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That kid would be broken in 417 places behind this OL. His season would've ended on his first hit.

I actually don't think they intended on trading McCarron. I think the Raiders called and offered a 5th and they were like, "Holy crap, um, OK, sure" because they likely weren't shopping him around, knowing that they probably wouldn't get much more than a 7th. They kept discussing how they felt like the QB room had a good vibe with Allen, Peterman and McCarron, but an opportunity came up to add some draft capital plus Peterman had such a good pre-season they felt comfortable enough with just him and Allen. Peterman did come in and work hard all off-season and it showed in pre-season but for whatever reason, when the real games begin, the kid implodes. IMO, Derek Anderson probably should've gotten a call right after McCarron was traded. Anyone expecting a whole lot from the offense this season is deluding themselves. They can only fix so much at a time and since it was clear they had less roster reshaping to do on defense, and with McDermott's bread and butter being defense, it made sense to build that side of the ball first, while remaining a strong running team on offense. I think the biggest monkey wrench that got thrown into these plans was unexpectedly losing Eric Wood. Can't understate his absence. Team leader for the last five, six seasons, routinely called one of the smartest guys on the team, very good at organizing the OL and making sure they were set up right for each play, etc. He's forced to retire, they find Bodine and retained Groy a year earlier, which was fine because Groy played well in Wood's absence in 2016 and Bodine was a four-year starter in Cincinnati. Losing Incognito also didn't help but given that they asked him to take a pay cut, I have to believe they felt like his play wasn't as good in 2017 as it was in the previous two years. He leaves and so they shuffle Ducasse from right to left and put Miller back in there who is only suited for specific schemes. Then they consistently swapped Groy and Bodine in and out of the lineup, never really allowing those guys to gel and get chemistry during the pre-season so of course they start the season looking like a complete trainwreck. Just over the past couple games have they started to look like a competent OL. I trust the process but I also realize that the dudes in charge, this is their first time being at the very top of the chain of command so some mistakes are bound to happen. I think they felt like they could again rely on a tough, opportunistic defense and a strong rushing game for this season while slowly bringing along their young QB with a focus on solidifying the offense in 2019. And hopefully before the trade deadline this year because if they wanna get some receiver help, next year's free agents aren't exactly awe-inspiring and any draft pick is going to take a while to reach their potential. So if I'm them, I'm on the horn daily to see if any teams have some pass catchers they're willing to part with.

Yeah, they were already in a cap mess, they weren't going to guarantee $14 million to a receiver who just came off two seasons in which he struggled with injuries and couldn't play in all 16 games. Say they offer the 5th year option and he gets hurt in the first game of the year, they're on the hook for that $14 million, they'd get zero production from him and he leaves in free agency. I'm a fan, I wanted Watkins to work out here, it just didn't happen. They made the right call by trading him for a 2nd round pick and EJ Gaines, it was either that or nothin'. The only reason Benjamin ends up here was because they found themselves in a spot with a legitimate chance to make the playoffs. So KB comes over, on his rookie deal, which is cheaper than Watkins, helps the team make the playoffs and yeah, he hasn't worked out. Sh*t happens, they'll live.

My bad. This crazy thing called "logic" must have found its way all up in my brains.

47.3 gallons of blame sauce.

Woods - rookie deal was up, he was a 2nd round pick so there's no 5th year option. They offered him a deal but he wanted to test free agency and who could blame him? He spent most of his first four seasons playing on run-first teams. He had a chance to go back home and play for a team that throws the ball all the time. Goodwin - also was offered a deal to stay in Buffalo but wanted to try free agency. Missed 25 games during his four years in Buffalo. Hogan - they signed him to an offer sheet, New England offered a bit more, business is business. Hogan's been the same receiver in NE he was here, averaging about 35 catches for 475 yards a season. It's not like he left Buffalo and instantly went and had 118 catches for 1200 yards and 14 TDs. Watkins - Missed 13 games during his time in Buffalo. His best season was 2015, with the Bills. Wasn't featured in the Rams offense last year and isn't heavily featured in KC's offense right now, he has 22 catches for 272 yards and 1 TD. He was going to walk after his 4th season here once they declined to give him the 5th year option so instead of letting him head out the door for nothing, they traded him and got something in return. "They let him walk for nothin'!" is a common Bills fan trope... once a regime does the opposite and gets something in return for a player who was leaving anyway, some of y'all still whine. Plus, Watkins admitted to being more concerned with his personal stats than wins while he was here. The current offensive lineup isn't ideal but do your homework and realize why these guys aren't here anymore. It's not as if they were just kicked off the team. All except Watkins were offered to stay here but wanted to test free agency, that's just how this business works.

