tonyjustbcuz

] Thank You for some Buffalo Braves conversation! I remember when I was a young boy my Dad used to take me to the games...I remember picture night when they played the Washington Bullets. I remember I liked Wes Unseld as a player for them...I remember all those special names and it makes me feel good! It keeps my Dad alive in my mind as he is long gone! I remember the 1/2 gal milk cartons that we used to cut out a discouted buffalo braves coupon on it. I remember being in the oranges most of the time, looking around at the banners and seeing my favorite players...McAdoo, Swen Nater, Randy Smith, Erinie D' Dgorio, Ohh yeah..Billy Knight, Don Weiss, Nate Archibald (very briefly I think..) Marvin Barnes, and so many more! I remember one of the Celtics players had a little retirement ceremonial event at the Aud...maybe it was Kevin McHale? So many great memories, it's a shame we didn't keep the team! I would've loved to bring my kids there...for them..especially my little boy!!!! Hopefully, we can eventually build this city/region into something special, I think we will, but I think it may take us 20 more years to get things done! We all have one life on earth (as far as I know), and I think we should come together and make Buffalo even more special, and try to reclaim things lost over the years, and build this city into a model city, lose the excuses, regain some population, attract more visitors, and become a sports mecca like Boston is. I would love to see this happen in my lifetime, and I'm tired of losing things, the Braves, possibly the Bills someday, etc... We have to do more in Buffalo than just talking proud! "If it is to be, It is up to me" (Norman Vincent Peale). (One change to this could be..If it is to be, it is up to US!) Let's Go Buffalo, Lets Go!!!!! (I know this is a little long..and a positive rant of sorts, but with 4 little kids at home, my opportunities are few, and my optimism is great!) : )

Trade Chris Kelsay away to Baltimore and get Lee Evans back as we sure could use him with our WR injuries! (It seems that Baltimore isn't even using Evans at all hardly...has maybe 2 catches!)... I just don't like Kelsay as he is a link to the past and players we let go like Whitner, Maybin, Poz, etc.... I'm not saying that this trade makes sense positionaly or to Baltimore, but I'll be glad when Kelsay is gone! I do think we need one experienced wide receiver as our WR corps is depleted and young, and could use some mentorship ie: Evans, Owens, Moss ??? For what it's worth!

I definitely agree with Fitzpatrick and Fred Jackson..lately George Wilson as well...not so much Kyle Williams this year so far.

Well I love it! I wish I could be as optimistic as I am predicting 6-10. Still lacking on the "O" Line...not sold on WR's quite yet, not sold on C.J. Spiller yet neither. Still have several midling players that wouldn't play much if at all on your better teams ie: Chris Kelsay, Leodis McKelvin etc. Still wondering why Buffalo doesn't utilize TE's like most teams do? I think overall the defense will be better, but the Bills still lack depth in key areas, and I expect them to give up a lot of yards in the passing game. Although slightly improved, I don't think the Bills know how to win consistently, and I think you will see after half-time adjustments a team that is out coached and like the past several years players that are injury prone. I don't see why "suddenly" they would be capable of going any more than 8 wins if the cards fell nicely! Anyhow, I hope I'm wrong, because 12 wins would be sweet!

I used to look forward to hearing what Clayton has to say...anymore, I just can't wait until he shuts up!

Who is our Drew Brees? Are you suggesting that Ryan Fitzpatrick will develop into a Drew Brees? I really doubt it, I think his intelligence helps him through some of his physical limitations and give him an ability to be a average QB if all his abilities are maximized! Do you really think Fitzpatrick is part of the future of the Bills franchise? I don't..I think he is a stop gap until whomever we draft or sign next off-season develops into a franchise QB. Well our Bills have for the most part "as you put it" sucked for over a decade straight, and they still haven't gotten better!! So I don't understand your analogy or thinking at all????

