The Nattering Nabobs of Negativity

[26CornerBlitz]

Um ... I hope people realize that if the Bills have a losing season, both Whaley and Ryan will be gone. Regardless of whether Lawson turns out to be a good player, the fact that he'll be a complete nonentity this year (which he will be, given that he'll miss camp and a significant chunk of the season) is very important for the coach and the GM. They don't have the security to worry about and plan for 2017 and 2018. They have to win now. Losing their #1 pick for this season is therefore a really bad thing for them. My gut tells me that Ryan had a LOT to do with this pick, by the way. As we know, this is a guy fueled by emotion--the anti-Belichick.

 

Anyway, people talking about the long-term outlook for Lawson are missing a really basic point. If he's good 2-3 years down the road, it'll be meaningless for the coach and GM if the Bills don't win this season. And to that end, it's not looking good. They have a far more difficult schedule coming up, and personnel wise they're worse than they were last season (and the roster is very average relative to the rest of the league anyway). Their coach isn't very good either, although they have a very capable OC. I see 8-8 as a ceiling, with 5-7 wins far more likely. That said, I'm hoping for 11-5 / 12-4. But that's with my fan hat on. If my pessimism is borne out, some other coach and GM will enjoy the fruits of Lawson's career.

 

Pretty much where I stand as well.

 

The season hinges on TT taking another step forward and Rex improving.

 

Even Vegas is more optimistic than you nabobs.

[BarleyNY]

Every team in the league knew he had a shoulder issue. And every team knew that that health issue had to be addressed at some later point. Some teams decided to pass and not take him with a high pick, so he fell down to us. Even with the shoulder problems at Clemson he played at a high level in a top tier program. So we know his high rankings were not a fluke.

 

I'm not dismissing the issue that this year he will not get on the field until the second half of the season, and I am also aware that he might not even get on the field this year. But as I have repeatedly stated if you are going to take a risk on a player take it on a highly rated player who has the potential to make an impact some where down the line.

 

The bottom line for me is that if the 19th pick in the draft turns out to be a good player in the not too distant future then it is a good selection no matter if he is idled for a good portion of the season. The mistake that many of the harsh critics of the pick are making is that they are portraying his absence as a devastating loss that will sink an already sunk defense. The reality of the situation is that regardless who was selected at that spot (on the defensive side of the ball) the impact was not going to be as great as they are making it out to be. It's more about the unit than about the raw rookie who still needs time to develop.

 

Whatever developmental timeframe Lawson was going to be on, it is now pushed back. How long that'll be we don't know, but it wont be insignificant. My point was that 19 was way too early for a player of his talent level with that injury. The loss of a season (or big part of one) is huge. When I see people write that "the important thing is how he plays in the long run" I see it as diminishing the issue at hand. The reality is that every season is important. Lawson is about to lose either all of or a big part of his first. That's one less cheap rookie contract season for a talented first round pick to develop, perform and prove his worth for his next contract. This was a mistake by the front office, but I hope it works out well in the long run. Just imagine this happened to the Dolphins or Jets. What would you think about the situation then?

[CommonCents]

Two years is not enough of a leash for a HC that has had success in this league. If the team has a total melt down this year then I would understand it, short of that they should stick it out for a 3rd season and attempt to improve things. Pressing the reset button is easy, it doesn't mean it's always best. We are trying to overthrow the most successful team in the FA era, it wasn't going to happen overnight.

From what we heard the Pegula's are involved with the team, they can put some safeguards in place for Whaley and Rex if need be. Use the "One Buffalo" mantra to learn the business and improve the team. At worst you clean house after year three with a better understanding of how and more importantly who you want to run the organization. At that point it should be hands off and turned over to the new GM.

[John from Riverside]

Whatever developmental timeframe Lawson was going to be on, it is now pushed back. How long that'll be we don't know, but it wont be insignificant. My point was that 19 was way too early for a player of his talent level with that injury. The loss of a season (or big part of one) is huge. When I see people write that "the important thing is how he plays in the long run" I see it as diminishing the issue at hand. The reality is that every season is important. Lawson is about to lose either all of or a big part of his first. That's one less cheap rookie contract season for a talented first round pick to develop, perform and prove his worth for his next contract. This was a mistake by the front office, but I hope it works out well in the long run. Just imagine this happened to the Dolphins or Jets. What would you think about the situation then?

Keep in mind that this is a coach that made Aaron Maybin somewhat productive for a while

 

I dont want Shaq back til he is good to go.....but he is a Rex type player and he will know how to use him in the overall scheme of the defense?

 

Is he gonna put up D rookie of the year this next year? Doubt it

[gr8billsfan]

The attached WGR link is from a caller who had the same type of injury that Lawson has. This caller was clear in his description of the injury and the prospects for a successful recovery. He also pointed out that he believed that Whaley was aware of the nature of the injury and that it had to be addressed.

