BigAl2526

Bishop essentially lost his rookie season to injury. That means he lost all that development time. It was no reason IMO to judge him a bust. Safety in Buffalo's defensive system is a very complicated position to learn. There was no guarantee he was going to learn and become a productive safety for the Bills, but also no reason to be shocked that he is becoming what the Bills had hoped for. It just took some time.

I don't know, it might take him a while to get accustomed to walking around outside this time of year with bare feet.

Agreed on Thompson and Epenesa. Thompson is a more than adequate reliever for Bernard or Milano. When Hoecht went down the pressure went up for Epenesa to be productive so Buffalo can manage Bosa's reps properly

It looks like defensive end and cornerback could be the trouble spots on Sunday. At linebacker Thompson is hobbled, but both Milano and Bernard should be good to go. If Taron Johnson can go, then Lewis can help back up the safeties, (Poyer and Bishop) along with Jordan Hancock. Phidarian Mathis will probably need to help out again at DT, but there are enough guys to maintain a rotation. With Hoecht gone for the season and Epenesa in concussion protocol, the Bills are still going to want to manage Bosa's reps. That means Solomon is going to have to play a major role, and the Bills may have to either activate Landon Jackson or elevate Andre Jones/Kingsley Jonathon from the PS. If Benford can't go at CB, then the Bills will be starting White and Hairston on the outside with Ingram getting backup reps. I wouldn't be surprised if they elevate Dane Jackson or possibly Te'Cory Couch. Fortunately, Tyreek Hill is out for the time being.

The pressure is still on for sure.

Or Van Miller maybe.

I don't know for certain that Hairston and Hancock will start the next game, but the near--term future of the secondary looks a whole lot brighter than it did a couple weeks ago. Hairston certainly looks like he is starter material and Hancock looks like he can start too. Benford's play has declined from a year ago, but I think he can still be a serviceable starter. Best case scenario: the Bills have starters for a complete quality secondary. In the future, the Bills will need to look at improving safety depth and slot corner depth. Dorian Strong looks like a promising outside CB, not a superstar, but competent enough to step in and play if need be, even start a game. I'm also hopeful about the defensive line long term. The Bills have to get through the current injury plagued season, but I think TJ Sanders will be OK, while Walker is a pleasant surprise. Oliver and Hoecht should be healthy eventually, though Hoecht is going to take a long time, and he may not be as effective for months, even after he can start playing. Buffalo will probably need to draft another edge rusher next spring. Hopefully, they can find a replacement for Daquan Jones as depth at 1 tech. They also need to shore up linebacking. It's pretty clear that Milano and Thompson are nearing the end of their careers. Milano is not going to be a useful starter much longer. I don't know that Dorian Williams is true starting material and Terrell Bernard is not as impressive this season as he was last. I think Buffalo will be looking for linebackers in the off season.

I don't know that the Bills will start him going forward, but he certainly looks like he can handle it.

Epinesa did have a strong game today. I suppose it's too much to ask that he play that way the rest of the season, or that the light will turn on for Landon Jackson.

He may be ready by November 2026. He played 7 quarters this season.

Cole Bishop has been gradually improving all season. I feel pretty confident saying the Bills have at least half of their safety tandem set moving forward from this season.

Not a prediction, but the last several years, while the Bills have tended to play down to the level of their opponents, they also play up to the level of quality opponents. Whoever the winner is, I expect the Bills will play their best game of the season today.

That is encouraging. It does beg the question, why with Josh making no deep passes, defenses persist in playing deep zone coverage. We've also been hearing that the Bills receivers have not been getting separation. Kubiak is telling us the secondary is playing deep coverage. How do receivers not get separation if DBs are playing off? Something doesn't compute.

Maybe Kromer has been spending too much time this season sitting out on his beach chair.

Like it or not, with Palmer injured and a vacancy on the PS, this is an obvious move. I'd still like to see the Bills make a move at WR. Don't know that they will.

Cincinnati's defense is so good this season, they can afford to release a quality player like Pennel?

Obviously, this is a fringe type of signing. He won't be any kind of difference maker this year. I'm not saying he'll be a star next year. I just think it's important to look at what he is. For those who have not googled him, he was the last pick of Dallas in the last draft. He is considered to be pretty athletic, but unpolished in spite of playing four years of college ball. In draft literature, he's listed as 306 lbs. Buffalo Rumblings reports he weighed as much as 322 lbs during his time with Dallas. Coming out of college, he was seen as more of a 3 tech but with more weight, if it's quality weight, maybe he can play some 1 tech too. If he was signed to the 53 man roster, obviously, the Bills want him available to take snaps right away if need be. It would make more sense if he's on the PS where he could continue to get stronger and develop his technique. Sometimes fringe signings can turn into good pr even great players. Most of the time they don't. It doesn't cost a lot to take a flyer on the guy. I think as far as immediate help at defensive tackle is concerned, Phidarian Mathis (already on the PS) offers more than Akingbesote. He's big enough to man either spot and offers a bit of experience.

I think Gabe Davis, assuming he's healthy has to be one of the favorites for a spot on the PS. I suspect Micah Hyde is retired for good. I wouldn't rule out Ankou, but I hope they can find better. I can't imagine them signing Wilkins though. He just doesn't seem like he would fit on the Bills especially with his history versus Josh. I like Hamler, but I think he's too much like Samuel and Moore. I would think they want a different body type and projected role. To be honest, I think there are other positions where the need is greater. Yeah, Buffalo could use a great WR, but they aren't going to be found on a practice squad.

How does that grab ya?

I did some digging and could find nothing to link Thomas with diabetes. You are right about Mitchell.

Didn't I hear before he was drafted that he is a type 1 diabetic? At this point, I think it is managed well, but I wonder if it could be an issue for him. The bigger issue is what it might take to land him. My guess is at least a second round pick.

I have a sister-in-law and her husband living a bit north of Charlotte, the Denver area. If any thing, they are Steeler fans having lived outside Pittsburgh for a number of years.

He hasn't played enough this season to wear down.

They won't make it playing like they have thus far in the season, including yesterday. I'm always optimistic that they can improve though. I'm still wondering if and when they can get some of their wounded warriors back and healthy.

I think Ogunjobi is important mostly because of the guys who are hurt; Daquan jones, TJ Sanders and now Ed Oliver. As a player, I don't think he is a difference maker. I just hope there isn't too much of a decline in production in the middle of the defensive line with Ogunjobe getting a bunch of snaps. Hoecht has far more chance of making a difference on the outside. He gave us a sample yesterday. The jury is out on Hairston. I think he did well enough yesterday to earn a few more snaps the next time out. I think he probably has a pretty high ceiling. The only questions are whether or not he can reach it and how long will it take to get close to it? Hancock is a total unknown to me. I think he's more athletic than Rapp and Hamlin,, so I have hopes that eventually he might be better than both of them, but I have no idea how long it will take to get there.