Rocky Landing

Doesn't really answer the question, though.

Honestly, in terms of his skillset, and the type of role he might play, it's not unlikely that Isabella entered TC with a leg up on him. It's early, of course. But that's who I would think would be his main competition. And I'm not sure he did much to pull ahead of him. When it comes right down to it, if there are six WRs on the roster, it's not necessarily going to be the best six out there. It's going to be who best fills the roles they need filled.

Honest question: Do you feel that Tua signing this contract with Miami improves, worsens, or stagnates their outlook going forward? Personally, I think it stagnates their outlook, at best. And that is reason for sanguinity.

The thing about Cam Lewis is that he can do a little bit of many things, but none of them exceptionally well-- with the possibility of ST, in which he isn't elite, but very good. He can spell all five positions at DB-- CB, NCB, and safety. But, it's always a bit of a disappointment, and offenses will attack him immediately, when they see him out there. He's not starting quality at any of those positions, and he'll never command anywhere near a top-end contract. But, he's obviously athletic, and versatile, a vet presence on a young defense, and a Buffalo product. It's good to have guys like that on the team, and he'll always be cheap (albeit for good reason). That's a lot of value for a bargain basement price. He's not a JAG. He's a JIC (just in case). For me, it would qualify as a surprise cut.

That tibial plateau fracture I suffered was from a very foolish blind air I took, and found the only patch of ice I had seen all day. More of an Icy Landing, really...

Frankly, this seems disingenuous to me, but I don't mind 'splaining it... In this context, "ascending" during training camp is often used to refer to a player whose stock is rising in the eyes of the coaches. Going from 8th to 6th would certainly be considered "Ascending." But, to anyone paying attention, it's probably clear that Hollins started TC as the likely fourth WR on the coaches white board-- fifth at the lowest. And while I don't believe for an instant that he has moved up the depth chart above #4 or #5, I think it is reasonable to believe that in the brief, three days of TC, so far he has solidified his position ahead of those behind him, in the coaches eyes. In other words, since arriving at St. John Fischer, he has increased the probability that he will be on the 53-- hence, the term "ascending." Great. Now there's going to be an athlete's foot epidemic.

Pete "The Nose" Carroll, yes! That's who I meant!

Do you really not know what Matt Parrino, and others mean by an ascending player in this context?

I would definitely want to read a coach's perspective. Belichick would be high on my list, although I'd probably skip over the chapters on Spygate, and Deflategate. Pete Carrol might be another. And I'll bet Jim Harbough would make for an informative, and entertaining read, albeit unhinged.

This is a pretty lazy assessment of Hollins. Several analysts, including Matt Parrino, have used that exact word, "ascending," to describe him. There's really not much, other than size, and ST play, to compare Hollins to Kumerow. Hollins is also an exceptional down-field blocker. Do you really think that offers "next to nothing in the pass game," especially on a team that runs so many bunch formations, and WR screens? As far as a group of big WRs, there will almost certainly be three on the roster. If there are four, at least two of them will be playing ST. Hollins exceptional ST play puts him high on the list of consideration.

Hollins would be a surprise cut. But, he's not at the point of being a lock, IMO. My thoughts have generally been: Hollins-MVS-Claypool... pick two. Hollins has gotten a ton of buzz before TC, with both Beane, and Allen bringing up his name multiple times during press conferences. And he's made notable plays in TC, and continues to impress people. Claypool seems to be bending over backwards to behave himself, including working out with special teams-- and that really is important for depth players. But as far as their current on-field performances, I feel like we've heard more about Hollins making plays, and both Claypool, and MVS have been a bit quieter.

