blacklabel
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Fair warning: Kind of a long post, just sharing some opinions.
So it's been over a month now since the Bills organization deleted their message board (on my birthday, no less) in lieu of them wanting more interaction out of their social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Of those platforms, the only two places I follow them are on Facebook and Twitter. Generally, they don't receive much interaction with Twitter, but on Facebook, hoo-boy. Anything they post on Facebook immediately has a comment section filled with probably 70% negative BS. They'll post an update on Sammy's rehab process and you'll see 50 comments about how he's worthless, made of glass, waste of a pick, can't stay healthy, etc. etc. They posted a small video of the players returning for off-season workouts and there were way too many comments saying, "Look at fat Dareus, that fat !@#$ better pick it up this year, he's stealing millions from us!" Us? Who's us? You got a turd in your pocket or something? We don't pay that guys salary. "These guys make millions, they should be eating, breathing and sleeping football 24/7." I don't know about any of you, but comments like that irritate me.
They'll post an update about when the schedule is due to be released and over half the comments are, "Won't matter, 17 years, no playoffs, this team is the worst team that has ever been a team in the history of team sports." The simplest status updates are always met with such vitriol.
First off, I get it, we all get it. This team has put its fan-base thru the ringer for the last 17 seasons. I used to be that guy who would flip out every time a negative play happened or every time the opposing team scored or executed a good play. That was years ago before I started watching the game more objectively and with a different appreciation for what these guys do. I love watching the sport, Sundays during football season, my TV has football going from noon to midnight. The Bills are the only team that derive any sense of emotion out of me. Of course I want them to win. But when they lose, I'm not gonna let it ruin my day. I'm not gonna immediately jump online and scream into the void about what should've happened, why Player X isn't any good, why they need to fire this guy, that guy, whatever. At the end of the day, it's a game. These guys beat the hell out of themselves for the entertainment of others. That's why I think it's so lame when people sit on their couches and spew hate and bullcrap as if they have all the answers. Some of the comments made towards these guys come from people who look like they'd get a wheeze from walking their dog. Yet, they seem to be the loudest ones.
It's not in my nature to cut people down from behind a computer screen. I think it's weak and shows a lack of character and human empathy... because at the end of the day, these guys are all human. They are very fortunate to be able to play a game for a living and be well-paid for it but I think people forget how much they're sacrificing. Time away from families, constantly dealing with some sort of aches and pains, and when they leave the game when they're "too old" (as if 33 or 34 is too old), if they were smart with their money they'll be set up for life and transition into something different, again, if they're planned accordingly. Some don't and they end up broke. I have a hard time feeling sorry for those guys. Not the guys who get taken for rides by family and friends, but guys who have been advised yet still spend their money like it's never going to run out. And when it's all said and done, they've sacrificed a huge part of their health and well-being for the remainder of their lives. Some of these dudes will wind up in wheelchairs, some may never make it past 50, some may have to deal with CTE or other concussion-induced illnesses. Life after football can be pretty ugly, I'm sure. It doesn't happen to all of them but still, I look at these guys as humans first, players second. And yeah, again, they make great money and many people are quick to say how they'd trade their lives for that of a professional athlete, but that's without knowing everything about the grind these guys go through to stay in the game. And for all the complaining about how much money they make (millions) no one ever seems to say anything about the owners who all make billions.
BBMB was a spot I visited daily for 15 years. It was a good spot for discussion and usually the moderators were pretty good at weeding out the knuckleheads. But now, they've ditched the board for their social media platforms which are consistently just full of crap. Most of the time, I see these comments and think, "How can anyone think this team has the best fans in the league? Look at this crap." And a lot of them try to disguise their pessimism as "being a realist." Really? When they announce when the schedule will be released and someone chimes in with, "Doesn't matter, they'll go 4-12, and that's just being real." Well, no, it isn't, because no games have been played so unless you're Miss Cleo.... well, you're still wrong. I understand being bummed out by this team year after year but if it affects you so badly maybe it's time you found a different source of entertainment? I guess I just don't see the need to be constantly negative and try to pass it off as being a realist or a "true fan who just sees through everything." Of course there will be negative things to discuss but I've always believed those negative discussions don't need to come with ridiculous insults and moronic statements.
