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That's why you have to have a good defensive line, I suppose. Luckily Edmunds can cover AND thump the running back. Milano, although small, is also good at knifing into the backfield and making plays. I doubt Singletary sees much of the field, but we'll see.

1. This June-July period has been incredibly quiet on the Bills front. Nobody has lost an arm, gotten a DUI, been arrested, run around naked, or threatened a holdout. I think McDermott and Beane have a focused group. Compare this to previous years - Kiko's ACL, Zay Jones' shenanigans, Shady's legal situation, Rex's skydiving, Karlos Williams' weight gain, etc. You can take it for granted but we're not losing anyone in the summer. Unconnected from #1, but 2. I recently listened to this podcast from The Ringer NFL show, focusing on defensive innovation during this era's offensive explosion. Although the pod did not discuss the Bills specifically, you can't listen to it as a fan and not feel great about the defense McDermott and Frazier are building. The hosts focuses specifically on the need for versatility in your linebackers as well as the need for high level talent on the back end. Guys like Milano, Edmunds, and Vosean Joseph have all been drafted with a recognition of where the game is headed. As NFL offenses get more multiple, defenses need hybrid-type LBs who have the power to hit in the box and the speed to matchup with TEs and backs. We are stockpiling these types of players.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. It's interesting. First, I think we're coming into year two, not year three. Although McD got a few players in his first year, last year was really the first season where he had a lot of his players on the roster. This year will be the second. I've always said that 2020 was the year he as to have serious results in the win column. But I'll repeat what I've been saying for months now. Their objective is to build something that generates sustained success for a long time, like ten years. That's what they're trying to do. They have Allen and Edmunds and they think those two can be the core for ten years of success like the Patriots. That's what they're trying to achieve. They know they can afford to keep those two (everyone can afford a franchise QB), and they're trying to build a system that's sustainable like New England has. If they can do that it doesn't really matter of the success comes in 2019, 2020 or 2021, because 10 years of success is worth waiting for. I don't really care, and they don't either, if you think it must be done in three years because you don't see any examples longer than three years in recent history. Only one team has built success like the Pats, but that doesn't mean that the only way to do it is the way the Pats did it. The Steelers, the 49ers, the Cowboys each have a unique success story. When the Bills do it, their story will be unique, too. Recent history simply isn't relevant.

With the days winding down until training camp starts I'm becoming more and more convinced that only a rash of key injuries will prevent McD's third team from compiling at least 10 wins and a playoff spot. The schedule is favorable, particularly early, which means an already established defense (boosted by Ed Oliver) should be able to not only hold their own but control games. This is the third year for many of these guys in the defense. The secondary is second to none (can this even be disputed?). Edmunds got a "free" year of NFL schooling, added bulk, and should now be playing rather than thinking. Milano was a budding star before his leg snapped. If the offense merely improves from awful to average that should be good enough. Special teams can't be worse -- the Bills added one of the premiere return men in the game and washed the stale taste of Danny Crossman from our mouths. Heath Farwell is energetic and ambitious, he has the respect of players because he was one of them, and I think he'll have guys trying to run through walls for his ST. And let's talk about the offense. Last year it was bad. Through nine games, historically bad. But then something happened. Josh Allen returned from injury and made plays. Enough plays to show us what he's capable of (as well as what he needs to work on). More importantly, he got eleven weeks of coaching and preparing for NFL competition as "the man." Through the final seven weeks of the season the Bills bore resemblance to an NFL offense -- despite receiving some of the shoddiest OL play I've ever witnessed. Fast forward to the offseason. Two veteran receivers added, including an expected "safety valve" for Allen. A top line center. Loads of veteran competition along the OL along with a promising rookie draft pick. A new OL coach who has been spoken of highly around the league. Gore and Singletary. Who here is going to predict that the offense will do anything but improve? Everything I've seen/heard from Josh Allen suggests he is smart, competitive, and tough as nails. His teammates already love him. So yeah, if he can improve his numbers to something north of 55% completions, 3500 yards, and a 2.5-1 TD/INT ratio I think the Bills will be just fine. Is this an indefensible "homer" post? I really don't think so. Tell me why expectations should be lowered. And be civil.

