Logic

Thanks for the writeup. We heard from the earliest part of OTAs that the Bills were focusing heavily on situational football. Highly specific situational football, to boot. This continued through camp. Fast forward to today, and the Bills were down 13 and needing to win the 4th quarter in order to win the game, as you alluded to. According to the Bills players and the beat writers on the sidelines at MetLife, the Bills were completely calm, collected, focused, and acted just the same as they would act if they were UP by 13 in the 4th quarter. They had practiced highly specific situational football for moments just like this. Sure enough, it paid off. The Bills defense played at an absolutely elite level today. To have your offense turn the ball over FOUR times, on the road against a divisional opponent, in front of a fired up Jets crowd....and to still only allow EIGHT points...I barely have words for it. Elite level defense. It's not as if the Jets are a bunch of Schmohocks out there. Le'Veon Bell in the backfield, first round pick Sam Darnold at QB, three capable receivers. Bills defense shut 'em down. I have to note here how much I like that coach McDermott often uses his timeouts in key 3rd or 4th down situations when the Bills are on defense. He gets a look at what the Jets want to do personnel and formation-wise, then he calls a timeout. Not only does this help the Bills defense know what the opponent want to do, it often forces the opponent to do something different, knowing that the Bills defense has just seen their hand. You're effectively taking away their first choice offensively in key situations. I love it. Allen needs to get better. Some of his turnovers today were bad luck, but there were also another two or three throws that could (should?) have been picked off. That game could have gone very differently. That said...it's impossible to overstate the degree to which Allen seems to have the vaunted Clutch Gene. Three come-from-behind wins and four game-winning drives in 12 starts. That's big time stuff. Over the years, I've learned that everything I just mentioned is for message boards and passing time between Sundays. All that really matters are Ws and Ls. At the end of the year, they don't care how you got your Ws, they only count how many you got. Bills got one today. Let's hope they can return to the same stadium and get another next week.

I already know how this one ends: Raiders suspend AB for conduct detrimental to the team. His $30million in guarantees are voided. The Raiders cut him outright and admit defeat on the trade. The Patriots sign him and -- suddenly, realizing this is his last chance and his best shot to win a Super Bowl -- he shapes up and acts like a consummate professional. The Patriots offense with Brown on one side and Gordon on the other and Edelman in the slot becomes unstoppable, the Patriots go to their 4th straight Super Bowl and win their 7th ring. So it is written, and so it shall be.

That's definitely what it is. @DC Tom is just a know-it-all blowhard who has trouble admitting he's wrong.

Good to see your "miserable prick" shtick carries over from the PPP. At least you're consistent!

I disagree that there isn't rhyme or reason to it. I think that area of Wyoming IS specifically showing the Bills game because of Allen. I only say that because I live in Portland, OR, and we constantly get Tennessee Titans games (Mariota was a Duck).

I second this. For all that Mike Pettine's defense does well, it's usually bad against the run. Put a different way, I like Montgomery's chances vs an unproven Mike Pettine defense better than I like Aaron Jones' chances against a proven Bears defense.

My WR2 spot in my 10-team PPR league is looking like it will be a revolving door of lottery ticket sleeper types. I have some more promising candidates, but due to either injury or week 1 opponent, my best bet looks to be one of the Bills WRs that I have, John Brown and Cole Beasley. In particular, I feel like either John Brown or Cole Beasley is going to have a big day against NYJ in week 1. Brown likely to have more yards and a better chance at a TD, but Beasley seems like he'll have 5-7 receptions, if preseason target share is any indication. So what do you think (and please spare me the "don't start either guy!" comment), Brown or Beasley?

"His mindset, his approach. The way he views himself. His self-confidence on game day. He's Mike Tyson in a fight. He don't give a (expletive)." That's my favorite line from the article ^

I'm terribly curious to know your feelings on the release of LeSean McCoy. Specifically, do you think the 2019 Buffalo Bills are better, worse, or not materially much different without McCoy in the fold than with him?

Thanks for the post. Me? I'm out of poetic verbiage. I can no longer pontificate. I'm just excited. I'm optimistic. I'm nervous. Five more days.

I'd have to see a list of available free agents. Off the top of my head, it would seem that the biggest needs for the Bills next year will be at edge rusher and wide receiver. Both positions are rich in the draft, and the Bills are rich with cash. I'd like to see Buffalo start pre-emptively extending some of their own homegrown talent and find either a big time EDGE or WR in free agency, if one is available. Address these positions again in the draft, and we're ready to roll.

I was mad when the Bills didn't draft Collins. I'm sure you all remember the bruhaha leading up that draft. I wanted the Bills to ignore Collins' agent and all the noise and spend a 7th round pick on the guy. If he never suits up, so what? 7th rounders get cut all the time. Instead, the entire NFL listened to Collins' agent, didn't draft the kid, and now he's a Pro Bowl level tackle. I still get mad thinking about.

I hear you, but I disagree. RT is a more premium position. We spent a 2nd round pick on Cody Ford. I want to be absolutely sure that my young draft pick can't play right tackle before I settle him at guard for the rest of his career. I get the feeling it will work itself out naturally, any way. The two "weakest" looking parts of our o-line right now are Feliciano at RG and Ford at RT. If that proves to be the case on the field, they'll quickly move Ford to RG and Nsekhe to RT and all will be right with the world....unless a tackle gets hurt, then suddenly Connor McDermott is in the lineup.

