WideNine

I think that is true to a degree, but Milano (as awesome as he is in coverage) is not exactly built as a run stopper, and if your safeties are making a stop it is usually after a RB has picked up a head of steam and gained 3-4 yards. Look to the Jags game for that proof. Also, it is making those kind of stops (RBs with a full head of steam) and getting caught up in the wash of our d-line getting blown up that I believe got those two injured in the first place. IMO....regarding run defense, other than Edmunds in the Mike position who should be hitting those inside run gaps, I think of those two as guys that when needed prevent a 4 yard gain from turning into a 15, or string out the sweeps to force any runs back into the teeth of the pursuit, or clean up if our DEs lose contain on the edge. Just my opinion, but I have always been a guy that believes you build your lines fron the inside out.

We were 1st in pass defense and 10th in rush defense. Opponents (particularly in the red zone) were able to run on our team. Rushing TDs were just about automatic once they were in the red zone. The Patriots owned us by running over our team then forcing the Bills to committ all the defenders they could to the box...then they were able to hit their short passes behind our defense. I know folks glamorize the DE position and sacks, but between our #1 pass defense and #7 turnover ranking, our biggest need area on defense is the ability to stop the run and prevent teams from owning us and scoring in the red zone, or forcing the Bills to commit our secondary to rush defence and opening up their pass options. Also if you can stop the run with your 4 man front, your defense can be more creative with blitzes on predictable passing downs. I agree with the O-line needs.

I see DT if they stay at 9 and go BPA. The Bills desperately need a d-line difference maker and have been searching since they let Dareus go. They could go with Bama's LT, but I think he is a bit of a reach at 9. RT is deeper this year so I don't see them throwing all their chips behind one of them at 9 as they could likely pick up a good people-moving RT later. Opposing teams were able to run right up the middle on our defense last year and QB's have been able to step up into a clean pocket to avoid the rush of our DE's, the Bills need a player that can get some push and play on the other side of the LOS and be disruptive. The top part of the draft has those premier DT players and I see them going that route if they don't sell the farm for an Offensive lineman. If they trade down - it is anyone's guess

That was my take with Star. I know folks talk about how he occupied blockers, but there is a difference between occupying blockers and being hermetically sealed to them. I kept thinking, can't you at least fall into the path of one of those runs. He gets steered out of the play. Hoping we see more from him or get someone who can actually push or collapse the pocket from the other DT position. With the way NE and other team ran at will against the Bills I would think getting a Defensive Tackle that can play on the other side of the LOS and maybe have a few tackles for a loss would be a value pick at 9. If QB's can't step into a clean pocket then maybe Hughes and Murphy pick up some more sacks.

Too much is made of this and I think it is more the stigma of losing in general and losing our Super Bowls in particular. I have been to Green Bay WI, it's no great shakes...especially in the Winter. 2 hours from Milwaukee, and about 5 hrs from Chicago, but you don't hear the players complaining. If someone is looking for International culture its 2 hours on the QEW to Toronto, or I guess you can stay inside and make babies...tough call.

Let those stars go "polarize" some other team with distraction. IMO The Bills have enough obsticles, why go out and sign a head ache.

I guess we will have to tune in to the sequel when we take on NE with Josh Allen playing the role of Solomon Kane. ....and is it time for the draft yet?

I think Darius is one of those naturally gifted athletes that coaches will always struggle to motivate. You see recruits like these all the time, that is why good talent evaluators have to look under the hood at a kid's work habits and motivation If a prospect is on the radar he has skills that stand out, but does he love the game, does he work at taking his skills to the next level, or is he someone who struggles with complacency or disciplining himself. Darius' measurables coming out of Bama were exceptional for a defensive tackle, and he was productive for the Bills, but I don't know if he will ever conquer the habits he has acquired that have made his ability to compete at a high level slide as they have. Spending his formative years playing under Club Rex did not exactly instill the habits he needed.

I like Nauta, but don't know if he is a game changer with the upside of some of the other TE's in this draft. May be a reach at that spot in the 3rd. He is solid, and I think he will be a dependable blocking and possession-type NFL starter, just don't see him getting separation or high-pointing passes on seem routes. IMO he projects more as the kind of guy that finds soft spots in zones and sits on those. From what I saw of his games he has dependable hands and decent blocking...needs as much work as most TE's coming out.

For some teams that is the norm. Look at the Vikings, rarely do they try to develop a QB, preferring to pick up veterans QB's instead. Not sure if that is a terrible model as you SHOULD know what you are getting and it should be less of a gamble than finding out if your drafted QB prospect has the juice to lead your offense. Bridgewater was a bit of an exception, and his tenure was short-lived. Considering Denver's success rate with developing prospects, this is arguably the wiser course for that team to take.

In all fairness to some of our receivers, on more than half those drops a case could be made for PI's. They were getting mugged. I remember a few years ago the league cracked down on contact and Seattle and NE were flagged the most that year as that is how their db's were coached to play. The league wanted to open up scoring, much like the argument with obstruction in hockey keeping the skill players from showing their stuff. Just like hockey, the rule enforcement fades over the course of a season and disappears altogether during playoffs. So you have to accept that is the way it is going to be more often than not and find the guys that can catch contested throws as it seems the league has reverted and the rule is rarely and subjectively enforced again. It can be a game changer calling a PI on a play, especially a deep throw so perhaps officials are just reluctant to hand those out....seems that way at least when you consider the blatant PI noncall that New Orleans had during their playoff game.

