BillsVet

Sports media has to become more team-friendly in the social media age because the teams they cover can cut off access real quick. At the least, it could mean important sources stop feeding you information. And when you work for the broadcast network, being critical could lead to you losing your job. The Buffalo News was forced to basically remove two critical personalities by the Pegula's because they dared question their ownership of the Bills and Sabres. It didn't matter that those two writers were more often than not correct in saying both franchises were mismanaged. I'm not the biggest Sal fan, but keep that in mind when you listen to him. Another overly dramatic take. You have the App, don't care for the hosts, but still listen?

NE's 3-0 record carries with it the reputation of a HC and QB who together have won 15 out of the last 16 AFCE titles and 3 of the previous 5 SB's. To limit this discussion to who NE or BUF have played in the first 3 weeks of the 2019 season is myopic and asinine.

You're not supposed to criticize the young people.

It's dramatic to claim fans want an All-Pro at every position, but having a few definitely helps when a team needs to exploit a match-up disadvantage. Still, while young at certain positions, this is a veteran team. I think some people see a young QB and conclude based on the rebuilding their roster is inexperienced. They're not. Buffalo is tied for 24th in terms of oldest roster: https://www.phillyvoice.com/ranking-nfl-teams-age-after-53-man-cutdowns-2019-edition/ There's a lot of football left, but this Sunday they have an opportunity to show how far they've come.

Have always wondered about the relationship between the league and media types who constantly herald the next big thing. The league has watched as Brees and Roethlisberger went down for multiple weeks, Luck retired, and Cam is not the same. Hyping big market QBs is something that is mutually beneficial for everyone involved, so this isn't surprising.

A team can only cover up a major personnel weakness for so long. In '11 it was an offense predicated on timed pass routes to minimize Fitz's weak arm. As soon as NYJ took those routes away, the Chan had nothing really left. Their 5-2 start evaporated into a 6-10 finish. This team is clearly better and the QB isn't physically limited. Agree that there are some troubling signs, mostly on offense where they've had some bad quarters in which they don't move the ball well.

Perhaps the wrong word to use was improving, but you're the one using the term "bust." Point remains that they traded up in the second round a few slots for him to be an OT and he hasn't shown the footwork to handle speed on the outside. That's the concerning part. You don't learn how to be faster out of your stance. It's either there or it isn't.

A few voices in the wilderness last year that Edmunds' play was troubling. They were met with a chorus that said he was young and instincts could more or less be learned from film study, game experience, et al. It's still early, but there are four players (Dawkins, Z. Jones, Edmunds, and Ford) Buffalo traded up for during the McBeane years who aren't improving.

This coming game is going to confirm or deny this and many other concepts. Because if Edmunds' instincts are truly not there, Belichick will expose that all day.

The throw to Sweeney in the EZ developed right in front of us. I was and still am amazed he could get that off, yet represented only one of many plays Allen made or came close to connecting on. There's no shortage of wow moments when Allen is on the field. That said, if pass protection doesn't improve he'll need to make those if the offense can produce TD drives.

NFCE? Reality is a dish best served cold. McD needs to show up in a way next week like he's never done against BB.

Josh needs to protect the football better. For as much as he gets credit for making some amazing plays with his arm, he's still trying to do much on his own. I also see Daboll and McD trying to protect their young semi-reckless QB from making more mistakes with fewer downfield throws, more passes to the sideline or short, et al. It's clear the coaching staff prefers at this juncture to rest on their defense and running game when they get a lead. Being safe is nice, but the training wheels need to start coming off a little more because they're not going to get an early lead on every team.

Have the 2019 Bills learned to do that? I saw a game today where players and coaching allowed an inferior opponent to come back into the game. Today's effort will beat teams like NYJ, NYG, and CIN. It won't against the class of the NFL. 3 games in and we're seeing some play-calling trends and bad mistakes. The offense looks shaky at far too many critical moments.

"This is not a must-win; World War II was a must-win." -Marv Levy I agree with Marv. And this game isn't a must-win either.

Homers of the world unite! Someone's questioning team decision making again! Here's another way to look at it. If you're the owner and seeing that another UFA the team gave money to can't stay healthy (Kroft) or is flat out not getting it done (Star) how would you approach the GM and HC? Think you'd wonder if their personnel acumen is an issue? You bet you would when the checks come out of your account. The Bills are going to have an issue when teams start shading coverage over the John Brown. They needed Kroft to step up and he can't go. Sweeney and Knox are nice stories, but combined they've got 4 catches for 54 yards in 2 games. This team desperately needs a TE who can stay somewhat healthy and isn't hurt in practice.

You know what would be even better? Not signing people with an established injury history with 1 decent season under their belts. Unless you're a massive homer, Buffalo's record with free agents has been either hit (Hyde, Poyer) or outright misses (Star, Vontae, McCarron, Kroft). Pro Personnel and offensive player evaluations have been average at best and it's something that has to improve if they're going to contend for a playoff spot.

Will be interesting to see valuations after the next round of TV contracts are finalized with various media. Teams are receiving north of 250M per season as their share of the current contracts.

Buffalo has traded up or into the 2nd round for 3 offensive players who are either struggling or incapable of playing their drafted position. Amid the 2-0 start, that has to be stated because offense is where this team struggles most. Jones, Dawkins, and now Ford are not strong contributors, but on draft day Buffalo traded up to take them. There's a serious problem at OBD in assessing offensive talent. They seem to do better on offense with their UFA signings.

When I start beating my chest about predictions, yeah, then it's time to quit. I don't see you doing any mea culpas when you're wrong though. Sad.

Not sure that they're all that intelligent, just an expression that sounds like they know what they're talking.

Dude, I already take you very lightly.

Are you going to brag about yourself in every thread? Who cares? You get one or two right and you've had a thousand wrong.

Isn't there like 3.5 of them?

The praise for and defense of Russ Brandon here bordered on the delusional. People talked about how he was able to achieve so much without results, which completely ignored the NFL's meteoric rise in popularity in the late 90s/early 200s.

The season is a marathon, not a 400m race and we're going to continue learning what the team is made of. Early returns show some positive signs, namely Allen's play and the in-game defensive adjustments they make (which is something few DC's ever did going back more than a decade). There are some nagging concerns, particularly the OT situation, depth at WR, and getting away from Gore as lead back.