Richard Noggin

Makes one wonder about Epenesa's prescribed, dramatic and counter-intuitive transformation from a big, long, physically strong and stout DE to a long but lean DE with questionable explosion and bend for his avg weight. Coming out of college, he seemed like the perfect fit for an odd-front defensive scheme that would value his natural strength, length, and leverage. Like a Pitt or GB or Bal type of landing spot. A 5T DE in a 3-4 alignment. Someone they'd want to see ADDING weight and strength, leaning into his traits. He'll never be twitchy and bendy, so why not maximize what he CAN be? A big, tall bully on the edge. That was my take on AJ Epenesa's best NFL projection. Still is, to be honest. The fact that he obviously overshot his weight loss targets in year one, thereby neutralizing his previously natural strength and leverage, was a multi-layered failure. The 2020 pandemic offseason was no time to ask that rookie to radically redefine his body composition and effectively weaken his strengths. Coleman and Rousseau, conversely and correctly, should both be steering INTO their strengths and lengths and getting bigger and stronger. Hell yeah.

What an awesome post. The bit about our smaller (often banged-up WRs) getting bodied in the playoffs is accurate. So then it was best when Allen had a diverse/transitional WR crew in Davis, Diggs, and Beasley (and Sanders, sort of), and the bigger outside deep threat was able to beat the Chiefs man and maybe sometimes quarters/cover-3 (?) pressure looks all game long. Also, the slot WR reeled in some vital 1st downs. WR1 disappeared utterly and completely (3 for 7yds WTF). But still they did enough. Possible they've got similar depth and diversity of skills in 2025. No one as good as Diggs, but maybe a grittier, deeper, more physical WR room (especially in weeks 19+).

(I actually get what you're saying here and agree, but) what an insane thing to read lol "cerebral" is just a wild term to apply to a guy like him, in any capacity. For example: those early tweets, which were harmless, were clearly the musings of a very special buddy. Josh Reed had exactly ONE pro season where he absolutely displayed the hands and tenacity that had previously won him the Biletnikoff in college. (But outside that year, those hands were SUSPECT.) This highlight reel is a solid retort to the more comprehensive negativity about Kincaid in this thread. I share many concerns about him, and more after last season, but it's not impossible that he'd improve in year 3. Sure hope he's putting in the work.

'Shakes, or milkshakes, specifically require ice cream and liquid dairy (or something(s) similar). Smoothies don't have such a requirement that I'm aware of. Unless you see "smoothie" as always short for "fruit smoothie," in which case, you got me. I'll bet Shedeur Sanders could help us understand how football families define these terms. And finally, I guess we both chose screen names that reveal something identifying about us.

Difficult to argue with this (plus I mostly agree). But to be fair to me, I was specific about it being a "volume/production" thing with Roman's passing offenses. Efficiency wasn't at all my focus.

Guess the initial thrust of this thread is that fans aren't literally seeing the "growth" there's so much room for (in that one image, mind you)

Isn't Prather a couple inches taller and much longer legged/longer strider? (I should click on @The Jokeman's link, prolly, huh)

What are you wearing while you do this? That, sir, is a smoothie. I drink them daily. (The Ninja Bullet is an ideal tool for this.)

1st round pick Q Johnston? (I know he looked lost as a rookie, and carries that dreaded "contested catch" college reputation...)

NHL playoffs annually is a great example of this relentless, selfless approach to team sports that works especially well when even the most talented guys buy in. It's a winning approach. Talent can still tip the balance, of course. Those Cowboys teams in the 90s, for example. The Eagles right now. Etc.

Totally fair. Just saying that his '24 production should be asterisked. Ladd definitely showed he's got legit chops. But Roman has a slanted track record with respect to passing volume/production.

This hurts so good.

I don't think Goff's documented production or his tape supports such a dismissive assessment of his ability. "A less talented Kirk Cousins" is a crazy claim. #1 overall pick with a better athletic profile and college pedigree who's had SO MUCH more NFL success...it's just not close. I get that they're both pocket guys who throw a nice intermediate in-breaker, but come on!

One cannot summarily dismiss the impact of Greg Roman's arrival on Palmer's 2024 production.

I suspect I'll never be able to quit watching, unless the Bills leave WNY. But I'll be fine watching from the comfort of my couch or my buddy's garage rather than at the stadium, if/when that time comes.

Despite the "30 year" PSLs we've almost paid off already for our 2 seats in the new stadium, I can't envision us keeping up with these recurring obligations more than a few years from now. My ticket partner is my 73 year-old mother (I'm almost 47), who first attended home games at The Rockpile in the mid-'60s with her Italian father despite my Sicilian grandmother's fatalistic/racist objections. So...when Allen eventually retires, hopefully not for 8-10 years, but possibly sooner...will I still be accompanying my mom to the games? Could depend on their championship outcomes between now and...then. A Superbowl victory at any point would essentially release me from our expensive and laborious season ticket ritual, whereby my decade-long duty as her gameday chaperone would be allowed to end. I'm counting on the Bills finally winning it all in this final season at the current stadium, thereby making all the inaugural 2026 home games in the new stadium even more impactful for both orgs/fanbases involved. Until they win a Superbowl, though, we're locked into expensively suffering alongside them. Can't quit it before they finally hit it. Family season ticket rules. Reeaally hope they find a way to finish the job.

Does it change your argument a little if Duke Williams was a playoff starter for the Bills? Or if Davis was a starter for way too many postseasons? I totally agree that none of those listed rag-tag boundary options were ever meant to be the team's best option at the position, but that we ended up there nonetheless.

With respect to outside WRs, Beane has shown a persistent affinity for every draftnik's most dreaded profile: the long, strong, physical, contested catch guy. Kelvin Benjamin, Andre Holmes, Duke Williams, Gabe Davis, Justin Shorter, Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, etc. There is a role for these guys, but with the Bills, it's such an obvious role of motioning inside to run block or run a slant, fade, or maybe a shallow crosser/intermediate flag a la mesh concept... Offense seemed to SHINE with smaller, faster, better separators (and different OC). Maybe that was a specific "era" in the NFL, but Allen sure seemed to flourish with guys who got OPEN. Imagine that lol.

Not knowing what a PRIVATE trainer is putting in your own body is an absolutely INSANE claim for a professional athlete to make. Maybe 30 years ago that could hold water. Then again, didn't Ohtani make this same scapegoat scenario work for him? Even with some super bizarre/contradictory messaging out there initially.

Gotta admit how cool that reads. Impact S concussed by a monster QB who then goes on to have a legendary game.

I believe I've just been insulted, sir.

You've NEVER made fun of Kelce's lazy physique as his on-field production diminishes? Try it out. Super fun.

Don't think anyone could reasonably disagree with this perspective. Only thing is that each NFL season is so variable and who really knows what's beneficial or not until after things play out.