mushypeaches

As we get ready for the season, it's interesting to look ahead and think of the teams that will likely be firing their head coaches at (or before) the end of the year. First off, it's worth noting the stability and relative competence that we currently enjoy at the position. Barring a complete disaster of a season, it's safe to say that Sean McDermott will not be part of this group. Doug Marrone Not difficult to envision our old pal St. Doug being high on this list. I think the Jags are going to be a tire fire this year, and it appears that he's worn out his welcome within the locker room. Since he's definitely not an innovator, or someone prone to self-examination of his own flaws, it's likely to be a year of him getting angrier and surlier, and his players tuning him out more and more Dan Quinn I don't think the Falcons have recovered from the SB loss 2 years ago, and the talent level of this team hasn't kept up. I think they're a couple major injuries away from a very rough season, especially in an improved division. Ron Rivera Similar comment to the one above. Cam Newton is on the downside of his career, and the owner's itching to put his stamp on the team. Again, more of a motivating coach, and not an innovator. Jay Gruden Amazing that he's survived there this long. I think it catches up with him this year Mike Zimmer A team that's getting old and stale, and with a huge contract for a mediocre QB. Still laughing at how we curb-stomped them last year. Matt Patricia This guy's on borrowed time already. With the Packers likely improving this year, and another expensive QB on the downside, this guy needs a winning season or he's lost the team already Jason Garrett This team has some stars, and good young players, but this guy never seems to get the most out of the talent that he has. Plus, Jerrah has his next young coach in waiting. Anthony Lynn Probably a dark horse on this list, but it's not difficult to see the Chargers imploding, especially if Rivers starts to show his age. Lynn doesn't impress me as a great game coach, and this could be where it catches up to him

I remember the next game after he spat at the fans while being ejected, someone chartered a plane with a banner reading "Hey Cox, next time don't spit - swallow!"

This year's defense may give up more yards than last year's from a statistical perspective, but I think it will perform better than last year's. One big reason should be the improved offense and not having to be on the field all the time.

I just hope that if McCoy doesn't have it anymore (or if he dances around too much, which is just as likely), that the team doesn't wait too long to make the switch to someone else. Regardless of if that means reduced duty, benching, release, or a trade. I'm especially excited to see if Singletary can bring a level of explosiveness that McCoy probably can't bring at this point in his career.

It’s not a worry. It’s a discussion point

Well, for a team that trotted out 4 guys last year, I think it’s a fair discussion topic to wonder who Beane might have on speed dial. yes, the season is likely over if Allen gets hurt, but I’d like to have a viable guy who could step in and win games outside of Barkley

If Barkley goes down this year, it seems unlikely that Jackson would be elevated to #2. What Veteran QB sitting at home currently or maybe cut do you think they would bring in? thumbs down to the first smart guy that responds “Kyle Orton”

I honestly think that I would. I'm a pragmatic fella, but more positives than question marks in my mind this year

I'm good with feeling like it's 50-50 for the Bills to be a playoff team this year. Lots of stuff could happen to make it go in either direction, but at least we have some stability in players & coaching that we haven't had in forever, and lots of guys are seemingly on the upward end of their development curve

I think Carolina is a dark horse candidate for dumpster fire team of 2019. Cam could be just about done, they don't have a lot of talent or depth, and Riverboat Ron is one of those longer tenured coaches whose act may have grown stale

I think #21 is just about right for Kelly, despite all of the discussion about scheme, other QB's, etc. We've seen QB play evolve quite a bit in the 23 years since Kelly retired. Accuracy, athleticism, reliance on the passing game - these are areas that have all flourished in the modern game. Yes, Kelly gets high marks for his toughness, and how he managed the offense. I've watched a lot of the old games on YouTube over the past year, and he definitely stands out in both regards. He definitely stood out in many games against a lot of average to terrible QB's. Our Bills during that time were often head and shoulders above the competition in terms of talent level. But when we didn't have the talent (or in many cases when what we had was older and slower), Kelly was often mediocre. Yes, he lost many years to the USFL, and being on untalented or poorly coached/schemed Bills teams. But his peak of excellence wasn't that long, and his deficiencies stand out more and more in comparison to today's game. Again, a lot of this is apples & oranges, but I don't think the rating is too far off

I'd like to have a team that leads the league in passing instead of rushing.

