IronyAbounds
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Posts posted by IronyAbounds
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17 hours ago, Gregg said:
On the flip side the Bills only two championships (1964, 1965) were won with the throwbacks. If what they wear decides how successful they are (it doesn't) then we should go back to the throwbacks full time. Maybe we can add a Super Bowl with our AFL championships.
Yep, the standing buffalo has brought the Bills their only championships. I'm an old school guy anyhow, so I like all the old AFL helmets. It pisses me off the Titans got to keep the Oilers legacy. The oil derrick helmet was fantastic. It should have been a Cleveland situation so that the new Houston team could reclaim the Oilers. The Pats old helmets are much better too.
Now get off my lawn.
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Taking a break from worrying about next year, it's amusing to see how times and the game have changed in the NFL:
Stats for a well known QB in a season long ago (in a 14 game season):
Completions: 179
Attempts: 391
% Completion: 45.8
Yards: 2368
TDs:10
Int: 18
Rating: 54.8
In today's game that QB wouldn't even be able to make a team's practice squad.
In 1965 it got Jack Kemp Player of the Year award.
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Let's review. 2019, Bills lose WC Round in tight contest with Texans. 2020, Bills reach Conference Championship, losing in a not that close game after two wins in the prior rounds, including a fairly dominating win over Ravens. 2021, Bills destroy Pats in WC Round and lose heartbreaker to Chiefs in Divisional Round due to coaching staff brain farts. 2022. Barely escape WC Round over Dolphins who have rookie QB, then get dominated in Divisional Round vs. Bengals. 2019 better than 2018, 2020 better than 2019, 2021 probably about the same as 2020 (loss in earlier round, but played Chiefs tougher), and then a distinct drop off in 2022 (regular season record not as important as showing in playoffs). In 2019 and 2020 the Bills definitely had talent that was reasonably young and improving, and I think that improvement showed up in 2021. Not so sure that the carry over talent from 2022 is improving, and not so sure that there are more young and improving guys vs. older and declining guys. Even given the injuries in 2022, I doubt standing pat or making relatively minor changes are going to cut it, and there are more limited options for improving the team in 2023 than existed in earlier years. Doesn't mean the Bills won't get there since the playoffs are sometimes a crap shoot that depends on match-ups. But I'm a bit skeptical that they are really that close to a Super Bowl.
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13 hours ago, Dr.Sack said:
I put the the reason for optimism entirely on Dorsey year 2, Coach McD dialing it all in, and Josh Allen making a massive improvement in his game above his shoulders this offseason.
Bills Home Opponents 2023
New England Patriots W
Miami Dolphins W
New York Jets W
Las Vegas Raiders W
Denver Broncos W
New York Giants W
Dallas Cowboys W
Jacksonville Jaguars W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers W
Bills Away Opponents 2023
New England Patriots W
Miami Dolphins W
New York Jets L
Kansas City Chiefs W
Los Angeles Chargers W
Washington Commanders W
Philadelphia Eagles L
Cincinnati Bengals L
Home 9-0 (London, Detroit wherever)
Away 5-3
I see the Jets as our #1 competitor in the AFCE. I see us splitting the home and away. The Jets 2023 season rests on their chances to acquire a QB. I do not see them overcoming the Bills with anyone outside of Lamar Jackson who the Ravens are highly unlikely to trade.
Miami has a MVP caliber part-time QB when healthy. I assume the NFL will make us play another early road game in the heat to make things extra hard and add to the intrigue.
New England is lost with Mac Jones. Belichick will not abandon his golden boy.
KC will soon realize Kelce at 34 is not the same player he was in 2018.
The Bengals game will be personal and I see the Bills falling short but in more competitive fashion.If that's the schedule, that's a very difficult schedule. The road schedule is a monster. Why are we always getting KC at KC? I know we've beaten them 2 in a row during the regular season, but that actually makes me less optimistic. We get the AFC West duds at home and face the two playoff teams on the road. Eagles and Bengals (again) on the road. Sweeping Miami? They barely beat them in 2 home games this year, and the last one without Tua. No way they go 14-3 with that schedule. 12-5 would be quite the accomplishment. I think the over/under will be 10.5 or 11.5.
