Logic

Not so fast. I'd like to see Shady behind a much improved offensive line this year before I start declaring that he has slowed down AT ALL. I predict that the combination of improved blocking, John Brown and Foster keeping defenses honest, a chip on Shady's shoulder after his worst year as a pro, and the added motivation of his buddy Gore being in town, will all add up to an awesome year from LeSean McCoy. I don't think he's lost a step at all. Time will tell!

A right side of John Miller and Bobby Hart? Yikes.

Thank you so much for doing this, man! You're a hero!

Boy, the OP didn't know what he was in for. Here he came with his optimism and his statement that he felt that the Bills ownership, management, and coaches had the team headed in the right direction. Can't have THAT kind of upbeat nonsense now, can we? Buzzkill patrol, engage!

Tank for Tua it is, then!

Dolphins going all in on the "Tank for Tua" or "Pull the lever for Trevor" this season. I predict 3 wins.

As much as I like Hockenson, and I really do like him....picking him at 9 doesn't feel very "Beane/McDermott Bills". Picking a defensive or offensive lineman, on the other hand, does. Luckily, this is one of the deeper tight end drafts in years, and it seems likely they can get a quality tight end in round 2 or even 3. Irv Smith, for instance, seems like a perfect 2nd round target. Speed, athleticism, championship pedigree, and experience with our offensive coordinator. I'm fine with it either way. To come out of this draft with either Hockenson or Smith would be awesome.

The first Dolphins game did it for me. MULTIPLE big time throws in that one. The TD where he rolled out right and hit Zay in the end zone, on the move, for 6. The 3rd and long from his own end zone where he threw a rope to Zay for a 1st down. The play where he stepped up in the pocket and threw a laser to double-covered Zay Jones before he was even open, resulting in a touchdown. The multiple insane runs where he made Kiko Alonso look like a high schooler trying to play pro ball. The drive at the end of the game that was one better throw or better catch away from resulting in the go-ahead score. That was my favorite Josh Allen game to date.

Hock looks like he'll be an elite tight end for a long time. The thing that puts him over the top, in my opinion, is his insane blocking ability. Everyone knows he can attack the seam, catch the ball, and be a star in that regard. But the way that he absolutely BURIES people in the run game or as a pass blocker is insane. Not sure I've ever seen a TIGHT END pancake as many people as Hockeson has. Not only that, he LOVES to block. Loves it. So if you draft Hockenson, you're not only getting a great, young target for your quarterback, you're also getting a next-level blocker in the run and pass game. As for the notion of "When was the last time an elite NFL tight end was drafted in the 1st round?", I'd say this: If Gronkowski and Kelce and Ertz in their primes were all available in this year's draft, does anyone have any doubt that they'd all be picked in the 1st round? Look at the value that Gronk has added to NE, Kelce has added to KC, and Ertz has added to Philly. Is anyone REALLY going to say that those contributions aren't worth a 1st round pick?

I doubt you can trade back all that far and still be assured of getting Hock.

Good post. There are probably better PURE PERSONNEL men at GM around the league. But in terms of being well rounded, knowing how to work contracts, knowing how to work trades, putting together a good staff, managing people, having a vision and demonstrating the discipline necessary to enact it, etc...I'll take Brandon Beane all day. Anyone who honestly, in their heart of hearts doesn't think Beane is doing a good job so far or think he should automatically be on the "hot seat" if the Bills don't get into the playoffs this year, just doesn't know what they're looking at. It's that simple. He's not perfect, nobody is. He said himself that they're not going to bat 1.00. But his hits far outweigh his misses at this point. We just finished year two of the McDermott/Beane era, and they've already cleaned up a terrible salary cap mess, completely changed the team culture, built the #2 ranked defense in the league, identified a franchise QB, and begun to build around said QB. They have done these things fearlessly, without flinching, without compromising their beliefs, and without regard to how much it might tick off some fans. If you can't give these guys credit for the job they've done so far, then I don't know what to tell you. All in on Beane and McDermott. All in.

