WideNine

I think we can agree that Allen imploding is unlikely given his performance last year with very little support around him. He has an interesting mental makeup and did not even look fazed when guys were dropping balls left and right, or if he had a bad play, just back to the huddle looking to take another crack. His best year at Wyoming was the year where he had a bit of support from the senior class of players around him and was not trying to do it all, I expect similar positive results this season. If he stays healthy, with a better supporting cast to help him move the chains, he should take some solid maturation steps forward this season. Honestly, I am just looking for Allen to improve his pre-snap reads and learn to better manage games by pressing less and taking advantage of underneath options when opposing defenses are giving those up. I also want to see our STs punt better, cover better, flip the field more, and kick in some decent returns. Hopefully our kicker will be healthy enough to hit field goals from 30 yards out again. I want to see our defense stop the run and improve their red zone stops. There is a lot I am looking for outside of our QB play that I think will lead to more wins.

It may be counter intuitive, but I am putting less on Allen and think that with improved ST play (they cost us 2-3 winnable games last year), better defense, and perhaps longer possession time with a viable running game we can churn out more wins. I am actually looking for Allen not to press as much for plays that aren't there this year...so, more of a team improvement effort around him. But, if we need him to push the ball downfield he should have more of the tools and protection to get that done too.

Bump Also revising my take on any G being taken this draft, at least not early with the Spain signing and the depth we have now at the position. In a draft that is arguably deepest at RT prospects, that is where they will likely go when filling out development depth behind all these FA signings.

Home is close, but we take the Broncos as I do not see them passing all over us and have team jet lag. 5-3 Away I think we sweep the Dolphins, ok with us splitting with the Jets. The Steelers win unless our D figures out how to stop the run, same down in Dallas. We expose the Browns and Mayfield has a bad day passing on our D. Titans and Giants we can take. 4-4 No wins against the Pats till this team and coaches prove they can. 9-7 overall. If they can pull off a spilt with NE, they could have a 10 win season. Lots of new parts and if they come together quickly, who knows?

Deiter is also an interesting prospect as he has that versatility teams covet; A natural G, but also 16 starts at C and all of 2017 at LT. He struggled mirroring edge rushers at LT, but at G he can be a real road grader and does a decent job at pass pro. This Bills scouting group, seems to be casting a wide net as they are checking all the boxes as they build their board. I like how Beane looks for a certain level of maturity and professionalism in their prospects too...little things that can make a big difference in how well a drafted player can adapt to being a pro. Looking forward to this draft.

Better than I did, was going to race my boy for fun...3 strides in I felt the hammy I pulled years ago start to go. It was "go", 3 strides and a bunch of hops on one leg off the track, with my boy laughing. Yep... I'm old.

Mentioned something similar about Ol' Miss limiting the routes they had him run. Liked the breakdown and comparisons to Calvin Johnson, makes more sense to use those big, strong, and fast receivers the way they used Johnson. A more fair assessment of Metcalf's abilities in the right system.

We are not the most patient fans as OBD regimes have used up much of that currency, but I thought Croom came along last year; The fumble trying to do too much aside. His measurables are comparable to KBs sans the slow feet, extra weight, lack of compete.... I think he is that flex option TE for the Bills for now.

I just don't see Irv Smith's size creating mismatches at the NFL level. Several of his profiles on the internet list him as 6'4", but he measured in at the combine at 6'2" 240 and change. Think he had decent speed in the 40 - same as Oliver who is 6'5" and a bit heavier, smallest hands.... I don't know. I don't see the ability to be that guy who can block and run routes. There may also be a lot of NFL linebackers and safeties who will be able to hang with him speed and size-wise and out-compete in space. Could be wrong, but think of him only as a flex option tight end for use just as a receiving option...which may be just what a team needs. If not Hock, I like Oliver and Warring for their upside. Not knocking how productive he was for Bama, just don't see as many mismatches at the pro level. More a big slot guy with above average hands.

Athletically gifted, questionable hands and concentration lapses, more a flex option TE in the mold of Croom position-wise. For a high draft I want a 3 down TE the Bills can use with any package and one that can catch and is also an above average blocker. That ain't Fant....not yet, maybe never. I envision him as a project; Someone who will make some amazing plays, but have plenty of wtf moments.

No.

