Game week thread - Bills at Patriots*

[Sierra Foothills]

5 minutes ago, Kelly to Allen said:

I do think Bernard is a playmaking linebacker when he's obviously 100%. But Thompson is way better vs the run and holds his own in covg

 

As I said upthread, I'd be fine with Bernard playing on passing downs but he's being paid starter money.

 

3 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Shaq was considered a small tweener hybrid player early in his career and he still bigger than Bernard lol

 

Yes. If I recall correctly he was Carolina's big nickel.

 

[Buffalo716]

7 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

As I said upthread, I'd be fine with Bernard playing on passing downs but he's being paid starter money.

 

 

Yes. If I recall correctly he was Carolina's big nickel.

 

He was basically playing Taron Johnson's role early in his career 

 

He was a safety linebacker tweener... But could cover better than a linebacker and play the run better than a safety 

 

Sean has adapted but still taron role is built off physicality... he was always almost considered our third linebacker... A Blitzer off the edge in run support

 

He just changed it from a tweener safety linebacker hybrid to a tweener safety corner hybrid

 

 

 

Edited 15 hours ago by Buffalo716

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I wouldn't rule out that he's forgotten how to play.    He looks lost at times out there.   He's had a ton of concussions in his career but he usually(remarkably) cleared protocol and was back out there the next week.   It's not just the bad shoulders and aging wheels he has been the antithesis of the heady player he used to be.

 

He has never been the same guy since that shoulder at the start of last season. And that was coming off 2023 that was arguably his best ever year. 

 

I know they have used Hancock at safety this year given the holes there.... but my feeling when they drafted him was he was long term Taron insurance and I do wonder if when they turn up at OTAs in the spring he gets a shot to properly compete at nickel.

[No_Matter_What]

13 hours ago, Royale with Cheese said:

 

The filling inside the cushions are condoms.

Condoms? Diggs doesn't seem to know what that is...

Edited 9 hours ago by No_Matter_What

[balln]

45 minutes ago, No_Matter_What said:

Condoms? Diggs doesn't seem to know what that is...

Yea stuffed with baby printed ultrasound  pictures 

[PaattMaann]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He has never been the same guy since that shoulder at the start of last season. And that was coming off 2023 that was arguably his best ever year. 

 

I know they have used Hancock at safety this year given the holes there.... but my feeling when they drafted him was he was long term Taron insurance and I do wonder if when they turn up at OTAs in the spring he gets a shot to properly compete at nickel.

 

Or Darnell Savage in that role if they like what they see from him in the next couple of months. And if they like what they have gotten from Hancock at safety by then. 

[boyst]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

 

Regardless of Diggs' more recent play, there's zero doubt in my mind that he'll be at the top of his game and that McDaniels and Vrabel will want him to play a big role.

 

 

Yeah, numerous of the passes in the first half were unstoppable... perfect ball placement beating excellent coverage.

 

There were several passes that were literally 12 inches from being defensed.

 

I agree. Diggs is one of the best talents at WR in the last 25 years. I'll stand on that. His grit and willpower are what make it so. When he wants to play he will play. If you feed him the ball he will eat you alive. I fully expect the Patriots to feed him time and time again.

 

If I'm the Bills defensive mind I coach them to lay hits on him every single time he touches the ball. Knock the snot out of him. I want to see snot bubbles coming out of his nose. Put the women and kids to bed and let's go looking for dinner. I don't want him injured. I want him hurt. Joe Cain for Heisman!

[finn]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

 

There were several passes that were literally 12 inches from being defensed.

 

Cam Lewis has been abused for his poor play in that game, but he had at least one brilliant pass breakup. Hairston almost had one, too, getting his arm between Higgins' outstretched arms but not quite sweeping down in time to knock the ball away. There was one other similar play, forgot by who. It looked like the Burrow and Higgins were playing pitch and catch, but a closer look shows the secondary played quite well overall. Similarly, the pass rush played better than it seemed. Burrow gets the ball out so fast that you just can't get there in time. Better to get your hands up, as they started doing in the second half. That's a hell of a quarterback. I would take him second only to Allen. (And would take Stafford, Maye, Lamar, Prescott, and even Mayfield over this season's version of Mahomes, whose play is starting to match his demeanor.)

[finn]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He has never been the same guy since that shoulder at the start of last season. And that was coming off 2023 that was arguably his best ever year. 

 

I know they have used Hancock at safety this year given the holes there.... but my feeling when they drafted him was he was long term Taron insurance and I do wonder if when they turn up at OTAs in the spring he gets a shot to properly compete at nickel.

Who replaces Poyer at safety then? His expiration date is coming up fast. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

12 hours ago, NeverOutNick said:

I’ve seen a drop off a little bit, but I mostly see the bad play coming from everyone’s weird fetish this year, Cam Lewis. The guy consistently gets taken advantage of and for some reason this board loves him. I do think we need to address nickel cornerback, though in the draft somewhere. It’s not something that needs to be taken first couple rounds but definitely somewhere in the draft or free agency.

