BillsVet

Of course. On defense the priority is always gonna be pass rush and corners and that's just how the modern game is played. Interior OL consistently offers options in UFA, which may be the best route considering the time it can take an OLineman to develop. As to the TE - yes. Knox has some flaws to his game, Kroft will go UFA, Smith is blocker, and Sweeney is a complete unknown with his condition. It's time to be focused on that because almost all the top teams have someone who can run the seam and attack a defense.

It's waaaay early in the off-season, but McD and Beane have some strategic roster management decisions to make this off-season. As in, does this team really need to spend 52M or about 25% of total cap dollars on DLinemen? (not including Star's deal). Those contracts may fit what the HC wants to do, but I question those expenditures compared to the value they provide in on-field results. I'm actually happy they aren't going to be active in UFA this off-season because it's clear McBeane aren't the best there, especially defensive signings. And I think some of that is the HC's overwhelming desire to have his scheme that requires his type of players on defense. Go all-in on offense by improving the interior OL, developing a run game, and focus on improving the pass rush. Easier said than done, yes.

All about creating leverage via a new issue to solve. He wins either way it's handled. A new contract with more money or it forces a trade.

See my edited post above. I would expect spending 51M on the DL would provide more than what we saw in 2020. And i neglected to mention that the 51.7M was not inclusive of all of Star's renegotiated contract.

Link? EDIT: OK, I see you're using spotrac: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/positional/breakdown/2020/ Chiefs have Frank Clark and Chris Jones. Indianapolis has DeForest Buckner. Buffalo has who on that DL who can impact a game? No it didn't take 7 years. Reid went to the AFC Championship game in Mahomes' first year as a starter. They were limited under Alex Smith and made the change in 2018. Yes, they'd assembled talent before that, but the NFL is about winning now. KC has refined and tweaked that roster (trading Dee Ford for Frank Clark) on both sides of the ball. This narrative that it takes years to reach the pinnacle of success is unfounded.

You think Stills runs the same 40 time as he did at the combine 8 years ago?

Buffalo spent 51M on DL this year, tops in the league by far and because that's what the HC wants. It's resource allocation like this which gives me the impression McDermott and Beane like building depth and giving players PT who buy in to the HC's process. That strategy doesn't work when you play the league's best as evidenced by last night. Who knows if McD will acquiesce, but Buffalo's success this year will not go unnoticed by other teams. Now is the time to adjust personnel and scheme to meet the challenge of competing with KC long term.

Does this mindset apply to the HC and his staff as well? Two times this season he was out-classed by Reid, and his coordinators by their opponents. The HC, now that he's won games in the post-season, needs to take a long look in the mirror and recognize that for this team to move forward he likewise must. That means being aggressive when it's not the most convenient. Part of that will be revising schemes and finding personnel who can compete with the best.

Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, now Matt Stafford. As bad as Buffalo has had it (until recently) Detroit has been exponentially worse. Hope he finds a team he can be in the post-season with.

I never believed the decision to start Tua and bench Fitz was well-received by that roster nor that it came from the HC. With Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow playing well, I'm confident ownership and/or the GM wanted their guy on the field as well. Still, Tua had 3 mediocre to bad games against Denver, then KC and finally Buffalo after their bye week. Missing the playoffs by 1 game combined with the decision to start him probably left a bad taste in some players on that roster.

Baltimore's defense won a SB. Trent was along for the ride that year. But I digress.

How's Mel think about Trent Dilfer versus Trev Alberts?

Couldn't help but notice in the CLE-PIT boxscore that Mayfield and Roethlisberger dropped back a combined 102 times and neither were sacked. Mayfield was hit 4 times and Ben had zero. That's incredible.

Good teams will diligently work to overcome adversity. Whether it is scheduling, their opponent, weather, and yes, some questionable calls. One cohesive unit that keeps their head on straight when the chips are down is tough to beat. Because you know the man next to you is going to do his job. My sense is that they know there's plenty of work ahead whether they have a bye or not. Not worried.

Having an outstanding QB gets you closer to being a competitive team. Trading his #1 WR out from under him before the season doesn't help you get better, nor does having Bill O'Brien as your HC. As an example, Aaron Rodgers was 5-6 in the playoffs from 2011-2018 under Mike McCarthy. Is that a reflection on Rodgers, who made the Pro Bowl 6 of those 8 seasons and was injured for much of 2017? Or is it something else. This isn't a decision of one thing or another. It requires a much deeper dive. Reminds me of the people who hype W-L totals for MLB pitchers. Run support is a key factor in those situations, as is bullpen strength.

It's not a real day on TBD unless someone is worried about something.

What about McDermott? Would he be mini too? If not then I'm going with mini-Bills 31 Colts 7. Or what if McDermott was the only one who showed up to play the entire Colts team? Then I'd predict McD 17 Colts 14.

It's not wrong to re-evaluate expectations during the course of the season. To start the year I thought they needed to win the division and make the playoffs that way, then take a post-season game. Now, to be the 2 seed with 6 straight wins entering the playoffs the standard rises. Winning 2 games to advance to the Conference Championship has to be the bar. And why not think SB while we're at it. This team is that good right now. Nothing illegal about shooting for the highest level. You never know what'll happen in future seasons, so win now.

Oh the irony. Now where's that pot and have they met the kettle yet? Go Bills!

The last thing that matters here is whether someone was right about this team. Last I checked no one receives bonus points for predicting accurately. Only reason someone would want credit for a correct prediction is they're not getting enough attention either here or elsewhere. That's sad, but still no one's duty to understand or help with. My take is there's a lot of the Dunning-Kruger effect on display in this thread. It's all just sad really. Happy New Year.

One of TBD's finest chimes in. With unprecedented class. Enjoy the season. I know I am. Go Bills!

Really disappointed to not be listed among the group of posters mentioned here. Pulling up 4 month old threads to say "I told you so" mandates better research. Just so...disappointed. I feel like all my work has gone for naught.

Understood

People get offended easily these days. Duke's been on the PS all season (minus Week 7) and no other team wanted to sign him to their active roster. It happens. Then again, Buffalo gave him a paycheck and didn't cut him the whole year. Perhaps he plays this coming Sunday and all will be right with the "offended that Duke might be offended crowd."

Some people have too much time on their hands.