Ayjent

I didn’t like him but he did a decent job. I wasn’t sad to see him opt out, either. What I saw was that the Bills organization must’ve been truly undesirable if that was the type of contract they had to give a coach. The FO was a mess with Russ and Doug Whaley just running it into the ground to get a talented, but flawed roster that was saturated with bad contracts. The team couldn’t draft offensive players worth a crap outside of Robert Woods, and that was just a numbers game having spent massive amounts of draft capital on the WR position with very little ROI. When you think that TJ Graham and Goodwin are good 3rd round picks without anyone to throw the ball or to protect the QB you have no idea what the hell you are doing. I suppose it all played out the way it had to get to where we are now, but I could understand why the guy took the money and ran. He couldn’t have succeeded with his meh chops as a coach and would’ve ended up being fired or not renewed when everything played out. It was all leading to a house cleaning at some point.

Hell yeah. Thats why the real story is more about the Bills being good than Steelers being bad. The Steelers are good, especially on D. The Bills dominated that D when they finally settled into the game and took control. The last drive was like a sleeper hold and they didn't hulk hogan out of it. The Bills showed how good they can be and as fans we all hope they've learned how to take control and keep it when given the opportunity. Learning to win is what makes teams dangerous. Having both sides making plays consecutively game after game is what we watched good teams do to the Bills for years. Feels good to be on the other end of it as fans.

The Giants beat up Reed to slow down the Bills offense despite Thurman being amazing. They didn't really ever counter what the Giants were giving up deep to do that. Defensively, they couldn't adjust to take away the run to make Hostettler beat them. They were a strict 3-4 and that inflexibility was exposed with quick hitting run plays inside the tackles. Its amazing how different running games are today. I tend to think this style could be effective given how they front 7 of defenses of today rely on gap assignments to counter zone blocking schemes = big gains choosing and winning the right gap. Thurman and Anderson were at high speeds by the time they crossed the line of scrimmage. Thurman is really underrated in NFL history - what an all around back who made that Offense really dangerous - slippery runner too. Pretty cool difference in style than any other back - Marshall Faulk is probably the closest.

Great players elevate the play of teammates and when you have multiple great players you see the difference. Too many times organizations reward the wrong types of players with big contracts. Diggs is worth it and Josh Allen is a perfect fit bc all he ever does is try his best and try to improve. Diggs is helping him in the most important part - confidence.

I love the loser analysis of Broncos, Patriots and they don't go into a single reason why it is a negative for the Patriots other than having their bye week shifted. Umm...when you don't have your two best players available and you get a bye because of it being COVID-related...I think that is a win. A HUGE WIN. But that would have taken a few minutes of thought and doesn't support the argument. I just don't know how you get to a conclusion that the team is a winner that gets jerked around with waiting to see which way things go in terms of preparing for two different games and not knowing when they'll play. All while waiting to see if they have to play the team that is dealing with an outbreak (which could have multiple positive tests on the scheduled gameday). Nothing stressful about what the Bills are going through, right?! These games are only against undefeated teams that were in the AFC Championship game last year. The Chiefs get out of a huge game being on a short week. The Bills still have a short week and have to deal with the uncertainty of possibly getting positive tests after playing these turds that can't seem to respect the protocol. But they play the Jets so its a win. SMH

Not worth it. If the Bills have to deal with the same situation as Titans minus the dumb violation of the rules it will screw their season and put the entire season in jeopardy as it spreads to more teams. The problem is that the testing isn't accurate enough to prevent a player that has it from playing or a coach from spreading it post game, etc. Now we all know the Titans have had disregard for the rules, and i really don't care if they don't get to play for weeks. Thats what they deserve.

