ThurmanThomasEnglishMuffin

The energy crisis already happened when oil went from @50 a barrel to @90 a barrel from 2/1/2021 to 2/1/2022. That was before the Invasion. Why did Obama in his last 2 years, and Trump in all 4 not import oil from Russia? Why did genius Biden break from that strategy? Aren't a few cents more a gallon worth Ukrainian independence?

@John Adams @Over 29 years of fanhood @All_Pro_Bills @Doc @Warcodered @BillStime @SC BIlls Fan @Tiberius You guys have a lot of good thoughts. Why are we not just cutting off Russian oil supplies like Obama did in 2014-2016? Even dummy Trump followed Obama's lead and imported no Russian oil from 2016-2020 (in honesty there was a dribble in Dec 2020) Why did Biden import 220 million plus barrels of Russian oil in 2021 after Trump imported 0 and Obama imported 0 for his last 2 years? Seems backwards to me. Biden must be smarter than all of us. Did that help fund the current war? If Russia gets 30-50% of it's government funding from oil, and we go from importing 0 barrels under Obama and even Trump, to importing 220 million barrels a year under Biden, even at the low cost of $52 a barrel, isn't that $10 billion or so US Dollars to Russia that they did not get under Obama or Trump? Maybe I am bad at math. $52 (minimum) * 220,000,000 (minimum) I am sure you have Green New Deal math that will fix it and explain it all for me. Should we meet in Paris to discuss it?? What has been the US investment in weapons in Ukraine over the past 10 years? Certainly no one would want to profit from weapons production and death, that is not Democratic at all! We wouldn't do such a thing! If the USA is taking 'tough sanctions' against Russia, but is still importing 750k - 1,000,000 million barrels of oil a day from Russia, is that really tough sanctions? I guess I don't understand how buying things from someone at a profit makes them weaker. You will have to explain that to me with your fancy economics. Even Obama understood this was a bad idea, and I don't think he was good at economics. CNN and MNBC, who only tell the truth, said all international payments systems like SWIFT to Russia were being shut down. How is Russia getting paid for all of that oil and natural gas then?!?! Is Russia doing it all on good credit to the USA/NATO? CNN and MSNBC also said Russia is invading to stop USA/NATO from encroaching on Ukraine. So confusing. Is Russia potentially fueling its own enemy? Or is it getting rich from it? So confusing. Crazy talk, darned Russians.... they are so sneaky.... I am even more confused about Nord Stream 1 in Germany now, and why Germany/EU won't stop natural gas imports and payments in Euros to Russia.... How is that happening? Russians are so good at getting Dollars and Euros... it's almost too easy for them Russia is very silly if they are not getting paid now. They have an Army to feed. It is in the Ukraine. It is almost like the USA and EU are paying for the Russian army, that is in the Ukraine right now! Well that is crazy talk. All the big weapons manufacturers of USA and Europe are supplying Ukraine with hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment to stop that. Even Germany is sending weapons to Ukraine now. It's almost like the people who make weapons just want to make money. That would be terrible! This is all clearly in the name of Ukrainian Democracy.....

This wasn't you? Based on this post I thought you would have an opinion on the situation? It was strongly worded. I will try to include others since you do not care to back up your opinions.

@Tiberius @BillStime @SlimShady'sSpaceForce I am new here, and I didn't want your voices to be missed. Perhaps you missed the post about Russian export energy to the US and EU, and how those payments are being processed despite 'UN Sanctions' to stop the war? It seems obvious to me. What do you think? Most people can see what is happening here, don't you agree? I mean SWIFT was suspended, how else are payments being made? Some conservative voices have weighed in, and I have engaged them. They do have a slightly limited view but it is nationalistic and fits the story line. I would expect that from the center right. You all seem to have very strong opinions contrary to them on a lot of topics. Perhaps my post was missed? it seems relevant since Putin's Russia depends on energy exports for 40-50% of it's budget, and they are invading Ukraine. So far no one has a very good answer to anything. Looking for your input.

Was looking for this all day, didn't see it. Really weak headline title for those of us discriminated against for a year. Mods feel free to merge thanks for the notice

https://www.wkbw.com/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-mandate-lifted-at-keybank-center-and-highmark-stadium another source The 'science' seems to be different dependent on where you live....

