vtnatefootball11

Watch the film and read the athletic article, I don't have time to pull together the statistics. McCourty highlights some of the intermediate routes where Diggs is wide open and Josh doesn't even look his way. I'm not suggesting some childish conspiracy on the bills part to not get the Diggs the ball, but clearly something is off between him and Allen, and the Bills are intentionally using him in less significant ways, and intentionally designing him off the field on third downs even when he isn't calling to be tapped out. Something has been going on in recent weeks, it's obvious if you don't have the blinders on. And no don't tell me this is all just part of huge injury conspiracy scheme to hid an injury and risk fines/draft picks when they easily just could report it as they have with all other players every year. Even if, everyone has nagging injuries, it's something more than that.

This has been proven incorrect. Josh hasn't even looked his way when is open on several intermediate routes in recent games, which is crazy and never would have happened in the past. He also has been intentionally schemed off on some third downs (not asking for it), and the Bills coaches have confirmed as much. Unless they are part of a massive coverup that could subject them to fines/loss of draft picks (which why would they do that? just report he has a nagging back), it's not just an injury thing. I'm sure everyone is banged up right now, but something else is going on.

But then why is he playing some unimportant plays but coming out crucial third downs in must win games? Why are they throwing screen passes to him that all but ensure he's getting hit?

That's not it. At least that would be stupid if so. The Bills already reported his back injury a while back, why would they hide it now? Also, even if Stef was nursing a back, do you think Stef would play part of the games but not crucial third downs? You think they would design screens to him so he automatically gets hit? That doesn't make sense. Something is going on.

I want to believe the injury thing but then why aren't the Bills going along with a scheme to hid his injury and not report it? That would be stupid and would make no sense. They report nagging injuries all the time, including Josh's shoulder and whatnot (that would be the one to hide if any). I don't buy the injury thing. I think you're naive if you don't think there is anything going on behind the scenes. Don't know exactly what it is but something is up.

I'm sure all of you that watch the games closely have noticed Diggs coming off the field several times each game in crucial third down and other passing situations. Has happened a lot in recent weeks. His general snap count is down as well, has played less than 70% of offensive snaps in all recent weeks. Tim Graham has an article today in the Athletic about it, where he quotes Devin McCourty who has been examining this very issue leading up to the bills/fins game. https://theathletic.com/5180397/2024/01/05/buffalo-bills-dolphins-stefon-diggs-devin-mccourty/ It's behind a paywall but the gist of it is that McCourty is speculating that something is going on behind the scenes with Bills/Diggs, and the coaches/Allen won't say it but they are just trying to get through this season and the Bills may even be doing a little bit "we don't need you to win" type stuff by not playing him in certain crucial moments that any other #1WR would be in for. Why else would our best skill player not be on the field on crucial third downs in must win games? McCourty states that it has to be something serious going on or else it's coaching malpractice. I agree with him. I have noticed Diggs coming off the field too (not just when he asks for a breather but being designed off on third downs). Graham/McCourty got a lot of negative reaction from Bills fans in the comments, but I thought they were asking all the right questions. The coaches have said a few different things about why his production is down but none of them make sense. The double team thing has been sighted a lot, but then why isn't he playing almost every single play if that the case, as that would open up the offense ? Curious to hear people's thoughts on this board.

That's fair.

Bills have never been in this position being so bare at starting caliber WRs as they will in 2024 + plus the uncertainty with diggs. I don't think the Bills will have to give up a 2nd to move up and get a legit WR, but they may, and they will if they have to. They have no other options. This all started by you saying the Bills "cannot trade up." I'm saying why the heck not? In fact they have to. Now you are saying despite the huge hole at WR they will only fill it if they move up 2-4 spots max? That's idiotic. No way Beane throws away the 2024 year because he refuses to move up a couple other spots. Hopefully there is value at WR that falls to us, but don't think for a second Beane would be afraid to trade upon 4/6/8 spots, whatever it took. He would and he has to.

Obviously we are not making the decision, but you are proving my point here by not even being able to offer any possible viable solution Beane could do at #2 if we miss on the top WR grouping in this draft. We have to do what it takes to trade up for a starting caliber WR. You yourself were the one saying that we likely won't get one one of the top 5-6 guys in this draft that are widely considered starting caliber wr#1/2 type prospects if we pick late (and I agree with you on that). Yes, hopefully we only have to move up 2-4 spots to get our guy, but Beane has shown that he will be aggressive in moving up further if needed. If the difference in getting a bonafide starting caliber WR in the draft that would be on a cheap contract and could eventually be a wr#1 type was giving up a 2025 2nd rounder vs a 2024 third, for example, you don't think Beane would do it? We would be throwing any shot at a Super Bowl in 2024 out if we don't have a WR #2. Free agency is not an option, only viable starers there (maybe Higgins or Pittman) would be way out reach price wise in FA. Please offer up another viable solution that Beane could take at #2 WR, otherwise you are proving my point that Beane would HAVE to do it.

So what is your solution to #2 WR then if we don't give up a 2nd or whatever it takes to move up and secure a top group rookie WR? Free agency WR is not an option for us, at least not anyone that is truly a weapon/good WR#2.

