Apocalypse Nuts

If the Giants really only had success (pretty much) on that first ugly drive, how then is this criticism really warranted? If he tightened up his stuff, which he obviously did, after the first drive, is there a problem? This article is bogus me thinks. On a side note, did anyone else notice that play where Eli seemed to call out a blitz or saw something from the left side of his formation from the D to call it out? If I'm correct in what I think I saw (probably not) Edmunds' reaction was awesome. He very quickly called an audible (?) and was really loud and animated about it. Then he started looking like he was blitzing with maybe some others but then they back it out to a 4 man rush like they do a lot. I think he really messed with Eli's head on that one. I could be wrong but it looked pretty tricky to me. Maybe Leslie Frasier came up with it to fake them out when they really do catch a disguised blitz. I don't know. Frazier is really good at what he does so I guess you never know. I'm probably totally wrong about what I saw but that's what it looked like to me. As soon as Eli pointed out something, Edmunds immediately called the changeup and I really thought they were gonna blitz maybe 6 at least. They do that fake blitzing a lot and I love that because it looks like they really mix up the real rushing and coverage packages. Again, I could be seeing things all wrong. I do know this D is for real and Edmunds is looking very good for being so young. He's barely what 21?

And he seems to have chemistry with JA already for those broken plays. Allen is finding him for those big first downs and that's only because Brown is working his way open in those gaps. Man he's really turning out to be the all around receiving threat Beane and the coaches have been talking about. Looking like a true #1 receiver and it's only 2 games in!!! Great thread OP. Highlights something that is unfamiliar with Bills fans the last few decades: so many pleasant surprises to choose from. Just look at the rookies alone. I personally can't decide and I love having that problem. Trent Murphy is starting to earn his big contract and show us why they gave him that dough. Singletary for obvious reasons. The D as a whole unit so far (they're going to be legendary if they keep this up). Just based on this last game I have to go with Siran Neal. I think he needs a some good attention given his production. He was ALL OVER the place making plays. Saved a punt return for a touchdown and laid dude out with a passion. He's playing with real fire in his gut and you can see it all day and he seems to be in the right position all the time. A 2nd year pro and 5th round draft pick? What? This front office is finding some real gems out there in the draft and free agency. I'm not used to having so much positive to talk about with my Bills. If I'm dreaming then just let me sleep.

Wow! It's all over the place and that's great! There's so many choices. Is this really the Buffalo Bills we're talking about. Seriously though, the O is looking interesting this year with newcomers making instant impacts. But this D is unreal. I don't want to jinx it but holy canoli if they continue like this they can will be compared to the '85 Bears. Appropriately give Leslie Frasier's spot on that legendary defense. But the D as a whole is so good because there's so many guys playing really solid and making big plays. So many to choose from and it's a really great problem to have for us Bills fans. Great post OP. I get Feliciano for the toughness and attitude he's brought. But Spain is a monster on runs. He can pull like the best of them and really gets on his man with no mercy. Not sure about his pass protection just due to lack of observance. Too busy watching JA. And as a complete receiver not just a speedy deep threat. He's all over the place. I see why Beane was so interested in landing him. The guy's a baller.

I'm not saying you're entirely wrong. I may be off a little based on my limited observations of him in particular (though I pay a lot of attention to the D line). And in the spirit of full disclosure I'm having a manic day so I go off on things like this without all my facts sometimes. Though at the time of writing you'd never know it. I go back later and realize I'm a dummy. No problem. Not always but often enough to admit it. I really just don't see why McBeane would spend so much on him to sign. They have to know how bad he allegedly is already. Makes no sense. Beane is too frugal for that. (Trent Murphy aside - jury's still out on that one but we're seeing some good signs). If the depth chart move does happen I'll eat my crow fried with some cornbread.

