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Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Pachla: The 2020-21 season is upon us. A look at the Buffalo Sabres
Author Message
3rd GM's the charm
Columbus Blue Jackets
Location: Look, it's a situation where thats a great question, OH
Joined: 07.01.2020

Jan 25 @ 7:30 AM ET
Band
Camel
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Sudbury, ON
Joined: 04.25.2009

Jan 25 @ 8:28 AM ET
5 takeaways

It’s not the goalies.
Small sample size but its not the goalies.
Sorry the Bills lost but it’s not the goalies
We have two tough good goalies so it is not the goalies
Thanks for the opportunity to say it’s not the goalies
buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 9:02 AM ET
Sure I guess but in the grand scheme of things what’s different. You had more fun. Neither team won when it mattered.

I guarantee that if either the Bills or Sabres weren’t completely trash for the last 10 years everyone would feel differently, but because we finally saw a team actually be the standard of a league we call it a success.

If the Bills do the same thing next year, is it also a successful season?

- ImThatGuy


Pardon the term, but this is part of the process though. This team has shown remarkable improvement over the past 3 years. They're now in a position where expectations are warranted. If the Bills come out of the the Josh Allen/Sean McDermott era without a Super Bowl in any season, then this season, along with the rest of them will feel more hollow. The window to win a championship hasn't closed yet, or at least hasn't seemed to, so I can't say this season is meaningless yet.
washedup20
Location: the little apple
Joined: 08.19.2014

Jan 25 @ 9:08 AM ET
5 takeaways

It’s not the goalies.
Small sample size but its not the goalies.
Sorry the Bills lost but it’s not the goalies
We have two tough good goalies so it is not the goalies
Thanks for the opportunity to say it’s not the goalies

- Camel



The Sabres don’t win without Okposo and his synergy.

They should continue to sit Cozens while it’s obvious that Tage should be in the lineup over Mitts. Cozens and Mitts while producing points need to learn the game, Tage worked hard over the summer.

If people only understood synergy, it’s the only reason they can beat a 40% depleted decent nhl roster....in a shootout.
kritter65
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Buffalo, NY
Joined: 07.11.2009

Jan 25 @ 9:13 AM ET
Pardon the term, but this is part of the process though. This team has shown remarkable improvement over the past 3 years. They're now in a position where expectations are warranted. If the Bills come out of the the Josh Allen/Sean McDermott era without a Super Bowl in any season, then this season, along with the rest of them will feel more hollow. The window to win a championship hasn't closed yet, or at least hasn't seemed to, so I can't say this season is meaningless yet.
- buffalofan19


Hope they can keep most of the team and coaching staff together - almost a last ditch effort to "go for it" next year (it's REALLY hard to keep good/great teams together, due to free agency). I would also add - if possible - a stud pass rusher (or two) - someone who's constantly a threat for a sack. We don't have that right now and it was sorely missed. Lastly, a RB who is a threat to break the long run at any moment - a home run hitter, if you will. If everything else stays pretty much the same, these 2 additions make us a really good contender next season. I know, easier said than done. Maybe the great players would be more willing to come here during the upcoming FA period, as they see this city, these fans, this coach, and this pretty good team as a landing spot.
TheSabresTaco
Buffalo Sabres
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY
Joined: 05.05.2011

Jan 25 @ 9:21 AM ET
The Sabres don’t win without Okposo and his synergy.

They should continue to sit Cozens while it’s obvious that Tage should be in the lineup over Mitts. Cozens and Mitts while producing points need to learn the game, Tage worked hard over the summer.

If people only understood synergy, it’s the only reason they can beat a 40% depleted decent nhl roster....in a shootout.

- washedup20


Ralph is in a higher Synergistic Dimension than the rest of us. We would be wise to trust his Synergaeic decisions.
Camel
Season Ticket Holder
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Sudbury, ON
Joined: 04.25.2009

Jan 25 @ 9:22 AM ET
The Sabres don’t win without Okposo and his synergy.

They should continue to sit Cozens while it’s obvious that Tage should be in the lineup over Mitts. Cozens and Mitts while producing points need to learn the game, Tage worked hard over the summer.

If people only understood synergy, it’s the only reason they can beat a 40% depleted decent nhl roster....in a shootout.