There have been a lot of dark horse candidates (DHCs), and a few surprise cut predictions thrown out there over the offseason. Now that we're three days into training camp, I'm wondering where such thoughts lie for the 53? There's always a few surprises. Earlier this season, I had KJ Hamler as a DHC, but my thoughts are shifting towards Tyrell Shavers. When we signed him last season as a UDFA, and put him on the PS, it was for his ST acumen-- he had been described as a special teams ace by scouts. And after losing Siran Neal, and Matekevich, there is a need. And he's gotten a few mentions this past week, for making some nice grabs. My surprise cut candidate hasn't really changed-- MVS. There are currently six WRs on the roster who are 6'4", and if the Bills keep four of them (which would be surprisingly redundant), the ones not named Keon Coleman will need to play ST. MVS doesn't. They will also have to have exceptionally reliable hands. MVS doesn't. I've been flamed for this opinion earlier this offseason, and I get it. He certainly has a playoff pedigree, and a $2M dead cap hit they would have to eat. But with Coleman, and Mack Hollins ascending, MVS's role becomes reduced. My darkest of dark horses is Travis Clayton, and that's only because I harbor this fantasy of him being used as a sixth lineman, and eligible receiver, in those Jumbo packages that Brady seems to love. Of course, Clayton doesn't actually know how to play the position for which he was signed. But, as an extremely athletic pro rugby player, he does know how to catch, and run with a ball. How much fun would that be? Who do people have as their DHCs, and surprise cuts?

For me, it's my joints...

How did such a ridiculous thread get to six pages? Our backup QB, Mitch Trubisky has started 57 games in his seven-year career, with a 31-21 W-L record. And our third stringer, Shane Buechele has been making great throws in TC. That should really be the end of the discussion.

I have to say that I'm a little concerned about Milano's knee as well, and my education is from personal experience. I've had four surgeries on my left knee (all resulting from skiing injuries)- two ACL replacements, a tibial plateau fracture, and finally a total knee replacement. For me, the issue with the tibia was that even after it was completely healed, and pain-free, there was always a slight issue with stability. Imagine a hinge that's been bent, and then hammered back into place, but it's never quite the same again. When I watch the footage of Milano on the practice field these last few days, and I see him testing it, hopping back and forth on it, maybe giving it a little shake, I know he feels it. I skied on my surgically repaired knee, but it was never quite the same, and I was never quite as confident on it again. (For anyone wondering about my full knee replacement, I had that done a year ago. I'll be skiing on it this coming season, and I have high hopes, although at 60, I won't likely be doing any of the double black diamonds any more.)

Specifically, "some kind of developing ankle issue..."

Tua has become a known commodity. He's extremely accurate, he's exceptional at timing routes, and he can go through progression very quickly. Those are his strengths. But, his weaknesses don't seem to be going away. He doesn't handle pressure well... at all. He can't break a tackle, and he's utterly terrible at extending plays, or throwing off-schedule. His fragility may be overstated, but he's gun-shy when it comes to getting sacked, and he loses his down-field vision when rushers break through the line. He can get the Fish to the playoffs, but he's not a playoff QB, if he can't extend plays.

Maybe we should bring back Peterman?

This is a guy that understands the importance of an energized fan base.

Dawkins, Edwards, McG, Torrence, Brown is certainly likely. But Kromer always tries multiple combinations throughout TC, and nothing is written in stone. They brought in Will Clapp to compete, as well. There is plenty that can happen that would result in McG remaining at LG, and they wouldn't have to be drastic to occur, IMO. I wouldn't read that far into it. MVS is not a special teams player. Every other WR, including Claypool, has worked out on ST.

This is a good thing to see. Claypool has a reputation as being a poor teammate, and Shakir has a reputation for being one of the nicest guys on the planet. If the Claypool reclamation project is to be successful, it will be with the help of people like Shakir. (Plus, Claypool didn't finish the last few reps of practice due to getting banged up. Good to see he wants to put in the work). As good a leader as you will find in the NFL.

Or MVS, or Hollins, or Shorter, or Shavers. There are six 6'4"+ WRs on the current roster. Likely, there will be two 6'4"+ WRs on the PS this year. The Bill WR room got big!

Also makes sense that they would pair Bishop with the most veteran player.

We know this from every Embedded, every report, and every press conference we've seen regarding the draft. If you can cite anything to suggest that it is McD, and not Beane who makes the final decisions in the draft, I'd love to see it, and I know the Bills organization tends to keep their cards close to the vest. But everything we have ever seen from draft night has Beane making the phone calls, doing the negotiating, and ultimately pulling the trigger. When Beane traded with KC, and then Carolina, do you think he looked over to McD to get approval? I don't.

At least a couple of things missing from that play, though... pads, for starters... I know there are people on here who think we should have gotten Worthy instead of Coleman. But I couldn't disagree more. We needed bigger, more aggressive, and tougher receivers. We needed bullies. That's who we went after. That's who Coleman is. That is very much not what Worthy is.