Tough TC and PreSeason

[Sierra Foothills]

54 minutes ago, DapperCam said:

I’d say there was a clear winner at #2 QB and it was Trubisky.

 

I'd say there was a clear loser at #2 QB and it was White.

 

It seems to me that Trubisky "won" be default.

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

McDermott is going into his 9th year as a HC. He knows how to run a proper training camp and practice. I’m not concerned at all. 

[boyst]

2 hours ago, Augie said:

 

No one? I think a lot of people get it all too well, and they come here to get away from all that. I have no problem with anyone voicing that, but I was hoping the thread wouldn’t go that way. Football is entertainment to me. It’s a diversion from how hard life can be. 

 

I won’t freak out if we lose week #1 to the Ravens. They are a very good team, and a season is a lifetime. 

It's a quote from an interview with a wrestler

2 hours ago, chris heff said:

That’s obscure, nothing like a profound quote from a guy who pretends for a living.

It still takes a toll on the body, the mind, and spirit among other things...

[Augie]

4 minutes ago, boyst said:

It's a quote from an interview with a wrestler

It still takes a toll on the body, the mind, and spirit among other things...

My bad, I later learned that. It seemed….odd. 

[rusty shackleford]

1 hour ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

McDermott is going into his 9th year as a HC. He knows how to run a proper training camp and practice. I’m not concerned at all. 

I agree with that, I just hope he learned how to run a championship defense come playoffs in year 9. 

[DeepPass]

I have a feeling Spencer Brown's availability is a big question mark!

[Mikie2times]

2 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

McDermott is going into his 9th year as a HC. He knows how to run a proper training camp and practice. I’m not concerned at all. 

Tenure is not gurantee of competency. Not debating if he is or isn't, just stating that plenty of incompetent people are in roles they have held for decades. 

[julian]

[ganesh]

14 hours ago, Nihilarian said:

All true and very concerning.

 

However, the Buffalo offense still has a stout O-line, stout run game, with some very good tight ends. Coleman, Shavers could step up and be really good.  It also might show some rust on Josh, along with the timing being off for the first few games.  Besides, we haven't really seen the 1st string offense in any preseason game, so who knows how good that offense might be to start the season?

 

Buffalo Bills biggest worry is their own undefined defensive secondary and ability or not to stop the Raven's run game. King Henry! Besides, those Ravens will want revenge for knocking them out of the playoffs last season. 

 

Ravens @ 8:20 Sun in Buffalo, @ NY Jets 1 pm, and the Dolphins in Buffalo 8 pm Thursday are the first three. Not going to be an easy start for this season. 

 

I'm hoping for the best! Go Bills!

What I was trying to say (and probably did a bad job) was how have we improved from the AFCC to now....Are we in a better place to win (we already compete) against the chiefs in the most important game;  TC and Pre-Season did not provide any positive (except for the plays by the two defensive rookies and addition of Hoecht).   Is this WR better than last year to compete with Mahomes and Jackson.  Is this ragged DB good enough to defend against Mahomes and Jackson.   Does this DL have the chops to stop the run and get off the field on 3rd downs.  For me, the TC and PS did not provide that good feeling that we have indeed improved in these critical areas.

12 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

McDermott is going into his 9th year as a HC. He knows how to run a proper training camp and practice. I’m not concerned at all. 

Concern is - Did we get to see the improvement in the talent to win against the Chiefs and Ravens in the post season.  

[BobbyC81]

10 hours ago, Mikie2times said:

Tenure is not gurantee of competency. Not debating if he is or isn't, just stating that plenty of incompetent people are in roles they have held for decades. 

Unfortunately a lot of them “work” in the nation’s capital.

[finn]

52 minutes ago, ganesh said:

What I was trying to say (and probably did a bad job) was how have we improved from the AFCC to now....Are we in a better place to win (we already compete) against the chiefs in the most important game;  TC and Pre-Season did not provide any positive (except for the plays by the two defensive rookies and addition of Hoecht).   Is this WR better than last year to compete with Mahomes and Jackson.  Is this ragged DB good enough to defend against Mahomes and Jackson.   Does this DL have the chops to stop the run and get off the field on 3rd downs.  For me, the TC and PS did not provide that good feeling that we have indeed improved in these critical areas.

Concern is - Did we get to see the improvement in the talent to win against the Chiefs and Ravens in the post season.  

