BillsVet

Injuries happen less for some players as opposed to others. Did you take the laptop with you?

Nix deferred on the decision to take a QB high in 3 drafts (2010-12) which represented the worst decision of his tenure. Sure, 2010 may not have been a good year either, but it was inexcusable in '11 and '12 to leave Day 1 or 2 without a top rated QB. Ryan Fitzpatrick, while a good story, had not demonstrated the caliber of play in 6-7 seasons to warrant being a long term option. Yet, Buddy paraded himself around as a good talent evaluator, never acknowledging he needed more at the position. It's amazing that Buffalo found themselves picking QBs in two of the worst years in the past 15 years to find a QB. It's why you don't delay picking one when the opportunity presents itself. This is one of the most carefully constructed and tightly held narratives I've ever seen on this board. I have no doubt Brandon had already decided Whaley (or Whales as ole' Russ called him) would succeed a 73 year old GM. And there's no way on God's green earth that the outgoing guy would pick his successor's QB for him. Anyone who's worked in the corporate world knows that doesn't happen.

Not to mention, Hackett was a rookie OC who (along with Marrone) eschewed hiring a QB coach for that raw 1st round rookie, who was backed up by journeyman Thad Lewis and UDFA rookie Jeff Tuel. The college game has a lot to do with players not being ready for the NFL. Someone mentioned above that EJ really only trusted himself on the field. It showed when he wouldn't throw receivers open and looked mainly for point targets. That works in the college game sometimes and with superior talent. Not so much in the NFL.

Amazing that people still think the 73 year old GM on the way out of the building made that pick. I remember EJM stating at 2013 rookie minicamp how the playbook was easier than FSU’s. One way or another that wasn’t good. In his mind, I always saw EJM as the guy who thought he was better than he actually was. Well, except for the GM who hung his hat on the pick...XFL Doug.

Lee Smith's penalty to snap count ratio was always around 1:2. I'd expect it'll remain the same on go-round #2 with the Bills. Signing him to that deal says a lot about how they feel about their TE group.

You think that's obnoxious? I tone it down on Mother's Day.

The people who brought us the Bills' 2018 offense are responsible for the 2019 version. It's likely going to be better, but when you're offensively bottom quarter of the league that should be expected given how much they spent. I'm sure their deep dive into UFA this year with what looks like 1-2 year deals is designed to get them good now while providing time to draft younger and cheaper replacements. That said, you've got plenty of teams in recent NFL history winning in the playoffs within 2-3 years of drafting their new QB. Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston, Chicago, LA Rams come to mind. If Buffalo isn't competing for a division title this year it begs the questions: when will they? Too much changes each year and expecting anything to remain the same for long is absurd.

I take it you're one of those who thinks McD is telling Daboll to do whatever the heck he wants to do regardless of their defensive plan. Correct? McD is aligning what they're doing on offense with defense. He's not telling the OC go with a pass first attack that risks more 3 and outs which places the defense on the field more. How hard is it to understand both sides of the ball are related to HCs like McD? And, is it that difficult to understand McD isn't all of a sudden gonna be a pass first guy?

That quote comes across as basically out-execute your opponent, which is very Jauron-esque. I see far too much emphasis on the OC and his pedigree and not enough on the HC he works for. Sean McDermott creates the the game plan and the OC and DC implement that. It doesn't matter where Daboll or Frazier came from when it comes to what they want to do in a game. Nothing about McCoach screams to me that he's innovative or ready to throw the ball 35+ times each week. Sure, the offense may throw deep now and then, but the HC is a play it safe guy who's looking at field position, ball control, and the like. Former DCs turned HCs (cue the Belichick reference) typically tend to coach from their way of thinking and McD is no different. Dude isn't changing his spots in year 3. Maybe he does start the season throwing it all over the field, but the likelihood is he doesn't, and the offense remains predicated on the running game. The other factor is McD is in year 3 of his tenure. Think he's going to become a pass happy guy with more talent? Doubt it. He knows they need to show results and he'll go with what he knows - run the ball and get a strong defense.

Loved how the news, specifically Pergament, pointed out in that article that the Athletic's website does not have the exposure the BN has. Yet, they banked on the BN Blitz which has failed miserably. Either way, sports journalism is changing rapidly and some outlets are slow to accept it, the BN being a prime example.

