[Practice Injury Report 11/05]

I agree with rest for many of these with exception to two.  The Fish are toast.  Make sure Hancock and Hairston okays a bunch as they need reps and can be our future.

[Hot Take: “Old Joe” Flacco exposing what some (including me) suspected…]

7 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

 

 

 

You're gonna get flamed because the narrative has always been Burrow is "elite" and people bought into it  And people will point to his amazing season at LSU. In which he had not only Chase, but Justin Jefferson to throw to. 

 

I've LONG said he's not elite. He does have some good traits. But take away Chase and or Higgins and he's not winning you games by himself. 

 

He's also the QB of a team that has often found themselves on the bad end of a game script. He pads his stats late in games far too often. Half the time just flinging balls in the direction of Chase who bails him out with amazing grabs.

 

Now saying all that, I do not say he is a bad QB or talentless. But people wanna stick him in the top 3 or top 5...and that's nonsense. I could maybe be talked into the 6-10 tier.

That's pretty funny. But it's also pretty accurate.

what does that tell you if Beane took his head out of you know where, and found us two stud WR’s, vs. being on the cheap.  Josh would win MVP literally every freakin year.

[Bills/Chiefs replay]

18 minutes ago, jkeerie said:

NFL Network broadcasting Bills/Chiefs game replay right now.

you know it’s on YouTube right almost immediately after the game.  No big deal if you want to see the timeouts.  I’ve watched the 18 minute one and was awesome.

[Hairston idea…hear me out]

7 hours ago, dayman said:

Stick him out there instead of Coleman a few plays a game see what happens. Half joking…but half not!

UMMHH, no.

[John Murphy - back in the booth (in a sense)]

11 hours ago, thenorthremembers said:

 

Not many are.   Murph was fine, just as good as Chris Brown.   

Im glad Murph has retired and can just enjoy the games.  I loved Mr. Miller as met him many times when I worked for the Buffalo News back in the 80’s.  Personally, I enjoy Brown.  He’s interesting and a good straight man.

[Who in the hell is conditioning these players?]

11 hours ago, Generic_Bills_Fan said:

Feels like it’s goin on league wide, I think the changes to offseason rules to help player safety has ended up hurting player safety lol

Every fan base is myopic thinking aomehow their team is uniquely cursed.  Has anyone seen how many Ravens key players are hurt, or a number of other teams.  It’s just bad luck.  That’s all.  Listen, I hate it as much as everyone else.

 

As far as a trade , I can only hope for a WR.  Go from good to great.  We don’t need nor can afford a DE.  Hairston’s and Hancock just need time and experience with Tre and Poyer in their ears after every series.

[Joey Bosa is really happy to be a Bill]

8 hours ago, Virgil said:

Wrap him in bubble wrap until the playoffs 

my correction is play him for the Bucs, Texans, Pats, and Eagles.  Maybe a series for the rest of the games.  We can beat the rest without him.  We need him for the games mentioned.

[Michael Hoecht Achilles Injury (Confirmed torn Achilles out for the year)]

4 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

 

Absolutely, Grote, but man it is such a tough one for linemen/pass rushers to come back from.

 

Cheated...I feel cheated.  

 

Of course not by Michael, but rather by the football gods.

 

How they laugh at us...b@st@rds.

 

 

Donuts, I echo your frustration between Oliver last week and Hoecht this week.  Ugghh!  I still think we can make an impact.  As the general said to the Patriot (Mel Gibson movie), Stay the Course!

[Way too early look at the 2026 draft]

2 hours ago, finn said:

Agree on the WR, even if Beane trades for one now. But at safety I'm hoping Hancock steps in. He seems fast and savvy. If Benford regains his form and Strong returns to replace Taron, the secondary could go from a glaring weakness to a team strength next year. (Allowing Beane to draft DL in the first and second rounds AGAIN.)

I saw promise in Hancock.  McD mentioned Bishop needed starts and plays.  I think the same for both Hancock and Hairston.  We could end up with a building secondary worthy of McD and I believe now that McD is very active, it will be much better.  The D Line should be fine even with losing now Oliver and Hoecht.  It sucks, but they’ve proven they can do it.

 

Focus on a downfield separation WR in the next day.  That’s the missing piece for a legendary finish this year.  Don’t do it and we lose again in the playoffs.

[The primary problem with the long conversions]

9 hours ago, Simon said:

There's a complete lack of cohesion in the secondary right now, and before our WGR-quality whiners chime in, it's not anybody's fault.