Well, you're doing a good job saying it now. You put your finger on the question that more sunny posters here are ignore: not whether the Bills do something, but whether it was enough to produce a better outcome in the playoffs than the past seven years. I share your concern, to the extent that my hopes for the season rest pretty much entirely on Allen and the offense. I think the defense may win a few games for the team via turnovers, as they did in the Baltimore game, where they were otherwise overmatched. But for the most part my hopes for a Super Bowl appearance/win rest entirely on Allen and the offense. Not a whimsical hope, I might add. 

[GunnerBill]

16 hours ago, ganesh said:

This has been a tough 5-6 weeks since the Bills went to St. John's Fisher in late July.   I am nervous and concerned about this team on what they accomplished in that period and if their goals were met...

 

* Samuel injured for most of this time.   Probably has not got the timing down with Allen.

*. Shakir down with injury and missed most of camp and pre-season 

*. No clear #4, #5 or #6 WR.  May be Shavers

*. Spencer was down most of the time in Rochester 

* SVP, Alec Anderson both missing serious time along with Tyron Gable...No Continuity on the backup squad

*. Bass not able to kick for over 4 weeks

* Losing Hairston and then White 

* No clear #2 Safety...Is it Bishop ? Who knows ?

* No clear thoughts on #2 QB. Both Tribusky and White have been underwhelming

* Real average to below average pre-season outings.

 

Makes me concerned if this team will get ready for SNF with Baltimore.   Eveyrthing falls once again on the shoulders of #17

 

 

Agree with all this except Trubisky. I think he has been fine. He is a middle of the road NFL backup Quarterback. He won that job pretty convincingly to my eye. 

 

But all the other concerns are concerns I share. I'll add return game too where neither Shenault or Coddrington has really separated for me. 

[oldmanfan]

My thoughts:

 

1.  Trubiski is the clear #2, and if Josh goes down we’ve got trouble like pretty much every other team with a great WB

2.  O line:  There is nothing from camp saying Brown has a lingering concern.  He didn’t play much in preseason like every other starter.  And we have good backups in Anderson, Grable, and maybe Lundt.

3.  If we’re worried about who our 4-6 WRs are that’s a good problem to have.  Shavers should clearly be on the roster; he is this year’s Hollins.  Shakir should be ready opening day, Coleman had a great camp, Kincaid and Knox are ready, and we have three RBs that are adept at pass catching.  Plus the reigning league MVP at QB.  Not worried about the pass game at all.

4.  Safety:  It will be Rapp and Bishop.  Rapp is solid and you have to put the young players like Bishop on the field.  We were all somewhat spoiled by how great Hyde and Poyer were together.

5.  CB:  if White is out for awhile I expect Beane to bring in another guy.  But I also think Ingram can provide decent play there.

6.  Returner:  I don’t expect either Shenault or Coddrington; they’ll have Davis or Johnson do that.  Shenault May have a shot.

7.  We added a ton of talent to the D line.  The two rookie DTs look like they are going to be a big help, and Bosa looks healthy.  Plus I think Babich is going to use more blitz packages.  We should get to the QB more and that will help the DBs.  And the increased talent at DT should help the run defense.

8.  Bass looks like he has recovered and has two weeks before the first game.  No problems there.

 

i don’t see any reason to project gloom.  We are a talented team and should have a great shot at the Lombardi.

[Yobogoya!]

17 hours ago, ganesh said:

*. Bass not able to kick for over 4 weeks

 

15 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

But all the other concerns are concerns I share. I'll add return game too where neither Shenault or Coddrington has really separated for me. 

Special Teams is a fair concern going into the year. Between these points as well as an untested punter, they seem primed to have another “whelming” season for that unit. 

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

17 hours ago, ganesh said:

This has been a tough 5-6 weeks since the Bills went to St. John's Fisher in late July.   I am nervous and concerned about this team on what they accomplished in that period and if their goals were met...

 

* Samuel injured for most of this time.   Probably has not got the timing down with Allen.

*. Shakir down with injury and missed most of camp and pre-season 

*. No clear #4, #5 or #6 WR.  May be Shavers

*. Spencer was down most of the time in Rochester 

* SVP, Alec Anderson both missing serious time along with Tyron Gable...No Continuity on the backup squad

*. Bass not able to kick for over 4 weeks

* Losing Hairston and then White 

* No clear #2 Safety...Is it Bishop ? Who knows ?

