PoundingDog

Looking back, 7 years after that draft of 1st round QBs, the only bust in my opinion, no matter which team drafted him, is the one so many Bills fan, including guys like Chris Brown at OBD, and media viewed the "safe pick" Josh. Thank God Beane and McDermott got the true safe pick for future HoF, our Josh - yes I believe regardless the team that picked him, he'd shine thru based on what we learned of him. In fact you can say the Bills mis-managed him initially and he pulled thru. Lamar went to a great organization (better than the Bills management in my view), and Harbaugh and Newsome handled it the best way possible for Lamar's development. Even though Lamar looks to be on a HoF path now, I still have questions that had he gone to a bad organization like the Arizona or Jets, he'd be where he is now, the kind of confidence he had (that he's one of the best to do it). I give it a 65% chance he'd pull thru. Flip around had Mayfield or Darnold got drafted to a good organization like Ravens, Steelers, they may have great success and be like Dak making top 10 money years ago. I said Dak because I don't believe they have the superior physical talent of Lamar or Allen, but I believe they would be franchise QBs for their respective teams today.

Wait, they didn't invite the other Josh and Lamar? Where is Mr Rosen these days?

That is an intriguing proposition. Is there a prototype precedent HoF he can look after? Reggie White had similar reach and size, but White is much more powerful as a 300 pound man (interesting that he only bench pressed 10 reps though) who threw O-Lineman around. I don't see Rousseau bring that kind of power, ever (more of a tribute to what White was than a slap on Rousseau or anyone compared to him)! Bruce Smith has a similar reach but unbelievable quickness particularly the first step (get on the Stairmaster like Bruce did for his explosiveness Greg). Rousseau simply does not have that. Jason Taylor is another one often mentioned for Rousseau. But again the quickness he had is something Rousseau does not have. Taylor at one point was only 210 lb but got up to 240 lb range without losing all his speed and quickness. So Rousseau probably has to figure out his own way to best utilize his God given ability. He's at 267lb last I checked but I think he can easily put on more on his big frame. Can he simply overpower O-Lineman with one move then use his reach to harass the passer in less than 3 seconds? I bet that's what Beane & McDermott are hoping he figures that out - a CONSISTENT threat.

It's a big gamble for them to release Jones for a $5 million cap saving. I don't think in the McDermott era, they have done that (not counting pre-Allen trades in the 2017 season). When the suspension is over in October and no one is hurt, and the rookies are all contributing, they have to make a decision then.

In the context of the discussion here, we want Oliver to be THE guy not the guys freed up by him. Chris Jones type is a beast WITHOUT surrounding cast. Oliver looks to be a guy that can make plays when there is a Chris Jones next to him. when the suspension of others are over and someone is able to prove that he's able to do the same as Jones with much more upside.

Ed Oliver is not the worst pick of Beane, but to me, pretty significant in the sense that he was not able to get a Bonafide elite player when there were such players in consideration (Simmons e.g.) in the same draft. The Bills have not, and probably will never going to be in the same position (#9 overall) at the draft table to draft an elite talent in Allen's tenure as Bills QB. In hindsight, Aaron Donald's success probably influenced Beane. Athletically, Oliver and Donald measured very closely, but I see that additional power and reach Donald had over Oliver played wonder to him along with superior technic. A HoF (maybe the best DT in NFL history) compared to a solid good player; the margin is that small. Donald does not have a prototypical DT body. You need all the other things to make it work. Oliver has an even shorter arm (31+" compared to the average 33+"). I don't know I'd have banking on lightening struck twice by hoping Oliver became Donald light myself. Oliver did watch Donald's tape. I remember he marveled at Donald's hand usage, saying it is the best he has ever seen.

I know it's sort of a joke. I'm just tired of people, including announcers, bringing up the school they went to as if, in this case, implying that they are smart. Really? Those who go to Yale most likely has money and make life time connections to future powerful people.

Not sure what you mean. Is he going to run for the presidency after Trump? Yale has some famous graduates, George W Bush, William J Clinton, Hillary D Rodham ...

I always remembered this play and that's at Minkah's peak year.

To be honest, the Steelers are known for that back in Polamalu days, and Polamalu was criticized back in his days for free ranging too much. Polamalu is a first ballot HoF. The Steelers were talking about letting Fitzpatrick to do the same to maximize his talent last few years. Well last 2 years showed that he is NOT Polamalu.

Minkah has been in downward for a couple of years now. Everyone sees it. Combined with a big salary, you know how NFL looks at you then --- Bills fan should know firsthand how the Bills treated Diggs. Miami looks at Ramsey maybe in the same boat though.

The Bills biggest weakness is defending the run and the Ravens strength is running the ball or the threat of running the ball. A lot of effort this year is getting better run defenders on the line (including bigger bodies). If you can stop the Ravens' run, you will see a much different Ravens' team, kind of like what the Steelers were able to do against them in the past with a really incomplete team.

Learning to win is one thing. Learning to win championship is another. And that includes both the players, coaches and the front office. In Kelly's era when the Bills team came together, it took them 5 seasons (86 - 90) to reach the superbowl and that was with a team that had 2 first ballot HOF, and 2 additional HoF players with prime years. They were upset in one year but not a balanced enough team to win the others. The current team fought for 5 to 6 years and probably could've gone to a superbowl once if not for the dominating Mahomes and Chiefs in the conference, but I don't think they were inline to win a superbowl in any of the year. I like about the fact that the team is learning and adapting thru the struggle. McDermott is allowing younger minds to run the defense. Allen is digging deeper to narrow the gap between him and Mahomes. More balanced offensive attack. And the front office is coming around to invest heavy into D-Line. That's why I think the fruit of these effort is forthcoming.

Well, I think the Bills are entering an era of seriously challenging to go to the superbowls, assuming the front office did not lay big eggs the last 2 drafts. Yes they came close in the 2000 season and last year, but realistically you know we had flawed teams in those years, particularly on defense. I just feel that the Bills become more balanced in a lot of ways. On offense, we have a superstar QB who has a lot of maturity now, and we can both run and pass effectively. On defense we finally made a lot of investment at the weakest area in McDermott's era and this is where the fruit of the investment determines the outcome; if we get some surprising early returns - in the form of steady improvement throughout the season, it could happen this year. Steady Improvement from the young guys on defense is what I'm looking for.

@ChronicAndKnuckles I hear you. I do think McBeane is on the right track now. Having capable and smart secondary and linebackers helps, as well as the cliche of "it takes everyone." It does work against most QBs and offenses. But history has shown that against the very best - Brady and Mahomes types, brute force might be the most effective way. Like you said, Brady's two superbowl losses to the Giants, Mahomes' two superbowl losses to Bucs and Eagles have a common theme: the D-line dominated the O-Line. Overall, I think the Bills D-Line is at least a year away. Currently we have starters Bosa, Oliver, Jones, Rousseau, with backups Epenesa, Sanders, ogunjobi, Jackson, and third string Solomon, Carter, Walker, Hoecht. probably better depth overall than they have ever been. BUT we need probably 2 legit stars to dominate which free up others to make plays consistently. I'm not counting on Oliver, Jones, and Rousseau to be a true star (win majority one-on-one against capable O-Lineman). Hope Rousseau to take another step but history says once a player is paid, don't expect an immediate breakout season. Bosa is at least capable (done before) and motivated, but no one knows injury factor. The hope is on 1st and 2nd year guys and we do have a lot of them (5 to be exact).