Marris Claibone ?

I'd be happy all the time, too! EDIT: I see someone already beat me to this.

5,000+ posts, 500 reputation. People aren't buyin' what you're sellin', killjoy.

Good point. Doug Whaley once commented on there being three aspects to team building: Drafting well, developing the players, and retaining the players. For years and years, the Bills were bad at all three. But their being bad at drafting was exacerbated by the fact that even when they DID occasionally have draft hits, they either failed to develop them, failed to retain them, or both. In Losman's case, I think the Bills failed him in the "develop him" phase. Of course, it's possible that he was just going to bust no matter what, but who knows? I like that Beane and McDermott not only seem to be drafting well so far, but also seem to have plans in place for development (Foster, Wallace, White, Milano) and retention.

This. The signing is not even low risk, high reward. It's more like NO risk, high reward.

I don't know how anyone can watch the video of Gore with his Bills helmet on from today, walking down the hall at One Bills Drive, looking ready to play right now if they asked him, and NOT be fired up about this signing. "I become a different person when I put on this helmet". As Beane said, dude is intense. No other way to make it to age 36 at the running back position and still be so good. Intensity, love of the game, dedication. He'll be a fan favorite in no time.

I vividly remember the play at 6:57 in the video below. I remember that whole game, actually. Two 83-yard bomb TDs to #83 that day. And then the Bills drove down the field at the end with time winding down, needing a touchdown to win. With the clock under 20 seconds and the Bills out of timeouts, Losman threw that absolute LASER across the middle to Peerless Price 2.0, whose toe-dragging TD reception on that play was the last great play of his career. No matter what we all say about Losman now, that is still one of the best throws I can ever remember seeing in a clutch moment for the Bills.

It's all star power, dude. Mayfield, by himself, is a huge draw. Now add in two dynamic talents and personalities in Beckham and Landry, and then add in the fact that THOSE TWO guys are reuniting for the first time since playing together in college. Star power and storylines. I mean, I love my Bills, but the John Brown/Robert Foster duo aren't exactly must-see TV at this point, and Allen is not viewed nationally with NEARLY the same interest and optimism as Baker Mayfield. To me, it's easy to see why the Browns are the sexy pick.

Awesome. The Pegulas/Beane were really smart to build this state of the art sports performance center for the players. It achieves 3 objectives: 1.) Help players maximize their athletic potential and their ability to stay healthy and available 2.) Help sell free agents on coming to Buffalo and to keep those players that are here happy 3.) Provides a space where players can voluntarily spend time and train together, thus building comradery. I like it a lot!

"Sometimes you buy a house. Whoops!"

Two things: 1.) Andre Roberts directly won the Jets the game against the Bills in Orchard Park last year. For what this dude is likely getting paid, the possibility at his adding one or two wins a year make his addition worthwhile. 2.) Teams always keep a kick returner on the roster. Bills ended last season with Victor Bolden on the roster as a kick returner. If it wasn't Roberts, it would have been McCloud or some drafted return specialist. They're not going to NOT have a roster spot taken by a WR for special teams only. One of the six spots is always going to go to a special teams ace and/or returner. Might as well have that spot be taken by an All-Pro rather than somebody like McCloud, who truly offers very little.

Any discussion of rating Brandon Beane's job thus far as GM had BETTER darn well include the fact that he got a 5th round pick in exchange for a 1-year rental of a backup QB. And anyone who says 5th round picks don't matter should go watch some Matt Milano highlights.

But, but.....I thought the Bills couldn't recruit free agents?

I have said before and was actually planning to make a thread about it as draft time approached: I think there's a very good chance Christian Wilkins is the target. Everything about his work ethic, character, style of play, and pedigree screams "process" to me. Whether or not they feel 9 is too high for him, I don't know, but I think there's a real good chance he's the guy.