Surprised this has not been brought up. Source: https://billswire.usatoday.com/2022/03/01/buffalo-bills-no-longer-covid-19-vaccinated-attend-highmark-stadium/ The Buffalo Bills are not going to host any games at Highmark Stadium until August when the 2022 preseason begins. As things now stand, once we get there, fans will no longer be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine to attend contests in Orchard Park. On Monday, that became official. “The vaccination mandate at Highmark Stadium has also been lifted,” Ron Raccuia, Executive Vice President for Pegula Sports and Entertainment, told WIVB-TV. The previous policy required all fans 12 and up to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It was also previously a requirement that attendees age 5-11 have at least one shot. Rules are subject to change by the time the season rolls around depending on the COVID-19 policies in Erie County at that time where the stadium is located. Along with future Bills games, the policy also relates to other events at the venue, such as concerts. The band Metallica was recently announced as a performer at the stadium in August.

Largely agree. If the USA and Europe are actually waging economic warfare against Russia they would block oil and natural gas exports from Russia. They are not. Russian energy exports to the USA and Europe continue. Russia is not exporting energy on the 'good credit' of the EU/USA/NATO during a war, where those same countries 'condemn them' in the media. If a commodity is being exported, then a financial instrument remains in place to facilitate trade, despite what the Main Stream Media says. If a loophole exists for energy exports why isn't this being reported? Wouldn't the Russian oligarchs have access to these instruments of trade and banking too? It is naive and laughable that the Russian economy is being weakened, while energy exports, that fund 30-50% of the Russian Government budget continue.

Interesting response. So politics are in play now? I wonder how Ukrainians feel about this? Let's dig in. I looked at WTI Crude Oil Prices from February 1, 2021 to February 1, 2022. https://www.macrotrends.net/2516/wti-crude-oil-prices-10-year-daily-chart It looks like WTI crude went from $53.55 per barrel on Feb 1, 2021 to $88.20 a barrel on Feb 1, 2022, before the invasion. If my math is correct, that is a 39% increase in one year. I would call that a price shock before any invasion happened. Why did this shock happen? Is the 39% increase in oil prices a major factor in the 7-8% inflation we have seen? WTI is not all oil production, but because of the cartel nature of oil production there are usually not arbitrage opportunities available, so this should be a good measure of oil costs. I admit It is a wholly domestic price. Anyone with data showing significantly different prices is welcome to counter my data and we will synthesize it. If prices are up 39% year over year, why would the blocking of about 1 million barrels of crude daily from Russia create a much bigger shock, if we are truly behind helping Ukraine retain sovereignty? It honestly doesn't hold up to factual scrutiny. A ban on oil imports from Russia should be imposed, if the USA truly wants to stop the Russo-Ukrainian War. There would be a small increase in gas prices, but it would pale in comparison to the price shocks in place since Feb 1, 2021. The inflation and price shock has already happened. In my opinion we should be looking to why the price rose 39% in one year, and why the USA started importing Russian Oil after a 6-7 year hiatus under Obama and Trump. Two politicians who could not be more different, on the surface, both blocked Russian oil imports. Obama - blocked Russian oil imports for his last 2 years Trump - blocked Russian oil imports for 4 years, blocked Russian Nord Stream 2 approvals in Europe, supported Keystone Pipeline Biden - approved Russian oil imports to the tune of 220 million barrels in 2021, approved Russian Nord Stream 2, blocked Keystone Pipeline Anyone care to explain how Trump's actions were 'pro Russia' and how Biden's actions were 'anti-Russia'? That argument does not make any sense since 40-50% of Russia's state budget is based on energy exports. As for natural gas. USA output of Nat Gas in the USA has been: (millions of cubic feet) https://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/hist/n9050us2a.htm 2015: 28,772,044 - Obama 2016: 28,400,049 - Obama's last year 2017: 29,237,825 - Trump 2018: 33,008,867 - Trump 2019: 36,446,918 - Trump 2020: 36,202,446 - Trump 2021: 37,015,049 - Biden's first year The common theme among Republicans is that Natural Gas production has been harmed by the Biden Administration. False, Natural Gas production has increased so far under Biden. True, natural gas production soared under Trump 20%+, with a dip in 2020 probably due to COVID. This helped the US become energy independent and allowed exports to Europe. Despite media contention, Biden did not stop any actual existing production, but did stop new production from coming online by blocking the Keystone Pipeline and limiting permits on Federal Land.

I'm not a registered Democrat or registered Republican. I do want to ask a fundamental question that I think a lot of the 34% or so of independents and third party members want to ask. Regardless of your political affiliation, if you want to see this war stopped, and I think we all do, we should ask the following questions. 1) If the USA wants to put a stop to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, then why doesn't it stop importing oil from Russia? 2) Why don't Germany and the EU stop the flow of natural gas from Nord Stream 1, which bypasses Ukraine and Poland, to Germany, and by extension Europe? Very simple question. Also, if all banks are being banned from transactions to Russia, and all international settlements systems like SWIFT have been stopped, then how is the USA paying for this oil, and how is Germany/ EU paying for its natural gas?