I don't know about the Bills signing T.J.H. but I wouldn't mind...This ain't no rumor because maybe the different flights have NFL insignia's on the tail of some planes for advertisement purposes goes, but this I saw with my own two eyes and it may not mean a lick!!! I saw a small to medium size plane...I think it was US Airways? or something like that...and it had a Philadelphia Eagle logo on the tail of it! Like I said, maybe this is common to have NFL logo's on the tail of planes for advertisement?? I spotted it on Sunday Aug 19th at approx 7:15 pm when we left the arrival pickup area of the airport. I don't even know if that it did mean something to the Bills, as to what the Eagles have on their roster that may interest us? Or vice versa? I just know what I saw..and I'm not trying to start up a rumor of any sorts unless there is reason to believe the Eagles have someone that we may be interested in. I'm not trying to conjure anything up about Michael Vick either because the Eagles have no inclination whatsoever to get rid of or trade Vick..so that's out! I do know that we have dealt with the Eagles some in previous offseasons, so if there is something to it I'd love to know! Anyone know about the planes at the airport and NFL Logo's on the tail? Anyone know if there is a player we should be interested in on their roster?

Yeah, I'm not disheartned with the move like a lot of other Bills fans..I never liked listening to him talk much anyways. He never sounds emotionally into it to me...almost like he's talking, but somewhere else in his mind. Good, whatever! Only so many years you can say..well he's fast, and another player got more catches because of him. No, he's a WR...If he isn't catching the ball much, he's not that much help! I doubt teams are really gameplanning a lot for Lee Evans, he's on the downside, been with the Bills for about 8 years...only had one or two very nice seasons. The best thing is that we got his best years from him for football purposes (8 years) and now we either parlay that pick with another to move up in the 2012 draft or we get a player that could turn out to be something special (who knows)..wasn't Kyle Williams a 4th rounder? maybe not? But there have been 4th rounders who have turned out to be excellent players! Maybe Terrel Davis was a 4th rounder...at least a 3rd? The point is, that we get another player, for another hopefully long stretch, who could possibly have a career with the Bills in return for a player who already spent the majority of his career here, and is definitely quickly slipping closer to retirement! I think it was actually a wise move, as this years team probably isn't going to far, puts us in no worse shape for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, and may enhance it just slightly! The good teams know when to let a aging player go. Just look at Lawyer Milloy who many including myself was excited to get from New England! or Drew Bledsoe etc....Little did we know they were either done, or hitting the wall very shortly! Good talent evaluators recognize the wall..and try to get something for the player before it's too late! Next season when this team is hopefully a blossoming young team that has filled some holes, and of a higher talent base than previous years...well Lee Evans will be another year older, maybe even slower, and we'll all be saying that "Geez, the Bills should've traded him while they had the chance!" Quite Honestly, Buddy Nix/Chan Gailey sometimes can't win the fan judgement award no matter what they do! I think this was a smart move!!! Would've liked a 3rd rounder in return, but they got what the market rate is!!!!!! Go Bills Anyways, I'm sure there are some free agent WR's out there the Bills could pick up as a low cost option...Isn't T.O. on the market still? Not that he's great or anything anymore, but he is useful and actually statisticallly was probably better than Lee Evans the year he was here, and I believe he had a good season for the Bengals last year. Does anyone know which WR's are freeagents that haven't been claimed yet?

Well I have always been opposed to the idea of relocating the Bills to Niagara Falls..but I admit that it would be a very attractive venue. We would definitely make Monday Night Football (at least in the inaugural year of the new stadium)..Along with such a stadium it would make sense to build up the waterfront as our American side is real hum drum compared to the Canadian side of the falls. I think we would get even a greater portion of Canadians as attendees at the Bills games, and I could see television expanded to the Canadian audience as well (if it's not already?) I'm not excited about the move, but to keep the Bills in the region longterm it seems like it will eventually be in the Bills interest to do so before they get scooped up and relocate to a whole different fan base somewhere in Iowa! (Or Idaho..LA..whatever.) If we have a new stadium along with it would probably come a lengthy lease and committment to the area. I would like to see the Bills remain the Buffalo Bills though...and I don't know if that would happen?

