Dave Allen

A few years ago, a player - I forget who - said that there are probably 100,000 people out there with the skill and natural physical ability to play in the NFL, but most don't have the drive, will or motivation to do what it takes to succeed. Polite might be a good example of that.

Do players on the PS get all of the benefits - specifically, does Peko get health insurance for his family?

I don't see anyone out there I love as a valuable development option, but of the bunch I like Kyle Shurmer. As a coach's son he knows the game, and he's conservative with the ball. Seems like a good Process guy who could eventually step in and not screw things up for a game or two.

He might resign in Miami. No income tax in Florida.

If Bates and Johnson and even Sweeney prove good enough to just see substantial backup time, it's a big win for McBeane. I imagine all of them will be making close to the minimum ($480K, I think). That's a lot less than you're going to pay for a contributor off the street, which will save a lot on the cap.

I think the game comes down to the quarterbacks - whichever one has the best support and has made the biggest gain in the offseason.

I've thought about that one for awhile. Pitt and Cleveland are less than 3.5 hours from Buffalo by car, and Cincinnati's a 7-hour drive. It would enable Bills fans to attend all division games, and vice versa; we wouldn't have to worry about not selling out the Ralph (not that it's a problem now). CIN, PIT and CLE are also similar cities to Buffalo, with promising rivalries. BLT in the AFC East would be a good move for them, also.

Bell and Gordon are right to hold out for whatever money they can get. The union contract is one-sided - it gives management the power to cut a player or force a renegotiation at any time, but the player has no recourse if he outplays his paycheck. It's doubly bad for running backs, who have a shorter career span anyway. They're run ragged and worn down during their rookie contract then discarded. If they're lucky they can get the franchise tag forced on them, but they will rarely have a chance for a free-agent deal in their prime. Sorry, that was off the subject. Sometimes I just have to go off on a rant.

There was no way the Patriots would have been able to maneuver around Buffalo or couple of other teams, even IF the Giants were willing to make that trade. But I knew a lot of people who just assumed if NE wanted it, it would happen. That NY would somehow do the trade and take less from the Patriots because Belichick.

What's their Twitter handle?

I haven't thought that far ahead, but I'd certainly be all for helping my fellow Bills fans circle the wagons down there.

Thanks for the head-up. I've been planning to go, but dragging my feet on getting tickets. I live only a few hours away from Nashville, so I'm looking to haul my grill down there and do some tailgating.

I was wondering if the study was skewered by market size. Did he use raw numbers or per capita? If it's in the article, feel free to slap me down - I didn't read the whole thing.

It's never too early to start identifying players for long-term, cap-friendly deals.

Before the Jets fired Maccagnan all I read was were stories about how great New York was, how terrifically they mastered the offseason, that Sam Darnold was set for a powerhouse year... Now the media can't jump off that bandwagon quick enough. They're breaking ankles, lol.

I wish him the best, and hope he gets all the help he needs.

So signing Peterman to compete for the third QB spot behind Carr and Glennon is a sign the Raiders are planning to tank? Wow.

I expect the line to be vastly improved this season, but I'm keeping my expectations tempered. There will probably be five starting O-linemen who have never played with any of the others, and none of them having ever played for the new OL coach. There's a lot of promise, but nobody has played at a blue-chip level. This is going to be a 'get to know you' season, and will likely take several games into the schedule to start gelling - I wouldn't be surprised to see the lineup change a couple of times along the way. And with so many FA signings, odds are that there will be a couple of busts. On he upside, I see pass protection being greatly improved from Day 1, giving Allen a lot more time to throw. If all goes well. the Bills might be competing for a playoff spot. But next year, 2020, the line will be set and experienced going into the season. Then, I see Buffalo being an absolute beast. Not just a playoff team, but a threat to win multiple games.

So his grades are based on a team's ability to patch it's biggest needs. I prefer Beane's choice to play the long game; let everyone else play Whack-A-Mole.

You're right about Beasley. If he stays healthy, He'll lock down the slot for the next couple of years. He's quick, get separation and has great hands, which will help Allen out tremendously. I can see the Bills drafting another WR early, but they won't be desperate enough to reach now.

I still expect the Bills to draft a RB on the second or third day. Whoever it is will get one hell of an education behind Shady and Gore.

True. But it's important to have quality players down the depth chart, at every position, because injuries happen. And even if starters stay healthy, most will need a little rest at some point late in the season. I can see the Bills drafting another corner on the third day, or even the second if someone falls.

Given his injury history along with Taron Johnson's, the Bills are going to need to add another CB or two.

I've seen him mocked to the Bills at #9, and he's rising up the charts quickly. He might just wind up a top 10 draftee.

I've got my ticket to the Combine on Saturday, will be scoping out the WRs.