Logic

If this offseason has showed us all anything, it's that we should wait until all the information is in before panicking and assuming the worst...

I think the understanding of positional responsibilities and interchangeability -- not to mention scheme and personnel deployment -- among most NFL fans lags quite far behind reality. The old fashioned understanding of strong and free safeties as mentioned here, the differences in responsibility and body type between a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive end (it took a long time for "Edge" to become a common nomenclature for NFL fans, and even then, the Pro Bowl voting still doesn't differentiate between these things), the interchangeability of linebackers in modern defenses, and the common fan perception of a specific and numbered wide receiver depth chart when, in reality, coaches don't think in such terms. Just a few examples of the massive gulf in knowledge and understanding between fans and coaches/players. There are different levels to football knowledge for fans, of course, but just about all of them lag far behind reality. And I include myself in the "there's so much we don't know or outright misperceive" pile, lest anyone think I'm being holier than thou. It's one of the reasons I wish there was more mainstream educational/informed NFL programming. Matchup shows, scheme and positional explanations, etc. That stuff all exists in the amateur blogosphere and sometimes in spaces like SiriusXM radio, but there doesn't seem to be much of a market for it on ESPN or NFLN. Most fans are content not knowing what they don't know.

We can agree to disagree. When your kicker has struggled with occasional cases of the yips as ours has, I think there's value in having a backup plan. I also think there's value in getting a talented rookie kicker in your building and having him work with your kicking operation (snapper, holder, etc). In this scenario, rather than scrambling mid-week to hold tryouts and get someone into your building and get him up to speed, you can just seamlessly call up and insert your PS kicker. I view kicker as a very important position. Kickers have more of a direct impact on the outcome of games than, say, 12th or 13th o-linemen or 10th D-linemen. Therefore, having a ready replacement who, at the same time, you're also evaluating and working with and seeing if maybe he's a better long term answer than your current, expensive guy...seems like a good strategy to me. But I'm also just an idiot typing on his computer at home, so maybe I don't know what the heck I'm talking about.

Hearing Allen say that the Bills offense is gonna move Keon all over the field -- which they absolutely should do, because his best shot at consistent productivity may come with at least a part time deployment as a big slot -- makes me like the idea of Gabe Davis even more. For one thing, lining Davis up at X sometimes would allow Coleman the flexibility to move around the formation. For another thing, a Coleman/Davis duo at WR should, theoretically, be a nasty run blocking pairing, which we know is important to Brady and McDermott.

Thanks. I enjoy your posts too. The quote of mine you bolded specifically began with the words "purely in terms of camp and preseason contributions". I do not dispute Moore's past production in this league. That said, we saw with Marquz Valdes Scantling that that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Apparently Moore is healthy and running with the 1s as Shakir's de facto slot backup right now. If that continues, his roster spot is probably safer than I give it credit for. But again, my comments were based only on the fact that I have yet to hear of a single big or notable play that Moore has made all training camp or preseason. Purely in terms of what he's done HERE, he seems to be closer to Hamler/Virgil than Coleman/Shavers in terms of noteworthy plays.

I'm starting to think the Bills are signing these guys just to absorb the weird injury curse that's been going around all offseason. Some kind of voodoo injury transference spell. Crazy. *****. The spell didn't work.

Davis kicked well. I think Bass is just back to full health and it was a numbers crunch. Hopeful they can get Davis back on the practice squad for the season. I think it's smart for teams to have a kicker on the practice squad, especially if it's a talented rookie like Davis, and especially if your kicker gets occasional stretches of the yips that you're not 100% sure he's gotten past (like Bass).

Many outlets had a 5th round ground on Zy Alexander. Good, lengthy CB on a bad LSU defense. NFL.com lists Tyson Campbell as his pro comparison. Has a chance to develop into a solid depth player and maybe even more. Likely looking at a practice squad stash and a chance to compete for a main roster spot in 2026. Any draftniks on here that can say a little more about him?

Would you mind pointing me to some of the good reports out of camp for Moore? Because I genuinely don't remember readying many/any. I also believe he has more drops than catches through two preseason games. With McDermott talking about uncertainty after the top three WRs and then bringing in Gabe Davis for a visit, I think calling Moore a "solid lock" for the roster seems too generous. I don't get that impression. I may be wrong, and he may make it, but... while I've read consistently glowing camp reports about Keon Coleman, Tyrell Shavers, and even some Palmer praise at times....Elijah Moore? I must've missed those.

