SoMAn

This play calling blows. James Cook is not a feature back.

Thanks for the reminder about the Loyalty program. I completely forgot to ask my friendly server for the application. Years ago we used to go to Bella’s Pizza at Atlanta Rd and Paces Ferry for their Wednesday night jams. That’s in your neck of the woods too. Guessing you’ve been there too. Enjoy the coming season. Maybe we’ll manage to get together for one of the games. Go Bills!

I hope Kincaid gets a running TD, does the Lambeau Leap into the stands, and slams full force into Fireman Ed, making him swallow his tongue and choke to death, or at least have a small seizure.

So, here’s my story: Been dying for good wings in metro Atlanta - the kind we used to get in WNY. I was going to be in the Alpharetta/Roswell (northern burbs) area so decided to give The Standard a try. One of the worst culinary experiences I’ve ever had. Ordered a cold beer and 10 hot wings, requested they be ‘crispy’. 10 minutes later my rubbery-skin mild wings arrived. I flagged down the server and requested the crispy hot wings I ordered. Yes, I was polite. I don’t treat servers poorly. I asked for hot sauce on the side. He said it would be another 10 minutes. I said, ‘fine’. He brought the wings, only somewhat crispy. I’m guessing the word ‘crispy’ is as foreign to Generation Z as is cursive writing and multiplication tables. One bite and I couldn’t talk when he asked if I wanted anything else. All I could do was point to my beer. It was as if the guy in the kitchen decided, “I’ll show that unhappy MF customer”. The sauce was like a ghost pepper sauce sprinkled with cayenne. It felt like my face was on fire. Understand, when the choices for wings are hot, medium, or mild, hot is my usual choice. This was more like what some places call suicidal or nuclear. But, they did include that cute little sprinkling of chopped parsley leaves over the wings and pink blue cheese. 😒. The cook must be a Bobby Flay fan. I had one more wing before I said the hell with it. The jerk server absolutely didn’t GAF when I asked him to thank the chef for ruining my lunch. The guy was unapologetic and acted as if my being there was an imposition. It was $10 to park nearby since their lot only held about 6 cars. So, between wings, 2 beers, the parking, and tip, basically I paid almost $40 for 3 horrible wings and a couple of PBRs. Needless to say, the Standard at Roswell has been crossed off my possible list of local Bills Backers bars. Maybe some of you like those kind of wings. If that’s their usual recipe, they’re NOT what we know and love from from Duff’s, Gabriel’s Gate, Rooties, Bar Bill, etc.

There was a time when NFL highlight shows and round table discussions were limited to Sunday pre-game broadcasts and HBO's 'Inside the NFL'. Other than locally produced shows it was one of the few places to see the game highlights. Remember, most home games were not even shown locally on TV, so for many, Inside the NFL was fans' first extensive look and analysis of the game. It's no longer relevant since the volume of on-demand podcasts, DVRs, streaming radio, Youtube, team websites and video content, websites and message boards like this. Inside the NFL may be a fine show, but it's not must see TV for NFL fans that they have to pencil it in on their calendars. We used to look forward to the Thursday evening first look. Now? Meh. I'll check out my team at my convenience at preferred favorite web sites.

Which indicates there are many stadium attendees drinking a whole lot more than that. As much as I love seeing the Bills in person, the idea of spending hundreds of $$ and traveling 900 miles to risk a game day experience that may be ruined by a couple of drunk A holes keeps me from making the trip. I’ve never understood why some people get so blotto at games and concerts they will barely remember. How is being cognitively impaired preferable to lucidity? I get unwinding with a drink or two in a social setting. I just don’t understand the appeal of being so obnoxious and betarded that you need your friends babysitting to keep you from falling down and getting into fights.

Sit him out the whole year so he’ll be ready for 2024. I’d could even be on board with waiting until opening day at the new Highmark stadium. Should be ‘scary good’ by then!

The Bills success should be the least of our worries at this stage. At our age we should just be grateful that we have children or grandchildren around to show us where the ‘ON’ switch is located on our computers. Find us at getoffmylawm.com

If he grows a fu Manchu mustache he’ll be the second coming of Joe Namath.