Mahomes for Tre White 4th used to trade up for zay (not a big fan, couldve stayed put and still got JuJu) 1st (22) traded with 65 (tyrod pick) for Edmunds and Siran Neal So the picks ended up getting us a franchise CB, MLB, depth safety/big nickel, and a so far so-so WR. It could be a LOT worse than that. KC got a franchise QB. So they're winning... But a lot of that stems from having Hill on a dirt contract through 2019. They are able to overpay watkins because the average between the 2 is less than what we pay beasley and brown. They also have one of the better coaches in the business. One of the other factors with Mahomes is - they were 12-4 pre-mahomes, and 10-6 his rookie year when he didn't play, and 12-4 with him. Their offense was absolutely prolific with him, and all the losses were close... he's obviously an elite player. But coming out he had a lot of the same evaluation issues as allen. Comp% was higher but he also played at TT where the reads are all half field and its a lot of short passing (he needed time to sit and learn just like Allen). It's hard to say how good he'd be in a buffalo uniform when he would have inevitably taken the job from tyrod and thrown passes to benjamin and holmes vs. kelce and hill. As for 2017 in general White - great Jones - fine but improving vs what we got in 2017 Dawkins - Starter, yet to prove if he's good or not Milano - Great We got 2 great players and 2 other starters in 2017. I can't say thats a bad thing. If dawkins and jones become good players its even better.

This kind of take drives me crazy...nothing you said here was really accurate at the time. Our offense in the 15 games under Tyrod (they sat him the last game of the season) was 3rd in the NFL in Touchdowns scored behind only Saints and Atlanta (and only a few behind them) and 5th in the NFL in scoring. We had the #1 rushing attack in the NFL too. Our defense however was a mirage at being mediocre because Brady had been suspended, Gronk was hurt, Jimmy G was hurt, and so was the rookie QB who started week 4 and we shut them out. Because of that shutout, we were like 18th or something the league in points allowed. However, in the other 15 games that weren't such a disastrous anomaly for the opponent, we were 26th in the NFL in points allowed. Plus, had Brady played week 4, they likely put up over 30 points on us like he did a few weeks later and that would have dropped us to 28th. McD had just gotten here and came from a team with a dual threat QB. He had not yet worked Tyrod yet, who had only 3 seasons as a starter still yet had 3 different OC's in that span. However, despite that, it was the 2nd highest scoring stretch in Buffalo Bills history, and second only to the first 3 SB years. He was also a 2 time Pro Bowler at that point too. It was NOT a lock we needed a QB, however, our defense was one of the worst in the NFL while our offense was scoring well. In fact, McD managed to take that team and break our playoff streak of 17 years and get that monkey off this franchises back by simply improving the defense. And going into the draft, Mahomes was HIGHLY debated as if he was even a first round graded prospect. Watson wasn't a slam dunk either, so its not like they passed on prospects as touted as a Luck or Manning were. Almost no one here wanted Mahomes, but people LOVE talking from the future while ignoring the reality of what was going on at the time things happened. And quite frankly, if Allen pans out (and its looking good so far), this would have been a tremendous path he took. That draft in 2017 is looking very strong for us moving forward as Tre is already a top CB in this league, Milano was on his way to being a very good LB before he got hurt last year, Dawkins was pretty good when he wasn't playing with TERRIBLE lineman around him, and that draft would be even better draft if Zay takes a step forward this year. If Allen pans out, I would rather have Allen, Tre, Dawkins, Milano, Zay, Edmunds to go with new guys like Ford and Oliver this year. Mahomes was added to an already very good roster. McD and Beane have had to rebuild an entire organization, cap situation, and roster and in that first season with McD and Whaley, he had not yet known what he had here he could work with and what needed to go. BOTTOM LINE: There is MORE than ONE way to build a contender...you have NO evidence that the path we have taken is wrong or not going to work, and right now, the momentum is upward and things look quite promising. So get over Mahomes and Watson, things STILL worked out pretty well for us in that draft and things are pretty exciting right now.

LB depth is the weakness of the defense. If he is willing to backup Edmunds, he should be pursued. Can he play outside? If so, even better.

Mason Foster walks in and is IMMEDIATE upgrade to the MIKE Depth. And not to mention after being in the league for 9 years now, will provide the experience to grow Edmunds. Think of him as Barkley to Allen. Foster to Edmunds.