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3 hours ago, Drew21PA said:
Did you start following the team recently ?
4 years now….
Have to laugh about asking for patience. Bills have had 4 good shots and come up short each time, with this year being worse than last, and last year more disappointing than the year before. They haven't even made the Conference Championship the last two years. They could easily have blown their window of opportunity. Hopefully Allen keeps them in the picture for several years to come, but asking for patience is a bit much.
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7 hours ago, jhh9327 said:
You really think this team beats Cinci if this game happened two months ago? I honestly don't. I'm not saying the emotional toll didn't play any factor yesterday, but this was a flawed team that has been showing those flaws for quite a while and Cinci is designed well to take advantage of those.
They looked to be heading for a beat down in Cincy before Hamlin dropped, so I'm not quite buying it.
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8 hours ago, MAJBobby said:
Here is the start to my series. This is the thinking I have going into writing these on where the team is. I will take comments and observations from this thread to help shape what I write int he future.
Here we are again in an all too familiar spot lately being bounced out of the playoffs but this time by another young QB, and by another up top end AFC team. For a season filled with tragedy, distractions and issues I am not in a bad place as I write this so that is good. I also do not think all the over-reactions of window closing, we are done yada yada are accurate not as long as you have a healthy top QB. Which we do have. However that being said I wanted to get the state of the franchise Off-Season primer out today (as I see it as I enter into Offseason Mode where I will break down position groups like always, while I prep for UFA and the Draft.
The standard disclaimer: I use SPOTRAC (primarily) sometimes will use OverTheCap as well for the salary and contract information. I will also use profootball reference (primary) for stats. Also this isn’t meant to be a complete wrap-up of the past season but more so a look at in the future, obviously I will look back at times to talk about how I see the future.
So with no more rambling to start I guess I will get into it.
Financials:
Contracted players: 39 with a cap hit of $230.498M
Cap Space (top 51): -5.464MCoaching:
Let me start off by saying No I don’t think nor would I agree with McDermott being fired this year. Coming out of the KC game last year the 13 seconds unluckiness would have had everyone here thinking ok we are there, Run it back. So what the coaches did was improve once again on defense and ran it back. At the end of the day that decision proved to be a wrong path but no one would blame him here. Now also I will say I don’t think there is another HC (that is currently coaching, Maybe Tomlin) that I would have wanted in charge of this team THIS year with all the tragedy in the area and team and all the distractions. That being said Next year McD stops getting my good will, if he cannot get this team over the hump he is Lovie Smith and that is wasting an elite talent at QB.My Knee jerk response would be Fire Dorsey. And very well may still be on board with that, however more likely he is back (if he doesn’t get a HC job) and we will see if he improves in year two designing and playcalling an offense. There was no design to his offense. No linking plays now situational football, he was JUST calling plays a lot of time with no strategic thinking in mind. That cannot happen in todays NFL. I do think that this offense really missed Daboll but it goes deeper than that. It is almost like there is a disconnect here between the QB – OC – HC – GM, I will explain what I mean below.
2022 offseason – Was clear they wanted a Pass Catching RB. Continued that obsession at the trade deadline. So who was driving that desire? Dorsey? Beane? McD? Allen? I doubt it as McD or Allen so that is on Beane and Dorsey. So here were those plays? There was no screens, the angle routes and Cook out of the backfield routes we hear so much about in the offseason where not there. Some of that could have been on Allen not taking the easier throw, but again lets get to offensive design, if that was wanted SO MUCH. Why were there not plays designed for the RB to be the first read??
Another instance. Wanting that TE2 again they prioritized a second pass catching TE in the offseason, Morris beats out Howard this offseason with the 2 TE sets, earns the spot and then those plays nonexistent. So the two priorities (that I can only think Dorsey wanted) were addressed, then the season comes and we get a poor mans Brian Daboll offense, ever since the MIA Box meltdown from Dorsey that is what was rolled out week to week.
