corta765

Yesterday ended being a pretty cool surprise and it had me thinking about the remainder of the season. I have ended up in two places: Best Case Scenario: Bills make the playoffs and even win a game (were playing TEN/KC/JAX it isn't that outlandish) so for once we all get to have some fun. The team lets Taylor go and finally drafts a rookie who can play even enough to build off this season. I am in the camp that we need a QB and I want them to be aggressive for to get him, but I am not team tank for the QB. I would like to see the defense stay steady with their play and see Dawkins/Z Jones continue to develop over the rest of the year they both recently have been pretty good. I would also like to see Kelvin Benjamin play and give us hope that he can be a piece for 2018. Worst Case Scenario: The Bills flunk out and only manage to win another to get to 7-9 and blow winnable games against IND/MIA that prevent the team from ending the drought so at least one monkey is off our back. The defense reverts back to missing tackles, Tre White gets picked on a plateaus in development, while the offense shows little signs of growth and the offensive line shows no improvement. Additionally the coaching staff continues with very questionable calls on offense that make you wonder how credible McD or the rest of the staff is. The Bills cut Taylor, don't draft a QB instead going for a guy like Josh McCown so they can use their draft picks to fill holes from guys they traded. There is very little to buy in over the course of the offseason given the team pushing a guy like McCown or Peterman as the starter.

Its why the defense staying in their lane and properly tackling is soo clutch. Our LB core in is not very talented and does not have the talent to of come mistakes in scheme. I will say the Jets game to me was the offense making too many mistakes that finally just broke the will of the D. I think had Matthews not fumbled and the game been 10-10 at halftime the Bills would've been in a better place, in hindsight they came out very jittery on both sides despite only being down by 3. And yea read the same thing on the Cover 2. I am surprised Reid hasn't been able to adjust though he typically is quite strong at that.

Snow storm, act of god, Tyrod throwing for 500 yards, and Brady not getting more then a second to throw.

From what I have read defenses made adjustments that now are trying to force Smith to hit more medium range passes which he is far less likely to do because the coverage have LB's sitting for INT's. They also starting losing some jump balls and just seem to have given up on shots deep which i dont understand.

Buffalo fans don't need to worry our teams ain't making either haha

I would at least like to see Wildcard's having the ability again to host. I know it won't happen because for owners hosting a playoff game is big money so even winning a bad division is a reward. But I would rather see the playoffs seeded by record. I have read enough that shows with 14 teams the caliber of competition would still be fairly high most seasons and it makes the one available bye that much more important. But it seems the NFL has cooled on this a bit. Also when the NFL expanded to 6 teams per conference it did so because something like only 33% of the league was making the playoffs and they wanted it around 40%. Currently its at 37% and if they moved it to 14 teams they would get back to 43%. With my proposal at least in the divisions I have this would happen far more often where we would see PIT/BAL/CIN/CLE, cities that are close by where games every year and home games every other would increase the rivalry. I really do hate that because of the way the schedule was the Bills didn't get to see Big Ben or Manning that often in their primes because of the emphasis on where you placed in your conference. Obviously those games probably wouldn't have went very well haha but just as fans of the game it would've been nice to have played them more then once every 6 years at home. And Manning I don't believe played in Buffalo the last time he was with the Colts because it was a week 17 game.

Its one game a year, teams already have to do that yearly, and as is you already have division situations where NYG go to Dallas, JAX to HOU, KC to OAK/LAC etc.. Not disagreeing there isn't some faults but the problem I kept finding is when you start moving teams to fix the geographic situation DAL loses their rivalries with NYG/DAL/PHI, MIA loses theirs with BUF/NYJ etc.. something that would never fly to start with even though on paper it makes more sense to have DAL in the NFC West and TB in the NFC East.

I am not sure if it would take away from powerhouse teams, Pittsburgh and NE would both I think still be close to what they are at now in my division structure especially because NE would play CLE/CIN who are both weak and PIT would be playing us, MIA, & NYJ. I think this would eliminate the years you have teams that go 11-5 but play a incredibly weak schedule and truly even out the best of the best.

This isn't bad although playing the NFC once a year really blows because it means my chance to see the Packers Eagles etc.. at home comes down to once every 32 years. That is why I would keep the four NFC games and play 75% of the AFC. But if you don't care about the NFC games the idea of just conferences straight up is pretty neat.

