A commonality among the Bills recent signings

[Simon]

I'm not going to give the Bills hell about the way the season ended last year. Between the absurd string of personal tragedies that started as early as training camp and the spate of devastating injuries they suffered by the end of the year, it's a miracle they made it as far as they did.

What I will give them hell about is that they were absolutely, positively physically intimidated by that Bengals team. It's undeniable and there is just no place for that on a ballfield for any reason whatsoever.

So what do they do the week before they play the Bengals again?

 

Add Linval Joseph, a widely respected leader and genuine badass who has spent his career as one of the biggest, strongest, toughest players in the league.

Add Rasul Douglas, another respected leader and oversized, physical, aggressive player who has zero fear on a football field.

Add Leonard Fournette, a brick shlthouse of a running back who would rather run through somebody than around them.

 

This is absolutely not a co-incidence. 

McBeane recognized the problem and took proactive steps to address it right before it was time to knock heads with these guys again.

[Richard Noggin]

Gut-check time 

 

(at the risk of brutal cliche)

[Simon]

2 minutes ago, Richard Noggin said:

Gut-check time 

 

(at the risk of brutal cliche)

 

It may be a cliche, but that is exactly what this weekend is.

[Nephilim17]

24 minutes ago, Simon said:

I'm not going to give the Bills hell about the way the season ended last year. Between the absurd string of personal tragedies that started as early as training camp and the spate of devastating injuries they suffered by the end of the year, it's a miracle they made it as far as they did.

What I will give them hell about is that they were absolutely, positively physically intimidated by that Bengals team. It's undeniable and there is just no place for that on a ballfield for any reason whatsoever.

So what do they do the week before they play the Bengals again?

 

Add Linval Joseph, a widely respected leader and genuine badass who has spent his career as one of the biggest, strongest, toughest players in the league.

Add Rasul Douglas, another respected leader and oversized, physical, aggressive player who has zero fear on a football field.

Add Leonard Fournette, a brick shlthouse of a running back who would rather run through somebody than around them.

 

This is absolutely not a co-incidence. 

McBeane recognized the problem and took proactive steps to address it right before it was time to knock heads with these guys again.

Never connected the dots. Thanks for doing so. 

I certainly hope the Bills are more tougher, meaner and more intimidating to other teams now. 

[billsfan89]

The Bills added three players who have won Super Bowls and are tough veteran players. Joseph and Fournette were both contributors to their SB teams. Although Douglas was not a starter in the playoffs during his rookie year run he has been an established veteran with 3 playoff starts. 

 

Overall all the Bills not only replaced an offensive role player (Harris) and brought on defensive reinforcements at two positions where they were desperately needed (CB and DT) but they got guys with experience who may have something in the tank (esp Douglas and Fournette). The Bills got a whole lot tougher which will only help. 

[Bferra13]

17 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

It may be a cliche, but that is exactly what this weekend is.

Truth. the loser of this game may be in trouble come playoff time. It's a biggie.

[LABILLBACKER]

41 minutes ago, Bferra13 said:

Truth. the loser of this game may be in trouble come playoff time. It's a biggie.

Just compete this time. No more excuses. No snow, no wrong cleats, no Hamlin narrative.  Punch them in the mouth.

[Doc Brown]

1 hour ago, Simon said:

I'm not going to give the Bills hell about the way the season ended last year. Between the absurd string of personal tragedies that started as early as training camp and the spate of devastating injuries they suffered by the end of the year, it's a miracle they made it as far as they did.

What I will give them hell about is that they were absolutely, positively physically intimidated by that Bengals team. It's undeniable and there is just no place for that on a ballfield for any reason whatsoever.

So what do they do the week before they play the Bengals again?

 

Add Linval Joseph, a widely respected leader and genuine badass who has spent his career as one of the biggest, strongest, toughest players in the league.

Add Rasul Douglas, another respected leader and oversized, physical, aggressive player who has zero fear on a football field.

Add Leonard Fournette, a brick shlthouse of a running back who would rather run through somebody than around them.

 

This is absolutely not a co-incidence. 

McBeane recognized the problem and took proactive steps to address it right before it was time to knock heads with these guys again.

Are any of these players even active this Sunday given they have to learn the playbook?

[Coldfronts]

All great points but one thing I can't get past is that they are all past their prime.  A youthful team with a few veterans usually get you there, but that's not what we have

Edited November 3, 2023 by Coldfronts

[section122]

49 minutes ago, Coldfronts said:

All great points but one thing I can't get past is that they are all past their prime.  A youthful team with a few veterans usually get you there, but that's not what we have

Douglas and fournette are 28!

