#34fan Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) "Iron sharpening Iron"??? -Really? ***Updated news clip and article. Edited March 26, 2019 by #34fan Update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boca BIlls Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 RBs are a dime a dozen, all about the OLine in front. 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 That's a frequently used proverb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo Montoya Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) I think it's a wise strategy to not spend a lot of resources on a premier free agent RB like LeVeon Bell or using a high draft pick this season. It has been shown again and again that the learning curve moving from the college game to the NFL is easiest at the RB position. Kamara, Barkley, Kareem Hunt are recent examples. Build the rest of the offense that needs time to gel this season. O-lines need time to gel. The QB-WR-TE relationship needs time to develop. I believe that this year is going to be a fun year to be a Bills fan and I expect we'll make the playoffs, but I still don't think we are ready to make a Super Bowl run this year. I think after this season we will have a more experienced QB, a solid and cohesive O-line to protect him, and WRs and TEs that have learned how to catch Allen's bullets. Heading into the 2020 season the only thing we may be missing to have a truly explosive offense is a dynamic, world class running back. I think that 2020 is the year that we grab the best RB in the draft class. A RB who can catch the ball, pass protect, and hammer the rock. Drop him behind that great O-line, getting the ball from a QB who is a threat to run too, and who has a passing attack that is game enough to keep the defense honest and stop them from stacking the box, and you will see an offense every bit as explosive as Kelly, Thurman, and Andre Reed. Drafting that RB stud next season will be the last piece of the offensive puzzle. Edited March 26, 2019 by Inigo Montoya 11 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 That was a Doug Whaley phrase. His legacy lives on. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronin Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Just one more sign that maybe McD/McBeane don't understand offense very well. Shady's & Gore's past performances are irrelevant going into this season. I'd be highly concerned if I were him about relying on a 31-year old RB that saw a significant diminishment in play last season coupled with a 36-year old RB being used to spell him. I don't see that working out the way that McD apparently sees it working out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan in Cleveland Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Shady is fine. It was the oline. I just am in wait and see mode before saying they will be any better as a group than last year. On paper they should be. By how much I don't know 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Brown Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Marcus Murphy had a decent year last year when he got his chance to play. I'd rather have him than Ivory as the 3rd back if we don't draft anybody. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rc2catch Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Shady was the same back last year he’s always been, dance dance dance for a loss, eventually break a big one. Issue was the line play was so bad he never broke the big ones. He didn’t lose a step, or get old super fast, he was the same back he’s always been minus the homerun. He’ll be fine this year. He’s not a top 10 back anymore but he’s serviceable 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formerlyofCtown Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 25 minutes ago, TaskersGhost said: Just one more sign that maybe McD/McBeane don't understand offense very well. Shady's & Gore's past performances are irrelevant going into this season. I'd be highly concerned if I were him about relying on a 31-year old RB that saw a significant diminishment in play last season coupled with a 36-year old RB being used to spell him. I don't see that working out the way that McD apparently sees it working out. Has the draft already come and gone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmur66 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 McD can say whatever he wants but I fully expect that come training camp there will be a set of fresh young legs ready to challenge for the position. We will see if that "steel" has lost it's temper or not. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 I'm guessing they'll draft a RB 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 39 minutes ago, TaskersGhost said: Just one more sign that maybe McD/McBeane don't understand offense very well. Shady's & Gore's past performances are irrelevant going into this season. I'd be highly concerned if I were him about relying on a 31-year old RB that saw a significant diminishment in play last season coupled with a 36-year old RB being used to spell him. I don't see that working out the way that McD apparently sees it working out. That the holistic objective thing again? How is it the holistic objective thing is constantly negative? