Rocky Landing

I can think of numerous positions that people hold, without a shred of logic, that are not commonly considered irrational. Unfortunately.

That's called "optimism" in Bills country...

I'm with you on Palmer, although I wasn't very optimistic about him when he showed up-- I thought it was going to be more of an MVS situation where he wasn't going to live up to the hype, and I thought I was right by the end of the season. I also thought he would be in a battle for #5WR with Hardman, Sherfield, et. al that he would lose. But we saw what happened in TC, and preseason, and the narrative of his '25 season being hampered by injury. Now, he's looking like he could be an MVS, but with reliable hands, and 3+ receptions per game, who has to be accounted for on the boundary.

I suspect that James Cook will not be worked quite so hard this season, and Ty Johnson will once again be in on third down like he was in 2024. He made some incredible plays that season, and I think we're going to see a Ty Johnson resurgence.

Nance/Romo have always been my fave combo. I don't have very high expectations for JJ Watt... (no pun intended...)

Two things which are certainly not mutually exclusive...

I certainly don't think the Pats* would be censured in any way. But the NFLCC might take steps to ban such behavior. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the third down train whistle cannot be used once the play is under way. I assume there is some restriction there, and if there is, then restricting an intentionally distracting image would be in line with that. EDIT: Just looked it up-- NFL rules state that piped-in music, sound effects, and crowd-prompting audio must stop by the time the play clock reaches 20 seconds, or when the opposing team's offense reaches the line of scrimmage, whichever comes first. It would be common sense to include the Pats* video screen malarky in that rule.

I could imagine the NFL Competition Committee having something to say about this. Certainly, they'll discuss it.

Is Vrabel going to end up earning himself an asterisk?

Joe, and Josh will never earn the asterisks Tom*, and Bill* did.

Wide right, man! C'mon!

Didn't they announce that Anderson will be the starting LG? I imagine Corbett will be coming in as the sixth lineman in Jumbo packages.

Yep https://www.buffalobills.com/team/players-roster/

5 WRs, no Van Sumerin, and Kaliki Latu makes the team as TE#4.

As this is a prediction thread, here is my prediction: The Bills carry five WRs come W1. I've read quite a few assumptions that the Bills will carry six WRs, and some predicting they'll carry seven. Six wouldn't surprise me (seven certainly would), but I think five is more likely. JA17 averaged 10 separate targets per game, and I think most (including me) are expecting Moore to get more targets that any one player did last season (Khalil Shakir had the most). They also have two TEs who are legit receivers (plus Hawes, who is capable), and three RBs who are legit receivers. They could certainly carry a fourth TE, Kaliki Latu, who has also proven to be a decent receiver. They could also carry an additional defensive player, considering the crazy rotations Leonard could be dialing up. To the bolded, having been through it myself, that's the biggest issue for him, IMO. They say the last 5% of recovery is mental.

That's the name I was thinking as well. TC reports are that Shavers has been ever present at the Bills' facility working with trainers, and has been aggressive in his rehab. Torn ACLs suck (I've had two of them) and you're right about the timing for Shavers-- his injury happened in January. But nine months is pretty much the minimum for an ACL, and Shavers seems motivated to hit something close to that. I could see him ready to practice come October for a November return-- it that's what fits with team needs.

Hard to say about any bubble player based on preseason games, but I think they've clearly been considering it. If they don't carry a FB, I wouldn't be surprised to see them carry a fourth TE-- Kaliki Latu. He's made a case for himself the last two preseasons.

I wonder: If we carry six WRs, if the #6, along with being a special teams guy, doesn't end up as an ipso facto place holder for another player that does not get talked about much-- Tyrell Shavers? He was acquired as an UDFA largely on his ST potential, and worked his way onto the roster as a decent 6'4" endzone target, and downfield blocker. And he is fairly beloved by the team. Currently on the Reserve/PUP list, I imagine the team has some plan for him?

I can't see the Bills carrying seven WRs. Even six is unlikely IMO, but Hardman may have gotten a spot as PR, just out of default. I could absolutely see this.

Or a rubber matt?

Ty Johnson had a bit of a down year last season, I believe as a result of the increased usage of James Cook on third down. But, Johnson had an unbelievable 2024 season that inspired Josh Allen to repeatedly refer to him as "the best third-down back in the league." I know highlight reels are not an accurate reflection of a player's abilities, but they do give you an idea of a players ceiling, and Johnson's '24 highlight reel is something else:

Browns fans booing Watson probably feels a little better than what they used to chant...

For what it’s worth, McGovern was on the sidelines in gym cloths for the Panthers game— walking around, interacting with other players, and seemingly in a good mood.

Wouldn't be the first time they've carried four TEs (I can't imagine them taking Latu over Hawes), and this is the second season Latu has made a pretty strong case for himself.

It's seemed like the competition for starting LG has been primarily between Anderson, and Corbett. The question with Corbett might be: If Alec Anderson wins the starting job, would Corbett be appropriate for the 6th lineman in jumbo packages? Seems that's a vital role for the backup guard. Just in general, backup linemen need versatility.