Ayjent

Good stuff Shaw. It really is surreal watching these Bills have games like this and Titans. They aren’t even playing clean, mistake free games. Turnovers, miscues, dropped passes still happened as you pointed out but only changed the margin of victory. This team is also fiery and feisty which hasn’t really been their DNA in the previous years. I think with a few exceptions (namely 17) this team was a bit soft against physical teams, especially defensively in the past few seasons. Not anymore. They played hard all game even when it was long decided. I’m sure the coaches aren’t thrilled with Lawson and Epeneza letting their emotions get out of control, but as a fan what I saw were guys taking exception to Pickett being a punk, especially after kicking Epeneza as he was coming off the pile. They wanted to dominate and they didn’t want to give the coaches any reason to limit snaps. The refs missed an easy call on Pickett kicking and it escalated over the next few plays, which is why I’m sure Epeneza was irritated with the ref ( no excuse for what everyone knows is off limits). Pickett was getting hit hard and he seems like competitor but he also seems like pretty overconfident A-hole. The Bills had some nasty bang bang plays on Pickett but they don’t give you red Jersey for game day (at least not yet) and if you try extending plays or running for yards good luck. If you don’t like getting hit then don’t take those chances. The offense looks more dynamic with Shakir out there and I think it opens up the field more for everyone. That kid looks like a mix between Woods (his slight and deceiving cuts) and Reed (long upper body with good body control) but he has a long way to go before being in the conversation with anything other than physical traits. A healthy Gabe is a huge difference maker as well. He is so good on the deep ball and you can see how much work he has done over the years to become the player he is. I’d love to see the Bills get more going on the ground but seeing Cook finally have a big play to totally ice it was really nice. Motor had a few good runs. They aren’t really committed to running but I thought we’d see more runs in the fourth quarter. I think they know running is not their bread and butter but I’d like to think they are going to try to evolve as the seasons change.

Watching McDaniels continue to double down on his position that he was confident Tua was fine in light of the obvious is like a slow motion train wreck. Everybody who watched both games knows what happened and why - the most obvious evidence was for everyone to observe and overshadows any more specific testing that occurred. McDaniel’s rationalizations in light of the obvious are attempts to cast something for people to hold on to support him as the Dolphins are winning and off to a good start and that is all that is going on. The dissonance in his messaging would be comical if the real consequences of his BS weren’t so impactful to a player’s long term health. A back injury? That makes it better somehow? This is a joke and that some will stand behind or say it raises legitimate questions about what happened is just taking the bait. Don’t take the bait. It’s embarrassing for the league but it’s not exactly surprising

The Bills offense really had no one helping Josh in the first half. Too many dropped balls and bad routes. I know that was partly conditions but the Bills nearly let the game get too far away from them bc of it. One particularly frustrating series was where Allen got a completion on first down followed by two on target passes that the receivers dropped (Cook and Crowder). The receivers need to step up and I couldn’t help but think to look for Diggs more even with a lot of attention. Shakir looks pretty good to me - very smooth running after the catch. Not a blazing speed demon but a lot like Robert Woods. He stepped up in the slot and I think the team is going to be better for it when McKenzie is back (doesn’t look like crowder will be back anytime soon). They may want to rest Gabe Davis one more week bc it’s clear he isn’t 100%. The running game design leaves something to be desired bc too many slow developing plays out of spread formations and ineffectiveness from the interior line in short tight sets. Morse doesn’t seem to get any push in those situations and there hasn’t been much help from guards either. We don’t have a back that can make those yards despite those issues. It was why I was banging the drum for Dameon Pierce before the draft - a great short yardage ability and good receiver for his size. The type of guy to bring a physical element to the run game. I’ve been trying to talk myself into Cook since they drafted him but I wasn’t that impressed with him in college and I’m still not impressed. The team has plenty of shifty speedy players but they need physicality for tough games and they still don’t have it beyond 17. Moss can be physical but he hasn’t shown to be a solution for short yardage. Despite all of that they still got some things going in second half running the ball. The Defense is really good. That’s who won the game plain and simple. The Bills offense spotted the Ravens some points with turnovers and the D wasn’t quite tuned at the start of the game, but you could see them constricting tighter and tighter as the game went on. Tremaine Edmunds and Milano played lights out. The pressure by Edmunds where he kept his feet instead of flailing for Jackson (where Jackson routinely escapes) was impressive bc Jackson thought he was going to slip out of the pressure and was surprised when he realized he had no chance. Huge play to keep Bills momentum. Milano had several open field stops on Jackson where Jackson is very hard to tackle. You stop the effectiveness of the Ravens run game and Jackson’s ability to freelance and they are not effective - the Bills adjusted and exposed that for the last 2.5 quarters. I also think McD was riding the refs about not calling penalties that were obvious early on - the Ravens were challenging the refs to call penalties with several holds on the Bills D linemen and being especially aggressive with contact on receivers. It worked to frustrate the Bills early on and the refs let it play without many penalties. Speaking of penalties - I’ve heard a lot of people criticize the roughing the passer call on Allen in the 4th quarter but I felt that was a long overdue call where the Ravens had several gratuitous shots on Allen where he’d given himself up and could’ve been called. I think it goes back to Allen and McD riding the refs and finally getting a call, even if it wasn’t the most deserving of plays. A great win for the team and we are nitpicking the weaknesses of a very good team - teams evolve during the season but you start to see the character after the first 4 games.