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) Frank Gore will make a lot of teams feel foolish before seasons end. Brandon Beane is not stupid. Could have signed any number of Running backs. But Frank Gore was one of the first signings of free agency, that should tell you something... Buffalo has 2 future hall of famers in the same backfield. I see nothing to complain about. . Edited March 26, 2019 by HOUSE 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan1988 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Inigo Montoya said: I think it's a wise strategy to not spend a lot of resources on a premier free agent RB like LeVeon Bell or using a high draft pick this season. It has been shown again and again that the learning curve moving from the college game to the NFL is easiest at the RB position. Kamara, Barkley, Kareem Hunt are recent examples. Build the rest of the offense that needs time to gel this season. O-lines need time to gel. The QB-WR-TE relationship needs time to develop. I believe that this year is going to be a fun year to be a Bills fan and I expect we'll make the playoffs, but I still don't think we are ready to make a Super Bowl run this year. I think after this season we will have a more experienced QB, a solid and cohesive O-line to protect him, and WRs and TEs that have learned how to catch Allen's bullets. Heading into the 2020 season the only thing we may be missing to have a truly explosive offense is a dynamic, world class running back. I think that 2020 is the year that we grab the best RB in the draft class. A RB who can catch the ball, pass protect, and hammer the rock. Drop him behind that great O-line, getting the ball from a QB who is a threat to run too, and who has a passing attack that is game enough to keep the defense honest and stop them from stacking the box, and you will see an offense every bit as explosive as Kelly, Thurman, and Andre Reed. Drafting that RB stud next season will be the last piece of the offensive puzzle. Yea we should target Rodney Anderson and Bryce Love in the 5th rd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 1 hour ago, oldmanfan said: That the holistic objective thing again? How is it the holistic objective thing is constantly negative? Some see the glass half full, some see it as half empty, and some just seem to always see it shattered all over the floor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Rc2catch said: Shady was the same back last year he’s always been, dance dance dance for a loss, eventually break a big one. Issue was the line play was so bad he never broke the big ones. He didn’t lose a step, or get old super fast, he was the same back he’s always been minus the homerun. He’ll be fine this year. He’s not a top 10 back anymore but he’s serviceable Shady only dances when there isn't a hole. He danced a lot lastnyear because there were no holes. Ivory's production was down for the same reason. Shady doesn't dance when he has any room to run. He hits the hole and goes. I agree he's the same back he has been. And that's why McD kept defending him at the end of the season when reporters asked if Shady was done. If the oline produces thisnyear, Shady will be fine and he will sign an extension. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan_34 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Doc Brown said: Marcus Murphy had a decent year last year when he got his chance to play. I'd rather have him than Ivory as the 3rd back if we don't draft anybody. Marcus Murphy doesnt break tackles, lacks vision and isnt a true NFL back. I see him being cut. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommonCents Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, billsfan1959 said: Some see the glass half full, some see it as half empty, and some just seem to always see it shattered all over the floor... I don’t think that’s true. What’s the benefit of depending on two old guys at RB? It’s a bad decision for a few reasons. First and most importantly is the chance they are both productive and healthy with the amount of mileage on those legs. Second, even if they can manage that, what happens next year? Does Beane and McD tempt fate again and then it finally bites them? I just think it’s always better to be a year early than a year late. The position needs to be addressed. If they draft a young guy and mix him in, then I’m on board. If they go into the season with Shady/Gore and a scrub RB then the backfield has a good chance of being this years Peterman. Not that Shady or Gore are a Peterman level of bad, just that it would be a head scratching decision from otherwise sound decision makers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 3 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said: I think that 2020 is the year that we grab the best RB in the draft class. 2020 will be the year of the wide receiver. There are going to be great ones coming out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Shaw66 said: Shady only dances when there isn't a hole. He danced a lot lastnyear because there were no holes. Ivory's production was down for the same reason. Shady doesn't dance when he has any room to run. He hits the hole and goes. I agree he's the same back he has been. And that's why McD kept defending him at the end of the season when reporters asked if Shady was done. If the oline produces this year, Shady will be fine and he will sign an extension. Not sure about that one Shaw. