MasterStrategist

Steelers with 8, sometimes 9 guys in the box, all playing downhill on 1st down. Might be time for Garrett to buck the trend and go empty on 1st down. Just makes me appreciate our 4 WR sets, we got some weapons to really work with that can challenge defenses like the steelers

Agree, but Ben looks nothing like Ben of old, at least not yet...only 1st half of a long stretch of missing games, so it will take a game or two.to shake rust OR father time has arrived

Not a fan of all these Off PIs to start the season, just like I hate def PI unless blatant. Heck Claypool pushed off just as much in his 1st catch, no call

Excellent defense still, be a tough team to beat

looked like laces in

Looks like nerves, same as opening kickoff. He makes it a habit, then yeah we will be asking why not Haush

Looks like no Milano to start 2nd half

Excellent post! Awesome deal for the team, and of course Tre! He deserves it, great player great person! This team is building something really special, next up Milano then Edmunds and obviously Josh

Thanks Yolo. Who do we think is going to IR, other than Feliciano? Or possible that Boettger, or another OL to be traded/released

Thats a lot of front 7 players, maybe a couple cuts and defensive backs going to be added

I'll say the same as I did before: 1. OL: winters is a lock, guaranteed money (no cap savings), and our best RG until Mongo is back 2. TE: Sweeney is either healthy, then makes the team OR he gets IRd. He is not going to be released, id at least move him to Blue 3. DL: harrison phillips has always and will be making the team. Dont get why he isn't a lock. by all accounts is looking good in TC and was off to a great season last year before injury 4. LB: Makatavech is a lock, not sure why he's blue. He's our best ST guy and was specifically signed for that role (replace Zo). I'd consider Thompson and Dodson "very blue" right now, as well 5. CB: Norman is a lock, if he misses any gamete that's still.to be seen, but he's not getting cut. Weird take om that. 6. Kickers: I get the sentiment about Bojo, he always needs to be looking over his shoulder/competing. But Bass, really?! I mean he's been as advertised and many, including myself, said he had a much better shot making this team than Housemoney. Bass isn't going anywhere, he's a "lock".

Any other position than Qb, and I would agree. Not even arguing the merits of Fromm, but this team isn't wasting a 5th rounder on a developmental position and cutting said player in year 1. Add that to Beanes prior comments about Fromm and we will see what happens

Thanks for the great post! My thoughts by position: QB I would put Fromm as a lock...be shocked if the team cuts a 5th round rookie, especially at a position that takes time/patience to develop. Rb I would be tempted to put Dimarco as a lock, but can understand anyone who disagrees. Jones or Yeldon makes the team, but id say it is more likely to be Yeldon based on familiarity in the offense. Wr Along with oline, this will be the most criticized decision. I agree with your locks, and likely we keep 1 more player. I think Foster had a lot going on at the beginning of last season, and didn't get off on the "right foot", he'd be my pick to keep OL Agree with locks, would add your 3 'blues' to locks. I could argue all 3 of these guys could start, and 1 likely will (Winters), leaving other 2 as top backups. I like Bates the best from the others, given his versatility and showed well in his limited time. I think we keep 9 OL, if Feliciano isn't IRed, tough decision on the last guy DL Harrison is a lock, he is either active or if not healed will be IRed. If anything Dirty Harry's unknown might prompt them to keep a spot for big Vince. Otherwise I see 8 guys, with Murphy being the 8th (but would be happy if they could shed the cap of Trent and feel like they are getting a similar player in Daryl). LB Makavaetich is a lock, he was signed away from the Steelers to be our new ST core player (great replacement for Zo). I think Corey is a "likely", then it comes down to Dodson vs Joseph for the last spot. CB Biggest gripe of the list....No clue how you have Norman as a "likely", he is a surefire lock. Neal is "very likely", id put him as a lock. Then personal bias toward Dane Jackson making the team, watching him play high school and college ball, he is going to be a good player for us. S I agree with this, Marlowe would be my choice as well K/P Id put Hauscka in the same category as Bass...so going by your prior comments, both should be red. Im 60/40 toward Bass winning the job, but not going to be unhappy either way. I think Bojo keeps his starting job, but agree he is competing and not a lock Tha ks again, well thought out as always

Awesome news....would have supported his decision either way (easy to say now I know), but family does come first and Tre is a very mature dude as plenty of posters have said. Can't replace his talents, energy, passion that he brings. He's getting recognition, top 50 player, but he has potential to dominate. https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1066796162173333505?s=20

