WIDE LEFT
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Posts posted by WIDE LEFT
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Sidelines on Delaware (across from Embassy Suites) is an underrated bar to watch games - great tv setup, great atmosphere and good food. Bada Bing on Chippewa works too ( no it's not a strip club).
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It never ceases to amaze me the basic lack of NFL knowledge on the part of guys who write for, and who get paid by the Buffalo News, to cover the Bills/NFL. The most recent demonstration was Gleason's column this morning, where he advocates just cutting Dareus and swallowing the $24 million cap hit. So it's clear, even though he is paid to cover & analyze the NFL, he has no idea how the cap works. Bills can't cut Dareus and absorb that cap hit because they DON'T HAVE ANYTHING NEAR $24 million in cap space to do that. They have less than 10 million I believe. They would have cut players like Hughes or Tyrod (or both) to create that kind of cap space.
But this NFL "writer" has no idea what the ramifications are of his ridiculous proposal. Doesn't quite understand how the NFL works. But why should he, since he has only been doing this for 20+ years.
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You don't want to bash Ralph Wilson? Okay I will do it for you. Long before Tom Donahue or GM Levy, good old Ralph was running this franchise into the ground. He is the only owner in NFL history to lose the number one pick in the NFL draft to the CFL, for christsakes. Ralph owned the team for 20+ years by the time he drafted Jim Kelly; at which point Kelly saw what a mess this franchise was and jumped to USFL. Read Kelly's autobiography. They had to sneak the hiring of Bill Polian past Ralph, who opposed it. After hall of famer Polian constructed the best teams Buffalo ever had, Ralph fired him. He paid $25,000 for this franchise, which appreciated in value to over 1 billion dollars, and that wasn't enough for Mr Wilson. After realizing a significant profit every year, in addition to his billion dollar + windfall, he decided he needed an extra 10 million so he gives up competitive advantage by moving games to Toronto. The players hated it. John Murphy railed against it. For most of the years he owned this team, their win/loss record has been horrendous. The notion that most Bills fans have,m that is that Ralph deserves hero worship because he kept the team in Buffalo, ignores the huge financial award he received for keeping the team here. And conviently ignores the fact that good old Ralph, in the early 70s, threatened to move the franchise to Seattle, unless the taxpayers of Erie County built him a stadium. For which he paid nothing for. And named it after himself, despite the fact he contributed zero to it, and despite the fact that for all his whining about lack of revenue, he was willing to give up the 5 million plus per year in naming rights to have the stadium named after him, that stadium everybody here but him paid for. The great Ralph Wilson indeed.
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Yes it's kind of silly when these posts criticize the characterizing of the WR position as "not important". Every position is important. Every QB would love to have a stud wide receiver(s). That is all self evident. But in a cap controlled league, you have to determine where and how to allocate your dollars. Where to spend the most money. It does not really matter what I or any fan thinks, the original point is what the Bills brass thinks. And based on their experience with the Panthers, going 15-1 with mediocre receivers, it's clear to them that there are more "important" positions i.e. more critical places to spend your money. Thus the Watkins trade.
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It was Newton's best year as a passer which you failed to mention, he threw his most TD passes (35), I think his lowest INT ratio since his rookie season (10) and tied for 8th in passer rating (99.4).
Again someone making my point. As you state "Newtons best year as a passer" came in a year where he lost his star receiver (Benjamin) for the entire year. He produced his best year with mediocre receivers. This is what Beane & McDermott witnessed first hand. So no surprise they devalued the need for a high priced star receiver. Spend your money elsewhere.
For those who question who is the more accurate thrower of the football; just look at the stats, it's Taylor by a mile. Cam was 52% last year. That does NOT mean Taylor is the better QB.
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Cam Newton was NFL MVP that year. Do you think Tyrod is a MVP candidate? I don't even know if he is the best QB on the team at this point. It's a brand new offense and a brand new defense. If you think we are a Super Bowl team like the Panthers were then you are in for a surprise. Our offense has looked horrendous thus far. If they didn't change the offense on us we might have had a shot at the playoffs but as it is now we are starting from scratch on both sides of the ball. It's going to be a long year
Nobody is suggesting that the Bills are Super Bowl contenders. Two meaningless preseason games tells us nothing about this offense. But you make my point - Cam Newton was NFL MVP that year throwing to a mediocre set of receivers. No one believes Taylor will be an MVP candidate, but it is true that he is a far more accurate thrower of the ball than Newton. His performance last year was far superior to Newton's 2016 season
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When analyzing how professionals in any business operate, it helps to look at their past experiences, specifically the scenarios/situations where they have had success in the past. Consider Beane & McDermott. Their most successful year by far was the year the Panthers went to the Super Bowl. That particular team had a QB known more for his running than his passing, had a very strong running game, had a mediocre receiving corps ( they lost star WR Kelvin Benjamin to injury in preseason); and they had a defense designed & coached by McDermott. Sounds a lot like the current Bills.
