folz

Kind of a sad perspective to have dude. Are there guys in the league that are all about money? Yes. Are there guys in the league that are criminals? Yes. But there are also a ton of good guys in the league. Just as there are criminals and greedy people in every profession and every group of people (maybe not to the same percentage, especially due to the amount of money we are talking about, etc.---but still). If you can't see the difference between how a guy like Stefon handles his business and how a guy like Josh handles his business, then I don't know what to tell you. And yes, these guys are still human beings. You can pretend that because they are on your TV screen and they make a lot of money that they don't have feelings, etc. like the rest of us. But it's just not true. Just look at Jim Kelly's journey for one. These guys aren't untouchables that aren't affected by life like all of the rest of us. And there is a HUGE difference between a guy quitting on a team for an entire year, causing ill feelings, and forcing his way off of a team (for a second time---patterned behavior) than a bunch of guys who had just gone through the most tumultuous and emotionally-draining season an NFL team had ever experienced and not quite having the fight left in them, no reserves left to draw on. What Stefon did was quitting. What that team did wasn't quitting...they just weren't in the right emotional mindset and energy-level to execute at a high-enough level (like they were used to). And if you think that a teammate and friend dying on the field in front of them (all of them knowing they put themselves at that same risk every week) is just a convenient excuse for fans. I...I...have no more words.

I wholeheartedly agree that Kincaid needs more touches. And we should probably be taking a couple more shots with MVS and/or Coleman down the field (to keep defenses honest---though again, due to the blowouts, it wasn't really necessary in the first 3 games). MVS is obviously a package receiver rather than a consistent contributor, which is ok with who is ahead of him. I think Hollins is fine. Kind of what I expected from his role. Mostly a blocker with a couple of targets per game (though I wish he would get his catch percentage up a bit). Knox is an interesting question. I agree he shouldn't just be used as a traditional #2 TE. But, again, there are only so many balls to go around, especially with as little as we have needed to pass thus far. It will be interesting to see if Brady can take advantage of the fact that we have two good TEs eventually. There may be certain opponents that it would be effective against. And then hopefully Shakir is back soon, Samuel comes on as he gets healthy, and Coleman progresses as the year goes on (Josh and Brady trust him to do more). We are still in the learning curve of the season. Brady's offense is new. How defenses react to it is new (which will take adjustments along the way). Josh has 4 new receiving targets that he's still building rapport with. With all of the changes, there is no question that we should actually get better as the year goes on. The big question right now is the whole "will defenses catch up to the offense and be able to nullify it." First of all, teams need the personnel to do so. Not every team would be able to do it even if there were some type of blueprint. Secondly, with what I have seen from Brady thus far, I think he can adjust and adapt. In the first three wins, we played each team very differently. It is kind of like the old New England offense, the game plan is tailored to each opponent...rather than stubbornly sticking to doing things one way. So, I don't think there will be some type of blueprint that will work for everyone. Sure, it will be tougher going against teams with a great pass rush and/or secondary. But that's par for the course for every offense. And this offense wasn't meant to stretch the field vertically. It is meant to stretch the defense horizontally (to create space for guys like Cook and Shakir to get into the open field). Take what the defense gives you. Run the ball. Move the chains. Though as I said, a few more shots down the field to keep the defense honest would help. And if defenses get out of the 2 shell or zero coverage that is so popular right now (especially against the top QBs), then you unleash Josh's down field game (big chunk plays). I guess I just have confidence in Brady to get it done (despite making probably the worst single offensive play call in the history of the Bills last week).

A lot of people seem to forget (because it's kind of been under the radar), but Curtis Samuel has been dealing with a turf toe injury since camp. It's been about 4-5 weeks since the injury. So, I wouldn't be surprised if they were bringing him along slowly due to that. Maybe we'll see him a bit more this week with Shakir out. As to Knox, he's just fallen down the target list a bit. When everyone is healthy, he's basically the 5th or 6th target (Shakir, Kincaid, Coleman, Samuel, Cook). Either way, it is kind of hard to get a full picture yet since all 4 games have basically been blowouts (3 in our favor and 1 against). Yes, the team looked bad against the Ravens, but it' only week 4. Let's see how they respond before jumping off the bridge after one game. 4 games thus far...and the everyone eats thing worked 3 out of 4 weeks. Let's see where it goes.

