[Marquez Valdes-Scantling meeting with the Bills (UPDATE: Signed)]

5 hours ago, HappyDays said:

 

Double dip at WR in the draft was the obvious move. Signing the more talented OBJ for almost the same money we are getting MVS for. Don't act like there weren't other options.

The Bills tried to sign OBJ, as did the Chiefs, according to OBJ.  He chose Miami.  

[Shakir starter or complement piece?]

1 hour ago, Mat68 said:

Your opinion of Khalil Shakir is your opinion of the 24 Buffalo Bills offense.  Will Shakir develop into a starting wr and a feature of the passing attack or be a nice role player?  If you think he can be a feature of the offense then your overall expectations for 24 are still high.  If he is just a nice slot guy your hoping for a massive trade.  You feel the offense is subpar and a major concern moving forward. 
 

Shakir had a year of a nice third guy.  39 catches 611 yards.  He was not used the first 6 weeks.  Only received 5 targets and 4 catches.  You take his usage from week 7 to 18 over a full season thats 52 catches for 882.  Doesnt knock your socks off but you can see why he would be looked at a bit differently.  
 

There are alot of targets available 160 from Diggs and 81 from Davis.  They were also highly inefficient players.  Diggs catch % last year was 66 and Davis was 55.  Shakir was at 85.  In general Shakir made the most of his opportunities.  I do not see him getting Diggs work load.  I dont see any weapon getting that.

 

 I think Shakir will be used a tick more than he was down the stretch.  I think he has a chance at being a 1,000 yard receiver and I dont think it is that much of an ask.  If you see Shakir as a possible 80 catch 1,000 yard guy you’re not hanging your hopes on a big time trade.  Worked with Cook.  Worked with Benard. I think it works with Shakir. 

Under Dorsey to start the year, the ball was being force fed to Diggs.  His numbers were good obviously, but it was not translating to an efficient offense as we all could see.  The catch percentage was a direct result of deliberate intent to throw the ball to Diggs, open or not.  This clearly changed under Brady, thus Diggs unhappiness even though the offense was more efficient and the Bills were winning.  Davis was rarely a factor at all.  Allen was getting lots of blame, but to me the inefficiency was due to Dorsey’s lack of creativity and preoccupation with Diggs in large part.
 

The Bills obviously do not have a true number 1 this year, but they do have some talented weapons, including Shakir.  The comparison has been made to Beasley, but I think Shakir is actually more versatile and can make plays in intermediate zones and even deep that are beyond Beasleys typical skill set.  He feasted off short slants and curls and he was great at it in his prime, but Shakir can do that plus.  You certainly would not start Shakir primarily at outside but I think both he and Samuel will see time there.  I expect to see some creative usage of the weapons they do have including Kincaid, Knox, and Cook along with their new toy, Coleman, who should be an immediate upgrade to Davis. The running game could be very good as well. 
 

I am more a bullish on Buffalo’s offense than many around here.  Would I like to have a Jefferson, or Ayuk or similar here? Of course.  However, with Josh Allen distributing and making plays, they are still going to be a top 5 to 10 offense at least.  

[2024 Draft Embedded--Has Dropped.]

1 hour ago, Einstein said:

Hansel is literally the last person on Twitterverse that I would be using to back up an argument.

The number of times he has posted delusional arguments, been proven wrong, or perhaps even straight up lied (unconfirmed whether lying or just ignorant) is incredible.

For example: He will say things like: "of those 111 trade ups, there have been 65 cheaper trade ups" ... but then provide zero proof. It is as if he just says things that he hopes are true and hopes no-one double checks. A few minutes later someone in the comments will often completely blow up his stat/argument and he will never acknowledge it. 

 

I would love to know if Seth Walder is right, or Hansel is right, but neither of them provide any evidence. Literally zero. However, judging by Hansel's reputation alone, I guess I have to lean toward Walder until someone provides contrary evidence. Sports Illustrated also quoted the stat about it being one of the cheapest trade-ups ever.

I doubt Walder’s assessment, but It’s a silly argument in any case.  The Bills moved up over a full round into the third round. This alone was worth moving 4 spots so that the Chiefs could draft a player the Bills were clearly not interested in anyway.  No brainer.  

[2024 Draft Embedded--Has Dropped.]

11 minutes ago, Aussie Joe said:

Well.. you thought that they had every player on their board 

You are being deliberately obtuse at this point rather than just admit you have no idea what you are talking about and move on.  