The 3rd and 5th was just an example, whatever it takes to get a high end/starting caliber rookie WR (outside of giving up a 1st), you do it. We have to , we don't have a choice. If you are double dipping then you aren't trading up in the first round, and as you said earlier that means there likely won't be one of the top tier rookie WRs left, so you are getting two long shots rather than 1 bonafide prospect. If we just needed depth, then yeah sure, but we desperately need another starting WR next year and can't afford one through free agency. We can't afford to sit back and miss out.

Whatever it takes outsider of a 1st rounder if there is a receiver we have a first round/starting caliber grade on sitting there in the early 20s. Hopefully not a 2nd, more likely a 3rd, or 3rd and 5th for example, depending on where we pick, but if necessary to give up a 2nd and another pick I'm fine with it. Think about the cost of going into 2024 without a #2 receiver? That is a scary thought. We could not need a high end rookie WR more, we are truly banking on it. What we don't have is enough money to overpay a starting caliber receiver in free agency. Has to come through draft. We have seen numerous examples of starting caliber or even great WRs being drafted in the early 20s. The cost is not too prohibitive to move up there, even from 32. We need to do it, period.

Why the heck not? They damn well better move up if that's what takes to get one of the consensus top 5-6 receivers (assuming they like the guy). There certainly won't be 6 receivers taken in the top 15. If it can be had without costing a first round pick in 2025, it's an absolute must no hesitation.

Correct, my apologies. What I was really focused on was the next three games. As you mentioned, was we can only drop this Cowboys game and still win the division if Dolphins lose 2 of the next 3. Which is possible with them playing Dallas and Baltimore, but not a sure thing at all. We likely will need to win out to win the division (or at least have Miami lose to the Jets if we lose to Dallas)

This is wrong. Head to head is the first tie breaker for the division. If Bills go 3-1 (with a win at MIA) and Fins go 2-2 (or worse), Bills win the division.

Agreed, there are good pieces on this team for sure, and young players that look like hits that are developing but that doesn't change the fact that not making the playoffs would be an absolute embarrassment. We have Josh Allen in his prime and an overall solid roster around him. The losses on defense are tough, but McDermott should be able to at least keep things together here (or why else do we have him?). The NE and Den losses were inexcusable, if we don't make the playoffs we have to let him go, Pegula would have no choice. Silver linings on the roster, which every team has every year, are no reason not to be entirely outraged with what has happened this year. I have been an optimist and a defender of the regime to this point, but cannot sit by and see Allen wasted after all the suffering Bills fans have endured. This is it. Find a way to make the playoffs and make a deep run, or change better be coming.

Jets won't take a WR round 1, they will be taking OL. Their line is so bad, Zach Wilson is now refusing to come back and start. Unbelievable. Even if they did some how get Harrison Jr, not huge deal since Bills won't be getting him anyway and the jets still wouldn't scare me with two great WRs but no o line. Josh Allen will be the one having a stroke if the Bills don't go WR rd 1 in this loaded class. Our WR core is below average, and lacking anything impactful outside of Diggs. We desperately need a playmaking WR that Allen can just throw to and let them work, take some of the pressure off him.

Add Broncos to that list too. Although Houston losing would also be helpful, but I figure Houston is more likely to get in anyway, and we lost to Denver straight up. We need Houston to beat the Browns and Colts later on as well

This. I was screaming at the TV "Why are we all out blitzing???!!!!", one of the most mind numbing situational play calls I have even seen at any level of football. I have been a staunch supporter of McDermott but it's becoming clear he doesn't have the savvy to win at this level. Way over his head.

Completely disagree with this take. McD is less of a smart guy and more of a hard worker. He's not going to be tinkering with the offense because he has no background in offense and would be in way over his head. And actually, we are lacking in offensive weapons. Outside of Diggs, we have nobody that d coordinators worry about. Kincaid is coming along and Cook has some nice pieces to his game but we absolutely need another weapon at #2 WR.

Right but that's what we were told last year.. then he was a weak spot all season and had offseason surgery. The realization that we may be in the very same situation this year with only Quessenberry/Shell as a back up plan is frightening. You can't hide a bad tackle these days, teams consistently move their best pass rushers around.

https://billswire.usatoday.com/2023/08/03/spencer-brown-buffalo-bills-training-camp-injury-nfl/ It appears Spencer Brown's back was so bad after yesterday's practice, he couldn't even bend over to pick up his helmet and had to be helped to the side. Didn't see anyone post on this yet. This is incredibly concerning after last year. What is the backup plan? Can Torrence play RT?? Have to believe the FO does something to address this. Quessenberry is not going to cut it.

I completely agree that Kincaid does not replace Knox at all. But I do think it adds to the argument that Knox was clearly not the do it all elite TE that deserves top 5 money at the position. We can only pay so many guys $10mil plus, they have to be a major impact player. I just think Knox is an above average player, nothing more. That's all I'm saying.

I obviously said it in jest, I have been very vocal with my disdain for that contract even prior to last season. We signed him at the absolute worst time after his TD numbers were inflated. It looks even worse now with our TE usage last year and now drafting Kincaid. I think its pretty well understood by everyone that Josh had some influence there, that's not something that's going to be evidenced in writing but you would have to be pretty naive to think that his well documented friendship with Knox had nothing to do with the Beane locking him up. Is that really what you think?

Actually he will have just turned 27 heading into his free agency, and that's assuming Jags use a 5th year option and then don't give him a contract. Don't forget who the Jags QB is, Trevor will certainly have a say in the matter (see Knox's terrible contract that JA pressured the Bills to sign). Etienne will get a significant second contract barring another freak injury.