K-9

Especially after the Lawson shoulder issue? Half this board went nuts.

I hear what you’re saying and I hope he does show he’s arrived this season, but if he does arrive in a big way, then I think what he might command as a free agent could be too rich for Beane’s blood. Regardless, it would be a GREAT problem to have.

If McD can stay out of the way, I think Daboll and the O staff is up to the challenge.

Schematically, I think Daboll is on the right track in that regard. But as always, it comes down to personnel and execution. We will start getting an idea on the former soon enough and, if the personnel is there, the execution should soon follow as they get mores and more reps as a unit together. That may take a little more time.

Bastards!

When did firework become a verb?

Damn! Just when I was feeling good about the favorable back to backs, too.

I don’t know about a torn labrum, though. The medicals are pretty thorough. Not saying they didn’t miss it, but I tend to doubt it.

Given his footwork (read platform) issues at times, I can see why you’d think that. I hope you agree that is where any similarity begins and ends though. Because two more disparate players never played the game.

That sucks. Hope the kid recovers quickly and comes back 100%. Cody is a good guy to have in the meantime and I hope he can stay healthy as well.

As usual, it’s a matter of opinion and I suspect you’re basing much of that on gross yardage. But that’s not what coaches and pro scouts focus on when evaluating opponents. The key underlying metrics for coaches that give them the most context when evaluating defenses are number of rushing attempts against, average per rush against, average per pass against, average per play against, and QB rating against. In short, it’s a snapshot of how a defense does on a play to play basis. We are poor in the number of rushes given up at 9th worst in the league. That and our red zone softness that you alluded to are why I said we aren’t a dominant defense. Even still, for all the rushing attempts given up, we finished a respectable 9th in average per attempt against. All the other metrics clearly show we are among the better defenses in the league, either first, second, or third. Play with more leads, especially later in games, and I expect that rush attempts against to get better. Fix our red zone defense as well, and we will go from good to dominant. Gotta get to a hundred, Gugny.

Nine back to backs with six in the first three months, none in Dec., none in Jan., two in Feb, and one in March. None of them with crazy travel involved (short hops) except for maybe our home and home vs. Tampa and they have the same disadvantage. For once, I’m not too irked about the back to backs. So I got that goin’ for me. EDIT: just noticed that our “home and home” with Tampa is are actually the two games we play in Sweden, so it’s even a little better than I though previously.

If we can get that out of Lawson with Murphy remaining healthy all year, then we will be in some tall cotton.

Despite the points differential, the Bills’ underlying defensive metrics are stellar and while I wouldn’t say we have a dominant defense, we have one on the upswing that can contend.

I get the same impression. I know I busted his chops with the Jerry Sullivan thing, but I’ve asked him a couple legit questions with no response. Oh well. I’m in good company at least.

Has Risto met with Krueger and had a chance to fall under his Svengali-like spell yet? I hate the idea of a discontented player driving the decision to trade him. If Krueger wants him gone, fine. But if he’s convinced that Risto can be salvaged and contribute in a positive way, then screw Risto, he should stay and be part of the solution.

This is an example of a mitigating circumstance I alluded to in my response to Ronin. I’ll stake my shady reputation on it that EVERYBODY involved in Oliver’s scouting process league wide asked about that game and those plays if they thought it even raised hint of a flag about their assessment of Oliver.

Well, I personally don’t have unreasonable expectations. I pretty much take it as it comes. If I had any level of direct influence on the team and their outcomes, perhaps I would. That doesn’t mean I’m above good natured hyperbole from time time, but it’s offered tongue in cheek. Like when I say Allen will be a first ballot HOFer when he’s done, for instance. Comparisons across eras is always a mistake. Always. But, and I offer this without any animosity intended, you introduced Elway into this discussion about Oliver. Anyway, I agree there’s a lot to like about Oliver. And my question still stands as to why anyone would say he won’t/can’t be another Donald. Especially when there is little to go by other than their remarkable similarities in physical attributes, most notably their insane athleticism.

It’s possible that the countless man hours spent pouring over Oliver’s game tapes by scouts and other personnel evaluators may have missed that, but I doubt it. It’s a shame you weren’t able to offer your “relevant independent research” to every NFL team to alert them. Regarding your review of his play vs. Paul Stawarz, I didn’t catch it initially so I’m hoping you can provide some context. What was the game situation, what were the alignments on both sides of the ball, and what were Oliver’s reads and responsibilities relative to his teammates? Also, were there any mitigating circumstances to consider for that game and on those particular plays? I guarantee that if Stawarz’s performance raised concerns, those questions were asked of both Oliver and his coaches.

Why go off like that? My question about Oliver is legit. What, to this point indicates he won’t/can’t be another Donald. Regarding Allen and Elway; Allen had a far, far better rookie year compared to Elway, so I’m enthused.

That’s all well and good and congrats on getting in another Josh Allen mention, but I’m more interested in having my question answered. Why won’t Ed Oliver be Aaron Donald?

Why not?

I need to wait for Ronin’s evaluation on Hyde before I can agree or not.

This brought to mind something that sticks in my craw about Scandella. Last season he waxed poetic about how nice it was to be playing meaningful games in March and the way he made it sound made me want to barf. Players who "get it" don't talk the way he did, they answer that question with "we expect to be playing meaningful games well past March." As in they take it as a given. He sounded too happy about being able to play meaningful games, not like he expected to play them all along. I don't know, maybe its me, but it seemed so symptomatic of the rotten, losing culture we've seen for years now. It's a loser's mentality.