Mister Defense

They have Mike Tomlin as the 5th best coach in the NFL!! Fifth! And Stefanski ranked above McDermott!! How can anyone take this analysis seriously?

Well you are wrong all over the place, again, and as usual, consistently... Those words of Allen's were clearly specific and contract related. He does NOT often say things related to another player's contract. And even more wrong here : "You say Josh's words aren't online because he didn't say them online? Do you see how ridiculous that is?" Huh????? I never said that nonsense you spout off with! I said, "But just like the quote I used in my post, and that you reference, it is not found online when doing a Google search. Because it was not in a written interview, those words, like his comments on Cook at minicamp, do not show up in a Google search." I never said the dumb thing you said I said, see the underlined nonsense above, please. I was clear--it was in an interview, press conference, not in a written form so you cannot just find them with a search using a quote from the interview or press conference. I never said that dumb thing you say above there Thurman. It seems like a simple concept--to most.. After reading this awful post, response to mine, and long after I wrote it, I am betting you also hate either McDermott of Beane? As it seems like the same nonsense most of the other haters rely on-- they cannot make good points with actual facts and reasoning. So they just pull nonsense out of their kiester, just make things up out of thin air, and hope nobody notices. And then throw in some comically inept personal attacks. Ridiculous indeed. Sad. The real Thurman would be ashamed, probably sue you to stop using his name for such fabricated nonsense.

I am glad to see that you think he has elite vision, elusiveness and speed--tough from that base to then make the case he is not an elite back, player, Doc. I disagree with you on the lack of contact balance and power--he clearly has those, has gotten better and better at those things with each passing year. I was surprised that a smaller back was so strong in those areas in his fist year, though he was somewhat inconsistent. It made me think he maybe was what I thought he would be--an excellent weapon, because of those elite traits you mention, but not the main running back on the team, not 'the guy'. But then both of those things improved the last two years. I think in 2024 he had one of the best yards after contact in the league if I am correct-? And his (related) power, ability to plow through lines, was remarkable last year--he would not have gotten 18 touchdowns, and many of those not 'gimmes', but ones where he plowed through people, if he did not have power. The toughest place to run is near the goal line and he was clearly elite there, in his power. And as far as the pass receiving, well I addressed that in my post--he was not used enough in the passing game, none of the backs were, consistently, considering each is a talented receiver. I wanted to see Cook get the ball from Josh in the open field more than almost anything else on offense last year, but it was too infrequent. For example, if that alone happened in the championship game I believe the Bills win it. Not Cook's fault they did not have the sense to throw him the ball much more last year, he would have loved it, and so would we. This year... Well, for both of our sake, I hope I am right about the traits that you think he lacks, as I think all three of those things are also elite tools in Cook's arsenal. We will see soon! He will run and catch like a madman this year, with no more worries about his contract, his financial future secure. IMO. Beane is too good of a GM and too smart to play Russian roulette with one of the best players on the team, and one of the best in the league.

I agree. It is something that has not been part of the conversation enough, though there are a slew of posts and threads--doesn't almost everyone who has been watching think Cook will have a monster year this year? Love me some Brady, maybe the next great offensive coordinator/offensive minded head coach in the NFl, but the one area he dropped the ball on a little last year was not riding Cook, and his other excellent backs, in both the running and passing game. This year he gets it from the get go, is my prediction. Josh Allen, the best quarterback in the league, may have the best running game too. Yikes, for the rest of the league if so. I already know he is, saw it with my own eyes, but by the middle of this season, if all goes as planned, almost no one on here will be saying Cook is not an elite back--and one of the best players in the league. (Doc, they may take away your medical license for your poor diagnosis, evaluation!) The Chiefs and other contenders without a Cook would be licking their chops...but they will go hungry because Cook will be signed, sealed and delivered, a Bill for years to come. If not, 20 million a year may be what he garners, as the running games take on even more importance than last year. Maybe wishful thinking, but I hope not.

Yup, and I think Josh Allen is extremely cognizant of how vital the running game has been, and Cook in particular, to his and the offense's overall success. When the Bills have run the ball more over the last four years they became almost unbeatable. When not, things get much less consistent. Dorsey's failures in that area were a major reason he was fired and why he cannot be an offensive coordinator in the NFL--and why Daboll will not be a head coach for long. He let Barkley get away! I think this is why my concern that Cook goes into this season without a new contract have diminished lately, especially after Josh's words during minicamp. I strongly believe a new contract is coming soon, maybe before training camp, but some time before the season. The last thing Beane, McDermott, and Allen want in the preseason and season is the major distraction that Cook-in-Limbo would cause. They believe this is their championship year and know Cook at his best, including mentally, is a vital part of that. My guess? A week before training camp.

