Logic

I came in here to post this, but should've guessed that you had already done so. 😋 There IS an empty spot on the practice squad.... I guess we're about to find out how confident the Bills are in the youngsters Johnson, Hamlin, and Thomas (sounds like a law firm).

I am absolutely flummoxed by the release of Hollister. I thought FOR SURE it was just roster gymnastics and he'd be brought back. To go into the season with only Dawson Knox -- who still has yet to prove he can be a high quality starter at the position -- and Sweeney and Gilliam (and Gilliam is listed as a fullback, mind you) is crazy to me. It shows A TON of confidence in Dawson Knox. Even IF Knox breaks out, though, there's always health to consider. The Bills are now one Dawson Knox injury away from going into an actual NFL game with Tommy Sweeney and Reggie Gilliam as its only tight ends. Between Hollister's athleticism, his chemistry with Josh, and just the sheer need to have more than one capable tight end in today's game, I just don't understand this move. It makes zero sense to me.

Can somebody ask him what iron does to other iron?

Thanks for posting this. I was just thinking this the other day when looking at the Bills 2021 schedule: We face a rather easy slate of QBs, led by those five contests against rookies. McDermott's Bills defenses have historically been good not only against rookie QBs, but against average QBs in general. The elite passers can sometimes (not always) give the Bills defense fits. Some of his worst losses as head coach have come against really good quarterbacks. Against the mediocre ones, though? The Bills -- more often than not -- come out on top. When looking at an upcoming slate of opponents in a given season, always look at the opposing quarterbacks. This year, there are five or so that are very good. The other 12...not so much.

Every team you mentioned would absolutely improve by adding John Brown. I hope it’s not KC. They already have enough weapons to defend.

Am I the only one surprised that Zay Jones keeps making 53-man rosters?

In for both. Thanks! I was doing really well on the survivor pool last year....until I forgot to make a pick one week. Just like that, it was over. Here's hoping my brain works better this year.

The Bills were one Tre White goal line interception from being down 21-9 in the third quarter. The game was also closer than the final score indicated, due to Micah Hyde's onside kick run-back. Fitzpatrick can get hot on any given Sunday and pile up yards and touchdowns. That's all I'm saying. We've all seen it happen, and we all know it CAN happen. Pairing him with what should be a killer Washington defense makes that game not necessarily a gimme. I'm still picking the Bills, but if the subject is "QBs who the Bills won't necessarily pound into dust", I'd include Fitz.

Fitzpatrick can beat this defense on any given Sunday. I was in the stadium when his Dolphins offense tore the Bills defense up in 2019. Those other 10 games, though? Well....Not one of those guys scare me.

Now that Mac will be starting for the Pats*, I think the Bills will sweep them. McDermott's defenses historically have feasted on rookie QBs. In fact, compared to last season, the entire slate of quarterbacks the Bills face this year is not all that imposing. Mahomes, Brady, Tannehil, MAYBE Matt Ryan. Those are the good ones. Beyond that? Whole bunch of rookies and nobodies. While I don't have the specific numbers in front of me, I do know that McDermott's record as a head coach against average to bad quarterbacks is quite good.

I'm in the "win one before I die" camp, too. My biggest Bills loving friend says he wants multiple rings. As many as Brady has, plus one. I think he means it. Me? Just win me one title before I go. Just one, that's all I need.

So, uh... Hello, 2022 Bills backup QB?

Some special teams players ARE interchangeable, it’s true. The really good ones, though, add value to your kick and punt units — both coverage and return. It’s why guys like Taiwan Jones, Tyler Matakevich, and Matthew Slater have 10 year careers in the NFL. If the really good special teams players of the league were so easily replaceable, you’d think they wouldn’t have such career longevity, since they often don’t contribute much on offense or defense. Im not saying Bam was in that “really good” tier, necessarily, though recent comments by Beane and Farwell indicate that he may be. I’m just saying that in a game that often features small margins of victory, field position and special teams play matter, and Bam helped in those areas.

