transplantbillsfan

Ummm... what? Who says anyone's getting a pass as anything? I'm not. I don't know what McDermott is. But I think if he ends up being a great coach (and a lot of folks raved about his hire) then this team with this roster could still find a way into the playoffs. I think talent is overvalued by folks here and coaching is undervalued. I'm really looking forward to how that statement is going to result in one of those great message board leaps of me somehow saying that talent doesn't matter

I mean I could take your word for it, except for the fact that the 2008 Atlanta Falcons, who had a mega roster turnover (I didn't do the math, but looks about equal to what we have) and a new HC, went to the playoffs in the first year of this mega roster turnover. So, forgive me for not believing you spent much time researching this when we have a pretty obvious and prominent example within the last decade.

You mention the offense. What about the defense? And our WR corps last year was arguably as bad as this year for most of the season with all the games Sammy and Woods missed. If Matthews and Jones stay on the field healthy all year (which is obviously a big if), I'd guess our WRs this year are better than last year. And we still have McCoy, one of the best RBs in the league. Criticize the other guys all you want but we did the same with "who the hell is Karlos Williams" and then "who the hell is Mike Gillislee." RBs are just largely a dime a dozen, especially in this running scheme. Why is the QB situation any more comical than last year? I think it's better because if Taylor misses games because of injury or benching, we don't have to watch EJ Manuel take the field.

He made the claim. Why would I have to research the claim he made? How does that make any sense in the context of an argument?

Did you actually research this or are you pulling this out of your butt?

Obvious? Sorry, don't agree, primarily for the Defense, which has at least half of its players (Kyle, Marcel, Hughes, Lawson, P Brown, Gaines and likely both our Safeties) who will probably thrive in this new 3-4 defense. Some because they're built better for it. Some because they've already thrived in it. And remember the sudden improvement in our D back with Pettine and then even more so with Schwartz? How long were those DCs with the team and how were we, again? This idea that changing systems is an obvious downgrade seems a little naive considering there are countless examples throughout history that show the contrary.

Honestly how has this not been shut down?

All of that is what Bellicheck is now, it's not what he was in his first few years when he was the Patriots HC and they were still winning Super Bowls. What did any of that have to do with the whole personality thing and all the "no joy" you were talking about? And you don't have a clue if McDermott isn't going to do something similar.

You just largely described Bill Bellicheck. Persona in a coach might not be a good thing, ya know. Remember the last guy?

Yep. Just more reason for people to freak out!!!

One of these years you'll be wrong... maybe this is the year I think that's what we're all hoping for

Tons of posters I've never seen in my brief time posting here and many of them with cryptically derisive comments like "have you seen this roster," absolute fallacies like "who would the Patriots take from our team other than McCoy and up front insults like "put down the kool aid!" and I'm wondering if these posters will be around if this team wins. I saw someone mentioned the defensive scheme not being a fit except for the fact that 3/4ths of our defensive front had 10 or more sacks 3 years ago when they last played in a 3-4 and our 4th guy is a natural 3-4 fit as opposed to 4-3... that goes for our MLB, too. And why would anyone think White is going to be expected to be Gilmore like when our CBs will be in zone coverage most of the time? Safety depth is obviously a concern but the 2 guys starting seem a helluva lot better than what we've had for a few years. Frankly, I expect a step back from the offense but it also wouldn't shock me if an experienced play caller like Dennison is able to maximize the talent the team has and keep them above average. The OL is probably going to continue to be great at run blocking and not great at pass blocking. I don't think they'll be much different than the last couple years, though Miller is another year more experienced and hopefully Dawkins gets in there at RT to start the season, otherwise Henderson can hopefully step in week 4 to shore up that spot. Still, not a ton of change on the OL and OLs usually do better the longer they play together. Let's also remember that Dennison's offense is essentially Shanahan's in terms of the zone blocking/running. That's a scheme that's very RB friendly (look at Clinton Portis in Denver vs Washington... 5.5 YPA for 2 years in Denver and never higher than 4.3 in Washington), so watching Banyard, Tolbert or Jones (or the 3 of them combined) shouldn't be a huge surprise. Saying our WR corps is one of the worst in the NFL might not be completely inaccurate, but it was last year as well considering we were trotting out Walt Powell, Brandon Tate and Justin Hunter as our WR corps at one point. Matthews has proven to be a solid NFL WR and we're gonna see what happens with Jones but he looks pretty promising even for non "kool aid drinkers." Clay appears to be seriously involved in the design of the offense, which is great because he's still clearly talented. O'Leary looks like he's going to consistently be in there for 2 TE sets and looks like a fantastic safety valve. Thomas could be a gem if he develops. QB has been talked to death. We're going to see what shakes out but whatever all of us think of Taylor I think universally we probably have more faith in Peterman as our backup if Taylor is benched or hurt than we did with Manuel. And C'Mon man!!! How can people not be excited about our new HC?! Rex literally lost games because of horrible time management, micro managing and just absolute incompetence at points. McDermott won't be perfect, but you guys really don't think coaching changes can make all the difference in the world? With the improvement I could see in our Defense and slight regression for our offense, I think our coach could factor into multiple wins alone. I'm not calling playoffs. But I can't believe there are some who're so utterly confident this team wins 3 games or less! Just insane! I guess with that confidence these people won't be watching the games on Sundays?

