ROCBillsBeliever

-(A given) No injuries. -A Darby fricassee by Zay Jones. -Boldin + Tyrod connection growing stronger. -No dummy penalties. -A JWil TD scamper. -FB screens galore. -Yarbrough dominance continued. -Our CB's stepping up with INT's. -Peterman able to direct a high-pressure drive (ie. An end of the halfer or one where he overcomes some 3rd and longs). -PBrown & Hodges directing LB traffic.

December 7th, 1941, or August 11th, 2017? I feel like we won't be able to truly evaluate this until about 2020, as draft picks mature, and our--hoped-for--franchise QB emerges... still, WOW! My question: When do all of you TSWers think we'll be able to judge today's moves? What will be the points upon which you judge the moves? Is it all for the franchise QB, or is this more of a re-shaping of the way we will be building rosters under this regime? I'd love to hear your insights!

Is this the real life???

I can't get the embed to work... but you get the idea. I know, right?

Every single year, it seems as though a rash of either terrible injuries or impossibly bad fortune decimates the Bills. I'm not saying I'm glad about Tanny going down, but I am relieved that for one time in the nearly four decades I've been alive, a major injury or ridiculously impossible, playoff-hope-defeating play DIDN'T happen to the Bills. I would say football isn't fair, but look... let's be honest... football has NOT been fair to the Bills... Ever... I mean, our curse is part of the social lexicon... X-Files, anyone? https://www.youtube.com/embed/NyhAJEPEHk4 Yeah... we have been screwed by mis-aligned stars, stupid coaching (10 on the field, HEX Ryan...), freak injuries (1st and 2nd round pick last year: Ragland & Shaq), Bryce Brown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wvG0b9_pNQ), Kevin Kolb's mat-slip leading to the all-too-early introduction of E.J. Manuel, E.J. Manuel (in general), The Music City Miracle ( ), Scott Norwood ( )... I could write 100+ pages worth of irrationally bad things that have happened to the Bills. Am I happy about Tanny going down? NO! It sucks. He seems like a good guy, and he's worked hard to become an above-average starter in this league. He's no Jarvis Landry (who, IMHO, should be out of the league for ending AW's career); I have no hate for Tanny. At the same time, am I relieved that, FOR ONCE (other than the one year Brady was injured, which we, of course, DID NOT capitalize on), the shitclouds didn't dump all on Buffalo? ABSO-FU*#%@^-LOUTELY!!!

Thanks for the ray of hope, Promo! I agree: it seems like we got a steal in Hodges, who we have yet to see really play here in camp. I'm looking forward to seeing him hit, and to see his purported cover-skills in game-action against the Vikings and during the red/white scrimmages coming up this week. Also, if Ragland ends up being depth, that's some seriously talented depth (SEC Defensive P.O.Y. in 2015!). Add to Rags the fact that I heard that Vallejo and Milano have mixed in with the 1's at camp, and that Milano had a really nice pick-6 the other day. Maybe our depth isn't as bad as people think!

CJ was still a developmental QB, without room on the roster / enough reps to develop here. With the Chargers, at least he has a better opportunity to be a #2, to get the reps that may allow him to develop--hey, we don't know if he ever will, but at least he is in a better position there. A Lynn knows, and likes Jones (see the following article from Chargers.com): http://www.chargers.com/news/2017/07/26/head-coach-anthony-lynn-opens-about-trade-qb-cardale-jones In a way, I feel like this was an act of kindness by the Bills staff. They knew Jones would likely be cut. They probably didn't hate the guy; he just wasn't their guy. I applaud McDermott & Beane for having the kindness to put the kid in a position where he can at least try to succeed. That was thoughtful of them. And I can't really blame McD & Beane for trading away a guy they weren't invested in for something, rather than just cutting him for nothing. Jones is clearly a Whaley pick, and the new regime wanted to move on. Can't say it's a "win" when we move a 4th (let's be honest... Cardalle was the LAST pick--compensatory pick--in the 4th = 5th round) for a 7th, BUT the Bills of old would have cut him for nothing. That's not a win; it's cutting your losses. It's a good move for Cardalle's career--whatever may come of it--and for us, trying to make something out of what would be a cut player. I cannot be against this move, as it helps all parties involved. Maybe this new regime is taking small steps towards doing what's right, in both a football sense (making something out of what would otherwise be a total loss for us) and a personal sense (giving Jones a shot to succeed, even if it isn't here).

