2021 Buffalo Bills - Same as it ever was*** (2 Viewers)

[flysack]

I'm happy with Mario. Is he overpaid? Yes. But let's remember that this is the Bills: it was a major coup for them to land the best defensive free agent at the time, and they did it by overpaying him. I think in part they hoped he'd do for Buffalo what Reggie White did for the Packers back in the early 90s: make a forgotten and undesirable team relevant again. He hasn't done that, but then again it's tough to compare anyone to Reggie White outside Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Joe Montana, etc.

Still, he provides veteran leadership on a young defensive unit, puts consistent pressure on opposing QBs, and is decent against the run (though not great).

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Mario has been about as good as anyone could've reasonably expected. He basically won two games singlehandily last yr - vs Carolina & Miami. Sometimes it's interesting to get opposing perspectives and I had to laugh listening to Dan Lebetard's podcast Friday - asking when his contract is up and saying he should have his mail permanantly routed to the Dolphins backfield. It's also funny to hear them bring up they have the league's highest paid WR core in Miami, which is hard to believe. At least our overpaid unit produces.

If it were me though I'd basically never give a non-QB that kind of dough. Those games we stole last year don't matter because we had no QB. The games the defense has won this year don't matter because we have no QB. The games our all-star defense won in '03 and '04 don't matter because we had no QB. The games JJ Watt is winning now don't matter because they have no QB.

But I mean whatever - I think the reason you struggle to get a response is because it doesn't really move the needle for the list of decisions we wish this franchise didn't make. The Chris Williams and Leodis McKelvin contracts are much worse.

 

[dhockster]

Mario has been about as good as anyone could've reasonably expected. He basically won two games singlehandily last yr - vs Carolina & Miami. Sometimes it's interesting to get opposing perspectives and I had to laugh listening to Dan Lebetard's podcast Friday - asking when his contract is up and saying he should have his mail permanantly routed to the Dolphins backfield. It's also funny to hear them bring up they have the league's highest paid WR core in Miami, which is hard to believe. At least our overpaid unit produces.

If it were me though I'd basically never give a non-QB that kind of dough. Those games we stole last year don't matter because we had no QB. The games the defense has won this year don't matter because we have no QB. The games our all-star defense won in '03 and '04 don't matter because we had no QB. The games JJ Watt is winning now don't matter because they have no QB.

But I mean whatever - I think the reason you struggle to get a response is because it doesn't really move the needle for the list of decisions we wish this franchise didn't make. The Chris Williams and Leodis McKelvin contracts are much worse.

Thanks for the response. I agree with most of your premise about not paying non-QB's top dollar. If there is a player though that can help you become a dominant defense, then it might be worth it. The Ravens won with Dilfer, the Bucs won with Brad Johnson, and the Giants won with a mediocre Eli Manning in 2007. These teams won because of their defense, not because of their QB.

It will be interesting to see if Clowney can stay healthy, how dominate he and Watt can be for the next few years, and how Crennel develops the rest of the defense around them. If they are dominant then maybe the only thing they will need a QB is a game manager.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Mario has been about as good as anyone could've reasonably expected. He basically won two games singlehandily last yr - vs Carolina & Miami. Sometimes it's interesting to get opposing perspectives and I had to laugh listening to Dan Lebetard's podcast Friday - asking when his contract is up and saying he should have his mail permanantly routed to the Dolphins backfield. It's also funny to hear them bring up they have the league's highest paid WR core in Miami, which is hard to believe. At least our overpaid unit produces.

If it were me though I'd basically never give a non-QB that kind of dough. Those games we stole last year don't matter because we had no QB. The games the defense has won this year don't matter because we have no QB. The games our all-star defense won in '03 and '04 don't matter because we had no QB. The games JJ Watt is winning now don't matter because they have no QB.

But I mean whatever - I think the reason you struggle to get a response is because it doesn't really move the needle for the list of decisions we wish this franchise didn't make. The Chris Williams and Leodis McKelvin contracts are much worse.

