Observations about where we think the Bills are

[Shaw66]

I find it interesting that there is so little actual football conversation going on this forum at this time of the year. There was less chatter than usual about training camp, and it was dead here between OTAs and training camp. 

 

For me, and I think for many of us posting here, I know pretty much what the roster is going to look like and there's not much more to be said about. I know that this should be a good team, competitive at the highest levels. Sure, I can imagine scenarios where things come apart, but any of that is just speculation. 

 

I'm just waiting, hoping for no injuries. Maybe one more interesting free agent signing. All the things that I really want to know about the team - how good will the defense be?, how much difference will Moore make?, will Josh take even one more step toward true greatness?, does Brady have what it takes to be a winning head coach? - are things that I can't begin to learn until the regular season gets under way.

 

Until then, I'm just waiting. 

Edited August 10 by Shaw66

[mushypeaches]

Definitely agree - and to me, it seems like it's a by-product of a couple of things:

 

New stadium - obviously much more of an upfront talking point on a lot of fronts

 

Team has been "very good" for a number of years now.  It's the new normal/baseline for fans.  All signs point to being "very good" again this year, despite the coaching and personnel changes.  So there's not so much these days that moves the needle for us in training camp.  We're not on pins and needles hoping one of the QB's is any good, or what our 1st round CB-RB-DT looks like.  We're really only interested in what they start to show in the regular season and if we can be in position to be "great" in the playoffs.

 

[Psautcsk]

I am just waiting for the Vita Vea signing.

[T.E.]

It's been the same song and dance for years now. We have the best QB in football, the defense is a question mark, as is the coaching staff. At the end of the day, you can only rehash the same talking points so much.

 

There's not a whole lot to discuss until we see how they fare in the real games. Week One will tell us a lot.

[buffaloboyinATL]

Just now, Psautcsk said:

I am just waiting for the Vita Vea signing.

Would you settle for Phidarian Mathis in a grass skirt?

[BuffaloBillyG]

4 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I find it interesting that there is so little actual football conversation going on this forum at this time of the year. There was less chatter than usual about training camp, and it was dead here between OTAs and training camp. 

 

For me, and I think for many of us posting here, I know pretty much what the roster is going to look like and there's not much more to be said about. I know that this should be a good team, competitive at the highest levels. Sure, I can imagine scenarios where things come apart, but any of that is just speculation. 

 

I'm just waiting, hoping for no injuries. Maybe one more interesting free agent signing. All the things that I really want to know about the team - how good will the defense be?, how much difference will Moore make?, will Josh take even one more step toward true greatness?, does Brady have what it takes to be a winning head coach? - are things that I can't begin to learn until the regular season gets under way.

 

Until the, I'm just waiting. 

I think the same question you ask about Brady extends to Jim Leonard. I think we pretty much know what we will see on offense led by Brady and Allen. The Carmichael addition is where we may see some wrinkles. But Leonard has never been a DC at the NFL level. I'm sure the HC and DC will have some growing pains this year. But I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that they can learn quickly, thanks in part to that killer schedule to open the season. If Brady can adjust and the defense is more consistent on third downs, this could be a special season. 

 

The roster seems pretty much the same as it ever was. A few core players like Cook and Benford. A few splash additions in Moore and Chubb. And a few guys that need to prove something like Coleman and Palmer. As you mention, injuries will tell the story of the season. 

1 minute ago, T.E. said:

It's been the same song and dance for years now. We have the best QB in football, the defense is a question mark, as is the coaching staff. At the end of the day, you can only rehash the same talking points so much.

 

There's not a whole lot to discuss until we see how they fare in the real games. Week One will tell us a lot.

Except, it really won't. Week 1 has a reputation as being a bit screwy. And I expect the defense to start slow. Let's see where we are weeks 4-6.

Just now, buffaloboyinATL said:

Would you settle for Phidarian Mathis in a grass skirt?

Oddly enough, I would. But maybe that's just me. 

[Don Otreply]

6 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I find it interesting that there is so little actual football conversation going on this forum at this time of the year. There was less chatter than usual about training camp, and it was dead here between OTAs and training camp. 

 

For me, and I think for many of us posting here, I know pretty much what the roster is going to look like and there's not much more to be said about. I know that this should be a good team, competitive at the highest levels. Sure, I can imagine scenarios where things come apart, but any of that is just speculation. 

 

I'm just waiting, hoping for no injuries. Maybe one more interesting free agent signing. All the things that I really want to know about the team - how good will the defense be?, how much difference will Moore make?, will Josh take even one more step toward true greatness?, does Brady have what it takes to be a winning head coach? - are things that I can't begin to learn until the regular season gets under way.

 

Until the, I'm just waiting. 

Much the same as my thoughts,

 

I expect the offense to be a bit more dynamic in the pass game, with more creative play calling, Carmichael was such a good choice to help out with the offense,

 

I have what most would say are unrealistic hopes for the defense, I think that side of the ball is going to be shockingly good noticeably earlier in the Season than most here think,  

 

and fingers crossed 🤞 for no injuries!!

[thenorthremembers]

The team has been good for years and there are not a lot of prominent camp battles going on.  Secondly, the access to the team is starting to become more limited.   Less fans allowed at TC, less open practices.   For the most part you are given what the team allows you to have.     I think WGR being less and less Bills focused also plays a part in it.   I tuned in this morning and they were talking about Hockey. 

