ThurmanThomasEnglishMuffin

He would have gotten away with it, if it weren't for those pesky kids'

That was a miracle in itself (Grossman SB). I sometimes wonder if coordinators get stuck in the shadow of the HC they are in when the HC strength is the same side of the ball. DC Frazier, HC McDermott - Defense OC Bieniemy, HC Andy Reid - Offense Eric Bieniemy especially. KC's identity is clearly offense. You would think the Mahomes glow would boost him as a candidate like the Allen glow boosted Daboll. But few interviews much less offers. With the Bills it is a bit more murky. One would think Buffalo's identity would clearly be defense with Frazier and McDermott, and even though statistically the Buffalo D has been a top performing unit for much of their tenure, their have been plenty of blemishes and few game changing plays. Unfortunately I think that works against Frazier.

Would love Lattimore (CB) here, but his contract numbers are a disaster It was, but they are 75-80 million over the cap. They will probably have to deal some guys on Defense to get under cap and get draft picks for the rebuild

Good hire. Made chicken salad out of chicken sh!t with the injuries to Baltimore last year. Kevon Seymour was starting at CB last year for them!

Similar to Barkley and Allen, Webb (who I think wants to coach) and Jones

Been low key aware of this as I have suggested CB is the most important need position on the team. A CB for the #1 pass defense in the league, who was able to hold down the #1 CB spot after an all-pro/pro bowl calibre CB goes out for 1/3 of the season is going to get paid. I think Bills fans slightly underrate Wallace, and some teams & GMs will slightly overrate Wallace. Feels a bit like the Josh Norman situation. May drop off a bit if he is asked to be a #1 CB out of McDermott's system, but at $9-10 million a year will find plenty of suitors. And honestly he has earned it. I could see Buffalo using their #1 in a trade for an established CB like they did with WR and Diggs.

Hey Harry, thanks for reading the post. This is good info. NYT blocks me from reading the article, but I did manage to see the tagline was from February, 2022. Please verify. 80% of Hondurans self ascribe themselves as mesitzo or Latino and only 3% claim being black or Afro-Honduran. It is odd how Flores, the son of Honduran immigrants, seemed to enjoy the praise of being the 3rd Latino HC in NFL history in 2019 in Latino heavy Miami, but now claims to be black in woke America in 2022 when he perceives a firing/hiring injustice. How did that happen?

