BigAl2526

I think that "no call" is probably the worst officiated play in league history.

Back when Miami and New England were the number 1 most hated teams of Bills fans, in those respective time periods, the Bills weren't much more than afterthoughts of New England and Miami fans.

The odds of finding a better head coach than McDermott on the first try are not good, so unless there is a clear and compelling reason to can him, it would be stupid to do so. Continuity is always a better option until it isn't.

Of course! Which is to say 'none, 'cause,' I don't put any extra effort during the season. Usually at least. Because it is an evening game, I might buy a couple crab cakes for the Baltimore game.

Yes. League suspensions allow that. There have been a few reports on Hoecht coming out of training camp. He's also allowed to play in preseason games. I would bet he will.

Any expectation on McDermott's part was based on his own mind set rather than any behind the scenes turn of events.

They can always go for it in 4th and short situations or punt if 4th and long in preseason.

Alleviating that a bit for me is the fact that the Bills have improving depth at all those spots. Hairston should be healthy at the start of the season and Stong is coming on in camp. Dorian Willliams is another year older and smarter. Buffalo still has Epenesa, Solomon is showing development and the Bills added Landon Jackson in the draft. Then, of course, after 6 weeks of the season the Bills will have Hoecht available.

With the new kickoff rules the last couple years, it's not such a great advantage to have a big legged kicker who gets it through the end zone every time.

Interesting to see this evaluation of Elijah Moore ("one of the most consistent performers in this training came) compared to a tweet reported in another thread ("Moore has been underwhelming").

I saw something on TV that suggested there is nothing in the CBA that says a player can avoid a fine by showing up and not practicing. If the Bills don't fine Cook, it's not because they can't, it's because they're trying to avoid playing hardball and raising the level of tension.

That would make all the difference. LOL

Parsons is seeking a new deal worth $40 million per year. Oliver and Cook are set to make about half that amount combined in 2025. What are you going to do to dump another $20 million against the cap?

This makes some sense. Hollins has never produced a lot but does have intriguing length and straight-line speed.

Not sure. Specter's injury is thought to be a calf injury. Barring a muscle tear, I wouldn't think most calf injuries would be that serious.

Are injuries his way of ghosting the team when they need him?

Perhaps, Buffalo can bring McDaniel some happiness by allowing him to experience yet again the figurative death of yet another year of failure to become AFC East champions or beat Buffalo in the playoffs.

I had the years of the 2nd and 4th round picks in the trade reversed. James Cook for Michael Parsons

It happened at the closed practice today. Baylon Specter injured No word yet on severity.

If the Bills trade Cook, there is no way their running back room is not downgraded as a result. The best Buffalo could hope for is an average RB and a draft pick. I actually saw a hypothetical trade with the Cowboys where Buffalo gets Micah Parsons and Dallas gets Cook, a 2026 first round pick, a 2026 2nd and a 2027 4th. The two players are the same age, but that's a lot of draft capital to be giving up, even though Parsons is an elite game wrecker.

I think the crux of the issue is that Cook thinks he is a three down, work horse back, and wants to be paid like it. The Bills, on the other hand, don't want to use him that way. They have Ty Johnson that Josh Allen believes "is the best third down back in the league, and a young, promising back in Ray Davis. The Bills want to spread the touches around more than what would justify Cook's asking price. In essence, Cook is saying, "I've had enough of 'everybody eats' and I want to be the man." Of course, Cook knows the average lifespan of a running back isn't very long in the NFL and he wants to make his money now. Derrick Henry is an exception to the life span averages, but he is built like a freight train. The Bills, perhaps, are concerned that Cook's build doesn't lend itself to durability in a three down work horse role, using him like they have actually will lead to prolonging his career and increasing the odds of his availability late in the season and the playoffs. There is no way to know how far apart the two sides are. Hopefully they can find some room for compromise. I do think it is somewhat disingenuous of Cook to say he was in camp to support his teammates, only to stage his "hold-in" work slow down at this point in camp. Instead, it looks like a strategy to put more pressure on the Bills.

The situations are similar. The only difference is that the safety position is more demanding mentally while CB is more demanding physically. Still, as well as Tre White has played in training camp, as long as he's healthy this season, he's going to start.

Hairston's chances to start have disappeared barring multiple injuries to more experienced CBs on the roster. He might get some plays in nickel or dime, and should definitely have some chances to play in garbage time at the end of some games.

Alec Anderson is an offensive lineman. Personally, I think Alec Anderson is ahead of Chase Lundt in competition for a spot on the offensive line. Anderson is more versatile, having played both tackle and guard on the line. I'm not at all sure Lundt makes the team. If Van Pran Granger can get healthy, I think he makes the team as back-up center. Jalen Virgil is my dark horse to be a sixth. Prather will be on the PS WR. Deone Walker makes the team. The Bills knew he would likely not be ready to make a major contribution at the start of the season, but they covet his upside and know that if they try to sneak him on to the PS, some other team is guaranteed to poach him. I think Cam Lewis and Damar Hamlin make the team, Cam for his versatility and Hamlin for his experience in the system as a starter. That beats out Darrick Forrest's better athleticism. Michael Hoecht will be on the team once he has served his suspension. I think the Bills might try to sneak Hancock on to the PS. The Bills probably carry a fifth LB, and Specter looks to be in the lead for that spot. He's had trouble staying healthy in the past and gave up some big plays last season, but he seems like he's taken a step forward this training camp.

Agreed. Interceptions can come from the QB trying things at the direction of his coaches that may not be used in the regular season, young receivers making errors on their routes, deliberate contested ball situations where a receiver was beaten by a better DB and perhaps a number of other situations that are not the fault of the QB. And then it can be the fault of the QB.