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) The only potential issue I see is you don’t play backs like Gore or McCoy in the pre-season. If, by chance, the rb’s they do play look good in the pre-season, and then Gore and McCoy look so-so or worse, how long before you pull the plug on two vets? Edited March 26, 2019 by Binghamton Beast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan1959 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, CommonCents said: I don’t think that’s true. What’s the benefit of depending on two old guys at RB? It’s a bad decision for a few reasons. First and most importantly is the chance they are both productive and healthy with the amount of mileage on those legs. Second, even if they can manage that, what happens next year? Does Beane and McD tempt fate again and then it finally bites them? I just think it’s always better to be a year early than a year late. The position needs to be addressed. If they draft a young guy and mix him in, then I’m on board. If they go into the season with Shady/Gore and a scrub RB then the backfield has a good chance of being this years Peterman. Not that Shady or Gore are a Peterman level of bad, just that it would be a head scratching decision from otherwise sound decision makers. I am fairly certain the Bills are not going to go into the season with McCoy and Gore as the only running backs on the roster. It is a little premature to comment on what Beane and McDermott are thinking about the position as a whole as free agency hasn't finished, the draft has yet to be held, and there will still be cuts from other teams. Regardless, the team can not address everything at once and finding the long term solution at running back is down the list of priorities at the moment. Build a decent o-line and the running game will be fine this year with those McCoy, Gore, and whatever other backs are on the team. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, HOUSE said: Not sure about that one Shaw. I think that if Shady runs well this year, he will want to keep playing for the Bills, because he likes the coach, the attitude, the quarterback and the chances to win a championship. I think the age thing is overblown. These guys stay in great shape, and they aren't asked to have 30 plus touches every week like in the old days. Barry Sanders retired at 31 and had a lot left in the tank. Marcus Allen started double digit games every season from age 33 to 36. Adrian Peterson. Frank Gore. Walter Payton rushed for 1300 yards at age 32. Do I think the Bills need young blood at running back? Sure. But I'm firmly in the running backs are a dime a dozen camp. Bell is great, but I wouldn't pay big bucks for him. Keep filling the spot with young talent from the draft and free agency, and eventually you will get lucky. When the right guy appears in the first round, take him. When a Philadelphia calls and offers you a HOF back for a skinny linebacker, do it. Frankly, when you don't have your QB, the best running back won't save you. When you do have your QB, the best running back is a luxury and not essential. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaw66 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 9 minutes ago, Binghamton Beast said: The only potential issue I see is you don’t play backs like Gore or McCoy in the pre-season. If, by chance, the rb’s they do play look good in the pre-season, and then Gore and McCoy look so-so or worse, how long before you pull the plug on two vets? Right. Bills will have at least a few RBs in camp and the old guys will be watching a lot. If a youngster emerges, he could quickly become the backup if one of old guys has lost it. Plus, the plan might turn out to be that Gore is the third down back. In that case, a shifty rookie might spell Shady. In that case it would look like running back by committee. Someone said he'd rather give up talent a year to early than a year too late. I generally agree. But ask Drew Brees about Darren Sproles. I think when you're talking HOF talent like Gore and Shady, or a guy like Sproles, in each case a guy who has shown he can do things practically no one else can do, that rule doesn't apply. You'd rather carry an over the hill an extra year than watch him put up 1000 yards for someone else. Imagine how the Dolphins will feel if Gore has 1000 rushing and receiving. Tomlinson had a decent year with the Jets. They kept him for the next season, when he ran out of gas. I don't fault them for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 4 hours ago, #34fan said: "Iron sharpening iron" ??? -Really? he said that last season and the season before, and he'll say it again next season 4 hours ago, LeGOATski said: That's a frequently used proverb almost as much as trust the process Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 3 hours ago, Doc Brown said: Marcus Murphy had a decent year last year when he got his chance to play. I'd rather have him than Ivory as the 3rd back if we don't draft anybody. Except Murphy cannot pass block. This was a liability last year. Maybe he can improve this facet of his game, otherwise his presence is limiting. I think we draft at least 1 RB in rounds 4 or later. