BillsFan4

Crap. Hope this loss doesn’t come back to haunt them. They played a good 3rd but it wasn’t enough to get out of the 4-1 hole they dug. Definitely hurts not getting any points against a crap opponent.

Nice goal Peterka! Hopefully that will get him going again. He looked relieved to have scored. I think he was starting to get frustrated. It would be a big boost if he started producing again.

How did I know they would struggle against the blue jackets tonight? Ugh. Gotta win these games against inferior opponents. Columbus is trying to draft #1. They just seem to struggle against Columbus recently. They won the last game against CBUS but lost the previous 3 or 4 games straight before that. I think they lost all 3 in 2022. Doesn’t it feel like for some reason they struggle more against poor teams? Trade for Demko if the price is reasonable. He would be a good longer term solution. They’d still have room for Levi but they can’t afford to just wait for him though. If this team got league average or better goaltending consistently they’d probably be in the first wildcard spot right now instead of trying to cling to the 2nd. Or at least trade a mid/late pick for Talbot. Who knows, maybe he’ll go on a crazy hot streak like he did the last time he was traded.😂

You don’t think the defensive game plan, play-calling, lack of adjustments and playing a safer defensive style was a major issue in the Bills playoff losses? I do. In his time as DC I feel like I can only point to a handful of games against good teams where the defensive game plan really impressed me (like the ravens game where they shut down Lamar, the KC game in the regular season following the AFC championship loss, and the KC game last year as well as a few others). I do think Frazier did a good job here overall. I have a lot of respect for Leslie Frazier the person and for what he did in his time here. But I do think it was time for a change. I think the defense kind of changed as time went on. I think McDermott was more hands-on with the defense in his early years here. But as time went on and Frazier took more control and really started pursuing a head coaching job I think he started to play things too safe. Honestly, sometimes I felt like he was more concerned about good statistics than winning the game, and the defense often felt more like a paper tiger than an actual top 5 defense. The Bills also poured an awful lot of money and resources into the defense to get those top 5 (on paper) results. Also, for as good of defensive statistics as Frazier had, I think it’s somewhat telling he never really got head coaching interviews. Now maybe that’s just because of his age or because offensive head coaches are a hotter commodity. I think we will learn a lot next season by whether Frazier is in high demand by good contending teams to be their DC. If he’s a top 5 DC in the NFL I would think a number of good teams would come calling, not just mediocre/poor teams. I do feel somewhat sad that his time here is over, and they always say be careful what you wish for. But I think we also needed to make a change. You can’t keep doing the same thing every year expecting different results, and I think the defensive game plan and play calling was suspect enough to make that change. We also need to find out if Frazier was part of what was holding them back in the playoffs or if it’s actually McDermott. My hope is obviously the former.

I could see it being Al Holcomb, Eric Washington or John Butler if they go with someone on staff. When I look back now I think when Holcomb was hired it was done knowing Frazier wouldn’t be on staff this season. Was Holcomb hired to be DC in waiting? Or was he hired with the intention of him helping a less experienced defensive play caller (like butler or Washington)? Or even to help McDermott run the defensive side of practices during the week, but with McD the game day play caller? Or I could see them still trying to hire someone from outside this offseason. I really have no idea which route they choose. It’ll be interesting to see what direction they go.

Reid respected Bieniemy so much that he kept giving him 1 year contracts and trying to push him out the door. Actions speak louder than words. And there were numerous reports and speculation about arguments/falling out’s with Reid/Bieniemy/the offense before he got those two 1yr contract in a row. I don’t think the plan is to “just get by” until Frazier comes back. His leaving doesn’t seem to be health related either. I don’t think we will see Frazier back as DC of Buffalo. I think this was him being fired. My guess is he was probably looking for another DC role behind the scenes and didn’t find one. You asked in another post if this is what a team trying to win a super bowl would do and my answer would be “yes”. It seems they finally see the defensive failures in the playoffs as something that needs to be fixed. Andy Reid moved on from his long time DC Bob Sutton (his DC for 6 years) in 2018 because he realized the defense was a limiting factor in the playoffs. It worked out pretty well for them. I think most of us felt Frazier was hurting the bills in the playoffs.