Agree and Now I can look at these pre-camp releases to fix and address depth instead of still trying to find starters. Foster at age 30 would be tremendous as a Back Up to Edmunds and to help him Continue to Grow. I think this one would be a no brainer. Normally not a XXXX Released Go Sign him Bills, but this one just screams smart to me.

And was hired by Beane (after himself interviewing here for Beane's job) so AFTER that year's FA and draft. He is a well respected personnel guy but I think it is a stretch to say he "helped" the team make the playoffs. He much more "helped" their 2018 draft - the Josh Allen / Tremaine Edmunds e v a l.... even though he was gone before the draft. My only worry about this is where he fits. He was the Director of Player Personnel. Dan Morgan has that job now. So is he reporting to Morgan? If so is he senior to the Malik Boyd (Dir Pro Personnel) and Terrence Gray (Dir College Scouting)? Or is he in fact not reporting to Morgan but directly to Beane and Schoen? I hate messy organisational structures that create ambiguity about who is accountable for what and to who... my experience across 3 professions is that never works well. My instinct is that the Bills think that Morgan and Schoen are likely to get looks elsewhere next off-season if Allen and Edmunds take a step and the Bills 2019 class looks good out of the gate. They have got Gaine back in the building and if either of those two roles (essentially the 2nd and 3rd in command) become available after 2019 he will seamlessly move into that job. I just hope until then how he fits into the rest of the structure is very clearly defined.

Makes sense for Tremaine for sure. As for the other ones? I am a total skeptic on Lamar Jackson, i think we have seen near his ceiling if he continues to be a running QB. Define "breakout". Nick Chubb was 4 yards short of 1000 with 10 TDs and only started 9 games. Bradly Chubby forced 2 fumbles and had 12 sacks? So I gguess i would agree with D J Moore and Edmunds.

Once the game starts slowing down for him, Edmunds is going to wreck/disrupt so many plays.... 2nd and 10 is a lot better than 2nd and 6.

NFL 2019: Five players who are poised to make the leap and become Year 2 breakouts This isn't a surprise to Bills fans. But, it is fun to see the national media recognize it. One positive that strikes me about our defense, is how well-balanced it is in age. Youth, and the future core, is served with Edmunds, Oliver, Milano and White. Meanwhile, our veterans, still in their prime, with Hughes, Poyer and Hyde, are leading the way. We are set up for a 5-7 year run as one of the NFL's dominant defenses.

Allen / Darnold McDermott / Gase White, Poyer, Hyde / whatever the NYETS have Lawson, Edmunds, Hughes, Lorax, and Milano / whatever the NYETS have

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/bills-minute-secondary-receiving-praise Bills Minute: Secondary Receiving Praise QB Josh Allen and HC Sean McDermott both speak on the hard work and efforts of the secondary thus far. LB Tremaine Edmunds speaks to continuity and working as one.

Baldy's Breakdown (Tremaine Edmunds)

I didn't see this talked about anywhere else so I figured I'd start a thread because why not? Not sure how many people caught Brian Baldinger's breakdown on Edmunds last week, but he highlighted the fact that Edmunds led the team not only in tackles, but passes defensed as well. Three of those pass defenses ended up as interceptions as two were deflected to Poyer and one to Milano. So, to me, that kinda adjusts his stat-line a little bit. He had 121 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Add in the three deflections and he caused seven turnovers last season. Just thought that kinda stood out. We know it took him some time to settle into his new position but as the season went on you could definitely see improvement. And that's one of the things I'm most excited for this year, is seeing their top two picks from 2018 taking the next step. Towards the end of the season, they occasionally let Edmunds rush the passer from the edge. I hope they continue to do that just to throw some different things at opponents. What does everyone think Edmunds is capable of in year two?

tre edmunds will have a chance to show that he can live up to all his potential. I'm setting myself up for sadness, but i expect a 3-0 start to the season

Buffalo is certainly going to find out what kind of run defense they have. If I recall last season correctly, there were a lot of plays where Buffalo would look like they have a great run defense, and then they would give up a 30 yard carry that would just break their backs. The problem was consistency. Tremaine Edmunds with a year of experience should help a lot, but the change on the defensive line creates a bit of uncertainty until we see what Jordan Phillips will do as a starter, or Oliver (if he's overtaken Phillips as starter by the season.