I agree...maybe that is part of the departing statement to Modrak the Bills were making...as Tom Modrak seemed to be blind the past decade...I was mad at not picking so many players including Oher...also Ngata, C. Matthews, Bryan Orakapo...upset to no end!...choosing Maybin! selecting James Hardy (I was upset..) even C.J. Spiller as I still don't agree with that pick! Marcell Dareus was the first time me and the Bills saw eye to eye on almost every transaction they have made in the past decade!!!! The Sabres done good and are fortunate for having Pegula as their owner..only time will tell to what degree...but it's optimistic!!! and around here that has been lacking from the equation for a long time!!!! Instead of here we go again...it's hey maybe we're on to something!!!! With the Bills it's like even if Dareus is good he'll be learning and eventually groomed into a pro bowl player for some other team that will snatch him up in 3 or 4 years in free agency. It seems like everytime we get a good player who is coming into their own...off they go to the highest bidder..therefore creating the circle of neverending doom that endlessly circles around and repeats itself, leaving the Bills unable to build and instead patching and plugging holes of their own creation! ie: Antwoine Winfield, Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Leonhard, Pat Williams, and I'm sure there are many more as well...nothing like grooming guys as a farmteam for other teams!!!! Anyways, the Sabres are first rate, and the Bills are unfortuantely bottom feeders right next to the Catfish & Bengals!!!!

Good point! It figured that it rained on the Bills parade almost the entire day! I guess they got the karma they deserved for trying to grab the spotlight away from the Sabres! I'm glad we choose the Sabres function, afterall like you said, this snafu was the Bills fault! From what I heard...and it didn't look much better in the pictures I saw..your lucky if there was 1,500 at the Bills function! I agree with your take, and I'm happy to say we went to the Sabres function...bought 5 Sabres shirts on clearance for $13.00 (no tax neither..)!!! My kids went in the bounce house and slide right on the floor of HSBC...Kids played hockey...Sabre Tooth...Autographs from Rob Roy who was very nice to talk to, Danny Gare took a photograph with me, and Foligno, and Jay McKEE Were cool! Larry Playfair had 0 for personality and conversation..didn't like'em but that's okay. Food was significantly cheaper than gamedays...and watching some of the draft on the jumbotron was cool as well! Glad that we choose to go with the better organization! Love the Bills, but maybe they should've avoided trying to steal the Sabres thunder, as the Bills were rewarded with showers all day long! The Bills didn't get anywhere at all even remotely close to 20-25k...not even 10k from what it looked like..if 5k I'd be surprised! We drove by there to check it out on the way to the Sabres function and it looked like an RV show crowd! It didn't look like the locker rooms were giving tours at all when we passed them..but I think if I remember correctly they are doing construction of the lockerooms which makes sense...but everything else was first rate! It was a great event and I never feel that way about the Bills events in comparison. So I'm glad I choose the Sabres today!

Who coordinates these events anyways? Locally professional sports is at a snails pace this time of the year. So we finally get a little taste of the Bills and Sabres this week and they schedule it on the same day and same time? I want to go to the uniform unveiling tomorrow for the Buffalo Bills and have 6 "free tickets" that I ordered on Ticketmaster. My kids will enjoy the football related games and bounce houses for their enjoyment, and it will be capped off with the fans being allowed to sit on a blanket on the field and watch the movie "Blind side". This seems pretty cool, I guess parking is free, and the Jills, Jim Kelly, and local celebrities will be in attendance! Sounds Great!!!! The problem is that I also love the Buffalo Sabres and they are having a fan draft party at the exact same time (6:30 pm) at HSBC Arena! Kids will be allowed to play hockey on the floor, they are going to have family friendly prices supposedly on food & drinks, and a host of other events, including being able to watch the first round of the draft on the Jumbotron (or whatever it's called now days..). So instead of getting to enjoy both of these events I have to pick between the two! It will be the Bills I guess since we are closer, unless it is raining of course, then it will be the Sabres! So I can't even sitting here on the eve before these events and say that I know what I am doing tomorrow. I think this is just poor coordination on both organizations as these events have been posted online on various media outlets and in the news as well. I don't get it? I love our teams, but I just don't get the conflicting events in which I would like to attend both!!!

