Richard Noggin

Even Allen himself has begun admitting the obvious, that his body takes a beating during the season. I'm sure most of us have heard little mentions in interviews. He's young enough and strong enough and lucky enough thus far to still be effective even when sore and to bounce back in the offseason. But NO ONE escapes the toll that repeated NFL collisions take on the human body (except maybe Adrian Peterson). We all know that annoying, empty vessel (who wore #12 and recently retired to much fanfare) consistently and sheepishly (and maybe smartly) avoided hits like that other whiner, Marino. Except that one time decades ago. Bless you, Nate Clements.

A few of those measurables, especially height, arm length, and wingspan, are coveted by many teams. And for a starter who played almost exclusively press man in college (on a top defense), and has since played a heavier zone scheme in the pros (on a top defense)…the guy offers an intriguing blend of youth, experience, versatility, and availability. Maybe the Spotrac number is a bit optimistic, or maybe Wallace stepping up this season before AND after Tre's injury has finally earned him a serious contract from at least one of the 32 teams always looking for CB help.

And someone is alleging that was 100% intentional.

Does Will Fuller actually PLAY football? I know he's been on rosters, but...

Plus, above-average CBs are relatively expensive in FA, if they even reach FA. Once you've got your QB, ya gotta keep the prospect pipeline stocked at DL, DB, and/or WR. Those individual freaks tip the balance. Other positions and groups (like OL but not necessarily based on individual talents/pedigrees) still matter, but the elite guys who play out there in space (DB and WR), or perhaps prevent the QB from involving them (DL), matter most. Sounds perfect for the Bills. What a steal that would be so late in the 1st round.

With respect to the bolded: yes, the "grand scheme of things" suggests we should reserve or at least temper judgment for any single one of Beane's moves, given the overall results to date. However, let's not allow good to be the enemy of great here, either. The Bills need to see better returns on their cap investments moving forward. Just because they've made the playoffs recently doesn't mean we can't critique the roster build and cap construction moving forward. In fact, it means there is LESS room for error and bloat. Paying an ELITE QB tightens the margins considerably (which is a good problem to have).

Read as a continuous sentence, as typed, this means something completely different (and potentially fascinating) than what you intend.

You say it's not hyperbole, your criticism of what happened against KC, and at first I disagreed with that characterization (that it isn't hyperbole), given the emotional language invoked ("scared," "embarrassing," "weak," etc.). But by the end I'm actually mostly on board with your take. The Frazier defensive plan does NOT seem to work against elite offenses/QBs. They have answers to simple, repetitive riddles, no matter how awesome the safeties are.

That made me happy. And that ain't easy to do. (Full disclosure I have a daughter younger than her so I'm forever susceptible to this kind of manipulative propaganda. TAKE IT DOWN before the good vibrations spread to the general population!)

Not a super in-depth dive on the subject, the SI piece. But maybe that speaks to the obviousness of the author's premise: Miami is sinking, and anyone smart should steer clear. Staying in San Fran to work with Lance carries with it a different level of risk, of course. Will he be able to run the show now? If so, everyone looks good. We can all see how that Shanahan offense seems able to operate almost independently of its QB's particular skillset. But if he doesn't perform...that sets back a guy like McDaniel.

I'd argue, after watching the playoffs, that Tua is actually better than Jimmy G. They're very similar, except that Tua moves better and seems to have a little more moxy (whatever that means). He's a better prospect, despite both of them being limited with respect to size and arm strength. Both are are serviceable game managers who lack upside. Neither is scary.

Okay, the agreement "we" have is that the Rooney Rule forces "sham" or "token" interviews, rather than the lack of representation is a serious problem requiring solutions. I don't disagree with that assessment of general fan sentiment.

I'm keenly interested in those two 3rd-and-shorts against KC where the Bills ran the ball unsuccessfully and then punted; would Dorsey call those situations differently knowing he's got Josh Freaking Allen at QB in an elimination game? Would they still take the ball out of his hands? Would they still run on 3rd without also planning to go for it on 4th? Oftentimes a 3rd-and-short run pairs with a 4th down attempt. How will Dorsey and McD synch up on these situational play calls/sequences?

Didn't the Bills successfully employ a 5-man D-line (a 5-2-4 with Edmunds aligned on the edge) against the 49ers in 2020? And didn't they often utilize 3 LBs against the Pats the 2nd time this year and again in the playoffs? I know those are only a few examples, but I think the failures-to-adjust often loom larger than the successes-to-do-so. That being shared, I STRONGLY believe the Bills D is too damned predictable, especially in critical passing situations (which often decide games).

Of course I mostly agree with you here. But..when you say "we" are aware of the situation already, who all is included in that collective? Because I've read posters in this thread who absolutely DO agree with it, and I've read those who do NOT. My point is that there is NOT yet a consensus that equitable representation and opportunity is a problem in the NFL. Therefore the stir caused by this lawsuit could bring about broader, popular awareness and attention that might force or perhaps inspire tangible change. How such change would actually transpire is beyond my capacity for optimism. It's a fraught campaign.

Who?

It's amazing posters haven't forced the mods' hands on this thread already. Can't imagine how many posts have been deleted, or at least how many private warnings have been issued. We are a fanbase/region/nation divided with respect to worldviews. I'd just like to posit the approach that maybe, just maybe, given the entirety of the history of Western Civilization, that we consider power dynamics, and grant some grace to those speaking their truths to power. In this case, let's allow that maybe Flores (and apparently whomever else has signed on to this class action suit) have at least some merit to their claims. It's entirely possible to hold onto one's pre-conceived personal views on these sensitive issues AND exercise a modicum of empathy and open-mindedness until more information comes to light. History tells us those in power are usually guilty to some extent of trying, even unconsciously, to maintain the status quo. It takes unpopular whistle blowers, sometimes, to shed specific light on this reality. But what do I know.

Okay, thank you for this. Obviously the gameplan did NOT work, even a little bit. I remember the Bills missing TONS of tackles, though. Reminds me a little of the approach to the Chiefs last regular season, insofar as the Bills were unable to execute when the opposition did as invited to do (run relentlessly). Might be that they didn't have the personnel to win their chosen matchups, which represents a failure of self-scouting among other things. And also, you have to effing switch it up a LITTLE, don't you?! Unless you've got just objectively superior talent, you have to keep a competent offense guessing from time to time.

Say it ain't so. To my ears that sounds...disqualifying.

Is the bolded true? Can you share where you learned this? That can't be true. Please don't let it be true.

d o o s h thinking on display here. Be better.

Bit far out to predict, no?

A full year (or more) before drafting him, Beane I think went on AND off the record about "that big kid in Wyoming." He was openly hoping Allen had a down year leading up to the draft so they'd have a shot at him. And he meant it. (I definitely overheard something to this effect at Tempo.) Maybe he truly didn't believe he'd have a chance at him, so had no qualms admitting the interest?

So the guy whose offensive players LOVE him and the trust he places in them, who is now HC of a big market franchise...that guy replacing an admittedly uninspiring hire after just one season (Dennison was hired during an offseason when no one wanted to come to Buffalo) means "McDs OC hires thus far have been underwhelming"?

But...Jim Kelly derp derp blah!