bills_believer
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Posts posted by bills_believer
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What is clearly not speculation is that there are issues which Whaley and Marrone had a loud discussion about in public. I fully expect organizations to have disagreements between personnel but in private, behind closed doors.
Something smells and its not a bouquet of roses.
There have been fights in every other camp. Yet the Bills are the only players that were treated "like kids" that does not go over well in the pros. Maybe in college that works, but not here.
Multiple players, respected vets included were reportedly unhappy with the camp practice schedule (According to Joe B). Not just FJax. Most notably having to practice after games.
What if Hughes hasn't knuckled under to Marrone and Marrone wants to cut him and Whaley says no? Marrone's comments after the incident were not conciliatory and I have seen nothing that says Hughes has apologized.
EJ was Marrone's pick. Sure Nix and Whaley had to sign off on it, but the new coach who is going to install his philosophy is going to have considerable say.
The fact that there was no other back up plan at QB means that Marrone did not want any competition.
Marrone is a stronger personality than Whaley and had the biggest say this off season.
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For all those unhappy no other QBs were brought in to compete with EJ, one question: name the last NFL team that found it's franchise QB by holding a casting call?
Seattle: they seemed to go all in on signing Matt Flynn in free agency, but still drafted Russell Wilson. San Diego drafted Philip Rivers when they still had Drew Brees. Cincinnati drafted Andy Dalton when they had Carson Palmer. Aaron Rogers was drafted when the Packers had Brett Favre. Good teams realize the importance of the QB position and take a good QB when they think they might need a need a better QB or at least to prepare for the future. Even Buffalo in the glory years spent a second rounder on Frank Reich to have a quality back-up.
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At the time he was drafted I think Losman would've been considered a better prospect. He was a failure. Just using Scouts Inc grade they had Losman an 89 and Manuel a 76. Edwards was also given a grade of 85.
Yeah but who is the better football player?
I'd take Manziel over E.J. everyday. I think most NFL teams would also.
Scouts Inc. gave Manziel a 90 score. EJ was a surprise first round pick in a lean year for QB's. Most everyone expected Manziel to go in the first round. Manziel is the better talent than EJ and most teams would gladly trade EJ for Manziel.
EJ aside, I would like to know why this team refuses to draft QB's in the early to mid rounds. That's the reason we never have depth at the position. Who knows, maybe a QB taken outside of the first round would work out to be a "franchise qb", i.e. Russell Wilson, Kaepernick. Even the Patsies pick up qb's in the draft!!!
You're going to turn to name calling??? Please, "The Dean", it's not befitting your title!!! I'm not going to stoop to your level with all of your "hate.". And, by the way, Dean, it's "wasted." .
My biggest problem was that the Bills did not bring in any competition for EJ. When I hear that the Bills last year were afraid to waive Jeff Tuel because they thought someone would claim him off waivers tells me that they don't know much about evaluating QB talent and they are overestimating what they have. I am tired of QB competitions that consist of the likes of Kelly Holcumbs and Ryan Fitztpatricks. I am tired of drafting RB in the early rounds (Travis Henry, Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGahee, and CJ Spiller) and comparatively ignoring the more important QB position. The rest of the NFL is picking up RB's in later rounds and realize they have to draft QB's in the first three rounds. I think the only starting QBs that weren't drafted in the top three rounds were Tony Romo and Tom Brady. Why have the Bills so rarely taken a QB in an early round? After an uncertain first year how can they be so determined not to bring in more QB talent. I hope EJ succeeds because if he doesn't it is likely to be at least two more years of futility because there will be a new GM and coaching staff in Buffalo next year and without next year's first rounder it is going to be harder to get a top notch QB prospect.
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I am an EJ doubter, but still I wouldn't trade him for Fitz now.
However in retrospect it was a huge mistake not to keep Fitz. EJ is not ready to start. He wasn't ready last year and I have serious questions that he will be ready this year. I am still not sure he will be a good QB. It is looking more and more to me like he is one of those guys who has all the physical talent in the world, but something is missing that keeps him from being a good QB.
Gailey was a far better offensive coordinator than Marrone is. The Bills concentrated on building their defense and were trying to get by with Fitz and David Nelson types on the offense. Gailey's weakness was his defensive coordinator and that is Marrone's strength that he has top notch defensive coordinators. I did hate to see Gailey go.