I think our "D" will be better, to what extent it's hard to predetermine....I would say that we will have an average defense this year...right about in the middle statistically. I think the one thing that will make the greatest difference in the Bills performance this year is avoiding having so many players injured. We have had more than our share of injuries the past few years and you would hope that some of the changes they made at strength and conditioning programs and having two coaches that perform in that capacity will help some. It's a given that there will be injuries, but having a better conditioned team should help. I noticed that the Bills usually collapsed early in the season in the second half of games and I was trying to determine rather it was a matter of conditioning or making adjustments at halftime of the games. It seemed as the season progressed the Bills were playing better in the second half of games and took some quality opponents right up to overtime to determine a winner. I think the biggest flaw last season which was obvious was the inability to stop the run. I think the Bills have gone a long way to reverse that problem and only games will reflect rather our run stopping is improved or not. Not only will a better "D" improve the defensive side of our game, but it will give our offense a better opportunity to win time of possesion. The longer the offense has the ball the less stressed and tired the defense will be. This should benefit the Bills as a game wears on and defenses get tired. There are just so many benefits to a good run defense! If we shut down the run we can make a opponent's offense one-dimensional which will be easier to shut down. It would also make the opponent test our CB's more which was something they avoided a lot last year as there was no need to pass as much. It showed in teams avoiding Jairus Byrd last year, and it wasn't just that Byrd didn't get many INT's last year, it also was that he was untested for the most part. So what am I saying......We should get more interceptions on defense, improve on time of possesion, probably recover more fumbles, give up less touchdowns, score more points, etc...and hopefully all this will mean we win more games! I think we will win more games this year, but looking at the schedule ahead (if they play them all!) and the age and inexperience of our defense...I think realistically we're looking at 6 wins this year! Not quite what we hoped for...but combine that with a strong Offensive minded draft next year..including a QB, WR, TE, OT's, we may be building something special once again? It may be like 1985 again and it's hard to see the foundation of the dominant team of tomorrow that Buddy Nix is building! Rare for me regarding optimism but we are 4 years away from the Superbowl !!!!

I don't know about Poz making us better? But I do agree that he will help us from getting worse than 4-12. As it stands right now I'd say we'll win 6 with Poz...maybe 5 without him..not that he's going to win a game for us? Then again, that's if we even have a season? Such certainties makes me want to rush out and buy season tickets!

I agree and Im a diehard Bills fan! I wrote a long post earlier about the Bills and the circle of self-destruction that their franchise philosophy is built upon when dealing with player personnel. Trying to keep it short somehow...the main thing is that the Bills often lose their players to free agency (this year with the lack of talent in their free agent class this may be a good thing!) When they do lose players like Nate Clements, Anwoine Winfield, Pat Williams, Sam Cowhart, Leonhard, Jabari Greer etc..etc...instead of adding to the talent base of the team, and building depth they draft players to fill holes that they self-inflict. The only constant the entire duration is the owner Ralph Wilson as we've gone through GM's, coaches, & personnel people throughout. Buddy Nix only seeks marginal talent to plug holes in free agency according to some of his past interviews on the subject. He doesn't put much stock in free agency and shys away from big name free agents. Although teams like Indianapolis, New England, and the NY Jets utilize free agency all the time successfully! It's like getting an extra draft pick (someone else's) who is already broke in and developed! Not a bad thing in my eyes compared to us developing Jabari Greer or Nate Clements only to watch him utilize his developed talent for another team! Sure, you probably avoid players like T.O., Shawn Merriman, etc...who are either at the end of their careers or often injured. Unfortuantely when we dabble in free agency it seems that we choose the latter route more often than not, and usually overpaying in the wrong spot! The successful teams are typically successful or soon to be successful again after a down year because they are well oiled machines and have good ownership, but most importantly they have the GM's that have a recipe for success! Bill Polian is a great example of this as he built the Colts utilizing the same philosophy as he did in Buffalo in the early 90's. Unfortunately the perrenial losers are typically in a similar spot repeatedly and the Bills is on that list of teams that dont get it done year after year! Its also a shame that the Bills..Ralph chose to not pay some of the employees!

