Richard Noggin

Probably against the starters? Especially in anticipation of man-to-man coverage schemes and press man matchups? Isn't that what back of the depth chart guys do each week? Maybe it's more the domain of practice squad players, but guys who aren't in the gameplan still have a lot of utility in getting their teammates prepared. But anyways. Elam could have real value in the game this week. Past season's metrics suggest it's not at all a stretch, on one hand. Of course, this season's burying on the depth chart suggests otherwise, on the other hand.

Love the optimism, but would love even more some specific examples of your claims about McD's past defensive creativity and success. Not that I disagree at all. Just looking for something concrete to actually consider, other than "Go Bills!"

Isn't basically every Week One starter essentially "stone cold" under this criteria? (Elam played extensively in the preseason, of course. He's been practicing. The dude is not on the street.)

Pros know you can't play the game half-speed. Best way to protect yourself is to play fast and physical, through every whistle. Some accomplished pros might have the luxury of a bigger picture perspective on the game and their careers, but the majority of guys out there are DESPERATE to put the best reps on film no matter what the game situation is. They MUST take full advantage of every rep and put the best effort on film, every time. Rapp, a guy who has started a bunch of games for a VERY successful franchise, is now a backup and subpackage guy playing on a relatively modest, 1-year deal. He doesn't have the luxury of throttling down, ever, if he intends to get back on the field full-time. Davante Adams, in the prime of his career, forced his way OFF a winning franchise in order to get big money from a mediocre team. That's his right, for sure, but we can see that his perspective on the game differs dramatically from the vast majority of players. He can eff right off.

By what objective measure was Edmunds "above average"? Maybe last year he was in the top half of MLBs, maybe. But look at his stats. Come on. "Above average" LBs show up on the stat sheet beyond combined tackle totals. The dude simply did NOT make enough impact plays out there to justify anything close to the cap hit he now commands. That is an objective truth, and not really up for debate. (And I'm not one for such declarations. But people need to move off their positions and see the established, measurable truth. Tremaine Edmunds looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. A regrettable football cliche, but apt here.)

This deserves emphasis. The real secret to Miami's exponential offensive explosion is being balanced, multiple, and dangerous through the air and on the ground. It's difficult to defend that kind of attack. If Miami can gash a defense on the ground, then whatever they do through the air becomes so much easier. The middle of the field, especially, really opens up as LBs and even safeties/slots get sucked towards the LOS. Defense has to be incredibly disciplined and physical, and tackle very well. Cannot over-pursue or over-commit against the run. Ends have to stay home, etc.

This last bolded point is where I got frustrated with Daboll at times. He was calling plays and formations and alignments based almost exclusively, it seemed, on perceived schematic advantage. But sometimes, many would argue, you need to call plays in order to help out your guys on the field, especially your offensive linemen. Remember that awful home-opener against Pittsburgh? Their rushers could just tee off, play after play, and that really exacerbated the already difficult job of blocking talented guys like TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward. There are so many reasons to seek at least a semblance of balance and unpredictability in play-calling, and in my opinion it has EVERYTHING to do with giving your guys that tiny modicum of advantage off the snap.

I know today the Commanders were getting the ball first in the 2nd half; had the Jets also won the toss and deferred? That could help to explain the conservative clock management in both cases. Can't leave too much time in case your drive stalls, which then gives the opponent a chance to "double-up" their way back into the game. I know the infamous Belichick "double-dip" thing was deferring the opening kickoff on the road, aggressively scoring on the final possession of the 1st half, then getting the ball to start the 2nd half when the stadium is quieter and they could operate more comfortably for a couple minutes as fans return from their final beer runs. This Jets/Commanders clock management was intended to PREVENT getting "doubled-up" on while also extending the lead, however modestly. It's a good plan on the road, when you lose the coin toss.

I think "disturbing" is a...strong characterization.

