Last Guy on the Bench

Thanks for the read. Enjoyed it, as I do all of your long ones. Keep it up, and don't let the idiots with the attention span of a chicken get you down. Somehow they still find the time to post in a thread that they don't want to read.

Right? The more I watch him (and I'm starting to watch whole game cutups - not just highlights) the harder it is for me to see why so many people are down on him. He's not a super impressive athlete, to be sure. But he makes quick decisions, seems really accurate, has a nice way of stepping up and shuffling around in the pocket, and has a really good feel for the deep ball, despite not having a super strong arm. Most importantly, I think he often throws effectively into pretty small windows, from what I've seen, including over the middle and in the red zone, as you mention. I do see that often he is throwing to his first read, as that's the design of the offense. But he does it quickly and accurately. And there are plenty of times where he doesn't like what he sees so he scans the field and finds someone else. He keeps his head up. I'd be very happy to have him on the team to see what he can do. I don't see him escaping the first round. Maybe he won't be successful, but I can't figure out why so many people are so sure about that. There's a lot to like with him.

Exactly. His best throws are so much better than anyone else's best throws. They are jaw dropping. Obviously not consistent enough, and maybe he never will be. But I can see why people can get enamored of his potential. If the Bills ended up with him, I'd hold my breath and pray, but he surely would be interesting for a while.

Ha ha. Fair point. Have at it. I would hate to admit the number of crazy dreams I've had about the Bills over the last 50 years.

Dude, you've posted something negative about Darnold not just in that one thread but in EVERY thread lately. We get it. You don't like him. Others disagree. Relax. You don't have to work out your anxieties in every thread. Everyone who reads this board knows how you feel.

I think so too. My guess is the early rumors about the Bills loving Darnold are legit. They came from way back last summer from scouts scuttlebut IIRC. I think the Rosen and Allen rumors later on were deliberate on their part. I bet they still love Darnold Darnold is also my first choice at this point - I know he's sloppy, but I just love the way he plays. He looks comfortable and born to play QB. He's got a spark and a command that are rare for a 20 year old. But I'm also intrigued by Mayfield. I kind of buy the Bills' focus on big guys, though, so I don't see them going that way. There was some video in the last day or two where the commentator was talking about that big guy preference on their part. He thought it pointed to Allen, which it could. But either way he was basing it on more than just Beane's prototype comment. He said that Dabol might share the Pats' bias for big guys - apparently the Pats wouldn't even scout QBs that didn't meet their height/weight/hands minimums.

Fair enough. You're right that while there are always surprises, for the most part guys do go roughly where the "consensus" in the draft media had them, give or take a round. Although that tends to be truer for the late predictions in April than for the earlier ones (at least that's my vague impression). I'm just arguing against the practice of immediately writing off all outlier opinions. Just look at the commentary after any mock draft. "There's NO way that guy will go there" etc. There's always a way. I'm not saying you're doing that. Anyway, I have no dog in the Rudolph fight. He certainly put up impressive numbers. But we've seen that before. Seems pretty sharp in the few interview clips I've seen. If the Bills do grab the guy somehow, we'll all be praying that Trapasso is right - though it sounds like some of us will be jumping out a window before training camp even gets here!

I have no idea whether Rudolph will be good or not, but, "How could every NFL personnel person be wrong?" Happens all the time. Especially with QBs. Not to mention, we have no way of knowing where "NFL personnel" actually have Rudolph ranked. Who knows? Some might have him #1 on their boards. It kills me that people are so sure about things pre-draft, when every single year their are NUMEROUS prospects who end up defying what was perceived as the consensus before the draft (or even during the draft - when great players are passed over again and agin). I love all the opinions and analyses and predictions, as much as the next guy. And I waste WAY too much of my time on the draft from Feb-April. Love it. But I just don't get how anyone can claim to be sure about their (or others') opinions or act like someone with a different opinion is "obviously" crazy. Rinse, lather, repeat.

It's a great question (despite the fact that no one is answering it). I'm in the trade up at all costs if there's a QB we like camp. But as you say that might not be possible. There are 5 QBs I would take a flyer on at 21 and maybe even 6 (Rudolph would be the 6th). So with your original 4 QB premise, I'd still probably use one of the picks on a QB and pray. If all 5 or 6 QBs were gone, then I'm with you. Trade down if possible. Accumulate picks. Add solid players. Maybe take a mid-round flyer on one of the second tier QBs. And then try to get up high enough in the draft next year again to pick a blue chip QB.

