Rubes
-
Posts
9,670 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Gallery
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by Rubes
-
-
6 hours ago, davefan66 said:
Do we know contract length? Fewer years tells me they are giving him the reigns, but could separate much easier. Long contract tells me they believe he is the long term answer. Love the guy, but 3 year contract tops. They have to have the mindset to move on as soon as they are not where they need to be. Can’t get into another Granato scenario.
He is a much better coach than any we’ve had in some time. He will demand more from his players, and hopefully they but into him. 5 wins more this season and we’d have made the playoffs, Lindy should be able to get that out of this team.
For me? I’ll be paying more attention to the team. Got some good players, but need to see grit all the time. Ruff will bring that.
2 year contract.
-
I'm guessing Denver was hoping fans would be distracted by the new unis and not notice the trade.
-
Seems like a huge waste of time and effort to me. Nothing remotely new or interesting about the jerseys. Pointless.
I'm also sick of teams wanting a black jersey so badly. The Lions had to add a black jersey, of course, even though black has never been one of their colors. Denver's dark jersey isn't black, but they tried to get as close as they could with that "Midnight Blue".
-
17 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:
As of today, the Bills have a bottom 3 WR room in the NFL. We have an ascending TE (with a good TE behind him) and a top 15 RB with no one behind him. Josh Allen has covered a lot of flaws on this team. What happens when every single guy is best within 10 yards of the LOS? They have no one that threatens down the field. They have no one that runs those deep out routes. The whole game right now will be played within 1 yards of the LOS. The goal is to find space. Diggs and Davis created space for themselves but also for everyone else. That’s gone.
Poyer and Hyde were still smart but largely done by last year. That’s why Hyde is yet to be signed (if he plays) and Poyer got $2M. The defense has choked in big moments in the playoffs for the same reason that it has been good in the regular season. They will give you those 7-10 yard plays and stop the big play. The elite offenses in the playoffs will just take that all day long. That’s why Travis Kelce kills the Bills. That’s a scheme issue, the reason it works depending on how you view it. That’s not changing because a few guys in their last few years aren’t here any longer.
I guess my point is that defensive depth is so much less important right now than offensive explosion. The Bills need to add, at minimum, 2 boundary WRs capable of combining for 200 targets. Based on all of the mock drafts we have seen, they can’t wait until 60 for the 1st. That’s not possible. You might be looking at Roman Wilson or Ricky Pearsall (who I like a lot) as your number 1. You need to go up for one of the big 3 or try to get 2 before 60 (unless you trade for Aiyuk/Higgins).
I won't argue that our receiver room is, right now, worse than it was last year. At the same time, I'll still argue that Diggs and Davis didn't provide a whole lot down the stretch, and we still did pretty good on offense. Sure, some of that is from defenses protecting against Diggs and Davis and allowing the others more freedom, but my opinion is that the magnitude of this is probably overblown. I'm excited to see what Samuel, Shakir, Kincaid, Knox, Cook, and any other new WRs will do with Allen and Brady behind them. Allen, after all, is the kind of generational player who can elevate those around him, and will always keep us in games.
We lack anything like that on defense. The three things that stand out for me with our defense going into next year are:
- Once Floyd faded, we were unable to generate any kind of pass rush at all. Right now, that should be a pretty good view of what it will look like next year. Without Floyd, there's no reason to believe we are improved in that area, unless you're in the minority of people who believe in Miller's return to form. Pass rush is a huge question mark next year.
- The loss of Poyer and (likely) Hyde means we lose the leadership and execution in the defensive backfield. Sure, they may have declined physically, but we're also losing their ability to recognize offenses, ensure the DBs are in the right call, and they all have the right assignments. Can our current starting safeties do that? Perhaps, but it's certainly reasonable to question whether they can do it as well as Poyer/Hyde and not lead to misalignments/missed assignments/blown coverages. The defensive backfield is another big question mark.
- Linebacker health. Bernard was a revelation last year, but we also saw that we are very dependent on at least one being healthy. Can they both make it through (most of) a season? There's a track record there that concerns me, especially when we have to go up against teams like KC and Baltimore with strong offenses in order to be a true Super Bowl contender.
Again, the original question was about being a Super Bowl contender. I think once you get to the playoffs, it's our defensive struggles that have and will dictate how far we go. Josh can do everything in his power to will us to victory, but it's the defense keeping us from the big game. I don't see the defense getting any better next year and, if anything, they could be a notch worse—unless Miller returns to form and one or two of these new additions surprises us.
-
2
-
No chance I could even see past the line of scrimmage.
