Dr. Who

You really think Whaley was calling the shots in that draft?

Clay this year is a broken down old war horse. I agree about the penumbra of Heisman hype still attached to Jackson, but there's also hangover from the analytics crowd who are going to resist saying nice things about Allen until his play is so overwhelmingly good that they have no choice.

Personally, I prefer the old Hays code movies where the bad guys end up dead or in jail.

Honestly, I am compelled to agree with you ?

You're bordering on crusade territory. Using terms like always and never are usually clues to straw men arguments. Ardent Allen fans still claim he needs to develop. No one here ever claimed he doesn't miss passes. For the most part, Bills fans that I have read do not think Jackson can sustain effectiveness. Most acknowledge his current success, do they not? If you think Lamar is on par with Allen in terms of potential in the passing game, your criteria and evaluative capacity is vastly different than my own. I'll side with 716, in any event. Ravens have a better line and more weapons. Their D is smothering. I surmise the comment on "good in college or something" is meant to contrast Allen at Wyoming with Jackson at Louisville. Taken in context, Allen significantly raised the play of a bad Wyoming team. Compare their record when he played and when he didn't, but so what? Going forward, we'll see how they turn out at the pro level.

Seriously, who is claiming certitude?

Yep. Allen is the polar opposite of Russell's apathy.

Folks who dislike Allen tend to bring up Russell because strong arm and Locker because mainly a runner with a fairly strong arm who flamed out at the NFL level. Some fella reached into the way back vault to mention Bobby Douglass. Allen has shown tangible improvement as the year has progressed. At this point, everyone is projecting. That's the nature of looking at a rookie qb and assessing the future. Since one is forced to imagine a potential becoming an actuality, part of that process is imagining where a player might top out if all goes well. So sorry you dislike the term ceiling. I think Allen has a good chance to be top five. He might fail, but I don't think skepticism is any more rational than my own views. You're free to think otherwise.

Rosen throws a fair number of batted balls, for whatever reason.

If both Rosen and Allen hit their ceilings, Allen will turn out the better player.

I'm not agruing that Allen doesn't need to improve as a passer. I do think his inaccuracy is exaggerated by his critics. His actual play has improved to the point where one can plausibly argue that he is elevating the play of the team around him to a degree. My optimism about Allen, however, is not based on his current level of play, but on projection and on the assumption that the talent level around him will be significantly increased. One can project Rosen to improve a lot with better coaching and players around him, but right now, just based on his play, he looks bad. I watched the first half of his game against a lackluster and injury depleted Atlanta Falcons' defense and he threw a pick six, another int, and fumbled. All contributed to Atlanta points. I can certainly understand why Rosen would be dejected and his line is atrocious. All the same, he simply did not have any fire or a hint of leadership. So to reiterate my main assertion, based on current play alone, Allen is ahead of Rosen.

Of course, two years from now, no one will have to speculate. We'll simply know who is working out and who is a miss. Imo, the analytics fellas who were high on Rosen before the draft are going to continue to favor him despite his generally poor performance, albeit with suasive mitigating factors. Basically, any ranking that has Rosen ahead of Allen is a continuation of pre-draft judgment, because the actual football play should favor Allen. Since returning from injury, Allen's play is arrow up; Rosen's is not.

I think you are referencing 716. He's an insightful fella and defends Culley. For whatever reason, Josh has played better after the injury and the arrival of Anderson. Culley may be golden, for all I know, though I sure hope they are considering a new coach for the o-line.

DK Metcalf is a fella I think could fit the Bills.

Ahh, I'm not sold on you as a future poster on these boards, though you'll probably reincarnate at a karmic level above your just due.

Not sure how effective Culley has been as qb coach. We should just designate Anderson as qb mentor. Allen seems to benefit from his presence. Hell, let him wear a uniform if he wants to; start a new trend for coaching staff.

26 clearly hasn't read the thread.

I would like to get DK Metcalf in the draft. I hope we concentrate on getting o-linemen in free agency. We'll have to overpay, because they are a hot commodity and teams like Jets and Jags have lots of cap space and need as well. I think a fella like Tate would be available at a reasonable price and be the right kind of reliable veteran to add to the mix.

As you suggest, 3.3 seconds due to scrambling ability is different from 3 seconds due to a superior line. Qb standing relatively comfortable behind a superior line presumably in a better position to scan the field and make better decisions. Folks who continue to lament Allen's throw to Clay in the endzone seem to forget the Houdini act to even be in a position to make that throw.

Be careful now, some clever fella is going to deconstruct your whole argument by calling you a fanboy. I think Elway is Allen's comparable if he hits his ceiling.

Your posts are generally cogent, but I think you are the one who is being unduly reactive here. I didn't actually make any claim about Allen. I think Barnwell's judgment, especially in the context of his overall evaluation of the rookie qbs, demonstrates an agenda. He's simply not just and balanced in his interpretation. I don't believe he's applying the same criteria to all the qbs. I do think Allen has a good chance to be very good. He needs to develop and correct numerous mistakes. One can disagree with Barnwell, be optimistic about Josh Allen, and also see he is a raw rookie whose potential is yet to be realized. If the offensive personnel is upgraded, I believe he likely succeeds. Belief, of course, is not certitude.

I'm fine with dialectic and rational opposition to my views. Biased opinion with bad arguments and special pleading is going to be deservedly repudiated. Since you are inclined to the negative assessment of Allen, you're apparently not bothered by it.

Ah, I see; inside joke. Back when I was young, ROR would have been classified as emo or Goth or something . . . then again, I've been called an Eyore so maybe I shouldn't throw stones.

I hope I haven't offended you. I appreciate good writing. I think you are making a joke of some kind regarding St. Lois, but I'm afraid I'm missing it.

Somebody should pay you to write about the Sabres. Consistent insight and very well written.