Success

That wasn't the point of the Dilfer reference. The reference was simply this: SB titles are a team accomplishment. I don't think Mahomes having 2 says ANYTHING about whether he's better or Allen is better. Mahomes probably doesn't have 2 if he's in Buffalo the last 5 years. He might not even have 1. If we want to get specific, Allen outplayed him in the most notable game, in last year's playoffs, but coaching let him down. Honestly, the 'titles' argument drives me a little crazy. People always said the same when they were debating Brady v. Manning, when Brady had the GOAT coach and a good organization, and Manning had 5 different coaches and a poorly run organization. I do think Brady is the GOAT, and titles play a part in that - but they're a team accomplishment. This isn't golf.

I really disagree w/ the strategy, here. Allen doesn't need better skill players. He needs more time in the pocket. We shouldn't tie up ANY more money in a big-name receiver. If they want to address it in one of the draft's early rounds, no problem - but I'd be dismayed if they went for a guy like Hopkins, Thomas or Jeudy, given cap considerations. Ah, yes - the ol' "Dilfer is better than Marino" argument.

I mean, it's possible. But this Bills team was tearing through the league in the 1st half of the season. We were, imo, the best team in the NFL. We lost Hyde & Miller, guys like Jones, Poyer & Phillips played most of the remaining games fairly injured, Allen was hurt, we had 2 major blizzards & a relocation, we had the Hamlin situation, et al. Teams have to overcome adversity, but it was too much. To me, this team just looked emotionally drained at the end. Fast forward to September. We'll be healthy, and hopefully won't have the same kind of luck w/ injuries that we had in '22. Dorsey will have a year under his belt. With a good draft and some low-key FA additions, we could get right back into the form we saw early in '22. On the good ol' internet, I have literally lost count of the # of opposing fans who have said our window is now closed. This is wishful thinking, and reminds me of what I said about the Pats every offseason during their reign. The Buffalo Bills ain't going anywhere. We'll be a top 5 team in the league in 2023 - w/ a very tough schedule, so there are no guarantees. But we will once again win the division and make the playoffs, barring something unforeseen.

Pretty fair assessment. We didn't get to see too much of Crowder - but honestly, I thought he made a big difference when he was in. He seemed like he was turning into a very good 3rd down guy. The homer in me also holds out hope for Davis, and thinks Shakir could take a big next step. Don't ask the non-homer.

"All's well that ends well." And it's true. We'll all feel that way when JA finally hoists the Lombardi.

It's worrisome that KC has so much cap going for them. That said - I'd also say they overachieved this year. I didn't think they were as good as previous years, despite the end result. They did the classic "get hot at the right time" thing, and they also benefitted more than Cincy or Buffalo from the forfeit-game fallout. Both Cincy and Buffalo beat them during the season. It just seemed to fall there way at the end there, and I felt like they were a little lucky to get by both the Jags and Cincy, and also Philly in the end (but luck is also a huge part of winning a title).

I think rankings show that we fall right in the middle in terms of drafting over the past 5 years. And that's kind of how I see it. I think evaluating Beane as a drafter also has to take into consideration how slowly we sometimes bring rookies & younger players along. This coaching staff seems a bit cautious in that regard, at least for me. I see Elam, Cook and Shakir as all being very quality starters for the Bills next year - and really could have been in '22. Benford could be also if he makes a successful move to safety. It doesn't look great - but it also wouldn't shock me a bit if Bernard turned into a very good sub at some point, and special teamer. Other drafts have been more hit or miss, but it's kind of interesting to me that players like Teller, Hodgins and Zay Jones have panned out better elsewhere. He was very good until he got hurt. He was basically playing w/ 1 arm the last half of the season.

Great article, and very true. I have also seen some analysts say that Allen's contract is already a bargain, and he'll probably be more in the range of the 10th highest QB pay in just a year or 2. Beane has some flaws, but I think he's kind of a wizard w/ the cap, at least so far. I trust him to be able to work the dollars so we'll always be able to surround Allen w/ a competitive team.

Yeah, and Brady might re-join the Patriots, too.

Everyone is kind of pining for Hodgins & wondering how we let him get away - but in no universe is Hodgins a better receiver than Davis. Davis underperformed this past season. But he can still be a great #2 for us, imo. The skills are there. He had more of a case of the dropsies in '22 - it was most of the season, so we have to see if that becomes a recurring pattern. But he has a ton of talent.

I think we end up keeping Oliver and re-signing Edmunds. Which are both good moves: Oliver has been great at times, but inconsistent. I could see him having a big contract year. And Edmunds is just good. He'd be very tough to replace. I think I'm at a point where I'd be shocked if 3 out of our first 4 picks are NOT offense. I could get BPA dictating a defensive player at one of the picks - but I think the focus will be strongly O-line, and WR.

