Mister Defense

But last year they had a much diminished defense by almost anyone's standards, including McBeane's. They clearly knew their defense was undermanned on the line and in the secondary. Hence, a tremendous commitment to the defense in the off season and draft. Before that, they, with McDermott's scheme, were consistently good. Now we need Hairston to get back asap, as White is not the answer. And for Bishop, or someone else if not, to step it up. And someone like Sanders to get pressure up the middle. Looking forward to seeing what this looks like in week 1, but more importantly, by Halloween.

I don't know what Davis looks like now on the field, and would rather see one of the young guys get a shot. But Davis, well, on his good days, would add a nice element to this offense--if he still has those pretty rare days that is. I think safety is more of a concern.

Yes, they clearly need to rethink their entire defensive philosophy, though it was the foundation of the best defense in the league, as far as points allowed, for the five years before last. All based on a pre season game. Completely rational move, thought. Rex Ryan is available. Time to move on from the McBeane disaster.

Nice Post! Putting that (extremely predictable, shocked if they didn't do it) nonsense into perspective. Super obvious to all who are on this board that their reaction was inevitable, as many of the super irrational negative posters are like rabid dogs, foaming at the mouth, waiting for, anticipating, almost hoping it seems, for any excuse to rip the Bills to shreds. Sad folks. Does not matter to them that the game was almost meaningless, just like so many pre season games in general, and as fans of the 90's teams remember. Did they ever win one under Levy?

Would go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history, and top 3 worst in Bills history, right up there with the Lynch trade. Would get Beane fired. A supremely dumb move.

No thanks on Parson. Waayyy too expensive for the what he would bring to the Bills. I don't think the Bills would want a player like that who is so focused on his podcast and social media and such, who throws his QB under the bus, and who seems to like conflict. In addition, the Bills kind gave a blue print for how to make him irrelevant in games. He looked small and ineffective, a one trick pony who could be manhandled. Would not be surprised to find that Parsons in the coming years is not the same pressure guy he has been--when healthy, which is another problem with him. Then again, Dallas is one of the most dysfunctional teams, led by the head head case himself, so a change might be great for Parsons. But the Bills won't be interested, in my opinion. Thankfully. Fun to see Jones continue to make himself into the lead clown of the NFL owners. All about himself.

So glad to see this silly sort of bad take has not proliferated on this forum since Cook signed. I realize you are just trolling, a last gasp of stale hot air because it turned out differently than you wanted, but I want to respond anyway.. No evidence here to support this, none, just as in most of the similar takes like this over the last few months. And: not Cook's fault that Brady, a superb O coordinator in almost all respects the last 1.5 seasons, made such a bad mistake by not having Cook out there more in the championship game. It is like you did not watch the games last year, or since Brady took over, so did not see the dramatic change in the Bills, since he did so, #1 being the new reliance on the running game, on a much more balanced approach to the offense. First team ever with both 30 rushing and 30 passing TDS. How can that be irrelevant to you? A back like James Cook, who now runs with not only super speed and elite vision, but also power, and who can catch the ball extremely well, leads the way. Just like we have seen in so many of the other great teams in NFL history--great teams often have had great QBs and great running backs. It is the duo that often had created the greatness. That more than anything else made the Bills a much different team, almost unbeatable. So glad this extension will now stifle this crap--for most. As now they are just blowing hot air into the atmosphere. We got Cook, one of the most vital players on this great offense, locked up for years!

Yeah, but especially if Bishop and Rapp continue to show they are prone to injury. But for the Bills' sake, not a good scenario, of course.

And True story.. A few hours after posting this he first living thing I saw when I looked out my front window today was a large dog walking down the street by himself carrying a very large stuffed animal! I had never seen that before. Not as good as a Buffalo, but looked like a Christmas reindeer, with antlers and red decorations. Then he dropped it and moved on. I looked out later and the reindeer was gone, so maybe he returned to retrieve it. So I guess I was wrong. A stuffed animal may be just what a homeless pet needs most . Probably gives them a nice (false) sense of security. I was going to go outside and take a picture and post it here. I will be on the lookout for it later and tomorrow.

And 2-4 of them are likely pro bowl players this year. Beane sucks..

Great numbers and analysis on some of the important finance considerations coming up soon, things that will be vital in the coming years. And you aren't even including the possible beneift$, which may be huge, related to the young players replacing the older vets. The combo of both give me great hope for the Bills' future on a day now filled with that.

yes, thanks. But I think--and hope--that changes significantly in the coming year. We should get a good sense of that, how the new young players are doing, by mid season.

