WideNine

Colton is fairly reliable as a punter, but that other dude on IR Corey Bojorquez could boom them. Ray Ray was a liability on returns, and the unit was a disaster early in the year. It is tough to coach Special Teams as you get so much roster turn over year to year...not sure if I throw the baby out with the bath water as Crossman had a respectable unit last year. They have certainly been better since that Houston game, but the old article below kind of explains that struggle getting new guys to buy into playing ST. https://billswire.usatoday.com/2018/10/19/buffalo-bills-captains-call-players-meeting-special-teams-lorenzo-alexander-stephen-hauschka

This. Big Ben did not have elite speed as a QB, it was just the fact that he could wade through guys trying to wrap him up and easily break through arm tackles. Like watching wolves try to take down a bull moose. That, and even with defenders hanging all over him, he could still deliver the ball. It is Josh's ability to break arm tackles and deliver the ball with guys on him that gives me flashbacks, but he has a long way to go still and if OBD can keep him upright it could actually be fun to watch a Bills QB again.

I have not seen too many successful draw plays the past many years, and even less for 10 yards, but I read that there were short passes that went incomplete before they got into the 3rd and 10 situations. Also loads of speculation that Tannehill's shoulder is not 100%. I believe Gase did not trust his arm so he was hoping to catch the Colts D on an overaggressive pass rush with the draw and.... obviously not so much. You are right though, Gase has been under the microscope lately for his play calling not sure if I lay that last game at his feet - they needed a few stops from their defense to hold their lead and the defense crapped the bed. I do think that it was odd that he stopped running the ball when they were having success with that. He said it was because the Colts were sending run blitzes. My philosophy is you run the ball till the other team proves they can stop you regardless.

Marino is gone His shoes they can never fill Empty seats again

I honestly think Gase is a decent HC, but Tannehill I have never thought of as a franchise-type QB. He has moments of solid to really good play, then will do some things that are drive killers...just inconsistent. He has also been injured quite a bit. If they got rid of Gase they would probably suck for another decade, but if that is what the fans want then Todd Bowles and Doug Marrone might be available soon.

It's kind of funny, but losing to our Bills is treated like the ultimate NFL disgrace. When the Vikings lost to the Bills at first all the media was saying "the sky is falling, how could they lose to the lowly Bills?". Lucky for the Viking coaching staff and their top-dollar QB the narrative morphed to a more pragmatic narrative that the Vikings play at least one uncharacteristic game a year where they lose to a "bad" team. Then came the fallout from the Jets losing to us in spectacular fashion and all the "dead man walking" comments regarding Todd Bowles. Now the heads roll after the Jags lose to us - I wonder how many more front office shake-ups our "bad" team can cause over the rest of the season...

I mostly agree with you that their play as a whole needs to be elevated, or simply an infusion of talent. What I like about Teller that I would like to see from the rest of the o-line is his tenacity to block all the way to the whistle - and then some:) Too many of our o-linemen are either whiffing completely on their blocks, or unable to hold them for more than a second and a half. I don't like to see o-linemen on their feet looking back at their QB under a pile of other jerseys.

Guess I am a bit old-school too Bob, I like players to be enthusiastic but worry about players that cannot get enough attention - usually goes too far. My hope is that White keeps it fun, but gains the maturity to know when to reign it in a bit before it hurts the team in a crucial situation. Also, I have always liked that kind of classy "act like you have been there before" attitude when you score or defend a pass. Kind of tells the world this isn't your first rodeo and "yes I will defend every pass thrown my way" nothing special to this no-fly zone. We have a lot of youth on this team, McDermott will certainly have his hands full trying to find the balance of enthusiasm and fun, but not letting it devolve into a circus of needy, attention-*****.

Not sure why so many posters here seem to be downplaying Josh's arm, but you noted the exact thing I was thinking. Josh had no way to step up and no way to even use a full range of throwing motion on that pass as he was being mobbed and steamrolled by what seemed to be most of the Jag's d-line. I have no idea how he was able to get that pass off, not to mention on target and so far down the field. Having that kind of strength and accuracy behind basically a flick-of-the-wrist throw is a rare ability and I just hope they find a better way to protect this kid next year. Would be such a huge waste if they don't.

Kelvin played hard yesterday. Not sure if he will, but I hope when he (eventually) leaves this team he comes away understanding a bit more about accountability through the experience. I have found that Bills fans forgive a lot if a player is working his tail off trying to improve and help the team, even if the talent just is not there. Look at all the apologist for Peterman - I mean his performances were so epic-bad that news outlets were setting the way-back machine to try to find QBs in leather helmets that had worse showings, but he was a guy who was trying his hardest. On the other hand Bills fans will roast mercilessly players who cannot "man-up" and be accountable for taking care of their own business.