All that we know is that they say they have a protocol, but whether or not the protocol is followed as intended or easily maneuvered around by teams and/or players is a whole different story. And lets say everything was as intended and it's a legitimate protocol, which I don't believe, but let's make believe and buy that for a second. Common sense has to be employed here bc it doesn't take a medical degree to see a person hit their head in the way Tua did on Sunday followed by a reaction to know that' it was a bad injury, and likely a brain injury. We all know that is nothing to gamble with due to the potential severity in light of all of the recent studies. Whatever those protocol tests were, assuming everything was done legitimately, didn't take the obvious chain of events that lead to the tests enough weight. It's like seeing someone break their leg and having a doctor check the top and bottom of the bone for fractures while ignoring that middle where the players leg was moving in unnatural ways. Everyone can see it is broken but the doctor says "You passed the broken leg protocol". The league wants to report less concussions like they are making positive strides, and you can see how that might lead to a situation where the league persuades "independent" doctors (paid by the NFL) to use a more conservative approach in declaring concussions. The teams and players aren't always going to make the best choices if the discretion is left to them to utilize good judgment (the NFL of the past). Now its even harder when a medical professional green lights it and the team and player have to use the same discretion in light of that questionable call. It's stupid by all involved because it looks like what it is - a sports league that isn't really doing enough to prevent brain injuries despite trying to say it is.

The NFL has never been one to pursue accountability beyond the players until it is undeniably blatant and even then it is iffy it involves the organization rather than specific actors. I love football but the NFL really does allow some horrible crap to occur without much accountability. If the protocol is easy to navigate around then it’s all for optics with no meaning which sounds about right, bc that’s just how insincere most measures to protect or promote employee well being are within organizations. And don’t get me wrong there is personal accountability of Tua here too, but people dedicated to their craft and their colleagues/teammates are conditioned to do what’s best for the team, especially in sports. As far as NFLPA getting anywhere - hard to say and depends on several factors, including how the Dolphins and NFL handle this moving forward. They are doing what they can by exerting pressure exploring legal avenues, pursing investigations and making public comments, but they are up against super connected Billionaires who are pretty much shielded from accountability and really own the league - not exactly an easy task. These players make good money but it’s chump change to these owners and the well paid ones are pretty reluctant to speak out. I’m always wary of people who say “trust me” or “I’m going to be straight with you…”. It’s pretty much signaling that your BS meter should going off.

That’s the school of Shanahan - no one is more important than HC, players are replaceable parts. You get the impression Tua is a dude conditioned to play ball at all costs for everyone based on what they said last night in the broadcast. The whole narrative the broadcast team had was true irony as everything unfolded down to the interception and injury - it was clear nothing really changed except talent around him.

