MJS

How is it not? You are running the ball through a gauntlet of large men trying to tackle you. It is a high contact, high volume position.

That's the nature of the position. There's nothing unethical about it. Durability is really important for a running back. If you can't do it, there is a line of young guys waiting to take your job.

Agreed, and it has been like this for awhile. The Bills have a great roster. The only thing we don't have is the one or two elite playmakers at key positions like receiver or pass rusher. I've always said that you need three elite difference makers to win a superbowl, and one of them has to be the QB. We have Josh Allen. Maybe Cook can get into that territory. Benford is an elite corner. But we really need an elite pass rusher.

Running backs have always been very important to offenses. That's not the issue. The issue is that there are so many running backs that can do it. The drop off from the really good ones to just average ones is not that significant. We rocked with Devin Singletary for years, and he is just a below average running back, but it was fine. You can operate your offense just fine with a guy like that. There are a thousand Devin Singletaries, and you can pay just a little bit more and have a pretty dynamic, above average back. There are tons of those guys too. So, it isn't that demand is low, it is that supply is high. You can find good running backs at any round in the draft. Bring in a cheap free agent and he can get you production. The offensive line is more important for rushing production anyway. And if your running back has a deficiency, that's not a big deal because you can bring in another RB who does that thing well and just have a committee approach. And the last issue is just the longevity. They break down extremely fast after 30. So, I'm sorry, but they don't deserve to get paid the big bucks like other positions do. A few of them are getting a little more money, but it isn't really moving the needle that much in the grand scheme of things.

I would never predict that. But I sure am hopeful!

Who is obsessing? Discussing the politics of the ranking is not obsessing. It is just a normal discussion. Or are people not allowed to talk about it?

Lamar Jackson is the NFL's sacred cow. Can't have him ranked lower than the MVP, haha.

Preseason tickets are cheap.

I did think of that. I wonder if the original Lions hand-me-down uniforms for the first year were actually considered for this design, or just happenstance.

Well, they did drive up his price for an NFC contender and get two first rounders out of it...

Gosh. $47 million per year is so much money... Plus two first round picks. Wow. I'm glad the Bills didn't do it.

Wow, the back of it looks TERRIBLE. The 49ers helmet is really cool, I have to say. But these rivalry uniforms are not great for any of the teams.

Part of the problem is the Hard Knocks people seem obsessed with getting artistic shots, so we have like 5 minutes of watching QBs throwing in slow motion for no reason, even though it adds absolutely nothing to the show or storylines and provides no behind the scenes insight.

Not my favorite, but it will be fun to have a game with something different.

The Dolphins might be fun with their wacky coach (if he survives the year) and their sense of urgency to get past the Bills. The Saints, Titans, or Cowboys could be interesting.

Receivers are better. DBs are better. Interior defensive line is better. Pass rushers are better. Linebackers are healthy. The roster looks better to me, and has more upside with younger and more athletic players. But with the youth comes more variance.

That's how hard knocks gets its compelling and emotional footage. They try to follow guys who are going to get cut because you are supposed to feel bad for them when they get cut or super happy for them if they make the team against all odds. That's a big reason why it is boring. The Bills are a well run organization that prioritizes high character, hard-working players, and that really limits any drama. The dysfunctional organizations are a lot more interesting to watch. Everybody loves a good dumpster fire.

It was Seantrel Henderson with Crohns disease. Oh. Already answered.

What benefit do they have by releasing all the details to everyone?

I agree that McDermott is a good defensive coach and has produced overall better than Spagnola, but I maintain that Spagnola tends to come out stronger in the big moments and the big games than does McDermott, especially in the playoffs where it matters most.

Poyer is on the practice squad. Do you think Justin Simmons would do that? And actually, Poyer was rated higher by PFF last year than Justin Simmons. I mean, take PFF with a grain of salt, but it shows how far Simmons has fallen.

He is washed, but probably doesn't accept that, so still wants to be paid well and promised a starting spot.

Nice.

Spags has better situational play calling. In the big moments, he produces. That's the difference.

Funny, because the Chiefs also invest a ton of draft capital in defense.