Punch

I think he was kidding... but boy, did Bulaga suck against the Dolphins: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/39713779/ns/sports-player_news/

That's true, Nix said they wanted either Williams or Okung although I think Williams was their preference. No one was going to help the Bills trade up to 3rd or higher.

Too bad Williams was gone by the 9th pick. Also, as much I would've loved to see Trent Williams at LT for the Bills, late in the 4th quarter Williams was having a hard time, and allowed the man he was blocking to disrupt more than a few pass plays that enabled the Colts to hold on for the win. Although, Demarcus Ware doesn't play for the Colts.

Gosh, and here I thought he was being sarcastic!

Is Lynch's contribution legitimately quantifiable in determining the difference between Seattle winning or losing yesterday? Absolutely not. Your arguing that the importance of winning games (which is important above all else) is somehow dependent upon Lynch's presence (which is simply not true). The greater factor in Seattle's victory lies in Martz giving up on a successful running game in the early going, as has been his wont throughout 2010 (an much of his coaching career). Time to move on, or you can continue to pointlessly flog the dead horse that was BeastMode (whom I incidentally always liked). The sacks are understandable considering his first start was at Pittsburgh. Talk about being thrown to the wolves. I wonder if his arm strength will hold up under the harsh Lake Erie winds? I hope he does well.

Ha--- furthermore, as far as Lynch being "instrumental" on the TD drive: Seattle - 4:28 1st-10, SEA8 4:28 M. Lynch rushed to the right for 3 yard gain 2nd-7, SEA11 3:49 M. Hasselbeck passed to M. Williams to the left for 21 yard gain 1st-10, SEA32 3:07 M. Hasselbeck passed to M. Williams down the middle for 18 yard gain 1st-10, 50 2:28 M. Hasselbeck incomplete pass to the left 2nd-10, 50 2:23 J. Forsett rushed to the right for 6 yard gain 3rd-4, CHI44 1:46 M. Hasselbeck passed to D. Butler to the left for 15 yard gain 1st-10, CHI29 1:18 M. Hasselbeck passed to M. Lynch to the right for 5 yard gain 2nd-5, CHI24 0:42 J. Forsett rushed to the left for 13 yard gain 4th Quarter Seattle continued 1st-10, CHI11 15:00 J. Forsett rushed to the left for 4 yard gain 2nd-6, CHI7 14:30 M. Hasselbeck passed to M. Williams down the middle for 6 yard gain 1st-1, CHI1 13:45 M. Lynch rushed to the left for 1 yard touchdown. O. Mare made PAT Marshawn Lynch's total offensive output for this drive: 2 attempts for 4 yards, 1 reception for 5 yards (and yes, the 1 yard TD). Hardly the stuff of legend.

What is the general feeling amongst Browns' fans? Are they confident Colt McCoy is their guy?

I'd love to get a hold of their necks!

So each time Lynch has a bad game (say, 23 yards on 12 carries) there will be sarcastic posts about how "I guess the Bills should have held on to Lynch, eh? Snark, snark! " And each time Lynch has a good game (maybe 120 yards and 2 TDs) there will be posts about how the front office doesn't know what it's doing and Chan misused him, etc. And we're going to play this game all year long like every botched draft pick, missed free agent signing, premature player release, and unnecessary contract extension over the past 10 years? a) I'm certain Marshawn Lynch will continue to accrue yards and TDs and b) the Buffalo Bills decided he is not in their future plans because the other RBs on the roster are more than adequate and Lynch was the odd man out due to his attitude and off the field concerns. This appears to have worked out well for both the Bills and Seahawks, though I don't think Lynch's 2.6 ypc and 54 total yards will help the 2010 Bills win any games. Time to move on, ain't it?

I think McCoy will have some measure of success in the NFL--- but do you know which QB previously held the title of "Winningest QB in NCAA History"? Georgia's David Greene, who didn't exactly light the NFL on fire. Peyton Manning was the record holder prior to Greene--- I'm guessing McCoy's pro career will fall somewhere between David Greene and Peyton Manning. Still, although a winning QB in college is certainly preferable (both Losman and Edwards had losing NCAA records) it is not alone indicative as to whether or not it will translate to success in the NFL. Mallett (69.1) and Luck's (65.7) completion pcts. have both gone up dramatically in 2010 from the 2009 numbers he posted. It's probably safe to say another year in college will help shape them into even better passers, though as you suggest.

