finn

Maybe that's why he was ushered out. I always wondered how it would have gone if Beane had kept Hughes and not invested so much in Von Miller. I'm not criticizing the move, which was bold and exciting and might have paid off big time. Hughes wasn't Von, but he was a good player and continued to play well for his new team. Plus, maybe he was right to butt heads with McDermott, especially after the way that game ended.

Wow, this is not good, especially coming off a mini-bye--and a game after not playing well against Miami. In all four games, the defense made clutch plays, but in all four them they put themselves in a position of having to. That's living dangerously. I really thought the defense would handle either Miami OR the Saints, both weak teams, competently and decisively. Instead, they continue to play poorly, which makes me wonder what is going on. Winning helps tamp down the urgency, but the coaches have to be concerned, maybe even alarmed. As you say, it's not just the rookies who are struggling; it's the veterans, too. The problems are cropping up everywhere: poor communication, missed tackles, players out of position, undisciplined play. It's not all bad, not by a long shot. Walker, Strong, Bishop, and Sanders are improving in front of our eyes, and Bosa, Daquan, Oliver, and Benford have all played consistently well. It could just be a perfect storm of rookie mistakes and veteran off games, or maybe the defense as a whole just needs to gel, given all the new players (with more to come). I hope so. But I'm not all optimistic about the Pats game. This feels like a team in need of a wake-up call, and the Pats appear to be a team that is primed to be the alarm clock.

Agree. They play like wolverines, hustling to the ball, and they force turnovers at an impressive rate, so those are two traits to build on, along with selflessness. But the tackling is abysmal. Hard to be a "physical football team" when you're whiffing on tackles every game.

I hope it doesn't end up as one of those "too complicated" scenarios that players never master, relieved only by a new hire the following year who "just let's us play football." Not sure, but I think I'd prefer the Bills be the best against the rush and worst against the pass.

Yes, I should have put in a disclaimer saying that Landon might turn out to be a solid contributor (which I believe will happen, actually). It's far too early to judge him. I

You wrote, "Who said better options were available. It’s not like there were 1st and 2nd round talents that we passed upon." I didn't claim or imply there were top-notch talents in the third round. I merely said there were likely better prospects at non-premium positions. According to you, I'm wrong because a) no better options were available than Jackson at any position when he was picked; and b) if there were, it's meaningless to point that out. Heads you win, tails I lose.

I agree, but you said 2nd round, not third, when Beane took Landon Jackson. We're fine at WR and DB, but why not stack that position with a player that is likely to be very good than one at DE who is less likely to pan out? That's my point. So, yeah, first and second round at DL, but after that, draft for quality, not need, especially if the disparity between, say, a Landon Jackson and a Cam Skattebo is pronounced (if that was the case in Beane's mind).

I thought it would be obnoxious to cherry pick the third round to make my point, but since you ask, it would have been nice to have cornerback Jonas Salker, who knocked down and then intercepted passes from Allen on successive plays yesterday; he was available, as was Cam Skattebo. Also, I'm not saying there were 1st and 2nd round talents in the third round, just like I didn't say there were future Hall of Famers to be had there. What is up with the straw man fixation in this community? Do you have to put outrageous claims in the mouths of people you disagree with in order to respond to them?

This may be a naïve question, but why then draft a DE in the third round, when it seems you're much more likely to find a quality player at another position? That never made sense to me. Better a good prospect at a position where you're ok (like WR or RB, cough) than a weak prospect at DE.

Groot had a clutch goal-line tackle on third down, saving a touchdown. First time I've noticed him all season.

That's when Ty Johnson subbed in, got the ball and hesitated, then ran into a wall. Not what you want. He hasn't shown up this year yet this year, either as runner or a passer. That dropped TD pass against the Dolphins is etched on my brain, in part because, as Collinsworth said, you will not see a better-thrown football. It's still early, but so far RB depth has gone from team strength to nothing special, at best.

Slow for sure, but all the missed tackles worries me the most. The runners especially just bust through arm tackles left and right. Cook and Allen bailed the team out this week.

Why isn't he a head coach yet?

I don't think I and others were wrong criticizing Brown. He WAS awful, a real liability. But people were calling him to be benched, not cut. That might have been the best choice. He learned, but only by risking Allen's health.

Not a power back anymore, not particularly elusive or creative. Remind me of his strengths. I recall thinking he ran with a lot of heart and, yes, power. Are we sure that's gone? He hasn't had many carries this year.

Moore is a nice surprise. Another McKittrick, hopefully more clutch.

Oddly, despite his enormous size, his best plays key on his quickness and movement skills, especially his swim move. He doesn't seem to anchor well, and he gets pushed out of the play. More of a three-technique than a one-technique. If he learns to play with more leverage, maybe builds up his lower-body strength, he could be extraordinary. I'd like to see him and Groot inside with their arms up.

It's not even really a weakness, more like the only piece that's not extraordinary. One Jefferson, Chase, or Waddle and this would be a dream-team/All-Pro offense.

Didn't see this posted: https://x.com/benbbaldwin/status/1970850177662718211/photo/1

Plus, McDermott was so unhappy with how his defense played against the Dolphins, I can't see them being complacent against the Saints. I'm more concerned that an easy win will cause them to let their guard down the following week against the hungry Patriots, who played us hard in both games last year. One-score victories in both. I still haven't gotten over them beating the Bills two years ago in another October game.

LOL. I agree that the reinforcements on defense will help. At the very least, the prospect of them returning en masse will make Beane very reluctant to give up assets for help at CB and DL. Plus, it's too early for any kind of trade, since it's not clear yet that the team weaknesses will stay weaknesses. For example, Bishop might still develop, Hancock might be a revelation for all we know, and Strong is already showing promise. For the time being, if I'm McBeane, I'd be watching Ray Davis closely and keeping an eye on the practice squads around the league. I love Ty as a third-down back (or at least I did last year, when he wasn't dropping passes), but I'm with those who want a change of pace bruiser to keep Cook healthy and close out games, and the slimmed-down Davis is not appear to fit that bill anymore. RB is about the only position where you might find real talent on a practice squad, a player that can play now and make an impact.

They heal, yes, but very slowly, sometimes very slowly indeed. Two weeks minimum and up to several months. And that's with resting it; it won't heal otherwise. But a lot depends on where it is and how severe it is. Of course, he's getting the best treatment available, too. Source: my own experience. A bone bruise on the knee, which has sidelined me since May. Getting better, finally, but naturally I tried to play through the pain, which only got worse. I wonder if the Bills are considering putting Rousseau on IR so he can heal up. With a stretch of "easy" games, it might be wise.

It's a delicious dilemma, but years of Chiefs hatred asserts itself, and I want them to lose and lose very badly to the Ravens. Then we beat them and their playoff hopes are in question, heh. Plus, there's no question the Ravens will win their division; it's just a matter of staying ahead or even with them, which shouldn't be too hard given the two respective schedules.

Yeah, credit all around: Kromer, the players, Beane, Brady. It looks like we're seeing that a rare synergy of five players all in or just reaching their prime in a system they've had three years to learn from a first-rate coach--just when the team has the best quarterback and one of the best running backs it ever had. It's all coming together (he says, fighting the impulse to list concerns).

Micah's strengths weren't confined to the mental game. When he intercepted Mac Jones in the playoff game against New England, he covered 21.4 yards in 2.9 seconds.