This hits the nail on the head. Mario has largely lived up to the contract. Not 100%, but he has been pretty darn good. And to get him, everyone knew what the cost would be. Contracts like the Fitzpatrick contract, McKelvin and Chris Williams contracts on the other hand, were awful contracts given to players when the Bills were only bidding against themselves. Nobody was going to pay anything close to what the Bills paid them and the returns were all awful. Those are the deals that kill a team, not a Mario Williams deal.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Mario has been about as good as anyone could've reasonably expected. He basically won two games singlehandily last yr - vs Carolina & Miami. Sometimes it's interesting to get opposing perspectives and I had to laugh listening to Dan Lebetard's podcast Friday - asking when his contract is up and saying he should have his mail permanantly routed to the Dolphins backfield. It's also funny to hear them bring up they have the league's highest paid WR core in Miami, which is hard to believe. At least our overpaid unit produces.

If it were me though I'd basically never give a non-QB that kind of dough. Those games we stole last year don't matter because we had no QB. The games the defense has won this year don't matter because we have no QB. The games our all-star defense won in '03 and '04 don't matter because we had no QB. The games JJ Watt is winning now don't matter because they have no QB.

But I mean whatever - I think the reason you struggle to get a response is because it doesn't really move the needle for the list of decisions we wish this franchise didn't make. The Chris Williams and Leodis McKelvin contracts are much worse.

Thanks for the response. I agree with most of your premise about not paying non-QB's top dollar. If there is a player though that can help you become a dominant defense, then it might be worth it. The Ravens won with Dilfer, the Bucs won with Brad Johnson, and the Giants won with a mediocre Eli Manning in 2007. These teams won because of their defense, not because of their QB.

It will be interesting to see if Clowney can stay healthy, how dominate he and Watt can be for the next few years, and how Crennel develops the rest of the defense around them. If they are dominant then maybe the only thing they will need a QB is a game manager.

Yeah IMO the early 2000s was the worst football era ever (Brady was also not yet Brady in '01, not even close).

If you look at the defensive rankings from year to year you see a lot of turnover - it's hard to keep everyone together and youth is probably more of an asset on that side of the ball too. With offense it's just the same teams every year and they're always in the hunt; we all know why.

 

[GreenBaySnackers]

Finally, a good matchup! Anyone firing up Sammy this week?

 

[dhockster]

Mario has been about as good as anyone could've reasonably expected. He basically won two games singlehandily last yr - vs Carolina & Miami. Sometimes it's interesting to get opposing perspectives and I had to laugh listening to Dan Lebetard's podcast Friday - asking when his contract is up and saying he should have his mail permanantly routed to the Dolphins backfield. It's also funny to hear them bring up they have the league's highest paid WR core in Miami, which is hard to believe. At least our overpaid unit produces.

If it were me though I'd basically never give a non-QB that kind of dough. Those games we stole last year don't matter because we had no QB. The games the defense has won this year don't matter because we have no QB. The games our all-star defense won in '03 and '04 don't matter because we had no QB. The games JJ Watt is winning now don't matter because they have no QB.

But I mean whatever - I think the reason you struggle to get a response is because it doesn't really move the needle for the list of decisions we wish this franchise didn't make. The Chris Williams and Leodis McKelvin contracts are much worse.

Thanks for the response. I agree with most of your premise about not paying non-QB's top dollar. If there is a player though that can help you become a dominant defense, then it might be worth it. The Ravens won with Dilfer, the Bucs won with Brad Johnson, and the Giants won with a mediocre Eli Manning in 2007. These teams won because of their defense, not because of their QB.

It will be interesting to see if Clowney can stay healthy, how dominate he and Watt can be for the next few years, and how Crennel develops the rest of the defense around them. If they are dominant then maybe the only thing they will need a QB is a game manager.