Thanks. I'll admit I haven't been to a camp, and am going only off of what I've read from beat reporters and seen in the preseason games. I do agree that he seems to be the primary slot backup to Shakir. Still, for as much excitement as some Bills fans had around his signing (and I was one of them), it has felt like he's had a very quiet camp and preseason. Usage wise, he may be getting consistent work. Production wise, I can't remember the last time I heard about him connecting for a big or even notable play with Josh.

I think Palmer will prove to be a good signing, health permitting. Coleman, Palmer, Shakir are the locked in top three. I think that, for whatever reason (maybe contract?), they still like Samuel, so he's probably WR4. That leaves two spots at most. Davis/Shavers or Shenault/Shavers have to be the betting favorites to claim those final two spots at this point.

Bills fans seem to have a vision of Moore that doesn't match the reality of his time here so far. All indications are that purely in terms of his camp and preseason contributions, he's been no better than a KJ Hamler or Jalen Virgil type. Very much a roster bubble guy. But because of his name recognition and the tantalizing "he could really BE something if he just gets a good QB!" factor, many act like he's a near roster lock and a playmaker that other teams would want to trade for. I don't see it. I think Moore is more likely to be cut than rostered at this point, and I don't think he'd fetch a penny of trade return. The most I think they could hope for would be a future late round pick swap (something like Moore and a 7th for a 6th in 2027), and even then I'd be surprised. All that said, I still think Gabe Davis would improve this WR room.

I have to think that he is. Currently, he's staring in the face of not being on an NFL roster, so it's hard to envision him being too picky about his spot in the pecking order. You can bet that if the Bills sign him, it means he's bought into the "everybody eats" ethos. As for the $$$ aspect, something that hasn't been discussed enough in this thread is that the Jags are already paying him this year, meaning the Bills can sign him for vet minimum and he'll only count $1.2 million against the cap.

Agreed. Curtis Samuel has done nothing for the Bills but keep the blue medical tent busy. Elijah Moore has been a nothing burger. So after Coleman/Palmer/Shakir, what do people think the Bills have, exactly? I like Tyrell Shavers' potential and I'm fine with him snagging a roster spot. At the same time, he's never put up 200 yards and 4 TDs in a playoff game. Given Samuel and Moore's failures thus far to make any impact on the WR corps, it's hard to see how adding Gabe Davis wouldn't improve that room substantially.

Anyone who objects to a potential Gabe Davis signing likely remembers the failed attempts to have him become the Bills' WR2. But when he was the Bills' WR4? It was awesome. Dude averaged about 700 yards and 7 TDs a season here right up through 2023. Was good at making plays out of structure when things broke down. Personally, I'd be all for adding him as a WR4/5. He's not a WR2/3, but the Bills wouldn't be depending on him for that. Locker room wise, chemistry-with-Allen wise, run blocking, etc....he'd be a good addition.

Buddy Rich would like a word 😝

Early returns on Monday morning TBD threads are awful.

"I am not the sort to panic over a couple preseason games but..." *Proceeds to panic over a couple preseason games*

God I wish the Bills would sign this dude. They won't, because character and culture and all that jazz. But man...I wish they would. Could really use a play with his speed and explosiveness. Gonna be a pain in the butt watching him make plays for the Chiefs.

I know this isn't the point of this thread, but: CJ Spiller was ahead of his time. He was also poorly used by the Bills. Put him in the 2025 NFL with its increased space and speed and college influence, and give him to a creative offensive mind...that boy would EAT. That said: Yeah. We've come a long way. From the Marv Levy nostalgia tour, to using the 9th pick on a "waterbug" and sleeping through the start of free agency, to the toxic dumpster fire that the Bills became under Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley. And who could forget the constant (and very real threats) of losing our team to another city? And now look at the Bills: one of the most respected and well run franchises in the National Football League, perennial division winners and Super Bowl contenders, and 12 months out from the opening of a brand new stadium that should keep the Bills in Buffalo for decades to come. What a long, strange trip its been.

I sure was. But I'd driven past that place many times before and never seen a white deer. It was my first. And the song, Jack. THE SONG! Don't you ruin this for me, you sonofabitch

Just to be clear, all the griping in this thread is directed toward Bishop, who returned to practice today and practiced in full, right?

Meh. Miss me with any "he's a crybaby" or "he paints his nails" talk.