BillsVet

It is extremely concerning that this organization, with all the plaudits they receive, did not have a plan about what to do with Diggs coming out of their off-season review. They waffled on the issue, then Beane (as @Kirby Jackson noted) was seemingly reassured that their WR group would work. Only slight disagreement I have is that they signed Quintez Cephus and MVS both after they draft so they still had concerns. In that way I agree, they were looking for "lightning in a bottle" with additional bargain bin signings. WR is just not a priority for them in the off-season...and then perhaps 4 games in it is now? Makes me further their commitment to "complementary football."

Or, part of the problem is Bobby Slowik is an underperforming OC who isn't maximizing the resources he has to work with which has contributed to their slow offensive start. This is an issue that goes beyond just player stats.

Diggs is a twit, but it's still speculation why he wanted out and management made that deal. They certainly didn't have a replacement on the roster and weren't going to draft anyone. That situation was the combination of several factors, but no one knows for sure and OBD isn't telling. I subscribe to the idea that leadership should be expected to integrate personalities and not avoid them entirely. Otherwise, you end up with choir boys who lack talent and that last element is not available at WR right now. For all the talk about Shakir, he's still a slot receiver. Coleman, Hollins, MVS, and Samuel are as expected by this point. Going to be other options besides Adams at the deadline, but waiting has a price. And then there's keeping the QB happy and giving him the tools to win, particularly when the game doesn't go according to script. T

I still remember Beane attempting to trade for Antonio Brown in early 2020 who, thankfully, did not want to come here. At some point, the established culture has to be able to take in a veteran and get them to play their way. And if it can't, that's not a good indication all is well.

Warren Sharp today called McD the purgatory HC. He's just not going to get better in-game and adapt philosophically.

Coming home from Mass on Sundays about noon in the late 80s/early 90s I couldn't wait to turn on NFL Gameday...and then later at night Primetime because that's where you got the best pregame and highlights. ESPN was the source for everything pre-internet. And then there was Berman...it seemed like he was the only national media figure that was openly a Bills fan aside from Tim Russet. Miss those days.

Maybe you can invoke Pipp's name when Bishop has a few high level seasons in the NFL like a certain NYY HOF 1B did from the late 1920s to late 30s.

Only thing I can think of is that Samuel's still hampered by an injury (turf toe?). 17 snaps a game seems odd, but... Reminds me of the in-season trade for Nyheim Hines a few years ago. Always seemed like they wanted a pass catching RB, they get him and...he's used as an expensive kick returner. McBeane tend to over-value (Gabe Davis) or under-utilize offensive skill players all too often. There's a disconnect somewhere offensively across multiple OC's and the front office. It's as though the players are acquired without a good plan for maximizing their strengths. I've always wondered who in that room has a voice to represent the offense? Because I don't think rookie/young OC's are that person.

One would hope Pegula is asking the HC and GM why their 250M QB is this exposed to hits (EDIT: so often in situations the QB shouldn't be the first option). HC or his offensive staff aren't suited or willing schematically to stop relying on him though. Something has to give immediately. An offense that needs Josh to convert in short yardage, run it as often, and escape more pressure is asking for an injury...if he isn't hurt already.

He's on a diet and wasn't ready to eat tonight.

I don't answer your questions...because they're frankly pretty bad.

I don't have a "leader" and encourage you to interact with whomever you think that is by responding to them directly. No sense beating around the bush, right? Still amazes me that the defense of all things Bills hits many here so close to home. It's like the state religion that the peasants aren't allowed to question.

You referenced the Daniel Jones QB'd Giants with Nabers in a thread about the Bills cast at WR. "I watched the Giants/Cowboys game last night, and saw Jones force feed "true WR1" Nabers the ball 11 or 12 times for over 100 yards. The Giants still didn't score a TD and lost a game in which they held Dallas to 20 points." What's the inference? That having Daniel Jones paired with a young highly regarded WR is the wrong way to go? Well yeah...it's Daniel Jones. Buffalo doesn't have WR versatility. Some of you in this thread could run for office with such a command of sophistry, half-truths, and denials. It's actually quite hilarious in a way.

Lot of if's though. Not impossible, but need to see it when they're locked in a close game. As in, the guy who becomes their go-to receiver in obvious passing downs. Would like to think it's Kincaid because he's a former first round pick and is probably the most talented of the WR/TE.

Good offensive coordinators can sneak up on opponents. They can't scheme their way out of personnel deficiencies for an entire season. Joe Brady has put together some nice calls, buy he can't overcome having a bottom-quartile WR group. Especially not one that's less of a proven downfield threat.

I haven't played fantasy football in 10 years. It's boring to me. Point is, the way the WR/TE are being used is reflected in their YPC...which is about 11.5. For a TE, that's OK but for an outside WR that's dismal. They're throwing short and taking what the defense gives them. Great. Many in this thread expect that to remain the same...why exactly? Why would a DC just keep letting a successful offense keep right on doing what's worked against previous opponents? BTW, are you comparing Daniel Jones and the NY Giants to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills? Those 2 teams? Come on dude. Aside from maybe GB, there isn't a team in the NFL taking this approach on offense. And given that Buffalo hasn't been an offensive trend-setter after 2020, I doubt very much this will catch on. Teams still are looking for a 1 and 2, signing some to big contracts. What makes you think the opposite approach is going to be sustainable for an entire season?

