Paup 1995MVP

I certainly would not call Hailee gorgeous. I think attractive is more accurate. But that’s just one man’s opinion. As for Mahomes, who cares what kind of shape he is in. If his arm legs and brain still work, he will always be good. I remember when MLB players were smoking cigarettes in the dugout. And NFL players were smoking in the locker room. World is much too sterile today.

Who cares about analytics. Sports were great before any of that nonsense ever came to be. As a fan, we all watch the games and can see who is good who is great who sucks and who is mediocre. The eye test shows that the Bills defense as awhile was pretty weak last year. Just watch the Rams Lions reg season games and the Chiefs playoff game. Our defense was not physical and left huge gaps of open space all over the field. The pass rush was marginal at best. My point is that Rousseau doesn’t look special most games. He certainly doesn’t suck. But he definitely does not dominate week in and week out. Or even play after play on most defensive series i hope he gets to that level in year 5. But we shall see.

I agree about their QB play. It has not been much since Big Ben hurt his rt arm (in maybe 2019 or 2020, and then retired shortly thereafter) I thought Kenny Pickett would be better coming out of University of Pittsburgh. But the Steelers gave him all of 2 seasons behind a garbage O line, with a head coach who knows nothing about developing QB's, and their OC a couple years ago (Matt Canada-I believe) was lousy too. The win that Pickett led the Steelers to late, in his first year against the Raiders on Christmas Eve I believe (or close to then) when it was freezing out was a great drive. Maybe he will put it all together in Cleveland. Time will tell. Not a big fan of the Steelers way. Spend way too much on defense, and it gets them....mediocrity in this era. Think Tomlin lives off his reputation when football was played a lot differently. And he could do that with Big Ben as his QB. Kind of Like McDermott when you think about it. Josh Allen is a real big reason (not the only) that he is still coaching the Bills.

Are they going to overpay to extend overrated and often injured TJ Watt too, so he can continue to get meaningless sacks and jump around the field so he can pretent that he is actually doing something to help win games? No player in the league gets more stats that mean less to their team's outcome then this guy. I don't think he has ever set the edge on a run play to his side of the field. I think even Chris Kelsay was better at setting the edge.. There's a name we don't hear too much of on this message board. LOL

Wow, we must be deep in the off season with all this talk about McDermott. He is a good, but not great coach. The team plays hard and is almost always prepared. He and Beane have created a very solid culture. But he very rarely is going to out scheme and out coach another real good coach. (i e Andy Reid or Sean McVay level guys) When we beat the good teams, its because we are prepared to play. (thats on McDermott) And our players play well. And our better on that particular day or night. Its not usually game day coaching where you say, dam we really outcoached them today. Maybe if the guy had some charisma and personality where people got a kick out of him besides him being our head coach, people would not be so hard on him. Guys like Lou Saban and Marv Levy. Hank Stam, Jim Mora, even Jim Mora, Jr types.

Nutcase? The guy has quite a story. Came back strong from serious addiction. That says a lot right there.

Beans overall has done a good job. But I think you are giving him a bit too much credit. The Von Miller contract was a huge overpay. As was the Diggs extension. The Knox contract extension was just stupid. The Bills fall in love far too heavily with “their guys.” I think that has held us back. No reason a guy like Tre White at this point has any business being on an NFL field. The coaching staff is less than dynamic and has been solid but not great. We have been married to a defensive scheme that seems overly complex and cerebral, especially for younger players. And does not seem to take advantage of players athleticism. And most importantly we almost never change it based on our personnel. Instead we find players to fit it. Instead of bringing in the best athletes and building the defense around the players that we have in that particular year. And yes having Josh Allen washes away a lot of mistakes. And Beane did a great job getting #17. And has hit on some talented under the radar guys like Shakir and Ty Johnson. And he is great at finding O lineman. And getting a 2nd for Diggs was a winning trade, getting rid of a malcontent. There is just a certain up tightness/ formality to Beane and McDermott that some organizations don’t seem to have IMO.

Cinci has a bad reputation w signing their players. I think they did overpay Tee Higgins who is a good but certainly not great WR. I would have given the money to Hendrickson instead. As for the Saints, they were always good w Brees and Payton. Their front offense never got much press as it really should be. I have no idea if Shough will be good or not as a pro. I watch a lot of college football. But I know the teams more than the players because I like to bet on college games. I know Louisville always can score a lot and give up a lot of points. The Louisville-Miami game last year was one of the most entertaining of the season. it’s the slow time of the sports year. I guess something needs to be talked about in the 24/7/365 football world.

