DaggersEOD

I think the place we disagree is the prevalence of racism in NFL Exec level. My entire premise rests on my belief that they aren’t overtly racist. If they are then I am 100% wrong and more needs to be done. I respect your position. I just don’t agree (but acknowledge I don’t know the hearts of NFL Execs).

That is a question I really think should be explored more! It’s truly systemic and has layers and layers to protect itself. That’s why I feel a lot more energy should be focused on this problem. Fighting ghosts just lets the system chug along unimpeded. I think just increasing awareness of the problem and more scrutiny on staffing decisions (ok Bob, is your son REALLY the best guy to do this??) would go a long way. Look at most of the current successful HCs. Most were interns first. That’s the level that I think could make the most difference IMO.

I don’t think anyone would argue that there wasn’t overt racism in the 60’s. I just don’t think it’s a driving factor anymore. While all the current focus is on hidden racists, the actual decision makers take a public stand against racism in all its forms (like any decent person). They vow to make sure they interview minority candidates...etc. Then the HC calls and says the LB coach needs some help and the assist LB coach’s son is willing to intern. Decision maker gets irritated and tells the coach to just do whatever he feels is best for these low level staffing decisions. If the focus was on fighting nepotism, a much wider field of entry level positions would suddenly be available to new blood, including minority candidates who may not know a guy already on the inside. I think this would do more to fix the issue of retread coaches getting a million undeserved looks, than whatever is going on now.

Yes, there is. Yet the same retreads keep getting hired and young talent is ignored. IMO, the problem is nepotism, not racism. By not identifying the correct problem, we can’t enact effective solutions.

Just a reminder of where you started this convo. Not sure how you’re not implying racist intent. Just seems like you assume the worst in people.

Not sure what hip words you’re referring to. Just normal common sense and reasoning 🤣🤣 So you’re not a minority, you think that it’s a race problem not a nepotism problem but you’re cool enough with it to still support them. Gotcha. 🖍 Agree to disagree.

Wow, so much to unwrap here. Pretty intense signaling going on here. Probably not a minority. I promise you, the owners are not racists circa 1950’s. Both the owners and the coach candidates are individuals. They make decisions as individuals. Trying to color this complex situations with simple crayon strokes (Must be racist) is lazy. Must be race. Only explanation. My questions is why would you support a league run by people who you think are blatant racists? Why are you giving rich white racists your time/money? I don’t think they’re racists so my conscience is clear...

Wow the way the Bills reacted and walled off the O to block was amazing!

I still don’t get this. The number of minority HC coaches in the NFL is perfectly in line with demographics. Just because the player pool is grossly imbalanced, doesn’t mean all aspects that touch it also have to be this imbalanced. The only way this makes sense, is if the NFL is straight up admitting that NFL execs/owners are full throated racists who need to be brought to heel. I have ZERO confidence that this is the case. The goal should be to break down the ol’ boys club where coaches sons and BS like that get positions while others who are much more promising are looked over. This isn’t a race issue, it’s a nepotism issue. That’s where the focus should be becuase as a previous posted mentioned, why would you EVER hire a non-minority in any position below, OC/DC or GM?

The virtue signaling is strong with this white guy lol.

Worst playoff win in 25 years 😔

To me this felt like the official passing of the torch. Reich represented the last era of great Bills football. Solid head coach, solid team, vet QB. Like a gatekeeper. IMO this win felt like the last era giving this era a final test before giving them their blessing. The end of the Flutie curse and IMO the end of the bittersweet 4 SBs in a row. I’ve heard a lot of people being down on the Bills for how we won, but like the 1st Pats win, once you get over the hump, you KNOW you can do it again. Im looking forward to seeing a focused and determined Bills team next week, and the two games after that. GO BILLS!!!!

I agree it was essentially a pre-season game with the way their D was playing. But his decisiveness popped a bit and it was refreshing to see. The coach's reaction to his first run and the team's reaction to his TDs tells me that he has some fans on the team. *shrug* but I'm a fan reading imagined tea leaves and will trust the coach's decision concerning this situation. Maybe he's another Wade (can he be called up for the post season??!! /sarc) But man it was nice watching AW run.

Why would the Texans give KC more draft ammo when they are the #1 target in the AFC right now. Sucks for Bieniemy but I understand.

Completely agree but you have to admit, he was running with power and decisiveness. Something I've been DYING to see from our starting RBs. Every year you see Rookie RBs come in and dominate. It's been a bit of a disappointment that ours have not had that success.

