Richard Noggin

The bolded is so fascinating, given that when he was drafted I also thought he was more of a 3-4 guy...but as a 5-tech DE (def not an OLB, of course). I'm wondering what really triggered such a RADICAL body transformation? No way that was anyone's goal for AJ to go from big and strong and slow to skinny and weak and not-as-slow... It was a difficult time to be a rookie, no doubt. Wonder if the player had some understandable, extra difficulty with the loneliness and isolation?

Sidebar: the ABSOLUTE INVERSION of that season's first and last games was unbelievable, yet so perfectly emblematic of where those franchises were headed.

That's McDermott's CORE belief as a coach. That's what "the process" is all about. Allen is the perfect disciple for this approach. Dweck's work was the absolute backbone of my teaching philosophy when I worked primarily with urban, underprepared college freshmen. Which is a similar cohort to many football players. Trauma and struggle often lead young people to defensive, protective, "fixed" mindsets. Don't show any weakness. Don't put yourself out there. Fear failure. Which is simply no way to get better at anything.

Those are some names I recall from the BBMB

Wyo is a "she." I was a longtime BBMB member, since the early 2000s. She, Robyn, was an important voice there, IF we're talking about the same poster, of course. I've only been on this board since BBMB shut down, so I could be missing important context. I really think this is an ELITE sports message board. Difficult to compare eras, as we all know, AND I wasn't a member here during the drought, so my experiences on the BBMB comprise an incredibly challenging 10-15 years of moderator nightmare. There were more negative crusaders over there, naturally, given the on-field futility. (But maybe also the management here works to keep discussions productive?) Did I need a reference to join this board after the BBMB shut down? I feel like someone reached out and invited me to check out this board.

You say this is an objective look at Blackshear's chances, but then you selectively measure this longshot's various traits against the team's RESPECTIVE BEST OPTIONS in each category. That seems disingenuous. Moss only has an explicit advantage over Blackshear in 1/5 of your chosen categories, for example. Devin Singletary is clearly superior in 1/5 (the first one, of course, but probably also the second one until proven otherwise). Plus, "more accomplished" (the first criterium) seems ridiculous when comparing an UDFA against a 4th year 3rd round pick. I don't even really disagree with your ultimate conclusion. I just think your arguments defending it are questionable. In my view, if the Bills intend to keep Blackshear on the roster, then that means Taiwan Jones is gone. The other 3 RBs have skillsets he can't replace on offense (to your points, actually). Jones probably CAN be replaced by Blackshear or someone else on STs. And Blackshear maybe is best seen as a very poor man's version of Cook, in that he brings juice to the offense and STs (neither Singletary nor Moss can offer STs value and the kind of playmaking some are seeing in Blackshear's potential).

I've been excited for Dorsey to bring a more balanced, less matchup-obsessed play-calling flow to the Bills offense since Daboll became a "hot" commodity a couple years ago. Daboll installed and developed a top tier offensive system, especially with respect to route concepts and flexibility........BUT he never really had consistent success marrying the pass game and the run game. He knew how to attack a defense schematically, primarily through the air, but didn't have much success keeping defenses off-balance consistently. He was stubborn to adjust to in-game realities he hadn't prepared for. I think Dorsey is going to be a more conventional, intuitive play-caller, and I mean that to be a complement.

I'm trying to figure out if this Broncos player (tackling Von) was the 3rd person at dinner last night (Friday) when I waited on Miller, McManus, and another Bronco. Might have been Kareem Jackson?

Gorgeous home, of course. But REALLY empty lot. No character, from what I saw in my thorough 25-second survey.

If only the entire system wasn't stacked against this kind of thinking... Then again, it's nearly impossible to argue against players absolutely maximizing their money as soon as possible, without exception. In such a dangerous, short-lived career, especially for RBs who are devalued and prone to even shorter careers, it's just smart to get the most lucrative possible 2nd NFL contract.

I disagree with your timetable. While getting value for the aging player the season BEFORE he hits FA is generally the best long-term value play, I don't think volunteering to lose Poyer NOW makes sense unless he forces their hand. The Bills should want the roster as stacked as possible for a championship run THIS YEAR. IMHO if Poyer is willing to play out his deal, then that's the best arrangement for everyone involved.

