vincec

Top 10 best defensive players based on last year's performance, IMO: 1. Williams 2. Florence 3. Moats 4. Edwards 5. Whitner 6. Kelsay 7. Byrd 8. Poz 9. Davis 10. Ayodele I would say that 1-4 are solid, 5-8 need to step it up or be on their way, and 9-10 are stop gap at best.

If Quinn is so good, then how does he last until #3?

The Amish Rifle.

I've always been a 4-3 guy, but I have to admit that the 3-4 seems to have a tactical edge in the modern NFL. All of the best defenses are 3-4s: Pitt, GB, NYJ, Balt. The only possible exception may be Chicago (and with all the talent they have on D they should really be doing better, IMO). And while it's true that last year's SB teams both played a 4-3, those teams weren't in there because of their defenses.

Ya think? People on TSW are the best. Wait, are you being serious? You would rather have Fitzpatrick than Marino?

Poz is best as a 4-3 OLB, IMO. He needs to work on his coverage skills, but his athletic ability, high "motor" and moderately good pass rushing skills would work well there. If the Bills are committed to a 3-4, then he probably needs to be eventually replaced with a bigger and more physical player. The Bills need to resign him anyway though because they don't have much at that position and need him for the next couple of years.

If you've ever watched a game in Dallas, you'd know that most of the people there will basically be watching in on TV anyway. That massive screen is irresistible.

When Troy Aikman won't throw to Michael Irvin or Alvin Harper if they're on Deon's side of the field and the 49ers start lining Jerry Rice up in the backfield to get him away from Sanders, then you'd have to think that Sanders may be a first ballot HOFer.

Jim Brown too.

My prediction hope: Faulk, Sanders, Sharpe, Sabol and Reed. I'm concerned that Haley might sneak in ahead of Reed.

Analysts are saying that Sanders and Faulk are locks. Faulk was better than Thomas, IMO.

Poor Maybin. He's always good for a few jokes at his expense.

Reed was great, but these highlights are more about Jim Kelly than Reed. I guess I'd forgotten that he could be that good.

This thread was definitely good for a laugh. I needed it today.

I think you're on to something.

I think the Bills need to take an OT somewhere in the top 3. Ideally, someone who can start at RT and possibly develop into an LT if Bell doesn't step up next season.

All excellent points

If only Ponder had an arm.

As usual, what people post about situations like Cutler's says a lot more about the people making the posts than it does about Cutler.

The passing game started to open up with the early rules changes in the late 70s. That's why the pass heavy "West Coast Offense" showed up right afterwards. The most recent changes that have had an impact have been protections on the WR and QB. I agree that they weren't specifically implemented to promote passing, but intimidation and physicality have always been defensive tools. If you can't lay a big hit on a QB or WR, it's much tougher to take them out of their offense. It starts to resemble flag football, which is pretty wide open.

Without quoting specific rule changes, most of which are in your link, the big ones are: prohibiting contact on eligible receivers outside of 5 yards of the LOS, ever increasing protections for the QB and WR against big hits and the loosening of what constitutes holding along the offensive lines. Basically, you have a hard time being physical with the receivers, threatening them with big hits or using them to dislodge the ball while top QBs are easier to protect, difficult to intimidate and stay on the field longer. This has helped the passing game, which has added to interest in the sport, IMO.

Since it appears that the Bills are going to play both a 4-3 and a 3-4, I don't see why they wouldn't consider bringing him in at the right price. He might help in the pass rush if nothing else. I wouldn't pay that much for him though.

It's a good staff, but I say the defensive people are in the wrong roles. Should be Wannstache as DC, Sanders as DL coach, Edwards as LB coach, with the Bills playing a 4-3. But they're all in there so if they keep their egos in check, hopefully they can come together to create something good.

Maybe I missed this, but what exactly qualifies Jauron as a cracker jack defensive coordinator? How many championships has he won as a DC? How many top 5 defenses has he coached? I get that he is a nice guy, has a lot of integrity, works hard and is connected but I'm still trying to find the reason he keeps getting these positions is what is usually a results oriented league.