TigerJ

But it's free! Did I mention it's free?

I don't see that many people who think Josh Allen is a bust. I certainly don't. Josh Allen is exhibiting an extremely common condition among rookie QBs. The game has not slowed down fully for him yet. He's trying to play behind a crap offensive line, and he's not processing quite quickly enough to get rid of the ball befor pressure gets to him. Peterman, for all his limitations does seem to process very quickly, and the ball is usually gone on passing plays in 2 seconds or less. I don't know that the line is going to struggle against every opponent like they did versus Cincinnati's starters. They may be somewhat better when Dion Dawkins is in the lineup. Marshall Newhouse was a turnstile in the game. The fact that McDermott was experimenting with personnel changes on the offensive line didn't help matters. In any case, I think the Bills might be doing Josh Allen a favor if they sit him for the first 3-6 games while the offensive line at least has a chance to develop a little chemistry, and the game slows down a bit for the wunderkid.

I do think that McDermott was experimenting a bit with the offensive line on Sunday. I don't think that is the primary reason they struggled, but I don't think he was doing Josh Allen any favors, as the offensive line, more than any other position group benefits from stability and the development of cohesiveness and chemistry. Switching people in and out and around doesn't facility cohesivness and chemistry.

I think there is merit to this line of thinking. Obviously, there are/will be no elite linemen available either now through trade, or after cut down day, but from among teams with better offensive lines, there could conceivably be some servicable linemen who become available.

I think we have close to a consensus here, folks. I do agree with John from Riverside in that if the line gave just a little better protection, Josh Allen probably would be OK. I think, however, in view of the line's deficiencies, Nate Peterman's quick decision making is an important factor.

Post the third preseason game, it's pretty reasonable to argue that Peterman will be the starter at Baltimore. That would be my prediction as well. I'm not so arrogant as to argue that it is anything more than an opinion though. The know-it-all arrogance of some posters seems to know no bounds.

If Gruden is interested, fine. I have my doubts that there is much of a market at the moment with cutdown day coming up.

I agree. He' was not given a chance to succeed today. However, neither did he earn the chance to be starter. Peterman showed some ability to move the balll in spite of a relative lack of protection. I'm not saying he should be the long term starter, but if the competition is ended today, I don't see how McDermott can name anybody but Peterman as starter.

EJ might be the best hard count specialist in the league, or not.

I pretty much agree. I can't blame Allen for a lot of his frustration, but he didn't so anything to show he's ready to start either. Peterman looked like he had a pretty good command of the situation. He girves the Bills a better chance to win. I'll see what McCarron can do in the last preseason game to redeem himself after his last outing, but at this point, if this was a legitimate comopetition, Peterman is the winner. The line was terrible today. Dawkins has some growing to do, but joesixpack is right. Dawkins sat this one out. I think he'll be OK. Marshall Newhouse was terrible in his place, and the interior of the line wasn't any better. I'm hoping it was a wakeup call that causes them to buckle down and work harder. The coaches have to give some thought to experimenting with some younger guys to see if they can co any better. I think Teller would be better off sitting and developing over time, but maybe McDermott has to give him a shot if Ducasse and Miller can't do the job.

That's what I would do, until or unless they get an offer they can't refuse.

I can't figure out whether I was just complimented or insulted.

He played professional baseball. I'm thinking he was a pitcher. If memory serves, he had control issues and made the decision to change sports because he thought he had a better chance for success in football.

Definitely. I'm as hopeful about Josh Allen as anybody, but an NFL wide receiver is going to want more evidence than a couple of quarters with a 56% completion percentage.

It's been done. That's OK. These guys are somewhat senile and they forget quickly. Then they get a complex about not being appreciated and they are insufferable for days on end. So, a compliment every few days goes a long way to keep the peace around here. Just kidding, of course.

The problem for the Jets and Bridgewater at the moment is the market for a high priced starting QB is slim. Almost every team in the NFL is either settled on a starter they like. The main exception is Buffalo, and I think Buffalo is content with what they have on the roster (a future star - they hope, and a couple guys who can - they believe - win games with a good supporting cast). Nobody is going to give up a high draft pick for a backup, and nobody will want to pay a high price to replace someone they like as a starter and has the advantage of having been with the team through training camp. The Jets are either going to have to accept a trade for less than they think Bridgewater is worth, or hold on to him and hope somebody's starter goes down leaving the team with a backup that they really don't like.

I especially enjoyed watchint Tyrod lead the Browns in their 4 minute offense at the end of the first half. Oh, it was supposed to be a 2 minute offense? Oops

I have to thank Doug Marrone for a New England loss? Oh no. I'll be lucky if this doesn't me want to go drink some hemlock. No not really. I'll just content myself with the thought that Doug Pederson is smarter than Doug Marrone. That's a much easier way to look at it.

Yeah, that's my recollection. It's nearly impossible to have a bad play while sitting on the bench. To be clear, I'm not anti-Peterman. I'm not trying to dvocate for either Allen or Peterman to start. I'm OK with whomever McDermott settles on. With every succeeding game, however, I think the pressure builds to start Allen, unless Peterman is wildly successful.

If he "doesn't like football all that much" as has been reported, then he doesn't fit the McBeane profile at all. Beane has been quoted as wanting players, not athletes, and guys who love football. When reporters have talked to Buffalo's draft picks, that's a common thread in their responses to questions. They love football.

"Home Field"

It's what I think based more on my opinion of their skill sets. Heisman Trophy winning has never been a predictor of NFL ceilings. The list of Heisman busts is a long one. The SEC is almost certainly the creme of the college football conferences, but they still don't generally ask their quarterbacks to perform like NFL QBs. As a rookie, Cam was an anomaly, a quarterback like nobody had ever seen before. As a result, opponents' defenses werren't well equipped to strategize against him. He's admittedly very athletic, and strong armed. I think he is limited in his ability to read defenses. He's inconsistent in his accuracy. Those limits make it possible to game plan for him. He's still good, but he's never reached the 4,000 yard milestone passing since his rookie year, and has a career completion percentage of 58.5%. I think Josh Allen has shown the potential to be a solid reader of defenses. The consensus of every media observer I've seen is that Josh Allen has impressed them in the progress he's made with his footwork, and that has led to significantly better accuracy. He ranks second among the 2018 first round rookie QBs in ball placement accuracy. Yes, that's a small sample size, and no, I'm not predicting he will be better than Cam Newton, but while his floor is still fairly low (but rising) I do think his ceiling is very high.

Missed it.

The Bills are placing a fairly sizable bet on Trent Murphy, but he's another guy Benoit fails to mention. I'm sure Josh Allen will have some growing pains, but honestly, I think his ceiling is higher than Cam Newton because I think he has more potential to learn to read defenses. He's also done a lot to rework his footwork, which could be a key to greater consistency and accuracy in his passing.

That's still a whole lot better than they've been thelast couple of years. I think they could win 7 games, but I don't expect a winning season.