Einstein's Dog

I thought it was Beane's plan all along. He just had to wait to get the top tier WR at a price they could afford after Diggs left. As for the others, Shakir + Kincaid were improving great hands, the rookie WR was a good bet to be ascend by seasons end to be better than Gabe. Just thought they would have put pulled the trigger a little earlier, after the Tre money came in. Was risky though, they easily could have lost to the Jets and been 3-3. But now with all the pieces coming into place, the end of the season should be excellent!

That's all we needed out of him. A few key catches, force the D to respect him, and then we could let Shakir eat. Coop will have bigger games, but getting out there when not 100% and doing what he did adds to his value for the Bills. Huge win! The later portion of the season now has eyes on a big seed.

The hack job is highlighting one suspect statistic. If you think A Coopers only impact is on catching the ball then you are underestimating his influence on the game. The table is set for Shakir to go to work. Playing or not playing in week 11 has very little impact on his health for the playoffs- almost two months later for a wrist injury. Cooper's playing is significant. It helps the team in freeing up Shakir and Knox. It helps as a top tier veteran, to show by example, that this game is important (something that we had lost the second half with Diggs - taking himself out of key third downs). Cooper is increasing his odds of receiving an offer from the Bills because this is the type of behavior that is needed and rewarded. So, no disrespect but I have a hard time understanding the rational that one would be on the fence about Cooper's playing because he had a poor prior rating on a subjective drop statistic. Cooper's playing has so much more significance than that. It's great news...period. That's how you should feel.

What kind of hack job is this? How about a veteran , top tier WR, getting out there with an injury to set an example. He's doing what the coach wants. I feel this is great news. Most people have wanted a top tier WR who wasn't a diva, that didn't demand a certain target share. We now have that. Just he presence of A Cooper in this game should make a huge difference for Shakir and Knox.

No way his agent or team will let him out there without some sort of "cast" on his wrist. Could be a new softer variety - borderline tape- but I bet he'll have something the announcers can talk about and show.

Terrible take. First, who says the Bills are unlikely to sign him? He has a trial period with the Bills and they both get to see if they match. Secondly, even if he injures himself more, he will have time to recover prior to being a FA. Third, he will be playing in one of the marquee regular season games. In front of a National audience. With a cast on his wrist. You don't think the announcers will talk about and show close-ups of that? Anything positive A Cooper does will be made out to be heroic. Very little downside.

And he can play through the pain now and it will have no affect on what happens in 5 weeks.

I'm right beside you Einstein. This game does mean a lot. If McD had to give A Cooper a push, so be it, good job. If Cooper needs a break for his wrist, the last 3 games of the season would be a much better time. And for those railing on A Cooper for his subdued behavior, remember the Bills were actively trying to get a non-uniform top tier WR. The normal top tier of WRs are mostly divas - the Diggs or D Adams of the world. A Cooper's playing, and hopefully contributing, through pain could really help accelerate his locker room presence. And while several upstream had said his value may take a hit by putting on tape a subpar (for him) performance, his value to the Bills FO rises significantly.

Well, I think the "rebuild" theory really came into being with the Diggs move. The WRs were dismantled along with a huge cap hit and the many other changes. To me, the FO signaled it was a "retool" when they only took one WR in the draft. It meant they were not going with total inexperience in the WR room.

I don't mean to come off upset, and I realize you're not advocating for mass firings. Some seem to think it was the wrong move and that's where I disagree, at least with the runs in the 4th quarter. They were barely real running plays they were more intentioned to be 30 second time wasters, game shorteners. It's one of those unfortunate statistic reducers, makes our RBs ypc look worse than it should be. For instance, in the Balt/Cincy game towards the end, under two minutes to go, Cincy just took their 2nd TO. Second and goal from the 5 and Balt inexpicably threw a pass?? If they just ran the ball, Balt would have scored or forced Cincy to take a TO. It was just the wrong call, they were lucky it didn't cost them. I remember a time the Bills in the playoffs - I think Jax, had a first and goal with under 2 minutes in the half at like the two. The Bills, contrary to my telepathic recommendations, went for a pass play. There was a penalty and moved back and from there they tried passes to get in the end zone. Settled for a FG, but enough time for Jax to do something with the ball. I wasn't upset when they fired that OC. Obviously these types of time mismanagements upset me. .

You're saying it was predictable like it was a bad thing (like the others before you were doing). The staff was making the right calls which happened to be predictable. Running on first down with a lead of two scores in the second half was the right call. Taking the half minute of the clock and shortening the game, while predictable, is a recipe for winning football. Sorry if it bored you and the others. But I was shouting at the TV for them to run the ball, take the half minute, and just get out of there with the victory. 8-2!! Lets work on the meaningless style point against New England at the end when it doesn't matter.

I think the intent will be to replace Hamlin but will be done in a face saving kind of way. Maybe even let Hamlin start and work Hyde in, and then eventually (playoff time) have the switch happen (maybe some type of hamstring injury for Hamlin). Hamlin has done better than expected IMO. He beat out M Edwards somehow (M Edwards must have had problems as has the rookie). And Hamlin has some good stats, but the eye test kind of makes the stats look like fortunate Forrest Gump like coincidences. He took Tua out with what looked like a rather soft hit. One of the interceptions was an incredible overthrow. Most of the time he looks slow, lanky, soft, and indecisive -it's just not a good look for a starting safety.

Hyde is a safety, not in the trenches. Being in game shape is overrated for them. Secondly, of course he won't be younger but he will be less banged up, less injured, and that is more important. I hope this is a case of the Bills incorporating a load management type of plan. Get Hyde in here for the end of the season and the playoffs. I'm with those thinking it would be a huge upgrade over Hamlin.

