technobot

No sir. Agree with the Cowboys (trauma of SBs 3 and 4 will never ever heal, but the better team/coach simply won). Never really hated the Giants (the one that truly got away) and the hatred for the Redskins faded quickly, I've felt sorry for them through the Snyder era. For some reason the Saints (dirty bounty hunters), although I'd like to see Brees win one more before he retires. And the 49ers from high school rivalry with friends who were fans but the hate has probably faded at this point. I think Rodgers comes off as a bit of a whiny prima donna but I still feel he's an all time great QB (who was probably wasted) and like Brees, wouldn't mind seeing him win one more. But no outright hate or even dislike for Green Bay or any other team in the NFC other than the ones I've listed.

Nice find. I don't think McDermott and Beane are adverse to giving second chances, and I'm sure they do their research to make sure the player is making an effort to be a good soldier. They kind of did the same thing with Foster, using a PS demotion to "wake him up" and it seemed to work. I'm sure if Williams reverts to being a bad apple they will have no qualms moving on. It's a nice move, feels like low-risk high-reward.

Good points about his 40 time but let's not discount the fact he's this giant kid, strong as an ox, and probably has elite speed (for quarterbacks) wearing 20 lbs of pads and equipment.

Cautious optimism. He seems too conservative for my liking but you can say that for more than half of the HCs in the NFL. He does seem to motivate well and has a knack for getting the most out of players who are fringe NFLers. I will admit I was down on him for most of this year but we'll see how he does with a (hopefully, vastly) improved roster. I will venture this: in two offseasons, with considerable churn/jettisoning of non-process players... he's broken down and (partially) rebuilt a quality defense. Run defense not-withstanding, it seems to be the makings of a "modern NFL" defense (stop the pass). I wouldn't say elite, please don't hate, but it definitely has the potential. Credit can be shared, but despite my criticism/skepticism of McBeane they have to get some kudos for: White, Milano, Dawkins (whether guard or tackle I still think he's a piece), Zay (whether a good 2 or 3, the potential is there), Allen, Edmunds, Philips, T Johnson, Wallace, Foster, (maybe) Teller. They lose marks for the some misses as well, and some true head smackers (Nate Dog) but especially on defense, they've built a solid core. Not all of those guys will be pro-bowlers but from limited evaluation, they seem at least like good, young, core pieces moving forward. Keep building out the rest. I'm probably drinking a little process kool aid here but for two seasons, this seems different than what I've seen before. My memory is probably fading with age.

Good game, and go Rivers I hope he wins the big one. And really happy for A-Lynn... the guy is a quality head coach and I like his aggression. San Diego got a diamond in the rough.

As awesome as it would be... wow. Talk about being the "entire offense"! Stats like this would make my created/all 99s franchise-mode QB in Madden blush.

Much like Allen, I'm excited to see what he does in year two and (hopefully) see them both take it to the next level. Also like Allen, I saw improvement during the year, so there's optimism. He has work to do and weaknesses to address but the foundation is certainly there... it's headshaking to consider Edmunds is only 20. Worst case scenario, the Bills have a guy they can probably turn into an elite pass rusher. Best case scenario is something beyond Urlacher, *THE* ultimate "modern NFL" middle linebacker/quarterback of the defense. If Milano bounces back completely from his injury and also takes another developmental step, the Bills will have quite the pair of linebackers. I'll enjoy watching this reality show to see what the result is.

I was very pessimistic on Day 1 of the draft; I'm not a scout and I didn't watch much if any film or tape (is that a thing in 2018) on him... so will freely admit my judgement was formed by the analysts and whatever I had read leading up to the draft. I was unimpressed and becoming depressed before his injury, even with the Vikings game (although that game obviously showed some flashes). Post injury, he has started looking like he can be "it", and I started becoming cautiously optimistic. Now? Yeah, I'm all in. He's obviously not "there" yet, but I think he can get there. His ceiling is sky-high, and I'm still of the belief he doesn't even have to reach it for this team to be successful as long as Beane and McDermott do their jobs and surround Allen with the proper pieces: other playmakers on offense, and a stout offensive line. It looks like the Bills are on the way to building a good, potentially elite defense, and that can only help a young quarterback. I've always been the first to comment to my friends "a running quarterback will eventually get himself killed" and that is still my worry for Allen, but man... the kid is a pure playmaker. Watching him run is hilarious: this giant white kid who isn't even sneaky fast, he's just fast, full stop. I remember being frustrated watching EJ Manuel because I had been told EJ could run and be a playmaker yet I never saw him do anything like Allen has. His ability to scramble, extend, improvise and fling is reminiscent of Roethlisberger, except he's not getting killed out there... yet and hopefully ever. Agreed that he must improve as a passer, but I don't think he's going to be the Brady type and don't think he needs to be, either. He definitely has to improve his accuracy, but for me, it's best to temper expectations realistically and realize he'll never be pinpoint accurate... and that's OK. It goes without saying that pairing this kid with a "catch anything, large radius" type WR (like what Benjamin was advertised to be) will make Allen positively lethal. While understanding the Miami game was not a do or die type game against an elite opponent, Allen still made passes he wasn't making earlier in the year, against professionals whose job is to prevent such passes. I think part of the package will be several throws every game that will be in another area code and will occasionally make you shake your head. He's clearly a process guy, and will try his hardest to become the guy the Bills need... if he doesn't get there it certainly won't be from lack of effort, or off the field stupidity, or ego, or any other nonsense. This is a strange spot for me because for the first time since Kelly... there's legitimate hope (for me) that the Bills have a guy who might truly be the franchise QB they've been searching decades for.

