Nephilim17

The podcast alluded to the Bills wanting to shift to more man coverage this year. I don't recall McD saying that or reading it in any articles thus far. Anyone able to comment?

Sure, that's part of what I meant: the NFL knows it's more "entertaining" when teams score so star offensive players get calls their way because (perhaps) the refs hear a subtle mandate to let the skills of the star players shine and that the NFL wants to ensure points are scored. One more reason to invest more heavily in offensive players. How many times does an iffy PI call happen on a deep bomb that isn't caught? Yet how many times does the defense get an iffy call go their way?

1. 1-tech DTs play well into their mid 30s. 2. They said that they think AJ Epenesa may command higher dollars on the market than Floyd and we get a comp pick from AJ but none from Floyd. They're not saying Floyd is worth big bucks but suggested that for $5 or $6 million he would be a decent signing. Someone also suggested Floyd may have been playing hurt later in the season. 3. I think losing both Hyde and Poyer in one year is too much and we need a vet who knows the system. Yes, I agree we need to get younger. They were fairly high on Tre coming back, possibly on a reduced salary and they said achilles injuries are no longer as significant as they once were. The podcast was enlightening. They convinced me that there's a chance Diggs was hurt and his playing style ages well so cutting him is not worth the hit this season or next. I could go either way on that if we sign someone in free agency and a draft a potential WR1 in the draft. They said the Bills cap in a couple years would actually be in a good place so pushing dollars into the future, as bad as it sounds, isn't horrible given our future cap space. And another notable comment from the podcast: Von's $120 million contract only had a $5 million hit the first year; so we could potentially sign someone decent and not have a big hit the first year. One guy pushed for Houston's Johnathan Greenard if he's not re-signed. Another guy cited 4 WRs in free agency (Samuels, Bourne, maybe Ridley and a fourth guy...) and he said he thinks one of the four will miss out just because of the market on the $10 million pay day and maybe he could be available at an affordable rate. Chin as safety was also talked about.... I'm Ok with a free agent mini splash at DE, DT and maybe safety if we keep Diggs and get a stud WR in the first.

I knew all that handsomeness wasn't natural. Maybe he can become a Bollywood star now.

It's not a binary argument: Josh needs a new number 1 WR AND the D needs to play better at the end of games, and this is dictated by both personnel and coaching. But if the brass takes a WR no earlier than the 3rd round this year, that's criminal.

You didn't quote the word that I italicized: consistent. This year the Bills offense was not consistent enough. I want to see that plus a field stretcher and true number 1 alpha receiver. I'm not saying we need to devote a first and second rounder to this, but take a real traits alpha guy who can stretch the field and win 50-50 battles. We haven't had that in a while. Then get a DE and safety and all the rest on D.

The problem is, the Bills have been allocating more resources in the draft and free agency to defense. And it's not working. So do we just continue to do the same thing? I don't have to roll out the old Einstein quote here. I'd suggest the problem might not be throwing more resources at the D, but different late-game coaching. And, in fairness, the D was missing key players this year. But let's turn this offense into a consistent juggernaut instead funneling most of the assets into the D.

I'm not a college fan and have limited interest in QB prospects given the Bills' situation, but I like your writing style and voice. Looking forward to your WR write-ups...

The Pats might have been a perennial roadblock to the playoffs but not a championship as we were never good enough during their dynasty years. The Chiefs are stopping our currently very good team and potentially first-ballot HOF QB from going the Super Bowl. And much of this Mahomes idolatry is tethered to a comparison to Josh Allen with the latter being pronounced excellent but not quite as good. So the Chiefs success is far more vexing to me as they are preventing Josh and the Bills from winning championships and being acknowledged as a great team/QB (some people see Josh that way but many don't because of playoff failures. I would love for the 24 Chiefs to lose Jones, see Kelce start aging more, and maybe lose a couple more key defensive pieces. And for the Bills to get a weapon on offense in the draft. That would be a start to changing the narrative and my hate for the Chiefs.