What if the major problem people were thinking about Bass was he was Bad. And yes he missed an extra point but didn't he hit two other 40+ yard field goals? So two 40+ yarders and a 61 yarder, doesn't that at least move him up to inconsistent? And doesn't the fact that McDermott put him in to even attempt a 61 yard prove that McDermott thinks Bass still has a strong leg - something many of us were starting to question. Inconsistent is much better than outright bad.

I say root for Cincy, for the following reasons: 1. The obvious, Balt has the tiebreaker over the Bills. Want the Bills seeded above Balt so if rematch it is in Buffalo. 2. Want all AFC North to have to play hard week 18. Pitt has a hard schedule so the wk 18 Pitt v Cincy game will be big but Balt could skate - I don't want that. I was going to put the Lamar hype train is annoying but then I thought I dislike the whole Joe Cool thing too. I do like King Henry though. All in all, it doesn't matter much, I want to watch a hard fought, exciting game.

McDermott makes a kind of gutsy, instinctive call that works and gets a thread of veiled criticism. That's the kind of gratitude he gets around here. Also haven't heard a peep out of the crew at the bar yelling "take the points" on the first drive. 4th and goal from the 3-4. It seems like the use of the "McDummy" will be shelved until able to be used effectively in the hindsight manner.

So somehow this stat doesn't count Bass missing the chip shot versus KC in last years playoff? As to the OP, credit needs to be given to McDermott. He made the right call.

I agree, the ingredients are there! J Brady and the offense will be cooking! It's Beane's job to keep this together. You need a decent salary for A Cooper and a pretty good salary for Shakir. Do it! A llot of the same people who were pounding the table for getting a top tier WR are now hemming and hawing about the price tag of Shakir. He's a fantastic young, Bills developed WR with great hands and YAC ability (along with fitting the culture). Do what is necessary to keep him! We can see this offense has the potential to be among the best in the league. Keep it together.

They tried to replace Beasley cheaply. The thought was to promote McKenzie (he had that great game against New England) and they got Crowder. I would prefer not to see this type of philosophy used again. Keep this good thing rolling. I hadn't thought much of the Shakir's affect on Kincaid. Just ride the hot hand. The Kincaid decision is a long way away. I'm inclined to think the FO will be extending him. Having two good players Shakir/Kincaid would be a good thing. While it will come down to the money, the advantage the Bills have is being able to give a market value guaranteed extension before his current contract expires, much like they did with Knox. If both sides are reasonable and fair this can work out, and I think it will.

I agree with your assessment of Shakir as a component, not a centerpiece. But he is turning into an excellent component so I hope he doesn't go away (then the Bills are left trying to fill that void again). The hope is Shakir realizes his place and that the Bills and Shakir can come to terms with that perspective in mind. A fair market price for a good slot receiver. You generally have to pay him with guarantees a year early to get those kind of deals. Do it. As for Coleman. I don't think WR1 is in the cards. I think the FO knew this when drafting him and he was always slated to be a better G Davis type. The FO purposefully let him fall out of the first round because they never intended to pay him the 5th year option rate. Right now it looks to me like the FO moves should be to extend A Cooper in a couple of months, extend Shakir, and let Coleman play out his rookie contract. And keep drafting WRs to develop.

You don't re-sign everyone, but you do re-sign a good home grown, young, developing, WR (Shakir) who is an integral part of your good team. Now I don't think you go anywhere near the $24M spoken about above. But you do give him market price a year early, a little more than G Davis money. I hope the FO knows that WR's are not a dime a dozen. Even slot WRs. Looks at the problems that occurred in that area after Beasley left - McKenzie and Crowder were not the answer. Give Josh weapons at the WR position, lets not backtrack and have to fill even more WR holes. WR is an area where money should be spent. As for not re-signing everyone, that unfortunately may have to be J Cook.

Diggs did not lose any gamble - Houston gave him all his guaranteed money this year. Sane misconception that is routinely bandied about. Diggs did not get less money, Houston gave him all his guaranteed money this year ($22.5M). This storyline that Diggs is such a competitor that he took less money to go to a contender is total BS and people on this board should not be falling for it. For me I don't know if I will ever put Diggs in the fold of admirable status of long time Bills players. Not based on his personality conflicts - over time I can forgive those - but Diggs not so quietly quit on the team. The second half of last season with the third downs, taking himself off the field. The plays where he loafed and jogged when the ball wasn't going his way. I (along with many on the board - there was a thread) thought Diggs was playing through a rather significant injury - one that would require post season surgery. I guess it was my way of reconciling my previous opinion of Diggs as a competitor with what I was seeing on the field. Then we see him running around at the pro bowl playing flag football. Inexcusable.

No problems. I obviously carry over a little bitterness with Diggs. I think a lot of his forcing movement had to do with his wanting big numbers. That's not the design or intent with J Brady's offense. Here's to hoping A Cooper understands and can accept the role J Brady wants.

Diggs did not take less money -he got $22.5M from Houston and would have less from the Bills (see my previous cutout of ESPN article). Diggs and his agent knew he was never going to get the full amount listed on his contract from Buffalo in 2025. So no, if money was his top priority Diggs would not have stayed in Buffalo for $18M when he gets $22.5M from Houston.

They not only took his contract, they enhanced it. Per ESPN below: "As part of their blockbuster trade to acquire wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Houston Texans wiped out the final three years on his contract, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Texans also took the $3.5 million guaranteed to Diggs next season and moved it up into this season, giving him a raise and assuring him of $22.52 million in guaranteed money in 2024." Lets not fall victim to the picture Diggs wants to paint of him just being this incredible competitor that wants to go to a winner.