Thank you for being the voice of reason here. Your posts are refreshing. I doubt that many people will take in your point that our first reactions are conditioned (not just "reality" or "my opinion"). Well, they'll admit it's true for other people, just not for them. But it's nice that you are taking the time to write thoughtfully about the fact that the "it's her voice" argument is nowhere near as simple as it appears. Personally, I found her decent. Easy to listen to. Some unfortunate stumbles, but what else is new? Most announcers make them regularly. It is too bad that she kept calling Taylor McCoy, since it's easy ammunition for anyone who doesn't want to reflect on this issue with more nuance.

I'd take the over too. I know some of the sheen has come off of this class, but I still really like it. I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up almost comparable to 1983 with 5 or 6 QBs taken in Round 1 and maybe 3 of them turning into franchise players, if not HOFers. If I had to guess, I'd say Allen doesn't actually get taken in R1, but gets snapped up in R2. I think the other five you list have a good chance of going in R1 or at least early R2. I would be pretty happy with any of them except for Allen.

I agree, though I admit I'm much less knowledgeable than you guys who follow college ball closely during the season. I watched a bunch of his games last year. Haven't seen much this year, though I will try to catch up, but I do understand people's concerns about the drop off. But Darnold is super young still, and I think he just has "it" - the stud QB version of "it". So a rocky-ish year doesn't bother me, and as you said, he wins. He may have a rough first couple of years in the NFL, but I feel like he'll end up as one of the top QBs in the league. I know it's highly unlikely the Bills could get their hands on him. Best scenario would be Browns take Rosen and the Bills pull off a mega trade with the Colts or Bears, if they are in position. Some people may hope he drops down farther based on an off year, but I doubt NFL GMs are that stupid. I don't see how he gets past the Giants. I'd be pretty excited about Jackson, Rosen, Mayfield, or even Rudolph. But I'd be over the moon with Darnold.

I agree. I might put Lewis ahead of Coryell, but your four as a whole seem just right to me. I can't understand any argument against them. Moss was a total freak and an absolute joy to watch play. Lewis was an all timer - a dominant player who changed games. TO was in the top few receivers in the league for many years and has the numbers to prove it. Coryell paved the way for 21st century football. Don't know how anyone can not vote for any of those guys.

Good stuff. Thanks for taking the time to post.

I too get nervous thinking about the Bills' recently historical fast starts. But - correct me if I'm wrong - it seems to me that those teams started quickly while primarily relying on offense. And none of those offenses was loaded with particularly special players. I love Fitz and Freddie as much as the next guy, but they ain't exactly in the HOF discussion. Never mind Trent Edwards. I think in general that good offense is less stable/reproducible than good defense - unless you have several superstars (QB, WR, OT, and either TE or RB or more WR etc.). So it doesn't surprise me to see a team flash on offense for a while and then fall off the cliff. Good team defense on the other hand can be pretty consistent due to player cohesion, smart play, intelligent coaching, and guts. Doesn't hurt to have a defensive superstar or two, of course, but I think good team defense is more reliable than good team offense. So I think the 2017 Bills are likely to be a little more consistent over the rest of the season. Doesn't mean they will go 5-2 over the next seven, but I have a hard time imagining them completely imploding now. The reliance on turnovers is worrisome, though, as others have pointed out. Yes, they are causing many of the turnovers with their technique and gang tackling, and yes, on the other side, Tyrod has proven to be consistently safe with the football. So it's not a total fluke. Nonetheless, their current margin is too wide to be sustainable over the long term. Hopefully the D and the O will keep improving (still a new system for them) so as the turnover differential comes back to earth they will still be able to win.

That's where I am. I was pretty optimistic (though not especially confident) about the last two games. I really think we drop this one. Cincy is good, hungry, and home. My opinion is that we are a decent team - bordering on good. We should be in most games and will win our share. A loss to Cincy on the road won't change that. However, a WIN will definitely change my opinion. It would really surprise me, and I think it would be a signal that this team is more than decent. A win this week will make think they are potentially special.

