BillsVet

Definitely has a voice for print.

They need to demonstrate being more than a 75-85 point team this year AND the several youth show the team's trust in them. Because at some point prospects go from being that to either players or not. I'm not a fan of being patient much either, nor an overly-deliberate rebuilding strategy...but they're 1/5th of the way into the season.

Adams' first year with Kruger (2020-21) I consider Year 0, followed by the tear-down ahead of last season as Year 1 and now they're into the second true season. They'll probably be short of the playoffs, but at some point the young talent particularly up front has to show something because I expect a playoff team in 2023-24. I'm stuck between the idea that rebuilding a NHL team takes multiple seasons and wanting results this season. It's not like the NFL where you have a guy become your franchise QB and you begin winning. At the same time, Adams and Granato getting extensions mean it's pretty much their show or bust now. For now, I'm not as concerned about being frugal with cap spending if it means they're intent on re-signing Dahlin and Power. Those 2 should be cornerstone players for several years to come, but they'll be going in circles if either do not see success and want out.

You can't play 7 games in 6 weeks. That said, I see the quibblers are out in full force. Keep trying.

They were 2-4 in the middle of last season from (EDIT: games) 8 thru 13. Teams with a goal of being the #1 seed do not have mid-season drops like this. Now quibble about that goal.

They've arrived at a 6-3 record in very different ways. Last year in games 7-9 they were 2-1, with pretty solid wins over Miami and the Jets. Their loss in game 9 to Jacksonville was bad and signaled the start of their mid-season drop in play. From game 10 to 13 they were 1-3 and didn't rebound until the final 4 games of the season. By comparison this year the drop began in game 8 losing to the Jets and has continued last week. If anything, it demonstrates they begin falling apart around mid-season for about 6 games before adjusting and getting back on track.

Who advises the HC on how to build/scheme an offense? And if there is someone, does he listen to them? And who thought signing Saffold, Bates, Duke Johnson, OJ Howard, Crowder, Austin and Quessenberry were the answers? Then, drafting Cook with another high pick on a RB? 2021 off-season on offense was similar in terms of signings and a lack of quality picks used on offense. Running it back 2 years in a row on offense should set off some alarms about the decision making process at OBD.

As long as he brings along Jim Monos into the podcast. I'm waiting!

Not re-signing a top 10 pick would be cause for concern, but the issue is fitting him under the cap in the same year JA’s deal hits.

Does Beane have the guts to tell the guy who effectively got him hired his priorities are misguided and need to change? I've been waiting 2 off-seasons for a transition to a team that supports Josh 100% and not one that uses high picks and more $$$ on defense. I don't see it happening. This is why McD is the weak link in this franchise. It's as if he and Beane have the Carolina prototype for roster construction, struggle to embrace anything different, and keep pushing that model. I get being stubborn sometimes, but it can become a major weakness when you don't adapt to changing circumstances.

The bigger issue is being forced to line up David Quessenberry at RT and thinking Buffalo will not have more hits to the QB in passing situations. Yeah, he's the swing tackle, but Brown's play to finish last season combined with signing DQ probably not what a good decision when Josh Allen is your QB.

"It's a problem of motivation, all right? Now if I work my tail off and McDermott gets a few ranks higher on defense, I don't see another dime; so where's the motivation? And here's something else, Bob: I have eight different bosses right now." Peter Gibbons was ahead of his time.

LOL at the comparisons to Bills teams from 30 years ago. Pre salary cap when Buffalo's roster was exceedingly better than just about every team in the league. It's as if people cannot comprehend the game's changed markedly in the intervening years. The loss to Miami was not good, nor the Jets loss. It happens and every reasonable fan knew they weren't going 16-1 or 17-0. Doesn't mean it's fun to see division rivals win, albeit when they're home. At this point, it's time to see what this staff can do. For all the plaudits given them, at crucial times they seem caught flat-footed. Time will tell.

