rstencel

Haloti Ngata

I was thinking more in line of anyone supporting either should. A awesome practice QB who was lost during actual games or great pretender who never met a mirror he didnt like.

Well if take staff as a whole, the old one had more experience from top to bottom, and the Defensive and Special teams staff was good, and would take most of them over what have now position by position. Mostly took college people so no guarantee they wont take a year or two to figure out whats needed as this level. Offensive side, and HC is a different story. I like what they have done for most part with that staff, even though there is still some college only coaches there as well. So while I mostly prefer where they are headed, am not a big fan of the DC or some of the staff decisions. I am hopeful that they will do a great job and they put out a great defense, but looking at the individuals and the positions they are in, and the decision to make a move to 3-4 before they have the people to run it, doesn't give me allot of confidence in them to this point. Could just be that not a fan of the good old boy network of only hiring people I have worked with before style of hiring. Wonder what the over under is for years takes before he is let go for refusing to fire one of his buddies when Ralph tells him the guy has to go.

Well, I guess by having less borderline veterans on the roster, it will help them sign the undrafted freeagents after the draft atleast.

Well the Pats started their good fortune with a bunch of low profile castoff signings. They made a lot of good trades to get more draft choices to build for future, but because of their free agent signings, they were not hurt by the trading picks for higher picks in the next years draft. So while yes, they have a ton of drafted talent, think there free agent signings are reason they were able to wait an extra year to pick a player early on to get all those high round picks that are on the team currently. Ravens and Giants did have some very good free agent signings that contributed to their success as well. The key thing in common however seems to be they didnt have to overpay or sign high profile free agents. They signed budget freindly deals with veterans that had proven themselves to fit the role that the team put them in. You are so right about the luring of top flight free agents however. Not only do you have the stigma for the area and lack of night life items, but team hasn't made the playoffs in a long time. Not a good combo for recruiting purposes.

I understand your point, but the Bill are changing the type and philosophy of their defense, so they are rebuilding.

True, very different types of QB's who have played with very different systems. Warner at his best is a more accurate QB. But he has also look much worse some years than McNabb ever has been. McNabb is a more consistent player year after year I think. Warner uses his receivers very well, while McNabb uses TE and Backs allot more, and has not been very consistent at using his receivers. However an argument can be made that the Eagles haven't exactly been strong at receiver other than the one year TO was there. I like McNabb, but would rather see them go get someone younger to develop. They are switching defenses, and in process of building the line, so don't think in a position to win now. If defense was set, then I would prefer a Veteran who is ready to win now, but unless they have a very strong off-season at both draft and free agency, don't see them in playoffs this year no matter who the QB is. With that in mind, If they are going to trade for someone, would rather see a Troy Smith or Kolb type.

Troy Smith, if can get reasonably.

Very good point. However if we switch to 3-4 defense, having a veteran or 2 that is used to playing in 3-4 could cut down the learning curve for rest of team on the switch. Its not an easy defense to master if haven't played in it before, so having someone like Thomas could benefit the players around him

Yes that helped, playing on a team with a good pass rush didn't hurt either.

While I think he is talented, and would be good replacement in case of injury, not sure he make sense as a backup. He is type that needs carries to be effective, so if keep both backs, either you start Lynch and give him allot of carries, or you just bench him and use him as your starter in case of injury, since he doesn't seem to be affective when not getting a chance to get into the flow, and not really suited to be a 3rd down back either. Skills wise Freddie is perfectly suited to be a change of pace/3rd down back, and doesn't need a lot of carries to be affective. Is a smaller scat type back so actually is more effective if comes in fresh later in games when defense is step slower. However it is tough to keep him from starters role when he has been so good when in it. I still would prefer to see lynch start and be given enough caries to get into flow, and wear the defense down first, the go to Freddie later, but if not going to give Lynch enough carries, just leave him on the bench as he is more of an old school type that gets better as game goes along type. It rumors or true, and they are going to a spread type offense, then think have to go with Freddie as your main back, and look at picking up another 3rd down type back that is a good pass blocker, as neither one is very good at that, and the weakness of the spread offense is defenses can send more than you can block, so it is vital the RB can pass block well enough to give QB enough time to get the ball out.

Tax rate doesnt hurt for Florida teams either. They get more of each million in their own pocket.

3. Smash mouth run it down there throat. 4. 4-3 1-gap and/or 2. Blitzburgh 3-4 zone blitz depending on personnel available. Like idea of multiple looks on defense, if have personnel to pull it off. Changed 4-3 to one gap, as is more of an up-field pressure version of 4-3, rather than the 2 gap bend but don't break style. Bills dont have personnel to run smash mouth offense or 3-4 currently, so if saying what think bills should play based on personnel have, would go with West Coast and 4-3 one gap. Only offense seeing TE having a chance at running succesfully is a Offense that is based on the checkdowns and short throws.

You could argue that both ways. Reed needed a very accurate QB to be successful, since he did not get a lot of separation, but always put himself in a good position to make the catch, and keep the defender away from the ball, if the ball was thrown to right spot. Kelly needed a receiver like Reed who could make the tough catches in traffic and use his body to shield defenders, since he liked to force the ball in so much. They were the perfect complement to each others skills.

He was very handicapped by the timing of getting the job. He didn't have time to develop of put in a system of his own. He was stuck with a simplified system that was put in by someone else, and limited in what he could do by his head coaches preference of not using allot of formations. The offence wasn't good obviously, but its tough to blame it all on him, since he really wasn't put in a great position.