I dunno, just my two cents I felt like sharing after trying to really adapt to their new way of interacting with the fan base. I'm adapting to this place quite well and I hope it continues to grow. Thus far the majority of people who post generally have decent, intelligent things to say. Definitely refreshing when you compare it to the "official" platforms provided by the team.
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Thank you for the great responses, everyone. I really appreciate it. Some good stuff here.
To those (or the one guy) really worried about Zach Brown's departure, I wouldn't fret. Yes, he had an excellent first half of the season, he was all over the field, blowing up running plays, forcing turnovers, tackling machine, etc. However, as the season went on he became more and more invisible. This is just speculation on my part but when you put the pieces together it seems pretty plausible. I believe as the season wore on, Rex continually lost more and more guys on the defensive side of the ball. The communication, substitutions, play call changes, etc. all of that stuff should have improved as the season went on but it actually got worse. I attribute this to guys checking out mentally and some (Brown included) checking out physically, and by that I mean, playing not to get hurt. Watch him during the last half of the season, he's in full-on self-preservation mode. I'm speculating that more and more defenders bailed on Rex's system, guys probably went off-script and since Rex is not very good with accountability, more guys likely checked out as they realized those who were already checked out weren't receiving any kind of reprimands. Brown was on a one-year deal, he felt like his first 8-9 games would be enough to cash in during free agency but right out of the gate his agency over-valued him which led to him hiring a new agent and finally procuring a deal almost a month into free agency. He's a fine player, but as I said in another thread, none of the losses they incurred in FA are irreplaceable guys. I love Robert Woods as a player, he has great character, he's a team-first guy but you can't blame him for leaving, especially if he was told by LA that they plan on throwing the ball a lot more than it was thrown during his time here.
As for the other losses, I was definitely a Gilmore fan and believe he played well during his tenure here. I do believe the injuries he suffered early in his career affected him mentally more than anything and I think this is why he became a below-average tackler. He was prone to lapses at times but so is every other corner in the league. Also, never discount the fact how many times some of these guys have had changes at their position coach, coordinator and defensive scheme. When you're having to learn a new system almost every year, it can get confusing. Of course, there'll be a crowd of people who will say, "He's a professional being paid millions, he shouldn't make mistakes." But that's just silliness. Yeah, they're professionals and yes they're paid well but far too often I think too many fans forget that these athletes are human just like us. Nobody is excluded from making mistakes.
Some of you talked about trading down and I'm certainly on that wagon this year. With only six picks and a number of holes to fill I think it'd be in their best interest to try and gain some extra picks. At ten, though, they are in a good position to come away with a very good player, no matter the position. It'll just depend on how the board will fall but if they stay at ten they're going to get a solid player. Just today Daniel Jeremiah (one of my favorite draft guys) put up his latest mock and he had the board fall so that Buffalo wound up with Jamal Adams at ten. Surely some will object, I don't think I've ever seen a 100% consensus among the fans but Adams is exactly the type of player McDermott would want. So while I'm all for them trading to acquire more picks, I'd say it'd have to be a pretty sweet deal to move off the ten spot, and how far down would they wanna go? Plus, they have to find a dance partner willing to move up. Easier said than done. If I had to bet (which I don't because I never win and at a casino I'd rather go throw quarters down the toilet because every so often it'll back up and I'll feel like a winner) I'd say they make moves in the second and third rounds. Just a hunch, though.
And for those against drafting Howard based on the lack of Clay's involvement last season, eh, again, not something I worry about that much. Clay was much more involved over the last 5 or 6 games and keep in mind how much practice time Clay misses due to numerous nagging injuries. Practice is where you gel and find your chemistry with your QB and implement your plans from week to week. If you're not able to get out there in practice and get on the same page with your teammates it's gonna make it that much more difficult to get involved on Sundays. I like Clay, I think he's a good player, but I don't think he plays out his entire deal here. Even when he was signed we saw that he came with somewhat of a "buyer beware" tag due to his knees needing procedures consistently. And then last season he struggled with his back and (I think?) hip. He's a gamer to go out there banged up every Sunday but missing a lot of practice time definitely impacted his game and involvement. And Howard just gives any QB a massive target to throw to. You don't need pinpoint accuracy with him, you just need "area code" accuracy (just get the ball within his range) and he'll have a good chance at coming down with it. He gives you more versatility than a receiver alone can, as I said, he can be lined up in a variety of spots and has a very well-rounded skill set. They'd find ways to get him involved. And if you put him, Watkins, McCoy and Clay all on the field at the same time, defenses will have to pick their poison, leaving one of those guys available to make plays. I dunno. Sometimes I think, especially in this, the information age, we tend to over-think and over-analyze. When I watch Howard I see a really good football player, plain and simple.
