The offseason begins

[HOOats]

Love the tush push and would hate to see it banned. It's one of the last vestiges of the ancient rugby-football codes that make the game what it is, strong men pushing against strong men for inches of territory. But alas, we're drifting towards flag football (Olympics 2028) whether I like it or not.

As long as it's legal and we have a lethal combo of QB and OL, I'd like to see us take full, shameless advantage of it. Put Ed Oliver and Alec Anderson behind Josh, and tell them to drive with their legs instead of push with their arms. We'd have made the f***ing Super Bowl.

 

[Dingo44]

Then that's what I'm gonna do.

I've posted only a couple of times in the last few months but I want to make sure we continue to keep any politics out of this hockey (and football) board. Plenty of other places on the web to give your opinions. There is zero chance you can discuss to what causes or candidates or party someone donates without it being 100% political. This place is an escape.

 

[Der Jaeger]

I've posted only a couple of times in the last few months but I want to make sure we continue to keep any politics out of this hockey (and football) board. Plenty of other places on the web to give your opinions. There is zero chance you can discuss to what causes or candidates or party someone donates without it being 100% political. This place is an escape.

Absolutely seconded.

I stopped drinking years ago, and have never smoked or done drugs. This place is an outlet for me, aside from the gym and watching the Bills and Sabres. It’s basically my vice, in a good way.

I have anxiety disorder and it manifests with over thinking. So thinking, debating, arguing, brainstorming here helps me. I want to keep this place the way it it.

 

[Jim Bob]

Absolutely seconded.

I stopped drinking years ago, and have never smoked or done drugs. This place is an outlet for me, aside from the gym and watching the Bills and Sabres. It’s basically my vice, in a good way.

I have anxiety disorder and it manifests with over thinking. So thinking, debating, arguing, brainstorming here helps me. I want to keep this place the way it it.

I absolutely agree.

That is also why I was mildly annoyed when a current Bill was on a really good Bills podcast and they talked about how said player wanted to get a political tattoo.

Like, what does that have to do with ball?

 

[HOOats]

As we eagerly await Bugler's The Beast next week, I've been chuckling at some of the quotes coming out of Bob McGinn's stuff at Dunne's Go Long. If anyone has paid access, I'd love to see anything about the guys we're all honed in on.
Here's Savion Williams:

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Zman5778]

Two rounds, 64 picks and four trades in Yates' new NFL mock draft: Where could the QBs land?

Field Yates predicts landing spots in Rounds 1-2 of this year's NFL draft, including new homes for five quarterbacks and a few big trades.

www.espn.com

Projected trade: An AFC East deal​

Our first trade -- and it's an intriguing interdivisional move. The Patriots went with the best player available at No. 4, but that meant bypassing arguably their biggest roster hole. They can rectify that by getting back into the first round for another Day 1 pick. Meanwhile, Bills general manager Brandon Beane can slide down to acquire extra draft capital, similar to what he did in 2024. I have the Patriots trading a second-rounder (No. 38) and a third-rounder (No. 77) to the Bills for No. 30 and a fourth-rounder (No. 109).

Projected trade: Bills jump back up the board​

We just had the Bills slide down from No. 30 to No. 38, but they might be watching the board early on Day 2 and opt to hop back up a few picks to No. 34. To do so, I have them trading the No. 38 selection they just acquired in the trade with the Patriots and a fourth-rounder (No. 132) to the Giants, who would happily take an extra midround pick.

34.​

Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

At 331 pounds, Grant would help fortify the Bills' run defense up the middle and assist in collapsing the pocket as an interior pass rusher. He had three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 12 games last season.

56.​

JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

There are few players in this class whom I have more confidence in being ready to play as a rookie than Tuimoloau. His power and pass-rush savviness would improve Buffalo's front.

62.​

Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State


Parrish is feisty in coverage and ran a 4.35-second 40 at the combine. That speed shows up all over his tape. Rasul Douglas is unsigned, and Buffalo traded Kaiir Elam. That means the cornerback depth chart is pretty open behind Christian Benford and Dane Jackson.

 

[Tsujimoto]

Assuming the Chiefs are angling to host Christmas games like how Dallas and Detroit get to host Thanksgiving games every year. If that's the case we're out because we play the Chiefs here this year.

 

[HOOats]

Two rounds, 64 picks and four trades in Yates' new NFL mock draft: Where could the QBs land?

