44 seconds in the 40. “He’s very, very quick,” said another scout. “Reminds me somewhat of Amari Cooper with the quickness, the routes, the run after the catch. He’ll play, but I don’t think he’ll be a big-time receiver.” Chase Claypool, Notre Dame (6-4, 238): He is from Abbotsford, B.C., an hour east of Vancouver. “He had no fundamental sports background, including football,” said one scout. “You’ve got to temper your excitement a little bit. He tested out of this world but there’s still a lot of work to be done there. Not a natural catcher, not a natural route runner. Kind of gets by on his ability. This kid is a much better football player and way tougher than the (Miles) Boykin kid that came out last year. I think he’ll get drafted in the second round … but I need something more sure in that round.” Production improved each of his four seasons. Ran 4.44 seconds with a 40 1/2-inch vertical jump. “He goes to the combine and kills it,” another scout said. “Now he’s one of the buzz guys. People were talking about him as a tight end. I said this is a No. 1 (wide) receiver. Fluid, body control, girth, speed. Awful QB (in Ian Book), but still makes plays. Nothing’s wrong with him.” He scored a 27 on the Wonderlic. Jalen Reagor, TCU (5-10 1/2, 206): He averaged 15.2 receiving yards, 9.3 rushing yards, 17.8 punt return yards and 24.2 kickoff return yards. “Holy (cow), he’s exciting,” one scout said. “He was one of the guys I got most excited about. He’s an explosive playmaker.” His father, Montae, was a second-round draft choice in 1999 who started 46 of 99 games for three teams as a defensive tackle. “He is as explosive a receiver as I saw this year,” another scout said. “I haven’t seen a better punt returner, either.” Ran 4.46 seconds in the 40. Said a third scout: “I thought he was the most explosive route runner on tape. He’ll go up over people with bodies around. Little bit raw. Strong hands, but a lot of easy drops. You’re always going to have to deal with drops with him but he is a playmaker.” Denzel Mims, Baylor (6-3, 207): A three-year starter with 28 touchdowns. “I would have thought no way in the world just watching him on tape and now he’s top 50,” one scout said. “He’s a big guy and ran fast. You see he’s got savvy, hands, good route runner. Kind of a limited route tree at Baylor. Just kind of a catch-and-get-tackled guy. You didn’t see the deep speed.” Had a big week at the Senior Bowl, especially in the red zone, and then ran 4.38 seconds in the 40. His arms measured 33 7/8 inches. “He has strength and hands but I don’t think he’s anything special,” another scout said. “In the Big 12 Championship Game, Parnell Motley (of Oklahoma) totally shut him down and he’s a late-round pick. He’s a guy that makes the possession catches.”

Fair enough. Good analysis. Thanks. For me, he's got all the talent in the world and when he flashes I love what I see. Whether to draft him high would depend on his character - is he the kind of of guy who's going to respond to a disciplined, learning-focused NFL environment and continue to grow? If so, a lot of what you are saying could be ironed out. On the other hand, if he's the kind of guy to coast on his good plays and not really push himself to get stronger in areas where he struggles, he won't even see the field much for a team like Buffalo.

I'm no draft expert, that's for sure, but I spend more time than I should watching these guys in the run up to the draft, and from what I've seen so far, I think I like Reagor more than anyone except Lamb. Right now I might take him over Jeudy and Ruggs. I love how he snatches the ball out of the air, both when he is covered and when he is not (a lot of guys get too nervous to hands catch it when they are wide open). And he's tough. And fast. What's not to like?

Think he was talking about Milano.

Bad example. The break the wheel rant (which was beautiful) was not a prediction. It was an exhortation. A prayer. He says "I hope you do." He says, "Say it with me." I think it was 80% sincere and 20% (good) theater. I'll take that ratio.

I have seen him do that too. But so what? Saying another team is better or pointing out weaknesses does not mean he doesn't like the Bills or doesn't want them to do well. Nor does it mean he is insincere when he talks about their strengths and what he likes about them. Everyone on this board does that. I've been a die-hard fan for 45 years and I can definitely list several teams that I think are better than the Bills right now, as any thinking person could. Doesn't mean I don't root for them. Doesn't mean that I don't think they can take any of those "better" teams down if their considerable strengths are on full display. And it's just an assessment. I could be wrong. Maybe the Bills are secretly the best team in football? Lord I hope that's true. Anyway, I think Kyle will feel genuine joy if the Bills go on a good run in the playoffs. But he will also try to be honest about what he sees, and he will also take joy in other teams/games/moments. He's an NFL commentator after all, not a Bills commentator. I think he's been the best thing on the Murph and Tasker show all year.

This man is on his way to becoming my favorite Bill, not just on the current team, but of all time. Legend.

Ha ha. Me too. I watched it at a bar in Baltimore. I was wearing my Bills boxers. When they won, I jumped up on a table and dropped my jeans and started dancing around in my underwear. Not a pretty sight, I'm sure. I will now take the opportunity to apologize to anyone who was there. But it was true love, and has stayed so to this day. What can you do?

That was Reich. 1989

Right now he's gotta be in the discussion for Coach of the Year. In the conversation: Harbaugh, Shanahan, Payton, Tomlin if he wins a few more with those QBs, Belichick - even though he seems like old news, the D is historic right now and though Brady seems pretty mediocre they've still only lost once. The fact that most people underestimate the actual talent on the Bills and assumed the Bills were going to be terrible should play in McDs favor. I think if he beats either the Ravens or the Patriots (granted that's a huge if) and ends up with 11 or 12 wins, he'll be coach of the year. He may get it even if he loses to both, though in that case, I would guess Harbaugh wins it, assuming the Ravens don't lose more than one other game.