Funny, as after watching a bunch of podcasts/shows on youtube the last few weeks, including the awful Schopp and the Bulldog, I was thinking the exact same thing. That if the new ones are competent, it could not be worse than what is out there now, especially compared to the jaded lazy barnacles just picking up a paycheck. Young, hard working new blood needed. As far as podcasts, I am enjoying most of the Shout shows, as Matt Parino is a good, prolific writer and his shows are like his writing--not any grandstanding or filler, no arrogance at all, and solid, fact based information and analysis. When he has criticisms it comes across as so much more legitimate than so many other podcasters, broadcasters, writers (and posters on this forum), not hate filled bashing. As that is not his main objective. And not many would read his articles if that were the case.

Great way to build a team... Ignore your team's glaring weaknesses on defense... Ignore the fact that you already have a top tier, and I say elite, running back, and a young one at that... Instead, create a glaring need by "letting Cook walk". And instead of improving your team, eliminating a clear weakness and turning it into a strength, just spin your wheels--and also just hope that Henderson is as good as Cook. Makes perfect sense.

I really disagree with what you say. Josh Allen does not often put himself out there in support of a player getting paid more--he clearly did so this time. Just look at the words he chooses in that quote. it is clear he thinks Cook is not being payed what he deserves and wants this taken care of soon. I believe that the change in tone of Beane last week about Cook's contract status is the result of Josh being back in the house, speaking publicly about what he wants done--and very likely doing so to team leaders as well. Your examples of him praising former teammates who have left the team are not relevant, not a good comparison. Josh did not say they should have payed those players more, just praised them as teammates. That is a very different thing than what he is doing for Cook now. Yup, he would likely praise Cook next off season if he were to leave. Kind of a duh there, though, don't you think? I laughed at the way you phrased that, as it is revealing: "We could very easily see Josh making the same kind of statement about Cook when he goes after next season." It seems, like so many of the 'let Cook walk' posters, you are clear in what you would like to see. Yes, Josh actually said that "it had to be done" in an interview/press conference almost immediately after Dorsey was fired. But just like the quote I used in my post, and that you reference, it is not found online when doing a Google search. Because it was not in a written interview, those words, like his comments on Cook at minicamp, do not show up in a Google search. I think we will see very shortly the pull Josh Allen has on this team, and Cook is given a good three year extension that better "reflects" his play as "one of the best backs in the league." Josh is right and I strongly believe it now gets done before the season begins.

Nope, as almost assuredly Allen's words are not just perfunctory. He is good at beating around the bush when he wants to. See his comments on Diggs' departure, for example. Here, they are specific and clear-- Allen considers Cook underpaid and wants him to get his bag-- and "soon": "He's one of the best backs in the league and hopefully that gets reflected soon." He sent the same kind of clear message the day after Dorsey was fired, "it had to be done". Clear and blunt, just like his words last week on James Cook. Take him at his specific word in both instances. He has become a more vocal leader and this is yet another example--and not just empty words you claim. You are probably just worried that if that is true, he definitely also has McDermott and Beane's ears behind the scenes and a deal may be imminent.

Thanks, as you are probably right that it was more that than the physical differences. But he definitely looked stronger, more ripped and sturdy last year. Now if the Bills can help Deone Walker make the same kind of changes that they helped Cook make they may have a huge dynamic 1 technique defensive tackle for the next decade. Hope he gets a good amount of playing time this summer and season,

Yeah, as he creates another obstacle for himself against the Bills. Not a smart idea to call a defense, an NFL team, a "bunch of *****". Looking forward to those two games, to seeing what this young, fast, athletic, and talented new defense will do to Hill and his team.

Not sure if this has been posted on this long thread, but great news for Cook supporters and Bills' fans last week from the mouth of Josh Allen. In response to a question on Cook's contract he said, "He's one of the best backs in the league and hopefully that gets reflected soon." When I heard him say that last week it renewed my confidence that this nonsense is settled well before the season begins. When the best player on the team, and in the league, says that in public it is inevitable and "soon". Before training camp? Josh is smart, and he knows it was Kelly and Thomas leading the way, and Aikman and Smith, and Montana and Craig, and Bradshaw and Harris etcetera. And that the success of one fed the success of the other. And that inserting just a good back would have meant different outcomes.

Yup, James Cook, as he is the team MVP after Josh Allen and gets better each year. So he seems poised to have a monster year running and catching. Will challenge for the most all purpose yards. I had thought he was too slight to be a featured back on a run heavy team. But he then transformed himself physically which made him even harder to bring down and tougher at the goal line.

Excellent commercial, creative and humorous. Thanks!

You make good points, and I think Jackson is an elite talent and excellent quarterback. But I don’t think he is at the same level as Allen, Mahomes, or Burrows. In that playoff game against the Bills last year his two turnovers, to me, cost the Ravens the game. He has a 3-5 playoff record, while Mahomes is 17-4, Allen is 7-6 and Burrows is 5-2. And in the losses Jackson seems to be an important reason his team does not win, while for the other three quarterbacks that is generally not the case. So I think that idea, more than anything else, causes me to put Jackson in a tier just below the top 3. He has gotten much better as a passer the last few years and still runs like a madman, but he needs to show his best stuff in the playoffs. I think if Jackson makes the same kind of progress this year that he has made the last two years he could take that next step. I would like to see that eventually--after the Bills win a Super Bowl or two.

