Brand J

Dorian Williams may just be one of those slow learners. I’ve been listening to a lot of reports these last few weeks and it’s come from more than one source that he was one of the better defenders on the field, that his coverage recognition looked markedly better than any other time in the past. He may finally be comfortable in the defense.

Yeah, I struggle to see a world where Dane Jackson starts over Hairston and White. Even Dorian Strong is a more promising player.

Still can’t get on board with Franti’s delivery/style. About a minute into Oh My God, I had to go and listen to the original song it sounds like he sampled from - EWF’s Devotion. One of my favorites from that group, but they had so many. Even though I’m not a Franti fan, he’s worlds better than Cochise 😂 I’m definitely not well schooled in Reggae, but I dig the vibes in both videos. Feels like I’ve heard Bitty Bong before.

The Roots were very good. The song “What They Do” is a favorite of mine, as well as their collab with Erykah Badu “You Got Me.” I know ?uestlove and a few of the other band members are on one of those late night talk shows, so at least they’re still working. Never heard of Michael Franti and I thought I was well versed in music. A backing vocal in the Piece o Peace song sounds like Ice Cube’s “You Know How We Do It.” He probably sampled it. I love the groove and feel of Stay Human, but there’s something about Franti’s voice or delivery I don’t like. As for this era, I feel like Common exemplifies that sort of spoken word rap over live instruments. Actually, his heyday has probably passed, but yeah, there aren’t many in that style. You want a laugh? Look up Cochise “Tell Em.” Excellent, vibey beat with the most trash rapper butchering the track. That’s where we are today. And it sucks.

Wow, yeah that’s a story. Suge is most definitely known for some crazy stuff, including hanging Vanilla Ice by his ankles of a tall building to get a cut of Ice Ice Baby. Everything he did was built on intimidation and tried to bully Bad Boy founder P Diddy back when he was Puff Daddy and only known for ad-libbing and dancing in videos. Who knew he’d turn out just as crazy? As they say, money doesn’t make you into a monster, it reveals who you really are, like gas on a pilot flame. And both deserve to be behind bars. Yep, that’s the hope - that someone who knows someone sends an artist my track and they come to me wondering what else I got. And you best believe if/when I make it to the top the Bills will be well repped!

I will say, before creating content myself, when I saw creators whining and complaining about clicks and likes I was far less sympathetic. “Boo hoo, get a job…” was my usual *roll eyes* response, but being on this end of it, I get it! Especially if a ton of work went into the content. My focus is more about my beats catching someone’s ear (who’s in a position to do something with them) than it is about profiting off YouTube. But we’re all at the mercy of the YouTube algorithm because it has to help by showing the content to folks who are browsing. Shout out to those who watched and gave a like.

Almost like spoken word. I guess the rap genre was destined to emerge at some point. It wasn’t B’s and ho’s when it began. It was about the struggle and life. Gangsta rap of the early 90s is what shaped it into what we know today. The Chronic is a classic album, right around that era.

Yep, that’s the one!

Oh okay, I get what you mean now. You’re saying music had to pivot to something else because disco wasn’t it 😅 First rap song I remember was Rapper’s Delight, but there’s actually a (white) woman who was credited with the first rap song, though I can’t remember her name.

I’d agree on a lot of the newer “mumble” rap, I think that stuff is trash, but actual lyricists, or artists who can rap with a message? Great stuff, with the peak of artistry in the 90s.

Yeah I don’t disagree with anything here, just pointing out that speed doesn’t necessarily drop off a cliff just because a player ages. Usain ran that time in sweats and without warming up, so if he had dedicated a couple months or so to running his fastest 40 at age 33…? I’m not so sure it would’ve been a couple of steps lost from his prime. Would it have been slower? Minuscule, certainly not by greater than a tenth (as evidenced by his 4.22). The wear and tear on the body is the biggest culprit for why one would drastically lose steps. If the body is well maintained and the player is lucky enough to avoid major injuries, they can continue making a living running with the young guys.

Thanks, Egg! Wish I could rap, or had the desire. I’d flow over my own beats 😅

Parrino is the second reporter to say the Bills drafted two corners in round 1 and 6, completely ignoring Jordan Hancock. Does this mean he’s been getting most of his time at safety? Or are they not counting nickel CB?