[Tyler Boyd 1-year 4.5M with the Titans]

8 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Samuel isn't being written off as a failed deal or won't be used. He's going to get plenty of usage. But if you look at not only where he's found success in this league and what his role has been and the things Beane has said about him since signing him, he's not someone who's going to be used even 50%, let alone more than that on the Outside. Again, on multiple occasions when asked about Samuel and his role, Beane has called him simply "a weapon". Going on to say that when he was "in Carolina, Samuel was in the RB room just as much as the WR Room". Don't get me wrong, he'll get some usage on the Outside. But he isn't someone we're going to Start there or use predominantly there. He's going to be all over the field. Inside, in motion, out of the backfield, and occasionally Outside - depending on packages. He was used on the Inside on 75% of snaps last season. That's where he's found success. You don't just flip that number and play a guy away from where he's become successful.

 

 

I firmly disagree with Shakir getting plenty of work at both spots. He is a pure Slot. That's his game. He is not an Outside WR. Just because he produced well last season from the Slot doesn't mean we can just put him on the Outside against taller, longer armed, more physical (and generally more talented) CB's and tell him to beat their press and go more vertically.

 

That's not his game. It would be malpractice to take a young player who is developing and succeeding in one position and then say "cool, now do something else". You keep him where he's successful and you continue his development. Like I said, we were able to steal him in the 5th because he was viewed as someone who could only work Inside and when we put him out there for a handful of plays in the Playoffs in a pinch, he wasn't making plays.

 

He's Cole Beasley. Cole had incredible seasons for us out of the Slot. That didn't make us go, "you're a Perimeter WR now".

First, I did not say it was ideal, but I still think that is how they are going to play them.  What the exact mix of positions and players will be is going to be a fascinating aspect to watch with respect to Buffalos offense.  It is going to be up to Brady to figure that out, and put the various tools at his disposal in the best positions based on matchups and situations.   Second, I think Shakir is a much more versatile player than Beasley ever was.  While he might be primarily a slot, he has shown the ability to produce from outside and can be used there some percentage of the time.  He is not a Diggs replacement clearly, but that does not exist in the Bills roster nor will it this year.  

[Tyler Boyd 1-year 4.5M with the Titans]

26 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Coleman won't start the year, as McDermott is notoriously slow bringing Rookies along and Beane has already said he'll "have a hard time starting at the beginning of the year". Samuel is not an Outside WR. He has flexibility to play there occasionally in certain packages and matchups. But he's 75% from the Inside or coming out of the Backfield. When asked about Samuel, he's referred to him as simply as a "weapon" and not strictly in one spot. He'll be used all over the field. Shakir is a pure slot. Regardless of how good of a Slot you are, that doesn't mean you move to the Outside. It's a completely different game and style of play. One that Shakir is not made for physically or stylistically, which is why he fell to the 5th Round for us, and also didn't produce there when given minimal reps in the Playoffs when we were hurting on the Outside.

 

Right now, we're looking at Mack Hollins and Justin Shorter (or Chase Claypool) taking the majority of starting reps on the Outside. With the occasional Coleman snaps while he gets his sea legs under him and the occasional (but not regular) snaps from Samuel - with Shakir exclusively on the Inside, Kincaid working mainly on the inside and occasionally off the line as a TE, and Samuel working all over the field.

 

But when it comes to guys you can exclusively or predominantly work the perimeter, we don't have much to start the year. By the end of the year (hopefully sooner, rather than later) Coleman will lock down one of the spots. But even then you're still looking at Mack Hollins as predominantly a starter on the other.

I think what McDermott is really notorious for is making rookies earn their spot by out performing the others, particularly veterans, ahead of them. Rookies have started and will continue to start.  In the case of Coleman, let’s face it, there is not much ahead of him.  The Bills have a big problems indeed if he cannot beat out the other X WR candidates on the roster.  There is no entrenched starter.  Coleman is by all accounts and observation so far a very smart kid, a hard worker, and a student of the game.  He is going to start at the X.  Beane did indicate where else they may play him depends on how fast he picks it up and his comfort level with other roles, so I expect we will see him exclusively at X to start the year.  
 

As for the rest, there is no Diggs equivalent on the roster to eat up snaps at the Z spot obviously.  Both Shakir and Samuel are going to get plenty of work at both spots.  The mix and snap percentages are going to be game plan and matchup dependent.  Kincaid is obviously the Big Slot/Move player and he will primarily play inside.  They are auditioning for a backup X who can also play special teams and speed receiver who can play either slot or Z, and possibly one other WR who can fill multiple roles.  
 

