BigBuff423

I've participated in this Poll, but honestly the simple answer: whomever earns it.

It's been a weird Off-season. It's seemed to draaaaaaaag at times like the Pope going to confession after an elite practice session with the Vienna Boys Choir and other times it feels like we've skipped days or even weeks. Regardless, I am just so fricken' glad we're getting this started!!! Go Bills!

I agree, completely. The Slot WR position in the contemporary landscape of the NFL is crucial to being a productive Offense. So much of what happens in moving the ball and where the rules favor the Offense occurs over the middle and in the near to intermediate distance of the field. I might hate the *Pats, but they really did stand on the curve when it came to guys like Welker and Edelman and used Gronk quite a bit outside / Slot as well. Much to our chagrin, Brady and those guys used the Slot maybe better than any other team on the whole during a prolonged period of time. The Bills Offense obviously begins with Josh Allen and the running game needs to provide a better rate of return, but let's not dismiss the significance of the Slot because when we think about key plays for the Bills last year, so many of them occurred in that realm of the field, Cole's incredible 3rd and 20 conversion against the Rams which set up the final comeback is one that jumps to mind. Hopefully, whether the Bills use Cole AND Sanders in a 4-wide set or interchange them or whatever, the Bills will be EVEN better in the slot over the middle, which of course begs the TE question. That's a different topic with some unknown guy in an Eagles jersey....

Presuming it is an open air stadium, that’s not a plan I agree with. Of course, nobody is asking me my opinion but a dome makes so much more sense for a 21st Century NFL team, especially the Bills given the weather and the type of Offense built around Allen. That said, of course I will ultimately support the team and hope I’m wrong and it works out better in the long-run. But rainy, cold fall games and snow burying the field, make me think I’m not…so we’ll see.

Well, there could be a few guys that could use such a talent..... With Rivers no longer there, given his child producing ways, that was the only way the Chargers were ever going to pull out....once he left. Edit: ok...now I'm done....been a long week, I'm shot.

The question(s) is (are) fair and relevant at this time, especially because the idea of vaccinations is everywhere and according to the Governor and County Executive, it directly impacts fan attendance. However, now that Josh has answered that question and that all discussions and decisions will be kept internal to the organization, here is where I hope the media leaves it.

IMHO, it’s about the way Clemson played Offense and the type of throws he made on the regular basis. It’s not about talent per se, there are college QBs all over history that have talent coming out of their ears but just can’t translate to the NFL. I’m sure sarcasm was your intent, but I’ll take it at face value and just say, it’s an opinion. If I’m wrong, I accept that but it doesn’t diminish what I believe I see with my own eyes. That opinion doesn’t mean a thing, but it is one I hold. As much as I wasn’t, nor am I now, a Lamar Jackson believer regarding his long term effectiveness.

I’ll go on record as saying I’m not a big believer in Lawrence. That’s not to say he’ll suck, I just don’t think his game translates to the NFL over a long period of time. I’d venture a guess to say a decent to good Rookie year, a slight regression second year and then wherever that is - is where he stays.

I have mixed feelings about the Bills opening up the season against the Bucs. I recognize that the Bills will now need to be in prime time more often since that's what happens when you start winning and playing entertaining football. But, I really do like the 1:00 p.m. games and more to the point, I like the idea of flying under the radar for a bit, much like last year, without all of the national recognition. All of that said, we've been begging for a great team and a contender for 20 years, so now that we have it - I have to concede to the fact that my other preferences need to be put aside. If the Bills open against the Bucs, I suppose I'll see the positive that they will have had all Off-Season to prepare for what will be one of the hardest teams on their schedule. And, hope that it makes a national statement that the Buffalo Bills of 2021 are a true Super Bowl worthy team.

In the limited role the Bills assigned Moss, he started to find his way as the season wore on until his injury. Keep in mind, a Rookie with no OTAs, no normal training camp, meetings were virtual up to camp and no Pre-Season games - it takes time. Then Feliciano was injured for the first five or six games, Ford was in and out and then season ending injured and Williams was learning a new Offense…maybe we can pump the brakes on the RB panic? I think Moss is going to be key, Breida is going to impress in his assigned role and Singletary will have a specified type of play or plays and the Offensive Line will get better just by a more normal Off-Season and continuity while getting healthier and ANOTHER year of the same Offense. Edit: that’s not even considering A. Williams who could be the next Arian Foster in terms of UDFA that really impresses. All the same Rookie issues for Moss were true for him and balled out against a highly rated Miami Defense when they needed the win…

Interestingly enough during the presser Brandon Beane specifically mentioned how Rousseau up at his Pro Day putting on some weight, which he indicated as a positive. I'm not debating your perception or belief that he showed up in less-than-stellar physical shape, but it does appear Beane disagrees with you based on his post-Draft comments.

It’s a bit nitpicking for me, but the issue I have with that logic is that essentially you’re saying the trust earned isn’t full faith and trust….just enough that their decisions come within arm’s reach of your own. IMHO, when a FO earns the trust Beane et. al. have thus far, that means no matter their decision, they have my full confidence until proven otherwise. That said, at this point I think we’re splitting hairs….so, all in all - Go Bills! Let’s enjoy the next few days, and I’d buy you a brew if we were at a watering hole, and wish for the best!

