Einstein's Dog

I would love to see the FO bring in Clowney! He'll never come cheaper. He's an athletic freak who might be really motivated. The Bills culture and change of scenery might reignite his career. People are talking paying a Murphy/Addison type price for Clowney? Are you kidding me? Sacks aren't the only thing in life. Sure it's a great stat, but you've got to account for a lot of other factors and watching the game helps show that. Remember how Chris Jones had no sacks for KC in the Bills game? Yeah, I wouldn't hate having that bum either.

Hey - this just reminded me, what was the basis of the one KO in the playoffs that hit on the goal line. It had the KO returner stumped and the guy eventually tried running it out only to get tackled in terrible field position (for them). They cut to commercial and then came back and gave it to the team at the 25. They showed the replay with the ball hitting the goal line like that somehow justified the call (and gave no explanation). I didn't understand why, in normal circumstances if you decide to take it out you have to live with the consequences. Is this just an annual playoff event now, screw the Bills each year in some manner on a kickoff?

Great to have Bass aboard. The move to transition to him right away worked - credit to McD. Looks like the kicker position is set for a good period of time now. I think the covid thing was a help to Bass. He clearly had the leg from day 1, but handling the pressure is an unknown. Bass seemed to have some nerves early and has worked through it. I think not having huge crowds lessened the pressure and may have helped him ease into the position. He worked through those issues and hit some big ones in the playoffs. He's a keeper.

I think you need to revisit your schedule rankings. KC's schedule is pretty soft. They play the NFC East - the softest division in the league. They should be around 7 point favorites in each of those games. Please note that of the 5 AFC playoff teams you mention, 3 of them got there by romping through the NFC East last year. We've been talking about the Bills soft schedule, KC's schedule is of similar strength. And yes, of course there is playoff turnover. A good case could be made for the Raiders or Chargers to be in the playoff mix next year - in large part because they have the soft NFC East games on their schedule - not because they are going to challenge KC.

Well, it might be a way for the teams with upset franchise QBs to do something. While I wouldn't take Watson for JA, I think Beane would have to give some thought to a A Rodgers/ D Adams and a second for JA.

You do not cut Singletary. Teams need multiple RBs, they get hurt - see Moss. Also Singletary gives us continuity if needed in emergency. And did have a good freshman year. Cut Yeldon. I would like a new RB1 candidate. IMO, this should be drafted. A drafted RB can be useful in his first season (unlike most TEs or pass rushers at the 30 spot). The FA dollars should be spent on a veteran pass rusher and/or TE. Also, I would say "No" to the squashable lightweight RB from UCLA. Harris or Etienne please.

I think Beane is just trying to keep fan expectations low. He will be investigating all options. In particular I expect him to be researching possible pass rushers and TEs. He can't say he's looking into these because it will affect the market and affect a portion of fans would consider not bringing some in as a sign of failure.

I think for WR, the Bills just want a #2. Diggs is clearly our #1 and should receive the lions share of targets. A decent, cheaper, healthier, speedy J Brown type. That eliminates Robinson and Golladay. Stills might fit, they have a bit of a look at him. TE should be targeted by the Bills. Knox is good and improving but a veteran upgrade would produce benefits next year. J Smith/Ertz/ or Hunter would really fit nicely. RB can also use an upgrade but this is one area where a rookie can have short term benefits (unlike TE). Either Harris or Etienne, and that helps with cost. Financially on offense it would be shedding J Brown, Kroft, Morse, maybe Yeldon to accomodate the cheaper WR#2 and somewhat expensive veteran TE.

Have to disagree with you. KC's schedule is soft. The NFC East is by far the worst division in football. KC should easily sweep them. Looks to me that KC will be favorites in every game on their schedule next year. While we tried to have ourselves believe that whole close game thing, we now know better, KC is a quality team. Pretty much the best in the NFL right now. Of course things can always happen, another hard hit on Mahomes and the concussion thing can change the whole dynamic. But outside of that, IMO, yes Pitt is pretty much a gimme for them, and Cincy can circle the game all they want, they will still get destroyed.

eball - thanks for posting. What a difference a year makes. Not only a stronger looking Bills team but an easier looking schedule. Should be favorites in all but 3 or 4 of the matchups (KC, Tampa, Tenn, maybe NO). Hope to contend for the bye. A major problem with that is KC has a somewhat soft schedule too. KC plays the NFC East, although they do get the Ravens and Browns. And unfortunately the Bills play KC away. Would really like to get that bye and home field advantage in a non-covid year. And P.S. - to all those who say it's too early to talk, please just refrain from posting. Everyone knows it's early, we all know things can change, and yet several of us would like to discuss it.

