Luxy312

The numbers do not support this supposition: 2015 - 242/380 for 3,035 yards, 20 TD's, 6 INT's, 63.7% completion pct, 99.4 QBR, 36 sacks or 8.7% of drop backs, 518 yards rushing with 4 TDs and 7.4 YPC 2016 - 269/436 for 3,023 yards, 17 TD's, 6 INT's, 61.7% completion pct, 89.7 QBR, 42 sacks or 8.8% of drop backs, 580 yards rushing with 6 TDs and 6.1 YPC You could say his numbers SHOULD have been better in 2016 but weren't because of injuries, but I wouldn't say he's improved in any measurable category. The seasons were not measurably different by any standard. He did deal with injuries last season as well and by any measure I can come up with, he had an equal or slightly worse 2016 than he did in 2015. As far as the camp comment is concerned, there isn't going to be an open competition in camp of any sort, unless Tyrod isn't on the team next year. He'll be the starter or he won't be on the team.

He's a wannabe thug that should be in jail.

It's the nature of nearly every contract that players sign. Simple reality is that the Bills gave him a deal with an option for the team to pick him up at $15.5m. Exercise the option, drop him, or leave him on the roster and the $27.5m becomes fully guaranteed. The message I take from the organization is that they knew exactly what they were doing. They gave him a "show us and earn your $$ contract". He got paid more than he deserved for a mediocre year and isn't going to continue to get paid at that rate IMO. The failure of people to understand that this isn't some "fixed term" contract, or that many NFL player contracts share similar structures is baffling.

What's funny about these types of statements from players is that it's inconsistent when it happens going the other way. A guy can hold out because they've "outperformed their contract", and it's just considered business to them. After all, they just gotta eat. When a team sits a player in a meaningless game, because it could cost them almost $30m if he gets hurt, the player feels the butt hurt. Tyrod needs to suck it up. It wasn't personal and ALL business. Deal with it and move on.

Below are a bunch of my random thoughts about the team, their direction, and next steps. Would love to hear anyone's take if they disagree or have alternative theories. 1 - Tyrod Taylor will be the first big decision for the Bills in the offseason. Let's be completely honest about why he was benched. If he had played and gotten hurt, his contract would have paid him $27.5 million guaranteed over 2017-2018. Based on his performance, I don't see the Bills picking up his option or leaving him on the roster, which will also trigger the guarantee. I'm fairly certain that the Bills will be thinking of trying to restructure him such that the can cut bait with him after next year if he doesn't show improvement. They may of course just cut him as well, but that leaves them with just Cardale Jones, as E.J.'s contract is done. 2 - The team has 24 free agents heading into the offseason, including the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Robert Woods, Lorenzo Alexander, Zach Brown, Jordan Mills, Mike Gillislee, Jerome Felton, and Colin Schmidt. I could see them re-signing everyone but Gilmore. His agent Eugene Parker is going to demand top dollar for his client, as he does for all of his clients. We're basically looking at Norman/Peterson type money at $35m guaranteed and $15m per year in total on a 5-year deal. Harvin, Bush, Tate, Spikes and Goodwin, among others, should all be gone. 3 - I've questioned why the Bills have been trying to run a 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel for 2 years. After 7.5 and 10.0 sacks for Dareus playing the 4-3 in the Schwartz system, he had a miserable 2.0 and 3.5 in the last two years. Caveated with injuries, of course, but Dareus is not a 2 gap defensive tackle. I suspect that whoever takes over as the HC could switch the defense back to a 4-3, such that there isn't so much of a reliance at making a dozen reads before the snap to figure out assignments. I expect that the front four will be Lawson, Dareus, Washington and Hughes. 4 - In that regard, you noticed I didn't include Kyle Williams. He's slated to count $8.3m in 2017 against the cap. If he doesn't retire, the Bills could save $6.8m by cutting him. I honestly think he will restructure a multi-year deal with a good amount of guaranteed money and become a part-time player. He's got a lot of mileage on him for a guy turning 29 and has been hurt way too much to keep him on the roster for what's left on the last year of his contract. 5 - Looking ahead to the draft (yes, I'm going there), I predict one of three players for consideration with the 10th overall pick. Deshaun Watson (QB) if he falls that far would be the first choice. There's 3 and possibly 4 teams needing QB before the Bills, so I really don't think it's likely that he falls that far. Mike Williams (WR) would be my second choice. He has all of the traits of what the bills need at WR that they haven't had for years. He's 6'3" and can go up and get the ball over smaller cornerbacks. Last but not least is Jamal Adams (SS). I personally think that losing Aaron Williams was a much bigger deal than was made out to be, particularly in Ryan's system. There are virtually no flaws identified in Adams at the college level. Whaley's presser was a complete disaster. I almost wish he were replaced as well. I guess we'll see what happens. That's all I have for now.