Congrats on a great career to an all-time/Wall of Fame/Pantheon Buffalo Bill. I wish Kyle could have gone to or won a Super Bowl, but finally getting into "the tournament" in his second last season, and playing a part in ending a horrific franchise/league record for futility must count for something. I'm very happy that you he got to walk away on his own terms, and not becoming "an anchor" on the team (something I could never imagine). Also, thrilled for the man as a human being that he's able to walk away before any severe injuries affected the rest of his life. The Bills are weaker in 2019 because of this news, so now it's on Beane/McDermott and the players to step up and try to find or become what Kyle Williams brought to the team. There's no replacing a player of this character or caliber, so for Harrison Philips especially, just be you and embrace whatever you learned from a Bills legend.

He's in decline, no doubt about that, but even still he's been productive this year. We're not really sure if we have his replacement yet; I'm obviously hoping Harrison Phillips can step up but he's still a work in progress. If they can manage Williams' rep count like they are doing this year, I think he's still valuable. Not quite in the tier of Lorenzo Alexander (who has been great most of this year), but still more than a solid player who brings even more in terms of veteran leadership and being a process guy. And from what little coach film I've seen, he truly buys into the team defense concept. Williams working a pick and roll with Hughes to set up a Hughes sack was one of my favourite Kyle Williams career highlights... he looked so happy that the play worked, and didn't seem to give a damn that he didn't get the statistical sack. Hughes was pumped up pointing in Kyle's direction, making it clear that the play was a true team effort. It's up to Williams, but I'd like to see both him and 'Zo return for another year to bridge us to (hopefully) happier days. And yes, go draft both their replacements so they can be mentored up this year!

I feel it's a solid move. It's clearly better than last year's "let's go with Peterman/McCarron to start/mentor Josh Allen" transitioning to "Nate's got this!". He's must be a process guy and I'm sure the Christian thing helps considering McD, but I don't think it would be the primary checkbox. I'm curious if Barkley has been more than a little helpful with Allen's development, but it's nice to have a guy in the QB room who gets it. I don't think it's a stretch to assume that Barkley has been extremely supportive of Allen and has gone above and beyond of what's been asked... getting extended during the season is probably a hint. No, Barkley isn't a world-beater, and if we're forced to start him for an extended stretch we're probably screwed... but can't you say that about most of the backup QBs in the NFL? I can understand why some people aren't jumping up and down with excitement, but for the people who are mildly or seriously annoyed with this move, what's the ask? A veteran backup on the level of Drew Brees? Or let's go young and find another Baker Mayfield? I"m just happy they (apparently) learned from their disastrous handling of the position and got QB2 out of the way, ahead of schedule.

It would be great if they're successful building the O-line in FA, and maybe adding some solid (not "break the bank with giant lengthy contract") type WRs; maybe even a CB to pair with White on the outside. Being able to draft BPA during the draft would be ideal, so here's to hoping they get the free agent O lineman they are targeting. Don't get me wrong, if solid O-line/WR/RB are available, especially during mid to late rounds, please scoop those players up. It just feels that even with a successful free agent class, the Bills will still have many needs so they really can't go wrong during the draft unless they're forced to pick positions based on need. Having said all this, that second CB, a stud pass rusher and another OLB gives this defense the potential to be scary, even terrifying. In a good way, of course.

