Mister Defense

One of the most glaring weaknesses on last year's team was the lack of a meaningful running game. As Greg Cosell said often, it was as if the running game and passing game were not related in Buffalo. He talked as if the running game was just seemingly something arbitrary for the Bills. Unfortunately that never changed, though at times, after certain games, we thought maybe there was a breakthrough, and that the coaches would then make the running game a more integral part of the offense. Never happened. This meant the extremely one dimensional Bills had no chance at competing for a championship last year. And Josh Allen, without either a viable short passing game and running game last year, was forced to play 'hero ball'--he had no choice, as it was clearly all on him. That is why he regressed, took steps back. Now in the off season, the Bills continue on the same path, now losing their only proven starter at running back. Singletary has one of the best YPC in the league since he arrived, is in the top ten of backs as a pass blocker, and a very good, yet underused, receiver. He is also a very high character guy, a team leader, is very durable, and shows excellent drive. The Bills are so good, so sure of themselves at running back, that they could afford to get rid of this guy, their only proven starting running back? Is that it? Or, is it more about what Greg Cosell implied, that the running game is merely an afterthought with the Bills now? What will Motor earn in Houston the next few years, 3 million a year? 4? Less? What an illogical and stupid move by the Bills, eliminating such a good player from a part of their team that they are now undervaluing in ways that are catastrophic to our goal of winning a championship. You would think that by almost eliminating their once very good short passing game by letting their only proven slot receiver go last year, and then not taking the run game seriously either, the Bills would have seen the error of their ways. Looks like no such luck. Now they're doing the same things with their running game--no proven starting running back there now for next year. "Not a big deal, as we have Josh Allen', is what they seem to be saying. Been a big supporter of Beane and McDermott, but not now. They can't see the forest through the trees. Without a good running game, a commitment to it, the Bills, and Allen will never reach their potential. And never compete for a championship.

How the heck does Zeke Elliot make sense for the Bills?? It is clear that our OWN player, Singletary, is far superior, and clearly seems to have dramatically more left in the tank then washed up Elliot, who has not looked even average in years.

Bleacher Report: "Saints passers combined to throw for 3,969 yards and 24 touchdowns against 14 interceptions while posting a 93.6 passer rating last season. Carr threw for 3,522 yards and 24 touchdowns against 14 interceptions with an 86.3 passer rating. It would be fair to say Dalton performed just as well as Carr in 2022—if not better—despite having worse skill-position options." So, it seems NFL teams don't get it. Throwing huge money at quarterbacks with names we know well will not automatically make the team any better. Looking at that stat, would anyone be surprised if the Saints had the same record or worse next year? I would think that with analytics so utilized in the NFL now, that some basic data analysis would be used before teams signed players to huge contracts.

Rats! I was hoping the Jets would sign him to a long term deal, and then the Bills would not have to worry about the Jets for a while. They need to get themselves a Carson Wentz now!

The only one way both Mahomes learn their lesson is to suspend Patrick for one year. It is the only way to stop this illegal behavior. His brother relies on him, so Patrick needs to suffer the consequences now.

In my opinion, Josh Allen would beat Carr, no matter the other aspects of the teams, 90+% of the time. Josh is a leader of men, with a great arm, accuracy, and the ability to win no matter the obstacles. Carr has none of those qualities. Bring him on.

But either way, he is going to make generational wealth, of course...

I will definitely bet you that would not happen!! And I am betting you also thought the Broncos would be much improved this year with Russel Wilson-?

I really hope this happens--we won't have to worry about the Jets contending in the AFC East for a while. Not a leader, not a winner. Go Jets, get your next QB!

Wilson is a has been, phony. The day of the trade last year I said it would go down as the worst trade in NFL history. It is and will continue to be so. Just listen to the guy talk, the cliches that spew from his mouth--a telling sign that he is now just a mirage, a done football player, and can care less. I think the Seahawks would have cut him last off season--instead, Denver gave them a king's bounty, sacrificing their present and future. But you can't blame Wilson for taking the Broncos for all they are worth. Humorous that a team could be so blind and ignorant. But we can blame him that his charity is a sham, merely designed to support those he knows.

The Bills need to: 1. run the ball like they mean it, making it an integral part of their offense. If Dorsey cannot or will not do so, then he cannot continue in his roll. (I think he showed this year he can't or won't, so the Bills likely need need a new coordinator to have a real chance next year.) 2. get a good offensive line, adding a great guard, or two, and a great right tackle 3. find a young defensive lineman, a tackle or end, who can consistently put pressure on the quarterback and be disruptive in the run game. 4. draft or sign a high quality receiver, fast, and with great hands.

