Straight Hucklebuck

Just my opinion, I just just don’t think the Bills think the drag to McKenzie is a high ROI play. And Hines, I’d just be more on the shocked side if the Bills start putting him in the slot because it means that Diggs, Beasley and McKenzie won’t be there unless they flex to 4-wide ala 2020 empty set and gun. I can see Hines getting 1 carry in the Playoffs, maybe in the form of a toss-play.

It's the right idea. Beane should be laser focused on getting another elite WR in Buffalo. Getting another legitimate #1 WR in here. Crystalizes the depth chart. But what do the Cardinals want? They got him for a 2nd and David Johnson. A single 2nd Round pick? Intriguing, we've taken Ford, Epenesa, Basham, Cook. But he wants a new deal, and that's probably the killer.

Classic, 13-games he hasn't played in 4 this year as if Monday Night didn't happen. Sounds like two guys who don't watch the league other than Steelers games.

Notice that WGR is not banging that drum as hard. I bang on the media for their lack of any real football questions, but give it to Mookie Hawkins for continuing to ask Dorsey why the running backs don't get more carries when they are averaging 5.0+ ypc.

Dorsey said today that Josh's elbow is full-go with no limitations on any type of throw. In the Bengals game there was no sleeve, no long shirt over top, no tape.

Dorsey gave some generic answer about developing/expanding Hines' role in the offense today. I don't expect any changes at this point. The Bills dabbled with him once or twice in the first few games he was here, and he did take a dump off for a touchdown. But Playoffs? I expect this to be the Singletary and Cook show. I also expect John Brown and Cole Beasley are the ones elevated on game day. I don't think they'll do anything with Jordan Phillips, but he has a significant shoulder issue, and it's not smart to keep rotating him in as if he's healthy. You know other OCs are seeing that in the film room and will look to exploit if possible.

Who is better Dalton Kincaid or Mike Mayer?

Beane has to avoid the 2nd Round sinkholes. Can't have the Cody Ford's, AJ Epenesa's, Boogie Basham's when you're facing this competition. Also, picking at the end of the first round is harder.

When you tour that video, the old pillars almost get in the way. Take them out and there would be more space.

You expect the #1 offense in the league. Not in a mean way, but no NFL team this year averaged 30 ppg. So if 30 is the floor, then what is the ceiling? 35 ppg? That's 1998 Minnesota Vikings. That takes dynamic QB, great RB, two HOF receivers and a great line, usually with one HOFer on it.

Ekeler caught 107 passes this year and the Chargers scored 23.0 ppg (13th in the NFL). So only one example there, but checking down can only get you so far. I use the Chargers because that is another rocket armed QB, with issues the type of WRs he has to work with and style of the OC. I can agree with others, that this offense should have been closer to 30 ppg with less red zone turnovers.

I agree with all of that. WRs are RBs and Knox are open and Allen does bypass them.

I think with more talent at WR, this whole take the checkdown point would become irrelevant. The Bills gave Gabe the chance at the #2 role and if the Bills don't decide to pursue an upgrade there, then the shortfalls look evident. The hands aren't great, he doesn't high point or Moss defenders, he doesn't really break tackles, there doesn't appear to be a variety of routes, the routes he runs aren't super crisp. He looks like a guy who has to have a couple of steps on the defender and the ball has to be in front of him. He can get to the sidelines, we've seen that, but he is not loose in the hips to come back to the ball or run double moves, or slants all that often. McKenzie in the slot seems to get lost much of the time, my belief, is because of size. He does make some plays on scramble type drills. The Bills have Knox, but what if he was paired with a Gesicki? Or Mayer in the Draft? The Bills have an A+ QB, and an A+ WR1. But my hope is Beane doesn't stop trying to get more skill and speed on the outside for Josh, and even a better TE2. Kurt Warner showed the checkdowns are there, but Allen's DNA is push. And that's okay with me, otherwise, what are you really asking for? You're asking for Josh to get even better. Take the check downs when he has to, but always keep and eye open for the big play.