TheDolphins crash the line of scrimmage and blitz a ton. You beat that by good blocking and quick hitting plays in run and pass game. Our OL wasn’t up to task to blow them out of water due to injuries but really they still played very well on Offense as unit. It was poor execution in scoring position, poor clock management, a missed gimme FG and a dropped pick 6 by Milano that cost them the game. Dolphins had everything go their way for the most part and lucked out a W against a team decimated by heat exhaustion and injuries. Sometimes the better team doesn’t win.

Dan Snyder might have to step his game. Snyder is just cruel to everyone - how else can you explain signing prince Harry as your QB and that awful choice for a team name with the worst uniforms since those jags two tone helmets.

It’s clear that the NFL and Dolphins think people are stupid or just complicit enough to not care to dismiss what is obvious to anyone watching the Dolphins past two games. The dude suffered two severe concussions that signaled severe trauma by his body’s response (spaghetti legs and then the frightening neuro response last night). Whatever vocabulary they use to describe both injuries it wasn’t safe to play and if Tua was smart and the people around truly supportive he’d reassess ever playing again if not this year. I have no love for the Dolphins but that is just scary stuff that isn’t worth it. Not immediately but yeah several from CTE.

Jordan Phillips played a hell of a game and the DL didn’t miss a beat with Oliver out of lineup bc of it. That spin move sack he had was nasty and he crushed Stafford on another play that Stafford just got it away on. So glad he is back. I think Crowder laid claim to being option 1 in the slot. Just looks more steady even though McK is more explosive. Collinsworth actually called it right - McKenzie might be the better option when teams play man and Crowder is better against zone. I think they both get a lot of snaps regardless and I think we’ll see Shakir in the mix too as the season progresses.

He was really solid at UCF and big part of a really talented “National Championship” team in Frost’s last season. I really liked the pick but worried about his hands, but the work he puts in is a big part of his continued improvement and that is a talent you can’t measure at the combine. I’m sure being a part of a good organization with a guy like Josh at QB doesn’t hurt either.

We don't need more games, and I really don't even like that they added a game last season. Watered down roster management just makes watching a casual non-Bills game even less interesting or a game that looks great to tune into turn into meh.

So the Dolphins are going to try rub routes and bubble screens to Hill. Sounds like Hill will take a beating as teams leave Strong Safety/LBs in middle zone to clean up. Hell even take a 15 yd penalty for defenseless WR to set the tone. I think Hill is in for a rude awakening when Tua can’t extend plays like Mahomes and doesn’t get him the ball on time. We’ll see how he feels mid season about it, bc right now it’s just meaningless cheerleading. There is no question Hill opened up the Chiefs offense, but Mahomes isn’t going to suddenly suck without him.

Remember the year Donnie McNabb got jacked - he threw high velocity toe misses all season and had more trouble with accuracy than usual.

Honestly I’ll miss it mostly because of the conversation after the initial post. But as long as you’re not leaving, you’ll find me looking for a conversation with you in it. Enjoyable things that become unenjoyable should become things you used to do.

This will change a bunch between now and the start of the postseason. They are no lock to get No. 1 seed, but I'm not sure that matters. It will be interesting to see what Dorsey's offense looks like compared to Daboll's, but I love the additions of Brady and Kromer to the coaching staff. I think they'll have more balance and more explosive plays. Still wish that they would have gotten a short yardage back.

Stevenson's going to have to transform himself like I've never seen a player transform to be a viable NFL return man. He runs too straight up. He's not elusive. He takes a ton of hard shots that are going to result in turnovers and/or injuries. I doubt Stevenson makes the team unless he shows up big time. Linked Video is a good breakdown of why Cook and Shakir were picked by the Bills - RAC ability and creating match-up issues all over the field. Shakir looks like someone they want to groom into a swiss army knife slot receiver to be the No. 3 eventually with Diggs and Davis. I think it will be slot by committee this year but its Shakir's role to win.