And the rich get richer. It’s a shame that the young fans will be priced out of going to games, just using pocket money as we could back in the day. Even earning less than $10/hr as a late teen/early 20’s, a $16 ticket was affordable. We went to a lot of games. (And concerts) But, it’s capitalism. Supply and Demand. As long as NFL games continue to sell out, prices will keep going up. Just thankful that I came of age when large events didn’t cost several days take home wages and was able to experience many great Bills games and just about every big act in rock.

I guess if there’s a dissenting opinion it’s now considered ‘trolling’ by some. Well, may as well just close the board down if there’s no room for debate. ok…now, I can’t say you’re wrong to question it. Brady was super competitive and is generally acknowledged to be a guy who studied the game like his life depended on it, dissected every opponent, and had a diet and exercise regiment that would extend his career. He lived to win championships. He made few public appearances doing golf, baseball games, or anything other than family events. Few players are that dedicated. Is Josh that dedicated? I don’t know. Maybe. But he does seem to make time for podcasts, lots of golf, etc. - things we rarely witnessed with Brady. It is slightly curious that Josh admits to not being a big film guy. His rationale being (paraphrasing) that he doesn’t want to get locked into a player’s tendencies only to find they’ve changed it up on game day. If that works for him, ok. We’ll see. I just hope he has similar obsessive desire as Brady to win a championship.

Same hand-wringing worry warts as we heard this time last year: "OMG -starting with the super bowl champs, and the # 1 seed in the AFC...we'll be lucky to go 3-3 in the first 6 games.....blah blah blah" How'd those dire predictions turn out? Maybe the Jets and Dolphins oughta be worried about the Bills.

I think it’s important to understand Maddy’s role. She’s a Buffalo Bills employee doing PR, media relations and one of the faces to the public. I don’t know that she studied or has any kind of extensive training in the broadcasting field. I’d bet she’s a really kind person who most people would like having as a friend or co-worker. I think her and Tasker have good chemistry on One Bills Live. Chris Brown is another one that takes the time to understand the game, players, cap, etc. Very knowledgeable. Just wish he’d learn to shut up when Tasker is talking. He interupts constantly. On some discussions I’m more interested in hearing from Tasker and his perspective as a former player, but Brown is forever cutting him off before we hear Tasker’s complete thought or answer. Brownie acts like he IS the show and Tasker is little more than his sidekick, a la Ed McMahon. But regardless of the minor peeves, it’s great to hear the local talk for us out of towers.

I know there’s probably good bit involved, but learning zone is not rocket science. Assuming he’s had access to DB coaches, the playbook, and teammates in the DB room with similar assignments, how, after 15+months of exposure to the scheme, is he still struggling? It’s his job! If he’s still trying to figure it out, he should be up at the crack of dawn every day like anyone else with a job, studying and learning til his head hurts. In his pre-draft interview he was seen in the meeting with Bean and McD making a point of how prepared he is and studies the playbook diligently. I’m starting to believe that was him parroting a script from his agent, or he actually does work that hard, but just doesn’t catch on quickly. If learning how to play zone is that complicated, maybe spending a first round pick on Elam was a big mistake. If the scheme is one the Bills believed can be absorbed by an average player, maybe Elam has the athleticism, but just isn’t smart enough for the mental aspect.

You may be right. It’s all conjecture and supposition from me. Obviously, they felt Elam was or could be better than McCreary and Gordon. Elam may suddenly ‘get it’ and turn out to be a good choice after all. But right now, he doesn’t seem to be high in the pecking order. He’s trending towards ‘bust’.

Elam was exactly what coaches and GMs usually avoid in the draft - a reach. With Tre White’s return still uncertain and the departure of Wallace, the Bills were targeting a CB, though probably not Elam. I’m skeptical that they actually had a 1st rd grade on him. A run on the available CBs earlier in the draft made for a desperation move. The reach. I’d bet the decision Beane chose didn’t come easily. There were probably players in other positions with higher grades they could take, but that would leave a gaping hole in the CB position, with a shot at another prospect more than 30 picks away. Even then, the odds of landing a starting CB after the 50th pick for a Super Bowl contender were slim. Elam was a consolation prize and they made the pick with their collective fingers crossed.