I love what Allen said in the post game, something to the effect of checkdowns are nice, but sometimes you just have to make plays. Our media has been on him all year about turnovers, but Allen knows you're not winning big games checking it down constantly. We're all here because of Allen's ability. I wish our media would stop with the "how do you balance being aggressive and take what the defense gives you" questions.

Bob, like you, I ditched the pre-game show 15 years ago with their slow-motion highlights, and players laughing about the good old days, reliving their playing careers. I do enjoy sports radio and listened to Colin Cowherd consistently since he joined ESPN in 2004. But I agree the show developed numerous problems. 1. The same guests, in the same timeslots, every week. 2. No variation in topics - LeBron, Brady, Rodgers, Cowboys, Westbrook. It's the same show every day. 3. His co-host, man or woman, has too big of a role. Nobody wants to hear Kristine Leahy, Joy Taylor or Jason McIntyre (obnoxious Jets fan) talk. I stopped listening to his show the day he came in with a new idea - the Broncos trading Russell Wilson for Kyler Murray straight up. Now I just listen to WGR 550. I don't learn anything listening to them because it's generic fan talk, but at least it's Bills and Sabres talk and not media driven storylines about who is going to be the MVP, or an ESPN Who's The Best ranking show.

That was the fastest I've ever seen Stefon Diggs run. He had on ACME Rocket Shoes ala Wile E. Coyote to catch that ball. Same with John Brown.

Yes and I assume the Bills are elevating Brown and Beasley for the Playoffs. We've had no word about Kumerow or Crowder, so they're not coming back. Nothing on Hyde since December. He's not coming back.

It's alarming to me that the Bills are putting him out there in this condition. That video is jarring. New England is <5 yards in and he might as well be out there in a sling. The Coaching staff needs to do the right thing for the team and get another Defensive Lineman that is fully capable on the field. Jordan played 19 snaps yesterday.

People have said it all year, it’s his catching technique. The tries to basket catch everything and it hits his chest. Todays dropped TD was a mirror image of the Jets 70-yarder. Ball gets into his chest. And we know Gabe, he’s has to get by his man, he doesn’t make any contested catches or pluck/high-point the ball.

I’m happy the Bengals get to play another black and blue bruised game with the Ravens. Ravens probably won’t win, but both being from the North, they beat each other up. Higgins got rocked today and Cappa might be out with an ankle sprain.

I remember a play that was frustrating. The Bills roll Allen to the left on a designed run and he loses 2 yards in the second half. Cook was on the field, and I guess, was a decoy and ran to the right. Allen didn’t look like he had his high gear today running, probably because of the ankle. The interception Cook does have a good 5 yards of space, but agree, that distance is eaten up quickly.

Yes, I remember the plays to Hunter Henry the most. He’s slow, but over the middle he was constantly open. Marlowe was a mess today.

Von also wrecks a lot of run plays by crashing inside. You see the difference (obvious) between Von and Epenesa. Von can bend, Epenesa gets pushed past the QB constantly. Also, you have to think Von’s snaps would have increased in the Playoffs.

I’m sorry but if McDermott is still holding onto that he needs a reality check. Cook is fast, he flies into the second level, he runs hard too. Stop playing games and sending messages, Cook is a playmaker. I texted my brother at 2:19 PM, Cook has 5 carries for 41 yards, think he should see the ball more ?!?

Yeah, like I said, Banged up Bills (although wrong a lot) did bring up that there are three stages. AC sprain was best case scenario. We know it’s worse than that. Dislocation was next, but he can’t raise his arm. So I think we’re going to find out it’s his labrum after the season. I hope Sean and Frazier just do the smart thing and get Bryant in there. They can’t keep putting Phillips on the field with one arm, it’s obviously hurting the team. Teams are going to identify that quickly.