IgotBILLStopay

There are rumors that we got the sweet deal for KB because his knee is guaranteed for injury and the Panthers do not want to be on the hook for 8.5 mill next year. I am wondering what KB's/ Bill's incentives are. If the injury concerns are true - Because of the injury guarantee he is probably going to go all out. If the Bills have some concerns about having him next year (let us say after seeing him for the next few games), will they shut him down like Tyrod in Game 16 last year? Also, they might use him on a limited basis as they evaluate his knee. On the other hand, if KB thinks the Bills are thinking of shutting him down, will he go even more all out and make himself indispensable?

I have always wanted the comp picks, but at this stage with the team having a legit shot at the playoffs and with Davis and Holmes unlikely to clear waivers, I say "Pass" and go into next years draft with one 3rd rounder less. The only exception would be if Davis and / or Holmes were to be injured or something (meaning no team would pick em off the waiver wire). Then I will revisit this prior to week 10.

If no trade, wasnt Marshon Lattimore going to be the pick? http://www.espn.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/28259/rookie-marshon-lattimores-legend-grows-as-he-seals-saints-fifth-straight-win Lattimore has looked good, but I'd rather have Tre + Chiefs' next year's first rather than Lattimre Now your question is different - and mucho harder to answer

Girlfriend confirms it. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/10/16/martavis-bryants-girlfriend-appears-to-confirm-he-wants-to-be-traded/ I think a 4th will get it done. Have been wanting him on the roster since he torched us in a preseason game. Please make it happen!

McD's explanation for releasing J-Dub http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2017/09/sean_mcdermott_explains_why_buffalo_bills_cut_rb_jonathan_williams.html one line summary: J-Dub was great - but needed the spot for Defense / ST

I agree. While I am confident about the system and "trust the process", injuries will remain a significant wild card. Strangely enough, we come off wins against Denver and Atlanta - and are the underdogs to the 1-3 Cinci team:( possibly because of the injuries.

The Worldwide leader had been slow to jump on the Bills bandwagon so far, but.... http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20906643/2017-nfl-insiders-predict-week-5-upsets-fantasy-flops-buffalo-bills-los-angeles-rams-surprise-playoff-contenders-more Which surprise 3-1 team are you buying as a legit contender for a playoff spot: Rams, Bills or neither?Bowen: Buffalo. The Rams have generated more national hype due to the quick development of quarterback Jared Goff and the modern-day offense new head coach Sean McVay has installed in Los Angeles. But I like the Bills in this situation due to a much more favorable schedule and a defense that can close out games. Yes, I'm still buying the Patriots to win the AFC East, but the Bills can pair that defensive team speed with the play of Tyrod Taylor to stay in the mix for a wild-card spot. Clay: Neither. The Rams have been impressive, but after facing the Colts, Redskins, 49ers and Cowboys defenses, I wonder how the offense will perform against an absurdly tough slate the rest of the way that includes the Jaguars, Giants, Texans, Vikings and Eagles in addition to the Seahawks and Cardinals twice each. The Bills are a fringe team, but it won't be easy fending off New England for the division or fellow wild-card contenders like the Raiders, Broncos, Texans, Titans and Ravens. Foxworth: Buffalo. The Bills handed both the Falcons and the Broncos their only losses of this young season. Those are more impressive wins than the Rams beating the Colts, 49ers and Cowboys. The Rams' offensive improvement deserves the praise we've heaped on it. But, in my experience, a tough defense makes for a more reliable team. And that's what the Bills have. Tyrod Taylor and the Bills' offense have made the plays that they need to win, but they haven't been great. That's in part because they haven't been able to get LeSean McCoy on track. If they can figure out how to reignite that punishing and explosive running game from a year ago, the Bills will certainly be a viable contender at the end of the season. Kimes: Buffalo. Both teams have a shot, but the Bills have a clearer path to the playoffs. They get to play the Dolphins twice as well as the Jets, Colts and Chargers. And they've found a recipe that works, with a super stout defense and an efficient, turnover-averse quarterback in Tyrod Taylor. Sando: Buffalo. Mina's reasoning makes sense, and could be why ESPN's Analytics model puts the Bills' chances near 50 percent, with the Rams' closer to 30 percent. The Rams are a bigger surprise than the Bills, at least to me. My preseason projection had them starting 2-3 and then falling off the map, which probably is not going to happen now. Seifert: Buffalo. A defense that is holding opponents to an NFL-low 13.5 points per game provides more cover ... and more long-term stability. The Rams' defense has been gashed for 26.3 points per game (28th in the NFL), putting their own offense in an unsustainable position.