When Barnwell wrote an article about how there is no such thing as momentum in sports a few years ago, it was clear to me that he never played sports and/or he was conveniently overlooking it for arguments sake to let stats explain a perceived phenomenon. Whatever his rationale, it was the type of thing that made me view him as someone that is interesting to read but no more valuable than used toilet paper. Stats can lack full context on their own, and as such any conclusions that don’t fully explain the context are useless and misleading. While there are certainly some statistical similarities between Tyrod and Josh. They are incredibly different players in different systems with much different talent surrounding them. Tyrod had a very talented team on offense around him with two OCs that knew how to utilize his strengths. I would think that a Roman would do wonders with Josh too, not to bag on Daboll, but he would be just as effective as Lamar Jackson in Lamar Jackson’s situation. Josh didn’t have that luxury, but I think he will be better for it down the line as he matures into a better passer. I think you have seen Lamar Jackson’s ceiling and that’s not a knock on Jackson -he is damn good. But so is Josh and I was no fan of the pick and thought the Bills were dumb for trading Tyrod with nothing but question marks and a crappy career backup in McCarron. I think there is a high probability Josh is a star for a long time.

Great pick. He plays well with the pads on and gives great effort - don’t get hung up on the combine bs. He’ll be a very good player for the Bills.

I think LaMichael Perine is a better player all around, bigger and more durable. He's also great in the passing game and played behind a line that couldn't run block for anything last year and still had a pretty good season. Also, more of a change of pace with Singletary. He may not have the shiftiness, but we've got that in Singletary. I think he is available still in the 3rd though so that the Bills can go OL in 2nd. I really think that is where the 2nd round pick should be focused, but at 54 you have to take the best value you can get wherever it is.

Here is the thing that I think the writer is completely missing and I think where people are getting fired up. The writer doesn't appreciate how much teammates get behind Josh Allen as a leader versus Kirk Cousins. Josh is a gamer and a guy that just balls out harder than anyone with effort. Guys like that and are willing to put up with the issues in his game a lot more because of it and how much he will listen and adjust. His teammates glow about him...have you ever heard that about Cousins? The answer is no. In fact, a lot of guys really didn't like him when he played in Washington. He is the king of garbage time stats and crappy performances when it matters most (sans maybe one or two games in his career). This is the ideal situation for Diggs - to be the number 1 with a solid 2 in Brown and a shifty slot guy in Beasley. His stats may even decline, but this team and its culture are a lot more exciting and the promise of Allen is far more than the known commodity of meh that is Cousins. I'm not even that big of a fan of the trade but understand it and outside of Hopkins - this was a huge upgrade at WR. If only the Bills had a washed up back to trade.

Personally I think the NFL should take the opportunity to try some things that the fans may really like. Something like simulcasts that allow local media discuss the picks and have you along for the ride, and they would occassionally interface with NFL network and/or ESPN personnel to have the dialogue and swing it back into the National broadcast from time to time and get more in depth look at the team and get some insight from the players on the team and their reactions. I think that's how they can make this go from an odd and surreal event to what is looking to be the most exciting sporting event of the spring. Yikes.

It's a prove it deal and if he isn't looking good - I think the Bills will leave him on the bench or have him come in on certain situations. The Bills have a lot of options on how to use him - and Washington is a clown show franchise right now - many guys on that team are preserving themselves for their next contract opportunity elsewhere.

Mekhi Becton, T Louisville Micheal Pittman Jr, WR USC LaMichael Perine, RB Florida