I think you may be referring to this SI article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/john_lopez/07/08/qb.rule/index.html The idea being that college QBs with at least 26 starts, a career completion pct. of 60% or higher, and a minimum 27 score on the Wonderlic test have a higher rate of NFL success than those that do not qualify. Colt McCoy falls 2 Wonderlic points short, but that type of stat differential in this case is considered negligible. Interestingly, of the current NFL QBs that meet each of the 3 requirements (P.Manning, E. Manning, Rivers, Brees, Romo, Schaub, Ryan, etc.) one is Ryan Fitzpatrick. Edited to add: Although it should be noted that the "26-60-27" measurement is based on career numbers, not only one season. The 2010 completion pcts. for each of the 3 collegiate QBs you mention: Ryan Mallett: 69.1 Jake Locker: 56.2 Andrew Luck: 65.7 It's possible (actually, more than likely) that both Luck and Mallett's career completion %s will be above 60% by the end of 2010.

For all intents and purposes, those trades were essentially draft picks. They had never played in the NFL and Eli was a Charger for what, all of 45 minutes? You're right though, drafting a franchise QB 1st is definitely not the only way to build a team, but if the right guy is there for the taking, then by all means a team should take him. If not, move on to the trenches. It's extremely difficult to find that kind of QB, not quite as difficult to find those type of linemen. This team has so many needs they almost couldn't go wrong either way, but they absolutely need the "right guy" under center.

I knew the poster was joking about Mallett and Locker being run stoppers because run stoppers is an obvious need for the Bills--- so I in turn replied with a joke. No need to roll your eyes, sir.

Tackling is just another category where Andrew Luck beats out Mallett and Locker! (I'm sure you've seen his hit from the USC game)

Bruce Smith had 71 career tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 46 career sacks, including 22 as a junior, en route to winning the Outland Trophy as the nation's best D-lineman as well as a consensus All-American as a senior. Bruce was considered a "sure thing" and near consensus top 3 pick as he had done it over the course of his entire college career--- and at this point anyway, Bowers is unproven. He very well may be a great pro, but for now the two are simply incomparable. How can you realistically compare the two?

He had 13.5 in 1986 (down from the "record" 22 in '85), the first year the Jets employed the 3-4, but his numbers dropped off the face of the earth after that (he did have a string of injury problems, though). It's pretty difficult to figure out exactly what effect the 3-4 had on these guys because without the benefit of gamefilm it's virtually unknowable what defensive set they were in when they accrued sacks. We know, without a doubt, however, that Bruce Smith spent the vast majority of his career in a base 3-4 D. Certainly, some of his sacks came in 4 man fronts in Nickel, Dime, and Quarter packages--- but to spend 15 seasons primarily as a base 3-4 DE it's absolutely amazing that he was able to consistently beat double and triple teams and penetrate into the backfield, not only to sack the QB but also chase down RBs behind the line of scrimmage. I think a strong argument can be made that Bruce is the most dominant defensive player in the history of pro football. Thurman#1---- if you're as interested in sacks and statistics as I am then maybe you've read about the work of John Turney, a fan who has spent countless hours studying play by play sheets and gamefilm in an attempt to (as accurately as possible) determine the correct pre-1982 NFL sack figures. His work is widely quoted by sports writers, although he himself admits that the numbers he came up with cannot truly be considered official due to the inconsistent nature of record keeping over the years--- though it's a good gauge for what might have been. His revamped "All-Time Sack" list still has Bruce at #1, though guys like Deacon Jones (who famously asked: "Since when does 'all-time' begin in 1982?") played most or all of their career in 14 game schedules. TURNEY SACK LIST Rk. Player Sacks 1. Bruce Smith 200 2. Reggie White 198 3. Deacon Jones 173½ 4. Kevin Greene 160 5. Jack Youngblood 151½ 6. Chris Doleman 150½ 7. Alan Page 148½ 8. Lawrence Taylor 142 9. Michael Strahan 141½ 10. Richard Dent 137½ 10. John Randle 137½ 12. Rickey Jackson 136 13. Carl Eller 133 14. Leslie O'Neal 132½ 15. Coy Bacon 130 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/rgosselin/stories/083009dnspogoosecenter.2ff71d7.html It's interesting that names like Coy Bacon and "Bubba" Baker are all but forgotten because sacks were not kept as official statistics during the 1970s. The great 1964 Buffalo Bills' defense, for instance (incidentally the 1st pro team to employ a 3-4) are unofficially credited with 50 QB sacks (in only 14 games). http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=weinreb/081006 Turney's season by season breakdown of sack leaders from 1961-81: 1961 Gene Lipscomb 17.5 or 18 (not 100% sure, still checking it out, it's either one or the other) 1962 Jim Katcacage 16 1963 Jim katcavage 20 1964 Deacon Jones 22 1965 Deacon Jones 18 1966 George Andrie 18.5 1967 Deacon Jones 21 1968 Deacon Jones 22 1969 Steve Delong 15.5 1970 Tony Cline 17.5 1971 Cedric Hardman 18 1972 Jack Gregory 18.5 1973 Bill Stanfill 18.5 1974 Jack Youngblood 15, Dryer 15 1975 John Dutton 17 1976 Coy Bacon 21.5 (small issue of scoring may be 22) 1977 Harvery Martin 20 1978 Bubba Baker 23 1979 Jack Youngbood 18 1980 Gary Johnson 17.5 (Baker had 17, there was a game where a could half-sacks went as full sacks) 1981 Joe Klecko 20.5

