Logic

Yeah, Chongli, it's weird to share a name with an NFL head coach, and have it be pronounced the same, too. I still haven't gotten used to hearing my name on TV so much during the NFL season 😆 As for the "upsetting the competitive balance" angle you both brought up...I can definitely understand and empathize with that perspective. The way I see it is that the purpose of the NFL is ultimately to provide entertainment and to make money. The idea I proposed would help in both respects. Obviously, there IS a need for competitive fairness and balance, and the parity in the NFL is one of the things that makes it the best sports league in the country. That said, I think the NFL is always walking a fine line between entertainment and competitive balance. Take prime time games, for example, or Thursday night games. No one can tell me that it's not a bit of a competitive disadvantage to have a bunch of prime time games, or three Thursday night games, as the Bills do this season. Teams accept it, though, because TV viewership and the "entertainment" and "revenue" angle to it all. It's a tightrope that the NFL ALREADY walks, and I don't feel that allowing the league to pick one matchup out of 17 is all that big a deal. I used to be much more concerned about all the aspects of whether a schedule was perfectly fair or not. I don't care so much any more. The schedules rotate anyway, and in the case of the idea I proposed, the opponents chosen would likely be different most years, meaning it would all sort of balance out over time. Not only that, but teams that look fierce when a game is scheduled are sometimes not so fierce when the game finally rolls around, due to injuries or what have you. I understand the perspective you both espoused, though, and I think it's ultimately why the NFL will never enact the idea I proposed. I stand by the notion, though, that it would add entertainment value, viewership, and bring in extra revenue for the league.

Nope. I marked the one that was mine in the OP.

Ah yes, that's a good point. I forgot that it's AFC vs NFC. That DOES make it trickier. I guess I liken it to prime time games currently: Every team in the league gets at least one primetime game. How do you find a way to make a Falcons or Jaguars prime time game interesting? You kind of don't. I suppose it would be a bit like that. You'd still have a few games a year in that "17th game" window that would be only nominally interesting -- if at all. But in my eyes, the majority of the 17th games would be more interesting than their current totally random iteration. I liked the idea listed in the first submission, too. Instead of what I proposed, they could keep the scheduling just as it is, but make the extra game a neutral site game for both parties, played in either a non-NFL market or an international marketplace. Great way to grow the game.

Off the top of my head, you could have Jaguars vs Dolphins. Two reasons, first it's a regional matchup. Second, Trevor Lawrence faced Tua Tagovailoa in the 2019 College Football National Championship game. It was a rout for Clemson, so giving Tua the chance to avenge the ugly loss would be cool, and might even draw in some college fans who don't always watch NFL football. Falcons? A little trickier, but you could have them face the Vikings in a rematch of one of the biggest NFC Championship game upsets in history. The network could show the Randy Moss big plays and missed Anderson field goal coming out of commercial breaks. Admittedly, bad teams aren't going to have matchups quite as juicy as good teams or historic franchises, but never underestimate the NFL's ability to make chicken salad out of chickenshit.

Fair point!

Respectfully, I don't hate the idea. I agree that it would improve player health and keep long-standing NFL records in tact. The only real negative I see -- and it's a considerable one -- is that, as noted by the person who submitted it, it would deprive fans who go to the games of the ability to see their favorite players sometimes. Imagine shelling out tons of money months in advance for tickets to a big time Bills game, only to find out the week before that Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs would be sitting. Not great.