One of the things that I think we all could agree on as fans of football in general is the fact sometimes the playoff situation gets semi unfair when a team that is 9-7 or even 8-8/7-9 wins their division yet a team can be 10-6 or 11-5 and miss. Additionally because of the divisional structure its impossible for wildcard teams to get a home game. To me the current structure really limits competition minus for the division crown which many seasons is already decided. The schedule also is weighted in a way that a team could potentially host an fellow AFC outer divisional foe only once over the course of 6 years. Here is my proposal: A return to two divisions to each conference that look like this: AFC EAST: NE, BUF, MIA, NYJ, CLE, PIT, BAL, & CIN AFC WEST: KC, LAC, OAK, DEN, TEN, HOU, IND, & JAX NFC EAST: DAL, NYG, PHI, WAS, DET, GB, CHI, MIN NFC WEST: NOLA, CAR, TB, ATL, LAR, SEA, SF, & ARZ Playoff wise division winners are guaranteed a home game but best record determines home field so if the 2nd place team in the AFC East has a higher record then the top in the AFC West they are the 2nd seed and get the 1st round bye. The first round would allow wild card teams the ability to host playoff games again and create a far greater want to win every game and not rest players week 17 so you can secure a home game. Schedule wise I still would want to keep an element of historical rivalries with the current divisions, but teams would play 75% of conference every year as opposed to the current format where a team only plays 66%. It would like like this using the AFC East as an example: BUF plays: NE, MIA, NYJ 1x plus 1 additional game that rotates each year ie: 2017 Bills v Pats, 2018 Bills v Phins, 2019 Bills v Jets. 4 games CLE, PIT, BAL, CIN 1x 4 games 4 games against AFC West (based off previous division structure so play either AFC West or AFC South) KC, LAC, OAK, DEN 4 games 4 games against NFC team rotating as currently structured so NOLA, CAR, TB, ATL 4 games Obviously all of the games flip if you hosted a team the last time you played you go there the next time minus the divisional rivalry game where each teams gets a home game. This schedule evens out a lot of inconsistencies where we have consecutive years of the Bills at KC or hosting CLE. Instead you still play your current division plus one additional rivalry game so you are getting home games against current rivals 2 out of 3 years. With CLE, PIT, BAL, CIN we are home every other year and that increases rivalries with all of those cities. My favorite part is instead of having to wait potentially 6 years to host OAK at home it trims the time down to 4 years. To me this would be simplest solution to create a far more balanced and fair conference while keeping and creating some new rivalries. I know some fans who would say flip MIA with IND or who think four divisions are fine but the playoff alignment just needs to be adjusted, this is just in my eyes the best solution and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Agreed. It's easy to trade players to load up on picks and open cap space. It's another thing to draft the right players and add the right FA's. That said give at least Beane some time his season doesn't really start until Feb.

If I am being honest that would be almost refreshing if it failed. The 2010 season we knew was a dumpster fire going into and the last time I had pretty much zero expectations going into it. If we draft a QB and they flame out well he ain't the guy and we probably are drafting Top 5 for the next guy. It has been awful in a sense to go 6-7 years now of being 5-5 now or 4-5 or 5-6 etc.. and know we have the slimmest playoff chance but it does exist only to of course miss. To me if they go for broke and go broke at least I know where we stand, this has been worse in a certain sense.

While they can't sell the farm for a QB they have to draft one in 2018. It's got talent that is 1st round worthy and you cannot sell this team with a journeyman next year. You cannot keep passing the buck year after year for a QB for other needs. There is almost never a perfect year to grab a guy and if there is everyone wants him. As a fan if they don't grab a QB next year there is zero reason for me to attend a game because I know the season is already set for 4-5 wins then.

I think that is an awful idea. Beane has put together a pretty well regarded staff and has had about 1/10th of a season to do his job with the majority of it coming up here Feb-May. McD is going to work with what he has which isn't a ton. The season started as a mirage and I think he knew it but as fans we didn't. That said anyone could see the LB core was a massive liability and the middle of the defensive line also would need work. If it was the end of year 3 and things were not doing well then sure a Czar like Coughlin in JAX would make sense. But these guys just took the job, the front office/coach is streamlined currently, and you don't have the leaks accusing the each other of things like the last few years so just need to give it time.

