Red

Excellent. Then our chances of taking Suh are improving by the moment...

Man-made global warming is a falsehood.

Pathetic! Red (In best Gruden scowl ): "Are you kiddin' me!??!?!?" C'mon man, it was a PRESEASON game!

YEah, you know, I like to dream- Susan Boyle notwithstanding- but seriously...Parcells is not bound by contract in Miami and can leave any time he chooses...let me perhaps be the 1st in stating... BRING PARCELLS TO BUFFALO!!!!!

Well, I am not implying that you said that- I only mean to state that every year every Mel Kiper rants and raves about this QB and that QB, when in reality and after it is all over the pro scouts themselves will admit that there is no formula. I know Polian states that you start with a franchise QB and build from there. But I do not feel confident AT ALL with our current front office making any decisions on drafting anyone. I want to see Modrak and Guy fired, and real personnel people hired. I love the Buddy Nix hire, and hope he gets a bigger say in the drafts. If we hired a Bill Parcells (let me dream!), I would have complete faith in what was being done. But with this front office in place, if nothing changes, then the lines (both offensive and defensive) are in serious need of repair and thus more important than taking another chance on a high round "golden" boy.

Oh, I can assure that I did consider it. I wasn't sure how to type for effect... Clearly '>FART<' would have been too generic that one would be able to choose his own favorite flatulent tune, but '>VRRRREEEEET<' might have been mistaken for some caged gerbil or bird.

Sorry, >BELCH< How's that?

JP was terrible. This argument is worse than having a QB controversy with the actual players on your roster. Oh ye of terrible memory, how quickly we forget the holding onto the ball too long, staring at his primary receiver too long and not seeing the whole field, horrible mistimed turnovers and fumbles and sacks that doomed JP to the minor leagues. Have ye forgotten that no team in the NFL even approached JP as he was sent drifting from the Bills? None remember those reports from his agent that no one so much as called? So he lit up the minors...So?

I hate any and all talk about QB's being a "sure thing" coming out of college. How many teams passed on Joe Montana? What round was he drafted in? What about Tom Brady? How many QB's were drafted in the Elway, Kelly, Marino '83 class? How many made a difference for their clubs? How many ever made a Pro-Bowl? Rick Mirer? Todd Marinovich? Akili Smith? Jeff George? For every Eli Manning, there are 4 Ryan Leaf's. Or Kyle Bollers. Or Alex Smith. Or JP Losman. You can blame it on coaching, the much different speed of the game from college, a bad offensive line, whatever. I agree with most that the QB position is the hardest position to play in professional sports. But as anyone who knows anything about scouting football players will tell you, its a crap shoot.

First off, let me just refer you to Mark Gaughan's article from this week. I don't have a link, you'll have to look it up at Buffalo News.com, but he stated that we should not expect anything coming out of OBD for the next couple of weeks while the Bills plan their next move and set up contacts. I personally, believe this article. There are only a few weeks left, and there are enough candidates to choose from to not be breaking our necks at this point. Plus, alot of potential candidates may be under contract through this season, and not able to speak with the Bills until the season (and possibly the playoffs) are over. Next, Gruden was at the top of our list. Then it was Shanahan. Cowher and Holmgren were also approached. The 1 thing all 4 of these men have in common is that they all have been rumored at different points to be interested in the dual coaching/ GM role. Now, if the Bills want to attract these types, then they would have to start with them, making it all wide open for their arrival. Should they all decline (Cowher stated he wants to wait, Holmgren flat out refused- I no longer respect him for that- Gruden turned us down but he turned EVERYONE down by sticking to his contract in TV, and Shanahan entertained Brandon in Colorado), then I would assume that our next move would be to start with a top tier GM and allow that GM assemble his staff. Again, that is a HUGE hope on my part, and I sincerely hope that we go that route. In fact, once Shanahan or Cowher put us on hold, I, for one, would not be sitting still waiting for an answer. I'd moving to Plan B- that of NFL GM. There are a number of GM's out there too, with proven experience. Two that come to mind are Floyd Reese and Bruce Allen. Ron Wolf is retired, but as others have suggested having him as a "consultant" to help us find the ideal candidate and guide the franchise would not be a bad idea. What WOULD be a mistake, IMO, should Cowher and Shanahan turn us down for whatever reason, would be to move on to the next best coaching pick, and forget about the front office. As far as I see it, the lack of a true NFL GM, and having Modrak and Guy prove nothing but their supreme suckitude these past 8-9 seasons is the call for their ouster. One interesting note (and dream, I admit), is that Bill Parcells is not bound to the Miami Dolphins. He has written a book mentioning how Buffalo is the ideal place for football (sorry, don't have a link- was quoting a post on this site)- citing the weather, environment, college atmosphere, fan base, etc. I don't know if he still feels that way, or would ever actually come to Buffalo, but if I were in charge- that is who I'd be throwing the keys to the kingdom to. Look at that track record...

