GunnerBill

Yes. It was a LOT better under Frazier. Frazier 2017 - 17th 2018 - 8th 2019 - 7th 2020 - 13th 2021 - 1st 2022 - 7th McDermott 2023 - 19th Babich 2024 - 29th 2025 (incomplete) - 23rd It's true that I don't think the talent not is what it was at Leslie's peak here... but Frazier was never the problem. There are just a bunch of fans who want blitz happy defenses and loads of man coverage and Leslie is never gonna give you that. But he is a really good DC and I guarantee even with this group he'd be performing a lot better.

Yes, it essentially refers to which gap you play in. A 1 tech plays in the A gap (between a center and a guard) and a 3 tech the B gap (between a guard and a tackle).

I think it is going to be a slight down class (especially CB, WR, OT, pass rushing DE).... ahead of a class in 2027 that looks long range forecast special. Linebacker, safety and defensive ends that don't really pop as pass rushers are where I can see there being some guys. Running back too possibly.

Maybe. Again I'm a huge Evans fan, he was the guy I'd have drafted in 2014, love him and always have. Nobody would have heard of Johnny Manziel if Mike Evans wasn't an Aggie. I just, a bit like my point on Mack, don't think at any point in his NFL career I would say "he is the best player in the league at his position." And for first ballot guys that really would be my criteria. I would put Mike Evans in for sure, 2nd or 3rd year of eligibility. I'm not saying he should have a long wait. But I'd lean against first ballot if I were a voter.

Yea I agree. I think some of the third down play calling and the concepts on those downs against Miami in particular were bonkers. I don't have a ton of trust in Bobby Babich. There is an Assistant Head Coach out on the Pacific Coast Id take back in a HEARTBEAT.

It should be. Definitely a risk he is running.

Oh he will get in. But I don't think he has ever truly been the best player in the league at his position. He had some nice years, his overall resume gets him in. But no way a first ballot guy. I personally maintain he is and has been slightly overrated most of his career.

If Khalil Mack goes in on the first ballot they should shut the thing down.

Oh I am a huge Mike Evans fan. And he is a slam dunk HOFer. Just not sure he will go in first ballot.

Agree on all this. Bitonio, Hayward and Evans get in but are not first ballot guys. Von Miller goes in first ballot. Saquon and Nelson get in though also probably not first ballot. I actually think Lane Johnson could be a first ballot guy if I was moving someone up.

100% right on Lamar. On the Ravens front 4 - they were down their best player on that line in Madubuike - but you are right they just don't feel that talented up there compared to some of their past teams - particularly off the edge. Oweh has never been anything more than a situational rusher and their starters are mid round draft picks. I made the comment in my observations about their depth. And that's a real concern right across the board on defense. It's what we need to remember when we talk about the different way rosters are built. A team like the Bills doesn't have a Kyle Hamilton or a Roquan Smith - but our depth has already been tested and shown up in some spots. Down Madukuike and Van Noy the Ravens D looked underpowered. The secondary did at least step up a bit as the game went on, but they just couldn't stop the run at all and the Lions imposed their will on the ground. This is the third season running the Ravens defense has started slow. The last two years they have rounded into form post Thanksgiving. It remains to be seem if they do this time. Offensive line wise, I think they will be fine and that was just a rough night. Their guards are a bit questionable but Stanley and Rosengarten are usually solid and they were dreadful last night. So I'm willing to put that down to a bad day and move on, but bears watching.

I know you are being facetious but I don't think this looks like being a good corner class, no. Safety looks better but I'd be shocked if the Bills went safety in round 1.

In the summer I had Hurts 5 and Herbert 6 and right now I'd keep them in that order.

See I don't see that we do have better control. The one play I think it might change is the run they called on 2nd down with Achane. Maybe they feel they have to pass there. And so of course there is a chance that play goes differently. But there is a chance they throw it into the endzone, which they did two passes later. Whichever way around the Bills defense had to make a play to stop them.

It is worth saying now that the entire league has played 3 games that the Bills are 9th in total defense (which is officially measured by yards). They are 20th in points given up and 23rd on 3rd down. I expect the soft schedule to help improve those rankings over the next few weeks, but at the same time I think it gives you a sense of what this defense's issue is: They are vulnerable to long drives - they either get you off the field early or you can rumble right on down.

No. I don't think it is crazy. I just don't know that I think it was any more likely than it was the way the Bills played it. Was it possible for them to get a stop, sure. It was either way. But they didn't do it. I'm not sure why they were more likely to do it with a running clock. Would that have stopped Tua escaping on 3rd down?

My take on the 2026 class (and I really haven't started diving in yet) is it doesn't look a great class at the premium positions - a lot of people love the QBs but that remains to be seen. Think interior Dline, linebacker, running back will be decent groups with some depth. Agree with the OP there are some edge guys but they aren't really your quick twitch dominant pass rush types. They are your big end 5i types. There will be receivers but maybe not a ton of top names (possibly similar to 2025). I think the 2027 class not just at receiver but everywhere could be a bit of an all timer. But that is VERY early crystal ball gazing and a lot can happen inbetween times.

I'm looking. He is still meh.

What leads you to believe the defense would have been any more likely to make a stop?

Sure. And I never doubted he was a solid pick. I think Hancock can be too. It isn't a knock on those guys. It is a knock on Beane's priorities. Which are third tight end and backup DB over developmental receiver with explosive traits. He just always seems to find something he values more.

Well the Normans did invade. About a thousand years ago.

Tuesday morning reflections.... - There was a ton of bad football in the NFL this week even from some of its stronger teams. Not this game. This was an excellent contest between two talented teams; - The Lions demise was definitely prematurely stated after week 1. Even I dropped them from my tier of potential Superbowl winners. I shouldn't have. This team still has enough talent to go all the way; - Kelvin Sheppard (not someone I immediately had down as future NFL DC when he was a 3rd round pick of the Bills in 2011) and his defense won the battle up front. Limited Henry and then when the Ravens were forced to pass swarmed Jackson; - Meanwhile the Ravens defense missing Madubuike and Van Noy really never got hold of the Lions run game and you do wonder a little bit about their depth on that side of the ball; - All of a sudden Derrick Henry is a fumbler! 3 fumbles in the entire season last year, three in 3 games this year... but the Ravens also need to find a way to get Zay Flowers more involved in the game. While Rashod Bateman is a good player as a defensive coach I am happy with him having 6 receptions if it means Zay Flowers is 2 for 13 yards - he is their game breaker. Both of these teams are still potential Superbowl champions. Even if they both have yet to prove it in the post season.

The Dorsey metrics fell off a cliff at the end of his time here as well. He was fired deservedly. I thought he did a reasonable job his one full year (2022) But 2023 was going downhill fast. It started in London where the offense was brutal and it snowballed from there. It was definitely the right decision to move on. Brady is a better OC.

The deep shot comment was a tongue in cheek jab at Dallas to be clear.

I also do not think Bobby Babich is particularly good. The third down defense is a problem not entirely because of how he calls it but definitely partly how he calls it. I know he is still a relatively inexperienced coordinator and he has had some highlights (his regular season gameplan v KC last year was outstanding) but I feel like he is a weak spot.