SoMAn

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.

Great detective work Shamus! I notice his pads cover his knees also. Could be covering areas frequently effected by psoriasis. 😜 Next up: why is Von Miller always so upbeat and Diggs often moody? Enquiring minds want to know.

I’ll admit Bills’ kickers always have an advantage with the familiarity of local winds. But, the new stadium is designed to reduce the swirling winds that are so common at the current stadium. The angle of field, (much) higher stands, and that wind reduction facade that supposed to cut down gusts will make a difference. For those occasional games in which the Bills special teams have a slight advantage, it’s a poor trade off for keeping fans warm and dry in the last couple of months.

I believe that a large enough portion of Bills fans answered the surveys stating they didn't want a dome. Too bad they got what they asked for. It's a myth that the Buffalo weather is some huge advantage. Show me proof. Remember the big snow game against the dome team Colts. The Bills barely squeaked out a win on a Shady touchdown. Did the south Florida Dolphins crumble last year's wild card game. No. Again, they barely lost. The Bills lost a bad weather game to the team they regularly beat nowaday - The Pats. Maybe in the days when the Bills had a stellar run game, snow and wind may have been slightly advantageous, but now they're a passing team. It's now a passing league! I've always been anti-dome, but when I see the beautiful natural light covers like the one in Minnesota, I am all for it. Maybe being young and drunk sitting in 10 degree windy stadiums is preferred by some, but the people with money for PSLs and season tickets are going to want comfort. I believe the open-air concept is antiquated and it's a shame Buffalo will have to wait another 50 years before they remedy it.

That’s funny. There was a time…. it’s why I suggested for anyone young and looking to party up, there are places. But those don’t necessarily have the same appeal to a family, especially with kids. party on Garth

One of my neighbors (from here in my Woodstock, Ga subdivision) was at the Creekview a couple of days ago, posting pictures that my wife shared with me. Jealous. I suggested they check out GP Tavern too. I’ve only been on the back patio at the Irishman. Don’t know what was going on, but it smelled like raw sewage coming from Ellicott Creek.

I’ve known a few locals who drink a lot of brew on a daily basis, so please come visit. It’s still a free country. The point I was attempting was how normal the whole blue collar mentality of sitting in a gin mill every evening (except for bowling night) is perfectly normal for a bigger percentage of Buffalonians. The people are generally very social and love to sit around, buying shots, and giving opinions on the Sabres and Bills. I’m not passing judging-just an observation. It goes on here, just not on every neighborhood corner.

Note to some members: not everyone is that into beer drinking and breweries. Yeah, I know it’s a rust belt tradition and considered completely normal to down a 6-pack every evening for many of you, but believe it or not, alcoholic beverages aren’t often a high priority for family vacations. When I relocated to the Atlanta burbs 37 years ago, I was surprised what a different culture it was where people drinking beer and smoking a pack of Marlboros every day wasn’t nearly as common as what I’d experienced growing up in Buffalo. So, when a group of college roommates or hockey teammates are looking for leisure activity, the Elmwood strip or the Canadian ballet may be good recommendations. But for most families with kids and in-laws, those aren’t usually go-to spots to enjoy a wholesome taste of what the city had to offer. Hanging out at any Buffalo bar with a gang of 30 something’s is the last place my wife would care to spend more than 15 minutes at. Just sayin’ 😉

Going the Peace Bridge and the Niagara River Pkwy (from Ft Erie in Canada) route to Niagara Fall will have the added scenic bonus of what should be peek fall foliage in October.

We see these inquiries often and always wish the people asking would state what interests them. Dining? recreation? art? Museums? local people and pubs? shopping? etc. ?? TSW responders frequently respond with the best wing joints or other bar food destinations. That's fine, but stuffing their face with local fare may not be high on the list for some out-of-town visitors. That said, if visitors want to get the true WNY/Buffalo experience as part of their Buffalo Bills trip, the local specialties are wings (of course) and a local sandwich call beef on weck (don't spare the horse radish). Pizza is also highly regarded in the area. No matter who you are, if you have access to transportation, by all means get to Niagara Falls. The Canadian side has better views and more tourist stuff, so bring a passport. It would be a shame to travel many miles and get so close but never experience the falls. If you can't get to Canada, the American side is still impressive. There are attractions in NFalls like The Maid of the Mist, the boats that take tourists to the foot of the falls. Amazingly, I’ve never done it myself! One day. If you want a more cosmopolitan experience, there's a world class art museum (Albright Knox) and beautiful parks and great restaurants in the city. There's also a few nice museums (historical and science)and impressive architecture. I don't know that there's any hot shopping spot anywhere downtown as I'm not really a shopper. For a more festival atmosphere with plenty of activity, music, people watching, etc, there's canal side in Buffalo. Don't know too much about it, but it's a 'go to' destination for a lot of visitors. I don't know too much about East Aurora, mentioned previously. It seems like a lovely little town with easy access to the stadium. From what I can tell, it would be a similar experience as staying in Williamsville. Maybe the Roycroft Inn would be a great home base for the visit, and if you have a car and time permits, make your way to the falls and the city. Lastly, be sure to check out the Buffalo Bills store at the stadium for souvenirs and official NFL apparel. One thing I'll guarantee is that your family will be amazed at how friendly the locals are (other than the random drunk jerk in the stands at the game). Buffalonians bend over backwards to treat guests with hospitality. Also, unless you hit a rainy weekend, the weather should be ideal fall sweatshirt weather. Enjoy the experience. Don't surprised if after the visit, one of the family members half-jokingly suggest looking for a home in Buffalo. Go Bills!

Their [lack of] diligence was shocking? Hardly. It's a trend. The Browns seem to be having a competition over the past 20 years with the Jets for who can draft the most early 1st round QB busts.

Exactly. Like the time Beane gave up assets in the 2018 draft for an unproven small school QB. What a dope.😒

I don't understand that mindset. It sounds like the voice of the hand-wringing mother afraid to let little Johnny climb the jungle gym. 'Saving him' until week 12 to be ready for the playoffs is presumptuous. For one thing, the Bills don't have such a dominant D-line with other pro-bowlers who can pick up the slack. They have the potential to be very good, but there's not an Aaron Donald there holding down the fort while Miller heals. In a league, division, and conference this competitive, a single loss can mean no playoffs and starting draft talk for the Bills the second week of January. Or, it could mean the difference between home field advantage or no home games in post season. Getting home field and having a bye week in the playoffs means one less game to risk injury to the every other player. There are no teams that should be taken lightly that we can assume a W without the best d-line they can field. When Miller is ready, he's ready. Play him if it gives the Bills the best chance to walk away with that W. Playing the edge and being on the field to harass opposing QBs is where is value to the team is.