Buffalo Bills: Things We Know This Week

“We’re leavin’ together. But still it’s farewell. And maybe we’ll come back. To Earth, who can tell? I guess there is no one to blame We’re leaving ground (leaving ground). Will things ever be the same again? It’s the final countdown. The final countdown.” – Europe

The final countdown as a canticle will likely make our long time reader in New Orleans, Chris Keller, somewhat effervescent. So a shout out to Mr. Keller for being a huge, loyal Buffalo Bills fan as well as a loyal reader of this weekly article since 2015. (Yes, the year “The Force Awakens” hit the box office.) Not to mention he runs into burning buildings for a living. Thank you for your service. He is, after all, one of the regulars who held up those shaking walls so many years ago at Impaxx Nightclub and theatre in the Queen City. The stories could keep going as he moved his talents to “The Beach” Nightclub in Las Vegas. After he accomplished all that he could in Sin City, he took his expertise to The Big Easy. 190 Octane from Fat Tuesday — mouthwatering.

“Watching in a trance. The crew is certain. Nothing left to chance. All is working. Trying to relax. Up in the capsule. “Send me a drink”, Jokes Major Tom. The count goes on. Four. Three. Two. One.” – Peter Schilling

The Final Countdown to the NFL season opener in LA is almost upon us. Excitement, confidence, expectations, pride, arrogance, apprehension, and fear of the unknown, collaborate with several other emotions. Lots and lots of expectations. Pressure. The days of making the playoffs, winning playoff games, capturing division titles are certainly still a priority. In reality, Bills country will consider anything other that at least a Super Bowl appearance a bit of a let down. Buffalo is no longer flying under the radar as an up and coming team. They had their rebuild, with plenty of success along the way.

Now, it is time to win the games you are expected to win. Win the “easier” games because we show up every day. No Jacksonville loss like last year. Win the games you certainly should. Win the games that are supposed to be close. Take care of your division and conference housekeeping. Squeak out a win against a team that you may be an underdog against. (It’s more difficult to find any games where they’re significant underdogs now.) No weeks off, except the bye week. Have a very short memory after a loss. Thank you McBeane and your ongoing process.

“Any rookie that can develop a mentorship with a former quarterback like Jim Kelly, it’s going to be huge.” – Josh Allen

QUARTERBACK

This Buffalo Bills team is ready to live up to their status as Super Bowl favorites. On offense, you can start with the odds-on favorite to win the NFL’s MVP Award, Josh Allen, as your starting quarterback. I am as comfortable as I could be with nine-year veteran Case Keenum holding the clipboard and playing briefly (mopping up a blow out or finishing a bad effort). I do not desire Keenum as my starter, but he is one of the better backups to take over when needed without the entire season going down the drain. QB = most excellent.

“Most outstanding.” – Bill & Ted

RUNNING BACK

If running back James Cook becomes the pass-catcher he was drafted to be, Devin Singletary continues on the path he finished so strong with last season, and Zack Moss can stay on the field. These are a few of the my favorite things, and now I don’t feel so bad. RB = admissible.

“When the dog bites, When the bee stings, When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things. And then I don’t feel so bad.” –Julie Andrews

WIDE RECIEVER

Simply WOW. Stefon Diggs is elite. Dawson Knox and Gabriel Davis shocked the world as they each scored 11 touchdowns, including the playoffs. Can we say “DAWSOME” for Knox as the Sabres did for Jason Dawe, when he was on pace to break all of Gretzky’s records if you based it on the first six games of a season and then do the math? Actually… don’t do the math because after those six games I think he went into one of the Sabres typical 25-game scoring droughts. (If not an AHL stint.) We are here to talk Buffalo Bills. My bad. I digress. WR = nonpareil.

“Come on, Bart. Catch the ball so we can all go out for some frosty chocolate milkshakes.” –Homer Simpson

OFFENSIVE LINE

Mitch Morris, Rodger Safford, Ryan Bates, and tackles Dion Dawkins along with David Quessenberry or Spencer Brown can get the job done. They adapt. They are well coached and utilized where needed. Allen is so good at extending plays, which really helps the line look more composed than if they had say… I don’t know… Nate Peterman behind center.

OL = proficient.

“When I played pro football, I never set out to hurt anyone deliberately – unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something.” – Dick Butkus

D-LINE

The Buffalo Bills have drafted Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham, A.J. Epenesa, and Ed Oliver in the firs two rounds over the past several seasons. I’m excited about the team bringing back Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson, who were pro-bowl level the last time they wore a Buffalo Bills jersey for a regular season game. Free agents DaQuan Jones and Tim Settle will certainly contribute. Two words to close with: Von Miller. D-Line = enthralling.

“The first rule in this house is discipline.” – Von Miller ***CORRECTION***: Captain von Trapp. (Although this would be a splendid Von Miller quote.)

LINEBACKER

Tremaine Edmunds has made two pro bowls and I believe is so much more respected around the league than he is with his own local media and fanbase. He could be better at certain things like making big plays. Two pro bowls with freakish athletisim and size at an extremely young age makes me want to continue watching him develop. Matt Milano is a stud. Enough said. Filling out the depth is veteran Tyrel Dodson, rookies Terrel Bernard and Baylon Spector, and special teams “ACE” Tyler Matakevich. They can surely hold down the fort for the Bills, if needed. LB = sanguine.

SECONDARY

Tre’Davious White being on the Physically Unable To Perform list for (at the very least) four weeks before he can even practice is the equivelent of ONE-BIG-OUCH. Dane Jackson is capable of taking care of business as we wait for White’s return. Rookies Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford have shown nothing but promise. Special teams standout Siran Neal can play corner and safety. Secondary = emboldened.

SPECIAL TEAMS

T-Bass has become one of the elite placekickers in the league. He has made 85% of his field goals and 60% on kicks over 50 yards. Dare I say… “Not too shabby”. Long snapper Reid Ferguson is clearly one of the top at his position in the NFL. Hopefully Special Teams Coordinator, Matthew Smiley has plenty of reasons to be smiley this season.

Special Teams = contentment.

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