-
7 hours ago, Kirby Jackson said:
I find this baffling. Help me understand. The Bills have plugged in a variety of guys over the McDermott era and have been more or less the same. They’ve played extended periods without Poyer, Milano, Tre, Von, Hyde, etc… The scheme has had them more or less the same defense regardless of who is out there. They play a conservative zone where they try to avoid big plays and keep the game close. Why do we think, with most of the same guys (minus Poyer, Floyd & Hyde plus Milano) that they will be significantly different? Sean McDermott’s defenses are always about the same. Explain why I should be scared? If the answer is “pass rush” they may need to generate more with the blitz but outside of Floyd (who disappeared late in the year) what’s changed?
The offense has to replace their number 1 and number 2 WRs from last year (not to mention their 4th & 5th). Those 2 guys account for like 250 targets. They added a special teamer and a gadget guy. Why are we comfortable that it’ll work with no boundary WRs on the roster except Shorter and Hollins? The Bills still need 200ish targets from guys not on the roster. It’ll be so easy to defend them right now with no outside threats. There is a Grand Canyon-sized chasm between the need for offense vs. the need for defense right now.
Help me understand how you’re comfortable with the offense but not the defense?Be scared? All I said is that the defense is a big question mark.
I'm more comfortable with the offense because we have Josh Allen and a cadre of very good skill players. We did fine the last half of the year with Diggs and Davis providing less than they had in any of their previous years. We've already proven we can win without Diggs, and without much contribution from Davis. I think Brady will find ways of making this offense more effective. I do think there will be some growing pains, but in the end: Josh.
As for the defense, I agree with you—McD has been good at plugging in a variety of guys at different positions without a huge drop-off, for the most part. But this year he is losing Poyer and (most likely) Hyde, who have given him a lot of flexibility. He's lost some folks from the DL, and we don't have a ton of depth at CB. I think overall the defense will do okay, but just how "okay" is a big question mark to me.
The question was if we would be Super Bowl contenders next year...frankly, in my opinion it has already been the defense that has kept us from getting to the Super Bowl. I see the defense being most likely a small notch worse this year.
-
1
-
-
I agree with OP that defense is the big question mark for me this year. Will we be able to generate a pass rush? Will the secondary make up for the losses? Will Milano stay healthy for a full season?
I expect we'll be okay on offense, but I can't see us going very far if the defense is a notch or two worse than last year.
-
1
-
-
12 minutes ago, Tuco said:
Not many is very true. Many more instances of just being a bust as opposed to rejuvenating an expected career after changing teams. But why no consideration for my choice of Ahmad Rashad posted earlier? Is it because I didn't elaborate as I was headed for bed? Of course his total numbers don't stack up against the modern-day guys. And he's not in the hall of fame. But it was a different era. Still, doesn't he fit the category? Two teams and a missed season his first 4 years. Then another team before being traded again and eventually going to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls?
Drafted #4 overall by St Louis - 59 total receptions in 27 starts over 2 years (14 game seasons).
Traded to Buffalo in 1974 - 36 receptions in 14 starts.
Missed 1975 with a knee injury.
Signed with Seattle in 1976 - traded to Minnesota right before regular season.
Vikings Ring Of Honor
Pro Bowl in 1978, 1979, 1980 and 1981.
Good one. And thanks for reminding me that the Bills didn’t draft Rashad, they only traded a great receiver away. -
1 hour ago, DrDawkinstein said:
So 4 pages in, I think it's safe to say... "Not many"
Our best examples have been 2nd rounders and a Supplemental Draft Pick (who had previously lit up the USFL with success).
Jerry Hughes still stands as the best example, imo.
That's my takeaway as well. I think some first rounders who failed to live up to expectations can resurrect their careers elsewhere, but their ceiling is probably more "very good player" than "difference maker/franchise player," as expected of many first-rounders. I don't think that team situation/system/coaching figures in as much as we'd like to think.
-
11 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:
it's a great article.
the most eye opening part is the claim that almost all teams are aware of this specific paper on maximizing draft strategy---they simply ignore it because every FO thinks they are smarter than every other FO.
The theory proves itself every year. These GMs/HCs/owners aren't very good at drafting players based on their own research---they simply won't/can't acknowledge this.
I agree, that was pretty interesting to read. I also thought it was interesting to read about all of the different individuals basically acting in their own best interest, rather than "for the good of the team."
-
1
-
-
8 hours ago, Special K said:
How about Marshawn Lynch??
Of course, his failures in Buffalo were more off the field....but I think that counts.
Good one. I think he's about as good as any so far.
Still, it's interesting how few and far between the examples are.
-
1
-
-
Just now, 947 said:
Robert Gallery.
Considered a generational OT prospect, rated a perfect 9.0 pre-draft. Was horrendous at LT & really bad as a RT. Still terrible 2 years later, was labeled as a monumental bust. Moved to OG & was solid, played another 6 years.
I remember all the pre-draft concern about his 32.25" arm length, well under the 34" usually wanted in a LT. They were right...
Not a bad choice, but I don't think a solid career as a G makes up for being a huge disappointment as a first round pick at T.
