thewildrabbit

I was conversing with NGU in a thread and were were discussing why he personally liked Cam Newton so much, and the fact that the Bills wanted to draft him should Carolina pass on him. I came away from that conversation thinking that Nevergiveup was Buddy Nix. JMO I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Brandon has more then a few posters in this forum that are working for him to help spin things the company way.

While I feel that Whaley has a keen eye for defensive talent. I also feel he is somewhat blind for offensive talent. Looking at EJ, and last years line picks leaves some doubt in my mind about the teams ability to judge offensive talent. Ex Bills GM Bill Polian stated that if he had been hired as the football czar he would have brought in ex Chargers GM AJ Smith. So I suppose that would have left both Whaley out as GM, and Brandon back in strictly the financial side of things. Not everyone outside of the Bills bubble think that the Watkins trade was a smart move if you don't have that franchise QB. The most important position on the field by far is the QB, and if you don't have that franchise guy then everything else is secondary. The franchise QB trumps every other position. I dunno, perhaps Polian thought Smith would help finding that QB. It might have been good intentions to sign Saints OG Jahri Evans, and Packers RT Bryan Bulaga, and after failing to obtain those targets Whaley just gave up! We all know what the road to hell is paved with. The team still needs two quality O linemen, and now its going on three years in replacing Levitre. Anyway, You are what your record says you are 15-17. A grade of C for now, and we will see at the end of the 2015 season if that grade should be higher or lower. JMO

First of all, if Doug Marrone hadn't decided on his own to step away from Buffalo, then both he and his lame OC- JV offensive scheme would still be in Buffalo. It was reported that Marrone wanted an extension for him and his staff, and was given the OK by Pegula, and then still walked away. Then, who hired Marrone along with his JV OC in the first place? The Bills didn't hire John Fox with a winning record in Carolina 73-71, In Denver 46-18. The Bills hired Rex Ryan 46-50 which is a losing record. Greg Roman didn't get any interviews for head coaching jobs that I'm aware of, and his offenses were 20th, 24th, 11th, and 26th in yards during his four years in San Fran. Then his QB Kaepernick regressed badly last season, and the 49ers with all that talent on the O line only managed an 8-8 record. In 2014 that SF offense was 25th in points, 24th in yards. Stating that it looks to me like Roman will have a monumental task ahead of him in 2015 with the Bills QB situation, and the current players for the line on the roster. New Bills QB Matt Cassell in his ten year career has had only two winning seasons, one with NE, one with KC, (10-5 both times), and is now on his fourth team. A 33-38 overall record. A bridge to nowhere QB. Plus, I'm not very enthused over the hiring of QB coach David Lee considering the impact he had on Fitz his last year in Buffalo, and how badly Geno Smith performed all last season. I think I'l wait and see before proclaiming this an all star coaching staff. San Jose Bills fan also mentioned that I must be depressed or have other issues because I criticized Chan Gailey, and some of his moves in his first season in Buffalo. I didn't criticize Jauron or Marrone at first either until I saw some rather blatant stupid moves. With Ryan its already started by wanting, and signing WR Percy Harvin for 6 mill per when the team could have signed a pair of lineman. This doesn't look like a very smart move to me, and Whaley has stated they are done signing free agents this year. In his six years Harvin has been with four different teams, and it always starts out great... Things could change with the draft this year, but then considering how last years #2 pick turned out I'm not very optimistic. Pretty sure there are more of us Bills fans out there that see the hiring of a HC that just went 4-12 his last season as not that great a move. They are just following the "CodeMonkey" rule of thought. I watched the 2014 Jets with their QB falling on his face game after game, and all the while their HC blustering, and running his mouth about how his team will recover to win games...and to only win four all year. The 2014 Jets were the #3 team in the NFL in rushing, and where did it get them? There is no question Ryan will have an impact with the defense. But then Buffalo already had the #4 overall defense last season. Led the league in sacks with 54, and in TD's allowed. We already know, and expect the defense to be great. However, Its not the defense that concerns me, as I've already stated.

Haha, so true. Bills fans are always so darned optimistic about new hires, and new players. Its that Buffalo Bills fans eternal optimism that flourishes every spring, and this year with all the new offensive weapons I can see why so many are excited about the upcoming season. How dare I cast some doubt. Hey man, I'm hoping for the best, and want to see this years team pound the Patriots to dust. I've been wanting a ground, and pound offense in Buffalo ever since that 2009 WC playoff game "IN" New England when the Ravens beat the Patriots 33-14. They did it with a dominating defense, and a non superstar at QB. Second year QB Flacco went 4 for 10 for 34 yards, and one INT. Meanwhile the Ravens rushed 52 times for 234 yards, and 4 TD's. If Rex can build an offense that can do that to Brady's bunch ...then I know I'll be a happy fan.