Really bad look. Lesser players would be benched. But Kelce, especially later in the game, helped win a third Super Bowl for Reid. If he wasn't a first-ballot HOF player, he would be severely disciplined for that. But that's the trade-off: do you put up with BS and a lack of respect like that if the player is great and helps you win. Reid wants the win more than the respectful behaviour. We saw with Toney that lesser players will be benched. But it's perfomance based. I think Kelce is a meathead but he's a damn good football player and helps win championships. Hopefully, his decline accelerates in 2024.

Mahomes is as cool as ice in clutch moments. I hate that he keeps winning and my friends were laughing at me at how upset I got with the 49ers losing (not a team I routinely support) but I have to admit it... When it's crunch time and the game, the season, the championship is on the line, if I can pick one player to make it happen, it's Mahomes. I hate it but that's the truth.

So he's run better, and especially inside, than many of us expected. But he's dropped a few more than expected. Given his college history (just going by scouting reports as I don't watch college ball) he was better than average as a pass-catching back. In totality, it's correctable as he has a history of catching well, and nothing to worry about. As Bills fans we have some causes for concern but back isn't one of them.

Given his leaner frame, I had zero expectations for him running north-south but he did this surprisingly well and I saw him drag defenders after getting engaged. Very happy for a late 2nd round pick. Is he Derick Henry? No, but he's got juice, good vision, more power than expected and is a catching threat (despite some drops; as someone said, he's a running back not a WR and he's got the league's hardest thrower passing him the ball). Get a bruiser late in the draft or in FA and we're good.

Could this be related to our overall lack of YAC?

Super stars and dominant teams get officiating biases in their favor. It may be simple human nature on the refs' part. I would be shocked if the commissioner told the reffing crews en masses to let certain teams or stars do better. But maybe there's a more subtle mandate something like "in the NFL we need our sill and star players to shine and we don't want officiating to get in the way of high-end football play." Too many people and players would need to be involved for outright "scripts." At that point either a player directed by conscience, greed, or attention would spill the beans.

Jones. Maybe Floyd but while he started hot I think he faded down the stretch so at this age, not sure...

Suprised to see a lot of people apparently rank Jackson over Burrow. 1. Pat 2. Josh/Joe Big drop to the next level.

Yes. It's a party and spectacle and an excuse to drink and eat WAY too much on a Sunday. It's football played by two top-notch teams. And I want to see the Chiefs lose so I'll be a one-day 49ers super fan. I honestly don't see how you can be a big football fan and miss it because your team isn't in it.

Hey, I just caught the last couple years of his career and missed his best days... What modern receiver would you compare to Reed?

I'm no college guy, but, yes, some reports cite a lack of separation while others say he can do it. I suspect his rawness in route running is the issue there and he can be coached. He has elite long speed and is a RAC monster so I'll take that and hope the separation on shorter routes can come with time.

What exactly are you suggesting? That the Cheifs be moved to the NFC to let other AFC teams get a shot at the Super Bowl? Wouldn't that, if the logic follows, then be a severe disadvantage to all the NFC teams? I don't get how to make this "fair." Let's see if they're still unbeatable in a couple years without Kelce and Jones.

Scott, my heart and prayers goes out to your wife, you and your family. May you all find peace and cherish the love you have for one another.

I'm not a college fan but after some cursory reading/viewing on various prospects be very pleased with Legette. The dude is in the 220's and would be a beast to bring down and could offer elite speed. That means he can both separate and win in 50/50 battles. That's worth the 23 age factor. He should have about 8 prime years which coincides with Josh's prime years. I'd be really afraid of drafting a speed guy who is 180 pounds soaking wet. Let's get a WR who is a beast and who can outrun and outmuscle anyone's CB or safety.

I see that point of view. I don't personally agree with it but if fans feel it's a good way to support him, I get it. I don't think this is black and white and I've outline my thoughts. All the best to those who support him and I hope next year Bass is money.

IF... Bass was a Bill with a 10-year career in this city and he made some championship kicks for us, I'd understand this. Right now, he's just a kid who has made several million dollars and missed a kick he's paid very handsomely to make. So I don't get the charity thing is this case. If Poyer or Hyde badly missed a tackle that led to the game winner, I'd understand it. Not for Bass. My $.02. I'm sure many will think I'm an uncaring a$$****.