offde-fence

Amen! I've been of the opinion for a few years that this team lacks Identity. What's so troubling about that? Without knowing what you want to be, what your mold of excellence is, then you'll never be able to identify the players that make up that system, and the players, themselves, I would think would do better to have an image of the style of defence they are supposed to imitate. What? you say? I mean, Baltimore, and recently Dallas, and in New England, those defensive players know what they are supposed to do and look like overall. They exude a type of mentality. Baltimore is nasty tough. Dallas is huge and domineering. N.E. is smart and system oriented. They beat you with brains. The Patriots are going to find your weakness and expose it. The Ravens are going to play tough defense and beat you with the run and a supporting passing attack. Dallas is going to overpower you on defense and light it up on offense. What is Buffalo's style? Their blueprint? What do they want to do to the opponent? How will they impose their will when it seems the most they come up with is trying not to lose? And, I agree, that their Defense is close to having the players to dominate. A fast, impacting DE, a sturdy OLB, and if you could throw in a large DT, as Henderson is mentioned, then I think their Defense could dominate, and their offense could form into a nice scoring machine, taking advantage for once, of good field position and turnovers. They are only a few players away from being solid, too (LG, TE) of impact, and we could put up some points. Our RB's are sweet. This draft should be about getting as many high caliber, top rated players as possible, ones that will translate now.

I don't think there is any chance of Pettigrew being there at 28. There is only one guy at each position who is the best, and only maybe ten total that are consensus #1 at their position. This guy is agreed upon by everyone to be the best TE this year, and perhaps the most overall complete in the last four or five years. Someone is going to give up a first before 28 to get a sure-fire starter, and one has to consider this draft is deep in TE talent, so, for him to be consensus #1 he must be damn good. I've stated before, and it applies here, that the Bills should be looking to put the best team they can on the field this year, and not looking to the future. This is it for Juaron, and who knows who else. So, I say, we have four or five positions to fill, to have a really decent roster. Lets move up as much as possible to land four or five starters out of this years draft. I know, some of you will say, that's too many for one draft. Well, I say this draft is perfect for us this year with our needs. TE is deep for three rounds, DE is deep in the first two rounds, OT is round one now, probably, but OG is good through three, and OLB is good through three. If we can move up with all our picks and whatever is necessary, to land a starting DE, OLB, OT, and maybe OG, and TE, then we've done good. Next year we can worry about depth. Here's a potential look: 1. (11) Oher 2. (28) Mathews, preferrably move up to get E. Brown, or any combination of Brown and Oher in RD one 3. (2nd rd) Robinson 4. (3rd rd) best TE 5. move up to 3rd rd for best OLB if we haven't got one yet. In first 3 rounds we could get OT, OG, DE, TE, and OLB - that'd be pretty good, and finish up with best prospects left in whatever round and Rookie F.A.

I, too, think we should look objectively at this F.O. Let's face it, this is a make or break year for a lot of these guys involved. Obviously they know a lot more about these players, and about how the other players on the team perform and think and feel about each other. They certainly aren't going to let great players go for no reason. And, I think, as much as I respect Marv, he didn't to this F.O. any favors by most of the moves he made. He was a transition, and brought back an idea of collectivity, of integrity, of character, and of the idea of winning as a team. But, he overpaid a bunch of guys who don't apparently deserve that money. He valued character a bit too much, with regards to the attached talent level. Now this F.O. has this last year to get rid of as much of that overpaid personell as they can, and to bring in the right combination of talent at the right positions for this team to be competitive. I'm willing to bet they have an idea of what this team should look like, talent-wise, on a position to position basis, and know who they need to replace. I'll admit, I don't have a clue as to what that team is - as I've previously stated, this team doesn't have an obvious identity - but, I think the handful of guys making these decisions knows what they want to put on the field, and are working to achieve it. They know they've got to beat New England. They know this team has to be good this year, so I'm willing to wait and see what they do with the draft, and any other F.A.'s they bring in. So far, over the last two years, I think we've collected a good amount of talent at RB, WR, DB, and are close on the LB, DL. Now we need a good OL, TE, and our QB looks to be promising. They should be able to make a case for themselves by the close of this season, and should be able to elevate and fix the rest of the holes via the draft. If the team is a contender, then they've done a good job. If it isn't, then we will be discussing a new group next off-season.

