Sierra Foothills

The one thing I like about both Epenesa and Rousseau is probably what the Bills liked about them... they are long and rangy and can create problems in the passing lanes. That's something that doesn't really show up in the box scores except in passes defensed and INTs (Epenesa had 2 last year). On passing downs where Ed Oliver is taking a blow, I like the idea of Epenesa and Rousseau taking turns in the middle to place their length in the central passing lanes and where their athleticism is more of a mismatch against interior O-linemen. Also, teams have a tendency to want to give second contracts to players they've drafted. It doesn't always work out but it helps foster good chemistry when a team rewards its own.

I can spell his name but I'm not sure how to pronounce it.

I'll let others discuss whether Steveson is deserving of this opportunity. I'm more interested in finding out whether one of the greatest wrestlers of all time has the ability to play NFL football after having never played organized football at any level. It's really quite an intriguing experiment. His height is similar to Donald though Donald was listed at 285 and Steveson is listed lighter than that. I'd really love to know his measurables... particularly his arm length. If I had to guess I'd say he never plays in a regular season NFL game... but hopefully this is a fun diversion from the usual offseason story lines and I'd love if he proved me wrong.

Just for the sake of clarity, you're talking about Steve Diggs... correct?

For context, the article featured 14 rookies and 9 notable mentions so it wasn't one of these "one player per team" click baits. Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Buffalo Bills Round 5, Pick 141 I was probably higher on this center class than some, but even those who weren’t feeling the group as a whole could agree Van Pran-Granger was a great value in Round 5. A three-year starter, two-time national champion and two-time captain, Van Pran-Granger was the backbone of Georgia’s powerful and nasty rush attack after earning the starting job in 2021. He’s probably only a center in the NFL, which is likely why he fell as far as he did. However, the Bills needed center help and Van Pran-Granger is powerful enough to earn reps as an NFL starting offensive lineman right now. If he’s healthy, watch for him to turn heads early in fall camp once the pads come on. Another center pick I liked on Day 3: NC State’s Dylan McMahon to Philadelphia in the sixth round. Don’t be surprised if he outperforms his draft slot. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5511949/2024/05/23/nfl-draft-2024-rookie-sleepers/?campaign=5888993&source=dailyemail&userId=555233 Mods, please merge if you feel it's necessary.

Thanks for posting the video. I did a basic audit and found this: Josh's Interceptions Vs Yards beyond LOS Intended Receiver NYJ 60 Harty NYJ 41 Diggs NYJ 15 Davis WAS 40 Davis JAX 50 Diggs NYG 11 Sherfield NE 18 Knox TB -2 Kincaid CIN 19 Davis DEN 22 Davis DEN 16 Harty NYJ 48 Kincaid PHI 3 Diggs KC 14 Sherfield LAC 43 Diggs NE 40 Kincaid MIA 8 Davis MIA 40 Davis Ave 28.67 yards INTs per intended receiver Player INTs % Target % reg season Davis 6 33% 14% Diggs 4 22% 27% Kincaid 3 17% 16% Sherfield 2 11% 4% Harty 2 11% 4% Knox 1 6% 6% Shakir 0 0% 8% I think it's really interesting that Josh's average depth of interception is almost 29 yards. On many of those plays it seems he was just chucking the ball downfield and not showing much discipline. Also interesting how incommensurately high the INT% to target % is for Davis, Sherfield, and Harty. Note also that Shakir was not the intended receiver for any of Josh's INTs.

Apparently I'm the only one who didn't know the new stadium will have a grass field? I'm surprised that hasn't been a bigger topic of conversation here. Super happy to hear this... might playing on grass have some impact on the roster building strategy?

Gauntlet time?

Quinton Morris anyone? Seymour or Norty? That is wild. Isn't Knox a bit shaky in the catching department? It's been brought up by others elswhere that between Knox, James Cook and Gabe Davis that the Bills had too many players with undependable hands.