I don't think anyone is saying we have a top 5-10 wide receiver room talent-wise based on each individual player. We are saying that this wide receiver room is better than last year's wide receiver room (despite not having that elite #1 wr) and that they are the right type of receivers the Bills needed for the offense that they wanted to run. This is the type of offense that Sean has always wanted (remember the pushing and pulling with Daboll). He finally found an OC who not only agreed with him, but is still able to be creative with that type of offense. And just to note: Keon is a rookie who has played 3 games with a coach that likes to bring rookies along slowly. Tough to knock him for any lack of production yet. And he'll just get better as the year goes. Curtis Samuel, many people forget that he's been dealing with a turf toe injury for the last month. Last week they started using him more and in that swiss-army knife style that was envisioned. I assume they were bringing him along slowly from the injury as well and we'll see much more of him as this thing goes. Khalil is still just coming on (since mid-season last year) as who he is. So much room still to grow and flourish. He's looked pretty high-end already with just 14 targets. With the way the games have gone thus far, and the way he is playing, I expect his targets will increase. So, trying to project his season stats at this point won't really tell much. And lots of guys have flourished in the league of late who weren't just that traditional, big X-receiver...but more of a position-less guy. Can play X, Y, or slot. Plus, everyone eats. This offense won't produce individual players with monster stats because the ball is spread around. The idea is to scheme different guys into good matchups on each play, so defenses can't just focus on one player alone and try to take him out of the game, therefore stifling the offense. In the offseason, I kept saying that if nothing else, this wide receiver room will be bigger, stronger (i.e., will be better at blocking and red zone), but more importantly, will have better hands. It's still too early for any stat to be too meaningful at this point...but I like the trend (and was what I expected). Catch Percentages (top four wide outs by number of targets) 2023 2024 Diggs 66.9% Shakir 100% Davis 55.6% Samuel 85.7% Shakir 87% Coleman 71.4% Sherfield 50% Hollins 60% Are we one of the most-talented WR rooms in the league right now (individual talent-wise)? No. And I don't think anyone is claiming that. But we certainly are an up-and-coming receiving group...and set of overall skill players. All this talk of the Bills not having talent may look silly down the road a bit. I think Cook, Shakir, Kincaid, and Coleman all look pretty darn talented to me. And the rest of the guys are great complimentary pieces. As far as needing an elite #1 wide receiver to win a Super Bowl, I would say that only 4-6 of the last 15 Super Bowl winners had an elite wideout (in the way that some of you are thinking about a #1). The guys I consider elite or fringe-elite are in green. Now, someone could argue for Edelman (but with only three 1,000 yard seasons in an 11-year career and his size and position---he is much more like Khalil than that big #1 elite boundary receiver that most posters are talking about): Here are the #1 and #2 receivers for the last 15 SB winners (year is season, not date of the Super Bowl): 2023 KC: a rookie Rashee Rice and MVS 2022 KC: Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster and MVS 2021 LAR: Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson 2020 TB: Mike Evans and Chris Godwin 2019 KC: Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins 2018 NE: Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon (as a shell of his former self) 2017 Phi: Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Aghalor 2016 NE: Julian Edelman and Chris Hogan 2015 DEN: DeMaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders 2014 NE: Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell 2013 SEA: Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate 2012 BAL: An old Anquan Boldin (maybe) and Torrey Smith 2011 NYG: Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks 2010 GB: Donald Driver (maybe) and Greg Jennings 2009 NO: Marques Colston and Devery Henderen And my gosh, forget about the #1 WRs. Look at that list of number twos. I mean, KC was running with MVS as their #2. He's our #5. And just look at the other guys. I would put our current top four at least on par if not better than 9 or 10 of the last 15 SB winning WR groups.

Here's what I like the most about Shakir, along with his YAC ability and versatility: Catch Percentages: 2023: 87% 2024: 100%

