Jim

Once again what I’m seeing is a fan telling themselves stories to feel better. Yes the Bengals had won a bunch in a row, but they weren’t particularly playing great football coming into Buffalo. The defense gave up a lot of plays to a severely limited Tyler Huntley who did not have a very great time last season in his time covering for the missing Lamar Jackson. In fact, if not for a boneheaded Huntley play the Ravens probably win that game. And on offense, the Bengals kinda stunk too. They scored 17 on that side of the ball. They most surely did NOT come into Buffalo playing their best ball. They just played a team with who had neither the talent nor the coaching to take advantage of their weaknesses. And that’s what is scary about this defense. Why wasn’t McDermott asked why they didn’t they didn’t learn from other teams defensive successes? For instance, in the second regular season matchup against Miami, their offense came in sputtering after being exposed against SF and LA. So what does Buffalo do? Not learn a thing from either teams success against Miami, and Tua lights them up. Same thing with Cincy. Both New England in the regular season and Baltimore in the postseason had slowed the Cincinnati offensive attack. So how do the Bills use that to their advantage in this massive game? They don’t of course! Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier know much better than Bill Belichick and Mike Macdonald. They do things their way! All the way to 27 points which coulda been probably over 40 if necessary and a near total inability to stop the Bengals offense. But yeah, I’m sure the “growth mindset” will show up next year. Right. Maybe we will only get half as defensively embarrassed next year and Josh will play near perfect football and save their behinds! Unlikely.

When people write stuff like what I bolded above it makes me crazy. I have exactly zero memory of anybody ever saying that “year 3, that’s when Greg Rousseau comes alive!” It is just a bunch of hopeful nonsense. I don’t say this to be mean but it drives me nuts. Instead of drafting to help our QB, we likely wasted four picks on bad to JAGish defensive lineman. Lastly, this is an old boring take but I do remember watching some of Rousseau’s college “highlights” and it struck me how cheap so many of his sacks seemed (i.e. QB running into him, a long amateurish play resulting in a sack that you’d never see in the NFL, or him grabbing a sack as a result of another player making a big play to open up a sack for him). In retrospect, it kinda reminds me of when I first saw EJ’s college highlights.

He actually said this? And it was released by the team?

We talking about the guy who was a distraction for basically the entire ‘21 season? That guy? For the record btw before anyone jumps on me I don’t care about how Covid opinions. But to say he’s a team guy after nearly going out of his way to be a distraction is just disingenuous to me.

But then we will only have Dawkins to make silly Twitter videos! And it seems like that is very important to his this team. Certainly more important than running good routes or, you know, catching the ball.

O absolutely yes for sure. I think I said this to my brother during the Cincinnati game, but for *****'s sake do we really truly have a major need for Tyler Matakevich, Taiwan Jones and Jake Kumerow? I mean, give me a break. I know the staff feels that they are special teams marvels, but the funny thing is, I saw a handful of noticeable mistakes by Jones this year which is unacceptable for a guy who is only a special teamer and not a positional player (don't give me the RB garbage). Also, the only time I noticed Matakevich is when he's running off the field. I'm sure they're lovely guys, but they gotta go. If our coaching staff is as great as everybody says it is, then make it work with players who actually have a chance to make plays elsewhere as well, if needed. Just my opinion.

I am a Beastie Boys fan and enjoy the song you reference, but I’m pretty sure the poster is referencing The Beatles song.

So I assume you’re not a fan of Jim Kelly either? Dude took 3 years (and the USFL folding) to come to Buffalo. Didn’t take anything close to that for Shady. As far as personal conduct, do we really wanna go there? I’m sure you idolize ol’ Jimbo, but there are a lot of things floating around out there we probably shouldn’t get into. Now with Hunter and the cancer, he’s had some unimaginably hard times that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But nonetheless, have still heard things about how personal behavior even since which is disappointing. But yeah, are equally tough on these players or no?

Funny enough they still drafted a defensive player in the first round even in Josh's year (Tremaine Edmunds). Also I agree on keeping Shaq as long as it's reasonable. He seems like a rather affordable role player on the end and I can't imagine he will be asking for anything close to his Dolphins contract.

I personally think its great. Granted I'm a James (or Jim). But I was calling him Jim Cook a little ways back just cuz I found it amusing.

Yeah…why is that? Going to work too much for him? I live in Florida and just in the last few years realized I could listen to WGR and I wondered why he seems to be able to work from home? Are there health issues? Or what is it?

