Rocky Landing

The bottom line for both these players, IMO, is that they are both playing much better this year than last. Murphy, as advertised, is healthy, and it shows. Shaq has steadily gotten better every season. What a great problem to have. But, I suspect that at least one of these guys will not be a Bill next season, and if he keeps playing the way he is, it will probably be Shaq. I wish we had picked up his fifth year option.

I was actually rather appalled at the offensive play calling in the first half. I was thinking at the time that it looked like a preseason game where they were evaluating the passing game, and not doing much to game plan for the defense they were facing. And, I think that certainly contributed to a 16 point deficit in the first half. When they came back out, the adjustment was made, and we ran a far more balanced offense, and it showed. It's a lot harder to defend against a balanced attack. I suspect that had we run a balanced game plan in the first half, Singletary may not have had such a huge YPC, as the Jets did not match our adjustment But I think he would have had more yards for the game, and we would have won the game more handily.

You have to put at least some of this on Gregg Williams, and the culture he creates. Does someone do this and not understand that their own coaches are going to see it? But, if this is the culture Gregg Williams creates, I have to wonder how it affects the rest of the defense's play? I've always been of the opinion that culture matters as much as talent. If the culture in the Jets D is "win any way you can," and rewards dirty play, think of what that takes away from the defense's culture. How much pride is removed in that culture? How much do players care about each other in that atmosphere? And, how much trust exists in such an atmosphere?

I've always thought there was a bias towards QBs who were exceptionally mobile. It happened with Tyrod, and also Vick on a regular basis. I think the bias may come from the fact that a mobile quarterback becomes a runner so frequently (at which time, the special protections for QBs are gone), that they don't look at them in the same context.

So true. A lot of hay was made about how this line would "gel." Last year, that play would never have made it out of training camp. They ran some really nice screens in preseason, also. I hope we get to see some of that vs. the Giants.

In preseason, the offense ran some absolutely picture-perfect screens. I don't think they ran a single one vs. the Jets. I hope they run some more designed plays like that vs. the Giants, and balance the pass/run ratio a little better.

The quarterback sweep was a thing of beauty.

A question coming into this game I had was how balanced our offense would be. I felt like a big difference between the first half, and the second was balance. The first half felt like a preseason game to me, where they didn't balance the scheme-- just throw, after throw, after throw. In the second half, the scheme was balanced, and much harder to defend.

Is thins a judgement you are making based on combine numbers, or something else?

But can we please dispense with the narrative that Duke is "slow?" Kelvin Benjimin was slow (at least, while he was wearing a Bills uni). Duke is of average speed. If average speed were a deal-breaker, then average wouldn't exist.

What strikes me the most about Duke is his catch radius-- it's enormous. He can stretch himself out, in stride, and come down with the ball. That is something that we have seen on tape, and it doesn't really matter that the tape comes from the CFL, or TC, because even without a defender anywhere near, some of these are catches that most of the current Bills WRs cannot make. He can also fight the ball out of a defender's hands. I have seen Smoke Brown do that, too. He is also an exceptional blocker. I have a hard time believing those things aren't still valued in the NFL. And, the Justin Hunter comparison is especially off the mark, IMO. Hunter didn't have anywhere near the athleticism Duke has. Hunter could highpoint a ball, sure. But, I never saw him do it in full stride, stretching himself out the way Duke does consistently. And I never saw Hunter fight for a ball in coverage the way Duke does. How can these things not be valuable in the current NFL?

Are you kidding? Vegas thrives on such people. It is their lifeblood. Vegas will take all their money, chew them up, and crap out their bones. Vegas hosts the likes of the Hell's Angels, the Ultimate UFC Fan convention, and the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (which is a hoot, btw). They can handle a bunch of dopey sports fans dressed up in cheap cosplay costumes. In fact, they have an annual cosplay convention, and it is every bit as drunk, and nerdy as the Raiders fans are. Trust me, Vegas knows how to handle rowdy drunks.

Living in Los Angeles, it is my hope and dream to someday get tickets to a Bills @ Vegas Raiders game, grab a suite at the Rio for the weekend, and live it the f*** up. I'd hate to spend all that money and watch the Bills lose. So, keep up the good work, Gruden!

How high are you?

Didn't take long for buyer's remorse to set in.

Miller is listed as the Bengals starting RG. (Cordy Glenn is their LT). Jordan Mills, and Vlad Ducasse, and Ryan GRoy are all currently unemployed.

I'm sure this has been stated already, but I was really hoping to see Bodine opposite Oliver later this season. That would have been fun to watch. Although, if I'm being entirely honest, a certain "Billsy" part of my brain was secretly afraid that Bodine would take the field in a Pats* uniform, and somehow be transformed into a solid center.

Maybe I'm confused with my terminology (it wouldn't be the first time), but I know that Bell would be someone's assignment (I would hope, and assume that would be Edmunds), but that differs somewhat from being a spy? I think of the way that Kiko was a spy on Josh last season, and there was no pre-snap adjustment there. If Bell is Edmunds' initial assignment, that assignment could shift to Milano, or whomever, depending on where Bell lines up?

I hope they do double team Oliver! I suspect the Jets biggest weakness on Offense will be their O-line. The more their O-line struggles, the harder that will make it for Bell, and for Darnold. I don't think we should be spying Bell, frankly, but I do expect Bell vs. Edmunds to be one hell of an exciting matchup.

If you're referring to his combine numbers, then you are unaware, or ignoring what happened to him leading up to the combine. Honestly, though, the bias you have shown in this thread is probably the most egregious, and I've found myself ignoring your posts for that reason.

Both sides of this discussion have gone off the rails a bit, and are creating bogus narratives. He's not a burner like Brown, or Foster. He's not a quick-cut guy like Beasley, or McKensie. He's a strong, tall redzone threat, with reliable hands. He's an exceptional blocking WR, he has average speed, and an enormous catch radius. This narrative that he's a "big, plodding receiver unable to create separation" is not supported by anything we have seen of him in a Bills uniform. And to say that there "aren't enough situations that warrant this type of player" willfully ignores this guy's obvious talent. IMHO, having someone who could pull down a contested ball in tight coverage in stride seems pretty valuable.

Wow! Look at Prince Harry talking with Tom Brady*! When did that happen?

Ah, I see the conundrum. Congrats, though. You married the right Betty. ?

You're allowed to miss a child's friend's birthday party for opening day football. You are. The conversation would go something like this: Jimmy10: "Baby, I can't go to Timmy McSchittstain's party. You and Jr. will have to go without me." Betty10: "But, it would mean so much to Jr. for you to be there! Why can't you go?" Jimmy10: "Opening day of football, and a divisional game, at that." Betty10: (laying it on thick) "So, you're telling me that you'd rather watch a football game than go to your son's friend's birthday party?" Then (and this is very important), you look her straight in the eye and say: "Yes."

I'll be a couple miles out on the Pacific Ocean sailing in a regatta. I'll watch the game on replay when I get home. Dammit.