newcam2012

It's all about risk vs reward. Are you content with where McD has led the team? Do you think he will process the team to a SB? Do you think a new HC can do better? Worse? Is the team ready for change? Will it be too disruptive or jump start the team? No one really knows. What's know is McD is a very good regular season coach and mediocre come playoff time. I keep asking myself what solid HC could really fail with Allen as your QB? He's the stability of the team.

Looking back at this four SBs and the one that really hurts is the wide right. The Bills were by far the superior team and really didn't execute well. I'd say that were outcoached as well There is no doubt in my mind the Bills should have won. The opportunity was blown badly. That still stings in the memory bank... The two Dallas losses although it sucked were results of a great Cowboy team. The Bills stunk up the venue but I don't feel like they had good chances to win either. Maybe others seen it differently. The Wash game was another disappointment. Truthfully, all I really remember is the hype of the "hogs." Seemed like Wash was on a huge roll and had a dream season despite the lack of an elite QB. I welcome any more detailed comments or corrections.

I disagree here. I really don't feel like the Bills are buying a SB. They have added Von but thats really the only big splash guy in quite awhile. They are trying to develop giys like Boogie, AJ, Rousseau, Oliver, Elam, Cook, Davis, etc. The majority of the Bills off season moves haven't been big money acquisitions. The real issue or problem if you will is the lack of production from draft choices, misses, or mediocre play. Couple that with some past pick ups that didn't pan out. In short, I'm not seeing how the regime is trying to buy a championship. Just my opinion.

The Chiefs oline is elite. Mahomes is the best QB in the league and has a legit chance to give Brady a run. As a result, their WRs don't need to be elite.

The Bills are strapped by the Cap. So they have to hope and pray the older experienced guys can stay healthy. How likely are there to stay relatively healthy and be ready come playoff time? Its not optimal but that's the situation they are in. Hard not to think they aren't after what we saw last year.

Joe was on another planet. I'm sure he was plenty a tipsy while playing the game. I get your point though. Today's modern day athletes seem to be able to multiple task well. Except maybe not Ja Morant...

I agree Allen is fantastic. However, at some point if the Bills fail to progress further does Allen start getting some blame? Heat? Criticism? I suspect not. He's far from the Bills problem. In fact, he's the rock that keeps the Bills ticking imo. Nevertheless, just wondering if football fans, the media, and football experts start pegging Allen back in the pecking QB order. Not that it really matters. The QB rankings always seem to be a fun talking point. One thing that I'm kind of keeping an eye on is Allen's media hype, commercials, Madden covet, Hollywood GF, golf venues on TV, etc...I can't hate that he's marketing himself and making money. Just wonder if how if any it affects his game. The old timer in me kind of doesn't like it. But times have really changed.

Really well put. We just have to hope the depth is talented. It better be because several of them need to play well. McGovern will be a starter and the WRs should play quite a bit. When you don't have cap space you grab what you can. It appears the following years are going to be problematic too. Is the Bills dynasty run closing soon? Seems likely but who knows. Allen is a great stabilizer. In the back of my head I'm wondering if Josh would ever leave if he felt like the Bills Org just doesn't have it.

AJ Espenesa are you listening? Boogie are you listening? Great post. Very good read.

I keep asking myself we did the guy drop so far? He feel for a reason. Many were saying he's a good run blocker and a poor pass blocker. Hopefully, he can contribute this season. Hard to get overly excited about a rookie playing in a Bills win now mentality. Reminds me of the Cody Ford situation. We will see how he play.

That's the point. Beane missed the window of opportunity. The oline should have been solidified way back then. Now he's in scramble mode and left scrapping at the leftovers due to his own doing. The bad: Beane's errors have cost the Bills likely super bowls. The good: Beanes6 pick of Allen changed the franchise and has led to multiple playoff appearences. Weapons are nice but it all starts up front. That's the main reason why the Bills can't progress forward against the elites. Yes weapons clearly help but look at the Chiefs. They lacked weapons. The Bills have lots of potential weapons on offense. BINGO!!!!

