BuffaloBillyG

Can't say for sure on this, however I have it on good authority that Tua's back has healed to the point where he no longer thinks he's playing for Coach Saban. So he's got that going for him. Which is nice.

I remember a couple weeks ago Josh Allen was asked about what having Saffold has meant to the oline. He replied with the typical stuff you would expect (leadership and experience), however he added that Saffold had been playing through a few injuries and was not at 100%. I think his play on the field has reflected that. I'm hoping the bye week can help him come along a bit and will improve his ability. Trading mid season for a guard is a difficult task. Takes time to build familiarity with your line mates. Not only in learning the blocking assignments but in what the guys around you tend to do. Yes, they would need to gel. If Saffold is replaced (he won't be IMO) they would do it with next man up...either Q or (GASP) Bobby Hart.

To put it in the simplest way...a Guard doesn't get the ball in his hands. People want that shiny new toy to make a splash play here and there. Skill position players will always gain the eyes of a fanbase. That being said, while I agree 100% about needing help on the line I also think an outside WR is a need in the event of a long term injury to either Diggs or Davis. I just don't have confidence that Kumerow is the guy I want out there come playoff time. Shakir can play outside, however still has a bit to prove that he can consistently make big plays in big spots.

Having been a Bills fan my entire life my memories (both good and bad) are vast and deep. I've been to many games, tailgates, special events and had the good fortune to bump into a few players here and there. It's been an amazing ride to be in the Buffalo Bills fandom. My overall greatest memory came on October 19th, 2019. Miami came to town. This was the first game I took my son to. Lifelong dream stuff. At his request we wore matching Josh Allen jerseys, the same Buffalo Bills fishing hat and set out for the day. Watching his face while at the tailgate spot as he took it all in was amazing. He also got a huge kick running into the guy that dresses as a Buffalo Bills version of Darth Vader. And seeing his eyes when he walked into the stadium the first time...just an amazing feeling as a father. Bills fell behind 14-9 after 3 quarters. Normally, of course I would stay until the end...but the image that the Bills may blow it and him exiting the stadium with a bunch of angry drunks ran through my mind. So I offered to head out...but he insisted on staying and told me the Bills would win. Enter that amazing 4th quarter outscoring the Phins 22-7 and the day being capped off by the amazing Hyde onside kick return TD. Just an amazing day all around.

I'm not sure I agree with this. Every season there seems to be a team that's in need of a calm and steady voice in the HC position. The last 2 years Houston comes to mind. After having Bill O'brein they needed an "opposite" to help reset the culture. Hiring Culley was what that was supposed to help but it didn't workout that way. IIRC, Leslie was even a finalist for this job and withdrew his name. Enter Lovie Smith. Caretaker coach to help reset the baseline until they can build a better roster. Problem with this is that I believe it would take a much better situation for Frazier to sign on. Getting up there in age and having one failed stint as a HC gives him at most one more shot. I don't see him wanting to leave this Bills team for just any opportunity.

In my opinion a lot has (rightfully so) been made about the steps Groot has made so far this year. He's playing fantastic. However I think Boogie has made some strides as well albeit in a smaller snap count. These 2 guys showing improvement was a key to our season and they have stepped up. Von Miller working with them in addition to the attention he draws for offenses on game day has been a huge factor.

Sometimes I just root for chaos to win. Hoping that Rypien lights it up today. Big Denver win. Offense puts up 40. Let er Ryp!!!

Taking a bye week myself this week and going to spend a day at a pumpkin patch with the kids. I am looking forward to the Steelers/Dolphins game tonight, though. I think Pittsburgh can pull a win. Also, I believe I heard the Dolphins will be wearing their throwback helmets tonight which are so much better to look at than that "smeared dolphin" they have on their hemelts now.

49ers are going to be electric to play with on Madden now,

I believe the skepticism is warranted, certainly. But a few things to consider. 1. There was a time where Buffalo NEEDED it's 2nd and 3rd round rookies to make a splash. The day of Nix and Whaley building rosters is over. When a team is as deep and talented as Buffalo it is really a matter of getting rookies in and for the most part bringing them along more slowly and developing them for the future. This is, I believe the plan with Bernard. He was picked for next year much the same way the Boogie pick last draft was made for this year. 2. Cook has already passed Moss on the depth chart. I know the touches and opportunities have been scare for him yet consider this. Last Sunday McD had a choice to make. Feeling like we had to go with the extra TE due to Knox's injury he made the choice to put a RB on ice for the game. Singletary was safe. The choice came down to Moss and Cook. And in a game facing Spags blitz happy defense and a game we would figure to pass frequently...McD put the guy that many say in our "best pass blocking back and best RB catching out of the backfield" in sweatpants for the game. Cook will, IMO, continue to be brought along slowly. The position he plays exposes the body to a lot of hits. In addition Cook has to adjust from a college schedule to (hopefully) 20 NFL games this year. Yes, the dreaded and often disputed "rookie wall" is something to avoid. Let him learn the game for now. I have a feeling he will be used a lot more later in the year much the way the Bills unleashed Singletary late in the season last year. Kid's going to be a real playmaker for us.