No crap diphead. You need to check yourself before you come at me like this. You don't know me. I never, never said this was a 3-4 D. I'm perfectly aware that it's not. So don't put words into my mouth. Your "explanation" up here is exactly what I was talking about. I was comparing players not systems. And the 3-4 is a 4-3 in all practicality a good portion of the time. Or very close to it. But thanks for the correction. I may have a detail or two wrong but don't come at me with this tone and high and mighty BS. I don't know you and you don't know me. You need to keep it that way. (And I'm not some stupid internet tough-guy that only talks smack online behind his keyboard. If you met me in person wouldn't !@#$ with me.)

I saw this a few hours ago. Yep, that's our QB boys and girls. That's our guy stiff arming the crap out of a big linebacker. I still can't believe he's our new QB. Gotta keep pinching myself to believe a talent like that is wearing a Bills helmet and uniform. This definitely ain't the same old Buffalo Bills. Things are getting pretty interesting. Only fitting that the closest QB we''ve had to Kelly since the glory years is also the toughest we've had. He's the Chosen One.

Damn! You and Adam Schein are damn genius' and I mean that with all sincerity. Bravo, gentlemen. Regardless of how good or bad the Bills D is against Eli, I would never have believed they'd bench him this soon for the youngster. If memory serves me the last few dates with Eli and the Bills did not go well for our D-fellas. Even without OBJ2k whatever his name is (diva). But seriously. When I read the headline my jaw dropped. Un friggin' canny. I hope you placed some kind of sizeable wager somewhere on that one.

Thanks for pointing that out but I wasn't referring to his post in particular for that. When Star got here that's all anyone would talk about. Even the press talking heads. Meaningless for nosetackles unless you have an absolute stud that's a tackling and sacking machine. We don't see those that much. You certainly couldn't measure big Ted Washington's contributions in stats.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why some people can't understand what Star's role is on the d-line. Why does he have to look like a superstar? He's not going to have any stats worth mentioning because that's not what he does. Yet you all keep beating that to death as if (nearly any) stats mean something with him. He has a role and he plays it pretty well IMO. You really think Beane and McD would overpay that much for a guy who can't do his job? I think we've seen by now that they will not do that. And don't give me the Carolina connection crap. They're not going to waste valuable cap room over nostalgia with anyone. Star is going to get pushed around a bunch. He's supposed to take on those big dogs so the other DT can get penetration. I clearly recall several years of big 99 getting pushed around quite a bit. In fact, I can still clearly recall a ton of plays in which the opposing RB broke a big run up the gut and big softy 99 being driven totally sideways like he was 100 pounds, not 350 or whatever he is. Seriously, he was much more responsible for a many of those huge runs up the middle than most fans realize. I started noticing it about 5 years ago or so. So when I'd see replays of those d-killer runs, I'd pay attention to big fluffer 99 (he's hard to miss). I guess it's just a real mystery why we don't really see those game killer runs right up the middle anymore these days. Hmmm....big butt 99 is gone and, hmmm....Star is in there now.....and, well, we don't really see a lot of those anymore do we? Hmmm? Maybe there's a connection there? But so many were so in love with Marcel they just won't admit or won't see that he's the problem a lot of the times. I'll admit Star isn't Ted Washington or the Williams boys we had awhile ago (I miss those days just for the great DT's). But he's pretty decent at what he does. The D would never, ever be as dominant as they are if he weren't. Try watching a whole game of his or a few. Everyone has a bad day at the office. Give the guy a break for a few bad plays. He's up against some big and talented o-linemen every week. He ain't the best but he also ain't the worst. F the stats. They're meaningless most of the time anyway and especially at the nosetackle position.

I've had this weird thing lately where I watch our Bills play but it's like I'm not watching the Bills I've come to know. I have to keep looking at the Bills logo on their helmets over and over again to believe it's really our team out there. They just look different with JA at the helm. All of them. Even when he's at the podium post-game taking question in front of all those Bills logos. It's like my mind refuses to believe that this scrappy up-and-coming team I'm watching is the same old hapless Bills I've been suffering with for all these very long years. I mean, it can't be real, right? Not our Bills. I friggin' love it! It's a great problem to have. Especially for a Buffalo Bills fan.