I am a big Cam guy, but only because basically for a 3rd string player, he actually will make some good plays. 
 

I have been clamoring for the last several years for the Bills to use a highish pick on Taron’s replacement. That Taron role is basically the most important role on the defense.

[finn]

17 minutes ago, boyst said:

I agree. Diggs is one of the best talents at WR in the last 25 years. I'll stand on that. His grit and willpower are what make it so. When he wants to play he will play. If you feed him the ball he will eat you alive. I fully expect the Patriots to feed him time and time again.

One of the best talents, I grant you. But he never was or will be a great player for the very reasons we agree are his strong suits: grit and willpower. Both disappear if he's not in the mood to play, much like Pickens. He made that spectacular catch in Minnesota, but too often he disappeared in the clutch for the Bills, most notably in the 13-second game and in 2023, when he literally dropped the ball. No Hall of Fame votes from me. I'll remember him as a shot of adrenaline to the team and a critical piece of Allen's development, but also as a peevish, choke diva.

 

I agree he'll show up on Sunday. He thrives on spite. 

[finn]

7 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I am a big Cam guy, but only because basically for a 3rd string player, he actually will make some good plays. 
 

I have been clamoring for the last several years for the Bills to use a highish pick on Taron’s replacement. That Taron role is basically the most important role on the defense.

Agree. You can get a lot more value picking for positions like nickel, safety, and running back in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds that you can looking for defensive line, which is Beane's fixation. Instead of a backup, which is all Solomon, Carter, and Jackson will ever be. Yes, you can hit on a Walker once in awhile, but you're playing the long shot instead of the more sure thing. 

[Slippery Rubber Mats]

13 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Also @Slippery Rubber Mats!

 

We don't want anyone getting Brohm'd.

 

 

 

 

You mean Kolb'd! Unless Brian Brohm also had a run-in with Big Rubber

[atlbillsfan1975]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

As I said upthread, I'd be fine with Bernard playing on passing downs but he's being paid starter money.

 

 

Yes. If I recall correctly he was Carolina's big nickel.

 

Hope they bring back Shaq and move Bernard to the Will LB(Milano’s spot). While drafting a more traditional MLB or at least someone over 230 in the middle rounds. 

[PromoTheRobot]

8 hours ago, Kelly to Allen said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not disparaging this but it's easier when no one blocks you. Just saying.

[boyst]

 

Bills draw John Hussey as the official

[WhiskyBreath]

Or, will it be another sleepwalk?  Like the last time around when they simply assumed that showing up would assure a win.

 

IMO, this should be all about pride, not just a possible #1 seed.  We need to make a statement now that we are relatively injury free (other than Oliver).

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

51 minutes ago, finn said:

Agree. You can get a lot more value picking for positions like nickel, safety, and running back in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds that you can looking for defensive line, which is Beane's fixation. Instead of a backup, which is all Solomon, Carter, and Jackson will ever be. Yes, you can hit on a Walker once in awhile, but you're playing the long shot instead of the more sure thing. 

agree completely.

[Gregg]

The 2nd Dolphins game was hard lesson learned that you can't just show up and expect to win. Barring a miracle that game cost the Bills the division and a shot at the #1 seed. While the Falcons game was another poop show it wasn't a divisional game. I don't know if the Bills win or not, but I can't see them sleepwalking for any of the games left as they fight to make the playoffs as well as seeding. If they no-show, the Pats game then that is a really bad look for McDermott.

Edited 7 hours ago by Gregg

[BuffaloBillyG]

2 minutes ago, WhiskyBreath said:

Or, will it be another sleepwalk?  Like the last time around when they simply assumed that showing up would assure a win.

 

IMO, this should be all about pride, not just a possible #1 seed.  We need to make a statement now that we are relatively injury free (other than Oliver).

We are missing way more than just Oliver. Palmer and Bosa are probably long shots to play. Hoecht playing that I didn't hear? Shakir probably plays but he isn't right injury wise right now. First practice is today. There will likely be a long list of others that are limited to DNP. 

1 minute ago, Gregg said:

The 2nd Dolphins game was hard lesson learned that you can't just show up and expect to win. Barring a miracle that game cost the Bills the division and a shot at the #1 seed. While the Falcons game was another poop show it wasn't divisional game. I don't know if the Bills win or not, but I can't see them sleepwalking for any of the games left as they fight to make the playoffs as well as seeding. If they no-show, the Pats game then that is a really bad look for McDermott.

I think it's a worse look for the players. These are grown ass men. Professionals in their field. If they need a little bald dude giving them a rah-rah speech to rev them up that's on the players. They know what's at stake.