folz

Best case scenario, as a Bills fan, seems to be: Jax beats NE [Don't want NE even sniffing the Super Bowl because if they get in they'll win, one way or another: lights going out (yes, I know that was the Ravens/SF SB---but very Pats like), comeback, horrible calls by opposing team in crunch time, horrible calls by refs during crunch time, etc.---especially since the Giants won't be playing] Minn defeats Philly [Giving it up for our Midwestern brethren of the church of 0-4 (Superbowls that is)...and they've been waiting longer than us to get back.] Minn humiliates Jax in the Super Bowl (Minn ends their Superbowl drought giving Buffalo hope and Marrone looks like the mope that he is)

"I'm a (bleeping) All-Pro," Dareus said. "And y'all aren’t even going to let me play? You aren't even going to give me snaps?" Marcel still doesn't get it, which is why he isn't here. He was the #2 culprit of not buying in when Rex was here (behind Mario). And it sounds like he still wasn't buying in for McDermott. A lot of talented guys don't do well in the NFL because you can't rest on your talent, you have to earn everything. Which means work hard, be team oriented, don't hurt the team with your actions, and especially if you are the highest paid player/one of the most talented guys/vet, be a good example for the younger guys. If Marcel had the heart and work ethic of Kyle, the guy could have been a perennial All Pro. I like Marcel and indeed our run defense dropped a bit when he left and Jax run defense improved a bit, which shows that he is still a good player, and if he put the time in could be a great player, but the fact that he still doesn't understand why he was traded is exactly why he was traded.

Which is why I am happy that I'm not a Pats fan. I do actually want to like the team I root for...and call me crazy, but for all of their winning and Super Bowls, I can't see the Patriots and their fans having moments like we did during the snow game or on New Year's Eve. That's all about family and heart and sticking together through the tough times with integrity and honorability. That's the Bills, that's McDermott. I'm happy with the direction and leadership of this team right now and we wouldn't be here if Marrone and his unlikeable, egotistic ways stuck around. He's obviously a decent coach, but not someone I want to root for or represent the Bills.

Yeah, I didn't jump to GOAT... but watching the game today, I did find myself saying, no question he's the best in the game right now. Phenomenal catches.

These are good reads all! Thanks Hapless, Colorado, and TigerJ! Running an offensive system that is easier to call and read for the QB can only help whoever is behind center next year, especially if it is a rookie. I thought the same thing when I read that SDS. I also thought about the K-gun when they were talking about it being easier to run the no huddle or up tempo out of it due to its simplicity of calling/remembering it. Stands to reason why Brady is so good at the end of half and end of game situations, as they get into hurry up mode.

First, I'd resign these UFAs: Gaines, Kyle, Leonard Johnson, Matthews, and Humber (as depth)---I don't think any of those guys will break the bank to resign And I'd tender these RFAs: O'Leary and Logan Thomas The next big questions are what are you doing with Cordy, Tyrod, and P. Brown I'd probably keep Cordy (if healthy, as either LT or RT with Dion at the other position), move on from Brown, and move on from Tyrod (if we can get a decent QB in FA) And of course that leads us to the QB question: Best case: Get a Cousins or Smith in FA, draft a QB (w/o giving up the farm), and you have Peterman Plan B: Go get a top QB in the draft (whatever you have to give up), get a backup FA vet QB, Peterman Plan C: Draft QB high, keep Tyrod, Peterman In Free Agency, I want to get: DT (want a vet at this position), QB (Smith/Cousins type or backup vet), LB (starting caliber), a safety for depth, and possibly a RG (either here or in the draft---would prefer to draft RG as a good enough vet might cost too much) And then in the draft I go after: QB (to start and/or groom), DE (pass rusher), #2 WR (fast, but not just a speed guy), a LB (to fill whichever LB position you didn't address in FA), RG (if you don't get one in FA), RB (as a #2 with potential to be a #1 down the road), CB (making sure that either the CB or WR you draft has kick returning skills), then fill for depth That seems like a lot to ask in a draft, but maybe not this year as we have so much draft capital (1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 7)---unless we move up for a QB---and last draft, we were getting quality players into the 5th round.