Agree on both points. The smart decision on that 3rd and 4 is to run it there, and I hope (with a caveat) that he does that in the future. It would have been super easy for him to miss that pass or for Foster to drop it. The caveat is that I kind of love a QB who doesn't think that way. It's part of not playing scared and having confidence. Sometimes that confidence will burn you, but I'd rather watch "Josh Thinks-He-Can-Do-Anything" than "Josh Always-Takes-The-Safe-Play" (who doesn't actually seem to exist, thank the gods). And your second point about that Beasley pass out of the end zone - for me that pass is up there with the sluggo TD pass to Brown against the Dolphins for Josh's most Holy S*** throw of the season. Phenomenal.

Ha ha - I think you're right. I find myself feeling much more optimistic with Josh and this team on 3rd and long than on 2nd and short sometimes. Very strange.

I've been enjoying the defensive play as much as the next guy. But I keep having the feeling that the offense is actually much closer to good (and getting closer all the time) than it appears, and the defense is more vulnerable. If you look at the teams we've played, it will lower your confidence in the defense a little bit. By yards, we have played 8 of the worst 10 offenses in the league, with only the Browns and Pats (16 and 17) even respectable. The average offensive ranking of our ten opponents is 25th! We've played 10 teams so the worst the average could be would be 27th (if you had the actual 10 worst teams on the schedule). By yardage, we've played close to the worst collection of offenses you could play. Meanwhile, the average defensive ranking of the teams we've played is 17th. Only three are in the bottom 10 on defense (Giants, Bengals, Dolphins). They aren't the best defensive teams (except the Pats #2 and the Broncos and surprisingly the Jets tied for #8), but they average out to average. Granted, the Bills' own performance affects both of these rankings, but only 1/11 for everyone but the Dolphins, so it doesn't affect them that much at this point in the season. I don't think the Bills offense has really looked outgunned against anyone, except maybe Philly (we even out-gained the Pats by 150 yards despite Josh being in a panic most of the game). And they seem to be improving. I wonder if when all is said and done, at least by next year, the strength of this team might actually be offense? Meanwhile, the defense is about to face the #1 (Dallas) and #2 (Baltimore) offenses in the league. So I guess we'll find out how good they are. Unfortunately, the upcoming defenses are also going to be tougher, NE 2, Dallas 6, Pitt 7, Baltimore 14, so let's hope the Bills' offense continues to come together. We are about to learn a lot about this team. I hope we like what we learn.

I hear you. But that Pats game was different. The Bills also out-gained the Pats by 150 yards, just like they did the Jets. I would say in the Jets game, the Bills outplayed the Jets, even including the turnovers. Didn't feel like much of a theft. More like the Bills almost gave the game away to the Jets, despite their superiority, then they took it back. I do think, though, that Darnold was probably affected by the mono he didn't know he had yet. When he's healthy and in the groove, the Jets and the Bills are a pretty even match in my opinion. The Bills have really only been out-played from the line of scrimmage once this year. They have have been out-gained three times. In the first Dolphins game, they were out-gained 381-305, but a lot of those Dolphins' yards came late, if I recall. Cleveland nipped them by 24 yards. The one game where they really got beat from the line of scrimmage was Philly: 253-371. They have generally been significantly out-gaining their opponents, including yesterday's ridiculous 300 yard margin over the Broncos.

That's true given the turnovers and field goal misses. But it's also a little misleading. You can say, well if the Jets make a field goal, or if Darnold plays a little better . . . But you can also say, well if a deflected pass or fumble bounces differently . . . The Bills did out-gain the Jets by 150 yards, which was an earned reason that they were able to pull out the squeaker, even with their turnovers.

I wondered. Didn't Josh then point to his eyes while looking at Beasley? I feel like I remember that. If so, maybe he was telling Beasley to look sooner, or maybe he was saying it was his own fault somehow? Not sure.

Unreal. The offense tosses up four interceptions, and somehow the defense holds the Pats to 224 yards! (We had 375.) Brady averaged 3.85 yards/attempt on 39 passes!!!!!! It's a brutal loss in some ways, given that we outgained them by 150 yards. And our offense still has a long way to go (more experience individually and together, a few new players down the road). But if the Bills keep playing defense like that we are going to win a truckload of games, even with a hot and cold, mistake-prone offense. It was a joy to watch them.

Yeah, I wondered about that. That DB could close pretty quickly while the ball is in the air, and he'd meet Brown well before the sticks. Of course, it still might have made sense to give Brown a shot to shake one guy and make the few extra yards needed, since there was no other defender in the picture. But still, that is not a guaranteed first down at all if the DB comes up and makes a good tackle. Josh wanted more.

Huh. I watched the game in Cape Town, thousands of miles away, and I just couldn't get into it the way I normally do. When they went down in the second half I couldn't get myself that worked up about whether they would lose or win. And I NEVER feel like that. Happy they won, and there were some fun plays, but I can't remember ever feeling so foggy about what was actually a pretty good game, let alone the home opener for an undefeated Bills team. Strange energy.

I don't know about that. I went to lots of games in those days, including playoffs. But still, by far the loudest I every heard the stadium was at the Dallas Monday Night game in 2007. My Dad's hearing was literally never the same after that.

Legend.