[MikePJ76]

Im tired of all the whining and complaining.  I am excited to see the defense and the group of new and young players we have. 

 

I can't wait to see the KEO Speedwagon taking on the run saturday....I am going to put this on my jean jacket sleeve and watch him play.

 

[MJS]

Bad teams' fans obsess about the draft and the offseason. Good teams' fans obsess about the actual football games. It's as simple as that.

[US Egg]

I see no reason to be pessimistic…..presently.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 hours ago, Psautcsk said:

I am just waiting for the Vita Vea signing.

I have a friend who's very big on natural health and nutrition.  They suggested Vita Vea for a good gut biome.

*
And it's not even a Shaklee product!

🤔

Edited August 10 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[eball]

I’d rather argue with Einstein about how many fans have glass in their faces. 
 

[Shaw66]

The way it feels to me is that the fundamental question has changed from "Can they win it all?" to "Will they win it all?"  

 

We've seen these guys enough to know they can. Everyone knows they can. That's why the Bills have been one of the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl for the past few years. One or two teams might look better, but with very few exceptions other NFL teams have more questions than the Bills have. 

 

"Can they win it all?" Is a question I can talk about.

 

"Will they win it all?" is a question that calls for, at most, a prediction. "Will they win it all?" is a question that asks us to wait and see. 

[ToGoGo]

At this point, nothing short of making and/or winning a Super Bowl matters anymore. 

[TBBills Fan]

Im only here so I dont get fined

[ScottishBills]

Think the offence is going to be very good (floor) to awesome (ceiling) - that's just life with 17

Just to answer whether will take a step further to greatness - i am very much in the camp of no - he's already there

He is the most dangerous mofo in the history of the NFL - literally no-one scores more touchdowns than him - not those who are "better readers of defenses", not those who have the "clutch gene", not those who have incredible receivers to lean on, not those who "take care of the ball better" - nobody. The guy is the truth.

Not his issue some people cant understand there are sometimes more turnovers when you are that attacking.

Moore eases the pressure by creating more normal spacing on the field rather than everyone just ignoring our WRs and leaving corners on islands, and closing in right to the line of scrimmage.

 

Brady has already shown he can take care of his side of the ball - now did he pick the right DC - and can he keep his ***** together with more on his plate

 

Defense is massive unknowns for all sorts of reasons - coaching, scheme, players - the real question is whether and how many of the various investments produce something that means we don't need 33 points to win a playoff game - Sanders, Jackson, Parker, Chubb, Hairston, IGB, Carter - we desperately need at least 2 to hit - if 3 or more become good players - LOOK OUT!

Edited August 10 by ScottishBills

[That's No Moon]

1 minute ago, Shaw66 said:

The way it feels to me is that the fundamental question has changed from "Can they win it all?" to "Will they win it all?"  

 

We've seen these guys enough to know they can. Everyone knows they can. That's why the Bills have been one of the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl for the past few years. One or two teams might look better, but with very few exceptions other NFL teams have more questions than the Bills have. 

 

"Can they win it all?" Is a question I can talk about.

 

"Will they win it all?" is a question that calls for, at most, a prediction. "Will they win it all?" is a question that asks us to wait and see. 

I'm not super optimistic about this season.  Lots of changes and we don't know how that's going to go. Very concerned about the defense and it's likely there will still be some personnel mismatch for what Leonhard wants to do.  The d-line and d-backs are of particular concern.  They still have #17 and that alone makes them difficult to play but the schedule doesn't do them any favors this year either.  To make it this year would really be running a gauntlet.

[JP51]

42 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I find it interesting that there is so little actual football conversation going on this forum at this time of the year. There was less chatter than usual about training camp, and it was dead here between OTAs and training camp. 

 

For me, and I think for many of us posting here, I know pretty much what the roster is going to look like and there's not much more to be said about. I know that this should be a good team, competitive at the highest levels. Sure, I can imagine scenarios where things come apart, but any of that is just speculation. 

 

I'm just waiting, hoping for no injuries. Maybe one more interesting free agent signing. All the things that I really want to know about the team - how good will the defense be?, how much difference will Moore make?, will Josh take even one more step toward true greatness?, does Brady have what it takes to be a winning head coach? - are things that I can't begin to learn until the regular season gets under way.

 

Until then, I'm just waiting. 

I am with you 100% as well as I am looking for some "oh this guy is killing it" in Camp... but in the end Training Camp and Workout warriors dont always translate... So lots of change here lots of ifs... lots of unknowns... lemme see what happens when the bullets fly... so I am waiting too !

[Shaw66]

I'm more optimistic. 

 

The offense should be better than last season. Whether it takes another step, although I think that is likely, doesn't matter too much. It'll still be a top 5 offense. 

 

The defense is, of course, a question mark. However, it has all the pieces to be good, starting with an aggressive and creative coordinator, and with a boatload of first, second, and third round talent. All the defense has to is improve from middle of the pack in the NFL to top 10 or so.  If it does that, combined with a top 5 offense, the Bills are one of the top teams in the league. Might not happen, but I think it's pretty likely.