* No clear thoughts on #2 QB. Both Tribusky and White have been underwhelming

* Real average to below average pre-season outings.

 

Makes me concerned if this team will get ready for SNF with Baltimore.   Eveyrthing falls once again on the shoulders of #17

 

Seems like you’re in dire need of reciting the preseason pledge:  “THOU SHALT NOT OVER REACT TO THE PRESEASON”

[JimBob2232]

Well…I didn’t like when we won the offseason…so….

[Mister Defense]

20 hours ago, ganesh said:

This has been a tough 5-6 weeks since the Bills went to St. John's Fisher in late July.   I am nervous and concerned about this team on what they accomplished in that period and if their goals were met...

 

* Samuel injured for most of this time.   Probably has not got the timing down with Allen.

*. Shakir down with injury and missed most of camp and pre-season 

*. No clear #4, #5 or #6 WR.  May be Shavers

*. Spencer was down most of the time in Rochester 

* SVP, Alec Anderson both missing serious time along with Tyron Gable...No Continuity on the backup squad

*. Bass not able to kick for over 4 weeks

* Losing Hairston and then White 

* No clear #2 Safety...Is it Bishop ? Who knows ?

* No clear thoughts on #2 QB. Both Tribusky and White have been underwhelming

* Real average to below average pre-season outings.

 

Makes me concerned if this team will get ready for SNF with Baltimore.   Eveyrthing falls once again on the shoulders of #17

 

 

 

Wow, would  love to check out some or your previous posts now!! 

 

Nothing like seeing it all, and everything in the pre season, through the darkest of dark lenses. Always look at the Bills with excrement covered glasses?

 

Obviously some concerns, and especially in the secondary, but the Bills will likely be one of the best teams in the league--and that ridiculous comment, laughable cliche, that it is all on 17 now. The Bills will have one of the best rosters in the NFL, with a much improved defense, and maybe an historically good offense now.

 

With so many young 'uns on defense, it will take some weeks for them to hit their stride, but enough here for another great start.

 

Clean off your glasses! They are really distorting reality.

 

But we will see soon, for real, IF the sky is really falling.

 

Did you have similar high hopes at the end of last pre season?  I would guess; YES!  Would bet a lot on that!

 

 

[Nihilarian]

4 hours ago, ganesh said:

What I was trying to say (and probably did a bad job) was how have we improved from the AFCC to now....Are we in a better place to win (we already compete) against the chiefs in the most important game;  TC and Pre-Season did not provide any positive (except for the plays by the two defensive rookies and addition of Hoecht).   Is this WR better than last year to compete with Mahomes and Jackson.  Is this ragged DB good enough to defend against Mahomes and Jackson.   Does this DL have the chops to stop the run and get off the field on 3rd downs.  For me, the TC and PS did not provide that good feeling that we have indeed improved in these critical areas.

Concern is - Did we get to see the improvement in the talent to win against the Chiefs and Ravens in the post season.  

My only concern is for the first part of the season, and in fact, those first six games. The Ravens, who won the AFCC last season and were knocked out of the playoffs by the Bills, will want to win in the worst way.  The Bills play the NY Jets, Miami Dolphins, and the NE Patriots in those first six. Buffalo may find themselves at 3-3 before the bye week...hopefully not!

 

I have less concern about the KC Chiefs simply because their division will be so much more difficult to win out with the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders all improved.

 

This season, the Buffalo Bills MUST win home-field advantage throughout, and that Ravens game looms so very, very large to me as I see the biggest threat coming from the AFC Central. The road to the Super Bowl, along with having home-field will be the biggest priority next to winning the division.

 

My take is the Bills will be (barring major injuries, of course) much better off experience-wise with all the new and young talent on the roster near the end of the season. Timing between QB and receivers. Also, the defensive secondary and defensive line should be looking better.

 

The last thing I want to see is the Buffalo Bills traveling to Baltimore for the AFC Championship game.

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

Not panicking ….

 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

17 hours ago, rusty shackleford said:

I agree with that, I just hope he learned how to run a championship defense come playoffs in year 9. 

He has to learn to beat the Chiefs. That’s a fact. 
 

But McDermott defenses have actually been decent in the playoffs. Beating the Lamar Jackson led Ravens twice in the playoffs is no easy task. Held the Broncos to 7 points last year (holding any NFL offense to one TD is impressive.)