Coach55

Is it just me, or has the quality of NFL kickers deteriorated materially this year. Some teams' kicking situations are so bad to the point where they have become a revolving door (Haushka hasn't helped us, but we are in way better shape than others). My question is, why do some of these teams keep going after consistently crappy kickers (NY Jets for example) and not go for a retired vet such as Dan Carpenter, who is only 33 and has put up pretty consistent numbers his entire career.

The ref's let us get away with one. On the prior play, there was a defensive pass interference non-call against John Brown. McDermott threw the challenge flag to get it reviewed. If you watch the highlights of the play, at the 37 second mark you see McDermott picking up the flag about a second into the play. The ref should have blown the play dead before the play ever went off. They discussed it afterward, but let it stand. https://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2019102701/2019/REG8/eagles@bills?icampaign=scoreStrip-globalNav-2019102701

Not for nothing, I would rather stick with the guys we have then go out and pursue high priced players - in spite of their ability (unless they are truly the right fit). McBeane has built a team around a specific, hardworking character type of players with average to above average ability. It is a platform being built for long-term, sustainable winning. There is nothing wrong with having high priced players, but as they are showing - talent isn't everything.

I live in the NYC area. The Jets are a dumpster fire. This game will show a lot of signs to come.

Another notable block on that run was Duke Williams. I know it doesn’t look like much, but he completely took the corner out of the play - who would be responsible to come up on a sweep like that. Duke is making a very strong case for himself.

I really think four receivers are a lock right now - Brown, Beasley, Foster and Roberts. I bet the Bills trade Zay during the preseason (if not he goes in as WR#4). From what I am reading, McCloud takes WR#4 and then #5 is up for grabs with the most likely candidate Duke Williams (I know he hasn't done much in camp to date, but his large frame makes him a red zone threat and more versatile on special teams).

How is Nathan Peterman not #2!!!

Totally agree on the Chargers' 2nd one. Would immediately move it to one of the top helmets in the NFL. Agree on the rest. Did a quick search for an alternative Browns helmet (the first one) and found the 2nd. Both great.

With Beasley joining, I think Zay has a chance of being traded or cut. I anticipate the receivers to be: Beasley Brown Foster McKenzie (primarily for ST) Jones Williams (if they carry 6) Jones has a lot of value in the trade market and if Williams is halfway decent and pending what they do in the draft, Jones becomes expendable very quickly.

This guy is a complete wild card. He carried major off the field problems that he needed to resolve, which appears to have been done. He could be a Cris Carter type player that needed a major wake up call to get him motivated. Or, he could be a low to mid level talent that thrives in a league of weak players. We are about 3-4 months away about finding out which one. At this point it is all just speculation.

I know this is just a rambling, but I want to get it out. For the first time in probably the past 20 years, I actually have real optimism that our team will be a legitimate playoff contender next year. I know I have had my doubts, but Allen’s performance over the past 3-4 weeks has really shown a glimpse of what’s to come. We actually have a real quarterback (first one since Flutie). In addition, the receiving corp actually has 2 legit players in Foster and McKenzie. Both are weapons, with flaws, but could be big time players when mixed with Allen’s arm and some creative play calling. For this offseason, our goal should be to keep the defense intact, bolster the offensive line and draft a top WR or TE. We might be able to eek one more season out of Shady and with the emergence of Murphy, should be good in the backfield until we draft a RB in 2020. Also, we need to dump Crossman as special teams has really been special this year. At the end of the day, with a good draft and 1-2 solid free agent pickups, I truly think we could have 10-11 wins next year. The core is finally here for us to be good for a long time. I really think it’s legit this time.

We have some winners (Drew Brees it is)... Early stats don't necessarily point to how well a player is going to play. Peyton threw 28 pics his rookie season. Let the next few seasons play out and then come back with the question.

will post the answer at 4pm. No one got it yet.

Will give people a little while to fester on this one...

Early stats - how about this crappy QB for his first 3 years... name that QB G GS Cmp Att Cmp% Yds TD TD% Int Int% Lng Y/A AY/A Y/C Y/G Rate 1 0 15 27 55.6 221 1 3.7 0 0 40 8.2 8.9 14.7 221 94.8 16 16 320 526 60.8 3284 17 3.2 16 3 52 6.2 5.5 10.3 205.3 76.9 11 11 205 356 57.6 2108 11 3.1 15 4.2 68 5.9 4.6 10.3 191.6 67.5

Well, the question is what do we do with the rest of the season. We have a really soft schedule on the back half of this season and we can conceivably go 7-9 or 8-8. Looking at the rest season thus far - I think we beat both Green Bay and Houston with better quarterback play - that would give us 9-10 wins, so yes - I actually think we back door into the playoffs with Taylor. However, that is as far as we'll ever get with him. We need a QB to take us to the next level and he will never be it. We made the right move moving on.

Ok. Here’s the real question. If they actually were able to schedule the game (say they week before the Super Bowl), how many people would watch it? I think this would be a big draw and if the players agreed, I wonder if the league would be interested in trying to orchestrate it?

Bills would win by 60-70 points. Wouldn’t even be a contest. bama may be held without a first down. Definitely held <100 yards of offense. Possible multiple defensive touchdowns.

Worse than the 1985 Ferragamo/Mathison combination? It's always darkest before the dawn. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/1985.htm

After an absolute horrific start to a career, Nathan Peterman and Kelvin Benjamin get called by the ghost of the Carolina Panthers past and pull off a 1999-esq Steve Beuerlein/Patrick Jeffers end to the season screwing up the tank and backdooring us to an 8-8 record and a middle of the road first round pick. (who am I kidding... he isn't making it through Chicago without 1 if not 2 pick-6s)

This is a great post. With average QB play this season we are at minimum 3-3 and probably 4-2. There are plenty of 30-something journeymen that could've been slotted into this role while Allen is developed. How Nate Peterman is still on the team is beyond me. I am really looking forward to seeing what Anderson could do this weekend. With our defense, all you need is a QB that isn't going to screw it up, they don't have to be great.

Just remember - previous coaching experience is not always an indicator if a coach is good. Case in point - Bill Belichick - I'm sure there were many Patriot fans talking about how they were getting a losing head coach (36-44 in Cleveland) who was a good defensive coordinator - another bust...

sometimes getting cut or traded changes a man for the better (Best example - Cris Carter) . He may have never succeeded and died on the vine if the Bills hadn't traded for him.

I noticed today that all 5 of our wide receivers are wearing traditional QB numbers. I wonder if this is the first time in the NFL where a roster doesn't have a WR with a number in the 80s.

Wow. It is amazing how quickly faith has been lost. Yes the game was embarassing on all levels. Last year after our great start, the team collapsed in the middle of the season only to come back and make the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. Yesterday’s game was not entirely Peterman’s fault. This was a confluence of events. Pretty much everyone is to blame. KB dropped at least 2 and failed to run his route on Peterman’s first Int. (The 2nd one he airmailed and he has no one to blame but himself). The reason that McDermott is not sure, is that as bad as Peterman played, he still may be the right person at this time. Allen looked better against the Ravens 2nd/3rd team in mop up time and even then he only hit 40% of his passes. I am not saying Peterman should start, but I understand why if McDermott makes that decision. I still trust the process.