I see your point when it comes to some other decisions, but at the same time when it comes to a 1st Round pick, it would seem counterintuitive to trust the direction but not trust the pick. However, that is a finer point and not one that determines the value of this discussion so I can see the merit in your statement.

I realize everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I have a hard time giving credence to anyone who doesn't trust this FO at this point. No GM or FO is perfect, but from White to Allen to Davis and Bass last year, Beane and his personnel continue to find talent in various ways and locations. Beane has located and recruited FAs at different levels of pay and performance that have contributed meaningfully and it shows on the field.

It's the "Beane Effect"....

One other thing: let's not forget where both McD and Beane came from....Carolina. Where they had 2 very good, very productive RBs in Stewart and Williams. They used one as their primary but the other got quite a number of touches and was a different type of back. They were successful utilizing that type of personnel and they had Cam. Josh is already a far better QB, but having two backs that complement each other is not a bad thing when based on previous Drafts and FA, the FO has done well to add depth at nearly every other position, including the most difficult one: QB. JMO

Agreed....and if my point inferred otherwise, then that was my mistake. I'm not insinuating I was making the same point, but more that Offensive Line - a more specifically the players individually - might not have been as big an issue for the running game as some of us initially believed. If the report is true, actions speak louder than words and Beane's actions are indicating he wants a RB that is a difference maker. And you can count me among the Moss believers as well. And I wasn't indicating the Bills' shouldn't Draft Etienne or anyone else for that matter. I'm fully on board with whomever Beane Drafts because as I've stated in other places since his first full year in Buffalo, I trust Beane, his FO AND McD to make good player decisions beginning with the Draft. If I gave you any other impression, then that was my miscommunication.

I’m not nitpicking here, and I agree with your basic premise, but Kamara was a 3rd Round pick.

I’ll also say this: Beane clearly indicated the run game was an issue, and then he signed back three starters on the Offensive Line. IMHO, that signals that Beane’s opinion is that it wasn’t entirely the Offensive Line that failed to create opportunities for the run game. So maybe, the RBs are more of an issue than we - as fans - thought they were.

I'm not saying I disagree with the amount they could / would use him, but according to Beane such a viewpoint would be counter to the Bills' approach. Beane indicated

Thankfully, not the Bills....but, I do think a top 10 team is enamored with his CMC'esque style and abilities and decide he can be a legit threat out of the backfield as RB1, out of the Slot as a WR, taking the screen passes, etc.

Travis Etienne goes top 10....

I trust Beane...whatever he decides. However, I would agree that investing in a 1st Round RB is rarely a good decision and would be happy to Draft a big man in the trenches or CB. That said, do any of us really believe that a health Christian McCaffrey wouldn't absolutely EAT in this Offense? Because IMHO, that's Etienne. Etienne is a RB, but he's also the Slot WR, Swiss Army knife of an Offense that can do so much which adds a "homerun threat" to this good unit for the Bills. Also, remember when the analytics guys said Josh Allen was a bust before he ever put on a uniform? I'm not saying Etienne is a RB version of Josh Allen, but I do refer back to my original statement: I trust Beane. I think the article is insightful, well documented as it outlined their argument and adds to logical discourse for us as fans. However, we also must put into context each decision made for those RB teams as it happened in its historical view. Cardinals were referenced yet Warner was on his way out. Giants were two Eli Manning throws away from being 0-2, and the Pats had Tom Brady which trumped everything else. As for the Chiefs this year, well they went to the Super Bowl after winning it, and we all know repeating as Champs is nearly impossible to do in the contemporary NFL. Moreover, Fournette - a former 4th overall pick - was on the Bucs winning Super Bowl team and played a role. Did he lead the team in YPC? No, but he was a factor. The point is, while I can agree with the general intent of the article that run blocking has more to do with running success than a RB as a single unit or that due to the devaluation of RBs in the NFL using a 1st Round pick on a RB doesn't make logistical sense. That is NOT to say there aren't times in the context of the team it couldn't be impactful for the success of the team over the course of the Rookie contract.

I can't say I have a strong opinion one way or the other, but I want to keep in mind that it's Beane who has built this team and McD who has coached this team to a AFC Championship game. That means, they know what they're doing. The team has made sustainably progressive succession toward winning and remaining a true contender in the AFC through roster construction and great coaching. In the drought and torture years, it was easy to pick apart the Bills' strategy and see all of the folly in their ways. But in the current Bills climate and culture, this team has shown a real ability to Draft, develop and recruit FAs to the team that contribute to the overall success. In this way, I trust Beane no matter the selection. Does that mean he doesn't make mistakes? Of course not, every person and GM does make mistakes. But, to presume ANY of us have more knowledge or capability to Draft impactful players at the right spot than Beane and his personnel, is absolutely insane! Beane and his team will put a great Draft together in one respect or another - just think of how much flak he got for the Diggs trade and that seemed to work out pretty well. Beane and his FO are some of the best in the league. Let's relax, enjoy the ride and trust that in the end, the Bills will be improved once the Draft is over.

And failing to see the rest of the points is kind of a weak approach to the situation.