I like your response to the subject matter! I know it's early but I think the Bills will win just that...6 games! They really have a hard schedule..It seems that way nearly every year! When your not that good I suppose every schedule looks tough! I can't remember ever hearing in the past several seasons that they have an easy schedule? Then again over a decade without any playoff game(s) may be part of it! I think 6 wins is a fair assesment overall...based on what I have seen in Nix's and Gailey's tenure so far. I do like that they got Wannstandt, and that D. Whaley jumped ship from the Steelers to the Bills. In some ways I've seen some improvements, but I think generally the unwillingness of the Bills organization to make multiple significant player acquisitions in free agency has and will hurt them until they stop using free agency just to find midling players for depth or meet positional number needs on the roster. If you can get a free agent or two that is still young enough, and talented enough to make an impact the Bills need to entertain that route. Not so much a T.O. type of player for the purpose of filling some seats knowing that he is near the end of his career, but a real game changer even if you have to pay a bit too much to do it! I'm not saying to live and die by free agency the way Daniel Snyder does when it comes to his Washington Redskins! Year after year we lose key players to teams that are willing to pay too much for talent, and then we create the circle of self implosion that the Bills management causes on their own inferior personnel design. This year we are bound to lose more free agents whenever the leaugue is back in the business, although the quality (lack therof) may not be as sorely missed as in previous years. The Bills philosophy cannot work as its flawed from the onset! If you avoid marquee talent available in free agency? and instead just sign free agents for either depth or marginal players like Nix calls them...how do you replace players over the years that are either coming into their own, or have excelled when they leave a void and depart via free agency? ie: Nate Clements, Jabari Greer, Antwoine Winfield, Pat Williams, Sam Cowhart, Leonhard, etc...etc..So many more! I know its not all Buddy Nix's fault, but all the Bills have been doing is mostly drafting, to feel holes over the years for players that have exited! All we really have been doing is trying to fill these voids instead of adding depth at positions like New England and Indianapolis does every year. Missing on several drafts have really hurt the Bills as well...and I really don't have a high level of confidence in the C.J. Spiller pick and never have. I was not impressed with last years draft at all, and if anything I was pretty upset. The year before selecting Maybin which has been talked about a lot was flat out the wrong pick as Orakapo was there for the taking! H. Ngata was there a few years ago etc...Talent evaluation (Modrak..Thank God he's gone..maybe the best off-season move) is crucial, and the Bills have severely lacked in this category. This years draft appears to be much better although it'll take a while to know. You can't have bad drafts, not believe in free agents, and lose key players to free agency!!! That's a no-brainer and to date the Bills just don't get it! We'll see how Nix does in Free agency this year, but if it's same 'ole, same'ole....well then the writing is on the wall and it may as well be in cement as we'll be seeing a new GM (Doug Whaley), and new Coach in 2 years!!! Like Rocky said "There is no tomorrow" If the Bills aren't careful these words may apply to the whole organization! I do agree that free agency is not your principal means of becoming a good team, but other teams that have built up through the draft like the N.Y. Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers are not afraid of dipping their hand into the cookie jar and pulling a vital player from the free agent market. Unfortuantely, when the Bills have dipped into the well they have misjudged talent and overpaid for players that did not live up to their expectations! That's where your Bill Polians, Bill Parcells, and Bill Bellichecks come into play (But not these Bills so far! Pun intended!) as they are good talent evaluators. I have not seen that from the Bills organization and if Marcell Dareus is a perrenial Pro Bowl player I think most of it is because of where the Bills picked, and that Dareus was practically a no-brainer! So what's the point? I guess the point is that as long as Ralph Wilson is around and the owner of the Bills, unless he just someday say's the heck with it and spends right up to the cap and circumvents it with creative contracts like everyone else does!...Unless that happens which I doubt! I think the Bills are destined for mediocrity. I would be surprised if they didn't trade out of the #1 spot if and when they ever have that selection as that would require the Bills to outlay the biggest contract in NFL history! (or the player probably would refuse to sign! as we know how players and agents are these days!) Could you imagine Andrew Lucks contract, if that were the case???????? Do you see the Bills willing to pay that???? when they could trade down and get maybe two lower first round picks and save a ton of cash! Well the 1st pick pick is more likely than the 32nd pick will be anytime soon. Until I see differently, I look at it as a circle of self-destruction (or implosion..) and it's of our own doing...and this is why Buddy was hired over many others who have won before...because deep down we would not pay these coaches fair market value...but most of all the coaches and GM's out there understand the Bills philosophy at ownership level, and realize that the organization is not designed for championships, instead it is designed to keep things marginal...all good things in moderation...give the fans a few good men...a little hope...a little luck...but not Andrew Luck, Not Superbowl rings, Not big time coaches and Personnel people, as all we are really trying to do is keep the seats mostly full, at a marginal cost which entitles Ralph Wilson to be a very wealthy man when he meets his maker!

