BillsFan4

Definitely interesting, and it kind of matches up with all the stories we heard about Belichick not wanting to trade him. There were definitely a lot of stories about tension between Belichick, Brady and Kraft leading up to and after that trade. We may never know for sure but I would guess that when there's that much smoke theee bound to be at least some fire... Belichick was said to have put a lot of time into developing/mentoring Garoppolo. They said he met with him one on one in his office at least once a week which I guess was supposedly totally unheard of for any other QB Belichick drafted over the years (minus Brady, I'd assume). He clearly seen something special in Garoppolo. I think it's also telling how the trade went down. Belichick didn't try and shop Garoppolo around. From what was written, he didn't even take the best offer that was on the table. He (supposedly) wanted to send JG somewhere where he'd have top notch coaching and a good shot at success, which matches up with Kyle Shanahan's reputation as a QB guru and elite offensive mind. I'm just glad that for whatever reason (owner meddling?) the Pats traded Jimmy G. That trade could end up being the beginning of the end of the Pats dynasty. From what we've seen so far of Garoppolo, he looks to have had a pretty good shot at stepping right in for Brady and not missing a damn beat... Belichick's been with the Pats almost 2 decades and out of all the QBs he drafted, only hit on Brady and Garoppolo (or so it looks so far). The odds of him hitting on (and developing) another QB like that before he retires (assuming its in the next few years or so) are not great. Although I never count the Patriots out when it comes to anything.

Can't say I really know who he is. Couldn't find a whole lot on him. This is all I got so far - https://tdalabamamag.com/2017/07/09/analysts-saban-hiring-really-coaches-waiting/ https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/report-buffalo-bills-hire-another-alabama-staff-analyst-shea-tierney That part about being very good at giving (offensive) advise and at film analysis sounds intriguing... Saban obviously thought enough of him to give him a job, and he's work with some interesting offensive minded coaches (I believe 1 year with Andy Reid in Philly, Chip Kelly, Steve Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, edit - and Pat Shurmer). Maybe he will bring some fresh ideas to the offense?

That was a really good article. It left me even more impressed with Kyle Shanahan than I already was. He seems to have a very good knowledge of what to look for in a quarterback, which made this quote stand out to me - If Cousins was right at the top of Shanahan's QB wish list (with Garoppolo), that makes me want him even more now!

No I didn't. Do you have the link?

Yeah I was going to mention that, but I figured I'd just give Beane all the credit instead! lol

Kyle Williams decision to return or retire is definitely something that will be a big story line IMO. As is is what happens with Eric Wood and whether or not the Bills try to go after any of his signing bonus. I am very interested to see how they choose to fill holes, too (and how aggressively they do so). There's still plenty to talk about. But like you said, just not as much drama, which is great. Honestly, I'd much prefer not to have to talk about head coach, DC, OC (etc) candidates for a long time, unless a coordinator leaves because he's had so much success here that he gets a HC shot.

This really speaks highly of Brandon Beane and the quality of the front office staff he was able to assemble. As a first time GM, Beane was (obviously) able to attract some top notch talent to Buffalo. 2 guys he hired could get GM jobs within a month of each other. It sucks foe the Bills but that's actually pretty impressive. Beane said when he hired hired his staff that his goal was to help further his front office staff's careers. That he would do what he could to ready them to become GM's elsewhere. As as much as it stinks to lose them (if we do lose Dawson), I think it could be a good thing too. I would think this would help Buffalo be viewed by other highly qualified scouting & personnel guys around as a place they can come to help their careers (instead of this being a place you came when you didn't have any better options...).

I should have been more clear. I meant the offensive game plan & play calling - just the way he attacked them on offense and how aggressive he was. I would guess that Schwartz probably had more to do with putting the game plan together on defense.

Smart move by the Eagles. I was really impressed with the way Pederson handled everything in that SB. His coaching and play calling, the play selection, the aggressiveness. He knew exactly how he had to play the Pats to get a win and he had his team ready to execute that plan.

I totally agree about the trading up for a QB part. But don't you think it's a little early to say that their selections in round 2 and 3 are underwhelming? Would you be underehelmed if the Bills added 2 more players the caliber of Dion Dawkins with their two 2nd round picks? Dawkins was taken with the 2nd to last pick of the 2nd round and I think that looks like a very good pick so far. He stepped right in as a rookie at LT and more than held his own. Or what if they use those two 2nd round picks, or one 2nd + the 3rd, to trade up and draft some highly rated player that fell in the draft? I get what you're saying about the picks not being as high as we'd all maybe like, but I just think it's too early to be disappointed or underwhelmed or whatever. Let's wait and see what happens first. McDermott and Beane were both a big part of drafting Josh Norman in the 5th round, and McDermott obviously played a big role in his development into one of the top CB's in the NFL. I know that's not the norm for a 5th rounder, but good players are found all over the draft every year. This past draft McDermott looks to have found contributing players with every single pick.