Lot of vitriol directed at the goofy owner, but GM Chris Ballard is on the hook for this as well if not more. Teams that try reclamation or declining veteran options at QB typically aren't successful, especially when their OL is hot garbage. That said, there aren't many career-minded coaches in (or out of) the NFL who would take an interim HC gig, the losses which will inevitably follow and put it on their resume.

It is hard to understand how, for an organization that fails forward quickly, they insist on a defense first approach with Josh a franchise guy these last 2 off-seasons. They swung the trade for Diggs in 2020 ostensibly to give their QB all the chances to succeed...and he did, but their focus on defense (particularly the DL) remained the same. This year, Buffalo has 9 DL getting between 25 and 65% of snaps at mid-season. Looking at other teams, including those with defensive based HC's, you don't see that kind of depth there. But it's something Buffalo has done since early in the McBeane tenure. I once had hopes that Beane would move the HC away from the defense first approach, but he's either aligned with this plan or too weak to push for a new strategy. And I sincerely doubt ownership will insist on changes as they deal with difficult off-season issues. Makes one wonder what they talk about during off-season review.

And it's not just that it happens ever year, it's how this last for about 6 games: 2020: A 3-3 stretch from weeks 5 through 10 with a bad loss to Tennessee, the KC MNF loss at home, recovered against SEA 44-34, and then the away AZ loss. They only beat NYJ 18-10, NE 24-21 the latter of which on a Newton fumble to secure the win. 2021: Went 2-4 in weeks 9-14 starting with the Jacksonville loss, being run over by IND, losing to NE on MNF and then TB. Blew out NYJ and NO.

I see it as a lack of trust in his pass protection. Josh has been known to hold onto the ball longer than other QBs and now needs to make quicker decisions than he'd like. But yeah...it'd be nice if they had a dependable slot type who could be that safe option when he needs to get rid of it sooner. Goes back to the off-season and determining they wanted to be better running the ball, allocated resources to run type OL, then didn't add much in skill positions who stuck. What I'm seeing today is people questioning defensive strategy, which is typical after a loss like that. At some point the offensive part should receive some scrutiny as well.

His worldly punishment is low. The other one, well, that'll be different.

Singletary's YPC and YPG are practically the same as the previous 2 seasons. They are featuring him more in the passing game, which is likely a Dorsey/McD priority from the off-season.

The pro personnel people who decided Saffold and Quessenberry were the answer or partial answer to improving the OL are making the decision on players at the trade deadline. I'm not sure I trust them on offense to understand both strategically what is correct or on an individual personnel level. Having Josh and Diggs with Davis supporting is good, but will it hold up come playoff time? Or do you improve the offense with more picks and players into the RB group? Right now things are good on that side of the ball, but OBD's challenge is determining if their current lineup is enough when the post-season rolls around. Every time I see Kumerow lining up it screams no.

This is how solid organizations maintain their success, but it's something Bills fans are unaccustomed to. With Josh's contract kicking in next season and the deals to Dawkins, Tre, Knox, and Milano their available room for other extensions is limited. The price for being a better team is players want to get paid and expecting "hometown discounts" isn't likely in every case.

Short yardage back? What is this 1987? Oh, it is? Then let me know when we get Cornelius Bennett. 35 years ago today. Running backs at the trade deadline are almost like talking about Fred Flinstone's work brontosaurus.

Back to the topic at hand...I do not know if Kadarius Toney will exponentially help the KC offense. It does demonstrate they foresee a need to improve at WR to support their franchise QB. I'd like to see Buffalo add another outside WR at the deadline.

You are too easily offended.

Your logic is entirely flawed. Name me a consequential deadline deal...except Von Miller. Come on dude. As I said, the league is changing and contenders need to find advantages. The trade deadline is one of them now whether you like it or not. Besides, the investment fans have into their favorite team is infinitesimal compared to the people working for the organization. This is the year to make a SB win happen. And Josh deserves having the players on offense to get there because it's clear he is good enough. The Rams won a SB last year and haven't had a 1st round pick since 2016. Sure, you don't give up a high pick for just anyone, but come on. Audentes iuvat fortuna.