You really make my point for me. In the history of the NFL, how many Superbowls have been won by journeyman versus players that are draft picks? I can only think of Peyton Manning last year and Brad Johnson back when Tampa Bay won it. In both cases, it really was the defense that won the games. You may remember more, but the simple reality is that a vast majority of Superbowl winning teams have done so with quarterbacks that they've drafted and NOT picked up in free agency or via trade. The "waste" if you want to characterize it as such is picking up 10 starting QB's in 16 years that are all garbage. Basically, ignoring the most important position on the field.

Another cast-off journeyman reject? Pass. How about a recap? Doug Flutie, Rob Johnson, Drew Bledsoe, Kelly Holcomb, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Orton, Matt Cassel, Vince Young, Kevin Kolb, and Tyrod Taylor. That's 10 guys that I can think of off the top of my head since 2000. Can we just stop already? I want to see this team draft QB every year until they find a franchise guy. Put all the guys in order in that list and add Sam Bradford and I still don't care. A chunk is a chunk is a chunk.

I've posted this elsewhere. Owning two teams doesn't mean a damned thing. The Pegulas rely on others to run the day to day operations and I seriously doubt they have any involvement in significant decision making as it pertains to the product on the field. That said, Tyrod Taylor is as good as gone without a renegotiated contract. Let's be honest fans. They sat him because they didn't want to pay his $30m guarantee if he had gotten injured. It's not really all that complicated. Manuel had a chance to show his stuff and crapped himself on the field. He's done/gone. Life without Tyrod will be life without mediocracy. That's my reality.

Ridiculous statement IMO. The Pegula have almost nothing to do with the day to day operations of either franchise. They leave that to the likes of the Whaley's and he's a failure no doubt. He could own 6 teams and it wouldn't matter one bit.

This team is not going through another round of open tryouts. The idea that there would be some 3 way competition between two guys we already have and a draft pick is beyond idiotic. Why did Taylor sit today? Really simple question with a simple answer. If he gets hurt, the Bills have to pay his almost $30 million option. They sat him so they could drop him without repercussions. EJ is as good as gone. Not starting material. Jones may be the only QB on the roster before the draft this season. As for Falk, he's not even going to be in the draft until 2018 and won't be top-5 as a prospect then at his position. The Bills need help at safety badly next year. I believe that will be the priority position in the draft for this disaster of a team.

There is plenty of blame to go around for this team. There will be the usual contingent of people placing all the blame on Tyrod Taylor and another contingent giving him a free pass, and blaming the defense. This team has a serious number of fundamental problems that are evident to me from watching most of the games this season. These are my perceptions mind you, so I'll defer to actual facts if I'm wrong. Here it goes none the less with some negatives and positives: The offense has no sense of urgency, regardless of the score of the game. Opposing defenses are never on their heels because they don't have to be. I don't know as though I've seen a team that manages the clock worse than this one. The third and long defense of the Bills reminds me of the "bend don't break" defense of the Bills in the 1990's, but without a pass rush. I feel like opponents are picking up third down and long pretty much at will, while Rex thinks it's better to rush the passer with three and drop everyone else back in coverage. Tyrod Taylor is not a clutch quarterback. He just doesn't make the throws when it really counts. I would consider him somewhat of the anti-Flutie. Back in those days, you expected him to make plays and win games and he did. These days, I wait for Taylor to take a sack; completely miss a receiver standing in the middle of the field; or throw it where no one can catch it. The offensive line is not the problem. They give Taylor more time to throw the football than any line out there. Is that because they're that good or just because Taylor takes so much time letting the plays develop? McCoy is the real deal. I would attribute some of his success in the run to that same offensive line, but he is electric with just a little open space. The defense gives up too many big plays. I know that Rex Ryan defenses require strong play from defensive backs. I'm just not seeing it from the Bills this year. Darby has looked completely lost at times. There's times when Gilmore looks like he's 10 yards away from a guy catching a ball 20-30 yards downfield. Same with the run game. You had to figure that Bell would be a huge part of the offense in inclement weather. Where was the game plan to stop him? 6.2 YPC and many big plays. There's still a small chance for them to make the playoffs, although I'm not sure if that even matters. Whomever they would have to play on the road will destroy them. At this point, I would very much consider letting Cardale Jones play the last 3 games under center. In the 27 game sample of Tyrod Taylor, I think we know exactly what he is and what he is not.

