Paup 1995MVP

One of the best w Anthony Munoz and maybe John Hannah Dwight Stephenson and Mike Webster, at least in the modern era. That is too bad. The guy was like one of those houses being towed on the highway that say wide load. RIP. Anyone know cause of death?

You really think Hamlin has a place on any NFL team? His skill set is terrible. He doesn’t move tackle or defend the pass well. And isn’t big or fast. It’s nice that he is still alive and he seems like a good guy. But not so much an NFL football player. We can use another solid top 8 DB in the weekly mix.

Disagree. Lewis and Hardy. They both need to show something real solid to make the team. Maybe they will. But neither is a sure thing. Same w Elam. We have the extra cap space we should use it on another veteran DB and/or DL. The more good players we have the better.

Interesting thought about Diggs not going to the Hall of Fame. The WR position is interesting in today’s game compared w that of even 10 15 20 years ago. A lot of catches today doesn’t mean nearly as much as what it used to be. How many catches would the WR’s on Air Coryell or the Greatest Show on Turf have today? What about Andre Reed or Eric Moulds? What about Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell? The game doesn’t allow for nearly the physicality that it had in yesteryear. Just a different game catching when the safety can’t come running across the field and try and knock you out as the ball is landing in your hands. And the QB has to worry about being concussed on every drop back. Peter King said he voted for guys to get in the HOF who changed the game. Not many do that today. Mahomes. Kelce. Josh Allen. Maybe Justin Jefferson at some point. Gronk. Brady Brees Maybe Justin Tucker. I wouldn’t put Lamar there. Because Mike Vick did it all first. And I would argue was at least as good and probably more exciting. Aaron Rodgers. Big Ben. Maybe Derrick Henry. Maybe Matt Stafford. Aaron Donald. The punter from the Raiders and Texans who was drafted the same year as Janakowski. (His name escapes me at the moment) Was tremendous. Charles Woodson. (Not many defenders from the modern game) Urlacher. Always fun to argue about and discuss that. I have always thought that Kent Hull should have gotten in the Hall. But maybe I am. biased. Great career. And a great guy. There are a lot of great athletes today. But not many that transcend different eras of the game anymore.

No GM is perfect in dolling out contracts. The Bills seemed mesmerized by Diggs the first 2 years. And paid him a big extension. That did not turn out the way they expected it to. The extensions being given out to WR's in today's game seem very high. (AJ Brown, Devante Smith, Nico Collins, etc) Guys have a good year, and they get paid huge money. To me its still a team game. The Eagles had their shot, and went in the toilet after the Bills game last year. So they pay their two WR's huge money who are both OK? Their defense was trash, and will likely still be. Overall I think Beane has a great feel on what it takes to build a roster in today's NFL. And getting back the 2nd from the Texans was big. It will be interesting to see how both the Bills and Texans look this year. If we can stay reasonably healthy, we will be strongly in the mix come January. As for comp picks, I know football and I know numbers, but how that all works is beyond my pay grade.

Interesting post. (One of the things I like about this message board is the different perspectives of all the diehard Bills and Football fans in general on here that I get to read.) I will agree that Harty's big punt return for a TD at Miami on the final night of the regular season was a huge play. Maybe you are right about Daboll being more creative with using Harty then Dorsey and Brady were. I think Sherfield was totally forgettable. (He made one play all season) Character is great. (I like the people that work for me to have it.) But you still need to be good at whatever you do in addition to having character. Character plus ability is what really counts. But what I like that you said the most is that you are excited as hell for this season. I am too! With a lot of new faces, and a lot of big time games on the schedule, this is going to be a real fun year.

Force his way out? His play the second half of last season forced his way out. He was putrid. I think the Bills were certainly not envisioning his game to fall off a cliff the second half of last season. I think we saw a decline in skills. A decline in intensity and effort. And a player looking beat up and old. That's a tough combo to overcome. He maybe somewhat better this year, until his mood changes for the worse again. But I think the All Pro Diggs is a thing of the past. As for Beane, I think getting a 2nd round pick for #14 was a thing of genius.

Good points. I have always liked Elam's game more then some. (I was also a big Leodis McKelvin fan more then a lot of people too) But we all have our preferences in everything in life. So CB's are no different. I think the kid has some talent. He hasn't been great. But not horrible either. He had a big pick against the Steelers in the Wild Card game. I think playing CB is a whole lot about confidence. All these guys are pretty athletic, otherwise they are not getting drafted high in the NFL. Some have a little more then others. Does Elam have the talent to be special like a Tre White pre injury, probably not? But I think he can turn into a solid starter at the NFL level. Just needs to believe in himself, and stay healthy.

Interesting comparison to Spencer Brown. I think he has been pretty good at best so far. If he can stay healthy this year, and have a very good season we will pay him. If he falls back to mediocrity we can let him walk.

Agree with you that the women should have told him to F off. And no way they should get money for what happened. But McManus sounds like a big time cheesemeister who is likely done in the NFL if what happened is true.

