Red

Thank you, Philster. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Would have loved to have been there. My personal best game was the 51-3 drubbing of the Raiders that propelled the Bills to Super Bowl XXV. Never had so much fun at a game since.

Maybe. But if the guy was so good, his play would drive him to actually being on the field. HE's been supposedly doing nothing since he was injured besides rehabbing and (hopefully) studying. Conditioning back to football condition. Now that he's been active for the past 7 weeks or so, he has yet to see the field. Why? Can't just be coaching. And 1 game hardly makes a star, sir. Merry Christmas. May we get the new front office we so desperately need.

I sincerely hope that the Bills get a prime-time showing to end the year. I, for one, have grown tired of the nationally televised whoopings we have been subject too this decade.

Now you're just trying to start trouble.

But based on his previous actions, he is not fit to be in a position to lead a group of men into anything. A convicted felon, for all of the best rehab around and becomes a preacher or cures cancer, still can't become President of the United States. There are repurcussions to your actions. Serving time is oftentimes not the sole punishment for a criminal. Having to carry that record with you when you apply for a job, certainly is a weight I would never want to be burdened with. The fact is, that if it was any normal member of society and not a million dollar commodity that we are talking about, the sentence would have been much more severe, and finding future gainful employment would be near impossible. You certainly would not be able to stride back into your old employers office, and be welcomed back, given awards for having had "put up with so much", blah, blah, blah. If you were even fortunate enough to make it up to the front door, you'd most likely be escorted off of the premises by security and the police would be summoned. This is all about money. Prior to this case, Vick was the posterboy of the NFL. He was on the cover of Madden. He was the big deal, the reason to watch, etc, etc, etc. The league put all of it's eggs into the Vick basket as the face of the league, and that is how he repaid them. They made him richer than his wildest dreams, and he still could not control himself. Yet, he is given another chance. Why? It's certainly not because he convinced the league that he's a changed man- he has to have Dungy 'guide' him, for Pete's sake! He certainly did not plea and admit to making a mistake, because he sees himself as a 'victim'. A victim of what, I ask? Stupidity is not a defense. No, he is given another chance because his talent is rare. The NFL, as a business, is in need of those rare talents to continue its existence. That is not to say that the NFL is implicit in Vick's decisions on how he runs his life, but the NFL certainly is not vigilant enough in punishing the moronic and felonious behavior that happens every year. Half the Bengals roster, Lynch, Hargrove, the accusations surrounding McIntyre (since deemed false), Burress, 'Tank', 'Pacman', Nate Newton, Irvin, and on, and on, and on are all fairly recent indications that these players are sorely lacking in character, to say the least. But they can continue their careers because there are so few who can perform the tasks necessary to keep selling tickets.

And that is why we should never have him, and he is not capable of leading a team. He is not a franchise QB. He is a gimmick. We need a GM more than a Michael Vick.

Yeah, because losing Schobel would certainly NOT create a hole at defensive end so that we could perhaps draft another safety or cornerback to turn into a linebacker.

I feel saddened for a player like Schobel to be contemplating retirement and having battled for the Bills like he did all to receive nothing in terms of playoffs in his career. This team is in a shambles. Last time I checked, Vick does not play DE, LB, GM, OL, DL....

Mr. Wawrow, What is going on with the Bills front office? Brandon is placed in charge of finding his own replacement- meanwhile time is passing and Holmgren, Shanahan, and my personal favorite Bruce Allen are now either off of the market or being rumored elsewhere. Seems like placing 'Barnum & Bailey' Brandon in place of finding his own successor has hit a snag. Then there are the 'tweets' from Thurman Thomas about sweeping change coming at OBD. The only viable option I still see with proven, NFL experience at GM is Floyd Reese. Now Lombardi over at NFL Channel is stating rumors that the Bills are "major" players in the gimmicky, circus-like decision of a guy with a marketing background as GM of bringing in Vick. It sounds an awful lot like lip service that there is going to be sweeping change, when the same 'horse leading the cart' strategies seem to be in effect here. Shouldn't we be putting all of our eggs into finding a suitable replacement to Bill Polian?