15 was on Rex. That team was uber talented and he wasted it. The defense lost none of their starters but his scheme was a disastrous fit. 16 though the defense was not all his fault as we see now. He lost some pretty solid starters/depth in Bradham, Brooks, McKelvin, & Charles plus Mario quitting. Add in that Kyle Williams started aging plus Lawson & Ragland both were injured for the season and that was a bad mix. BUT he also had a pretty big role in those personnel decisions and I firmly believe not keeping Bradham screwed this defense badly because they have no one at LB who can cover and tackle like he did.

Agreed. The worst thing that happened this season was starting 5-2 because it got people excited. If they were 3-7 right now people would be more focused on the offseason and what their building.

I don't disagree that with each franchise for a time they started in over their heads but I fundamentally disagree that they have no idea currently and have poor org structures. Objectively it goes like this: Bills: Previously: Bought the team in 14 let things play out. Sided with the wrong person in the Whaley-Marrone fight forcing Marrone-Schwartz & potential Bills Czar Polian out. So yep they chose poorly there. Rex hire in a vacuum made sense at the time given his reputation with defense, defense's talent, and the hype it brought the Bills. For the record Rex wasn't my guy I wanted K. Shanahan or Schwartz but didn't mind the hire either. You are correct that the org structure was whack and Whaley always seemed to be on borrowed time even when things were at their best. However the Bills with the Pegula's as owner did go 9-7 in 14' and 8-8 in 15' just missing the playoffs both seasons. While not great I wouldn't say they wrecked things either. 16 was a tire fire and they did the smart thing to clean house completely. Currently: They have a GM and coach who see eye to eye and share one vision the whole way through which did not exist with Whaley and either coach. If you remember Beane got some really highly regarded personnel people including Brian Gaine as VP of Player Personnel a guy most people figured would get a GM job not move to that role which frankly was just a lateral move. I think if the team had started 2-5 and was at 5-5 currently or even 3-7 people would be far less critical with the current roster/play myself included. But in regards to the organization its pretty much setup like every other team out there Owner->GM->Coach. Owner has been writing checks and letting those guys do their work for better or worse. Additionally Beane hasn't even had an offseason to work yet so lets give him a bit of time. Even with Darby, Sammy, & Dareus this team is maybe a game better W/L wise and long term still needs a QB with way less cap space to work with. I just posted an post yesterday stating that the 5 picks and cap space they have in 18 is crucial to setting the foundation for the future and that is what we really need to judge. Sabres: I would agree Terry was far more heavy handed and made greater mistakes. They should've restarted at the end of 2011, but making the playoffs jaded everything and he thought throwing money could fix problems. Mix in he did approve tanking for McDavid/Eichel and you have what you have. That said the Sabres again have a pretty normal org structure J Botts->Housley its just going to take time to fix the last 3 years of mess. Botterill is one of the most highly respected personnel guys in hockey and Housley was a younger coach that a lot of teams also wanted. Additionally they had just fired Bylsma who had a cup and tons of experience and just about everyone clamored for someone new and different so I'm not sure what could be done to satisfy the masses. So yes if you want to stay at the start with each team they were too involved and over their head at points I would agree especially with the Sabres. But currently for both teams they have sat back and let their people do what they can for better or worse. The Sabres need 2 more seasons before they realistically are a playoff team if the kids develop. The Bills harder to say because if you hit on a QB in this draft it changes a lot quickly and if they can get 4-5 new additions on defense between the draft and FA that should shore up the sizeable holes they have. I know people hate to hear this but a lot of sports frankly is luck. If the Bills drafted Big Ben instead of Losman we don't have a drought and the Pegula's seem like stable owners. If the Sabres get McDavid & Ekblad they probably get Babcock, another big FA addition, and their trajectory is far different. Without getting lucky along the way the best thing an owner can do is be patient and stay out of the way. As other posters have said they seemed to have learned that with both teams and cut their losses the last 2 years to setup org structures that replicate other teams while infusing the areas they can with money and as much resources as possible. The hardest part is right now which is to sit, wait, and be patient I'm sorry to say. If you want to back down your fandom for a bit I wouldn't blame you in the least, I went from having seasons to going to 3 games this year and next year probably down to 2. I'll still watch every game but I'm in a prove it mode for both teams.