Appreciate the numbers Rochesterfan. I love it when someone does the homework for us. I don't have the attention span to do that good work you all do. In my always under-informed opinion, they certainly could be saving something especial for the big dogs. Would be sweet if they have some doozies up their sleeves for the Pats. Very possible. I kinda think you have to do that to stay ahead of BB. That's what he does and he does it like a master. But establishing the confidence in the o-line boys that the can punch it in when they get close is probably the best thing to do now while it's early in the season. This line seems pretty flappin' good at run blocking. I'm seeing some really, really great blocking. Also interesting to me the use of Gore so far as the RB1 and almost exclusive running it up the gut with him. It's his forte certainly and he's the best at it. It sets up those outside runs with Singletary perfectly. If they're successfully getting Gore going with those 4-5 or 6 yard pops the first two quarters the opposing D will be looking for that. Start sprinkling in Singletary off-tackle, sweeps, etc. and you're gonna see some big runs. Feels like they did that against the Jests. Why else would you save Singletary for the second half? And who care if the other teams figure this out. If they start shutting down the outside, feed it to Gore up the middle again. Oh, by the way, here's some Josh Allen lasers 15-25 yards all over. He can kill them all day with that. I really love how they built this year's offense. So interesting to finally see how they're using the new fellas.

Here's hoping he gets suspended/ exempt listed a.s.a.p. New England deserves it. Bad, bad karma.

Appreciate the numbers on Hyde. I recall a decent contract to land him but didn't realize it was that nice. The guy is very good and professional so he deserves it. Let's hope they give Poyer his due. I think they will. I'd so much rather they pay him to stay here than see him go get what he's worth somewhere else. Fingers crossed.

This ? is just awesome. I didn't catch that at all during the game. Look at JA too. They set it up so nicely.

Happy birthday buffaloboyin ATL! That's a nice little gift the team gave you today. Let me first preface this with a knock on the ole' proverbial wood there. This just feels like a different team now. And it's not just because of the players or the management or the coaching. It's each of those and all of those together. It's hard to recall when I've had this feeling about the Bills in the last 3 decades. It's a daggone nice feeling though! Example: Right after the D got gashed on the Gints opening drive, they said McD called the D together and got their heads right back in the game. He said something like "You still got this just stay disciplined and stay in your lanes. Don't panic." You see what effect that had. Those boys shut it down for nearly the rest of the game. I was thoroughly impressed to say the least. But it could have been so different (like any year under Gailey - no offense Chan but your D's were all very suspect). Not all games are going to go like this but you have to admit the D's whole game after that first drive was very un-Billsy, at least unlike previous Bills teams going back like 30 years. Let's no jinx it too much though. We got a long way to go still. GO BILLS!

Easy there Cupcake. This is Josh Allen stuff and what makes him Josh Allen. Most of us love this though we do cringe a little each time. He's definitely not as brittle as many of his predecessors (looking at you Rob Johnson and Trent Edwards). That same stiff-arm embarrased Ngakoue (I think) on his TD run against the Jags last season. I hold my breath too when he does that but this guy is the next generation of QB's. These new kids are built different and this farm boy is pretty darn tough. And as an another poster said already, if you don't get up in someone's face about this dirty crap early and right away, it's going to continue and get worse. If it's not of much consequence on that drive, 15 yards is a price they all will pay to make sure their QB is respected and not tossed around by those idiots on the other side. To say it's "never" permitted is not living in reality, friend. Seriously. Wake up already. Cody Ford is showing he's worth more than just his line skills (which aren't the best but he's so young). The team loves that, trust me. I'd do exactly the same in his situation. I'd have pummeled Kiko's dirty behind last season. I wouldn't even think twice about that (if I were a pro football player of course. I'm not a little guy and I can hold my own but let's be honest.) Cody Ford really loves being a Buffalo Bill and I really like that. We got him and Feliciano on the watch and you bet your rear JA loves that. They're protecting their QB but they're also saying you better respect the Buffalo Bills. And it's not like he's getting those all game long or anything.

Definitely. They're not making terrible money right now though given their position and histories before Buffalo. You want to see all these guys get paid their due but they're not spring chickens.

