MasterStrategist

Lol at all the over reactions before any "real" snaps. Elam looked good on that PBU, karma to this garbage topic that was started

Good grief, how many times do ppl need to repeat that Shakir is VERY likely to serve as the "main backup", but we have others not named Kumerow who will get snaps outside. Kumerow is a backup on a depth chart that means absolutely jack right now. Just like last season, he was listed as a main backup outside...repeat did NOT translate to meaningful snaps. He might not even make the roster this yr, certainly not a lock....

This is from Josh, last week: “He’s done a pretty good job in terms of learning the offense,” Josh Allen said. “He’s been switching up from Z to X and doing a really good job of knowing what he’s doing, being able to be switched around. Someone needs a break because they’re gassed from running something, he’s the first one in and he’s been on top of his stuff in the meetings. He’s going to help this team. I’m excited about him, I really am. Then there is this quote from Beane: "He's Bills DNA through and through," GM Brandon Beane said on the latest episode of Buffalo Bills: Embedded. "A guy that can play inside, can play out. Has some speed, has a little bit of run after the catch ability." I'm not convinced Kumerow makes the team even, so will be fun to revisit this in a few weeks. Your persistent negativity toward the outside WR depth is getting old, and frankly the Jake Kumerow "top backup" will likely turn into complaining of something else once he's released

We know Beane is looking? Please show something that backs it up. I forgot how important this 1st depth chart is (roll eyes 🙄). We do know that Spencer Brown is the starting RT, when healthy. Just as we know Shakir will be the primary backup outside. Kumerow is on the outside looking in, if Hodgins keeps it up

and this is exactly why I had a love/hate with Daboll as off coordinator. Great rapport and really liked his passing/route tree concepts, but couldn't stand his situational playcalling ability. He was also too stubborn, or just too aggressive, to adjust his in-game playcalling and formations when the passing game was struggling (ie: Steeler game and Jags game, both against soft cover 2 defenses and too much spread). This is where I'm hopeful that Dorsey brings the "balance" we need. It's the threat of running, not necessarily running alot more. And that can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including formations and different personally combinations. Another gripe about Daboll, while on the topic, was against press coverage schemes. No bunch formations, lack of crossing/routes designed for YAC. I liked his "deep crossing" concepts, but he left something to be desired in other areas. We shall see if Dorsey can make the "minor tweaks", to make this offense more consistent.

Only way we bring in a vet: 1. Tre is not expected back, or runs into complications recovering, prior to mid season. OR 2. Injury to either Elam/Dane Otherwise, signing a vet (ie: Joe Haden) has some drawbacks: 1. Cap/cost: we'd likely be looking at a 1 yr $5-6M (fully guaranteed deal). Much rather we use that money elsewhere, ie: numerous upcoming extensions 2. Said vet will become the 3rd corner, once Tre returns. To me, not only does this become a waste of money but also a potential locker room issue 3. Young up & comers: rather we not cut a player, like Benford or Lewis/McCloud, who could be future valuable depth and potentially grow into a more prominent role. Girmven Beanes philosophy of balancing the "now vs future", can't see us signing a vet CB at this stage unless injuries happen.

Basham was a steal in the 2nd, get ready for him to prove it this year. Adding premium players at CB is exactly what a team like Buffalo can afford to do, at this point of their roster construction. Especially against the plethora of talented Afc offenses. Cincy/Kc/Chargers/Raiders/Broncos/Dolphins all have stacked offense skill position groups and/or Qbs. We will likely match up with one of these teams in the playoffs. Then there are the Colts/Titans/Pats style offenses, where physicality and being able to stop the run is more critical (hence the Jones/Settle/Phillips/Shaq signings and overall rebuild of DL). We are much better equipped to not have 42 points dropped on us in the playoffs/regular season

Agree. We have an "under rated" group, each bringing a different skill set that compliments the other. I'm looking forward to how Dorsey utilizes the trio of Rbs, along with the all the other skill position talent.

Agree. Exactly what happened with him last season as well, just unfortunate as he had a good shot at being our primary returner/few potential looks per game (jet sweeps, etc). I would be shocked if Austin doesn't make the team now, barring injury. But it will be a good "stash", injuries happen and Speedy hopefully could be ready earlier than last reg season (if needed).

Von Miller alone wasn't going to fix our Dline issues, although a big piece to our pass rush improvement. How do we forget that Indy, Tennessee, and New England curbed stomped us in the run game. We needed "physical" guys at DT. Not to mention, that Beane decided not to pay Harry, released Star, and Butler was a waste. Yes, Beanes "ROI" has been awful at DL. Thankfully, he's nailed alot of other weaknesses, and the most important of all. But that doesn't mean give up and stop investing/trying to fix and our biggest "team weaknesses" (pass rush and physicality on DL). Speed at CB, playmakers/weapons, and OL would round out others IMO. We lost to KC last year, including Tenn in reg season, for 1 primary reason. Our defense couldn't get crucial stops/gave up a TON of yards and points. Yes, offense wasn't perfect, but did more than enough. Not like Beane totally ignored the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Many signs point to us wanting to be more "multiple" with our offensive looks and packages. This has been hashed out a million times... 1. skill position weapons: Cook, Howard, Crowder, Shakir, and more PT for Gabe/McKenzie >>>> losing Beas, Manny 2. OL: go read what Morse said earlier in the week re: additions to OL depth. It would have been great to add a G in round 2/3, value just wasn't there. Finally, re: Elam and Bernard (point about improving an already talented back 7).....this is going to be a very stacked AFC QB group/great offenses. When all is said and done this season, it will be the team that can find a way to "slow down"/get a few stops against an elite offense in the playoffs that will be moving on. Something all SB contending teams have had to do...cant win on offense alone and our defense clearly has been an issue against top tier QBs. Elam and Bernard are going to be important pieces to get us there, Bernard has already been raved about in camp (confident Frazier/McDermott) have ideas to get more "multiple" on defense as well.