Again, really appreciate the good discussion. I'm a BBMB transplant so I'm still getting my footing on this board but it certainly provides the best outlet for Bills talk considering the comment sections on the Bills Facebook pages are just abysmal.
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If you think losing Gilmore, Woods and Brown sends this team down the river then.... I don't know if you really pay attention. Those are all replaceable players. None of them are cornerstones on any team.
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Over the last two years the Bills have become increasingly tight-lipped about their prospect visits and haven't revealed much of anything in terms of the draft. And that's fine. I don't mind this "one voice" process they're going with. For years they were pretty transparent about things and now they're trying to keep everything super close to the vest.
Taking a look at the roster as it is right now, I'm trying to slim down their immediate areas of need. That's not to say they won't draft at these positions but if they do I'm pretty sure it'll be later. That said, I think the only two spots you can rule out an early round pick would be at RB and OL. Most think they could use an upgrade at RT but I think they're going to roll with Mills, Henderson, Kouandjio and even Ducasse as possibilities in that spot. They'll battle for the position during camp. The RB group remains strong with Shady and Gillislee. J. Williams has potential, we'll see how it shakes out, but again, not a position they will look to add to early on.
That leaves every other position (aside from special teams) as an option in the early rounds. Breaking it down:
QB - I don't see them taking one in the first but if they have any interest in one of the top five or six signal-callers they can't wait any longer than the third round where someone like Nate Peterman might still be available.
WR - It's no secret that everyone feels a need for another solid wideout to take attention away from Watkins. For a while, I've thought it'd make sense to add an offensive playmaker early on since the draft isn't quite as deep with offensive talent as it is with defensive.
TE - They're said to be high on OJ Howard and personally, he's one of my favorite players in the draft. He exemplifies the type of player McDermott wants in terms of his character, team-first mentality, his willingness to excel in all areas of his position and his off-field life is clean. I certainly think he's in play for them in the first round. He gives them more versatility than a receiver since he can be lined up in-line (where he's a great blocker) and can also be lined up in the slot and out wide in certain sets. Versatility and character seem to be two of the most prioritized traits McDermott is looking for and he has both.
DL - With them going back to the 4-3 we should see an improvement on the DL. Hughes, Williams and Dareus were great in 2014 and I don't think you'll find any objectors when someone says Lawson is an upgrade over Mario Williams. They could use some depth here but if one of the top DL were to make it to ten (maybe Jonathan Allen because of the injury concerns?) I think it'd be hard for them to pass it up.
LB - They could definitely use some help here. I do think McDermott is going to expect Ragland to be his QB on defense but I don't really buy for a second that they're content with Ramon Humber on the outside. Alexander can hopefully keep up his momentum from last season but he's 33 or 34 and is only on a two year deal. Drafting a young, talented LB that can be guided by a true pro like Alexander isn't a bad idea at all. Reuben Foster could be available, but his character concerns might scare them off.
DB - I 100% believe that Hyde and Poyer are your day one starters at the safety spots. Depth is needed and barring one of the top safeties sliding down to ten, I don't think they'll go safety in round one. I also don't think they'll go corner in round one because of the excellent depth at the position in this draft.
So, with all that in mind, I think the most likely scenario in the first couple rounds will be an offensive playmaker UNLESS a marquee front seven defender becomes available, with additions to the secondary coming in rounds two or three.
Thoughts?
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With the emphasis McDermott places on character and off-field stuff, there's no way this kid is coming here. No tires shall be kicked, or even poked.
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McCoy isn't there because it's his kids birthday. And McDermott just said it himself, it is a voluntary workout. Of course coaches always appreciate everyone turning up for a workout when they don't necessarily have to. And McCoy really does his own thing most of the time.