Just now, Joe Mama said:Len Dawson
Dude.
-
2 minutes ago, boyst said:
There are just some things we shouldn't mention on here. Geno Smith. Daron Lee. 43 is the Mike. Nathan Peterman.
--------
And I can easily win this thread with two players
Eli Manning
Phillip Rivers
Both never even got to play a game for the team that drafted them and went on to HOF careers after being traded.
Yeah, I don't think either really counts. Nice try though.
-
1
-
-
3 minutes ago, Beck Water said:
Do they have to have moved to another team before they succeeded?
The classic recent case is Alex Smith, #1 overall pick of the 2005 draft. At one point, he was on a list of "top 5 draft busts of all time". He's splitting starts with the like of Shaun Hill and Troy Smith.
Then Harbaugh takes over as HC, the team goes 13-3, and Smith is playing in the conference championship. But wait, there's a twist - he gets benched for Colin Kaepernick, rides out the SB loss on the pine, gets traded to KC and his quality QB play resumes.
Yeah, @Billy Claude mentioned Alex Smith earlier, but I didn't remember his story until you mentioned it. That's a really good one.
-
1 minute ago, akcash said:
Ryan Tannehill (I cheated)
Cheated how? Not a bad choice, though I don't know if I'd say he achieved the success expected of an 8th overall pick.
1 minute ago, billsfanmiamioh said:Ricky Williams?
Ew.
-
Just now, oldmanfan said:
Jim Plunkett.
Definitely a good one. But also, that's going back like what, 40 years ago?
Any others?
1 minute ago, Billy Claude said:Steve Young obviously.
Not a new team but a new coach, Alex Smith was a bust until Jim Harbaugh.
That's a good one, I think. That fits the argument since the Bucs were a hot mess back then.
Still seems like a rarity, though.
-
Just now, MiracleAtRich1393 said:
Leonard Floyd?
Was he really a failed first rounder?
-
Since we're almost upon the draft, I thought I'd bring up this annual topic:
First rounders are believed, by most, to have the best chance of success in the NFL, on average. But as we all know, the draft is largely a crapshoot, and first rounders fail to live up to expectations all the time (looking at you, Elam). Sometimes we chalk it up to poor player evaluation, or poor player adjustment to the NFL, among other things. In some cases, we also think the specific situation they're drafted into is the cause, whether it's poor coaching, poor team culture, lack of supporting cast, and so on.
If that latter point is the case it stands to reason those players could be successful in a different situation, on a different team.
I'm wondering how often we see that this is the case with 1st rounders. That is, how many first rounders fail on the teams that drafted them, only to be released or traded to another team to become as successful as originally projected when they were drafted? Is the specific drafting team situation really a thing that has been proven by those who have changed teams? Or is it mostly a convenient excuse?
What are some strong examples of first rounders who failed to live up to expectations on their drafting team, and then left to go to another team and achieved the success that eluded them? Does Jerry Hughes fit this? Are there others?
-
18 hours ago, QCity said:
First of all, that's a parody account.
Second, we know it's true, they are converting that area to Field Clubs with 15K PSLs.
I’m not sure I believe that account. I’ve had near-50 yard line seats (47 yd line) about 30 rows up Bills side with lots of seniority, and I won’t get the option to attend the Experience until the Fall. Until then they won’t tell me what’s available or how much it will be.-
1
-
-
For what it's worth, I got a call yesterday from my season ticket rep, who offered to answer any questions I have.
I have season tickets in the lower bowl, Bills side, about the 47-yard line, 31 rows up. Pretty great seats. Seniority going back to 1977.
He told me my invitation to the Experience would probably not come until the early Fall, but couldn't really predict it. I was hearing summer a little while back, but it sounds like it's being pushed back a bit. He said it could still be pushed back more, he just wasn't sure.
Wouldn't tell me anything about PSL pricing, just that I would have the opportunity to get seats "comparable" to what I currently have, which I highly doubt.
We'll see...
-
I feel like I've read this somewhere before...
-
1
-
1
-
-
7 minutes ago, Einstein said:
Twitter: Is Stefon Diggs the reason for Josh Allen's success?
Random person replies: Diggs is great, but he is not the only reason for Allen's success.
Diggs replies: You sure about that?
If that is the type of stuff he will say in public, I cant imagine how he acts behind closed doors. You dont throw your QB under the bus like that.Maybe he was questioning the part about Diggs being great?
-
7
-
-
5 hours ago, That's No Moon said:
So where are the Royals going to go? Nashville? San Antonio/Austin? Oakland just for giggles?
Salt Lake City is potentially an option; the Utah legislature just passed some bills aimed at luring a MLB team here. -
1 hour ago, GASabresIUFan said:
It does, thank you!
Lions continue to hand out big money extensions....RT Sewell(4yrs, $112 Million)
in The Stadium Wall
Posted
Dude is only 23??