Yeah IMO the early 2000s was the worst football era ever (Brady was also not yet Brady in '01, not even close).

If you look at the defensive rankings from year to year you see a lot of turnover - it's hard to keep everyone together and youth is probably more of an asset on that side of the ball too. With offense it's just the same teams every year and they're always in the hunt; we all know why.

Excellent point. A dominant defense may need 4 or 5 stud players; a dominant offense can be dominant with only one stud player: The QB.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Sooooooo, the Bills can't even get in to practice today. Not sure they'll even be able to by tomorrow. The league has to postpone this game until Monday, right?

I mean, if not, how are they going to practice all their punting over and over?

 

[GroveDiesel]

The Bills have about 220,000 tons of snow to remove for Sunday's game. Offering $10 an hour plus a ticket to the game for help shoveling.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Hope you Buffaloguys are hanging in there!

-QG

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Jay Busbee @jaybusbee · 5h 5 hours ago

BREAKING: Bills bringing in tauntauns to expand running game. Adjust your fantasy rosters accordingly.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Mario Williams went over to Jim Kelly's house with a freaking Bobcat and cleared his driveway.

 

[raidergil]

Mario Williams went over to Jim Kelly's house with a freaking Bobcat and cleared his driveway.

Good man Mario! He's a big outdoors guy. When Bills were wooing him Jim took Mario out hunting.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

Sooooooo, the Bills can't even get in to practice today. Not sure they'll even be able to by tomorrow. The league has to postpone this game until Monday, right?

I mean, if not, how are they going to practice all their punting over and over?

dude, you're playing the jets

you guys really looking at 7 feet??

mario's been twittering up some pics

chicago is such a bunch of ####### -- it snows 2 inches here and you'd think it was a blizzard

Ed Werder - ESPN, NFL Insider
Bill Polian told me yesterday the reason Ralph Wilson Stadium built in Orchard Park was land cheap because highest accumulation of snow.

 

[flysack]

Mario Williams went over to Jim Kelly's house with a freaking Bobcat and cleared his driveway.

Jim Kelly videoed it!

http://instagram.com/p/vmOki0rI8V/

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Next year will be a better gauge as they will likely be without Larry Hughes and/or Marcell Dareus (it's not believed that they can resign both guys).

Dareus is under contract for another year. Bills exercised their 5th year option on him.

Unless you're expecting him to holdout and force a trade of some kind.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Next year will be a better gauge as they will likely be without Larry Hughes and/or Marcell Dareus (it's not believed that they can resign both guys).

Dareus is under contract for another year. Bills exercised their 5th year option on him.Unless you're expecting him to holdout and force a trade of some kind.

I'm betting extension for Dareus and Hughes walks.

I really don't understand Whaley being unwilling to even discuss contract with Hughes during the season though. Seems like the only big contract that they extended during a season was the one that they shouldn't have (Fitzpatrick).

 

[flysack]

Next year will be a better gauge as they will likely be without Larry Hughes and/or Marcell Dareus (it's not believed that they can resign both guys).

Dareus is under contract for another year. Bills exercised their 5th year option on him.Unless you're expecting him to holdout and force a trade of some kind.

I'm betting extension for Dareus and Hughes walks.

I really don't understand Whaley being unwilling to even discuss contract with Hughes during the season though. Seems like the only big contract that they extended during a season was the one that they shouldn't have (Fitzpatrick).

I'd be fine with this.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Mario Williams went over to Jim Kelly's house with a freaking Bobcat and cleared his driveway.

Jim Kelly videoed it!

http://instagram.com/p/vmOki0rI8V/

That is awesome.

 

[flysack]

Next year will be a better gauge as they will likely be without Larry Hughes and/or Marcell Dareus (it's not believed that they can resign both guys).

Dareus is under contract for another year. Bills exercised their 5th year option on him.Unless you're expecting him to holdout and force a trade of some kind.