Yes, he was co-architect of the Chargers success, after having the late John Butler pass away he took over more of a personnel position and was running the drafts for them when he left. He also was one of our true, original members of the Bills brain trust- back when the Bills actually HAD a front office (Polian, Butler, Smith, and Nix). I wouldn't put too much emphasis on last years draft, however, as it was stated that he was not in a position to help with last years draft since he came in after all/ most of the board was already assembled by his royal worthlessness Modrak and crew. The true test will be this years draft after he has had a year in the system and been able to influence our decisions. Nix is primarily in charge of the scouting the SEC conference. So, for all of those Tebow wet-dreamers, if we draft him its because somebody who knows something did it (Nix), or if we don't its because he ain't worth it (Nix says no). I trust Nix. I actually would like to see him take over Modrak's role as Director of College Scouting, and give him free rein to hire and fire whoever he wants in the scouting ranks. I would like to see someone like recently fired Kokinis take over Guy's post of pro personnel/ scouting; so as to eventually groom him to perhaps be a GM. Or someone like that dude over with the Giants. He was once with the Bills organization. Give this up-and-comer experience with pro personnel (after having developed success in the draft) to round out his training and prepare him for an eventual GM position with the Bills. But all of that would start with hiring a top, proven, and experienced NFL GM. This person can train our new Director of Pro Personnel, and work alongside Nix and the coaching staff to put winners on this field. Nix will also be placed in charge of finding the next Polian's and Pioli's by mining the NFL for the best scouts. To me, this is soooo much more important for the long term competitive viability of the Bills than any $10 million coaching hire.

No offense bud, but I really hate these 'if the season ended today' posts. The season hasn't ended, it will not be over, and nothing will take place until the actual season IS over. Phew! Now, there are still 4 games to go, and though Detroit most likely will remain a cellar-dweller along with Tampa and St. Louis, Cleveland looked pretty strong playing San Diego and maybe they will finish w/ a better record than us. We have to still play KC, New England, Atlanta and Indy. I see us finishing 5-11, and hopefully that puts us in the top 5. With a top 5 pick, only moving for the DT position with the stud on the board will work. Then, I am for trading back into the later portion of the 1st for a LT. Then, with a 3rd picking Pike from Cincy (if he is available). But all of this talk is garbage. Give the Bills a new GM and pro personnel scouts and coaching staff with some new schemes, and we should hopefully be turning this ship around.

I thought Forrest Modrak lived in Jacksonville...

I have no issue with hiring the Browns waterboy if, IF the decision is made by a competent, proven, GM.

Hey, I like this! An interior of Levitre, Wood, and Butler. I was really bummed about Butler when he went down. Same with Wood. I think we should trade to move up and grab a late 1st round pick to snag a LT. I like a DT pick with our first #1. Wood and Butler have that nasty attitude that has been needed here. Also, I would agree that our best offensive linemen have been rookies. For all of the bumbling in the front office, this one was done right. And I don't want Guy & Modrak associated with the franchise after this house cleaning.

Exactly. Big Pat should not be part of the equation. I disagree on Winfield as well, and would also add Fletcher to the list. Peters, for all of his crying, is not worth his contract. Clements has the best agent in the league, because he ain't worth it. His deal reminded me of the Jonas Jennings deal. I remember thinking "Good luck with that one, San Fran...he'll be injured in a week." Big Pat, Winfield, and Fletcher have led their defenses since leaving the Bills.

The Bills need to be in control of their own destiny. With all due respect to Shanahan, if he wants to wait until the end of the season so that he can field the best offer FOR HIMSELF, then the Bills need to move ahead and make the best selection FOR THEM as soon as possible. No one should be bigger than the club. Anyone holding the organization in limbo until he can get the sweetest deal for himself should not be part of the equation. Rather than a Big Name coach, I truly want Ralph to step back, hire the best GM available, and allow that GM to go to work. I don't care who that GM hires as coach (as long as it is NOT Martz or Billick), providing that the GM brought in knows what he is doing.

Good article, from 1 Bill who is worth retaining. Truly, this team needs a clean sweep of every crevasse of the organization so that not a single dust mite remains. The problem with this front office is that they keep miscalculating and misjudging talent. I am a late one to this, but watching Orakpo basically drive back the Saints LT this past Sunday, and then speed rush around him a play later, it is clear to me that atleast at this point, Orakpo is a much more imposing and difference making player than Maybin. Another player is Cameron Wake. He was only 1/2 responsible for the final play against the Pats this Sunday (he was the one sacking Tom Brady), but he is another one that we were rumored in being interested in that should not have gotten away. Selecting Whitner instead of Ngata. Their simply too numerous to list. My point is that this front office is always chasing its tail, always playing catch-up with itself. And it is always playing catch-up because of poor draft decisions, and terrible free agent acquisitions. At this point, I am beyond the "big name" head coach. I want the "big name" GM and remade front office.