You stated a position much more succinctly than I was trying too. Thank you. This has become a very complicated mess with a lot of layers. Anyone with friends and relatives who are Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern etc, and has an honest dialogue, knows that they are increasingly feeling left out of the national political dialogue. The white vs black identity politics being pushed in every situation marginalizes all other minority concerns and successes. It also discounts ethnic diversities that go much deeper than skin color alone. Yet here we are, continuing to propagate skin color based arguments that alienate 1/3 or more of the country when it is convenient. This is relevant to Brian Flores and his claims. Brian Flores is a heck of a coach. I went back the past few days and read his story. It is the story of first generation success that all immigrant families strive for. His is a story of perseverance, hard work and success. If the claims about the Dolphins bribing him to tank are true, and he refused, I respect that part of Brian Flores even more. If true, that is a damning claim against the integrity of the NFL that goes well beyond hiring practices and could damage all players, coaches and executives going forward regardless of ethnicity. No one wants to watch or invest in a 'fixed game'. That goes for sponsors who pay for advertising that is the backbone of NFL revenue. Brian Flores is first generation Honduran American. His parents, Raul and Maria, immigrated to the USA from Honduras in the 1970's. He is latino. Only 3% of Hondurans identify as black, 3% White and 80% Mesitzo (the rest are Amerind or other). When Flores was hired by the now allegedly 'racist' Dolphins, it was widely celebrated that Flores was the third latino HC in NFL history. (Tom Flores and Ron Rivera were the prior two). Now an alleged slight has been done in employment decisions, and his entire latino/Honduran ethnicity and background is thrown out and ignored. How convenient. We revert back to black vs white identity politics. Anyone pointing this out is a 'racist' or disingenuous? It is sad, backwards and marginalizes the true ethnic diversity in our country. Take a look back at the 2019 Miami Dolphins org chart when Flores was hired and his coaching staff assembled. Vice Chairman (one of many) - Jorge Perez Assistant GM - Marvin Allen Senior Personnel Executive - Reggie McKenzie HC - Brian Flores Assistant HC/ QB coach - Jim Caldwell (who I do think got screwed) DC - Patrick Graham That is a whole lot of minorities in executive levels, and 3/4 of the highest coaching positions were minorities. But now Ross and the Dolphins are 'racist'? It doesn't hold up. IMO this is why Fores went full scorched earth and put to question the competitive integrity of Ross and the Dolphins. Unfortunately by doing so he called into question the integrity of the entire league and everyone involved with it. Let's have a moment of honesty. Flores lost a power struggle in Miami with a GM (Grier) and owner Ross. Congratulations to Flores. He ascended to the level he could have an executive level power struggle. People in executive positions, governments and the highest levels of management face these types of power struggles all over the world. I dream of the day I reach a level where I have an executive power struggle. Ross and Grier felt they provided a QB and many other very high draft picks for Flores to succeed. Ross wanted playoffs or else before the 2021 season began. This is documented. Flores went 0-3 in attempts to make the playoffs. Maybe the picks weren't good, maybe it was coaching. Instead of being a professional and realizing this was not a fit, Flores went full nuclear and claimed both racism and questioned league integrity. It's shame because there were still plenty of opportunities for a talented and hard working coach like Flores to be a HC or DC and find a better fit. As for the Giants, he ran into the GM/Coaching tree lines and favoritism that is part of the NFL. Look back at almost any HC or coordinator, and you will often identify clear GM/ Coaching trees. Some could call it cronyism, and I think that would be fair. When former Eagle Ron Rivera was promoted to HC in Carolina, he hired Sean McDermott, a failed DC in Philadelphia. Was that a racist hire? When Andy Reid was fired from the Eagles and became HC of the Chiefs he hired Eric Bienemy, a player he coached on the Eagles. Were better qualified OC overlooked? Certainly, and some were probably minorities. You can't cry racism, when cronyism goes both ways. People in the NFL hire people they are familiar with and trust. As more positional coaches and OC/DC are minorities they will benefit from it. When Schoen was hired as GM of the Giants, almost everyone knew that Daboll or Frazier had a leg up on the competition. I believe 6/8 Divisional winners last year were offensive minded. Vrabel and McDermott being exceptions. Offensive minded coaches have a clear leg up in hiring this round. It is an offensive game. Many believe (correctly or not) that Daboll was the QB whisperer to Josh Allen. The Giants, who are struggling offensively wanted a part of that, and Schoen has a relationship with Daboll. Cronyism, not racism. If Frazier had been hired as the Giants HC instead, would Flores have filed a law suit? Would it have been racism or cronyism? Would Flores have gone scorched earth in that situation? But all of this was not enough for Flores. Flores decided to attack Elway and drag BB into this. He attacked the integrity of the league and fair competition. He did not point out cronyism. He attacked NFL royalty. All of it in the name of 'racism'. Somewhere along it all, Flores threw away his own Honduran ancestry and hard earned success as a latino pioneer in the NFL to try to prove a misguided point. Now the media, his attorneys and claims are in the convenient trope of black/white 'racism'. All we see reported in the media is the 1/32 black HC stat, once again discounting other minority successes. Somehow Rivera and Saleh are no longer counted in the national dialogue as minorities, or successes. No mention is made of the dozens of minority OC/DC in the league awaiting their turn. David Culley is used an example of woke racism because he was 'black' and fired, despite the fact Culley is actually Lebanese. Once again if it is not black vs white, then it doesn't count, and other minorities are marginalized and stripped of a voice. Flores killed off any chance of ever being hired in the NFL again and created a self-fulfilled prophecy. In doing so he has potentially damaged the reputation of the game, diminished his role as a latino role model, as a first generation American role model, and denigrated the success of other minorities who don't fit the black versus white narrative. He did it all by himself. No racism needed.

2022 is the Chinese year of the Tiger! The stars are clearly aligned, the Kitty goes Meow again. Bengals over Rams in a great game. 31-27

David Culley is also Lebanese I remember when this came out and wondered what team this was. Could be Miami.

This was the crux of my initial POV regarding why Flores was fired. Traditional power struggle between GM and owner vs HC. Flores might have been ok with Tua at the draft but changed his mind over the time Tua was there. Once Flores saw up close what Tua was (ability/ work ethic etc) he knew the QB was limited. More so when he sees Allen 2x a year and the other young QBs in the AFC. I feel like what made this go nuclear was the Giants hire, and the info he got from BB. Question for TBD. Isn't Flores Honduran? I believe his parents were immigrants from Honduras. Can someone verify? I seem to recall an article celebrating Flores being the 3rd latino head coach in NFL history. Tom Flores (no relation) and Ron Rivera being the others. I wonder what kind of discussion and reaction he would have had if the Giants had hired Leslie Frazier instead of Daboll under the exact same circumstances?

I have a feeling Ross and the Dolphins brain trust really think Tua is the answer at QB. Flores and most people who know football know he is not. It was pretty clear Flores was not all aboard the Tua train. Winning in the division is also key. I know Flores bedeviled the Pats (I'll miss that) but he was awful against the Bills (I'll miss that too). Haven't looked up Dolphins v Jets So if I am an owner and think you can't beat the lead team in the division, can't coach up all the high draft picks my GM keeps drafting, and screwed up developing my QB then yeah, I would make a change. Sounds a lot like the Owner and GM are in cahoots and the coach was not on board, even though I agree with Flores.