And E.J. Gaines. Sammy and a 3rd for Benjamin, Gaines, and a 2nd. If you're going to look at it that way. Pretty solid value. Yes Gaines is a UFA. But we got a solid year's work out of him already and probably have an inside track to signing him long term. I don't think he'll break the bank.

Benjamin injured his knee in week 2 playing for Carolina and he was never really the same the rest of the season, as witnessed by the fact that he needs to have surgery on the knee. Couple that with the fact that he got traded midseason to a team that was 31st in passing offense. And then immediately reinjured the knee, had a QB change, a crazy snow game, a new playbook, etc. So, I don't think we should judge him on just the 6 games he played for Buffalo this year. He missed all of the 2015 season with an injury, but his stats for the other two seasons (in Carolina) are pretty good for a rookie and then a third year player coming off of injury: 2014 (rookie year) 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and 9 TDs. 13.8 yards per reception. 2016 63 receptions for 941 yards and 7 TDs. 14.9 yards per reception. I agree with others that he can be a true number one with a good speed WR on the other side. He's moving into the prime of his career, where you have enough experience now, but your body is still young (he's 26). So, get a solid #2, fast outside receiver in draft or free agency PU a WR who can return kicks, but can help you out on the field a bit if need be as well And then you have Zay, who may be a better fit in the slot (I do think he will come around) and then fill out the roster with 2 or 3 of Matthews (if they bring him back), Thompson, Streater, Riley, FA, rookie That could be a pretty solid WR corp.

Good topic to start the offseason OP, but you do have to at least think about who is under contract, who's a FA, etc. The following list isn't exhaustive because there are a lot of role players, depth players, and young guys that I just don't know enough about, and I'm not looking much at salary cap/money, but at least it takes into account FAs, etc. and may be a better jumping off point for discussion: Unrestricted Free Agents Kyle Williams DT If he wants back in, I'm all for it, would probably take a team friendly deal Jordan Matthews WR If he doesn't cost too much, I say bring him back (2nd best WR on the team currently) Shareece Wright CB Let go Brandon Tate WR Let go Mike Tolbert RB Let go Ramon Humber LB Could be back if contract is reasonable as depth, but won't overpay as LB will be addressed in offseason Joe Webb QB Let go Leonard Johnson CB Bring him back Cedric Thornton DT Let go Taiwan Jones RB Let go Shamarko Thomas S Let go Travaris Cadet RB Let go Deonte Thompson WR Let go Preston Brown LB Let go E.J. Gaines CB Sign him Seantrell Henderson OT Let go Restricted Free Agents Logan Thomas TE Tender Jeremy Butler WR No Tender Nick O'Leary TE Tender 2nd Year Players (Won't give up on 2017 draftees yet) Tre White CB Keep Zay Jones WR Keep Dion Dawkins OT Keep Matt Milano LB Keep Nathan Peterman QB Keep Tanner Vallejo LB Keep Also Under Contract---(ps) denotes player currently on the practice squad ???? don't know enough about the player...could stay or go depending on how the coaches feel about them, most will probably be here through spring at least Alexander, Lorenzo LB Keep Anderson, Colt S Let Go (too many injuries) Benjamin, Kelvin WR Keep Borders, Breon CB ???? Bray, Quan WR (ps) ???? Capi, Cap DE Keep Carter, Cory P (ps) Let go Clay, Charles TE Keep Croom, Jason TE (ps) ???? Davis, Ryan DE Keep DiMarco, Patrick FB Keep Ducasse, Vladimir OG Could keep (as backup only-upgrade needed) Dupre, Malachi WR ???? Ferguson, Reid LS Keep Glenn, Cordy OT Let Go (if it helps cap and/or coaches are sold on Dion at LT rather than RT) Green, Aaron RB (ps) ???? Groy, Ryan C/OG Keep Hatley, Rickey DT ???? Hauschka, Stephen K Keep Holmes, Andre WR Let Go Hughes, Jerry DE Keep Hyde, Micah S Keep Incognito, Richie OG Keep James, Josh OT (ps) ???? Lacey, Deon LB ???? Lawson, Shaq DE Keep Lee, Khari TE ???? Lewis, Marquavius DE (ps) ???? Marlowe, Dean S (ps) ???? McCoy, LeSean RB Keep McDermott, Conor OT Keep Miller, John OG Let Go (Is he really worse than Ducasse?) Mills, Jordan OT Keep (swing tackle...hopefully RT is upgraded) Murphy, Marcus RB Keep (at least through the spring to see what he's got) Pitts, Lafayette CB Let Go Poyer, Jordan S Keep Redmond, Adam C (ps) ???? Reilly, Brandon WR Keep Schmidt, Colton P Keep Taylor, Tyrod QB Let Go Towbridge, Keith TE ???? Washington, Adolphus DT Keep Wesley, De'Ondre OT (ps) ???? Wood, Eric C Keep Woodson-Luster, Xavier LB (ps) ???? Yarbrough, Eddie DE Keep