I'm confident McBeane have been given assurances by ownership that their tenure will last at least 4 years. It's why they handled the cap in seasons 1 and 2 by shedding big contracts and taking the patient approach to rebuilding. They've identified their QB of the future, overhauled the roster, (save a few veterans) and spent big money on UFAs this off-season. McD has 3 1st round picks and multiple UFAs to staff his defense. He also has the same OC from 2018 to 2019. They need to show an ability to defeat good teams more regularly and beat up on the bad teams. One would think after 3 off-seasons of rebuilding they'd be ready for that.

On one hand, you're highlighting the signing of UDFAs and then talking about 5th or 6th rounders not likely having a substantial impact. Foster may continue to improve. Zay could start producing when it matters and develop better chemistry with Allen. Brown and Beasley may play like they did with previous teams in their respective roles. The question is whether or not McBeane were confident in their WR group coming out of the draft. Apparently they are. We're going to see if they were right, but history being what it is, McBeane haven't shown a propensity for evaluating let alone developing offensive skill position talent. Lot of "ifs" and "hopefullys."

Trust the Process...eventually it'll work!

Does this mean not adding talent was the plan in years gone by? People are going to have contrary opinions. Rather than ridiculing people for possessing them, how about debating them for why you believe the way you do. It's a legitimate exercise, but it does require some intelligence.

Except NFL defenses are a lot faster in 2019 than they were during Thurman's era. LBs especially, who more frequently are running in the 4.4s and 4.5s.

Daboll is going to ultimately craft the offensive game-plan based on McD's guidance. The HC may not call the plays, but the OC is implementing the HC's plan. I can see a very balanced offense run and pass that plays it conservative. That fits with the investment on the OL in UFA and with Ford and another RB.

Murphy signed a 3 year 22.5M deal last off-season. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/trent-murphy-14456/

Who is so highly thought of they signed him to a reserve/futures contract. I have a sense he'll struggle to separate in the NFL. I read somewhere yesterday that the plan is to run the ball and look for spots to let Allen throw long in year 2. With the emphasis on the ground game, I can see why McBeane went away from receivers and more toward supporting the ground game this off-season. That's the kind of strategy that lends credence to the idea McD isn't enamored with throwing the ball. So many young QBs are developing, yet Buffalo wants to keep the reins tight on Allen. It supports the notion this HC is not offensively innovative or a dynamic thinker there, although we shall see.

Anytime McDermott realizes they need to draft pass catchers for the QB they took makes me happy. And I'll be convinced he uses them when he lets Allen throw 25-35 times a game, especially with all that they've put into the OL. Cause if he continues trying predominantly to run the ball and playing strong defense it ain't gonna end well for McCoach.

Good questions and could be directed at all the Buffalo GM and HC's from Donahoe forward. The league is predicated on throwing the ball and TE's factor into that for most of the top teams. Tyler Kroft and his 67 career catches isn't that.

So you are Nostradamus? You're comparing Bill Belichick's team building record with...Brandon Beane. Besides, this is a massive conflation. Polian built that team before free agency began. That was 30+ years ago and the NFL's changed significantly since then. One way is it's gotten a lot faster and is predicated on throwing the ball. Not running the ball and playing strong defense.

Which round did Travis Kelce go in? Or how about Jimmy Graham? Jason Witten? I'll help..they were all 3rd round picks in 2013, 2011, and 2003 respectively. For you to say there were no solid TE's on the board and that Singletary will be a contributor requires Nostradamus like abilities. I'll presume you don't. For the record, pass rushers are always in demand. Or WO's, or in the case of the Buffalo Bills, a TE. Sternberger was there, but my sense is that Buffalo wants their TE to be as good in-line blocking as receiving. That eliminates a lot of options and shows an inability to comprehend how a TE is used in the modern game.

Can they teach him how to run faster? Shady can teach him the jump cuts that wind up as 4 yard losses. Kroft has 67 career catches in 4 NFL seasons and missed most of last year. He's essentially on a 1 year deal IIRC. Teams win in the NFL with passing the ball. This guy isn't the typical 3rd down back who makes catches out of the backfield. Perhaps he wasn't asked to, but spending a 3rd on a slow RB from a non power 5 conference who's around 200# I would expect he could do that. One gets the impression McD is building this team like it was 1980. It's a bold strategy Cotton.

A conventional pick for a conventional coach that wants to run a conventional offense.

There's only one legitimate comparison I can make after reading this board about Ed Oliver. He's Bill Brasky.