Time to change the mindset Stampede. Its a whole different type of receiving group this year. Last year Sherfield and Harty were really not NFL caliber receivers in the slightest. We had Diggs and Davis who both disappeared for large portions of the season. Shakir was our guy the last month of the reg season and playoffs. This year we have a lot of guys who could end up being good. At worst they are high floor guys. Whereas Sherfield and Harty were below the foundation type of guys. These guys may not be dominant. But I think collectively they will be pretty darn good with #17 winging it to them over the field. And that includes Mack Hollins having his moments. And don't forget we have Kincaid too. Who should be a beast with a year under his belt. As for not believing in birds. That's bizarre. I don't particularly like birds. (we used to shoot pigeon's in college off of the neighbors' roof with a beebe gun-do young people even play with beebe guns anymore? They were a staple in our lives growing up in the 70's and 80's) But I do think they are real. LOL

Interesting take. I think QB's coming out of college are way over hyped to begin with. The defense played by most teams in college is not very good. No team (including Alabama) has studs at every position on a starting college defense. And once you get starters injured it can become a free for all on the field, with teams marching up and down the field. (Watch the Arizona-Oklahoma bowl game from last season for context. Just a ridiculous second half comeback by Arizona with so many big plays. That stuff does not usually happen against an NFL defense.) Caleb Williams played in the PAC 12. Not a lot of good defense is played there. Same for Michael Penix and Bo Nix. Not saying they won't be good pros, but the NFL is not the PAC 12. Penix is slightly built and was bludgeoned pretty badly by a very dominant Michigan defense. Nix is not a big guy either. There is always a period of adjustment going from college to the pros. I think Williams supposed cockiness won't play well in the pros. But its really all about how you play the game. The rest of it doesn't matter if you are real good. Russell Wilson's prima donna all about me stuff was fine until he wasn't great any longer. Now he is old news. As for Richardson, he better learn how to take care of himself on the field, otherwise his career will be a brief moment in time. And Levis who really knows. Getting rid of caveman Vrabel certainly should help his progress.

Good point about Tua not making plays off script. He likes to drop back, do some play action and throw from the pocket in rhythm. The left handed version of Jared Goff who loves throwing off of play action too. I have always liked Jared Goff better. Although he is somewhat of a statue. Personal preference I guess.

Lets hope there is a spot for Claypool. The guy was a big timer at ND. Was a second round pick and has ability. If he plays hard and has a good attitude, I see no reason he isn't part of the WR group this year. Shakir, Coleman, Samuel, MVS, Claypool and Hollins could be a real nice group for us.

To be fair, Travis had a lot better production then a 5th round pick. And was a better passer of the football then Anthony Richardson in college. The problem was his leg was snapped like a toothpick late last season. But I am real excited about Coleman regardless who was throwing him the football in college.

Tua doesn' suck. But he is a small man, and seems kind of fragile. Herbert and Burrow are much bigger, and can likely take a lot more pounding. Yes Burrow had his wrist smashed this past season. But I just can't see Tua staying healthy through the grind of the NFL season year after year. But its not my money.

Two other hotels to consider are in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Riverside and the Hyatt Centrix. if you want a great Italian meal at an Italian Steakhouse try Runway 84 in Fort Lauderdale not too far from the airport. Has that Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack feel w live music. Expensive but a great meal and great experience.

The stadium is real nice to watch a game at. And there are always a lot of Bills fans at every game in Miami. The stadium is about halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. I live in Fort Lauderdale and it’s a great place to live and stay in. If you have some coin to spend, stay down by the beach at the W Or the Conrad. Both real nice hotels across the street from the beach on A 1 A. Lots of bars and restaurants down there and on Las Olas Blvd which runs from the beach to downtown Fort Lauderdale where I live. (2-2 1/2 miles away from the beach) Weather will likely be hot muggy and sunny in September like it usually is. And the ocean is awesome too. It’s a fun vacation topped off w a big Bills victory. Check out the Elbo room if you like drunk rowdiness across from the beach. Fun for all ages. Lol

That was an awesome post. Charlie Jones Dick Enberg Jim Simpson Curt Gowdy Don Criqui. Merlin Olson Elde Rogatis (sp) Bob Trumpy. Summerall Brookshier. Great memories listening to their voices watching the greatest game ever invented!

Diggs let us down big time in the Chiefs game. And the defense was shot due to injuries. And as a result we could not stop the big play. A lot of you act like this team was ready for the scrap heap because we lost by 3 pts to the eventual Super Bowl champions w a decimated defense. And a kicker who had no confidence left. We have gotten rid of ra lot of dead weight in the off-season. (And that includes Diggs and Davis) And I for one am very excited about what this rebuilt roster will look and feel like. We have a top notch organization and an amazing QB. And will be a contender again this year.

We signed Toohill and the guy from the Jags. And then we drafted Solomon. Between all these guys, someone should step up. And we should blitz a lot w Milano and Bernard and some from the safeties. Pass rush will be decent if not dominant. A solid boundary corner would not hurt. And another guy at TE who has more athleticism than Knox would be nice also.

What great season? They choked big time against Tennessee on Monday night which opened the door for us. And then we slammed the door on the final Sunday night of the season. Tua led the Fish to all of 14 pts against us at home. And threw a nice pick late. And then he was frozen out in KC. He had a good season. But comes up small against good teams. I think it would be funny if the Fish were like this is our best deal, take it or leave it. Its a team game. Their roster is always too top heavy. And their O line has been pretty bad at times. Beane isn't playing that game anymore. Got rid of Diggs. Made Von take a pay cut. Defense is all on reasonable deals. Only #17 should break the bank. And he will always take a team friendly deal, because he is about winning first and foremost.

Detroit is a great place. People are awesome. You all should check it out sometime. No party like a Detroit party!!

I love Shakir’s game. The TD against the Steelers was a top 5 play in the NFL last year. He has good hands, is somewhat twitchy and seems to know how to get open. He will play a big role with the offense this season. And so should Kincaid. (Hopefully more downfield catches with an opportunity of YAC ). It will be interesting to see how the offense develops this year w/o Diggs and Davis. I don’t think you need a big time #1 WR to be successful. There are really only a handful of those guys in the league anyways. The way the Packers play their WR’s works fine. I feel like when the dust settles through training camp, the offense will be ready to go. With #17 leading the offense we should always be a handful for our opponents.

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.