Agree, no huge deal and its likely a combination of cap savings and fringe status. Even if the Bills keep 10 lineman (with expanded roster) here is possible ranking as of now...placing Long on the outside looking in: 1-4. Dawkins, Spain, Morse, Feliciano 5-6 (RT): Ford, Nsehke Depth: 7. Winters (now presumed starting rg) 8. Daryl Williams (possible starting rg and rt competition, imo better than Long at guard) 9. Bates, depth at all positions and staff likes his versatility. Likely 2nd backup at all spots. Long likely a better guard/center than Bates, but his added versatility keeps him above a $3.5m backup 10-12. Boehm/Boettger/Long: I would put Long ahead of all these guys, but not at his current salary. Which means, Boehm Boettger or Bates is backup at center. With salary cap in flux, and many guys to extend next year, saving $3.5m could be the difference of retaining vs losing a Milano type. To me thats worth the tradeoff.

Did anyone actually listen, and not just read the cliff notes? ? He actually gave Frank a big compliment and said "he" taught me everything I needed to learn. A bit of a misquote from the interviewer, imo. Either way, not sure how anyone thinks he didn't speak highly of Frank or his appreciation of things frank taught him. Everyone should go listen and not try to overanalyze

Wow, that is really crazy. Got me thinking about Alexs comments, in regard to what he remembered from that play. He said he remembers identifying Houstons blitz, and adjusting his blocking protections. For a Blitzer to come that free, it looked like the RB was supposed to "cross block" the blitzing defender between guard and tackle on Alex's right side. Not a soap box moment or anything, and I have no clue if I'm right or not, but certainly shows value in having a RB who can pass protect. Blink of an eye to lose your franchise QB, definitely a shame.

I don't think they can do much more. Risking surgery to "make it look better" is highly unlikely, could only see them going back if medically necessary. Pressure sleeve certainly helps with circulation, and to some extent pain too. But as you righfully said, the amputation consideration was needed at the time, as becoming septic and risking spread to other areas of the body could have been fatal.. Amputatiom could be still in the cards. With the muscle and tissue transplant, healing varies greatly from person to person. Possible, not saying likely, that Alex perhaps gives this more consideration as his kids get older and his lifestyle may become less active.

Lost alot of credibility putting Mike Tomlin on this list, especially with comments about him moving up near the top by the time he retires. I think most people don't realize he has had a great QB/future hall of famer (Ben), his entire career. Lets see what happens once Ben retires. Cowher rightfully belongs on the list, and along with Kevin Colbert, built an unbelievable foundation. I'd take 5 coaches before Tomlin, who are coaching right now (alphabetical): 1. Belicheck 2. Carroll 3. Harbaugh 4. Payton 5. Reid And likely another 5 guys, including McDermott, who have less than 5 yrs head coaching experience that I would hire before Tomlin if starting with a new coach. Rest of list is solid, definite arguments to bring a few guys on and most are in +/- 3 spot range

Not doubting your sources about possibly drafting Dugger, but when we play nickel Taron better be on the field or our new 7th rounder. If we take a 2nd rounder to play a "specialty" position like big nickel, i think that would have been a huge misuse of the valuable pick. We picked up Jefferson to play a hybrid role, replacing Shaq and 3 technique rusher. But with Epenesa, you have a perfect replacement and possible upgrade at left end immediately. If we need someone to play "big nickel" so.bad, there are plenty of strong safety types than can bump down to LB. Including Neal and Marlowe, already on the team

Agree.completely about Tyler, and your point of sticking with Davis. I think Tyler would have been the pick over Fromm, if he was available. Would have been nice. I'm not as big on Anae, but admittedly watched only a couple Utah full games. I like his energy/motor/attitude, but as you said, lacks certain traits to be successful in our defense. Not athletic enough to play the "right end" and I question if he's stout enough to play left end, but after taking epenesa I don't think there's room for another def end this year

Zuniga is the complete opposite of Epenesa, and really doesn't fit the "left end" mold of our defense. I think with Hughes and Addison, Zuniga would be struggling to find the field this year. That type of atheletic/flashy guy will be next year or the year after, once Hughes and or addison is gone. Also, this staff values availability and zuniga has been fighting the injury bug

Thing is, Singletary is the man. They found a steal in the 3rd last year with Motor. I won't disagree about Dobbins being rated higher than Moss, however, would you rather have: 1. Motor/Dobbins/3rd round Def end....please go check out what remaining LEFT END options were there after Epenesa. I'll save you time. HUGE drop off 2. Motor/Moss/Epenesa. Dobbins might be a better player than Moss, but for the "value" option 2 all day every day. Epenesa is going to be a real solid player for years to come.

