Coach Tuesday

Putting aside the structure, isn't one of the similarities the notion that star players are expendable, culture trumps talent, and holes should be plugged through the draft? I thought that was one of the premises.

Good points. In McD's first draft, he squandered draft capital and plugged holes. It's concerning.

Pettine's defense was not fundamentally sound, which bugged me. They were able to tackle QBs, but no one else.

Again though, isn't the fact that Pegula has invested in an actual front office a key difference this time around? I know Modrak had a decent enough reputation (although I recall it being discussed that he over-relied on BLESTO reports) but the group they brought in this year - paying big money to steal them away from the Chiefs, Texans, etc. - seems far more qualified than anything we've seen around here in a couple of decades. I'm hoping so, at least... and I echo Bandit's point about hoping for an analytical approach to the draft, instead of a hole-plugging strategy...

I'm more concerned about the vanilla offense, Gunner.

One "difference" between the two regimes is the purported quality of the scouting and personnel staff brought in this offseason. Hopefully that gets this crew over the constant 7-9 hump. Plus they'll get "lucky" with Father Time in a couple of years - Brady can't do this forever. But I look forward to reviving this thread during the season because I have a strong suspicion that many folks around here don't fully realize just how boring this team is going to look this season. Lots of four fieldgoal performances and "heartbreaking" bend-don't-break-then-finally-break losses that McD chalks up to "character building" and "learning how to win" and "showing good compete." By November, I fear that this comparison will be oft-cited on this board and in the local media.

17 years, fam.

Money relative to other positions perhaps. They probably don't believe in paying a WR that high a percentage of the team's overall cap. I don't necessarily agree with such a rigid approach, but it might be where they're coming from.

Within 24 hours he'll be clarifying that he was not referring to Sammy.

You're a tough guy.

Yeah? Well I'm annoyed that I spend time and money following a football team that operates like a used car franchise run by a rich benefactor from a Dickens novel.

Yep. That's why he really needs to install an experienced, accountable intermediary in both organizations.

I'm arguing that you and Bill-With-It are the same troll.

Wright got the nickname "Char-reece" in Baltimore because he was one of the most-torched CBs in the entire league...

You are a weathervane pointing in the wrong direction at all times - it's really something to behold. Seriously, I don't think you've ever posted a single accurate take.

Yup. I can't believe playoffs are being discussed with a straight face around here. If the front office thought playoffs were in the cards, you wouldn't have seen those trades on Friday. Please.

Correct. He let Murray tank and then suddenly became impatient with the rebuild. What Pegula really needs to do is bring in some experience to buffer both organizations - Ron Wolf types who can serve as intermediaries between the day to day product and the owner's box. His biggest failure is his belief that he can manage these products himself.

If by "durable" you mean stone-handed, complete lack of lateral burst, and known for dogging it in practice than yes, he was their most durable receiver...

Randle???

Here is a picture of Beane addressing his personnel department right after the Watkins trade:

No, but bringing in someone who could run a similar scheme but who wouldn't mail it in like Rex did would've been a better approach. Lynn as HC and Wade as DC, for instance...

They play the offseason so well for this fanbase: sell hope beginning in February, ratchet up the enthusiasm leading up to the draft, market the new faces like crazy to maximize ticket sales, then start cutting losses in July and August. Folks are so drunk on game day and so used to the losing that they barely care or notice being separated from their wallets, and they climb right back in line as soon as the playoffs are over.

Nonsense. Ralph authorized a few splash signings and then shed salaries in August (Langston Walker) when he decided that the team wasn't going to win the Super Bowl, so why spend the money. And he was notoriously stingy with his coaches and staff. Are Bills fans so freakin' stupid that they fall for this stuff over and over again? Seriously this fanbase seems to be more prone to circus barking than any consumer group in the universe. In fact - my first reaction to these trades was that this is Ralph all over again - shedding talent on the eve of the season, after the season ticket sales are all sewn up. It's cruel and unusual punishment that Bills fans seem to sign up for year after year.

This is hilarious, coming from you.