Fitz isn't coming back, but how about Trent Edwards? Barring an injury he is likely to be cut from Oakland's roster (they have Matt Schaub, Derek Carr and Matt McGloin). I think he would be a definite upgrade over Thad Lewis.
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With this year being so critical and with the go for broke acquistion of Sammy Watkins, I don't understand why they didn't try to sign a veteran QB backup.
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What I have read, most people think the Bills gave up too much to get Watkins.It seems to me like Marrone is hell bent on proving that he made the right choice in drafting EJ last year.
Does it matter what Poian and other analysts think about our draft? I used to believe whatever spin the Bills' front office put on their drafts, trades, etc., but somewhere along this playoff drought, I stopped drinking the kool-aid and began listening more to outside analysts even when they were saying things I didn't want to hear.
They did give up too much for Watkins and it has been foolish not to invest in a viable back up for EJ.
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In terms of a veteran back up.... what would people feel about Matt Cassel? I thought he was by far the most impressive of the three guys Minnesota played at the position last season (not saying a great deal I know), he has played in cold weather in Kansas City (where he led them to the play-offs and earned a pro bowl nomination) and he knows the AFC East from his time in New England. I think he is a steady game manager and if EJ goes down or completely blows I think you could pretty safely put Cassel in and trust him to execute your offense without committing a boat load of turnovers.
I also think he will be looking not for the best paid back up gig available, but an opportunity somewhere where he has some chance to play. And I think he would look at the Bills say "ok EJ is going to get the first crack" but looking at his injury record last season and the fact that he hasn't nailed down the starters job yet and think he might get a chance.
For me he would be a good fit. Anyone else?
I think Matt Cassel would be a good fit also. I would like to see the Bills draft a QB high, but I don't think they will. I think the Bills have a reasonably talented roster. Its up to the coaches and the QB to bring out the talent. Since they were willing to sign Kolb last year I hope they might be willing to sign Cassel this year. If Manuel becomes the franchise QB the Bills hope for then Cassel would be a good backup. If he doesn't I think Cassel (with some tweaks to the roster around him) could take this team to the playoffs.
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Since the 1998 draft (the Peyton Manning/ Ryan Leaf draft), 44 Quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. I would say 16 of them were or are successful at least to some degree. 25 I would say are disappointments. Three (EJ, Tannehill and RG3) I would say the jury is still out on. Any confidence level I have on EJ would begin with that success ratio of 39% for first round quarterbacks. Unless it is an Andrew Luck who everyone knew would be good the success ratio of first round quarterbacks is not that good.
My confidence level in EJ is further dropped by the injuries he had this year and by the fact that he has not done that well this year, I would like to see the Bills draft another quarterback in the first or second round and let him compete with EJ.
The first round quarterbacks that I considered successes (I think I was fairly generous): Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, Sam Bradford, Mathew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Eli Manning, Phil Rivers, Ben Rothlisberger, Carson Palmer, Chad Pennington, Donovan McNabb, and Peyton Manning.
The first round quarterbacks I considered disappointments: Brandon Weeden, Jake Locker (it actually is still a little early), Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman, Jamarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, Jason Campbell, JP Losman, Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, David Carr, Joey Harrington, Patrick Ramsey, Michael Vick, Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper, Cade McNown and Ryan Leaf (the poster child for first round disappointments).
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I find it odd that this transition to Doug Whaley was not announced immediately. Is there any chance that Russ wants to talk to Bill Polian just to see if there is any interest? Or could he have someone else that he wants to talk to before he hands the job over to Whaley?
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Anyone who thinks Nix would draft a guard in the first round has not studied his draft history. When the Bills desperately needed a left tackle he followed his history in San Diego and did not draft a left tackle in the first round. If he valued the guard position that much they would not have let Levitre walk. I expect them to draft an offensive lineman, but I would be mildly surprised if it was before the fourth round. Things seem settled at tackle with Glenn, Hairston and Pears. They might want to give Sanders a chance to fill the spot at guard.
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The Bills have undervalued the QB position and it is going to take awhile to fix the problem.
If you draft two QBs this year, will you be ready to make a decision on them next year?
I don't think you can properly evaluate them in one year and you can't afford to pass up a really good one next year. Three very young QBs is not a good idea in 2014.