I think he improves because he won't be asked to be most all of our offense as he was as a rookie last year. Throw in an o-line that can actually block so he is not pressured on close to 40% of his drops as he was last year and a running game to share the load, and yes receivers that can get open AND hang onto the ball. I have less demand on Allen getting better, than I do the rest of the offense needing to improve around him. With a cleaner pocket and some reliable underneath targets in Beasley, Gore, and Kroft he will learn to take the yards he can...especially if he does not feel he has to play hero-ball. Daboll and staff will drill that into him as well. I for one do not want him to not take those long shots with Foster and Brown on the outside. Completion % be damned It is not a bad thing that defenses have to respect that Josh can hit those speed guys 60-70 yards downfield.

Say what you want, but the region needed an owner like Pegs. Happy B-day!

Sorry to hear about that. The rules for high school leagues are already different and should be. There are already pretty strict contact rules in place. It can be a dangerous situation. A lot of kids are new to the game, and are not sure what they should be doing. Even with the stricter rules. Plenty of guys coaching HS shouldn't be too, parents should feel right about a program and ask around first. It's a tough as a coach, but the NFL has been putting a lot of money into supporting HS football, drilling proper technique, money towards better equipment, and you will still have that kid that leads with the crown, gets his head bent and leaves your heart in your throat. Our league did not have any rules against cut blocks, but i would not let the boys use them...yeah, lets mangle some high school kids knees in front of his mom. Some other schools however, had the Neanderthal coaches who would cut our linemen constantly. Usually ended up with some kind of exchange if I could not get the refs to step in - usually they would if pointed out. Once in college and pros most of the athletes not named Alonzo should have a clue about what constitutes fast, hard play vs dangerous career-ending plays.

Of course those ass-hats would pick that play and not the one where our freaking kicker got destroyed. That group is so bent. All I see is one more thing to slow the game down to a crawl, and the blind side is apparently the front side with the numbers, but only blind when someone does not see it coming...do all blocks have to be directly in front of a player while he is paying attention. What a hot mess. But on the bright side more long drawn out penalties, more commercials.

The Forest Gump of QBs? Even a blind squirrel can find a nut now and then? Seriously, Baltimore is about the only place he would be that successful and kudos to them for putting him in the right kind of offense to maximize his skills. Roman is the right OC for him too. Never knew that about Kelly and Marino...WTF. Were they up all night doing shots before taking the test? - would not have surprised me.

No worries...didn't see enough to know for sure and never followed the kid before, but we could prob upgrade that position. Interesting approach with all the older RBs the McBeane wants to stock the roster with. Those guys know their business, but they also get dinged fairly easily too.

Not sure if that is very fair to a kid that injuries forced into the lineup and he did a good job toting the rock when his number came up. Little harsh and that is coming from someone not known for going easy on our players.

That was my take since it is a bit rare that you pick up an OL prospect that can put his hand on the ground and play at an NFL level. Since most take a few seasons to coach up you may as well look for those later round prospects if there is no elite talent that has separated themselves as a consensus 1st rd talent. There's a guard from Oklahoma that has come up on the Wall, and I lean toward Badger OL prospects...they have a good guard in this draft that has played all across their line. I like the versatility.

I think they lack that DT that can be disruptive and play on the other side of the LOS, but I agree with your draft take. I think quality EDGE players are less deep than DT this draft so if they stay at 9, I think that is where they will go. If they trade down I am less sure as the BPA then could be some offensive prospects too. If they pick a DB in the 1st, I will probably throw something at the tv.

Lot of ways to take it...think he just wants to be in a position in the draft where he can truly focus on BPA that can contribute pretty quickly. The comment about depth in the draft just sounds like common sense. If a position is deep they can afford to address it in later rounds or be pretty confident about the type of player they can get, if there is a significant drop off after the first few, then you might bump that up on your board, or make it a Free Agency priority instead. Free Agency around the o-line acquisitions could be that the tackles and guards projected to go early were just not the right value proposition, poor quality depth in the draft, or it could be they wanted to surround Josh with some veterans to help slow the game down for him a bit and provide stability.

Likely they scouted him and just decided not to cover the slow guy with a T-Rex catching radius.

Good point. The so-called "pocket" behind the Bills line was the least safe place for a QB to hang around last year. For a QB used to doing it all, it will be an interesting growth year for Josh if things gel and he has the support tools around him he has rarely had.

Usually keeps his eyes downfield as long as he can while escaping from pressure so it is not a panic thing, but if he sees a seam the defense is giving up he does not hesitate. Have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when he started to slide more later in the season...and was furious when Kiko still came in with the flying elbow and knee.

Thought they would be, this seals it IMO.