Nephilim17

Sherfield is a big body at 220-plus pounds but seems to have better than average speed and reports (I haven't watched him play in games) of good hands. Clips like this inspire hope but even mediocre players make great grabs in camp once in a while. I'd be very happy if the camp reports aren't another summer illusion but point to what we can expect in the regular season. I think with Diggs, Kincaid, Knox, and Davis, there's not a lot of pressure on Sherfield but I'm hoping he turns into a pleasant surprise as maybe WR 3 (not including Kincaid who is said to be a bigger slot WR than TE).

Does we only play this package with a third and long? In today's NFL, I may rather take my chances that a running back "gashes" us for 8 yards on a second and 10 once in a while if that means an elite QB didn't throw it for 12 — or 20 yards. And I think this package can help neutralize dangerous tight ends. Yes, if this means the other team is averaging 6.5 yards a run it may not be worth it on early downs but I'm not sure that will happen with Rapp there to help the run. So when it comes to picking a poison, I'd rather guard against a big pass play more often. I hope McDermott does have the guts to try this Big Dime, and more often than we might suspect.

Does anyone who really watched Edmunds see that he made a substantial difference against QBs like Burrow and Mahomes, meaning did he really take away the middle of the field or limit throws in the middle. I could be wrong but I don't recall Cinci and the Chiefs having to rely on the short outside.

Hearing differing things about MLB... Good reports about Dodson and Bernard but then one says Spector tracks runners or TEs (can't remember) better than anyone except Milano. I thought Spector was out of the running. Just based on reports, sounds like Dodson's job to lose.

Thinking the over/under for Harty's yards this year is 50 is foolish — unless he gets hurt again and misses the season. And that's possible. In 2021 he had 59 targets for 570 yards. He was injured last season and had only 2 targets. I don't expect him to be WR 3 but he may be a capable 4 or 5. Reports from camp suggest he has more speed than McKenzie. And I hope more brains. If he can stay healthy for 3/4 of the year I bet he outperforms McKenzie's 2022 production. If someone here wants to put $50 down on that, I'll e-transfer money to a mod here for that bet. And I'll certainly take any bet on up to $100 for the 50 yards total (I'm taking over).

I'd be more concerned if the team expected Harty to handle a 80% of the slot snaps. Kincaid should eat up the lion's share and Harty and Sherfield can take the rest. If and when Harty gets Hurt we have Kincaid, Sherfield and then Shakir. Shakir should be pretty low on the depth chart here so no fears about him having to handle a significant load ever this year.

Do I expect Pro Bowl play at MLB this year? No, not in the least. Even with average MLB play, I feel we'll have enough pass rush and great play in the secondary to be a strong defense. Perhaps the cynics will say the MLB play will be far below average and a huge liability. In a run-first league, I'd be more stressed. Not too many teams have great play at every position. I'm not too worried. This defense has a lot of great players throughout it. Plays will be made and we'll get a lot of stops.

It's not impossible for a guy Bernard's size to be a good MLB — but he has to make up for the lack of size in other ways. Is that happening yet? Not yet in the reports I've seen. Maybe it will come...

Tough, but better now than in September. And better an arm injury than leg.

That's an excellent question! If only there were a 24-second video that not only explained last year what happened but showed it. 🤔

I'm not more knowledgeable but here's a simple explanation from NFL.com: "To qualify for compensatory picks, teams must end up with more or better qualifying free agents lost than gained in a particular year. Teams are awarded compensatory draft picks between Rounds 3 and 7 based on a league formula that takes into account a player's average salary per year (APY), snap count and postseason awards. While there is an expected level of compensation for a player based on the amount he has signed for, his playing time (or lack thereof) in the upcoming season could alter the expectation." Davis doesn't have a high salary but he should have a high snap count. I choose to believe if he gets a $10 million to $12 million per year contract from another team that we'll get a third for him. But I want to believe in the power of positive thinking.

