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Schopp's playing a character. It's his job to elicit responses from people. I think the best way he's found to get those responses is to have unpopular opinions that he doesn't waver on. If he gets you riled up then he's done his job.

As a kid I would pick favorite teams based on uniform colors. First, I liked the orange and black of Cincinnati, until the 49ers ruined my day by beating them in the Super Bowl. Then, I thought the Raiders were cool...until Buffalo destroyed them 51-3 in the '91 AFC Championship game. Been on the Bills wagon since then. Couldn't watch Norwood's attempt live. Half my family erupted in joy when he kicked it because they thought he made it...then I looked over to where my dad, grandpa, and uncles were watching the game and saw a flurry of random objects go flying, accompanied by some real colorful language, finally capped off with my one uncle, a Jets fan, passing out tissues. I enjoy the game overall and after Bills games on Sundays, I'll leave the foosball on all the way through the end of the Sunday night game. I tune in for Thursday night games but they're usually background noise. Obviously, I'm more invested in Bills games because I care if they win or lose. I used to get all worked up and yell at the TV but that never helps anything. I always try to temper my expectations while remaining optimistic. Usually, as the next season gets underway (scouting combine, free agency, draft, etc.) I'll feel like, "Eh, I dunno about this year, I think they have a ways to go yet." But as the season draws closer, I usually end up thinking, "Hey, they really played well in that pre-season game, maybe they have a shot!" Losses are tough, especially when it's a team you really felt like they should've beat. But mostly, I just like to watch the game on my own and not get too up or down during the course of events. I do believe this current regime is the most stable they've had in years. They clearly have a long-term vision and they will not commit knee-jerk reactions and panic at the first sign of adversity. I saw so many comments before the trade deadline that just said, "Get a player!" So, trade just to trade? That's not what they're about. I'm interested in seeing what direction they go in the off-season in terms of free agency and the draft. It's fun to log on here and discuss the team with other fans. At times, the unyielding scrutiny becomes a bit much and I just have to laugh because sometimes people will be picking apart things that are just part of the game. "Did you see that 19 yard run the opponent had?! That's just unacceptable! That's Star Lotulelei's fault, and Tremaine Edmunds too! He's just not that good an athlete *stuffs KFC into face for the 7th time this afternoon* nomnomnomschlopschlop, and I know, I played! Yeah, I did! I woulda been all-time, too, but, you know, my pinky toe, devastating injury!" I say it's a bit much because people will really try to nitpick even the most mundane of things. Like, the other team is gonna make plays too. I have a tough time watching games with people who get nuts on every play. "OHMYGAWSH tackle him, get him!!! Oh geez, this is awful," just gets old to hear after every three yard gain by the opponent. And I'll give credit where it's due. If the other team just makes a good play then hats off to them. Not always someone's fault. There are times when a QB just puts it in a perfect spot and the WR makes a crazy catch while the DB is providing excellent coverage. Stuff happens. Whoa... this got away from me quick. Sorry 'bout that. Anyway, yeah, I'm an optimistic but honest fan and just wanna see these guys put it all together and make a deep playoff run and hopefully bring home a Lombardi before I croak. I figure I got a good 50+ years left so hopefully they can get it done at some point in that time frame. Go Bills.

I saw some comments on Twitter about this and the reporter is well known for being a jerk, apparently. I don't really have an issue with what Baker said but he's probably gotta be able to show that stupid questions like that don't phase him, because that's exactly the type of reaction that reporter is looking for in that case.

I think if they do bring Taylor up, it'll be on Saturday like how they did with Duke.

I guess I sorta understood the off-season hype for the Jets. It was pretty much just based around them signing Bell and Mosley, and that many thought Gase would "unlock" Darnold's max potential. What wasn't mentioned was the fact that their OL isn't very good and Bell has benefited from a solid OL in Pittsburgh for most of his career. What also wasn't talked about was the fact that Gase is a terrible leader and hasn't shown at all that he can get his entire team to buy into his program. I hear that some players love the guy and others can't stand him. Not exactly a recipe for success.

I really don't see anything wrong with him saying what he said. I think when he talks about being irresponsible he's basically saying, yeah we did talk to some teams but the asking price would've really impacted future drafts and it would be irresponsible to give up what was being asked.

