Punch

From 2002-05, Buffalo was an attractive place for relatively big name FAs. I think there was probably a feeling that the Bills were a steadily improving team with competent management in place and a willingness to do what it takes to win. It might take another year or two (assuming that Nix, Whaley, and Moody are doing a competent job) of reBILLding, but I suspect it won't always be this bad. I get the sense, though, that players aren't just laughing at the team on the field as Donte attests--- Karlos Dansby probably thought it was pretty funny that the Bills tried to talk him into coming here, too.

Unfortunately, it seems like this is what it will take to bring in any high caliber free agents this coming off-season.

I felt that way watching Ngata giving Tom Brady and his O-line fits all day in the Pats-Ravens game.

Honestly, even when I'm not exactly pleased as punch with the team on the field, I always prefer Sundays with Buffalo Bills football. Stress doesn't really factor into it one way or the other. (Although, back in 2003, I took it to heart when Ruben Brown literally jumped over a table in an effort to go after Kevin Gilbride. That was the single most frustrating year for me as Bills fan, much more so than 2010.)

FWIW, when the Bills had an above average to "dominant" LT in Jason Peters and a stable of average at best QBs the results were pretty mediocre. A legitimate franchise QB certainly would have elevated those teams (roughly 2005-08*) despite other obvious flaws. *yes, I realize Peters was moved from RT to LT at some point early on and he struggled mightily in parts of 2007 and most of 2008, but he more or less fits the bill for the type of production that could reasonably be expected from a top draft pick at OT in his first few years. Then there's this part... if the right QB isn't there then I absolutely wouldn't want the Bills to take one of the wrong ones just for the sake of drafting a QB. We've already had more than our share of the wrong ones at QB and would rather see us fortify other positions of need until the right passer comes along.

I'm still waiting for him to provide documented evidence as to which specific picks Tom Modrak is responsible for grading highly. He asserted Modrak graded Poz higher than Willis, McCargo higher than Ngata, and Maybin the highest of any pass rusher in the 2009 draft. The fact that the Bills made these selections is not proof that the Director of College Scouting graded them all highly nor does it exhibit how much influence or sway he has in the group of talent evaluators making the actual draft day decisions. It's entirely possible, but I cannot find any evidence that Marv made these comments about Poz and McCargo (I know they felt McCargo fit Jauron's Tampa-2 scheme better than Ngata, which is unfortunate) nor any hard (hell, even soft) proof of what specifically Modrak is responsible.

Not for nothing, but I can't seem to find any reference made to Marv grading Poz higher than Willis or McCargo higher than Ngata. If it's "on record" can you show it? Also, why specifically are the Bills' overall player grades being accredited to Modrak? I understand he's the Director of college scouting but he's only one component of a team of evaluators, and I don't see how anyone can pinpoint exactly what Modrak's influence has been in regards to specific players or why his would be the overruling influence in which players are picked. I'm not exactly doubting it to be true (I absolutely detest, then and now, the front office moves and draft picks made during the 2005-09 Levy/Brandon regime), but the only references I see through google searches are to message boards (including this one), oddly enough.

That's despicable and utterly inexcusable. I want to vomit.

This is one of my favorite points in regards to how great Bruce truly was--- Leonard Marshall had some terrific sack totals for the Giants after they converted to a primarily 3-4 front (including 15.5 in 1985 and 12 in 1986), but he was surrounded by Hall of Fame linebackers. When Lawrence Taylor is lining up to your immediate right you're bound to benefit from the lack of available blockers get to the QB. But that was an all-time great defense in the era where the every down 3-4 was just coming into it's own and certainly a rarity nonetheless. Bruce did it for 15 years, regardless of the changing personnel accompanying him. (Although, after thinking it over for a few minutes more, Neil Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs comes to mind, who had a dominant stretch in the early to mid '90s, although he also benefited from lining up next to a Hall of Fame ROLB in Derrick Thomas and the Chiefs sort of ran a hybrid 3-4/4-3 at times.)

What makes you think Modrak had Poz rated higher than Willis? Willis was picked 11th by San Fran when we had the 12th pick, and by all accounts, the Bills were hoping to take Willis.

Whoa whoa whoa--- where did you hear that about the Bills liking Ponder? That's disheartening

A caller into WGR the other day mentioned this and the fact that Luck's favorite architect is Frank Lloyd Wright. I think he was kidding, but it was mentioned as a possible draw for him in Buffalo. I don't think that's even remotely a possibility (coming out early for Buffalo's architecture) but at the very least, as he is an intelligent young man with a strong interest in architecture, he would likely be appreciative of the region, should the Bills be his NFL home.

