Richard Noggin

Maybe lol Guy was a beast, but...

You don't sit at an effing rock concert. Especially a band like The Who. That's just weird. It's not a recital.

That sounds a LOT like what I was saying, so thanks for finding a source to verify.

It's not exactly comforting being down to only Elam, Benford, and Neal on the boundaries (Lewis would be emergency depth outside). Especially when they're also missing such a stalwart safety in Hyde. The Bills have the depth and the system and the coaching to overcome decimation at either cornerback OR safety, but overcoming impactful losses at BOTH positions will stretch credulity. Looking at it from an internal, team perspective: what amazing opportunities to step up and fill in for Jaquan Johnson, and Damar Hamlin, and even Siran Neal and/or Cam Lewis!

I'm intrigued. Is this a socio-economic/demographic/cultural issue of older, wealthier fans or corporate guests or otherwise "tamer" attendees occupying those expensive seats? I've definitely noticed the corners and end zones historically being the best with respect to volume and energy, but on Monday night nearly the entire stadium felt and sounded ENGAGED in the home field cheering process. Those decibels (105/106 on the scoreboard) were impressive for such an "open" structure.

I don't think it's a padding issue. Grass fields, for example can be REALLY effing hard in the winter (especially without sophisticated heating systems). It's an issue of traction/grip, rather than cushioning. Synthetic field surfaces, interacting with synthetic footwear substances under dynamic loads and lateral forces = unpredictable/problematic friction thresholds. Even an invisible, fractional blip of unnatural grip can apply enough force to tear the structural knee straps that otherwise make this bipedal miracle possible.

Pavement, of course, but...you guys had spray painted lines!?

Last week, Cover-1 streamed a podcast specifically highlighting the Bills use of "Shanahan-style" wide zone rushing concepts against the Rams. Which is basically the opposite of "gap-style running plays." This doesn't mean the Bills aren't still using some power, or gap, or pin-and-pull concepts mixed in, but their preferred core identity is wide zone. In the offseason McDermott ONLY interviewed OL coaching candidates steeped in this school, then landed on probably the best zone blocking teacher out there (Kromer, who might have had some early experience in different schemes, and is renowned for his flexible, adaptable approaches, but is nonetheless a zone-heavy guy philosophically). If you've seen evidence that they approached things differently in week one, please share. I like to nerd out on the Xs and Os. I also like to be proven wrong. So fire away.

Imagine wanting to sit at a Who concert!

This probably falls tidiliy along generational lines. Basically, boomers vs millennials, with us gen-xers wondering what all the fuss is about.

It's funny. I convinced my 70 year-old mother to let me move our seasons from 2nd row upper to 28th row lower, and you know what her favorite part was? Being free to stand. The energy of a standing section is awesome. Obviously you don't stand if no one in front of you is; that's unkind. But then again, remaining seated at such an exciting event is kind of stifling. I was given grief even on many defensive 3rd downs last year. Boggles the mind.

It really is like watching a hot Ryan Fitzpatrick, minus 20-30 lbs, 2-3 inches, and one pair of meaty clackers.

Of course you're right that Allen (sp) is the offensive MVP, no question. But that's just too easy, and has no analogue across the field. I'd also argue that while Josh Allen was still a work-in-progress, the Bills brought in Stefon Diggs, and we saw a TANGIBLE elevation in the play of our WRs across the board. That position group (Beasley seemed to REALLY blossom), and the offense overall, took on a more tenacious, competitive approach to every play based, in part, on the arrival of such a competitive SOB as Stefon Diggs. They were all pushed harder every day by a new personality who already had, and continues to grow, his reputation as an ELITE player. Von Miller is a similar, albeit EVEN MORE ELITE, acquisition. He outwardly preaches the gospel of being an elite teammate, whereas Diggs did it quietly for the most part.

Watching the Phins/Ravens replay right now is NOT making me rethink my criticisms of Tua's traits: his arm strength IS subpar and he IS small. He CAN spin it accurately within the short and intermediate areas, especially between the hashes. And he CAN scoot around a little more than he gets credit for. BUT if he cannot set his base and follow-through, he cannot push it downfield with any velocity. I liked the last TD to Waddle, that took some moxy, but overall he looked like a plucky, lucky, kinda limp-armed little guy who got really hot against a collapsing defense.

I saw readings of 105, maybe 106, on the scoreboard db meter. Had never seen such high readings there. Anyone see any concrete discussion of the decibels to verify/refute?

Sorta disagree here, in that I think a better analogy is Von Miller is to this D what Stefon Diggs is to this O. Brought in from outside and instantly elevated the competitiveness and expectations of those around them. Allen, and the QB position in general, just doesn't have a comp on the defensive side.

