Tanoros

I don’t think the staff is completely trusting Kincaid to be the starting slot. They have Shakir, Harty, and Sherfield to all compete with Kincaid and more than likely platoon based on opponent/game flow. It’s more accurate to say The Bills trust they will get production with the guys they have out of the slot. It’s still a risk, but not as much as you make it sound. Outside wr is still a question mark and we don’t seem to have too much depth. If Diggs or Davis go down we really don’t have many options outside, especially proven options.

I could be wrong, but I thought Kyle came back for one more year after the playoff drought?

1,300 yard wr is a very bold claim when he hasn’t played a full season the last few years. He’d be good no doubt, but I don’t think he would put up those numbers here. More likely a strong season from him (in our offense) would put him close to 1,000. Your just overly negative because you wanted Hopkins and this signing more than likely signals we aren’t getting him. Putting aside your wants, it’s hard to argue that this isn’t a good signing this late in the off-season. We need pash rush help, especially when Von is out. Look at our division much less our conference. Even with Von back, we NEED to be able to disrupt the opposing qb’s and we just got more help to do that. As far as the offense goes, I feel like giving Josh more time is more important than any wr. Josh not being rushed constantly is something I can’t wait to see and hopefully this improved o-line delivers.

I just don’t get how he could even be selected to the pro bowl. It makes me think even less of the pro bowl selections (not that I had a high opinion anyway, but now it’s just garbage).

I agree, it looks silly putting qb’s who haven’t played a down in the NFL above ones who have. No one knows how they will preform and more often than not rookie qb’s struggle. That alone is enough to realize this list is based on part performance and part popularity/name recognition.

I agree with you. If McDermott and Beane really want Allen to protect himself more, they need to be willing to make a point when/if the opportunity presents itself and that Vikings game as referenced in the article was that time. He does against what he agreed to as a condition of continued play. Allen’s long term health is more important than any one game or season. However, in the moment of a game/season I can understand how that can be a hard perspective to maintain, but the coach/GM need to hold that perspective (especially the GM).

How many players are truly elite at any one trait? Not everyone can be elite, or else it diminishes the value. For instance, Allen is an elite runner. No one will deny that. Burrow on the other hand isn’t an elite runner. However, one can still be better than average at a trait while not being elite. Burrow certainly appears to be an elite processor, and better than Allen. If Allen is elite, then what do you call Burrow who is better? See what I mean by diminishing the value?

He isn’t a true number 1 anymore, but he hasn’t sucked at short yardage the last couple of years. The last game against the niners in the playoffs didn’t go well, but that niners d line/defense is one of the best. I’m basing my opinion on fantasy (yeah I know), but he has been consistent at punching the ball into the end zone when in close, or making the tough short yardage situations. That’s really all we need from a back. We already have speed and pass catching in Cook/Hines. I’m not saying I WANT Zeke. I just wouldn’t be opposed either (for the right and cheap price). We need a power back one way or another and the power back doesn’t need to be a rb1. One of the most common labels by fans for a non rb1 back would be along the lines of, “he sucks, or he’s trash”. Out of curiosity, which power back(s) would you like the Bills to go after?

You do realize we wouldn’t be picking up Zeke based on what he once was, but what he is now? The last couple of years he has been a shell of his former self, but he is still an excellent short yardage back. Zeke is someone I wouldn’t mind for the right price, but I also wouldn’t be expecting prime Zeke.

Exactly. Being a fan of course we want our team to win it all, but we became fans of a team that’s never won it all. Meaning we obviously enjoy the team/game enough despite not winning it all (much less the drought years), so there are plenty of things to enjoy while having Allen and team that’s winning the division year in and out. I know I’m personally loving the McDermott/Allen era. We know we have a chance to win any game, and it wasn’t always that way. Thank you to everyone who keeps a level headed perspective. I really enjoy reading the different perspectives, and analysis.

Does anyone remember the name of the poster who mercilessly defended Tyrod Taylor? Some of the last posts I remember where from right after Josh was drafted and that poster essentially saying we f’ed up trading Taylor and especially f’ed up taking Josh. I’ve always wanted to hear that persons perspective now, especially because their ego was big I bet they’d try and squirm around it some how.

I hate to say it because of all the resources put into the defensive line, but the lack of a pass rush is what makes this that much easier to beat. All the defense needs is 1 guy to force the QB to move off of his spot and it’s not an easy play.

