Sierra Foothills

I'm surprised not more has been made about Tyreek Hill and his likely availability later this season. I believe that Miami will be in sellers mode before the trade deadline and it seems a certainty that Kansas City will try to re-acquire him. Then of course there was the McDermott-Tyreek exchange at the end of last night's game where it looked like Tyreek was offering his services. If Kansas City attempts to acquire Tyreek, don't the Bills have to consider acquiring him in half to prevent him from reuniting with Mahomes/Reid and in half to give Josh the deep threat that he currently doesn't have? In response to the many posters predicting a joyous annihilation of The Fish last night, I commented that people should be careful what they wish for. On some level barring unforeseen circumstances, last night's close game was the best outcome for the Buffalo Bills. It's absolutely fair to ask whether Bosa and Rousseau have the same or different assignments.

And sometimes they're just the same thing.

I forgot Brett Favre. Who was more fun than Brett Favre?

In this topic are dozens of posts stating that there would not be a substantial drop-off from Cook to Davis and Johnson. There are dozens of posts stating that "you don't pay running backs... that it's a low value position." There was even posts along the lines of "Josh calls Johnson the best 3rd down back in football, I'd like to see him get more touches." There are pages of really bad takes in this topic... from people who discounted or dismissed Cook's value to this team. There are also dozens of posts from people that couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that $15 million was a starting point and that based all of their opinions on that number. The cherry on top is that Cook is showing that $15 million isn't necessarily out of line.

Agreed. Dan Marino and Dan Fouts were a lot of fun to watch too. 😄

I really appreciate your thoughtful reply. I disagree though that negativity and criticism are more interesting than positivity. Balanced critical conversation is the best but many posters here lack balance. If they were balanced their words would carry more weight because people would see that they have a sound perspective on things and that they're not just always complaining. When I see posters who are continuously negative it's not hard to imagine how they might be in their own lives. I think that a lot of Bills fans live vicariously through the team and use the team as a proxy for their own unhappiness and frustrations. On the other hand are people who somehow have been afforded happiness, but who are still discerning, capable of critical thinking, and have interesting views on things... without the constant need to bring others down... I personally don't find people that smile and laugh a lot to be shallow or boring... does anyone think Josh Allen isn't a complex and fascinating person? So I don't think negativity is more insightful... if anything, the opposite.

It makes you wonder... There are a lot of posters here that are exclusively negative... all season long negativity and skepticism. It really gets old for people who want to actually enjoy the ride and are excited for what the future holds. Some of these negativists would have a lot more credibility if they acknowledged some of the positive aspects of a team which is on track for their 7th straight double digit win season and 8th playoff appearance in 9 years... a team that appears to many objective observers to be improving. Some of us believe this is the best team of the McBeane era and want to enjoy this golden era and our sense of anticipation. It's almost completely futile trying to convince naysayers who will endlessly harp on the same negative talking points right up until the moment that the Bills hoist the Super Bowl. In their eyes nothing will change and it's important to them that the world knows that they feel nothing will change.

This exactly.

My enduring vision of #50 is from the divisional round with Travis Kelce effortlessly driving him downfield as if he was wearing roller skates. Were we planning on having a formal ceremony?

I understand what you're saying but to the bolded, no. Allen's height, length, wingspan, his vision and ability to make flip throws and adjust his arm angle and throw wrist darts... I know people are frustrated that Josh is checking down so much but no one can dink and dunk like he can... certainly not any schmuck QB.

Epenesa's definitely hit his ceiling as a player. He is who he is.

Kettle pot meet Knox will be the first Bills Legend of the Game to Lead the Charge while still an active player. They're heading in that direction for sure. Yep, big Matthew Butler. I didn't think it was possible for Hoss to be done like that. That's what an extra 60 pounds will do for you... still impressive. Look how Hawes positions himself in the soft spot... staying ahead of the pursuit while not running into the coverage. Great feel for the game.

Maybe more than defensively, Epenesa contributes on special teams. Last night he played 15 of the 26 special teams snaps.

I often don't know how to feel about Bernard. Obviously he's made tons of big plays for the team and is the sole Defensive Captain. Certainly we don't beat Baltimore in the playoffs without him. On the other hand I often see him being washed out of plays too. Then you see Tyrell Dodson out there thumping people and wish he was still a Bill. Ultimately we have no choice but to take the bad with the good with Bernard. Regarding Tre White, against the 4.29 Tyreek Hill and the 4.37 Jaylen Waddle, Tre more than held his own. Those two combined for just 88 yards on 10 catches. In week 1 Tre didn't play and in week 2 he played 26 snaps (55%). Last night he played 100% of the 61 snaps. Tre was good against the run and had a tackle for a loss. He had a pass defensed. Tre looked better than Benford last night. With Strong looking promising and Hairston waiting in the wings, the revamped Bills CB group looks MUCH better than last year. Kudos to McBeane. Absolutely. Tre knows this defense like the back of his hand. He gets guys lined up correctly pre-snap. It'll be awhile before Hairston's a starter for the Bills and that's a bonus.

They're only numbers and these guys are DTs but FWIW, both defenses had similar snap counts... 61 for the Bills and 60 for the Dolphins. Kenneth Grant played 39 snaps (65%) and had 1 tackle and 1 assist. TJ Sanders played 36 snaps (59%) and had zero stats. Deone Walker played 19 snaps (31%) and had 2 tackles plus the tipped pass that Bernard intercepted. He also played 11 special teams snaps (42%).

Yes, thank you. As a courtesy to others I try to read before I post. Two of the best and fastest WRs in the NFL combined for 88 yards and an 8.8 YPC. White played his first 100% snaps game this year and had a tackle for a loss and a pass defensed. Not only did White play well, he played better than Benford.