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I've always felt it was important to identify the leaders on your team. Rex stated he felt leaders naturally emerged but when you identify leaders you make it easier for your younger players to seek out guidance when needed. With Rex at the controls for the past two seasons it really felt like the team lacked leadership. I'm sure there were some guys that would speak up now and again but since nobody was really selected as captains/leaders, I felt like the locker room often looked like a middle school English class where nobody volunteered to read a passage after the teacher asked. Everyone just sitting there waiting for someone else to speak up.
Kyle has obviously been a leader for years, Lorenzo established himself last year and Hyde will do that this year. Those guys likely end up with the C on their jersey. I'm gonna go ahead and say they put one on Watkins as well. He's not afraid to speak up and he knows the team needs to work harder than it has when Rex was there.
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Davis showed out at his Pro Day today from what I've read. He was an RB in high school, has excellent instincts, screens don't fool him and he ran in the 4.5's today. Might be that Shaq Thompson-type like McD had in Carolina.
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I love how pessimism gets defined/defended as "realist" when people have a take like this.
Sure, it may be in the back of our minds as fans but I don't foresee the Bills going anywhere, near future or further down the road. The Raiders pretty much flat out refused to cooperate with local government in Oakland.
And does anyone really think the NFL and Toronto want a team up there? Did you see any of the Toronto Series games? There'd be a smidge of Bills fans and opposing team fans and then the rest was filled in by people who just wanted to take in an NFL game. The crowd reactions weren't there, people looked bored. Now, granted, the Bills didn't always provide the best games up there but if Toronto is as starved for an NFL team as you think they are, the people there would've been a little more into it. The poor crowd responses were one of the main reasons they discontinued the whole thing.
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Want: O. Howard, C. Davis, M. Williams, M. Hooker. R. Foster
Don't Want: Any OL
Dark Horse: David Njoku (after a trade down)
Think: OJ Howard
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I feel like Whaley gets such a bum rap. I feel he's done pretty well given the constant turnover with coaching staffs he's dealt with. He may have final say on personnel decisions but that say comes after collecting as much data and intel as possible from his scouts and coaches. When Marrone was here, Whaley did his best to draft players that fit within Marrone's vision. Marrone liked massive OL, Whaley drafted two giants in 2014. Rex Ryan comes in next, wanted a solid corner for his scheme, they find Darby in the second. They go defense in rounds 1-3 in 2016 and end up with three guys who have quite a lot of potential (I know, I know the Parcells quote on potential, I've seen it approximately 67.2 million times after being a BBMB member for years). Of course there's the trade for McCoy, they added Clay, he re-signed Glenn and Hughes, he brought in Tyrod, he found gems in guys like Alexander (re-signed), Z. Brown. Lately everyone wants to be down on him for the WR group being "weak" (all teams deal with injuries, also, run-based offense changes the priorities on receivers, plus finding Hunter on the street proved to be a decent move as the dude caiught four touchdowns) but those same people are likely the ones still clamoring over the trade for Watkins. He's really in a no-win situation no matter what he does. He hasn't hit homeruns on everything he's done, that's not what I'm saying, I just feel like his positive transactions outweigh the negative at this point. He's done everything he can to accommodate whichever head coach he's working with. I don't buy into the news bite from LaCanfora that much, he's consistently wrong when it comes to the Bills. I think McDermott has a much clearer vision for this team than either Rex or Marrone and hopefully they continue to work well together.
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His positive traits read very well and the fact that he's ahead of every other QB in terms of acclimating to a pro offense is a big plus for him that'll probably get him drafted a little sooner than most think.
This thread has gone back and forth on which type of QB is the ideal type to draft, the guy with intangibles, accuracy, high football IQ, throws with anticipation yet has physical limitations vs. the guy with all the physical tools in the world but lacking in experience with a pro system, lacking experience with anticipation throws, lacking experience with full field reads. So which one do you want? Because thus far in this 17 year drought the Bills have opted for the guy with all the physical tools in hopes that they can coach him up in the areas he's lacking. Losman, big arm, athletic, could move... Manuel, same, Jones, also pretty much the same save for he's probably not quite the same athlete as Manuel or Losman. So they've gambled on those guys... maybe it's time they take a shot on a guy with all the mental tools but lacks some of the physical abilities as some others. And he's a fit for the offense they're going to be running. He's on my radar for them, maybe in the third.