I have a friend who is a legit Patriots fan from before 2001, he remembers when the Bills owned not only the Patriots but the rest of the AFC. From our point of view, the cheating thing is overblown. I don't think I have to turn in my Bills fan card for saying this. I simply think they were better than us and the rest of the league since 2001. Of course I hate them but it's a respectful hate, wish we had that kind of success. I believe the Patriots' dynasty has made the league a cold, inhuman, Belichickian dystopia where half the coaches try to be insufferable pricks like he is, despite the fact they don't have 1/100th of his accolades. Where the league truly embraces the philosophy of "win at all costs", human element be damned. Even though I don't believe it's cheating, the way they, and frankly the rest of the teams toe and then step over the line is in poor taste. Having said this... the old adage of adversity being the true test of a person's character? 8 straight years of 12 wins or more... Jesus. Those Patriots fans (since 2001) have known nothing but winning on a transcendent scale... they might have been kids when it all started and then went on to have kids whose Patriots WERE EVEN BETTER THAN THEIR PARENT'S PATRIOTS. Satisfaction for these fans is a zero sum game where your team either won the Super Bowl or it was another lost year (despite the fact your team just won 12+ games and probably got to yet another AFC championship game). Without taking anything away from them, it's a good deal to have the other teams in your division (and most of the NFL, for that matter) jettison their coaches, GMs, front office, scheme and systems every 2-3 years. I'm curious to see if Brady's final goal (no matter what he says) of owning every meaningful career QB record is going to be worth it now that he's starting to look and feel his age. Even more curious to see if Belichick will go through trying to find another QB now that he doesn't have a plan B. And most curious to see how the Patriots handle some real adversity, and this year isn't even it. Whether they finish 10-6 or 11-5, they beat some legit teams this year. Next year? Perhaps stumbling through a 9-7 season fractures the tenuous alliance between Belichick - Kraft - Brady and the thing blows up completely. Or perhaps these are the pipe dreams of a deluded Bills fan who has been having the same pipe dreams for 18+ years...

Count me in the cautiously optimistic crowd. I was fairly pessimistic post-draft, and during Allen's run pre-injury, Vikings game notwithstanding. Flipped to optimism after the Dolphins game. I really didn't know what I was supposed to be looking for in terms of "hope and progress", but I saw it in the Dolphins game. I think if the ask was to watch Allen dink and dunk down the field with 5-10 yard lasers, Tom Brady style, then it was setting myself up for disappointment. Perhaps he adds this to his game as he matures, but what I saw last Sunday was a playmaker. He is gradually improving as a passer, at least that's what I saw. Say what you want about running, but if it can be such a deadly component of Mahomes' game then why not Allen? I realize Allen isn't the passer is Mahomes is, but the Bills don't have the roster the Chiefs do, either. And as much as I want Allen to be "the best QB in Bills history, better than Kelly", I don't think this has to be the case. If the front office can assemble a quality roster, they can still win with Allen as more of a complementary piece, instead of being "the guy". Of course, if Allen hits his ceiling... look out, NFL.

I've been pleasantly surprised with Lorax this year; considering his age I thought he might fall off a cliff. Quite the opposite, he's playing his best football ever. I hope they do sign him. Agree with the sentiment that he provides a veteran presence and value on ST on top of his defensive performance. Even if he takes a step back he's of tremendous value for those two reasons, assuming he doesn't ask for a truckload of money (doesn't seem the type, will probably be happy with a "fair" contract assuming he still wants to play). Of course, try to draft/sign his eventual replacement, but keep him if he's interested.

Wasn't the best throw but it didn't have to be. Clay was wide open. Robbed Allen of a prime entry in his (hopefully) extensive career highlight reel.

No way, barring a 180 in work ethic and professionalism, and maybe a "prove it" contract. But IMO, not worth the hassle. Even if he is a good soldier now, and is willing to do the Star L thing (eat blockers, free up linebackers), how much is that worth? I really want to know what was going on behind the scenes, because you can laugh at McDermott's process all you want but you even had Coach Daycare (Rex Ryan) also badmouthing Dareus. The Bills created this monster; after wasting a ton of money of Mario Williams, they doubled down and gave Dareus a ridiculous contract. What was it, 60 million guaranteed? I remember Belichick throwing shade at the Bills, saying something along the lines of "that's a lot of money to pay a defensive tackle..." Either way, Dareus wins. If he was smart with his money (would be shocking), the Jags could release him next year and he could walk away from the game with no major injuries, content to live a very comfortable life; "generational" wealth if he plays it right. Or he could keep playing, I'm sure someone would take a flier on him but it doesn't have to be the Bills.