God this crap is annoying. Taylor's the starting QB because he earned the job in the coaches eyes as they feel he gives them the best opportunity to win. This incessant whining is ludicrous.

Didn't have an impact as far as Ws or Ls when Sammy was out of the lineup. The Bills actually won more games without him Why exactly is the schedule so brutal? Because team records last year say so? It's the NFL.

Basically it seems like Taylor is really in step five, but since step five is still considered concussion protocol McDermott is playing a little cat and mouse game by saying he still in the protocol. No?

I'm sorry, I'm just a little amazed at all of this talk about how horrible we're going to be. I actually can't believe anyone thinks this team is going to be a 4-12 or worse with such confidence. Amazing! So, I ask, how have we regressed so much? Shall we take it position by position? QB: I am aware this is the big controversial position. But are we worse with a 3rd year Tyrod Taylor, hope promising young Rookie, and a vet who at least has knowledge in the system than a 2nd year Taylor, EJ Manuel and Cardale Jones? I guess the offensive system is the answer to this question so we're going to see soon enough RB: McCoy is a year older but it doesn't seem like he's lost a step. Who knows about our backups but these zone blocking schemes are designed for RBs to thrive, aren't they? Tolbert's better than Felton. Doesn't seem much worse, if worse. WR: Obvious question mark. But let's be honest about our WRs last year: Sammy and Woods missed 11 combined games last year. That's tied with a few teams and the only fewer than San Diego in terms of number one and number two wide receiver's missing games. We had street wide receivers. Right now our WR core seems worse on paper, but if Matthews can stay healthy and Jones can keep looking like he has in the preseason I don't know how much of a step down our WR core will really be. Like the QB I think it's another wait and see. Powell might be a welcome addition after week 4. TEs: Better, no? Seems there will be a focus on getting them the ball and O'Leary has another year and looks good and Thomas looks like a promising prospect. OL: Worse to begin the season with questions surrounding Glenn and RG and RT, but I suspect both will be solidified relatively quickly. Just gotta hope Glenn stays healthy. K: BETTER!!! Punter: Same Coverage: I honestly have no clue DL: Sure did operate a lot better under a 4-3 than a 3-4, didn't it? Yeah there are questions but Kyle doesn't seem to be slowing down and it sounds like Hughes and Lawson will be really good in this D. Marcel is so freaking talented let's just hope he "buys in." Yarborough looks like a promising backup among others. LBs: Not a clue honestly but sounds like Brown will be a lot better. Lorax was a gem last year and if he's nearly as good it just means good things. CB: Brand new defense so can we maybe wait to freak out? White looks great. Gaines is a strong zone CB and that's what we're running. Same with Wright. Josh Norman thrived in this system that ultimately made him a star... not nearly as good now in a new system in Washington, is he? S: Top heavy and not deep but I think Hyde and Poyer are better than what we had last year. Coaching: It's everything. If it's good, I think we win a lot. If not we lose. I know that sounds simple, but we saw gross incompetence at that spot in the last couple years in particular. I think we see better. I don't really make predictions, but I can't believe all the folks calling us a 4-12 team. Point to the schedule if you want I guess, but even that seems a little simple minded given the consistent inconsistency of teams in the NFL. The night is darkest before the dawn, folks. Dawn comes in less than a week

When are people going to understand that the offense we've seen Taylor run probably won't really resemble the offense he's going to run during the regular season. Anyone paying close attention probably would've noticed how often Peterman was in the shotgun passing and even handing the ball off. Notice that Taylor didn't hand the ball off even once in the shotgun despite doing it countless times last year? There's a reason for that. Beane said it. It's been posted a number of times. Look it up.

Won't they practice Monday or Tuesday this week?

Ignore you?!?! A blatant liar spreading complete and utter crap about me? Here's a better idea, stop being a liar!

Dude... stop lying. I've been banned once in 10 years on Bills boards as a poster, and that was here when a mod told me he was trying to crack down on all the new posters before the regular season starts. Honestly, lying intentionally is a pretty vile CoC offense, isn't it?

I agree. I'm fine with it. Nice creation on your behalf No one worships him. That's why it's stupid.

I don't think it does for many, but definitely does for some.

I didn't call any individual anything at all. And I'm not saying every individual arguing a certain point is anything, either. I wonder why some individuals are responding so explosively

I just stepped back after stepping out and running errands and I can't believe the explosive response. I purposely sad that I wasn't pointing fingers at any individual and that it wasn't everyone who is "anti Tyrod," but it's part of the zeitgeist of Football. It kept Warren Moon out of the NFL for years. It's amazing how anyone can even deny it's not still prevalent in the NFL. I just read in the Josh Allen thread earlier today comment from another poster who I respect who mentioned something in response to people who didn't see the appeal of him that "he's a tall white QB" or something to that effect and no one blew up at that comment despite the obvious race implications. Amazing. Add race to religion and politics as those off-limits topics of discussion. Incredible if you really thought that was seriously that offensive.

Yes. Did you not understand the word? I'm not pointing to any individual or even saying it plays a role for everyone, but it's definitely part of the football zeitgeist.