Einstein's Dog

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.

Well the coaches had a designed run for Josh, when up at least 10 and in full control of the game, - and Josh broke his nose. Talk about unnecessary. Josh trying to make a TD run in a tie game pales in comparison IMO.

I don't think an AFCCG warrants a musical act. This trend is the NFLs gig to make these events - worked well with the Superbowl. The NFL would love to extend that to the next lower level and make parties out of the CGs. Remember when they almost had the big party in ATL for Bills v KC? But if the Bills did win the Championship, it is event worthy. It would be something that the powers in Buffalo should not be scrambling to put together in a week. It should have months of planning and the OPs band should certainly be in the mix. For many a Superbowl can cost too much, whereas a trip to Buffalo would be much cheaper. It would be nice for out of towners to know the dates and possible events. Last year the jinxer crowd wouldn't let it be discussed.

It's not just Josh, remember when J Cook was a fumbler, G Davis ran wrong routes, and I. McKenzie did plenty of inexplicable things. They either improved or were sent packing.

I'm not sure if I believe the bolded portion of your comment "It's not better coaching nor any particular aspect". That seems like a statement I'd expect out of the McD hater group, that it's all luck. Here is a snippet from my FF mag on the D (Fantasy Football Index, ranked #4 for FF). "Consistency is elusive at the position but the Buffalo Bills are a notable exception. Since hiring Sean McDermott, they've ranked in the top 10 in takeaways eight years in a row. They've averaged 29 takeaways (17 interceptions, 12 fumbles) over the past 5 years, nearly 2 more than anyone else". The second paragraph covers sacks and then goes into personnel changes and then says "it's a reliability worth investing in", referring to the coaching. Some neutral observers are pretty much saying bet on the coaches to do it again. As to avoiding turnovers, once again, I cannot see how any fan could not see the extreme change in scheme to decrease the offensive turnovers. The change to Brady along with moving on from G Davis, to the coaching up and maturing of Josh and J Cook - there was a concerted effort to reduce turnovers.

Simmons on a one year deal doesn't mean you're giving up on anyone. To me it just means your bolstering your weakest position for the 2025 SB possibilities. Getting A Cooper did not mean they gave up on Coleman.

Simmons would be a nice get. Then after the bye, you'd have Simmons integrated, the PED boys rotating, and Max and Tre healthy. That's a much better on-paper defense.

I've got to say I disagree with that too. It could all be about price. Beane wanted Cook but not at $15M per. Beane may want Simmons but not at $5M. And while risky, by waiting you have to figure that $5M tag drops. And he will soon not be the only name S in the market. Once the loser teams are established raiding those teams (like the WRs last year) becomes an option.

Let me correct you again. Simmons played in and started 16 games for Atlanta last year (at least according to Wikipedia and I believe them over what appears to be your random guesses of what happened). This angle you seem to keep pursuing - that Simmons has been out of the game, is rusty or hurt, is wrong. The odds on reason for him not being with a team is price. Beane should be keeping an eye on players, it's his job! And right now the discussion is on how much of his job should be focused on finding better talent on the back end of this defense. Much like last year when the board had a lot of discussion on what to do about WRs - and a lot of people were "oh, it's fine". And then, surprise, a WR.

Why do you keep saying Simmons hasn't played in over a year, when he played last year for Atlanta? Just because you keep repeating it, doesn't make it true. According to Wikipedia he played Dec 16, 2024 and two pass deflections and an interception. He has a fully guaranteed $7.5M contract. Simmons didn't do well in PFF grading. But Spotrac lists him at a market value of $5M. I would like to think our FO is looking and he is one of the candidates. But the FO might (rightfully) think they can hold off a bit and get a better deal than that with a trade candidate to be named later (which I am also hoping they are scouting).

What if the reason Simmons hasn't played is money? Maybe the Bills should think about paying him appropriately. And, yes, it's easy to say for Beane to trade for a stud safety. It's kind of Beane's job. To imply that there are none available seems to me the more clueless stance.

We're not talking next year. Coleman looked good yesterday but wasn't ready last year and they went and got a WR and let the young guy develop. I don't know the trade candidates yet but would bet just like WRs last year, they will be out there. As for Free Agents I see Justin Simmons, and Jabrill Peppers was rumored earlier.

Kind of like the problem last year finding a WR....oh wait, nevermind.

Why not think bigger though, get a stud. Then let one of our current starters be the backup (or rotate in). IMO, GM Beane need to assume this could be the year. Odds to win it all (via increased odds of number 1 seed) just increased. Work on the weak link in a big way.

My perspective is the opposite. I'm hoping if the coaches had doubts (which they should have, as we did), and they were shown against Balt (which seems like they were), they know they need to act. This game was a litmus test against one of the top opponents. The back end is a problem. Giving time against the fraudulent teams of NYJ, Miami, New Orleans, and New England proves little - is fools gold. Sure, let Bishop learn/improve but the problem runs deeper than that. Maybe do something like what they did for WR last year, scout the losing teams for a star and potential trade. Or just buy J Simmons. But twhatever it is this time don't cheap out and go for an A Cooper over a D Adams. Get a star in here. Do not wait. And do not let the lesser games decide the actions needed for the Lombardi. Get a bonafide difference maker in and replace one of the back end fodder and you improve the defense exponentially. I may be a little ahead of myself but I hope they see it as I do and the number 1 seed is now there for the taking! Go for it!

Are you suggesting Harbaugh coached a better game?

That's it, congratulations on trying to keep your irrational thoughts alive. You can help lead this outlier group in an echo chamber and pretend you have a large backing and are engaging in normal behavior.