buffblue

It is unless Cook suffers an injury. Then we have one of the slowest rb rooms in the league. I'm really disappointed about the Hines injury. I was hoping/expecting to see more of him on offense. Tough break

Can't tell you how many times I've felt the same way when watching our defense. However this is not limited to the McDermott regime. It's seemed like it's been that way my entire Bills fandom lol

Yes

To be fair, during his time there the Panthers were matched up twice a year with elite qb's in Brees and Ryan. Even the Bucs could be fairly explosive with Jameis

As it pertains to the original play in question, and given the injury circumstances, I do think bringing pressure would have been the appropriate defensive call. No, blitzing liberally is not a recipe for success against top shelf qb's. But you have to find a way to bother them and get them off their mark somehow. Give some different looks and don't be so predictable. Look at Lou Anarumo - the guy has a chameleon scheme and adapts throughout the game. Statistically who has had the better defense between Buffalo and Cincinnati? Obviously the Bills. But what team do you think has a better chance of disrupting a top QB in the playoffs? The numbers aren't everything - we need more big plays on defense.

I still remember the year the Colts won the Super Bowl with Manning. Indy was dead last in the league by a wide margin at stopping the run, but their defense completely transformed in the playoffs and peaked at exactly the right time

Jesus H we can't even get to camp before this crap happens

The problem is that only seems to work against average at best teams with garbage qb's. We have seen this defense time and time again get picked apart in third and long situations against good teams. And while I agree a lot of teams would dial up a similar call in that situation, that doesn't mean it's the right play imo. You think a guy like Wink Martindale would passively drop 8 when you got a team by the balls?

That's what gives me a bit of hope. I followed the Panthers pretty closely here in Charlotte during McD's tenure and they were never as timid as the defense has been run in Buffalo

For those who feel sending an extra rusher would have been unwise due to inexperience, would you at least agree that sending 3 was a poor decision in hindsight and completely futile?

I think we might if we employ a versatile rush scheme that doesn't rely on a single guy to put heat on the qb. Also, one thing not to overlook is the possibility of the MLB pressure. As good as Edmunds could be he was a relatively ineffective blitzer. I think one of the replacements could be utilized in a highly aggressive role

Hey now, too soon

This is correct but I will gladly let Tre go one on one with Hill this season, especially with Hyde/Poyer back in the fold. I don't think White is anywhere near washed. I also think the additions of Ford, Rapp, and Floyd will give the Bills a better ability to keep fresh and match up against different personnel groupings

I am terrified of Tyreek Hill even if I am fielding my entire starting defensive backfield. However, when you are missing every starter on your back end what choice do you have but to be aggressive against a team with piss poor pass blocking?

I acknowledged that in the OP. When your secondary is severely shorthanded and facing a team with arguably the fastest pair of WR's but a weak OL in a 3rd and 22 spot, that situation is screaming to send the house

Perhaps it's a case of preseason optimism as you allude to. This year will tell the tale one way or the other. I keep hoping (maybe foolishly) that the McD who was mentored by Jim Johnson in Philly will be the guy that at least somewhat shows up now that he's back to calling plays

Mostly known for the insane heat the game featured, I decided to take a closer look as the 2023 season fast approaches. There has been much talk about McD taking over the defensive playcalling this year and how he will hopefully improve on Frazier's soft tendencies. I don't know how this will turn out, but the Week 3 game against the Dolphins revealed yet another example of Leslie playing it conservative in crunch time. The situation: Miami faces a 3rd and 22 from around midfield with the Bills leading by 3 early in the 4th. Buffalo had aggressively stuffed the Dolphins to put them in what should have been a hopeless situation to convert. But rather than continuing to bring the heat against a subpar Miami OL (and with an obviously concussed Tua), Frazier elects to run a 3 man rush and our decimated secondary (missing all 4 nominal starters) gives up an easy bomb to Waddle inside the 5 resulting in the Dolphins taking the lead. We all have our complaints as fans, many of them right and plenty wrong. But one thing I am optimistic about going into the 2023 season is the possibility of the Bills becoming an attacking defense. I'm OK with them giving up more yards and even a few more PPG if we can make more impact plays defensively. With Josh in his prime, we should always have an above average scoring offense. The complementary aspect of the game and making a few more critical, game changing plays each Sunday could pay far more dividends than the what the traditional statistical rankings imply.

I don't disagree on what the plan is. I just hope Kincaid will provide the instant impact we desperately need (and am a bit skeptical based on historical results of rookies and our offensive coaching). Go Bills

I didn't forget about him. We all have high hopes for Kincaid, but sometimes the pro adjustment doesn't yield significant results immediately. Renfrow is a proven commodity

Would love it but it's not going to happen. He is an actual legit slot guy as opposed to the guys we are projecting (hoping?) will be

Howard was good and definitely missed, but I don't think White and DiBiase are that bad in terms of knowledge and driving the discussion. The problem is neither possesses the smoothness and professionalism that Howard offered

You gotta make sure that the gooch is protected at all times

Leon Seals gave me his autograph on a napkin at the McDonald's on French Road and Borden when I was a kid. He signed it "Dr. Sack"

One thing is for certain, he had a HOF caliber neckbeard

I agree. That account was genius lol