Richard Noggin

That made me happy. And that ain't easy to do. (Full disclosure I have a daughter younger than her so I'm forever susceptible to this kind of manipulative propaganda. TAKE IT DOWN before the good vibrations spread to the general population!)

Not a super in-depth dive on the subject, the SI piece. But maybe that speaks to the obviousness of the author's premise: Miami is sinking, and anyone smart should steer clear. Staying in San Fran to work with Lance carries with it a different level of risk, of course. Will he be able to run the show now? If so, everyone looks good. We can all see how that Shanahan offense seems able to operate almost independently of its QB's particular skillset. But if he doesn't perform...that sets back a guy like McDaniel.

I'd argue, after watching the playoffs, that Tua is actually better than Jimmy G. They're very similar, except that Tua moves better and seems to have a little more moxy (whatever that means). He's a better prospect, despite both of them being limited with respect to size and arm strength. Both are are serviceable game managers who lack upside. Neither is scary.

Okay, the agreement "we" have is that the Rooney Rule forces "sham" or "token" interviews, rather than the lack of representation is a serious problem requiring solutions. I don't disagree with that assessment of general fan sentiment.

I'm keenly interested in those two 3rd-and-shorts against KC where the Bills ran the ball unsuccessfully and then punted; would Dorsey call those situations differently knowing he's got Josh Freaking Allen at QB in an elimination game? Would they still take the ball out of his hands? Would they still run on 3rd without also planning to go for it on 4th? Oftentimes a 3rd-and-short run pairs with a 4th down attempt. How will Dorsey and McD synch up on these situational play calls/sequences?

Didn't the Bills successfully employ a 5-man D-line (a 5-2-4 with Edmunds aligned on the edge) against the 49ers in 2020? And didn't they often utilize 3 LBs against the Pats the 2nd time this year and again in the playoffs? I know those are only a few examples, but I think the failures-to-adjust often loom larger than the successes-to-do-so. That being shared, I STRONGLY believe the Bills D is too damned predictable, especially in critical passing situations (which often decide games).

Of course I mostly agree with you here. But..when you say "we" are aware of the situation already, who all is included in that collective? Because I've read posters in this thread who absolutely DO agree with it, and I've read those who do NOT. My point is that there is NOT yet a consensus that equitable representation and opportunity is a problem in the NFL. Therefore the stir caused by this lawsuit could bring about broader, popular awareness and attention that might force or perhaps inspire tangible change. How such change would actually transpire is beyond my capacity for optimism. It's a fraught campaign.

Who?

It's amazing posters haven't forced the mods' hands on this thread already. Can't imagine how many posts have been deleted, or at least how many private warnings have been issued. We are a fanbase/region/nation divided with respect to worldviews. I'd just like to posit the approach that maybe, just maybe, given the entirety of the history of Western Civilization, that we consider power dynamics, and grant some grace to those speaking their truths to power. In this case, let's allow that maybe Flores (and apparently whomever else has signed on to this class action suit) have at least some merit to their claims. It's entirely possible to hold onto one's pre-conceived personal views on these sensitive issues AND exercise a modicum of empathy and open-mindedness until more information comes to light. History tells us those in power are usually guilty to some extent of trying, even unconsciously, to maintain the status quo. It takes unpopular whistle blowers, sometimes, to shed specific light on this reality. But what do I know.

Okay, thank you for this. Obviously the gameplan did NOT work, even a little bit. I remember the Bills missing TONS of tackles, though. Reminds me a little of the approach to the Chiefs last regular season, insofar as the Bills were unable to execute when the opposition did as invited to do (run relentlessly). Might be that they didn't have the personnel to win their chosen matchups, which represents a failure of self-scouting among other things. And also, you have to effing switch it up a LITTLE, don't you?! Unless you've got just objectively superior talent, you have to keep a competent offense guessing from time to time.

Say it ain't so. To my ears that sounds...disqualifying.

Is the bolded true? Can you share where you learned this? That can't be true. Please don't let it be true.

d o o s h thinking on display here. Be better.

Bit far out to predict, no?

A full year (or more) before drafting him, Beane I think went on AND off the record about "that big kid in Wyoming." He was openly hoping Allen had a down year leading up to the draft so they'd have a shot at him. And he meant it. (I definitely overheard something to this effect at Tempo.) Maybe he truly didn't believe he'd have a chance at him, so had no qualms admitting the interest?

So the guy whose offensive players LOVE him and the trust he places in them, who is now HC of a big market franchise...that guy replacing an admittedly uninspiring hire after just one season (Dennison was hired during an offseason when no one wanted to come to Buffalo) means "McDs OC hires thus far have been underwhelming"?

But...Jim Kelly derp derp blah!

Love this breakdown. Wonder if Chad Hall would be the guy to push this WR-centric offensive growth? (I'm a Dorsey guy, FWIW.) I know he's got more credibility WITHIN NFL team circles than he does in popular forums, like TBD.

I was fortunate as a long-tenured server at Tempo to watch so many coaches, front office personnel, and players interact with each other...and I'll admit, Hackett was one of the most boisterous and intense football minds even while out to eat. Really got caught up in talking football with his fellow coaches who were less...engaged. Marrone, on the contrary, was boastful and self-satisfied. I came away impressed with Hackett's football righteousness. For whatever it's worth (and it might be worth a little something on strictly relative terms, closely witnessing so many intimate interactions and comparing them to one another). The amount of access a few of us had back then was pretty crazy.

One of Johnson or Hamlin (the Bills #3 and 4 safeties on the depth chart) will be a PLAYER in this league. My money is on Hamlin. They're learning from the best players and coaches (w/r/t secondary play), and one thing the Bills do at an elite level is identify potential in DB prospects. All the ingredients. The Bills need to worry more about LB and DL.

Sign Byron Pringle? Get er done?

That's all fine and good and as usual I mostly agree. But I wasn't making any of those points you're countering. Carry on!

Eff it; you've got Josh freaking Allen. You can afford to play a more aggressive defensive scheme, and potentially forcing an early turnover or two could really let an offense like ours put a team away. Giving up some big plays here and there, as we've seen, won't burry this offense when it's playing unbridled. Aggression is the key to a team featuring Josh Allen. Or whatever. Probably just not in McD's DNA either way.

No, I just don't see things as simply black and white the way you do. I genuinely wonder about the myriad variables influencing career trajectories. You are a smart poster, but you are also not terribly flexible in your thinking when challenged or even simply questioned.

Hey, I'm mostly asking questions that I think shouldn't be overlooked. Circumstances have SO MUCH to do with any given player's success, but especially at the QB position. How things ultimately do turn out for young QBs in the NFL don't necessarily reflect the only way they could have happened. How many highly-regarded prospects could have benefitted from a complete redshirt rookie season and excellent one-on-one coaching, with elite weapons already flourishing in a dynamic scheme waiting for him once he took the field in year two?