I contend that this team's problem isn't coaching, it's talent.

[Blackbeard]

I agree.  

 

The Bills don't have any explosive players outside of Cook.

 

Look at Flowers last night.  That guy flies around.   Also Pacheco.

 

 

[Gregg]

Just now, Blackbeard said:

I agree.  

 

The Bills don't have any explosive players outside of Cook.

 

Look at Flowers last night.  That guy flies around.   Also Pacheco.

 

 

 

As do Gibbs and Montgomery. 

[GASabresIUFan]

Other than WR and S, the Bills problem isn’t talent or coaching, it’s depth.

 

When you look at the Bills, we have good to excellent starters at most positions.  On offense we have a franchise QB, a star RB, depth at TE, a solid Oline with depth (Bates, Doyle, Anderson and Van Denmark) an up and coming slot receiver in Shakir and Diggs (a No. 2 receiver).  On defense we have three very good corners in Benford, Johnson and Douglas, good to excellent starting LB’s in Benard and Milano, and two very good DL in Rousseau and Oliver.  

 

Injuries this season on defense exposed our lack of depth and it cost us.  Beane spent so much on DL that he neglected everything else until grabbing Douglas at the trade deadline.  Rapp was our only effective Safety depth and the kids Williams and Spector didn’t play much at LB until season’s end.  At CB only Dane Jackson was the depth as 1st rd bust Elam rarely saw the field.  
 

As of right now, the kids at LB plus Elam return. We have also lost much of the depth Beane created on the DL to FA.  We need to pray that Miller steps up next season to be at least somewhat effective.  With Hyde retiring and Rapp a FA, only Poyer remains at safety.  Beane has his work cut out for him to retool the DL and safeties.  He also needs to build depth at CB if Dane Jackson doesn’t return.  What a mess. 
 

With our 1st 3 picks we need a WR to replace Davis, a Safety to replace Hyde and a DT to replace DaQuan Jones.  We also need more talent at WR, an Edge rusher to replace Floyd and Epenesa, plus help at RB, safety and CB.  If the Bills are to stay at the top of the AFC East, Beane is going to have to have the draft of his life, get lucky again on some vet minimum contracts and hope his starters mostly stay healthy.  
 

 

 

Edited January 29 by GASabresIUFan

[Coach Tuesday]

26 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Other than WR and S, the Bills problem isn’t talent or coaching, it’s depth.

 

When you look at the Bills, we have good to excellent starters at most positions.  On offense we have a franchise QB, a star RB, depth at TE, a solid Oline with depth (Bates, Doyle, Anderson and Van Denmark) an up and coming slot receiver in Shakir and Diggs (a No. 2 receiver).  On defense we have three very good corners in Benford, Johnson and Douglas, good to excellent starting LB’s in Benard and Milano, and two very good DL in Rousseau and Oliver.  

 

Injuries this season on defense exposed our lack of depth and it cost us.  Beane spent so much on DL that he neglected everything else until grabbing Douglas at the trade deadline.  Rapp was our only effective Safety depth and the kids Williams and Spector didn’t play much at LB until season’s end.  At CB only Dane Jackson was the depth as 1st rd bust Elam rarely saw the field.  
 

As of right now, the kids at LB plus Elam return. We have also lost much of the depth Beane created on the DL to FA.  We need to pray that Miller steps up next season to be at least somewhat effective.  With Hyde retiring and Rapp a FA, only Poyer remains at safety.  Beane has his work cut out for him to retool the DL and safeties.  He also needs to build depth at CB if Dane Jackson doesn’t return.  What a mess. 
 

With our 1st 3 picks we need a WR to replace Davis, a Safety to replace Hyde and a DT to replace DaQuan Jones.  We also need more talent at WR, an Edge rusher to replace Floyd and Epenesa, plus help at RB, safety and CB.  If the Bills are to stay at the top of the AFC East, Beane is going to have to have the draft of his life, get lucky again on some vet minimum contracts and hope his starters mostly stay healthy.  
 

 

 

 

Sorry but this is 100% wrong.  The Bills proved this year that they have more than adequate depth.  What they need are a few more difference-makers - elite players who can win their matchups and overcome the scheme.

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

The OP has had it out for Oliver for years, it's become a crusade because his opinion won't change even after an All Pro-level season.  Facts don't matter.

 

Turning to the actual topic - they definitely need a talent infusion but it was an either/or situation this year.  Better coaching and better discipline and they still could've gotten past KC and perhaps Baltimore.  Both Josh and Sean showed immaturity/fantasy-based decision-making at key junctures in the Divisional Round:

 

1)  The fake punt - had no issue with the call itself, but I am like 85% sure that McD had visions of the articles that would be written about him if he successfully called Hamlin's number on a critical game-changing play.