I like the idea of adding a good TE. Hard to get one ready right out of the draft, so a FA is the way to go. IMO, please give up the idea of giving up a 2nd rounder, those are way too valuable now for cost control. I like Knox but we could use adding a really good TE. Ertz after he is cut is certainly a possibility, along w J Smith of TN or H Henry. The trick for Beane is to get one that doesn't break the bank.

Yes, I think we could use a top quality pass rusher. And yes this is an allocation of resources dilemma. I just don't think this position can be done through the draft for an immediate upgrade, whereas some of the other positions RB, OL, and LB could be. It may not seem like the McBeane way so far, but they do adapt, and may in this instance, if they view the situation as I do.

Kind of like how it's not in their DNA to make a big trade, until it is. Pretty obvious need for this team to get a big time pass rusher. If they want to address that concern you can't look to the draft. You're analysis of the FO's DNA might just be subject to change, just as it did last year.

Top of the list is a premier pass rusher. Figure out how to get JJ Watt would be nice. S Barret or even Clowney. And you need to keep Hughes. This is the difficult task for Beane. Next is a veteran good TE. Someone like Ertz would be ideal. Maybe H Henry. An upgrade at RB - Harris or Etienne in the draft.

I would be on board if the FO could figure a way to bring Ertz here. Ertz and Knox would be nice. You would jettison Kroft and probably Morse. TEs take a while so Ertz is a short term fix as #1 while Knox can continue to improve and develop into the #1 spot. Could draft either N Harris or Etienne. Golladay would be an excellent J Brown replacement, upgrade. Would be tough to figure out the finances though. Then the offense would be stacked - upgraded TEs, a playmaker RB, and top ten WRs. On D, I would rejoice if the FO could figure a way to get JJ Watt. Of course he is old but Houston could be in rebuild mode. I don't know how to address the pathetic coverage of TEs. Just need to outscore the competition.

I contend we are going to play somewhat keep away from Mahomes/KC. And this is because that looks like what KC will be giving up. I think the underneath and swing passes will be open, the lesser priority, of the KC defense. If this plays out as I am expecting Josh needs to have the patience to take the 6-7 yards at a pop until KC respects and adjusts. It's not really changing everything as much as it is having Josh opt for the high percentage 7 yard pickup when the defense is schemed to try and take away the deeper stuff.

And in the short term too. Mahomie gets his bell rung from some sack and there is a big time decision if you let him continue.

Josh is a young raw QB seasoning every game. The sugar high is in response to his hyped up play at critical high pressure times. Several examples of this; his first playoff game against Houston - the fumble and the lateral. This year in playoffs his first pass sailed over J Brown - JA looked amped. Later in both playoff games he has fumbled in the 4th quarter. The Bills luckily recovered but nonetheless he has got to get more aware of risk/reward and closing out the game. I'm hoping this game will actually have a little less internal pressure on him, as it does for many of us. And we can see the end of regular season Josh letting loose. The internal pressure in these situations is certainly a factor. And it is something Josh can improve on - generally with experience.

It's a calmer feeling, the season looks to be really good no matter what now. Universally recognized as one of the top 4-5 teams in the NFL. The future is bright. I relate to the house money feel. I would have been more nervous if Cleveland had won. I would have liked our chances of moving on better, but I would have been more nervous in that I don't like losing games when I think we should win.

I've grown to like it. At first, like many, the term mafia made me cringe. Then I came to accept it as a term for Bills fans, generally stereotyped by drunken behavior - not great but I can relate. Now that is changing. Since the whole Cincy donation thing, it has turned really cool, IMO. A different vibe has been achieved. Pride comes through from amounts given to charity in its name. The last one where the Bills Mafia gave pretty much 10x the amount L Jackson gave. I've moved away from the area and it is a source of pride to point to those things from my home area. It's been a unique twist on the fan function.

No. Part of the process is a long term plan. Patience for your developing draft picks is crucial. You don't recruit over your existing picks. Taking a 1st for an RB devalues one of the last 2 years round 3 picks. Don't do it. Money is going to get tighter and we can't keep all high priced free agents. Need to be using first contract draft picks in several places. It seems quite clear to me that a long term strategy for continued success requires less funds expended at the DL. They've started (Oliver/Epenesa) and it needs to continue. OL would be another possibility for grooming for cost control. TE could be a possibility to groom and have insurance for D Knox- and that would be a couple of years separation. Some have said CB, I don't see it - You have Wallace and D Jackson is coming on, along with Gaines should be back. For me I see the BPA out of DL, OL, and TE groups. This organization is now being run to be good for a while. You don't do that by going for the shiny toy.

Actually I think it would make sense for the Bills to play in Tampa.

Actually I thought the refs shifted. The Roughing the Passer call didn't take much and signaled a no roughing kind of game. Then they switched to allowing downfield mugging.

Would it make you feel better if they rushed Mahomes back for your entertainment and the Bills ended his career?

What about practice? You think this is going to be a normal week?