Agree with the "heck, no!" crowd... Tyrod perhaps gets us to 4-6. So I'll contradict myself and say, perhaps, with a 5-1 streak to end the season the Bills squeak in with some (much) luck on Week 17. There's no guarantee that this Bills roster with Tyrod could finish almost perfect in the last 6 games, either. And in the alternate reality with Tyrod at QB, who's to say they still win the Minnesota or Tennessee games? Probably, but we simply don't know. As pointed out, there was too much roster regression on offense, and the defense did take a step back. T-Mobile was obviously better than Peterman (who isn't) and is better than Allen (how much better?) at this point but he's not a carry a team kind of QB in my opinion, not even close. A complementary piece/game manager type QB for a team with an elite defense and special teams? That's another question...

I agree with the sentiment if they were a truly "best in the NFL" defense, they wouldn't have given up so many points, bottom-line. Historically bad offense or not, a true #1 defense doesn't get run over against Baltimore or San Diego like the Bills D. Whether it was one half or not doesn't matter. Throw Indy into the mix, Derek Anderson notwithstanding. For a defense predicated on bend but don't break, they've broken plenty this year. Once again, I'm not exonerating the offense or special teams; the inability to play "complementary football" has put the D in tough spots. But as Chan Gailey once said, sometimes in football it comes down to "whipping the man in front of you". The Bears game gave the Bills D a statistical boost because the massive penalty yards aren't counted in yards allowed. The D still could have stepped up and held the Bears to field goals. They could have stopped Houston marching right down field to kick the go-ahead field goal. Shutting teams when the chips are down, no matter how tired you are, in spite of your offense... that's what elite defenses do. None of this is to say the Bills D is trash. There's plenty of talent, and with a couple of pieces, they will look very "complete". The first few games were kind of skewed by the fact that they weren't getting many/any turnovers, and certainly weren't converting them into defensive touchdowns. The 2017 iteration of Buffalo's defense had shades of the 2018 Bears defense: they capitalized on their big defensive plays; we're not seeing that much this year. For the first half of the season especially, it would be turnover on defense, then Bills offense goes three and out again (or gives the ball right back). Now whether you can have a shutdown defense like the 2000 Ravens Defense or the 85 Bears... that's another discussion. I'm guessing in the current NFL it's folly to think you can hold teams down every week and squeak by in 13-10 defensive struggles. I'm afraid the head coach thinks this is still feasible.

What always disturbed me was the fact that McDermott, who (hopefully) knows defense, couldn't see how easy it would be to gameplan against Peterman. People joke "10 in the box!" but we really saw something similar. There was simply no fear of using single coverage on receivers and selling out to stop the run with NP at QB. It really jumps out on television how his throws simply float. And how we would go to the well with that line of scrimmage/sideline pass that requires a laser or a dart, not a duck. CBs were smacking their chops, ready to freelance that throw when it inevitably came. Nice guy but thankfully this is over, for everyone involved. I'm just in awe that it took so long to get there. I really like/want to like McDermott/Beane but I do wonder... does McDermott learn from his mistakes? If this season is a wash, then at least it's a growing opportunity for not just Allen and the youngsters, but McD as well. But then I question: does he disregard sage advice or is he in an echo chamber with people nodding their heads, saying "yeah Sean, you're right (again)". His refusal to move on from Peterman was mind-boggling. I understand that as this season went on, there was simply no choice, but there was ample time to cut bait previously. Sorry for clubbing this horse, I just realized it had died.

That was not even implied in my post... Did we miss out? Sure looks like it. My point was simply Mahomes wouldn't look so great here. That's not a knock against him, he obviously has "it". It's my opinion that the current coaching staff would have wasted him, especially with the roster as it is. I can't prove it, obviously, but like everyone else I'm entitled to my opinion. To me, we're dealing with alternate histories, like the one where the Bills drafted Tom Brady or even Rob Gronkowski; let's throw in Aaron Rodgers for giggles. Could even Brady/Rodgers have elevated those Bills teams, without Belichick and his genius/system, or without a strong Packers roster used to winning? Would Gronk "Gronk Out!" on the Buddy Nix/Gailey Bills, lead by the plucky Ryan Fitzpatrick? I don't think so. Seems like people are worked up about stuff that didn't happen. Sometimes that's for the best. And hindsight is 20/20. I agree, it sucks we missed out on what was apparently a generational talent. As a fan of the NFL, I'll be content to watch him from afar, watching him (likely) reach his full potential. My point was simply that I don't think he would have reached his potential here, at this time, much like the Bills would have wasted Brady/Gronkowski/Rodgers.

Long time lurker, first time poster: my 2 cents: Mahomes would have been wasted on this iteration of the Bills, especially considering the roster teardown that just occurred. We don't have the pieces nor the coaches to cultivate/develop him (yet). I believe he's got enough talent that we would have seen obvious flashes but my guess is he would not be tearing the league up like he is now. TBH, he would probably be running for his life.