I thought it was really funny how several had Lamar Jackson ahead of Patrick Mahomes! And I wondered: if they had to pick a quarterback to lead their own NFL team, would they actually make that awful move and pick what is clearly a much lesser QB over Mahomes? Makes zero sense--choosing a QB who seems to be THE reason his team does not make it to the Super Bowl over a QB who seems to be a seminal reason his team has--and why they have won three of them. I think some did that because they resent Mahomes for his success against the Bills in the playoffs, but I cannot imagine many sentient adults thinking Lamar Jackson is a better quarterback than Mahomes.

You have to counter the ignorant yahoos to some degree, and not give them free reign. BUT, I see that it is not a new thread, thought it was, so not interested at all now.

Great post, using facts and excellent reasoning here, along with very good writing. So, no contest here. The guy had said the same exact thing about running backs just a few months ago that he is now saying about wide receivers! And with the same kind of shoot from the hip, facts be da*ned, bizarre reasoning to 'back' his ideas up. Now, 'never mind', it's the wide receivers who should never be payed! Your "for a tremendous offense" comment will likely send all of the rest of the bashers into another fit, of course. Shoot, the Bills may have the best offense in NFL history this coming season, after having the best in the NFL last year.

But didn't you say almost the same exact thing about running backs a few months ago, that teams should 'NEVER pay a running back'? I thought it was you, but I may be mistaken. I thought you had said it was your rule, and never means never. If so, you are now saying the same thing, but about wide receivers? Just moving on to another position group? But here, it seems even more extreme As here you say "you should NEVER pay a wide receiver anything ever". I think it would be very difficult in today's NFL to play without any wide receivers at all. Yeah, running backs catch balls, and the Bills have two good tight ends, but I think it would put the Bills at a significant disadvantage if they did not have wide receivers on their team. But I do agree with your point that the Bills should now pay Cook, and am happy that, at least on this change of heart on running backs, you have come to your senses. And our team's QB seemed to agree with that in his mini-camp conference, which is important.

ummm...maybe winning some playoff games, and also beating their share of good teams in big games during the regular season would also help... Dallas has done neither lately.

Does not make sense--they cannot be a top ten team if they have not had almost any playoff success. And they have a dismal record, especially the last few years, against the good teams during the regular season. They have put no fear in almost any good teams, and that is especially true of teams with good defenses. Prescott almost always looks lost, confused, with the old adage, "like a deer in the headlights", an accurate image of poor ol' Zak whenever he faces a good defense. While I do like some of their off season moves this year, such as the acquisition of Pickens, Jones has been a mess as their GM since Jimmy, a true football guy, left in the 1990s. Dallas will never be a fully loaded talented team until Jones gives control of the girls to a real football man--again. One way or another. Top 20 team, maybe, but not a top ten team in the league now or recently.

Including the point of the thread, question itself. It may become a thing: Which running back in 2014 had the most carries?

Great news for the rest of the AFC Central--a waayyy over the hill narcissistic head case will now bring all of his HUGE baggage, distractions, and greatly diminished skills to the Steelers. Still can't believe they did not make a major push for a real quarterback this off season. And then they got rid of one of the best wide receivers in the league! Just like I said when he signed with the Jets, one less team the Bills can consider a threat of any kind. Maybe Tomlin's first losing season. And maybe his last with the Steelers. The Bills may get 10 sacks when they play them in November--in the unlikely event that rodgers is still playing at that point.

Hope this, Brady's last year with us, is a great one. In hist first full year as our OC, the most points in Bills' history, the most points in the NFL last year, only team to ever score 30 rushing and 30 passing touchdowns, Josh's first MVP............ And that stat you share, that I did not know previously. I knew they were superb in not turning the ball over, but not that specific stat. Think of how well prepared an offense it must be, how fine tuned, how sharp in their skills and execution, to have no lost fumbles by any running back, wide receiver or tight end--in an entire season.

Amazing post, one of the best I have ever read in this forum in the well over two decades I have been on here. Unfortunately it looks like not many have read it yet--or there would be a slew of posters hitting the 'awesome' emoji by now. And, of course, almost none of those who most need to read it will do so. And those of them that do read it won't get it; it is sooo far off the tracks for them. But If they don't know sh*t from roses, fu** 'em. They aren't worth converting and will never get off that dark, irrational Crazy Train. Truly a moving post, one full of insight and wisdom, as you define what it means to be a Bills' fan, and a human being as well. Everyone should read Folz's post. Yup, it's long, but just look at what this thread has become, the waste, the same few posters bashing all over again, like demented broken records.. How many of the posts in this thread are just nonsense, just a waste of everyone's time--again? Like so many of the off season threads dominated by bashing, negativity and ignorance. Instead, read that post, and be enlightened. Two posts above this one...