rstencel

One can argue that Wild cat was the base offense that Denver used with Tebow in back field last year. It worked well enough that it got them into the playoffs. Jets picked up Tebow specifically to replace Smith, and they stated that losing him was a huge blow to their packages last year. We also where not the only team bidding on his services last year, and there even was a mention of replacing Smith made by the Jets in their news conferences about trading for Tebow. While it is true that his one pass last year looked awful, he did spend time at qb this off season to get his passing game back up to snuff somewhat. As mentioned, he probably never will be a NFL starting caliber QB passing wise, the same has been said about Tebow. Several people keep mentioning using Vince Young as an option, but he is having a hard enough time learning the base playbook, and they are looking for him to be the backup QB primarily. They don't want to complicate things with him by adding more formations and the whole option passing system to complicate his learning curve. Thats not saying that once he learns the offense, or if he does, that they may add other packages for him. As far as the put a rb back there cause who needs a threat of pass, I use the Tebow reference as main reason. If you sold out to stop him running, he would be able to hit the occasional big play on you. If you implement the full WC offence, there is a pretty complicated option system that can be implemented to take advantage of what the defense shows you. The Jets implemented a good portion of that when Smith was their QB and think that is what the Bills are planning on doing this offseason. Unless you run allot of wildcat plays however, probably will not get more than one or two passes a year out of the formation. I think the Wild cat is a gimic, but as said by our Coach, the more things you give you opponents to prepare for the less time they get to put in anything specific for you.

Was key player in one of best games I went to see in person. Against the Redskins he was on fire on both him and Thomas had over 100 yards rushing, but Kenneth's runs were more impressive to watch, as they were after Bills had lead and were just running every down to run out clock. He was breaking tackles like crazy and was dragging people with him. Was a great compliment with his style. Bills got lucky to get a player like him off freeagency at time.

Very valid points, but my understanding of Thigpen is he isn't quickest to pickup systems, but when he finally does, understands it well. I'm hoping he does this year, as think he will be a better backup and teammate if he does pick it up than VY can be. That being said, I hold no illusions of him being any more than a short term backup. I do understand VY has more upside, he just needs to change his personality and make up of human being and put the work in to really learn the system, and learn how defenses respond and adjust. Just hope we still have a strong enough locker room that he wont destroy what has been built chemistry wise while this is happening. I personally think is battle for backup, not eventual starter or would be more inclined to root for VY. Do not think the winner of the backup field sees more than handfull of snaps barring injury. He definately has more potential physically, at least until he quits again.

Really think Thigpen needs the training camp as much as anyone. Not sure if he was comfortable enough with the system last year to take over as starter. While don't think Thigpen is answer as a starter, do think he could do OK as short term fill in after gets comfortable with the system however. Personally I think Vince Young signing was a huge mistake, and think the Bills will regret it by time its over. Yes he has a ton of natural talent, but guy is a cancer. The guy may say the right things to media now, but still doesn't get it with other players, and still doesn't get that it takes more than athletic talent to succeed in the NFL. For those that think he should take over Smiths roll, I don't think he has the ability to grasp the nueonses of the position to do the things that they want smith to do. Im rooting for Thigpen to win the backup position myself, if you cant tell.

The whole calling the plays on defense and putting others in better position to succeed part sort of evens that out I think. He is one of top players in secondary and one of our top tacklers besides. Not sure myself on which would be a bigger loss, but I'm slightly leaning toward Wilson. To me we have one of top 5 safety tandems in league, and losing either of them would be a huge loss to our defense. I'm not trying to diminish William's value, as he is even better fit for this defense than the one we where running last year, and he was best player on the line last year. Having several other impact players around him this year, should make the overall line play more able to cope with his loss IMO however. Doesn't mean don't think losing him would go unnoticed, or that think any of his backups can play near his level. I just think that between the drop off of backup safety, and loss of the experience and play calling of Wilson, that losing him would have a more profound impact to players around him. Would be ecstatic if we only lost one player however, base on our injury history in recent year.

Cookie or Kemp should be on the list, as they lead Buffalo to its only championships. I talking about on field performance, tough to argue against Cookie, he was the Earl Campbell of his time. Jim Kelly, Elbert Dubenion, and OJ would round out my list.

We don't really know what happened really, but isn't a stretch to think maybe he was drunk, and not thinking clearly. It's not that much of a stretch for someone like that in an attempt to get some tail, acted out of character. Allot of people have been known to act poorly that are not bad people, when they are drunk, and do something stupid.

Not really sure if cronic, had surgery to fix it, so may be resolved.

While I am excited about the pass rush he can bring, I cant see him having full first step back this soon after the surgery he had. Usually takes 2 years to be 100 percent way where after that surgery. He still can be affective I believe, but think will need another year to be back to player he was. Not sure how affective he will be in run defense if they try and use him as every down player, but with how pass happy league is now, shouldn't be a huge issue. Since they are asking line to attack rather than 2 gap, he should be a good fit overall.

I was more refering to keeping 10 on team, not on active roster, thats why put smiley face on there.

Cant see heard making the team honestly. We arent playing 2 gap scheme anymore. Troup is more suited for the new scheme than Heard is a lot more athletic when healthy, and if can get/stay healthy, think he is first off the bench for DT rotation honestly. Edwards and Carrington may be better passrushers at this point, but think Troup is better all around player in the DT role myself. Obviously health isnt a guarentee so is a chance he may not even make team if isnt recovered enough from back injury, but have high hopes myself. Believe Giants have a couple of times in last few years. Not positive though. Though I am counting the ones on IR .

