Einstein's Dog

Yeah, I thought this was a pre-planned event. Now their talking about weight changes, at this stage?

Why doesn't the #2 seed factor in? That's pretty important too. The two seed would secure having the first two playoff games at home (with winning of course). Much better to get someone like Pitt or Houston at home. So to me, if the #1 or #2 are affected, Josh will be in there. And he will be getting enough TDs to keep his streak going.

Now you're coming back to your own opinion. However, when you said "I would imagine literally zero posters on this forum" you are so far off that it seems fair to question your bias. I get it, your opinion won't change unless there is a playoff difference. But to the OP, someone else's opinion could change, that this regular season has, to some, already exceeded preseason expectations.

We weren't heavy favorites this year. Some years are different than others. When someone says that they "imagine literally zero" seems disingenuous and comes across with a negative slant to create a new objective.

What? Literally zero? Did you even look at the thread brought up that was preseason asking if the team was a playoff contender? Many posters said the Bills wouldn't make the playoffs. And the people who were worried about the playoffs weren't all anti-McDermott, a lot of it had to do with the talent of the team, the "retool", the digging out of the Diggs disaster and the cap restraints that came with it. But now that we're safely in the playoffs the goal posts are trying to be moved. It's some playoff type metric that needs to be met - be it divisional round, AFCCG, or SB appearance, or SB win - whatever it is that isn't accomplished it seems.

I'm not saying it can't be done. But I don't think you should expect it. Just because another team in a different year exceeded their expectations, we should not cloud the evaluation of what our team has done this year. The Bills were universally touted as retooling and making the playoffs was a realistic goal. Now that it has been accomplished many are moving the goal posts and saying they need a playoff run (or even more unreasonable a SB)

Except this was universally accepted as a "retool" year. Beane was eating a lot of dead cap and the talent level of the team was taking a hit for it. The Diggs disaster had set this team back. Most set expectations as to whether or not the Bills could make the playoffs. It looks like some with a predisposed negative opinion of McDermott have a hard time acknowledging what a great he has done.

If you're myopically concentrating on the short term, then yes, stick to the high percentage plan. But it seems that now would be a good time to think strategically about the rest of the season and the playoffs. Some advantages of opening up the offense include: 1. In game experience. Doing downfield plays in game situations. 2. Put out game tape of a different style of playing. This will give DC's more to think about in terms of game planning against the Bills. Remember when Balt devised a game plan designed to shut down the short high percentage pass? 3. Let the players have fun. Lets see what Cooper and Coleman can do with some down field opportunities. 4*** (Unspoken, give Josh an opportunity to put up MVP stats - ala the Dorsey led J Winston/Browns) 5. Have Joe Brady do something unexpected. Being unpredictable has some advantages.

It's not hating on a person if you think they are the weak link. For most it's what we see. We watch all the games. I think it might be the reverse, that a lot of people here have an emotional attachment to Hamlin based on the unique circumstances and aren't evaluating his game properly. Are you the guy who said Amari Cooper was good insurance for Mack Hollins? That you didn't want to upset the chemistry of the 4-2 team? Milano is not a risk. Hyde is not a risk. It's upgrading the defense for the stretch run and playoffs.

I think there is a quiet, unspoken incentive throughout the team to get Josh the MVP. This could be a fun, loose, "let her rip" type of offensive outburst that puts up some eye-opening stats to help the cause. That's my optimistic viewpoint and I'm sticking with it.

Or maybe Hyde is a very good safety and they are looking for a starter over Hamlin! The FO is upgrading its weakest link on Defense. This Defense is going to be awesome. I anticipate Hyde starting the last 3 games - NE/NYJ/NE and the D will be going to town.

I can see your point. But the offset to that is the adage that at this point in time they say all players are dealing with some type of injury. Not so with Hyde, he comes in injury free. Secondly. Hyde is a multi-year veteran so the getting into "football shape" should take a little less time.

Yes to Hyde. And the bringing him back is done with the intention to work him into the starting lineup for the playoffs! Apparently people aren't seeing the same thing as I am from the game action. Hamlin is the weakest link. Much like the "WRs quietly got better" theory, we now have to go through the excuse factory of people working themselves into believing having Hamlin out there isn't a liability. Hamlin is being hidden in a good defense much the same way as G Davis was hidden last year in our decent offense.