Congratulations Micah! And thanks for choosing and embracing Buffalo! (I really wanted him to come to Buffalo...was so happy the Bills made it happen.)

Stats can only give you probabilities...and where it concerns humans, many unprobable things happen. Kyle said it best: http://www.buffalobills.com/video/videos/Watch-Kyle-Williams-Victory-Speech/54f63b8e-9918-4de2-abb6-acfd5c6213c1

I'm in for Tyler too! And hit up the Marvin Lewis scholarship fund for good measure. $34,184 and counting now for Tyler's WPYAA! So proud to be a Bills fan! Love you All!

This is what people outside of our fanbase don't truly understand about being a Bills fan, it's not just football to us. We love our football, no doubt, but It's not just a game or entertainment for us. Our lives and hearts are invested in this team. It's about family! It's our connection to home and the past! It's about perseverance and determination in the face of adversity! It's about hardwork and belief! It's about toughness! It's about still believing in honor, integrity, compassion, and generosity! It's about always supporting your own no matter what! And appreciating what you have, because we know it doesn't come easy. Moments like this (all of the excitement with the ending of the drought and now the donations to Andy's charity) and the snow game, or the crowd chanting and cheering for Scott Norwood after the Super Bowl XXV loss and then watching our guys pick themselves up over and over and over again to go to four straight Super Bowls are extremely rare. There is a bond developed in shared sorrow and in persevering through it together. So, our special moments may be fewer and farther between than many teams, but when they come, the experience and elation of them is far greater. Feelings that I'm not even sure can be matched by a Super Bowl victory because life isn't just about winning, it's about sharing the experience of life itself (the good and the bad) together. We do not just watch our team, we are One with the team, in the locker room, in the community, and on the field, through all of the ups and downs. We are all the Bills! Just donated $114.00 with note in "Company" line saying: $17forDrought/$83forBoyd/$14forAndy

In ending the drought with a 22-16 win that mirrored the 22-16 loss in Nashville in 1999, the dreaded Johnson/Flutie Homerun Throwback (forward pass) game---our last postseason appearance----the Bills removed the so-called Flutie Curse. Now we face a coach that quit on us, leading a team that beat us in our last home playoff game back in 1996. That second-year Jaguars team knocked Kelly out of the game with a concussion, to end his career, and put the last nail in the coffin of the Super Bowl era teams, with a 30-27 victory. Time to finish cleaning the slate. #FreshStart #NewEra

Congrats Tyrod! Best case scenario is you keep Taylor, draft the best QB you can in the draft, and let the two of them and Peterman know that its best man plays. If anyone can manage that scenario as far as the locker room goes, its' McDermott. I mean, what if you draft a QB and he busts or just takes a while to catch on to the pro game and Peterman proves to not be an answer, then what? Tyrod is a pretty good insurance policy.

Kyle, Deonte, TEs (Clay & O'Leary), Tyrod, Safeties (Poyer & Hyde), Gaines. Shout out to Zay, who made a couple of big plays and showed toughness hanging onto the ball as his head was getting knocked off.

Congrats Kyle and Buffalo!!!!! I've said it before, don't wait for retirement, put him on the Wall of Fame now! Heart and soul of the team! And a damn good player who has been Buffalo all the way!