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Not sure what kind of deal this dude is expecting. It was rumored that even before the season was over last year he was hoping his hot start would help him cash in. As the season progressed he kind of disappeared. Went into self-preservation mode after it was clear that more than a few guys on defense were done with Rex and the playoffs were out of the question. He was looking out for himself, playing not to get hurt and then he hits FA, doesn't get the monster deal he expects, fires his agent and signs with a new one and starts shopping around again. He turned down Oakland last week. They're a team on the rise and a destination for FAs after being a wasteland for the past decade or so. Miami just committed big money to Alonso so I'm not sure what type of deal they'd offer Brown. It's also been said that a deal has been on the table for him from the Bills since the end of the season but now that he has a new agent he wants to renegotiate. Maybe he's had a chance to learn what McDermott's plans are going forward and wants to be a part of that. If he does wind up here hopefully it's a fair deal and hopefully he keeps up the effort all season long.
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I hear you. I'm just leery of these guys. College is exactly the place where players can get by on athletic talent alone there should be production there if they are that good of a player. Howard has all the measurables and might have a great attitude but I just don't know about spending a top 10 pick on someone who didn't produce in college and then hoping they produce against better competition.
I can't think of guys that were athletic freaks and had little production in college that then became great pros. I'm open to having my mind changed though if people have examples. It happens in basketball but I don't know of it happening in the NFL.
For me top 10 needs production and measurables to be in line. If Peppers was a top 10 pick I would have liked to see a Charles Woodson type college career. If Howard was as dominant as he is touted I would think Saban would have made Kiffin use him. Especially with the shoddy QB play they had. Obi I am less against as he is talked about as a 2nd rounder. That is where I would take guys with measureables and HOPE I can get production out of them. Peppers at 10 and I'd be bummed, Peppers at 41 and I'll hope he turns into something and see why they grabbed him.
Does any of that make sense lol
I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down, haha. I'm just saying I think Howard's lack of production comes from design. It seems like they kept him in their back pocket and cut him loose only at certain times. He blew up during the National Championship. Also no clue how the QB is down there, I've heard he's not bad but who knows how often he was looking in Howard's direction. I understand the hesitation but for me, the guy has all the tools and I don't see any reason why he can't succeed. Taking him at 10 wouldn't be ideal because I believe he'll be there after that but you never know. I'm definitely on board with them dropping back and collecting some more picks. Looking at the draft order though, I'm not sure who would want to jump up to that 10 spot.
As for Peppers, I can see if the Bills like him due to his versatility but more than a few scouts and analysts have said he's a head-scratcher because the Combine didn't help them determine his best position. He's a guy I wouldn't want at 10 for sure, just because of the uncertainty of where he's going to play.
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I'm good with how free agency has gone down for them this season. Again, no really big "flashy" signings but quality players with versatility.
I was a Gilmore fan from day one, I felt like he was the best corner to come from the 2012 class. He certainly didn't deserve the bum rap he got from some fans as every CB gets beat now and again. Also, it's likely not easy to stay consistent when you're working under a new head coach, defensive coordinator and different scheme every season or every other season. Gilmore is a good player but not irreplaceable. If he had been a consistent Pro Bowl/All-Pro type player I would've wanted the Bills to pony up to keep him, but he isn't that so it's fine by me that he went elsewhere. He has some excellent traits and abilities but he does tend to shy away from tackles (and I think that's because of the injuries he suffered early in his career which were the direct result of being involved in tackles) and to hear that he felt disrespected and unwanted in Buffalo kinda baffled me. Unfortunately his reputation in Buffalo was any time a pass was completed on him there was a ridiculous group of fans who screamed about "how awful" he was, as if the only acceptable type of DB play for these fans was if Gilmore or any DB allowed a 0% completion rate, which is impossible.