Field Yates predicts landing spots in Rounds 1-2 of this year's NFL draft, including new homes for five quarterbacks and a few big trades.

www.espn.com

All for this kind of pick consolidation, but hard to believe Grant lasts until 34.

That said, sign me up Grant, Tuimoloau, and a CB through two rounds with pick 77 in hand from 109 & 132. A strong draft like that would solidify us as winners of the off-season and AFC favorites imo.

 

[Zman5778]

All for this kind of pick consolidation, but hard to believe Grant lasts until 34.

That said, sign me up Grant, Tuimoloau, and a CB through two rounds with pick 77 in hand from 109 & 132. A strong draft like that would solidify us as winners of the off-season and AFC favorites imo.

The closer the draft gets, I'm fairly convinced that our 1st 3 picks will be CB, DT and EDGE in some order. Maybe possibly a WR sneaks in there if one the higher-ranked guys fall..........but it sure feels to me like CB/DT/EDGE on Days 1 and 2.

 

[truthbluth]

The closer the draft gets, I'm fairly convinced that our 1st 3 picks will be CB, DT and EDGE in some order. Maybe possibly a WR sneaks in there if one the higher-ranked guys fall..........but it sure feels to me like CB/DT/EDGE on Days 1 and 2.

I think CB/WR/Edge/DT in that order and that all four happen on day two.

In fact, my prediction:
Amos, Bond, Jackson, Farmer.

 

[Der Jaeger]

McDermott never really answered the 1DT question in the interview.

 

[Fezzy126]

Two rounds, 64 picks and four trades in Yates' new NFL mock draft: Where could the QBs land?

Field Yates predicts landing spots in Rounds 1-2 of this year's NFL draft, including new homes for five quarterbacks and a few big trades.

www.espn.com

I like the trade down idea, especially if we can still nab Grant. Him and Harmon are my run to the podium guys for that first pick.

Not quite as big of a fan of the JT or Parrish picks. Seeing a big run on CBs right before pick #56 would leave me wondering why we didn't trade up to pre-empt the run.

Taking a step back, I wonder how big of a need is edge? Even with the Hoecht suspension, no one we draft is going to displace Rousseau, Bosa, or Epenesa. I also think Solomon probably has a leg up on any competition as well. Does it make sense to keep 5 DEs initially, and eventually 6 when Hoecht come back? For that reason I tend to lean towards a Day 3 guy at edge that can contribute to special teams, or perhaps make it through to the practice squad.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Two rounds, 64 picks and four trades in Yates' new NFL mock draft: Where could the QBs land?

Field Yates predicts landing spots in Rounds 1-2 of this year's NFL draft, including new homes for five quarterbacks and a few big trades.

www.espn.com

Interesting. I like the trade down and then pack up, basically packages 2 4ths for a mid third, and I think the tier of players is still the same at 30 and 34.

34: Grant. Like the pick
56: Tuimoloau. I would've picked Watts or Jackson based on how this mock went.
62: Parrish. I would've picked Jackson or even Collins based on how this draft went. But Parrish is in that discussion too.

I do think Beane is going to bounce around the draft this year.

 

[brian_griffin]

Either Mitch has a nickname that I've never been aware of or your autocorrect is amazing

(and)

So apparently way back in the early days of Twitter, young Mitch Trubisky tweeted "I love kissing titties".............annnnnnnnnnnd it's stuck.

Given that origin, it's as potentially commonplace a nickname or salutation for a male as "dude", "guy", "bro", or "bruh"...

I loved that line from Josh, but they are really going to grind it to a nub aren't they? Maybe I'm just too plugged in online but I've seen like 4 different shirts of this quote.

One of the virtues of capitalism...

It's not just the team, but every Bills related merch producer came out with their version.

I got a mug with it from 26 Shirts, too.

My guess is that the MVP stuff in general will fade out as we get the draft stuff, the new guy stuff, and then the camp stuff.

Also aided by the lack of an NFL ownership / trademark / copyright...

464-pound Desmond Watson could be largest draft pick in NFL history

The draft starts four weeks from tonight.

www.nbcsports.com

Looked him up. Watson benched 225 pounds for 36 reps at the combine. Fun fact for you youngsters: Nearly 50 years ago the "Greek Freak" Bills NT Fred Smerlas at the 1979 combine out of Boston College benched 225 pounds for a record 32 reps, long before 12-month weight training was the focus it is in all sports - recall South African Gary Player introducing it to the Pro Golf world. Smerlas later benched 225 for 51 reps in a "pro day" workout. haven't heard him in a while, but he was funny as all crap in his post-playing radio "career". the only guy from "Bahston" who I liked as a Buffalonian.