Personally, based on nothing but my own speculation, I still think this is who they wanted this offseason. It wouldn’t at all surprise me to learn they tried to hire him. That’s who McDermott first tried to hire to be DC when he got the job. But SF is just a more attractive job if you are looking to be a head coach again as a DC. Tons of talent to work with and he will get all the credit for that defenses success, unlike in Buffalo.

I hope it’s not health related. I hadn’t even really considered that until I saw it mentioned here. Personally, I still think this was McDermott’s “classy” way of moving on from Frazier. When they say he intends to be back next season I think they mean as an NFL coach, not necessarily in Buffalo. I think he may have been looking for another DC job behind the scenes and when all those roles were filled they moved to this “take a year off” thing. well, whatever the reason he’s leaving I wish Frazier well! I thought it was time to move on. I thought he took us as far as he could. But I still feel bad for him. I’ve did a lot of good here and seems like a great man. Hope he’s able to find a DC role next year.

I have no problem adding grit. But I don’t like trading Bloom for it. He was just picked in the 3rd round in 2021 and I liked the way he was developing. He’s over a point a game this season in the OHL. The Sabres thought enough of him to already sign him to his ELC. I just don’t get why they gave him up for what they did 🤷‍♂️ I would have been totally fine with this trade if Adams gave up a 5th or something like that. I did want him to add depth before the trade deadline. I just feel like physical 6/7 defenseman could have been acquired without giving up a guy who was a recent 3rd round pick. Maybe I’m undervaluing Stillman (I sure hope I am!). And I guess if he helps Buffalo hang onto a wildcard spot it will be well worth it. edit- they could've had Harrington or Benn for free (both were on waivers in recent days) so they obviously must see something in Stillman I don't that made him worth the cost.

Why? Stillman sucks! I would say Clague and Bryson are better, so I don’t get the point. Plus, we don’t have many prospects with Bloom’s skill set. I mean, Bloom isn’t a top tier prospect by any means but he was an intriguing bottom 6 forward that brought a skill set we don’t really have much of. I don’t get this trade. We couldn’t have just given up a late round pick for a depth defenseman? he was probably the Canucks worst defenseman, and that’s saying something 😂

🤷‍♂️ he was on an AHL deal in Rochester.

I think it’s only a matter of time until Pat Kane is traded to the NYR. Reportedly he was only interested in going to Toronto or the rangers and Toronto went with ROR. He’s being held out of the lineup and the NYR have made a couple moves to clear cap space. I’m guessing he will end up there before the deadline.

Now this was a player I was hoping Buffalo would trade for. I thought he could kind of be like a Tom Wilson-lite if Granato could get him to find his scoring touch again. I thought he would have added some needed grit. But i thought maybe he could be had for like a 2nd + decent prospect. What tampa paid is nuts! He will make their lineup even tougher to play against in the playoffs though, for sure.

huh. Not sure how to feel about this one. Seems like a good haul but more quantity than quality. Devils kept all of their top prospects and only gave up 1 player off their roster who I like as a middle 6 guy but I don't know if i see a high ceiling there. I guess if that 2nd turns into a 1st it could be better. I guess we will see if the Devils can ink Meier to a long term deal and what that deal looks like. I asume it will be expensive. Meier's a RFA at season's end with 1 year to UFA and his qualifying offer alone is $10 million. So if he wants big money from NJ he will probably get it. Seems like he has all the bargaining power.

Weird we are still waiting on the trade details hours later. I wonder if they are trying to get ahold of a player involved in the trade first? Or if there are issues with the trade itself? I guess it came down to Vegas, New Jersey and Carolina with Carolina dropping out last night (or so says Pierre lebrun)

Sucks but the trade cost is going to be high and so are his salary demands.