I think a lot of people overlook some things: this guy admitted he didn't perform as well as he could have - he held back - and didn't come in prepared when he knew he was being counted on by his whole team. Because he was dissatisfied by a contract he signed willingly, he made his whole team suffer the consequences. Then he gave them a lousy year, and immediately began his fit again. Why would the Bills want a guy like this on their team? Teams like the Patriots, who have guys devoted to one thing - namely, winning - would not want this character on their team, and I'm glad he's gone. We need guys, regardless of their potential, that are coming in every day doing their all for this team, and for the fans, and for a chance to be the best. That wasn't Peters. I think the Bills did a smart move by trading him, but I think they could've gotten a little more if they had waited. Perhaps, though, they needed to do it now to solidify their planning...who knows? The only thing that will determine if they can recoup from this is if their draft picks and F.A. signings work out over the next few years. Still, though, I'm glad they got rid of this guy. He was a cancer for this team.

I agree that he is definitely opinionated, and his opinion about the draft is one that would not be much agreed on by many of the league's football men. You need good lines before anything can be done on the ground or through the air. A high end DE, OT are more meaningful than an equivalently talented playmaker if the team choosing is hurting on the lines. Sure, if a team has solid lines then it should consider a great playmaker over a great lineman; but, when building a team you've got to have solid lines first. Every draft offers different talent pools per position, too. So, if there are a very limited number of playmakers as opposed to a deep run of linemen, then that effects how things pan out, too. Maybe he's saying that good linemen should be able to be found any year, in the later rounds of the draft, playmakers not. I agree with him that from your team you should be able to expect they'll find gems and put together a good roster quickly, and be better talent evaluators, etc., but our team hasn't done that and we've been so long out of the playoffs I think most the fans and even the F.O. would be more comfortable with high talent linemen to fill those holes and give them a better chance.

Supposedly the nfl likes taller DE is because they can both swap down passes and disturb the passing game with his arms, but also it is assumed a taller guy can put on more weight without it affecting his game speed; because they are afraid at 250's weight the small guys won't be able to be 3 down linemen, won't be able to hold thier own against the run. I, too, like E. Brown. I think Freeney works in Indy, and the Bills see themselves as having a similar defense, and admire Indy's success.

Sorry, but I don't give out that info to an anonymous ? My take on the Peters trade, especially after the Philly news conference, is one of relief. He admits to not playing 100% because of the money, which is absolutely unacceptable once a player has signed a contract, and, even more, when a player has agreed to be apart of a team. That sucks for his teammates, and it must've given the Bills F.O. headaches, not knowing how much or when they could depend on this guy. It sounds to me like they got rid of a big question mark who was definitely doing damage to the locker room and the overall morale on this team. They got a few picks and, even with a second, I think can land someone who can perform better than he did last year. I like the cleaning house that is going on this off-season, getting rid of players and salaries that will be better spent in other areas, and, lets hope, making this team competitive. Just imagined what kind of a signal it would've sent to other players on this team if they would've given in to his demands. Next thing you know, four or five guys are holding out, and the whole off-season becomes a joke. The Bills players should be focusing on one thing only: winning, getting better, and being the best.

I assumed it was Ralph, and I've read mention, and heard it on 550, I believe, that his daughter has some role to play in it, also, which I'd think would frustrate the --- out of the F.O.. I wondered though, because I've read elsewhere that owners also are known to let the football men make those kinds of decisions.

As I consider our options in the upcoming draft, I wonder, after all the input and talk, who makes the final say on which player is taken? The F.O. usually says it is a consensus, but have they said who makes the call? I'd think it would be Russ Brandon, but then I wonder if it isn't Ralph. I would say we'd be better suited to let the football men make the call - Modrak and Juaron.