[LyndonvilleBill]

53 minutes ago, Coldfronts said:

All great points but one thing I can't get past is that they are all past their prime.  A youthful team with a few veterans usually get you there, but that's not what we 

Fournette is 5 years younger than Murray (33) and Douglas is the same age as White (28). Joseph may be older, but, still better than anything we currrently have active as a DT1. ALL 3 were very good additions. 

[Xwnyer]

6 hours ago, Simon said:

I'm not going to give the Bills hell about the way the season ended last year. Between the absurd string of personal tragedies that started as early as training camp and the spate of devastating injuries they suffered by the end of the year, it's a miracle they made it as far as they did.

What I will give them hell about is that they were absolutely, positively physically intimidated by that Bengals team. It's undeniable and there is just no place for that on a ballfield for any reason whatsoever.

So what do they do the week before they play the Bengals again?

 

Add Linval Joseph, a widely respected leader and genuine badass who has spent his career as one of the biggest, strongest, toughest players in the league.

Add Rasul Douglas, another respected leader and oversized, physical, aggressive player who has zero fear on a football field.

Add Leonard Fournette, a brick shlthouse of a running back who would rather run through somebody than around them.

 

This is absolutely not a co-incidence. 

McBeane recognized the problem and took proactive steps to address it right before it was time to knock heads with these guys again.

But will any of them play this weekend 

[BuffaloBillyG]

5 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Are any of these players even active this Sunday given they have to learn the playbook?

Fair question.

 

Just a gut feeling that Joseph will be in there. He did it last year in Philly. I think he can again. Douglas is the question mark in my mind. I hope so, but I'd call him doubtful. Would love to be surprised here, but if he needs the extra week to learn terminology, I'm good with that. Can't have blown coverage against Burrow.  Fournette, listening to Beane seems the biggest longshot IMO.

 

[LyndonvilleBill]

8 minutes ago, Xwnyer said:

But will any of them play this weekend 

If I had to guess, I would say there's a very good possibility of Joseph and Fournette get to play. Douglas,  I'd say likely to get some time, but I'd be surprised if he got much. Barring inj***** of course. 

 

Didn't want to say it...😁

Edited November 3, 2023 by LyndonvilleBill

[CSBill]

6 hours ago, Simon said:

Add Linval Joseph, a widely respected leader and genuine badass who has spent his career as one of the biggest, strongest, toughest players in the league.

Add Rasul Douglas, another respected leader and oversized, physical, aggressive player who has zero fear on a football field.

Add Leonard Fournette, a brick shlthouse of a running back who would rather run through somebody than around them.

 

This is absolutely not a co-incidence. 

McBeane recognized the problem and took proactive steps to address it right before it was time to knock heads with these guys again.

 

Yuuup!

[HOUSE]

Bring in Dnmokong Suh, then I am convinced 

[4th&long]

A week before? If what you say is true I’m sure it would have happened more than just a week before. 

[BuffaloRebound]

Really a theme to get bigger and tougher for whole off-season continuing into the season.  Kincaid replaced Beasley role.  Cyrus added beef to middie of line.  Harris is a power back and Fournette is an even bigger replacement.  Rapp is a bigger version of Hamlin.  Rasul is a bigger Tre replacement and Joseph is the immovable 1 Tech we probably needed even if Daquan was healthy.  

[Coldfronts]

1 hour ago, LyndonvilleBill said:

Fournette is 5 years younger than Murray (33) and Douglas is the same age as White (28). Joseph may be older, but, still better than anything we currrently have active as a DT1. ALL 3 were very good additions. 

Actually, Douglas is 29 and that's my point. The team is not getting younger but older with every new signing.  The NFL is a youth foundation league with a few older veterans scattered in.  The Bills are the opposite, with youth scattered in.  Bill are tied for the 2nd or 3rd oldest team in the NFL.  Got to win NOW!

[Simon]

7 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Are any of these players even active this Sunday given they have to learn the playbook?

 

My guesses:

Linval Joseph is dressed, gets about 15-20 snaps and is effective

Rasul Douglas is maybe dressed and maybe plays some kick cover,  but mostly spends the day working with the DB group learning the lingo, seeing how they communicate, asking coach questions in real time, etc.

Leonard Fournette is dressed, but in civvies, and it is so much polar gear that nobody can tell who he is.

 

These guys are all good on-the-field fits for this franchise right now, but I think they were selected as much for their attitudes and aggressive tendencies as their physical characteristics. That leadership rubs off on people regardless of what is happening on the field.

 

1 hour ago, 4th&long said:

A week before? If what you say is true I’m sure it would have happened more than just a week before. 

 

It takes two to tango. They're not inert loaves of bread you just grab off the shelf, they have to agree to when they are going to sign or make a trade.