Paup 1995MVP

Everyone talks about the size and athleticism of the players today versus previous eras. Who was better on defense than Reggie White Bruce LT and Ronnie Lott? No one. I would put Ray Lewis in there as well. And he kind of split between two eras. But one quality that is certainly not better in today’s game is the toughness of the players back then. Every game was a bludgeoning game of brutality! That is what made the game so mythical. Think of Kellen Winslow being carried off the field by teammates in what could have been the greatest game ever played between Miami and San Diego. Or Gene Upshaw wearing those casts on his arms, etc. Think of Darryl Talley period. It certainly is not like that anymore.

Kuechly was a great LB. One of the best of this millenium. But Davis no way was on Milano’s level. He had game but wasn’t nearly as physical as Milano. Ron Rivera has always been an overrated marginal coach. Better w Carolina. But his tenure w Washington was an embarrassment.

That’s a lazy opinion. Everyone can run at the skill positions in the NFL. Do you think Shakir is slow? Ask the Steelers what they think of his movement. Samuel is fast also. James Cook is fast. Hell Josh Allen is fast at QB. We let Poyer and Hyde go because they got older and slower. Our LB’s can all move. And don’t forget football is a physical game. You have to be tough in the trenches. That is how Beane has built the team. Good on both lines. Watch the way defenses play now. Teams keep their DB’s back to take away the deep ball. No one is overly successful throwing the deep ball now including Mahomes. It’s a lot of short and intermediate passing, and hope for good YAC. That’s why Kincaid will feast this year. And btw he can run also. THE Bills philosophy has been super solid the past 5 years. We need to stay healthier on defense this year. And peak as the season heads toward the playoffs. Getting rid of Diggs will be good for the offense. He became a cancer last season and sucked in the playoffs all 4 years. i am excited about the team with a lot of new players. As a fan going through the offseason and heading into a new season, all you want and hope for is a solid chance to win. Beane gives us that every year. How it goes once the season starts and plays out remains to be seen. But I love the organization and how we build a team every year.

Players are grown men. They need to take responsibility for their own behavior. Some guys get it. Some guys don't. Bills don't seem to want to deal with a bunch of immature dumbass players. And good for them. As for ripping on McDermott. He may not be Vince Lombardi. But he has done a hell of a job with this team over his tenure. 2nd most wins over the past 4-5 years in the NFL. And the job he did last year keeping the ship afloat after the Eagles loss was tremendous. 6 straight wins. And but for all the injuries on defense, we would have been playing in the Super Bowl. No doubt in my mind. Overall, we have fallen short in the playoffs. But the team plays hard every week. And is a contender every year. And will be this year as well.

That's an awesome story. Just picturing everything in my head gave me a big rush. I was just a toddler. But life in that era and through the 70's was so different then today's world. Very cool stuff. Speaking of Ben Davidson, I was partying on Rush Street in Chicago in the winter of 1987 after graduating college. Me and some buddies were drinking at a bar and we met big Ben Davidson. Took pictures with him while he was promoting his Miller Lite Schtick. Huge man. And very friendly. Great memories.

Why do we want another aging WR for two years who can catch an 8 yard out? We just got rid of one of those. We need young talent at this point.

That's an interesting perspective. We do not have a big time stud type of guy on the D Line right now. But are we really in desperate need of one? That's seem a bit over the top. Having a bunch of high motor good D Lineman will work just fine. And if any can play above that even better. I would be happy if AJ Rousseau Oliver Jones Von and the rest were "good" every week. Because they certainly have not been "good" every week.

Great reference point. Pat Williams had a very good NFL career with us and the Vikings. Real good guy too. I have never even seen Dewayne Carter play. (Duke football is not usually appointment TV) However, from I have heard he sounds like a solid pickup. Hopefully he plays at Ed Oliver's level as he grows into an NFL player. And if he can be better then Ed at some point (Ed has been good, but not great) even better.

Your user name is better than your thought process. Last years starters were mediocre at best. Diggs and Davis were nowhere near great or even very good. Sherfield and Harty were terrible last year-total non factors. The guys we have coming in will be much better than that. You don’t need a great WR group to have a very good team. Coleman Samuel Shakir and a bunch of guys who have potential and our hungry. Nothing wrong w that. And add Kincaid and our RB’s and we will be fine w #17 leading the way. Season hasn’t started yet. We can always add guys when we have more cap space opening up.

We own Miami. We are just a much tougher team across the board. They know it and we know it. McDaniel doesn’t look like an NFL coach or act like an NFL coach. I seriously think that plays a part.

And what was Diggs? A big pain in the ass in the locker room. It was tolerated until he became ass on the field too in the second half of this season. Now he is someone else's problem. Claypool has some ability. Its a good low cost signing. Maybe he will get it together finally, playing with a QB like Josh Allen.