There are some good guesses - it makes one hopeful we've got some depth with talent....and out of that crop I think Demetrius Bell will have the most impact - because he'll now be called upon, almost certainly, to start, so we'll see him in action; and, secondly, because his teammates on the defensive side of the ball have said he is a beast in practice, holding up better than average. These guys go up against starters week in and week out, which, considering they've faced pro bowlers, is a high opinion and a reliable source. Coupled with the coach's and F.O. apparent faith. They developed Peters - have him as a measuring stick!

Tony G. would give us another couple of years at TE with good production. But, I can't help thinking that using all our picks and trading up as much as possible to get into the first three rounds would be best. If we can get four or five players out of the first three rounds, potential playmakers at positions of need, that, to me, would be great. Imagine Everette Brown, a starting Lineman, a good pass catching TE, and a LB, all considered starting material...couldn't we say this was a good draft?

I was so much hoping that the Bills would be able to land Everette Brown at 11. It looks almost certain that they'll pick up a tackle there, now. How about picking up a veteran LT....and using our picks on DE, LB, and TE? Does it make sense to do so? Are there any really good LT's out there that have a couple more years of good play left in the tank? Because, I think they need to be solid this year. It wouldn't take a pro-bowler to out perform Peter's play the last few seasons.

I am a big fan of PFT as a source for constant nfl news, and I saw a segment on there today that puzzled me. It was about the teams in the top 10 in the draft this year all wanting to move out, because, the consensus opinion among teams and draft experts alike is that the talent in this years draft is so level or abundant that a team can get a very close approximation of talent at a position at the end of round one as in the beginning, and therefore don't want to spend the extra tens of millions of dollars for a comparable player for that much less. They'd rather pay a ton less for just a little less talented player. Everyone agreed it made sense. My question is does this initial contract and it's monetary worth really mean anything, when, for instance, if you ended up with the best linebacker, or DE, in the end of round one or later, and saved all that money, and after a year or two of exceptional play the player holds out for a contract that is equal to or greater than the highest paid at his position. Then getting a steal or a sleeper in the draft ends up costing big anyway. You might get a year or two of less, but to keep him you've got to pay up... I guess that draft strategy only really insures you more against a bust. I know these guys deserve what they can get, but I think they need to really stick to their contracts. Be sure you want to do it before you sign up. As it is now, a team is hard pressed to keep a roster of great players, as they will all want to be paid like their great.

The Bill's F.O. has stated a few times that a T.E. with those qualities only comes out once in a few years...but, how does he compare to the really good T.E.'s in the NFL? He must be projected to be a stud, because a list of the picks from the last ten drafts in the 10-20 range show a great number of pro-bowl caliber players. Game changers. Still, I believe there are other players in this draft they have rated higher than him, who are at positions of need, i.e., Everette Brown, Curry, perhaps even Maybin. If these higher rated players fall to them at 11, then I bet they take one. If not, then my guess is they entertain a trade down, and if a good one doesn't come, they can still pick Pettigrew and come away thinking they filled a starting spot on their team with a high caliber player for the next four to six years or more. If a first rounder locks down a spot and keeps it for his time on that team, and is good enough to be considered pro-bowl caliber, then no matter what position (except maybe kicker and punter) it'd have to be considered a decent pick - and a safe one.

If we could pick up E. Brown and B.Pettigrew in the first, albeit by trading up, I think that'd shore up two starter positions, leaving the rest of the draft for the other two or three in need. I think we could, if we make the right moves, fill out our roster with this years draft.

There are certainly a lot of young pro football players who are thugs and who will always be getting into trouble. Those guys should be easy to spot. Some of the time, guys like Lynch, who seem like genuinely good people, just do stupid things. Other times, and I believe the Whitner case is a good example, a guy is presumed to be a thug or a trouble maker when in fact he might have been acting as any of us might act. I can't speak for everyone, but I've met some police officers who seem arrogant, and intent on making everyone look like a criminal. It could be that some of the time these athletes are treated harshly by the law because a certain officer might want to make himself look like he's above the athlete. I think my point is clear: sometimes it isn't the athlete that is bad, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The bad ones should be obvious. And so I don't think a no tolerance approach is best, because sometimes the law isn't very fair, or honest.