par73: Not disagreeing on the article as a whole, or people's perception of Taylor's future, at that time... my OP said I have issue with the hyperbolic negativity. We are in agreement, bud. yungmack: Thanks for seeing this. Isn't that kind of a reporter's job: to report on what's actually happening, rather than just automatically gainsaying a team's actions, and doing so in a blatently negative manner? That's what I'm trying to get at, here. You get it! matter2003: Accurate. @ jumbalaya WRONG... Where did I say that? I said, as did Taylor, as Sal even quoted, that it wasn't certain. Sal went into negative autopilot mode... THAT'S what bugs me about the regional media... Auto-negativity. Let's see some posi-press... we are more than half a year removed from all that went down in that Jets game, and still Sal dredges up dirty sewage, rather than choosing to write something possibly hopeful about the upcoming camp. I, for one, am excited to catch some camp practices this year. Couldn't the local reports at least put on a facade of being excited about this year's revamped Bills?

My claim for inflammatory language was based on the following quote, directly from Sal: "New Years’ Day, MetLife Stadium in the swamps of New Jersey, and Tyrod Taylor’s career with the Buffalo Bills seemed as deceased as Jimmy Hoffa." Wikipedia's definition of hyperbole (note: Hyperbole is NOT a bush-league bowl game for 6-win collegiate programs): Hyperbole From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hyperbole (ˈ/haɪˈpɜːrbəli/; Ancient Greek: ὑπερβολή, huperbolḗ, from ὑπέρ (hupér, “above”) and βάλλω (bállō, "I throw")) is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. In rhetoric, it is also sometimes known as auxesis (lit. "growth"). In poetry and oratory, it emphasizes, evokes strong feelings, and creates strong impressions. Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole ... I rest my case.

buffalostu2 - There you go: another positive that came out of the situation. Again: I just get tired of all the negativity the media directs at the Bills' every move. Thanks for being posi! Go Bills!

You're actually right! I actually read his drivel... When will I learn?

An article published in the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle yesterday had me fed up with one aspect of the Bills-bashing culture in our regional media outlets. Give this a quick read: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2017/07/23/buffalo-bills-tyrod-taylor-franchise-quarterback/490092001/ What I have an issue with is HOW nearly all of the media outlets have chosen to paint Tyrod's benching in the final game against the Jets as, and I quote Sal here, "the team essentially tipped its hand regarding Taylor’s future with the team." He also led with the absolutely inflammatory line: "New Years’ Day, MetLife Stadium in the swamps of New Jersey, and Tyrod Taylor’s career with the Buffalo Bills seemed as deceased as Jimmy Hoffa," concerning Taylor's benching. We all know how things turned out: we kept Taylor; however, at that time--and we continue to hear the regional media barking about this, non-stop, nearly half a year later--nobody seemed to actually know what the benching meant. Here are Tyrod's words on the subject (Sal actually included the quote in his article, but ONLY looked at it from a negative standpoint): "The next day, after cleaning out his locker, Taylor acknowledged that his time in Buffalo was probably over after two flashy but ultimately uninspiring seasons. “I mean that’s fair to say,” Taylor said. “That’s what it showed. That’s what I think it showed. But at the same time, the conversation wasn’t detailed enough to know if that was the case or not.” What I have issue with is that our regional media--in general here--tends to ALWAYS pick the negative side of the issue. Tyrod himself wasn't sure whether the benching meant his time was up in Buffalo, or that it meant something else. I'll be the first to conceed that it was handled poorly by the Bills brass (it's probably Whaley's fault... Whaley's gone rogue! Fire him! Oh... wait... nvm...). BUT why can't our writers EVER even entertain a potentially positive spin? I look at Taylor's benching as one last opportunity for the team to see if E.J. Manuel was worth re-signing as our backup QB, and a chance to look at Cardale Jones (albiet, an abbreviated one; I believe they should have given him the entire second half, but that's another matter). My point is that our regional media consistently chooses to paint most Buffalo Bills' moves in a negative light (in Sal's case here, he even turns the dagger with the Hoffa quote). Why don't we ever see a hint of positivity, when there clearly could be more than one side to the story? Does anyone else agree with me?