Teller actually gets "push" when he plays with technique, and that is what we need from our center and guard positions - our RT position just has to be able to take away that outside speed rush and clip after clip I watch it is not getting done. I read some of the comments that reference Parcell's thoughts on the Guard position - not sure if I agree about it being the easiest to fill, perhaps the easiest to hide poor play, but the truth will out. A solid guard will power your run game by moving bodies (backwards hopefully), he will hold his own in pass-pro and pick up the odd blitz up the middle, he also shores up the tackle and center spots if uncovered and they need support. Guards are also (generally - as I know there are a few exceptions) the only linemen that are asked to pull. Good guards are like the glue for your line. Obviously, the center handles the ball every snap so he has a huge responsibility in the exchange, but the next biggest asset is the ability to anchor and not get pushed back into the pocket in pass-pro and to use leverage when called upon to create the right running seams - often the center calls out the protections. We all know what we need from the tackle position - usually your best pass-pro lineman is on the left protecting the blind side, but the right tackle is expected to be able to move people and needs to be pretty good in pass-pro too. Many defensive coordinators now-a-days will line up their best pass rusher on the right side from time to time to get that pressure in the face of the QB. Teller can be that Guard we need on the left, I am still not sold on our Center (although I think he is a passable depth player) and I have not been impressed at all with our right side - although I think those guys are working their tails off.... I just don't know if the natural talent and strength are there. I feel bad saying that, but sometimes the talent is either there or not.

There is reason to be optimistic - the team has a good supply of draft picks and money to spend. An upgrade at center and overhaul of the right side of the line - that way the pocket isn't getting pushed into Josh's lap, less outside rush getting around our right tackle, and some real push from RG to open a few run lanes on that side then who knows what a steady run game could open up? A good receiver prospect and another TE if we're shopping, and as much as folks are high on Star, we give up far too many runs up the middle. Kyle has (and still is) a load rushing the QB, but he gets turned outside on runs...we could use another run stuffing DT that can keep our LBs clean when they come up to fill. Perhaps I am a bit hard on our d-line and I would have to watch more of those long runs, but on at least some of them I feel our LB's were slow to recognize run - particularly Edmunds from his Mike position. Milano is also a bit on the small side for LB (closer to having an extra safety at 6.0' 223) so he gets into trouble if he gets locked up with TE's and O-Line who get to the secondary clean (folks kept wondering why Milano was not on the field all the time earlier in the year - it was probably the coaches trying to rotate a bigger body in there on what they thought were going to be runs). I have to remind myself with Edmunds that he is really young and he will only get better, but recognizing runs and coming up to fill is an area of his game he will need to work on. His speed, size, and natural athleticism are already evident in the way he covers shallow routes, TE's, and how quickly he can change direction, recover, and close in and tackle when needed.

Big, tall, rangy players with so-so speed, who have a wide catch radius and can out-muscle guys for the ball. I think they used to call them Tight Ends? In all honesty you need WRs with speed and hands who can get separation, but I don't think it is a bad idea to have the kind of receiver that is a size mismatch against DBs and safeties. That type has to have great hands and the desire to compete for the ball especially in the red zone, who can also block and seal the edge so your RB can hit some outside runs....then you have KB who plays like he is scared of getting his uniform dirty, drops balls that hit him in the hands, no compete (so does his catch radius matter), pouts, blames others for the steaming pile of effort he leaves on the field. I don't know if it was a bad coaching idea looking for that type of a bigger receiver, or more of a failure evaluating personnel when they thought KB fit the mold. Glad to see they are at least looking to get some WRs on the field who can get separation and catch the ball.

He was listed at a conservative 331 on the Jags site...toss him a beer and you may be able to round that up to 345 or so. Darius was every bit a rare talent in regards to size, speed, and ability to be disruptive when he was drafted. Lost his way, not sure if it was losing family that had helped to keep him grounded, or just the net effect of NFL $$$, but the stupid was starting to outweigh the investment. The work ethic faded and he left a coach who was trying to create a culture of accountability with few options when disciplinary team actions were not having an effect. He can still be a load to handle, and all the natural ability one could ask for if he could get his s**t together. I don't hate on Darius, and hope he does right the ship - just not against my Bills.