 

2)  The post-two minute warning offense - Allen had the game in hand by playing within structure and taking what the defense was offering, then came back from the two minute warning determined to win the game by himself.  No doubt he had visions of a walk-off TD pass.  Instead, it was season over.

 

Both Allen and McD need to grow from that last game.  And they need more talent, there's no question about it.  It's both.

 

Yea I know, @Pine Barrens Mafia is an Ed hater - he likes his man bigger in the behind - but he can at least have fun with it. The poster I was replying to is just talking nonsense. 

 

On the fake point I had no problem with them going fake punt there. But jesus if that is the best fake point call we have that is a worry. Snap it to a slow safety right in the middle of the formation and what? Hope he suddenly runs like Barry Sanders?

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

I highly doubt thats due to Beane's preference for lots of good with no great.

 

Of course it isn't. It is just that they haven't found the great ones by and large. 

[BananaB]

Coaching gotta realize what they got and get the best out of their talent by putting the players in the best situations to succeed. Can’t really say the Bills are good at doing that. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

I highly doubt thats due to Beane's preference for lots of good with no great.

 

Well, he certainly fails to acquire a lot of great.

 

He's been outstanding at acquiring a lot of good.

 

6 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

It’s not Madden.  You’re not going to have 22 all stars on any team.

 

No, but one should reasonably expect three game-changers at least on the roster.

 

[balln]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He did not play his best on Sunday, no doubt. And last year he didn't either but he was hurt and playing with one arm. But he is one of our best players, he has had a great year and the famous 13 second game he was probably our best defensive player and was in Mahomes's face a lot.

 

Saying he is an average rotational player because of one disappointing game and one game where he was playing with one arm is ridiculous.

I’ll go back and watch him in 13 seconds.

 

its not just ONE bad game.  He had a great season. Sometimes starters in the nfl have great performance and even multiple within one season.
 

That doesn’t mean he’s a great player, All pro, Game wrecker. And that’s what he needed to be at pick 9. Were what 5-6 years in? 

Edited January 29 by balln

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

We play great team defense. We done have an individual player on defense that can wreck a game, or at least does it in the playoffs. 
 

And that, there, is what I'm talking about. There are no game-wreckers on defense, and I put that squarely on beane

 

[hondo in seattle]

3 hours ago, Niagara Dude said:

Biggest problem is bad contracts for guys who are older,  Miller/Diggs and White who is getting older and had two major injuries

 

Spending a lot of cap money on two players - White and Miller - that aren't contributing is a serious problem. 

 

This isn't McD's fault.  You could say it's Beane's fault, especially with Von.  Paying that much money for a guy in his 30s was risky.  

 

Tre is just bad luck.  

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, balln said:

I’ll go back and watch him in 13 seconds.

 

its not just ONE bad game.  He had a great season. Sometimes starters in the nfl have great performance and even multiple within one season.
 

That doesn’t mean he’s a great player, All pro, Game wrecker. And that’s what he needed to be at pick 9. Were what 5-6 years in? 

 

I think he has been a game wrecker multiple times this season. But I haven't called him elite.... you called him an average rotational player. He is a top 10 defensive tackle in the league and still ascending. 

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

18 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea I know, @Pine Barrens Mafia is an Ed hater - he likes his man bigger in the behind - but he can at least have fun with it. The poster I was replying to is just talking nonsense. 

 

 

 

you're my boy, blue

 

[ngbills]

Josh Allen, Josh Allen, Josh Allen...but its not coaching its talent.

[GASabresIUFan]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

Sorry but this is 100% wrong.  The Bills proved this year that they have more than adequate depth.  What they need are a few more difference-makers - elite players who can win their matchups and overcome the scheme.

You don’t think Allen, Cook and Kincaid are difference makers?  You don’t think if we get a WR in the 1st as I suggested that he could be a difference maker? Don’t forget Allen lead the NFL in TDs.  Cook gave us almost 1600 yards from scrimmage and Kincaid nearly 700 yards as a rookie. 
 

The stats also don’t support your assertion on defense either.  The Bills were 4th in sacks, 2nd in fewest TD’s allowed, 8th in QB pressure %, and we were among the leaders in passes batted down.  
 

Your complaint that we don’t have difference makers like everyone else’s is centered around Digg’s and Davis’ failures at WR.  This is a fixable problem in the draft.
 

Replacing the depth lost on the DL and safety is a much larger problem given our lack of cap space.

[BillsShredder83]

21 hours ago, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

 

Did coaching drop a deep shot that hit a receiver in the hands? Did coaching get manhandled back into the QB in the clutch? Did coaching get scorched by a 34 yo tight end in single coverage? Was coaching incapable of winning a pass rush battle all game?