But the real lesson they learned from that very successful season is that you do NOT need a stud, #1 receiver to be successful. Having that great receiver is a luxury, not a necessity. Look at the very best receivers in the NFL over the last decade. The number of Super Bowl wins those great receivers have is close to zero. This explains a lot about the Watkins trade, especially knowing he would demand huge dollars next year. The choice to devote your cap dollars to other areas of the team (D & O lines) is a wise one.
And to those who would dismiss this years team's chances, or call this a tank year, go ahead and review the success of that Panthers team.
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It's not even close - if you can - stay at Pearl Street Lofts - attached to Pearl Street Grill. - your hotel room there is really a two bedroom condo, with full kitchen & fireplace. Cannot be beat, location is ideal.
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I generally like what Lombardi says about all aspects of the NFL but I agree with some of the criticisms specific to this article. He does not do a good job in defining what constitutes a successful culture.
So the Bills had a very successful culture until Kelly retired. Then it's unsuccessful? Lombardi's beloved Patriots did NOT have a successful culture until they stumbled across the lottery ticket that is Tom Brady. Let's see how successful their culture is when Brady is gone. Lombardi needs to point to a successful culture that excels WITHOUT a franchise QB. He does not point to one here.
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While it's no surprise the local media is completely negative on Bills playoff chances, I am surprised at the widespread belief that this team is floating in the area of a 5 win season. Yes of course the QB is vitally important and remains a question mark. But this QB has produced solid if not spectacular results, and if his offense can produce an average of 26 points per game (as it did last year), I will take it - right now.
But leaving the QB issue aside, most agree that successful NFL teams are built from the inside out ie strong offensive & defensive lines. Any neutral observer would agree that the O & D lines of the Bills are their strength. Both lines are talented, experienced and proven. That's huge in the NFL. Sprinkle in some great playmakers like McCoy and Watkins and you have a recipe for NFL success.
It was the defense that was the main problem last year. I don't believe the talent level on defense is any less than what Schwartz had in 2014 when our defense was great. Ryan's game management and his defensive schemes were abysmal, and McDermott doesn't need to be a defensive genius to produce far better result. Good defense coupled with offensive production even slightly better than last year can produce a 10 or 11 win season. Last years win total of 7 would have been much higher with a decent defense.
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Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but is it too much to expect that the WNY media at least have an informed opinion? In warning the Bills to be wary of signing Maclin, Bucky Gleason purports to hold them to their word to avoid "splash" signings. I would hardly regard Maclin to be a splash signing, but I believe the Bills front office promised only to acquire free agents to increase the talent level and competition level of the overall team. But that's at least arguable. What's laughable is Gleason's assertion that the Bills should assume that Andy Reid had "his reasons" for releasing Maclin. Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the situation knows the reason - the Chiefs are cash strapped and didn't even have enough cap room to sign their draft choices. They thought the world of Maclin as a teammate and competitor. Just didn't have the cap room to keep him. How does a sportswriter not know this? How about spending two minutes researching a topic before you write a "power take", which includes a shot at the Bills front office. Force of habit I guess.
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I believe it was Stephenson who was responsible for hiring Polian to begin with. Actually had to sneaki the hiring of Polian in actually, as Ralph Wilson, ever the cheapskate, so no need for a director of pro personnel.
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You seriously need to get a life, if you are so jacked up because of what Jerry Sullivan writes. The guy has been around for a whole long time and writes editorial pieces. That means he gives his opinion. I find them insiteful with a whole lot of context, since he has been covering Buffalo sports for so long, with just enuf humor edginess and disgust. You don't have to agree with him. But he is an excellent writer.
And btw that organization that Sullivan supposedly worships? They have won 5 Super Bowls and played in a total of 7 since the 2001 season. And have played in the last 6 Conference Championships. So while as Bills fans, we loathe them as a rival. You have to respect what they have accomplished.
