Logic

Yeah. This season and seeing all these young guys contribute and make plays -- it's really changed the outlook on Beane's drafting and UDFA acquisition. I know that many -- myself included, at times -- feel that Beane's strength is in overall team building and contract structuring and things of that nature, but that he sometimes is lacking in the "drafting good players" department. Things sure are looking a little different on that front at the moment. Granted, I'd still like to see a higher "homerun" rate", but...I can't just ignore the contributions of so many of his draft picks on this roster right now. Good drafting, roster building, and player development: the benefits of a steady and high quality front office. As for SVPG: McGovern has thus far surpassed my expectations, seems to be one of the leaders of the OL, and is playing at a high level. He's only 26 and is theoretically just now coming into his prime. Whereas I had previously viewed him as a one to two year stopgap and SVPG as the future at the position, if McGovern keeps playing the way he is, I don't imagine he'll be leaving the pivot any time soon. I still like SVPG as a prospect, though, and I love knowing that we have good interior linemen (Alec Anderson is impressive, too) in the pipeline.

This. Pretty much took the words out of my mouth. I STILL think we have a below average receiver room. I think Joe Brady is scheming so well, and Josh Allen is so talented, that it hasn't mattered much. The offense has already surpassed my expectations, and I'm cautiously optimistic moving forward. I want to see how the offense does once opposing defenses get more tape on Brady's scheme and figure out his tendencies and tells. Will he have an effective counter-punch? Lest we forget that in games 2, 3, and 4 of last season, the Bills under Dorsey put up 38 37, and 48 points. We saw what happened after that. I also want to see how the offense does against better defenses, and how consistently they can keep up the barrage of points. Still: Expectations have been thus far surpassed, and I'm cautiously optimistic.

I agree with all your points. And I didn't mean to call you out specifically, so apologies for any collateral damage inflicted by pulling up this thread 😅 I mainly just meant to point out that it has happened again and again and again throughout NFL history that a new offensive playcaller looks amazing -- until he doesn't. At some point, opposing defenses figure out what you like to do and find ways to defend it. Like I said, I happen to think Brady is smart enough and that his offense is multiple enough that he WILL have counter-punches. Mostly because it's not as if the Bills are just doing ONE thing. They're mauling people in the run game, they're hitting screens and gimme passes, medium range passes, using motion effectively, calling QB runs in intelligent spots, and utilizing their personnel to their strengths. Nevertheless, as confident as I may be in Brady's ability to counter-punch, until I actually SEE him do it, I can't be 100% sure he'll be able to. Just playing devil's advocate. If we hit mid-season and beyond -- and play some tougher defenses -- and the Bills offense is still an unstoppable juggernaut, then I'll start looking for Brady replacements.

Just saw the stat from Sal C that the Ravens have given up 16 pass plays of 20+ yards this season: MOST in the NFL. Plays will be there for the taking in the passing game. If the OL continues to keep Josh upright and comfortable, I like the Bills' chances of putting up a lot of points on Sunday night.

I love what Brady is doing so far. He has surpassed my expectations, and I love the the plays he draws up, the way he calls games in the moment, and the way he uses his players to his strengths. All indications are that he's also a good listener, good collaborator, and high character person. I'll admit I've fallen victim to the "he'll be gone after a year or two anyway" talk, BUT... I would be remiss not to mention this: Let's see how he does as defenses start to get more tape on what he likes to do. Many coordinators start out hot and then once opponents get some idea of what they like doing and how to defend it, they have no counter-punch. Heck, even Ken Dorsey's first few games as full time Bills offensive coordinator had the team looking pretty sharp and putting up points. Then opposing defenses caught up, and he never countered in his remaining time here. I think Brady is brighter and better at calling offense than Dorsey, and I have faith that he WILL have some counter-punches, particularly since his offense is so multiple and seems to be able to beat you in a myriad of ways. Still, until he proves that his offense is here to stay, I fear the "somebody will poach him" talk is premature. To wit: Here's a thread from October 1st last year, posted coming off of 37, 38, and 48 point performances from the offense.

Two things I've been wishing they'd do for a while but not sure if they can due to licensing issues: When Rousseau makes a big play, I'd like the PA to blast the "I am Groooot" sound bite from a Guardians of the Galaxy movie. When Bass makes a kick, I always thought it would be funny if they played a "Bass-o-matic" soundbite from Dan Aykroyd on SNL. Granted, I've had this idea for so long that Tyler Bass no longer IS Bass-o-matic, and also most people today would probably have no idea who the hell Dan Aykroyd is. I've always thought the Bills -- and all pro football teams, really -- vastly underuse the "fan traditions and singalongs" part of sports. You watch Premiere League soccer and thousands of fans are singing songs specific to certain players, doing chants, choreographed multi-part call and response...it's wild. Football fans just kind of....get drunk and yell at the top of their voices. Just a generic din.

