Coach55

I can’t wait for the media to eat crow. As bad as the team played this preseason and as many players the team has lost, everything has been totally overblown. Preseason - this whole preseason was a tryout for numerous key positions (QB, interior line, etc). Often times the starting players didn’t play (or played minimally) due to injury or just to be generally withheld to allow McDermott to properly assess the remaining players (McCoy, Murphy, Williams, Dawkins, etc). There were some whiffs by our defense and offensive line, but remember our defense is bend but don’t break (which for the most part did) and the O-Line, once given continuity will gel and improve. Comparing to 9-7 team last year, post preseason my rundown is as follows QB - wash - McDermott pulled Taylor last year for a reason, I think Peterman is going to surprise everyone. If he doesn’t Allen comes in. RB - wash - I think the Backups improved, but McCoy remains the same WR - improved - Nothing really done here, but Jones is a year older and Benjamin is healthy TE - wash - Clay remains, backups improved OL - downgrade - not going to be as bad as billed, 3/5 of starters returned and now that the line is set, look for them to gel, plus with Peterman at QB, the quick delivery should mask the issues Coaching - massive upgrade - Dabol is colossally better then Dennison. This fact will overwhelm all of the other issues Defensively - I think we are generally a wash. Coaching is the same. Front 7, a few key changes, not of which are downgrades (temporarily Preston Brown may be better than Edwards, but that won’t last). Secondary again generally the same (we still have a weak CB2 insert Davis for Gaines). All and all, the team will be at worst as good as last year. I think we will jump in the rankings after we upset a lot of suicide pools in week 1.

All these preseason rankings are great! Pushing the spreads out for us all to make more money when they make the playoffs. Get your bets on now.

Here is my question... what happens if and I say IF, Peterman starts the season and they go 4-1, 5-2, 7-3... what do you do? What if they make the playoffs 10-6 with Peterman... What happens? Everyone is expecting Peterman to come in, start the season and the Bills go 1-4, 2-5 and then Allen comes in and saves the day... but what if???

This was the exact sentiment with Rob Johnson... The only reason Flutie ever got to play was a result of a Johnson injury... and then he won...

Wikipedia??? I honestly have been thinking this. I was a huge Flutie fan and thought he got screwed... Peterman is scarred from his 5 int outing. Whether or not he can play at the elite level is irrelevant as he has a "potential" superstar behind him. I just forsee a potential issue if Peterman plays to the level that some people on this board believe.

For full disclosure, I am not on either side of the fence. I just want the Bills to win, don't care who his the Quarterback. With that being said, the QB controversy that currently exists is starting to look like the late 90s all over again. The Players... Johnson - the heir apparent. Bills make a big trade to get a QB with a huge arm, great mobility who needs development Allen - the heir apparent. Bills make a big trade to draft a QB with a huge arm, great mobility who needs development Flutie - the undersized underdog, who plays smart football with a weak arm and makes the weak OLine look good Peterman - the underdog, who plays smart football with a weak arm and makes the weak OLine look good. The Scenario... As of right now, Peterman (in spite of his crappy rookie season) has won the preseason battle and deserves to start. I might add, he has played remarkably well. Allen has struggled, showing glimpses of greatness throughout preseason. People are already making excuses for Allen (blaming the OLine, who I admit has been weak, but 3 of the 5 sacks against Cincinnati could have easily been avoided had Allen made a quicker decision). The Issue... Ok. As of right now, Peterman should start (if he doesn't I would be surprised). What I am afraid of is - What if he actually succeeds (low probability)? Let's say he starts 5-2, do we have another late 90s issue where the winning QB is always put on the back burner for the potential of the heir apparent? Thoughts? btw, this is all conjecture to stir the pot.

Doesn't want to injure either. Peterman will start... Allen heir apparent. Why risk either?

Logan Thomas 2nd QB in after McCarron leaves the game...

