BillsVet

I doubt the NFL would do ever anything to hinder the passing game. They have to love these shoot-outs just like MLB loves the HR. Or the NBA which is predominantly dunks and 3 pointers. It's what gets fans' attention. At some point, I have to wonder if some HC and GM would see the wisdom in putting together a team that isn't predicated on throwing the ball, but is good enough doing that. Defenses are playing more 6 guys in the box and 5 DB sets, so it would make sense that someone eventually builds an offense which can punish those smaller LBs and DBs who are on the field to play the pass. Belicheck seemed to use LeGarrette Blount like this a few years ago.

In other words, QBs cost too much and reducing the investment in one with a similar or good enough level of play is essential. I will say it's easier to get decent to good QB play now than it was 10 or 15 years ago when the rules weren't slanted toward offense as much. I think all of this is market driven. If there are more guys capable of playing, the options for a team are greater and cost should go down. But we've not seen that yet with the passing game being primary to successful offenses. I also don't think there will be, unless offenses evolve even further toward the college game, enough supply of QBs for this concept to work.

If you ignore winning Super Bowls with the Giants as a DC and as a HC getting the Browns (!) to the playoffs as flukes then, yeah, BB lucked into all his success. I love seeing Belichick upset and when Buffalo beats them. But to minimize his achievements as a NFL HC to "Brady" or "cheating" is absurdity.

I'm shocked there's only been one post in this entire thread mentioning the name Dez Bryant. Figured there'd be at least 5. That said, the WR's are underperforming, namely the no-effort Benjamin and Mr. Invisible, Zay Jones.

I know exactly how things go here and it's become much worse over the years. The evidence is that many long time solid posters are no longer active or post less. That's because there's a whole lot less debate/discussion and a lot more instant analysis, attacks, and the rise of chronic posters who live on this board all day every day.

There doesn't have to be a rush to judgement each time something good happens. Buffalo winning on the road the way they did is what any fan of this team would want. Yet, it's one week and 13 games remain on the schedule. Cautiously optimistic about Allen, the defense, and their chances the rest of the way are how I see it. I am amazed at the fans who need to be the first on their block to yell when one game goes well. Give it some time and let's see how the season continues. And it doesn't require all these "instant analysis" threads that posters are starting.

McCoach and Beane wanted NFL footballs with the Panthers logo on them to remember the old days. Probably place them in their offices.

Allen was 12th in the NFL in getting the ball out at 2.92 seconds. That had a lot to do with the "improvement" at least in pass protection.

He was targeted once on 22 attempts. Perhaps if they needed to throw much in the 2nd half he'd have more targets, but that's alarming how little he factored into this game. I think he's got the rest of the season to show he's starting material. 2nd round picks that you trade up for should be producing and Allen has definitely not shown complete tunnel vision like TT did.

TBD's college scouts have written up their report and are apparently taking the next 7 months off until draft day. You haven't heard? ?

Metrics won't be used to hand TT his job back in Cleveland. These guys and their analytics. They're useful to a point but not the whole story and I know Schopp won't relent.

Don't forget Buddy fooled 'em all by saying that Cordy Glenn wasn't an OT. Just like he did with Michael Jasper being a DT and then switching him to an guard. Or drafting Aaron Williams high in the 2nd round of 2011 to play CB thereby passing on Andy Dalton. Williams couldn't play CB and was moved to safety. Have to laugh at Buddy's draft "prowess" in taking players who couldn't play their established position and converting them. That ain't a strategy, it's a fall back to cover your losses.

You didn't know?

I'd put money on you having said this during the Nix/Gailey rebuilds, the Whaley/Marrone rebuild, and, perhaps during the Jauron era. That said, when I see people refer to posts, articles or whatever with words like "eviscerate" or "destroys" or any language like that, I already know it's drama to get clicks. Sports media being so competitive, the normal coverage isn't going to get ratings and ad revenue. So I take this analysis with a grain of salt, especially because it was Allen's first start. Did anyone think he'd tear it up with that and a poor surrounding cast?

Marv Levy said something long ago to the effect of if you listen to the fans, you'll wind up sitting next to them in the stands. The writer of that article didn't consider that apparently. This. I was set up to fail multiple times in the military and learned better through adversity than having an easy or only slightly challenging situation. I think Allen's been dealing with plenty of adversity, professionally speaking, since he was a kid. Getting to a D-1 school, succeeding there without a top supporting cast, and then being drafted demonstrates this. He's got a bigger challenge now, and while it's not under ideal circumstances, it's not a fait accompli that he'll fail because his predecessors did. Besides, the idea that he'll fail because Manuel, Edwards, and Losman did is just Bills fans conditioned to pessimism. It's a defensive mechanism if things go wrong and we want to say we're right. I've got more faith in that kid that anyone Buffalo's drafted at QB in a long time.

Some people have way too much time on their hands starting click-bait or otherwise type threads. Waaaay too much time. "You could have the franchise QB and still not win." Unreal.

And Jerry Rice didn't sign on either. The NFLPA and De Smith deserve each other.

Because an allegation is always true and the accused is guilty...unless they can prove their innocence beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of public opinion. That's how the American justice system works now, right?

Too bad seasons and careers, or for that matter personnel decisions aren't or qualified after 2 games. The instant analysis crowd really struggles when there's a need to see things over the long haul. Tuh-rod spent 3 season in Buffalo with declining numbers, specifically YPA, yards passing per game, and of course, struggled to win games coming from behind. Baker is their guy and he'll supplant TT at some point this season when the latter goes back to doing what he normally does: take few chances downfield.

It's garbage like this why the NYDN loses millions, which leads them to further reduce sports coverage.

The golden goose is being cooked slowly. De Smith is laying the groundwork and opening new fronts in the next CBA battle because he knows how badly he got his butt kicked in the last CBA deal in 2011. He's already acknowledged or is threatening a work stoppage in 2021. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2017/09/20/nflpa-re-election-demaurice-smith-sets-stage-next-nfl-labor-war-lockout-strike-roger-goodell/687199001/

I'm trying to balance 2018 expectations with the reality of another season after nearly 20 years of bad to mediocre football have created. It would be great to come out of 2018 knowing you've got an up and coming QB, but that alone isn't enough, nor is the prospect they'll have 70M in cap room for next season. Still, it's rare for a rebuild to move in reverse, which is what this one appears to be. Most concerning has been the defense's inability to stop anything despite investing a ton on their guys to play McCoach's scheme. And, not to mention the DC has had play-calling removed from his responsibilities. Agree on the questionable pro personnel decisions (Benjamin, V. Davis, OL). This is almost as bad as some of the bad contracts that the previous regime handed out which they got out from under. I'm seeing a lot of the old school thinking dressed up as otherwise in terms of their insistence on "their" guys. The rebuild has taken an unnecessary detour to adhere to this outdated principle of team building.

Why is Preston Brown, months after the team let him hit UFA, still considered an authority on the current state of the Bills' locker room? Brown wasn't a leader in Buffalo, said nothing of consequence, and is a remnant of the previous failed regime.

The question now is whether or not one believes the current leadership has a real plan for the long-haul. It’s very true that they have made some mistakes in personnel evaluation and overall roster building strategy. I’m still of the opinion they know what they’re doing but it will take some flexibility, better talent evaluation, and even patience. Still, the saving grace will be knowing they have a QB and I was good with Allen yesterday. One has to hope Allen improves, they stop under utilizing resources, and they surround the QB with better talent.

Might not have been the best Bills QB, but he's one cool dude. That performance was outstanding.