Brother-in-law lives down in Indiana, said that stadium is incredible. I'd be on board for something like that. Retractable roof for sure because WNY does get some awesome fall days. And I'm of the mind where I don't really think bad weather helps a home team from an area where the weather can get crazy. If it's windy, snowing/raining/sleeting, whatever, it's a detriment for both teams. Doesn't benefit the home team just because it's their stadium. And I'm pretty sure whenever the Pegula's do break ground on a new stadium, it's gonna be a multi-purpose facility that's gonna get used more than eight times a year.

I said this in another thread, but I think Daboll might get too caught up in the "chess match" from game to game. His offensive philosophy is that he wants to be able to operate a number of different styles/systems based on who they play. But I think he gets away from their "money" plays, you know, things they execute really well. I also think he kinda gets a little too smartypants at times and looks for the exact perfect opportunity to run certain plays. That's part of the game, of course, but sometimes things don't line up exactly how you'd like, doesn't mean you can't run the play. It feels like he's trying to show different things week to week but hasn't been creative enough to really disguise what they're doing. Like, one week they're a team running five-wide sets and tons of pre-snap motion, the next week they're like, "Just line up, snap it and run straight!" no movement, not a lot of creativity, etc. McDermott didn't outright say it but he certainly alluded to the fact that he probably had a not-so-fun conversation with Daboll on Monday morning. Hopefully he told him to use the plays/players that have been shown to be effective on a consistent basis and then expand on that stuff.

I kinda tend to believe that maybe 10, 15 years down the road here, there's gonna be a monster scandal with Brady and his TB12 method. It's gonna come out that he did some real sophisticated blood doping or something, some kinda Lance Armstrong sh*t. And is it just me or has he had some cosmetic work done? His face just looks...different, haha. Ethan spilled his chocolate milk and now he's having a temper tantrum.

And that's why I think McBeane's success and tenure here are directly tied to Allen. If he goes, they (probably) go and they (probably) start from scratch again.

Aw man, I forgot to ask!

Well, your handle is "FUTURIST" so I suppose that means you can see exactly what the future holds, huh? So in the future... teams just rack up 9000 yards a play on the Bills, ya? And nowhere in the future do the Bills make adjustments and fix the things that led to exactly ONE team giving them trouble with the run game. The same one team that gives just about everyone trouble with their run game because they execute extremely well. It happens. After Week One there were tons of people on here saying, "They can't play close games like that, no way, no how! They will LOSE, I tell youse, LOSE LOSE LOSE!" And then they proceeded to win four out of the next five. Last season the defense had an awful outing against Baltimore and it followed for the first half against the Chargers. But then... *gasp* things were fixed! Adjustments made and things got better. But hey, you got the line on da future so I guess you'd know.

Didn't you know that you find out all you need to know about a QB after 17 career starts? It's the precise amount of games where you'll be able to definitively ascertain that the player is exactly what he is, cannot improve, cannot progress, and must be kicked to the curb in order to start all over again with someone else. Sheesh man, thought you knew this with your fancy toof degree and everything. ?

Yeah, based on what they said in the off-season it sounded like they were definitely looking at having running back by committee this season. Which is fine, but it'd probably make more sense if they evened things out between 20 and 26.

I have faith he can get to the playoffs with the team he and Beane have built. I just think they're still in the building process. The 5-1 start had people's expectations skyrocketing and thinking this team was ready to seriously compete right now. They still might be, I've just always tried to temper my expectations and remember that it's still a young team, there was major turnover on offense and there are still areas that aren't where they want them to be. I think they'll get there. The path to success is never linear, it's always full of ups and downs. But overall, I do feel like they're on the right path at least.

Singletary definitely carried the load while at FAU, racking up 714 career carries over three seasons. In fact, that was one of the knocks on him coming out this year, maybe too much tread worn off the tires. I dunno, maybe that's why they're limiting his involvement? I kinda doubt that, I mean, he's shown he can carry the ball 20 times a game. I think Daboll is just getting a little too smartypants for his own good and tries to keep Singletary stashed in his back pocket and then utilize him only in specific situations. But, keep doing that enough and it's gonna get real easy to predict. Defenses will be like, "Oh, 26 is in, he's probably getting the ball." Just spitballin'. Maybe Daboll gets a little too caught up in the chess match at times, I dunno.

