newcam2012

I think the Beane was really going to resign Edmunds. All indications pointed that way. Thinking he might even take a slight discount to stay in Buffalo Things changed when the Bears massively overpaid for him. At that point, there's no way Beane could resign him. Now Beane had to make another tough decision on Oliver. That decision was made much easier with the departure of Edmunds. Additionally, the Bills are pretty thin in this department too. So it was prudent to sign Oliver on what looks to be a pretty fair level of compensation. Of course, the MLB void still existed. I truly believe Jack Campbell was their guy. No proof of that just my opinion. Kincaid still on the board with no Campbell was an easy decision. The Dorian Williams pick is a hard scratcher. Not sure I get it to this day. Maybe, I'm just not that smart. Seems like every draft Beane does a WTF... Free agency is the next option. Seems like the available FAs weren't a good fit or really not true MLB. Correct me if I'm wrong. Last resort, Beane decides to stay the course with the available MLBs on the roster. One of them will hopefully take a step forward and at least be serviceable. Not a crazy notion and still a possibility. Training camp and pre season seems to show the liability at the position. Beane has to do something. The Kirksey signing. Is he great? Is he elite? No and no. Is it a solid signing? Yes. He brings experience and some skill to the forefront. You can't hate the free move sort of speak. I guess you could absolutely critique the process of how things evolved. Let's hope the MLB position isn't the Achilles heal of the defense. I don't agree that it's an insignificant position.

I think they were trying to find a Luke Kuechly type like he had in Carolina. It just never materialized.

I guess we have different standards. You called two people on the board trolls. Maybe that's your way of being flawless and portraying quality. Secondly, I'm really not here to prove anything to anybody. I'm here to express my feelings and opinions and vice versa. I've posted many positive things on here. I know most of my posts are negative. I get that and I understand the displeasure many feel about that. You can always mute me. I've never represented my words as gospel nor do I think I know it all. I've been humbled here many times and been wrong probably more than right. A simple apology will due chap. Really good post!

I think it's deeper than that. You imply that Dodson and or Bernard are competent. I contend neither is close to being a starter. It's really a pretty bad situation for the Bills. IMHO, all three aren't very good but Kirksey is likely the best of the three. I like the puck but I still think it's a major weaknesses of the defense. Al defenses have weaknesses. Hopefully, McD can work around it. Just like your post was. Making accusations that are ridiculous. Look in the mirror.

Go to sleep.

Very well stated! Great post SC!

Really well said Gunner. Despite my criticisms the Bills are still a top tier team and the favorite to win the division. The Jets are probably the most dangerous to Buffalo in the division. Miami is formidable but I'm not sold on Tua and his health. Hill and Waddle are really good though. Will Fangio make a difference? Allen seems to do well attacking his defense. Chargers are perplexing. On paper, they are probably as talented as any team in the NFL. Boy, do they find ways to lose big games. Year after year they have the Chiefs beat only to lose most of the time. The Jags playoff loss was epic in a bad way. I suspect they will excell one year. They almost remind me of a younger version of the Bills Jags are up and coming. Wonder if they can continue on their winning ways? AFC South is so bad they might win by default. Have to think Lawrence only gets better. KC and Cincy are scary good. Well coached and elite QBs. I'm excited about this season. Go Bills.

Beane is smarter than we fans.

Elite defense?

Pretty solid vs the run not so great vs the pass. He's not great by any means. He's probably better than anyone the Bills have on their roster. Doesn't say a lot but his experience as a play caller is very good too. I think if he's healthy he will be the starter.

Great signing. The Bills needed to upgrade the MLB.

MLB position. The appear to be stronger in many other areas. I think the real question is did the Dolphins and Jets get closer to closing the gap? Can they finally unseat the AFC East champs? Have the Chiefs and KC increased their margin? What about the Jags? LA? No doubt the Bills are one of the teams to beat still.

I guess they cut their ties. I just thought maybe they could have gotten a little more for Boogie. Obviously, they couldn't.

It's exactly why the Bills need a healthy Von come playoff time. He is a difference maker. He just makes everyone around him better too. Football Gods please protect Von and Allen.

Bingo! Not sure why some refuse to understand this? Not sure why some take offense to Bills fans criticizing the oline? Beane? Not sure why some feel that criticizing the Bills equates to being less of a fan? Nevertheless, Hondo very good post. I agree 100 percent.

I really like Cosell. He doesn't always get things right either. He was glowing after the Shakir pick. Not saying he won't improve but thus far he's underperformed. Is average the standard that the Bills are trying to achieve? It's debatable if they were average. Even so that's just not good enough. Wouldn't you agree? Wouldn't you agree the oline has been problematic in several years of playoff games? I'd argue that the "average" oline has contributed to the Bills playoff losses. I think that's reasonable and why Beane shifted his focus to the oline. Hopefully, the moves reap rewards. A solid oline will make the Bills hard to beat. I think this year the Bills will utilize quicker short passing game that sets up the deeper ball.

Stop what? The oline has been problematic for years. If you can't see that then I'm not sure how knowledgeable of a Bills fan you are. Allen is absolutely the reason why the offense is that highly ranked. He's that fricken good. You point to stats but omit the oline stats. Frankly, they are bottom tier. You can't have it both ways. If you don't like my criticisms then block me or gingerly skip over my posts. Being a Bills fan doesn't mean you can't criticize the team. I'm not talking this year. I don't know how the oline is going to perform. I'm concerned yet optimistic.

No it's not. You are missing the point. The Bills oline over the last few years has been more a liability than an asset. That's just undeniable. To dismiss or imply that every team has oline issues is chicken shi!. The fact remains Beane, McD, and Kromer, scouts, players, etc...have failed to build an oline that's an asset. This year there are some new pieces so hopefully the oline is better. That's all that's available now. Still doesn't mean someone can't contribute to the team.

His fall was so fast. I remember seeing him early on and thinking he was fantastic and elite. In those early games, his vision looked excellent and his pocket presence was good. Now, he can't move and throws some bad INTs. He's damaged goods for sure. Not sure what kind of NFL career he has left.

He's replaceable.

Agree but that's my point. The regime has had five years to solidify the oline. They shouldn't be a bottom tier oline. Every year there's significant issues with the oline. It's not a coincidence that Philly and KC were in the SB. They arguably have the best olines in the league. I know it's difficult to build a great oline. All teams strive to improve. Just feels like the Bills have fallen way to short here. Maybe this year will be much improved?

It's not a matter of bashing Beane. That's not my objective. Beane has done a lot of good too. Hit a grand slam with Allen. Agree Torrence looks very good but let's see how he plays in regular season games.

This is true but it only paints part of the correct picture Shaw. Improvement is very likely over years of experience. However, that improvement doesn't always equate to being effective, productive, and winning. Time and experience is just one variable to consider. More specifically, we don't know how good or bad Dorsey will be .

Is he better than Kyle Allen?

For me it's more than that. Not expecting a roster of all pro bowlers. What's disappointing is that the Bills oline still has major question marks. The oline doesn't even appear to be in the top 10. Granted the interior looks improved but it's still unproven and a work in progress. It's frustrating that Beane has had five plus years to really solidify the oline. I'd argue this Bills oline is a major reason why they haven't advanced further. As a result, it's hard for fans to get enthusiastic about a mediocre backup oline pick up. I get it it's necessary.