Dawkins is adequate but he's nothing close to being elite. I think this oline is slightly improved but nowhere where it needs to be to win a SB. The line play on both sides of the ball will likely be the demise of the team. The game is won in the trenches and once again Beane is playing "pin the tail on the donkey" with his acquisitions.

I happen to agree with this grim take. They are restricted by the cap. All the moves have been nothing special on paper. A hope and wait and see. Of course, most here remain optimistic the moves with be successful. Based on the past its hard to do cartwheels of exuberance.

It's yet to be seen if Cook is able to be effective with a consistent large work load. He's a pretty small RB and he's never had an opportunity to be a high volume RB. An increased workload doesn't always equate to better production. Harris for sure has huge injury concerns. Think Crowder for a reference.

Cook has never been a high volume RB. Look back at his college days in Ga.. I don't see him getting a large amount of touches in this offense. He shows promise. His quickness and speed must be maximized. Good luck there with Dorsey. The RB situation seems a little crowed right now. I think he can have a nice year but I do think some expectations here are a little too rosey. Cook still has a lot to prove.

I'm not concerned with Allen stats. The priority is keeping Allen healthy. Don't increase his chances of getting injuried. More hits equates to more injuries.

You have to protect Allen from Allen. He's too reckless and that leads to too many critical turnovers. He has too much on his plate. Make it more simple for him. Have a solid running game. Run the ball consistently 20 plus times a game. The oline is vastly improved. Have Allen make a lot of quick throws and one and two reads only. Limit his running and scrambling because of injury concerns. Gotta play smart don't take risk. No Allen equals no playoffs. Allen has to take the underneath throws, screen passes, and slants. The WR upgrades this year should produce dividends. The defense should be in beast mode all year. McD knows defenses. I expect a top defense in the league. McD knows his guys and knows how to get the best out of them. Allen doesn't have to be superman anymore. Less turnovers, more power running, commit to the run, safer passes, and a great D. That's a good recipe for hoisting the Lombardi.

More running backs contribution in the run and pass game, quick slant passes, seem passes to the tights ends, quick passes to the Wrs, a few RPOs, power running with Harris, up tempo no huddle offense very frequently, and take a few timely shots downfield. On defense, McD is the best in the game. His defense should be top 3 in the league. I suspect a top 5 defense in the red zone. McD D will be more aggressive and cause lots of turnovers. This will break out year for several Bills pass rushers. Oliver and Rousseau may be pro bowl bound. This is the year AJ and Boogie thrive. Bills will be top ten in sacks this year. I think this could be the year. Great defense and well rounded offense. Almost a throwback version of football. Keep your QB safe, limit turnovers, pound the rock, play great D quick passing first or 2nd read let it rip, and conservatively take your shots deep.

Less passing because he can't afford to take the hits and get injuried. Like you said he's getting older. Those hits in the pocket are dangerous. Injuries are a huge concern. Look at his elbow injury which occurred on a pass. Stats bare out QBs get hurt more while attempting passes. Bills can use Harris to pound the ball, Cook and Hines as big play guys in the run game and short quick passes. Quick short passing game would be optimal. Similar to Cinci and Burrow. Quick releases to prevent an Allen injury is prudent. Slants, outlet passes, RB and WR screens. Quick quick quick... Protect the franchise QB is top priority here. It's the ultimate concern and you have to do everything to maximize the chances of a healthy Allen. Once in a while you can take a deeper throw to keep the D honest. I'm sure, we will all be holding our breath and hoping Allen doesn't get hit and hurt. Also, Allen can't hold on to the ball too long. He can't roll out and scramble as much because it makes him more vulnerable to injuries. Don't we all cringe when we see this? Josh has to throw the ball away and live for another play. There's nothing wrong with a punt sometimes. Besides, the Bills will now have a McD run D. That's pretty much gonna guarantee you a top 10 D. Lastly, like everyone says limit Allen's runs. Look at how Lamar gets injuried running. We don't want a Cam Newton replay. The Bills should use Allen's legs as mostly a decoy. No way should he be running the ball 7 or 8 times. He's getting older and it's just a matter of time before he gets hurt. The Bills have to think long term here. So we have a bit of a quandary here. The vital concern is to keep Allen healthy. Without Allen the Bills are basically toast. So how do you optimize this? Less longer developing passing plays and less QB runs in that order. More specifically, less passes where Allen has to remain in the pocket or scramble. It's a bit of a change in offensive philosophy. I get that but you can't lose site of the main priority. A healthy Allen!!! Some might think it's playing scared but I'd say it's playing smart. Let McD and his D do what they do. I have confidence his D will make the big plays when needed. No more 3rd and 15 first downs under his watch. Allen has to protect the ball, establish a solid run game, lots and lots of short quick passes. Sort of a variation of a west coast offense. Throw a few deep ones when safe. Don't ever lose site of protecting your franchise QB. Without him the Bills don't make the playoffs. Under the above mentioned scenario the Bills make the playoffs. Most everyone is happy. Go Bills.

