FightinIrishBills

This re-hashes the long standing question: is Whitner any good/worth the 8th pick he was taken with? Two different questions, but they're tied together a lot on this board. I think Donte's a very good safety and team leader, but up to this point I think it's safe to say he hasn't yet shown "the spark"-the penchant to make big plays on defense when we absolutely need it or at big moments. Defensive playmakers can change games, and unless my memory is mistaken, Donte hasn't really provided that. So top 10? Not yet.

It truly amazes me how sports fans (not just Bills fans) gauge coaching aptitude. We demonize Jauron for being modest and restrained in his demeanor, but how many would be hailing him as "the silent genius" or "the professor", etc. if the Bills were more successful? Meanwhile all those clamoring for Jauron to bark and yell at his players quickly forget the examples of Tom Coughlin and, outside of the NFL, Bobby Knight. Coaches with an overly aggressive style can be quick to be lambasted by the media and fans alike. I personally prefer Jauron's style-these are full grown men playing professional football for millions of dollars. Some of them are overgrown children, but there's no reason to treat everyone on your roster that way. Jauron has made some boneheaded coaching moves, but I think it's erroneous to take jabs at the way he composes himself and acts towards his players. The main knock on Jauron for me is not being able to adequately employ the talent at hand on a consistent basis. On the one hand, the San Diego game last year was near perfect execution on all ends, and a fine coaching job. But I really do believe that once the injuries hit, Jauron has not been able to implement a winning scheme with the remaining players, something that is a HUGE part of coaching. The Jets game (with the Losman fumble) and the Niners game stand out as prime examples. Granted, the play calling is on Turk's shoulders, but Jauron has to recognize that JP Losman should not be throwing the ball with the game on the line. If and when we have injuries next year, Jauron must be better at crisis management...especially if Trent goes down again. Honestly, the key to winning in the NFL is talent. The best coaches can take the talent they do have and come up with a scheme to complement it, even if it is less than adequate. I truly believe that the Bills will play at a high level if their top end talent is healthy and able to play. That being said, I doubt Jauron's ability to handle change, in light of injuries, and work around the remaining talent on the team. If we do replace Dick next year, I would want a coach who is able to deal with injuries and still find ways to win. But in the meantime, I don't think it's helpful to criticize Jauron's "demeanor"-even if he does look like Skeletor

Go away.

The sun just refuses to shine in some people's worlds. While I'm tentative (but optimistic) about the Bills chances this year, do you really think a picture of player's not even on the field joking around the sign of the apocalypse? Come on now. Jauron's not the greatest head coach but this is hot air filling a really small balloon

Long-time lurker, but this is one of my first posts. Anyways, I was talking to a friend about the early 90's Bills teams and he said that the Bills were only so good because the rest of the AFC was crap, and the beat downs in the last 3 SuperBowls were indicative of that. While I heartily disagreed, I'm only in college now and wasn't around at the time to really appreciate the level of competition. So again I ask: were the Bills only good because they played against weak competition? Or should they belong in what we consider the "dynastic" teams like the Steelers of the 70's, 49ers of the 80's, etc.?

maybe the sky isn't falling after all you gotta BILLieve!!!

mangini's an idiot. that's definitely a first down

As bad as our O-line has been playing, our D has been solid. We're only down 6 points going into the half and can definitely win this game. Let's pull it together!

the bandwagon's getting a little hot. let all the haters jump off now while the ride's a little bumpy. if you can't deal with the mercurial emotions that come with Bills football, then being a fan isn't worth it when we do win it all

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=594562 "If the options for the Western New York community is to not have the Bills at all - which is a real possibility when Ralph dies - might we not want to cut our losses now and look at a split season?" former Erie County executive Joel Giambra asked. "Maybe the first half of the season is played here, because of the weather, and the second half in Canada because of the dome. It's an hour-and-a-half away. It's not like you have to get in plane to go there." Thanks for your input, Joel. Now about those charges of abusing tax-payer money...

personally, I just wish they'd stay away at least in the off season. while it is refreshing to see the Bills get some attention, I'd rather it be during the season AFTER they're proven to be a playoff contender...not as one of the "hype" teams before the season stars (see: San Fran, Arizona). I think we have the talent to make a playoff run, but I think it's much better if we are able to quietly assemble a good team and then go out there and win...not get the monkey on our backs in the offseason.

And so it begins...the Bills get the kiss of death in the media. I'm watching ESPN's First Take and I see the headline flash "PLAYOFF BOUND" with Donte Whitner on the show. Please stay away from us, media.

as for my most hated: MEEEEEchigan USC BC Red Sox Pats* Flyers Sens Devils Gators (Urban Meyer is a d-bag of epic proportions) Jets Phins

Sheesh, people on here need to stop sipping the Notre Dame Haterade...of course, I might not be exactly unbiased