Interesting take. I never would have went there. If you're right, that shows that McDermott will sacrifice considerable athleticism in that position for instincts. I assumed they want an MLB with some quickness and ability to neutralize the pass game. I don't think Klein is that player in today's game. But Klein could get it. If so, I doubt it lasts more than this year, but who knows.

As far as I know he's not part of the selection process, but Astro in his latest camp notes said Bernard looks too small to be an MLB. Now, this is early in camp and I think Astro may be a of a different vintage than some fans (and coaches) so as much as I appreciate his write-ups, I hope he's wrong about that. Spector is 6' 233 lb. so he ain't no old-school thumper either. I'd like to Williams mature this year and get a shot at the spot in 2024.

Some nice stuff. My highlights (4 positives and 1 negative): "Quarterbacks are practicing a one-step drop and a quick pass to the tight ends on deep slants. Very cool. Like every other practice we’ve been to, the emphasis is on RAC (run after the catch). I’m told that the Chiefs ran up 2,000 more yards for Mahomes mainly due to RAC. Our WRs would just catch it and prepare to get tackled. See Beasley. Josh’s Easy Button gets the call. It’s James Cook for a nice gain. He looks bigger and faster, and just as smooth. Bernard is too small for middle linebacker. Deonte Harty is going to stretch the field width-wise as well as lengthwise. When he goes toward the sidelines, he’s opening up massive real estate for the TEs and RBs."

Sounds like Dorsey has invested less time into his table-clearing practice and more into creative play-calling hours this off-season.

I respectfully disagree with your respectful disagreement. No RT can match the output Kincaid will give us. Stud LT, maybe, but not RT. Kincaid could be the best drafted weapon in decades (not including Allen).

If the $16 million per year is true, then I take Irsay's side (including his ill-fitting suit — how can you have hundreds of millions of dollars and not get a suit that fits?). Taylor is high as a MF IF that's true. Maybe some desperate team might pay that but it won't be a contender. And for anyone who says "trade Cook for Taylor!" I say Cook is not Taylor but I'll take his production and $1.3, $1.6, and $1.9 million rookie cap hits over the next three years (including 2023) over Taylor's production and salary.

if Torrence and Kincaid are home runs (I would bet my home on the latter) then it would be great to see a McBeane Draft with a couple of elite players at the top. Would help make a lot of us forget about Epenesa, Basham and possibly Bernard (if he doesn't win the starting MLB spot).

Smart move if only for the optics that he is absolutely innocent. His NFL career is not over, I'm guessing.

Unless the staff LOVES Sherfield and we are offered a 2nd for Davis (and I'm not saying both options are likely to happen concurrently), hold onto Davis on his cheap last year, let him fly in FA, and get a 3rd when he signs a big contract with someone else. He will still result in draft capital down the road.

"Allen’s back in 21 personnel, with Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield. They execute the finest screen play I have ever seen the Bills run. Greg Tompsett says, ” I didn’t know we were allowed to do that!. That got Cover 1 excited; tune in tonight to hear all about “The Day in July 2023 They Ran a Screen”.

Not sure I'd want our coach to make these comments but characters and comments like this make the NFL more interesting.

I think Kincaid could be my favourite Bills (drafted) pass catcher since Moulds. No, I'm sure of it. This kid will be dominant by next season.

I think the debate here is largely focused on can Josh still be a "running" QB and stay healthy enough to enjoy a long career. But maybe the question should be — and apologies if this is the focus but I skimmed through the thread pages — what can Josh be when he ages and loses a step or three (as opposed to gets injured or worn down by injuries)? If a QB's best attribute is running, as opposed to passing, it's only natural that in his early 30s he won't be as effective as he was in his 20s. Athletes who rely on speed as their best attribute often have a sharp decline in their 30s. I hope Josh continues to improve as a pocket passer so that when he can't run past linebackers he can still devastate a defence with his decision making and arm talent (which I believe lasts longer than leg talent).

I hope he's deliciously average and they are in cap hell in a couple years with no QB.