The Red King

Let's not forget a key detail. All three QBs had touchdown drives. Bills' preseason touchdown drives used to have the same odds as a unicorn getting struck by lightning...

Or people see his slow velocity and realize teams that play tighter coverage and ball hawk him are going to pick him off. I was actually happy he got the start against the bolts last year. I think he got a bad rap, not all those picks were his fault. I was excited to see what he could do yesterday. But the lack of velocity was on display, and is truly a concern. That's based on observence, not bias from that one game last season.

Because he was indecisive, refused to throw into anything resembling cover. He couldn't lead a fourth quarter comeback to save his life, or ours, and managed just three points in our playoff game at Jax. ...that's what you were gonna say, right? ?

This is rough to watch. Allen is showing flashes of brilliance, but the team around him is really letting him down. I'd like to see how he does with the 1st or 2 team, but the play of the other two QBs will likely keep that from happening.

I think it's the exact opposite. I think they may be on the verge of ruling him out and want to give him a shot with the first team tonight to prove him wrong. I think if he doesn't wow the coaches, it'll be a two-horse race.

Is that off the salary cap?

He'll shoot the Vikes an upbeat emoji-filled tweet...but only once their training camp is over. ?

Return of the red helmets? ?

More for the opportunity to see opposing QBs actually eat dirt once in awhile. I'm sick of seeing post-game footage where opposing QB's jerseys look like the end result of a detergent commercial. Not sure I'd pay that much, but you underestimate what Mack brings to the table.

The Browns are on Hard Knocks. They're coming off 1-15 and 0-16, and made a ton of off-season moves. So, right now, they are media darlings. The poor Bad News Bears that are primed to take the NFL by storm! ...unless they don't. But right now is a slow time for NFL journalism. They need stories to pad things out and are going to milk the Browns for all they can until the season starts. They milk them for more if the tires come off like in past years. Can't write about the hapless Bills' playoff drought anymore, need something to get those clicks.

Dude, seriously. Hand-waving and laughing emojis like this is some small, trivial thing is not going to help. You retired, claiming health issues, postured for a release and then went ape, chucking a barbell, dropping the f-bomb and outright saying you really didn't feel like going to training camp, like it was optional. But, really, that last line sums it up. "There isn't an off switch for savage mode to regular life." There is. Most people have one. A lot of football players are outright beasts on the field and completely different off it. You either didn't have one, or there's a loose wire causing that switch to occasionally lock in 'savage' mode. That's...not healthy, and when I say you need help, I mean that sincerely, not mockingly.

I believe it. Allen was a risk, and with the train wreck the Browns are and sheer number of first-round busts they've had, they couldn't afford to take that chance. Could you imagine the fallout if Cleveland took him at #1 and he ended up being a bust?

For all the strengths our D has, pass rush is not one of them. It's not just about Mack, but the synergy with the rest of the D. Last season we had an opportunistic secondary who were ball-hawks, resulting in a ton of early-season turnovers. Now imagine how those hawks would feast if opposing QBs were under heavy pressure forced into throws. And lets not forget about Brady. For all his skill and talent, Brady rattles when defenses get to him. When it goes wrong, it goes horribly wrong. The Giants beat him with pressure, Denver beat him with pressure. Atlanta managed to rattle him in the first half of that Super Bowl, but the halftime show was long enough for him to settle. We put our new Godzilla LB on Gronk and actually put pressure on Brady...that can turn the tide. It's not just what direct effect Mack would have...it's also the effect a pass rush would add to the rest of our D. I know it's unlikely to happen, but man I want this.

Well, when he's done playing there, he'll likely go off on how he went to the league nobody wanted to play in. Because, class. ?

Words fail. All I can think of is the other forum post debating the value of culture. Good lord...

Meanwhille, Allen is just...

That was my immediate reaction, too. Think it, maybe, but for the love of all that's good and holy don't say it. Besides, doesn't he have horrifying health issues that make it impossible for him to play? I remember him saying so... ?

Sometimes it's the subtle things. Like the pauses. He was being careful, choosing his words. I like seeing that, a trait you want in a Process player.

Sometimes you need a wakeup call. I've read earlier in the thread some mention he might not have been that hard a worker. You play football in college as a kid you get a plan in your head, an idea how it plays out. Get taken first round and you're falling into the lap of luxury. It's easy to fall into the trap of assuming everything is falling into place, everything is just going to work for you, and you don't really have to work hard for it. Even when things start to slide it can be so subtle you don't see it, you keep telling yourself it will work out because you're a first round pick and that's how the narrative goes. It normally takes a hard slap to open your eyes. Getting cut, or traded for a 2020 7th rounder does just that. Suddenly you're mortal. You're the outsider on a new team who's only commitment to you was that pick. They didn't draft you, they didn't spend a first rounder. You're just a guy on a team. That hits like a bucket of cold water. All of a sudden you realise you are entitled to nothing, and maybe, just maybe, you're going to have to work and fight for what you want. I hope that happens here. When he says he has something to prove, I like it and I believe him. But I also think that one of the people he needs to prove himself to...is himself. Excited to see what happens, regardless.

You're right. If Beane was a real GM he would have gotten an all-pro reciever from one of the top teams in the league for a ninth round pick in 2099. Because, you know, all teams are just chaffing at the bit to make a trade like that. Any real GM would have already added three Pro-Bowl receivers in exchange for a bag of footballs, it's just that easy. ...damn, shooting fish in a barrel is hard to pass up.

So, original post notes the difference is the Pats are at least willing to try and plug holes while the Bills won't. Bills then trade a 2020 7th round pick for a former 1st round WR and you're still complaining? Just...wow. Your initial assertion is outright proven wrong, yet rather then admit it, you double down. That's a whole new level of crazy. Caffeine was in my coffee. I'm...beginning to wonder what you put in yours. As much fun as shooting fish in a barrel is, I think I need to bow out of this thread with my sanity intact. ?

Deal with reality? The Bills last season, the first under McBeane, was their most successful in the 21st century, resulting in a 9-7 record and the end of a seventeen year playoff drought. That's reality. The rest is pure speculation at this point.

Well, Beane just added a WR. So tell me, what was that difference again? ?

So...to be clear...the Browns acquire Tyrod, and then trade away a speedy deep threat? ? Alright, teasing aside I was completely caught off-guard by this. I love the move, I love the cap hit. I love that Beane is still out there trying to improve this team.

Wait, wait, wait. So which is it? Is it that McBeane and the orginization are terrible for not bringing in free agents? Or is it FA don't want to come here? If things are as bad as you just posted, how can you rip the front office for not bringing FAs in? That's like saying..."Nobody will ever want to come here! Ever! Beane sucks for not getting people in here!" You...can't have it both ways. Lets be honest, you hate the coach, owners and GM. You hate the moves they've made. And this thread was an excuse to rant about them some more. The problem is, despite all the problems you list, and moves you question, they got to 9-7 and made the playoffs for the first time in seventeen years...in their first year! Those are the only proven facts so far. Rest is speculation. If you really believe what you type, then just be patient. If you're right, this team will collapse, and the orginization's mistakes will be exposed. At that point, the proof will be on the field, and you will have evidence to back up your claim. Until then, you are rallying against McBeane, who's first season with the Bills has been the team's most successful in the entire 21st century. That's a tough battle to sell.