Happy

Now you've gone too far. Boneless sucks. I would take flats over boneless, and would even take blue cheese over boneless.

I was referring to the Bengals beating the Ravens (Dalton to Boyd miracle) as pure luck. Winning nine games was about right for that team.

They seem to be having a hard time with the Sabres, not much the Pegulas do with that team seems to be working. It's possible they sell the Sabres.

Tyrod Taylor was the QB and Rick Dennison was the OC in 2017; there was zero chance of gun slinging. They went 9-7 that year because that is pretty much the kind of team they were...slightly above average. They made the playoffs out of pure luck; no Dalton to Boyd miracle play, no playoffs.

Unpopular takes, not 'shroom induced takes.

Brady being hit. Shortly after a flag was thrown.

Exactly. May not be the best example, but look at what is happening to CHAZ or CHOP or whatever the next name is. Most of these socialist/revolutionary types have no idea how to make a government work nor do they have the proper mentality to do so.

Not sure. I wasn't on the Mayflower.

I agree with the OP. Being too conservative is a big problem, and until McD fixes this, he will not see pass the Divisional round...if even that. You have to keep attacking offensively, even with a lead. Look at Pederson, Payton, Belichick; they all keep attacking and don't change what works until it doesn't. If Daboll starts to change his play calls to go away from what got them the lead, it is up to McD to bring him back. On defense, McD and Frazier need to understand that prevent defenses only prevent you from winning; the Houston game should be exhibit 'A' even though the linebackers were way too far back in that 3rd and 18 play. This formation never should have been called. Throughout NFL history, teams that play prevent only end up losing since it gives the offense 10 yard chunks, first downs, and before you know it a chance to win or at least tie the game. I don't understand this line of thinking, like McD thinks his defense will not succumb to the perils of the prevent D. I keep hearing on this board that McD is all about improvement, learning from mistakes, etc, etc. He hasn't really shown this on the coaching philosophy side of things, and that is why the Bills under McD will only go so far. Maybe the light will come on, but until it does, all the accolades he receives now will eventually start to fade and McD will be seen as limited. McD has potential...but will he realize it?

My unpopular take is we split with the Dolphins, lose both games to NE, and do not win the division. We sneak into the playoffs at 9-7 and lose in the WC round.

Revolutionaries always say this, but it ends up being anything but.

Arguably, so did Shaq Lawson. Plus Lawson is five years younger and on an upward performance trajectory. Beane and/or McD must not have wanted to give Lawson the extra $6M guaranteed money. Addison over Lawson doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, at least not right now. The cynic in me believes the Carolina pipeline is alive and well, plus the new d-line coach was from Carolina when McD was there.

Murphy has that 'DNA' and is a McDermott guy. Lawson was a remnant from the Whaley era, yet could set an edge properly, was not a liability in run or screen defense (like Murphy is), and can still rush the QB to an extent. Murphy got his sack stats from a few favorable matchups over the season; has a good game one week, then disappears the next week or two. Also gets picked on during screen and sweep plays. Not a consistent player.

Did you mean to say he got ate up by terrible OTs? I get that he is $6M less in guaranteed money than Lawson, but he's also five years older than Shaq, as well as trending down while Lawson is trending up in performance. The more I hear about Addison, the less optimistic I am. Why did Beane/McD basically commit two years to Addison (out of a possible three year deal)? On paper this signing looks suspect. CCR...that would be too many R's and C's. Plus a bar playing CCR won't be serving Crown, but rather moonshine.

Apparently he is getting $13M guaranteed....at the age of 32. This guy better pan out or it will be another multi year swing and miss for McD and Beane. No ex Panther left behind...

Yes it is, and Crown Royal is the best whiskey. Think about the delicious combination of the two...RCCR, CRRC, etc. Could drive a bartender nuts.

I don't think I need a special thread for unpopular takes.

Isn't he supposed to rotate with Hughes? If so, not sure how Addison will be a backup, though we can hope he sees only a small amount of snaps. One thing for sure is that Beane has made the DE position one of need, multiple times, next year with Addison, Hughes, and Murphy all probably gone.

Yes I am.

Whatever we can get from him. Sounds like he's just a place holder until the next draft, where he will probably be replaced.

I had a friend who is a policeman for a major US city tell me that the system is stacked against you. Sure you can decline a FST, but they'll just arrest you another way; the police are prepared to counter any defense you might come up with. As an aside, my friend told me that the big city cops don't always want to deal with a DUI since there are usually much bigger fish to fry, so they might take the keys from the driver and throw them away; it also depends on how cooperative the person is as well as what else is going on that night. The car stays where it is until the next day when the owner can come get the car with a spare set of keys. Relating to this matter, the point is Oliver was screwed once he was pulled over. There will be some punishment from the NFL, at least, even if his lawyer gets him out of the law side of things.

Happy Birthday, Bruce. Wish you were 30 years younger. Imagine having him today.

Nope. Whaley was the acting GM at the time. Nix was in process of stepping down.

Sheppard for Hughes trade. Hughes is still here and has had a very good career as a Bill. Indy was completely fleeced by Whaley.

My point is, as stated, I don't think McDermott is the best person to evaluate who will make a good coach. Having such a turnover in staff can be interpreted that he is learning as he goes along, but it also signifies that he did not (and may still not) know what makes a good coach. Should we expect turnover? Sure; Brian Flores turned over the OC in Miami, so that happens. But most of the staff, save the DC and LB coach....that's a lot in three years. You are correct, I don't have a lot of confidence in McDermott. Not sure when is a good time to voice that which will satisfy you, as well as the other McD fan-types.