He is 28. When does he develop, when the AARP membership kicks in or the SSI checks start to show up? 😄

To be fair Over The Cap has his 2021 market value at $13.7 million Guessing he will end up in the 13-20 range?

seems like S, his profile shows S coach makes sense since Babbich moved from S to LB coach

Kyle Allen is an interesting name. He has showed flashes and I think he was a participant in the dinner with Josh Allen and C Kirk? Trouble is Kyle Allen is a RFA. As much as I love Fitz he has the Fitztragic curse. Only the Madden curse has a better hit rate. I want no part of that around Josh Allen. Also as good as Fitz can be he may be the least clutch QB I've ever seen. Trubisky could end up here. If Daboll had gone to a QB hungry team, the Trubisky with Daboll plan made sense. I think the Giants believe Daboll is the QB whisperer and can get the most out of Jones, and he has shown some capability. The Giants need to get some OL help there. Trubisky to NY would create a QB controversy. With the off-season the G-men have already had, not sure Daboll wants that added year one as a HC. I think Tampa or New Orleans may be interested in Mitch. Arians is probably as good an offensive mind as there is and he is arrogant enough to try to reclaim MT as a day 1 starter. New Orleans is a mess at QB and way over the cap. Trubisky could be a low cost high reward type player for them at QB. If MT is left without a clear shot to compete as a starter, why would he leave Buffalo?

Blood donation day at Highmark Stadium, sponsored by CSL Plasma! No thanks 🤣

I viewed him as a sneaky get when I first looked at the WR FA market. Sanders is a FA and was showing his age by season end, am ok letting him walk McKenzie is a FA and there is potential hard feelings there with benching and use, would like to keep him, but have a feeling he will test FA aggressively Beasley is in his last year. He was #2 in receptions from the slot, and his catch % was still good. But he is 32? and his YPC were below 10, and he struggled at times to get the 1st downs he got earlier in his career. I know a bunch of TBD doesn't like him for non-footbal reasons, I still like the football player and the man. Cutting him does free up a net 6 million, which goes a long way to revamping the losses at WR (I believe Sanders was $6 million last year) All of this is a way to say I could see Kirk and the Bills being a match. Diggs/ Davis/ Kirk/ Knox is a nice stable of receiving targets to start a season with In that situation, I would still want to see a developmental WR taken in the 4th or 5th with no pressure to produce In that situation, I would also want to see what Stevenson can do, can he be the McKenzie style gadget guy? As for G Conner, I would pass. According to Spotrac Bates is a RFA, so Buffalo has some strategic options on how to retain him and can set a value on him. I believe if Buffalo makes a qualifying offer and some other team blows that away, and Buffalo fails to match Buffalo gets draft compensation? Bates is also just 24 and offers positional flexibility. He pulls better than any other guard we have, and I would like to see him under Kromer's coaching. To the eye test Singletary produced well in pulling schemes once Buffalo started pulling Bates/ Morse. I am all for drafting IOL, as I was last year. (Passing on Humphrey for Basham still burns me up)

I appreciate your posts. You never get too high or too low. As outlandish as the scenario is from the OP, I could see dealing the 25th and a few picks for an established starter. The FA CB market has some good opportunities. Darby, Gilmore, Carlton Davis, JC Jackson. All of these guys will command Levi Wallace FA$ or better. In that case resign Wallace who knows the team, schemes area etc. I don't see it with the current cap situation. I still think the Diggs situation was a bit blown out of proportion. Diggs just knew Cousins is not a SB winning QB. My ideal offseason would be keep Bates and McKenzie as FA, sign Fournette as a FA splash, trade picks for an established CB, IOL 2nd round and then BPA. Want to float out the possibility OBD trades a 1st (and other comp) for a starter. CB just seems the obvious position.

Oh yeah, it may be a package, but our Bills are in win now mode. I would look at teams in cap trouble or rebuilding. Marshawn Lattimore fits 2/3 of those requirements, but his contract is a mess. I haven't gone team by team yet, just throwing out the idea that trading a 1st (and other pics/ player) may be an option this year, and CB is a real need IMO.

Or swing the 1st round pick for a known starter at CB? Sounds crazy, but Beane did it for a #1 WR.

Maybe trade a 1st for an impact player, like the Diggs trade? I agree this is the time.