I was also a fan of Woods, there's a lot to like about the guy. He's a team-first guy, realized his role within the offense and really excelled as a blocker. I'm sure he was bummed out more than a few times after some games when he was getting open consistently but just not being seen by whomever was under center. Again, tough to be consistent with the turnover this team has gone through since 2013. He worked with Marrone/Hackett/EJ, then Marrone/Hackett/Orton (his best season), and then Rex/Roman/Taylor, and Rex/Lynn/Taylor.
When you stack those two guys up against the guys they've signed, it's fine. They upgraded at kicker. They upgraded at fullback (Felton is a great blocker but didn't offer much beyond that, Tolbert has been RB1 before and DiMarco catches it coming out of the backfield, the H-back or the TE spot), they upgraded at safety with Hyde and Poyer, both younger and more versatile than Graham and more durable than Williams. Holmes had similar numbers in 2014 to what Woods had so there's potential there for the same and probably a fair share of red zone targets given his size. Overall I think they've done well and I like the direction McDermott is headed.
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Howard is definitely going to be in their discussions for their first round pick whether they stay at 10 or move off that spot. He's a matchup nightmare for LBs and DBs who he towers over. Freak of an athlete with incredible size, team-first guy, never complained about his role in Bama's offense, high character, does all things well within his position.
I know some people have pointed out how they have Clay/didn't utilize him. He was much more involved over the last 6 games or so. Keep in mind, though, Clay misses a lot of practice time with injuries and he has consistent issues with his knees.
Also, since Whaley has been in charge he's shown more interest in putting a higher value on the TE position than his predecessors. He was said to be sold on Eric Ebron back in 2014 plus they tried working with that basketball kid from Canisius, they were interested in that Rico Gathers from Baylor last year or the year before, he was another converted basketball player. And then they quickly plucked Logan Thomas off Detroit's practice squad as soon as he made the switch to TE.
Not sure about anybody else but I really have no issue with this organization adding big targets with a big catch radius to help out Tyrod. Knowing all he has to do is be "area code accurate" with players like that might help him start throwing more into tighter windows or tossing it up while under pressure to give his guy a chance to make a play as opposed to bailing out of the pocket so often.
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I'm with you. if you are that special of an athlete, production should follow. it's why I'm weary of of Howard, obi, and peppers from this class.
Howard just rarely had his number called by Kiffin, and he's earning points among NFL teams because he never complained about his inclusion (or lack thereof) in the offense. He's a team-first guy and definitely has the ability to be a special player.
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Surprised no one has mentioned Zay Jones. There's a chance he could be there in round three. His college HC is now Bills WRs coach so there'd be some familiarity there. He's 6'2", 205, ran a 4.46, all-time leader in catches in the FBS. Wins at high pointing the ball, solid route runner, high football IQ and character. On the downside, his production was a result of being a focal point in the offense. His game-speed is said to be average and that he'd have to work to improve his speed and separation in routes. Seems to be a type of player McDermott would covet though, along with his character and IQ he has a tremendous work ethic.
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The defensive back talent in this draft is super deep, but not so much for offensive playmakers which I believe they need a little more than a DB, especially if they stay at 10 and don't drop back some. I'm 100% on board with OJ Howard, he's a freak athlete and is a matchup nightmare for LBs and DBs. After watching Gronkowski kill 'em for the past seven years I'm hoping they're thinking it's time they get their own Gronk. Mike Williams and Corey Davis are also options. I don't think John Ross is in the mix because I believe they're going to hope Listenbee can turn into their "take the top off a defense" guy.
Usually first year coaches draft in line with their philosophy so defense makes a lot of sense given the type of coach McDermott is, but after they signed Hyde and Poyer (pencil 'em in as starters right meow) I think they might be able to wait until later for DBs and get an offensive playmaker early on.
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It's Aaron Maybin and it's not even close. Don't know how/why anyone would call Spiller their worst first round pick ever. The dude didn't match the hype but he was productive and had an excellent year in 2012. Maybin made a handful of tackles, zero sacks and was cut after two seasons. With his size and athletic ability he should've been converted to tight end. 6'4", 250, ran a 4.64 40, had a 40" vertical, a 10'10" broad jump, 22 reps on the bench press. Jauron went gaga for his burst off the snap but that's all he had in his arsenal. Couldn't stack and shed blocks, had no counter moves, pure speed rusher.