Yup I was just thinking that there is probably no better time to sell those rights than right now! It's absolutely a seller's market right now. Love it!

I'll admit to being a big Edmunds doubter. When I re-watch games, I just watch him on D and I swear to god it's the most frustrating thing. I KNOW that I don't understand the assignments. I've watched a few film sessions and had it explained to me that he was actually doing the right thing. But it seems he almost plays 1/2 hearted. No intensity, and usually only entering a play once it's already been made. As you said, No Impact. That said, he was on GMFB and in that interview, he talked about his family training in the offseason. What he described made it seem that football season is almost a break from his Mom's training routine. They are a family of athletes that push each other HARD! I've started to see him during games now, instead of having to look for him on the replay. It seems like he's on an upward trajectory and without a doubt, he will get better. How much better is a legit question, but with a family structure with that much focus, I'm willing to wait a bit more and see.

Beas still looks a little hesitant and careful. Like he’s testing things out. Hopefully he’s getting “his legs under him” and just needs to knock off some rust.

I hate them both. But what gets me when people talk about the Brady/BB split is that it’s not like they walked away equal partners on equal footing. Brady stepped out of a custom vehicle that was built specifically to his every preference and into a Supercar. Maybe it’s not as custom as the one he had, but it’s an amazing vehicle. BB walked away with a custom vehicle built to the last drivers preferences. Now he has to find a new driver that is close enough to drive the custom vehicle down the road, until he can find a decent enough long term driver to start customizing the car to his specs. Can’t compare who made who just yet. Did I mention that I hate them both...

First, I will concede that because of how this played out, it's easier for me to look back and say that playing them was the right choice. I will also concede that not all examples will have the same result so I don't consider your position to be wrong even in this instance. Now concerning the bolded I disagree. The Bills walked away from that game with a TON more momentum and swagger than they would've if they rested their starters, potentially losing the game (of course with the way our backups played, we may still have crushed them!). We historically dismantled the #1 scoring Defense in a way never done before. We are the hottest team entering the playoffs and the Team now knows that there is no defense that can stop them. That has value. That feeling of invincibility is hard earned and IMO it would not have been as prominent if the blowout didn't happen. Look at the ferocity our 2nd's played with. It was that supreme confidence that allowed them to "play up" to their competition. They weren't intimidated, they intimidated. That is 100% morale. The 2nds performing so well is an example of the old saying, "If you don't think you can do it, you will always be right". They obviously "knew that they could". I guess the part I can't get on board with you on is that they didn't LOSE swagger. While technically true, The Bills would've lost the opportunity to GAIN swagger and momentum. I contend, that for THIS Bills team, we can use all the swagger and momentum we can grab. In the examples you provided, while relevant, don't paint the same picture as our current situation: Pats '14, They were ALREADY a multi-Superbowl winning franchise with a consensus All-Pro QB playing a craptastic, non-threatening Bills team. Put another way, the Mia game would not have been as important if Mia was having a similar season as the Jets. The Pats beating the Bills didn't prove anything. STOMPING a 10 win, #1 scoring D team looking to get into the post season is just a different animal IMO. The Pats already had swagger/confidence because they already won the big game. If we were in that position (Like the Chiefs this year) we'd probably approach the Mia game differently. Ravens '12, I mean, as I conceded, not all examples will support my side as I believe there is no 100% correct decision in 100% of scenarios. Sitting their guys was obviously the right choice for them at the time. I will say that winning their game, much like the Pats example, wasn't against such a high quality opponent. They're winning that game had zero potential to gain momentum or swagger and I contend that the Mia game did. So I suppose my position is that they had a solid opportunity to GAIN momentum/swagger entering what they hope is the first winning post season in decades. I don't FEEL (very subjective) that your examples would have provided the teams involved with the same potential.

Honestly I HOPE they show up ready to play Sunday...by then, we'd already have won!

I would have preferred an accurate test to begin with.

Finally some information past "now on Covid list". I hope those last two recover soon! I found it very interesting that the topic of conversation was more about game impacts than the actual health of the players who have contracted a deadly virus. Not sure what you're hinting at here. This is where we discuss Covid infections, I wanted to know more than "he got it" and was surprised to not see more follow-up in this thread. A normal question for a fan of football concerned about the health of players!

Wait did the guy say he was the "Whitest" wide receiver????