dave mcbride

Charlotte has long been a prime destination for Buffalo ex-pats. The Charlotte metro area is the #1 destination for upstate NYers leaving the state. https://www.buffalo.edu/content/dam/www/news/imported/pdf/January07/CharlotteObserverRogersonEconomy.pdf https://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2007/02/little-buffalo-charlotte-nc.html This is why the tickets are so damn expensive!

According to PFR, he's missed 21.2 percent (still terrible!) after only missing 2.4 percent last season. He has seven missed tackles through six games after having only five missed tackles in the previous two seasons.

He did have a truly spectacular pick vs the Jets that sealed the game last season. That game was hardly in the bag too. They could have lost it.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6732294/2025/10/20/drake-maye-patriots-bills-afc-east/ 1. The Bills went 24-6 in the AFC East from Brady’s Patriots exit through 2024. They finally have competition in the division. Maye’s development and the Patriots’ growth come at an interesting time for the Bills. Buffalo ranks fifth in offensive EPA per play but only 23rd on the defensive side. “The (Buffalo) defense is good when they have a lead, but they are small, and you can lean on them a little bit that way,” an opposing coach said. Think Mike Vrabel (listed playing weight: 261) might want to lean on an undersized opponent? Did you see the way the 227-pound Rhamondre Stevenson was running in Tennessee? To be clear, no one is writing off the Bills. “Mentally, as much as anything else, it’s hard to stay that hungry, and I see Buffalo as a team that thinks they can flip the switch at some point, because they have been good for a long time,” an exec said. “They have been taking everybody’s best shot for 3-4 years now. It is just hard to stay sharp.”

There is basically no chance that Manning gets selected in the first round at this point, and I doubt he comes out this year anyway. He was 12 for 27 vs Kentucky this past Saturday.

The whole thing is worth reading.

This was one ridiculously talented roster. There were over 20 legit solid-to-great NFL players on that roster, including multiple HOF-level players.

Read the quotes from the Diane Russini piece from The Athletic above. Teams are just not willing to trade good receivers, it seems.

Honestly, the Bills would likely win 77-10 or so.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6727307/2025/10/18/nfl-trade-rumors-news-baker-mayfield/ ‘If it feels like NFL trade deadline season gets busier every year, with more names and more buzz, you’re not imagining it. A decade ago, just four trades were executed in October and November. Last week alone, three deals saw five players switch teams, including Joe Flacco and Odafe Oweh. But don’t expect fireworks this time around. Despite all the chatter and speculation, several league sources told me this week they don’t anticipate a frantic finish leading up to the Nov. 4 deadline. “There are plenty of teams with needs,” one coach said. “Just not enough willing to give up good players.” Many teams are still trying to figure out where they stand. The biggest challenge, as one high-ranking league source explained: “It’s easy to lie to yourself when there isn’t a clear understanding of who is good and who is bad in the league. Decision-makers have to be as honest as possible. Can we really win the Super Bowl this year? If not, let’s get ahead here and move players. It’s not an easy conversation. Even though it’s been pushed back, the trade deadline is still too early.” Early or not, it’s coming. While a lot can happen in 17 days, league and team sources have shared the following insights: Bengals All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is drawing attention around the league, with the 49ers showing the most interest. Cincinnati isn’t shopping him, and after the Bengals’ Thursday night win, most do not expect him to get moved. The Dolphins are getting lots of calls on pass rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. The Titans are open for business on every player but QB Cam Ward and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. They are looking to stockpile future picks. The Jets are already getting calls on defensive end Jermaine Johnson and running back Breece Hall. They are making calls looking for a kick returner. The Eagles are in search of help at edge rusher and cornerback. They have received calls on A.J. Brown, and teams are being told, “We aren’t moving him now.” Despite Texans GM Nick Caserio’s reputation for aggressively making trades, teams haven’t received calls from Houston looking to add — at least not yet. The Chargers are exploring running back and offensive line depth. The Chiefs are shopping for defensive linemen — but not running backs. Detroit is making calls, looking for an edge rusher. The Colts are looking to bolster their defense, specifically at cornerback. The Raiders are open to moving receiver Jakobi Meyers, while making calls on defensive linemen and corners. The Saints have been trying to work out a long-term contract for receiver Chris Olave despite his name being attached to teams looking for pass catchers. The Jaguars are expected to get involved in some trades. They are searching for a defensive player. The Cowboys have let the league know they are open for business. They are looking for defensive help, but one GM argued, “They actually should go get a running back.” The Patriots are not making calls for a running back, but they have talked to teams about pass rushers. They’re fielding calls on several of their own players as well. Despite the loss of Malik Nabers, the Giants aren’t aggressively working the phones to add talent at receiver right now. Some of these teams might wind up doing nothing, of course, but there are enough possibilities to make for a fascinating two weeks.‘

They are not MY points! This is all a quote from an article in The Athletic — hence the quotation marks and the ellipses. Sheesh. As for Cook, check out what @HappyDays reported:

Even if you discount the late-game stats, 13 catches in 2.5 games, that extrapolates to 89 catches in a 17-game season. And it is undeniable that he played great against the Bills in the AFC championship game.