Nothing against Jaquan, but Hamlin is a future starter. He's extremely instinctive, more of a hitter/aggressive style of play and just a perfect fit IMO. Was shocked he wasn't a late 4th round pick last yr. I'm local to Pittsburgh, watched him and Dane quite a lot at Pitt. Knew Dane was a capable, solid player in our scheme. Just like I am very confident Hamlin would be a solid starter (if called upon). He's not all pro (at Poyers or Hydes level), but would be very ready to contribute when called upon. Pitt coverage schemes/safety assignments/etc were not nearly as complex as what we run and disguise. Hamlin needed a year to learn the scheme, but think he's passed Jaquan (jmo). Excited to see him and Jaquan in preseason

Poster just said 60% pass and 40% run, and you reply with "run, run, pass". Hmm... Balance is critical, and that ringed true several times last year. We need the threat of running, and not passing/going empty sets on every early down. 60/40 or 65/35 is probably the best Balance, to keep Josh heavily involved and also give playaction (strong suit of Josh) more chance at success. Dorsey isn't converting this team to run heavy. He's been quoted saying hes looking to field a "fast/speed" skill position group, that is attacking. But all good offenses have some Balance, or call it "multiple", ability to beat various looks and schemes. Everyone of us remember games against Steelers and Jags, cover 2 looks all game with Daboll staying stubborn to his pass plays and empty sets. I think Daboll was great and deserving of his praise, but he also seemed reluctant to adapt throughout games, and sometimes stayed too aggressive.

No chance, they signed Juju for the slot role...no way Beas ends up there

I don't think Shakir is "slot only", he is versatile enough and could very well be our top backup outside. I personally think they will bring Shakir along slow. That being said, I'd expect the following: Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, Crowder, Shakir, Stevenson and Hodgins.

NFL: 1. Rams follow up super bowl win by missing the playoffs 2. Kyler Murray wins NFL MVP 3. Ravens win top seed in AFC, only to lose in Divisional round 4. Jaire Alexander finishes with most INTs Bills: 1. Groot leads the team with 12 sacks 2. Diggs and Davis each eclipse 1k receiving yards and 10 Tds apiece 3. Edmunds has a breakout season: 4 Ints, 3 sacks and 2nd team all pro. Leading to offeason extension 4. Bills defense leads NFL in turnovers

And I'm sure Kamara or McCaffrey lining up in the backfield has nothing to do with their career YPR. Not sure what's so difficult, as someone said, this "outside #3 wr" talk is just ridiculous: 1. Shakir is basically taking Mannys role, but with more Yac/juice/young legs (call it whatever) and more ability from the slot. He's more than capable of playing outside, but to expect him to replace Mannys numbers isn't what we so called "non worriers" are saying....it's more targets for Gabe, Cook seeing targets, McKenzie getting more PT, and adding a TE2 in Howard who is a solid redzone threat. Shakir will get his targets, but we absolutely don't need him to replace Mannys stats by himself. 2. We will align RBs, TEs, etc outside as the #1 on 15+ snaps per game. Many times motioning said player, It forces teams to "show" coverage or at least bump a LB/create potential mismatches. 3. Press coverage: go ahead and have every team play press man against us, ask Miami or NE how well that faired for them. KC had success 2 yrs ago, but got away with blatant holding (not to mention Beas and Diggs banged up). If anyone had issues with getting off the press, it was Smoke... Not sure why this keeps getting brought up as some revelation against smaller WRs....quickness, release and strength having everything to do with it (smoke was not strong at the point). 4. Injuries: we had Davis or Manny miss several games last season, not once did we panic and assume Kumerow was going to start. We had plenty of personell groupings, and if anything, we are better suited this year with a better TE2 and Rb with some wiggle to occupy safety or LBs. Training camp for entire roster can't arrive soon enough...

Obviously a lot of ways to build a roster, but at the end of the day, it's about filling "critical" positions and building best sustainable success under the same cap/budget imposed rules that all teams follow. Doesn't matter if Gabe/Knox/Dawkins (even Motor/Cook/Moss) were all 2nd-4th round selections. or if they were all 1sts. If we find talent elsewhere in the draft, it shouldn't matter that we haven't invested as much of our 1st round capital into offense. Biggest problem has been serious lack of "pass rush", given how much they have invested into that position group. It's been our biggest hole, and hopefully with Von and another year of progression of our young DEs, that changes. Because our biggest opportunity to improve our overall success, is to be able to field a defense capable of slowing down high powered offenses in thr playoffs. That hasn't happened near enough, we were even fortunate to get past the Colts... Josh and the offense have plenty of weapons, we've been missing elite play from our front 4 to become a championship team.