Thanks for your opinion. While I agree that this is probably the best defensive minded head coach the Bills have hired. I just don't see how that equates to fielding a top offense, and building a winning team. I disagree that this years Bills team is ready to win now. They still have a questions at QB, and they still have the majority of the bad O line players on the roster from last year when the line was 30th overall, and 32nd against the run. This years team has a bunch of new weapons in RB, TE, WR, and yet there is still a huge "maybe" that everything will gel. All star coaching staff...really? A lot of that 4-12 coaching staff found its way to Buffalo. Also, according to 49ers fans they wanted Roman out about as badly as Bills fans wanted Hackett gone. http://blogs.mercurynews.com/49ers/2014/11/28/jed-yorks-tweet-provokes-fans-to-call-for-greg-romans-job/ While I love the idea of a ground and pound offense in Buffalo. I'm not entirely sold on Roman being able to build a competitive offense with the current line talent on roster. The 49ers had three #1 picks, and all pros on that line before Roman even got to San Fran. Totally different story in Buffalo with players who can somewhat pass block, and most stink at run blocking. Then looking at last season with Colin Kaepernick at QB, and that Niner offense was ranked 25th in points, 20th in yards all the while being 4th in the NFL in rushing yards, and 9th in rushing attempts. In 2013 Marrone proved that being #1 in rushing attempts, and #2 in rushing yards in the NFL doesn't equate to more then 6 wins if you can't control the line of scrimmage or clock. Rex Ryan went 46-50 in his time with the Jets, and they didn't get better as they went. Ryan made a lot of promises in NYC that he didn't keep. Count me in as pessimistic until I see the Bills actually field a top offense to go with that all star defense. On a side note Belichick went 11-5 in Cleveland in 1994, and the defense went south the next season after his DC Nick Saban left to take a college HCing job.

Care to elaborate on just what makes you think this HCing hire is worth the hype.

I look at Rex Ryan, and see a guy who knows how to build a competitive defense when he already has good talent on the roster...and sadly that's about it. I don't see an astute talent evaluator who knows both defense, and offensive talent. I don't see a man who knows what coaches to hire that will help develop his players into a winning team. I don't see a Bill Belichick or Bill Parcells who both had defensive backgrounds and knew how to win games. Parcells didn't want a flashy, superstar QB. He wanted a blue collar, lunch pail type of QB that wouldn't lose games for him. He won his last SB with a backup QB starting. Belichick inherited a #1 overall QB in Drew Bledsoe, and then traded him away to a division rival. Then picked up a RB from that same division rival then got 1157 yards out of him on the way to his first SB. Doing this after only his second year with the Patriots. The man knows player talent, knows who to hire, and knows what schemes work on both sides of the ball. 6x times to a SB as HC, and won 4 of them. I honestly don't get all the hype surrounding the hiring of a HC who just went 4-12 with his last team. Last year the Jets beat the Raiders (3-13), the Steelers (11-5) with Mike Vick at QB, the Titans (2-14), the Dolphins (8-8). They were a bad team all around, and even the defense was 24th in points allowed. Before the second game with Buffalo Ryan stated his team was 100% ready to play, and guaranteed they would play 1000% better then they did in the first game. The Jets lost to Buffalo that game 38-3, and Ryan look completely lost on the sidelines.

My take is the entire reason EJ was benched was because he was limiting the play calls for Hackett, and didn't know the entire offense. Then he had trouble reading the defenses and getting the ball out quickly enough when under duress. Its not EJ's fault tho because look who his coaches were. To the fans that think Gailey was the shiznit...the guy didn't know jack about his players and their abilities up until they fell on their proverbial faces during a game. Good coaches can see what they have in their players during practices, and pre season. Remember Chan the dufas stating that Fitz, Brohm, and Trent were all about the same in 2010, then started Trent Edwards then ended up cutting him after three starts. Brohm was cut later on. Chan couldn't see what he had in RT Cornell Green, and couldn't see that Spiller didn't know his routes, how to block effectively, and most important couldn't find a hole his first game. He was promptly benched for Jackson who had a cast on his hand. Chan was all about hiring friends as assistants, and not talented people. Gailey needs an experienced QB with the ability to get the ball out very quickly for his short, quick passing scheme to work properly. Even then it was all smoke and mirrors in trying to fool defense with only one decent WR on the roster in Stevie. Lets not forget 4-12, 6-10, 6-10. I doubt Chan would look good with EJ starting, and I doubt he will make Geno look good. Fitz stated before the team hired QB coach David Lee, who worked on Fitz's mechanics in 2012 that nobody had ever worked with him previously. Meaning Gailey is not a QB guru!! Both Gailey and the guy that hired him stunk it up in Buffalo for three years. I'm not overly concerned about Chan Gailey as the OC for the Jets. His offense should be figured out fairly quickly by NFL defenses, and the result will not be good. JMO

