Success

Meh. I've seen medical pro's say that what the Bills witnessed in the regular season Cincy game is traumatizing for any human being. There wasn't really much of a precedent for that. Like I said, you can call it an excuse. I call it recognizing that these guys aren't robots. And they haven't "pooped out" of EVERY playoff game. That's just an inaccurate observation.

It would be silly of me to deny that we have a playoff issue. But I think we all want a SB win. All you can do is stay in the game, and keep giving yourself opportunities. The team that won in the end was one we beat and I think could have beaten again - but they got hot at the right time, and had luck go their way in the WC round, the AFCCG, and the SB itself. Most of the time, teams need a bit of that to get over the top. We all thought getting Von Miller was the big move that would get us there. But he got hurt, then we had a ton of other stuff go wrong. Not only did we not get much luck at the end - it really went against us. I don't really care if that sounds like an excuse. The team was exhausted emotionally by the playoffs. And I don't think that's because we're a soft team. I think that would have happened to any team in the same circumstances. As we're currently constructed, I think we're as good as anyone.

The post I was responding to specifically said we're not likely to improve enough to "compete w/ the KC's." I wasn't touting it as a big accomplishment. I was just stating the fact - we're good enough to beat them now. And we have been. It's a theme w/ me. I think the Cincy game skewed many perspectives on here - like we're way behind the top teams. I don't subscribe to that POV. We're as good as anyone.

Who was celebrating?

I played a Les Paul Custom for decades (had 2 over the years - tobacco sunburst, and the classic black beauty). But I've been enjoying a lot of Strat players lately, and love the sound they get. That might be my next.

Sounds like the Pats are out of the mix on Jackson. They'll roll back what I like to call the "Losman/Edwards sequel" of Jones/Zappe.

Just a quick clarification: we BEAT the KC of the league in our last meeting.

Our WR corps is better than people think. They see Higgins/Chase & think every team is like that or something. Even if we stand pat, we're in good shape. Watch what happens when JA gets more time in the pocket, and we have an ACTUAL running game that defenses have to plan for. I don't think we will stand pat, but I'd guess maybe a mid-round draft pick at this point. This is not a desperate need.

I'm okay if this doesn't happen. Obviously, it would have been exciting, but it also comes with some downsides. We'd be much more "all in" for the short term, and it would wreak some havoc w/ our cap. He's also 31, and I'd prefer to see the team get a little younger.

Getting Damien Harris will help a LOT. I'm glad to hear him say this, and glad that they seem committed to changing it. We can be a dominant team for many years - but JA has gotta stay healthy.

I mean - the Ravens hate the Pats, don't they? Is there any way they'd make that trade? It would be kind of a drag to have 4 of the top 10 QB's in the division.

I think we'll see a very different defense next year - and better. Kudos to McD. He has total accountability for that side of the ball now.

It's what Burrow said, imo. Our window is wide open as long as Allen is playing. Not that we won't have "down" years, but that probably means getting a WC spot.

Probably one of our future safeties. He brings depth & youth to that unit, and if they end up extending him, can take over as a starter eventually. This is a very interesting FA period for the Bills. I expected almost nothing, but we've really picked up a bunch of very solid players, across the board.

It's interesting thinking about heading into last season. I thought both the Broncos & Colts would be formidable, and if someone told me we'd have 3 losses, I doubt I would have guessed "Jets, Phins, Vikings." In a way, we seem to play better against the top teams. Hopefully, the tough schedule and tough division will forge them into a championship team by the end.

It's a tough schedule. Still think we're a top 3 team - but around 11-12 wins sounds about right, given the opponents.

Oliver & a 4th. Done.

There was a time when I thought he was the best back in the AFC. He was a player I was scared to face. And there aren't too many of those. Health is the key w/ him - but if he stays healthy, he could be a 1,200 yard guy for us. I feel like this wasn't a very high profile signing nationally, but it's one that could be a real missing piece for this Bills team. And finally help get us over the top.

Burrow's contract is likely to be quite a bit more than Allen's. I suspect our cap will ebb & flow over the years. If we go all in on Hopkins now, we might need 1-2 "recovery" kinds of years, but I'd bet we'd still be able to contend.

I think people have some notion that championship teams are perfect, with true-blue starters & pro bowlers at every position. Even if the season started today - we'd have capable players at those positions. But, of course, we still have the draft ahead of us to fill any perceived holes.

The biggest downside - and it's not really that big, but annoying - is that we'll get back to the front of the hype train if this happens. I was enjoying a couple of months of thinking we'd be more "below the radar" in '23.

I just checked one of the Patriots boards, talking about the prospect of Hopkins going to the Bills. Honestly - it would almost be worth mortgaging much of the future just to see them melt down about it. Not quite, though. If the Bills pull it off, I hope it's in a reasonable way.

This morning? He was an aging player who still had a lot in the tank, and would have been great for the Bills. Now? Old man. So glad he's going to another team. We need to get younger.

I feel like both guys bring a lot of things to the table that we were really lacking. We need good hands guys, who can get yards after the catch. Very low-key additions, but with Allen as their QB, they could both be really good for us.

I don't like this thread.