Dan

I don’t live in Buffalo. So my question is: is all the irrational negativity prevalent throughout the fanbase and local media, or is it just the internet echo chamber of a place like this where a handful of posters can feed off each other and blow opinions out of proportion to reality? It does seem like this place goes from one player or coach to the next, always needing to denigrate someone and insist they be cut. I’ve never really cared enough to track posters and see if its always the same ones that spend years running a player out of town, only to criticize every move to replace who they said was the worst player on the team. And I’m sure its no worse, but it seems this off season has only gotten worse. The opinions and general negativity surrounding the upcoming season seem worse than any time during the drought. My brother in law used to always be in amazement how us Bills’ fans could always spend the offseason talking about the Super Bowl and we finally were gonna do it… when clearly the team sucked throughout the early ‘00s. Now? We’re closer than ever, and the majority of posts here seem to think we suck worse than ever. I usually just attribute it to the screwed up internet-age we live in where every idiot had a platform to spew. So I wonder, is that what this is? Do we discuss reality of what tje team is, or do the misconceptions and opinions of trolls become the reality?

I think lots of people appear to have this sentiment. But, regarding player safety, this is the worst thing to do. More meaningful games and longer seasons will only wear players down and make injuries, especially chronic ones, far more common. The NFL already walks the line with serious, life threatening injuries. 20 game seasons, with zero warm up, will cross that line. IMO Regarding the OP’s question. I haven’t seen any official league opinion. But i would think they stopped the last two games because it was preseason. But, it is quickly becoming an expectation. I think the league needs to let everyone know what the protocol is going forward. Personally, I wouldn’t suspend a game unless it was a Hamlin type situation. That was unique and far worse, just based on the players faces and reactions.

We simply cannot allow any positive news about this team. Each little nugget of positivity or fun, must be drowned in a sea of negative criticism and despair. A lot of folks need to go enjoy some fresh air and step away from the team.

This. Easily half of Bruce’s sacks wouldn’t have counted because it would be a 15yd roughing the passer penalty.

I did the emoji beer thing. But really wanted to just say thank you as well ..pretty much exactly how i feel reading this board lately.

With all their preseason success, how many times have they won the Super Bowl in the last 5 years? I mean what’s the goal here?

That’s the issue i have with ..this board this week. It was a game that most people didn’t even want Josh or most of the starters to play in. But, when they do and clearly looked to be avoiding hard contact (presumably to avoid injuries) or the coaches intentionally try to put players in a position to learn (e.g., Kincaid blocking, not Knox), then everyone comes here and screams the sky is falling and ready to blow the entire team and front office up for being so inept. Hell, Beane is getting grief for signing a camp fodder LB. Its just ridiculous how bad this place has gotten after a completely meaningless game. You’re so hopeful though, aren't you?

Bills forfeit after firing the HC and OC, trade Josh, cut 3/4 of the rest of the team because they all suck. We tank the season so we can draft another WR. Only bright side is half the posters on TBD get to say, I was right all along.

Ya think?? People are overreacting to the entire game. I know people just like to B word but dang its getting unbearable. It was a preseason game. Priority one is don’t get injured. But folks around here seem to think this game had playoff seeding up for grabs.

I don’t need an internet-based article to prove it. I lived it. It was the K-Gun In reference to Keith McKeller, the TE. When McKeller would come in, the defense would substitute to a favorable package for the Bills Offense. So, they would switch to the no huddle attack to take advantage. Of course, the offense evolved and wasn’t just reliant on which TE was on the field, but that’s how it all began. And, yes, I experienced the Trent Edwards debacle as well. I think any person that experienced the Kelly led no huddle attack, realized that was gonna be a hot mess. Josh, I must admit, may be another story. I’ve often thought he may have the skill set and mentality to run an effective no huddle offense all game. edit: although now a days with OC to QB communications its a different world, all together, when it comes to a QB calling his own plays at the line.

Barkley walking around with the hand held leg massager. LOL

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SingDe00.htm 13 fumbles in 672 carries and 145 receptions. Thats is simply not a crazy high fumble per carry rate. Career catch % ..75.1%. I guess all his drops were in the playoffs?

That is simply not true.

As someone thats never lived in Buffalo, I’ve always had to get my Bills news somehow. At one point, it was Shout!. I loved that paper. Then the interweb came around, and I found the HyperBills site. Unless I’m mistaken, my current avatar logo was used on that site. And like some, I found TBD in its infancy. Been here ever since. In 1998, I was graduating from graduate school and off to NJ. It was a crazy time. Following the Bills and reading the hot takes here have gotten me through a lot of the major upheavals in my life. States, houses, a marriage, girlfriends, jobs, family, friends, web browsers, QBs… they’ve all come and gone. But the stupid hot takes on this site remain. I can’t imagine my daily routine without it. Thank you all and especially SDS for keeping it going. (I do wonder, as said upthread, about the age range here. Its hard to imagine an old school message board still being this active after all these years.)