I agree with your 2nd point--and soo nice when Michaels was paired with Tony Dungy in a playoff game this year. There was: humor, some silent time to just watch, and insight, perspective from the color commentator. Michaels is one of the best play by play guys ever, so no doubt he felt this difference after this loong year with the ultra annoying Herbstreit.

But he gets a pass--first time doing this. And still not nearly as bad, as hard to listen to as Herbstreit.

I don't believe he is a rising star at all. In fact, I would be surprised if Michaels worked with him again next year. Just because someone inexplicably gets ahead in their profession does not mean that they are good at what they do. It is unfortunate, but often politics play a bigger role than competence.

The thing is it was just like his commentary on regular NFL games--that is my point. Not looking for meaningful, but for something even a bit original--and in this case, humorous. But those are not part of his repertoire. He just babbles on and on.

No, I did not like the old one either. But at least it was still the game of football, if a diminished one. It had the same structure, field and, overall, plays. Weak, yes, but still football. That was not football last night. So maybe that is why they chose old Kirk? They knew how bad this was going to be, knew people also would tune out quickly once they also knew the village idiot was announcing, and were hoping people would not see much of that debacle. It will not be that next year or almost no players will attend. Likely: high ratings at the outset, as people checked out this new pro bowl 'game', and then soon, dismal. Can anyone criticize Allen and any others for not showing up to that mess?

yes, at least have some fun with the fiasco that it was--instead they chose the announcer who has no sense of humor at all.

Umm, it will not die, it will be increased--one of the best defensive coordinators in the game now and maybe one of the best all time. Now for Dorsey, having him come back and trash the potential of this offense again, but this time more so I believe, that is extremely discouraging. To me, that was the biggest weakness is the team this year, undermining a great young quarterback and a running game that could still be playing--if used at all correctly. Like Greg Cosell said, he saw no connection between the Bills running game and the passing game? Not symbiotic at all. How much more damning of a statement can there be?

Marino over Montana!! Lol Like saying Jeff George was better than Kelly because he had the better arm. Come on! You have to put Kelly ahead of Moon!! A good arm does not mean they are a great quarterback..

I would hope he too would not want to drive down it. But I am pretty certain he would have hated this new 'game'. Yikes. This is what they came up with?! Seems like the same great minds that thought Hebstreit would be the best announcer for it created this new 'game' as well.

Okay, good advice-?, but now opening up the floodgates.. I left the game on as I sat at my computer--I hate this new pro bowl too. But the perfect useless game for Kirk.

I figured I could have 1-2 gimmes in life, so, yeah, using it on a color commentator I will never meet. ? I think so

I thought I would turn on the strange new pro bowl to see what it was like, if worth watching. But then...I heard his voice, and very soon knew it had to be him... Speaking of Huntley, he said he had the ability to "spin it" and soon after that, referred to the "big fullback". These were in his very first sentences, these cliches and clutter, the inane, useless drivel that caused me to turn down the sound when he spoke on Thursday Night Football this year and to not watch some games. And, if he holds to form, and he always does, not enabling the dramatically better Al Michaels to get a word in edgewise all year, he will feel the need to FILL almost every second of the broadcast tonight with similar inane, useless jargon, all in his monotone, humorless voice. Worst color commentator I have ever heard in my life; cannot believe this guy gets away with this crap. Writer David Halberstram rightfully calls Herbstreit "the village idiot" A deal breaker for me tonight! I turned it off.

No, as I said that about 8-9 years ago, and was wrong then, big time. His arm looked okay, but it is hard to evaluate on such a poorly coached team, with no running game, horrible preparation, and no identity on either side of the ball. A lost, unfocused team--and the fish rots from the head. Bye bye Bowles, as he likely just coached his last game as an NFL head coach. If Todd Bowles is a head coach in Tampa next year, or anywhere, that team will be one of the worst teams in the league. I think if Brady was not on the Bucs this year they would have been one of the worst teams in the league.

1. It is awful to watch football in domes, like watching in a big living room. Football is meant to be played outside. 2. Most dome teams are soft and they are not very good, historically. Think: Detroit, New Orleans, Minnesota (once they got a dome), Dallas--a giant, cavernous mess, The raiders, Colts, Falcons, Texans, Chargers, Rams and Cardinals. Yes, some SB wins there, but overall, soft, inconsistent teams that almost never seem to measure up to their potential. 3. Tailgating dies when domes arrive. Imagine the difference in pregame and post game atmosphere with a dome. No thanks. But, it's silly to keep talking about this--the Bills did a great thing and rejected the ridiculous calls for a dome on the new stadium, something that would have ended the Bills as we know them. One of the best decisions in franchise history. Go Bills! 31--20, for a great Thanksgiving.