Einstein's Dog

I did not like the blocking in the call. But I'm not sure you can say with certainty that it cost the Bills the game. If the call hadn't been made the Bills had a real tricky call to make. It would have been 4th down and I think about 4. And I think it was like a 60 something yard attempt. Tough decision on what to do. I would have liked to see what McDermit would have done. House was having a great day and I would have loved to see him hit it.

I think they may be done until after the draft. I think their tenative plan is to get an RB1a in the draft. This could allow them to replace F Gore's role with Singletary and Singletary's role taken over by the new draft pick. A young, cheap player for several years with Josh. If they're able to fill the RB room with a draft pick instead of a vet that frees up cash to go big game hunting on DE - meaning Clowney then Griffen. If they miss on their targeted RBs, they can pick up a vet in Hyde or Freeman. I hope they are able to get drafted RB and Clowney! Problem is, it looks like a couple other teams have the same idea, at least as far as waiting on the vet RB - like Tampa. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bills move up in the 3rd round to secure one of the their targeted RBs.

After reading some of the comments here, I wouldn't be upset seeing the Bills take 2 RBs. A CEH in round 2 or if possible 3, and an AJ Dillon type in round 4 or 5. Get an RB2 that is on the level of D Singletary, that can split carries and take over the same game plan in case of injuries. And get a different type, a bruiser who can gut out the short yardage, even if the other team knows it's coming. Yes, that might seem like a lot of draft capital but it is not investing a lot of money into the position. It seems like the FO has intentionally left the RB situation unfilled for the draft. It seems like a given that they'll grab one. But if they could use the almost useless later round picks and combine them into AJ Dillon, I'd be on board with that.

I can see what the OP is suggesting. I think trade ups to get about 3 or 4 good players with tracks for contributions. I'm hoping for a 2020 contributing RB, a WR to be developed, and an Edge for the future if possible. Seems obvious to me that the FO is deliberately saving a spot for drafting a contributing RB. They must have their evaluations and I expect to see one nabbed in the 2 or 3 round. Might depend on how the draft breaks. For instance, if Tampa doesn't select an RB in round 2 it might just be enough to let the Bills pass on an RB and select another area (I hope DE or maybe developmental WR). Then trade up in the 3rd to pick before Tampa and get one of the RBs they are targeting.

Like you say, it probably depends on how Beane values them, and the tiers he has. If someone he considers special drops down a ways, Beane just might want to go up ahead of Tampa Bay, they have a glaring need at RB. I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

The more we discuss the RB early option, the more I am hoping it happens. First, as far as Singletary's confidence. I think if the front office tells him they are looking for him to take over the Frank Gore role of veteran RB, Devin will view it as an honor. And it is. I hope Singletary has shown he can do the role and the front office gives it to him. Singletary is a lot better than Gore at this point (and better than the Gore of last year). Singletary is also better than any vet RB they could pick up in FA - Hyde, Freeman, etc. And Singletary is cheaper and has many years still left on his first contract. If you view part of this as Singletary replacing Gore it's easy to see this as a vast improvement over last year. With the early draft pick the Bills can then attempt to find an RB that is better than, or at least equal to, the back they had in Singletary last year. The RB room gets younger, cheaper, and better. It's not just a short term boost, it serves an intermediate/long term goal as well. We all know that the RB situation is not finished. The best avenue to completing this portion of the roster, as outlined above, is clearly through the draft. If in an incredibly disappointing series of events occur and they are not able to acquire one of the RBs they are targeting, they could then go back into the FA market and pick up one of the vet plodders. It is my optimistic hoping that the FO has told Clowney to hold on and if things break the way they envision they will have freed up enough money (around 18 mill or so) to have him come aboard. I guy can dream.

True, but I'm hoping they could reallocate resources. Save on signing these Gore/ broken Shady types and put that money, along w Murphy cut and a few mill into Clowney. I would get a lot more excited seeing Clowney added than Hyde/Shady/Gore etc.

I hope Beane is playing it a little differently in this instance. Such as, going into the draft with an open spot for an RB. Several advantages: 1 Get a player better than the old sluggish vets on the market. They can get a fresh young playmaker. 2. Great talent should still be available at 54. Only about 3 RBs will have been chosen before they would get to grab one. 3. The FO has shown they can identify RB talent (unlike WRs), and can incorporate them into the team. Could see immediate playing time. 4. A young addition who really might be better than Singletary would make for a cheap RB room for about 4 more years and would grow with Josh. 5. The season is expanding, you need to incorporate more than one RB. And they should not be JAGs, it's an important position. 6. Comparatively, the Bills RB room is poor (unlike the WR room which is now excellent). I'm jealous of Clev with Chubb and Hunt. If an RB they consider a value at 54 doesn't make it they could go in another direction and probably still pick up a FA.

