newcam2012

That's fair. Surely, nothing about Oliver is set in stone. He could absolutely improve or vice versa. Many here have differing opinions and that's the beauty of this forum.

This is very true. I just don't see Oliver anywhere close to being elite or a top 10 DT. The guy is undersized and that will always prevent him from having a high ceiling. Now we have a four year sample to see what Oliver is. Imho, he's not nearly consistent enough to be reliable. He shows a flash here and there and that's just not good enough. Does Oliver suck? No he doesn't. Imho, he's average or slightly better. I really don't think he will suddenly start producing at a higher level than this. Sure it's possible. In short, this signing seems a little too risky. The Bills certainly have to address the DT position in the upcoming season or two. They are pretty thin upfront. Perhaps that has a lot to with the decision.

Interesting thought process here? Just feel like Dhop instantly makes the WR core much much better. Diggs will gather less attention and Davis should thrive as a WR3. Does Cook have that same kind of impact on the offense? Certainly think he's an upgrade over any of the Bills RBs. I still think Beane makes a move to get one of the decent pass rushers available.

Where was he vs the Bengals 2nd and 3rd stringers come playoff time? I've seen 4 years of Oliver with very mixed results. He doesn't suck nor is he elite. His inconsistencies are very frustrating. I just think you don't pay a guy that kind of money after seeing what he's done in the previous years.

He wasn't going to be traded because the Bills wouldn't get anything of value for him. So you are correct there. This move is beyond questionable.

Fair post.

Glaring issues on both sides of the ball really says it all. I agree it's probably too early to start taking apart the front office and coaching staff. What's becoming more clear each year is the Bills have fallen short playoff time. Why? I don't buy the only one team wins it all philosophy. Sure it's true but that mentality is the wrong mindset. It builds in excuses for not winning it all. At the start of each season do you think teams are reminded of this? Of course not. The mindset of quality teams is to win it all! Anything short of this for the Bills is somewhat disappointing. They have an elite QB which should land them at the very least a Super Bowl appearence. Burrow and Mahomes have done this and Allen is right there with both of those QBs. Why have the Bills failed to progress further in the playoffs? Of course, not an easy question and many variables and angles account for this. I've seen a 5 year pattern of Beane/ McD led teams underpreforming in the playoffs. I think that's a reasonable statement. I'd take it a step further and say I've seen the Bills coaching staff get outperformed in the playoffs; especially the last few years. Sure you can chose to focus on the Bills accomplishments to get there. Focus on how they had a chance as you state. I have my concerns that Beane, McD, Dorsey, and the Bills organization will continue to fall short. We've seen it year after year. What makes you think anything will be different this year? What's the move if Beane and McD can't get the team to progress further this year? Next year? The following year? At some point, tough decisions need to be made. Truthfully, I like McD as a person and a character guy. As a coach he's above average but clearly gets outclassed by the elites come playoff time.

What makes you think the Jets' outcomes are much broader than the Bills? I'd argue their defense with Saleh will keep them in every game. Perhaps the best D in the AFC. Their biggest weakness on offense was their QB situation. Whether you like Rodgers or not he's clearly a huge upgrade. Their WR core is solid and a healthy Breece Hall makes them better. Rodgers has plenty of weapons. He doesn't have to be Superman. The Bills have some big question marks in the trenches. Will the new additions improve the oline? Can Brown improve or will he continue to be a liability? Will Kincaid be a bonifide weapon as a rookie? Besides Diggs who steps up as a solid WR? Can the Bills generate a solid and consistent pass rush? Is the dline vulnerable to physical play? Will Allen be careless with the ball? Will the Bills struggle in the redzone? What kind of OC will Dorsey be? Do you trust his play calling skills and ability to reign in Allen need be? Will he use all his skill players? Will he run the ball consistently and it effectively? Will they run 12 or 11.5 schemes effectively? The Bills have a difficult schedule and the upgrades the Jets and Miami made are significant. The division appears to be a dogfight. I don't believe there is a lot of seperatiob between the teams. I give the Bills the slight edge merely because of Allen. However, besides Allen and Diggs the Bills roster really lacks difference makers and game changers. Who knows if that's significant? I think the Jets and Miami are well prepared to dethrone the Bills. Who knows if they can get there? I would not be surprised one bit if either of thoses teams win the AFC. The thought that the Jets or Miami are vastly inferior to the Bills no longer exists. Folks, the gap has significantly closed and the Bills have to be better in order to win the division and advance deep in the playoffs. Will they regress, improve, or continue the status quo? Thus far, the Bills have managed nice regular season records only to fizzle out come playoff time. It's a pretty consistent theme for years under the current regime. What will we see this season?

Thats fair. It sounds like Dhop is looking to get paid more than teams are willing to pay. At this point, I'd be pretty surprised if the Bills acquired him. Personally, I think he would make the Bills offense even more dangerous. Would it pay dividends to a SB? Who knows? What I know is that I would hate to see him go to the Chiefs. Him and Mahomes would likely be deadly for opposing defenses.

It will be equally interesting to see how the Bills respond as they too are expected to win and have SB expectations. That's true John. However, you didn't really answer my question. Just wondering where your thinking is in response to Beane doing nothing. If nothing is a positive or negative? If KC or another SB caliber team lands DHop instead of the Bills? Are you on record as wanting to acquire Dhop? What cost is acceptable? Do you think hes a difference maker?

