newcam2012

I agree but it's a long season and football players are human. There will be some ups and downs during the season. For me, the most important factor is peaking going into the playoffs.

I think there won't be any major changes on defense. Leslie's scheme is what it is. More of a bend but don't break defense. Don't give up the big play and get timely turnovers. Its very effective vs lesser talented teams/offenses. Thus, you get statistics like the Bills #1 rated defense. The defense was solid but I think all of us knew that stat was misleading. The addition of Miller should greatly improve the Bills pass rush. Some new additions via the draft and acquisitions should make the Bills a legitimate top 5 defense. They shouldn't get pushed around in the trenches.

I like that!

I'm not really that concerned about Dorsey. This offense will be elite so long as Allen stays upright. The OC always gets a lot of blame and slack no matters what's being called. Look at Daboll for evidence. Allen made Daboll not the other way around. I'm more concerned about the other AFC teams that have greatly improved. There doesn't seem to be a huge gap between the top 1 to 5 teams; which the Bills easily fit into. Rightly so, the Bills are at the top. The Bills have a target on their backs. Coach McD will have to get his players prepared to play week by week. They must drown out the noise sort of speak. It's a long season and there will be ups and downs. I'm more excited than ever to get the season started. The bitter taste still lingers. Yet, the future is brighter and reminds me of the 90's. Come Buffalo Bills let's do this and bring that Lombardi trophy home!

Of course, the Bills don't want Allen to get injured. Maybe he shouldn't pass as much because he might get sacked? The Cam Newton comparasion doesn't apply here. I'm fine with trusting Allen with his legs. He's great decision maker in the RPOs, makes huge timely runs in crutch time, gets the ball into the end zone with his legs, and clearly presents a problem for opposing defenses. I'm ok with dailing it back some but you can't take away his skillful running.

The Bills are a passing team and have a beast at QB. The running game only has to be serviceable. Motor absolutely did this and beyond the latter part of the season. Moss can't and won't be as bad as last year and we have added others to the mix. Cook with his speed should add another threat to opposing defenses. I'm not too concerned with the Bills running game. With that said, it's all about the Oline. Can they run block and protect Allen?

What makes you say that? Allen is a beast and has proven he can get the tough yards in crucial situations. Sure additionally help is definelty wanted. I love when the ball is in Allen's hands. His legs and elusiveness are an asset. Lastly, he's proven his toughness and his ability to take a hit or hits. I don't Agree with your take.

He certainly isnt the biggest worry. He's adequate and a good stop gap until we can find a really solid game impacting linebacker. Don't take it word for it. PFF has him as their 24th rated linebacker and site his inconsistent play. Brady and the Patriots looked pretty super to me for years and years. Just saying...

This signing just proves that the Bills have no legitimate return guy. I doubt Austin has much to contribute. He pretty much sucked in his prime so why would anyone expect a decent Austin now? The pick up is just ho hum for me.

I have ambivalent feelings about Kap. I think he offers little as a positive as a football player. Yet, I've always agreed with his stance for social justice. As weird as it sounds, I wouldn't mind him in a Bills uniform. I know its a bad football idea but something in me still wants him in the Bills' uniform.

No Kamara is dynamic and can break a game wide open. Mentioned him because even a weapon like him can be slowed down without a supporting cast. Frankly, I think the comparasions between Kamra and Cook are way way premature and really hopeful thinking. Kamara is a proven commodity and Cook hasn't even sniffed the NFL yet. He was a 2nd round pick as well. You would think if teams thought he was "Kamara like" he would have been drafted a lot earlier. I do think Cook brings an added dimension to the Bills offense. That's a great thing. It remains to be seen how he will be used in the Bills offense. How many touches he gets and how effective he will be. Lets slow down with the Kamara talk and let Cook be Cook.

I did and I'm glad I was wrong! Rarely do you see a QB make such a huge leap. The ceiling was there but many though he wouldn't come close to it. Big home run by Beane and Company... Last year wasnt Kamara pretty average?

Exactly. That's why the argument you signed the contract stop whining doesn't apply for the most part. Most definitely the NFL is unique. I could be wrong but it seems like the MLB and NBA contracts are more traditional and what most see as a binding contracts.

I get that what you are saying. It's valid but that's really not the way the current NFL works. A contract is a contract just falls short. Players and teams consistently maneuver their ways around binding contracts. The STFU and play argument just doesn't really apply anymore.

I get that but nowadays signing a NFL contract doesn't have the same meaning as years ago. Contracts are consistently restructured and changed. It's become common place. The argument you use clearly loses it validity.

I don't believe the hype coming out of the Miami camp. What else are they supposed to say? So the Tia positives absolutely makes sense. Thus far, Tua has under preformed for several reasons. Lack of coaching support and talent are in the forefront. Add on injuries, no run game, and Oline issues. This year, It's clear the Dolphins have given him many weapons. The Dolphins will find out what kind of WB Tua is. Hopefully, he's just serviceable and not elite. I would be shocked if he's franchise material.