Having worked for companies that constantly re-org I see first hand how organizations can end up in cycles of constant rebuilding. That is not to say that there is not a right time for a fresh Front Office start for some, but this just is not the case for this team which has one side of the ball figured out with a #1 defense, and have found the QB they want to groom and have a slew of draft picks and cap money to spend to help the other side of the ball next year. The McBeane combo is the right solution for a Bills squad that was top-heavy with underachievers with high-salaries. Some players I felt bad about because they were just injury prone, but the team, it's cap, and its drafting was in poor shape - McDermott and Beane knew what they were stepping into, and so did the Pegulas. Surprised that some fans seemed to be so unaware of the situation and what it would take to correct it. I even like the Daboll hire as I think he is usually able to craft a game plan that matches the talent he is given - even if it is chuck full of weak links. Love to see what he can do with a QB who starts to come of age with a few better pieces on the o-line and receiving threats.

won't argue with you there - I am tired of watching our center(s) get pushed into our QB's lap, and I would take another RG too. I like your idea of grabbing a TE prospect as a good TE is a developing QB's best friend.

The Mike Williams thing does stick in my mind, as he was a mistake. The other early 1st round OT McKinnie that the Vikings took the same year struggled for years to meet expectations. I have always felt that it is a pretty risky position to reach for early. Also I think there has been plenty of linemen that Buffalo has taken later in the draft that have developed into good if not very good o-linemen, it is keeping them that has been more the issue. I still have not forgiven Peters (a bizarre project - an undrafted oversized college TE that the Bills and their o-line coach Mouse turned into an all-pro LT) for holding out and letting the team down the last few years of the contract he signed in good faith forcing them to deal him to the Eagles in free agency. All that aside, I would not mind spending a mid-to-later 1st round on the RT from Wisconsin - I think he would provide an immediate upgrade in run blocking and pass protection as that side of the line has been brutal to watch up to the past game with the Jests and linemen out of Wisconsin have not been too shabby.

Was not aware of that draft thread - thanks for the heads-up

I am not one to flame folks or be a troll, and you seem to be pretty passionate about our Bills. Whether I agree with you or not I respect that. My response was more to address the chart of deep pass attempts to completion percentage and assessing the value it provides offenses being able make defenses respect that ability. Not quite ready to shoehorn our rookie QB into that discussion.

Agree on the d-line needs...Shaq has been a pleasant surprise, but with Murphy injured more often than not, and Kyle's age, the Bills are an injury away from losing their ability to rotate guys in, or having to pull up guys from the PS.

I want to argue against this, but I do think that a QB that can hit all the shorter throws can find success in the league. It is a bit deceiving because having a legit deep ball threat (emphasis on threat) can change how defenses play you. They can be less willing to play man and load the box against the run or short underneath routes. The NFL has tweaked the rules so that there is often a good chance you will get a DPI with or without a completion. Not sure if it is something that does not have value if a team has the tools to pull it off enough and teams have to respect and defend against it.

Interesting as just a month ago I was looking and the top half had more than a few O-linemen and WR's... Not a bad thing if those needs we have become lower 1st or 2-3rd round picks - the Bills wont overpay for the gamble.

Yeah... I have expected to see a noticeable decline sooner, but he looked BAD against the Titans. Against our team his scramble for the first down looked like it needed a time lapse camera, and I would swear that some of our young secondary pulled up to avoid killing grandpa Brady. Usually you start to see the good ones slip in the post season...they start getting noodle arm from the toll a season takes to get there. This may be his swan song and it is a bit sad, but I can't shake the feeling that if he was pissed he could still hang 40 on my Bills.

I know right? Was thinking the same thing about all the outrage and disbelief. It's not like we embarrassed the Rams, we embarrassed a team that was very "embarrass-able".

I don't know if RB would be a top need, just my theory but look at the Giants record and where they took Saquon in the draft. Not knocking the kids talent, but behind a bad line, on a team that cannot stretch the field and make you pay for man coverage, even a great back can be kept in check. The reverse is true too, behind a good line on a team that can stretch the field, even an average RB can look great. No idea what free agency will look like, but the pundits are saying the draft is deep for WR and O-Line so I would like to see an impact WR taken early. I am not big on taking linemen early in the 1st rd (still have nightmares of Mike Williams eating his way off the Bills roster and out of the league), but if there is a really good road-grader o-lineman later that can man either RG or RT spots grab-em as both of those could use upgrades/depth. I am meh on our current roster of centers, and would not mind the Bills picking up a decent TE prospect or savvy vet if one is out there. Colts GM Ballard and Reich got a steal plucking Eric Ebron from Detroit and teaming him with Luck - results speak for themselves. I am pretty much over Clay - the guy has mad skills when on the field, just hurt as often as he plays and it seems like every season. Depth at DB, and depth for DL...not getting the warm fuzzies that Trent Murphy can stay healthy and contribute and I know that Kyle is a competitor to his core, he is not getting any younger.