We have to have a whipping boy… Edmonds is gone. Shakir… you’re up.

Only because Tre White is clearly not back to form.

Agreed. 100%. I still don’t understand the posters upset with last year’s 13 wins… because we didn’t dominate enough while winning. Thats the most odd take I’ve heard going all the way back to last season. This team won. Period. People need to stop expecting every drive to be a score. Its amazing how quickly people got spoiled. The biggest concern I have is the loss of Singletary. Hopefully Cook is ready to make a leap in consistency. I’m not even as worried about McD being the defensive coordinator, as I feel he was very involved with the defense in the past. There are lots of unknowns and question marks with the team to be certain. Buy every team has unknowns at this point in the summer. No reason to just expect all the Bills’ moves were bad and everyone else’s were good. Not till at least October.

Rewatching all the games from last year, I will say 2 things. Gabe Davis is far better than posters here give him credit. He’s a solid WR that should absolutely remain a Bill. Singletary is a good RB! The offense was immensely better when he was in. He does not have breakaway speed. But the number of times he made a cut and got the needed yards cannot be underestimated. I fear we’re going to miss him. Anyone saying differently, I truly think isn’t actually watching the game but going on a preconceived notion of their play.

I’ve rewatched most of last season’s games. Offensively, I really hope the offensive line additions pan out. That was the glaring issue. Fix that and the run game follows. Its amazing how many times the offense stutters and its like Allen finally says F it, and takes the while offense on his back. That needs to stop. Also, for whatever reason, the offense became very predictable by mid season. That’s gotta be on Dorsey. Defensively, they were entirely too banged up. But they just have to be more aggressive. The bend but don’t break stuff only gets you so far as we’ve seen the last few years.

And therein lies the issue I think most people have. He was drafted at #9. If he was the exact same player, from day 1, and drafted in the 2nd round people would be more than happy today. Draft position is irrelevant, IMO, if the the guy is starting from his rookie season on. He was a good pick then, and a good player now.

The problem with most posters here is they expect hall of fame caliber players at every position and then hope for a home town discount when its time to resign them. And when they don’t get both, they think you can draft that player and have them produce as rookies. Of course, either scenario rarely happens. Oliver is a good player and they’re keeping him at a reasonable price in the current NFL market. I’m glad he’s staying on the team. It’s one less hole in the roster going forward.

Been waiting for this! Thank you.

I’m watching ...I can’t help but feel a little bitter. Maybe disappointed? All because the Bills are good. And so close to being in this game. Yet, we seem so far away as well. During the drought years, I could enjoy the game more because the Bills had no chance of being there. Now... damn when will we get here?

***** you.

Reluctantly, I’m falling into this camp. Frazier just has to go. We need fresh air for the defense. Since McD got here and hired Frazier, they’ve been t running the same defense. Trying to perfect it and each year drafting or acquiring heavily on the defensive side of the ball. In the end... we have great season-long stats that are used to justify how good they are. But we get to the playoffs and the result is the same. The season’s stats are thrown out the window and we’re in a dog fight hoping Josh can be a super hero. I don’t think we need to completely revamp the defense (cause that would mean all new players). But someone has to be out there that is better at game plans and in-game situations that can generate pressure like sooooo many other teams routinely do. Offensively, I hate the notion of giving up on Dorsey after 1 season. But, it was pretty obvious his offense got figured out back in October. And he was unwilling or unable to adapt. Every game essentially came down to Josh being superior when the play broke down and he ad libbed throws and runs. There was very little scheming guys open or effective play calling. They need to sit down with Dorsey, at least, and determine what his plan is for overcoming the stale, predictable offense he was running. Not only on week 1, but how will he adapt throughout the season? Maybe they just need someone with experience to teach him? I think McD can do all this.. and he has to. The one thing they simply cannot do is just assume we had a a few bad breaks this year, and with a new safety or DT, we’ll finally have the missing player to put it all together. The Bills current roster is good enough. But that Bengals game was an inexcusable beat down in every aspect. At this point, I’m not confident they make the bold changes they need to. So we’ll all cheer a 12-13 win team again in 2023. But then what happens after a January loss in the playoffs? How many years is this acceptable? Its been 4 now. The Bills are no longer that team hoping to make the playoffs. They took the necessary steps to become a perennial playoff team. It worked. Now is the hard part... what do you do to become a perennial Super Bowl team? Some figure it out.. many others do not.