vincec

On the other hand, per all PTR posts any criticism of the Bills in unfounded and illustrative of an irrational fan/media base.

Don't forget QB and WR (if and when S Johnson leaves). Lots of ways to go with the top pick. The most important thing is to draft an impact player, regardless of position. No more Maybin fiascos.

Also, I heard during Monday nights broadcast of the Green Bay game that the Packers have allowed more yards that they have gained. They are 14-1. I guess defense is overrated these days...

I meant next season. I misspoke. Sorry if that makes me an idiot in your eyes. Well, I don't really care about what you think so I'm not really that sorry...

This is true. Since the first Jets game I see more bump-and-run type coverages with blitzes in the box. The incidental benefit is that you have more men in there to defend against the run. To beat it, you need either superior pass protection to allow receivers to work longer against the coverages or superior receivers to beat the coverages quickly, and of course strong QB play. The Bills haven't had any of these things. Multiple TEs is out, IMO. The Bills don't even have one good TE right now and haven't really had more than Chandler at any point in the season. They could use McIntyre more. I wouldn't mind seeing this, but I am concerned about Spiller's ability to run behind a FB into a stacked defense. I still think it is preferable to put another WR out there and take a defender to the sidelines with him than play with a FB and rely on him blocking a LB at the point of attack. Maybe Chan and I went to the same school, but I agree with the general principle that most of the time when the other team stacks the box you throw the ball and when they back off you run it. That is what the Bills are trying to do.

One thing to consider: The Bills RBs have a high run average because the Bills pass so much. They face a lot of nickel defenses with players spread out so that there are holes for quick backs with good vision to run to. If the Bills came out in two tight ends or a FB and a TE they would be looking at 8 man fronts with 3 or 4 LBs in the game. I'm fairly certain that the rushing average would go down significantly. Also, neither Jackson nor Spiller are the kind of between the tackles, power backs that would do well rushing in this type of situation. I do agree that the Bills should run it a little more, but I don't think it makes sense to switch to a conservative, power offense. Look at the top offenses in the league: Saints, Packers, Patriots, Eagles. They are all primarily passing offenses.

Pears has struggled in several games this season. He has played well in others. He is a marginal starter. He is also a 7 year vet so he is not likely to get any better. Bell is a much better player. He has played better against better defensive players. Therefore, Bell will walk and Pears is signed to a new contract. This is my concern. It's time that the Bills re-sign their better players, not their cheaper ones.

What will really happen: Jackson will walk after this season. Bills will get nothing.

This makes too much sense to be embraced by one bills drive. Jackson will probably walk after next season without a serious offer from the Bills.

The difference between Bell and Wood is that Wood is popular on this board and Bell is not. Unfortunately, I think the writing is on the wall for Bell. The Bills have a hard enough time re-signing vets let alone players who the HC doesn't really like. The guy who needs to move to a backup is Pears. He has been easily the worst of the three after a strong start but he just got a large contract extension. It's just the way the Bills roll. Next season = 2nd year LT coming off injury plagued season and journeyman RT.

All things being equal a star DL is worth more than a star LB, IMO. The only position more valuable to a team is QB.

Yah, and what's the big idea screwing the team out of 4 or 5 spots in the draft anyway? The Bills should cut him just for that!

It would be classic if the Bills took a RB. It would really harken back to the Matt Millen Detroit days of taking a WR#1 over and over until they finally got it right.

Unfortunately, Moats is playing in all obvious passing situations so he is seeing a lot of snaps. You just don't notice him. Batten is apparently perceived as a worse pass rusher than Moats and a worse run defender than S Johnson so he is seeing limited playing time. When he was playing more earlier in the year (when Kelsay was hurt) I thought he looked pretty shaky. If a player's biggest improvement comes from year 1 to year 2 then Batten looks to be a backup / ST player at best.

Need a QB in one of the first (3) rounds. Personally, I would like to see OLB, WR and QB as the top 3 picks. Order depends on BPA at each position.

I'm pretty sure that he said that about Don Shula. They are running the ball fine using their current system and formations. They are just not calling enough running plays. The only time it makes sense to bring in the FB IMO is in short yardage situations. If you put another WR out by the sideline instead then the opposition will put one of their players on him and it would be like the FB blocked his man all the way to the sideline. Spreading things out makes it much easier to run the ball.

Here is the complete list of FAs: UFAs Demetrius Bell Scott Chandler Tashard Choice Reggie Corner Andra Davis Derek Hagan Steve Johnson Rian Lindell Kirk Morrison Roscoe Parrish Dave Rayner Bryan Scott Reggie Torbor RFAs Chad Rinehart Garrison Sanborn Kraig Urbik EFAs Bruce Hall I've highlighted in bold the ones that I think they should make every possible effort to re-sign.

Re-signing the free agents is by far the most important thing that the Bills need to accomplish to turn things around.

A QB is definitely coming. Not in the first or second round but thereafter. They wanted one last season and it didn't fall for them. What has happened this year will only serve to increase their resolve to get one.

Believe it or not I think that Gailey has been given far less help from Nix than Jauron got from Levy, et. al. With Jauron the Bills picked up several free agents like Stroud, Florence, Walker, Dockery, Hangartner, Owens, etc. Not all were great, but they were better than undrafted free agents and 7th round draft picks that the Bills start now. However, I am very concerned with how clueless Gailey looks right now and how he seems to have lost the team.

This is what has happened, IMO. Gailey is not leading. The team sees that he doesn't know what to do from here except treat the rest of the season like a long preseason and have lost hope and motivation as a result.

Nix didn't bring in Florence. Jauron and crew did. Nix gave Florence the extension once he came on b/c he realized that Florence was actually better than the other guys they have here, but it's relative IMO. I believe that he would thrive in the slot. Maybe even as a #2 who moves to the slot in nickel situations. But he is definitely not a #1, "lock down" guy. Also, for the record, it's not just S Johnson playing OLB. It's K Williams playing NT, Kelsay playing OLB and up until a few weeks ago Moats playing ILB. I agree, however, that Florence is not as out of position as these guys were/are.

Sadly, this seems VERY likely to be true. Even though Bell has played better than Pears or Hairston overall this season they will let him go and keep the other two. It's just the way the Bills roll.

Bills do appear to have quit. I have to say that they never looked this hopeless and unmotivated when losing under Jauron.

C+. Decent head coach selection. Bad 2010 draft. Promising 2011 draft.