He's done little to learn how to be a closer. If he's ahead, he can be a game manager. Otherwise, he's not capable of moving the team down the field. Holds onto the football far too long to boot.

IMO, the problem isn't institutional yet. If every organization bailed after the first two years of average records for coaches, what would have happened with Seattle under Pete Carroll and his two 7-9 seasons? I think that despite the fact that we're running on 17 years without the playoffs that THAT frustration can't be pinned on a guy who's been a starting QB for just two years or a coach that just took over and is finishing his second year. The deficiencies on this team are pretty obvious when our best players get hurt. Having as many WR's hurt this year as they have is a big deal. Would this team have done better with Watkins in the lineup every week. What about Dareus on defense? We'll never know of course what "could have been" because they were along with many others. At times, Taylor has been absolutely electric. At other times, he's been a dumpster fire. More than anything for me, the play calling when the team needs to advance the ball down the field and scoring is lacking. I'm not going to blame Taylor for two runs followed by a screen pass for a 3 and out, when that's what they're telling him to do. Offensively and defensively, I believe this team is better than it was last year. They probably need one more consistent playmaker on offense and maybe some additional help at safety. Losing Aaron Williams was also huge in that regard, as Ryan defenses are predicated on strong man cover players. Losing Watkins, then his backup (Woods) and then the backup to the backup (Goodwin) didn't help offensively.

So the 10-2 Patriots don't count this season, nor the 10-6 Jets they beat twice in 2015. Do you count much? Might want to pull out those fingers and re-check your math.

So getting Joe Thomas is in fact still laughable. Close thread. Case closed.

Couldn't you just create a new "Special" subforum for the intellectually challenged? Put his stuff there for the idiots to mash over.

There are just too many stupid people on this planet to count. By starting QB standards, Taylor's contract is in the lower 25% of the entire NFL. Even if they pick up the option, he counted $6.9m this year and will count $15.9m and $16.8m in 2017 and 2018 respectively. His contract has NOTHING to do with a QB in his second year that put a beating on our defense. The QB draft class in 2017 is for all intensive purposes, garbage. Can this team win 4 games in a row? Maybe. Even if they do, there's no guarantee that gets them to a wildcard. I can tell you that losing to Pittsburgh reduces the playoff odds to single digit percentages. None the less, not a bad contract at all. Nothing awful about it.

This game was a debacle, to say the least. The got a 15 point lead and then played not to lose. The Raiders were consistently putting 8-9 guys in the box and daring the Bills to beat them with the pass. They did it in the first half for sustained drives and scores and then just walked away from that game plan in the second. At a minimum, I don't have to watch the Pittsburgh game next week. This season can be over and I can move on.

I want Romo. I want AIDS. I want ISIS to set up a camp in my back yard. Anal warts? Sure. Bring it all on. It's all a painful cluster-you-know-what. No. Just pass already.