Jeez guys. A FB is meant to block on the second level against LBers his own weight, and not open holes on the line. A RB, FB, and even smaller TE's wouldn't last very long in a game continuously blocking defensive line players. The Bills O line was ranked 30th overall in the league, and 32nd in run blocking at the end of the year. It showed those stats most of the season. LT Glenn easily outperformed every other player on the line, and was the only player to finish the season with a positive grade. The players on the line last season were bad, as Pears graded as one of the worst OG's ever, and RT Henderson was right behind him. Woods had his worst season ever, and finished the season with a negative grade. I don't think coaching, scheme, or play calling is going to elevate the talent of the current players on the roster into beating the better teams this season. JMO.

It looked to me like he said he doesn't want him starting. Perhaps Rex watched last years Raider game with a playoff berth on the line. If I'm Rex I wouldn't want "him" (Urbik) on the roster at all, but then given who Whaley acquired so far Urbik is a viable stop gap over nothing. All three rookies played very poorly last year. Henderson showed he doesn't have the agility to block a speed rusher, and got worse as the year went on. I just don't see him at LT, and an Incognito outburst might ensue if he does.. just like with Martin. Richardson was a decent run blocker but was owned so badly as a pass blocker he was benched in favor of Urbik. Who Marrone wanted the guy gone before the start of the season, and the FO told him no. #2 pick Cujo was so bad he didn't even see the field all season. Kraig Urbik's best ability is to fool the world he is a decent starter all the way up to an important road game. The guy is an adequate pass blocker at times, and a terrible run blocker. I know I've said this a dozen times over the last few months but it bears repeating until others realize how bad this player really is. Urbik was manhandled by scrub Raider DT Antonio Smith who was just cut from the Raiders. Smith had only 20 tackles all of last year, and one of them came from pushing Urbik 5 yards into the backfield to stuff Spiller for a 5 yard loss. One last thing to remember is that Ryan didn't build that 2009 playoff ground and pound O line with the NY Jets, as he inherited it from Mangini. LT All pro D'Brickashaw Ferguson, LG All Pro Alan Fanaca, All pro C Nick Mangold, All pro RG Brandon Moore, All pro RT Damien Woody were already on that 2009 team from the year before. (The LT, LG, C were all pro before 2009) When the team started replacing players on that line it also caused them to field a worse offense. It really looks to me like Ryan doesn't have much ability to evaluate line talent, and his forte is the defensive side. Lets hope new line coach Aaron Kromer is the man who can coach the players on the roster to an acceptable level.

I agree! Alas, it seems that although the FO started in that direction this free agency period they failed to obtain the players targeted and then walked away. Looking at the Bills players from last season I just don't get how the FO can even contemplate that they will be able to build a run first, power run game with the players on the roster. None are elite, and none are really great at run blocking that I've seen.