I wonder how much contracts for these players can be performance based? They're all looking for guaranteed cash, but why not guarantee it against injury and then leave the escalators be performanced based? There should be some way to guard against that dreaded drop off once a player has signed.

I think we have other needs to be filled in the early rounds. Imagine how much better our line would be with Everette Brown and Schoebel and Stroud... there'd be some pressure. I'd rather they take a large, immovable tackle in the later rounds, someone who would just clog the middle, and let Stroud and the ends rush the passer. I'm also curious to see, if Brown or another pass rushing DE is picked in the first, if they'd be willing to throw Kelsay or Denney in next to Stroud, as a DT, on obvious passing plays. That'd be reminiscent of the Giants approach to the Pat's in the Super Bowl, which I believe we have to emmulate this year to beat the Pats (pressure Brady to no end).

How much should the Bills expect to get for a guy who can give a team good field position often, change the game with a score once in a while - but, the threat is there every time - and, he can be a reciever? If he was a second rounder originally, how much is he worth now?

Juaron was quoted as saying something like: It is rare to be able to find a TE who can handle the blocking on the line as well as open up the seam in the middle. He made it sound like such a TE comes along only every four or five years. That suggests they might be looking much more at Pettigrew than we might believe.

I absolutely agree!!!! I would have far more respect for Jauron if he said, "If Peters holds out, he'll sit out. And if he doesn't play good, he'll watch us play for the next two years." That kind of resolve from the coach - forcing players to play out their contracts, would eliminate the crap that's going on with Jackson, too, and other players around the league. How does the next two years on the bench sound? Then show up and play hard.

Damn! I didn't realize Shields was retired... for some reason I thought I heard about him being shopped earlier this year. I was just thinking that Peters obviously doesn't want to be here, and I don't know how reliable his play is anymore, anyway. So, there was the two birds with one stone idea, even for only a couple years worth of productivity. The guy has got to be moved, and I was reading that other teams don't seem to be willing to shell out more or even a first and third. I mean, if we can't get close to what Cutler got, or the Roy Williams Dallas trade, then how good is he? LT is supposed to be the second or third most coveted position in the NFL, and here is a guy people are saying is one of, or the best, at the position. Why shouldn't a team dish out a first and a third, or more? A first and a second, or even two first rounders seems fair if the guy is a lock at the Pro bowl for the next six or more years at the LT position. So, again, why are teams reluctant to give up some picks? Either they aren't, and it is all media, or, they don't think he is that good, OR - which I believe most likely, they see that he is a pain in the butt and is only concerned with the money. If he is as good as the media and pundits say, then we should have no problem getting a first and more.

How about trading Peters to Kansas City for Shields and Gonzales??? Do they have a really good LT? That seems pretty fair.

With DE a need early (unless Raji falls to eleven, in which case I think they'd take him), I beleive, absent Peters, we're looking at Walker moved to Lt, Bell or a rookie at LG, Hangartner, Butler, and Chambers at RG. They'll draft depth later. As I see it, they will get an O-lineman in the first two rounds, with or without Peters here. My feeling on Peters is that they want to move him, but they don't want to seem that way. He obviously is too much trouble, all him and no team. Hopefully we can work a trade and get a good young guy - and if we do, I still think they'd have Walker starting at LG and the rookie at RG. Our line was pretty good the first few games of last year without Peters.

If there were an offer on the table now, that included two first rounders, we'd take it. No doubt. Since we haven't moved him, it just shows that teams are interested, but not yet willing to dole out that much for him. I'm thinking the Bills are waiting for draft day, to see how the picks unwind. There might be a team in need, that finds itself out of luck, and then willing to over pay for a guy who is undoubtedly able to dominate at his position. He just doesn't want to do it for the Bills. I would leave it at that, but I'd like to add - no matter what his potential, I don't like a guy who doesn't give it his all, on the field, in practice, for his team, and for his fans. That kind of unreliability is too much of a toxin for my team to keep, especially at his salary demands. Give me a tough, consistent, hard working athlete who will show up every day, every play.