I think Joe Brady likely goes and Ken Dorsey stays.Defense (McD and Frazier) – news flash to you all, having a top Passing Defense all season doesn’t mean diddly to me when in the playoffs it gets shredded. I think your scheme has been figured out, it has been called simple, bland that is a problem. Yes I agree you blitz these young top QBs sparingly (they have proven they will shred it) but they have also proven they will shred your soft zone. So what is the answer here? Get a little more complex, and no don’t spend more premium assets on this side of the ball. I think there is a shakeup needed here and best hope is Fraizer get a HC, then we move on and get some picks back to help.
Offense: 17 players on contract.
Houston, we have a problem here. To be honest I am sure many will also tell you the same thing. I do think a couple things to start off. 1. I think there was a learning process going on with Dorsey, Brady and Allen that led into the season, which I kinda of backed up above.
My Issues with this offense cannot be completely fixed in this offseason (for the most part) but they might be able to and I will explain. The two biggest issues I see are OL (I have not liked our OL for a long long time, and their flaws have been covered up by Allens play). So, because this is the biggest issue in the offense I will start there. I personally believe by the start of the 2024 season we SHOULD have 5 new OL starting, but that is two years down the line so I will look at what needs to occur in 2024. I am taking a page from KC and Cincy here after their two SBs.
We need to replace LG, RG, RT. We should upgrade C, and LT as well (however might not need too if you get the other three right) with the exception of Center. I would get a Center this year as well if it was me. Only Keepers on the OL I see are: Dawkins, Bates (Depth), Brown (Depth), Morse (unless I move on). I will get into the moves at this position when I get to the OL primer, but the state of the Bills this is the worst unit they are fielding, and it is the one unit that you want good.
Weapons – Outside Diggs we have not much. Davis is a WR3 playing WR2. And the Rest are JAGs. Really outside what the Giants the Bills had the worst weapon group in the playoffs. How good would this offense be with a Hill or Waddle pair? A Chase and Higgins pair? A Williams and Eckler and Allen Trio? It is Diggs and Only Diggs.
Defense: 18 on Contract.
There are issues here, it is amazing when Jones doesn’t play how bad they are against the Run again. 51M tied up in the DL for 2023. So I am not sure there is much they can do here, I am thinking they ill likely roll it back with what they got, hoping to squeeze at least one more year from Von Miller. We have to he isn’t going anywhere and the out for him isn’t until the end of next year.
To be honest I think the biggest issue on the defense is more scheme and aggressiveness. I will get into what can be done in each position group when I get to them. Personally, I think it is time for a shakeup here. There are trends that cannot be ignored. Like the Lull every time during the season. That lull seems to foreshadow what will occur in the postseason. So I think there needs to be a shakeup in scheme which might mean McD swallowing his Defensive Pride, handing it to an outside the team DC.
My thoughts going into the offseason is that we need to spend out premium assets on the Offense and Fill the Defense with roleplayers. That is how I am going to look at this offseason as I build out the offseason primers for each position group.
Comments and thoughts will be appreciated as I start my planning for the offseason primers.
I look forward to seeing how you believe they will have the resources to do the things you think they need to do.
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Most folks here are pointing to areas where the Bills need improvement: the OL (absolutely), the WR crew (quite possibly), the secondary (quite possibly), the DL (seems likely after yesterday, but it may depend on whether Miller returns at a high level), RB (I'm not as concerned here). One little problem - exactly where do the Bills find the resources to bring in upgrades to those positions. Free Agency? Given the money to keep Allen and bring in Miller, there simply isn't the money to bring in quality FAs. Draft picks? The Bills have six. Fortunately they didn't get rid of any picks in the first 5 rounds (and actually have two in the 5th round). But as we have seen, Beane hasn't exactly been the most astute GM when it comes to drafting, and in any event, rookies always have a learning curve.