Growing up near and watching Dane play here us my breakdown: 1. Natural athlete: as posted on the bills website, he was a football and basketball star in high school. he went to a small school here in Western PA, but competition and quality at that level is still really high. 2. At Pitt: he played outside and inside (Nickel or slot). Very physical, for a smaller stature player. Solid tackler, good Blitzer, and very quick...not only feet but ability to diagnose plays.. He reminds me a lot of taron Johnson or even nickel robey Coleman to be honest, and at the NFL is likely to be a nickel or slot cover corner. Nothing wrong with that though, nickel corner is a very important position. Another team first, physical and "loves football" type of guy, great selection 3. Draft position: I might be biased, but think any other year, Dane is likely a late 4th or early 5th round pick. Similar to Taron and his draft position. Since he doesn't project well to outside corner and the slew of wrs this year, he got pushed down. But this guy will make the team, no doubt and might even start. 4. Projection: he will compete with taron at the nickel corner/slot cover corner. Great pick, he provides much needed depth or possibly a starter at that position. Behind Taron, we tried Neal and Marlowe last year, and remember what happened once Taron got injured against the Texans.

Unlike in years past, we have starters slotted into every position on this roster heading into the draft. Not to say that some can't be upgraded, but provides a lot of flexibility to truly go with BPA. That said, we were very fortunate last season with injuries and having depth is a necessity, if we want to develop into a championship team (especially without an elite qb, as Allen continues to develop)...Imo, we run into the biggest drop-off in play if these starters were injured: 1. RB: Yeldon, Jones, Wade and DiMarco provide much to be desired. Absolutely no starters in this group, and a bunch of #3 rb types. Top pick or 3rd rounder, absolutely needs to be a playmaker to split time with Motor 2. Corner: Taron Johnson hasn't proven to stay healthy, and Levi has missed games in the past. With Norman and Gaines, you hope one of these veterans can stay healthy, along with of course Tre who has been durable. Upgrade at CB2, or flexibility to shift down or compete at nickel, along with providing depth is a big get. 3. Linebacker: Klein was a great pickup, but he isn't the mold of a Milano or Edmunds. Unless they like what they see from Dodson or Joseph, I see a pick in the 4th-6th round range (speed type, ie milano) 4. Safety: behind Poyer and Hyde, Marlowe is a solid contributor who was a "jack of all trades" last year, but not the type you want to roll out for numerous games. If not this year, I see us drafting a 3rd round caliber player, who can play in the big nickle role (like Marlowe or Neal) and eventually replace as a starting safety. Other upgrade options: 1. Def end: I see argument to get younger, but we already have a 2a and 2b in hughes/Addison, not elite guys but real solid. Murphy is average, a good guy for a #3 end but paid too high, Johnson is young and might be a fringe player, and Jefferson will be a solid option, if he's not bumped inside (which i think they will do on obvious pass situations). Unless they see a future #1 or #2, in rounds 2-4, I just don't see why they'd take one this year....more likely a big target next season 2. Oline:deepest position on this team. Nsheke, Williams, Long, and Boehm are all very good backup types. Starters: Dawkins likely to get a long term deal, Spain just got his, Morse stays healthy then he's here longterm, and they just drafted Ford in rd 2 last year....Feliciano played solid too, so i.just don't see them doing anything but letting this group "gel" 3. TE: Knox will be a very good TE, if he can stay healthy. Kroft is a great 2a option, if he can stay healthy. Then you have Sweeney, Smith, and Croom as competition. Unless they are transforming the offense into a 2 TE offense, I don't see a need to.go after this group...plus just drafted 2 last year, Kroft restructured, and draft class is NOT deep 4. WR: Diggs, Brown, Beasley is the best trio we've had in a long while. I think Duke Williams, Mckenzie and Foster each bring a different skill set, along with Roberts. I could see a late round flier, but no draft pick is taking a top 3 slot, let alone seeing many targets unless two of our top guys go down. My prediction: Round 2: corner Round 3: running back Round 4: safety Round 5-7: linebacker, wr and punter