We're at our usual ratio of one good post per every 4 pages. Thank you @section122 for the one good post. Agree with all of the above and would have made the same arguments had you not posted. All of your points are excellent. To point number one, of course Parry will have involvement in training camp and practices. Why would they pay him as an officiating/game management coach and not have him do so????? To point number two, of course he'll advise the coaches on officiating nuances which can be taught to the players. And of course he'll know the tendencies of the various officials and crews and of course his hiring will generally play positively in the officiating community. And yes, there is zero downside... which makes you wonder why anyone would have a negative view of this hire. The Bills have just done something that makes total sense... and that no other NFL team has done before... to a generally lukewarm and negative response here. Other points to consider: In 2020, the Bills hired Marc Lubick as their Game Management Coach. You think that maybe Parry will be assisting Lubick in these duties? Half of all NFL games are decided by 7 points or less. You think maybe that Parry's hire might have a generally positive effect on game outcomes?

Bill, you can call it what you want. Scouting consists of more than just video analysis or attending games or practices in person. Was McDermott scouting or not when he was almost run over by Ed Oliver at the Oliver's Pro Day Workout? Do you think the Bills drafted Tre'Davious White and Ed Oliver without McDermott doing a fair amount of "talent evaluation" beforehand?

Then they’d have enough for a Venn diagram.

I have to amend the above bolded to "there are very few O-linemen in the NFL that don't cross train at another position." I would say that it's common for players to have center-guard flexibility and guard-tackle flexibility. It's not as common for a tackle to train at both ends of the line as a swing tackle. From comments players have made over the years it seems like swing tackle is the most difficult adjustment for an O-lineman. I would imagine that for the same reason (reverse mirroring), that guard-guard flexibility would also be difficult. On another topic, in the Buffalo News today Bills Director of Player Personnel Terrance Gray said the following about SVPG: “(Kromer) had a chance to simulate some things you would see at the guard position that confirmed, at least for us, that he has the interior line flexibility center and guard,” Gray said. “He also stood out in the classroom with his football intelligence and an ability to process.” How does an evaluator look at Van Pran-Granger’s video of him playing center and project him to guard? “One is a consistency to play on his feet and his ability to bend and seeing him get out in space and hit his target.” Based on those comments it seems SVPG will cross train minimally at one of the guard spots.

Trying to stay warmed up and ready to go!

Yeah, McDermott goes to the Scouting Combine but he has no interest in scouting the players. Got it.

You'll have to ask him and until you do, it's your conjecture vs mine. I'll add that you cannot argue that 1) The Defense is McDermott's Baby and 2) McDermott is a renowned control freak. Believe what you'd like but I'm not here to debate. P.S. - Tre'Davious White was not Doug Whaley's idea.

Sounds like a Beast!

Hopefully this doesn't rekindle the debate... There's absolutely no question in my mind that McDermott has definite opinions about SOME of the players in the draft. The question is how many? (this is essentially what we can't agree about) There's zero chance in my mind that McDermott doesn't have a strong opinion about any players the Bills pick in the first 3 rounds. For instance, tell me with a straight face that McDermott doesn't have a very strong opinion about DeWayne Carter. JMO.

I don't wish to debate this but I will say that the cliche amongst NFL teams which normally holds true is that "we'll start our 5 best offensive linemen." I am expecting that to be the guiding principle.

Very true. Collinsworth's excitement made me feel a bit uncomfortable and a bit queasy as well. I had to watch some Josh Allen highlights in order to feel better again.

Yeah I don't know who he was talking about either but I'm fundamentally opposed to adding any player who doesn't pull his own weight. JMO.

The bolded is my belief as well... it will be an open competition. No one is gonna be handed anything on a plate.

There's probably not a single O-lineman in the NFL that doesn't cross train (at least) at one other position. Cross training is particularly important for young O-linemen because it provides a deeper understanding of each player's assignment on every play. Understanding the assignments and footwork of the entire unit is a prerequisite in becoming a successful O-lineman and a successful offensive line. These are professionals and they're employed because of their work ethic and aptitude for the game. I highly doubt there's an O-lineman in the NFL that only practices and studies his own position. Doing half the work of the others at your position group is no way to gain esteem among your group, or proficiency at your craft.

Yes, he should be complimented.