That is my view of it anyway at this point.  

[Bills sign Chase Claypool, Smoot, Jones]

On 5/4/2024 at 12:06 PM, Mat68 said:

The offense functioned better when Allen wasnt force feeding Diggs targets.  Shakir and Samuel function in the manner the offense has had success with.  Coleman adds a dimension outside they have not had since Benjamin.  Slants, Skinny post and fade routes.  I think Coleman puts up numbers on par or better than Gabe out of the box. Thats 80 targets Davis left behind and expect Coleman recieves most if not all.   Diggs 160 targets are getting split up between Shakir, Samuel and Kincaid.  I expect Shakir to go from 45 targets up to 90 and Kincaid from 90 to 110.  That leaves 80 to 90 targets to Samuel.  Biggest question mark is Shakir getting more touches.  If you take his production down the stretch I think he was already operating close to this volume.  Overall not crazy.  

I agree.  My concern is with back up plans. I think the depth is suspect.  This is why a second WR prospect, even in the 4th or 5th round, was a popular desire with many fans.  The Bills obviously disagree.  At least they are willing to take the chance that the depth they have  assembled is better than a prospect in those rounds this year.  That could work.  I do think they still would have rather had OBJ than Claypool, but if that was not to be , I like the upside of Claypool.

[OBJ To Miami]

33 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

i guess that is a "yes" on the Jets too!

 

Predict: you will have an immensely disappointing this coming year, again, as your preferred teams don't, again, come close to knocking off the Bills.

 

Best Wishes!

 

Wait, which team are you speaking of here? Dolphins, I assume-? I hope!

 

Yes.

[OBJ To Miami]

1 hour ago, Mister Defense said:

 

What makes you say that their coaching staff is better than the Bills?

 

The Bills dominate them, have done a lot more, have actually been a contender, even last year with a slew of major injuries both early in the season and late in the season.

 

So, can you explain your point, why you believe this?

 

Or, is it just a joke, sarcasm?

 

I am assuming the latter is the case-?

 

 

Yes, the coaching staff that led two epic collapses over the last two years.  That can’t beat a winning team.  

[Seems like the Bills are building a WRer room full of large hardnose WRer's that can block.]

4 hours ago, SoMAn said:

Polar opposite of the smurfs from Allen's early days.

 

I wonder if the moves are a counter to the league trends towards the passing game that have resulted in smaller, but faster defenders who can cover.

 

Fine, you want to play that way, we'll just bulldoze your arses with 2 TE and big WRs. Let Cook juke his way through while Ray Davis and Josh Allen run over and past everyone else. If the defenders try to cheat up, we've got big guys with great hands who can move the chains from the slot, RBs who can slide out and catch,  or contested catches on the outside. Maybe we'll be seeing a little more from the screen passe game than we have in recent years.

 

I think that's where they're going with this.

 

 

 

Great observation.  Beane has been talking about needing to adapt on both offense and defense to stay ahead of trends, for months now.  It actually started last year with the drafting of Torrence and Kincaid.  Building a bully? 

[Calling it now: You're all about to witness the arrival of Shakir]

On 4/4/2024 at 11:22 PM, Alphadawg7 said:

 

If he gets 80 receptions, he will definitely be over 1000 yards.  He is too good after the catch not to be.  Cole was amazing at getting to a spot and making the play to move the chains.  He wasn't the YAC guy that Shakir is, Cole was easy to take down and tackle.  

Shakir is also far more versatile than Beasley, capable of making passing game plays at intermediate and deep areas of the field as well as the short hitches and slants that Beasley lived on.  I think he and Samuel are very similar players so it will be fascinating to watch how Brady incorporates them both.  I am not sold on depth as yet, and Coleman has to rise to his potential, but I like the Bills top 3 WRs combined skill sets.

[RG3 Interview with Keon Coleman]

5 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I don’t know, from everything I know Diggs was a great teammate and hard worker. He just didn’t want to play for the Bills anymore. 
 

Gabe Davis and Shakir looked up to him and both developed great work habits. I don’t think Diggs would’ve been a bad influence.

Hard worker yes, to some extent.   Great teammate? Not so much.  Allen was not the only one tired of his act by all accounts.  

