Richard Noggin

My only disagreement is with your assessment of the depth at S. I think Johnson, and especially Hamlin (as you've noted) have earned on-field roles. Johnson is the punt team "protector," which is right behind the gunners in terms of value/impact. And Hamlin was seeing the field on D late in the season, which ain't easy to do given the guys in front of him on the depth chart. So I think one of those two young guys is in line to replace one of the two established vets as soon as 2023. Most likely Hamlin (and I don't know which guy he replaces). It COULD happen this year, but that isn't how this regime has handled roster decisions to date (moving on from core guys VERY pre-emptively). At some point you'd guess McBeane will have to stop overvaluing experience and leadership in order to keep the cap in good shape, but I'm thinking 2022 is too soon for their beloved safeties. Weren't Hyde and Poyer McD's first signings (assuming Whaley wasn't exactly in charge at that point)?

These offensive coaching replacements feel like upgrades. Bodes well for McDermott's continued growth/willingness to evolve.

This loss is probably bigger than many fans and commentators will recognize, given Webb's sizable contributions as an offensive (and I think defensive assistant, if I'm remembering correctly) quality control coach AND as one of Josh Allen's best friends on the team and definitely in the QB room. Luckily, Allen has probably progressed to the point now that he's ready to fill in that preparation gap created by Webb's departure. And of course the apparently excellent relationship between Dorsey and Allen might entirely mitigate Webb's absence during game prep. Am I right that Webb even helped the D prepare/break down film each week? Anyone with the maturity to perform a 10-to-30-second Google search or two?

Kind of sensed that what'd happened. He makes the cap space expand nicely, but doesn't make as much sense ON THE FIELD as the other cuts you discussed. I'd keep him, too, based on the replacements you've floated. O-line is just too darned important at this point in our build to willfully enter the season with self-inflicted question marks and depth issues. He looked good at RG in 2021. Like moving a veteran CB who has marginal top end speed to S, maybe sliding a healthy, but not super nimble Williams, inside to G, maximizes his abilities (while unfortunately being pricey because we paid him to be a T).

The 7-figure annual salary would entice me to swallow some pride in the event someone offered me such a job. Sacrifice for a year or two (doing what you ostensibly love) and forever stabilize your family's finances? Sign me up.

You don't analyze or comment on cutting Williams, but there he is in your conclusion. Who replaces him? Wasn't he pretty good this year when at RG? Especially given that the guy next to him was a rookie who had significant ups and downs. Can't be creating holes without a plan to fill them with a net positive result for the roster overall. Also, I'm not coming after you, just looking for rationale for including Williams in your cut list.

They've viewed him as a starter the last two seasons, though, haven't they? Definitely this past season, at least. Last season (2020) they brought in competition for him (Norman), but they didn't really do that this year, did they (I'm asking sincerely)?

So as a former post-secondary educator, and someone who worked hard to keep up with best practice in the teaching of underprepared and first generation learners especially, what McDaniel is describing here is "transparency." A teacher, or coach, can foster more trust, buy-in, and efficacy by giving students, or players, an honest look behind the curtain. Essentially: this is what we're doing, this is why we're doing it and how it will benefit you (and/or the team) in the short- and long-term, and this is how you'll be evaluated on it. It's a whole school of scholarship in pedagogical design. And it's just an authentic way to reach diverse learning cohorts.

Even Allen himself has begun admitting the obvious, that his body takes a beating during the season. I'm sure most of us have heard little mentions in interviews. He's young enough and strong enough and lucky enough thus far to still be effective even when sore and to bounce back in the offseason. But NO ONE escapes the toll that repeated NFL collisions take on the human body (except maybe Adrian Peterson). We all know that annoying, empty vessel (who wore #12 and recently retired to much fanfare) consistently and sheepishly (and maybe smartly) avoided hits like that other whiner, Marino. Except that one time decades ago. Bless you, Nate Clements.

A few of those measurables, especially height, arm length, and wingspan, are coveted by many teams. And for a starter who played almost exclusively press man in college (on a top defense), and has since played a heavier zone scheme in the pros (on a top defense)…the guy offers an intriguing blend of youth, experience, versatility, and availability. Maybe the Spotrac number is a bit optimistic, or maybe Wallace stepping up this season before AND after Tre's injury has finally earned him a serious contract from at least one of the 32 teams always looking for CB help.

And someone is alleging that was 100% intentional.

Does Will Fuller actually PLAY football? I know he's been on rosters, but...

Plus, above-average CBs are relatively expensive in FA, if they even reach FA. Once you've got your QB, ya gotta keep the prospect pipeline stocked at DL, DB, and/or WR. Those individual freaks tip the balance. Other positions and groups (like OL but not necessarily based on individual talents/pedigrees) still matter, but the elite guys who play out there in space (DB and WR), or perhaps prevent the QB from involving them (DL), matter most. Sounds perfect for the Bills. What a steal that would be so late in the 1st round.

With respect to the bolded: yes, the "grand scheme of things" suggests we should reserve or at least temper judgment for any single one of Beane's moves, given the overall results to date. However, let's not allow good to be the enemy of great here, either. The Bills need to see better returns on their cap investments moving forward. Just because they've made the playoffs recently doesn't mean we can't critique the roster build and cap construction moving forward. In fact, it means there is LESS room for error and bloat. Paying an ELITE QB tightens the margins considerably (which is a good problem to have).

Read as a continuous sentence, as typed, this means something completely different (and potentially fascinating) than what you intend.

You say it's not hyperbole, your criticism of what happened against KC, and at first I disagreed with that characterization (that it isn't hyperbole), given the emotional language invoked ("scared," "embarrassing," "weak," etc.). But by the end I'm actually mostly on board with your take. The Frazier defensive plan does NOT seem to work against elite offenses/QBs. They have answers to simple, repetitive riddles, no matter how awesome the safeties are.

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.