We are without power in Pendelton/NT...Josh must be angry about this one.

Allen has entered a tier of elite play, and done so on big stages, consistently now since last season's playoffs. The fact that against LA he picked up right where he left off against KC and NE means that Allen has been playing at a previously/historically unseen level for at least 3 straight, high-stakes, primetime games. It's real. That's actually who he is. Josh Allen is now consistently ELITE. Herbert ain't quite there yet. Not sure if anyone else, but Mahomes, is on that level right now.

There is actually ZERO evidence of this. Him trying to go back in in the 2nd half last week, combined with him working off to the side, albeit gingerly, today = NOT a high ankle sprain. Get rekt.

Which of course speaks to the argument (made by you, I think, as well me and some others) that Kupp would not necessarily flourish on the Bills as easily as Diggs would flourish on the Rams. Doesn't diminish him at all, as he's clearly effing awesome. But the Bills simply do NOT skew their entire passing offense to repeatedly getting one WR favorable looks against safeties and linebackers and slot CBs. I know fans like when the Rams scheme for Kupp to get open by design (results in big numbers), and for example now the Vikings suddenly/finally repeatedly scheme for Jefferson to get open against LBs and safeties like 60% of his snaps (results in even bigger numbers for that freak WR). But if an offense can still get high-end production out of its #1 WR withOUT such deliberate play design, thereby creating more options/outlets for the QB on each play no matter how the defense plays coverage, doesn't that make sustained success more likely? In short, I like the Bills offensive approach.

You keep coming back with strong counter arguments utilizing detailed evidence. Nice work. I STILL want Tremaine to get low and take on the widest pulling lineman, creating a little scrum there which could have helped Milano as he engaged the ball carrier. (Have this image i can't shake of Mike Vrabel, of all hated players, on a wode goalline rush, essentially planting a knee on the playside edge of the line and stoning a pulling lineman's progress, thereby jamming up traffic and allowing his teammates to rally to the ball. I know that's not Edmunds's game, but with his size I wish it was when the occasion calls for it.)

In the spirit of fellowship, the Bills DID successfully use Edmunds in this kind of 4-3 "over" alignment against the 49ers a couple of years back. (The game where Josh really broke out as a passer on primetime TV (that laser over Warner to the in-breaking Gabriel Davis).) In that game, Edmunds often lined up out on the strongside edge, and was replaced in the middle by Klein. I don't remember any impact plays from that position, but I do remember the Bills stifling the Shanahan attack and winning the game.

Absolutely effing NOT. Leverage and physicality at the point of attack are the weakest parts of the Tremaine Edmunds skillset. He is a shite blitzer, and does not effectively get underneath blockers. We've seen it in games for years now. His measurables and college experience continue to lure fans into thinking he has the potential to slide to the edge. Alas, he does not.

Maybe "just do[ing] his job" is the issue we often have with our MLB. You'd love for him to trust Poyer's decisive adjustment and cheat left to where the defense is going to be outflanked otherwise. As fans we do NOT know what was communicated there, but upon further review of the play, Edmunds DID shift to his left a bit as Poyer directed. I do not enjoy crusading against players on the Bills. I want them all to succeed. On this play, however, the MLB fails. It happens even to better players. The real issue looks to be post-snap: Edmunds initially takes 2 or 3 steps BACKWARDS, and then, he simply overruns the play (the edge was another player's responsibility to contain). If he isn't going to undercut the blocking and disrupt the play before it gets started (which he can't do if his fist steps are backwards), he then absolutely must STONE one of the lead blockers to give his teammates more time to rally. Taron Johnson effectively outflanks/attacks the edge, so what Edmunds does is redundant and useless. Milano actually almost makes the stop from even FURTHER to the backside of the play; would have helped to have a 250lb freak LB hold his ground with Havenstein right where Milano makes contact. Only needed ONE more player to help him stop the ball carrier's upfield progress.

I think most fans see the wisdom in reducing #40's career snap count trends and keeping him fresh all season (and for several seasons more). I'll share another reason that is pure rumor, but does originate from sources I sort of trust: a partner in the medical practice that does all the Bills screenings/imagings got overserved this summer and started carrying on about what a bad investment Von Miller was based on the condition of his knees. Incredibly unwise of this fairly esteemed doctor to share confidential medical information, and especially unwise to do so for a client like the Buffalo Bills. But the sharing DID happen. Whether it was accurately represented, or embellished, I can't ever know. But this medical expert thought the Bills were foolish to invest long-term in an athlete with such "old" and "deteriorated" knees. Not a lot of cartilage left, apparently. I wonder how many veteran players would be similarly seen as high-risk based on their medicals? Maybe most of them?