And I quote, from the article: "It will also include “step-by-step action steps” designed for readers to use in order to increase their own productivity in a way similar to the Patriots quarterback." http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/06/tom-brady-to-release-book-in-September/ Tom Brady personally invites you to the Department of Redundancy Department, in person!

Just an update to my OP: http://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2717515-nfl-rookies-who-already-look-like-draft-day-steals First player listed as a draft-day steal: Samaje Perine... #justsayin'

"Dammit, Irsay, that was supposed to be a private tweet, sent ONLY to me!"

I can compare cap situations, and the resulting player cuts that have led to our current potential to sign Jeremy Maclin. I'm talking about a specific situation Bills fans have bemoaned, in the light of irrefutable proof that other teams have made similar mistakes. That is my comparison. If you have a counterpoint, fire away. Facts used: -Bills cap space: $16 mil -Chiefs cut Maclin because they could not afford to sign their draft class. -Ravens camp space: $2 mil I'm pretty sure I've heard enough opinions on this board about the Bills being mismanaged and in cap hell to know that the opinions are out there. I'm asking people to stop being so blindly negative about the Bills, when they don't even realize that other teams make similar, if not more egregious, management mistakes.

Lots of people out there asked those three specific questions and made those three specific recommendations. Tons of people! They're considering damming the Niagra River because too many of those specific opinions are flowing over the falls... --CASE RESTED-- P.S. If you have a take on my points, I'm all ears.

So, there is a persistent and staunchly held belief that the Bills have been in "Cap Hell" or "Cap Jail" for infinity years... (yeah... that was intentionally bad grammar, reflective of the intelligence quotient of the aforementioned belief-holders) due to Whaley/Brandon/Terry/Fill-in-the-blank... There has been so much finger-pointing (in a variety of directions) that you would think we are the Kansas City Chiefs... Let's take a step back, Bills fans. The ONLY reason we have to be excited about the POTENTIAL to sign Jeremy Maclin is that THE CHIEFS (a.k.a. NOT THE BILLS) are in ACTUAL CAP JAIL / HELL / PRISON. They cut Maclin NOT because of injury or lack of production, but because they COULD NOT SIGN THEIR DRAFT CLASS, due to their gross cap mismanagement. The Chiefs aren't a laughingstock, like the Browns and Jets; in fact, posters on this very message board have looked up to the Chiefs as a well-run organization. In light of this, I have three serious questions, Bills "fans": Question #1: If the Chiefs are such a well-run organization, HOW did they let themselves get into the situation that led to Maclin's cut? Question #2: If the Bills are such a poorly run organization, HOW do we have nearly $16 million in cap space, JUST in time for them to sign Maclin? Question #3: If the Ravens--people say they're much better run than us lowly Bills--only have about $2 million in cap space, and are one of the main rivals in the Maclin race, HOW are they better-run than we are? Maybe we, as Bills fans, need to recognize that we aren't always a poorly run organization. Maybe we, as Bills fans, need to realize that other teams make foolish mistakes, AND we--as an organization--can capitalize on those mistakes, as in the case of Maclin. Maybe we, as Bills fans, should curtail the ragging on our front office / coaches / owners, and realize that NOT everything they do is THE WORST THING EVER... It's sunny outside... Have a beer on your porch and f%#^&$ SMILE for once! We aren't the worst organization ever, and we are working on signing a very good WR because OTHER TEAMS make mistakes, too! --END RANT--

fwiw, Peterman was the top rated prospect remaining. I liken him to Kevin Hogan, from Stanford, a few years back; hopefully he doesn't flame out, as Hogan did. This late in the 5th, he is a developmental pick and a complete steal! Also of note, the ONLY QB to beat Clemson last year... watch that tape. He was efficient!