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I was hoping the Bills would resign Levitre, but when I heard them talk about analytics or whatever it is I thought that meant they would be unwilling to shell out the big bucks for a guard. It makes sense from that viewpoint. Quarterback, Left tackle, pass rusher, cornerback, maybe wide receiver are the positions you pay the big bucks for.
I was one of the few that thought they should have kept Peters. Where I think the Bills really shot themselves in the foot there was they had Peters under contract and then they went out and paid the big bucks to Dockery. I think that was a part of the reason Peters thought he should be making more money.
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Everyone is rushing to judgment on this one. We need to hear what Te'o is saying. The Notre Dame AD claims to have known about the hoax played on Te'o since December 26 and they are standing strongly behind him. His statement was broadcast on CBS Sports radio and he was asked how he was sure that the hoax was played on Te'o. He said it followed the arc of "catfishing," that they found Te'o story consistent and that the investigators found internet chatter from the perpetrators about the hoax they were pulling off.
Maybe Te'o is only guilty of being naive. He is young. Playing football at an academically challenging school he doesn't have a load of time to check things out.
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I'm glad to see these remarks from Nix because my chief complaint would be that they have neglected the QB position in the draft. But in fairness to him QB's have generally gone higher than a lot of people have thought they would.
Nix/Gailey have had good first round draft choices with Spiller, Dareus and Gilmore. They have picked some good players in other rounds Hairston and Glenn. In waiver or undrafted free agent acquisitions Chandler, David Nelson, Craig Urbik, and Eric Pears have been good. I think Mario Williams eventually will be considered a good move. There a lot of other moves and draft choices that the jury is still out on. They have rebuilt both lines which I think is pretty important.
They have messed up on the QB first going with Trent Edwards and then not investing in a serious alternative to Fitz (Thigpen, Vince Young and Tavaris Jackson have not been serious alternatives).
Their other mess up has been a poor attempt to switch to the 3-4. It didn't make sense when your best lineman was Kyle Williams who was better suited to the 4-3. I think they have fixed the problem with an experienced 4-3 coordinator who has had past success and that eventually the defense will come around.
They need to retain their top free agents (Byrd and Levitre) and get a QB this offseason.
I think you need to give Nix/Gailey at least one more year. If Polian wants to come back, then how could you turn down a hall of fame GM? Otherwise you stick to Nix/Gailey
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Trent Dilfer said that the top 2 QB's left graded out higher than last year's Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder. One was The ASU guy and I missed the other, but he named the Bills as a team who should grab a 2nd round QB. Thoughts?
I think the other guy was Nick Foles from Arizona.
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with a trade down to around 20 i can see hill. @ 10.......
That's about right according to Walter Football
Great Blue North ranks him as the 28th overall prospect.
He looks like a first round draft choice, but he would be quite a reach at 10. I doubt he'll be around when the Bills draft in the 2nd. He looked really good at the combine, but his college production wasn't that great because Georgia Tech was a running team.
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Quinn has now gone public with his rather negative opinion of Tebow. He credits the defense and luck more than Tebow's quarterbacking skills. I tend to agree with what he states but wonder what motivation Quinn had to go public with his displeasure. Is this a back door way of being kicked out from Denver so he can get a chance to start elsewhere ?
Mark Brady Quinn down as extra stupid. He is a free agent, but after making these comments about Tebow who is going to want to bring him in knowing that he might make similar comments about the other quarterbacks on his new team?
If, as in the explanation, the defensive backs got lazy as the game wore on, then they also deserve a stupidity award.
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I have to question this report, not the idea that it may indeed happen.
I cannot think of any decent reason whatsoever that, according to the report, it was announced to the staff that Nix is retiring. IMO, if he is retiring after the draft, the one thing you do not do is announce it to the staff. one, You no longer have any authority. Two, the draft is three months ago and the staff is going to leak the information, and you are going to get all kinds of speculation like this.
I doubt very much that Nix announced it to the staff.
I also heard a rumor that Whaley is being considered for the Indy job. If that is the case, it could be the reason that Nix is stepping down. The Bills do not want to lose Whaley (if this report is true AND if the Colts want him), so they may have accelerated the taking over the reins progression and offer him the job now. With the Bears and Rams and maybe a couple other GM openings popping up, that could easily be the case. Buddy saying I better step aside now or someone is going to offer Doug the job and he would be a fool not to take it.
A little birdie also said there was no announcement like that to the staff, from someone who would know.
