folz

I wanted to repost the above tweet to mention how much I love this photo. It's great to see James (during the game and in this photo) showing so much passion and emotion because he is so quiet and unassuming off the field and in interviews. And then I see the following posted by the Bills social media team (and DaBillsFan). 😂 Genius!

As others stated, Rasul and Christian have now started 11 games together (Benford missed two games last year after Rasul arrived)....and, yes, they look pretty darn good right now. Now, of course, the stats won't tell the full story because it's so early this season, and Rasul didn't start for the Bills until week 9 last year (though he did play 53% of last season for the Bills). But, for what it's worth: 2023 Bills 7th in passing yards allowed tied for 2nd in Interceptions tied for 2nd in passing touchdowns allowed 6th in Net passing yards per attempt 2024 (2 games) 12th in passing yards allowed tied for 3rd in interceptions tied for 3rd in passing TDs allowed 5th in Net passing yards per attempt As far as against upper echelon players (since Rasul arrived), you could say they have been lock down the first two games this year...but we need a bigger sample size, as last year was a bit of a mixed bag (well, basically the Chiefs, Eagles, and Bengals did well against our pass defense, but our boys pretty much held their own against everyone else). [I didn't include games like the Chargers who were starting a backup QB and missing WRs---just the teams or players that would be considered upper tier when both Douglas and Benford were starting.] [Red = held in check; Green = good game for the player; Blue = ok game for player.] 2024 AZ: Marvin Harrison, Jr. 1 for 4, 0 TDs; Dortch 6 for 47, 0 TDs; Murray 21 of 31 for 162, 1 TD 0 INTs MIA: Tyreek Hill 3 for 24, 0 TDs; Waddle 4 for 41, 0 TDs; Tua T. 17 of 25 for 145, 1 TD 3 INTs 2023: CIN: Jamar Chase 4 for 41, 0 TDs; Tee Higgins 8 for 110, 0 TDs; Burrow 31 of 44 for 348, 2 TDs 0 INTs (this was the first game as a Bill for Rasul) Jets: Garrett Wilson 2 for 9 yards, 0 TDs Eagles: DeVonta Smith 7 for 106, 1 TD; A.J. Brown 5 for 37, 1 TD; Hurts 18 of 31 for 200 yards, 3 TDs 1 INT Chiefs: Kelce 6 for 83, 0 TDs; Rashee Rice 7 for 72, 1 TD; Mahomes 25 of 43 for 271, 1 TD 1 INT Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb 7 for 53, 0 TDs; Brandin Cooks 2 for 10, 0 TDs; Prescott 21 of 34 for 134, 0 TDs, 1 INT Dolphins: Tyreek Hill 7 for 82, 1 TD; Tua 17 of 27 for 173, 1 TD 2 INTs Pittsburgh: Pickens 5 for 50, 0 TDs, Diontae Johnson 4 for 48, 1 TD I do think that Taron is one of the best slot corners in the league, Rasul was a great pickup by Beane, Benford has been really solid since he started, and the UB kids have been balling out. Elam's got the talent if he could just put it all together. As a whole, the secondary is definitely a top-10 squad dating back to last year. And if they keep up the level of play from the first two weeks this season, they may be top 5...or better (especially once Taron is back and if Cole comes on at safety as we hope he will). But, either way, they have been playing well and I'm glad to feel confident in our secondary right now. It was a big question mark coming into the season (more so due to the safeties of course). Let's hope this trend continues.

Agreed. What time is actual kickoff...gonna find something else to do till then. GO BILLS!

I was old enough to have seen Frank Lewis, Jerry Butler, and Bobby Chandler play (well, the tail-end of Chandler's career). But, I was curious if older fans who got to see him play would put Dubenion on the list. He's 5th on the Bills all-time receiving list (just 78 yards behind Diggs---though over 9 years as opposed to 4, but it was the 1960s...talk about a different era).

