pablopbb

So, just to throw a slightly more recent name out there: Would folks prefer that the Bills kicked the tires on Stevie Johnson (Mr. Ad Hoc route runner with questionable ability to fit into this scheme an provide reasonable downfield blocking to support run game)? Or, Philly Brown, who is familiar with the role he will have to fill with the current Bills system? Please don't laugh-off the question... I expect people may be split on whether they'd bring in Stevie.... but I'm just using this as an example (you could substitute another name for Johnson in the comparison above).

Looking at this game independent of schedule, it would be hard to understand how a win would be more 'impressive' than say the Falcons game. BUT, I think the OP's point is to look at this through the lense of the sequence of the schedule. I'd have to agree that this win would tell us something *different* about what this Bills team is made of (compared to the Atlanta game). Favorite quote from McD after the game was about how the guys shouldn't get too ahead of themselves, and not focus on the 'high' of the win over Atlanta. Instead they should become addicted to the process it took to achieve that win. The opponent will change each week, but being motivated to follow those steps the team agrees will lead them to the best chance to win is the important part. NOW, with a few players banged up, how will they adjust, improve on areas, and use the team/members they have available to get a "W" at Cincy. That will definitely tell us something *different* than the win over the Falcons, and in a way, after seeing the years of (dis-) organizational futility, that may be a more impressive win. Two things I'd hope to see/be impressed about this game: -If Dareus is healthy enough, does he have a break out day? SOMEONE should have abig day pressuring Dalton (Stats make it look like Cincy's O line hasn't been good -- but I haven't watched their games other than the Ravens game) -Can Buffalo control the line for the run game and get Shady on track? (Cincy's D gives up 3.9 yards / run play, same stat as Buffalo's defense, but Buffalo has forced 2 turnovers vs. 0 from Cincy)

I did mention that possibility in my original post, but how does that make good sense? Watkins (and other receivers in his draft class) are putting out the vibe that they plan to reset the wage scale for receivers, expecting "NBA" type money. The Rams going to give in to those expectations for an inconsistent receiver with an injury history? I think they'd like to think they can get him on a new contract on the cheap side... but I'd think Sammy's talking make it sounds like he wants to get a ton of touches this year then sit back and take in all the offers in free-agency, unless the Rams want to give him a mega-deal NOW.

Why wouldn't he want to come here, if he gets a market competitive offer after this year?

Thanks, didn't see that one. Quickly read through it though, and I still can't say I agree with all the points being made. Some smart teams do drop then re-sign players when the price is right (for the team). Remember, Sammy's draft class is self-proclaimed as one that plans to re-write the market on receivers that are ending their rookie contracts and he and OBJ are both talking about NBA type money... you see guys go back to their previous team in the NBA all the time after they play out the end of an existing contract. If the players mean it when they say "its all part of the business", then why wouldn't they act like it from a business perpective? Unless, of course, Watkins isn't a good fit for the current style or his attitude wouldn't be good for building a team. In which case, the bills would be happy they got back some value (draft pick and dibs on a corner back) by trading him.

But, I'm curious to know why you'd think that? Is it b/c he wouldn't be a fit for the team, or b/c you'd think he'd ignore the bills as a potential employer?

Just wondering what the under/over is on whether Watkins could be a free-agent receiver target of the Bills in 2018. So, they traded to get a draft pick and let him take the 'risk' of performing in his contract year to another team (risk in this case is a balance of risk of another injury and risk of lighting up the stats during contract year). Unless he's franchised by the Rams or signs a new contract with them... he's slated to be on the market next year and I'm sure he's just gonna follow whoever gives him 'NBA' type money if he finally lives up to most of his potential for one year.

Wow, my distrust of the Patriots ** is so deep now that I've completely convinced myself it was against the Patriots. You are right thought.... it was Ray Lewis that stripped the ball in overtime. I guess this tells you the personal legacy the Patriots** have upon me is that ANY suspect play in which the spirit of a rule was corrupted will always be assumed to be related to the Patriots.

The part in the article that points out that the current patriots*** organization (specifically the coach and Ernie Adams) believes they are above the rules (rather, they believe they should explore every loophole and even commit acts which are outside the spirit or common interpretation of rules if it allows them to gain competitive advantage) really reminds me of two things: the fact that the patriots employed tactics to purposefully miscommunicate eligible receivers until the last possible moment (in the Game vs the Ravens) as a 'loophole' technique that any sensible person would interpret as cheating AND the game years ago where the patriots managed to strip the Bills player near the end of the game (Shawn Nelson or was it Everett before his injury?) by lifting the player UP off the ground and not allowing him to make contact with the ground until he'd been stripped of the ball. I get that players are trained to try and do everything to strip the ball, but I really remember that game as being a horrific ending b/c I couldn't understand how the refs never blew the whistle due to the stoppage of the forward progress..... The patriots really have the team trained thoroughly on how to bend the rules. I think that is what is so terrible. Tom Terriffic and many of his team mates probably don't even view anything as cheating (his quote after the Ravens game actually gives the message that he's PROUD of the fact that he managed to bend the rules and he stated the Ravens should probably have dug into the rule book too) sine they've been in their coach's system so long.