And then they'd have to rebuild half the DL, so you might fix one area if you bring in Bell, but if you're swapping out three players to manage his salary, you're creating an even bigger issue, especially since you're removing three players from the same position group. Lawson hasn't lived up to the first round status, but he's been effective this season and I wouldn't mind them bringing him back but I think they're gonna offer a modest deal and he's gonna be looking for the big payday. Lotulelei and Murphy aren't really breaking the bank that much. And I know the numbers aren't there for them right now but McDermott's defenses, save for a season or two in Carolina, have never been known as sack machines. I'd certainly like to see them scheme up more pressure rather than just sending four almost every time. Seems like they have the talent in the secondary to be able to send more than four on occasion but we'll see what happens, I guess.

Haha, fair point. Just toss him the smelling salts and he should perk right up... and probably still not know where he is, but hey, we tried.

All of this while inheriting a team he didn't help build in 2017 yet guided to a Wild Card spot. Then Beane tore it down for 2018 and we knew it was going to be a "growing pains" year. They're still building in 2019 and have had some success. This is the most consistent this team has been in a long time in terms of coaches/front office staff, and roster turnover. I'm gonna let these guys work through it because the whole "three years and you're outta here" thing has gotta stop at some point because clearly that has never really worked for them. They're more put together than any coaching/front office staff this team has had in the last 15+ years. They make calculated decisions while always keeping an eye on the big picture and working towards becoming a consistent contender. Not just a team that sneaks into the Wild Card spot once every five years, but a team that can consistently compete. Still have a lot of young players adapting to the NFL game but despite last week's absolutely Earth-shattering, world-destroying, godawful, no good, terrible, bad news loss to the Beagles, I still have faith and am excited for the remainder of the season. Although I will say that blowout loss stat is rough. But again, that 2018 offense couldn't get out of its own way and some of those issues seem to be creeping up this season as well. I think they'll find ways to get it fixed and if not, they'll make the changes they need to. But I wouldn't expect any sort of wholesale changes from the top down until the end of next season, if any, because of course games still need to be played.

I'd take him over Gordon but I don't see it happening. Teams usually don't trade within their own division and I'm sure they're looking for a haul in exchange.

This was my thought, too. Seemed odd that they sat McKenzie for Foster and then tried the one deep shot and that was all we saw of him. And I had read that Philly struggled with a lot of pre-snap motion but they just didn't seem to capitalize on that.

One loss and half this place disintegrates into questioning every single possible thing that can be questioned about this team. It's a work in progress. Yeah, it's a process too. I dunno what's so difficult about that. I get that we're all starved for a contender but the sh*t takes time. And blah blah blah, yeah we know it's fair to criticize the team. But if you wanna watch the games with a pessimist's eye, just chompin' at the bit to call out the first bad play or mistake, then go for it. I'll watch it with a degree of optimism and continue to temper my expectations for these guys. Cripes. Anything less than winning out the rest of the way and winning each game by 60 wouldn't be enough for some of you.

Sometimes I wonder if Daboll's offensive philosophy of wanting to transition from one offensive style to the next based on opponents is what gets them derailed. Typically their first 10-15 scripted plays are pretty good. They've moved the ball pretty well at times, it's just the inconsistency that catches up with them. On one series they might run the ball on most plays and then come out on the next series and throw it 3-4 times in a row and look out of sync. They always talk about finding rhythm and playing fast without a lot of thinking. Well, maybe the style of offense has them thinking a bit too much. Of course all teams adjust and change things up from game to game but maybe they should focus on their bread and butter stuff and try to build around that. I dunno, I'm not a football scientist.

Has anyone seen anything from the local media guys about this stuff? Those guys would have a better line on these types of things but I don't believe any of them have said they've heard anything regarding a trade for Gordon. Seems odd to me that they'd cut a high priced RB just to trade for one and then pay him in a similar manner.

Yeah, he's a gamer, I think. Might not always be pretty but when they need it, he seems to come through. Didn't happen yesterday but he's not solely responsible for the loss.