My reading of it all is, there are rumors going around OBD that Whaley is going to be offered the job after the draft because they have guaranteed it to him and do not want to lose him. I think Buddy will stay on in some capacity. I have no knowledge of either of these things, it's just my opinion.
Free agency and the draft are where a GM makes his team. The next four months are where a GM really is going to make his moves. I can't see someone resigning this far ahead of time when he needs the authority to sign free agents and draft players. It doesn't make sense. I am no expert, I didn't see much on the website that gave me the feel that the guys there would have inside information. If the report is true, I think it will come out soom from someone else or Nix will announce it on next Monday. But I doubt it. I would hate to see it personally. I'd like to see him be with Buffalo awhile longer.
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Clayton has seemed to go out of his way to slap down the Bills. Before the Patriots game, he was asked which 2-0 team would not make the playoffs without hesitation he said the Bills. After the Patriots game he was asked whether the Lions win over the Vikings or the Bills win over the Patriots. He said the Lions win was more impressive because it was an away game. Really? It is more impressive to beat an 0-2 team than to beat the number 2 ranked team (according to ESPN power rankings). Then he said something about the Lions roster being put together better. What's with him?
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I found three things interesting:
1. Pozlusny is a 'tackle guy' on one of the worst defenses in the league. Neither Mike bothered to ask WHY, and didn't mention anything other than the vs. the run stats. There was a hint of "how do you miss a player on a terrible defense" from Greeny, but they didn't really look inside the numbers.
2. Cris Carter and this "Miami has more talent" argument... wow. Greeny really embarassed him by bringing up a Fitz for Henne trade offer, and Carter couldn't say he'd do it.. laughable! I was really beside myself not to see Golic there this morning, and instead the biased Cris Carter. UGH.
3. Cris Carter said we don't have strong depth an WR... OK then tough guy, who ARE the other receivers we have? I was SO waiting for that, but of course no one has the cajones to make him provide actual analysis. What a joke again, CC...
I thought that both Greeny and Carter were saying that Fitz was better than Henne. Greeny was arguing that overall talent level of Buffalo was better or the same at least. Carter disagreed. Greeny brought Fitz vs. Henne specifically to buttress his point and the way I understood it was not that Carter disagreed on that position but that he still thought the overall talent in Miami was better.
Greeny and Golic have been very critical of the way Miami has handled things: pursuing a head coach while you still had a head coach and then pursuing another quarterback while you still had a quarterback and ultimately not getting the head coach or quarterback. That is why I think Greeny said Miami's franchise is a mess.
I guess I can't expect much specific from national sportscasters, but I thought maybe they would have mentioned Merriman. I was surprised they didn't mention Dareus.
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Chris Brown posted an article on some of the bigger names that are expected to get cut. link
Are there any of those guys that the Bills might be able to claim and assume their current contract?
I would be interested in what kind of contracts Todd Heap and Nick Barnett have.
Does anyone know if the Bills have the third priority position on the waiver claim? Are the waivers irrevocable?
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Anybody have any thoughts on any of them?
Long Snapper seems interesting...
I think the punter, kicker and long snapper are so they don't wear out the starters in training camp.
I am a little surprised at how many they have. Their roster is pretty close to be filled. I might have thought that they would have left a little more room for lower priced veterans to be signed, but maybe some these guys will be in and out pretty quickly.
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Fitz a franchise quarterback? I want to be optimistic, but . . . .
Fitz at this point seems to be a serviceable quarterback, but if a franchise quarterback is available when the Bills draft I'd say hustle up to that podium and take him.
I want to believe in Nix and Gailey, but it bothers me that their top draft choices didn't make much of an impact. This coming draft will probably make or break them. I think they will get at least three years, but to be able to turn around the team they need a couple of productive drafts.
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The thing that strikes me is that five udfa made the team: Donald Jones, David Nelson, Antonio Coleman, Dominique Harris, and Cordaro Howard. I think David Nelson has a bright future and could even be starting towards the end of the year. Since Cordaro Howard is the only reserve interior lineman, he is going to see some action too.
Other Teams scraps...QB Cuts? Games to watch for QB's on the bubbl
in The Stadium Wall Archives
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If he doesn't play better fans will be clamoring for Brian Moorman to start at QB.
If that is why they did not get a back-up QB it is boneheaded.