Showcasing McCarron to be used as part of the trade for Mack... Peterman will start... not risking Allen with the reserves. ... or McCarron is showing himself the door to the league.

Ok. I am not a Nathan Peterman backer by any means. But based on what I have seen in the first 3 preseason games, he may actually have what it takes to be a quality starter in the NFL. Allen is raw and needs development. With the busted offensive line we have, Peterman may actually fair the best because of his quick decision making and quick delivery. He definitely doesn’t have the ball speed and is going to throw a few pick sixes, but right now, he provides the best chance for us to win and quite honestly that’s all I want the Bills to do. Allen, McCarron or Peterman. Doesn’t mattere as long as they win.

Sorry about the initially vague topic line. Was late. The reason there was no mention of Mack is that is what the board interpreted it to mean. I would love Mack as much as the next guy. But after last year’s list of surprises, anyone is game. Beane holds his cards close to his vest. My excitement has tempered as clearly nothing happened. But I am not expecting Beane to be done until the 3rd preseason game.

Mods - please don’t merge this thread. My question for the forum is over the past 72 hours how many of you been repeatedly checking every bills website whatever chance you get based on Astro’s trade tweet? It has engulfed me as much as the preseason game. I keep checking everything hoping for the blockbuster news to bring that one last cog... Thanks Astro.

Doesn't he represent Jerry Hughes - could be sending him away

Chris Spielman was another great FA signing. Flutie definitely deserves to be on this list, probably top 5 (I would put him ahead of Takeo Spikes and Steve Christie, but not ahead of Hull, Lofton or Washington). If you treated Tasker as a FA signing he would go top 3 as well.

I stand corrected... This was a Sunday game in 89. Here is a clip from SNL. The play in question is shown around the 3 min mark. Skit is funny regardless. https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/the-referee/2877573

Worst one was the 11/26/90 game at the Astrodome. Bills proceeded to get massively hosed by the refs in a 27-24 loss against the Oilers. For those who remember, on 1 play there was a situation where an Oiler receiver caught the ball on a key 3rd down, was immediately hit, fumbled and was recovered by the Bills (may have been returned for a touchdown). On review, they ruled that it was a completed pass and forward progress was stopped prior to the fumble, giving Houston the first down. The officiating was so blatantly bad that Saturday Night Live made a skit - the Referee Pitman show with John Goodman the following Saturday Night. Good luck on finding footage. I think the NFL pulled all videos of this game because the fix was clearly in.

This is entirely a test to see how he fairs against better competition. I would expect him to slowly get more reps with the ones as he proves himself against the weaker players. I would not read too much into this. Way too early.

Flutie gamewinner on 4th down. http://www.buffalobills.com/video/videos/Oct-18-1998-Fluties-TD-Run-vs-Jaguars/13a94724-2268-4b28-91fb-3e1486692932 Most clutch play for Buffalo Bills in 2017

How is this worst to first when the second last one is the Lions and he states that he wouldn’t put it in his top 10.

If Trent Murphy pans out, we can have the Tre-cubed defense... ok. It’s a stretch.

Yes the Flutie Bills did have a good defense, but when they put Johnson in with the same team they lost. Flutie was 21-9 as a starter over 3 seasons. 70% win percentage. Ferguson may have had a season or two, but overall was a never-was with a losing record.

A will get a lot of flack for this one, but I would take Flutie over Ferguson, hands down.

Put it this way - I have no issues throwing a flyer at him. He is going to go for close to league minimum given his track record. If you throw him an incentive-laden contract and throw him in the mix for the 3rd or 4th receiver spot, what do you have to lose (unless he is a team cancer)

Apodaca lasted all of 27 days on the Winnipeg roster, throwing a whopping 0 passes in the CFL. Would hardly call this guy coming from the CFL.

Great article and post. Fully agree on Allen. Rosen now in the same bucket. Would love to know how Lauletta faired as I think he may be the most successful prospect in this draft class.