I think Tremaine will be extended, why he hasn't been yet, is pure conjecture on anyone's part. But Beane has mentioned Tremaine as a "core" player, Mcd loves his nickle 2 LB scheme. While drafting Bernard could point to more versatile looks/4-3 (less nickle looks against certain personnel), I don't think it's a sign of anything more. Tremaine, at Darius or Fred money, would be a big mistake unless he truly takes it to that level. But Tremaine at "tier 2", $12-15m per year (as Marino suggests), is his value, especially for our system and ehat he ask him to do.

Couple posters, continuing to push the same convo from the OTA thread here (ie: lack of OL depth, concerns about our outside WR depth, etc). Back to point on Tremaine... I'm a big supporter, and think/hope an improved DL is going to make a world of difference. Not just because of improved talent, but maybe it lets him play more "loose", and trust his instincts more. Im fully aware that he plays a bit "robotic" at times, which is frustrating because he has the talent/movement skills, to be a more disruptive force...hoping this is the year the light flips, but he's still a solid/tier 2 MLB (#8-10 best), we could certainly do worse. But agree with many who are weighing the potential future cost, I'd put him behind Davis, Knox, and Ed for certain in terms of prioritizing...potential is there though, so I'm glad we can hopefully see him make it happen this year.

Re: Josh Allens carries in the final games, Ill give you TB, but this is what happens when you have selective memory OR just look at the final stat line (which I know you watch the games, so ill go with former). Let's select one of the games you mentioned, at NE and 12 rushes: 1. 2 of those "rushes" were scrambles/not designed runs 2. 2 of the rushes were designed, but 3rd/4th and 1, qb sneaks. Back to back in the 4th quarter on final "drive" 3. 2 were "kneel downs", which do count into the 12.... So that's technically 6 carries that someone could argue might be excessive. Because QB sneaks (Short yardage), scrambles. and kneel downs should never be used to advance your point. Bottom line, the OL played well/above average down the stretch/started to click, we started to get more balance running with Motor and we had historic point output in our 2 playoff games. Offense was not an issue. Our defense had inflated stats to be ranked #1, playing against several subpar Qbs and basically game (home NE) that the opponent decided to play a Peewee football offensive startegy...our dline was nowhere near physical or capable enough to generate "splash plays" during the season. Every team has a "lapse" game or 2, ours were Pitt and Jacksonville....but the 1st NE loss, Ten loss, Indy loss, and Chiefs playoff loss all proved we needed major upgrades up front. Funny that's exactly what Beane and front office decided to address. Coupled with lack of speed in our secondary, which even when Tre played, teams picked on Levi. Gabe will be just fine, we don't need him to produce 1,200 yards. We need him, Knox, Crowder, Cook, Shakir, McKenzie (likely elevated role) etc...this is one of the most versatile offense groups we've had in a long time..by no means do other teams have 3 stud outside WRs, let alone 2 (which we have). Injuries are unpredictable, but I trust Beane and staff have a plan ready if needed...new offensive playcaller likely going to mean expect a more balanced attack.

I'll support ya man and rooting for Speedy. They clearly brought in Austin to compete with him. He had 1 bad week at OTAs, but he will have plenty of chances until September. To quote a Mcdermottism, iron sharpens iron. Let the best man win that return role and likely 6th/7th WR spot.

As you likely know, these recent "transparency" laws don't mean much yet. Hospitals are super inconsistent, even if they comply, with what they put out there (ie: charge master price, specific insurer or medicare price levels). There's also very little consistency with billing patterns, unless as a consumer you know exactly what procedure code and modifiers will be billed/approved, 'shopping' is not necessarily like going onto Amazon and knowing the price. Information that it sounds like you understand, but why it's difficult for many to track

Agree. Sorry I should clarify that I don't expect Davis to put up his stats + Sanders (>1,200 yards). I think Davis is capable of reaching near 1k, in a 17 game season. But with all the weapons that we have, I think the targets won't be there. Also think we will be running the ball a tad more this upcoming season.

Davis isn't replacing Sanders production alone, who is saying that? Those who believe in Gabe think he's a solid/capable #2....he's never been given this opportunity before and he's deserved it. But we also have Knox and Crowder/McKenzie in the slot, along with Shakir. Not to mention, we didn't draft Cook in the 2nd for him to ride the pine. Plenty of weaponry. Davis is the least of my concerns heading into the season. Eager to see how Dorsey plans to utilize, what I'd consider one of our most versatile skill position groups in quite a while.

I asked the same thing up thread, he's counting the rookie class. Which I think doesn't even add up. Von makes up $51m of the so called $90m, as well. I liked your post showing cap hits, Off vs Def, best way to show what we invested for this upcoming season at least.