Injuries indisputably took a huge toll this year, but it isn't like all those injured guys will simply be plugged back into their positions for next year. The defense was hit the hardest, but who knows how well Miller or Hyde will bounce back, plus they'll be a year older (Miller will be 34 and Hyde 33, not exactly spring chickens in the NFL). White certainly didn't seem like his old self this year. Hamlin (bless his soul) almost certainly won't be back, Poyer is likely gone and the rest of the secondary is meh at best.
The offense wasn't hurt all that much by injuries, certainly not any more than is typical to an NFL team, so it's not as though they will be getting a difference maker back on offense. Most people seem to think the WR position is in need of upgrade, but if you spend resources in that area, how do you address the other positions that seem far more in need (OL and secondary). Same thought with the running backs. The OL is in need of a major overhaul, but again, the Bills really won't be able to spend much on any OL free agent. Will there be a quality lineman early in the draft? I hope so, but then what about the DL, the secondary, the wide receivers and running backs? Is it reasonable to expect Beane to suddenly become a master draftsman and be able to plug all the gaps with 6 draft picks? Past history suggests otherwise.
The Bills have had a remarkable run the past four years becoming one of the top teams in the league. For that I'm grateful. It's just difficult to see how they get over the hump given the current situation with the existing talent and somewhat crimped resources. I'll admit, when it comes to the Bills, my pessimism springs eternal. Hopefully I'm overstating the problems and minimizing the avenues that exist to improve the team.
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Out of curiosity, how is the salary cap situation looking for next year? Seems to be a pretty important element in assessing whether this team can improve.
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2 hours ago, RiotAct said:
Nope. This was our year, and we frigging blew it.
Actually last year was our year and we frigging blew it. Not a doubt in my mind they beat Cincy and go on to win the Super Bowl last year. Except they blew it in the last 12 seconds of the KC game. You don't get many chances like that and when they are frittered away, they likely never come again. Many people comforted themselves after last year that the Bills would only get better, yet they lost again in the Divisional Round looking far worse than last year. Maybe all the bad luck this year will turn around into nothing but good luck next year, but I can't help but think the Bills lost their best shot last year.
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1 minute ago, 78thealltimegreat said:
Allen has been responsible for over 180 touchdowns. He’s every bit as good as those two. The resources those two other franchises allocate to the offense is far superior to what the bills do
Have to disagree. Perhaps it was his injury, but after the first three games his throws were wildly inconsistent. Every amazing only Josh can make that throw pass was followed by two or three off target ones. I don't think Cincy's receiving crew is any better and may be inferior to the Bills'. The OL clearly needs work, but Burrow and Mahomes have a calm and confidence that translates into making consistent plays.
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As mediocre as the OL is, Josh has to bear a degree of the blame. He didn't look at all sharp. Lots of his completions weren't right on target and he was off on many throws. He may love Buffalo, and Buffalo may love him, but I think he'd be much better off on a warm climate team. I don't think he handles bad weather all that well.
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2 minutes ago, Billschinatown said:
Don’t watch it lol
Unfortunately I did, but only wasted an hour instead of an entire afternoon. Really is inexcusable for the Bills at home to never be competitive in the game. They were completely flat.
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Had to record the game, but I'm glad I didn't waste a full three hours watching that crap. Bills' window of opportunity was last year. Don't see a Super Bowl anytime soon.
21 minutes ago, Governor said:They’re a lot better than us across the board. Fans have to let go of these love affairs they made with these players. They aren’t very good.
As good as Allen is, he isn't as good as Burrow or Mahomes, and that isn't going to change anytime in the next several years. Biggest factor though is OL and next the DL. Without a better OL the team will never scale the mountain.
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9 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:
As I mentioned in the game thread (you know that topic where everyone is posting but no one is reading?) that besides the contributions of Elam and Cook, the trade deadline acquisitions of Dean Marlowe and Nyheim Hines have really paid big dividends. McBeane are really doing a good job.
Because he's shorter, people don't think of Singletary as a power back but as most of us know, Motor squats 550 pounds and has a great north-south compass... essentially he's a mini-power back. I know that's not satisfactory for some here but it is what it is. He's pretty good at getting those tough yards and I think he has an important role on the team.
