Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

BB broke the unwritten code of spying on the team that's HC used to be on BB staff so know his secrets and got caught. Plenty of cheating going on, but Pats have got caught a few times. Part of that is because they are hated by many, hated more than many teams. Recall a story in early mid 70's. Raiders were playing Steelers in playoffs. Raiders just finished practice where they put their game plan in and players went into locker room. Madden calls the m all back out for another 2 hours or so of practice as apparently Al Davis had just received the illegal film he had taken of Steelers practice. So now that they knew what Steelers had planned, they changed their entire game plan. Raiders won game BTW.

When BB was walking off the field my thought was he finally figured out that his DC sucks, but how can he fire his son. Technically not listed as DC, but as they always say, don't let facts get in the way

Thought they also had some key Free agents coming up too this off season?

As others have said I think the window can stay open throughout Allen's career. Some years though it may only be open a crack or so, then make some changes and 2 years later it's wide open again for a few years. Lets assume the Bills get to the AFC championship game again this year. It's quite possible the next time they do there may not be one player besides Allen from this years roster still around. But for another 10 to 14 years, they'd likely have a shot most years. IMO where teams get in trouble is paying big money for a QB who's pretty good, can get them to the playoffs, maybe even win a Super Bowl when everything aligns perfect, but really isn't sustainable. But they now gave him so much money, there's not enough left to field a very strong team around him, so they struggle. Two guys that come to mind right now is Mayfield and Jackson. Give Allen another year or two to really figure out the mental side of the game, better at reading defenses, etc, you could likely put the Bills 2017 or was it 2018 WR group out there with him and he'll make them look like all stars. Over the years there are too many overpaid tier II QB's paid like tier I's

Because of their somewhat similar style of play I'd agree with them being the next Brady - Manning rivalry, but not sure you can leave out Burrow based on what we've seen lately Or maybe they'll be a second Burrow - Lawrence rivalry too. What's the NFC got? Dak??

Not surprised to hear that. Professional athletes all have a similar mindset, they never lose because the other team is better, they lost because they didn't execute properly. I'm sure September 1st every year, the players on all 32 teams will tell you they feel they can win their division or more.

Didn't realize Zimmer was the same age. Interesting they are the same age but Phillips has played 7 seasons but Zimmer only 4. guess Zimmer was one of these guys who'd make it to final cuts, then get let go, but he'd stick around and not give up. Looking at Pro Football Reference, don't know if they include practice squad years or not, maybe that explains the difference? Agree about Ankou too!

You're forgetting Zimmer. He may be as good as Phillips, believe younger, and likely cheaper. Though will say the likelihood of him looking as strong as he had been previously again in September is unlikely as full recovery usually takes close to a full year if not longer. So maybe a guy like Phillips or Shaq for one year to allow time for Zimmer to fully recover would work. However I also could see them drafting a 1 technique tackle fairly high, if so then again no real opening.

Agree he does make me nervous for this week and even if we played the Bengals the following week. But he's done better than many thought and give him another off season, he'd be strong depth and/or decent starter. When surrounded by two great safety's and high level #1 CB (assuming White is recovered) can afford an average CB on the other side. Can't afford an all star at every position.

One good thing that's come out of D Jackson's play is we now know what we have in him and he can play. Think I'd still prefer they sign Wallace to a multi year deal and Jackson is the backup CB, but could see due to money concerns they let Wallace walk maybe then Jackson becomes the #2 CB opposite White. If that happens could see them drafting a CB fairly high and signing a mid tier FA too. I'm sure many will argue we don't want Jackson as the starter, but he's starting now on a team many here are still hoping gets to the SB

Wonder if McCarthy will be fired?

Think this was more a case of hiring him because Gruden wanted him. Gruden's gone so easy to get rid of him to and clean house of Gruden hires.

As up and down as the team/season has gone, at this point with the win this past weekend, after this I feel like playing with house money. Did I expect more going in, yes, but at this point who knows what to expect. They are the 3 seed so in theory have gone as far as they should. Roster still needs a bit more tweaking and improvements.

Yeah, think Doyle should be able to be a reliable swing tackle. Bates is a RFA so should be able to sign him at least for the year, but maybe reward him with a multi year deal. Draft a rookie, but do they still go out and sign a mid level guard who could start due to injury, but not paying him anywhere near $12 mil. Let Ike walk and cut Mongo. One position not mentioned is Morse. Like Williams and Bates, 2 months ago would have cut him too, but lately playing very well. Wouldn't keep him at the $11 mil he's due, but also costs $3.75 mil to cut. Maybe you get Morse to take a pay cut down to $7 guaranteed or add a year on converted mostly to bonus money so he gets close to the $11 mil this season but cap hit is reduced. Give him $3 mil base guaranteed, $6 mil signing bonus so his cap hit is only $6 mil but he walked away with $9 mil in his pocket this year, then in 2023 they cut him and only have a $3 mil cap hit when they likely have more money to play with. To me that's better than taking his cap hit this year of close to $4 mil then paying more money for a replacement. There's also talk of him retiring after this year so who knows.

Really have to wonder if everything is due to this weight loss which appeared to not be team suggested. Actually I was having the same thoughts too on where to go with the O-line for next year. Likely let Mongo go, but to let either Williams or Morse go when you add in their cap hits, the replacement cost may not be worthwhile. I'd certainly draft an interior lineman who can play center and guard to become the starting center in 2023 and a backup for 2022. Certainly signing a top level FA guard to replace Williams as the starter would be worthwhile and then let Bates and Williams fight it out for other starting guard spot and loser becomes the backup plus a rookie too would be an improvement, but is the cost worth it as opposed to putting the money elsewhere. If they were in good shape with money I'd sao do it, but with limited $$ is it worth it??

I'm not talking about playoffs, I'm saying the bottom graded refs have are in a new line of work next fall. Maybe Friday Night Lights or maybe Brockport state against Buff State or equivalent

Not sure any of those guys would grab a lineman by the face mask 4 year into their careers either. File this post away for another 5 years or so, then revisit and see where things stand. Personally I thought what made most of those guys leaders was more their work ethic than anything. So far from what we've seen Allen also has that work ethic so that bodes well.

Thought he actually played better last year when he filled in for Morse at center for a few games.

Thought I'd had read that every year the bottom 10% are let go. Or maybe it was 10% turnover, retirees are included so ends up something like 5% retired and 5% were let go for performance??

Per Yoloin's post of the audio, they went with 7 lineman, normal five plus Mongo and Doyle.

Doyle was obviously also in so unless Doyle was in as TE#2 and they also went with 6 O-lineman. Or maybe Knox was out and Doyle was only TE plus six lineman?? Or Williams was out? OK just read Yoloin's post above of the audio. Sounds like they went with 7 lineman.

Wasn't Doyle in as the extra lineman, or was he in as 2nd TE plus 6 lineman?? that would account for 9 out of 11 including Allen, not many room for many others left.

So basically they are saying this is the top playoff game next week since at 6:30 on Sunday Saturday. Put it ahead of Brady and Rodgers, though Green Bay game had to be on Saturday once San Fran won so only question was Brady or Tenn/Bengals game. Game does have what most in the country feel is the top young QB in the league and likely the 2nd best nipping at his heals.

I noticed on that play Feliciano was in. Was wondering who he was playing for? Bates was there, was he in for Williams due to injury, Morse? Or was it at point they were playing some of the subs already?

Who's most improved on Bills,Allen or Knox from their rookie year. Have to give it to Allen, but Knox has shown alot.