santoro770

Just a question for the more seasoned posters or really anyone for that matter. Felt like I should add something since I always stalk the site. With the additions of Merriman, Barnett, Dareus, Edwards (I know, not new), (not Kelsay), and return of Florence....do you guys sense a shift in the entire attitude of the defense? For better or worse, which shall be determined on game day, is it not different? Think about the absence of the "Donte Whitner guarantee". I can't help but think of the change in attitude, in a thought kind of what took place when Bryce Paup entered the Bills linebacking crew. Was my old avatar...one of my favorite Bills players. Any thoughts on the change in chemistry in general?

Oooh, I have a friend that's an Orioles/Bills fan. That doesn't sound good.

That may be correct, not 100% sure. I do know the league year doesn't technically start until August 4th, that is when Florence will be in. Anyone know for sure when rookies can report? It is an odd difference.

Free agent signees, rookie draft picks and rookie undrafted signees can't practice with the team at training camp until August 4th (or until the CBA is ratified by the NFLPA Union), so even if they get signed by Saturday they still can't participate in camp until next Thursday.

The only thing to remember is that pro bowl voting is prior to the end of the season so he will have to really light it up the first half of the season. With our schedule if he wins 5 or 6 games the first half then you can talk about him in the pro bowl. A lot of people will stop and consider him if Buffalo has that many wins. Love the beginning of the season because there's always hope, I'd like that to last a bit longer this year!

You see that's just it, they are going to be that good. I mean don't get your hopes up or anything, but here's to hoping.

Call me optimistic, but can't we just take solace in the fact that Nix does have a plan? I mean yeah he is turning over the roster but I see so many posts about how they need to get rid of dead weight...patience my friends...we've waited 11 years for a playoff team, what's 2 more? I mean granted it could just be another turn of the wheel, but if Nix and Gailey do start to show improvement (which won't be this year and honestly it's a fantasy for anyone to think they would show promise in the 1ST YEAR of the new front office regime) will those that are critical start to recognize what is going on? I'm workin on my PhD in Organizational Leadership right now and doing a dissertation on Organizational Leadership structure in the NFL and what I can tell you is that the current structure that is in place (leadership talent not taken into account) is one that is historically successful in the NFL both in win/loss record and fan devotion. Patience is a word we have heard for way too long...but these are different people (I know I know, Modrak is still there among others) but should we not be more patient then less than half a season? I love this board! Please go easy on me guys, just sayin...it's been a long time, but I'm hopeful. Silly me!!!

I think it's sweet pay back to Jags fans when they laughed at us for Rob Johnson!

I'd say that he has until at least 2014 before he would be canned, Nix is probably the last GM that Wilson wants to hire or the last time he wants to go through that process.

Funny...he doesn't look Drewish...

I saw that too, he definitely stopped his route. If he keeps going then he's got the ball and a run towards the sideline for probably 15 yards. I'm guess (guessing being the key word) that it wasn't just that the ball was tipped and intercepted but the way the route was run and his inability to execute.

I always said that if the Bills leave Buffalo that I would follow the next closest team distance wise from my hometown...I'm just not sure I can be a Steelers fan... Here's to hoping they don't leave...

I was surprised that they didn't keep him on the active roster after the pre-season that he had. Good luck to him though, maybe Peters will block for him...once he's healthy (Peters that is).

I give that a gigantic thumbs up! I wish I had one!!! Alas, Billy Brooks will have to do!

Can I get a ruling on an Antwain Smith jersey or Billy Brooks? Haha, not that I'll be at the game, just think it's funny I have Edwards throwback, Antwain Smith and Billy Brooks.

So you're saying that Bell is not Malone's son and he didn't bail on him and his family? My guess is that the hall of fame doesn't care about how bad of a parent he is, doesn't make him an ethical human being - just a good basketball player. Personally if being a man means I have to personify someone like Malone, I'll pass. He can say anything he wants in his speech, it doesn't mean that he ever has or ever will live up to it.

I mean I'm pretty sure no one is saying that he necessarily "lied", the things he says about team work are true, that's how it goes. The statements about him disowning his child...yeah that's true, regardless of what Malone said in his induction speech he walked away from his family. There's just no opinion there. The hall of fame I'm sure gives the inductees the parameters of what can and can't be talked about as well as a length that the speech should be within. You think they double check every single speech? Is someone that is getting inducted into the Hall of Fame really gonna mess with the requirements and soil his induction? Come on, really? Karl Malone is in the Hall of Fame because he was a great basketball player, not because of the quality of his character, his ethics or morals.

I think that's a really good point, it was two years ago...same year Trent had his concussion. Great point.

ok...you win...ha. That's awesome. I guess for me it means that Saturday night has to be a little more low key for 16 weeks, 1pm comes early sometimes. Hope the good luck Buffalo Bills Mardi Gras beads my friend got me are good luck this year..... I don't post a lot but love the board. Good stuff.

I mean we did get a first round pick for an undrafted free agent....

With all the chatter about Jim Kelly liking him and the Bills perhaps being interested, I'd say that it's relevant. Thanks for the update on this!

No Collins jersey, but I do have a #80 Billy Brooks jersey...that didn't get much use. Obviously he was horrible while he was here but he's become a pretty serviceable backup, he's been around the league a while. I'd rather have him than Fitzpatrick.

I had just noticed today (yes I know I'm about two weeks behind here) that Todd Collins was cut by the Redskins. Why not bring him back to Buffalo, he played well when given the chance in Washington.

Did no one see the Punxsutawney Polamalu commercial??? http://www.youtube.com/user/truTVnetwork?f...u/0/wfkaKg0q0Sg I thought it was helarious!

I personally kind of like him. I especially liked when he addressed the media and basically told them he didn't care if they didn't like his choice of HC and that he will do whatever he can to make the media's job easy but that he didn't care if they didn't like his choice and that he was doing it to win games not a popularity contest. Also - the piece he said about how all head coaching positions can get filled, even if you are bad - he then said something like, look at the Raiders, they get head coaches....then he back tracked and said, oh wait wish I wouldn't have said that, please don't print that....haha helarious. I can tell you one thing, I wouldn't want to be in Nix or Gailey's shoes right now; a very passionate and almost rabid fan base all over you because they want something flashy or sexy - holy expectations. I wouldn't say he's a bumbling fool - I like the passion he's shown in his first stint as GM. Just an opinion but we shall see - although I did want a flashy head coach as well I'll still reserve judgement until at least the end of next year...or maybe after the first game..haha.