Respectfully, I disagree. Special teams reps ARE "live game action". A big kick return -- or a tackle on a kick return that prevents a touchdown -- can be the difference between a win and a loss. I believe that special teams will always be important to Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, and rightly so. There are three phases in football, and all three matter.

I think they just weren’t gonna keep 7 DEs no matter what. I’ll echo others in saying I wish Addison were the one to go instead. I wonder who takes Bam’s role on special teams, and whether this means they’ll keep six instead of five linebackers.

Sorry to see it. On the insensitive fantasy football side of things...I picked up Ty'Son Williams on waivers. I think he gets more carries than Justice Hill.

I respect your optimism, but I'd put it at least at 10%. Regardless of what the Pegulas want or say they want, this is 2021, and the NFL is all about maximizing revenue. Above all else, it's a business. Loyal, diehard fan bases (and media markets larger than Buffalo) like Cleveland and Oakland have lost teams in the past 25 years. Buffalo isn't special or unique. I think the team will end up sticking around, too, but to say "0% chance they move", in my mind, is overly optimistic and not realistic.

I'm late to the party on this thread, but I think Sims has a chance to stick on the 53-man roster. For one thing, McKenzie may not be ready for week 1, and even if he is, I'm not sure the staff is 100% comfortable with him as the primary return man. Stevenson has also had some ball security issues when fielding punts throughout camp. As for the player himself, he actually reminds me a lot of McKenzie. Despite limited snaps on offense through two seasons, he's produced some big plays and some touchdowns. Despite whatever his combine numbers may say, he also looks quick, fast, and shifty on the football field. I encourage you all to go watch the 2019 and 2020 Steven Sims highlights on Youtube. It's easy to see exactly how he would fit into the Bills offense as well as the return game. If McKenzie is lost for any lengthy amount of time, Sims has a better chance to make the roster than most might think for a guy added this late.

It is clear reading through the replies that many (not all) here either didn't read (understandable, since it's behind a pay wall) or didn't understand the article. As Joe B explained, many of the initial "cuts" are nothing more than Beane making use of the rule that allows him to cut 4-year vested veterans without subjecting them to waivers. He then puts several players on IR from the "initial 53-man roster" and uses those open spots to bring back Hollister, Jones, etc. Beane has used this roster trick before and will likely do so again. He does NOT have Hollister or Jones as true cuts, or other seemingly head scratching things. It's all roster gymnastics.

Make sure to go kickers early and often. You can never have too many kickers.

12-5 seems reasonable. Even 11-6 wouldn't surprise me. Team progression is not linear. Also, as we have seen this week, COVID can strike at any time. If we lose 5 or 6 games, though, here's what I'd see them being: Pitt, KC, NE (let's not just all of the sudden assume we're going to sweep them every year. Belichick is still the coach. The defense looks much improved), Bucs, Saints. Those would be my five presumed losses. NYJ? Miami? Please.

As I also alluded to in that post, there are two main reasons. I think the Steelers running game will be better this year with Najee Harris in the fold, making their offense less one-dimensional. We also play them earlier in the year than we have recently, meaning old man Roethlisberger's arm will likely be fresher. Additionally, if I recall correctly, their defense was missing some key parts the last couple of times we faced them. Assuming their defense is at full strength for this matchup, I think they'll give the Bills offense a harder time than some might think. The combination of a more balanced offense, healthier defense, fresher quarterback, and quality coaching on the opposite sideline lead me to believe this is no gimme, and the Steelers might take it. I also think the crowd will be insane at Highmark Stadium and the Bills might be a little too amped up. I need to see the Bills operating at the same level as last year now that they'll be front of a full, frenzied stadium before I believe that it definitely will happen.

Bills fans? Confident their team -- coming off a 13-3 season -- will win a home opener against a team they've beaten twice in two years? I don't buy it! 😋