MarlinTheMagician

I was there twice with my Dad. Vs. Raiders in 67 and Pats in 70. Barely remember 67, but I don't think I was ever as wet and cold as during that Pats game. James Harris replaced Shaw and almost brought us back. Joe Kapp on the other side. I was a big Haven Moses fan.

Could have them all on a USFL roster in the not-too distant future. I am still mad at Rosen - for being wanted by some on this board ahead of Allen! Can't ever forgive him.

All fair points, and it seems Khan may have got some of the timeline wrong (I didn't remember it as exactly as you set it out either), but that does not change what I suspect are the core facts: (i) Davis is hurt, at least to a degree that affects his cuts and ability to separate on short and intermediate routes, (ii) if true, he is being a team guy, toughing it out and doing his best to help the team, (iii) while he ain't been too bad, I think that we have seen he can do more, and (iv) it is reasonable to hope that he might after some much-needed time off.

I think he came back early to help the team too. So while I notice less sharpness out of his breaks and less separation, I think we should credit that he is a gamer and a team guy, and hope that he can play at an even higher level as he (hopefully) heals during this mini-bye and beyond. The KC clip posted earlier of him breaking the ankle of Chiefs DB Hughes was a great example of what he can do. He is also a ferocious competitor, a nasty blocker for a WR. So I am thinking that while Gabe has been good, he has the potential to be much better - which would be a huge boost for Diggs and Allen. Go Bills!!

This. This is exactly what I am seeing, slow and "rounded." But that was not at all the case last year. Gabe takes a lot of pride in his routes, and he works at his craft. No one is Diggs in route running, but Gabe is normally quite good. Right now, I am not seeing that - I am seeing slow and rounded. High ankle? Did not know it was a "high" ankle sprain. Usually several weeks - what did Gabe miss, one week? I feel it is very, very likely he is toughing it out, and I hope he gets right for the stretch. Catch % this year notwithstanding, Gabe has great hands. When your dinged, it can lead to things like a decreased catch %. Hoping for more, and I believe Davis can and will offer it if healthy.

Agree. And I am hoping that just maybe, with 10 days rest, he can give us a little more down the stretch. Would be big for the offense.

Respectfully disagree. He is very good at gaining separation on out-breaking routes, in-cuts too. Normally. I will never forget his sideline grabs vs. Colts in playoffs.

Yours are valid too, but I am a Davis believer. I think if he was in his best form, and Allen was too (no elbow ding), 15-25 type ranking is possible for Gabe, even with Diggs as a clear #1. Maybe I am too optimistic, but I have felt Gabe has the ability to be a 1 or 1A type, and he has not quite been at that level this year. Having seen him play at that level a lot raised my suspicion on the ankle ahead of thinking "he is just a 2, but a pretty good two." I think he has more, not that anyone is asking my opinion.

Agree, that was kind of my point. I think short-term decision that has zero reflection on long-term outcome.

He sure did, but that was straight line deep stuff if I recall, at least the big play that I remember where he took it away from Minka. Very different than making sharp cuts and running precise routes to gain separation short and intermediate, which would stress the ankle more. Say, like Diggs TD route vs. Pats. Gabe is not a blazer, but usually he gains separation with good route running.

If Elam has hit the wall, or is not tackling well or using some poor technique, giving him two weeks to analyze and work on what he is doing wrong, or just giving him a mental break to get beyond the rookie wall, seems like a great idea. He seems like he is a very hard worker, so I doubt it is a big discipline issue.

Gabe does not seem to be getting us much separation since the ankle injury. Anybody know anything? Gabe is a gamer, would not surprise me if it is still not right. I think he could have a nice stretch run with this mini-bye to get healthy. We need him to relieve more pressure from Diggs, IMHO.