Props to the OP for this thread to give Poyer and Hyde their much-deserved respect. I am immensely impressed with both of these guys both on and off the field. They are obviously in the top 10 of the league individually, probably top 3 as a duo. I've seen a little coverage of them in the press but not enough really. The defense is just stacked with young talent though. What a great problem to have! These guys are human and they're gonna make some mistakes like everyone. But I feel really good having both of them back there. Tough as nails both of them. And good dudes. You won't hear about either of these studs getting into stupid scrapes in bars and clubs after hours. Early additions to the D in terms of all the other new blood but really set the tone for hard and smart playing athletes with real brains and guys you can respect off the field too. The salary cap is in so much better shape. They should get paid more and they probably will unless there's some younger blood already here making less $$. But Bean and Co. will probably keep them around a little longer - I hope. Man, it's a damn nice feeling to have those two back there every Sunday.

I love Cody! Absolutely love his fire. We will get to watch him do great stuff like this for many years hopefully. Far too often o-line guys are soft. Cody don’t play around. Reminds me of...we’ll me. I’m a bit of a hot-head myself (bipolar). Allen is surely very pleased to have a very large bodyguard for the few years. Hopefully Cody gets a little better at tackle. I’m sure he can have a long successful career at guard. Either way I personally hope he’s a Buffalo Bill. (Full disclosure I’m a Sooners fan too)

Guilty here. At least at first. But if I wanted to remain a Bills fan over the last two decades I had to learn how to do that one way or another. Being a Bills fan teaches one many things.

If you take issue with the use of "Mafia" here please just go back to your knitting and crocheting.

Amen there! He doesn't get enough attention for that aspect of his game and he was a force against the run. I remember so well how they'd double-team him and run the ball. But from somewhere inside that mass of opposing players this big arm would pop out, as if from another dimension, and grab the unsuspecting RB for the tackle. Bruce was amazingly stout against runs in the 3-4 front. Yet another example of how he dominated even having one less lineman a good portion of the time.

Just my 2 cents but given that Reggie primarily played in 4-3 defenses and we know very well that Bruce played almost entirely in 3-4, that gives Bruce the edge, by far, in my book. Reggie had a huge advantage always having the 4 linemen front. Yes, the 3-4 becomes, essentially, 4-3, with a blitzing linebacker. But that's not always the case and there were a huge number of plays with only a 3-man front. You can't argue with hard numbers so Reggie gets the official nod of course. But considering the way they were actually asked to play, Bruce gets 1st any day of the week in my book. I know I'll get hammered by some of you for this but I know others feel the same way (we are Bills fans after all, eh? ?) Aside from that though I think Bruce was a once-in-a-generation, if not lifetime, combination physically and talent-wise. He seemed to play with smaller pads back then so you could really see how imposing he was physically. He's the main reason I even started watching the Bills (the other was seeing that Buffalo crowd welcome home Norwood after the missed kick. I still get watery eyes today after all these years. That's all I needed to see about that city and their fans. I mean you would've never known they actually lost that game the way the crowd was. I've been die-hard myself ever since and I grew up in Northern Virginia.) Lastly, one thing that always intrigued me about Bruce was that he was a giant physically and a monster on the football field but you'd never know it if you just heard him talk. His voice was so soft (for lack of a better word) and silky smooth. He could've been the overnight DJ for a classical music or soft-rock radio station. I loved that juxtaposition.

I was ambivalent about Cam until I saw that video of him talking trash to our guys at that practice thing. What a moron! Why in the world would you place so much importance on a scrimmage? Who cares? What are they handing out trophies for scrimmages now? But he was so adamant about making sure our guys knew they won that drive or whatever. Totally childish. He really showed me how dumb he is there. Really, really stupid. I hope the best for all these athletes but I couldn't give a rodent's you-know-what about Cam now. He's a child!

So true and so nice to be able to say this about our Bills. Applies to multiple positions like WR, CB, and RB, IMO anyway. Speaks volumes about Beane and his team and the coaching staff as well. What a nice problem to have. It's still preseason of course and us Bills fans love to get ahead of ourselves but I think this is truly the case this year. (knock on proverbial wood)