WhitewalkerInPhilly

I also want to take a moment to shout out to the admins who keep this board running and whomever maintains the system and coding. Because every time I head to an opponent's message board to gloat it makes my eyes bleed. Come on, it's 2024, a decade ago you couldn't throw a stone without braining a web designer. (Note to self, see if that warrant is still out)

Pretty much. I will give Sherfield this: he had some real heads up play Week 18. I don't hate having him in a bit. But I can't even say that Shakir is a solid #2 for the role it needs to be in this offence (though he is looking like a fantastic piece, like Gabe before expectations) never mind Sherfield. Let's get through this season and then look to upgrade. Hopefully Gabe is ready to roll and get us as far as we can go.

I want Belicheck gone because of all the grief we caused us so I know I am biased, but people have pointed out the HC work is hard. Never mind the multiple month pressure cooker of the season and then the post season you should be getting into if you're good at your job. Even the offseason is long hours of watching tape and scheming concepts. Even the downtime is a grind. That's a lot for a 71 year old who doesn't need the money

I have been thinking about this too. Not only has Reid hung around a long time and been successful, he appears to have trained up his assistants to be well prepared to succeed outside his shadow. Those are some pretty darn tenured HCs. It's in stark contrast to Belicheck

The Cover One guys made the best point I've heard: Gabe Davis has been a disappointment this year. However his physicality in blocking, the route tree he runs and the cascade of new assignments just as the playoffs start is non-ideal. I mean, who knows, if he turns on Playoff Mode and rattles off a series of 4 TD games I'll be thrilled. Or even in the Divisional round or AFC championship game. But he's not part of my long term vision.

Pitts defense has been good, especially in the last few weeks as their offense has stopped being an epic liability. As a whole unit, they are going to be a tough nut to crack. They have been solid at limiting points. Tomlin coaches disciplined squads. But honestly, the Chiefs defense has been playing better than them in the second half of the year when we faced them. I don't mean that to go with "We Did This to A and A did this to B, so we are going to-" as much as context to how good teams are now with a full season aggregate. If someone has been more recently focused numbers I would appreciate it. Here are Bills 2023 opponents whose ranking in category is better than the Steelers: Points per game KC Dallas Total Yards Per Game KC Jets Dallas New England Miami Yards Per Play Jets (#1) NE KC Dallas Miami Effectively, the same group of opponents give up the same yardage. So it's not that Pitt isn't good, but we are battle tested at this point. Someone who watches them more tell me if I am wrong that they sound like the bend but don't break defense we specialize in. They are middle of the pack in yards allowed, and are about equally weighted pass to run. My guess is a balanced attack, hopefully with more play action. I love the PA pass to Kincaid (I think in the 1st quarter)

That is an entirely different issue, though the same model. The net neutrality was to make sure that Internet Service Providers be considered a utility, so that Comcast can't throttle internet access to all other shows but NBCs so other shows are continuously buffering. However, entertainment is not a utility, so they are able to legally restrict it. Which is why a second golden age of internet piracy is starting, yo ho, yo ho!

Media companies are finding that streaming is not the cash cow they have made it out to be. I wonder how much of a loss NBC takes

I actually like the streaming movement at first. It was when they were putting full seasons of old shows, or new shows with ads out. The problem now is that the model works when it can aggregate content. Now, every single media company wants their own and claims first dibs on those rights making it less user friendly cable.

I know this is off the point, did anyone else notice that all three AFC games are being played in a row?

I mean, I love the message, hate the messenger. In particular, I am personally pissed off about the portioning off streaming exclusives. I paid for Sunday Ticket because I wanted a functional, legal way to watch the Bills. I have been able to watch...I think 2-4 games on it this season between prime time exceptions, local broadcast claims, and exclusives. So the the NFL should be not at all surprised when this game gets pirated to death.

I still do think that the team scheme needs a #1 CB, to hold steady, but I think Douglas can be that for a few more years. As you said, guys who don't have elite measurables, one on one burst (and get away with DPI) drop or don't get major contacts. I think we can fill up the back end for some time to come.

Levi Wallace. Dane Jackson. Christian Benford. Getting an 6th, 7th and USDA to be a #2CB/spot #1 could be lucky if it happens once. Three times? It has to be partially coaching/scheme

You're not alone in thinking that. I know I have been wondering what happens next year, especially with Hyde and Rapp's contracts ending, and Poyer's end looming at the horizon. Do we go back to more of a standard 4-3 with Taron Johnson acting as more of a tweener? Do we shuffle one of our undersized LBs into a hybrid safety? I think we add safety in the offseason, but I find it hard to keep playmaking LBs off the field.

As a quick aside, who here has been pleasantly surprised at the quality of our LB depth this year? Because, uh, I was worried at season start.

To be fair, it was both alphabetically correct and quickly seen more likely as you watched the quality of play on the field.

I actually wouldn't hate that. McDermott has done a great job in the second half of the year, but there's a reason even coaches who call offensive plays have an OC. I am ok with him calling, but he could use some administrative help.

Are they doing a study on irregular heartbeats?

No. No bobsled. I know the Olympics are coming NBC and you are trying to pump viewership but that's a no for me dawg

As opposed to the Bills fans who seem like they did it to pregame

The thing is, I don't hate it. I think we are seeing the end result of the "draft a quote-unquote offensive guru who had a cup of coffee with Shannahan or McVay and pull the plug if it doesn't work in one year" mentality. I would say that there is limited pool of offensive coaches who can also handle the task of managing a team as a whole. I think that you are likely going to see pitches made to OCs in college while a more CEO type HC manages the team. That's...kind of what we did with Brady? And I think that's the only way we are potentially upgrading from Brady considering the demand elsewhere.

I'll happily give the man his flowers for that play

I saw the Douglas update after I posted but the Gabe is good news too. Not that I am Gabe's biggest fan but I would prefer not to disrupt the offense more than necessary. Lets work Douglas back slow next week is possible. I won't hate resting him if that's the best option long term. It's part of why they are frauds. It's mindboggling to me that you have the chance at your first division title in 15 years, with a hated rival coming to town in the last game of the season and they take over your house. This isn't a mid-season, down year, transplant heavy Chargers game, this was supposed to be their stamp and the fans showed what they are.

I don't hate the non-call on Knox. I'm usually a more "let 'em play" guy for defense. But it seemed like the Bills were getting hit with every tug while Miami continued to maul guys. I don't know about Tua, but McDaniel just looked stunned. The game was never the same after that. I said it elsewhere, but I hope we (the fans) never start taking for granted getting into the playoffs or winning the East. For Pats fans in the old days and Chiefs fans now it seems like such a given that they act petulant when it's not as pretty as they like. I'm glad we still get up and go for the team like this.

This is the exact moment where you want the good vibes, chemistry and team spirit to be at all time highs. You could see the energy sapped from the Bills in the latter months of 2022 and it's the exact opposite now. For all their flaws, the energy is undeniable.