Done!!

They'll have plenty of room. If only a few of the defensive picks in the draft make it, become starters, there will be a windfall of money. No more Jones after this year, maybe no more White or Jackson, no more Esmeralda (depending on how he plays), no more.... Means $$$$$$$$ If more than that come through, well, the sky is the limit for what the Bills will be able to do. I believe this is what they are counting on, and will use this money to then help the offense, first and foremost locking up O-line players in one of the best lines in the NFL.

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, no distractions, obstacles. And four years! Josh Allen has his guy, Great things coming.

Well, nice analysis here, pretty sharp. A good, original take, cutting through a lot of the other nonsense on this topic. Very reasonable. But I still hope you are wrong! As I want Cook signed for at least three years, and asap.

Wait... I am very confused by this! WTF would a homeless pet need, or do with, a stuffed animal, even a great one like a Buffalo?? And how would this work? They just go out and find a homeless pet and give them this stuffed buffalo (or other animal)? A home, some food, a pet bed of some kind, a cardboard box, a tent, a weapon...all of these things seem more appropriate to donate to homeless pets. Next thing you know it will become a thing, with everyone donating stuffed animals to homeless pets, and dolphins, and kids...

Love this, will sleep great tonight, visions of the best offense in the NFL, maybe in its history, running through my mind.. But why the 8:30 announcement specifically--something scheduled for that time?

Yup, and Allen is not going to let him get away. He understands how important a dynamic running game and back are to his team's--and his own--success. Any more than Aikman would have let them get rid of Emmett Smith, Kelly letting the Bills jettison Thomas, Montana doing the same with Craig, Warner with Faulk, Staubach with Dorsett, Bradshaw with Franco Harris... Behind almost every great quarterback, and team, is a dynamic duo of running back and quarterback. Josh Allen is smart, knows these things. Like almost any football fan worth his or her salt does.

Sums it up very well. People can gripe all they want about running backs not being valuable, but not once on here, and with slew of criticism and hate for Cook on this forum, has anyone given a clear, makes sense reason as to why this is the case. It is just the way it is supposed to be, they think. But Cook, and most running backs going forward, know their real worth to teams and are going to start being payed accordingly. And James Cook's new contract will be an important part of that progression. He is doing something very significant for himself, but also for all of the good/great/elite running backs to follow. This new contract will soon be considered a bargain, one of Beane's (yes forced) best moves in his tenure with the Bills.

Good point, hope that you are right! Beane knows, despite so many saying the Bills have all the cards, that this reflects badly on him and the Bills, the great culture they have established--and tout. Hard Knocks just adds the mix, makes it even more likely this is done--and now!

And also, when you are in a group of players, running backs, that have become the most underpaid in the league, makes little sense to give another discount. I think Beane gets it, cannot let this hang over the Bills in this very promising season, especially considering it is one of the most vital players in the entire roster, and Josh Allen's best friend on the field. He helped lead the Bills to the most balanced scoring offense in the history of the NFL. I keep missing the mark, but a deal today or tomorrow, and likely already done, or cannot imagine Cook out there, risking everything he has worked so hard for in his life.

Yup, I cannot wait for this to happen! 12, 13, 15 million for three years, and with some generous incentives and a lot of it guaranteed-? In the NFL.com article McDermott said that things have changed. Now may be wishful thinking on my part, to believe he means a new contract is coming soon, but I don't think so: "I would say so that things have changed," McDermott added. "And yes, we have had conversations with James. Good conversations, as I've mentioned before." Either way, great to see our most dynamic offensive weapon practicing today, less than a month before the regular season. But, new contract today, please!

Wow, way to jump the gun, after one preseason game! Nothing like these nonsensical threads since the end of last season, where the glass is not just half empty, but almost completely empty, dry. Now, it's like they're gearing up for another 13, 14 win season, trying to get an ultra negative foundation established, as everyone (almost) will soon begin to say how unbeatable this Bills' team is. That will freak them out, as usual, so they need to establish a base of ultra negativity before the new season even begins. And then just keep going with it... The OPS should be embarrassed by how ridiculous and immature these are.

After reading this post I am thinking--did someone write the ELO song Mr. Blue Sky about him? What a great feeling it must be to have such a positive, upbeat attitude about our high quality team as they prepare for an excellent season, one in which they will have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL. Thank you, Mr. Blue Sky! A happy summer Sunday to you too!