They play each other in a few weeks. I believe that will give us a better idea than anyone’s opinion.

General impression: they’re undisciplined and for all his off-season blabber about playing smarter and protecting the ball, Josh is still Josh and will continue to make great plays, but will also get sloppy and lose the ball at the most inconvenient times.

#3, yes. Getting the ball out quick was Brady’s bread and butter. Todays NFL O-line can rarely hold the blocks very long of the faster, stronger D linemen of this era. I’ve said all along, take the short stuff. It’s higher percentage, keeps chains moving, keeps ball from opposing team’s hands while controlling clock. I believe that’s where Dorsey is trying to steer the offense. Will Josh quit with the hero ball?

The big problem as I see it is the confusion arising from ethnic sounding non-Anglo names that make dopes like us get easily confused. 2 guys in the same draft class with the names Khalil Shakir and Kaiir Elam. I still have to look it up to know how they’re spelled. For my sake, one of them has to go. Justin Shorter- I got that one down the very first day!!!! 😊

I don’t know that BB and the team really care about a prospect’s draft position or if they’re FA. I believe the team will field the 53 that will best serve the needs of the team. Last season they sent the message that late round pick Benford outplayed 1st rounder Elam, giving him the starting nod. So, if Isabella outplays Shorter, he may make the team and they’ll try to add Shorter to PS.

I accidentally watched a season 1 episode thinking it was the most recent (the one you referenced). I generally like offbeat stuff, but his idiotic 3rd person narrative and whiny voice is annoying. His cluttered, filthy lifestyle and living conditions reminded why I never want to live in the NYC area. I could almost smell the mold and mildew in his apartment and the stench on the streets. Bold prediction: that guy will be in a Jared or Pee Wee type of tabloid scandal at some point. He reeks of the ‘creep factor’. Then I watched the episode with tailgating. Nothing we haven’t seen before. It was only a fraction of the entire episode since most of it was focused on a convention of vacuum cleaner collectors, almost exclusively males. I’m sure Wilson fit right in with that collection of misfits.

Excellent! The point I forgot to make, though I have previously, is that as much as some people disparage Directv, at least there are still real customer service people to talk to. Good luck with the faceless streaming services. You’ll be waiting for annual promotions, but there won’t ever be bargaining with anyone.

That’s saying a subscriber can share the YouTubeTV account, but the NFL Sunday Ticket subscription stated up to 3 devices, but in the same household. Slightly ambiguous. I presume We could watch on TV at paying address, but use (2) mobile devices outside house. If that’s the case, I could share with a friend, but only one of us could actually watch it on our TV. The other would have to use a computer screen or mobile device. At least that’s the way I understand it. As to the idea YouTubeTV is a better value….just wait. For all the folks who ‘cut the cord’ to save, but use streaming, it’s only a matter of time before those services start nickel and diming you right back to where you were originally. What was Netflix- like $9/month not too long ago? What is it now for the same service? Part of the appeal is lot of the streaming channels are monthly, no contract, and a la cart. At some point they’ll price it so that it’s more economical to buy a bundle of 3,6, or 12 months.

You clearly didn’t attempt to negotiate or were really bad at it. There are plenty of us in this forum including myself who have gotten the Sunday ticket free (or greatly discounted) for years. Yes, we’re charged for it (that’s the NFL doing that) but are given credits from Directv that wipe out the subscription cost and often more. I have the the Directv Premier package (HBO, Max, NFL network, ESPN, and most of usual news, food, and home cable channels). 3 TVs with HD Genie receivers, plus protection plan, and mobile device functionality. $60.00/month (with tax). The first time in 25 years going without the Sunday Ticket since most games will be on TV here (Atlanta) and for the 5 or 6 games that aren’t on TV I’ll watch delayed on NFL +, go to Bills Backers bar, or watch and cast to TV from various outlets that will stream the game live for free. Anyone who’s been paying full price for Directv service is foolish. It’s the same with a lot of cell phone services. What does it really cost them? A little bandwidth? They want the monthly fee. They WILL negotiate. But you have to ask.