PoundingDog

If Wilkens can help the Bills win more games than what they have now and future, then they would sign him. I don't see Allen or anyone would have a problem. The Question is does he. #1 is the health. The Raiders should know better than anyone about his health, especially a projection when he'll be able to contribute. Carroll is a capable coach, not one of those dump ones. The fact they took a big dead cap to release him now make you wonder what they think of the situation. #2 is that Wilkens is going to be 30 coming December (in comparison to Oliver, while drafted in the same class, is going to be 28 in December). So if he's not able to contribute much this year, you are looking at an over-30, coming off rehab DT next season.

I thought Walker is more of who compliments Oliver - able to plug-in running hole if Oliver is gambling to penetrate fast or tying up multiple blocking to provide more 1-on-1 opportunity for Oliver.

A friend of mine kept a chart someone did 2 years ago using PFF rankings on players declining by age. Here is how to read the table. Take RBs age 26.1 under Top 10 90th Percentile column; that says among top 10 running backs, on average only 1 is of age 26.1 or older (90% will be younger). RBs age 25.2 under column Top 10 80th Percentile; that says among top 10 running backs, on average only 2 are of age of 25.2 (80% will be younger). RBs age 27 under Top 20 85th Percentile; that says among top 20 running backs, on average only 3 players will be of age 27 or older (85% will be younger). Of course it's a statistics analysis, and there are debates on the different standards in ranking the players by position. I'd say last year it definitely broke the norm for running backs where both Barkley (age 27) and Henry (31) should be in top 10. But this is the kind of things teams may look at to counter the agents in contract negotiations. Allen (29) has a lot of years left based on this chart. Dawkins (31) is getting there. James Cook (26 in September) is an interesting case - maybe why he wants the money now. I don't know how many other Bills players can be considered top 20 in their position. Now look at the Chiefs, Kelce is going to be 36 in early Oct. Chris Jones is 31. We are hoping they follows the statistic norms, but luck may be that both Kelce and Jones are THE OLD ONEs in top 10 that divide the 90th Percentile in their respective position group.

I am intrigued by James Cook. 2 probowl seasons over 1000 yards rushing. Does he have another gear in 2025? There is no question he's probably 2nd best skilled player on this team. While people may say 2024 is his breakout season, look at 2023, and he was not even the starter to start that season. We noticed him more because in 2024, those big runs - he had 4 runs going for 40+ yards and 6 going for 20+. In comparison, Derrick Henry had 6 runs going for 40+ yards but 19 going for 20+, and that my friend is a stats that make DCs say "we gotta stop him" (Our HoF Thurman Thomas' best is 1991 like 11 20+ yard runs). Now you also have to consider Henry had 320+ carries compared to Cook's 200+ carries. Cook will no doubt buckle down and try his best in 2025 with his contract situation. You gotta think McDermott's preference to run the ball and Brady's review of the 2024 season recognizing the weapon Cook was. Trust me opposing DCs will look out for Cook more this season, but if he is able to put another step forward with the likely more work load thsi season, the Bills offense could be better than last year. Before everyone accuse me comparing Cook to Henry, Cook is obviously a class below Henry, but they have very different styles. Henry is not good blocker either. Cook's vision, the way he sees/sets blocking crossing the LOS while using his horizontal speed is very unique and effective, almost looked effortless. Henry is deceptive in terms of his speed (not quite horizontal speed). Cook also has deceptive speed. Ask Poyer, who knew Cook since he came to the league, that if you take a slight bad angle on Cook ...

100%. Someone mentioned me the other day that when Mahomes played well in the playoffs, the Chiefs won. They would lose when Mahomes had a bad game. So Chiefs defense is solid against quality opponents but not overpowering. Allen has played well, occasionally superb in the playoffs and the Bills still lost to top competition. That is the difference. We need a D that is capable to cause Mahomes to have a bad playoff game.

If OBD's investment on D pans out ... I think that Allen and Jackson have made noticeable improvement over the last few years in terms of raising up their floor. I don't know I'd say the same about Mahomes and Burrow. Maybe that's the difference of being at the top vs trying to get to the top.