 

It appears to me that Whaley believes in the talent of the player and was willing to wait on his recovery. As I said in a prior post investing on a top talent, even if you don't get an immediate return, is a smart way to go.

 

This is a 6 minute link from a caller who knew what he was talking about.

 

http://media.wgr550.com/a/115202349/5-16-caller-george-on-lawson-injury.htm

I listened to that call on wgr too! I'm surprised whaley wanted to wait to use Shaq until late October....

 

Huge risk on his part and the team.

[What a Tuel]

Whatever developmental timeframe Lawson was going to be on, it is now pushed back. How long that'll be we don't know, but it wont be insignificant. My point was that 19 was way too early for a player of his talent level with that injury. The loss of a season (or big part of one) is huge. When I see people write that "the important thing is how he plays in the long run" I see it as diminishing the issue at hand. The reality is that every season is important. Lawson is about to lose either all of or a big part of his first. That's one less cheap rookie contract season for a talented first round pick to develop, perform and prove his worth for his next contract. This was a mistake by the front office, but I hope it works out well in the long run. Just imagine this happened to the Dolphins or Jets. What would you think about the situation then?

 

While of course it isn't optimal and I get your point that it is half a year or at worst a year wasted for someone drafted at 19. The point that matters though, is that he was the best player available that also filled a need. Then the facts changed, and he needed surgery before the season instead of after. Blame Whaley, or the Medical staff all you want for not being 100% sure it could wait until after the season, but in reality, maybe they just don't see it as a big of deal as you do. Maybe they see a player with potential who they wanted to draft, and were reasonably sure the shoulder thing wouldn't be a big deal after the surgery, and they are getting the player they want.

 

I mean at worst during these first 4-5 games we will see a gaping hole in our defense where Lawson should be, and we will lose some games. Some were poking fun at some reporter attributing multiple wins towards the first 3 rookies combined let alone just Lawson though.

 

At best, someone steps up for those 4-5 games, and it's a bonus when Lawson comes back. In the end the surgery will be a blip on his career.

[papazoid]

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. - John Wooden

[Fadingpain]

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. - John Wooden

 

He won the NCAA title 10 times and was an absolute perfectionist who didn't tolerate stupid $*&%(#.

 

He can get away with a quote like that.

 

The Bills can't.

[John from Riverside]

He won the NCAA title 10 times and was an absolute perfectionist who didn't tolerate stupid $*&%(#.

 

He can get away with a quote like that.

 

The Bills can't.

Do you think he might have failed a bit before that success?

[Bill from NYC]

 

 

Cuz were in win now mode dammit!

 

Are we John? Does it matter if the Bills ever win?

Perhaps making the playoffs once in 17 years is asking too much.

 

His routine is so stale, we could probably write a very simple algorithm to reply for us at this point!

Stale? You are in no position to insult other posters. Frankly, it's been many years on this board since I have read posts as trite and dull as yours.

 

Otherwise, be well.

We will cross that bridge when we come to it......

 

I expect this defense to be better this year

How many sacks do you expect? Would 22 be enough?

[The Big Cat]

Are we John? Does it matter if the Bills ever win?

Perhaps making the playoffs once in 17 years is asking too much.

Stale? You are in no position to insult other posters. Frankly, it's been many years on this board since I have read posts as trite and dull as yours.

 

Otherwise, be well.

How many sacks do you expect? Would 22 be enough?

 

In all those years, aint nobody posted heat maps, bruh.

 

Isn't there a DB somewhere awaiting your death threat?

[Bill from NYC]

Keep in mind that this is a coach that made Aaron Maybin somewhat productive for a while

 

I dont want Shaq back til he is good to go.....but he is a Rex type player and he will know how to use him in the overall scheme of the defense?

 

Is he gonna put up D rookie of the year this next year? Doubt it

Yes John, Rex is just great, right?

[Coach Tuesday]

Lawson was drafted for a specific role in a specific defense. He is replacing a highly productive (albeit inconsistent) player who did not fit into that specific defense. If this specific defense does not perform this year, there is a high likelihood that it will be scrapped and a new coaching staff will be ushered in, potentially rendering Lawson a poor fit.

 

I've said it before, it continues to be my view that the Bills should've traded down from 19. We know Dallas was interested, other teams may have made offers as well. If you're going to take a medical risk, do it in Round 2, on a player with a tremendously high ceiling who can play in any scheme - that player is Miles Jack. The Bills used to use that approach and it scored them Sam Cowart and Thurman Thomas.

 

The Shaq Lawson pick, to my mind, was a shortsighted, bungled maneuver by a flailing regime on its dying gasps. Sorry if that sucks to hear.

