[Is Star Lotulelei A Liability on the DL?]

From Joe Buscaglia's All-22 review, FWIW:

 

1) Most of us were wrong about Lotulelei vs. Eagles

I’ll be the first one to admit it. After watching the Eagles break off some significant gains in the ground game — including the 65-yard Miles Sanders touchdown — my inclination was that one-technique defensive tackle Star Lotulelei was struggling. Lotulelei could have done more on that play individually, but it wasn’t wholly his fault that the Eagles busted loose for the biggest play of the game. Weakside linebacker Matt Milano needed to siphon the runner to the hard-charging Micah Hyde on the outside. Instead, Milano froze and provided a big running lane right up the middle, which effectively canceled out his supporting tackler, Hyde. It’s that type of play that shapes a game, and unfortunately, sometimes, it shapes our thoughts on a game, too. That’s the beautiful part about reviewing the film, to see where you erred on Sunday — and I whiffed on Lotulelei, though I don’t think I’m alone.

Outside of that long touchdown, Lotulelei was an impact run defender while the rest of the defensive line and linebackers around him were lacking. He held his ground, took on double teams and set the table for his teammates at a high level. Lotulelei was the best player they had on Sunday in the front seven, and it wasn’t particularly close. The stats back it up, as well. When Lotulelei wasn’t in the game, the Bills allowed 5.09 yards per carry to Eagles’ running backs. With Lotulelei in the game, if you take out the 65-yard run by the Eagles that wasn’t primarily his fault, the Bills were allowing just 3.15 yards per carry. And, if the Bills’ linebackers do their job differently on the second level, Sanders likely only goes for a six-yard gain, which would bring the average up to 3.29 yards per carry. He even helped create a sack for Shaq Lawson early in the first half, and then later took on the double-team to enable Jordan Phillips to get a sack. I focused all my video efforts on Lotulelei today to drive home the point; he wasn’t the problem on Sunday. He was a strength.

[Clear Sign Beane Doesn't Think We Are Ready]

I think next year they will make some big moves. Next year the Super Bowl window opens. We have over $90 million in cap space and a full draft. They didn't want to mortgage the future this year, I get it.

[Put Bills trade talks today here.]

2 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

FWIW, eMoulds also called the red jerseys months in advance and knew about Shaq's shoulder surgery well before it was reported 

 

So this is worth monitoring 

 

He also called the Thanksgiving game and Eric Wood's career ending injury. I'm at full attention right now. F5 F5 F5 F5

[Week 9: Bills (-10.5) vs Redskins]

I think the Redskins with Haskins are worse than Miami with Fitzpatrick. This should actually be the easiest game of the year.

[Glazer: Bills are still in market for a WR]

1 minute ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

I purposely skipped the in division losers lol

 

Parker and Anderson could also be on the list.

 

Eh Parker doesn't really excite me either. Anderson I agree we have basically no chance of getting him, unfortunately. The only conceivable move that really makes sense is Green. Both sides would benefit. Whether Cincy is smart enough to move him is another story.

[Redskins Just made OT Trent Williams Available [Edit: now NFI]]

So what would the plan be, start him at LT and kick Dawkins over to guard? Does that move carry enough of a positive value to offset the draft haul this move would take? I'd pass on this. We need a receiver or a 1 tech. Keep building the o-line through the draft.

[Glazer: Bills are still in market for a WR]

1 minute ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

Not explicitly advertised as available, but players on losing teams:

Odell Beckham/Antonio Callaway

Allen Robinson/Taylor Gabriel 

Paul Richardson

Donate Moncrief 

Marvin Jones

AJ Green/Tyler Boyd

 

Obviously some of those are big names, and likely have hefty price tags, but it doesn't hurt to call...

 

The only players that excite me are Beckham, Green, and Anderson. If it's any other name I say just wait until next year.

[THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Uninspired]

1 hour ago, BillsDude said:

Your posts are usually spot on, but you are spot off for a few things here. I am going to give another side, as debate is how people really learn, and not by everyone agreeing...