Hey so I don't post much on here, cuz I don't want to add nonsense where none is needed, but I noticed that we've never really gotten any kind of info on Crowder besides the fact that he is on injured reserve. Has anybody heard anything? I know he didn't get a ton of a chance to show what he could do this season, and as of his injury didn't seem to establish a major rapport with Josh, but he was sure-handed as a returner and it couldn't hurt to have another veteran receiver. So what's the deal? Should we assume his career as a Bill is done, or maybe do we get him back late season?

Err. Sexual assault should be an unforgivable sin and not to be joked about. Either in the NFL or day to day life. Now if God wants to forgive him, that’s His call. But what Josh did and what this dude may have done aren’t even in the same conversation.

Ha. I’m very happy that went over well. When I posted it I thought it might’ve been taken as cheesy. But seeing your name and avatar pic with Brando as Kurtz, I couldn’t resist posting something.

You're neither. You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill.

I've been here for a long time. I just usually don't post. And I especially don't post a political slanted topic in the Bills section. Perhaps I could introduce you to PPP? I think Randy Travis' politically charged ESPN hot takes would fit better over there perhaps?

Maybe he’s been picking up good vibrations these past few years with the Bills. Wouldn’t it be nice if he did?

So they would have been more exhausted? Well. I don’t think any more exhaustion would’ve produced any worse result so I guess we might as well not blow all our money on a d-line who can’t get it done. Enough of the trying to half ass it with role players in bit parts. Either develop our high picks into impact players or go after a real pass rusher, instead of middling it with Obada, Boogie, AJ and Mario. And Jerry was good at a time, but that time is long past.

You yourself said they ran out of gas. If you're playing only a spot role, how are you out of gas in the 4th quarter? Isn't that what the whole rotation thing was supposed to remedy? To me, as an earlier poster stated, its more about the fact that we have a bunch of half assed talent on the d-line outside of Oliver (and perhaps Harry, who's been coming on strong).

Which is hilarious cuz I don't think you could've found a more self centered douche in the NFL than Jim Kelly in the '80s. He literally didn't come here when drafted because of his small minded, big time, superstar, "me-me-me" attitude. Yet somehow the city learned to love him.

Yep. That's it. I liked the Obada pickup and it was worthy try to find an undiscovered gem. But it didn't work. And thus far, Groot and Boogie haven't worked. AJ is...whatever. If Beane and the Bills are serious about making a run they gotta find somebody. The Khalil Mack thing is as old as time itself, but it's true. Beane took the risk and got Diggs. Take another risk and grab another game changer.

I agree that it seemed we got close. And maybe I'm just being negative, but not once during the game did I think our guys were actually gonna get there. Maybe you did, and we really were that close. But what Cincy did just hemmed him in. And yeah. It's probably due to our linebackers as well. Which is a whole other thing.

Yeah. I think thats the truth. And kinda ends the thread in a way. We don't have the playmakers. I like Jerry and Mario seems like a nice guy and had a better season this year than last, but neither is getting younger and neither is anything close to a game wrecker. The only problem is do we go into next season with Groot, AJ and Boogie? That's pretty scary. I think this is one position where Beane should try to go big as possible. We need a real playmaker. And yes, I knew easier said than done. But I just dont think that playmaker is coming at 25 in the first round, just as I didnt think it was coming at number 30 last year.

I know its an eye of the beholder type thing, but I just never really felt he was hurried by our guys. Yes they got after him, but I ask you guys/gals, was anybody ever surprised that they couldn't get to him? Mario Addison is the king of letting guys slip through his grip and so many times we had guys diving at his feet, which yes, made Mahomes move. But that's what he does. Pressuring Mahomes (and Josh) is much different than pressuring Brady or Burrow or the conventional QB.

I respect your opinion Generic, but our defensive line ultimately didn't get anywhere close to getting the job done. I don't recall once really seeing Mahomes look hurried or truly pressured. I mean yes, they made him move around, but I never once really expected they were ever gonna catch him. You knew you'd get the classic grasp at his feet that he'd shrug off and run away from. Whereas this week, you saw a hurried Mahomes. And I think that impacted his throws on other plays. He was worried the Bengals were getting to him. I don't think there was any such fear with Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. But the rotation is supposed to keep them fresh. If our d-line can't play a half game or a quarter game or however long these guys get snaps, then that is an indictment of the rotation theory, is it not?