Not all that jacked up - just pointing out his complete lack of insight. Where do find him to be insightful when it comes to the NFL? He never played or coached the game, he does not review and break down game film, and worst of all he has been too lazy to ever develop a source who does these things or has that expertise. As a result, his opinions are no more insightful than the average fan. "Being around a long time" means nothing; your average joe at the local bar has been around a long time too and has seen as many Bills games as Jerry. He has no insight because ha has no sources. Thus you get Sullivan "insight" like blasting Bills for even considering giving Gilmore a big contract, something according to him the Pats would never do. Great insight there, great sources there.
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That's not how it works, WIDE LEFT.... you see with those particular media types like Sully, you only bring up the stuff you got right. Don't attempt to insert logic, reason, or track record into this. Sully was right, because Patriots.
When he said they would never give Gilly a big contract, he was right. But in the time since, master god Bellicheck has altered the rules of the universe, and now it is the right decision. Come on, WIDE LEFT, keep up.
Heads Jerry wins, tails I am the idiot. You are right - the world according to Jerry, always changing. Tough to keep up
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Excellent week for the always so insightful Jerry Sullivan. He advocated cutting Tyrod Taylor, and replacing him by "drafting a quarterback". As if the Bills or any other team can just snap their fingers and magically a franchise QB will happen to be available in this or most any draft year. Perhaps Jerry should put aside his hero worship of the Patriots organization and take a hard look at the Patriots success rate has been in drafting QBs. They have drafted a lot of QBs since stumbling into the lucky lottery ticket named Brady in the SIXTH round. All of their choices have failed, and Jimmy G is no sure thing either. So if his genius organization has failed miserably in identifying and drafting a franchise QB, what does that say about his solution that the Bills should simply "draft a franchise QB". It's not that easy for the Bills or any team, including the Pats.
Speaking of Jerry's hero worship of the Pats, it was just two weeks ago that Jerry berated the Bills organization for even considering lavishing a big contract on Gilmore - something, according to Jerry, the Patriots would never do. He further whined about why the Bills don't follow Pats model in refusing to give out big contracts to guys like Gilmore.
But of course with Jerry S it's always heads I win, tails the Bills are stupid. So next year, if Gilmore has a great year, Jerry will write column explaining why Bill B. was such a genius in stealing Gilmore from the Bills
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The WNY media has to rank among the worst. Many, especially those employed by the Buffalo News, have been calling for Ryan to be fired most of the year. They have, at various times, called Ryan a buffoon, a liar, a total incompetent etc etc. They are now hysterical over the fact that Whaley won't hold a press conference THIS week, ( he has one scheduled for this coming Monday) to explain to them why Ryan was fired; something they have themselves been calling for all year.
Whaley is not going to trash Ryan (as the media has). And some of the very good reasons for his dismissal are detailed in the national media, specifically today's MMQBSI. And I will detail a few here:
His defense is a complete, dysfunctional train wreck. That was Kyle Williams and Marcel Dareus anchoring the middle versus Miami center KRAIG URBICK for christ sakes. Steamrolled for the umpteenth time this season. His defense has been getting worse as the season progressed. But that's not why he should have been fired.
Ryan had complete disdain for analytics. After all these years of coaching in the NFL he didn't have a clue about in game management/strategy. Last years debacle in Kansas City, ie his failure to challenge calls, revealed that he had a primitive and totally inadequate system for review challenges, this after all his prior NFL experience. After the game he vowed to fix it. After the loss.
But Sunday's game said it all. Coaching for a potential playoff spot, and his job, he turned in an in game coaching disaster of historic proportions. Did he get anything right? Could not call a time out in time to properly set his defense for tying field goal kick. Ten guys on the field then too. Ended regulation time with three timeouts in his pocket. Completely unaware that a tie eliminates playoff chance; and even if he was aware, would have still made the disastrous decision to punt. Etc etc. Dysfunction squared.
Clear as a bell he had to go. All that NFL head coaching experience and he turns in a coaching performance like that? He demonstrates that he just doesn't get it, and never will. And I don't need Whaley to conduct two separate press conferences in the space of six days to explain the obvious. One presser will do. It was all on display last Sunday anyway.
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Using very high draft picks for guys like this, then later giving big money to him, is a recipe for disaster. Zero character, total loser. When Brett Farve lost his father, he dedicated his season to him. When Marcel's half brother died, the big M took his entire 2nd season off. Multiple suspensions, often out of shape, loser squared. His performance today was typical of the absolute loser he is. Needing him to come up big, he takes the day off. He was manhandled today, often in one on one situations. It's so hard to root for this team, and it's made much harder when their "star" players are so lacking in character.