This to me is the biggest issue. Way too many BN columns and articles just refer to the things we all know and use quotes from the press conferences we've all seen (or read the direct transcripts of). I would definitely pony up the $3 if I felt like people were reaching out to unusual sources or getting perspectives from different people around the league. Tyler Dunne did this really well when he was here - no matter what he was writing about, he would take the time to talk to players/coaches from different cities, retired players, scouts, etc. I think this is important not just for reporting but also for opinion pieces. Everyone beats up on certain columnists (especially one) for being negative. But it's not just negativity - it's lazy, ill-informed negativity - the kind of stuff I can hear from any radio show caller or the guy sitting next to me at the bar. Someone like Peter King - who can basically spout anything he wants to as a columnist (and does) still takes lots of time to talk to different people around the league and to offer multiple perspectives and insights on any given issue. That is what makes a column more than just some dude's opinion. A little reporting, a little dialogue, a little synthesis. I would happily pay for the site if there was more of that kind of stuff. Thanks for taking the time to engage.

Great post, BBF. Made my afternoon. I've enjoyed watching you shoot the fish in the barrel and will no doubt continue to enjoy it as more swim by (though I'm a little terrified of what appears to be the average intelligence of posters - good God!).

I've never been a big QB footwork guy - probably because I don't know enough about it to get too worked up either way. But to my untrained eye, Falk has amazing feet. He always looked balanced and light and he makes small shifts in the pocket really easily. Love his poise and accuracy too. I think he would be a great fit here. I hope people hold the Air Raid against him, because if they don't, I think he could end up going too high for us (you know, given that the Bills and the Chiefs will have playoff byes in the AFC).

Thanks. You got me intrigued, so I checked out his Wikipedia page. His high school career was ridiculous: "Poyer played baseball, basketball, and football at Astoria High School. As a freshman, he helped the baseball team win the state championship. As a senior, he was named Oregon's player of the year and was drafted by the Florida Marlins.[1] In 2009, Poyer was named the basketball Cowapa League Player of the Year. He was a quarterback and safety on the football team and had 123 touchdowns in three years. In his senior season, he was the state's player of the year on offense and defense.[1][2]"

The only thing "beta as hell" is insecure guys who try to pump themselves up by seeing the world through an absurd alpha/beta lens.

Yes - that was my thought as well, watching it in slow motion. It's tricky to see because of the elevated camera perspective. But I think Taylor clearly waited until he had a throwing lane. Throw could still have been more accurate, but I do think the d-lineman caused the timing issue. Either way, Clay should definitely have caught the ball.

If you think that's the worst move this organization has ever made, I don't even know what to say. That catalog is LONG and distinguished. Dareus has lots of talent and does contribute at a high level (sometimes). Not saying he's worth the contract. But good God, this team has made so many painful moves that contract wouldn't crack the top 100!

I'm in. I've watched a bunch of his games - not just highlights. If I had the first pick in the draft, I'd take Darnold. Love him. Think he's going to be VERY special in the NFL. But I really like Falk, and he can be had a little later (maybe not much - still top part of the 1st round IMO). I'm not worried about the system so much, because I'm not basing it on stats. He is super cool in the pocket. Nifty feet - always balanced, no wasted movement in the lower body, great pocket adjustments to pressure. Sees the whole field. Accurate. A gamer. I think he would be perfect for the kind of offense it looks like we'll be running. Frankly, unless Tyrod makes a big jump to the next level this year, which I'm not expecting (and I'm a Tyrod fan), I would probably take Falk if I had the 2nd pick in the draft, assuming Darnold was gone with the first. I like him a little better than Allen - whom I like a lot - and a lot better than Rosen, whom I don't like so far. My current fantasy, though, is that somehow the bottom drops out for Kansas City this year and we end up with the first pick in the draft and get Darnold. I know it's not realistic. Probably more realistic we'll earn it ourselves, although I think our D will be too solid for us to lose more than 10 games. I'm sweating the idea of the Jets getting Darnold. That would be painful.

It's amazing how many of the people bashing you haven't bothered to engage with the well-informed substance of your post. You might be wrong, but the parallel you're drawing is thoughtful and worth considering. The cutting away of veteran, somewhat prickly talent does seem familiar - didn't like it then, and I don't now. It is early days and hopefully it won't turn into a pattern with these guys. I'm not super impressed, but I am trying keep an open mind and remain hopeful. Your post, though, does make me a bit nervous.