Peter King solicited ideas from fans about how to improve the NFL. He received 766 submissions. He chose 30. Shameless plug: mine was one of them! Pretty neat. When I saw how many people submitted ideas, I figured mine hadn't been chosen. It was a fun to scroll down and see my name. At any rate, some of the ideas are pretty interesting. I've posted a few that I like below. There are a bunch more, some of which are terrible, but almost all of which are interesting. Give it a read! https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/07/11/fmia-guest-nfl-ideas-improve-peter-king/ 17th Game Ideas Tim DeLaney, Tempe, Ariz. My idea is twofold: grow the game domestically/internationally and create a consistent and fair way to allocate the recently added 17th game. Every team plays one neutral-site game (so eight home, eight road, one neutral-site). Continue to schedule several international games: London, Mexico City, Munich, and let’s mix in some new locations each year such as Dublin, Barcelona, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Toronto. Here’s the twist, and a way to connect with casual U.S. fans who may be college football fans first: Schedule the remainder of neutral-site games in traditional college markets (with behemoth stadiums)—Lincoln, State College, Clemson, Tuscaloosa, Tallahassee, Baton Rouge, Norman. Think of what the “Winter Classic” has done to bring charm and nostalgia to the NHL. Imagine the Steelers and Eagles playing for bragging rights in front of 107,000 at Beaver Stadium. Let’s play a salute-to-service weekend matchup between the Bills and Giants in West Point. Move The Super Bowl To Saturday Night Rob Jensen, Voorhees, N.J. I know the old school fans will clutch their pearls at such a notion since it had been referred to as Super Bowl Sunday for most of my 50 years alive. But one thing we have learned in watching sports is that baseball has failed in making their most important games available to younger audiences. It makes no sense to me to hold the most important game in the season, and the parties that go along with it, on a school night. Having the game on a Saturday would make it more accessible to kids and the millions of us who have to get up early for work the next day.” Give Ownership 10 Years To Win Bill Miller, Savannah, Ga. I grew up in the fifties in Detroit, with Bobby Layne and the Lions winning three championships during that decade. Unfortunately, in 1960, William Clay Ford bought into the Lions. Over the past 61 years, the Lions have won one playoff game. We have had William Clay running the team, then Billy, then a bunch of sisters, grandmothers and others. How many coaches and GM’s have failed in Detroit over this period? The common denominator is that the Fords picked them. I have a proposal for a new NFL rule. If a team does not win a playoff game in 10 years, the team must be sold to another owner, or the NFL must step in and pick the next GM, similar to Pete Rozelle forcing the Giants to hire George Young as GM in 1979. Cool idea, but it’s one lawsuit from one spurned owner away from being overturned. Tickets For Deserving Kids Hank Zellman, Ohio The NFL could purchase a block of, say, 20 to 25 seats in every stadium for every game and provide those tickets to underprivileged kids who would never get to a game. Criteria of eligibility could be grades or community service. Adopt A Red Card—Sort Of Keith Heisler, Palos Verdes, Calif. The NHL power play is one of the most exciting fixtures in sports. Instantly, the style of play changes. Teams implement offensive and defensive strategies the fans wouldn’t otherwise see. For two minutes (or five for a major penalty) the power play injects the game with a nitro boost of offensive opportunities. I propose the NFL implements a power-play penalty where a team is required to play a man down for some period. For example, a helmet-to-helmet hit that knocks a player out of the game or into concussion protocol for a few plays. A 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty (and a midweek fine) doesn’t seem like fair compensation for an illegal hit that takes out a team’s star receiver. What if the team causing the infraction had to play with 10 players for one play or until the other team got a first down? The Best Teams Should Pick Playoff Foes Andrew Stathulis, Ann Arbor, Mich. [Higher-seeded] playoff teams should get to draft their opponent in the first round. The current system tries to reward the highest seeds by giving them matchups versus the playoff teams with the worst records. But record is not a perfect indicator of how good a team is. We saw this in the NFC this past year. In the first round, the Dallas Cowboys, the three seed, got the San Francisco 49ers, while the Los Angeles Rams, the four seed, got the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams, the lower seed, had an easier first-round opponent. Giving teams the ability to choose which wild-card team they play in round one is a more reliable method of rewarding the highest-seeded teams the most. Not sure how often this would come into play, but it does make sense to give the best teams their choice of first-round foe. Another Idea For Game 17 Matthew Rule, Portland, Ore. [It's me!] Make the extra game special and buzzworthy, rather than just a regularly rotating non-conference opponent. The slate of extra games should be hand selected by the league to draw interest and eyeballs, using specific themes and player matchups. Some games could feature area rivalries, with, for example, the Jets versus Giants battle for New York, Chargers versus Rams battle for SoFi. Another theme could be Super Bowl rematches … Patriots-Giants or Cowboys-Raiders. Using this method, the league could create opportunities for great matchups we otherwise don’t get to see often. If they want Josh Allen versus Aaron Rodgers but the Bills aren’t slated to play the Packers until 2025, no problem! Maybe they want one more bite at the Brady-Belichick apple, but the Bucs aren’t scheduled to play the Patriots till 2025. The NFL would have the power to create 16 monster matchups each season, however they see fit. Imagine, in the midst of schedule release mania, looking to see what “special feature” games were on the docket each year. The Birch 18-Game Season Plan Larry Birch, Warrenton, Ore. There would be 18 regular-season games and two preseason games. No player could play more than 16 regular-season games. At the beginning of the week, for that week’s game, teams must list their eligible players from a newly expanded roster. Ineligible players would have the week off and would not be allowed to practice with the team. This would make an interesting coaching strategy. Most teams would use their best players for strongest divisional opponents. This plan would do the following: - Prolong playing careers. Players would have two weeks off, at least, plus the bye. - Show what backup QBs can do in real games. - Give more players a chance at an NFL career. - Players with borderline injuries may be less likely to be pressured to play. - The players’ 16-game season records would be comparable. The biggest downside would be that fans would not always get to watch their favorite players in every game.

A beer

If we’re talking strictly offensive linemen, then the candidates have all already been listed in this thread. If we’re talking UDFAs with versatility who make the 53 man roster and work their way into a starting spot over time in general, regardless of position, I pick Nick McCloud. It sounds like he has been impressing at both corner and safety — with Jordan Poyer even saying that McCloud reminded him of himself when he was younger — and after he was plucked off the practice squad last year, the Bills may not want to risk losing him again.