Man, the difference between the Bills management and the Sabres management is night and day. Beane's last two offseasons may be his best. We're very lucky to have him at the helm. He's a gem.

(and)

There couldn’t be a greater disparity in all of professional sports.

Correction - Bills vs. Sabres management isn't night and day, it's day and night. Sabres mgmt is in the dark.

If they trade behind the Chiefs…or watch the Chiefs trade ahead of them for that 1matter…I’ll lose my shit.

The playoffs aren’t the only place they keep losing to KC. It starts on draft night. Giving them Mahomes, watching them trade up for McDuffie and getting Elam, handing them Worthy and trading down twice for a guy who doesn’t get open…

Let’s start trying to beat them at the f***ing draft for a change. Maybe it will follow on the field come the playoffs. Instead of watching the QB you gave them throw big plays to the WR you gave them while the DB they jumped you for locks down the bum you settled for

More of this hypothesis? Even Erich von Daniken eventually recanted some of his blatantly wrong theories in Chariots of the Gods...

35 yard line touch-backs passed per Russini

3 more Christmas games (2 Netflix, 1 Amazon) added per wgr

Interesting. I remember when touchbacks were placed at the 20.
I'd rather move back the kickoff line from the 35, than move touchbacks forward.

(and)

I'm seeing a lot of people conflating the tush push with QB sneaks. I don't think anyone has an issue with normal QB sneaks. I also don't think teams like the Bills or the Eagles even need the push from other players behind the QB, Allen and Hurts are ridiculous athletes that can drag multiple defenders for extra yards on their own.

I personally think the tush push is a garbage play. When I was younger I remember "aiding the runner" was a penalty, I'm not sure why the refs decided to stop calling it. But I agree with the rule in principle, for that reason I'm not a fan of the tush push or those weird rugby scrums that develop with runners further down the field. And while the official injuries from that play might not be evident, the wear and tear on the guys in the trenches and unreported dings are probably much higher than people realize.

As my wife would say "that's because you have no ass".

I've posted only a couple of times in the last few months but I want to make sure we continue to keep any politics out of this hockey (and football) board. Plenty of other places on the web to give your opinions. There is zero chance you can discuss to what causes or candidates or party someone donates without it being 100% political. This place is an escape.

(and)

Absolutely seconded.

I stopped drinking years ago, and have never smoked or done drugs. This place is an outlet for me, aside from the gym and watching the Bills and Sabres. It’s basically my vice, in a good way.

I have anxiety disorder and it manifests with over thinking. So thinking, debating, arguing, brainstorming here helps me. I want to keep this place the way it it.

Pretty sure I don't have anxiety disorder, but I do enjoy the combination of thinking, debating, arguing, and brainstorming - WITH the combination of alcohol!

 

[Jim Bob]

Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane deserve credit for fairness in a harsh business

The Buffalo Bills did something not many teams would do.

www.buffalorumblings.com

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Love the Bass Pro cap!

 

[Jim Bob]

Hendrickson: Bengals' comments 'disappointing'

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson said Wednesday he's disappointed and confused by Bengals executive Katie Blackburn's recent comments on his contract talks with the team.

www.espn.com

"First off, yesterday was April Fools' [Day] so I was traded to all 31 teams and had like a hundred different contracts. The one thing I was hoping was an April Fools' joke [were those comments]. Called my agent [Harold Lewis], found out it was not and that was a little disappointing because the communication has been poor over the last couple of months," he said.

Hendrickson said the Bengals have not communicated with his agent directly about his contract, saying that has "been something that's been a little bit frustrating."

Mickey Mouse operation.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[ValJamesDuex]

 

[yahhockey]

James Cook has listed his Orchard Park house for sale. Everyone has the right to move and change residences as they see fit but given his discourse and the lack of extension while everyone else was extended it's interesting.

https://www.wivb.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-rb-james-cook-lists-house-for-sale-as-gm-doesnt-foresee-extension-anytime-soon/

 

[VaporTrail]

I've posted only a couple of times in the last few months but I want to make sure we continue to keep any politics out of this hockey (and football) board. Plenty of other places on the web to give your opinions. There is zero chance you can discuss to what causes or candidates or party someone donates without it being 100% political. This place is an escape.

I only wish the Sabres would keep politics out of hockey.