Rocky Landing

We should all know by now that Beane is never done.

I don't even remember who, but someone on these boards told me that this is "arguably the most important game of the season." Also, how do you last three minutes with Collinsworth? Week one is a liar.

My predictions for this game: Bet the over (51.5, last I looked) Keon Coleman explodes. The Bills' front seven are going to make Derrick Henry look old. Win or lose, one of the media talking points out of this game is going to be, "has Derrick Henry lost a step...?" Lamar Jackson throws for 280+ yards. Jackson is sacked twice-- Allen not at all. At least one Bills secondary player, who has been crapped on by this board, exceeds expectations, and has a very good game. For good, or ill, special teams is going to make a huge difference in this game. Throughout the telecast, the words, "Super Bowl," are going to be used waaaay too much.

Not a single vote for a Bill in any category.

Latu made some nice plays vs, the Bucs, but he no longer seems to be listed on the Bills website, at least not as I post this: https://www.buffalobills.com/team/players-roster/

Well, as of this moment, Latu is not listed on the Bills official website as being on the PS, and he was the other day.

Before the season started, Shakir was getting nowhere near the love he did once the season was underway. Ty Johnson started '24 as third on the depth chart, and finished listed as co-#2. But yes, I believe he will continue to be utilized as the third down back, as I said. I'm not sold on Palmer, as most folks on here are, any more than I was on MVS last season. Who knows? But, I have no idea what your point is. Are you saying that Allen won't average 8+ different targets a game, as he did last season? I don't think you are. But, you do seem to be suggesting that Moore, Shavers, etc. will not have the opportunity to move up in this offense the way Hollins did last season, which I certainly do not agree with. Not saying they will, but they will have the opportunity.

They dropped Keleki Latu (who made some nice plays blocking, and on ST) off the PS, I assume to make room Poyer. A bit surprising to me, as there are no TEs now on the PS. I suspect this PS is not altogether set...

It's remarkable to me that you leave out Ty Johnson, whose receiving abilities, along with his pass pro, make him what Josh Allen refers to as "the best third-down back in the league." He will likely be relied upon every game in third down situations. Those receptions aren't "leftovers." In 2024, Allen averaged 8-9 receiving targets per game, and only two players saw more than 60 targets in the regular season (Shakir, and Kincaid). But it's way too early to say who's going to get the bulk of targets for the season, anyway. I don't imagine anybody was predicting last September that Mack Hollins would get over 50 targets on offense-- fourth most on the team. I don't think there were too many people who predicted Shakir was going to explode into the team's leading receiver at 100 reg-season targets. (Shoutout to @Alphadawg7, who did make that prediction). Samuel, Shavers, Moore, and the rest will get their opportunities on offense, and if one of them shows up more than the others, they will get more targets. For all we know, Josh Palmer could be this year's MVS. Be that as it may, my point stands. It'll be fun to see how many different receivers Josh hits in a game.

He was up and down in preseason. but, as a PS TE, I imagine they'd prioritize blocking, and Latu looked really good in that regard in the preseason games.

I agree. I think the problem for a lot of fans have is that they'd rather have a good CB (or other skill position) who was also a returner, rather than a good returner who was also a CB. The same fans bemoaned the roster spots held by players like Taewan Jones, Siran Neal, Cam Lewis, and others who've been primarily ST players, and only play their listed position in an absolute pinch. Codrington is a first rate P/KR-- as good as Hines, or Andre Roberts IMO, and the numbers back that up. It makes absolute sense to me to have a dedicated P/KR, and depth players who have aptitudes as gunners, jammers, and blockers often make the 53 over players who are better at their listed positions because field position matters.

The only thing that's a slight surprise to me is that having gone with Codrington over Shenault, they still kept six WRs. This offense is loaded with legit receivers, even if it may lack an elite WR. But, given Samuel's dead cap hit of $12+ (according to Spotrac), and Shaver's ascendence, six it is. It's going to be a lot of fun watching how many targets are slung in a game. And hopefully this is the season we get a little value out of Samuel.

I wonder whose decision it's been to not allow a camera anywhere near Keon?

He probably just found himself wearing his blue, white, and red boxer shorts.

It's an interesting group. The way I see it, the WRs that make it onto the 53 will all have to occupy different roles. For the bottom of the roster guys, that means avoiding redundancy, and having a significant role on special teams. If Samuel makes the roster, it will be for purely financial reasons, IMO. If he doesn't, I think Moore is a likely replacement for Samuel's role. His hands are reliable, and I did actually see him make a couple decent downfield blocks in the Bucs game-- not spectacular, but not bad for a guy his size. KJ would be the other player for that role, but while he is a fan/locker-room favorite, I think Moore is just more reliable. Wilkerson, and Shavers both had really good games this last week. Shaver's spectacular catch notwithstanding, Wilkerson looked to be the more consistent player to my eyes. And I think Shenault is getting serious consideration for the K/PR role. That might inspire McD/Beane to carry six WRs this season. It might also make the path for Shavers or Wilkerson to make the roster significantly steeper.

Certainly, his numbers benefitted from Josh Allen's arm, and talent, and absolutely from the relationship, and chemistry they had developed in the first few years he was in Buffalo. But regardless, Diggs was elite, inarguably. Route running, separation, hands, footwork, YAC, extending plays, a legendary clutch mindset-- he had it all. But the bigger question is: would you let him date your sister?

This seems like the year we might carry six WRs on the strength of Shavers, and Shenault's ST abilities.

If I ate a Snickers in bed, my wife would turn into Ndamukong Suh, and stomp my head into the pillow.

I suspect that Chris Tabor is going to have a fair amount of influence on the bottom end of this roster. And with the new kickoff rules, that might include getting to choose who he wants as P/KR. Judging by today's performances only, Shanault really looked like the best option, so far. Regarding the #3 TE competition, it really didn't look like either Davidson, or Hawes had a particularly good showing as tight ends. But Davidson did have at least one good play on special teams. I wouldn't put Hawes ahead of him just yet. I would also put Hancock down for having a decent rookie showing for his first game.

He became an underdog.

Nostradamus over here...

I wish I could agree with this sentiment, but I don't. Beyond Rapp, I don't know how someone wouldn't classify this unit as thin. Taylor Rapp-- solid to very good starter Damar Hamlin-- average (at best) starter Cole Bishop-- fingers crossed Darrick Forrest-- below average starter with a long injury history Cam Lewis-- solid backup with versatility Jordan Hancock-- fifth-round rookie Te'Cory Couch-- practice squad hopeful Wande Evans-- practice squad hopeful

It may also illustrate how poor their practice habits are, as was reported last season.

Miami has a culture problem.