The Browns may not consider Colt McCoy to be their guy if his upcoming promotion is a longterm (for 2010 anyway) experiment that proves to be disastrous. Hopefully they won't find an acceptable answer this season and carry his development over to next year. And I wonder what the sentiments are in Seattle regarding Charlie Whitehurst's future? Oakland's 1st round pick is in New England, but the Pats can easily trade out of it to the highest bidder, who may be interested in a QB. If we want the best QB in this draft our best bet is to continue rotating in rookies playing out of position. It'll help them develop and also guarantee a terrible record.

Why would Ron McDole steal his own cleats and flush them down the toilet?

Didn't he apologize to his teammates for causing such a large media distraction? If he's innocent of the allegations, I don't know for what exactly he'd need to apologize.

Curiously, when asked to comment the week following the dismissal, Marv said the Bills made a mistake in firing Jauron. If he was willing to defend his lone head coaching hire I wonder how he would defend these abysmal drafts? By defending Jauron he surely couldn't blame the lack of talent on coaching.

FWIW, a sprinter's stance is essentially a 3-point stance, although some sprinter's use a 4-point stance to improve stability. By using a stance low to the ground the initial burst is improved exponentially. I think it's just that Aaron Maybin is the suckiest suck that ever sucked. Like others have noted, he doesn't appear to possess the requisite football instincts... yet, though players usually either have them or they don't.

I Want a New Drug by Huey Lewis and the News

My point which I stated clearly: it was a possible consideration for the signing. Reggie Torbor's experience with the Giants' '07 Super Bowl team has been referenced as a reason for his being brought in this year. A player having experience on a championship team has some relevance because he has witnessed first hand the lockerroom atmosphere and dedication needed for such a team. I'm not suggesting Cornell Green is a "winner", but only that he may be able to lend some perspective to the younger players on the roster. You're trying pretty hard to be unnecessarily doltish, but congratulations: you've succeeded in spades. No need to get your panties all bunched up you bitchy little twit.

Being at the games is much better than watching it on television, that's for sure---- plus, and I may be wrong on this, but I believe NFL front office personnel have the ability to review the coaches' game film at the school's practice facilities during the season. He's probably not working out the QBs themselves (I don't think that's allowable) but he is doing more on the road than merely attending games.

Actually, he was in his 3rd pro year, and aside from appearing in all 16 games he made 3 starts on the O-line during the regular season, and also started briefly for the Bucs the following year. I'm not defending him, far from it considering I said he has been atrocious--- but the fact that he was a participant on a Super Bowl winning team is the point I was making in regards to his potential lockerrom attitude and experience. Nix has expressed that experience and leadership is valuable to a young team even when those players are not necessarily considered to be "great talents". And why would it matter when it happened? I didn't think it was that difficult to see the point.

It's funny that the pre-draft analysis on Carimi has been all over the map. NFLDraftBible compares him favorably to Russell Okung although they believe him to be a better run blocker; whereas WalterFootball states they'd be surprised if he were drafted in the 1st round and is "by no means" an NFL LT (I think these comments were posted prior to this season, though). I've seen numerous mock drafts placing him as a top 10 or even top 5 pick but that's far from unanimous. My guess is he will be picked somewhat high if for no other reason than the dearth of quality OTs, as you mentioned, coming out this year. I'm no expert of course and I certainly do not claim to be, but he certainly looks the part. Maybe he'd be a reach with the 1st pick, but I think taking Heyward at any spot would be entirely justified. Whatever the case, I want a QB, first foremost--- but it has to be the right QB.

Well, that's exactly what I'm saying. Suddenly, Stanford is a legitimately ranked team after years of dormancy, and I think that's primarily due to Andrew Luck. It'll be hard to stomach if he stays one more year and the Bills miss out on him in 2012 and he then goes on to have the great NFL career to which he appears headed.

Would this be the first year that the most decorated college quarterbacks failed to make an impact in the NFL? Pryor seems to fit the profile of an unsuccessful pro. Luck plays for Stanford, not exactly known for it's winning talent laden football program in recent years, yet he continues to impress for a variety of reasons against any opponent. When he falls flat on his face in a spectacularly noticeable way it will be news.

I think there may have been hope that Green's presence on a Super Bowl winner would give him something to offer the team aside from his onfield performance. Lord knows his onfield performance has been atrocious and not worth keeping him on the roster.