This is the key right here. Too many people see "most talented to ever play the QB position" and equate it with "greatest to ever play the position". But that's not what Palmer was saying. Palmer was saying Josh is the most TALENTED, the most PHYSICALLY GIFTED ever to play the position. That's not the same as "he is the best" or "he WILL be the best". Case in point: Jeff George, Jay Cutler, and Michael Vick were all more physically gifted than Tom Brady. None of them could hold his jock strap, though. As you say, it takes a lot more to actually reach the perch of "greatest ever" or anything close. Luckily for us Bills fans, Josh seems to have what it takes mentally and in terms of intangibles to have a reasonable shot at bridging the gap between "most talented" and "best", but it will take a lot of wins and some championships to get there. That's what sets Josh apart from the Jeff Georges and Jay Cutlers of the world, though: His mind, his work ethic, his will, his intangibles. If he ever becomes the GOAT, THOSE traits will be as much to thank as his physical gifts. Sometimes I still can't believe that the Bills actually have a guy like Josh at QB. Amazing.

I don't follow hockey closely, but from what little I could gather on Twitter about the draft prospects selected, it seems that Kevyn Adams is following the Beane draft model: Select highly gifted prospects with high ceilings and entrust the coaching staff to help that player reach that ceiling. It would be awesome for the city and for "One Buffalo" if the Sabres could return to perennial playoff contention and national prominence the way the Bills have.

I believe Palmer is correct. In terms of sheer physical talent — arm strength, size, power, mobility, speed, jumping ability — I can’t think of anyone that’s ever been clearly superior to Josh Allen. Combine all of that with elite work ethic, competitiveness, and leadership ability, and you have the ingredients for a Hall of Famer.

I don't recall him saying definitively that he was going to back out, and that he had decided that he would tell Beane face-to-face that he wasn't signing. I remember him saying he was having serious second thoughts and doubts, but not that he was planning to back out. I certainly may be wrong, but that's how I remember it.

Great article. A fine example of why I find The Athletic to be a highly worthwhile subscription. The "he was gonna back out" angle is a new addition to the story. Certainly helps explain why he looked like his dog died in his "touring the Bills facility" video. Credit to Beane and the Bills staff for sealing the deal with a player who was having serious second thoughts.

My perspective on you is simple as well: you’re a glass half empty guy and a know-it-all who always thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room. As far as you’re concerned, the next time you’re wrong will be the first. Your constant belittling of other posters and arrogant smiling emojis reflect a total inability to converse with others without constantly trying to make them feel small and inferior, which I suspect has more than a little do with YOUR insecurities. Have a nice night, BADOL.

Optimism and hope and a willingness to give a new coaching hire a chance - vs - Pessimism and a lack of willingness to give a new coaching hire a chance because you already "knew EXACTLY what was coming". That does, indeed, sum up our differing perspectives quite well.

I actually attended four of these gams. Ugh. I had season tickets from 2007 to 2011. Talk about total crap-o-rama. Sheesh. I remember the day Jauron was given a contract extension. The Bills were 1-7 at the time. I don't know that I ever felt lower as a Bills fan. The Pats game was the most miserable overall, but the Cowboys game was BY FAR the most painful. An all-timer.

Saw that. A total bummer for those planning on going tonight, but obviously more than understandable given the circumstances. Hopefully there's a makeup date in the future.

Mark me down as a believer that Mayfield will do well in Carolina and the Panthers will be in playoff contention. Mind you, I don’t think Baker will ever be a league MVP candidate or anything. I DO think he’s NFL starting caliber. A top 20 option, let’s say. Support him with a quality defense and running game and he’ll make the playoffs more years than not. Mayfield’s gonna be playing with a massive chip on his shoulder. I truly believe he’ll have a good season.

Multiple NFL analysts and reporters: "Beane is one of the best GMs in the business, and the Bills have one of the best rosters in the league." Associated Press: "Beane is the 2020 NFL Executive of the Year". All sportsbooks, in consensus: "Bills are the 2022 favorites to win the Super Bowl". Handful of posters on this forum: "Not so fast. Remember Kelvin Benjamin?!"

Smart choice not answering any of the questions I posed or addressing any of the things I said. You can sit there and re-litigate a few specific players’ Bills tenures. I’ll point to the current quality of the team as a whole, as evidenced by their being perennial playoff contenders and current Super Bowl favorites. You can continue to get granular and try to distract from the discussion at hand by sidetracking people with questions of your own while refusing to answer the questions of others. I think Beane is a good GM and have pointed to facts that help to prove that point. You think he’s average to below average, though you refuse to explain how an average to below average GM assembled a Super Bowl favorite. (Note: you can’t just say “he hit on the QB, that’s the only reason why”, because there are plenty of teams with great QBs who AREN’T in the top five Super Bowl betting odds). We can just agree to disagree. It’s fine.

In what way will my answering this question refute any of the points I made above? Do you believe that the National reporters who believe that the Bills’ roster is the best in the NFL are being dishonest? Do you believe that regular playoff contention is not a good marker of the success of a GM in building a team? Do you think the Bills being Super Bowl favorites is indicative of an average or poor performance by their GM in assembling the roster? You can get as granular as you like and look at the roster with a microscope. That’s your prerogative. Me? I’ll reiterate that the proof is in the pudding, and that being perennial playoff contenders and Super Bowl favorites is pretty convincing pudding.

Okay. Three out of four seasons, then. The point stands.