Logic

Coming out, Epenesa seemed like a 5T to me, and I’m still worried that we’re forcing a square peg into a round hole with him.

It’s weird... I am generally in the “we’ve already tried giving big contracts to old guys at EDGE, what we need is youth and juice and to find, draft, and grow our OWN stars there” camp, and yet... I find myself hoping that Watt sings with the Bills. He seems like a perfect culture fit, an instant jolt of leadership, and a mentor for Epenesa and hopefully another youngster yet to be drafted. Seeing JPP play a crucial role in TB’s Super Bowl run has me caring a little less about the age factor. Besides, it seems unlikely that the Bills can find a blue chip EDGE picking at 30.

I’d like to see the BLUE (home) 60s throwback be brought back for a bit instead. I love the all-white throwback, but it’s time to shake things up a bit.

In response to those who dislike how few players get into the pro football Hall of Fame each year, I present the counter argument: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seems like they let in anyone with a pulse and a microphone. Yuck.

I will root against him because his family is deeply obnoxious, yes. I root against opposing players for all sorts of reasons. Here's another reason that I'll root against Pat: He and his family seem to be of the "gloat/flex when things are going well, pass the blame when things are going poorly" sort. Note: I'm not saying I wish ill on the man in real life or anything. When it comes to his performance on a football field, yes, I will root against him.

Mahomes' mom and girlfriend have single-handedly made me want to root against him. I previously held no animosity towards him, but seeing those two obnoxious humans making a scene all the time, I now root for him to lose strictly to upset them. They are, without a shadow of a doubt

I get it. You also just described the 2020 Bills offense. We, too, need to increase our efficiency in the run game and improve our offensive line come hell or high water. One more thing...as a Chiefs fan, why do you think no one has hired Bienemy?

I really appreciate this perspective on the ways to beat the Chiefs offensively and defensively. They both seem to be right on the money. I noticed that the Bucs' receivers barely did much in the Super Bowl. It was all RBs/TEs....exactly the two things the Bills did not have, hence their woeful offensive output in the AFCCG. I think most Bills fans would agree that from here on out, our team should be built with beating the Chiefs being the main objective. As such, improving our defensive line, finding a stud TE (I like Knox, but we need another horse there), and fixing our running game are the top priorities this offseason. I have given you a hard time plenty on this forum. I'll say this: You at least always maintain a consistent and even keel. You also come back again and again, no matter what anyone (including myself) says. Thanks for your consistency and honesty, even if I haven't always been thrilled with the content you posted (like when you predicted the losing season for Buffalo and 16-0 for the Chiefs, for instance). Hopefully we'll see your boys in the AFFCG again next January. p.s. What are your offseason wishlist items for the Chiefs?

Also, Florio and co recently pointed out that they’ve heard privately from tons of NFL play by play guys who all say that they can do Tony’s “calling the play out before it happens” psychic schtick too, but they choose not to, because that’s not what their job is. Who knows if that’s true or just sour grapes, but I’m guessing it’s true. Seems those in the biz are far less impressed by Romo than many a casual fan seem to be.

Ugh. I’m normally a fan of Romo, but at the end of the game when he said Brady has “always done things the RIGHT WAY”...I nearly sprained my eyeballs rolling them so hard. Like...are we just gonna pretend that he DIDN’T get suspended for cheating and ISN’T a poor sport who often leaves the field without shaking hands with the other team when he loses? 🙄

Sal on WGR yesterday said he doesn’t think the league will want to “waste” Dallas vs TB on opening weekend, because that’s a big game that will draw ratings at any point in the season. The opener always draws any way, so why use up that marquee matchup in that slot? That being said: I predict the Bills’ week 1 opponent will be the Jets at 1pm. Edit: Bills vs Chiefs as the Sunday Night opener would also be sweet.

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Well stated. Thanks!

I agree that the defense was disappointing this year, and I agree that the productivity did not match the payroll. That said, I think "very pessimistic" is too negative an evaluation of the defense, personally. They made some big plays throughout the year in key games, and they did start to come on strongly at the end of the year. They were EXCEPTIONAL in the Ravens game. Yes, the performance against the Chiefs was an embarrassment, but again, that's one gameplan and one game, and as we saw in the Super Bowl, that happens to even the very best teams sometimes. I think it can be true at the same time that: 1.) The Bills defense was disappointing and needs to improve. 2.) The Bills overall were very good and had a very good season. Winning 13 games and two playoff games is not easy. After finishing 2nd and 7th in defensive DVOA the two years prior to this COVID year, I'm willing to give McDermott and Frazier the benefit of the doubt in terms of fixing the defense for next year. There's a fine line between recognizing areas of weakness and areas for improvement, and some of the exaggeration/hyperbole I saw after the Bills-Chiefs game with regard to the failures of our defense and team in general.