I'm betting extension for Dareus and Hughes walks.

I really don't understand Whaley being unwilling to even discuss contract with Hughes during the season though. Seems like the only big contract that they extended during a season was the one that they shouldn't have (Fitzpatrick).

I'd be fine with this.

Wouldn't everyone be ok with this? Hughes is a young pass rusher, but from most accounts he's terrible against the run. I'd much rather have a franchise player like Daerus wrapped up, a guy who can clog the middle and is aces against the run but also a rarity in that he can get sacks from the middle. Our D-line is a glut of talent. Let Hughes walk, wrap up Dareus long term, and spend the money on the O-line instead of Hughes.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

The Bills have about 220,000 tons of snow to remove for Sunday's game. Offering $10 an hour plus a ticket to the game for help shoveling.

Shovel for one hour = $10 and a ticket to Bills-Jets game.

Shovel for two hours = $10

 

[QuizGuy66]

Rangers-Sabres is off (Though that was scheduled for Friday so can't say that's a surprise).

I imagine Syracuse is the ideal location for the Bills fans base. I know that the NFL is generally inclined to go with NFL buildings though, right?

I know they moved a Chargers game to Arizona a few years ago and the Arizona fans led relief efforts (that was due to wildfires as I recall) - can see something similar being done with the proceeds from this game.

-QG

 

[QuizGuy66]

So media reports are saying that it's going to Monday in either Washington (well really Landover) or Detroit.

Any preference, Bills fans? I would think that Detroit would be a slightly more Buffalo-oriented fanbase.

-QG

 

[Ladsud]

Im a season ticket holder for the Lions, id make some noise for the Bills if they come. I have a dislike for NY teams, I think the population around here mostly shares my feelings.

 

[flysack]

What, does the Carrier Dome have something scheduled Sunday?

At least it'd be a home game - I'm just south of Syracuse and we're all Bills fans around here. I guarantee it'd sell out and be loud as hell.

 

[QuizGuy66]

What, does the Carrier Dome have something scheduled Sunday?

At least it'd be a home game - I'm just south of Syracuse and we're all Bills fans around here. I guarantee it'd sell out and be loud as hell.

I think it's a case of it being a non-NFL venue. That probably requires at the least a contract with the university as well as a meeting of NFL standards.

When Minnesota had issues that first game after the roof collapse was played in Detroit. Then thry worked out something with U of Minnesota for the 2nd game with a little more time.

-QG

 

[Ladsud]

Nemos is a nice bar to have a drink and a bite to eat before the game if any of you Bills fans are coming to Detroit. Short cab or uber ride from the stadium.

 

[cr8f]

The Bills? Nah.

The Detroit Lions

Rebuilding since 1957.

 

[raidergil]

What, does the Carrier Dome have something scheduled Sunday?

At least it'd be a home game - I'm just south of Syracuse and we're all Bills fans around here. I guarantee it'd sell out and be loud as hell.

Syracuse Crunch playing indoor game on Sat. FYI....they are an AHL hockey team.

 

[GroveDiesel]

What, does the Carrier Dome have something scheduled Sunday?

At least it'd be a home game - I'm just south of Syracuse and we're all Bills fans around here. I guarantee it'd sell out and be loud as hell.

Syracuse Crunch playing indoor game on Sat. FYI....they are an AHL hockey team.

Also, I read that they're not technologically equipped to handle replays, coach to QB communications, etc.

 

[flysack]

What, does the Carrier Dome have something scheduled Sunday?

At least it'd be a home game - I'm just south of Syracuse and we're all Bills fans around here. I guarantee it'd sell out and be loud as hell.

Syracuse Crunch playing indoor game on Sat. FYI....they are an AHL hockey team.

Also, I read that they're not technologically equipped to handle replays, coach to QB communications, etc.

Doesn't the ACC have replay?