I think the loss of Waddle definitely played a part in this. One would think that if he was still around as the swing tackle, then Nsekhe would start at RT. On the other hand, it's hard to say. Ford only got moved to RG in camp because there were so many injuries at that position and because they wanted him to see some live bullets from that spot. It's quite possible that they've planned to keep him at starting RT all along. I can only imagine that it's a "you're the right tackle until you show that you can't be" situation. If he struggles, one would think Nsekhe gets moved to that spot.

I figure this is why they're bringing him in for a visit rather than just signing him immediately. I bet they want to talk to him and see what happened and see if he's somebody they think can get right in the Bills locker room.

OVERVIEW Jones was not a household name outside of the Research Triangle during his time at North Carolina State, and was snubbed for all-conference honors by ACC coaches. League media recognized that he was an impact defender for the Wolfpack, however, giving him honorable mention notice in 2016 after he led the team with 109 tackles (four for loss) and three interceptions, also breaking up eight passes. Jones had started eight games as a true freshman, finishing second in the ACC with four interceptions (he also had seven pass break-ups for the year). In 2015, he was a solid starter but lacked many big plays (63 tackles, 2.5 for loss, one INT, two PBU). ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Possesses prototypical combination of size and speed. Has acceleration and top-end speed to range all over the field. Plus athletic ability and reactive quickness. Has ability to disguise his coverage before sprinting back to centerfield. Has experience with both safety spots. Fluid in his movement and is an explosive leaper when challenging at the high-point. Has the ball skills to rake it or take it. Plays with eager eyes that stay glued to quarterback's intentions. Has the closing burst to challenge throws. Extremely aggressive. Bouncy feet can't wait to fire downhill and hit something. Accelerates through the collision. Does a good job of punching and playing off of blockers. WEAKNESSES His aggression is a double-edged sword. Will come in too hot looking to lay the lumber and end up missing his mark as a tackler. Needs to do better job of coming to balance as a tackler. From zone coverage, can be a little slow to anticipate routes and squeeze the throwing windows. Gets hyper-focused on quarterback and will lose track of his assignments. Will bite on play-action bait and get drawn out of position. DRAFT PROJECTION Round 2 SOURCES TELL US "This guy would just as soon hit you as look at you on the football field. Hey, it's fun to watch his tape because he's already got that NFL mentality to him, but he gets way out of control too. I saw that early on in the tape. You've got to rein him in a little bit." - AFC defensive backs coach NFL COMPARISON Mike Mitchell BOTTOM LINE Jones is a height-weight-speed prospect to be sure, but he's not just a traits-based safety. Jones has the appetite for hitting that teams will want around the box and he has the speed and ball skills to range and help against vertical threats from a deep safety spot. The big area of concern will be Jones' ability to play with better discipline in coverage and as a tackler. He has the ability to become a good, long-time starter in the league.

I absolutely love that the Bills are bringing this guy in. In my opinion, he has the ability to be a big part of the Bills defense in 3-safety looks or as a key reserve. This is awesome. Oh, and one more thing: For a brief, shining second, I thought I was gonna be the guy to bring this scoop to TBD, but then I saw that Yolo already did it. Because of course! ?

Has McDermott, in his time in Buffalo, EVER just had three running backs on the roster? If I'm not mistaken, in the first two seasons, he had five and four running backs, respectively, not counting Pat DiMarco. I thought this was one of the weirdest cutdown day decisions. I'm surprised either Murphy or Perry didn't stick for special teams work and a "break glass in case of emergency" option. I can't help but wonder if Buffalo will look to add a player at this position in the next 48 hours.

Conor McDermott's ticket off the roster got hurt and put on injured reserve, unfortunately. Waddle would have taken his spot.

Just came in to say that McCoy is making twice what Damien Williams is making and is (still) a better back than Williams. They may start the season in a running back by committee situation, but by week 5, it's gonna be the Shady show full time.

Well those are certainly words. At least...some of them are.

You're right BADOL. Now that I re-read it, it doesn't say that. I'll change the thread title.

The tidbit below caught my eye in a Buffalobills.com "Five things we learned" article I just read. It seems to me that McDermott's plan since arriving in Buffalo has been to build a foundation and a culture with a higher number of older players who can set the tone and set a good example. In McDermott's first season, the Bills were one of the OLDEST teams in the NFL. Then, as the younger players progressed, more and more of the veterans would be phased out, until only a young team just coming into its prime remained. Beane and McDermott seem to have stuck at least one tenured veteran in each position group, but those are about the only older guys on the team. The o-line has Morse, the RB room has Gore, the WR room has Roberts, the LB room has Lorenzo, the DB room has Micah Hyde, and so on. Someone to set the tone and lead their unit. Other than that, though? A whole lot of youth on this Bills roster. I don't think it's an accident, I think it was designed this way. Sean McDermott is a meticulous and incredibly well prepared guy, and I think this was his plan all along. https://www.buffalobills.com/news/5-things-we-learned-about-the-bills-initial-53-man-roster 5. Youth dominates Buffalo’s roster is especially young this season. Just about half the roster is made up of players entering their third NFL season or less. A total of 25 players have two or fewer years of NFL experience entering the 2019 campaign. Seven players on the roster are rookies. Ten players are entering their second season and eight more are entering their third season as a pro. Conversely, only four players on Buffalo’s roster are entering their 10th NFL year or more, Jerry Hughes (10), Stephen Hauschka (12), Lorenzo Alexander (13) and Frank Gore (15).

He needs to switch his number to 25 immediately.

McCoy would be silly to go to New England, where he'd be behind Michel, the kid they drafted this year, James White, etc. Croom goes to IR, so it's actually four tight ends. And a fullback who plays all four special teams units and 20% of offensive snaps is worth more to the roster than a jump ball receiver who'd get 3 targets a game.