That Aud Smell

Because of a big clean hit? Disagree that that’d be a thing.

And touch is perhaps distinct from accuracy. Interesting to note, in any case. Comparing preseason action to regular season play is perilous. But I think the line play has to be improved.

I think that you're over-simplifying matters (for the sake of making a point, I infer), but I think the point you are making is a good one. And here's where I think you're acknowledging that good coaching is a bit more than firing the boys up and telling them to go skate through the boards. Because that's about all Teddy ever did.

Hmm. I agree with this, to a point. Generally speaking, I buy into the theory that it's a far better management practice to focus on featuring (and developing) a person's strengths than it is to devote a lot of energy trying to shore up weaknesses. The latter is generally a fool's errand. Now, I'm not sure if Allen is naturally strong or weak at throwing the kinds of routes that Beasley will, can run. My point is simply that, from all indications, Allen's never going to be known for pinpoint accuracy. Shoot. He may at best top out at being a top-of-the-bottom-third for overall QB accuracy. Just identify and play to his strengths is all I'm asking.

Yep. I think (think) the Bills are smart enough to play to Allen's strengths, and avoid his weaknesses. There are only a small handful of QBs like Luck, P. Manning, Brady, Brees, etc. Allen is never going to be in the mold of any of them. I'm hoping to see some sort of evolution of Cam Newton.

^ I can identify with not caring (or knowing) enough about SEA to really, really care about how that team uses Russell Wilson. But it is interesting, as a Bills fan, to take a deep-ish dive into a team that schemes to be run-heavy and feature a QB with a somewhat limited (but powerful) skill set.

Yo, @Randall Flagg - my thanks. Very interesting read. In sum, the author posits: ”Any argument for overhauling the passing game and putting more responsibility on Wilson’s shoulders ignores that he has excelled in the current style of scheme and struggled outside of it.”

^ Diggin the slow jam vibe. OHHHHHH YEAH.

It is hard to disagree with this. If a team has one of the league's best quarterbacks, then why, in a league that has consistently evolved to favor the forward pass, is that team often among the lower half of the league in passing attempts? It is hard to disagree with this. If a team has one of the league's best quarterbacks, then why, in a league that has consistently evolved to favor the forward pass, is that team often among the lower half of the league in passing attempts? OTOH, maybe part of Wilson's efficiency rating is the fact that he doesn't throw the ball a ton?

Even without knowing much of anything, I still don't think it's that simple. Something about there being more than one way to skin a cat, and such.

I'd have no way of knowing. 8th in points scored last year, lower mid-pack in yards, and tops in fewest turnovers. That sounds not ungood? Guaranteed money, or GTFO with your updates, Florio.

It's a pretty steep drop-off from B-more and Seattle, though. Also, it seems more than fair to say that the team uses the pass to open up the run. It's interesting. The Seahawks were dead last in passes attempted last season, but they were 5th or 6th (not sure, tbh) in passing TD's. Right. And I wonder if part of their rushing attempt # is a function of how much offence they're able to run. They finished 2nd in total # of plays run on O last season. Fwiw, they were 11th in passing attempts. Balanced.

What do you make of Seattle? They run the ball a funk ton. Less so of interest (because I think their QB skewed the stat), but also same question re Baltimore.

Sure, and I'd submit that having Belichick encompasses knowing the rule book better, being better prepared, and pushing the envelope of lawful conduct. Over the last few years, I've heard multiple former NFL players speak to the fact that the Pats just work harder than (most) other teams. And probably work smarter, too.

I also saw on the wire that the Patriots very recently gave up on - released? traded for a 7th? - a DB that they took in a recent draft's 2nd round. Their personnel decisions are probably about the same as a lot of teams' decisions, on balance. Granted, we're probably talking the top third (or maybe just the top half) of the league. Having Brady and Belichick masks almost all of those mistakes. Also, not for nothing, it's a helluva lot easier to be a competent O-lineman for the Patriots because you have a guy back there who consistently gets rid of the ball after a quick three step drop.

^ I dig it all! Thanks.

Not sure who/what that is. My resident Swifties had fallen out with her over Reputation, but are swearing their allegiance anew over the new album. I haven't listened to it (I, of course, know about the "calm down" song), but the title track has a cool, languid, spare, smolder-y vibe.

I was in the car and tuned into some of the pregame with Schopp, Brown, and Wood. I didn’t know who Wood was initially. I’m here to say: He was really good. Smart. Insightful. Funny. Solid folksy voice.

Dunno. His mom on Twitter, Otoh, seems pretty great.

But there's a specific sort of crazy/stupid at play with the helicopter parents. And it extends well beyond this setting. Take for example someone who has worked in higher ed administration for 30+ years -- ask them how often they heard from students' parents in the 1990s about kids' grades and then how often they hear from students' parents about grades today. Stark difference. Not for nothing: Was there talk that Hodgson had some of this going on with his dad?

Dude. Did you see the footage (with the good audio)? Those people were totally booing Andrew Luck.

Well, yeah. It's a column, not a news report. He was providing takes, not really reporting facts.

Presumably deleted. And screen-capped.

His mom?! Oh, lord. Jones was running with the 3’s at one point in a preseason game. That seemed significant.