 

 

Did coaching drop a deep shot that hit a receiver in the hands? so diggs acquisition was bad because of this play, diggs is a negative on BBs resume?  Sherfields first drop, his arm was pinned down. second one was a tough play he shouldve came down with but not a gimme.  each year Beane has kind of picked one position group to focus mainly on, last year was OL and it paid major dividendes, with lots of meat on the bone still

 

Did coaching get manhandled back into the QB in the clutch?  One play. Did you watch chris jones yesterday, or any other playoff stretch. the dude is maybe the best disruptor in the league for a long time now

 

Did coaching get scorched by a 34 yo tight end in single coverage?  yeah kinda. beane has handled the LBer position supremely. Bernard, when nobody on this board or league saw this coming? let tremaine walk, thats balls. milano can cook. spector, dodson, williams all showing major upside. thats 5 quality LB'ers, with 1 all-pro, and another pro bowl caliber.... at a position we only use 2 on the field, thats killer depth, not beanes fault we got gutted there

 

Was coaching incapable of winning a pass rush battle all game? when its playoff time the last few years it feels few and far between any DL has been able to get to the QB, let alone Mahomes.  Even non-mahomes guys have just been too quick at getting the ball out, neutralizing DL's pass rush.  100% of the reason im not wanting premier draft picks expended there. you acquire these guys with high picks (the kind we cant get) or high dollar FA.

 

anyone criticizing the von miller deal now is victim of MMQB. hes exactlyu what we needed, its too bad that knee biting turf in Detroit did him in, but again no way of beane knowing hed get hurt. the guy was very healthy 90% of his career, and showed a s*** ton left in the tank in Denver and LA

[BillsShredder83]

21 hours ago, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

Speed needs to be the focus on both sides of the ball. No more plodders 

who is a plodder on the defense, the guys weve drafted have been geared towards being smaller/quick. the only guys that didnt have speed were the older guys that have been around a while. poyer, hyde and Tre. its time to move on for sure, but i cant criticize beane for having these guys around this year. hyde was always gunna be here, poyer just kinda worked out on team friendly deal, and we needed to see what tre had after eating that bullet last year

21 hours ago, Roundybout said:

 

Just gotta hope we don't get the Quintin Johnston out of this class. 

Coleman

[Matt_In_NH]

2 hours ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

Sorry but this is 100% wrong.  The Bills proved this year that they have more than adequate depth.  What they need are a few more difference-makers - elite players who can win their matchups and overcome the scheme.

100%  If anything I think they prioritize depth a bit more than they need to. Not saying it is not important but they like guys with experience as depth a lot.  Veterans like David Edwards, Bates, Mancz interior OL.  Same with DT/DE lots of depth.  In fact the 52 and 53rd guy on the roster are so valuable to them they cannot waive a guy to take a chance on someone's practice squad guy for instance and there are diamonds to be found.  Other teams do it to the Bills.   I think you want a roster spot or two to churn but they have been so deep that is not possible.  They are so deep the 6 and 7 round picks mostly dont make it but they need a chance to develop in a lot of cases, not all.

[Drew21PA]

On 1/28/2024 at 3:43 PM, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

 

Did coaching drop a deep shot that hit a receiver in the hands? Did coaching get manhandled back into the QB in the clutch? Did coaching get scorched by a 34 yo tight end in single coverage? Was coaching incapable of winning a pass rush battle all game?

 

 

…actually that’s all coaching lol 😂 

[Logic]

I just think that having the second highest win total in the league since 2020 suggests that the Bills have a pretty darn good roster.

I don't think achieving such consistent success and racking up that many wins with a subpar roster is particularly realistic.

I agree that Brandon Beane needs to hit more home runs and less singles and doubles, and I think he'd tell you the same thing. 

For what it's worth, I think Terrel Bernard and Dalton Kincaid  both showed the potential this year to be game changing players going forward. Ed Oliver had a "game changing" type of regular season this year.

This year, the Bills were the AFC's 2-seed and two of their best defenders -- Milano and Bernard -- were injured for the Divisional round game against a team uniquely suited to take advantage of those absences. Had it not been for the Bills playing 4th and 5th string linebackers, who knows? I happen to believe they'd have beaten the Ravens yesterday, and I'd like their chances against the 49ers, too. Alas, injuries happen, the Chiefs are elite and continue to dog the Bills in the playoffs, and here we are.

Beane is good. McDermott is good. Both need to be better. I'm not convinced that GM X off the street would be any better, though it's possible he could be. In any case, it's all nothing more than a thought exercise, because Beane and McD are here to stay for at least 2024, and likely beyond that.

 

[Billsatlastin2018]

On 1/28/2024 at 3:38 PM, Pine Barrens Mafia said:

If you had to ask me to choose whether to fire beane or McDermott, I choose beane.

 

“13 Seconds & 12 Men- Your Honor! The Prosecution rests.”