Rocky Landing

I recall Jack Jones, while being unquestionably athletic, having poor situational awareness, and a penchant for utterly stupid plays-- like making an interception in the end zone, and running it out to the one yard line, rather than taking a knee.

He did, actually. People on this forum hammered him for it. He also entered the NFL having never caught a TD in his college career. Then, in his first two offseasons, he worked tirelessly to fix the issue, including hiring a vision specialist to improve his eye-hand coordination. https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2021/06/bills-dawson-knox-working-with-vision-specialist-eyeing-big-leap-in-year-3.html

It's a really good question. If the season started tomorrow, it would probably fall in the same order-- Miami, New Jersey, New England. But, it doesn't, and a lot is going to happen between now, and September, and the order could easily flip. Miami has a culture problem, IMO. It's been reported, numerous times, that there are issues of accountability, and a general lack of respect for McDaniel's authority. But, beyond that, they are stuck with Tua, whose defects are as glaring as his attributes. And they still haven't properly addressed their O-line. Tua behind that O-line reminds me of Trent Edwards running Dick Jauron's no-huddle offense. They have an aging Cheetah, whose frustration, and poor attitude have become quite public. At this point in the offseason, it's easy to imagine the Fish taking another step backwards. The Jets could really really see their trajectory go either way. But, if their rebuild does become a success, it still seems unlikely that they'll turn the franchise around in a season. A first-time HC (former DC) in Aaron Glenn, a relatively inexperienced OC, and Justin Fields trying to reinvent himself could work, I suppose-- but it doesn't seem like it would happen quickly. More than likely, they'll remain a bottom-dwelling team. The Patriots* seem like they'd be the better candidate for one of those crazy breakout seasons. I've always been impressed with Vrabel. Josh McDaniels, and Terrel Williams both strike me as competent coordinators. I also think they were smart to bring in Doug Marrone as their O-line coach. If the Pats* build from the trenches, Drake Maye has a break-out season, and they have a decent draft, they could find some momentum, and make a run for a wild card. Why not? If I had to make a prediction for the AFCE, it would be: Bills Patriots* Dolphins Jets

Dawson Knox did a pretty good job on that.

Those two things are not mutually exclusive.

Bills fans: Overrated-- Ray Davis Underrated-- Tyler Rapp Media: Overrated-- Daquan Jones Underrated-- Ty Johnson

I would be very much into this.

Diggs must be one of the saddest players making eight figure salaries in the NFL, these days.

I don't know why, but I never really realized what an idiot Edelman is.

Talk about moving the goalposts...

So, you're presenting the possibility that Pegula might fire Sean McDermott, and hire the HC that gets fired by the giants?

That's an ACL.

And he sure did get under Miles Garrett's skin!

I figured that's why they signed Mack Hollins...

The Bills had $31M less to spend on talent last season. "Modest love" is probably a good description, but it'll be chillier than what Hollins receives.

It'll be interesting to see the reception he gets at Highmark, from both Bills' players, and fans.

I certainly wouldn't imagine they would just cut him.

It's odd to me that so many on here are talking about Davis potentially becoming Cook's replacement, when they are clearly such different players. Cook has far better acceleration, and speed, while still being able to bounce off a defender, and stay on his feet. Davis does have reliable hands, but his speed in the secondary would take a lot of plays off the table, IMO. He's a great #2, RB, with the kind of down-hill, bruising running style the Bills need, but I have a hard time envisioning him as a feature back. But here's the thing, if the Bills already have a replacement for Cook in mind, it's got to be the newly re-signed Ty Johnson, IMO. Cook made some great plays in the red zone last season, but so did Ty. Ty Johnson has consistently made absolutely eye-popping catches, and has shown incredible clutch efficiency, situational awareness, and proprioception, and he may even be a hair faster than Cook. He's put up highlight reel plays enough times to know it's not a fluke. He has the ability to help keep a play alive when it breaks down (an important skill for the Bills' offense). And perhaps equally important, he has trust, and chemistry with Josh Allen-- you can't overstate the importance of that. If tomorrow Brandon Beane said that they were moving on from James Cook, I'b be disappointed, but I wouldn't be worried about "who would replace his production," as another poster wondered. And, if in the next breath, Beane said that Ty Johnson would be the #1 for '25, my first thoughts would be, "... I can't wait to see that!"

Here’s a take sure to be flamed— Ty Johnson had an amazing season in ‘24, and consistently made eye-popping catches. Allen repeatedly called him “the best third down back in the league.” And they just re-signed him. How might that affect Cook’s value?

This raises valid questions: How much of Cook’s success can be attributed to working behind a stellar O-line? And how does that consideration affect the value McD/Beane place on the position?

His failure to show up in the big moment in the AFCCG might be his death knell. It doesn't really matter if he has great hands, if his head gets in the way. Beyond that, his YAC are not great, either.

I love that part of his story. I remember reading an article on him years back that revealed he barely had any furniture in his apartment, and kept his clothes on a rack that consisted of multiple sets of the same outfit, which IIRC, were gray jeans, and black shirts. And about a year after that, I recall a color commentator during a game making some comment about him "playing for a contract..." and I yelled at the screen, "you have no idea what you're talking about!" As a player, I don't believe he even keeps track of the score during a game. He plays every play in the moment, whether it's five minutes into the game, or five minutes from its resolution.

He's right up there with Fred-X and Kyle Williams.

Math, indeed. Not really sure where you came up with 33%. Of the five first-round, non-Allen picks Beane has made, three of them are still on the team. Two (Groot and Oliver) have signed contract extensions. Two (Edmunds, and Elam) are gone. Kincaid wouldn't really work into that study. He's not a player who "didn't re-up with their drafting team," as he's only been in the league two years. And of course, we didn't have a first round pick last year. Be that as it may, your original point that Beane's first round draft record supports the notion that Beane would be fired, were it not for Allen, is nonsense. Of Beane's five first round picks not named Allen, only one of them (Elam) could really be considered a bust. Edmunds left the Bills, and signed a $72M contract with the Bears. Although, I suppose if Beane hadn't drafted Allen, and instead gone for "Right Josh" Rosen, he might have been shown the door not long after. But, he didn't, did he?