Whether there are people who can afford it vs. people who will pay it are two different populations. Maybe it will all be okay, but that is a big maybe. It's crappy to the guy who can't and I'd guess that those making enough to afford it and willing to pay it aren't making up a majority of the current season ticket holders. The team is great right now, but what about when its not because that has been the case far more than not during its history? The Bills fans showed up anyhow, because it was affordable and because the game day experience is great, but if you put that price tag on it both of those things may go away. This isn't lost on people when they make their decisions.

Which even in the best of circumstances will unlikely be anywhere near what you paid for them. I don't really know that I've ever heard of profiting on PSLs happening, but I can't say it hasn't. Since people tend to be going to realism-type arguments, let's be real. This profit pipe dream isn't going to happen 99% of the time, if ever. PSLs are a bad idea for the long-term of this team and its fan-base. I could be wrong, but I just don't see it playing out well. If they do PSLs and they don't sell or just drive people away from going or signing up for season tickets, then there is an argument about the area not being able to support the team, despite the taxpayers having funded the stadium. What we all thought was the solution to keeping the team might be the solution to moving it. We would all know that is horses#!+ but don't think for a minute that the NFL wouldn't posture that way. This just isn't the right fans/area to go for the PSL approach, unless they wanted to do for a very limited number of seats, and even then I don't think it is a good idea. All we can hope is that the Pegulas think about how this plays out and are committed to keeping the team here, adjusting significantly if they choose the PSL route and it doesn't go well.

I live here in DC it’s the stadium and so much more but the main concept is that Snyder was all about exploiting a fan base rabid for their team to the point of destroying a lot of what was good. People that had generations of passed down season tickets said screw this because it just was terrible experience at the game and the longest tenured fans felt mistreated in and out of the stadium. The team not being great isn’t the problem, but the team just doesn’t provide anything for the next generation of fans. I don’t want the Bills making any mistakes even close to that.

PSLs are fan exploitation pure and simple and I think they will be a flaming failure in Buffalo. The fan atmosphere makes Buffalo games what they are and if they go to PSLs they’ll get the same bland, stale, and over-commercialized experience where even your urinal greats you with sponsorship. They always depreciate in value and leave with a hard choice if you aren’t interested in going anymore. The value of the Bills is their fan base, and the passion on gamedays. I know people sometimes wish for a more family friendly experience but that’s not what it is and if you think ruining the experience with higher costs and a stale experience is good for family outings at an NFL game…oh boy. Great now everyone can go and no one will be satisfied and they’ll have drained you of significant funds for something that was free and better on TV because the atmosphere sucks like most NFL games around the league. Honestly, it’s amazing stadiums are as full as they are but much of it is do to these PSLs and how they know they have people over a barrel for years and they don’t have to worry about the game day experience. Washington is a perfect example of how to ruin a great fan base by milking the life out of it.

I think they see Bernard as a guy they can run as the 3rd linebacker and as a third down specialist who they can blitz, have cover, or spy. I think he gets plenty of snaps if he picks up the scheme. He seems like a guy that fits what the Bills' philosophy on D is. Cook is an interesting pick and might be a better all around back than Singletary or Moss. Definitely a better receiver. I don't think they are going to resign Singletary or Moss to second contracts. I liked Damien Pierce a lot better than Cook, but Cook was the feature back for the National Champions and is a little shiftier and more fluid in the passing game than Pierce. I just liked the physicality of Pierce because I think its wise to get someone to take the tough yardage carries so Josh doesn't take a beating in those situations.

Sauce needs to get in the weight room if he doesn't want to look like a fool against NFL WRs. His nickname might become "Toast" Gardner.

At some point they have to get some guys on the OL to make sure they get better. I know Kromer is a better coach than they've had under McD, but Morse is going to retire soon and the OL was a big issue last year.

Seems like a very specific fit that they want in certain passing down packages. I don't hate this pick, even though I don't know much about him. I still don't know why the Bills aren't trying to get more physical on both sides of the ball. The picks are all fine, but seems like they probably had a WR that they were hoping to get and then there was a run on them right before they picked. I'm still scratching my head about letting Jermaine Johnson go - I thought for sure that was why they moved up. Miller, Rousseau, Johnson, Hughes - that would have been an impressive rotation of DEs.