Great win for the entire team. Fun to watch when the whole operation is dialed in like that. If you don't want any yellow rain on your/our victory parade, then read no further. Fellas, if this isn't the most Gabriel Davis stat line (25% catch rate but an explosive TD): I know they won, and I know he scored the first TD. But each game is a fascinating addition to ongoing debate: is Gabe Davis deserving of the AAV he's probably after? (Feels like Edmunds math should apply here, in my opinion.) It's a joke in my household to look at Davis' hands on every re-played target. You might have noticed his hands on the TD? That weird clapping at the ball thing is really something he does almost every time now. In the next frame, he catches the ball with hands mostly opposing, like an RB taking a handoff. His fundamentals have oddly regressed. Which means his (W)Receiving production will be inconsistent. His ceiling is impressively vaulted, but his floor sags in spots. My opinion: his efficiency numbers are just not good enough for a large cap commitment. (Would LOVE for Davis to just absolutely EXPLODE and make me look dumb, btw. Don't get me wrong.)

By Buffalo I mean Buffalo. Or maybe buffalo? I don't know. Bbuffalo.

Only Buffalo stops Buffalo.

Heck-of-a-sentence incoming: Is it generally agreed-upon by Bills fans that IF the OP is correct, meaning Allen/the offense actually improves all season and peaks in Jan/Feb, that our defense is probably just good enough to carry its weight just often enough?

I recite this when I meditate, unclothed, in the late-day, low-angle sunlight. The PG "piss" in line 3 tickles me.

You really hate to see it.

New traffic patterns amiright

Sometimes people get badly hurt during dumb fights. Childish disregard for the magnitude of consequences and the scale of variables beyond our control.

Definitely did the same kind of thing as early as the 1st quarter IIRC; nudged the guy who often sits next to us to ask him who the #el! number 25 is. He looked it up and saw the new number assigned to Dodson. When did that number change happen?

Sure, poor execution will derail just about any offensive drive. But featuring short and intermediate passing and efficient running against 2-deep defensive looks is a smart and necessary gameplan that does NOT mean the Bills CAN'T push the ball downfield or create chunkier plays when they get behind the sticks. It just means they're actively working to avoid those exact scenarios by more consistently taking modest gains. Allen 100% has shown an ability to function this way (calm, efficient execution) at an elite level over portions of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 seasons. From the playoffs of 2021 through the first handful of games in 2022, Allen was historically elite. I know that's only half a season or so, but wow. That level of talent combined with that degree of patience and precision (maybe culminating in the 2022 KC game...that can win a superbowl).

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxUE985uiG7/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== (Video of him breaking a tackle on a 37-yard run.)

LAMP alert: will be attending with my new bride after getting married Saturday. Strongly considering wearing our wedding attire from the night before to the game. Going to be all torn up after a banger backyard wedding. (If you know Jay's Artisan Pizza (which you should), then you'll probably appreciate that the founding Jay is catering our party (wife and him are friends from way back in their Wegman's days).) If you see a mustachioed ginger guy in a brown tux beside a woman out of his league...then I don't know, try to talk some sense into her.

What's worse, truly: that Allen has suffered multiple undiagnosed concussions in 2022 and 2023 already, a la Tua in 2022, or that he has exhibited a regression of inexplicably poor decision-making over that same span? From 2nd half vs GB in '22 through NYJ in '23 there is a troubling uptick in WTF decisions by #17. Prior to that he had been playing at an all-time elite level over a 6-8 game span. Would be REALLY bad if the Bills were putting on those Mike McDaniel shades and missing some obvious head injury evidence. Super yuck.

Criticizing others' intellects whilst committing three errors with what I suspect is a native language. THIS is what the internet is truly for 🤌

It IS possible for Kincaid to be featured in the Bills offense much like Beas was before him withOUT that having a negative impact on Davis. I wonder how many of us would even accept Cole Beasley's 1st 3-year Bills production for Kincaid this season.

But operating a jet-ski IS inherently dangerous no matter how any single person treats it. It's a powerful motorcraft that one rides upon at high speeds ON WATER which adds an unmistakably element of danger obviously lol