I played some safety in high school, back when they invented fire (full-time corner). You live for a shot like that - nail the receiver, save the touchdown. I did not have a problem with Hamlin's hit. Looked to me like he led with his shoulder, and Myers dipped his head at the moment of contact. If you can't light up the receiver to knock the ball out anymore, without head-hunting or going for the knees, I don't like the rule. I thought it was a clean play, and a great one, but I was not surprised at all that they threw the flag. Glad he stopped the touchdown anyhow! I thought Hamlin looked pretty good vs. Pats.

He is worth to us 1% more than the next-highest bidder, which is why I hope he wants to be here! If he wants to be here, he will take a "fair deal" -- need not even be "team friendly", just not a gross overpay (please). Take care of your own.

One other thing about Tremaine. He is a great teammate, smart and articulate,and a process guy. See his post-game from yesterday, takes no credit for himself, generous in his praise of his teammates, and says all they have to do to move forward is keep trusting the process. Admires Tre White for his work ethic, and from what I have heard, Edmunds brings the same ethic as White every day.

The other thing I think people fail to appreciate. Milano and Edmunds function as a unit. One without the other is like one hand clapping. Together they bring incredible speed and coverage to the inside that pushes everything to the edges. And when one of those edges is locked down by Tre White, and the deep middle is locked down by Poyer and Hyde, it is really tough to throw on the Bills. Our problem the last three years has been the run, but that has been mainly due too poor tackle play from people like Star. They took the dead cap hit on him for a reason. With DaQuan and Settle and Phillips and Groot, when we are healthy we are really tough to run on now. And if our secondary was healthy we would, IMHO, be the league's #1 defense. That starts with two pairs - Edmunds and Milano, and Poyer and Hyde.

See my post "Tremaine Must Remain" from October 4. Majority responded positively, but you can identify the haters (who seem a bit abashed today).

I feel like the people that are anti-Edmunds overlap to a large degree with the folks that wanted to draft Josh Rosen. They always know better than the Bills. And I HATE the posters that pigeon-hole Edmunds as a player only of "immense physical gifts." Dude is a worker, He shows up, balls out and runs the defense. He is so much more than just a physical specimen. He is a steady, constant force dominating the middle of the field. Agree with the poster who said we win that Jets game in a walk with him on the field. Minnesota too for that matter. We will not let him go to another team if it is our choice, my only fear is that he may want out of Buffalo for some reason. Hopefully he never looks at this board and feels appreciated in Buffalo.

Edmunds is a great linebacker. Great. Perfect for the modern NFL, though he is different than the old school Butkus, Nitschke, Lambert bloody-nosed run stuffer. But it is a passing league first, and in that realm Edmunds is the best middle-backer in the league. For that matter, I can't think of one better against the pass in any era. And he was plenty stout against the run last night too. Been saying all year: Must sign this guy (and we will). Been getting flamed for it all year too.

He was fantastic. What a difference with Groot, Edmunds and Tre White. Groot is a star, and he is going to be a superstar.

Could not possibly agree with EBall more. McDermott and Beane are the indispensable keys to the Bills resurgence and strong current performance, more important than any one player (and have such great respect for Allen it takes a lot for me to say that). Best GM/coach combo in the league for my money. They both need to be appreciated, and God forbid we ever lose either. I want them here a decade plus!

FIrst, the 8-3 Bills owe no excuses to anyone with their fine record. Second, of course there are excuses - missing much of your secondary, missing your best pass rushers and having your MVP QB dinged affects everything. Who cares about "man games lost" - lies, damn lies and statistics. Any fan can see we are very affected by injury and have been for much of the season.

I hope he is not gone for a few years yet. Plenty of tread left. I do understand: It is all a question of $$, you can't sign everybody, no second contracts for RBs etc etc. For me, that just goes to price. Within what Beane might be willing to pay, I hope he can get it done because Motor is a glue guy, a gamer, he does the dirty work, he moves the chains, and he is a great teammate. He is part of what makes these Bills. Keep him and Cook together and we could have a very nice backside combination, and maybe we can even stop drafting running backs for a couple years.

Me too. The tough losses separate the wheat from the chaff. Hang in there.

This thread is far from factual. The only fact is the first post.