dave mcbride

I get all of that and I don’t think I’m oversimplifying. The issue I keep coming back to is that the Bills settled for a significantly worse player in a SB-window season where the glaring hole was WR. But maybe it was never doable given the Bills’ cap situation.

No one cared because it was the Jets, but Adams was GREAT late last season. In the final five games of the season, he had 36 receptions, 510 yards, and 6 TDs. Extrapolated over 17 games, that's 122 receptions, 1,734 yards, and 20 TDs. Agreed, and he was more than productive -- he was really good still.

We don't know yet, so let's wait and see.

The D and C had a story about it. Also, OF COURSE Beane is going to say that afterward. But he's no dummy - and there's no way he could believe that Cooper was a better solution to the Bills' WR problems than Adams. To reiterate, Adams is clearly the better player. It's not debatable. Yeah, I realize that. I was just wondering whether their was a financial path to obtaining Adams. Maybe not, and I'm not one of those people who believe the cap is a fiction (it isn't). Ultimately, I was just thinking about what the eventual outcome would have been with Adams playing the X rather than Cooper. I think they would have beaten KC.

Prior to the Tampa SB, KC lost both their starting tackles late in the AFC championship game vs the Bills when it was already out of hand. The line was playing well before that.

The Bills were in on the trade and discussed it with the Raiders, so it was a possibility, at least in theory. And Adams did not have a good relationship with the Raiders. There were reports that they thought he was using his injury to get out and he complained about the offense too. Most importantly, he was NOT happy about them dumping Derek Carr - the reason why he chose to go to Vegas in the first place: https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/las-vegas-davante-adams-los-angeles-rams-sean-mcvay.

Sure, but Adams didn't have total control over his destination and moreover he presumably wanted to win a championship. The issue is that he's a better player, and the Bills settled for the lesser player. Should they have gone all out given that they were clearly in a SB window? I realize that it may have been too difficult from a financial standpoint.

Everything I read last season suggested that the Bills were in on the trade action for Davante Adams once it became clear how limited their receiving corps was. After Adams wound up with the Jets, they essentially settled for Cooper. A couple of questions: could they have made the addition of Adams work financially, or was that impossible? My recollection is that the Jets had a lot more space and wiggle room on the salary front, but obviously the Bills were a better team with a real shot at a SB--which would presumably make them more attractive to an elite player who hadn't reached a Super Bowl. Secondly, knowing what we know now, would you have given up more -- a second, say, rather than a third -- to obtain Adams? He had the connection with Rogers, but the Raiders were always going to take the best deal they could. I am of the belief that he was and is a significantly better player than Cooper (who was a good player during his prime, mind you) and showed as much last year: 85 catches for 1,063 yards and 8 TDs in only 14 games. Adams played well for the Jets, and I think he's the sort of player that might have given the Bills the extra juice they needed to outscore KC and win the game. Cooper certainly wasn't that guy last season. I know it's water under the bridge and hindsight is 20/20, but I've been thinking about it lately.

Bishop played the full season last year and was available for all three playoff games. He missed time in camp last year and also a little time this year, but I don't think it's fair to say he's injury prone.

People forget his great catch on the 2-point conversion late in the 13 seconds game and also the fact that he blew past Cincy's defenders on the Bills' first possession only for Allen to badly overthrow him because Roger Saffold got eaten alive by DJ Reader on the play. A more accurate pass (not Allen's fault) may well have resulted in 6 -- Diggs was THAT open.

In the Minnesota miracle play, he displayed his trademark great footwork to retain his balance after the catch, shift on a dime, and accelerate rapidly so that no defender had a chance. Many receivers would have drifted out of bounds on that play, especially given that it required a back shoulder leap to make the catch. I think it was a truly amazing play by him while acknowledging that other factors played a role in the outcome. Both things can be true. In any event, any evaluation of Diggs's overall career, including the postseason, that doesn't include one of the most famous plays of this century is doing it wrong.

He has incredible footwork. Some of the best I've ever seen. That's why he gets open so easily.

Agreed. Like you, I wish the safeties were better, but at the same time, when your shakiest positional group is safety, that's the definition of a first-world problem.