I give the Bills the edge in the AFC. However, I would sell the Dolphins or the Jets short. They have made some very nice additions. I do believe both of those teams have closed the gap on Buffalo. Saleh seems to be a pretty good defensive coach. Last year, the Jets manhandled the Bills in the trenches. Remember, how they pounded the ball down the Bill's throat. Run after run after run with the game on the line. How much better is the Bilks Dline? Are they still vulnerable to physical olines? How much better will the Jets O be with a legit passing QB? I think there are some critics out there that think McD can't get it done when it counts. So far, he hasn't... I watched ESPN the other day and the so called expert ( didn't get his name) called for the Ravens as the next likely team to dethrone the Chiefs. More specifically, he said the Bills have passed their window. Or something like that. I don't agree with that but the point is many outsiders aren't nearly as high on the Bills.

It cuts both ways here. You want to give Beane credit for doing nothing. Correct? So if the Bills don't acquire Dhop do you give him credit or do you critique his results of not landing him? Curious to see if Beane just can't be wrong in your mind.

Wow $105 for DTV is a really good price. I was paying around $175 a month once my 12 months discounts ended. I paid for additional boxes, insurance for broken equipment, high def feed, added taxes and fees, DVR genie service, etc... You tube is $73 flat. I added a free trial 4k and unlimited DVR service. It's $10 a month extra. Not sure I will continue it. I added it because my wife was watching a show she supposedly recorded the same day. She fell asleep and when she woke up she was unable to watch it. The system for some reason would allow it. Then when I added that free trial she was able to watch it. Anyone know what might have happened? I don't have a 4k capatable tv. Hoping I don't need the service. Any help is appreciated.

I agree about getting the ticket at a discounted price. Often you could get it free as well. I will miss that for sure. I'd add that DTV was pretty easy to use and I really didn't have any major issues. Nevertheless, YTTV still is a lot cheaper even paying full price for the NFL ticket.

No Mike Evans for me. He disappears for games at a time.

That's fair. I hope you are correct.

I feel very similar. Imho, it's not closed but the missed opportunities are mounting. As each year passes with disappointment my confidence fades.

Fantastic post! Great insight and breakdown. Agree the coaching schemes have been problematic. Seems to work well in the regular season but not so much come playoff time. I really wanted Fangio to get hired by the Bills. I think he will instantly make the Dolphin defense much better. I really wanted Sean Payton hired as the head coach and take on OC duties. I just have a hard time thinking McD and Dorsey can get this team over the hump. We will find out soon. No doubt. Like another poster talked about its scheme related. The Bills coaching staff doesn't put the players in the best position to succeed. Fraizer and Dorsey were poster boys for this.

You think Miami and Cinci defenses in last year's playoff games were aggressive or passive?

I think the Bills offense will be fine. I still think the RB situation is fluid. I don't think Cook is a true number 1 bell cow RB. He looked good towards the end of the year. He's still unproven and learning. We've seen plenty of RBs look good only to have disappointing second seasons. Another big question is Dorsey. Can he juggle the Rbs and use them appropriately? Will he commit to the run? The wide receiving core has improved but beside Diggs is there a difference maker. Will Kincaid have an immediate impact. Although it's possible. Come playoff time teams will blanket Diggs and take him out of the game. Will the Bills have an answer? How will the oline play? Lots of new pieces to the line? No one player is a stud player. Dawkins is solid but frankly I think he's a bit overrated. With that said, he's the least of the Bills worries. Spencer Brown is a huge concern. To this point, all we have is potential. I can see him playing well or terrible. Allen needs to limit the turnovers and stay healthy. As long as that happens, the Bills offense will likely be a top 5 offense. I do feel good that Beane actively addressed the offensive side of the ball. Hopefully, the Bills offense will be extremely good this year.

You have confidence in Spencer Brown?

We will disagree to disagree. It's the cumlative effect that many seem short sighted. Imho, there is a pretty solid history under McD of the Bills falling short in the playoffs. I'd argue its more of a concern than many fans think. If you deep deeper into the Cinci game you can also conclude that the Bills coaching staff was inept and borderline pathetic. Why? (1) The players were NOT ready to play. (2) What was the Bills game plan on both sides of the ball? I mean they had a dress rehearsal weeks before to get things right. The game plan was horrific. (3) What were the game time coaching adjustments? How many fans were calling a Bills win prior to the game? No one was talking about the tough toll of the season. No one was making excuses for the Bills. After the loss, the excuses flowed and flowed. They continue to this day. It's a one off, a bad day, too much to overcome, etc...How about the Bills aren't good enough to reach a Super Bowl; Allen or no Allen. How about the coaching staff is inferior to other quality coaches come playoff time. Is that reasonable? Until this team, coaching regime, and brass can get it done the criticism although tough is warranted. I don't apologize for my criticism.

Funny how fans can just see that Cinci pathetic loss as a " one off." You seem to be doing your best interpretation of this. No disrespect intended. He's why that loss is significant. The Bills for 5 years have found ways to lose big playoff games. The Cinci game is another example of bad playoff losses. At some point, players, coaches, and the organization needs to get it done. Fans need to stop making excuses and hold people to accountability.

I wouldn't hate the way the Rams did it either. As a Bills fan, I'm not against the "all in" mentality. One might say with validity the Von Miller move applies as such. Dhop would probably be seen as such a move. Obviously, big moves don't always equate to the coveted prize. Often, the bigger moves are short term boost while sacrificing the long term philosophy. I suppose that's why the the term all in" applies. I don't mind the Bills swinging for the fences.

I like the move too. Nothing earth shattering but solid moves like this can go a long way. There's are the kind of moves that I think Beane is pretty good at.