McD has said in the past that the Bills use the bye week to do a lot of self scouting and figure out where they can improve. I hope that is the case and that this week they took a good hard look at Shakir vs McKenzie. Would love to see Shakir get increased snaps and opportunities. I like McKenzie. Guy is hysterical and a true benefit to the locker room. He has speed and defiantly belongs on an NFL team. However I just don't see him as a starting quality player on a team with Championship aspirations. A few gadget plays here and there? Possibly. Shakir does have a lot to learn and will make some mistakes here and there...but the bottom line for me is that I would rather see the rookie make a rookie mistake over a 5 or 6 year vet that seems to make rookie mistakes every time he's on the field.

Just curious, what does the Bills 50/50 typically run? I've never really paid attention when I've been there.

I went Vikings. Lots of storylines. Of course the two 0-4 franchises in the Super Bowl. Frazier being a former Minnesota HC. Horrible Harry, the Diggs trade that resulted in them grabbing Jefferson. The Cook brothers. Josh's 1st hurdle was against Minny.

This may very well be true. He didn't even make the PRO BOWL last year. Finished outside the Top 10 of NFL player ranking at a paltry 13, I believe. We may be stuck in QB purgatory, guys. If I'm not mistaken, the Bears have a QB by the name of Nate Peterman just sitting there on their practice squad. We would be smart to kick the tires on him. He was so pro ready coming out and frankly...head to head in a QB battle I believe Peterman would win and be QB1.

What I have learned so far this season is that QB play is atrocious league wide. Coaching is often times hysterically bad. And I don't think I have seen as many kickers injured and missing games in 40 years of watching the NFL COMBINED as I have this one season. Truly the oddest thing I have ever seen. Somebody wrap T-Bass in bubble wrap for the bye week, please.

Possibly. However he was threatening to hold out this last preseason for a new contract. I don't think he's going to sign for pennis on the dollar, either. Somebody will pay him way over his value because that is what the FA market does. A team like Atlanta, Vegas if they move on from Jacobs, Arizona....teams are starved for playmakers. Honestly, this offseason if we are going to sign a RB I would stick with Singletary and pay the guy that I drafted and developed. Motor is younger, has averaged basically the same YPC and hasn't missed a game since his rookie season.

Never thought I'd live long enough to see the QB of our very own Buffalo Bills be the biggest "rock star" in the NFL. Not only is Allen such a great player....but he's an even better human being. There is even a thread on the Pats message board where they talk about how hard it is to dislike him. He's just impossible to root against.

This issue is obviously the fault of a certain LBer that shall not be named but wears #49. The only way to solve this ongoing problem is to trade for CMC, sign OBJ and have them show the renderings for the new stadium at their intro presser.

Hoffman was such a good player in his day. There was a nice stretch of time where he was every bit as automatic as Mariano Rivera.

What an absolutely insane player mention as "durable" Last season Hunt missed 9 games. CMC missed one more than that. And while CMC did miss 13 the previous year to Hunt's zero, before 2020 CMC hadn't missed a game in his career while while Hunt had missed 13 due to injury or other nefarious reasons. Both came into the NFL in 2017 and Hunt has only played 1 more game to this point than CMC.

While I think it's a tad early to consider most teams out of the playoff picture...I want to play prognosticator sooo... I will say the New Orleans Saints. They have been a pretty banged up team so far this year especially in the WR and now QB room. However the NFC itself is pretty weak. Their division in particular is a cakewalk (Panthers and Falcons and they always give Brady fits). They have a really solid defense and their oline is above average by today's standards. Dennis Allen is doing a much better job running a team this go around as well.

Yea, we are seeing Geno Smith play pretty well (more times than not) this year in that same Seattle offense. I really think that offense is very QB friendly and hides the flaws of a QB well. I think he can rebound a bit if Hackett swallows his pride a bit and figures out what they did to hide his warts in Seattle a bit and adapts his offense rather than keep trying to force Wilson into a system that needs strong QB play (Like an Aaron Rodgers) to run. Maybe not let Russ cook...but let Russ order take out.

Best idea I have seen to improve the gameplay on Thursdays was that any team that doesn't have a TD by the half is mandated to let Ryan Fitzpatrick play QB in the 2nd half. I'd watch just for that.

I think Amazon has done a really solid job out of the gate. If they do a game on Black Friday I hope they are given a decent matchup for a change. More and more people are doing their Christmas shopping online these days anyway, so I can see it being a solid success. Hopefully they partner with the NFL and have some great gear at Black Friday prices to promote the game.

One thing I'm sure of. With the way Dane has played and the early season play of both Elam and Benford it feels great to know that we have the option and ability to rotate fresh CBs in that have the ability to perform well. While not having White so far and Jackson missing time was not ideal' it game the young guys a chance to face live bullets and gain experience. That will likely be key come playoff time.