Jim Brown didn't play QB. Also typical you with some hyperbolic nonsense about throwing it "50 yards down the field." No rational minded fan expects a QB to throw it like that all the time. Point is, they have a QB who can hit throws no other QB in the league can save Mahomes and surrounded him with WR's who don't complement that. Their passing game is designed to throw close to LOS and to Josh's credit he's hitting those throws. But some of you can't wrap your heads around if that's hindered how they would respond with that group of WRs needing to make catches downfield.

This is the problem throughout this thread as it's continued during the season. Some keep focusing on what's happened to predict what will/could. I've seen you somewhat yield that things like defenses do change...but then go back to referencing how good they've been. Others have anticipated and used their intelligence guided by experience to predict that what's working now will be hindered as the season unfolds. And therefore...they'll need something to respond. Typically, that's through winning 1 on 1 matchups. Go on believing that past performance reasonably is a barometer. Right now, the scheme is covering up a deficiency...the lack of better WR talent...and it will be brought out into the open. Average reception for WR's right now is about 11.5 yards. Same with TE's. That doesn't cut it and it's a reason why the Comp % is so high.

What I'll always remember about those years is the 2011 season. Buffalo was 5-2 and hosting the Jets having averaged over 30 points that year. Jets jammed their WR's at the LOS and set the blueprint on stopping Bills' offense...which was contingent on Fitz making short timed throws to a poor group of WRs. Bills went 1-8 the rest of the way and offense fell off a cliff. It's an absurd comparison because Buffalo then was limited at least by A) their weak-armed QB needing an offensive design like that and B) a poor WR group. Now, they have perhaps the best QB in the NFL surrounded by an ensemble cast of unproven or middling WRs and it's by design. In the first example, the offense had to hide their weaknesses. In the second, they've minimized their strength at QB.

Ironic that they've run this poll at the beginning of the season, unless of course it's only backward looking, i.e. 2023 and before. Because they finally had to take their medicine during the 2024 off-season after having poorly managed the cap for a few years, notably via some bad UFA decisions. And, it remains to be seen whether the ensemble cast thing at WR will work...that's very much TBD, yet a major factor in post-season success. That is, whether complementary football is a concept that wins or just raises the floor of success a little.

Gotta love this board. Latest narrative is now in place...that they had so much roster turnover in the off-season that this start is even more amazing. I can see that line getting used if there's a downturn. And then there's the old stand-by of injuries. From 2020-2022 they lost almost no significant starters beside Tre (later 2021), Hyde (2022) and Miller (later 2022). No one on offense of note was hurt last year, but you wouldn't know it because when a starter goes down you can set your clock to someone bemoaning injuries and citing it for poor play. As if one guy getting hurt (other than Josh) long-term is enough. In other words, if they play well it's incredible because of roster turnover and injuries. But if they don't, well, they had to deal with roster turnover and injuries. Tails I win. Heads you lose.

Made me think of this: "For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes, his children, robed in white stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning that all glory is fleeting." Patton (1970)

Offense is better schemed for the philosophy they developed this off-season post Diggs. Off the top of my head, there are plays the stand out, notably the Cook TD catch early against Miami. And they are attacking weaknesses...as in not throwing against Miami's corners and focusing on their safeties while running it on their front 7. Or, going against Jags' M2M looks and beating that. That's good stuff there. The Bills offense previously was focused on their top receiver, but they had little behind him. Those determining that style was wrong are premature though. Diggs got production for 4 season being the focal point without much receiving support. I wouldn't characterize the WR's as they "suck" either. They're just not downfield options, as evidenced by the 11.7 yards per catch. Now to find out whether this style is sustainable...and no one knows, but I expect safeties will eventually move up to play the run better and because their deep game (longest pass is 33 yards to Ty Johnson) is not there. Perhaps by design. I'm interested in how they respond as the season goes offensively, particularly if they don't get the big early lead like they did against Miami and Jacksonville.

I don't play fantasy football...so not sure what point you're trying to make. But let's talk about the numbers on the scoreboard and in the standings. These are the last 3 seasons' starts: 2021: 4-1 and +108 point differential / then 7-5 and +86 to finish 11-6 2022: 5-1 and +95 / then 8-2 and +74 to finish 13-3 2023: 3-1 and +84 / then 8-5 and +56 to finish 11-6 Absolutely hilarious you're claiming to take a wait and see approach, yet haranguing anyone and everyone who espouses a different viewpoint about what they did with the WR room. All anyone can take away right now is the the new-look ensemble offense has been good against 3 teams that are 2-4 against teams not the Bills and 2-7 overall.

Funny seeing people pound their chests 3 weeks into the season about the ensemble WR approach definitively being the right call. Especially because those WR's in 3 games have produced 30 catches for 350 yards (11.7 avg) 4 TDs, a long of 28 yards and only Shakir is over 50 yards per game receiving (56). Hardly the objective evidence that something is definitively working. Solid beat downs are great, but the personalities here ripping people's off-season opinions after 3 games....