You're doing God's work. I have full faith that this is why the Bills have looked so good this year. Don't let us down.

It will irritate me if he gets immediately poached. Guys like Ben Johnson and Bobby Slowik are in their second or third seasons with their respective teams. It would be nice if the same could happen for Brady. I'd love it if we could get a few seasons out of him. The thing with Brady is that he not only seems to have a good playbook and a good feel for calling games, he ALSO seems to be a good listener, a good speaker, and a good leader. He has "future head coach" written all over him. Lest everyone forget, he was the "it" guy just a few years ago coming off the LSU season. It was only the Panthers QB-less tire fire that knocked the shine off him and allowed him to become a Bills coach. At any rate, seeing Brian Daboll and Joe Brady's career re-births (and even Dorsey got immediately hired to coordinate the Browns), one thing has become clear: calling plays for Josh Allen is just about the best thing that can happen to any young offensive coordinator. So hopefully, if the unthinkable (and highly irritating) happens and Brady gets poached, there will be no shortage of quality play callers lining up for a chance to work for the Bills.

Yes we do. If you had asked me before the season who the best player in the league was, I would have said Pat Mahomes. After the first three games of this season (and taking into consideration who Pat and Josh have around them and on the coaching staff), I'm changing my answer. Josh Allen is the best football player on planet earth right now. And probably on most other planets, too.

Just wanted to say one more thing: I am so, SO thankful the Bills had Riddick and Orlovsky instead of Buck and Aikman tonight. The commentary was educational, insightful, and actually added to the game. As soon as the game ended, I switched to the Bengals game, and was immediately reminded how bad the alternative is. Yuck. I would like to officially petition for Riddick and Orlovsky to call ALL Monday Night Football games, and maybe all Bills games in general from now on, please and thank you.

I agree with your take. No one is playing quarterback better than Josh Allen right now. He's QB1. Undisputed. No doubt about it. Not even close.

Watching the Bills right now just FEELS different. Both the tangibles (scheme, execution, crispness, fundamentals, creativity) and the intangibles (fun, smiles, vibes, team chemistry) are night and day different from last season. Josh Allen hasn't looked this good since 2020. From his mechanics, to the way he's throwing the football, to his command of the offense, to the big smiles and fun he's having out there. He is winning with his brain so often that he doesn't need to put on the Superman cape quite so often. This may be the BEST we have ever seen Josh Allen look, and that's a scary thought for the rest of the NFL. MVP is his to lose right now. It seems like every week you see a new history making stat or accomplishment from him. Tonight, he was the first player ever to complete 75% of his passes, score 4 TDs, commit no turnovers, and lead his team in rushing all in one game. No one has ever done that before, ever. Astonishing. Part of the reason he looks so good this year is the EXCELLENT scheming of Joe Brady, who has surpassed my wildest expectations thus far. The Bills are FINALLY scheming WRs open. They're FINALLY giving Josh pre-snap answers and Easy Buttons regularly. They're FINALLY giving him REAL help. It's a sight for sore eyes. On top of the great scheming, on top of the All World QB play, our offensive line is playing out of its mind. On top of all THAT, for the millionth year in a row, our MASH unit defense is playing great football. Missing Milano, Bernard, and Johnson, and they're still going out there and making teams look silly. Hamlin, Spector, Ingram, Lewis...whoever. It's "next man up" and "do your one eleventh". Coaching. Offense. Defense. Quarterback play. Vibes. Everything's humming right now. Bills look like the best team in the National Football League. Fun Monday night. GO BILLS!!!!

This. I currently believe that Josh Allen is the best quarterback on planet earth, but until he wins an MVP and a Lombardi, not many people are going to take that argument seriously. It may not be fair, but its reality. Go win an MVP and a 'ship and I promise they'll be having this discussion on every sports show in America.

The look my wife shot me last time I built a road I didn't need just to block her longest road attempt...I thought I was gonna be sleeping on the couch for a week.

That's the second or third time I've heard that Josh is a big Development Cards guy. Funny, because that's almost never my strategy. I agree with Knox that a "diversified portfolio of numbers/resources" and ports are the way to go. Then again, it sounds like Josh does a lot of politicking during the games and that helps him win. Glad that bonds are being built via silly games and team hangouts. To my eyes, the team chemistry and "vibe" is night and day better than last year.

Josh Allen has never started a season going three straight games without an interception. Here's hoping this is the first year he does so. Keep the turnover ledger clean tonight and the Bills win.