They're going to have to find some playmakers on offense and see what they can do in terms of interior OL. Vlad Ducasse actually hasn't been too bad. Dawkins is fine, Mills has actually been playing his best football as a Bill. Bodine and Miller routinely struggle. Simply drafting receivers isn't going to fix the offense, though. WR and OL are two positions that take the longest in terms of transition from college to pro. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for them drafting some receivers but I think they also need to get active in the trade market for offensive players.

Hey fella, here's what the Bills defense did yesterday -7 sacks -3 forced fumbles (recovering 2 of them) -2 interceptions -11 tackles for loss -216 total yards allowed -3.8 yards per play allowed -Texans were 3-for-13 on 3rd down, a 23% conversion rate -13 total points allowed It's a team game and yesterday the other two facets of this team didn't get it done, special teams especially. And don't give me any sh*t about "when it counted." The defense did their job all game and has been doing so for most of the season. They did more than enough to keep the team in the game and Nate Peterman gave it away.

Go away.

You think Allen has it tough now? Trade away the only player opposing defenses have to worry about and it'd be nearly impossible for Allen to find any success out there. Shady's a big fan of Allen and is helping him out with more than just on the field things. Hang onto him until you have a viable option ready to replace him, which they don't have right now.

He's got a good shot at sticking around long term as he's shown the right work ethic and has the positional versatility McDermott really seems to value. I'm a fan, hope he keeps getting better.

You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. It'd be great if you just....stopped talking.

Thank you, couldn't remember the team.

O'Leary was outplayed by Croom and Streater dropped passes all summer, he never got back into the shape he was in before his injury.

Dude can't catch and has trouble picking up offenses. I know after Baltimore cut him, another team signed him about a week later only to cut him within a couple days.

That's a fair assumption. He got some quickness and he's a little shifty. I'd draw up screens and wheel routes for him but definitely keep him off the field anytime a play is called that requires the back to block. He really struggles with that but I can't say I blame him. He's like, 5'10" 180 lbs trying to slow down 6'3" 240 linebackers.

I think Murphy can be an asset in the screen game and can carry the ball a few times a game. But I would definitely keep him off the field in situations where he'd have to block because he gets ran over rather easily.

This is a tough one. I understand that they're in a full rebuild but right now, McCoy is their only offensive weapon. He's the only player that defenses have to concern themselves with. On top of that, (I think) this is the first season he's ever earned the C on his jersey, so clearly his teammates look up to him and have a great deal of respect for him. Shady also seems to be one Allen's biggest fans. It was fun watching Shady get psyched up over the plays Allen made in the Minnesota game. You take away Shady and you're taking away more than just his production on the field. You're taking away a leader in the locker room and a guy that appears to have developed a pretty good relationship with Allen. He earned the C from his teammates so obviously the way he prepares, practices and plays has a big impact on his teammates. Especially the young guys. Shady is a great player and I'm sure there are plenty of young players looking at him to see how he does things so they can play as long as he has and find success like he has. Plus, as many others have mentioned, you trade Shady and you make Josh Allen's job much more difficult than it already is, and he doesn't need that. They need to come out of this season with Allen having developed more positive traits than negative ones. Remove Shady and Allen's gonna be running for his life even more and some of those things may become habit, which is exactly what you don't want with a young QB. I have thought for quite a while that 2018 is Shady's final season in Buffalo. Just because of the rebuild and the fact that he'll be 31 by the time the 2019 season starts, plus they'll save a little bit of money. I realize that if they trade him after the season, they probably wouldn't get as much as they may be able to get now, but I think right now, I would hang onto him. I'd even hang onto him past the trade deadline. Shady definitely appears to be a big part of the culture right now and seeing how important culture is to this coaching staff, I think they'd really throw the rest of the team for a loop if they traded a guy who exemplifies what McBeane are looking for in their players. Hang onto him, just for the sake of helping Allen and keeping whatever culture they've built from deteriorating. But if they call and say, "Alshon Jefferey and a 1st" I will happily pack Shady's bags, haha.

