finn

Someday, maybe, the Bills will have a deep threat who catches the ball more often than he drops it. On that day, I shall rejoice.

He's electric and fascinating to watch, but no way has he ever been close to MVP quality. I agree with those who see a strong bias against Allen, who is a far more effective runner than Mahomes and a far more effective passer than Lamar, but who is white and has made "expert" evaluations look stupid. The white bias (I think) is a mostly unconscious correction of years of bias against black players at QB. It was BS then and it's BS now. Allen is the most talented quarterback the league has ever seen, with the size and physicality of Cam Newton and the creativity and drive of, yes, Mahomes. Give him weapons, protection, and a bold coach, and he'll win for you every year.

Agreed. Allen is almost as effective a runner (he has a lot more size) and a far superior passer than Lamar. I'd put Stroud and Stafford ahead of Lamar, along with the usual suspects.

Not sure I agree with your premise, that the board inclines negative. Certainly people lament injuries and complain bitterly when the team loses, but I see (and use, I confess) the board as a much-needed space for catharsis at those times. For the most part, people here are upbeat, I find. What I don't like is the trashing of posters who post plausible views that don't paint a rosy picture of the Bills' prospects. For example, that a draft pick might be a bust, or another team might be better. Then the insults and personal attacks come out, and the thread is clogged with flame wars. But that's the board at its worse. I wouldn't make this site a every-day habit if it didn't offer a lot more than that.

No WRs for someone like Allen is like having a candy machine with no candy. Is any other team in the league having injury problems as we are (again)?

Agree except Eddy U to the practice squad instead of Spector, who's a reliable player.

Why do you think he lacks in physical blessings? He's a bit short, but he's no lightweight, and his RAS score is very good (like a 9.25 or something.) As someone pointed out, his 40 time is faster than Milano's.

Oh, and Bass will be bass-o-matic again with 4-5 game winners! 😃

Plenty to be worried about, which is saying something since August is usually the time for sunny optimism. My sense is that the line will be ok in pass protection (Allen has seen far worse) but will struggle with run blocking, throwing Brady's whole strategy into disarray. On defense, the middle of the field looks like a disaster. Mahomes and Burrow will feast against Williams, Rapp, and Hamlin. And the kicking game...oy vey. Yet the corners, including Taron and Hardy, look terrific, the D-line looks solid, and Bernard is a very nice player in the middle. I'm excited to see what Babich and Brady can do. And of course, we have a Hulk. The Bills will make the playoffs, Milano will return, the line will gel, Babich and McD will have figured out how to compensate for the weakness at safety, and all will be well in the garden.

Davidson seems like the real deal. Maybe keep five receivers (Shakir, Coleman, Samuels, Hollins, Shaver) and four tight ends.

Funny how these season-ending injuries happen only to the few All-Pros we have/had on the roster: White, Miller, and Milano. Let's hope Dorian Williams develops instincts fast. Or Deion Jones turns out to be capable because the middle of the field is looking mighty weak at the moment. Btw, Justin Simmons is evidently signing with the Falcons today.

I see the OP's point, but it implies that McD isn't going for it enough, and his being forced to because he has an incompetent kicker might be a good thing in some circumstances. But as he or someone else pointed out, the Bills are already top-five in going for it on fourth down. So gambling even more is likely not a good thing. Plus, you always want flexibility so you can respond to the circumstances. (E.g., Trubinsky is in there and falling flat.) Time to bring in another kicker. If Bass is so fragile that the competition causes him to spiral, better to know that now. But maybe he'll improve instead. Or maybe the new guy (or woman!) will be just be better. Even then, I can see McBean sticking with Bass, hoping he gets his swagger back.

He also has Hamler being waived and signed to the practice squad. Me, I would keep Hamler as KR and reserve WR over La'El Collins, who seems washed at tackle and JAG at guard. Put him on the practice squad instead of Hamler. As for Gilliam and Morris over Davidson, I get it, but I think it's a mistake. The offense needs more juice, even at the expense of special teams. Keep G or M, but sign Davidson to the 53 so Allen and Brady have a 6'7' target to work with. Pete Metzelaars with wheels.

Cook and Bass are both on the All-Pro "Hold My Breath" team. MVP is a runner-up. Fortunately, they have teammates who are among the most clutch in the league, including Allen, Kincaid, Shakir, and, to judge from training camp, Coleman.

Yeah, his MO is a boom or bust player. We got rid of one pass dropper in Gabe and still have one in Cook; we don't need another. I'd rather give the roster spot to Davidson and let Hamler stretch the field in addition to his KR duties.

Just won the job. The media will have the narrative all teed up by the time we play the Chiefs: We passed on Mahomes, Humphrey, and Legette, got jumped for McDuffie, didn't know enough to keep the Punt God, and had to be content to sign their castoff, MVS. Hopefully, that narrative will be dampened by a good year from Coleman and MVS, and a disappointing year from skinny Legette.

Agreed! Allen is as good or better in most categories. That's not homerism; it's objective fact. Plus, Allen doesn't sound like Kermit the Frog.

Exactly. I'll always remember him for dropping the most heroic throw of Allen's career to date, which is saying something. With an injured elbow in the face of a fierce Jets pass rush, Allen chucks it 60 yards in the air and puts it right into Davis' arms. His new team should have looked harder at that tape.

Optimism aside, I agree with your assessment. I favor bringing in Simmons on a one-year contract, if possible, and starting him alongside Edwards while Bishop develops. Hamlin and Rapp as backups.

Yes, but I read somewhere that he's been working hard in the offseason on the center position, which he played in college in part. I don't know much about snapping. Is it really that difficult a skill?

Things always look rosy in training camp, but I'm more optimistic than I've been since Diggs' first year. I never liked Gabe Davis as WR2 or Knox as TE1. This year's offense has both depth and balance. The receivers may not be elite, but Shakir, Coleman, and Samuels are all exciting players, and Kincaid may in fact be elite. There's more depth at WR, RB, TE, and across the line than we've seen in years, and Brady seems to know what he's doing. It's ironic that the talking heads are downplaying the Bills chances this year, with some discounting them entirely. At least in terms of the offense, this team might be the best in the Allen era.

Starting to get exciting. From Diggs and Allen carrying the offense to threats across the board.

Maybe, but I like seeing people poking fun at Mahomes. Already he's being anointed as He Who Can Do No Wrong, and that should be corrected before it's cemented like Brady's image was. Few things are as annoying as saints among us. (Plus, he really does sound like Kermit.)

I'm just enjoying a grumpy mood. I'm all for not forcing 60% of the offense it to one diva.

Allen at TE!