That is what is perplexing. He would have been a hot DC commodity with all these staff changes

It makes sense why the Giants wanted Daboll. They think they are getting the guy that developed Josh Allen (even though we all know a lot has gone into that). They want to see if Jones has anything, and if not, have a guy who can develop their next QB. Flores botched Tua. Swapping Fitzpatrick and Tua in and out in 2020 was a mess, and people called it then. If I am a team trying to solve the QB situation to complete, then it's Daboll all the way. To Flores point, no one wants to be a token candidate and I understand his anger with the Giants in that regard. The Miami and Denver stuff is pretty mind blowing if true. The swipe at Buffalo (McDermott and Daboll not getting along) was petty and unnecessary. There are a lot of staffs that need DCs and he is one of the best. Going nuclear isn't going to help. I guess if all the above is true, it was just too much to handle.

Maybe age too? Frazier will be 63 in April. I did think he would get more of a look this off season. Just read the NFL story and a bunch of Tweets/ Social Media. Wow Flores went full nuclear.

Agreed. I recall Daboll canceling a HC interview or two last offseason. His relationship with McDermott could not have been that bad. I also think a lot f people feel burnt and frustrated the way the season ended, not that we have seen it here at all! 😃 The source for this is an aside from Flores going nuclear today. Not sure how Buffalo got mixed up in this, but I don't put much into it. Oddly enough, I thought Flores could have had a shot to be a DC here if Frazier moves on or is replaced. That is a bridge that might be torched now.

Oh certainly a legitimate reaction. Makes sense to me too. Certainly Daboll was not taking a dig at Allen or the Bills.

Daboll had an interview the other day on Good Morning Football. I heard the interview when it happened. I thought nothing of it. Some people here want to raise pitchforks and read into things. Daboll was asked about Daniel Jones in comparison to Allen. In short it sounded like he wants to see what Jones has, that he has some similarities to Josh and that 'it took a village to improve Josh.' All of that is true. Matt Barkley/ Jordan Palmer/ Ken Dorsey/ Brian Daboll and most importantly Josh Allen all helped Josh get to where he is. I took it to mean Jones is raw and will need help from a number of people to tap his potential. Much ado about nothing, and people reading into things in a weird day and rough start to the offseason for the Bills and the NFL.

Agree with you on all points above. How would you feel about Fournette who is a FA? Would rather sign Fournette as a FA. 6'0" 240 takes a lot of beating off of Allen. Fournette is only 27. a 2-3 yr contract leaves wiggle room. Retain Ryan Bates as a OG on a starting OG salary Let Wallace walk for big money, he earned it Trade 1st and x pick for a starting calibre NFL CB (The Diggs method) Draft IOL or 1TDT in the 2nd BPA after with an eye on WR, DT/IOL, LB, TE ST

I'm still salty too, 'but ratface mocking the enemy'? This is a salty and homerish take IMO. BTW, I consider him more of a Sideshow Bob personally. That said, how does making a bee line running past all of his own teammates in a huge moment to find a competitor 'mocking the enemy'? Mahomes barely celebrated the TD and started running for Allen. Both of these guys put it all out there. Mahomes knew it. I also like to think he knew how devastating losing that game would have felt and had to have a few words with Allen in the moment. That is respect. Like Allen, Mahomes thrives on competition, and Allen made him dig extra deep to pull it out. Other than divisional games and the Super Bowl nothing brings out 'sicko mode' in Mahomes more than Buffalo/ Allen. I think Mahomes gets bored at times with NFL competition. It could be the trade, it could be Allen ascending, but Buffalo will be getting Mahomes' best every time they play. Allen showed he can go toe to toe with him, and Mahomes had to recognize it in the moment. Mahomes knows Allen is one of the few QBs in the NFL who can challenge him. I see it as nothing but respect, and it was good to see for the sport.

13 seconds, Hail Murray, 3 passes.... How many of these losses occur before it becomes a problem in the locker room?

The one consolation the Bills have is 4 SB in a row. Not even Brady-Belichick could do that. If the Chief win, they are on their 3rd in a row, will have won 1-2, and will be poised for 4 in a row. I couldn't stomach that. Also have a bit of bromance with the Bengals for the Dalton-Boyd TD that helped break the 17 yr streak. Hoping for Bengals, but even that would be bitter sweet. aok with Rams winning. I think they would have a chance against the Bengals or Chiefs, and Stafford could shake the Detroit funk he has been carrying. I don't think the 49ers can hang with either KC or Cincy if they are on. Either way I still feel gutted.... Could have been the Bills ending the Chiefs strive for 4 in a row, and Bills could have beat the remaining field.... uggh... Time for a drink.

The interesting question will be if the Giants bring in Trubisky or not. The Giants OL is a bit of a hot mess. Not sure that is Dabs strength. I see the G-Men drafting/ acquiring OL to try to get the most out of Jones and Barkley. Not certain Trubisky would do well with a poor OL.

Game knows Game. I do not like the Chiefs, and Mahomes is unlikable to me, but you have to respect their game and results. Allen wiped out any question about his place in the NFL hierarchy with the 4 game win streak to finish the season and take the Division. The playoffs cemented it. Classy move by Mahomes. Classy reply by Allen. Two of the best.

Yeah can't believe he will already be 31 next season! I expect a bit of a youth movement on the Bills ST next season. T Jones is 34, Kumerow is 30 and both are FA.