The monkey is off our backs!!!!! The drought is OVER!!!! Rejoice Bills fans! The future looks bright!

YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS! Feels so good! Thanks Andy Dalton and the Bengals...that is probably only the second time in my adult life that I jumped off the couch cheering for a team other than the Bills (the other was the Giants Super Bowl win against the Pats to stop the undefeated season).

I really can't believe how many people are annoyed with a fun and exciting win. I understand wanting to go for it on that 4th down. I wanted them to go for it too. But how can you seriously second guess with such vitriol a strategy that worked? I admit that the coach/team have been very conservative at times this year, but sometimes there is a reason for that---QB play, injuries, weather, etc. A coach is going to be a lot more conservative, for example, with Tyrod at QB than say a Brady, Rodgers, etc. Let alone Joe Webb in a foot of snow. Not to mention that he is a first year head coach. Of course he's going to make some mistakes along the way. And it isn't easy putting and holding a team together with the amount of turnover that has occurred. I mean, some people were predicting a 4-6 win season and we sit at 7-6 with three games to play and still in the playoff hunt. I find it amazing that the torches and pitchforks are out, especially after a win. Question the decision all you want, that's fair, it's a message board. But to be calling for his head and comparing him to Jauron after a win seems very strange to me.

IF the Bills won out (against Miami, NE, and Miami) AND the Pats lose out (to Pitt, Buf, NYJ) Each team would be 10-6 Tie break scenarios for division lead would be: 1. Head to head: this would be a push at one game a piece 2. Best won/loss percentage in the division: with the above scenario, the Pats would be 3-3 in the division (50%) and the Bills would be 4-2 in the division (66.66%) Bills would win the AFC East.

Maybe that 39th ranking mentioned was referring to yards/game rather than total yards. According to the stat list that clayboy54 posted, Taylor is 41st in yards per game. Granted 18 of the QBs ahead of him do not have as many attempts, but I guess that can cut both ways. I have been a Tyrod supporter. I think he's a good person, he works his butt off, he's a good leader, he wants to win for Buffalo... but at this point I too am ready to move on. I'd like to see Peterman start the rest of the way. I think I'd rather see more turnovers if it means actually having a passing game. I mean in 8 of 12 games Taylor has failed to eclipse 200 yards passing and twice had less than 100 yards passing (granted he got injured in New England, but even if he stayed in, he wasn't going to have much more than 100 yards). You don't need your QB to throw for 300/game...but asking for at least 200 yards to keep the offense balanced, shouldn't be asking too much.

Ok, yes...maybe the defenseless player rule #9 applies here. 9. A player who receives a “blindside” block when the path of the offensive blocker is toward or parallel to his own end line. JuJu was at least running parallel to his own endline (if not toward it). But like so many things in the NFL, "blindside" is left up to interpretation. If you watch the video in the link that MAJBobby supplied, see the hits at 1:30, 1:48, 2:06, 2:25, and 2:30. Blindside still seems a bit murky to me. The hits at 1:30 and 2:30 are noted as legal hits by the NFL and those look like they came as much or more from the blindside as JuJu's hit. https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-video-rulebook/defenseless-player/ Maybe I'm just an old guy who was used to those hits being legal for most of my football watching days that I don't think of them as illegal. Or maybe it is just the NFL, who has a hard time making their rules clear for all situations.

Sorry, but I still think you guys are wrong...what am I missing? Here is the wording from the actual article that you posted MAJBobby (and apparently the wording in the NFL rule book): "If a player who is aligned in the tackle box when the ball is snapped moves to a position outside the box, he cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if: (a) the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and (b) he approached the opponent from behind or from the side." The rule contains the following note: "If the near shoulder of the blocker contacts the front of his opponent's body, the ‘peel back' block is legal." JuJu was not aligned in the tackle box, was not moving toward his own end line, and he hit him from the front, not from the side or below the waist. So, the rule you quoted can not be the rule applied for this play. If there is another rule that speaks to this play, I'd be glad to see it. And again, why was Jarvis landry's hit on A. Williams last year legal?