That was said in jest.

Being the defensive mastermind he is, he took a Bills defense ranked #2 on at least one metric and brought it down to the twenties. His rotational captaincy made player leadership a joke. He was bombastic but could rarely deliver on his promises. He had a little trouble calling timeouts. He had a little trouble with challenges despite having a chaplain to advise him. But..... At least he made Stephon Gilmore look halfway decent, no? Doesnt that make him better than a future HOF coach with a hoodie?

Ok just for you, I will pray that all of Robert Woods' yards go to Sammy Watkins:)

In the last 10 years or so, I cant recall a more perfect week - or does my memory betray me? First the beloved BIlls went on the road as 8 point underdogs and won. Several big breaks went the Bills way to achieve this and for once, I am not blaming the Gods, the Refs, or the color of my shorts. Second the Pats lost. With Atlanta in the redzone and Brady comeback to tie it and a Patriots sack on 3rd down to get the ball back it looked like both these results would go the other way. Third The Jets beat the Jags. The Jags looked like they were contending for the playoffs (and potentially steal the Bills' spot) and the Jets were heading for a top 5 draft pick and a franchise QB. Both possibilities arrested at least for a week. Fourth,The Fish lost to the Saints. Fifth, The Titans looked like they were contending for the playoffs (and potentially steal the Bills' spot), but lost to Houston to bring both teams to 2-2. Sixth, The Raiders were consensus locks for the playoffs (and potentially steal the Bills' spot) and lost to the Broncos, whom we have already beaten. Seventh, in the Pats loss, the consensus goat was a player who yearned to be on national television. Eighth, tho the Rams won, Sammy and Woods had 17 yards each. Ninth, in the Pats loss, Touchdown Mike had zero touchdowns and Chris Hogan hauled in less than 60% of his targets. Now the Skins beating the Chiefs tonight (AFC loss, next year's first rounder etc.) will just make this week's outcomes a perfect 10 in my eyes.

My two cents: Zay Jones is so good - he managed to get two hands on that ball! Just because a receiver managed to get two hands on a ball doesnt make it catchable. Receiver did all he could. A slightly better thrown ball and we would all be celebrating. From where I sit: All on Tyrod.

Yes over the top is the safety's responsibility, but in a cover 2 Shdnt the CB at least jam the receiver at the line instead of playing several feet away? That said, you need speedy DBs in a cover 2 but nobody on the Pats was gonna keep up with Hill. So while you can't blame the CB fully - you also cannot absolve him completely. Gilmore is a bit susceptible with these defense schemes. I remember Fitz and the Jets!! Torching Rex's scheme with Gilmore and Darby last year.

