Rocky Landing

Now that OTAs and minicamp are over: LT- Dawkins LG- Spain C- Morse RG- Long RT- Nsekhe Depth: Ford- T Teller- G Feliciano- G/C Waddle- T But, I still have this sinking feeling that Ducasse will still be on this team, and maybe even starting...

I was raised there, and left in '84. My mom still lives in the house I was born in, and I'll be visiting her, with my family, this summer. I would move back there in a heartbeat, too, if I could. It really is a nice place to live, and raise a family. One of the things I miss the most, having lived in Los Angeles since '91? The weather! Are you really under the impression that the Bills have been training at tiny St, John Fisher College for the last 19 years because they couldn't find another venue closer? The distance is the point. I think the number would be fairly minimal. I also believe that as the team trends up, those numbers would be meaningless, anyway. But, I cannot possibly believe that the Bills have ever even considered using SJF College all these years as a marketing ploy. A lot of hay has been made about team building, etc, and the benefits of having the team a certain distance from home. I firmly believe that they have been training in Rochester for all these years because they want to train in Rochester, regardless of its effect on the fanbase. And, they have said as much. Weird how Russ Brandon was able to keep them In Rochester for 19 years. Absolutely agree. But, I suspect that McD likes having the team living together, and being away from their homes for TC. That seems like the kind of team building environment that would appeal to him, and I take him at his word that there are fewer practices there because of their practice schedule out of state. And, I sometimes suspect that McD would rather be the HC of the Panthers.

Don't know what a JFH trophy is. You brought up the highlight reels. Kinda doubt Zay will start. Wish my autocorrect would stop changing "Zay" into "Say."

I think there seems to be an affliction in the offseason to start relying on stats, and game logs without applying any context whatsoever (not saying White Linen was doing this). There's just not enough to watch in the offseason, and a lot of context is lost in video recaps-- even more so in highlights. This is the time of year for meaningless predictions with little to no substantiation. Straw man arguments abound! Hard to have an honest debate this time of year. It's only going to get worse over the next month until TC, when we will have more specific things to debate.

Sure it is. If you are just going to rely on stats, then you're ignoring Real McCoy's point that Juju had a future HOF QB throwing him the ball and Antonio Brown on the other side of the field drawing the stronger coverage. That's not an irrelevant point. And, in fact, their drop rates are both average. Jones had 3 drops out of 102 targets and 56 receptions. Juju had 6 drops out of 166 targets, and 111 receptions. But, even those numbers, without the context of who they were playing with, are a meaningless comparison. If you want to rely on the googled highlight reel, well then you're just being silly. Jones has one of those, too, and it makes him look pretty good. I actually just watched both, just to see what I'd see, and I was struck by how often the Bills pass plays are broken up in under two seconds, and Allen had to flee the pocket. You can't say that also didn't have an effect on how many catchable balls Allen threw.

You're probably right. I would assume they are also expecting it to fail miserably.

I wonder what his display name is on this site?

You kind of touched on it yourself when you say "he seems to be a willing blocker." That's a bigger part of being a WR (especially being further down the depth chart) than a lot of people realize. But, I also think that if you take an honest look at Jones' strengths vs. weaknesses, increasing his upper body strength could go a long way in improving his weaknesses, including coming down with contested balls, and maybe improving his catch radius.

Yeah, those highlight reels are really informative.

I know. The reason I brought up Wallace was just to draw into question Dawkins' "lock" on the LT position based on where he has been positioned during OTAs without pads on. I have a hard time believing that there is even a lot of actual competition going on for O-line position until TC. I think there is probably more opportunity to compete for D backfield positions during OTAs based on what happens in 11-on-11s, for example, as there are more meaningful things happening in those positions, as opposed to linemen who are not allowed to do the biggest part of their job. Is there any chance that Dawkins has already outperformed Nsekhe? I don't see how. So, to say the Dawkins has the LT position "locked down" is making the assumption that either Nsekhe has no chance to outperform him in TC, or that McD won't care. I wouldn't bank on either of those things.

If there is a real reason to say that Dawkins has the job locked down, it is because he earned it. Which is rather hard to do for an offensive lineman without pads on. If I am not mistaken, Levi Wallace played the CB spot opposite White in OTAs, as well. Does that mean Wallace has that CB spot “locked down?”

I did. Dawkins was listed as a guard when we drafted him. Add to that the Nsekhe signing, whom, by his own admission, is less comfortable on the right side. And this isn’t some fan-based brainstorming. There were several articles written in the subject: https://buffalonews.com/2019/04/26/cody-ford-buffalo-bills-right-tackle-nfl-draft-offensive-line-new-starters-analysis/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.buffalorumblings.com/platform/amp/2019/1/11/18177359/buffalo-bills-not-ruling-out-a-position-switch-for-left-tackle-dion-dawkins-in-2019

It’s pretty good for a #2 WR on a traditionally run-first team with a below-average pass rate. Doesn’t much fit your narrative, does it?

I haven’t read through this whole thread, so I’m. It sure if I’m going out on a limb here, but... i would say that if Brady* went down with an ugly, career ending injury, there would be about 10% of the present fan base that would cheer (probably a bit too loudly). But, I think the majority would show reverence. Sure, we all hate him. Sure, he cheated during his career. Sure, he’s been the worst thorn in our collective asses for a generation. But, he’s also been the worthiest opponent in the Bills’ entire history, and it’s obviously not close. If I’m not home on my couch for that game, I’ll be at Buzby’s in Santa Monica, and I am confident that the entire Bill congregation that would be present would raise a glass to him, in reverence, and respect. And then we will cheer.

Country Sweet > Dinosaur > Sticky Lips. Unfortunately, unless something has changed since I was last in Rochester, Country Sweet is down to one last crappy joint on Mt Hope.

I don’t share your optimism, or vaunted opinion of McCoy, but I would bet money that Yeldon will not be on the team in September.

Well, that does depend on who you talk to. https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-2018-nfl-offensive-line-rankings-all-32-teams-units-after-week-17 PFF had us 26th, and Miami 31st at season's end. I certainly do believe that our run blocking was atrocious, and contributed to a large percentage of Shady's poor season. But, it wasn't the entire reason, was it? I don't believe so. There are plenty of people on here who firmly believe that Gore, five years Shady's senior, is a better RB, and will have a greater impact. (I don't) I personally believe that Ivory, given the situations he was put in, running behind the same, crappy O-line, and the type of downhill player he is, did a good job for us. I was sorry they cut him. I would have liked to see what he was capable of behind an improved line. But, to be honest, I am not entirely optimistic about our run game this year.

Look at his avatar. He's a Pats* fan.

A bunch of guys I can't wait to see in pads. Oliver, Ford, and D. Williams, especially.

Interesting stuff! Thanks!

Well, it is the offseason, after all. I'd like to see that index.

Holy Smokes! Low character/high talent : High character/low talent

Maybe we'll get a look at Late Nate's hypnotic powers?

Would you watch if it were the Bills?