[Bill from NYC]

 

In all those years, aint nobody posted heat maps, bruh.

 

Isn't there a DB somewhere awaiting your death threat?

Death threat? You really come off as a sick individual. I hope you get help.

[The Big Cat]

Death threat? You really come off as a sick individual. I hope you get help.

 

[3rdand12]

Lawson was drafted for a specific role in a specific defense. He is replacing a highly productive (albeit inconsistent) player who did not fit into that specific defense. If this specific defense does not perform this year, there is a high likelihood that it will be scrapped and a new coaching staff will be ushered in, potentially rendering Lawson a poor fit.

 

I've said it before, it continues to be my view that the Bills should've traded down from 19. We know Dallas was interested, other teams may have made offers as well. If you're going to take a medical risk, do it in Round 2, on a player with a tremendously high ceiling who can play in any scheme - that player is Miles Jack. The Bills used to use that approach and it scored them Sam Cowart and Thurman Thomas.

 

The Shaq Lawson pick, to my mind, was a shortsighted, bungled maneuver by a flailing regime on its dying gasps. Sorry if that sucks to hear.

Very nice supporting argument in regard this pick at 19.

 

I think the Bills were a bit much overexcited when he fell to them. Sure there are plenty of ways to imagine how it would have better played out.

But When the Bills got the Lawson i think they were truly ecstatic.

[John from Riverside]

Very nice supporting argument in regard this pick at 19.

 

I think the Bills were a bit much overexcited when he fell to them. Sure there are plenty of ways to imagine how it would have better played out.

But When the Bills got the Lawson i think they were truly ecstatic.

 

Lawson was drafted for a specific role in a specific defense. He is replacing a highly productive (albeit inconsistent) player who did not fit into that specific defense. If this specific defense does not perform this year, there is a high likelihood that it will be scrapped and a new coaching staff will be ushered in, potentially rendering Lawson a poor fit.

 

Actually...it was Shaq Lawson's versitility that made him an excellent pick......he is a 3-4 LB or a 4-3 DE with athletic ability to be able to drop to short zone coverage and speed to power to provide pass rush and be able to move him inside...he does NOT just fit this scheme even though he does it very well. Edge setters fit ANY scheme because of their ability to seal the edge.

 

I've said it before, it continues to be my view that the Bills should've traded down from 19. We know Dallas was interested, other teams may have made offers as well. If you're going to take a medical risk, do it in Round 2, on a player with a tremendously high ceiling who can play in any scheme - that player is Miles Jack. The Bills used to use that approach and it scored them Sam Cowart and Thurman Thomas.

 

Are you really suggesting that we should have taken Dallas lowball offer and move ourselves completely out of the 1st round without a 1st round compensation in the following year? Now keep in mind that everybody was very supprised just how far Myles Jack fell.....and at the time of the draft Whaley is going to have no way of knowing that was going to happen? There is no crystal ball here. Lets ALSO not act like there is not an issue with Myles Jack and his knee......I worry about lower body issues a lot more then upper body ones ESPECIALLY on linebackers who have to be able to move around the field laterally every play and apply force from their lower body to tackle.

 

The Shaq Lawson pick, to my mind, was a shortsighted, bungled maneuver by a flailing regime on its dying gasps. Sorry if that sucks to hear.

 

Actually....the Shaq Lawson pick was anything but short sighted......Sheftner came out with the Shoulder surgery thing......saying he needed it after this season...that suggests that the bills were looking at him in the long term not the short term.

[3rdand12]

 

He still made a good argument for his opinion.

as do you sometimes.

 

[John from Riverside]

He still made a good argument for his opinion.

as do you sometimes.

 

Oh sure...just because I dont agree doenst mean he didnt explain his position well.....

[Rico]

Who is your gripe with specifically, Rico? Brandon, Overdorf, Whaley or Nix? What makes these guys trash in your estimation?

1. Anyone who took marching orders from Ralph.

2. Anyone who was hired/promoted by anyone who took marching orders from Ralph.

The culture of suck will never be cleared away until all of these chumps and losers are gone. Pegs had a golden opportunity to start with a clean slate and he totally dropped the ball. I'll be happy to change my mind if they prove me wrong this year, but I'm not holding my breath waiting.

 

Other than them, I have no problem with anyone in the organization right now. I don't think he did a very good job last year, but I don't believe I've ever typed a bad word about Rex in here... unlike Ralph's trash, he has actually done something positive in this league. Never slammed Mario either. I think EJ is garbage, but I don't blame him, I blame Whaley for not cleaning up his mess & getting him off the team. I goofed on Hogan and Salas, but only because they are high-motor lunch-pail WR's, couldn't help it. I love Tyrod's potential (thanks Rex!) and look forward to seeing if he improves this year.

Edited May 19, 2016 by Rico