I knew he was going to get a huge contract just by the way Lynch and Shanahan were talking about him. They were just gushing to the press about Nimmy G and I said at the time that his agent must just be drooling at the pay day coming.... I'll bet any money that there is some type of out after year 2 or 3 though. I honestly think this is a good gamble by SF. I would for sure take him in Buffalo right now with that contract. It's hard to truly judge until you've seen a guy in the league for a few yearsFrom what I've seen, I think he has everything it takes to make a team a Super Bowl contender. You can see why they were gushing over him though -

Beane would be a legend if he pulled this off. But I just don't see San Fran letting Jimmy G go. I would be absolutely shocked if this actually happened. Someone would have to revive me... it sure is a nice dream but again, I just don't see it. I'd sure love to be wrong. How amazing would would it be to torture the Pats with Jimmy G for the next decade plus though?!! edit - please change the thread title to more accurately reflect that this is only a rumor on Facebook.

Tony Dungy's full quote (not sure if this has been posted, didn't see it if it was...) http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/02/07/tony-dungy-josh-mcdaniels-hanging-assistants-out-to-dry-is-indefensible/

This is something I haven't seen talked about a lot. Kraft deserves blame for this whole situation too. Had he truly wanted to keep McDaniels, he should have made this push weeks ago and McDaniels probably wouldn't have ever agreed to the Indy job in the first place. But instead he waits until the last second, after Indy already announces the hire & sends letters to season ticket holders, and after McDaniels already partly hired his staff. This just comes off as petty as hell to me. Kind of like a guy who breaks up with his girlfriend then sees her happily dating some other guy he doesn't like. So he starts interfering in the relationship trying to get his ex back even though he may not truly want her. But, regardless, he just doesn't want to see her with that other guy. Man, I'll tell ya - The Patriots make it sooo easy to hate them.

I wasn't talking about what she said. I hadn't even seen that tweet when I wrote my response to you. I was was talking about what Adam Schefter, Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and other very reliable reporters have said.

He may not be a scumbag, but you HAVE to admit that it was a really scummy move by him. I know you're biased about this as a Pats fan but I don't care. Even a Pats fan can't be that naive about what McDaniels did. Actually take a minute to think about the scenario he left all these people in and all the lives affected. He reached out to numerous guys and asked them to be his assistants, and Indy went ahead and hired them for McDaniels. It's being reported that many of them have already moved to Indy and began working in the Colts building. These coaches uprooted their whole lives and families to move to Indy and work under McDaniels. Now they are going to be working for some unknown head coach who is going to have zero loyalty to any of these guys and is going to probably want to bring in his own people the first chance he gets. And Indy is stuck trying to find a new head coach who doesn't mind coming in and working with a staff someone else put together, instead of getting to hire his own trusted assistants that share his vision. If you cant see how wrong what he did is, then I don't know what to say.

Wow. What an absolute !@#$ing douche McDaniels is. I'd be absolutely disgusted if I were Indy, or one of the assistant coaches he recruited.

I think it's a bit disingenuous to say "he couldn't even beat Nick a Foles". He wasnt playing defense tonight. Pats D was trash most of the night. I believe they allowed points on 8 of 10 possessions. Brady did his job. He put up a new Super Bowl record 505 passing yards, and 30+ points on a great Philly Defense, which I believe, if I heard right, they also said was a new record by a losing team in the Super Bowl - that no team had ever put up 33 points and lost in the SB before. The outcome of that game, IMO, comes down to coaching, execution and the play of Philly's offense + New England's defense. It really has nothing to do with Brady not playing well. I don't see where this hurts his legacy. If anything it probably helps it. 8 Super Bowls (in 16 seasons starting, technically) is just insane. That amounts to a SB appearance in 1/2 of the seasons he's started. And as much as I hate to say it, he might not even be quite done writing his legacy yet (although I sure hope he is...).

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/914490/Tom-Brady-Nick-Foles-handshake-Super-Bowl-52-sportgalleries I guess Tom Brady supposedly didn't even shake Nick Foles hand after the game. Went to the locker room instead.

I'd take Foles in Buffalo in a heart beat! Eagles may may be hesitant to trade him until Wentz is at 100% though.

Things come Full circle! (kinda, sorta...) He was our backup QB when Belichick (in his first Super Bowl appearance iirc) and the Giants beat the Bills in the Super Bowl with their backup QB. Now, all these years later, he helps the Eagles beat Belichick's Patriots (in potentially his last super bowl appearance I hope...)) with their backup QB.

Finally gets his ring! Congratulaions Frank! We Bills fans are happy for you. I just hope someday (before I die, obviously...) we get our SB victory.

Absolutely. His play calling was brilliant, and he took some HUGE risks. I hope McDermott was paying attention. This is how aggressive you have to play the Patriots if you want to win.

Eagles win! With their backup QB! It's actually kind of fitting that Belichick gets beat by a backup QB. He helped the Giants win with their backup QB in his first ever SB appearance (iirc), and now he loses to a backup QB in what could possibly be his last SB appearance.