Einstein's Dog

It's not true. If Buff got DK Metcalf instead of Pitt, Pitt wouldn't have let Pickens go. For me, missing out on DK hurt the most of the off-season moves. DK doesn't demand target share like most stud WRs. DK would have fit in great IMO - but, need to focus now on the future. I like Olave as the number one choice. Then DJ Moore. Of course would love N Collins but consider it too unrealistic (IMO) to list. Also like the idea of J Addison.

And concerning stopping the traditional run game, since the first game all of B Hall, Achane, and Kamara all had sub-average games. And no, improving the run defense is not nearly as important as getting the third down efficiency improved.

I don't see how it's fair to say the number 1 problem is stopping the run. Who cares? That in itself means very little. And the poor stat is misleading IMO, it contains a lot of QB runs and the D Henry outlier. Look at the stats of B Hall, Kamara, or Achane - all below their averages. And it is not traditional running that has anything to do with getting the D off the field in those third and long situations. And just to be clear, there is no hot seat for Babich.

Who, me? I think as Low Positive is pointing out that you have me confused with another poster. You seem to be anti-Babich. It's extremely unusual for anyone to claim someone is on the hot seat when the team is undefeated. After last season the FO determined the Defense players needed to be upgraded (not the coaching, they kept Babich). They went out and got Bosa, the PED boys, spent the first round pick Hairston., identified Hamlin should be nowhere near starting (although they didn't address it yet) In the New Orleans game most of the upgrades were unavailable (PED boys, Hairston) and on top of that two of the best players from last year were out (Ed + Milano). And now, prior to the New England game you are trying to pre-claim it's McD stepping in that could produce change. C'mon, I hope you can see how someone would think you might be biased.

I don't mean to single you out Alpha, but I'm seeing this said quite a bit - Knox becoming expendable. No, he should not be considered expendable. The new NFL season is extremely long, relatively speaking, 17 regular season games and then more playoff games. Above average depth, especially in high risk injury positions, should no longer be considered a luxury. Even the reduced wear and tear in game, the reduced snap counts can help contribute to a healthier, better, overall TE group. The Bills should not be looking to move on from Knox, but instead getting his salary in line with the market. And I believe Beane can and will do that.

Hypothesizing? Looks to me like you're pre-excusing an improvement - attributing an anticipated improvement to McD to allow you to keep your negative bias alive no matter the result with New England. And Fundamental problem? How about personnel? Wouldn't it be possible that improvement against New England might come with Ed and Milano back?

I have a hard time understanding how people can think Babich is on the hot seat. After last season it seemed clear to most people that the Bills personnel needed upgrading. And that is what they intended to do. The D was missing 5 key players (without Ed, Milano, Hairston, Hoecht, and the answer at safety (I believe they have never intended on Rapp being the safety in the postseason). That's 5 players out of 11. That's just about half the starting lineup. Generally holding a team to 19 points is considered a good job by the D. The "fire them all" crew is looking for style points whereas Babich/McD are just in it for the W.

Asking Knox to take market price is part of Beane's job. And from what I glean from the temperament of Knox I think he would accept market rates. Knox seems like he would like to be a Bill for life. And this understated quality, IMO, can be extended to Coleman - and never would be with Worthy.

The Samuel part of the trade would be kind of a negative asset that the trading team has to take on. The Bills in turn would be incorporating that into the draft pick value given up - along with hopefully the improved Safety received. For instance, instead of the Bills giving up a fourth round, they give up a third round and Samuel.

I think a lot of people here lose track of the big picture. I was reminded of this in another thread when someone said the Saints game was on of 17 and they all count the same. They may count the same but not all game are of the same importance. The New England game >> than the Saints game. The coaches know it and probably planned accordingly. You don't risk a healthy Ed or Spencer for NE to get the lower level win against the Saints. Winning the New England game gives the Bills a massive lead in the Division. Increases the odds tremendously that the Bills will not only be in the playoffs but hosting a playoff game. I expect a different level of focus for the New England game, much like the Jets game.

I think I may have a different interpretation of the test for Samuel. He failed. Codrington as returner and Moore as a receiver make Samuel and his large contract replaceable. Samuel, IMO, would make a great addition to an in-season trade for a top flight safety (to pair w Bishop) or an RB of better caliber to back up Cook (I'm getting worried about our current backups)

I agree, there's a Superbowl winner every year. So, yeah, it's nice but not really special. Now, undefeated seasons, that's a rarity. Doubt McDermott feels the same way though - he doesn't have a Superbowl ring and that is what affects his life the most.

The Bills have a good offense but the numbers above can be misleading. For several of the Bills years 2020-2025 the average start from kickoffs was much better as the NFL has tinkered with the rules on where to kick from and where to bring the ball out to. For the Bills in that time frame the ball came out to at least the 30, so you only had to go 35 yards to be in scoring position.