But whatever. It's moot now.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I think we're at a big disadvantage this week. Losing home field, players been stuck inside and not able to practice, no access to trainers, and more. Luckily this is against the Jets and they are always possible to beat, but this is a must win game. If we wanna keep any playoff chances alive, we have to win this.

 

[Faust]

Bills give fans domestic violence hotline number for Jets ticket refunds

 

[Faust]

Bills fan hasn't missed a Bills game in 21 years, plans to be in Detroit

 

[Faust]

Weather may keep Bills out of Buffalo all next week

 

[Faust]

LOOK: Bills players being picked up by snowmobiles for trip to Detroit

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Next year will be a better gauge as they will likely be without Larry Hughes and/or Marcell Dareus (it's not believed that they can resign both guys).

Dareus is under contract for another year. Bills exercised their 5th year option on him.Unless you're expecting him to holdout and force a trade of some kind.

I'm betting extension for Dareus and Hughes walks.I really don't understand Whaley being unwilling to even discuss contract with Hughes during the season though. Seems like the only big contract that they extended during a season was the one that they shouldn't have (Fitzpatrick).

I'd be fine with this.

Wouldn't everyone be ok with this? Hughes is a young pass rusher, but from most accounts he's terrible against the run.

What accounts are those?

 

[Faust]

NFL, Bills planning for more time, games away from Buffalo

 

[Gottabesweet]

Bills fan hasn't missed a Bills game in 21 years, plans to be in Detroit

Good friends father, best tailgate in the NFL

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Anyone have any idea how many Bills fans are making the trip? I thought about going, as I was initially thinking it'd be a fun atmosphere, etc. but I'm kind of thinking it will be a lot of empty seats (due to free tickets being scooped up by folks who have no intention of going) and a lot of very casual local fans.

 

[Faust]

Bills president: Team returning to Buffalo this week, will host Browns

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Anyone have any idea how many Bills fans are making the trip? I thought about going, as I was initially thinking it'd be a fun atmosphere, etc. but I'm kind of thinking it will be a lot of empty seats (due to free tickets being scooped up by folks who have no intention of going) and a lot of very casual local fans.

sounds like it will be full

tickets in demand for some odd reason.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

Anyone have any predictions for tonight's game? I'm getting antsy.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Anyone have any predictions for tonight's game? I'm getting antsy.

Wouldn't be surprised if the Bills win, but if they do, I expect it to be ugly. Probably a close game either way.

 

[msommer]

Anyone have any idea how many Bills fans are making the trip? I thought about going, as I was initially thinking it'd be a fun atmosphere, etc. but I'm kind of thinking it will be a lot of empty seats (due to free tickets being scooped up by folks who have no intention of going) and a lot of very casual local fans.

sounds like it will be full

tickets in demand for some odd reason.

People in Detroit desperate to see another team than the Lions, I guess

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Anyone have any idea how many Bills fans are making the trip? I thought about going, as I was initially thinking it'd be a fun atmosphere, etc. but I'm kind of thinking it will be a lot of empty seats (due to free tickets being scooped up by folks who have no intention of going) and a lot of very casual local fans.

sounds like it will be full

tickets in demand for some odd reason.

People in Detroit desperate to see another team than the Lions, I guess

"I read someplace that these two teams are in even worse shape that the Lions. Gotta see it with my own eyes to believe it."

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Also, I object to the thread title. Has anybody paid any attention to how God treated his chosen people? What with the slavery, the 40 years in the desert, the Babylonian siege, the destruction of the temple, etc.? I think the Bills may actually be God's team.

 

[GroveDiesel]

After 7 sacks tonight, the Bills now have 8 more sacks as a team than the 2nd highest in the league.

 

[flysack]

After 7 sacks tonight, the Bills now have 8 more sacks as a team than the 2nd highest in the league.

Mario has double digit sacks all three years in Buffalo, and is on pace to have a career year.

 

[Raider Nation]

This is incredibly sad.