1) I saw where Josh continued his discipline of checking down to the shorter throws which is probably a big reason he has only 6 INTs in his last 20 regular season games. 2) Tua's depth of target was short and he was not holding onto the ball. Difficult? 31 points and a missed field goal. 360 yards... 6.3 yards per play... 6/11 on 3rd down. Not sure what you're attempting to say. I thought it was a great game with two divisional foes going at it hard. It was a quality win in my book. Whatever you say. The Bills played poor 3rd down defense... that's my one criticism. The Dolphins only had 276 yards of offense. That's a small number for those who don't know. They had us on the ropes? Was that when we were punting from midfield with over 10 minutes left tied at 21? Or was it when we intercepted Tua with 3 minutes left while leading by 7? The Bills scored 31 points and missed a field goal. They had 360 yards, were 6/11 on 3rd downs, and averaged 6.3 yards per play... with 4 dropped passes. Are you sure the Dolphins stymied us? As knowledgable Bills fans here have been saying for months, the team signed multiple significant defensive free agents (Bosa, Hoecht, Ogunjobi, Shaq) not to mention Tre White and Dane Jackson. They drafted 6 significant rookie defenders in Hairston, Sanders, Walker, Hancock, and Strong. They have a new Senior Defensive Assistant and Co-Defensive Line Coach. The defense was never going to hit the ground running... they are expected to improve over the course of the season. If you're talking about the running game, the Bills rushed 27 times for 157 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per rush. That's elite. Our defense gave up 276 yards, 21 points, and 19 first downs to a team with 3 elite skill position players... Hill, Waddle, and Achane. Their QB was having an excellent game before the Bills FORCED the interception with Walker immediately in Tua's face and Bernard reading the play. The defense played poorly on 3rd down but they assuredly did not suck. It's really sad to read some of the comments in this thread... revealing so little understanding and perspective... and so much entitlement. Two of the best receivers in the NFL combined for 10 catches and 88 yards and 2 TDs. Not bad. Dalton Kincaid by himself had 66 yards and a TD. The Dolphins scored 1 TD in the 2nd half. So the win against Baltimore doesn't count? How about the 15 wins last year? Were any of those teams good? 31 points and a missed field goal... 360 yards... 6.3 yards per play... 6/11 on 3rd down. Good points. Yes our 3rd down defense was poor and yes, Groot is a disappointment. The defense kept the ball in front of them and gave up just 7 points in the 2nd half. They didn't give up many points or many yards. And as I wrote upthread, they're gonna get better. One of the Bills drives you mention (in the 3rd quarter) ended when Coleman and then Ty Johnson dropped perfect throws. As far as attacking deep offensively, Josh is not forcing the ball down the field which is partly why the Bills never turn the ball over anymore. In fact on the pass to Elijah Moore to convert the 2nd and 16, Josh had Keon open deeper but settled for the easier throw. Thank you very much! Yes, everyone here's always bagging Andy Reid for keeping a little in reserve for the big games but when the Bills slow play an inferior opponent, it's because they lack imagination. No one can clap with McD!!! And Bosa should know better... he's gonna hurt himself if he tries... Thank you Sage. You really would have thought the Bills lost the game reading all the shyt here. Exactly... thank you. Yes, because as we all know, you can declare a rookie a bust after the 3rd game of their career. Thank you for some much needed context. It's as if people can't remember before this preseason... much less the 17 drought years.

I stayed home for college and attended UB. I have several college buddies from NYC/Long Island whose children were raised Bills fans even though they never lived in WNY... simply because of their parents' experiences when they were college students in Buffalo. It's pretty amazing when you think about it.

Thanks Wink!

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with either name but I create content and screen recording is a really cool tool to have. I just checked and Canva apparently also has this capability and I use Canva. 👍

I've never seen anything created on screenpal. Pretty cool!

I didn't say it wasn't a fair observation. I don't know the reason... it could be conditioning or it could be his sense of self-preservation. Your guess is as good as mine.

They did sign Shaq Thompson FWIW. They did draft 3 DBs: Hairston, Hancock, and Strong. While it's likely one will eventually move to safety, they all have been primarily cornerbacks in college. That doesn't mean they won't add to the position group again but it's nowhere near the need that LB is. Out of curiosity, I've often wondered if you're a Penn State alum or a fan? I think both Hancock and Strong were drafted with the possibility of being Taron replacements... I think the Bills have projected that need but I agree with @PaattMaann that they probably should have done more at linebacker. To be fair, Tua's stating the obvious. I understand the Dolfan's competitive irritation but there's something to be said for simple truth telling. I think mostly they're just pissed off and need somebody to burn. You're right. Micah's definitely not unathletic. There are plenty of guys who have elite measurables who aren't actually athletic... they don't have the feel for the game and to me that's the distinction. Taylor Mays was a 6'2" 230 lb safety who ran a 4.4 forty. His 10 yard split, vertical, broad, and Wonderlic were all elite but he ended up starting a total of 16 games over 6 NFL seasons before going to the CFL. He was a clunky athlete with no feel for the game and there are countless other examples of guys who measure better than they play... and visa versa.

Thanks for the reply. Wishing you and your family a fun, safe, and meaningful visit!

I wore a visor when I played ice hockey... hated it. This was the early days of visors and it distorted the vision and between the sweat, fogging, and scratches, it was really no good. We had the option of wearing a cage instead and I should have done that but was really trying not to spend money on equipment at the time. Yeah, there's an upside and a downside to wearing a tinted visor.