Punch

He wasn't just considered the BPA at the Bills pick--- in fact, Spiller was considered by many pundits and scouts to be the best player in the entire draft. I've always liked the "Jests" moniker--- I'm calling it now, if the Bills win the division, then NE officially becomes the Past. It's our time.

Every draft can't be a home run--- the only consolation with the 2010 draft is that it is the odd man out of our recent draft history: 2009, 2011 and 2012 have produced numerous starters and/or valuable contributers. The track record has improved dramatically from where it was in the previous 6 years or so. And has been said, many of those defensive players that haven't panned could be considered 'tweeners that were too small for the 4-3 and ultimately not good enough for the failed 3-4 shift. If Easley makes the team and Troup returns healthy in 2013 and replaces Dwan Edwards or Spencer Johnson (both of their contracts are up) then it improves somewhat. But it's failure is still the outlier over the past 4 seasons.

Darrelle Revis is probably the Jets 3rd best wide receiver.

Interesting--- it's amazing that Matthew Stafford is likely the best QB in the history of the Lions franchise since Layne. Surely that's the longest drought of inconsistent QB play of any team. After rereading the OP I realized the media aspect was really just the 3rd part of the question.

Also with Graham, Paul Brown very much structured his offensive system around Graham's talents which screams franchise QB. Looking at Baugh's bio, he was a 1st rd draft pick (6th overall in 1937) and starred for 16 seasons, setting several NFL passing records and won a Championship. Certainly, that's a franchise QB background. I think the question is really about media perception as much as anything else, though. When did the almost "cult of personality" identity of the franchise QB become a regular talking point? I think the reality of great "franchise" QBs is separate from the media creation that has led to (as PTR referenced) guys like Sanchez and Bradford being drafted high and labeled as such without earning it.

If true that Hagan is an exceptional ST gunner would that then make Martin expendable, though, as Hagan has potentially better offensive upside? Obviously, they can keep them both for punt coverage, but if they want actual receivers then perhaps Martin loses out to Roosevelt or Easley. Just a thought--- I've assumed Martin makes the team all along for his ST work.

I might say the same--- in fact, I'd suggest Unitas might be the first modern pro football QB. After Unitas it can be argued that Joe Namath was a franchise QB because of the money invested in him by the Jets. The game was very different in the 40s and 50s but something must be said about the likes of Sammy Baugh, Otto Graham and Bobby Layne. At least in the case of Graham, who I think is probably pretty close to being a franchise QB taking into consideration his incredible record for the first 10 or so years of the Browns franchise.

I say Merriman is the biggest longshot, especially considering he was released today.

Doesn't this likely have as much to do with Pears' injury as it does with Glenn's play? He's looked very good but Hairston has to start at RT if Pears isn't ready.

I only wish Thigpen looked like Steve Grogan when throwing the football.

With the lack of offensive talent, an aging defense & mediocre pass rush and all the circus media hype personnel distractions I honestly believe that if Rex Ryan gets this team to 10 wins he deserves to be named coach of the year--- I'm not saying this to be funny or condescending either, I truly believe he'll have earned that recognition. I don't know what this team's identity is supposed to be on either offense or defense. It's too close to the start of the season for the ship to still be rudderless.

Well that settles it... it's Lindell. One of the great moments in Bills history "that never was"--- it's amazing how such seemingly great efforts get swept away in the sands of time after they become negated in the blink of an eye.

Plus, even splitting Fitz out wide still provides an interior blocker for B. Smith, which is obviously where the advantage comes in. If Fitz is lined up at WR the illusion of a pass becomes... more illusory. I agree, we don't really run a WildCat. Brad Smith may not be Michael Vick but he also won't be mistaken for Ronnie Brown when he drops back to pass.

He had one great year, in 1988. A number of the Bills 12 wins that year were scored directly off his right foot. I have to say it's Steve Christie, hands down. Longevity + numerous clutch kicks. He gets an "extra point" (pun intended) for one of the most memorable plays in Buffalo history, namely, the onside recovery against Houston in the comeback game (plus the GW FG, of course)--- he also made what is only the 2nd most famous Bills Super Bowl FG, but it was for a record 59 yards. Lindell is 2nd--- he's been fairly clutch in the past several seasons since adjusting his kicking stance, although it's clearly not his fault he's had so relatively few opportunities in clutch situations.

One logical advantage is that it adds another blocker--- once the QB hands the ball off he is virtually invisible. Taking Fitz off the field and direct snapping to Brad Smith would theoretically give him an extra blocker on running plays if there is indeed the threat of a pass.

I really don't understand how this not meant as a prank--- even if one could gain 20 lbs in 3 days, how is that weight going to positively affect your play on the football field? It is as useful as strapping 20 lb weights under your uniform if it's just weight and not muscle, right? Am I dreaming this? What coach would buy into this philosophy??

Walter Payton: he could run, throw, catch, block, kick and probably tackle. He was as tenacious and driven as the best pro athletes.

!@#$ing WOW.

Fitzpatrick and Dareus make sense in a theoretical Luck trade but I don't think Spencer Johnson is enough of a sweetener to get it done.

But it does stink like poo

The only thing I can figure is that the Bills brass felt spending time with Jasper was taking away from developing talent they see as more NFL ready, like perhaps Sam Young, Zebrie Sanders and of course Glenn, so why not cut ties ASAP.

My first thought was of a Pittsburgh Steeler WR--- took me a second to realize what the heck you meant!

It was a fantastic defensive play--- but he probably should have held on to it. Honestly, it's not Lee's fault he only played in a hanful of meaningful games during his career in Buffalo. But I think that lack of intensity exhibited in this play can at least in part be attributed to going through the motions year after year in meaningless football games--- close games that matter against tough opponents will hone the concentration and will to win for athletes and without that environment, I think it's nigh impossible to just "turn it on" because a guy switches teams and finds himself in the playoffs after 10 fruitless years. But again--- he probably should have caught it.

Jasper was drafted in 2011 not 2010.

That about seals it. I'm not sure he'd even be in the running for the final four 'enshrinees' let alone first overall--- although it's a fairly interesting topic for a new thread, though slightly negative.