Love your username. You must be a big Twins fan. I remember him as a real young kid. I agree about doing more to address the WR position. I was disappointed that we did not double dip on another potential big time WR in the first few rounds of the draft. But I think after June 1st with the money coming free from the Tre White contract, we can try and add someone decent at the position. I have always liked Tyler Boyd from Cincinnati. And I am sure there are several other guys who can help us out on the market still as well. But I am excited about Keon Coleman. He is going to be a big timer.

Good point Shaw. It will be interesting to see what he brings to the Texans, who have a good young QB (even though he is a Buckeye) and a pretty good ascending team. I look forward to us playing them this year. I am very excited about the Bills this upcoming season. A change of a lot of players will bring some new juice and feel to the team. Things get stale after a while. We did not win a championship with the previous group. So lets see what this new group can do. It will be interesting to see what the 2024 model of Stefan Diggs looks and plays like.

Thank you. And I like the Bill Polian and Sammy Watkins references..

Gunner I like most of what you post. But don’t sugar coat it. Diggs was pretty bad the second half of last season. He could not get open down the field. He was dropping passes and looked disinterested. I think he is pretty much done. A lot of guys have their day. But he isn’t balling out til he is 35 like a Larry Fitzgerald Jerry Rice or Tony Gonzalez. He was excellent for awhile, but not nearly in that pantheon. The Bills did great to dump him on Houston for a 2nd round pick.

What has he done in the pros? Seems like he has been Injured his entire career.

He certainly hasn’t been a star. But he plays hard and makes plays. How high his ceiling is at this point is the question. Let’s hope he takes his game to at least very good. We will have 2 years to find out.

Who has off from work on Presidents Day in this era other then maybe banks?

Very well said All Pro Bills. Could not agree more. Look at the coin toss for the 1st Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Packers. 3 or 4 people total on the field. LOL

Definitely. What's wrong with being a fighting team, as long as you have some scorers too? The Flyers in the mid 70's were that. And they ruled the NHL world. Fighting was big in the NHL up til maybe the late 2000's. I haven't followed the Sabres in quite some time. At least the last 10 years. Why is fighting not big anymore in the NHL game? And were the Sabres ***** again this past season? I used to be a huge fan. And loved when Lindy coached the team. Heck I remember when he played for the Sabres. He used to live in my subdivision (Ransom Oaks) in East Amherst back when he played for us. Him, Mike Ramsay and Mike Foligno (who lived right across from my house) in the early 80's. I feel like I am in Ground Hog day. LOL But very cool to have Lindy back. It like Lou Saban coming back to coach the Bills a second time.

What have Mitchell and Thomas done since the last college season ended that they are falling on draft boards? I have read a bunch that the Bills are interested in trading up for Thomas. No way do I mortgage the farm for any of the top 3 WR's. There are a lot of great WR's that are drafted after the first round. Personally I would rather trade back into the 2nd round and pick up another 2nd or 3rd and draft two good WR's on day 2. We have a great QB. He can make most WR's look pretty dam good. We have a lot of needs, and don't need to be the desperate team overpaying to move up for anyone who is not a QB. Beane does a good job. But he doesn't always have to be the outlier trading up for someone he loves like a Cody Ford, Devin Singletary or Kair Elam.

That makes sense about Wilson. We need guys on the outside. I am impressed with your permutations on draft trades. Getting all of Washington's picks looks real nice. I am not crazy about taking an OT unless we are not planning on extending Spencer Brown. (Hopefully he continues to improve) I hope we take 2 good WR's and D linemen with potential. Beane will likely make some moves. That is just his nature.

That's great the summary of Roman Gabriel. I remember his name but was still a little too young when he was a star. But the early to mid 70's was when I started becoming a football fan in grade school. I lived in Allentown, Pennsylvania. And moved to Buffalo New Years 1976. The 76 season was my first as a true Bills fan. But remember watching several Bills games in probably 74 and 75 from Rich Stadium on TV. The start of a passion that has lasted a lifetime. Love discussing players and teams from that era. Game just had a raw simple feel to it. The sport of Gladiators. Pete Rozelle made football something very special.

Billy Napier is in over his head as an SEC coach. The Gators have been lousy under him. He was a bad hire. Dan Mullen wasn’t fantastic. But he was a lot better then Napier.

Excellent post Ralonzo. If we can trade back and draft two solid receivers, I am all in. Will Legette from S Carolina be there in the 2nd round? And do you like Roman Wilson? I don’t follow all the individuals so much in college. More the teams because I love gambling on college ball, and watching the games. Except for my Maize and Blue. I know the players pretty well. Wilson is a gamer. Tough quick smart has real strong hands. Not a big guy though. And let’s not forget we have Josh Allen. And he can make some of these guys look real good. Davis and Diggs were certainly nothing special last year. And we were a missed FG and a whole bunch of injuries on the defense from playing in the SB anyways. And that’s pretty much because of #17.