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YodaMan79 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 A lot of Shady love here. He'll be three years removed from the player a bunch of you remember him to be at the start of the season. His YPC in 17 wasn't anything great. Was his production last year on the O-Line? Yes, partly. But not all of the blame goes on them, he's lost a step, too. I'm more confident in what Gore can bring vs McCoy at this stage. Last year he was better than McCoy has been the past two years. I see a younger 2nd-3rd round option taking McCoy's place and the Bills pushing his cap savings to next year. Gore will mentor him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloMatt Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Might as well throw 34 out there with 22. That would be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 I think Gore averaged over 4 yards a carry last year. And I think he's being brought in not only because he's still productive but because he can show some younger guys what being a professional is all about. I do think they will have a younger guy in place and that Ivory will be gone as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H2o Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 McCoy only had 161 carries last year. By far it was his lightest workload since his rookie year. When the line was opening lanes you could see the burst was still there. I expect him to have a solid bounce back this year totaling over 1,300 total yards with the OL improvements made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hindsight Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Frank Gore averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year. He was keeping Kenyon Drake on the bench. I'm not worried Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramza86 Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, TaskersGhost said: Just one more sign that maybe McD/McBeane don't understand offense very well. Shady's & Gore's past performances are irrelevant going into this season. I'd be highly concerned if I were him about relying on a 31-year old RB that saw a significant diminishment in play last season coupled with a 36-year old RB being used to spell him. I don't see that working out the way that McD apparently sees it working out. In that case we can drop their age in the equation. Ole Franky was very productive in Miami. He can still get ya 4 yards a carry and hes fantastic in blocking. Shady may have looked slower...but lets be real. Our line last year may have been one of the worst run blocking units in Bills History. Im willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. ANDDDDD......you think we arent going to bring in about 4 or 5 other guys in for camp? Edited March 26, 2019 by Ramza86 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 3 hours ago, HOUSE said: Frank Gore will make a lot of teams feel foolish before seasons end. Brandon Beane is not stupid. Could have signed any number of Running backs. But Frank Gore was one of the first signings of free agency, that should tell you something... Buffalo has 2 future hall of famers in the same backfield. I see nothing to complain about. . Especially if it’s 2013! 6 hours ago, #34fan said: "Iron sharpening iron" ??? -Really? With age, wear, pounding and exposure to the elements iron gets rusty and brittle... maybe it’s time to use a diamond analogy? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingOnYouboty Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Frank Gore is still really good. LeSean McCoy will bounce back I'm sure. Still would like to add a Day 3 RB to the fold. Let a young pup learn from these two seasoned vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProcessAccepted Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 4 hours ago, nucci said: I'm guessing they'll draft a RB I'm hoping that it's Bryce Love. We can give him the time he needs to heal with Shady and Gore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 1 hour ago, Bob in STL said: Except Murphy cannot pass block. This was a liability last year. Maybe he can improve this facet of his game, otherwise his presence is limiting. I think we draft at least 1 RB in rounds 4 or later. A big reason we adding Gore, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cotton Fitzsimmons Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 4 hours ago, Doc Brown said: Marcus Murphy had a decent year last year when he got his chance to play. I'd rather have him than Ivory as the 3rd back if we don't draft anybody. Doc Brown, my good friend... YE OLE felt that Ivory was pretty effective last year and definitely our best RB. This may be an unpopular opinion, but that’s just YE’s 2 cents. That said, the overriding sentiment that we can plug and play a decent RB from the draft in the near future is probably accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 5 hours ago, TaskersGhost said: Just one more sign that maybe McD/McBeane don't understand offense very well. I think it's reasonable to wait out this season before coming to that conclusion. The free agency activity this year doesn't support your hypothesis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAJBobby Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 6 hours ago, #34fan said: "Iron sharpening iron" ??? -Really? McDermott loves his coach cliches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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