They are trying to work 4 new guys (two of them rookies) into 2 spots all at the same time as a result of injuries. They are playing most of their snaps every game with a crew of DBs who are in places they're not used to and have had no chance to consistently play with each other at any time this year. Toss in losing Taron and now both their nickel and dime are being manned by yet two more new guys in roles they're not accustomed to and their lack of familiarity with their roles and each other which ratchets up that lack of cohesion by yet another order of magnitude.

Their communication is not there, their pass-offs are balky, they're ending up in the wrong part of their zones because of it and it's inevitably going to be a messy, messy mess in the short term, particularly with a DC who has already been struggling for the whole year to have them on the same page.

I think they can ameliorate it by just making 3 permanent switches right now and stop trying to pull off the juggling act while you acclimate new guys in. Just tear off the bandaid tomorrow morning and start Hairston and Hancock with Tre as the full time dimeback (and primary backup) and leave those guys in those positions for 100% of the game. Cam Lewis is the primary backup at both nickel/dime with Poyer backing up both safety positions.

Do it right now and let these guys get an opportunity to learn and get better together and maybe by December you've got a unit that is starting to gel and getting better every week right at the time you need them to be doing that. I appreciate working Hairston and Hancock in slowly as green rookies, but it's November and the time for that is done with. It's hurting this team right now, and is going to for several weeks, but if you make an immediate commitment to your final configuration with no more dithering they can shorten the pain of that transition and still have a potentially good unit when we're really going to need it.

Well Simon, I enjoy WGR in the mornings for the Jeremy and Joe show as well as the Sal led extra point show as it reminds me of Buffalo.  I’ve been away for 30+ years so it brings me a little closer to home.  With that said, I agree with your assessment in that Hancock and Hairston are new to their positions, and Cam is a backup.  Bishop is coming into his own.  I expect with each week they will keep getting better.  Taron will be back.  Benford played well.

 

We can’t expect all of these new bodies to be in total sync right away.  On the positive side, the defensive line for the first time in the McD era has looked well.  Now losing Oliver last week, and Hoecht yesterday was two serious blows to it.  AJE has had some real flashes, GROOT has looked great.  It’s more of a quiet impact, but Ogunjobi has made an impact.  Even Jermaine Phillips has been good.  We really need to get Tre and Poyer off the field.  Let them be player coaches, but no snaps unless someone’s hurt.

 

Since the Fins and Jet’s are dumpster fires, the next big test is the Bucs.  They are banged up as well.  I hear more on their injuries on,y in that I live here.  Everything is amplified here just like I’m sure most other cities.

[Hoping y'all enjoyed Mahomes' comeuppance]

Mahomes has to be hurting today.  He was hit more than I’ve ever seen by that QB.  Well deserved.  As the eloquent Virgil stated, top of my list for you know.

[4th and 17]

9 hours ago, PepeSilvia said:

Hairston changed the dynamic of this defense. 
 

Bosa played out of his mind.

 

front 4 were great all day except….

 

4th and 17 and the defense gives up 29 yards….

 

Of course mahommes goes to lead a td drive and why wouldn’t a bills kicker miss a game tying/putting game out of reach fg?

We play that type of game against the past SB appearance, and you throw this up.  Hmmm.  How about Josh looked like Josh, Cook played well, the TEs killed it, the defensive line played fantastic, and as you state Hairston played well.  Milano and Bernard played a solid game.  Benford did well.  I can keep going.  Moore finally caught one downfield for 28 yards.  I guess I’ll just focus on the 100 positive things vs. the one missed assignment.

[What’s going on with practices/warmups]

On 11/1/2025 at 3:34 PM, T.E. said:

I was making the point that they rarely have full-contact practices anymore during the season.

Correct.

[What’s going on with practices/warmups]

TE, you should know the rules of the CBA as an avid NFL fan.  It’s not padded practices that is causing these soft tissue injuries.  I think the last one we had was two weeks ago.  The problem is we have been spoiled for awhile with less injuries than many teams, but we’ve had critical ones in years past at the worst times heading into the playoffs.

 

its a violent game so going to happen.  None of us like it.

[What’s going on with practices/warmups]

5 hours ago, T.E. said:

This has a big effect during games, of course, but doesn't the current CBA significantly limit the number of padded,  full-contact practices a team can have during a season? The sessions during the week are way less physically demanding than they once were.