Trade 1+ for a starting caliber CB. Levi is probably gone. Tre is out for a while. Dane is ok at 1 starting position, but Taron is not an outside guy. Need a #1 CB more than anything else. Will a playoff caliber starting boundary CB be available at the Bills pick? White was, does OBD roll the dice again? FA CB will cost too much (otherwise would resign Levi Wallace). When Tre White is back, then Dane Jackson goes back to being a very experienced 3rd CB on the boundary and you have an improvement on last year's team. Player x from the trade and White, with Jackson being backup. Taron Johnson still a stud at nickel. The 3 1st and 2nd round picks at DE need to produce. Period. IOL second round. Could have had Creed Humphrey here last year. Another IOL, of similar capability at OG or C should be there in the 2nd round. After that BPA. WR/TE/LB/DE/DT/P all needs. A S falling to the 3rd round would be good too. Who are your starting CBs week 1?

I feel it is more likely the Bills trade the #1 and a pick or players for a proven 1B/2A level CB. A Stef Diggs type move at CB if you will. The Bills are free of the Addison and Hughes contracts at DE. They are FA now. The remaining DEs on the roster are all young DEs drafted in the 1st or 2nd round. It is possible to bring Obada back as a 4th. Those guys need to be given a chance to step up and produce. A 1st round pick and 2 seconds is more than most other teams have at DE. They need to produce. At DB we have Dane Jackson and Taron Johnson as day 1 starters. Levi Wallace is a FA and will get paid more than Buffalo can give. Tre White is not a given to start week 1, much less week 4, and what does he look like the first week he is back? Johnson is a very good slot CB, but not very good outside. Jackson is a level 3, maybe 2B starter. Who plays opposite him? CB is the clear need for Buffalo.

Fair enough. I love a good conversation, and it is hard to put a whole thought in a social media post. IMO JA can do anything needed to be all world. He has for the better part of 4 years. I want him to take fewer hits. I liken JA to Elway/Young/Favre. Even more skilled as a runner. They extended their careers by taking fewer hits as they matured and used their legs for time to throw (like the pass to Knox vs KC) or to run for critical first downs like Young or Elway. I recall Young going 80 yards on a broken play, and Elway sacrificing his body for a TD in a Super Bowl. AOK with that. I don't want JA to be McNabbed, where McNabb was coached out of his dual threat ability. I just want JA to take fewer hits, and to face fewer blitzes. I think a 65-35 or 60-40 pass run ratio (where as you said it was more efficient) would be good. Can the Bills get 4-5 yards in a 1st down run? Can they pick up 3rd and 3 or 4 with a RB? Does this make play action effective? Does this take some pressure off of JA, and we see less sugar high Allen because of it? Even Bills fans fail to realize how run dependent the 90s Bills were. Thomas and Davis were studs, and the OL was good at pass blocking and run blocking. We don't have to revert to that, but some balance is needed IMO for Allen's long term outlook.

So Ken Dorsey was passing game coordinator last year. The Bills took a few lumps early on, but ended the season on a passing game zenith. A perfect game vs New England and a fireworks display vs KC. Knox was tied for the lead in TE TDs and we rediscovered a guy named Gabe Davis. Now Kromer is brought in to help Dorsey install a running game and be a voice of balance. Eric Wood mentioned how Kromer helped him raise his game. That is solid Bills street cred. Both Wood and Incognito had career resurgences with Kromer. He will get the most out of any OL talent we have and not be shy about telling McDermott and Dorsey about who to start. I can see Bates (if retained), Dawkins and Brown benefiting from this. If Doyle or Ford have anything this is the time to show it. I think Morse is who is is at this point, but he did show an ability to pull (so did Bates) and block. I like the strategy. No one for certain knows how much Dorsey took from Daboll, or where his responsibilities ended, but I liked how the pass game evolved. There were some blind spots for sure, and some game plans were too focused on a single player at times. But overall JA seemed to get into a rhythm as the season went on and as Dabs and company found carries for Singletary and mixed in more of the jet sweep type of game. This helped the play action game. It took adjustment but seemed to work really well by the end of the year and seemed to slow down the blitzes vs JA. I'm hopeful Dorsey and Kromer can work together and make a more balanced attack. JA is amazing, but entering year 5 I want to see him taking less hits, and having to be a little less super human. Save that stuff for critical downs! Kromer is a good hire, and shows the current Bills will dip back into the well if needed. That is head office growth. It also shows Kromer has grown too and holds no ill will with the Bills. This could be beneficial as the Bills get close to cracking the Super Bowl aspirations they have and have to back fill positions due to success and free agency. I feel less crazy for imagining a Darby or Gilmore reunion now. Both could help this team next year. Hoping we get Fournette as a mid tier FA to give Kromer a toy to work with. Fournette and Singletary would be a very solid RB backfield with Moss as an emergency option. 8/10 hire IMO