vincec

This is the part I find the most interesting. His historical defensive philosophy doesn't seem to coordinate well with what the Bills have stated they're trying to achieve. I like Wannstedt philosophy and what it produced in Dallas and Miami, but I'm old. It was cutting edge back in the 90s. It doesn't seem to be the way of the new NFL. Today the trend is towards a 3-4 with multiple fronts and exotic blitzes. Wannstedt has a ton of experience though and his presence can only help the defense.

If the Bills let Florence and Whitner walk and then have to waste their #1 pick on a hopeful replacement, that would be a sign that the Bills are just going to dwell at the bottom of the league as usual. You don't build a winner by constantly trying to replace your few good players because they leave. You need to keep them so you can build up talent at other positions. Frankly, I'd rather see Green than Peterson, but really if the the Bills don't go DL or QB with the top pick, I'll be disappointed.

Maybe it was over when the league made them turn the cameras off.

No way do the Bills take Miller, IMO. I would prefer to see them take a DL, but I see a QB as the pick. Looks like a useful resource though.

A somewhat biased article, but yes, Wilson has been vindicated in this regard. He may not be a football genius, but he knows business and what is a bad business decision.

It's good marketing for the league. The same way that boxers pretend that they can't stand each other before every match. It attracts viewers and builds interest in the game. After all, the NFL is not some amateur or gentlemen sports league. It's a business.

Forget what his making. Thats RWs problem. He is not producing and hasn't for the last two seasons. Last season our "#1" receiver had half the yards and less than half the receptions as a guy starting for the first time. That's not good. It's either because he is limited in his capabilities or is being misused, but frankly after seeing the passing game this season, I'm gong to give Gailey the benefit of the doubt and put the problems mostly on Evans. There's no imminent reason to trade him... unless a good offer comes along. This seems to be what Gailey said at his press conference. When does his contract expire? Does he want a new one?

Me. I don't know why. It's probably the most football I've watched in one weekend in live 4 or 5 years.

First of all, those are obviously players from a different era of football and it's very difficult to make comparisons across eras. I do think he was a better receiver than Motley. I don't know a lot about Spec Sanders or Ace Parker's careers. But Faulk is definitely the best dual threat back of the current era (1980s and up). He's better than Thurman Thomas or Marcus Allen, IMO.

OK, I'm going to do something unheard of and take a shot at Saint Bill Polian. I don't think that he's done enough to develop a defense for Manning. It seems that the Colts D has been weak ever since Manning has been the QB.

He was the best dual threat back of all time.

Would be nice, but Nix will probably sign a few low to moderately price FAs and thats it. Players like Ngata, Mankins, Woodley and Soliai are not going to happen. btw- I'd be good with bringing Alex Smith in. He has to be better than Brohm.

Unlike some posters on this board, I remember most of the older guys on that list. Don Coryell should be in the hall, let alone a finalist. T Davis career was too short at its peak, and Martins career while long and productive, was solid but unspectacular, IMO. Bettis is a possibility, but I went with Craig over him because of his role in revolutionizing the role of the back in the "west coast" offense. I thought Sanders had HOF potential, but his injury really sidelined him. He is a borderline guy, IMO. Sharp should probably be on the list. He helped develop the H-back position. Maybe he goes on instead of Modell.

I'm not sure that there are 15 legitimate finalists on the list, but these are the guys I'd go with: Don Coryell Roger Craig Richard Dent Marshall Faulk Ray Guy Charles Haley Lester Hayes Cortez Kennedy Art Modell Andre Reed George Young Cris Carter Paul Tagliabue Edward DeBartolo, Jr. Kevin Greene

If a pro-bowl caliber player doesn't fit the defensive system that you are playing, then the system needs to be changed.

I'm not saying that they need to draft one high, but if the Bills really want to become a big, physical football team ala the Steelers, they will need a big physical running back as part of the mix.

We learned so many things. Here are just a few: 1. Chan Gailey is a good offensive coordinator. 2. Ryan Fitzpatrick is an above average QB. 3. The Bills WRs are a decent group with the potential to be very good. 4. Kyle Williams is a pro-bowl caliber player. 5. Trent Edwards is not a starting NFL QB. 6. George Edwards is a below average defensive coordinator. 7. Marcus Stroud has nothing left in the tank and is not really a starting caliber player any more. 8. The Bills do not have a single player who is an above average pass rusher (with the exception of Williams who is above average for a DT). 9. Paul Posluszny is not stout against the run and is shaky in coverage. 10. Shawn Merriman was not healed when the Bills picked him up off of waivers. 11. Aaron Maybin is not an NFL caliber football player.

I was trying to figure out yesterday... why wouldn't he declare? He would be the #1 pick so there's no where to go but down and why risk all that $ to come back for another season? He's only a sophomore so he still wouldn't graduate. He can always complete college later anyway. It's not just an injury to worry about. What if he has a mediocre season after Harbaugh leaves? He will cost himself lots of $ like Brohm did.

The Bills are keeping Edwards. Gailey basically said so in his press conference. I think the best that we can hope for is some new positional coaches.

Don't like Haynesworth. He has a real chance to destroy team chemistry and character- one of the few strong points on the team. Also, while I think Poz can play 4-3 OLB there is no way that Merriman can (if you think Poz is bad in coverage...) and I doubt that Moats has the range or the experience to be a MLB although you never know. The LB group is very sketchy.

Bennett was drafted #2 overall by the Colts and then traded to the Bills in a 3 way trade that included the Bills #1 pick the following year and Greg Bell. The Bills gave up a #1 pick, plus a very solid RB for him.

Exactly my observations these past couple of weeks. I think Poz can improve in his pass coverage skills because he's a good athlete, but I don't see how he can become strong enough against the run to be a 3-4 ILB.

I've been right here. All I hear is Luck-Newton-Fairley-Dareus-Bowers and sometimes Mallet and Gabbert. No real discussion on LB prospects. I guess we can scoop up the future stars of our 3-4 defense in the later rounds of the draft or as UDFAs. Funny thing, the last time the Bills played a 3-4 I remember some high draft picks at LB like Bennett, Conlan and Talley.

I doubt it. The Bills definitely need to build their scheme around their personnel, I just wish they'd really focus on that instead of transitioning to a 3-4. I sure hope not.

I couldn't disagree with your optimism more strongly. Batten was injured even before his first training camp and now he's a starter? Merriman was injured 15 minutes into his first practice and hasn't produced anything in over 3 years. I watched Poz very closely the last 2 games and I don't see a 3-4 ILB. He is weak at the point of attack and poor in coverage. The only plays I saw him make at or near the LOS were when he was completely unblocked. Maybe he could be a decent 4-3 OLB with some work on his coverage skills as he is fast and an OK pass rusher, but I don't see how he fits into the Bills D. Moats has shown some signs, but he has a long way to go to be a dominating 3-4 OLB. Plus he is somewhat small for the position. LB isn't getting talked about much in the draft speculation but the LBs are the core of the 3-4 defense and the Bills don't have one championship caliber player at these positions yet. I would like to see at least at least one of the top 3 picks on a LB. Maybe even the top pick on Quinn.