I'm with you, up until the drafting of a QB 'even if Clausen is there' thing. I will 1 up you. My fear, is that he will fail miserably behind our hideous offensive line and lazy receivers and he will be cast-off once the season is over. As far as your Clausen comment is concerned, I personally believe that as long as our scouting staff is led by Tom Modrak, we should forfeit our drafts and trade them for proven players. DOOP! I forgot, Guy is running our Pro Personnel Department. We need a front office more than a QB or coach.

That is perhaps the most interesting possibility I have yet heard. It would give Wilson an 'out', and give Kelly some time to learn on the job. I shudder to think of it like the flash in the pan Marino hiring in Miami a few years ago (isn't this situation eerily similar?), but what the heck? Marino was always a pansy player, IMO. I especially loved it when good 'ol Bruce would sack him and Marino would throw a temper tantrum. Ahhhh...those were the days...

I'm just shocked that someone in the front office is not clamoring for this guy to see the field. Or, perhaps those that thought he was "all that" know that he isn't, and would just be plain embarrassed that yet another Modrak scouted player has not produced. At all. As in '0'.

Nice...

Zow. Stop for a second, and have a seat. Please, please...tell me how Vick would truly help what ails this franchise? Are you of the minority who believe that our front office is spectacular? Modrak has been an amazing architect of our drafts? Guy has continually brought in bargain players that turned into Pro Bowlers? Brandon has truly led and made intelligent football decisions FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TEAM, and not as a gimmick to sell tickets? Why would we pursue Michael Vick, when we don't have a GM? You see, in the NFL, alot of these front office-types, when they get hired, actually like to staff the team and management with people that THEY want. If Brandon is in charge of finding his own replacement (that has been going great), why would we even bother with players or coaches if, as Thurman Thomas says, we're just going to blow it all up anyways with 'sweeping changes'?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, and everybody else. Now, you had to look at the roster to realize that this team was a mess?

Red (jokingly mimicking the idiots calling for him to be our QB): "But, he served his time. He was just a victim of his upbringing. He did not know he was doing wrong. Once, when he was 6 months old, a big pit bull snarled at him. Ever since then, he has sworn his revenge. It's really not his fault. He served his time, and I see absolutely no conflict of interest or issues surrounding leadership having a convicted criminal as the face of the franchise. None, whatsoever."

I'm sorry, but that's not remorse. He's playing the freakin VICTIM.... The thing I don't understand...is how can you be a victim...of your own actions? Anyone who thinks this guy has the material to be a franchise QB, I've got a socialist candidate for President you can vote for that will bring 'change' to the United States of America.

Oh knock it off. You may be one of the baffoons that constantly shell over hundreds of dollars a year on an inferior and mediocre product, but thankfully there are many fans who are starting to wake up. Wilson does Buffalo no favors. WNY has this inferiority complex, and "oh, how awful it would be if they left", etc. Listen, if you want to pay for crap than be my guest. This has nothing to do with being a "fan". This has more to do with a decade of absolutely NO committment to getting back to the Super Bowl as Ralph keeps preaching. Thurman Thomas keeps getting all excited "that now Ralph just wants to see fun football again in WNY". Waitamminit...NOW? NOW???!?!? What has he been wanting for the past 10 freakin' years?!!? Please, please do yourself a favor and get over your self-righteousness. Vick is a gimmick, and if we were serious players without first getting a real front office then I will leave too. I certainly won't be falling for 'Barnum & Bailey' Brandon's idea of roster filled with circus performers and be paying hundreds of dollars for NFL Sunday Ticket access because I live out of market. I've followed this team probably longer than you've had hair on your balls, so if you believe these guys are worth it, then so be it. One of the best ways to demand better is cease paying for inferiority. Until you and other "fans" get it, the Bills will never improve. Good day, sir. And Merry Christmas!

You are verbalizing my fear, hombre. I'm concerned that the front office will remain intact, and Modrak and Guy will continue their dreadful employment at OBD. Brandon will remain at GM to continue his circus sideshow of league pariah's to put butts in the seats and have nothing to do with winning football. Vick is a gimmick. We need a true leader, a true franchise QB. Vick is NOT that guy.

I like the idea. Whitner has produced little to nothing but vague predictions about playoff berths since his arrival. Now, if only we had drafted Haloti Ngata instead of Whitner we would not be having this conversation...