I don't understand the idea that this move would be against everything McDermott stands for. McDermott's top priority is to make this team the best it can be, and if that means bringing Hyde in, you do it. They brought in A Cooper even though Hollins had played every game. Hamlin is not supposed to be some pity move, that's insulting.

Kind of crazy for it to be Hamlin IMO. But I will say, Hamlin got screwed out of an INT yesterday. They showed the replay and the announcers kind of went silent, there was no foul of any kind to see in their replay.

Agree, the Raiders failure was more than a botched snap. Prior to that sequence when the guy went around the end and made it to near the 32, his not going out of bounds was baffling. Even with the clock running tI didn't think needed to spike the ball, just run a play, they still had over 20 seconds. A quick hitter over the middle, then move up quick and spike the ball and then attempt the FG to win the game. Early unnecessary usage of TOs came back to haunt them.

No, IMO, they should have stayed strong and implemented the Bills blueprint right from the start. That plan involves taking a shot at a franchise QB. Much like Tyrod got the Bills a fluke playoff game, D Jones got the Giants a fluke. Also they should have moved Barkley via trade. DaBoll/Shoen came from a no-pay RB philosophy. Franchising Barkley was another mistake, and not from the Bills handbook.

I would prefer Groot, Bernard, Benford, Shakir and Cooper. Also, I think for Cook, early in the game he would catch the screen and take a stutter step to gather himself and look up field before going. This slight delay allowed the defender to get to him and there were several no gains because of it.

What are you talking about with "half the list was hurt"? Most were traded - D Adams. A Cooper, and DHop in particular. And even if they are hurt, why can't you trade for them? What secret eligibility requirement are you creating in your mind? You have no idea what the market would be if Cleveland wasn't a mess. Some other team could have taken their place. Also, there is no way to know what the bidding would have been, but we do have a pretty good idea Beane would have set a limit on what he would be willing to pay.

Bringing up a few exceptions does not invalidate the overall statement that relying on the draft is not a solid plan to fill the A Cooper position. Many, many more fail to produce. It's not the odds on way to do it. And while the mid-season trade route seems like a good move this year as an overall repeated strategy it is too risky. The Bills were very fortunate to be 4-2 before pulling the trigger.

A rookie doesn't do it. The dreaft is generallhy for the future. For next year drafting for a WR will not fill the void of A Cooper. No, they didn't get lucky, they just avoided bad luck. The odds of one of Tenn (DHop), the Raiders (D Adams), Tampa (Godwin), Denver (Jeudy), Seattle (DK Metcalf). Rams (C Kupp), or Cleveland (A Cooper) to be out of it by the deadline were heavily in Beane's favor. Of course this could have been the plan, it is what happened!

I agree it is tough to get value on WRs. The contracts seem to be getting over the top - J Jeff/St Brown/T Hill getting into the $50M range seems too much. But I also believe the Bills O really goes up a level with a top tier WR. Having an A Cooper that defenses need to account for opens up the hands crew underneath, Shakir/Kincaid/Cook.

I'm right there with you hoping the FO values top tier WRs. As for A Cooper, I think his personality is fine and he looks like a fit. Need to see more on the field. Hope those excellent KC plays are a regular addition. Plus a little more overall activity once fully healthy. Alpha had mentioned A Cooper had problems with drops, so I hope that doesn't happen. But cost matters. If A Cooper is going for over $20M, the FO might be better served to look at giving a 5th and $25M/per for DK Metcalf. Or maybe DHop for $8M. The point is that as the cost rises there is a need to look at the alternatives. I will say the future is looking bright with A Cooper and I hope they work it out.

I don't think the FO would bring Gabe back. I think they like the hands of the group. The core of Shakir/Kincaid/even Cook -just don't drop easy passes. And Hollins hasn't either. I can't think of any, what I would call an easy pass, that was dropped by this group. IMO, it's made a huge difference. The easy drops from G Davis, McKenzie, Singletary and even Knox at times were just hard to get around.

The argument/problem can be the money. Baldo above mentioned a $20M AAV, I think that would be out of the FO's price range. You mention DHop and the Titans, he went there for $13M, that would work, but sounds low for what A Cooper may want (that's Gabe Davis money). The second piece would be the alternatives. Once again DHop would be on the market. A little older, yes, but a consideration. Or maybe a DK Metcalf, what's his cost? I hope the FO is sold on having a top tier WR, but should understand there are cost limitations.