Yeah, ok, maybe my memory was exaggerating a bit with 3-4 years...but I do remember conversations where Reed was being compared with Rice as the best in the league (in the national media---not just by Bills fans). Probably 1989/1990...in '89 Reed was 2nd in receptions and 5th in receiving yards, and then in 1990 the Bills unleashed the K-Gun offense and went to their first Super Bowl. Remember that offense was lighting up everyone and they got a ton of press for it. But there was also that game between Buffalo and San Fran at the start of the '92 season where Reed went 10 for 144 yards in a 34-31 epic (Rice was 3 for 26). So, maybe my memory is conflating a few things too. Obviously, overall career-wise Rice is definitely in a league of his own. And looking back, yeah, no one was his equal in any season really. But, at that time... As to the other guys you mentioned, Rison didn't come on until 1990, Irvin didn't have a big year until 1991, Brown and Carter didn't really break out until 1993, Monk was never really considered the best in the league despite good numbers, but he was also in a bit of a lull in his career in '87, '88, and '90---numbers-wise, Clark retired in '87 and hadn't had over 900 yards since 1982. So, as far as '88-'90 goes, Sharpe and Henry Ellard were the only other guys in the conversation really (with Rice and Reed). But Sharpe didn't make the playoffs until 1993, while Reed and Rice were going to Super Bowls. So, it probably wouldn't be too surprising if Reed got more hype because of the Bills post-seasons. Now, yes, by say 1993-1994 when discussing best '90s wide receivers, there were a lot of guys in the convo and Reed was just one of the other guys behind Rice. But back to the Diggs talk, he's not in Rice's league either and when discussing best WRs of this era, Diggs will also be one of many top WRs, not the best.

Using back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons seems like a very selective bar to set. First of all, it was a different era with a lot less passing and when CBs could still maul receivers and light them up over the middle of the field (where Reed made his bread and butter). Secondly, Reed did have four 1,000 yard seasons. They just weren't consecutive. I mean Stevie Johnson had 3 back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons. Does that mean he is better than Reed too? And it's not like the drop off was severe on the seasons when Reed didn't have 1,000 yards. He was only 174 yards total away from having 5 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Or from 1989-1996 (minus 1995 when he was injured) he averaged 1,056 yards and 7 TDs per season. So, he didn't have back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, but he did average over 1,000 yards per season for 9 years, and back in the old days. First 10 years in the league: Andre Reed 9,536 yards and 66 TDs Stefon Diggs 10,028 yards and 69 TDs So, Stef averaged less than 50 yards per season more than Reed...or 3 yards per game more over their first 10 years...and again factor in the eras they played in and that the 90s teams had a lot more weapons to spread the ball around to---Thurman, Lofton, etc. Reed made the Pro Bowl in 7 consecutive seasons. Stefon has 4 consecutive Pro Bowls (all while with the Bills)---and he probably didn't really deserve the nod for last season. They both have two All-Pro seasons. Reed is a HOFer and a Wall of Famer. Diggs may possibly make the HOF...but I doubt that he'll ever make the Wall of Fame. Plus, it's hard to say a guy who played four seasons is a better Bills receiver than a guy who played 15 years for the team and was every bit as good or better for most of that time. I am not going to assume that you were too young to actually watch Reed. But some people forget or don't know that for 3 or 4 years (88-91) Reed was the only other receiver in the conversation with Jerry Rice for best WR in the league (for those years as they were happening, not overall career). I think people forget just how good Andre was. Anyhow, I don't mean to pile on. I understand where you are coming from with Diggs. I loved watching Diggs play and I'm glad that he was a Bill, even if it didn't end well. Those first couple of years with Josh and Stef were hell'a fun and will always be remembered. And I'm not a fan who hates on every player that leaves Buffalo. But I do hold a little grudge for guys who quit on the team in some way (Gilmore, Dareus, Phillips, Byrd, etc). And Stefon, for all the good he did here, caused problems and ultimately quit on the team. I still acknowledge that he is a great receiver (one of the best we've had), and I won't root against him, but no way does he surpass Reed in any avenue or reference to Bills WRs. P.S. Ethan...the Moulds question is an interesting one. Over a 7-year period, he averaged 1,100 yards and 6 TDs with the Bills (with his QBs being Flutie, Johnson, Van Pelt, and Bledsoe). I think I would have to put him ahead of Diggs as well (as far as best Bills WRs). Lee Evans is the only other Bills receiver (besides Reed and Moulds) with more yards as a Bill than Diggs. But Lee was never in the class of the other three.

