Bills 2024 Thread - Misery loves company

[STEVEHOLT]

just get a true #1 WR

They really don’t. That’s a bonus item. They need two new safeties and corners . Lack of speed and size from the safeties is crippling their defense .

29/32 teams in getting off the field on third downs. So much of their deficiencies were masked by turnover luck. Three playoff games . Three times the opponent scored TD on their opening drives with ease

 

[IthacaBarrel]

just get a true #1 WR

they need a better defense more than anything, they had a true #1 WR for 3-4 years same result. The defense has given up an average of over 30 points over the last 5 playoff losses. It's failed them at the biggest moments

 

[IthacaBarrel]

They really don’t. That’s a bonus item. They need two new safeties and corners . Lack of speed and size from the safeties is crippling their defense .

29/32 teams in getting off the field on third downs. So much of their deficiencies were masked by turnover luck. Three playoff games . Three times the opponent scored TD on their opening drives with ease

didn't see your post before mine but could not agree more. The offense is fine and with Josh the next 3-4 years probably always will be. They need a better defense

 

[STEVEHOLT]

didn't see your post before mine but could not agree more. The offense is fine and with Josh the next 3-4 years probably always will be. They need a better defense

Sure it would be great to have a dominant pass rusher and top WR, but we can’t afford all of that at once . Surely we need to shore up the secondary. Remember how Rapp looked compared to Hyde ? Well now losing Rapp was a killer. That shows how far the D has fallen

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Sure it would be great to have a dominant pass rusher and top WR, but we can’t afford all of that at once . Surely we need to shore up the secondary. Remember how Rapp looked compared to Hyde ? Well now losing Rapp was a killer. That shows how far the D has fallen

Yep, the defense was always going to be what lead to their demise this year. They went 6 quarters without forcing a punt that turnovers help masked how poor they actually played.

Now, they did have the ball with 3:30 left down 3 with a chance to tie/ score and didn't get it done but I still think they need to revamp the secondary and could use help everywhere

 

[upperdeck]

They never had a #1. Thay had a high end #2 trying to be a #1.

But if you cant get a #1 wr and fix the D then fix the D first.

I just think they again have to try and draft a wr that can stretch the field.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

They never had a #1. Thay had a high end #2 trying to be a #1.

But if you cant get a #1 wr and fix the D then fix the D first.

I just think they again have to try and draft a wr that can stretch the field.

Oh Stop. Diggs was every bit of a #1 for 3 years. Using your criteria there are maybe 2-3 true 1's in the NFL.

ridiculous

 

[upperdeck]

Oh Stop. Diggs was every bit of a #1 for 3 years. Using your criteria there are maybe 2-3 true 1's in the NFL.

ridiculous

dont confuse systems with talent

There are about 10 guys right now better than he was at his peak.
#1s run all the routes. He was a reliable mid level runner with the occasional big play for sure.

But with the Bills he was not a #1 type. Shakir is already better than he was.

Allen elevates players because he creates space

 

[IthacaBarrel]

dont confuse systems with talent

There are about 10 guys right now better than he was at his peak.
#1s run all the routes. He was a reliable mid level runner with the occasional big play for sure.

But with the Bills he was not a #1 type. Shakir is already better than he was.

Allen elevates players because he creates space

Couldn't disagree more, 2020, 21, 22 he was a 1. His production says as much, the rest is irrelevant. You must be a real student of the game to comment on the proficiency of his "route running". What a joke.

Let me know when Shakir ( who is a really nice WR) gets 450 receptions/5,400 yards/ and 40 Td's over a 4 year period.

such a hot take!!!!!!

 

[kirbivore]

Today I've seen some ridiculous statistical anomalies. Seems to be McDermott's forte. Like... we scored more points yesterday than any team all season at Arrowhead. Naturally.

Tampa couldn't get over the hump for years and fired Dungy. Gruden then took those guys to the Super Bowl. Is it time for McDermott to go and get another coach to get beyond KC?

 

[NineOneSeven]

Lolol

x.com

x.com

 

[SUFan44]

if you think Warren sharp is an idiot your opinion is invalidated. And who cares what his record was at a different time with a different team. Just removing him from the chiefs will be enough

LOL. Warren Sharp thinks he is the smartest guy in the room -- just ask him.

His takes are skewed with a million percent bias. He was hired by Bill Simmons for a reason - big Patriots guy.

Take a look at his Twitter feed. He is anti-Bills 100% of the time. He uses numbers that anyone can find to create opinions. He knows nothing about the ins and outs of football.

And if you truly believe McDermott should be let go and Steve Spagnolo should be hired as the Bills head coach, then you sir need to look in the mirror too.

 

[JarHeadJim]

just get a true #1 WR

Like Worthy?

 

[STEVEHOLT]

LOL. Warren Sharp thinks he is the smartest guy in the room -- just ask him.

His takes are skewed with a million percent bias. He was hired by Bill Simmons for a reason - big Patriots guy.