Forget about superbowl wins. You have to get there first right? Allen AFC Championship game appearance: 2 Jackson AFC Championship appearance: 1 For reference Mahomes is on a 7 consecutive AFC Championship appearance streak, went to 5 superbowl games. I'm a Bills fan but think about it, in a conference where you have Allen Jackson, Burrow, that's a feat. I think the bar is at a different height for Allen, and for that matter, Jackson etc. They ARE all recognized as good players. The question is whether they be "Mahomes" good, i.e., beating Mahomes from time to time at the critical important games.

https://www.yahoo.com/health/wellness/nutrition/healthy-eating/articles/nfl-quarterback-josh-allen-says-042457217.html It seems like yesterday that he was drafted as a 21 year old. Now he's 29 and looks like the exercise and diet changes come with age. Compared to the famous TB12 diet, I'm surprised Allen went with protein heavy approach and singled out dairy. Whatever works for him works for him. I just hope he cuts down on alcohol consumption as he ages.

Last year an argument can be made that Allen did his best he could and Kincaid failed him. But then you can also say why didn't Allen recognize the perfect blitz the Chiefs were sending at the time? The year before, I really questioned Allen's decision to go for the end zone - I was thinking what Mahomes would do or Brady would do in that exact situation? Allen may never say it but I think that play may be one of those that drove him to make better decisions all of the 2024 season. I certainly hope Allen learned a lesson last year (there is something about making one less mistakes than the opponent) and keeps up this year and forward. In that sense, he closes the biggest gap between him and Mahomes/Brady. Speaking of Brady and making less mistakes than your opponents, isn't that the biggest strength of the GOAT? Pure football talent wise, Brady may rank outside of 100 of all QBs, and during his time in NFL, you can insert multiple QB names each year that analysts and fans said was better than Brady. Yet Brady won the most and that's what it counts at the end. For Mr. Joshua Patrick Allen, until he wins superbowls - yes probably needing more than one - no one should crown him the best QB.

Let's see what Aaron Glenn has as a HC. The Jets drafted in the top 10 a bunch recently, and multiple first round picks in a few years. It's not like I don't give Douglas credit but it would be hard to miss all those fast balls right down the middle. But he for sure had not hit a home run (QB 1). If Glenn is able to string together those singles, doubles and triples with some luck, he should give Bills and other quality teams (with HR powers) runs for their money. McDermott was able to do it in 2017 with far less talent.

I don't see a problem. Who is the Jets going to pay? Remember Eric Moulds of the Bills in the early 2000s. Getting paid, going thru your prime and getting wash out of the league after that is the unfortunate truth for a guy like Wilson. At least he's getting paid. For a team like the Chiefs or Bills, there is no such luxury. Chiefs had to trade Hill and if Wilson were on the Bills team putting up monster numbers, the Bills would have to trade him too. For those who say the Bengals paid their receivers, look at where they are now in terms of overall competitive wise. Another example is Miami ...

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.

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).

It's a cliche and we all know that. In NFL, if you don't try to improve, you ARE going backwards. But how many can actually improve above the current pace and break out a "career year"? Say Terrel Bernard. He's a solid NFL starter and a leader in Bills defense. The absence of him will hurt the Bills D but the presence of him won't propel the Bills D to another level, assuming everyone else stay current at his playing level.

Yes, but only partially on Beane. When you pick in the bottom of 5/6 of every round every year, it is hard to get generational talent. You'll need to be a great talent evaluator. I don't know Beane is that. The reason I say that is because when he did get his chance - when he traded up to get Edmunds, and when he had pick #9 in 2019, he didn't wiff but he missed superior talent. Even for the same position, look at all the DT talent in 2019 and all the LB talent in 2018 that he could have. Beane will need to improve and/or find scouting talent in evaluating football talent. In the latter case, that person will eventually leave to be a GM himself if he does have strong influence in advice to help Beane finding talent. Helping the Bills finding Allen played a big part in Joe Schoen getting the Giants GM job.