I had a comment/mini-rant that I wanted to make regarding the media. It may get lost in here, but didn't think it deserved a full thread. I absolutely love that Josh is finally starting to get all-around recognition as at least one of the top two QBs in the league (if not #1). I saw pre-season QB rankings that had him as low as #6. I don't think it has ever taken another elite player this long to be accepted as such. It is strange the grudge that so many held against such a good guy and great player for so long---for no apparent reason other than what, they wanted their pre-draft predictions about him to be true? Silly. BUT...and this isn't everyone of course, but now I hear so many talking heads saying look Josh is doing it all on his own, with no talent around him. Which is such a slight to the rest of this team. So, before it was Josh was only good because of Stefon...and now it's Josh is doing it on his own with no help because he has finally matured or something (as if he hasn't been playing lights out for like 4-5 years already). Did they actually watch Monday night? Josh was electric, yes...but that was also one of the best team wins I have seen, well, at least since the Miami game the week before. Are we really going to look back in a couple of years and say Cook, Shakir, Kincaid, and Coleman were not talented...or were only 2nd or 3rd tier talent (couldn't start elsewhere in the league)? And the rest of the guys are no schlubs either (or lacking talent, as it were): Samuel, Knox, Davis, Johnson, Hollins, MVS. Plus we have an excellent O-line, a defense playing lights out right now (with a number of backups in), and a coaching staff dialing it all up. I know some of them are just saying it to kind of lift Josh up higher, or prove how good he is, but I think it is such a slight to the other guys on the team and shows how little they actually know about the league they are commenting on. We are actually a very-talented overall team, with a lot of depth, even if our players are not household names yet. Why can't the media acknowledge that the way they do for other very good teams with top-tier QBs. "Josh will never be good." "Josh is only good because of his weapons." "Josh is a turnover machine" "Josh is winning it all by himself with no talent around him." Wrong, wrong, wrong, and wrong. Yes, it is a quarterback-driven league...but you don't play like the Bills have these first three weeks with an elite QB, but no talent around him. Just ask Aaron Rodgers (he has a 4-win season, three 6-win seasons and an 8-win season in his career) or Drew Brees (a 2-win season, five 7-win seasons, and two 8-win seasons). It doesn't have to be one way or the other. Every elite Super Bowl QB had a very talented team around them (or they wouldn't have made it to and won the SB). It doesn't take away from Josh to say so. And just because Josh is an alien-unicorn-dog beast and does everything at a high level, doesn't mean he's doing it all on his own. Josh is just that good. He would be doing the same whether on a talented team or the worst team in the league. I assume the media will catch on as the season goes. I have heard a number of them talk up Shakir and Brady's coaching already. But, yeah, this is a very good---and talented--- Bills team. Probably the most talented overall in the McDermott/Beane/Allen era.

To the bolded: 1. Just wanted to note that Samuel has been dealing with turf toe (happened about a month ago). So, they may be bringing him along slowly too. Hopefully we'll see what they envisioned for him in this offense at some point---though right now it doesn't seem like a desperate need to do so. 2. Cook had the big drop on Monday night. But yes, that was something I was pointing out during the off-season, that our receiving room this year have far better hands (catch %) than the guys that departed. The team obviously put an emphasis on that (and getting bigger/stronger in the receiver room).

😁 It's kind of crazy...but I was thinking that the 2nd half almost felt like a pre-season game. Kudos all-around. Go Bills!

Some of you guys are kind of missing the point. Strip everything away for a moment. You own an NFL team, the draft is tomorrow. You have every NFL player available to draft. Who are you picking #1 overall? Right now. You may disagree...but for me it is Josh also. If KC, right now, wanted to straight up trade Mahomes for Josh, I'm not doing it. And for those that bring stats or the past into the conversation (in regards to playoffs/SB---while disregarding all context of course), here is a stat: Over the last 5 seasons, Josh Allen has 26 more touchdowns than Patrick Mahomes. Just FYI.

No game balls needed tonight, unless you give one to every player and every member of the coaching staff. But, if I was the coach in the locker room after the game and had to pass out three balls, they go to Josh (obviously---a master at work), Damar (1st career INT), and Keon (first career TD). One quick note...Elam looked like a man against boys out there when the 2nd teams were in for both squads. Good to see.

I edited my post to include Time of Possession, per your request. 👍

Not sure how much we can draw from the stats this early in Brady's tenure, but here is a brief comparison for regular season games: Dorsey (27 games) Brady (9 games) Record: 18-8 (1-1 in playoffs) 8-1 (1-1 in playoffs) Points/game 26.55 28.22 Yards/game 372.65 363.77 TDs/game 3.1 3.0 1st Downs/gm 21.7 21.8 Turnovers/gm 2.07 1.22 Sacks/game 1.7 1.4 Passing yds/gm 246.85 221.0 Pass yds/att 7.2 7.34 Rushing yds/gm 125.8 142.77 Rush yds/att 4.96 4.05 Pass/Rush Ratio 57.5% / 42.5% 46.1% / 53.9% Avg.Time of Pos/gm 29.51 mins 33.33 mins [Added as an edit per request] Now if we look at Dorsey's last six games before getting fired: Record: 2-4 Points/gm: 17.57 Yards/gm: 356.16 Pass yds/gm: 254 Rush yds/gm: 102 Was the team just in a slump, or had defenses figured out how to shut down our offense under Dorsey and he had no answers? Either way, I think Brady is more on trend with our current offense. I guess the question will be can he adapt well when he needs to. You probably need less adaptation when you are a running/short passing team, which is also good. But the NFL is always changing. Can Brady stay ahead of the curve? I think so, I hope so.

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.