Success

Thompson didn't have a great day against the Bills. That game is a blowout in the Bills favor without the turnovers - especially Josh's fumble/TD, and the pass that bounced off of Beasley.

I can't speak for everyone - but my initial reaction would be that I traveled to an alternate universe where math didn't exist.

I think quality starting linemen can be found in rounds 2-4. It depends on who is there at 27, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get a tackle.

That's a really fair perspective. For sure, we haven't proven a thing until we prove it in the playoffs. That's the test for this team. And we were overhyped last year, mainly because the 13 seconds game was so stunning, as you said. I think the media wanted the next Brady/Manning, or something like that. I was never comfortable w/ the hype - and that was before Romo started calling our big games. I thought about the Miami game, and you're right to call that out. But I'd add to that that KC barely made it past the Jags that weekend, and if Huntley doesn't fumble at the goal-line, Cincy's journey would have ended right there. We were up 17-0 on Miami, and statistically dominated them most of the game. Our turnovers kept them close - those are part of the game, but they were also a little flukey.

If we talked about this team anytime in September or October, I think it would have been hard to find a poster here who didn't think we were either the best team in the league, or at least even with the best. We went to the house of the eventual SB champ, and beat them, without any breaks or anything flukey. We had some blowouts. The offense was clicking on all cylinders, and the defense - at that time - was pretty smothering. Our losses were all 1 score, 1 play. Cincy in the playoffs was the 1st time that any team took it to us, and just beat us up and down the field, all game. THAT is now how many here now view the team. Very flawed, and much weaker than we thought. But ultimately, it was just one game. Teams lay eggs, and given how emotional the last month of the season was, it's easy to see in hindsight how that affected the team (and the Bengals were kind of the opposite, playing w/ a real chip on their shoulder). They also may just be a bad match-up for the Bills, which I'm hoping will change w/ the change in DC. I think Frazier's defense was very effective against quite a few teams - but against Cincy & those receivers, you have to be aggressive, and challenge them more at the line. I don't buy the whole "we were already behind the top teams and now we're falling further behind" narrative of FA. When healthy, we're still right there w/ the best teams - and we're rolling everything back minus Edmunds, and with a new guard, a faster receiver than we've had in awhile, and the draft still ahead. I don't see us taking a step back in '23. We'll be right there w/ the top teams.

I do get that, and agree w/ it in general. But Robinson is at a different level. He likely won't drop to us, but he would be as impactful as any starter we could get in the 1st if he was there at 27. It's more likely that if he drops that far, Dallas takes him at 26.

I get the concerns, and I wish we could do more too. But we really don't have the cap that Cincy & KC have. Both of those teams have lost more players than us (I just consider Edmunds to be a loss). Hyde & Miller are both coming back. That's like getting 2 top FA's. I think we're better than KC as it is. Cincy, I'm not so sure - I think we're on par w/ them in terms of talent, but they just seem to be a bad match-up, going by a pretty small sample size. I think the biggest move we made to catch Cincy is moving on from Frazier. A more aggressive defense where we press the receivers at the line might work much more effectively against them. I do think we can get some difference-makers in the mid-rounds of the draft. I could actually see us going O-line more in the 2nd & 3rd, where you can still get good starters at that position, and possibly going WR or MLB in the 1st. Or, if Bijan Robinson falls to us, RB.

It's just reality. We missed out on one RB; most teams miss out on players in FA. We also got a starting guard, and a fast receiver. We'll probably make one more move, either RB or MLB. But we're working on a tight budget here. I like how we're looking heading into '23. I thought we had the best team for the 1st part of '22, until things kind of went off the rails. I feel like every team's fanbase feels this way when FA starts, every year - except for the 3-4 teams making the biggest splashes. It's that "every other team is making moves and we're just sitting there" thing. If you check other boards, the sentiments are the same. FA can be very overblown. The "FA winner" is so rarely the team we see there at the end.

I'm not like that. I lived through the '90's, somehow. I won't die with any sense of peace unless we get a title. I'm curious what your expectations were for this FA. We started way over cap. We cleared space, but we've spent what we created on a starting guard and a WR who will contribute, and maybe we have enough left for another mid-level starter or depth. Would you have rather used that money on one player who was at more of an elite level? I'm not sure how much more Beane could have done here. My expectations were low, because we made a big splash last offseason, and I knew we didn't have cash.

I think they were only interested in Williams. But we're not the only team looking for players, and most other teams have more money. We're doing what we can w/ the money we have. How many difference makers do you think we can afford? We picked up a starting guard, and a speedy receiver. As I calculate it, we have room for maybe one more mid-level move.

I think Beane is still working that. I'm not one of those who is against Zeke or Fournette, but there are other options there also. But if nothing happens - we can always target a bigger RB in the later rounds of the draft.

I'm not sure why anyone expects us to make a lot of moves, or even more than what we've made. We simply don't have the cash this year. Frankly, I'm kind of thrilled that we signed a starter, and another guy who will get a lot of playing time. And we only really lost Edmunds. Because they have a bit more cap, I think we'll see one more signing (of someone who is more than depth). But I'm not necessarily expecting it, and won't be that disappointed if nothing happens. We've already done more than I thought we would. For most of the positions you mentioned, we'll likely be looking to the draft.

I actually think we would have done a lot better last year if Crowder hadn't gotten hurt. It was a small sample size - but he had some 3rd down ability that we lacked the rest of the season.

I tend to go homer on acquisitions. But I think Allen could do for Harty what Brady did for Welker or Edelman. Speed, AND getting good separation? And good hands too? I can see a few deep balls going his way next year. We haven't had someone who can really stretch the field. That's better than any receiving corps we've had since the '90's.

Used to be my favorite Bill. Oh, well. Team Harty now.

Thanks. I was too lazy.

We may not have signed as many "impact" players as some of our competition at this point - but we also haven't lost as many players as KC, Cincy & our division foes.

MLB may end up not being one of our stronger positions - but we have capable players on the roster now who can fill it, and will likely bring in competition there via the draft if we don't sign anyone in FA. It's not like a void.

I'm a big fan of his game - a very physical corner, and great depth. Gotta wonder if they're still thinking of transitioning Benford to safety.

It's a contract year, right? I'd love to see him have the kind of breakout year Edmunds had. Then he can go off & test FA. But if we can get Oliver's best (which is really good) for a season, it increases our chances for a title.

I've seen mocks that have Bijan Robinson dropping out of the 1st, which are mystifying. If for any reason he drops to 27, I think we'd have to take him (especially if we don't pick up another RB in FA). Thanks for posting, btw. Great rundown.

I love his effort - but the big problem is that we have 3 of the same kind of back. We do need a "big" back, someone for short yardage & the goal-line. Cook & Hines are great for the rest. Singletary is just the odd man out at this point. They could bring him back and hope that bolstering the line will elevate all 3. But I'd rather have someone who can take the short yardage stuff that JA does for the most part.

He just turned 28 - not over the hill just yet. He's the kind of back we need. All depends on the price.

LOL That's actually about the 4th time I've messed that name up on here.

Mac Jones isn't really as bad as everyone says. He'll never be elite - but he could be a good Alex Jones-type of game manager. They seem to be all in on giving him what he needs to at least try to succeed.