I think it would be irresponsible for the Bills to keep both Poyer and Hyde beyond this season. Unless one or both are willing to take considerably below-market deals to chase championships, which I don't see as likely. Let Poyer ball out in 2022 and then test the market. Continue to develop the pipeline behind him. One of either Johnson or Hamlin could develop; maybe Johnson already has? I think the money needs to be re-routed to the offense either way (WRs, TEs, and OLs). Two All Pro safeties over 30 is a luxury the Bills probably can't afford after this season. And that's okay.

Never give away your secrets! As a remote worker this past year, I can't have management OR my family seeing how the sausage is being made...

"Don't say nothing crazy around me, I'm mic'd up today dawg!" he says, warning his teammates while they stretch. Then immediately, "I'm mic'd the ***** up!" That's entertainment.

This seems reasonable. Basham is probably the more "skilled" of the two right now. Rousseau was always going to be a raw prospect coming off a long break from seeing the field. But if he can harness those elite physical traits, and keep growing into that frame...then his ceiling is something different.

I like Moss as a compliment to the other two RBs. Good contact balance, runs behind his pads, solid in the passing game, and has always been well suited to a zone running scheme. He makes perfect sense as the 3rd RB here this year, and possibly #2 next year (behind Cook).

This is the one. Right here. As Steinbeck writes, "This is the thing to bomb."

Funny you should mention it, as, technically, a group of Patriots is known as a scum.

DO they, though? We definitely didn't draft John Brown and Cole Beasley going into Allen's pivotal 2nd year. Those two probably helped #17 take a big step forward, yeah? And then the following year, I'm pretty sure they didn't draft Stefon Diggs (even though he did COST draft capital to acquire). His acquisition seems to have been maybe the MOST instrumental roster development move, of course after trading up to draft Josh Allen. Pairing those two has been an unprecedented boon for the Bills offense and for the organization's culture overall. So while not every veteran offensive acquisition has been a home run, especially in years one and two of the new regime, they've knocked PLENTY out of the park where/when it's mattered.

That is an EXCELLENT highlight reel for a late round draft pick in his first NFL action. It's really fun to watch the way some dudes, like Spector, instinctually read, react, and attack. For the standard bearer, check out Mike Singletary's best cut-ups. The way he strafed behind the line and then pounced. The beautiful, predatory dance.

Sure seems like it's becoming more common, or at least more sought after, for offensive "skill position players" to be kind of "positionless" with their skill sets and usage. TEs who run WR routes. WRs who take handoffs. RBs who spilt out wide. QBs who are short-yardage FBs. Both sides of the ball have seen more ambiguity with respect to clearly defined player positions and roles. I'm sure there's plenty of room for WRs to play both inside and outside, to motion around the formation, etc. I'd like to see more and more of this from the Bills, with the unique and well-rounded talents they have in the room.

I'd cut Crowder from this list. OR I could be convinced to cut Kumerow, if they're keeping Taiwan Jones. (NO WAY they should keep both Jones and Kumerow. Which is a separate issue from WR depth.) Crowder doesn't offer much value beyond backing up McKenzie in the slot. Other guys at the bottom of the WR depth chart add more value to the roster.

He gets ahead of himself all the time on broadcasts. He's a really sharp and funny dude in person, even if a bit of a dry, witty prick when holding court (which is not exactly a criticism in my eyes), but with a microphone he gets lost. Must be the professional need to fill the air with words. I'll bet his at-home, on-the-couch commentary is MUCH more engaging.

Hodgins was absolutely playing special teams today. The one Colts kick return that had some success (going right to left) towards the near sideline was a cut inside Hodgins (who technically kept contain on the play, so I'm wondering if the 2nd layer pursuit was the issue). I don't know if he plays punt teams, though. Probably just kickoffs. Maybe someone else knows for sure?

On one hand, Vrabel's temperament can't be all wrong, seeing as his team consistently overachieves for 17 games each season. Then again, their criminal mishandling of A.J. Brown's entire career to date tugs us in a slightly different direction, especially in light of playoff results. I'm reminded of hard-ass defensive-minded HCs who did a poor job of supporting their young QBs...Mike Singletary and Brian Flores, for example. Lots of benchings and public criticisms. Maybe Jeff Fisher (benching Jared Goff) compared with Sean McVay (making him an effective pre-snap marionette). Giving your young QB some ***** slack seems really effing important these days.