I totally agree about last night's game mirroring the AFCCG. It was so similar it was downright spooky, actually. The takeaway? Even elite QBs need protection and open receivers in order to be effective. Even the great magician Patrick Mahomes couldn't conjure up a single touchdown when not given time or open pass catchers. Watching the Bucs do to the Chiefs EXACTLY what the Chiefs had done to the Bills was crazy. Mahomes spent the night looking like "Bad Josh", too. When Mahomes dropped back, drifted, drifted and ate a sack for 12 yards, putting the Chiefs in 3rd and 33, it was like the Twilight Zone. All the "mental command" and poise don't mean squat if defenders are closing in on you within 2 seconds of the snap and your receivers are blanketed.

The spirited defense of a poster whose sole purpose on this message board is to constantly talk up Patrick Mahomes and subtly jab Bills fans for trading away the chance to draft him is perplexing to me.

https://www.radio.com/wgr550/podcasts/salsportsand-stuff-20273/02-08-state-of-the-bills-offensive-line-356502268 I highly recommend giving a listen to at least the first 10 minutes of this 30 minute podcast. What is ostensibly just the latest installment of Sal's "state of the Bills" roster examination podcast begins with a plea to Bills fans to step back from the ledge a bit. Essentially, Sal is irritated by all the "Bills are so far away from the Bucs and Chiefs" talk, all the Leslie Frazier slander, etc. He is quick to remind us that the Bills won 13 games, that they were a very good team, and that having one bad game (and bad defensive gameplan) against the Chiefs does not suddenly mean they're super far away from legitimate Super Bowl contention. Not all Bills fans are in the "our team is so far away" camp, of course, but many are. I found this episode to be a pretty good listen and a good reminder that we have a damned good team. It needs tweaks and improvements, sure, but the Bills had a very good year, they ARE very good, and will likely CONTINUE to be very good.

Nah. We're poking fun at one particular message board poster who joined this board specifically to talk about how great Mahomes is and how great the Chiefs are. All we've heard for three+ years now is how great #15 is and how silly the Bills were for passing on him. Pointing it out and trolling us about it were literally Zero's entire reasons for joining this forum, which he has admitted multiple times. He eventually pivoted to talking about how great Allen has become, but only in a condescending, pat-on-the-head, "I'm glad your team at least got a good QB out of the trade so I don't have to pity you so much" type of way. So yeah, we're damn sure gonna talk a little smack back to him on the ONE occasion that his savior QB actually looked mortal. If a Mahomes fanboy troll can't be teased a bit when his QB gets stomped in the Super Bowl, then why does the internet even exist?

This. So much this. Three things seem to win in the modern NFL: 1.) Pass-heavy, spread-adjacent offenses with elite QBs at the helm. 2.) Being able to attack with just your front four, while simulating pressure and offering multiple disguised man and zone looks. 3.) Strong play in the trenches. The Bills seem to have number 1 figured out. They also have the coaches, scheme, and some of the personnel needed to achieve item number 2. In order for both item 1 and 2 to work more effectively, though, and thus for the team to take the next step, the biggest need is improvement along both the offensive and defensive lines. As much as we may all want a corner, a linebacker, a stud tight end...the number 1 thing that would improve this team on both sides of the ball is improvement in the trenches.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Last year he had over 500 yards and 5 TDs. He can ABSOLUTELY feel proud of that contribution. This year, he didn’t do much statistically, but he was active for 10 games and produced 100 yards. He did more for his team than, say, a backup QB who never plays a snap all season. Rings are rings. He contributed. He won two of them. The rest is pettiness.

Just wanted to point out that, while I still think Mahomes is better than Allen at this point, the Super Bowl showed that the gap may not be as big as some would think. Without protection or wide open receivers tonight, Mahomes looked an awful lot like Josh did in the AFCCG. Mahomes IS mortal.

I haven’t spent time in this thread, so I truly don’t know, but... Has anyone heard from @Zerovoltz ? Is he in total shock that Jesus H Mahomes is, in fact, mortal?

Shady played actual regular season snaps for both KC last year and TB this year. Everyone can poke fun all they want, but he gets two rings to end a very good career, and he can feel proud of both.

As football continues to change, it’s going to be harder and harder to compare players from different eras. The NFL is now an INCREDIBLY pass-happy league, so Mahomes’ stats will likely blow Brady’s out of the water. There’s about to be one additional game per year, as well, and that will skew numbers. This brings us back to rings as the markers of GOAT status. It’s a fair debate with no clear answer. Jordan vs Lebron is another fine example of the “how much do rings matter?” Conundrum.