- washedup20


It’s a small sample size but I totally agree
washedup20
Location: the little apple
Joined: 08.19.2014

Jan 25 @ 9:26 AM ET
Ralph is in a higher Synergistic Dimension than the rest of us. We would be wise to trust his Synergaeic decisions.
- TheSabresTaco



One could only dream to have his vision, that nose points true north, which helps guide his decision making.
washedup20
Location: the little apple
Joined: 08.19.2014

Jan 25 @ 9:31 AM ET
It’s a small sample size but I totally agree
- Camel


56 games is too small of a sample size, now 57 games on the other hand.

jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 25 @ 9:41 AM ET
I pretty clearly stated it. To at least be as positive as the poopshow that is Reddit.
- Wetbandit1


Well it was a really good season,
we just lost to a better team
And the Bills will be really good again next year as well most likely
buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 9:42 AM ET
Hope they can keep most of the team and coaching staff together - almost a last ditch effort to "go for it" next year (it's REALLY hard to keep good/great teams together, due to free agency). I would also add - if possible - a stud pass rusher (or two) - someone who's constantly a threat for a sack. We don't have that right now and it was sorely missed. Lastly, a RB who is a threat to break the long run at any moment - a home run hitter, if you will. If everything else stays pretty much the same, these 2 additions make us a really good contender next season. I know, easier said than done. Maybe the great players would be more willing to come here during the upcoming FA period, as they see this city, these fans, this coach, and this pretty good team as a landing spot.
- kritter65


Every team is going to have weaknesses in a cap era. The good teams are the ones that can figure out how to mask them. I still don't think the Chiefs defense is as good as they played last night week to week. They had a phenomenal night and a great gameplan. I'm not sure they can replicate it to that extent in two weeks. Same goes for the Bills against Baltimore last week. I don't think we will ever be at a point to say "The Bills have the best roster in football". When you have a powerhouse like the Chiefs in your conference, you need to be good enough to be in the conversation every year, and hope your a team that peaks at the right time. I know it seems impossible to think about right now, but the Chiefs will lose a playoff game at some point. I just want the Bills to be the team to capitalize on it when that time comes, whether they're the ones to beat them, or someone else pulls off the upset. I do trust that Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are good enough to put them in that position though.
buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 9:47 AM ET
Well it was a really good season,
we just lost to a better team
And the Bills will be really good again next year as well most likely

- jdfitz77


At the same time, I get the sentiment. Overall, I feel the Sabres team coming out of the lockout between 2005-2007, as fun as they could be, were at least somewhat of a disappointment. A Championship does need to come out of the Beane/McDermott/Allen era eventually. Fortunately, that window still appears to be open for quite a while.
Sabretooth9
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.24.2019

Jan 25 @ 9:54 AM ET
5 takeaways

It’s not the goalies.
Small sample size but its not the goalies.
Sorry the Bills lost but it’s not the goalies
We have two tough good goalies so it is not the goalies
Thanks for the opportunity to say it’s not the goalies

- Camel


Besides the 1st game of the year ..... goaltending has been fine.

The main issue is Eichel hall skinner. All mot being able to score
Sabretooth9
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.24.2019

Jan 25 @ 9:56 AM ET
This bills season was definitely a magical year.

We saw Josh Allen go from a mediocre passing QB to an elite passing QB in a matter of a single season.

Week 6 or 7 against the Seahawks is when he learned / figured it out.

The only 2 games of the year he reverted back to old josh Allen was both times vs the chiefs.
buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:02 AM ET
This bills season was definitely a magical year.

We saw Josh Allen go from a mediocre passing QB to an elite passing QB in a matter of a single season.

Week 6 or 7 against the Seahawks is when he learned / figured it out.

The only 2 games of the year he reverted back to old josh Allen was both times vs the chiefs.

- Sabretooth9


I don't think "Old Josh Allen" is a fair label for last night. Obviously, he didn't play well enough to win but the Chiefs defense had a fantastic gameplan and executed it remarkably. Even Tom Brady, who is going to his 10th Super Bowl, never had good games when he faced a pass rush that was that effective. "Old Josh Allen" would often miss the play that was there to be made. Yesterday, he just got beat, plain and simple.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:11 AM ET
This bills season was definitely a magical year.

We saw Josh Allen go from a mediocre passing QB to an elite passing QB in a matter of a single season.

Week 6 or 7 against the Seahawks is when he learned / figured it out.

The only 2 games of the year he reverted back to old josh Allen was both times vs the chiefs.

- Sabretooth9


Tennessee too. And he wasn’t great vs Baltimore last week either.
But yeah, Allen took a huge leap forward this season

Now the question is:
Can Allen stay at that level, does he take a step back, or does he get even better?

As the team is currently built- we go as Allen goes
And when he struggles, we likely lose.
We got lucky against the Ravens, bc the defense played so well.
We got thumped by the Chiefs bc Allen didn’t play well, and they’re just a better team.

Hopefully Allen continues to play at a high level,
and Beane & McDermott learn from their AWFUL mistakes made this past offseason, and can build that Defense back up so it doesn’t get shelled by KC next year- bc we’ll see them again at least once, probably twice
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:15 AM ET
I don't think "Old Josh Allen" is a fair label for last night. Obviously, he didn't play well enough to win but the Chiefs defense had a fantastic gameplan and executed it remarkably. Even Tom Brady, who is going to his 10th Super Bowl, never had good games when he faced a pass rush that was that effective. "Old Josh Allen" would often miss the play that was there to be made. Yesterday, he just got beat, plain and simple.
- buffalofan19


While i agree the KC defense played well, and had a lot to do with slowing down Allen- he made bad throws all night long as well
Gr8daygo
Joined: 04.23.2014

Jan 25 @ 10:18 AM ET
Tennessee too. And he wasn’t great vs Baltimore last week either.
But yeah, Allen took a huge leap forward this season

Now the question is:
Can Allen stay at that level, does he take a step back, or does he get even better?