I meant getting a top 5 RB in the draft (which I think represents a tier). Swift/Taylor/Dobbins/Edwards-Helaire/Akers. I think those would be the splitting RBs - who actually might be better than Singletary. One of those 5 and Singletary and that is a better backfield than last years Singletary/Gore. Plus it is young and can stay and grow with Josh, giving him a core. If Singletary can take the role of the veteran RB that Gore had, you can have the cascading increase of Singletary > Gore, and drafted RB > Singletary. And the offense should have a talent increase through two spots. Singletary starts as RB1 but has real competition throughout the season. And a team should have two good RBs anyway, just makes sense.

I hope the bold is true and that Singletary has shown to the FO to be a mature NFL back. Then maybe the Bills can view DS as the veteran RB2 and draft another to split time with him. The past few years the Bills vet RB has kind of stunk. Gore and the last year of Shady were pathetic plodders who I think were here to offer veteran leadership - because I certainly hope it wasn't for on field performance. Singletary and a top 5 RB seems like it would be a much better RB situation than last year. Much like the cascading effect of adding Diggs as a WR1 makes the whole WRs better, adding a top 5 RB would not only put in that talent but would increase the RB2 with Singletary > Gore (or for this year a D Foreman type).

I would think a veteran RB is also in play. One at a good price. Hyde, Freeman, maybe L Miller. Short term deal to be RB2 while the draft pick they get develops.

Knox is exciting and I love the guy. Easy to root for and a beast with the ball. He's got to get better and stop dropping the easy ones. I think he will. I'm expecting big improvement because he now has a year in the system, a year with the QB, and will be in an offense that will have more weapons. I'm glad the FO resisted the temptation to go with a FA number one TE. I think one big way for sustained success is when draft choices are peppered throughout the starting lineup. I think Knox will be one of those, he just needs the chance.

I'm on the 2 out of 3 ain't bad bandwagon. Of course Josh's continued improvement is huge. And it's exciting because many, including myself, expect it to happen. Secondly, most here expect RB2 additions. Myself, I would like to see a vet and a draftee. For Vets, the OP seemed to miss Hyde as an option. Hyde or Freeman are my top 2 options and then someone in the draft. Get a late vet who would then be coming in a bargain price, humble and hungry. Also draft one for the future. I would like to see the edge improved. Would really elevate the whole rest of the D if there was more pressure. But not at the expense of the future number 1 pick. No way. This team is on a plan to be a multi year contender. Don't get overanxious and give away a future number one to get an expensive piece. I would much rather just pay the piper and bring in Clowney over paying big and giving up a future number one to bring in YN.

Of course I want Josh to improve. Most people here do. IMO, he is on a great arc. Now he has increased weapons and some consistency of personnel (O line). I expect the improvement to continue. Great kid, easy to root for, the opportunity is right there for a great future for Josh and the Bills. I really want to see him win Daboll's and Mc's confidence. The Bills O needs to attack more. It was close to embarrassing the last year near the end of half's, under 2 minutes, when the Bills had the ball and timeouts and would sit on it. Yes, they had the lead but c'mon, I really want to see them have some faith in Josh. Continue to attack. It's a needed step to be considered a legitimate contender.

Gordon's gone. Just as well. For sustained excellence you need draft choices that play major roles. Singletary is one that can do that for the Bills. I don't want to see him backseated by a self absorbed Gordon. I'm still holding out hope for D Freeman. He could share time w Singletary while being really good. And draft one so that in a year Singletary will be the vet and the draftee will be the youngster. Freeman and Singletary would be an excellent duo. A substantial upgrade over 2019.

I am in the small contingent that likes Freeman. While I think Gordon might be a touch better, I do not agree with Gordon's sense of self worth. And I fear he views himself as the main man. I want to groom Singletary for the main job. Freeman has split carries almost his entire time. And Freeman is better than Hyde. A Freeman/Singletary 1-2 punch would be an excellent pair. Big upgrade from the Gore/Singletary 2019 duo.