Perfect end to a craptastic season! It will be nice to see Brohm, but I don't understand why Fewell is refusing to let Hardy and Johnson get on the field at WR these last 2 games. It's not like he has a chance of beating Indy. Atlanta, with their running back playing this week is not going to be a walk in the part, either.

I would take either McCoy or Williams.

It would not effect this year's draft, as the scouting department is busy working during the collegiate football season. in other words, the scouts currently on our team (including the inept Modrak) have pretty much done their jobs for this upcoming draft. Sure, there are the Bowl games, NFL combine and such, but overall the grunt work is mostly over with. That is why when Buddy Nix was hired back, it was said that he was going to have no to minimal impact on the '09 draft- he came in way too late to bring anything to the table. In regards to your second part- I don't believe that any player really sneaks by. I think the pressure scouts must be under causes them to scour every area and crevasse for talent. Time, politics, etc though also effect decisions, and I think that is one reason why more time is not spent on smaller college players. Team needs is a big factor, as you mention, as well.

This is a great topic that should see a long life into the 10 page+ range. How do you build an NFL team? Such an enormous question to ponder, and if I truly had the answer I'd be making millions actually doing it. Do you really go QB first? I guess in the end, you must. But I have to admit I don't watch alot of college football (read: next to none). Something about the kickers not only missing kicks with the frequency that they do (isn't that your only job and thing you do in practice? That being, make kicks?), but what is with the players numbers in college football? Really ticks me off...kickers wearing defensive lineman numbers, linebackers wearing receivers and backs numbers...sheesh. Alas, I depend on others for football collegiate info (my bro-in-law is a big college fan living in NC). Unless, there is that rare somebody special who transcends the traditional levels and is truly remarkable. Like the draft 6 years ago that had Manning, Rivers, and Rothlesberger. That was a big deal. I can't honestly say that any of these guys available this year makes the transcendent level for me. They all seem sort of...average. Ofcourse I am NOT a coach, scout, or GM. But I would submit that you should draft a QB when one becomes available. I don't believe that any in this class are really that great. With that being said, we have an unfortunate situation at just about every position except kicker, punter, running back and the defensive backfield. Those are alot of holes to fill. But we have got to have a real GM. I watched that 'Skins game last night, and admit to being somewhat saddened that we lost out on Bruce Allen. Ah, who am I kidding? Expecting Brandon to actually be on the right track of something is foolhardy of me. You can see the incompetence a mile away. Does anyone realize that our defensive line could be solid right now? We wouldn't have had to trade, or move up, or sign anyone to mega-million dollar contracts. Drafting Ngata instead of Whitner. Drafting Orakpo instead of Maybin. Making it impossible for Cameron Wake to sign with the hated Dolphins. We'd be set. The problem is that this inept front office keeps putting the Bills in position to chase its own tail. We are constantly scrambling to correct mistakes and fill in gaps made by mistakes, and we never get ahead. We never get better. Someone like a Polian or a Parcells or an Allen would get this turned around real quick. Within 2 seasons we'd have a winning record. Within 4 we'd be in the playoffs. Modrak and Guy have had 8-9 seasons, and we sniffed a playoff berth only once- and Pittsburgh ran all over it. I think to even remotely consider coaches or players at this point is horrendously futile. We have GOT to have a completely remade front office. a real GM (they keep going off the market), a real scouting department, a pro personnel 'guy' who gets it, has connections to some of the players, and gets bargains for us. One of things that truly amazed me about the Super Bowl Bills front office is that they were staffed with 4-5 GM's. Polian, Butler, Nix, Smith, and the guy that went to AZ. Unbelievable. Butler passed on, Nix is back, and Smith is never leaving the heaven-on-earth that is San Diego. Polian was re-upped in Indy. Unless we pulled off some kind of trade for Polian like Tampa did for Gruden, things are getting slim out in the market. Parcells is not under contract in Miami and can leave at any time. Floyd Reese is still out there, and his Titan teams were always tough, physical, and right in the playoff hunt every year. Without a top notch GM and in effect, a top notch front office, any effort to improve the product on the field will equate to us spinning our wheels.