Lot's of one-off finger pointing to games that really doesn't matter. Very simply, even with a bad Alabama beat, they're in. So they're the #1 seed or they're the #4 seed. Really doesn't matter. Ohio State doesn't play anyone. They move up to #1 if Alabama loses or stay at #2 if they don't. That just leaves 2 spots no matter how you look at it. Clemson is a 10 point favorite over Florida and Washington is a 7 point favorite over Colorado. If Washington and Clemson win their games, I don't think it matters whether #6 Wisconsin or #7 Penn State win the Big Ten. The winner jumps Michigan no matter what. Colorado is #8 though, so if they were to win over Washinton, they would have a good argument to move up as well. People can go back and B word and moan about schedule and it doesn't really matter all that much. Oklahoma would love to jump over Colorado, the Big Ten Champion, Washington, and Clemson, but that scenario could be less likely than me winning a Powerball lottery. My CFP comes down to: Alabama - in no matter what Ohio State - in no matter what Clemson - in with a win, out with a loss Washington - in with a win, out with a loss Michigan - out Wisconsin - in with a win and some help Penn State - in with a win and some help Colorado - in with a win and some help

Yeezus christobo.......I think I see a troll.

Personally, my view is pretty simple as it comes to where the Bills stand in the playoff picture. The two 9-2 teams simply have to win 3 games and they're untouchable, even if they don't win their division. Patriots have the Rams and Jets at home and have to scratch just one game out of Baltimore, @Denver, and @Miami. For me, the Week 17 game @Miami comes down to whether they need it for home field or not. At a minimum, they get to 12-4 and likely better. Oakland has a much tougher road. If they beat Buffalo, though, they're at 10-2. They could afford to lose all remaining games @Kansas City, @San Diego, Indianapolis and @Denver and still have the Bills on H2H tiebreaker. Even if the Bills win this week, give them San Diego and Indianapolis and they're at 11-5 as well or better. Kansas City's schedule is tough too, @Atlanta, Oakland, Tennessee, Denver then @San Diego. Even if you assume the Raiders go 11-5 now, Kansas City is almost certainly at least the same or better. They will win @Atlanta or @San Diego. Now a win versus Oakland and Tennessee and that gets them to 11-5 as well. Even though Miami has the TB over Denver, I'll do Denver next. They have the hardest road of these three West teams. @Jacksonville and @Tennessee are probably two wins, even with their QB hurt. What's left is New England, @Kansas City and Oakland. For Miami, it's possible that they only win 1 of their last 5. @Baltimore will be tough for a team playing for their division. Arizona at home won't be easy. @NY Jets may be their only winnable game, having to come to Buffalo Christmas Eve and finishing versus a New England team that may need the game for home field advantage. Barring an unlikely run, I think the Dolphins are out at 8-8 or 9-7 at best. That leaves Pittsburgh. Home game in week 17 versus Cleveland is the only easy game on the schedule and maybe @ Cincinnati in week 15. Otherwise its the Giants, @Buffalo and Baltimore. My prediction before this week: Division Winners: New England (13-3), Oakland (12-4), Baltimore (9-7), Houston (10-6). Wildcards: Kansas City (11-5), winner of Buffalo/Miami game in Week 16 (10-6).

The absolutes on this subject are mind-numbing, to say the least. Is he making the read on what the defense is doing and deciding to not throw the ball, or is he just missing the read altogether? To be frank, there's no one that can answer this question, other than perhaps the quarterback coach. To me, it's pretty clear that Taylor is risk averse. He rarely throws to where the receiver will be, but to where he is. Why is he running instead of passing? Again, it's not just a question of whether he's "making the read". Is it possible that he believes he can do more with his legs (and more safely) than trying to thread a pass to a receiver that could potentially be picked off? I don't see why not.

My take on the Bengals game is pretty simple, and this has held true since the beginning of the season. When the defense shows up (like they did in the second half), this team has a chance to win. Offensively, Tyrod is nothing more than a game manager. Outside of the field goal drive, there were 4 drives of only 3-5 plays each with a punt. You can say that the Bengals are terrible, but they were still a team generating 380 yards of offense per game prior to yesterday. They get 4 of the last 6 at home, which is a good thing. I'll want to see more "closer" from their offense though to believe that they have any shot at the playoffs.

For every week that we've seen more and more big plays on our CB's, I keep asking myself a simple question. Where is the safety help over the top? Why is Rex so incapable of making adjustments? Is it him being stubborn or stupid?