 

Bottom line is, the better team won. One can analyze as much as they want otherwise, how the Bills played  very poorly, but does it ever occur that the reason the Bills played poorly is because the Eagles are really much better than the Bills? Heading into the season the Bills were ranked around 27 or 28,, and the Eagles I  believe at #5. Just because the Bills were 5-1 and the Eagles 3-4, that sample is not big enough to drastically change the pre-season rankings, as other variables early on in the season come into play. The Bills easily could have lost most of their games.

 

As for Allen, who says all rookie qbs have to be at the top of their game in year two? It was not long ago qbs were given 5 years to develop. Bill Polian said to give Josh up to 4 years I believe, if I remember correctly, as some qbs take longer to develop than others, because of raw talent, their college competition level and system they played, the current system, and so on. I see Josh taking steps to improve his short to medium game throws, his footwork, and decision making. Yes, there are still hiccups there, but to be down on Allen, when the last 3 games he has committed 6 TDS and 1 INT, any critique is a bit unjustified, based on the mentioned.

 

The Bills team need not apologize to anyone. Simply put they “likely” played their best. learned from any mistakes, and got beaten by the better team. Before the season, only a fool would have said the Bills should definitely beat the Eagles. The fact the Bills got blown out is more a reflection on how good the Eagles can be, and not how bad the Bills are. Since when can a team other than the Patriots not lose a game like this. No apologies are needed to me by the Bills, as I have faith in where they are headed. Trust the Process. Do not jump to conclusions when a game goes against unreasonable expectations, based on falsehoods, and not reality.

 

And the reality is the Bills are likely not a 11-5 or 12-4 or better team, as we still have defensive line, wr, holes, and a qb who just needs more time to fix some tendencies or flaws. Some may have hyped the team too much based on the record, not taking into consideration how hard it was for us to win those games, and taking into account who we won against. We have yet to a great game, for more than a half for any game. This tells me the Bills despite their record and lofty predictions about their D, they still are not guaranteed any wins against easy teams,, much less against teams that were forecasted to be the cream of the crop.

 

We lost fair and square, despite likely giving it our all. It’s time Bills fans not overreact to such rarer losses. It is what is is. 

 

 

 

 

 

Good post. I expected a loss this week but I didn't expect it to look this bad. I predicted the offense would score 17 points, all things considered I think that was a solid prediction. But I only predicted 20 points for the Eagles. The run defense is a real concern moving forward. I thought we had it figured out this year but it was exposed. And I don't think it will be fixed until next year. I guess losing Harrison Phillips was a bigger deal than I thought. Defense is supposed to be the strength this year so the last two weeks put a damper on my hopes this year. I expect the offense to struggle this year, but the defense disappoints me.

[Bills, Lions linked to Melvin Gordon as trade deadline approaches]

11 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

At any rate, it makes sense from where I’m sitting assuming the price is right. He scored 38 TDs between 2016 and the start of this season. He ha averaged 106 scrimmage yards a game in that same span. The Bills lack playmakers. He makes this team better.

 

I agree he makes the team better, I just don't see where he fits in to our team building strategy. We just used a 3rd on Singletary and Gore is carrying the load just fine. We also don't run the ball that much. I do think he'll get traded for a lower pick than peopl think so if we end up doing it I won't be unhappy. Just doesn't fit together for me.

[Bills, Lions linked to Melvin Gordon as trade deadline approaches]

I'll believe it when I see it. This wouldn't be the first time an agent has randomly linked Buffalo and Detroit to a trade to boost their client's value. There are a lot of proposed trade ideas that make sense but this one doesn't seem to fit.

[Josh Allen - week EIGHT report card]

36 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

yes, it was late and forced him to slow down, allowing Darby to recover. 

 

And that one was on Brown, as he admitted after the game. The route needed to be flatter. He ran into tight coverage. It was a miscommunication, not bad timing.

 

If it sounds like I'm making excuses for Allen I'm really not. At this point in his career he is not a QB that can thrive without a really good supporting cast. He needs the people around him to make plays when they're there.

[Josh Allen - week EIGHT report card]

38 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

He also badly missed a wide open Foster on a deep ball that would have put them up 14-3 in the second. 

 

That was entirely on Foster. He sped up instead of adjusting to the ball. This is a problem he's had going back to last year. A decent WR catches that uncontested. Especially in wind conditions like that you have to track the ball better.