After that, I'd say Mike Williams, but he was the number one OL on every teams board that year and was one of those "sure thing" types that never made it.
Losman, Whitner, McKelvin, etc. none of those guys ever lived up to their draft slot but they at least had stretches of time where they contributed. Maybin contributed zero, which is why I can't understand how he isn't the unanimous choice for worst first rounder ever selected by the Bills, haha.
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He played well in the first half of the season but he reached a point where you could tell he was done buying in. He started playing less aggressively, "self-preservation" mode they call it. Knew the team was likely out of the playoffs, he was on a one-year deal, wasn't going to risk getting hurt and was/is hoping his good start in 2016 will be enough to cash in somewhere. I read earlier before free agency started that they had interest in retaining him but I'm betting they didn't offer him a great deal. And maybe McDermott picked up on that lack of effort he displayed at times and it's pretty clear, even with what little has been stated by OBD since they hired him, that he's not going to tolerate guys who wanna coast.
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I'm good with Howard at 10, although I think they could move back a little bit and still land him. Them signing Hyde and Poyer makes me think they'll go secondary in the second or third round as it's a very deep class for that position group and McDermott seems to have a knack for getting a lot out of secondary players who may not be the most talented.
Howard is a mismatch for any team and it'd be nice to see the Bills have their own "Grownkowski" type of player, finally. I like Clay but I honestly think this could be his last season here if they do add/upgrade to the TE spot. He counts for $9 million on the cap this year and next. Plus, his knees only have so much longer. He rarely practiced during the season last year but was able to go on gamedays which is gritty and gutty but them adding Logan Thomas (who they're apparently really big on) and being linked to Jared Cook this week in FA makes it clear they either want to add alongside Clay or be prepared for his departure down the line.
I can see Whaley offering one of those fifth round picks in a deal to move back for a team's second or something. They only have six picks and still have a fair amount of holes to fill. I'm usually a wait and see type of person regarding their draft strategy but this year I'm kind of on the train with "please trade down and get a few more picks."
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I have no problem saying I'm a Watson fan. Kid may have some flaws (they all do) but he just balls out in big moments. He's relaxed, doesn't seem to get rattled, keeps his focus and you feel like the team is never out of it with him back there. Inaccurate on the deep ball and some poor decision making is about the only consistent knocks I see on the guy. His FBI (football intelligence) is high, he's a team-first guy (news out of the Combine on him was he impressed teams in interviews by highlighting team accomplishments and taking the focus away from himself) and his teammates believe in him and that's big. I don't think he's Tyrod 2.0, I think he hangs in the pocket a bit longer than Tyrod does and he seems to throw a bigger variety of routes. But, as I say in a lot of threads, keep in mind that Greg Roman's playbook had about 400 different ways to run the ball and like 50 ways of throwing it. Those are made up numbers but the gist of it is, Roman has always been knocked for a predictable passing scheme, it's not his strong suit. I like what I know of Dennison's offense so far in that it involves a lot of QB movement which is something I've felt they should've been doing with Tyrod since day one. His height limits his visibility so they need to roll him out, move him around and that'll open up different lanes for him to throw into.
Anywho... Watson's combine performance may have moved him up a little bit on some boards so who knows if he'll even be there at 10. If he is I think the Bills would have a tough decision to make even if they keep Tyrod.
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AP writer John Wawrow disputed a lot of the stuff LaCanfora wrote. I believe he said the "split" isn't as severe as some perceive it to be. The coaches are good and ready to roll with Taylor. The front office is leaving all options open until the final minute, if nothing comes up then I think they pick up the option and move forward.
What was their objective in removing the BBMB?
in Off the Wall Archives
Posted
LOL. Nowhere did I make a determination on how Bills fans should act. They're free to act however they want. I did make a statement on how I personally view and handle things. My main point was that the BBMB provided a much better forum for fans to hold discussions, much better than Facebook comment sections, which, as I stated, seem to be constantly overflowing with junk. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, I get that, I just think the constant flow of negativity on these comment sections isn't serving the purpose they intended. They wanted more interaction but when people who are trying to make decent discussion are getting drowned out by ridiculous comments, you're more apt to drive people away rather than encourage them to get involved in the discussion.