Success

Pretty well explained in the post you responded to.

I was more concerned about the Jets last year, when they had a talented young team and looked like they could build a contender for years. Now, they are set to go all in for a year or 2 on a semi-washed QB, who might get them to the playoffs but probably not a SB, and it will make them much weaker in the long-term.

As long as it isn't the Chiefs. The Chiefs are in an interesting spot in terms of WR. If they just stand pat, they'll have the weakest unit they've had since Mahomes has been there.

I doubt they go defense for all of the high round picks - but it wouldn't disappoint me to see a few picks go toward the D. We need a LB, and we need a better pass rush. I don't expect them to stand pat on the O-line. We added 2 good guards, which is great. I think they are penciling Brown in at RT, and obviously Morse & Dawkins' positions are set right now. Really, all they have to do in the draft is find a swing tackle who can compete w/ Brown. 2nd or 3rd round probably works for getting a good player who could potentially start right away if needed. Beane has also talked about the depth in this draft at the TE position, so I could see another pick in the 1st rounds going that way - but otherwise I'm fine w/ mostly defense.

The Colts could have easily won that Saints SB, also. That onside kick turned the whole game. That's part of the game, but a pretty unlucky break for the Colts that the return team couldn't handle that kick. It's a somewhat similar situation. The Colts had to deal w/ the massive obstacle New England presented. We have the Chiefs & Bengals.

That's just football fandom. People forget that it's a team game. I hear it ALL the time on the internet this year. "Well, clearly Mahomes is better than Allen - he has 2 Super Bowls." This isn't tennis.

A healthy Jordan Phillips would have made a significant difference for us in the playoffs. When he & Miller were BOTH healthy, they were a real force. Our physicality and ability to both pressure the QB and make impact plays on defense were night & day for the 1st couple of months to the season vs. the last month or so.

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.