Yes, I assume you’re being sarcastic as of course there are CBA rules on padded practices and McD has been doing this for 25 years back to his Eagles stuff under the great Jimmy Johnson (the defensive genius, not the putts on Fox who used to be the Cowgirls coach)

[Will we see Hairston "shadowing" Worthy on Sunday??]

Simon beat me to it.  I do think Hairston’s snaps will increase, but this is one of McDs best units in years past, so he’ll know what to do.  This is a big test.  Hancock hopefully is learning at light speed from Poyer, and his snaps increase as well.  Tre and Jordan can mentor the youngins so they learn on the fly.

[Will we see Hairston "shadowing" Worthy on Sunday??]

1 minute ago, milfandcookies said:

I don’t know if Hairston is worthy enough 

Cute.

[Grier OUT in Miami]

19 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Is McDaniels next ?

Soon.  After a beaten up Ravens team, destroyed them, there was bound to be consequences.    McDaniel has lost his team, and Ross must see it.  I don’t relish in watching them fall apart, but they need to tear it down, and somehow find a strong, very experienced head coach.  They don’t need another OC or DC who will get in over his head.

[Bills Don't have Receiver Problem, they have a perception problem-- Jim Kubiak BN]

Kubiak can explain away anything he wants with statically gymnastics, but the reality is we are going to face a fast Worthy, Rice, Juju, and so on.

 

What does Jos have to counter other than Dalton, Shakir, and Cook.  Stop finding ways for Beane not make a trade, and we’ll fail in the end.

[Bills Don't have Receiver Problem, they have a perception problem-- Jim Kubiak BN]

On 10/30/2025 at 8:55 AM, Gregg said:

Hurts has Brown and Smith

Burrow when healthy has Chase and Higgins

Dak has CEE-DEE and Pickens

Allen has what at the WR position that would be considered elite... NOTHING!!!

 

 

Exactly.  Spot on as often Gregg.

[Happy Halloween to all!]

12 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Funny stuff from the UB kid 

 

 

Yolo, i never know how you find these bits, but that was awesome.  Appreciate the laugh on a Saturday morning.

[Happy Halloween to all!]

1 hour ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

agreed— this one and st. Patrick’s day are at the bottom for me. For saint patty’s day, it’s more about how annoying all my Irish friends get about it.

I’ll do my best to be better as I’m Irish, but doesnt go nuts on any holiday.  To me wear green on st patty’s day and great.  I think most act like dumbbutts as well.

[Happy Halloween to all!]

This is probably my least favorite holiday, but I wish the best to all my friends and persons I know on this board.  I’ll enjoy a heck of a lot more thanksgiving,  Xmas, Easter, etc.  you guys have a great time with you’re parties and kids having their fun.

[4 Super Bowls in a row.....]

9 hours ago, Zerovoltz said:

The Bills being the only team to have ever done it.....is it a point of pride for a Bills fan?  Is it an important record even though the Bills lost all 4?

 

The Chiefs have a chance to tie that record if they were to make it again this season.  

 

Besides the obvious...if KC makes a 4th in a row, it means the Bills didn't make it this year......but aside from that.....having that record be shared with another team make you mad?  Relieved?  Indifferent?  

Bud you know I like and respect you as you’ve always been in my opinion respectful and honest as a Bills fan.  This is trying to file up a rival base.  You’re better that that my friend.

 

So enjoy the game and we’ll probably talk again after either way.  No matter the outcome, if you’re respectful, I promise I will as well.  You’re a proud Chiefs fan.  That’s respectfutl.  Please don’t go the other way.  Hey, you beat us four times in the playoffs.  You’re poking a bear.  C’mon.  Your better than that one.

[Are McBeane secretly creating an elite offense?]

Bull, while I appreciate your enthusiasm, I really do, the fact is we are not getting consistent separation.  Coleman has proven now in two years he’s too slow, and also has two team discipline infractions.  We need one of the several names floated these past two weeks by insiders.

 

On the positive side, I believe Palmer participated yesterday in some capacity yesterday.  If we want the most remote hope of winning Sunday, we need him, as well as a great day by Cook.  We also need Kinkaid to make it through the game.  Beane needs toget his head out of his behind, and find a trade partner.  Just admit he was horribly wrong on Coleman (not publicly of course) by trading for a real WR.  I’m normally pretty positive about McBeane, but this isn’t working.  We can’t reasonably expect Cook to run for 216 yards every game.