Agree he will coach one week at a time. That's really the only way to coach isn't it? Especially, when your team has a target on their backs. Last year, I thought Coach McD wasn't as sharp as previous years. Not saying this to be argumentative. I felt his halftime adjustments and in game adjustments weren't sharp. Previous years I looked forward to the adjustments and felt like the Bills had a distinct advantage. I just didn't see a lot of that. Tampa was the exception. Additionally, I felt like the team wasn't ready to play on several occasions. Pitt, Indy, and Jacksonville come to mind. I know a season is filled with highs and lows. If we can recall to last season, the Bills were very much in danger of not winning the division or going to the playoffs. Credit to coach and the players for steeping it up. However, they should have never never never been in that position with the talent on their team. This season is going to be really interesting. The Bills have a target on their backs and a substantially more difficult schedule. Also, several other AFC teams have drastically improved. Truthfully, the pressure is on the Bills. Let's see how it plays out.

Another great post. Your insight and statements are 100% correct. I'd add he he choked away the game against KC, got very lucky to beat Indy, was lost in Houston, and mediocre in Jacksonville. Hopefully, Allen can carry this team to victory.

No I'm not mad the McD hasn't won a ring in 2 years. I'm mad he gave away the game in 13 seconds that cost the Bills a great chance to get a ring.

Coach McD is no doubt an excellent coach. I'm not here advocating his dismissal. I'm just saying thus far in the playoffs he has fallen short. Last years playoff ending from a coaching perspective is as bad as it gets. One for the history books that will be thrown in our faces for years to come. Right up there with the Tennessee miracle. Winning in the regular season is vastly different than winning against quality playoff teams. The Bills future looks brighter than ever so long has Allen stays healthy. Don't get me wrong, its fun to watch and win regular season games, win a division, and a playoff game. However, the Bills players and coaches must and should do more. Time will tell if Coach McD chokes out another playoff game (sorry no other way to put it) or can get over the hump. Currently, he is in the history books for 13 seconds of epic failure. A super bowl win will surely help us fans to move on. Coach McD has no excuses to bring one home in the next few years. You guys can compare him to every coach out there. Several here have made valid points. The fact remains Coach McD continues to chase the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The Bills trophy case is empty and many believe last year was the year Buffalo players should have hoisted it. No doubt it was an opportunity squandered by the Bills coaching staff. In many ways, it's hard to forgive and forget how they ripped our hearts out. Personally, I can't look at Coach McD in the same light. Doesn't mean he's not a great coach, doesn't deserve a second chance, or can't lead the Bills to team to the Super Bowl. The 13 seconds plays like a broken record over and over. Perhaps it's my passion or immaturity or both. Please football Gods the Bills fans deserve a super bowl win...

With respect, your comparisons actually embolden my argument. All those coaches have at least one ring. The Bills under McD haven't even sniffed a super bowl appearance yet win one. Coach McD has been pretty poor in the playoffs. Jacksonville, Houston, Indy, and KC twice off the top of my head. His biggest playoff feat to date is losing the KC playoff game in 13 seconds. Like it or not, that's pretty much undeniable. I'm not saying he's on the hot seat. I'm saying he's disappointed Bills fans in the playoffs. The 13 second wound is still fresh and truthfully the healing begins with a Lombardi Trophy. Until that happens, the criticism of Coach McD is warranted. I don't know how that is seen as insane. Imho, he has a 2 to 3 year window to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo.

Happen to agree with you. The coaching in the 2nd half of the game was very poor. They played to lose and not win, terrible adjustments, and looked like a deer in headlights. Thus far, I think it's pretty clear that Coach McD and the rest of the coaching staff has fallen short in playoff time. I think many of us including myself got used to the Bills losing ways. Therefore, we have been satisfied with making the playoffs and winning one playoff game. The hey it's better than it was. We are making the playoffs. That just doesn't cut it when you have the best QB in the league on your team. The coaching staff absolutely ripped the fans and players hearts out in 13 seconds. Truthfully, the media and most fans treated the coaching staff with kid gloves. In reality, they should have been lambasted for a long duration. I get the wait till next year thoughts. Haven't we heard that over and over and over? Maybe Jerry Sulivan should ask coach how can you do a better job coaching down the stretch in a crucial playoff game? What positive changes can be made? What did you learn from your collasal 13 second disaster? Nope nope nope...Instead, let's wait til next year...Ground hog day!

Fantastic post! Well said and very good research. The couple of years should indicate hpw good coach McD is. I absolutely think it's a legitimate question and concern. Is good good enough? I think the road for success is much more difficult for tje Bills.

I don't think anyone is saying that Coach McD isn't a very good coach. I think that's a given. The real question is can he bring home the Lombardi Trophy? At this point, winning the division isn't enough. Neither is winning one playoff game. The Bills need to make super bowl appearances and win at least one of them. Anything short of this would be an under achievement. The 13 second collasal blunder still looms large until the coach proves otherwise.

I can't argue with anything in this post. Solid as a rock.