34 Rush, in Batavia, with the Numb Bills Podcast crew (https://numbbillsfan.podbean.com/).

That is a very tough choice! The only things I noticed more of from Perine than Conner was that Perine flashed a little more in the pass catching and pass blocking than Conner did. Generally, though, their runs and running styles are very similar, although I would stick with my initial post, saying that Perine "bounces" off more tacklers, while Conner drives through more of them. Some of Conner's best runs show him dragging people until they just can't hang on anymore. Both are very good, and it's hard to argue which style is "better". His pass catching and blocking have me giving Perine a slight edge, but only slight. I don't know how other teams are viewing Conner, but Walter Football has him ranked at #17. If Perine is gone by the 5th--definite possibility--I am all for landing Conner, but either would be excellent 5th round pick. Thanks much! Yeah, I'm just hoping he slides, because his value in the 5th would be a real steal!

I'm not saying a superlative talent like any that you mentioned can't be successful, upright runners in the NFL, but to say Foreman is as talented as OJ, George, Smith, or Dickerson would be a bit of a stretch. I'm Venn-diagraming 5th round pick value with best available talent with need for a one-cut, Gilly-style, punch #2-to-Shady's-punch #1. That's where I'm getting Perine: best match for all three categories. Foreman would likely require a 3rd or 4th, due to hype / perceived value. He may end up a better back, but I'm only looking to spend a 5th here. Follow me? In other words, an argument without given constraints is blather, and doesn't further an idea because it is inherently too broad and open for misinterpretation. I'm only arguing within my aforementioned constraints, nothing more.

Ah, yeah, that is a good point. Perine did display some catching ability on tape, as I said, but I don't believe that was how OU used him, primarily. Mixon was more of the do-everything back, so you may be right in that Perine could be an indicator of a run-only play. He is strong enough, and has shown potential as a blocking back in pass-pro, and--despite the fact that we have Demarco and Tolbert--could be used as a FB or a one-cut option in two-back sets. You are right in that it may take him a year to work his way in, but I see a 5th round RB--given that we also have J. Williams--as good draft spot to bring in someone who could win that RB2 / change-of-pace spot, provide depth if Shady is injured, and who could eventually be the full-time RB2, if J. Williams or a futre addition ends up stepping in for Shady when he retires. You don't take Perine to be the RB1, unless you want to be like NE last year, where they had a bruiser--Blount--who could cut a bit as RB1. We're just set up with a completely different style of RB1 because of the luxury of having a back as good as Shady.

Hap: Good questions! -He did display good hands and a surprising catch radius on a few plays I saw. I'm also not as concerned with drafting him as a pass catching back. We have a known--and HOF caliber--quantity in Shady. Remember: I'm not advocating drafting him as Shady's replacement, but as his compliment. -Good catch on the rushing record. In response, keep in mind that he was splitting time with Joe Mixon. OU had two excellent backs, and clearly Mixon got a lot of carries, too. If Perine was the featured back throughout his career, I would be more concerned about tread on the tires. I think he should be alright in that department. -The other positive in running "behind" Mixon is that Perine hasn't gotten as much hype / limelight. This could lead to further de-valuation of him, as a prospect, which would help drop him to us in the 5th. All good things

Another quick note on the stiff-arm / upright runner point: I have seen some posts about Texas RB D'Onta Foreman being a good fit for the Bills (i.e. One-cut back, good in short-yardage, BIG back). All of these estimates are true, from the tape of him I've watched; HOWEVER, Foreman--as compared to Perine--has the following flaws (some physical; some "hype-imposed" by draftniks): -Upright runner. Due to his height + running style, he is easier to tackle than the low-running / bulldozer-style Perine. -Too "stiff" of a stiff-arm. Defenders see it coming and avoid it. Watch his tape. -Ranked higher by many draftniks (Walter Football has him at 6th best RB), meaning we may have to use our 3rd for him... I want that 3rd for a CD/S/WR! I don't think he would be as good of a value pick for us, as he would likely require a higher pick than Perine, and the upright running makes me wary that he would be an easier tackle for LB's / DB's. Just my two cents.