I don't think there much of chance he would come to Buffalo. The main 2 reasons he wanted to leave Panthers last year was to be an outside linebacker in a 3-4, and he wanted to go to a team that he felt had a better chance at winning a super bowl. Even if Buffalo switches to a 3-4, we don't have enough of right type of players to make it work properly, and unless we can sign a proper NT, and some better LB's as well as Peppers, that alone would most likely rule him out. Bills recent history isn't a great recruiting tool for someone looking for a team to ride to super bowl either. The fact he is looking for a 20 million dollar a year salary makes it sort of hard for a small market team to afford. Would probably take atleast a 4 year deal, and the bonus would be somewhere about 20-25 million, dont know if Ralph could come up with that kind of cash. Dallas would be my first guess at where he ends up. Patriots would not be a huge surprise, but doubt they would meet his salary demands. I would be surprised if he goes to Redskins, as they do not look like a super bowl caliber team.

I am with you on Troy Smith. Think he is ready to be a starter and has some great upside. Don't think they are same thing though. Yes Troy can run, but thing he is a QB first then a runner, where Vick is opposite. With Troy teams wouldn't have to have a spy like would with Vick, but think Troy would allot them to have a Pro type offense that teams have to respect the pass, unlike they would with Vick. As far as the True fan thing goes, think when it becomes a choice between compromising your own morals and watching a team for entertainment, its a no brain-er. I have followed the team almost religiously for almost 40 years, but would take my money and time else where if they bring Vick on board. Not saying am giving up watching football, just that will find another team to root for and follow eventually.

People feel he has lost a step based on what he showed with the Eagles. I never watched him play, but a scout friend of mine said he didn't show that extra gear this year. Reason turning 30 is big for him, and not someone like Warner or Farve is playing style. Vick is run first and completely relies on his athletic ability. History shows that a good portion of running backs and people who rely on athletic ability tend to see their skills drop off fast after hitting 30. Warner is a pocket passer, who never was much of an athlete anyway. Being a step slower or less agile doesn't take from his core abilities. Farve does use his feet to extend plays and has some athletic skills compared to Warner, but still is a QB first and only runs around to extend a play. Loosing some foot speed only means he has a bit less time to find an open receiver. Since Vick had barely over a 50% completion rate in the years he was playing consistently, not sure how sitting out and on a bench for most of last 4 years in going to improve that. If his running ability isn't as good, it takes away from his ability of the big play, as defenses wont have to devote one or more players to shadow him anymore, allowing them to take away the big plays easier. Another reason hitting 30 is a concern is that he rarely made it through a season without injury before his layoff, and people who run the ball tend to be more susceptible to injuries as they age as well. Unless he watching McNabb play transformed him into a pocket passer, and taught him to read defenses, it is likely he will not finish a season he starts at QB anyway. Yes he has a winning record, but this is a team game. He was on a team that lead the league in rushing most years and had a pretty darn good defense. While his running helped them with the running stats, the defense allowed them to stay in games when the running game was struggling. So while yes he has a winning record, it is a team game, so just adding a QB with a winning record doesn't mean your team will win. Then there is the whole running an illegal organization, illegal gambling, lying to his employers, etc... things he did to get him his time off. Can not say how that will affect the organization for sure, but know I will not follow the team anymore if they sign this guy to be the face of the team.

It is possible in short run people who do not normally buy tickets could to see Vick, but I think in long run, this signing loses enough of the base fan base to do serious harm to the organizations revenue.

The numbers are not really valid anymore, since its been almost 4 years since he has played significantly. He was never much more than 50 percent completion rate, but played on a team that had best overall run game and a pretty good defense. His rushing ability helped them considerably with those rankings, but doubt he will last a season, or be as good as he was, as he is hitting 30 which is typically the age when athletic ability starts to drop off for running backs, or people who rely on athletic ability purely. Hes never been one to put allot of time into the film room, and learning the offenses, so unless that has changed, if his athletic ability or speed dips much at all, he will be a liability as a QB. I hope the Bills stay far away from his lying behind as possible.

There are people on both sides of this, and everyone has a right to pick their own side. I happen to be on side that doesn't feel that he deserves to be let back into the NFL. Doesn't mean that I am right or wrong just that it is my opinion. I choose not to spend my free time and entertainment dollars supporting a hopefully former crime boss, and that is my choice. The Commissioner and league owners felt they he could make them more money so they chose to let him back in, even after he lied to their face and made a fool out of all of them. That is their choice as well. I think your being a bit callous with the righteousness however, as this is allot more than a simple issue. We are talking about some pretty major crimes committed over a long period of time. The illegal gambling he did is normally enough to get someone banned from sports for life in itself, and that was probably the most minor of the crimes that were committed. Its not like it was a crime of opportunity or a simple mistake or bad decision either. This was a cold and calculated set of crimes over a long period of time, including running a cover operation to hide those crimes. Pretty small percentage of population that would look bad when sins are compared I would hope.

OK, you have a point there. We only know whats been discovered to this point, my next door neighbor could be a serial killer too. Just have to go on what information have at hand however.

Don't really think they are comparable. Yes Lynch has done some stupid things, but Vick did some very cold and calculated illegal things for a very long period of time and hide them very well. While Lynch is no boyscout, he isn't a cold calculating criminal like Vick either. I highly doubt Vick will be any one's savior, and do not believe he should be given the opportunity to be playing at all with the level of the crimes he has committed. I do feel should be given a chance to make a living, but not in an industry that supposedly prides itself on cleaning up its image and putting role models out on the field.

Because you play such great competition every week in college, unlike the average players in NFL. And thier defenses are so complex unlike the simple coverages the NFL has.

I actually like the idea of Chan as a coach, have not feelings either way on Buddy as really dont know enough about him. Can say all you want about those that chose not to lower their morals for a game, but as much as I have followed and loved the Bills, if they sign Vick, I will not follow them, just like I will not watch eagles games.