They have great players on D — elite DEs and elite CBs. I am not sold on their offense, though. I *think* they’re the best team in that division, but they also don’t inspire a ton of faith in me. I thought Stroud, who I like, was fairly mediocre last season. He was great as a rookie. Jax has a lot of talent too, but it just seems like none of the teams can take it to the next level. Then a couple of injuries happen and teams are fighting for a 10-7 division crown.

I dunno ... 9-8/10-7 could win that division and the Colts have some good talent. No team in that division is very good. Houston should be favored, but they're hardly a juggernaut.

Yes, it is true.

Not really arguing with this, but one thing that doesn't show up in the stat sheet was the insane two-point conversion catch he made to put the Bills up 29-26 in the 13 seconds game. Totally broken play and he just ad libbed his way to a circus catch. Good take, and with regard to the topic of "playoff Diggs", not mentioning the Minnesota Miracle is bad arguing. Sure, it wasn't the Bills, but it was an amazing play and totally clutch.

Joe B is at camp every day and has been reporting on it regularly since it started. He's not making stuff up about Moore's performance in practice.

See above. If Joe B is correct, Samuel is a more likely cut than Moore. We'll find out soon enough.

According to Joe B, Moore is likely safe: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6560872/2025/08/19/buffalo-bills-bubble-watch-players-cut-roster-2025/ Firmly on the roster (40) QB Josh Allen, RB James Cook, RB Ty Johnson, RB Ray Davis, FB Reggie Gilliam, WR Keon Coleman, WR Joshua Palmer, WR Khalil Shakir, TE Dalton Kincaid, TE Dawson Knox, TE Jackson Hawes, LT Dion Dawkins, LG David Edwards, C Connor McGovern, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, RT Spencer Brown, IOL Spencer Brown, OT Tylan Grable, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DE Greg Rousseau, DE Joey Bosa, DE A.J. Epenesa, DE Landon Jackson, DT Ed Oliver, DT DaQuan Jones, DT T.J. Sanders, DT Deone Walker, LB Terrel Bernard, LB Matt Milano, LB Dorian Williams, NCB Taron Johnson, NCB Cam Lewis, CB Christian Benford, CB Tre’Davious White, S Taylor Rapp, S Cole Bishop, S Damar Hamlin, S Jordan Hancock, K Tyler Bass, LS Reid Ferguson. … Looking like a good bet to make it (6) QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Elijah Moore, DE Javon Solomon, LB Joe Andreessen, CB Dane Jackson, CB Dorian Strong Trubisky has been the better of the two backup options over the last two weeks and seems closer than not to securing the job again. Moore has had a really nice camp and gives the Bills a strong backup option at slot receiver should anything happen to Shakir, and Moore could even play Z-receiver and return kickoffs or punts. Solomon has had a strong camp and is a likely core special teams contributor every week in 2025. Andreessen’s game against the Bears didn’t go well, but he remains the top backup middle linebacker and a staple of their special teams units, even if they brought someone else in. Jackson had some difficult moments in the preseason game against the Bears, but the Bills trust him in their system and he plays a lot of special teams. Strong has had some nice moments during camp, and though inconsistent, there is enough potential there to not risk putting him on waivers. … Curtis Samuel Samuel is the biggest name on this list, along with the most guaranteed salary of anyone, but it’s been yet another disappointing summer from a Bills perspective. Last year, he dealt with a toe injury for most of the practices and was an in-game afterthought for much of the season once healthy. This year, a hamstring injury suffered on July 25 has kept him from taking a single rep of team drills since. The Bills, who grew frustrated enough with linebacker Baylon Spector’s injury history to move on mid-camp, are likely feeling similar frustrations about Samuel. The receiver’s $6.9 million salary is fully guaranteed, but to move on, the Bills wouldn’t be taking on that much more to their 2025 cap. If they feel stronger about another receiver or two that have shown well during camp, they won’t let a guaranteed salary get in the way of keeping their best 53. Samuel needs a big week to secure his spot.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6560872/2025/08/19/buffalo-bills-bubble-watch-players-cut-roster-2025/ Firmly on the roster (40) QB Josh Allen, RB James Cook, RB Ty Johnson, RB Ray Davis, FB Reggie Gilliam, WR Keon Coleman, WR Joshua Palmer, WR Khalil Shakir, TE Dalton Kincaid, TE Dawson Knox, TE Jackson Hawes, LT Dion Dawkins, LG David Edwards, C Connor McGovern, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, RT Spencer Brown, IOL Spencer Brown, OT Tylan Grable, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DE Greg Rousseau, DE Joey Bosa, DE A.J. Epenesa, DE Landon Jackson, DT Ed Oliver, DT DaQuan Jones, DT T.J. Sanders, DT Deone Walker, LB Terrel Bernard, LB Matt Milano, LB Dorian Williams, NCB Taron Johnson, NCB Cam Lewis, CB Christian Benford, CB Tre’Davious White, S Taylor Rapp, S Cole Bishop, S Damar Hamlin, S Jordan Hancock, K Tyler Bass, LS Reid Ferguson. … Looking like a good bet to make it (6) QB Mitchell Trubisky, WR Elijah Moore, DE Javon Solomon, LB Joe Andreessen, CB Dane Jackson, CB Dorian Strong Trubisky has been the better of the two backup options over the last two weeks and seems closer than not to securing the job again. Moore has had a really nice camp and gives the Bills a strong backup option at slot receiver should anything happen to Shakir, and Moore could even play Z-receiver and return kickoffs or punts. Solomon has had a strong camp and is a likely core special teams contributor every week in 2025. Andreessen’s game against the Bears didn’t go well, but he remains the top backup middle linebacker and a staple of their special teams units, even if they brought someone else in. Jackson had some difficult moments in the preseason game against the Bears, but the Bills trust him in their system and he plays a lot of special teams. Strong has had some nice moments during camp, and though inconsistent, there is enough potential there to not risk putting him on waivers. … Curtis Samuel Samuel is the biggest name on this list, along with the most guaranteed salary of anyone, but it’s been yet another disappointing summer from a Bills perspective. Last year, he dealt with a toe injury for most of the practices and was an in-game afterthought for much of the season once healthy. This year, a hamstring injury suffered on July 25 has kept him from taking a single rep of team drills since. The Bills, who grew frustrated enough with linebacker Baylon Spector’s injury history to move on mid-camp, are likely feeling similar frustrations about Samuel. The receiver’s $6.9 million salary is fully guaranteed, but to move on, the Bills wouldn’t be taking on that much more to their 2025 cap. If they feel stronger about another receiver or two that have shown well during camp, they won’t let a guaranteed salary get in the way of keeping their best 53. Samuel needs a big week to secure his spot.