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2017/9/6/16252418/buffalo-bills-2016-2017-roster-rex-ryan-doug-whaley-brandon-beane-sean-mcdermott Here is the writers' summary of the comparison of 2016 and 2017 starting day rosters: QB: push RB: worse WR: worse TE: push OL: push DL: push LB: worse DB: worse K/P: better "In re-tooling the roster from 2016 to 2017 the Bills improved one unit, weakened four units, and held serve in four more. While general manager Brandon Beane can talk about winning now and winning later it is hard to look at the roster and take his words seriously. In weakening the running back and wide receiver units, Beane has made Tyrod Taylor’s job that much harder. Depleting the defensive backs unit may not make a huge impact given the defense McDermott favors. The linebacker unit on the other hand figures to cause major issues on the defensive side of the ball. In Beane’s defense, it is difficult to completely overhaul a defense in just one offseason. None of this is to suggest that Beane doesn’t have a plan or that he is sabotaging the Bills. The extra draft picks acquired in the Watkins and Darby trades, along with the extra 2018 first round pick added in the 2017 draft, have set up the Bills to improve the roster down the road." Not a bad article - but a few things are missing in the analysis - 1. QB I think Peterman has the potential to be an upgrade over EJ, but let us leave it as a push for now. 2. Having Shady in there - strange to say RB is worse. The team think tank felt comfortable enough releasing J. Williams and to go with Banyard and Jones. Are Banyard and Jones behind Tolbert and DiMarco really worse than Gillislee behind Felton? I think not! 3. WR: Yes on paper Watkins >> Matthews, but that is assuming they both play the same number of games, no? Given the number of games Watkins suited for, I am not sure Matthews 2017 << Watkins 2016! And we knew Watkins was damaged at the start of last season! Also Jones cannot match Woods' production? Are you kidding me? I am going to bet (if there are no injury concerns) Jones has more than 51 rec for 613 yards. He will probably not block as well as Woods though. And Goodwin was the very definition of inconsistent. I am going to call this at least a push. 4. DL: So with Dareus and Lawson and playing a 4-3 instead of a 3-4, that is a push? C'mon! We are way better on the Defensive Line (and that is without even factoring in Yarbrough). 5. LB: Clearly the Brown combo couldnt contain Ajayi or Bell in a 3-4 last year. Notwithstanding that, we had no clue at the beginning of the season Zach Brown or Lorax would otherwise perform as well as they did. I feel more comfortable with Preston in a better scheme & Lorax - so I feel it is at least a wash. 6. DB: Here I do believe we got worse on paper. The jury is still out on how White + Gaines will replace Gilmore / Darby. I dont think we got worse on the safeties tho - what with Aaron Williams' injury history - it was always going to be shaky last year. 7. ST: Yes the kicker is better (Hauschka >> Carpenter), but the coordinator is the same and I did not see anything in the preseason to say the kickoff / punt teams are any better. I would rather call this a push! 8. OL / TE: I agree it is a push (though I believe we are not worse since we have Dawkins and Logan Thomas, who we didnt have last year). So my summary: QB: push RB: push WR: push TE: push OL: push DL: Better LB: push DB: Worse K/P: push We appear to have an 8-8 roster which with a couple of breaks can go 10-6 and challenge for a playoff or with a couple of bad breaks go 6-10 and have a shot at a franchise QB! The extra draft picks are just the icing on the cake.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2731339-nfl-moneyball-is-hurting-the-browns-jets-bills-and-competitive-balance "Up in Buffalo, the Bills braintrust of Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane is mixing Moneyball with the old-school NFL principle of bringin' in our own guys. The Bills looked competitive before ousting Watkins, Darby and others drafted by the last regime—not overpriced old veterans, mind you, but talented younger players coming off injuries or subpar years. The McDermott-Beane cut-to-the-quick approach had unexpected consequences. Dealing Cardale Jones to the http://bleacherreport.com/los-angeles-chargers leftthemwith only rookie Nathan Peterman and uninspiring journeyman T.J. Yates behind starter Tyrod Taylor at quarterback. With Taylor and Yates still in the league's concussion protocol heading into Week 1, the Bills announced the signing of career backup Joe Webb on Monday. Peterman may be the default quarterback of the future, but the Bills first must survive a year with no wide receivers, because Watkins is gone, Jordan Matthews (acquired as Watkins' quasi-replacement and ballast in the Darby trade) immediately got injured and Anquan Boldin retired, perhaps not seeing much point to staying on. Boldin issued a retirement statement about wanting to focus on non-football challenges, but a source told Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that Boldin might be interested in joining ..." I can see the Browns and Jets being roasted for this approach - but IMHO it is too early to tell for the Bills. Belichik does what McBeane have just done all the time and people dont call it Extreme Moneyball.

not a good market for RBs if Chris Johnson is still available. I'd take Chris Johnson over Williams and I actually like Williams.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2730817-best-nfl-free-agents-still-available-heading-into-regular-season Bills will probably be looking at Gary Barnidge (TE), John Greco!! (OG can play Tackle), Sean Spence (LB) and Dwight Lowery (S). Jeremy Kerley is probably the best talent left but we are overloaded at Nickel and need outside threats. Greco is a zone blocking scheme specialist. He is not fantastic at one position but is amazingly versatile doing decently at a bunch of things.