That makes more sense. I had misremembered that it was his temperament that drove him out of the league rather than his back problems. I'm sure Martz spun it into something more egregious in order to make the Rams appear more favorable, as well. I miss the "old days" when players had the freedom to be characters rather than doing RoboInterviews where everyone spouts the same cliches. As a kid, I absolutely loved the "Fric and Frac Show" with Smerlas and Haslett and I was heartbroken when Haslett broke his leg against Chicago in the preseason in 1986 during Kelly's first appearance in a Bills uniform. He knew the team was going to turn around with Jimbo and was devastated that he couldn't be a part of it. Oddly enough, Turley was shipped out of New Orleans while Haslett was the HC there. Things have changed.

A moment here or there doesn't seem to help the aggravation in missing out on Haloti Ngata. There was a point late in the game yesterday when Ngata tossed aside the center and just swallowed up Brady--- Brady was so frustrated that he slammed the ball down and hit his hands on the ground like a little kid throwing a tantrum. In my wildest dreams I wish the Bills had a disruptive force in the middle of our D-line (or anywhere) that could cause Brady to nearly lose it.

And you feel this way because he gave you an interview? For what it's worth, I was thinking about the professional mock drafts not the fannish sites. This is the first year Bowers has shown any consistency which means he flies directly in the face of what Nix has preached in regards to how he approaches a potential draft pick. I know things change over the course of the year, and he very well may go somewhere in the 1st round--- but not the 1st overall pick whilst ignoring Andrew Luck. That's legitimately crazy.

We definitely need some bad ass mother!@#$ers, no doubt--- but didn't Turley threaten to kill Mike Martz? Not that I have any love for Martz, but Turley was a little bit more of a loose cannon than necessary. Conrad Dobler, Jim Haslett, Smerlas, et al---- we definitely need some nasty dudes but not basket cases. Your entire post is terrific and spot on--- it appears to be the problem not only with the Bills but also with the Sabres.

Interesting note on the 1st overall pick, from: http://www.nfl.com/draft/story/09000d5d80fa1d95/article/who-wants-the-no-1-pick-in-the-nfl-draft-nobody "Is it possible for the Detroit Lions, or any team with the top overall choice of the NFL draft, to simply pass on making the pick? Yes. The Lions could pass, and the team choosing second -- currently the St. Louis Rams -- would subsequently be on the clock. The Lions then would fall back into the No. 2 spot. As onerous as having the No. 1 choice might be, don't expect the Lions, or any team that has it, to simply refuse to execute it. The NFL would not approve. "There's an unwritten rule discouraging teams from passing (for the sake of avoiding paying exorbitant money to a rookie)," said a general manager, who requested anonymity. "No matter how much you don't want that pick, it just wouldn't be good for the integrity of the draft." -- Vic Carucci"

Amazing that no other mock draft puts Da'Quan Bowers in the 1st round... yet the Bills will take him at #1. It certainly sounds like Marv, I guess, although Bowers may not fit the Tampa 2. If the Bills have the 1st pick and pass on both Luck and Mallett (heck, even Locker) for Da'Quan Bowers--- come on man, why even play like that.

After watching some highlight videos on the UFL site... I can't believe how awful the uniforms are... I kind of thought they'd improve them once they started generating revenue, but good god, man. The football on the field would be much more entertaining if they didn't look like a junior high school kid designed them for his custom Madden league.

The Toddler was talking about Franchise mode in Madden--- although even then it took 4 years to increase his ratings high enough.

It's possible that Kevin Kolb could turn out to be Matt Schaub but why fight over him with 5-7 other teams and thus likely need to send a 1st round pick PLUS to Philly in order to successfully land him? We can use a 1st round pick much more wisely than taking the chance that he's another Rob Johnson rather than Schaub. Not to mention, if he's really worth a first rounder then why would Philly deal him? They need a franchise QB of the future just as much as the Bills. I don't think they're staking their future on Michael Vick--- Vick was only drafted 2 years after McNabb, FWIW.