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No, you're right. The team has been managed expertly for the last 20 years. It's a real shock that they've missed the playoffs so consistently.

Thanks for laying that out differently. I agree with the premise. A quick revision though... we could have released Tyrod, kept Gilmore, made the signings you mentioned and drafted Mahomes or Watson at 10. I'm not saying that it's definitely a better option. You certainly have more players and perceived value... but if either become franchise QB's that's the better play 100%.

Timing seems to have been a real problem with this franchise lately, which is why I'm criticizing them so heavily for their cyclical drafting habits. If they pull off a great draft next year and get their franchise QB I will be forever happy. That hasn't happened yet. This franchise is just as likely to take John McCargo with that extra first.

I definitely don't know if Gilmore + Mahomes is better. I did the least draft prep I've ever done this year which is why most of my issues with the team are stemming from mistakes they have been making over time. I think if Mahomes or Watson turn out to be great then it's really all dumb because we missed out on those guys. The Gilmore contract vs Watkins is an interesting take. I really don't know what to do with Watkins next year, but if the plan is truly Tyrod, then yeah...what's the point.

I'm not trying to be difficult, but I legitimately couldn't follow this. Can you try a different approach?

But that's not really it is, it? It's more... Lattimore or White 2017 3rd Rounder 2018 1st Rounder or Gilmore (Tyrod is cut) Mahomes or Gilmore (Tyrod is cut) Watson ...something to that effect. I think the people that are a little concerned about the Bills are more concerned because of the lack of consistent plan over the last 4 17 years. If you disagreed with some of the offseason moves in the past, then why is it lattimore vs white/1/3. It's only that based on earlier decisions that many may have also disagreed with. All of this is a roundabout way of saying that I'm definitely not excited. They have to prove me wrong and I'll be so happy when they finally do. If they really made this move as ammo for a top QB (it's not that simple, lol), I'll probably be happier a year from now.

People have been saying that since Reid took over.

It's definitely possible that KC finishes well enough that the trade is hardly a win. The real test will be whether or not Mahomes becomes a gamer. If he does, you can throw your points out the window.

No, I think I understand that perfectly. Did you even read my post?

I'm not upset simply that they took a CB after letting Gilmore go. I'm upset that it was obvious we were headed this way since before Rex Ryan was even hired. The franchise has a nasty habit of cyclical drafting and we don't seem to have a long term plan. Whaley drafted Gilmore, decided not to re-sign him, but then waited until after he didn't re-sign him to draft his replacement. I'm not sure what the plan was with that exactly. Waste a top 10 pick on Gilmore and go all-in with that for four years? What was the point - there's still no resolution at QB? It's a waste. It's all been a waste. It shows no foresight and don't tell me I haven't been saying this since the Winfield > Clements > Greer carousel started. This franchise has overvalued CB and RB in the draft and has suffered tremendously for nearly 20 years because they haven't had a consistent plan. If Tyrod Taylor really is the plan, then call me in three years and let's talk about how many playoff games we've won. Andy Reid could have been wrong about Mahomes, I don't know... I didn't follow the draft as closely this year, but if he's right it will just be another classic Bills draft hilarity. Bottom line, I'm happy with the value the team got because they passed on Lattimore and got this guy and the extra picks...but they put themselves in this position and this GM is the one who got us here. A CB didn't NEED to be the guy if we had a plan years ago.

Ah the ol' character player route. I remember those years.

For some of us, this argument does nothing to address the real frustration we have with this frustration: The cyclical drafting habits and lack of a long term plan. It's nice value, sure. I'm happy they got what they wanted and all that, but there is a real lack of planning going on here. Whaley drafted Gilmore, decided not to re-sign him, but then waited until after he didn't re-sign him to draft his replacement. I'm not sure what the plan was with that exactly. Waste a top 10 pick on Gilmore and go all-in with that for four years? What was the point - there's still no resolution at QB? It's a waste. It's all been a waste. It shows no foresight and don't tell me I haven't been saying this since the Winfield > Clements > Greer carousel started. This franchise has overvalued CB and RB in the draft and has suffered tremendously for nearly 20 years because they haven't had a consistent plan. If Tyrod Taylor really is the plan, then call me in three years and let's talk about how many playoff games we've won. Andy Reid could have been wrong about Mahomes, I don't know... I didn't follow the draft as closely this year, but if he's right it will just be another classic Bills draft hilarity.

Not only that, but we're the kings of taking DBs and RBs in the first. How's that gameplan working out?

I'm hopeful as well, but let's face it...This could not have possibly been Whaley's master plan all along. It's just sad that, like you said there's nothing positive about our business side of things. Even if this kid turns out great, have we learned nothing about how little value a 1st rd DB can add to a mediocre football team? We should be experts at this.

I don't know if Mahomes will ever be anything, but it seems possible this could be another classic "Bills" move. Who did we take over Russell Wilson? TJ Graham?

The cycle continues. Keep drafting CB's. It clearly works.

I'm pretty sure that's not how that works.

Of course. When we draft 90% defense it will become apparent who the GM is.

Well, it was Tim Graham, let's not get ahead of ourselves. If you really want trust the gospel of Graham, he did say that Brandon had more to do with the roster than you think. Also, the RB defense gets weirder and weirder the longer we go without the playoffs. At this point...why, as a fan that cares exclusively about winning and not about marketing, would you prefer to retain an executive with as much on-the-field failure? I genuinely don't understand. The team cannot win consistently and the organization has embarrassed itself regardless of the owner. Why wouldn't you want a fresh start?

I don't actually think Terry Pegula paid Tim Graham, I was trying to be silly with my hate. I'm trying to switch it up... the routine is getting stale the longer he stays. I really agree with the "right person". It's the reason why the Tim Murray firing was so maddening to me. He may have not wanted to fire Bylsma, and I get that, but they held an entire press conference and said nothing of the sort so I definitely will chalk it up to impatience and incompetence. Tim Murray would eventually have been the right person, and now they're throwing some pretty pathetic names out there as a replacement. For the Bills, people want Whaley fired, but...if McDermott is really involved in the hiring, what structure is that? What's the game plan?

They might never do that though. Brandon is completely 100% embedded with the Pegula Sports & Entertainment. They even paid off Tim Graham to write a very random pro-Brandon piece just this week.

Does McDermott essentially being the GM scare anyone else? Are we looking at two terrible years ahead of us?

If there's anything we can all agree on, anything that has been one true constant throughout this entire crappy drought... it's that the definitely don't realize that.

It's so sad.

The honeymoon is definitely over. Russ Brandon retaining his role with the Bills and being promoted to the other teams will prove to be an epic mistake. If success on the field/ice is truly the goal, Rnadon has proven to be an awful executive. He's run nothing but dysfunctional front offices and been a part of some terrible coaching hires.