Yea I wonder how that is going to sit with the Saints locker room when an over drafted QB is holding out for a fully guaranteed contract? How about you win the job from Rattler and Haener first, and then do some good things for the next 3 years, and then you can make all the money your heart desires like a guy named Brook Purdy? What about Cinci's 1st round pick Shamar 1 and a 1/2 sacks his last year at Texas A & M Stewart?

Thanks for sharing. It looks pretty interesting. I am 59, so right in your age range for that.

I remember the Rivers game you are referencing. It was in New England. It was freezing. And Ladanian Tomlinson looked like an ice sculpture stuck to the Chargers bench. LOL Rivers was such a gamer. Loved the way he played. The only thing he couldn't do was run.

My left shoulder is close to that just from lifting weights over the years. You learn to manage it. No way I would get a shoulder replacement. That’s just too much to rehab and deal with when you have a busy life. But I can’t sleep on my left side. So there is that. Brees was great. An all timer. Smart dude too. That offense w Colston Henderson Graham McCalister and whomever Brees else (Michael Thomas later on) was throwing to was top notch. Would like to see more of that downfield passing game w Josh.

Dan Mariano’s 1984 season was one of the best, if not the best by a QB of all time period. (Other than not winning the SB) Over 5,000 yards passing w 48 TD passes I believe. That was sick for that era. Duper and Clayton, good grief. The game was played so differently back then. So much more physical in every aspect. And Marino just tore it up. And then the win over the Bears in the famous MNF game the next season in 1985. And Marino could just throw a football like no one else w that release. Nowadays the QB’s are all scouted on “athleticism”. Not so much arm strength, release and mechanics. And you get clowns like Anthony Richardson being drafted in the top 5. lol. He would not have even played QB in 1984. And he still likely won’t and shouldn’t now. As for Josh, he is definitely going to the HOF. His coaching has been mediocre at best on the Bills. If he doesn’t win a Super Bowl, it will not be his fault. For a lot of guys, getting in the HOF is somewhat subjective. I was always a big Phillip Rivers fan. And would vote him in. Great leader. Thought he was better than Eli Manning. Russell Wilson had some game. But I don’t think he is HOF worthy. Some may disagree w me on Rivers Manning and Wilson. But Josh is not a maybe. He will be a lock.

Where do you put Henry Jones and Mark Kelso on your list of safety’s? And do you remember Jeff Nixon from the Chuck Knox years? That guy was great at deep safety. Didn’t he get a bunch of picks and then blow his knee out in 80 or 81? i wasn’t watching the team in the 60’s but it sounds like we had a helluva secondary. And finally what about Leonard Smith and Kurt Schultz? They could both lay the wood.

We got way too conservative in the second half. That's on Brady. We need to open up the offense this year. We have a legendary QB. And we are playing offense like the 1972 Redskins with Billy Kilmer at the helm. I expect us to be ready come opening night. The Ravens will be over hyped. Lamar will make his mistakes. And lets hope our defense shows a physical toughness that has been missing for some time. And the offense pushes the ball up the field. Need to show a whole lot of urgency, because even though it is only the 1st game, it will set a tone. And you know the Ravens will be ready for bear. But we need to have a bigger trap. And just beat them down.

I put a lot of blame on the coaching as well. 13 seconds was a debacle from the kickoff to playing "prevent us from winning defense" on both of KC's plays from scrimmage. In the playoff win against Baltimore the offense got way too conservative in the second half. And in the loss at Baltimore, the trick play that Brady called almost knocked Josh out for the season in week 4, and took away all our 2nd half momentum. A lot of people like Brady. But overall his offense play calling is predictable and conservative. (was terrible in short yardage in the AFCCG) And with a QB as dynamic as #17 he needs to be better and open things up. We have good weapons this year. Need to push the ball down the field. You want a take what the defense gives us offense, why pay $300+ million for Josh Allen? Just go get the next Brad Johnson, Teddy Bridgewater or Mitch Trubisky. Maybe even Spencer Ratler. LOL

I would take Stafford and Goff over Hurts. The Eagles have put so much around Hurts it’s unbelievable. Howie Roseman is so much ahead of other GM’s it’s not funny. Not sure how they do it so much better, drafting, feee agents, salary cap, etc. But I tip my hat. Beane has been good. Top tier GM. But Roseman stands alone w the results. Someone do a list of GM’s and owners. That would be really interesting. Or a top 100 NFL players like the NFL Network does.

