BigAl2526

I went with option #2 though my level of enthusiasm doesn't measure up to adding an expletive. Daboll is a solid OC, but not perfect, just like Brady. Brady has made mistakes, but he' still early in his tenure. I think he's still getting used to what he has and how best to use it. I want to see how that plays out.

Yeah, a habit of slow starts is very dangerous for a team with playoff aspirations.

I don't disagree with this. My only response is that I think with better execution from the regular starters who were in the game, Buffalo could still have won even given their missing starters.

I don't think it is happening all the time, but the Bills certainly did do some sleepwalking in the Titans game. I even used that word in another thread about that game. I don't know about a lack of desire. It may have more to do with a failure to take their opponent as seriously as they should. They were also on a short week. I don't think anybody can really know except perhaps the players and coaches themselves. I like that they woke up in the latter part of the second quarter in that game. They have a full week versus the Seahawks. If they can their dinged up guys healthy and the coaches can scheme up a good game plan, I wouldn't be surprised if we see the second half Bills team from the Titans game for the whole game against Seattle.

I think this is a fairly high scoring game. I'll say: Bills - 37 Seattle - 27

I think the Bills had matchup issues with the Baltimore Ravens, but beat themselves versus Houston. I think that Buffalo, playing the way they are capable of playing, beats Seattle and covers the spread with no problem. The problem happens when "first quarter against the Titans Bills" shows up and stinks up the stadium.

It is a nice problem to have, but I think it is a no brainer. When Milano is fully healthy, he is the starter. Decision time comes when Milano's contract is up. Matt will want to get paid what he's worth. He will be a 32 year old linebacker at the end of his deal in February, 2027. I doubt Buffalo will want to pony up on a big contract if Dorian Williams is healthy and doing well.

Besides the age advantage, Cooper has better measurables. I know speed isn't everything and there are those who have poohpoohed the significance of 40 time as a factor in a player's value, but when a team lacks speed, it shows on the field. Buffalo has Curtis Samuel, who has excellent speed, but the Bills have struggled trying to get him touches and keeping him healthy. Other than that, their WRs are very average in their speed. Teams need to be able to take the top off the defense to help create space underneath for the short passing game. Until this past Sunday, Buffalo was not doing that, and it's been noticeable in the lack of separation receivers have had. Cooper times in the low 4.0 range. That's fast enough to present a threat to defenses. Hopkins depends more on route running to create separation, which is fine, but it's nice to have some speed in your toolbox as well.

I am pleasantly surprised by Coleman. I have a lot of faith in Brandon Beane's ability to evaluate talent, but I thought it would take a little time for Coleman to shine. He is good sooner than I expected.

The reality is that observers of football take team performance and record into account when evaluating individual players. You can argue that they shouldn't, but it doesn't change the reality.

Buffalo sleepwalks through most of the first half and comes away with a blowout win. I'm happy, but I wish they would figure out how to crank it up a little sooner. Cooper was a great add and it looks like Coleman is starting to get the pro game. I thought the officials let Tennessee's DBs play very "handsy.)

I know it was widely suspected that Anderson blew his kicks on purpose when playing for Buffalo. I don't recall hearing of conclusive evidence or admissions regarding it however. It's very possible.

I don't think either call would have been overturned.

Is there anything harder to predict that a kicker's future importance? I've forgotten the name of the kicker Buffalo drafted one year (Gary something or other). He was 0 fer in preseason and Buffalo felt forced to release him. He signed shortly thereafter with Pittsburgh and had a Hall of Fame career. Bass is struggling right now. It's probably a mental thing. Who knows when or if he'll snap out of it. Sometimes a team change will help. Same thing with Havrisik. Maybe with a fresh start on a new team he'll be better. There are no guarantees though.

His personality is the opposite of Diggs. Diggs was a solid contributor as a Bill and I'm happy for the time he's been with the team. I won't miss the drama.

He's been solid. No, he doesn't have the instincts and understanding of the nuances of the defense that Milano has developed over the years of his career as a Bill. I'm OK with that. If Milano comes back healthy Buffalo has great depth at the Will spot. If Milano is done, Buffalo is still in decent shape moving forward. They'll just need to develop a new player to back up Williams.

Josh will call the play and then say to Cooper, "You line up wide on the right, fake an inside move ten yards out, then head toward the side line at midfield. You're the second read."

Even if current personnel are not functioning perfectly, McDermott is notoriously slow to pull the trigger on change. Preseason injury denied Cole Bishop the opportunity to get completely up to speed on McDermott's very complex defense. McDermott trusts that Hamlin and Rapp know what they're supposed to do. Athletically both are limited, but they are a known commodity and McDermott draws comfort from that. Frankly, I think it would take an injury holding Hamlin or Rapp out more than a couple games to give Bishop a chance to start moving forward this season.

He had a lower than desired percentage of made FGs on attempts under 40 yards (83% vs 90% or better). Also had a fairly high percentage of kickoffs that did not make the endzone. The trajectory of his kicks tend to be lower than is thought desirable. Let the buyer beware. Still, he has some potential.

Agreed. It's tough to say for certain. Rodgers' arm was moving forward as if he was going to pass, but then he didn't release the ball when it normally would be in a pass. He let go when the ball was moving toward the ground. If I were to guess, I would say Rodgers was starting to pass the ball, changed his mind, but then lost the ball as he was hit. But once the officials finally agreed to call it an incomplete pass, there was not enough evidence to over overturn it.

Yeah, the Jets got a problem. With a 40 year old QB, they are all in this season and still are starting out 2-4 on the season. A somewhat dysfunctional Bills team beat them on their own turf. Who knows how long they can keep Rodgers healthy enough to keep playing. I haven't followed their cap situation, but They've got a bunch of big name players who are going to want to get paid at some point. What happens to them when they fail to make the playoffs this season?

Interestingly, Taylor Rapp timed far slower than Hamlin coming out of college. Hamlin ran kind of an average 4.63 40 for a safety. Rapp's 4.78 40 would have been slow for a linebacker or even a defensive end. I'm pretty sure the Bills are hoping that Bishop will continue developing and replaces one of these guys sooner rather than later. They will probably be looking for a safety in the 2025 off season. McDermott can use slower safeties in his zone system, but the Bills do have to make adjustments to compensate for that lack of athleticism. At some point it would be better to have safeties who are smart, disciplined AND athletic/speedy.

No, I don't think that away versus home accounts for the Bills' funk. It may be a small factor. I think Buffalo had huge matchup issues versus Baltimore to go with their injury woes. I think that the lopsided loss to Baltimore was a shock to Buffalo's psyche, and Josh Allen's in particular. Even with all the troubles Buffalo had against Houston, they were just a few plays/mistakes away from winning that game. They still have a bunch of key players dealing with injuries so there is no guarantee of a Buffalo win against a Jets team that can be trouble. It is important for the Bills to get healthy. If they can do that, they'll be OK.

Of course, why would we want depth?

Overall, the injury report is decent news. I'll feel a lot better if Shakir is at least limited tomorrow. I'm a little concerned about the Bills not having Cook available, but I think Ty Johnson is a pretty good back. He's actually the fastest Bills RB. Also, Darrynton Evans is back practicing and he had a few nice moments in preseason.