Hey- I will be happy for this season if we muster up the same strength that was showed in the road opener when we beat the p!$$ out of the Pats, and win this next one when they come to Buffalo.

Ha. Too funny. I used to work in and around auto body shops. It's amazing how many gruff, tough appearing dudes in attitude have kitty-cat, 5 year-old boy names like Jimmy, Billy, Johnny, Timmy, Bobby....

Again, another excellent point. Haloti Ngata is a stud in Baltimore. He was available when we decided that Donte Whitner would solve our ills. Ngata, Orakpo, and Wake. I think out D-Line would have been mostly fixed.

Thank you, SuperBills for the correction. Sherm Lewis is the correct man in charge. I am getting mixed up with the names...I could not remember Devin Thomas' name, and kept thinking that it was Devin Hester.

I'd look for a top-flight DT/ DE (Suh) in the first, and either trade up to the later portion of the first round or stay high in the 2nd round and get the LT we need. Then, if a QB is available in the third (I really like Cincy's Pike) take a QB then. We need our lines to be built now. Schobel is only aging, Kelsay is overpaid and aging, Stroud is aging... We need to overhaul the front office and get a real GM. I will be more willing to trust those decisions when this is in place. As far as Tebow is concerned- Bills and Chargers great front office man- Buddy Nix- scouts the SEC. Given the fact that he now has a full year back with the organization, whoever we select from the SEC will have his blessing. If we draft a Tebow, then I will be all for it, because of Nix. If we don't, I will be happy- because of Nix.

Well, maybe with a granite head...

Ok, so this post is probably not going to see much light of day, but living in the Metro Washington DC area and being a former Buffalonian who loves the Bills (and Sabres), I wanted to put this out there in TBD land and see what everyone thinks. The Bills played this past Thursday, so I was spared the disappointment of another loss this weekend. I also had some time on my hands, and see alot of parallels between the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins (inept front office, owner hindering team, lame head coach, no real GM, roster and culture of losing, high draft picks not producing, patchwork offensive line), so much so that only 1 win separates these two mirror images of one another. What first struck me as I nestled in to watch as the first snowfall of the year had settled, was the sheer amount of Buffalo connections in this game. London Fletcher, Todd Collins, Jabari Greer (who did not play), Pearson Preleau(?), Mike Williams, Derrick Dockery, Anthony Hargrove, and Gregg Williams. The game was a thriller that went into overtime. Suisham- the Skins kicker, lost the game by missing a 20-some yard field goal to put the score out of reach in the waning moments of the 4th quarter. But, as losing cultures often do, the Suisham missed the kick- thereby finding a way to lose- and the Saints found a way to win the game in OT. But something that struck me after watching this game, was just how much the "offensive consultant" turned coordinator Sherm Lewis has influenced this team for the better. With the entire region calling for his head but a few weeks ago, Cambell looks like a pro as he had passed for over 300 yards and 3 TD's. Receiving busts Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas played, and Thomas had a breakout game. The offense had flair, diversity, and it built momentum as the game went on. The offensive line, who had recently signed T Levi Jones and moved Mike Williams to RG to compensate for injuries, played like a solid unit and gave Campell the time he needed. And Orakpo. For a long time, I have sat back and said "it's too early to give up on Maybin". Watching yesterday's game, I could not help but marvel at what a blunder our personnel people have made again. As a rookie, an undersized Orakpo was driving the Saints LT into the backfield repeatedly. He also showed cat-like speed around the edge on several plays. Orakpo was the one showing flashes of Bruce Smith. Another player I was watching (and who, coincidentally made part of the game saving play for the Dolphins yesterday) Cameron Wake, left me scratching my head as to why the Bills did not make it more difficult for Wake to choose the Dolphins over the Bills. Then I got to wondering (dreaming): - If our personnel people were not such idiots, what would our pass rush would look like with Orakpo on the right and Cameron Wake on the Left side? - Why, did we not make a move for Levi Jones? He looks solid. Runyan is with San Diego. We eventually signed G Kendall Simmons. I know hindsight is 20/20, but all 3 of these guys should have been signed. Jones, Hangartner, Wood, Simmons, and Runyan at RT would surely be more solid than what we have had to deal with this season. - we need a real offensive coordinator; no offense to AVP. Lewis has found a way to implement the Tight End into the game. Back-up running backs are moving the chains. Campell looks efficient. And he found a way to get both of those high round draft picks - Thomas and Kelly- into the game and as mentioned earlier Thomas had a breakout day. The offensive line even looked tough with Mike Williams playing!! For the first time in nearly a decade, the Redskins offense has a flow, an identity, and a scheme with which to use its players (no gimmicks), and succeed. What a difference to have someone who clearly knows what they are doing run the show. Will the Bills ever see the light of day?