Just created a new YouTube channel. One of my favorite tracks of Biggie is “Sky’s the Limit,” so I took a couple of his verses and combined it with a verse from Eminem, Bizzy Bone, and Nas. All set to an original beat I created. Took a lot of hours to put together. Would love to share it with you all, especially since YouTube isn’t giving the video any impressions: The Notorious B.I.G. - Sky’s the Limit (Brand J Mashup) I welcome any and all feedback. And if you really dig it - like & subscribe - the engagement helps the algorithm know my content is worthy of impressions. Thanks!

As long as the player hasn’t suffered any major injuries or his body hasn’t broken down in other ways that compromise his movement, a player can retain his speed throughout his career. And I’ve heard coaches and players alike say that “strength and speed” are the last to leave you. Usain Bolt ran a 4.22 at 33 years old in sweat pants. Terrell Owens is faster now than he was at the combine, three decades ago. Darrell Green, Don Beebe, James Lofton, etc. And it’s not just the speedsters - Doug Flutie said his speed was still the same when a reporter asked how fast he was (because he was an older player running around like a young one). If your body can avoid breaking down, you’ll still have your speed. Obviously that’s not the case with Tre.

Lots of positive separation reports coming from Coleman. Maybe he’s learning to be more nuanced in his route running and gives away less of what he intends to run. It’s year 2 for him, definitely need him to step up from his first half performance last year. I won’t even comment on his second half, that guy just seemed to be coasting when he came back from injury.

I am bummed about Bishop, even if it’s a minor injury this early in camp, but you’d like to see this guy become more durable. It’s because of his camp injuries last year that Hamlin started. He needs all the time on task that he can get. As far as Spector, that guy gets hurt crawling out of bed.

Man, you had me nervous when I read the first two lines. I thought you were providing updates on injuries that happened in practice today!

Yeah that one’s not likely to be replicated again. Josh was the only player on offense with a turnover. Unreal. Joe Marino said something to the effect of he’d bank on the Bills being tops again in turnover differential rather than tops in 3rd down success (if he had to choose between the two). I’m the opposite. I think turnovers have far more variance.

Hearing a lot of positives about Moore, but I’m gonna temper my enthusiasm a bit until they’re in pads. I remember Tavon Austin tore up minicamp a few years ago. Also on Coleman vs Hairston, you wouldn’t think a 4.61 player could burn someone who runs a 4.29, but here we are. As Jerry Rice, Anquan Boldin, and countless others have proven, speed as an outside receiver is a bit overrated. Knowing how to separate is where it’s at.

I would imagine everyone on this board enjoys the journey. Everyone. Even if the ultimate disappoint makes them physically ill, there’s a ton of fun to be had before, during, and after a (victorious) game. If that wasn’t true, we wouldn’t watch or spend a dime on the Bills. I can only speak for myself, but my “so what?” angle in response to the OP’s use of team statistics was just that… so what. Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the journey, it doesn’t mean every season is meaningless if it doesn’t end in a Super Bowl, doesn’t mean we should ignore the great things that come with having a perennial playoff team. At the end of the day, I just personally don’t want to see team statistics posted and praised if those stats ring hollow when it matters most. What has the team achieved? What hardware? Any AFC Championship trophies? Super Bowl appearances? Super Bowl titles? At the end of the day, would it make any difference if we were 10th in offense and 10th in defense from 2020-2024 and the ride was just as fun before it ended in heartbreaking fashion? To me, it wouldn’t, so that’s why I shrug. Let’s get some hardware to back up those pretty team stats and then we can flex ‘em. Until then… so what.

What relevance do the 2020-2024 offensive and defensive stats have without so much as a Super Bowl appearance? Like I said, it was a pretty stat, but it ultimately doesn’t mean or translate to anything.

I know the Bills regular season numbers against Mahomes are vastly different than postseason. I know Reid said he hides some things, but Pat plays much better and the defense plays far worse (usually with a key injury or two somewhere, but that doesn’t excuse them).

He ran a 4.4 at 6’6” 246? Didn’t realize he was that big and fast, he should be dominating. Do think it’ll take more than a 3rd like this article speculates.

Or perhaps we shouldn’t brag about stats until we have a platform to stand on. Want to brag about individual stats or Josh’s MVP? Awesome, I’m right there with you - especially if it’s a concrete award the player can show off. But to brag about team stats when the team hasn’t accomplished the singular goal every team strives for year after year? It just rings hollow. You can feel differently and brag about these stats all you want, that’s your prerogative. It’s also mine to shrug at such team statistics that haven’t been backed by anything concrete.