I pounded the "draft Xavier Worthy" drum loudly and repeatedly, and then griped about it just as loudly after the fact when the Bills let the Chiefs take him instead. I figured it's only fair, then, to point out that so far, Xavier Worthy has been little more than a gadget receiver in Kansas City. Now, the two caveats I'll give are this: One, Worthy is obviously only three games into his rookie season and is still acclimating to the NFL. Two, Keon Coleman hasn't exactly been lighting it up either. Still, as someone who was a big Worthy truther, I would be remiss not to mention that three games into his career, he looks more Mecole Hardman and less Tyreek Hill. That being said, Hill himself had only 593 receiving yards in his first season, so of course things can change and players can evolve. For now, though, with the Chiefs offense looking like it could use a capable WR2, Worthy mostly hasn't been one. Just 17 receiving yards two weeks in a row, and a season low 50% of snaps last night. The Chiefs could certainly use some explosivity in their offense, too. Patrick Mahomes' aDOT (average depth of target) so far this season is at a career low 5.2. As we saw last night against the Falcons, there wasn't much in the way of productive downfield passing. No one other than Rashee Rice really seemed to be producing much in the passing game. A player as fast and potentially explosive as Worthy, you would think, would be taking the top off the opposing defense and making big plays downfield. So far? Not. Just thought it was interesting to note, and will be something to keep an eye on throughout the season.

I'm hoping you're kidding about putting a perfectly healthy cat down just because you're annoyed. At LEAST see if anyone else wants to adopt her or if the SPCA would take her. If the cat is grieving her lost companions, which cats absolutely do -- then you shutting her out and shunning her will likely only exacerbate the situation. Here's an article about how to help a grieving (read: stressed, anxious) cat. It sounds like your cat is exhibiting a lot of the symptoms described herein. It also discusses the considerations you should make before adding a new pet to the household. https://be.chewy.com/how-to-help-your-grieving-cat/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=14076094048&utm_content=124785787629&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo8S3BhDeARIsAFRmkOPEs425YpLg1fF_Tv0hXenp2gPR7W2D2Kx7ZDLPGjCZDUSFBRJbyr8aAni8EALw_wcB Furthermore, here are a couple other suggestions to help her chill out. The first is a powder you sprinkle in her wet food once a day. It helps anxious/loud/"extra" cats chill out. https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets/dp/335319?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=187961379&utm_content=158804942776&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo8S3BhDeARIsAFRmkOMGzSe-nfWtXmB3m63UI8xQ8V5mxlazn-dOFunNTkIzRES389VmpvQaAlO5EALw_wcB The second is a plug-in for the wall that emits calming pheromones and relieves feline stress. https://us.feliway.com/products/feliway-optimum-diffuser-refill-kit-48ml-30-day?utm_term=feliway+diffuser&utm_campaign=Feliway+-+Search+-+Branded+Terms&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=3846559876&hsa_cam=9978332535&hsa_grp=100203692149&hsa_ad=433334597498&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-295802022449&hsa_kw=feliway+diffuser&hsa_mt=b&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo8S3BhDeARIsAFRmkONLagHESwHu-1EwVwvCZx6VnCZypebBOZGCoWRF1e9MlFo_ASq1oZ0aAhpaEALw_wcB&variant=39847905394823 Good luck. Be patient. Give it a little time and try some of the things in the article. And in the name of empathy and compassion, don't kill the cat. Put up ads around the neighborhood (you'd be surprised how many people might want to adopt a sweet, old cat) or bring her to a shelter. Godspeed.

As of this moment, 46 people indicated with emojis that they agree with you in some fashion, so it seems you're not alone. Me? I prefer to watch alone. I attend one game a year live, and I watch one game a year at the Bills bar. Other than those, I prefer to watch alone. Why? Because I'm watching the game to WATCH THE GAME. I don't wanna make small talk, discuss how things are going at work, do shots every five minutes, or have some drunk guy shouting in my ear that he's upset they're running the ball so much (even though they're up three scores in the 4th quarter). In short, many fans view games as social events, where the drinking and socializing are the main event and the game is just background. That is NOT me. I really genuinely and truly love watching and experiencing football games to the fullest extent possible, and that's best done without the distracting nonsense of social situations. When it's a really big game -- say, a divisional playoff game -- I'll sometimes consider going to a Bills bar just to be around the comradery of other fans and sing the Shout song and so that I have somewhere to put all my nervous energy. That's few and far between, though. Usually it's just me, a well selected craft beer, some pizza, and nothing else. p.s. This is also the best way to watch a Super Bowl.

Yep, probably so. And if, as a QB, you're purposely throwing balls in the dirt because you don't like the playcall, you're a whiny piss baby.