As the team is currently built- we go as Allen goes
And when he struggles, we likely lose.
We got lucky against the Ravens, bc the defense played so well.
We got thumped by the Chiefs bc Allen didn’t play well, and they’re just a better team.

Hopefully Allen continues to play at a high level,
and Beane & McDermott learn from their AWFUL mistakes made this past offseason, and can build that Defense back up so it doesn’t get shelled by KC next year- bc we’ll see them again at least once, probably twice

- jdfitz77


Allan did miss some throws. There were also some drops. And the protection just wasn’t there. Any time you get a free run at a qb it ain’t gonna be good.

We got thumped by the chiefs because the team didn’t play well... I had nightmares of “sticky coverage”....

Edit: we also had zero answer for Kelce or Hill....
Sabretooth9
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 05.24.2019

Jan 25 @ 10:19 AM ET
Tennessee too. And he wasn’t great vs Baltimore last week either.
But yeah, Allen took a huge leap forward this season

Now the question is:
Can Allen stay at that level, does he take a step back, or does he get even better?

As the team is currently built- we go as Allen goes
And when he struggles, we likely lose.
We got lucky against the Ravens, bc the defense played so well.
We got thumped by the Chiefs bc Allen didn’t play well, and they’re just a better team.

Hopefully Allen continues to play at a high level,
and Beane & McDermott learn from their AWFUL mistakes made this past offseason, and can build that Defense back up so it doesn’t get shelled by KC next year- bc we’ll see them again at least once, probably twice

- jdfitz77


Bills needs:

Pass rusher / D line
Running back
Guard


buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:22 AM ET
While i agree the KC defense played well, and had a lot to do with slowing down Allen- he made bad throws all night long as well
- jdfitz77


He did, but that's what good defenses do: force the quarterback to make bad throws. Two years ago, and even last year, more often than not, Allen would do that even when defenses weren't playing that well. He would almost bail them out at times. That wasn't the case last night. He simply faced a team that was playing much better than both he and the rest of his offence was. It sucks, but it happens.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jan 25 @ 10:26 AM ET
That Singletary drop on the screen was a huge turning point, and are Oline was bad last night, Feliciano had a bad game.
buffalofan19
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes
Joined: 07.01.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:27 AM ET
That Singletary drop on the screen was a huge turning point, and are Oline was bad last night, Feliciano had a bad game.
- Buff36


The moment was just simply too big for a lot of players last night, on both sides of the ball.
Buff36
Buffalo Sabres
Joined: 10.13.2019

Jan 25 @ 10:28 AM ET
He did, but that's what good defenses do: force the quarterback to make bad throws. Two years ago, and even last year, more often than not, Allen would do that even when defenses weren't playing that well. He would almost bail them out at times. That wasn't the case last night. He simply faced a team that was playing much better than both he and the rest of his offence was. It sucks, but it happens.
- buffalofan19

I did not expect KC to blitz that much, and no way did I think there CB were gonna be so good in coverage.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Jan 25 @ 10:30 AM ET
Allan did miss some throws. There were also some drops. And the protection just wasn’t there. Any time you get a free run at a qb it ain’t gonna be good.

We got thumped by the chiefs because the team didn’t play well... I had nightmares of “sticky coverage”....

Edit: we also had zero answer for Kelce or Hill....

- Gr8daygo


U can sugarcoat it if u want, Allen didn’t get the job done
I’m not saying it’s all on him-
but he didn’t play well is the bottom line

And yes, of course we need to build a better team around him
One of the HUGE MISTAKES Beane & McDermott made was building an unnecessarily deep rotation of players on the D-line, instead of using that Cap space to get a true playmaker (or 2 even) there

We obviously saw how KC’s good defensive line had an effect on the game, and ours wasn’t very noticeable at all
ieetbred
Buffalo Sabres
Location: NY
Joined: 06.30.2011

Jan 25 @ 10:30 AM ET
Some of you are so (frank)ed its astounding

Im 32. No one my age is old enough to say they were a part of the late 80s/early 90s bills teams. I used to make the argument that the bills have done nothing for young people to become so devoted, the 'mafia'. Not that I ever really hated on it but some perspective that sports is still about winning games was my angle.

Seeing people about my age or younger cry about the only season in 25 years that meant anything because they didnt win it all is pathetic. The bills have literally given you nothing in your entire life to cheer about. Funny thing is the bills are about to give us something to cheer about for the next 5-10 years.

Only one team wins it all each year and hopefully one of those years it can be us. This year I had the most fun as a bills fan in my entire life and cant wait for it to continue
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