It's Frazier & Breen - they're fantastic. I love listening to Walt; he is the most unique commentator w/ all of the phrases he comes up w/. I love that the team is finally good for Frazier's sake. He has slogged through so many bad seasons, it has to be fun for him to call games for a team that's in the mix.

Like baseball, it's a long season, and a LOT of games. Each individual one doesn't seem quite as important. Football is so different that way - every single game matters. But I like watching, especially now when there isn't much else going on. And it's always fun when the playoffs kick in - the atmosphere is always great, and the games can be exciting. I watch most Knicks games these days. They have a fun team this year.

People always talk about Von like he's an old man now. Had his play dropped off at all when he was healthy this past season? Reggie White was the same age when he was signed by Green Bay in the '90s. I think he played well for at least 4-5 years after that, and helped them win a SB.

Barkley would be kinda neat....

I think it would be a mistake to give up on Brown (and don't think they will). He wasn't considered "pro ready" when drafted, and was always more in the developmental category. The injury last year didn't help. It would be rough to end up in the same situation that we are seeing w/ Teller - where we let a good one that we drafted get away.

We shouldn't re-invent the wheel. The bolded was the Patriots' blueprint for almost 2 decades. They made one exception, when they got Moss - and that notably did not yield a title. Ultimately, it's a big part of the reason Brady left - but you can't argue the results for so many years. Their best receiver in some of those SB years would barely be a #3 on most of the top teams. But they used that money saved on skill players to build a top 5 line, year in & year out. Allen can do the same thing Brady did. I love that we have Diggs, and we'll have him for at least a few more years - but we don't need to make big investments in skill players. Just give Allen time in the pocket.

We really might not be THAT far off. Morse is a solid center, and Dawkins is a solid LT. Morse hasn't hinted at retiring, so he should be our starting C this year. Personally, I still have some hope in Brown. I think the injury set him back, and he has certainly had flashes of very good play. It's not enough, but I'm not giving up on the idea that he could emerge as a solid starter this season w/ a full training camp. They need to bring in legit competition at his position, and also address both guard spots. Bates could potentially fill one of those, and be very good. I see us bringing in 1 strong FA, and drafting 2 linemen in the 1st 3-4 rounds.

Yeah - I got a lot of "Marino" responses to my comment. It's valid. I try to be aspirational in my posting, but sometimes reality gets marginalized when I do that. I'm curious about the Chiefs' window. Like us or Cincy, it's kind of open as long as they have the QB they have. But how long will Reid coach? And Kelce is such a difference-maker for that offense. He's approaching his mid-30s. They'll still be a very tough team without either of those guys - but the dynamics will certainly shift. I'm still not buying much Bengals stock. Maybe I'm just being stubborn. I look at that divisional round game as more of a case of the Bills not showing up that day, as opposed to Cincy being that far ahead of us.

The drafting has been average at worst. Not that it's anything to brag about - but it hasn't been bad or weak. But, if anyone thinks it HAS been weak - it would make more sense to trade down, not up. The more picks you have, the better the chances.

Chiefs fans think they're our new "Patriots." That they'll prevent us from getting to the SB in the Josh Allen era. They seem to forget: we weren't good during the Brady years. They also forget: even Brady went a decade without winning a ring. We're good now. And while they think JA is miles behind Mahomes, he ain't - he's at worst, 1b. But I still think when all is said & done, he'll be viewed as the better QB. I think we were better than them this past year, and that they were lucky we didn't get past Cincy. I think the Bills end up w/ more Lombardi's w/ Allen as QB than KC ends up w/ w/ Mahomes as QB. I don't care. Fight me.

To the 30% saying neither team will ever win: Josh Allen will not retire without a ring. It is mathematically impossible.

I'm stoked about this year's rotation. Losing Montas hurts a bit; he's not great, but when healthy, he would be a very strong #5 guy. German can take that spot and be as effective. Cole, Rodon, Sevy, Cortes - that's a fearsome top 4. Gotta be top 3 in the league. Houston has been like a brick wall - but I feel like NY might finally break through this year. They need to be more healthy come October than they were this past year.

Putting aside the non-sports stuff: he could have been a game-changing player for the Bills. That one punt was ridiculous - it completely changed field position for both teams. BUT, I loved the way Martin was able to pin teams deep, and do more directional kicks. Distance isn't everything. So, I guess what I'm saying is that I'm good.

If JA has time in the pocket, I don't think any team in the league can stop us, regardless of how the defense performs.