No, Diggs has never performed at big moments in elimination playoff games. Christ, people.

Yup. As a second stringer, Trubisky is above average. When you look at other teams' backups, you see why. There really aren't even 32 starting-caliber QBs in the league as it is.

Ah PFF. I don't really take that very seriously. They graded him poorly on pass defense in the regular season (but 9th out of 171 in run defense: https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/taylor-rapp/51172), but they did the same to Tre White in his best years and when the Bills essentially led the league in pass D (or were close to it). He was a first team all-pro on the league's best pass defense in 2019 but they didn't even rate him among their top 100 players. The Bills' pass D tends to fare poorly according to their metrics because they play off and allow a lot of short completions and focus on preventing big plays. Rapp played five quarters in the playoffs and Denver had 224 yards and the ball for 18:17. Anyway, you and I are going to disagree. He's just not that bad, and exaggerating his badness to catastrophize the situation isn't convincing. Mind you, I'm not saying he's *good*, and yes, the Bills need a better player at the safety position. But he did start for a good Rams defense for years and has a Super Bowl ring. If he's your second best safety, you're not in horrible shape. He's a league-average starter and barring injury is likely to have a ten-year career. He is a LOT better than Hamlin, of course.

Rapp played well vs Denver in the playoffs and came out early due to injury in the Baltimore game. He didn't play vs KC. He's not a superstar but he doesn't suck. He's a decent starting-caliber NFL safety. It's the other position that's the problem, although Bishop at least has physical talent and upside. Hamlin is not quick or fast enough to be starting in any NFL secondary.