Wenning is outplaying Yates (and Tyrod too:))

Steelers have arguably the strongest receiving corps in the NFL. They definitely have to cut at least one of Justin Hunter, Sammie Coates or Darrius Heyward-Bey. Do we have any interest in any one of them? http://www.nfl.com/player/sammiecoates/2552470/profile http://www.nfl.com/player/darriusheyward-bey/80427/profile We already know about Justin Hunter. Some familiarity with Tyrod.

With better OL and St showings, Nate Peterman has a chance to be this year's Dak Prescott. You are saying there is a chance, right?

Washington, Logan Thomas and Seymour are locks. Not so sure about Hodges.

1. Tyrod Taylor: Following his game 2 dud, enters concussion protocol after 7 snaps in Game 3. Yates too. Solution: Nate, of course though how is he gonna practice against first, second and third teams? Clearly need to sign a QB. Or maybe, Logan Thomas can play QB in an emergency! 2. Offensive line: horrible protection and stupid penalties. Solution: pray Cordy is back soon. 3. Defensive Line: Nothing much wrong. Pray Dareus has his head on straight. Pray Adolphus is not too badly dinged. Bottomline: We are not really that good to not be badly affected when Dareus, Cordy and Taylor sit down - they are our top 3 cap hits. I dont think any team in the league can have decent hopes when a fifth of their active cap hits are not playing!! 4. RB / FB: not much bad here, though not as spectacular as last year. - but hope Williams does well and cut down on the OL penalties. 4. WR / TE: Underwhelming play so far. Reasons: Poor QB play, poor OL protection. low talent level, injuries and drops. Solution: Can Nate be the saviour? Cordy coming back, Jordan Matthews and Streator returning from injuries and of course, super glue. 5. LBs: Nothing wrong here. 6. Secondary: solid but not spectacular. 7. Special Teams - Kicking: Nothing wrong here. 8. Special Teams - Coverage: Penalties, poor decision-making. Solution: light a fire under Crossman.

A possible silver lining - suspend him for the lose anyway or win anyway games and save on the cap. For example, I think we can beat the Jets in Game 1 without Dareus. So definitely suspend him for the first game. If McD is confident without Dareus against Carolina and (maybe) Denver, Game 4 vs. Falcons is probably a likely loss even with Dareus playing. I dont even mind him serving a 4 game suspension but would definitely want to see him suit up against the Bengals, Bucs and Raiders in Games 5,6 and 7. Of course, if the team rule was being late, I doubt he would be suspended more than one game.

The data in the link is from last year regular season - so I think it is relevant - esp. since the ST coordinator is the same. In this preseason, I felt that the Bills have had consistently worse starting field position than their opponents even when the starters were in. I agree though that just a few series in the pre-season is not enough to make judgments. That is why the thread title is what it is

Arguably, starting field position is the one area where schemes & coaching matter the most. Yes you need accurate kickers and punters, but other than that you have a bunch of "no-name" guys following a coach's blueprint to cover lanes etc. to maximize field position. The hated Pats have always outperformed the Bills the past 15 years. While we have heard a lot about Dennison's schemes and Frazier's schemes, we do not hear much about Crossman's. I felt both Marrone and especially, Rex did not give it due importance in years past. http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsdef2016 I am looking at LOS / KO [Line of Scrimmage per kickoff]. Other line of scrimmage stats are compromised by turnovers / punting etc. BUF ranked 21st in Offensive line of scrimmage following a kickoff and dead last (32nd) in defensive line of scrimmage following a kickoff. Re-watching the two preseason games, it looks like Sean has not really fixed the problem (Crossman is a holdover Special Teams Coordinator from the old regime). Just for comparison, the Pats were first in Offensive LOS / KO and third in Defensive LOS / KO.