That wasn't a hurtle, that was a tour jette. [For the dancers out there] We knew Josh was a tough and athletic SOB, but he's balletic too.

Josh is a generational, dual-threat QB. And being a QB means he touches the ball on every offensive play. So, it will always look like Josh is doing everything...because he is just that good at everything he does. Even if he had a team of all-stars around him, Josh would still be doing what he's doing. You just wouldn't be able to claim that it was because of a lack of talent around him. P.S. Our talent-level is fine. Also, it was game one and Josh is still getting comfortable with his new weapons. Remember, Shakir was the only WR who had caught a pass from Josh in a game prior to Sunday. And as Josh said in his post-game interview, Keon was open in the end zone on one of his rushing TDs, but he decided to take it in himself. Maybe his competitive nature made him make that decision, because Keon was a rookie in his first game. But as they all get more comfortable with each other and the WRs keep making plays, Josh will trust his weapons more and more and not feel he has to do as much maybe.

Yes, with 17 games/year, sometimes the post-game speeches sound a bit repetitive. But 2 or 3 times a year, McD's post-game speeches actually make me tear up a bit. And this was one of them. This speech is also another reason why I love McD as a coach. I like how he cares for his players and how he motivates his players. To call a kid, who just weeks ago was fighting just to make the team, up in front of the team after week 1 as an example for all of them is awesome. And you want to talk about humble and hungry? Look at Ja'Marcus Ingram's face as McD is talking. That was big for him. I could hear him talking to his folks about it later that night and how excited and proud they would be, etc.* People may joke about the family-aspect to the team, or Beane and McD wanting all choir boys, etc. But for me at least, it makes the team more enjoyable to root for. And I don't think the players are cringing, or holding back laughter. I think this team is still fully on board with McD's style and message. *Edit: I just learned from Ja'Marcus's interview that his dad passed away. Makes that moment even more tender.

Everyone eats... Coleman 4 receptions for 51 yards Shakir 3 receptions for 42 yards and a TD Hollins 2 receptions for 25 yards and a TD Samuel 2 receptions for 15 yards MVS 1 reception for 19 yards Wide receivers had 152 yards and 2 TDs in week one. Good start. Including TEs and RBs, 9 players caught a ball from Josh today (10 players were targeted). I also liked that the all 3 running backs had carries and passing targets. Every receiver had a catch. 2 of 3 TEs had a catch. Morris also played but was not targeted. But yeah, everyone eats.

If you put enough qualifiers on something (7 years, same team, 5 years, same QB, etc.) you can create a stat that appears to prove any point. Also, it is really hard to prove that something is impossible when it is statistically possible. As long as McD is a head coach, there is a statistical possibility of him winning a Super Bowl. Can I prove he will win a Super Bowl? No. But can anyone prove that he can't/won't win a Super Bowl? Also no. Of the 35 Super Bowl winning head coaches, 11 of them took 7+ years to win their first Super Bowl. That is 31.4% of them, or almost 1/3 of SB winning coaches took more than 7 years to win their first one. Here are the number of years it took for those 11 coaches to win the big game: 7, 8, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12 14, and 21 years. Only 3 of the 11 had made a SB appearance (loss) prior to winning. So, there are 8 SB-winning head coaches who didn't even make a SB appearance until 7+ years into their head coaching career. Whether it was with another team or another QB doesn't really add much to the discussion imo because each situation is unique. For instance, did the coach start with a vet QB in the prime of his career? Or a rookie who is pro ready? Or a rookie QB who is raw? Or did he not get his franchise QB until year 2 or 3? Did the coach take over a team that was talented and on the verge of being a consistent winner? Or did the coach take over a team that was devoid of talent or needed to be gutted...a rebuild? Without the context of each situation, those qualifiers aren't really useful for comparison. The fact that 11 guys have won a SB after 7+ years of head coaching doesn't prove McD will do it, but I think it does disprove any stat that is trying to say that it is impossible for him to do it.