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Often shake my head at the critics of Whaley. The WNY media hyperanalyzes each draft choice, and any failed pick gets Whaley a heap of criticism. For example, the clueless brothers, Jerry Sullivan & Bucky Gleason, neither of whom has ever developed a source with NFL knowledge/insider. Why bother, when it's just so much easier to shoot from the hip with their uninformed opinions, based on their "extensive" experience in the pro football world. Does anybody think either of these two clowns has ever reviewed even one game tape. Or developed a knowledgeable source who can review/analyze game tape? The answer is no, and the consequence is that their opinions are no more informed than any drunk sitting at any bar in WNY. The difference is they have a forum. It's the only difference
The proper way to evaluate Whaley is not to compare him to perfection, but rather compare his drafts to the other NFL teams drafts. Hey go ahead and compare his drafts to Hall of Fame GM Polian drafts. Whaley compares well. And don't forget, as his critics so often do, his trades and veteran acquisitions. It's almost as if the Jerry Hughes trade never happened, he just sort of showed up here, if you listen to his critics, who conveniently ignore all this.
And my favorite, often repeated by two lazy nitwits on WGR, one of whom believes he is a bulldog of sorts, whining about the trade up to get Watkins. You would think Whaley gave up the entire future of the franchise by giving up first round pick (19th overall) in the following year. But they can never tell you who that future hall of fame player was that the Bills missed out on by giving up that 19th pick. Go ahead, look at that draft and tell me what player available there could have turned this franchise around. I guarantee that your Bulldog was to lazy to even research that. Hey it's easier to just go on the air and shoot from the uninformed hip. BTW - if you do find such a player, what's the guarantee the Bills would have picked him.
A reasonable evaluation of Whaley reveals a GM doing an excellent job, when compared to his peers.
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On a somewhat related note but rarely--if ever--discussed at this forum:
As long as Brady/Belichick are in NE and that machine is firing on all cylinders, and as long as they are in our division, we will not win our division.
That means the easier route to the playoffs is categorically unavailable to us.
Our only path to the playoffs is via the Wildcard, which is a tough road to hoe.
We should be lobbying the NFL for realignment. Get away from NE and into a midwest "central" type division, or change the playoff structure to a conference setup maybe with more teams making the playoffs with more games to enjoy.
Yea by the time that happens Brady will be gone, and Bill B will fade into the mediocrity he was before he stumbled into the lottery ticket that Brady became.
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Today's result is inevitable based on the NFL as it exists in 2016. A decade long run of the NFL making rules change favoring the passing game at the expense of running game/defense will always favor a passing team. The only exception is a team that maintains defensive excellence year after year. Analytics tells us that is very rare - only Seattle this decade, with Denver on the way. The Bills, like the vast majority of NFL teams, cannot establish defensive dominance on a consistent basis. As such, their run first, ball possession offense is a recipe for mediocrity. Shady will have a great year, the Bills, as they have done for last several years, will be in the top tier of running offenses. And they will be mediocre. You simply cannot have multiple rule changes favoring the passing game, and continue to think running the ball is the way to win. Unless you have a world class defense. We don't have one, and neither do most teams.
Rex is a dinosaur, and cannot succeed in today's NFL. Sad but true.
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Keep it simple stupid.
Rexs defensive scheme doesn't follow this philosophy.
KISS does accurately describe the Philips/Schwartz philosophy.
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There are basically two types of defensive philosophies in the NFL - Wade Philips/Jim Schwartz defenses are short on disguise and emphasize simplicity so that their players can execute without having to think too much. Easier for QB to dissect. Then there is the Rex Ryan/Mangini style, emphasizing post snap disguise/complexity. Tougher on QB to dissect, but requiring more thought/execution from D players.
But a look at today's game and recent games demonstrates that Rex's defensive schemes are not confusing opposing QBs. So we are getting the worst of both worlds, a defense that confuses its own players more than it does opposing QBs. Exactly what Russel Wilson said when evaluating Bills defense. Rex has much to answer for. His schemes appear to be obsolete. How often did Carr look confused today?
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Busby's West in Santa Monica is an awesome time. If you're even lightly considering going, I strongly recommend it. Traffic is pretty light on Sunday morning anyways so just suck it up and drive 20 miles or so to Busby's.
Thanks to all for the suggestions - Busby's sounds great, and the 20 mile drive there is no problem. It's the drive back that's the issue, especially if it's a close game. I hesitate to even relate as to how many beers I had during that last Cincinnati drive
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Just a reup here in case anybody out there has some info?
Options to replace DT D. Coleman
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
Walter Powell - needed speed receiver soon coming off suspension - familiar with this offense and with Tyrod