In Summary

Could be TJ's money but could also be analytics based risk assessment. Maybe TJ simply guards you against more big plays than would Klein or 3rd LB? McDermott and Frazier, college and pro secondary players respectively, understand the defensive backfield and are arguably playing to their experience and coaching strengths. If Klein (or 3rd LB) and TJ were a draw on inherent talent, I'd still expect the coaches to lean TJ/nickel over 4-3. TJ and Poyer aren't afraid to hit so they're not necessarily run game liabilities IMO. I've joked that Poyer is our most physical linebacker. I like Klein to jumpstart the pass rush if the front 4 are ineffective. I wouldn't ask that of Edmunds. Most times the Bills have one guy (sometimes two) over 300 lb while the opponent's line has five. Edmunds and Milano are not Shane Conlan and Jim Haslett. We're built to stop the premier passing teams and not the two or three premier inside running games. The base 4-3 vs nickel debate is hopefully just about getting past those couple of teams than could derail your playoff seating.

Sometimes WGR has a lot of time to fill and makes arguments based on non football biases. Beasley and McKenzie are different players.

The Bills won't play three LB's to stop a 12 yard run if it means some remote chance they give up a 30 yard pass play. Not who they are. With a 4 man defensive front and not being a blitzing team, no way they play an extra LB just to rush the passer. The rare occasion is simply an opportunistic changeup, not their bread and butter. Yes, I miss seeing an NFL that involved more running and LB play - even the 3-4 the Bills had that necessitated a rush backer. However, anything short of facing Henry at RB and the Bills will be Nickle start to finish.

Odd that a physical LB who can tackle and rush the passer doesn't have more snaps. Unfortunately he's just not great at running around with his hands up.

Shame. D starts with Star.

Just the way ESPN and the sports tabloid culture like it.

Re 2: Beane and McDermott talk about interchangeability and positional flexibility but the long rangy tackles (Spencer Brown) with quick feet capable of handling wide 9 technique rushers are a different body type than the snow-plow type guards of years past that we suddenly crave. I think one of Beane/McDermott/Daboll was trying to evolve the game and positional body type requirement faster than the game would allow. The Bills' backs need interior linemen that can move the D linemen. Nobody is fast enough to threaten the outside so no over pursuit by defenders to open up cutback lanes. etc. Opponent DL knows they'll win their 1 on 1 matchups. The Bills invested in OT with the Dawkins contract and the draft. If you had to pick between improving your tackle or guard positions, and you're predominantly a passing team, you can fairly choose tackle - which they did.

Wondering to what degree McDermott gets involved in the offensive game plan. Does he, or will he now overrule Daboll on anything? Somebody canned the empty backfield sets after Pittsburgh. We know he'll take the defense over if needed.

Judgement day was August 29, 1997. It was then moved back to July 25, 2004.

Game ball to Tyler Bass.

OBJ = Locker Room Problem. Not needed.

Agree. Too many teams to care about or to ever expect a championship.

The problem is that this not passing to RBs makes Buffalo predictable. RBs won't be running around anyone to the outside coupled with not being significant receiver threats. A few more effective passes per game to the RBs could loosen the deeper downfield coverages. This is a good week for the Bills to experiment and develop this part of their offense but I think Daboll/Allen will try and set passing records instead.

Clearly a deep cover agent for the Carolina Panthers was sent to the Pegula daughter's wedding to expose McDermott as punishment for stealing Beane and Star Lotulelei.

Re 1: Probably more disappointed in the O-line. Not much time for Allen. Re 2: 3rd and really long and throwing lower percentage bombs? It was as though Daball/Josh wanted highlight plays more than they wanted a 1st down. Ill-timed indeed. Other: The number of flags in games has conditioned me to not enjoy the play as it happens (e.g. the McKenzie return). I just expect a flag and a nullified play.

Seems like an ideal game for some 4-3 with lots of snaps for Star and Klein - even with Julio Jones playing. I honestly don't think the Bills care about backs running on them for under 80 yards (or so) a game, but Henry is next level.

Thus the term I'm now hearing at the draft, "Best player available at an expensive position". Too costly to get quality pass rushers in free agency - have to grow your own. Not an absolute, but we now hear this.

Serving me wings with ranch is an insult to my Buffalo culture. Wings with ranch, martinis without vermouth, reubens with thousand island dressing instead of Russian - this is not progress.

Was Sorenson the guy who had coverage on that long pass to Knox where Josh threw after rolling out? If so, I thought Sorenson kind of gave up on the play not thinking that the ball was coming his way after that length of time.

Yes, the Bills hit and Poyer continues to impress me the most on the D in that department, but the modern shut-down effort doesn't include the head-hunting safeties and QB hits of the past. I'll agree that the Bills were physical relative to a modern standard, but a dominating defensive performance just looks different in 2021 than in 1981.

I agree with that quite a bit.

No problem. I wouldn't be able to explain the finer mechanics, but I get your follow-through point. I think he got away with some throws with poor mechanics against Houston and Miami. They sailed as you said but receivers were way open or he got a little lucky. I was concerned he wouldn't aggressively correct this and a better defense would make him pay. I didn't see that last night.

Virgil's day after posts have a nice tone and tenor. Thanks. For Buffalo not to reestablish it's defensive identity would actually be surprising for a McDermott team. I enjoy a smothering defense as much as I enjoy the 300+ yard passing performances. Allen looked confident and played smart - especially considering the weather conditions. No back foot throws and held onto the ball. With an emerging Knox, Buffalo finally crosses the threshold where there are just too many threats for opposing defenses to handle. Poyer had a nice hit later in the game. He consistently hits which I love because a "finesse defense" scares nobody. I think you're still allowed to hit and intimidate without going full on Bill Romanowski or Vontaze Burfict (??). Bleeding the clock with effective runs when you're playing with a lead later in the game is a beautiful thing. Each 1st down is just crushing to the opponent.

He just can't talk less or stick only to football. He's a fanboy for whoever makes the latest play. Annoying.

Only 2 more minutes of Collinsworth.......