Thank you for bringing this up. MANY forgot those times (or weren’t around then), but that was the biggest knock on Reid that he couldn’t win a SuperBowl. Now look at him, no one’s saying that anymore, but Reid has always been a good coach and that never changed. Beane/McDermott have us in position to chase a SuperBowl year over year and that should not be overlooked. It’s much easier to be bad in the NFL than it is to be good, moving on from McDermott doesn’t guarantee success, and many act like it would. Regardless of how this postseason plays out, there is no reason to consider moving on from McDermott or Beane.

Do you resign Poyer at the expense of Edmonds or Oliver? It’s not as simple as resigning Poyer, because we can’t resign everyone. Edmonds is showing his value, and he is still just 26, I don’t think it makes sense to sign Poyer at the expense of Edmonds. Maybe they can sign both though, but that doesn’t seem likely. Also, McDermott knows db’s and no one expected Poyer to be what he became when BUF brought him in as a FA. Perhaps another guy coming off of a rookie contract can be brought in at a reasonable price and play above their salary cost?

In my area (PNW) switching to fiber changed everything as far as streaming goes. I pay for 1gb speed (for fiber now and previously with comcast) and the fiber is getting me double the download and upload speeds. I highly recommend fiber for anyone who is able to get it in their area.

So the defense should have given 0 yards? That’s your stance? Those yardage totals you mention wouldn’t have been enough for points assuming the Miami offense started anywhere from the 20-35 yard line as is typical if not for the turnovers. No one should EVER expect a defense to give up 0 yards. That’s just “ridiculous”. Obviously it’s no so simple as just saying the defense or offense was the worst unit of the two. Both units made mistakes and both made good plays. However, you seem to be taking the stance that the defense shouldn’t allow points regardless of field position, and that take is not based on reality. When a team scores, the vast majority of the time, the scoring is done against the defense (that’s the nature of the game of football). However, it’s not out of question to attribute blame to the offense/special teams when those units give the ball to the opposing team in immediate scoring position. See how I qualify my statements and actually acknowledge both sides of discussion? Those that stand on their high horse and don’t acknowledge both sides of a discussion come across as disingenuous and pushing an agenda, making it much harder to to give that person the benefit of the doubt. It would be wise to acknowledge your point while conceding that it’s not 100% definitive, but rather a point of view based on personal observations (of which you have shared). However, it’s still a point of view and not the definitive truth, and you seem to be forgetting that part.

I wouldn’t call it an excuse, just a reason. For me personally, I don’t watch as many prime time games live anymore (besides Bills games). I usually watch the games in the condensed version, that way I can watch a couple games in the same time as 1 game, getting more bang for my time.

So when the Miami offense is gifted the ball while in position to score a field goal, and the defense doesn’t stop them from scoring the field goal, but prevents the TD, you would attribute more blame to defense for not preventing points or to the offense/special teams that gifted scoring position to the opposing team?

That’s doesn’t look like the face of someone blowing. It looks like the face of someone sucking. It could be a nicotine vape though, doesn’t have to be a marijuana vape, but who knows. It would have been telling to see his exhale to know whether it was nicotine based or marijuana based (nicotine vapes generally create a bigger cloud on exhale).

You misunderstood what I was trying I say. What I’m saying is, counting the field goals against the defense when Miami had a short field, already starting in field goal range. Those points shouldn’t be counted against the defense. What I meant by EPA, was that had Miami NOT had so many short fields, the odds are good that they wouldn’t have scored as many points, meaning our defense would have prevented some of those field goals. It was our offense and special teams that put the defense in positions where the defense is defending while Miami is in scoring position to start. So from my perspective, the defense overall played better than the offense, and reading our posts, it’s come across as if you feel the defense didn’t play as good as the offense (is that correct?). I understand your frustrations about the defense giving up so many long first down conversions (10+ yard conversions) and that equally frustrates me, however, those mistakes (in my opinion) don’t trump the turnovers or short fields that gave Miami an immediate scoring opportunity.

It’s not discounting the points scored, it’s recognizing the fact that the odds are Miami wouldn’t have scored as much if they didn’t have so many short fields (if you need an example read the post about EPA for reference about the truth of that statement).

You can’t count the strip sack fumble return for the Miami offense, so that’s only 24.

Thank you for this very detailed post with references and summaries. I really appreciate the effort you put into this.

It’s really easy to say this now that his is playing while still working to be back at 100%. Did you happen to share this opinion prior to Tre’s injury? Did you mention it here, on this board?

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. Hamlin recovers, and the Bills go on to win a ring for him and the city. That would be an all time historic event for Buffalo and the NFL. Hamlin first, then let’s see what the team decides to do. One thing for sure, we absolutely know we have the right people in the building who will do what’s best for the team/players.