2018 is in the Books - what are the initial thoughts?

[dubs]

All in all, this season was about what I expected and realistically hoped for at the same time. Most importantly, IMO, I think Josh Allen outperformed most expectations and showed some real promise and tons of talent.  Obviously a long way to go but I think reason for real optimism. That was was always my hope for this year. 

 

Outside of that, clearly this team lacks talent and depth, but not too surprising given the strategy of cleaning house and cap space. Some nice young potential guys in Foster and McKitrick and maybe even Croom. 

 

Defense was solid but not spectacular. Run D needs massive improvement, need Milano back, but the secondary was excellent. Edmunds shows promise but also inexperience. 

 

Special teams was a disaster. Can’t sugar coat it at all. 

 

With lots of cap space, draft picks, and some key pieces in place, I am expecting a fun and exciting offseason and a 2019 that the Bills really compete for the playoffs and take a big step forward. 

 

 

[aceman_16]

My initial thought is... I miss Kyle already.

[buffalobillswin]

My initial thought is JA is leading this team to the playoffs next year

[oldmanfan]

1.  Our young QB and young MLB showed promise but also that they have a lot to learn. I think they each have the drive to do that and become fixtures on each side of the ball.

 

2.  Defense looked good overall.  We still need a true edge rush guy or more disruptive DT.  Hope we get one in the draft.

 

3.  We need to rebuild a lot of the O line.  Dawkins is the only guy who should be ensured of a job next year.  This should be a prime target for FAs.

 

4.  Make Shady a third down specialist, and find a one cut and go guy.

 

5.  Need a couple WRs, but Foster and Jones are keepers.

 

6.  Need a new O line coach and special teams coach.

 

7.  McD should overhaul his process for play challenges.

[golfball323]

Good year for me. This was the second year of a tear down. The true rebuild starts this March and extends through 2020. 

 

I am thrilled with Allen. You can give me all the stats you want but I love the way he is constantly keeping his eyes downfield. He will learn/be coached to check down in the next year as he goes through his first full offseason. Checking down is much more teachable than it is is find receivers breaking open in the intermediate passing zones. 

 

The best thing about Jim Kelly was that the guy was gutsy enough to always give you a shot on 3rd and long. Even when backed up in his own end and facing 3rd and 16, you knew he was going to give you a shot at it. That's what Allen brings back to the table and I F'ing love it. Give him a couple guys on the outside and see what he can do.

 

Other than that, Milano, Edmunds and Trey White is a great defensive core to build around. Hopefully Harrison Phillips develops and we continue to draft well.

 

Finally, a great send off for Kyle Williams. As a guy that's been around him on the golf course a few times I couldn't be happier with today. Always nice to go out your way.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I want to know if it’s ok to want to be good this year? From about March, people were writing off 2018 and almost couldn’t care less about the games themselves. The defense is good. The QB is probably good enough and certainly better then what we normally have. There is plenty of money. The draft picks are plentiful and early enough to help. Can we go into 19 with no excuses? One of these “next years” has to eventually be a current year. I want to hear these guys say they are all in for winning and that the “process” is scoring more then the team they play.

[formerlyofCtown]

16 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I want to know if it’s ok to want to be good this year? From about March, people were writing off 2018 and almost couldn’t care less about the games themselves. The defense is good. The QB is probably good enough and certainly better then what we normally have. There is plenty of money. The draft picks are plentiful and early enough to help. Can we go into 19 with no excuses? One of these “next years” has to eventually be a current year. I want to hear these guys say they are all in for winning and that the “process” is scoring more then the team they play.

We went 4-3 in the last 7 games with a much improved offense.  So I truely believe next year we will be a legit playoff contender maybe more.

Edited December 31, 2018 by formerlyofCtown

[Simon Says]

Not paying McCoy 9 million to be a 3rd down specialist. Castillo actually ranks mid pack or higher but stuck with mediocre talent after Wood and Incognito retired

[dubs]

16 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I want to know if it’s ok to want to be good this year? From about March, people were writing off 2018 and almost couldn’t care less about the games themselves. The defense is good. The QB is probably good enough and certainly better then what we normally have. There is plenty of money. The draft picks are plentiful and early enough to help. Can we go into 19 with no excuses? One of these “next years” has to eventually be a current year. I want to hear these guys say they are all in for winning and that the “process” is scoring more then the team they play.

 

Well, I would say it’s always ok to want to be good. I think it was unrealistic this year, maybe that’s just me. Again, just me but I’ve been hoping for this kind of build for a long time, predicated around drafting franchise QB and giving the team flexibility and options to build a team that fits well together. I think that’s what they are trying to do so I give them credit. IMO, that takes a little patience. I think next year anything less than pushing for a playoff spot would be disappointing. 

[golfball323]

23 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I want to know if it’s ok to want to be good this year? From about March, people were writing off 2018 and almost couldn’t care less about the games themselves. The defense is good. The QB is probably good enough and certainly better then what we normally have. There is plenty of money. The draft picks are plentiful and early enough to help. Can we go into 19 with no excuses? One of these “next years” has to eventually be a current year. I want to hear these guys say they are all in for winning and that the “process” is scoring more then the team they play.