Agree, was more replying to the statement made that implied he is good at coverage. Scott is being listed as a LB this year, and while will probably do more than that. I do expect him to play more LB and be bit more well rounded this year. Well considering how bad our run defense has been, tough to say they've in top half. LB's should look better with the improved line play, and less DE's playing LB, and a year experience for Sheppard however. If he is healthy, no doubt have to get him on the field, as he is just too good not to get him on field on passing downs.

Why I don't agree with most of these, I do agree with a couple. Poz couldn't cover for one. He looked lost out there often. Had trouble making proper drops in coverage, took bad angles at ball, and didn't have very good ball skills. He is what you would call a 2 down LB. We have Scott on the team still cause we still have needs at LB for coverage skills, and players we have now are better at coverage than Poz. Don't think our LB's suck, but think we are bottom 1/3 in league talent wise there. The fact bills safety's have been leading tacklers most games last year, and our run defense has been horrible last few years, as well as how much trouble we have had stopping short passing games over middle, make it hard to say anything but that about our lb's. Doesn't mean I don't think we suck there, and don't have players that have ability to improve. Have several young lb's with talent, just think need more time to develop at this point. Merriman being a natural 3-4 lb is another. Just like Kelsey playing LB was out of position last couple years, Merriman playing LB is as well IMO. Now if just on passing downs, rush LB is playing like a DE on allot of downs, so in that way can see why someone would say I am wrong there. However if they play him as an every down DE, think he will have a tough time with teams that run at him, and thats more what speaking of. All that being said, there isn't a team in the league that doesn't have needs every year and has allpros at every position. Every team has weakness, and its up to the coaching staff to use what they have people wise to best of their abilities to cover those up and make them play as a team. As far as the topic of the thread, I too am a fan of our safety core. Now that Byrd has experience, and gets benefit of full training camp, look for him to make even more strides. While Wilson is getting up there, you usually want at least one of your safety's to be more of a coach on field, and he does very well there considering is a converted WR. With the added pass rush we should get from revamped DL, think our safety's should have a very good year. I am hoping their numbers go down in the Tackles department, and we get a couple of LB's at top of that list this year however. Count me in the crowd thinking this is a top 5 safety tandom.

Would have to disagree in one regard. The head coach went out of his way to tell the players not to do any type of celebrations that could even be questioned before the last game of year where he got benched. Don't care what your profession is, if the guy running it says don't do this, and you do it anyway, that's an issue.

Fitz seems to look for Nelson or Johnson when gets in trouble. I don't think he has the trust in him that he has in couple of other receivers yet. From what have seen, seems like Fitz was even more comfortable with Easley during training camp last year in that respect. Not saying wont be there this year, just that doesn't seem like has been there up to this point.

Yeah, would rather watch the cheerleaders dance after a score than a WR any day.

My thoughts as well. Think Easley has missed too much time to win 2 job, but sees field enough to contribute, and Hagen wins the 2 spot. Agree to a point, offense has put up good amount of points, but also have way too many 3-5 and outs. Need more balance on offense, and less 3 passes and hand it back. More of a threat at 2, and bit more deep passing to keep defenses from crowding line should help lower the number of 3 and outs i believe. Hope so, he doesn't seem to be someone that Fitz looks for though. Having a full offseason to work together to build that rapport may fix that though.

Lets hope he does, would hate to see him turn into another national joke like TO or Ocho.

Well took more than just one person to get those 7 points most times. Puts the defenses back against the wall, cause those 15 yards on kickoff, usually mean about 30 yards of field position added to others teams starting point, and often change the moment back to the other team, losing most of the momentum scoring a touchdown usually gives a team. Kicking a field goal and stopping the other team is often better than scoring a touchdown then getting flagged for 15 and putting other team in position to score one right back and take momentum in game if score is close. The 2 seconds of fun doing dance isnt worth throwing away the work put in to get there imo.

If our team does improve, and we start playing games with leads, we will need to be able to run when they see it comming to close out games. Need a true fullback for situations like that and goal line/short yardage packages I believe. If have to rely on being cute to get first downs, like using 4 wides, will have trouble closing out games.

Havent seen anyone mention this yet, and can't remember which article, but Lee said Fitz looks off the defense too long. He doesn't give himself enough time to lead the receiver properly or see defenders jumping the route. Lee mentioned that he was also trying to get him to look at the receiver he is planning on throwing too a bit earlier and that should help both with getting proper foot work, properly leading the receivers, and giving bit more of a chance to see a defender that he didn't expect to be there. Of course there also is chance he may look too early at times trying to fix this which would help the safety jump routes as well. Between the mechanics and adjustments like these, think Fitz will improve this year. Course defenses have allot more film on him and what he is good at, so even with improvement, may not get the numbers he had early in year last year. He shouldn't drop to level he was at end of last year either though. Think will help him be more consistent and with the improve defense, allow him to work on getting his won/lost back near 500 mark for Bills.

Stevie was in voting for madden cover, think its safe to say he already broke out.

Cant really argue on showing suspect hands, but seems to get open so often, that if can stay healthy, think he'll get a lot of chances on the field, even if he doesnt start. Agree that Hagan is more likely to win the 2 spot, but wouldnt be surprised if Easley gets more balls thrown his way during season, atleast till he proves one way or other if can hold onto ball.

Wouldnt be a huge surprise if they kept 10, but personally only expect them to keep 9. They put allot of value on special teams, and special teams coach gets allot of say in last 4-6 roster spots.

Think they just keep Carrington and Edwards as thier backup tackles then, and dont keep a 5th. Use that spot for an extra LB for special teams instead.