Red Wings lost last night but the capitals won and so did the penguins. Buffalo needs to win this game to regain their playoff spot. If they lose, I think Washington will temporarily take the 2nd wildcard spot and it will knock Buffalo down below Pittsburgh (unless it’s at OT loss). Right now Pittsburgh holds the final wildcard spot after their most recent win. They are 1pt ahead of Buffalo. But the Sabres still have like 4 games in hand on Washington so even if they lose they still have some breathing room on the Caps. But I’d much prefer to win today! It would be a big win (but that can be said about most remaining games…).

I just checked the spectrum cable TV guide and it’s showing that the game is on MSG for me.

Ugh, that sucks! I was worried when he left the game last night. Definitely not what I was hoping to hear.

Had to grab a screenshot of the standings, just to commemorate the occasion! 😂

He was unbelievable last night! I think that was the best game he’s played in a Sabres uniform. He looked exactly like the veteran goalie this team has needed. So dialed in and controlled in net. He seemed to calm the Sabres down in their own end and did a great job with rebound control. He made some huge saves for them too! Knowing that this is very likely his last 20 some games before retirement, I say ride him down the stretch if he’s up for it and keeps playing so well. I think he can taste the playoffs and wants one last postseason before he retires.

The Buffalo Sabres are in a playoff spot. At the end of February. You read that right! 😂 For real, when’s the last time we could say that? A decade? I don’t know how long it will last but I’m sure going to enjoy it for now. We all should. It’s been a long ass time.

From a few days ago ⬆️ 🤔 😂

The Ravens offer seems good, but it depends on if the $133M was the total guaranteed or what was guaranteed at signing. If you look at the total guaranteed money: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/broncos-give-russell-wilson-monster-extension-where-qb-stacks-up-among-richest-contracts-in-nfl-history/ the $130M in guarantees doesn’t even put him in the top 5 for QBs. It would put him at #7, just ahead of Matt Stafford. Deshaun Watson - $230 million Russell Wilson - $165 million Kyler Murray - $160 million Aaron Rodgers - $150,815,000 Josh Allen - $150 million Patrick Mahomes - $141,481,905 Matthew Stafford - $130 million Dak Prescott - $126 million ESPN is reporting the guaranteed at signing of the other QBs contracts they are comparing Lamar’s offer to, but we still don’t know if the $133M the ravens offered was the total guaranteed or what was guaranteed at signing. It might be the total guaranteed money since it’s coming from the team and I ‘d assume they’d want to make the offer look as good as possible to the press in this case. But it could also be the guaranteed at signing amount since I do believe they are making an honest effort to keep Lamar (so I’m sure they know offering him such low total guarantees compared to other QBs wouldn’t get it done). https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-free-agency-total-guarantees-vs-full-guarantees-and-the-ways-contracts-should-be-evaluated/ for all practical purposes, total guarantees in a QB’s contract are pretty reliably paid since they usually become guaranteed a year prior anyway. But still, I’d like to see what the total guarantees were vs. guaranteed at signing in the contract offered to Lamar, and how it was structured. Structure matters a lot too. For ex: when Allen signed his new deal he took slightly less than Mahomes in total annual value ($43M vs Mahomes $45M). But if you look at the way their contracts are paid out, Allen actually makes more in new money and cash flow than Mahomes every year for his entire 6yr deal. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/agents-take-comparing-patrick-mahomes-and-josh-allen-contracts-making-them-nfls-highest-paid-players/ The devil is in the details, as they say. Without knowing all the details it’s hard to say if Lamar is being unreasonable.

What a win! They even overcame pretty bad officiating. I love beating this dirty Tampa team! Tage with a monster game. That’s the Tage we need down the stretch. Hopefully this game can be a stepping stone to get them going again. Big win! Big 2 points.