I know Murphy has been dealing with a rib/chest injury... but before that I think he was a healthy scratch in a game or two because he's struggled with blitz pickup and pass protection, and he dropped more than a few passes, so.

Yeah, they might've won it had it been a TD instead of a safety. I think it's on that Four Falls of Buffalo 30 for 30 but they talk about it with Bruce and he said something like, "To this day I think about it. I still have no idea how he held onto that ball." And Leon Seals completely destroyed Hostetler on a play, hit him with a full head of steam and landed with all of his weight on him (Leon was not a small man, and this play would've caused a plethora of flags and fines if it happened today). It literally looked like Hostetler had been pressed into the ground, his head got turned to one side, his helmet was all jacked up, he laid there for a few seconds barely moving but got up. Seals says the same thing as Bruce, has no idea how the hell the dude got up from that. Seals has said he hit him with everything he had and the guy still got up. I dunno, musta just been destiny or fate or some BS cause it just seems to feel like the Giants were meant to win that one. Jerks. But also... Marv and Jimbo needed to swallow their pride a bit on how to run the offense for that game. Giants played coverage all day, but at times there would be as few as two DL with their hand in the dirt. Thurman was eating their lunch but they kept throwing. They should've handed it to Thurm time and time again and then once the Giants stacked the box, that's when Kelly should've dialed up big shots down the field. In all seriousness, they should've wiped the floor with them but they wouldn't abandon the no-huddle and adjust. I'm sure it also didn't help that half the team was hungover.

Winston Webb

I think Kerley lost a step. Then they picked up Ray-Ray who's similar in size and faster so it seems like they wanna develop him instead of hanging onto a 31 or 32 year old WR.