 

That's a best case scenario. If we go 8-8 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs I'm OK. That being said, 2020 would be a make or break year then. Honestly I'm not in love with this year's free agent class. I don't see a lot of game changers out there. If we defer the money to 2020 I'm fine with it.

Edited December 31, 2018 by golfball323

[CLTbills]

My initial thoughts..... is it September yet?

[row_33]

Confidence heading into next season at QB, a rarity the last 20 years to feel this way.

 

 

[Buffalo Boy]

1. JA looks like an NFL starting caliber QB.

     The game isn’t too big for him. He’s fearless but is also acceptably cautious which is nice to see.

     He is already starting to show situational understanding in real time.

     He has to work on his mechanics and I’m not sure if sailing balls over people isn’t something we will have to accept ? His slants today were atrocious.

2. The O-line wasn’t good but also wasn’t abysmal as the season went on. Really hope for both FA and draft help there next year. 2 solid starters would do wonders for it.

3. We need a punter and a new ST coach.

4. D-Line help. Interior with run stuffing ability is a must. Interior with ability to push the pocket would be sweet. 

5. Daboll grew on me as the year progressed. Not  in love with him but the O showed signs of progress and many plays were there to be had but failed: Drops, bad throws, called back  on penalties.  Receivers are needed who can catch and effort for the ball in contested situations. Penalties may go down as the team gets another year under its belt with coaching staff continuity.

6-10 is where I had them before the season with the hopes that JA would show improvement. He did and I like the draft pick a heck of a lot more than I did on April. 

Allen is my guy and I’m good with McBean so far.

[The Frankish Reich]

The record got worse; the progress made was better.

1. Finally, a realistic hope for a long term solution at QB. I'm not completely sold on Allen. But I'm reasonably confident. We haven't had that since ... the end of the 2006 J.P. Losman season? (Don't laugh. I remember a lot of Bills fans saying that 7-9 Losman season was the start of great things to come)

2. An infusion/continuation of young talent the last 2 years. Potential big-time players: Allen, Edmunds, Milano, Tre White. Potential significant/league-average (or better) starters: Dawkins, Teller, Zay, Foster, the Phillips DTs, Taron Johnson, Levi Wallace. Solid role players: McKenzie, Croom (I'm probably forgetting a couple on D).  In other words, a possible core of talented/cost-controlled young players in their primes to build around. The last time this happened was under Marrone/Schwartz, and it failed largely due to lack of a QB and a stupid HC hire. Let's hope it goes a step beyond this time. Or two.

[NoSaint]

I don’t recall if my final over/under was 5.5 or 6.5... either way... was about what I expected.

 

 

Weak line and receivers made it tough to judge whether allen is the guy- roughly again what I expected.

 

mccoy likely about done. Not a shocker, 

 

pros: solid defense. Allen didn’t show us he’s not the guy. 

[ColoradoBills]

Predicted a 6-10 season.  I know there are people that doubt Daboll but I think McDermott and Beane are believers and he

will take control of the offense more in 2019.  I expect him to be involved heavily in the FA and draft.

Daboll will tailor an offense next year that will emphasize Josh Allen's strengths.

 

FA money will help fills holes/depth on D.

 

Barring anything crazy I see the Bills much improved next year and fighting for the Division/Wildcard.

I'm pretty optimistic about their future.

[row_33]

10 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

Predicted a 6-10 season.  I know there are people that doubt Daboll but I think McDermott and Beane are believers and he

will take control of the offense more in 2019.  I expect him to be involved heavily in the FA and draft.

Daboll will tailor an offense next year that will emphasize Josh Allen's strengths.

 

FA money will help fills holes/depth on D.

 

Barring anything crazy I see the Bills much improved next year and fighting for the Division/Wildcard.

I'm pretty optimistic about their future.

 

I went with 6-10, for 18 of the past 20

 

i thought 6 wins wasn’t going to reached for large parts of this campaign

[Big C]

In short, assuming Allen and Edmunds put in the work (and i think they will), this team will be ready to compete next year. Shore up the OL and pass catchers, patch up the depth and we are in good shape. 

 

First two games of the season felt like the Jets/NO/LA games last year where there was speculation that McD was losing the team. Turned out to be far from the case. These guys have heart and they are fighters. Just need to make sure we have leaders ready to step in for Kyle and possibly Lorax.

[ColoradoBills]

2 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

I went with 6-10, for 18 of the past 20

 

i thought 6 wins wasn’t going to reached for large parts of this campaign

 

It became obvious that the offense took the hit this year in FA and draft other than JA.

When I seen the OL and WR for the year I knew that it was going to be a rough year.

We all will see what changes the O goes thru in the next 4 months.

[MAJBobby]

Get Allen and OL and Weapons and sit back and enjoy the future.