Nephilim17

I'm actually welcoming all the change even beyond Frazier stepping away — likely losing Edmunds and Poyer. I think losing Edmunds could force McDermott to make some changes to his scheme. I could be wrong but it wasn't great before, as good as the season stats looked, so why not invite some change.

I don't watch college football but JSN looks similar in size and traits to Shakir. Fine looking player but not anything that jumps out at me. Does JSN bring anything substantially different that makes him worth a first round pick?

I think if they still get a good player who is still 26 to 28 as they can offer a longer deal than they would give Poyer, and still have a low cap hit for this season. But a four-year deal is not as good of a gamble with a banged-up 32-year-old.

If he were missing team activities and training to do this, it would be an issue.

Jay Skurski has penned quite the article: "Terrel Bernard could be answer at middle linebacker if Tremaine Edmunds leaves via free agency" McDermott's comments seem pretty non-committal on this and may simply be a hypothetical response to a Skurski question (can TB play middle?): McDermott mentioned that most of Bernard’s time as a rookie was spent at outside linebacker, so moving into the middle and calling the defense would be a big adjustment, but not one the Bills think he’s incapable of making. “He played middle in college, and so that’s on the table,” McDermott said. “He’s shown to this point that he is extremely smart and capable mentally to move from one position to the next.” At 6'1" and only 224 lb. with middling speed I'd be shocked if Bernard gets to start as MLB but I suppose crazier things have happened. https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/terrel-bernard-could-be-answer-at-middle-linebacker-if-tremaine-edmunds-leaves-via-free-agency/article_e4b4d50e-b95c-11ed-a9a1-7fe6552a2431.html p.s. as a Buffalo News article this may be behind a paywall.

If this figure includes signing bonus prorated for the year, then maybe not. Someone posted an article by sports accountants and it said that signing bonuses could be taxable by state of residence. Not sure his state of residence. Now if some of this includes other bonuses, I'm not sure.

Strong hands, 6' 4" and 4.4 speed... I don't Johnston he drops to us. This list shows many pundits think he's going a LOT higher than 27. We have limited resources but for this guy I'd be open to a trade up. https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/players/2023/quentin-johnston

Thanks, OP. I find the general sports media to just write filler and not ask good questions but this had a lot in it for under three and a half minutes. Catalana managed to make some suggestions that might rankle a coach (what do you need to change on D, did your offense have an identity?) but did it in a respectful way — plus his demeanor is respectful and just plain nice. John Wawrow, Sully, take note.

I wouldn't read too much into this. In the combine presser Beane also talks about the need for players who can get RAC, run after catch yards. And I wouldn't exactly call Davis a YAC guy. So expect some guys with wheels to be looked at in FA and/or the draft.

On a purely personal level I hope Leslie and his family are all healthy — I'm a little concerned as taking a one-year break at his age isn't to watch his kids grow; there's a reason. I hope it's simply a rest for him. Regardless of what you think on a football level, Frasier is a good man and I respect him as such and wish him the best this year.

This might sound like an a*****e thing to say, but if Edmunds' ability and presence can't really stop high-end QBs, why bother paying him what may be $15 to $18 million a year? Not a rhetorical question. What value do we get if we can't stop the Burrow's and Mahomes of the league? My suggestion is pay a guy a fraction of that, "give up" the middle of the field more (it's not really making a difference in big games) and use the money on the O-line.

I keep hearing about how Edmunds takes away the middle of the field in the opponent's passing game. But we keep getting killed in the playoffs and against good QBs in the passing game. So... is it really true? Or are the teams doing this do us relying just on perimeter throws for such great success?

Aaron Williams' brother, a legend in the Italian American-Football League.

I agree. Longer runs are so much more infrequent than big pass plays and thus are more exciting, especially when the runner breaks tackles or fakes out a bunch of guys. So much fun. Not saying this is the model for how I hope to be consistently great, but man, if Cook can break a few long ones this season that will be a blast to watch. Maybe not as much "fun" per se, as it's nerve wracking, but yes, it's so satisfying... It's like somehow dodging a bullet when someone has a gun pointed straight at you. I know when I play pick-up football and we make a stand near the end zone and the other team can't punch it in with three or four tries it's so rewarding and I feel like it breaks the other team's spirit.

You could be right about coaching. Not certainly so but perhaps. Aside from coaching, I think there's an upper-level talent deficit on the Bills. Not a huge one but it exists. We have a good team roster-wise, but not a great one. Let's see how free agency, the draft and the season go.... I'm more than happy to see Beane and McDermott succeed at a higher level and prove the critics wrong. But I don't think they get a free pass for all of Allen's prime.

At least he had no excuse to be late for meetings and practice. If he was ok mentally/physically I can think of worse players a young start WR could be spending his time.

I disagree, at least on the offensive side of the ball. The Bills aren't equal to the Cincy or KC offenses. We don't have enough good to great players. IMHO. And I think the McDermott presence has definitely been welcome to this team and fan base but, just like with players (Rivers, Matty Ryan, etc.) sometimes an individual is good but not perhaps championship level good and if you want to win it all, you're likely going to have to move on from a "good" leader who has a ceiling. At the very least, I think the McBeane seat has to be warming up this year.

Florio said, and Simms said he didn't disagree, that if the Bills don't make a deep playoff run this season that there's a good chance Pegula cleans house with management and coaching. We have a generational QB but we've only been the conference championship once. People actually disagree with this take? Really? I'm genuinely interested in hearing why many people don't agree with that.

You can say the same about Bills fandom.

I watched it and didn't see that comment as a shot to McDermott; he was simply saying on an offensively centered team, Jefferson will be more of a focus of the gameplan. You have to watch it to see his tone. It wasn't angry or cutting.

Matthews would, if I'm reading it correctly, cause Atlanta to take a $10 million cap hit (remaining signing bonus). And he's 31. If he could improve the left size and if Dawkins would move to guard, I'm all for getting an older but good player for Oliver. Would Atlanta eat that bonus to get younger?

One could take the same premise and go the opposite way: in light of Beane's poor drafting — and later-round hits — maybe we should trade down, and get more picks and increase our chances.

Regardless of whether the vid is a fake, when you're 6'4" and weight 225 lb. and you have a 40.5" vertical, that's scary.

I'm not a college fan or a tape guru, so just based on highlights (yes, I know) I'll take Hyatt to add some scary speed, YAC, and a more dangerous vertical game to this offense.