I wouldn't say that. Most of his pieces for The Athletic are fairly positive.

Not if you include the playoffs. He led all receivers in the postseason last year with 19 receptions, and had 287 receiving yards plus 3 TDs (including one against the Bills to go along with an incredible catch near the goal line late in the game). He also had 2 rushes for 16 yards versus the Bills last year in that playoff game. You have to factor in the postseason when making these evaluations. Also, Worthy has 25 rushes for 157 yards and 3 TDs. Coleman has one carry for 9 yards. Don't forget Devin Funchess.

This is a very good discussion. I left it thinking it's not implausible. The price would be high, but he's a sure thing and REALLY good at a position the Bills are bad at.

I do think Coleman could be a capable slot receiver given his game and physical skill set. He is not a good boundary receiver, obviously, but he's not without value.

I think it's a numbers game. Teams just don't worry about the receivers enough to not blitz frequently. Just look at Cincy last night: their receivers either get open immediately or are open if they're not really open because they're so good. The Bills don't have that.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6720217/2025/10/16/buffalo-bills-josh-allen-brandon-beane-gm/ "Pass protection has been diddly-poo. Allen was sacked 14 times last year. He has already been taken down 12 times, eight over the past three games. Pro Football Reference has charted Allen with a career-low 2.0 seconds of pocket time and 15 scrambles (rushes on plays designed to be a pass), which would put him on pace for 71 this season. His career high was 57 scrambles in 2022. Discipline has been diddly-poo. The Bills have committed 35 penalties [in the past three games], 30 of them accepted for 209 yards. They drew 15 flags against the Patriots and four in the first quarter alone versus the Falcons, including a Gregory Rousseau offside that erased a takeaway and a Tre’Davious White pass interference on a third-down incompletion to extend a touchdown drive. Opponents have accepted at least eight penalties in three straight games, something the Bills haven’t experienced in four years. Turnover margin has been diddly-poo. The one trend everybody knew Buffalo couldn’t count on forever was its kooky 25 consecutive games without a negative turnover margin. Buffalo was a minus-4 combined against New England and Atlanta. Their run defense has done diddly-poo. Despite amassing 26 tackles for losses on runs, fourth most in the NFL, they’ve allowed 5.8 yards per carry, with 3.9 yards after contact, both league worsts. Only the Tennessee Titans, who fired their head coach this week, have allowed more than the Bills’ nine rushing TDs. Open-field tackling has been diddly-poo. At safety, Sports Info Solutions has Taylor Rapp down for seven missed or broken tackles and Cole Bishop for three, most comically on Bijan Robinson’s 81-yard touchdown run Monday night. Also, 34-year-old Jordan Poyer is on the field again. ... On the 15 balls thrown into White’s coverage, he has allowed 11 receptions (73.3 percent) for 114 yards and a touchdown, while also committing pass interference twice, defensive holding twice and missing four tackles. And he missed a game. Christian Benford has surrendered an even higher passer rating, 18 of 28 attempts (64.3 percent) for 174 yards and four touchdowns with a pass interference, a defensive hold and an illegal contact. ... Beane was so cocksure Allen’s solo act would work again that the GM made only minor moves to improve the offense. Beane even seemed willing to let running back James Cook walk in 2026. In a post-draft interview on the Bills’ flagship radio station WGR 550-AM, Beane lashed out at the hosts for criticizing his lack of attention to wide receiver throughout the offseason. The club thought Beane was righteous and entertaining enough to feature his rant — that the Bills even had to bleep — at the very beginning of their behind-the-scenes draft special. The Bills didn’t lead with material about the rookies they drafted; they wanted to ridicule. Through six games, the receiver criticism looks legitimate. The highest draft picks haven’t made an impact, and receiver production has been negligible. Almost a year ago to the day, with concerns over the wideouts and the Bills coming off back-to-back losses, Beane traded for Amari Cooper, and although the five-time Pro Bowl receiver didn’t light up the stat sheet, his presence was credited for opening up the offense. To make a similar deal now, of course, would require Beane to admit he was wrong this offseason."

The Bengals winning last night was good for the Bills. Yeah, Flacco looked mostly great, but I guarantee you that he will turn in some terrible performances going forward that'll cost Cincy some games.

Coleman is from Louisiana ...

There's a big difference between being 38 inches from a first down and 17 inches. In the latter scenario, a sneak becomes MUCH easier. Teams should never lose a challenge and TO when the refs agree that they spotted it short, irrespective of whether the re-spot results in a first down or not. It's bonkers.

I thought the same. They are uncoverable. The game is on Dec 7, and Burrow isn’t supposed to be back until mid-December at the earliest.

I can see it with certain qbs, but not Rodgers. As you may recall, mayfield made a hail mary throw for tampa (after an egregious, inexcusable offside by von miller) that probably should have been caught by chris godwin. The bills were very lucky to win that one.

More than has the arm — he still has one of the top 3-4 arms in the league, along with Josh and Stafford. Maybe Mahomes too.

Threw it from the 32 and it got 3-4 yards into the EZ. Basically a 71-72 yard throw, and with velocity. That’s why when you hear Josh Allen say Rodgers was the QB he idolized when growing up, you believe him.