The best new from the D so far us that Edmunds has been properly flying about and looks much improved. I was a huge fan of the pick he was my 8th highest graded player in that draft and the Bills getting him where they did was a steal in my mind. But I did not love his play on the field last year. He made some sensational plays but his fundamentals on the every down stuff were sloppy. He was the same in college though made a big jump year 1 to year 2 - I am hopeful we see that again.

I don't necessarily agree with this, I mean yeah the main thing is Allen developing and taking a big step this year, but it's also about a lot of the young players needing to take a step. Edmunds, Zay, Dawkins, and Foster and probably several others. Foster essentially became the #2 WR as an undrafted rookie at the end of last year that's insane. There is nothing wrong with him needing to develop behind some experienced guys in his second year.

It's all on Allen at this point. They passed on a MVP QB and now they have to prove their QB is capable of getting them to the playoffs. If Allen is even above average with Edmunds, Oliver, and White all playing at a high level this team will be fine. Still worried about a pass rush but if those guys continue to develop then McD and Beane will be here for a while. As much as I am hesitant to give praise of this regime (Beane created the cap crisis and McD let Gilmore walk then blew a 3dd round comp pick), I really like what they have done with the OL. They overpaid for Morse but if he is even close to a top 5 center they should be able to put together a solid line with the mix of veterans and youth on this team. I like bringing back Lee Smith as a blocking TE. Hope they couple that with getting rid of useless FB position. And I like they drafted a TE. I want them to be successful. I just wish more people on this board would be more objective about the moves made. Most of what a GM does is educated guesses anyways. If they knew what they were doing then there wouldn't be the term bust.

I’ll give some additional insights to today’s practice since I was there. -Josh Allen looked really good today. He was pretty consistent on throwing to all levels. It seems he has a good connection with Brown and Beasley already. Beasley was talking Allen’s ears off on the sideline you could tell. Matt Barkley looked solid and efficient as a Backup should. Tyree Jackson looked like a guy running with the 3rd team, tho he did have a pretty deep ball in 11 on 11 -Devin Singletary looks good. Much quicker and shifty than his 4.66 would indicate. Yeldon looks big but average. McCoy still has some juice. -Beasley, if healthy, is going to lead the team in receptions. Flat out broke a dudes ankles in 1 on 1. Foster toasts a guy in 1-1 for a long Allen TD. Brown looks really good. Adjusts for a long ball TD from Allen in the middle of the field. A very difficult catch. -Knox looks thick and agile, Sweeney is huge but has more ability to catch balls than he gets credit for. Had a nice 20 yarder on a touch pass. Lee Smith doing what he does, blocking and false starting. -Oline looked okay today. Ford got worked some in 1 on 1s. First by Murphy, then by Johnson the 7th rounder. Speaking of Johnson, I can see why they took a flyer. Incredibly long with a great body type. Much like Edmunds just not as jacked with good athleticism but raw. - Ed Oliver didn’t really stand out in any way today. Defense was unspectacular but to be fair, a couple of the deep TDs today could have been counted as sacks because they were getting pressure. Edmunds is way better to start year 2. Looks quicker to react to run plays and still looks great as a pass defender. Stays with Beasley across the middle. Alexander looks athletic and ready to go for a 36 year old. -The secondary was rotating a lot of guys in practice. I thought the guys who had the best days were Taron Johnson, EJ Gaines and Cam Lewis. Blanketing guys all practice. - I don’t think David Sills or Nick Easley make the team or practice squad. Just too stiff. I was disappointed in the punting, particularly Cory Carter who was very good in training camp last year. Last note, I see twitter giving massive props for Allen starting 5 for 5 in practice today from various tweeters and bloggers. Yes he completed them, but it was clearly a walkthrough where the defense wasn’t actively trying to stop the offense. It was one of those pregame warmups where the offense executes and the defense doesn’t stop it but is in the right position

No question Edmunds needs to improve and I expect he will. But that has nothing to do with the Giants offense which should be the easiest defensive matchup of the season. Literally we can just sell out to stop the run.

LOL... The run defense is a serious concern. They were gashed multiple times last year. Oliver is a rookie. A lot will depend on Edmunds getting significanty better. Needs to diagnose runs better and take better angles to the RB. He is young so I am optimistic he can make a big leap. He is still younger than most rookies.