Another thing about both running backs - people here love to criticize the OL when it comes to protecting Allen, but don't seem to give the RBs much credit for both have better than 4.5 YPC despite having to run behind the same OL.
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At least there is a DVR solution for commercials, although you run the risk of seeing the score from IMs on your phone or inadvertently seeing the score elsewhere. My biggest gripe with the NFL greed are the Thursday night games and the additional regular season game. The Thursday games truly put players at risk given the lack of recuperation time, and I think the crappy quality of the games on Thursday reflect it. Expecting players to go full bore for 17 games is also hard on the players (and creates an imbalance in home/away games, but that's another story). The only reason for Thursday games and an extra regular season game is the $$$$$ brought it. Both diminish the quality of play and are detrimental to health of athletes.
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2 minutes ago, Success said:
Cook is our top RB. I love how Motor plays, but Cook has a better ability to turn nothing into something, and is more of a threat to break it when he gets the ball.
I slightly disagree here. Singletary is tough. That last carry was epic. Cook has better YPC for the season, but I think that's somewhat due to Singletary being used in more traditional rushing situations. In any event, I think they're a good 1-2 combo.
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16 hours ago, bmur66 said:
That would require divine intervention.
Well, given Damar's recovery thus far, I wouldn't discount it.
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I'm an optimist. Raiders beat KC on Saturday, Ravens beat Bengals and Bills beat Pats. Makes the Buffalo-Cincinnati game irrelevant, Bills get home field throughout, and the only remaining thought about that game will be thinking how miraculous it will be when we witness Damar's complete recovery.
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12 minutes ago, Ray Stonada said:
Thuney may have had a serious injury today, and Kelce looked banged up. The Chiefs’ core may starting to weaken with age. Looks like Mahomes is carrying them. They barely beat Denver with Wilson playing truly terrible football, like Peterman level.
Mac Jones won, barely, against a passing team down to their third QB.
Tom Brady needed 400 yards and 3 long TDs to beat the Panthers by a score.
Eagles have run into a rough patch ever since Hurts got hurt.
No team in the NFL should scare the Bills. Let this be the year.
Bills can beat anyone, but lose tomorrow night and you have to win two on the road in the playoffs, not an easy feat. Win the next two and everything looks possible.
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3 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:
I've only read the first page of posts.
I've always assumed I would go. I actually planned a different vacation around it. But when I stop and think about it coldly, it's really hard to justify. For me, I think, the determining factor will be what I can get tickets for. I don't know how the priority list works with the tickets the team will get to season ticket holders. If I'm high enough on the list, I could get tickets at face value. Even that, whatever it is, would be a big-ticket item, but at least that would be a lot better than having to pay three or five times that much to buy them in the after market.
My wife and I went to XXV. We were in different financial circumstances then, and my wife sort of didn't ask and I sort of didn't tell her how much I spent to get tickets. And yes, the game ended badly, but I have never for a moment regretted spending the money to it experience that game. It's an iconic Bills game, and to have been there, regardless of the outcome, was worth it. The money, we earned back. The memories of that experience connects me to the Bills for all time. Just like having been at 64 AFL championship. My dad paid for tickets, and they were a pittance, not like today. It's not about the money. It's about a lifetime of memories.
I'd prefer a lifetime of memories that a trip to Europe or Australia or Africa might provide for that money, but everyone's priorities and desires differ, so I don't criticize anyone for spending that kind of money.
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Weather affecting most of the games today. Playing in freezing weather ain't easy.
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Way to go Devin!
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As bad as they've played, they will win this game. Next week? That's likely another story.
Bengals @ Chiefs AFC Championship (Please do not bring Bills commentary in here)
in The Stadium Wall
Posted
What I learned from this game:
Bills DL w/o a healthy Miller is terrible.
Bills coaching staff is mediocre
I was wrong about the Bengals' receivers, they are much better than the Bills' receivers
KC front office is miles ahead of the Bills'