Promo, I was talking about the Buffalo Bills history of drafting, and the ineptitude that has followed this franchise for a decade. Look back at the players drafted from the 3rd to 7th rounds over the last ten years, and tell me who made it to become a solid starter for more then a year or so besides Kyle Williams. Buddy Nix had a philosophy that you can find decent starters for the offensive line in the later rounds. Those words in itself has to be the most moronic statement I've ever read, and he found some fans here to regurgitate that nonsense. Its utterly ridiculous to say that you can find a decent NFL starter for any position in the later rounds, as its usually pure luck finding one after the 3rd round. This franchise has had enough trouble finding decent starters in the 2nd thru 3rd rounds much less after the 3rd, and seems to find only average players with its first round picks. You would think that being able to draft in the top 12 every year that they would find superstars. Then when they do find a superstar they can't get the production out of them and trade them away (Lynch). Kinda why the team needed to shell out 100 mill in free agency to Super Mario, as they couldn't find a JPP, or JJ Watt in the draft. My take is the team should be looking hard at both Evans from the Saints, and Mathis from the Eagles as I have little faith in Incognito to control himself over an entire season. Want to understand just how bad this team was a run blocking last year? Go back and watch that Raiders game, and with a playoff berth on the line against a bad 2-12 team... the Bills had only 13 rushes for 13 yards. The thinking that the new OC or line coach can fix all the ills with the players is delusional at best. Roman did really well in San Fran because he had 3 #1 draft picks on the line, and several pro bowlers. The Buffalo Bills website list Ex Bears OC Arron Kromer as the new Bills O line coach, and he has had pro bowl players on his line the last 6 seasons. The Bears #1 pick at OG in Kyle Long made it the PB last two years. Before that its OG Jahri Evans, & OG Carl Nicks with the Saints, and he could be the coach the Bills have needed for years, or not, or it could have been Sean Payton. Then looking at last years draft where the #2 drafted OT is so bad he can't even see the field leaves me with no faith that the Bills scouts will find find quality starters in the draft for the line this season. JMO

To make an analogy that most cans can relate to, in that bringing in Mathis to the current roster would be the equivalent of adding a Marcell Dareus to the defensive line. The current offensive line players on the roster all have faults that either they stink at run blocking or pass blocking or both. Some are inexperienced enough to take a few years to develop, or they may not ever develop into anything but a waste of time. Think about how many players drafted by this team past the third round have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL, and the answer is very few to almost none. Adding a proven run blocking vet like Mathis would not only ensure to get the value / production out of McCoy. It would also show the younger players what an actual all pro O linemen looks like, plays like. Then he would likely have a career span that parallels McCoy's. Also, bringing in Mathis would actually give life to the ability of this team to be able to pound the rock against anybody, and not fall on their face in crunch time. This move would really complete the dream team build for this year. a 3rd rounder, YES! EDIT: How is that 4th for Bryce Brown working out? I would think that if Brown was worth a 4th then Mathis should be worth the #2 pick. Just sayin!

Yeah well, I'm still holding out hope that Whaley somehow finds the money to sign two more free agent linemen to finish this years dream team build. They need some road graders to allow all those shiny new toys to work. The last pieces needed for a real run at the playoffs. JMO

Was he the worst QB to ever win a SB? In short, no! That answer would be Jeff Hostetler.

This point was already brought up by "Dibs". “We’re tapped out,” Whaley said. “We’re at the point now where we’ve got to save” cap space “for the draft choices and for injury replacements next year. So anything we do from now on will basically be minimum” salaried “guys. http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/03/24/whaley-offensive-line-a-loss-in-otherwise-winning-offseason-for-bills/ So, the idea of upgrading the O line with some "known" quality talent free agency is already over this year according to the teams GM. Unless Whaley can find another 6 mill or so to sign some more help. With the playoffs on the line last year watch the Raiders Khalil Mack beat Henderson like a red headed stepchild play after play. It wasn't just Henderson either, as the entire offensive line stunk up the field in blocking. 13 rushes for 13 yards against a freaking 2-12 team. If you have that Bills - Raiders game on your DVR go back and watch #60 at 6:19 in the game with 2nd, and four to go. Seven Buffalo Bills on the line in a run play, and against five Raiders on the line. #60 gets overpowered by a scrub Raider DT and shoved five yards in the backfield. Smith tackles Spiller just after gets the handoff. If Antonio Smith doesn't make that tackle behind the line then there are three other Raiders right behind him to make it. The entire interior of the line collapsed on that run play. The thing is the Bills line players have been somewhat acceptable in terms of pass blocking over the years, and that has allowed them to retain their jobs. This past season the Bills line graded as the very worst run blocking unit in the league. Again, with the playoffs on the line. This how that line blocks!! Thinking that coaching changes, the scheme, the play calls are going to elevate the play of bad players is simply delusional thinking. I dunno about the rest of you guys, but I'd like to see something more substantial then a plethora of maybes for the line this season. Richie Incognito has a long and storied history of problems going back to his college days. 38 penalties in 44 games with the Rams with 7 of those for unnecessary roughness. The guy is known for blowing up at his team mates, opposing players, the fans, and his own coaches. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/richie-incognito-troubled-timeline-dates-back-early-college-224648711--nfl.html http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/2733/revisiting-incognito-and-the-rams When he beat up his 300,000 $ Ferrari with a baseball bat he stated "that was just me venting" http://deadspin.com/richie-incognito-on-beating-up-his-car-that-was-just-1533265697

Wow, that statement makes my heart sink at the thought of another failed season. Again, I'm hoping that Whaley finds his way to 6 more mill in restructuring someone to allow some better players for this year. The Eagles may still end up cutting OG Evan Mathis, or Evans, and a decent RT.