[Bills 13, Eagles 31 postgame thread]

3 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

I don’t blame him for calling screens or misdirection stuff. I just don’t want my QB running with the ball deep in my own territory on 3rd and short. Weather today meant points were going to be like rubies and he gave them a cheap 6. I just trust my RB more in that area. That play wasn’t just about execution, but risk. 

 

I get it but that play hasn't been a risk any other time this year. All of Allen's turnovers have come on passing plays. It sucks it didn't work out but that has overall been a money play for us on 3rd down this year. This is just a case of bad execution.

[Bills 13, Eagles 31 postgame thread]

2 minutes ago, Boatdrinks said:

He sure could have. As I said, I don’t want Josh Allen running in that situation. Just an awful call and the Eagles took advantage. 

 

If Allen held onto the ball and we converted no one would be complaining about the call. Poor execution has a way of making the coaching look bad. Frankly I don't blame Daboll for calling a bunch of screens and gadget plays. This offense isn't built up enough to run normal plays and Allen is still learning. Until we get a true #1 WR the offense isn't going anywhere. That or an elite offensive line but we're about 4 players short of that.

[Bills 13, Eagles 31 postgame thread]

I expected a loss today, but the way it snowballed into a blowout is concerning. I don't know what happened to Edmunds during the bye but the run defense will be a mess until he pulls it together. The offensive line has gotten pushed around the past 2 weeks. We don't have anyone on offense that we can rely on for a big play. Right now we look like a borderline playoff team that will make the playoffs this year because of a weak schedule. If we want to be dominant we need to fix those issues.

[Do we need a Trade now???]

1 minute ago, buffalo2218 said:

Our problems on offense wouldn't change with Green, so losing draft picks makes no sense. We need a much better O coordinator, no amount of Green, Jones or anyone else is gonna change that

 

We have more than one problem on offense but I think a dominant WR that we  can depend on to make a play is the biggest thing missing. Daboll gets too cute sometimes but we don't have a WR that consistently wins 1 on 1 matchups which puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team. All of the top offenses in the league have a player like that.

[Do we need a Trade now???]

Yes I would still try to get AJ Green, especially since it's looking like we'll need to win some shootouts to make some noise this year. I would take Ngakoue but he isn't going to stop teams from running up the middle at will. We desperately need an elite offensive talent.

[Bills vs Eagles Pregame thread]

8 minutes ago, DefenseWins said:

 

After today will ESPN call the Bills "the worst 6-1 Team in NFL History"?

 

 

I hope we become the worst Super Bowl winner in history.

[Carucci: Bills are 5-1, but Josh Allen can’t seem to win no matter what he does]

16 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

I don't think I ever said that

 

You didn't say anything close to that, but that poster has a certain way of doing things around here. Don't worry, everyone else can clearly read what you said.

[Two new Names added to Trade Market (Jets) - WR, Robby Anderson and DT, Leonard Williams]

I would love a trade for Anderson. He has a similar skill set to John Brown but he's a big upgrade over Duke. But I don't see the Jets trading within the division.

[Josh Gordon is about to be available]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

He isn't the player he was. 

 

That's okay, I'm not expecting a true #1 receiver at this point in the season. If he's an upgrade on Duke Williams I'll still kick the tires. I don't see a downside.

[Josh Gordon is about to be available]

2 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

and it wouldn’t even be a big contract. If released from IR AFTER the trade deadline he is subject to Waivers. So just have to put a claim in (though we might not get him). 

 

I'm pretty he becomes a free agent if I'm reading the reports correctly.

[Josh Gordon is about to be available]

10 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

no draft pick will be required. Only a Contract. 

 

Yep and this is why I would kick the tires. Even when he's flamed out in the past it's not like he's a locker room cancer. If he screws up and we cut him no harm done.

[Josh Gordon is about to be available]

1 minute ago, SirAndrew said:

I’m not liking a guy who couldn’t really succeed in NE. 

 

As far as I know he kept his head down and didn't cause any problems there. Of course there's possibly something else to this story, I'm not sure why they're moving on.

[Josh Gordon is about to be available]

 

Any takers?