BigAl2526

Fortunately, it appears the game is on Rochester's CBS affiliate.

Sounds like he's gonna head to the WWE.

Looking ahead to the preseason game versus Detroit, it's a different feeling this year. In the past, I think there was always some concern about starters getting a little work to get ready for the season, balanced against the concern over the possibility of injury. This year there seems to be far less pressure to get starters ready for the season. They already look ready. There is also far less of a sense that we should expect poor sloppy football with reserves on the field. Instead, Buffalo has a backup QB who has ample starting experience, and actually looked like a starter when he was doing it. We have a receiver group in which the 4th through 7th receivers all look they could compete to start on some other teams. There will be five defensive ends in the game (not necessarily at the same time) who seem to have a lot of promise even without the grizzled vets. The linebackers look far deeper than most expected a few months ago. In short, this is a team where we're not afraid of how the team will look with lots of depth players in the game. A few years ago, I think there was a far greater expectation of groan worthy play in the preseason. That's what I think. We'll see if I'm right, but I think Buffalo handles Detroit.

I don't think most NFL coaches and talent evaluators are gamblers. By nature, they like to play it safe whenever they can. Josh Allen's occasional hero ball tendencies and high risk plays scare them. I think Josh himself will become a bit more careful as he gains experience. That will gain him the consistency to get into the top tier of that particular survey. I think he's top three in the league in terms of actual talent, skill set and athleticism.

I think Vernon Butler is a trade possibility. Reportedly, he's been outplayed by cheaper players like Harrison Phillips and Justin Zimmer. On the offensive line, I'm less certain, Forrest Lamp maybe, or Bobby Hart. There are a bunch who have no trade value and will get cut.

Most of the guards seemed to struggle today. Maybe it was just a bad day. I did read a comment that his run blocking has been good. Pass blocking has never been a strength.

I can buy that Levi will win the starting position, but I think Dane Jackson will still get quite a few reps. I think both are likely to improve. They both came out of college lacking strength. Jackson had just adequate speed and Wallace was downright slow. Players can get stronger, and if they hadn't trained for speed in college, I think they can improve their speed too. That seems to apply to Levi Wallace. I don't think either one will ever be much more than adequate, but as others have mentioned, with the D-line getting more pressure, they will start to look quite a bit better.

Accepting the reality of the NFL and the valuations that premium QBs command across the league, I'm happy with the deal. It would be wonderful if he were to commit to 10 years and 20 million per year, that would be wonderful. That would allow the Bills to keep a bunch of really good players on the team around Allen. Unfortunately, that line of thinking is a pipe dream. This is about as good as we can hope for. Inn a couple years when contracts for top QBs have compensation of 45 - 50 million per year, this is going to look really good.

I don't think he fits the profile of the kind of player Buffalo wants. He's a pricey head case. Buffalo, especially after Josh has signed his big deal, is looking for value and players that have a great attitude

New England enjoyed a situation for years where quality free agents would sign below market rate contracts for the chance to gain a Super Bowl ring. If Buffalo can maintain their superiority over New England this season, that bonus will continue to dry up of the Patriots, and they will start having to pay market rate. Conversely, Buffalo may start enjoying more of a "winners' discount" with free agents. Whine on Stephon!

I agree. That will almost certainly be the case.

Years upon years of mediocrity has conditioned Bills fans to be forward looking. Obviously, success breeds cap challenges, and it's no different with the Bills. Everybody knows you need a top shelf QB to stay among the elite in the league, and at some point you're going to have to pay that QB an elite salary. That happens in 2023 for Buffalo. Brandon Beane has proven to be a very smart and down to earth GM, but he's never had to manage an elite QB's contract as part of the cap before. I think he'll do well, but we can't be certain until it happens. Personally, I don't think I obsess too much about the cap, but I have an awareness in the back of my mind.

Cut down is going to be painful because you're going to have to let go of quality players. How many are going to latch on to teams the Bills will face this season? I'd hate to have a former Bills player make a play that helps a future opponent beat the Bills. Good work, Gunner.

Yeah, we're not gonna get a decent first round draft position for years.

Having been a fan for the last 52 years, I've experienced extended periods of mediocrity as well as the "golden age" of four straight Super Bowl appearances. I know that "what goes around comes around." I tend to be a little wary about making prognostications about future success, having been burned more than a few times over the past 5 decades. I was impressed early on by McDermott and Beane. I was intrigued by Josh Allen's physical traits before he was drafted, and more so after he was drafted, but I still saw it as a risk. Had Allen not turned out to be a success, I thought there was still a good chance that Beane and McDermott would get fired and we'd be looking at yet another rebuild. Making the playoffs started to make me think the team might be on the right path.

Agreed! You can't stereotype in the NFL. Every player's body and athleticism is unique to him. I can see where a player might actually need to try playing at different weights to discover what works best. Sometimes players can fulfill different roles that require different weights. Lorenzo Alexander came into the league as a defensive tackle weighing around 300 lbs. Of course, he finished his career with the Bills as an outside linebacker weighing a little over 240. It's definitely not "one size fits all."

When you have the kind of continuity the Bills nave been able to achieve during the Sean McDermott tenure, you have less reason to play starters in preseason. I could see Buffalo playing Cody Ford and Dawson Knox among players expected to start on offense, but not many more. On defense, I think Levi Wallace and Dane Jackson will get some preseason playing time, as will the younger defensive linemen: Rousseau, Basham, Epenesa, Phillips etc. Otherwise, there will be a lot of players from the back of the roster.

There is a realistic chance that Josh Allen could be the QB of the Bills for the rest of my life. I'm OK with that. I sure would not have wanted to live out my days having to watch Tyrod Taylor every week.

If you trade Horrible Harry, who will your second 1 tech be? Butler, Zimmer and Oliver are all 3 tech. Brandin Bryant and Treyvon Hestor are probably 3 techs as well. As 1 techs, you're down to Star Lotulelei and Eli Ankou. I haven't heard a lot about Ankou. If he turns out not to be good enough, you'll be left with Oliver and/or Butler playing out of position again. That didn't work out so well last season.

Al Riveron gone? Oh no! Now it's going to be in the hands of a couple of blind guys. Oh wait, that should be an upgrade.

The only downside is that a player whose primary role is as a returner, he may not be as available to run plays on offense. That, according to special teams icon Steve Tasker, who says it's really tough to do both.

I must say, it's nice to be watching the Patriots QB situation from afar. Neither Newton nor Jones inspire fear at this point, and I feel pretty comfortable that Josh Allen will be the best QB in the AFC East for a few years at least.

If Kumerow can be anywhere near as effective as Taiwan Jones as a gunner, it makes a lot of sense to keep him and let go of Jones. Jones is older and has just about zero value as a running back. Kumerow in Taiwan's spot essentially saves a roster spot since Kumerow has real value as a receiver. Brieda and Antonio Williams, I understand, both have some special team value.

His college draft profile suggests some athleticism, but said he needed to get stronger. He has long arms and has played both inside and outside. Buffalo looked at him last year too.

I take McDermott's quote on Addison being back figuratively. He had a down year last season for whatever reason. He's saying Addison looks more like the player they hoped they were getting when they acquired him.