Take a look at his Twitter feed. He is anti-Bills 100% of the time. He uses numbers that anyone can find to create opinions. He knows nothing about the ins and outs of football.

And if you truly believe McDermott should be let go and Steve Spagnolo should be hired as the Bills head coach, then you sir need to look in the mirror too.

He’s not a patriots guy . He’s a numbers guy. He’s also not anti bills

 

[DMDMD]

just get a true #1 WR

I think a stud WR is great if you can draft one, you'd never say "no" to Jefferson or Nabers or Chase if they fell into your lap. Buts its been the nature of the NFL since 2021 or so to take away big plays downfield and those guys wind up costing too much to be high end decoys. Currently, defenses choose death by a million cuts, so you need a stable of reliable pass catchers, even if they don't have that upside. And honestly, drafting where the bills do, that's what you have to go with. Having an elite QB means you don't truly need an elite WR and the capital necessary to obtain one is best spent elsewhere.

Bills have a late 1 and 2 two's this year. Great positions to get WR/CB and some of the best S, LB that can contribute immediately.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

I think a stud WR is great if you can draft one, you'd never say "no" to Jefferson or Nabers or Chase if they fell into your lap. Buts its been the nature of the NFL since 2021 or so to take away big plays downfield and those guys wind up costing too much to be high end decoys. Currently, defenses choose death by a million cuts, so you need a stable of reliable pass catchers, even if they don't have that upside. And honestly, drafting where the bills do, that's what you have to go with. Having an elite QB means you don't truly need an elite WR and the capital necessary to obtain one is best spent elsewhere.

Bills have a late 1 and 2 two's this year. Great positions to get WR/CB and some of the best S, LB that can contribute immediately.

Draft all defense.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

LOL. Warren Sharp thinks he is the smartest guy in the room -- just ask him.

His takes are skewed with a million percent bias. He was hired by Bill Simmons for a reason - big Patriots guy.

Take a look at his Twitter feed. He is anti-Bills 100% of the time. He uses numbers that anyone can find to create opinions. He knows nothing about the ins and outs of football.

And if you truly believe McDermott should be let go and Steve Spagnolo should be hired as the Bills head coach, then you sir need to look in the mirror too.

Behold the defense first head coach whose defense gets lit up ever year by the chiefs. Chiefs had not scored 30 all year until here come the bills

 

[SUFan44]

He’s not a patriots guy . He’s a numbers guy. He’s also not anti bills

Look back at any of the podcasts that he's done. Rarely a good word said. He also is a serial agree-er on podcasts. Only reason I say he's a Patriots guy is because of the ridiculous amount of agreeing he does with Bill Simmons whenever he's on his podcast.

He's a numbers guy. We can agree there. But he knows nothing about football.

 

[SUFan44]

Behold the defense first head coach whose defense gets lit up ever year by the chiefs. Chiefs had not scored 30 all year until here come the bills

Listen man -- I'm as frustrated as anyone that the defense has sucked in big moments. I agree that some philosophical changes need to be made.

But I'm not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The team has improved leaps and bounds. People want to play in Buffalo. Culture is a huge deal. I thought he improved a lot this year in different ways. He's not perfect, but few are.

You'd rather fire the guy and take a chance on an unproven assistant or also-ran head coach like Mike McCarthy?

Sorry. I don't think that's a solid way to go about it. If I didn't see any growth this year, I would agree with you. And I was one of his harshest critics last year. But it's a 'be careful what you wish for' scenario in my eyes.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

LOL. Warren Sharp thinks he is the smartest guy in the room -- just ask him.

His takes are skewed with a million percent bias. He was hired by Bill Simmons for a reason - big Patriots guy.

Take a look at his Twitter feed. He is anti-Bills 100% of the time. He uses numbers that anyone can find to create opinions. He knows nothing about the ins and outs of football.

And if you truly believe McDermott should be let go and Steve Spagnolo should be hired as the Bills head coach, then you sir need to look in the mirror too.

Firing McDermott and hiring Spags and thinking that is what would get the Bills over the top is kind of crazy, IMO. That's a smoldering hot take. I mean why not just hire Dennis Allen as a HC as well. He was a great DC horrible HC as well. Wow. I mean if you wanted to hire Harbaugh or Sean Payton I can see some logic there but Spags? Why has nobody else given Spags another shot if he is the answer?

Frustration is understandable, and McDermott isn't without some blame here but looking at his tenure and acting like he's some below average coach is kind of crazy as well. He's done a lot of good for the bills franchise on and off the field.

Personally, I think both Beane and McDermott are going to be around a long time, or as long as they want to keep doing the job. I will believe it when I see it, when the day Pegula actually fires McDermott for making the playoffs every year.

His downfall is not being able to beat a dynasty, a team that is one game away from winning 4 of 5 Super Bowls.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Listen man -- I'm as frustrated as anyone that the defense has sucked in big moments. I agree that some philosophical changes need to be made.