The free agent wide receivers available next off-season aren't awe-inspiring, really. And based on the free agents they've signed so far, it seems like they look for guys coming off their rookie deals. Which is smart, it gives you a player in his prime age (25, 26, 27) but still has 3-5 years under his belt. Larry Fitzgerald is the top one but I'm sure he'd rather retire than play elsewhere. Randall Cobb will be an FA but has dealt with a number of injuries over the last few years and is currently making $10 mil a year. Obviously, he won't get that again seeing how he's 29, but he'll try and I don't think Buffalo would be willing to come close to what he wants. Donte Moncrief could be available, he's on a one-year deal in Jacksonville right now and has actually played pretty well for them so they may extend him during the season, who knows. Tavon Austin would be available but no thank you. Golden Tate would be a great addition but he's 31, so unless they bring him in to be like the "elder statesman" of the WR group, that's the only way I can see it happening. He's quietly had big numbers year after year so I think any young receiver would benefit in learning from him. Ryant Grant from Indy could be a possibility. He's 27 and on a one-year prove it deal. So far he's played really well in Indy, has 24 catches for 246 yards and a score. He might be a name to keep an eye on. John Brown from Baltimore will be available. He said earlier this year that his decision came down to the Bills and Ravens and he chose to go with the team not in a rebuild, can't blame him. Dude is a legit deep threat, has 19 receptions for 396 yards, a nearly 21 yard average per reception. He'll be 29 or 30 next year so, we'll see if they circle back to him and try again. Jermaine Kearse formerly of Seattle and currently with the Jets would be available. Seems like his best play was in Seattle though as he hasn't been much of a factor since joining the Jets. Terrelle Pryor, also a Jet, also would be available. He'll be 31 next season so... I doubt they'd be interested. Cordarrelle Patterson would be free but I don't think he's a real big "process" guy. Kevin White out of Chicago... this is an interesting one. Injuries have completely derailed the start of his career but he's still only 27 and does have a lot of athletic ability. But is he made of glass? Can't say I'd be surprised if they kicked the tires on him. Mike Wallace, he'll be 34 by next off-season so I think they'd pass. Chris Hogan, Bills board LEJUND will have completed his time in New England. He'll be 31 next season. Still has some left in the tank, I think. Not sure if this staff has high grades on him. Cole Beasley... Bills already have a small, shifty receiver in Ray-Ray McCloud and will probably continue to develop him as opposed to signing a guy with similar size and skill set. Quincy Enunwa from the Jets will be available. This one interests me, guy came outta nowhere a couple years ago and burned a Rex-led Bills team on Thursday night (if I recall correctly). Great route runner with sure hands, will be 27 or 28. However, he's currently a captain with the Jets so I can see the Jets making him an offer this season, unless they think they can do better or plan to look elsewhere. But he'd be a guy I'd bring in. There are a bunch more names but I'll just list the ones that stick out... Cody Latimer - former early 2nd round pick of the Broncos, currently with the Giants and hasn't produced much of anything, but that Giants offense seems to be spinning its wheels so, who knows. Philip Dorsett - former first-round guy, on the smaller side, speed is his game but he struggles to shake off tough press coverage. Currently in New England with 19 receptions for 190 yards and 2 scores. Would be a very manageable contract. Devin Funchess - ah, the Carolina connection. He's only 25, as big as KB but plays a lot harder, which is why Carolina had no problem trading KB. He started kinda slow over his first two years but last season was their #1 guy, caught 63 balls for 840 yards and 8 touchdowns. And he'll only be 26 next season. Four years in the can, still only 26, coming off his rookie deal... exactly the situation McBeane seems to look for when signing free agents. Wouldn't surprise me. De'Anthony Thomas - Will be finishing up his rookie deal and be 26 next season. Probably not a #1 WR but definitly an upgrade over what Buffalo has in terms of WR depth. And he's been buried behind an all-star lineup of Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce. Keep an eye on this one. They may see him as a young guy they can still develop. Justin Hunter - Hey, look at this guy. Former second round pick. Actually played fairly well for the Bills in what...2016? Has never lived up to the early 2nd-round pick that Tennessee used on him. Big dude, can high point the ball well (caught 10 passes for the Bills, 4 of them being TDs) but has never broke more than 30 receptions in a season. I think he struggles a lot to separate and the Bills already have enough of those guys. Other names: Jordan Matthews (been there, done that), Aldrick Robinson (playing well this year but will be 31 next season), Josh Gordon (not really the "process" type), Kendall Wright (former 2nd round pick, will be 30 next season), Michael Floyd (has never lived up to his 1st round status and has had loads of off-field issues), Chris Conley (this one is intriguing, still only 26 years old, former 3rd round pick, and like De'Anthony Thomas, buried on KC's depth chart, keep an eye on this one), Geronimo Allison (will be 26 next year but Aaron Rodgers loves the guy so I could see him kinda banging the table for the Packers to retain him but if not, he's a 6'3" 215 lb. target that can get open. Would be worth a look), and after that it's a bunch of no-name guys. I was kinda confused by OPs post, but as for Centers, I was hoping Ali Marpet from Tampa Bay would be available. He plays guard down there but he's a versatile interior OL that can play both guard spots as well as center. However, Tampa Bay just extended his deal for another 3 years so that's out. Other than him, Ryan Kalil (Carolina connection!) will be available, but he'll be 35 next season. Still, I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they brought him in and also drafted a guy in the middle rounds to develop behind Kalil, who would provide a solid veteran presence. But, I think his situation is similar to Eric Wood's, he's played his entire career in Carolina and may just keep doing one-year deals to remain with the team until he decides to hang it up. Then there's Mitch Morse and Matt Paradis, after that it's a lot of backup players. Maybe they try to bring back Adam Redmond? I heard they were high on him and wanted to develop him but he was claimed before they could stash him on the PS. They may just continue to roll with Bodine, at least he's experienced, and try to upgrade one or both of the guard spots. Maybe they should upgrade the OL coach too if they still look like a trainwreck by the end of the year. Hope this helped. Spotrac is yo friend.

Yeah, pretty sure. I know he had the rib thing more recently but a couple of weeks ago he was a healthy scratch. He'd been struggling with pass protection, blitz pickup and had dropped a couple of passes as well. If they do trade Shady, I don't know that I'd be comfortable rolling with just Ivory and Murphy. I know they have Keith Ford on the practice squad but I didn't see too much from him in pre-season. I'd assume they'd snag a guy off a practice squad somewhere. Yeah, no doubt. I just think that even if they did bring Murphy back up, I'd still wanna bring in one more back just in case. They have Ford on the practice squad but if I'm them, I'd scan the waiver wire and other practice squads around the league to see what's around.

The past few weeks have shown quite the lack of confidence in Murphy as he's been a healthy scratch. He consistently whiffed on blitz pick ups and struggles all around as a blocker because of his size. If they trade Shady, they better think about picking up someone else from a practice squad or wherever because Ivory/Murphy isn't going to cut it.