Tack on a 60 yard bomb that is caught, not lost in the sun, or just through the hands, and the numbers aren't all that bad. The kid will be fine, but I get it. The more I read about his mental makeup the more I think he is just super-competitive and wants to hit home runs, not singles and doubles. So many folks focusing on Allen's play when the Bills were just about dead last rushing the ball sans Allen runs. He could use a bit of help on offense if the Bilks want to have more possession time. That is not all on Allen.

I'll take 53 yards rushing each game from my QB, as long as my running backs are kicking in another 100.

Still a great clip... back in the days when they had some entertaining personalities. RIP Red

...and Bodine is a UFA after next season too so I guess depth could be a going concern if they have no plans to resign him.

Could just be a stop-gap veteran measure and the guy they really want will be a FA in 2020, or they could have their sights on someone like WI Biadasz in next year's draft. Or as others have mentioned he could be used at guard. 3-years is a stop gap kind of contract in my mind, at least I am hopeful this is not an example of the long-term upgrades Beane is planning to make as signing an oft-injured under-performing center leaves me underwhelmed.

Yes he did, and I am pretty confident he will continue to do so.

There are times when the check down is not the answer. 3rd and long then throwing it 5 yards short of the sticks (unless you setup a great screen or a good pick on a drag route) will likely net you a slightly better place to punt from. There are things to like about a QB who can push it down the field when needed, but on those early downs if defenses are playing off your receivers, you have to be able to make them pay. Great read BTW if I did not credit the OP.

Pretty much...both my parents did shift work when I was a kid so I had to learn how to cook for myself and kid sister. The wife got better over the years...with plenty of trial and error so we share the kitchen duties now.

Having those play-makers underneath is certainly part of the equation - as many of us hope the Bills pick up a TE with great hands for just that reason. I also think in Josh's case, looking at his limited experience at the position, it is easier for him to diagnose coverage on the deeper routes as they take more time to develop. The underneath throws requires a lot more pre-snap understanding of defensive coverage and where your open options are going to be. That kind of understanding can only come with more time behind center.

The article did explain things pretty well and aligns with the voices of reason here. A few of us have noted that anticipation is more the issue on the underneath routes than simple inaccuracy; Knowing where your easy short completions are allows a QB to set and throw correctly. That seems to be born out by the fact that Josh has a decent completion percentage beyond the sticks where his anticipation and footwork can align. I think we will see him trending in the right direction next year when he starts recognizing defenses that are cheating to take away the deep hits and begins to take advantage of the low-hanging fruit. That being said, he will always be a player that if he expects single coverage and likes the match-up deep, he is going to let it rip... just needs to find the balance in his game.

This. For years we have had QB's simply incapable of pushing the ball past the sticks, so this is not a terrible problem to have. I would not lump Fitz in with this, but he did not have the arm or ability to extend plays that Allen does. I am not getting defensive as I think checking down is a muscle Allen has not exercised too much, and there is certainly some truth to that assessment that many of us have noted. NE had their corners play off our WRs betting that Allen would wait for receivers to get open beyond the sticks - basically Allen's tendencies allowed them to divest their coverage responsibilities underneath and simply pick up our receivers beyond the sticks. That is a good defensive advantage and worked well to put Allen under duress and take him out of his game. With stats you really have to have a clear idea of all the variables. Like holding the ball longer equating to less completions - do those entail avoiding a rush and being forced to find a way to extend a play as those passes would certainly be throws under duress. Also with admittedly less throws being made short of the sticks it takes fewer incompletions to drive down the percentages. A QB who checks down 15 times and has 2 drops and a miss, vs a QB who checks down 4 times and has 2 drops and a miss. Either way, I have not read the article yet and would like to see if there is anything new there that we have not already put under the microscope here on the Wall, and it is good to hear Daboll echo the observations that many of us have made dissecting Allen's play.

He struggled with offensive strategy and personnel. Just needed to hire someone who could "own" that and feel comfortable delegating that area. Maybe he struggles with that - have no idea. Wade is a bit hard on himself and never was one to sling mud around when trying to meet the expectations of some hard to please and at times meddlesome owners he has worked under.

I am pretty harsh about those things, and completely unfair when thinking about Bills draft picks. Readily admit it, so don't take it personally. I want the absolute best players the Bills can land. Game changers who also have great situational awareness. It's a high bar.

I don't. There's a cottage industry out there, friends and family, or friends at college who have some skills pulling together videos. Players often have the chance to look them over first. Unless this was a straight up product of a rabid fan. Which is possible I guess. The music comment too was funny earlier as I have talked with college coaches who laugh about how recruits sweat over having just the right tracks. He told me that he has to review so many videos that most coaches turn off the sound. It works for fans of the game - I get it. I also get that players are desperate to separate and market themselves on the field and some celebration after good plays is part of that. Not being aware that there was a fumble and starting an early celebration just bugged me because "play till the whistle" is a pop warner learned thing.