Seriously? 13 rushes for 13 yards with the playoffs on the line against a 2-12 Raider team tells me everything I need to know in how bad the current players are on the line. Both Jackson and Spiller were healthy for that game, and the only excuse is the useless blocking by the line. The only two players changed from last year to this year were OG Erik Pears who graded at about the very worst player at OG in the NFL last year is now a 49er, and Richie Incognito who looks to be Rex Ryans input. The Incognito idea could could go sideways very quickly if he has another mental breakdown over any small thing. Lets not forget that this man took a baseball bat to his own Ferrari for some unknown reason, a wild hair perhaps?

I'm holding out hope that between now and the season starting that Whaley figures out how to acquire some better talent at RT, & OG then what he has on the roster. Almost anyone mentioned will be an upgrade, and better then Urbik, Williams. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2015/01/08/bills-offensive-line-grades/21467023/ EDIT: I'll still hold out hope. Although it doesn't look good after reading this. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/bills-news-notes/2015/3/26/8296063/doug-whaley-rex-ryan-buffalo-bills-offensive-line-2015

They basically all were busts. Just because one of them started doesn't mean he was any good at what he did on the field. The man graded like a 7th rounder in that he finished the season as bad as Erik Pears did at OG, and that was one of the worst players at his position in the entire league (54th of 56th). There was a real reason the Bills graded as the 30th line in the league, and they were worst with Richardson in the lineup. Even Doug Whaley admits that the Bills went after that GB RT in Bryan Bulaga, and a top OG so he knew they needed upgrades for the line. You don't make the top FA OT an offer if you don't need him. http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/164148/andrew-brandt-bills-offered-bryan-bulaga-more-than-packers "The second was an attempt to trade for (OG) Jhari Evans of the New Orleans Saints, but they instead chose to move Ben Grubbs to the Kansas City Chiefs." http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/03/24/whaley-offensive-line-a-loss-in-otherwise-winning-offseason-for-bills/ Apparently the GM doesn't have that much faith that those rookies can be coached up to an acceptable level if he wanted to replace them. Now without the monies to make any further moves the team is stuck with what they have on the roster, or to make moves in the draft. Considering the results of last seasons draft I have little faith the team will find the talent required for the line. This GM and scouting dept knows defensive talent, and are very poor with the offensive side.

This has been the main problem with this team for years, and years. It still hasn't changed under Whaley because If it did the 3 O line draft picks last year might have actually worked out. A RB for 10 mil per when this years draft is supposed to be loaded with RB talent. The team paid 100 million to Mario because they couldn't distinguish the great talent at DE vs the bums ( Maybin). I know I'm not holding my breath when they draft an O line player in the second or third round again this year. The team knew they needed a top OG-RT, and when they didn't get their guy... they let it go. Seems to me they had contingency plans in case Clay got away. (Gresham- Fasano) The fact is they made all the right moves to sign a decent TE, and good for them. But that isn't going to help open holes in the middle of the line, and a great FB can't do that either. There needs to be a hole to lead block thru, and not run into the backs of the linemen. For some unknown reason these men in the FO who are paid millions to do their jobs just don't understand the basic reasoning behind needing top players on the offensive line. The Eagle, Cowboys, 49ers have had top lines, and at times they still don't always create a hole or allow their backs to make a 3rd and short by running. If the top teams with some elite pro bowl players have difficulty achieving these things against NFL defenses. Then how on earth can you expect a some below average players to accomplish it? The Bills have one of the best D lines in the league, and they can't possibly go all out in practices or the coaches would actually be able to see what they are dealing with. If they did go all out McCoy would never make it past the LoS, and the QB would have great difficulty throwing to Sammy while on his back. The O line was clearly the weakest area of the team last season, and looks to be again this season. Just remember with the playoffs on the line the Bills rushed for 13 yards on 13 carries against the 2-12 Raiders...how freaking pathetic!! *The team did dump the pro personnel scout. They are still very lacking in evaluating elite talent on the offensive side of the ball from the college side, and they still need some serious help.