Honestly they should be looking at getting the best OL they can in the draft. RT is still unsettled, C - Morse is a concussion away from hanging it up, LT - Dawkins' contract may be something the Bills and his agent don't see eye to eye on. I thought there was a lot of improvement on the OL last year, but you can see that it is a bridge group and not necessarily what they think they will be riding with for the long-term. If Becton is there at 22 - you have to take him IMO. The draft isn't particularly deep at OT and Becton is that physical specimen with tremendous size and speed that could be another part of a solid young foundation with Dawkins and Ford. They could move Ford inside, Becton at RT to get acclimated to the pro game and go with Morse and Feliciano. I also think if they have a C/G that they think can eventually take over for Morse that would be a wise pick as well. I'm a big believer in getting the line shored up if you want the Offense to be dominant - especially when the wind is blowing 50 mph gusts with sideways rain at the Ralph and you just need to be dominant on the ground (hello Eagles game). It also provides time for Josh and whatever new skill position players the Bills acquire to have the best opportunity to succeed. The WR class is so deep that you take them when you have the chance. I think the Edge rushers at the top of the class are a little overvalued and I see some names that could be a lot better lower in the draft projections, but all come with some question marks (Zuniga from UF would probably have been a 1st or 2nd rounder if he could have stayed healthy enough to play more - I've seen him in the 5th or 6th round - but his per play stats are really good). I think that this is not a strong defensive draft - I see Chase Young as a consensus 2nd pick of the entire draft and I just don't really understand it - yes he is physically impressive, but watching games I don't see the type of play that says he is going to be a beast in the NFL. He'll be decent for sure, but not dominant - he is a boom or bust playmaker that uses his speed to get around the edge, but doesn't play the run very well - good Tackles in the NFL will have tools to deal with him. I'd design RPOs that if you opt to run goes right at him because he'll go wide and he doesn't get off blocks on run plays.

I think Bryce Perkins is the kind of player the Bills could get in the late rounds and have come in to compete for the backup QB position. Smart kid, strong work ethic, mobile, and a player that teammates love. Definitely some flaws to his game but he was a big reason for UVAs success. He’s tough too, knows how to deliver the ball under pressure and doesn’t bail on the pocket. I think he would be a great fit on the Bills.

Bring back Fitz

Joseph is a great pass rusher and creates game changing plays. He is also a bit unreliable in being disciplined - he is the type of guy that you'd love to allow to freelance. However, the Bills D seems to be predicated on discipline and assignments. So it may take a little while for Joseph to find his way into game action as he tries to balance his instincts with discipline required for the scheme. But then again maybe the Bills run some schemes for a few plays a game to give him that freedom and he could make a nice little spot for himself on the D. I think he's an incredible player, but understand why the Bills wanted to give him some time before really putting into games.

And that's what happens when you hit a home run with the pick. What happens if you don't was put on display by the Bills in 2014. So I couldn't agree more with what you are saying. You stay put or try to get more picks in this draft. WR is a position that relies upon so many other things working well to be effective. I honestly hope the Bills take an Edge Rusher and an OL prospect and possibly two WRs in their first 4 picks. They should also use a pick on another back. Perine is who I would target, because he is a solid back and also a good receiver that is very effective in the screen game. There will be really good WRs available into the 3rd and 4th rounds, and those at the top really don't look like they are Julio Jones type players. There is some differentiation in talent, but it's not a huge dropoff after a couple of guys. The top guys aren't some incredible combination of size, speed, and skill like Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, or Julio Jones. There is a good chance that top WR picks won't be as successful as the later picks, and that the best players at WR in this draft may come from the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Higgins is valued too high in many mock drafts. He isn't even a true No. 1 on Clemson. Great program with good players, but I just don't see what makes him a better pro. He will be going up against faster stronger DBs and although he is physical enough for his build, he's not the type of guy that is going to outmuscle for contested balls. I think he is 2nd rounder, just like Justin Jefferson. Both are going to be good players, but if you are looking for either to be your franschise WR that will have a storied career with Allen - I don't think either one is that guy.

Flutie came in and turned around a clown show with Rob Johnson as QB that was going nowhere quick. The Bills then ripped off a bunch of wins, took the AFC East and were a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately they drew the Titans and it was a matchup of the two best teams in the AFC in the wild card round - despite what the records said about the other teams in the AFC (the Bills had to climb out of a 0-3 hole with Johnson as QB and the Titans came into their own maturing that season with McNair as well). It was inexplicable that the team chose to go with the guy that started them off with an 0-3 start and benched the guy that turned it around. It's one of the most head scratching choices in NFL history. And Rob Johnson actually played decent in the game - so I'm not taking that away from the team or the decision to play him - but you have got to go with the guy who got you there, was a more vocal leader and capable of pulling games out of his ass. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered at all, but you can certainly understand Flutie's chip on his shoulder about the situation.