Agreed in the extent Schwartz needed to stay just not sure the capacity He still is a DC so wasn't like you couldn't have brought in a HC who wouldve kept him and the scheme. I think in 2014 Whaley won the power battle otherwise Marrone stays with Schwartz and Polian is GM. That really defined the direction to where we are now. Then the owner got excited because the defense was good and rushed to get a guy like Rex who had hype and considerable success on D in the past. What has me so down is both teams are so downtrodden and laughable. I can't remember a time in my life where neither team offered much hope on the horizon and seasons felt so over so early on.

There is no unimportant drafts/offseasons but realistically this is the one with the heavy lifting coming because if the team doesn't improve or shown signs of tangible growth with a rookie QB the clock on the GM/Coach starts ticking come year 3. And with the way our fans are media have been if its 3 pretty down years I doubt you see a 4th given.

While it has been a frustrating few weeks the truth is this season was always about laying the path and framework for what McBeane see as their vision. I was in the camp that was hoping they made the playoffs even if they got smoked to kill the drought, but I understand others who say we were better off at 4-12 so you had your pick of the litter at QB in this draft. Regardless it comes down to 2018 being the off season they have to get it right and I look at it like this: They will carry some decent to very good assets into the off season in these players: Benjamin, Z. Jones, Dawkins, White, Hughes, Poyer, Hyde, Incognito, McCoy, & Wood if they still want him. What they fundamentally have to nail to set the future is this IMO: QB, DT, LB (both ILB/OLB) They still need help/depth at: G, OT, CB, WR, DE Quarterback is pretty easy to state as being crucial for their future in terms of sink or swimming, but to me the defense as a whole is almost equal in need. The defense biggest failing this season has been the ability of teams to attack the middle of the defense on runs/passes and we haven't even played NE who thrives there. We have no young talent at either DT/LB currently and they need to hit this hard in the draft and free agency to shore this up. Back in the "good days" 2013/14 defense the front four was supremely talented and the LB core had the likes of Bradham & Kiko with P.Brown being the 3rd guy which is where he should be. Just about every strength we remember from those years is gone or in Kyle Williams case regressing due to age. McD needs his D next year to be a greater strength to the roster especially with most likely a rookie QB driving the ship. McCoy can be relied on to help take some pressure off whatever kid is there but he will need a spell back regardless in case he sees any regression. People can talk that the 19/20 offseason's will allow more time to build whatever McD/Beane want but realistically by then the team better be winning and in the playoffs. Those offseason's should be adding final touches to this not base pieces. Obviously yes if a DT the caliber of Donald was there in 2019 go for it, but the 2017-18 drafts/FA additions you need to be seeing some real fruits from because it also takes time for guys to develop. Between the 6 picks in the first 3 rounds and the amount of cap space the Bills are pooling for 2018 McBeane have a lot of resources to really craft what they want. The true foundation of the roster will effectively be set from that and whats taken from this season. In ways it will be super exciting as fans and in others very nervous because a lot hinges off what happens.

Agree although NFL coaches and GMs basically expect that if you draft round 1 that player is starting and hopefully one of your round 2/3 picks sees action regularly. So I was just going off that philosophy that the Bills out of 6 picks in the Top 90 can get 2-3 true starters and 1-2 solid players who see time regularly. Frankly if they can't get that it will set back whatever they think they are building now. And whoever is drafted QB better be ready to go come the opener because fans and media will not give them time. My greatest disappointment organizationally with Rex's hire was how much they undid just because of him. Nigel Bradham may not be an All Pro but he was a very good LB, Schwartz had that unit playing very well and in unison, and in general they had a good pool on defense of vets and young guys like Bradham & Gilmore.

Realistically this off season they should fill in the draft QB, DT, MLB, and OT. Figure in FA they get SLB and CB, they are left needing OG/DT/NCB plus your RB in Shady's mold although these days you can find RB's in rounds 4-6 #kareemhunt so I wouldn't overdraft for that unless its Barkley. That fills a decent amount of the needs while still needing some help but thats similar to everyone. To me the big key is who the QB is and fixing the middle of the defense which is being run/passed over badly. For the record I have zero clue if the needs I have filled or happen its just best case hypothetical bs...