Keon Coleman's season was certainly underwhelming. He wasn't terrible. But he was not a big time guy for us for the most part. The numbers are what they are. He made some plays, but for the most part he was not a big difference maker for us. I think he will be better this year if he can stay reasonably healthy. The guy should break 50 receptions (thats averaging 3+ per game) and get 800+ yards and 5-7 TD's. That would be a nice but not tremendous season. And hopefully by next year he is breaking 1000 yards with 70+ receptions. But that will only happen if he can learn how to get some separation. I think some of the issues with Coleman and Kincaid (who has also not been nearly as dominant as many of us had hoped for out of his first 2 years) is that they are coming to a veteran team that has had a lot of success since 2019. On good veteran teams rookies/young players don't usually come in and dominate. They get some opportunities, but kind of have to know their place is to sit back listen and learn. The coaches are not desperate for them to be thrown into the fire and lead the team. And part of that also comes from good teams drafting later in each round. So we are not drafting top 10 talented players. Later picks usually will take longer to get to the level of being dominant.

Sorry if I was over aggressive in my response about Dion Dawkins. Its more of a cumulative thing with him, not you specifically. I have just never thought of him as a special player. A solid good player yes. But special no. And he just seems like a big self promoter too much for my taste. He is an O lineman. Act like one. Do your job well. Get paid well. And noone needs to know a whole lot more about you. You got a funky haircut with lamb chop side burns. That makes you stand out already. Anthony Munoz the best left tackle IMO of the modern era never blew his own horn. Enough said. As for Terrance McGhee, I was being more tongue in cheek mentioning him. He was one of my favorite Bills players of the modern era for his skills as a return man and as a corner. And he seemed like a real solid dude also. Its too bad that injuries cut the prime of his career short I believe. I never said Kelly was a better player. But Kelly was an awesome player and leader. He had the charisma toughness and was a winner. And to say he was never close to Allen's level of talent (agree as a runner) or play is just ignorant on your part. And I watched all his games as well Turk.

I understand what you are saying. But Jim Kelly is much better than Jalen Hurts could ever dream of being. Jim Kelly was a top echelon player in the NFL his entire career. That being said Josh Allen would have beaten the Giants and the Cowboys in the 4th Super Bowl. The Redskins and Cowboys 1st Super Bowl would have also been closer. Dan Marino threw a football better than any human being that has ever lived. But he didn’t win a Super Bowl. it’s a team game. Josh Allen is amazing. Hopefully w some studs on defense we will achieve our destiny this year. But please don’t compare Kelly to Hurts. I am not a Hurts fan. So that Hurts. Lol

Stop w the Dion Dawkins nonsense. He is a good not quite very good O lineman. John Fina level. Conner McGovern is more talented. Dion Dawkins is a legend in his own mind. He should not be in the same sentence as Kent Hull. where is Terrance McGhee on your list?

It is closer than you make it out to be KJ. Playing QB in the 80’s and 90’s was a whole different game. Have you forgotten how violent the NFL used to be?! Go watch the hit Jim Burt put on Joe Montana in the 1986 Divisional playoff game in the Meadowlands. It will refresh your memory. And how about the hit Bruce put on Boomer Esiason that knocked him out on the Rich Stadium frozen turf when he was with the Jets. Josh Allen is a better athlete. But Jim Kelly was an awesome gunslinger.

Joe B was being respectful of Tre White. I think it’s pretty clear what he means from watching mini camp.

It will be interesting to see how the secondary competition plays out in training camp this year. I do think we have a lot more depth this year. Whomever is our CB #2 and 3 on the boundary should be a lot better than what Rasul Douglas and Kair Elam gave us last year. Even if Ingram were to be #3 I think his experience from playing some last year and just another year in the system will improve his game. And lets not forget Dane Jackson. Not an amazing athlete. But he has always has had some grit to his game.

Of course you can not ignore the salary cap. I was just saying that the game-meaning players and teams is more interesting to me is all. And disagree big time about Cook. The Bills don't value a RB at $15 mill/year. Salary cap is only a small part of the story. Its the same as paying a middle reliever in baseball. You aren't paying them $15 mill/year with or without a salary cap. Because they aren't worth anywhere near that money.