[UDFA signing thread. 10 Signed 5 camp invites as of 07:39, 28 April]

5 hours ago, Gunsgoodtime said:

So I have 12 negative post, tell me 1 thing Beane has done outside of Josh Allen?  I will wait. No SB appearances will not be replied to for sure. Divisional kings which no one cares for except Homer's.  Epic failure, no WRs in the top 3 rounds in 5y years being the only NFL team to do so.  Our epic and overpaid defense has failed every year, and we have a generational qb that will go down as the best qb to never male a SB.  Keep pounding that table Homers

Why negatives? You are a tiresome troll, that’s why.

[New Bill - former Lion Quintez Cephus signed (Update: Now released)]

8 hours ago, MiltonWaddams said:

Ugh. I had hopes that it was DJ Chark

Even if the plan is to add an established veteran like Chark, and I am not convinced it is, they do not have the cap space to do that until after June 1.  

[Rd 5, Pick 168: Edge Javon Solomon, Troy]

13 minutes ago, mrags said:

Yeah it’s the 1st and 2nd rounders they have problems finding. 
 

let’s not even get into the 17 RBs they’ve taken in the 3rd round only to let them go after 2 years. 

Zack Moss.  What are the other 16?

[Live 2024 NFL Draft thread - Rounds 4-7 (Do NOT tip the Bills pick)]

17 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Ha, I agree. But they have gone about half a round ago.

Disappointing that they did not make a move for one of the three remaining interesting WR prospects.

[2024 NFL Draft - Day 2 Debrief]

3 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Sure. I am not saying for a minute Keon can't play. Of course he can. But I think someone else said it above he is a complimentary piece rather than a feature piece. To me if we had drafted him a year ago when we had a bona fide 1 and we were asking him to be an upgrade on Gabe I'd be very happy with that. That is what I think he is. I just worry we don't have a #1. 

I think this is spot on.  Coleman is an upgrade to Davis and that was clearly a need.  I was not expecting a number 1 with this pick, and never thought Legette was that guy but he might develop into it I suppose.  When they dumped Diggs they set up this dilemma.  Perhaps since my expectation was not to come out of this draft with a true number 1 unless they somehow magically traded up for a top 3 guy or got very lucky, it explains the lack of desperation I feel over the Coleman pick.  They were always going to have to approach this differently this year.  I think if they can manage to add a guy today with some speed and Z receiver developmental upside they should be OK for this year.  They may still sign a FA who can fill that role temporarily.  In the meantime, Coleman is an upgrade at the X spot for sure.  

[Rd 3, Pick 89 (25): LB Terrell Bernard, Baylor]

Just skimmed through this.  Many of the same people with the same bad takes you will find this year.  Fun exercise.  Thanks.

[PFF Trade Grades - Round 1 - Bills B+ and A]

6 hours ago, NewEra said:

lol…..now Xavier Worthy is Tyreek Hill 2.0 🤦🏻‍♂️ 

People fall in love with speed.  He is an incomplete receiver, a niche player, and not what the Bills needed.  He may end up being more than that, but chances are far greater in my mind that he gets added to the pile of speed demons in NFL history who never grow beyond their gadget role.  He will make some plays for KC, but I would be surprised if he rises above role player.  

[The Bills are on the clock: Pick 33]

It better be a WR.  Franklin is my guess.  Coleman would not surprise me, but I hope not.

[WGR callers way worse than any poster here…]

4 hours ago, LabattBlue said:

Turned on WGR while driving earlier.  They really need to stop taking calls…just one bad take after another. 

I think many of them are posters here actually. 

[Bills interested in Deebo Samuel per Mike Giardi]

Deebo is not happening.  He is a very poor scheme fit and not what they are looking for to fill their WR holes.  

[WGR callers way worse than any poster here…]

I tried to listen to Jeremy and his little friend this morning but had to turn it off.  It was endless repeat of their hot takes over yesterday and the callers they selected which were even worse.  An exercise in brainless analysis.  

[Trying to be reasonable here]

4 hours ago, Awwufelloff said:

The chiefs did it to us when we needed a db and took mcduffie out from under us. Forcing us to trade up for Elam. What do they know as back to back champs. 

The Bills wee never going to draft McDuffie.  He was known coming out as a slot corner in skill set which is what he is.  The Bills had just signed their own slot corner, one of the best in the league, to a hefty long term deal.  Honestly, I cannot understand why anyone continues to believe this fairly tale other than pushing a stale narrative.  

[Tyreek Hill in the news....again]

Tyreek Hill is an ignorant POS, who happens to play for an organization led by other ignorant POS coaches and managers.  Sooner than later he will be washed out of football and be left with nothing but his POS nature to sustain him through life.