But I'm not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The team has improved leaps and bounds. People want to play in Buffalo. Culture is a huge deal. I thought he improved a lot this year in different ways. He's not perfect, but few are.

You'd rather fire the guy and take a chance on an unproven assistant or also-ran head coach like Mike McCarthy?

Sorry. I don't think that's a solid way to go about it. If I didn't see any growth this year, I would agree with you. And I was one of his harshest critics last year. But it's a 'be careful what you wish for' scenario in my eyes.

Why will it change? It won’t. they change their offensive schemes but McD has his finger on the scale of the defense. Their defensive scheme is great for regular season but in the playoffs when you need game wrecking play makers , we have the smallest and slowest safeties in the nfl. That only happens if you think your scheme is more important than the talent . It’s not.

 

[Cusefan0307]

I think McDermott will get replaced if Baltimore or Cincinnati get to the SB again before Buffalo. If Buffalo were to take a step back and lose to one of those squads or someone like LA/Denver before the AFCCG I could see the Bills making a move.

 

[SUFan44]

Why will it change? It won’t. they change their offensive schemes but McD has his finger on the scale of the defense. Their defensive scheme is great for regular season but in the playoffs when you need game wrecking play makers , we have the smallest and slowest safeties in the nfl. That only happens if you think your scheme is more important than the talent . It’s not.

I get it. I do. But firing McDermott ain't the answer.

In retrospect, I think Babich's hiring should have been scrutinized more. He's a first-time coordinator, in Josh Allen's prime, and I think he was very, very average this year. If not a bit worse.

To your point, I think our talent on that side of the ball was far below what it takes to be good overall. Secondary is slow (even Benford is average), defensive line did not live up to their talent on paper, and I thought Bernard took a massive step back this year overall.

There are a lot of decisions that need to be made in terms of extensions for the Cook, Benford, Bernard, Shakir, and Rousseau. They also need to figure out what to do with Elam.

Personally, I think you need to get bigger, stronger and faster at all spots defensively. Benford is good, but Bernard & Rousseau (for what he is going to get on the open market) may be left to walk. Which I think we need to be OK with.

Shakir and Cook are the only two guys offensively who defenses need to account for specially, IMO. They need to be resigned.

Got a little sidetracked, but I don't think McDermott being fired is the answer.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I get it. I do. But firing McDermott ain't the answer.

In retrospect, I think Babich's hiring should have been scrutinized more. He's a first-time coordinator, in Josh Allen's prime, and I think he was very, very average this year. If not a bit worse.

To your point, I think our talent on that side of the ball was far below what it takes to be good overall. Secondary is slow (even Benford is average), defensive line did not live up to their talent on paper, and I thought Bernard took a massive step back this year overall.

There are a lot of decisions that need to be made in terms of extensions for the Cook, Benford, Bernard, Shakir, and Rousseau. They also need to figure out what to do with Elam.

Personally, I think you need to get bigger, stronger and faster at all spots defensively. Benford is good, but Bernard & Rousseau (for what he is going to get on the open market) may be left to walk. Which I think we need to be OK with.

Shakir and Cook are the only two guys offensively who defenses need to account for specially, IMO. They need to be resigned.

Got a little sidetracked, but I don't think McDermott being fired is the answer.

well said. One thing for a fan on the internet or some hot take media guy to discuss firing McDermott but for Pegula to actually sit down at the end of the year and let Sean go, well you better have somebody who is truly a great coach to replace him ( Not some retread) Lost in these conversations are relationships, individuals, what Sean is like off the field and in the community. There is an entire organization involved here and you better make sure your franchise QB doesn't have a huge issue with it. (nobody really knows but I would bet that Josh is pretty loyal to McDermott) It's so much easier said than done. Pegula will fire bad coaches but Sean isn't one. Beane is in the same boat.

In addition, they need get bigger, faster, stronger on defense. A serious talent upgrade. Babich will be just fine and IMO he will be a head coach some day as well. I think he has a bigger upside than Brady but that's just my wild arse internet opinion which I don't sit here and think it means a damn thing

The biggest issue is the media just needs to say stuff all the time, the coverage of the NFL is 24/7/365 and stuff like this is easy to say but it's mostly hot take garbage. Pegula is actually running a business and the Bills have won the AFC East 5 years in a row and have had a lot of success and as long as Sean keeps making the playoffs they are in the hunt. Couple 8-9 years well sure things change rather quickly. McDermott was actually great this year as well

It could be so much worse, sooo much worse and I know many won't agree and just my opinion but I am a hang with McDermott guy long term. I mean he may actually not win the AFC East or make the playoffs one year.

 

[Chip]

Haven’t read the whole thread, immediately turned off the TV and went to bed after the Chiefs final first down.

Anyone wondering if things would have been different if the Chiefs weren’t offsides on that late 2nd quarter XP? Or maybe it would have just ended in an even more heartbreaking way.

I just loathe going for 2 before the 4th quarter unless you’re getting steamrolled. There’s always so much football to be played.