I'm not expecting much from Murphy and am already in the camp of whatever production we get is a bonus. Could also see him with a chance to not even make the final 53 if McBeane sees something in other players and they can save some $

My point is not to compare results between the two teams, but to note that Bill O'Brien seems to be quite a tool, and not a particularly sharp one either. Similar to Doug Marrone, Gregg Williams, etc. Guys that think they are always right, are completely unlikable, and in love with the smell of their own rosy brand of flatulence

This really shouldn't be a shock to anyone

Bill O'Brien is a pale imitation of the guys he's trying to emulate. Can you imagine being a fan of that team?

91 - Broncos AFC Championship - 3 missed Denver FG's in the first half, our own anemic offense bailed out by Bailey 92 - The Comeback game - 18 years old and ready to punch an Oilers fan at halftime 93 - Raiders AFC Division - 0 degrees at kickoff and the coldest I'd ever been. My friend found a $20 bill on the ground and treated us all to hot cocoa (spiked with whiskey) 95 - Dolphins WC game - 300 bajillion yards rushing and one last butt-kicking administered to Don Shula and Tom Olivadotti 00 - Titans opening weekend. Revenge game and probably the loudest I've ever heard the stadium Only 35 games attended as I've lived outside of the area most of the last 15 years. But still great memories

I like Tre White for this list - not in the same way as most of the others, but pressure to put up a Pro Bowl type season - either step up and put up name-recognition stats that make it a no-brainer to get a big 2nd contract from the Bills. This is his year to prove he can be consistently, demonstrably GREAT

Not a fan of the risk/reward ratio behind this move. I get that QB contracts are only going to continue to go up astronomically, but with the value of having talented young passers on rookie contracts, why hamstring yourself with a guy with an injury history. The downside of waiting another year is probably $15-20M over the life of the contract. The upside is possibly saving the $70M that you just guaranteed if he gets hurt again or never approaches his level of play due to nagging injuries/pain.

That's humorous. So you would characterize the 2nd halves of the Ravens, Chargers, Packers, Bears, Colts, and Patriots games as "good football", highly entertaining, enjoyable, and rewarding for Bills fans? Pretty confident that 99 out of 100 Bills fans are on the other end of that spectrum...

Yes - I will be disappointed. I don't want a borderline wild-card team that can't dance with the champs. You want to be the man, you have to beat the man

Well said Hondo, this is exactly the point I was trying to make. I like the effort that McDermott is putting into all the points that you've cited. But I'd really like it if he was more focused on some of these other intangible topics, like game theory, strategic aggressiveness, etc. We've been woefully unprepared (totally unrelated to talent) for way too many games in the first 2 years. We've had too many vanilla game plans, with not enough strategic adjustments. I think McDermott (and staff) are way too REACTIVE, and not PROACTIVE enough with game plans and play calls These are the traits I want in a coach - someone who will push the envelope and force the opponent to beat them, instead of hoping that you don't get beaten. Big difference

You know what's fun? Winning I don't hate McDermott, but the number of times I've turned off the TV at halftime over the past couple of years has been unfrigginbelievable. Also, not really fun!

I don't think it's wrong to be skeptical here. I like that he's constantly pushing himself and the team to learn and grow (unlike most previous head coaches). But until it really translates to game day aggressiveness and adjustments, I'm not overly excited. Personally, I'll judge him this year by our results against the Patriots. Win one of those games, and I'll say that McDermott might be getting there. But if it's SSDD, he's just Jauron 2.0 to me

I think the larger point here is that "Bills Culture" means a lot of different things to different people. There's varying levels of engagement, history, passion, knowledge, and alcohol consumption. I like the fact that we have a passionate fanbase, affordable tickets, a great gameday scene, and a fun team. It will be even more enjoyable when we win.