Paup 1995MVP

Agree about bringing in another boundary CB. Benford, Douglas (anyone know why he has not been at OTA's) and Elam as your top 3 is good, if Benford can stay healthy and Elam steps up his game several notches. But I would like another solid CB who can start when needed.

Setting the bar at Gabe Davis' overall production in his 4 years with the Bills is not very high. He had one great playoff game, a second very good playoff game against Indy and the rest of his regular seasons with us were very up and down. Never consistently good to very good. Claypool has a lot more athletic ability then Gabe Davis. Whether that translates onto the field as a very good WR for us remains to be seen. But I am encourage from what I am hearing.

The Oilers were amazing. Loved watching them. Used to think I was Gretzky playing street hockey growing up. Dreamed of playing for them. I still believe he is the best team athlete of all time. His numbers were just ridiculous. I talk to people who follow hockey closely today and say that Gretzky went up against a lot of stiffs back in the day compared to the skill of players today. That maybe true. But the game was so much more physical and rough back in the 80’s and 90’s. Lots of cross checking from behind into the boards. Slashes to the hands. Everyone looking to give a cheap shot when given the chance. And tons of fighters on every team. And Gretz still ran circles around and through opponents. Watching the Oilers rush the puck was a thing of beauty.

Detroit Red Wings from around 1990-2015 were tremendous. Made the playoffs 26 straight seasons. Pittsburgh Penguins early 90’s had as much offensive talent as any hockey team ever. They just didn’t do it as long as the Islanders Habs or Red Wings. Oakland A’s 1972-1974 won 3 straight World Series And were a wild and crazy bunch of guys. So fun to watch.

Good analysis Alpha. I appreciate that. I agree that we should not trade him before this season for a 4th. A 3rd and sending the other team Knox and a later 4th sounds solid. I think Knox is decent. Even good at times. Don't think he has very good hands though. Doesn't pluck the ball when its coming to him. And can not catch anything low. Ball always seems to hit the ground. He is a good blocker, and a tough player. And is pretty solid in the red zone. I wish he was a little more athletic and twitchy. But that is not who he is. But I think he will be a good complementary piece to Kincaid this season. And if he is willing to continue to redo his contract, Beane might keep him around a little longer. (And lets not forget Quinton Morris. He could be sneaky good this year, if we incorporate him more into the offense.)

Wow never heard such praise for McNabb. He was good. But not nearly at the level you are yapping about! Didn't he lose to Tampa like four years in a row in the playoffs? And I don't think TO thought very much of him. LOL I liked Donavan McNabb's game. But would take Phillip Rivers and Randall Cunningham both over him. Just my personal opinion having watched them all play a lot of football.

Interesting thoughts Alpha. What would you hope to get in return for a trade of Knox? Knox is a solid NFL player but certainly not a big time game changer at his position.

What are you thanking him for? Playing with a torn ACL at Miami in the heat bowl two years ago I assume.

Good call CB on Willie Roaf. He was real good for the Saints. Played a long time ago. 1993-2005. I always remember him having a huge upper body, and his legs looked real skinny like he would topple. lol But he was a stud.

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.