Rocky Landing

No doubt. McD/Beane love these rolls of the dice. I still harbor fantasies of Travis Clayton as the sixth lineman in a jumbo package, catching a pass, and pancaking anyone in front of him...

Josh Allen has repeatedly called him "the best third-down back the league," so I guess I can understand where you got that opinion.

Ty Johnson is the better receiver, and it isn't close.

Lewis was also the starting safety in place of Taylor Rapp for two games in weeks 15, and 16 of last season.

It wouldn't surprise me if he retires a Bill. He's the new Siran Neal, who was the new (old) Tiawan Jones. They let go of Siran at 30, and Taiwan was a Bill until he was, I think, 34. And Lewis is better than either of them at his listed position. I certainly think he'll play his sixth season in '25 as a Bill, especially with the losses of Hollins, and Morris. Mediocrity notwithstanding, '24 was actually his best season.

Not sure why everyone keeps mistaking Lewis for a safety, when he plays far more at CB, where he was drafted. Be that as it may, we'd all love to have starter-level players at every position, but that will never happen. And while Lewis is not a particularly great DB, he is a difference maker on ST. Why would you expect new STC Chris Tabor throw the baby out with the bathwater? This discussion happens every season. The Bills will have backup level players on the team, and the traits that earn them a roster spot are versatility, position flexibility, and special teams. It's the reason Reggie Gilliam is on the team. It's why Q Morris, Siran Neal, Taiwan Jones, to name a few, were on the team, and it's why they keep bringing Cam Lewis back.

I think your comparison to Claypool is a lot closer than any comp to Hollins. I will admit that I haven't watched a lot of Browns football, but I will say that you could see Moore using this speed to gain separation on some occasional deep shots. He can run a go route, and adjusts well to the ball. I also remember watching his first year with the Jets, and being impressed with his speed to the ball on shorter routes-- something Zack Wilson had trouble taking advantage of. I actually think he was better in his rookie year than his numbers suggest. IMO, If he makes the team (kinda doubt he will...) he'll have a role that exploits his speed, but it will be dependent on him developing chemistry with Josh. That's probably more doable for Moore than it was for Claypool (who iirc, suffered an injury in TC?). I would think Moore would have a clearer path onto the 53 than Claypool did, and I think his speed will be enticing to Brady. His biggest hurdle, like Claypool, might actually be his attitude (or perception thereof) which was on full display in year two with the Jets-- something else that makes him very different from Hollins.

Fair enough, but I wouldn't put Hamlin in the same conversation as Lewis. Lewis is listed as a DB on the roster because of his versatility (something McD loves). Hamlin is only a safety, and a limited one at that. And the new special teams coordinator notwithstanding, Lewis has been a core special teamer for five seasons, and is still only 28. I certainly wouldn't equate goodwill with experience.

Cam Lewis is capable of playing backup safety, but he is a cornerback. He's also a core special teamer, and with the departure of Mack Hollins, and Quinten Morris, that makes Lewis that much more valuable.

That's still speculative, though. Shifting Hancock to safety is experimental. And if he gets beat out by Hamlin, or Jackson in TC, a fifth-round, undersized CB/S is likely as safe on the PS as Hamlin, or Jackson.

Cam Lewis is a core special teamer, and a Swiss army knife in the secondary. He's not a starter, but he can play any DB position, all of which we are still thin. McD loves guys like Lewis.

I very much doubt they cut Cam Lewis.

If Jeremy and Joe think they’re entitled to a victory lap here, they’re high.

Personally, I can't really raise my excitement level above cautious optimism for the D-line. There are too many "ifs" to feel overly confident that the starting D-line won't be about as average as it was last season. But... what I do feel confidence in is the D-line rotation, which had been one of the hallmarks of a McDermott defense, and one of the keys to closing out games, and some of the fourth quarter comebacks of the Josh Allen/McD era. The Bills D was paper thin last season, and at least at D-line, I feel pretty confident that this is going to be a pretty deep group. OK, I do feel a little excited about how this line might pan out...

Sure. Doesn't answer the question, though. Pay him what? The $15M he's asking for?

Also if they have a preference for blue cheese, or ranch.

I think more accurately, Cook was a stud towards the end of the year, and into the playoffs.

Sometimes, though... if the squeaky wheel squeaks too loud, it gets replaced...

Without knowing anything regarding the interviews, or meetings the Bills have had with their various prospects, I feel like Emmanwori is the better fit with the Bills at safety. And while the league doesn't value the safety position as highly as CB, i think the Bills place a higher value on safety than most other teams. Am I wrong?

A few thoughts on Cook: Missing OTAs is not a big deal. But, I suspect it's not just about missing OTAs that might stick in Beane's craw, but the public means in which Cook has dealt with his contract frustration. Beane has said as much. Missing OTAs is just icing on the ***** cake. A lot of posters have brought up what a great season Cook just had, but It strikes me that Cook finished last season exceptionally strong. IMO (and some might argue this), if you look at the tape from Cook midseason, and compare it to Cook in the playoffs, he really came on strong towards the end of the season. And it makes me wonder-- did he (or the O-line?) get better as the season progressed, or did he play harder? Which begs the question: if it's the latter, how will he play after he gets paid? Ty Johnson is every bit as fast as James Cook, but I believe Cook has better acceleration, and better yards after contact. But Ty Johnson is the better receiver by a mile. I've never really understood the contract strategy of holding out, or backing off from the team when a player is unhappy with their contract, or is seeking an extension. But, it happens so often that there's obviously something to it. Personally, in my career, I've been freelance for 34 years, and so there have been many jobs in which I felt I was being underpaid. But, I never worked down to the value I felt they were placing on me. My strategy was always to show the company I was worth more, and that's worked out well for me over the years.

It wasn't that long ago that most pundits had the Giants taking Sanders at #3-- few have them taking him at this point. Personally, I'd be shocked if they did, but I think that was always the case. The team building combo of Daboll/Schoen has in many ways followed the McD/Beane blueprint where a lot of value is placed on character, and culture building, and Sanders clearly doesn't fit that. My opinion is clouded by wishful thinking, though. I would be very disappointed if the Giants picked Sanders, because I would hate for Carter to fall to the Patriots*.

I'm really enjoying listening to this. It's going to take me a while to get through, as I a) don't have an hour+ chunk of time to devote to a podcast, and b) don't have anywhere near the attention span. And props to SDS for allowing it to be posted. There is no NFL fan forum for any other team that comes close to the quality of this one. That speaks to mods, as well as the posters on this site. We are blessed. I do also agree with @Coach Tuesday. It's disconcerting to hear these voices-- lifts the veil a little bit. Be that as it may: Thanks @GunnerBill, and @gonzo1105!

I get it. I certainly wouldn't want him back on this team. But, I figure he should be in the discussion since the question is regarding the skill set. It's his baggage we don't need.

Why wouldn’t Diggs be on that list?

I wish the NFL had farm teams the way MLB uses the minor leagues. The NFLPA could allow practice squad players on those teams, and then there’d be a reason to watch, and get excited. Tyrell Shavers could be a stud on the Batavia Bobs…