Obviously if he has a shot at an active roster, he'll probably take it. But I'm hoping -- HOPING -- that if any other team tries to poach him, the fact that he's here with his college position coach will cause him to consider choosing to stay in Buffalo instead. I agree that his only realistic path to snaps this season is a catastrophic run of injury luck. It would be awesome if he could compete for a roster spot next season, though, after a full year of learning the playbook and gaining the trust of the coaches. Hi, I'm Logic, and my toxic trait is that I get unreasonably optimistic about former high round draft pick flameouts resurrecting their careers in Buffalo.

Well, some of it, yes. If it's true that he was intentionally throwing balls in the dirt any time he didn't like his OC's playcall, I mean...that's um...not so great.

Brady being a control freak douche is not really news, at least to me. There was absolutely ZERO benefit to Mayfield saying this publicly, though. Josh Allen is so mind bogglingly elite at giving interviews. Other players -- like Mayfield in this instance -- are, um....not.

Agreed on Andreesen. I feel like if Baylon Spector struggles in the next couple outings, I wouldn't mind seeing what Andreesen has to offer. Maybe I'm a season early on him, though. As for me, I forgot that we signed Lewis Cine to the practice squad. Cool to hear that he's making plays in practice. I'm probably in the extreme minority who actually feels pretty good about the Bills' safety position. Hamlin has looked a lot better this season, Bishop and Cine are talented and athletic youngsters, and Edwards and Jackson are heady vets that probably deserve more looks.

Cool article from the Athletic. They ask a bunch of Bills players to list their "best kept secret" for 2024. The players give reasoning behind each pick, but it's too much to copy and paste it all here. I've posted a few select explanations that stood out to me, but there's much more to read. As with many Athletic articles, it's worth the $1.99 a month. ***The Bolded names are the ones listed as "best kept secret" by one or more players. The non-bolded names below them are the player(s) that chose them*** https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5780324/2024/09/20/buffalo-bills-best-kept-secret-2024-jamarcus-ingram/ "...Everyone loves a secret standout who doesn’t have that same recognition, especially for something as well-documented as an NFL roster. In sports, players — through all their time on the practice field and in meeting rooms — can always tell who has some real game even if they don’t get the general praise or big enough role to show for it just yet. Who do the Bills view in this light in 2024? The Athletic polled the locker room to find out who the players believed was the team’s best-kept secret." Ja'Marcus Ingram Khalil Shakir Dion Dawkins: "He listens, he learns, he doesn’t speak. He just takes the coaching the right way. And he lets his older guys guide him to success. You know, JaMarcus has been with me damn near every day since OTAs. Every single day. And I was telling him you’ve got to change the people that you’re around. Not to say he was around anybody bad. But usually when you hang around successful people, the success kind of brushes off to you. And I’m happy to see that he’s getting his successful little nuggets." Von Miller O'Cyrus Torrence Christian Benford Reggie Gilliam Mike Edwards "He works harder than probably anybody in here, one of the top hardest workers on the team. And I feel like, it’s just my first year I’ve been here, but just watching him on tape, I feel like he’s getting better every year and I feel like this is likely going to be his breakout year." Marquez Valdes-Scantling Alec Anderson Daquan Jones "I think he’s a dog in the run game. I think he’s a competitor. And I know for me, at practice, we like to work with each other. He’s always trying to learn and always trying to get better at his craft. He’s very versatile all across the board, guard, center actually both guards… I think he’s just as good as some of the league’s best and guys who’ve been starting for years…I think he’ll be a hell of a player." Connor McGovern Austin Johnson David Edwards Mitchel Trubisky Baylon Spector Cam Lewis "He just hasn’t had a lot of opportunities to showcase his stuff. And then Monday night, I feel like he’s going to put everybody on notice that he can play ball. It’s not gonna be no type of a drop off like that. He got the communication. He got the confidence. So he’s just about to go out there and play his ball." Ray Davis Spencer Brown Cam Lewis Rasul Douglas Dawson Knox David Edwards "I think what Dawson’s asked to do, play to play, be kind of like the Y tight end, be at the point of, like, our duo play, the back side of our mid-zone. Like, he’s got to be one-on-one with like a big D-end a lot of times. And I think that a lot of times because he’s done such a good job for an extended period, like that, gets taken for granted by guys like us. And then for him to be able to be out on route concepts and separate versus DBs, like his versatility. I’ve got a lot of love for him and what he brings to our offense, our team, and then the tight end room. It’s really cool seeing him as a leader, as a player and then like teammate to teammate. I just think he’s the man." Dorian Williams AJ Epenesa Joe Andreesen Quintin Morris "You could just see it in how he practices. I think when he finally does get that opportunity, I think he’s going to take it and run." Curtis Samuel Casey Toohill Quintin Morris Dawson Knox The Offensive Line Greg Rousseau Lewis Cine (practice squad) Nicholas Morrow "He’s made like 3 or 4 plays today alone in man coverage. I thought it was pretty impressive. So I think that’s probably who I think stood out the last couple of days."