This says it all from this fans perspective. With every new regime they always want the shiny new toys (skill players) first or defense. So far how many times has this franchise made the playoffs with that #1 pick used on a WR, on a RB, on a defensive star? Since 2000 DE Erik Flowers-DB Nate Clements-OT Mike Williams-RB Willis McGahee-WR Lee Evans-DB Donte Whitner- RB Marshawn Lynch-DB Leodis McKelvin-DE Aaron Maybin-OC Eric Wood- RB CJ Spiller- DT Marcell Dareus- DB Stephon Gilmore- QB EJ Manuel- WR Sammy Watkins- WR Sammy Watkins. Jauron had to have that speedy DE for his tampon 2 defense, Gailey had to have his "waterbug" instead of a LT or OG. Doug Maroon ran the ball until the fans threw up, and built the best "hurry up" three downs and out offense yet. Then next year threw it 40+ times a game while forgetting to run. The most important game of the season against the Raiders ...13 rushes for 13 yards. Now Rex proclaims that they will run the ball 50 times a game...and that is what they will need to do in order to make a first down by rushing with this sorry roster. Why is every new Bills regime so stinking stupid that they continue to build the offense bass ackwards?? EDIT: Its getting really old reading from fans defending the failure from the team to secure the proper talent for the offensive line. How some new O line coach is supposedly going to elevate the play of bad players into acceptable players. Oh wait the new scheme will do that because this new OC built a great run game with his old team....nvm the fact that he had 3 #1 picks, 2 pro bowlers on that line. Or suddenly the same players graded as the worst in the league will magically transform into viable starters because its a new season. This GM knew he had a problem at OG- RT, and went out and signed everything but....oh, but he tried. The Bills have one new OG that could go off a cliff in a heartbeat if someone looks at him the wrong way. This is not the proper way to build an offense, and most of you guys know it. Stop making excuses for them.

I agree. The line has never been more important with a ground and pound scheme, and a less then stellar, bounced around supposed "bridge" QB. McCoy showed he can't do it all the time without proper blocking last season with the Eagles. When different players on that line went out with injuries he looked an awful lot like Spiller in trying to find a hole when there was none. Even with all the injuries to their line the Eagles still fielded the 2nd best line in the NFL last season, and 2nd only to Dallas. OTOH The 49ers had the 9th best line, and finished 4th in rushing but were worse then Buffalo (25th) in 3nd out drives (27th) mostly due to Kaepernick not getting it done on 3rd down. For some inexplicable reason this FO seems to think that they don't need quality players on the offensive line. All anyone needs to do is look back at the history of this franchise and when they won they had great offensive lines. Two AFL championships with five all pros on the O line. Four AFC championships with 3 all pros on the O line. Even the last time the Bills made the playoffs in 1999 they had an all pro OG in Ruben Brown.

Voices of reason in a sea of endless off season optimism. To be successful with a ground and pound attack the Bills will actually need to be able to have the threat of being able to make a first down by running it on third and short. This is something no Bills team has been able to do for years, and years. Two seasons ago in Marrone's first year the Bills had the #2 rushing team in the league, and were #1 in rushing attempts. All the got them was a 6-10 record, and a team with one of the worst three downs and out percentages in the league. They garnered the nickname "the hurry up and punt offense" that year. Hiring the OC from a team with a top run game doesn't mean that all the talent that was on that 49er team with all those 1st round draft picks is going to suddenly materialize or manifest itself to the Bills O line. Sadly, it looks like the Bills have no elite players on their line, no pro bowlers. That 49er team had 3 first round picks on their line, and two were pro bowlers. The Bills have yet to really build a solid power run O line, and perhaps they will or maybe they won't. In 2010 Buddy Nix stated the O line was a "priority" and then brought in RT Cornell Green in free agency. Doug Whaley in his first year let Levitre walk, and replaced him with Colin Brown, then Doug Legursky. So excuse me if I lack the eternal optimism of others here that the FO will finally get it right for this season. I also feel so many Bills fans think Kyle Orton was a bad QB, and the simple truth is he is the first QB since Doug Flutie / Jim Kelly to actually have a winning record as a Bills QB. Orton's biggest problem was he was playing behind the 30th worst offensive line in the league. Some fans seem to think the QB was the problem last year, and not the lack of a solid run game or line. Anyway, I'll join the crowd in thinking this team could be the best team in the NFL without a QB once the team signs a better RT, RG.