Following that train of thought do the Bills have to prove it to you? Prove they can win a game to go to the SB? Prove they can win a SB? They Bills still have a lot to prove under Beane and McD. Thus far, they have proven they can be an excellent regular season team and a meicore playoff team. A team that can't get to the SB.

I just can't see how the Bills go 5-12 with a healthy Allen. No way!

I think that's the likely way it happens if it happens.

Injuries hurt far more on the defensive side of the ball. Definetly had a negative impact. However, the offensive side of the ball was quite the contrary. The Bills offense was very healthy going into the post season. Davis was long healed as best he could be considering its football. The offense really had NO excuses not to preform at an elite level in the playoffs. I'm not buying the out of gas do to the traumatic season's events. Plenty do because it fits their narrative. Not mine if you will... Offensively, the Bills oline was a problem as well as their WRs. The OC's game plan and schemes were obvious, less creative, and easier to defend. The coaching staff and these defiencies added up to a poultry 10 points vs Cinci. Defensively the Bills had little to no chance of stopping a good offense. Without Von the Bills pass rush blows. Let's just be honest. Tre looked like dog poop coming off ACL and Elam was a horrible fit for the Bills D. The Bills have addressed many of the offensive defiencies this off season. It remains to be seen if it pans out. Hopefully it does and on paper the Bills offense looks to be strong. On defense, all I'm really looking for is a defense that can make a few crucial stops when it counts. Von are you listening? The Bills are contenders and that's exciting. It great going into the season knowing your team has a legit chance of hoisting a Lombardi. I'm skeptical it will happen but it's quite possible. Many organizations can't say that. Go Bills!

Great insight here and post. Not much to quibble about. A few thoughts: We can only hope McD learns how to lead his team to a SB party. Reid has certainly turned it around. Mahomes clearly has a lot to do with that. Nevertheless, Reid deservedly get credit too. Unfortunately, there is no correlation beteeen Reid and McD. People use this as an example to support McD. Time will tell what transpires. As for Allen. I think Cam is a poor example. The game was much different back then. Defenses could crush QBs out of the pocket. Refs seemingly allowed Cam to take more punishment than others. I see no issues with smartly running Allen. It's a risk worth taking because Allen is that good and it causes so much disruption for a defense. I will also add that QBs are much more likely to get hurt passing the ball. You hardly hear anyone calling for less Allen passing. Or at the very least you never hear someone say Allen should pass less due to injury concerns. Lastly, we can debate the level of goodness with regards to KC and Buffalo. KCs ability to represent the AFC and win SBs is impressive. It's not a one off and they didn't miss a beat when they traded away arguably the best WR in the game. Truly a feat that is very impressive. Buffalo has fallen short at a somewhat alarming rate come playoff time. That has to change...KC and Cinci seem to be standing in the way. I'm not convinced Buffalo will be victorious.

Absolutely correct. Thanks for clarifying.