I understand your rational and partially agree. When things are bad or teams are bad its hard to see the positives that you can build with moving forward though. Your right a QB cannot do it all himself although I would also argue he can do a lot to carry a team and elevate the play of those around him. Looking at the Bills objectively I see the following strengths and weaknesses on each side: Offense Strength: Interior O Line (Dawkins, Wood, Incognito), TE (Clay/O'Leary/Thomas), RB (for now as long as McCoy is healthy and here) Offensive Weakness: QB, O Line Tackles (Unless Glenn magically is healthy all season) , WR (although if Benjamin is decent and Zay keeps improving then they just need a WR#2) Defensive Strength: White at CB, Poyer/Hyde SAF Weakness: DT, DE depth, Depth at CB after White, the entire LB core. Realistically they probably fill about half of those needs in the offseason. Lets say in draft they get the new QB, DT, LB, and a new LT/RT that helps decently to plug some big holes. FA perhaps they hit on another guy or two that helps at CB and LB things don't look too bad and they look similar to other rising teams. Almost every team has holes regardless of how good the key is the Bills filling those and finding the right QB. Now whether they will get this right? That is the million dollar question and I would say this offseason is paramount to how successful McDerment and Beane are long term.

I do believe in some way their is probably a racial bias that exists in regards to QB. That said this is not in anyway a case where race was a factor. Tyrod had the keys for two and half years to drive this ship and didn''t do enough. He isn't a bad QB and in the right system he would have success. BUT most coaches, GM's, etc... want a pocket passer that is accurate and can hit tight windows across the middle with a fast release now that defenses are faster then ever. Tyrod is not a pocket passer despite Roman and Dennisons effort, his release is one of the slowest in football, and he only sometimes hits his windows. For what most coaches, GMs, etc.. want what he has done isn't enough. Great we might go to the playoffs with him and then what. After years of listening Mike Schopp to me is one of the worst sports analysts I've heard, he lacks original thought, and in general just seems like an awful person to be around in general. The guy thrives on stuff like this so I am not surprised it became a topic. If he wants to the the QB and race discussion it actually would be a good discussion to have, but in support of Tyrod is just asinine. And for the record I was a massive supporter for Tyrod from the day we got him and frankly thought the last two seasons he has got a semi raw deal thanks to coach/GM. That said make your plays or your toast dude. The morning guys I find at points very compelling and interesting. Schopp & the Bulldog sound the same and generic now as they did back in 2005 when I was listening. Just zero growth or evolution the only thing that is remotely cool is when they do a draft of some form and even those may be a bit played out now.

I understand your frustration with the Bills if this move backfires and Peterman flames out. However I have to disagree with you in regards to the coach being a bad coach and the decision being wrong. Outside of the Bilsl going 12-4 and winning the SB Tyrod was basically here for this year and next year we were having a new QB no matter what. I do agree that he hasn't been the best fit in the offensive system they run but he also has been very tentative this season to even throw when he does have time. JW at WGR550 made a great point that on a free down due to a penalty in the Jets game Tyrod just threw the ball out of bounds rather then trying something remotely risky. He is what he is which is a bit above average QB who will get you to the playoffs with a good team and system. This is an insanely bold move by the Bills but I respect the effort and thought because they are going for broke not settling. Honestly the last time I remember anything close to a move this seismic was Johnson for Flutie. You have to give them credit at least for not sticking with the same old as they have the last few years and trying to improve at QB despite having a stable option. Yes this can a 100% explode back at them and if it does they will deserve the flack especially if the locker room shows a lack of effort in response. But teams have figured out Tyrod and having them say "we wanted to make him a QB" is not the type of pharses you want to hear and the offense only getting the ball for 18 mins and going 3 and out hurts an already fragile D-Unit. Like I said this absolutely could explode, but I wouldn't judge this either as the end all be all for McD yet. If it does work it will be fun, we maybe make the playoffs and perhaps even have a QB that has a true chance. If it doesn't we get a new QB next year and McD/Beane really go under the microscope.