If he still wants to play you could definitely see him going somewhere with familiarity with someone who he knows. The Bills are certainly one of those teams, and I'm sure that he has respect for McDermott and Beane and honestly he could help the young roster of TEs and Josh. Yeah he is old, but he is not as old as Witten, or the recently retired Antonio Gates. He has been a really good player in this league, and I see it as a great mentor for the young TEs even if he isn't on the field as much as he has been in his career. It would be a solid pickup for the team and it makes a lot of sense for him and the team.

I think this is the right view - they need bridge players until they can draft guys that can supplant those bridge players and be "in-house" upgrades. I think that is what you hear from Beane and McDermott that they are not yet where they plan on being (that can be said for 31 teams every year and i get the emptiness of those statements). As someone earlier in the thread points out that Reid has a big influence on McDermott and I really think that if that is true it is not just about whether the focal point is Offense vs. Defense but where you build your team from. Reid has always put a premium on OL and DL, knowing that he can scheme for his talent on Offense with at least competent QB play. He has way more than competent QB play now and they have made sure to surround him with talent - but its amazing how whoever suits up in the skill positions for the Chiefs is pretty good - that starts up front and with good play design for the strengths of your personnel.

There is depth at certain positions and they may find a couple of late round gems this year if they hold on. I'm not going to be upset if they use them to move up, but those picks are not going to move you up much unless you are talking about potentially moving up in the 3rd or 4th rounds. ----------------------------------- I like the idea of always taking at least one DL and one OL every year in the top 4 rounds and this year it looks to be where they need to invest anyhow. They can get a really good target for Allen at WR in the 2nd or 3rd and don't think they necessarily have to go WR in the 1st, especially if they have a good DE or T prospect that falls to them. I always thought that teams drafting in the high teens and low 20s in the first round have an advantage of snatching up a really good players that somehow drop and I think the FO is smart enough to pounce on a really good player even if it isn't a position of "need". I wouldn't be surprised to see an interior lineman drafted in the 1st three rounds, especially one that could play guard and center - I know Feliciano is that swing position, but Morse is one concussion away from potentially calling it a career and I happen to think that a great Center is a necessary piece for any good Offense to quarterback and coordinate the line. They could also draft another Tackle because I'm not sure if Dawkins is going to be someone that they identify as being the long term answer at LT.

It's more of an issue of how wide the spread of talent is at the college level compared to how much tighter it is in the NFL. College games are rarely evenly matched and the talent on rosters of even major programs have a big differential in talent from top to bottom with the exception of a few programs that the best talent flocks to (in the past 10 plus years the only coaches that come to mind are Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, and Dabo Sweeney. They consistently have very talented depth at all the right spots). Felipe Franks was so incredibly up and down and really had no idea how to throw consistently with anticipation and then a guy like Trask who wasn't even a starter in High School comes in and just throws consistently with timing and you're like okay it was the QB not the WRs. The Gators OL was so bad in run blocking this year that they were basically a one dimensional team and they could still move the ball pretty consistently - that was because they had good WRs and a QB who just made simple throws and knew how to read coverage.

I think he is an interesting prospect as well. I watched some games (every snap he took - including against Georgia who probably had the most defensive talent he faced) and while he made some good plays he did look like he struggled getting open and creating any separation. Against lesser competition he looked a lot better, and the QBs he played with weren't exactly good. I've seen him all over the mock draft boards from early 2nd to the 5th round. Some people think he may be better suited putting on weight and be a pass catching TE, but I'm not sure about that and think it is based on what people perceived as stiffness in his route running which made him look more like a TE running routes. The word from the senior bowl is that he looks way more fluid than he did on tape. I'll be interested to see if he has improved in the start of his routes too, which is I think his biggest weakness in getting separation (good coverage has no problem sticking with him from the start of his route).