Brand J

So you think Butler would’ve been fired? Because that’s the only way he wouldn’t have returned since he still had a year left on his contract. Elam wasn’t the only player he coached in the secondary and the other DBs came out to say they loved “JB.” The split was said to be amicable, mostly due to Butler’s wishes. They weren’t going to fire a coach who was just in contention for DC. From The Athletic:

Only after Butler didn’t get the defensive coordinator gig. McD said he was torn between Butler and Babich (I’m sure Babich interviewing for multiple teams probably had some influence - he was wanted). All involved say that Butler left to pursue other opportunities. He would’ve been back with the Bills this year as the DB coach if his ego didn’t take a hit.

Didn’t like the landing, looked awkward.

Cook was billed as a receiving back coming out of Georgia, with great hands. Taking into account his drops in extensive playing time last season and his drops in training camp - on perfectly thrown balls no less - I don’t know what to make of him in the passing game. He gets open which is a plus, but if he can’t hold onto the ball, who cares? If Davis can catch the ones Cook can’t, then Davis should get the bulk of pass opportunities.

To be fair, Samuel makes less than a quarter of what the highest paid receivers are making. Jefferson, the highest paid, is at $35M AAV, Samuel is at $8M.

Meanwhile we’ve got kickers hitting 59 yarders against us in the driving rain and 58 yarders to advance to the AFC Championship. Even if Bass isn’t “done,” I don’t think he ever gets close to the level of a Butker or Tucker and that’s what we need him to be.

This is the case with almost all draft picks!

They’re still out there? Practice running late?

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/buffalo-bills-bobby-babich-gable-steveson-training-camp

Babich talked about him either yesterday or the day before. Gave him some praise, said of course he’d understand leverage since he got a gold medal for it. Said he’s been doing pretty well, but wants to see how it translates to games.

DT Carter was the 3rd rounder.

DBs and LBs don’t block so well. Guys like our supersized athletic Brit were born for this return unit. What I see is that they need more guys blocking who are accustomed to blocking, but they have to be really athletic to get a hand on those guys in space.

The LB cut will be an interesting one, all these guys can play: Milano Bernard Williams Morrow D Jones Ulafoshio Spector

Yeah, I’d like Josh’s floor to raise a bit. He’s going to have off games, I just don’t want those games to cost the team. I don’t want to say “make Josh run the ball!” because the aerial attack is ineffective. When he’s on fire he’s arguably the best in the league, considering how many different ways he can hurt you, but when he’s off… oof. I can easily envision a better version of Josh Allen and I hope we get that (ironically) now that Diggs is off the team.

Sneed gave Hill the business on at least one rep in the AFC playoffs. After the game when the tape was going around, Hill laughed and said something like “he chucked me all the way to Cancun.” And that’s a guy who has Worthy’s speed but outweighs him considerably. Worthy will have to figure out some things on the professional level, no doubt. Of course it’s far too early to write him off, but for Bills fans sakes, I hope he’s a bust.

Which is odd because he set the record for net punt average at SDSU, the same school The Punt God attended.

Coach’s coach. Players make plays. If it was as simple as “well Mahomes has Andy Reid, that’s why he’s so successful…” Bill Belichick, who some believe is the greatest coach in league history, wouldn’t be a sub .500 HC without one Tom Brady. Brady deserves more credit than Belichick for those rings just as Mahomes deserves more than Reid. How many championships has Reid won without Mahomes? I’ll give you a hint: same number Belichick has won without Brady.

Whoever tweeted that spelled “Keon Coleman” wrong. From yesterday via The Athletic:

Good speed (4.46), was drafted in the 3rd round (2020). Has started 4/43 games and is already on his 4th team. The health at the safety position is officially a worry.

I will agree that the Chiefs defense steps up and makes a play when it’s needed most and the Bills defense hasn’t, but I won’t agree that Buffalo would have zero championships with Mahomes under center. That’s not to say that Josh is to blame or hasn’t given his all, it’s more to say that whereas Josh has been stopped by a defense in the playoffs, maybe Mahomes finds a way to get it done on that particular down and in that certain drive where points are needed. Maybe. We just don’t know.

Definitely need to continue working at it, but those in attendance have said some of Connor’s shotgun snaps have been low, with even one skipping off the ground. Maybe they’re both at fault for the exchange under center, or maybe it’s mostly Connor, only those two know for sure, but Josh is just the type of guy who’ll almost always take the blame for anything that doesn’t go right.

If a receiver dropped a pass, Josh would probably tell you he could’ve thrown a better ball.

I definitely did not. I remember hearing the night before the draft, rumors the Browns might take Allen #1 and I was screaming to the heavens “do it, Cleveland! Please! Spare Buffalo the mistake!” 😅 I thought he was the classic big, toolsy player that didn’t have the mind to make the game look easy. Not to mention someone with his collegiate stats had never been an All Pro or even a Pro Bowl QB. Happy to have been (very) wrong about him.

I wonder if he came in with an entitled mindset, like a roster spot was guaranteed. I do remember him saying he helped Rodgers and Mahomes to MVPs and SB wins. It’s his wake up call, let’s see how he responds.

Yeah, folks have to remember that Bishop and Hamlin are not coming into the system at the same time. Hamlin has the advantage of YEARS of knowledge and experience, including a few starts. Much too early to worry about a rookie beating out a vet on day 5 of his first ever training camp.