eball

With the days winding down until training camp starts I'm becoming more and more convinced that only a rash of key injuries will prevent McD's third team from compiling at least 10 wins and a playoff spot. The schedule is favorable, particularly early, which means an already established defense (boosted by Ed Oliver) should be able to not only hold their own but control games. This is the third year for many of these guys in the defense. The secondary is second to none (can this even be disputed?). Edmunds got a "free" year of NFL schooling, added bulk, and should now be playing rather than thinking. Milano was a budding star before his leg snapped. If the offense merely improves from awful to average that should be good enough. Special teams can't be worse -- the Bills added one of the premiere return men in the game and washed the stale taste of Danny Crossman from our mouths. Heath Farwell is energetic and ambitious, he has the respect of players because he was one of them, and I think he'll have guys trying to run through walls for his ST. And let's talk about the offense. Last year it was bad. Through nine games, historically bad. But then something happened. Josh Allen returned from injury and made plays. Enough plays to show us what he's capable of (as well as what he needs to work on). More importantly, he got eleven weeks of coaching and preparing for NFL competition as "the man." Through the final seven weeks of the season the Bills bore resemblance to an NFL offense -- despite receiving some of the shoddiest OL play I've ever witnessed. Fast forward to the offseason. Two veteran receivers added, including an expected "safety valve" for Allen. A top line center. Loads of veteran competition along the OL along with a promising rookie draft pick. A new OL coach who has been spoken of highly around the league. Gore and Singletary. Who here is going to predict that the offense will do anything but improve? Everything I've seen/heard from Josh Allen suggests he is smart, competitive, and tough as nails. His teammates already love him. So yeah, if he can improve his numbers to something north of 55% completions, 3500 yards, and a 2.5-1 TD/INT ratio I think the Bills will be just fine. Is this an indefensible "homer" post? I really don't think so. Tell me why expectations should be lowered. And be civil.

Gee, it's almost as if you shouldn't draw comparisons between the stability of teams in different sports even if they have the same ownership. There's a lesson to be learned in there somewhere...can't quite put my finger on it.

Two

I think Canada just breathed a sigh of relief. That's an awful take.

Hey, but thanks for copying it all! Funny, the guy you quoted (BADOL) is one of them!

This actually happened? Geez.

No schitt. And you do it more than most. Good lord, you have diarrhea of the keyboard.

One of the reasons the no-punt game was so great is because it was between two of the established premiere teams of the era. Think of how many HOFers played in that game between the two teams? It really is a classic.

This will be fun. Really enjoyed it last season.

How many teams would have traded a promising pass rusher for Patrick Mahomes after his rookie season? Please, training camp, get here soon.

And I thought there were some intellectual beer drinkers on this forum! Definitely going to try this when I'm up there in the fall. Sounds like a perfect tailgating beer on a chilly morning.

I feel like the Browns and Bills are good test cases for various ways to build a team -- and they may both be successful. The Browns have made the headlines with their acquisition of stars (Beckham), talent with a checkered past (Hunt), and a couple of #1 draft picks (Garrett, Mayfield). The Bills have not made splashy moves and have built through the draft over the past few seasons, filling in holes with reasonably priced veteran free agents. The Browns have egos on their roster, particularly on offense (Mayfield, Beckham, Landry), and the test will be whether they keep things in check for the benefit of the team when something inevitably goes wrong. There is no similar concern in Buffalo as everyone seems to have "bought in" to McD's team-first culture. As long as Mayfield doesn't regress there is no reason to think Cleveland won't be a solid team, although I admittedly don't know much about their defense outside of Garrett and Ward. I think Buffalo will be solid as well, provided the OL reshuffle is finalized during training camp and Allen takes the expected step forward. Cleveland is in a tougher overall division than the Bills. I estimate their record will fall between 7 and 11 wins. I still think 8-8 is the floor for the Bills and they could win as many as 12, if everything else remains constant (i.e., no significant injuries to key contributors).

Found this in an ESPN article about the best NFL-themed beers and I have admittedly never heard of it. Clever though... Make Me Wanna Stout | Big Ditch Brewing Co. | Buffalo, New York Make Me Wanna Stout was so popular during football season that it's now available year-round in Western New York. Courtesy of Buffalo News Tribute to: Bills' fight song, "Shout" Beer style: Coffee and cream stout Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.2% When it was brewed: It was first made in 2016, but Big Ditch started canning it only last year. It became so popular around Western New York that it eventually became available year-round. Why a coffee and cream stout? Here's what president and co-founder Matt Kahn had to say: "We were looking for something that was good for pregaming. Pregaming is a well-partaken-in tradition for Buffalo Bills fans, you could say, both at home and at the stadium. We were sort of thinking, 'Hey, wake up, have your coffee with your beer, too.' The ABV is light enough that you can get a few in you, get some caffeine in you, too. It's a good wake-up-and-go beer. It's almost like a can of alcoholic iced coffee." Key ingredients: Coffee (the beans come from a local roaster called Public Espresso), milk, sugar, roasted barley, oatmeal, U.S. Northern Brewer hops

One pretty crucial aspect of forgiveness is admitting said mistake. And by the way, I don't think double homicide can really be classified as a "mistake." So, yes, OJ will be rightfully considered a "scumbag" for the rest of his life.

Why is this a "leak?" Were confidential secrets disclosed or something?

Don't talk to me about ability unless you include availability. Sammy Watkins, are you listening?

If you're a fan/columnist/writer who thinks Josh Allen will be a legitimate starting QB, then you must put the Bills in the "up and coming" list. If you're not, then you ignore them. This dude clearly is in the second group. Miami -- lol.

It’s weird, but it’s almost becoming the “in vogue” thing to predict the Fish won’t stink.

Fumbles are typically forced. That's a technique and dedication to punching at or stripping the ball. Now when the ball hits the ground you are correct, it's a matter of how it bounces, but I wouldn't call 1/2 of turnovers "lucky" plays. Interceptions are almost always forced. Either great plays by the secondary or errant throws by the QB because he is under pressure. A small number are "lucky" bounces off the receiver. If I had to guess, perhaps 10% of turnovers are the "lucky" variety and 90% are forced by the defense. Coaches wouldn't spend so much time emphasizing forcing (and avoiding) turnovers if it was just a matter of luck.

I can only assume ScottLaw fits the bill.

We can only hope DCs game plan against Allen's running. He's a 6'5" QB with a rocket arm and finally some decent receivers. By all means, opponents, please take one of your defenders out of the play spying Allen.

You didn't like The Patriot? I thought it was fantastic -- although I also wasn't just looking for 100% Revolutionary War accuracy.

Yes, I was going to say that wouldn't have necessarily changed the outcome, but getting an advantage early could have altered the complexion of the game. While we're throwing blame around who can forget Chuck Dickerson making an arse of himself and riling up the Skins' OL?

If you talk to the individuals involved Buffalo had a "perfect" play called on first down and many believe Thurman would have had a huge gain or perhaps a TD. Kenny Davis made the wrong cut.

I'll never forgive that SOB for having his ONE career year in 1991. Bastard.