Man...I can't wait for the Bills to actually start playing games and getting some wins. There is just so much negativity around the Bills this year, both nationally and within our own fan base. I have a hard time understanding it. Maybe I'm the one being delusional, but I think we are still going to be a very good team this year. I mean good for Worthy and good for KC. But as others have said, Worthy was the right fit for KC, but he was obviously not what the Bills were looking for. He didn't fit the Bills...so to me it is much to do about nothing. I could care less what the Twitter(X)-verse has to say, but to ride the Bills for not drafting a player they didn't want, and for maximizing their draft value accordingly, seems silly. There are only two scenarios where this will be a bad trade for the Bills. #1 If Worthy continues to go off and has an amazing rookie year, while Coleman never really comes along. Or #2 if the Bills and KC meet in the playoffs again and Worthy is the MAIN reason that KC beats us. Neither of those scenarios will be determined until at least much later this year, so...nothing to see here. I really can't wait until Sunday. I'm so done with this offseason.

Guys, I think you are thinking of Hollins in the wrong way. Just because he is listed as the starting outside receiver on the depth chart does not mean he is Josh's second target. First of all, McD always defers to vets on depth charts, etc. He wants the young guys to have to prove it and overtake the vet. And, it is a respect thing. The vets have earned their stripes in the league. Second, Hollins is an excellent blocker and a big body. Gabe Davis might not have had great hands, but he was a big asset as a blocker. He's gone. And we plan to run the ball more this year, so Hollins will help in that department and as a possession receiver for Josh. Plus, as far as target share goes, Kincaid, Shakir, Samuel, Coleman...and perhaps even Cook and Knox will get more targets than Hollins most likely. So, despite being listed as the "number two," he will probably be 5th-7th in actual targets. The Bills aren't looking for him to have a 700-800 yard year. That's for the other guys. Hollins is there to block and be a big body available for Josh on third downs or short yardage, etc. Plus, there will be a lot of rotating of the pass catchers, I would assume. I don't expect to see Hollins out there as the boundary receiver on every play the whole year. It will be situational dependent. Sometimes Shakir will be outside, sometimes it will be Coleman, or even MVS depending on the situation. I do expect to see Hollins out there say in 4-minute drills when we are trying to run the ball to run out the clock, etc. We don't really know what Brady's offense will look like yet, or how Hollins fits exactly. He could actually surprise some of you (not in going off for a ton of yards, but in how his role actually helps the team). We'll see.

My biggest concern with Martin last year was how long it took him to get the ball off. Too often it looked close to getting blocked. I feel like I saw an improvement in that this preseason (though in a very small sample size). But hopefully, he has improved the speed of his release.

Keep pushing that goalpost... The original posts were about Brandon doing a good job drafting late round talent. So even if a guy is on a different squad at this point, for whatever reason, it still means it was a good pick (a talented player), and if they are still in the organization (practice squad) again, they're good enough for the organization to still be grooming them (they weren't complete busts and out of the league, i.e. a bad pick). But to satisfy you, there are 17 players still on the active roster. Or 1/3 of our roster came from rounds 4 or later. Considering free agency and that the better players are drafted in rounds 1-3 (generally 62% of a team's starters), I would guess that that is probably still a pretty good percentage. Plus, it ignores guys that we got a lot of production from, but for whatever reason (money, cap, wanting to improve the position) they have moved on. Siran Neal (played 6 years for the Bills), Gabe Davis (played 4 years for the Bills), Ike Boettger (5 years, 17 starts), Levi Wallace (4 years, 52 starts), Tyrell Dodson (4 years). According to you, since they are no longer on the roster, they don't count as pluses for Beane. They automatically get logged as bad picks? Come on. Seriously, I don't know what you guys expect. How many teams/GMs do you think are finding lots of high-quality starters that last more than 4 or 5 years on a team in rounds 4 or later? Mr. WEO, pick your favorite GM, the best GM in the league and I'll take a look at his rate of late round picks and we can compare.