Who Simmons? I see 59.9 for last year, which is about average, and for 2023 a rating of 67.9. In another thread someone (YattaOkasan) said "Pro football reference has him with a 82 passer rating when targeted last year which also shows hes not washed at all." For CJ Gardner I only see 2025overall grade of 63.4- I now see a 2024 grade of 77. Tyler Rapp shows a 2025 pff rating of 42.2

Or, it's like most things and it's about the money. This could give Beane options. Who is better

Yes, with McDermott it seems like trust must be earned. And lets not forget I think it was Cooks first carry was a fumble (something like that). Cook has come a long way in that regard. And I bet Cook improved this season too, and took to heart the criticisms of pass protection. Cook seems like a complete back now, and significantly better than the average - and a tier better than the rest of the Bills RB room. The big concern now is can he take a full sized beating for the whole season. Or does McDermott try doing some load management to keep Cook at his best for the playoffs?

Nice!!!

The defense should get better, much better if no injuries. E Oliver back, Milano back, PED boy Hoecht, Hairston. I also think (hope) they are in the market for a safety to start over Rapp (Bishop is developing and will get better throughout the season). For instance, IMO, Justin Simmons would look good in a Bills uni. Simmons has said he wants to play for a contender. That would be adding 5 impactful players out of 11. That's a huge upgrade.

Everyone adds Hairston to the list because he was the Bills first draft choice. Obviously, they intend for him to be playing. So when you talk about what the personnel of the Bills defense may look like at the end of the year, it is reasonable to expect Hairston to be in the fold.

Cook is an electric player. And he has improved each year, no longer a fumbling concern, good (to becoming excellent) in short yardage (despite his size). And I am not sure why he isn't considered the 3rd down back when he came in with that expectation. I think we will see Cook in the lineup in crunch times from here out (I think he was in there in Balt). And to Dr Dawks earlier thought. I think if Cook realizes his potential during the season and is on the tier of Barkley/Henry I would like the Bills FO to do what those FOs did and increase his pay. I would just prefer to hear about it after it's done - like Barkley/Henry. And on a side note, whenever you play Baltimore you hear you're going up against Lamar+ Henry, with the Bills I think Cook gets shortchanged a little in that they don't say how are they going to stop Allen + Cook.

I think Cooks contract is fine, it's the way he went about getting it that I didn't like. Public negotiations aren't the usual Bills way, and I hope it doesn't become a regular occurrence.

Totally disagree. The Bills were/are the better team. Extending the time works to our advantage. It didn't work in this instance but it makes sense to me. And yes, it worked against Baltimore and in the past against Detroit. So, yes, with Josh at QB I want to see this aggressive habit continue. Secondly, it's fun to see Josh unleashed. Josh would be taking control, running a key under one minute drill. This would not only be great experience but could have the benefit of changing the offensive plan in the second half.

And there it is, the problem with paying a complainer - the idea that they will continue in their ways. We just don't say/think that about other players performing at a level at, or above, their negotiated salary. No one fears that Benford will sit out because he didn't get hurt and is producing like a top 5 corner. Or Shakir when he lights it up will sit next year because he is now performing above market.

And it should be hard to say that the personnel you saw on D last night will be the same that you see at the end of the year - it should improve dramatically with: Ed Oliver - excellent player addition M Milano - yes, he is still a starter the PED boys - Hoecht/Ogunjobi Hairston - first round draft pick Safety - still think Beane is working on someone -within a budget. Either by trade with a loser team (ala A Coop method) or just buy J Simmons at a discount. That's 4-6 additional players from what you saw last night. Do you think most teams are doing that?

I agree with you in that I feel Coleman was the Bills FO choice the whole way. But if we believe that, it seems likely that the Bills made the trades believing none of the other teams would take Coleman prior to them. But there are differences in having 1st vs 2nd round. One major difference being the contract and franchising strategies. With a first rounder you get 5 years vs just 4 for a second rounder. It seems reasonable to think that Carolina traded up one spot to get that advantage. The Bills apparently did not think that made that much of a difference. I remember thinking when the Bills traded down that it increased the odds that they would get McConkey over Coleman because McConkey was thought to have the higher floor but lower ceiling, which would be the kind of player you give up the first round perks for. So far that scenario does seem to be playing out, McConkey had the better season last year and Coleman is closing the gap this year. I still don't know why Beane traded down into the second for a player who would take longer to develop but has a high ceiling. At he end of next season if things progress the way they are looking it is going to cost a lot to extend Coleman - more than what the 5th year of the 31st pick in the first round would cost.