I really liked the effort that you put into this post! Outstanding! This is one of the best posts I've seen all off-season/lockout period! I agree with a lot of your overview first off, and of course I disagree with some small segments as well. That's just life and the life of a Bills "know it all fan" like myself...haha I'll just kind of shoot around some things I don't fully agree about.... I think the special teams are graded a little high and I really feel there was a big slippage with B. Moorman, and a tad with Lindell as well. I think special teams will be more challenging this year with rule changes and less time to adequately prepare. Based on last year's performance with nothing noteworthy as far as upgrades I would give the Bills a solid C on special teams which is a slight difference from a B+ I felt in comparison to other teams in the NFL that your grades were a little high generally "maybe a little hometown fan favorite" upgrade that isn't on par with the true grades the Bills should receive. You weren't way out of bounds or anything on most of your grading, I just thought you were a little generous, which I can understand as far as objectivity goes as a fellow Bills fan. I do think the Bills front office has improved some since Russ Brandon sticks more to the marketing side of the business now. But, I think as long as Ralph Wilson is the owner he will have a big influence of course on several matters including the draft, and also free agency. I really felt like there was no chance at us landing a QB in the first two rounds regardless of who was available. I really feel like the Bills don't want to pay the money required for a QB when they already feel that they have one "on the cheap" compared to your top tier. Just my view and it can't be changed until they prove otherwise. I remember last season when Ralph mentioned that he was sending Buddy Nix and his boys out there in the field to scout college QB's and that it would be first priority. I didn't forget, but everyone else has seemed too! I think we got lip service when needed and then Fitzpatrick had a midling season that was reasonably productive and all the sudden we are set at QB! I don't think a B- properly grades are QB position unless we pickup or trade for a key free agent QB that is young enough to develop like Kolb, or someone that is seasoned w/talent left? (Like McNabb a few years ago..lol). Are list of QB's over the years is far from impressive...and it is a direct result of ownership! Good organizations regenerate when crumbling, bad organizations regurgitate crap like the Bills, Lions, Browns, etc...Yeah, the Lions are getting better and may have a playoff year coming down the road, but they will get themselves right back to ground zero again as good organizations are consistently good, and bad ones are consistently bad! Based on more than a decade where do we fit in from an unbiased National perspective???? (See what I mean)..... Look at Indiapolis (Polian), New England (Belicheck), Pittsburgh (Cowher and then the current guy..) All impressive coaches or GM's that the owner allows to do their jobs, and supports them however needed. When Greg Williams was here he really "wanted" to draft Drew Breeze which the Bills were in a position to do! He was over ruled by the Tom Modrak and Ralph Wilson and you know the rest of the story!!!!! Polian succeeds with his winning formula everywhere he goes! Here, Indy...and that's all because he's the cream of the crop, while we've had the cream of crap! Look at the coaches....Jauron, Williams, Mularkey...here they were lousy! Williams has done pretty well for himself, but the other two hasn't done much of anything still..... I think the culture may be changing and that the Bills got Doug Whaley seems like a prudent move...and based on this draft alone..(I didn't like the 2010 draft much..) the Bills may be heading in the right direction (somewhat) but unless the Bills get a future franchise QB soon for Gailey to groom...we will be going through coaching changes AGAIN in another year or two! Nix said that now was a smart time to get a QB as it's smart to get one when you don't need one..and if you wait until you need one it may be too late!!!! I don't know why he didn't take his own advice???? I also think that Buddy Nix foolishly projects by what he often say's (except in Dareus's case...) what picks he's going to make and he did that extremely so in C.J. Spiller's case! I think I would hold on to B+ Grades on this positon until season's end,,,,and if they finish 4-12 again I don't think you can justify a B+ and not be known as a total homer! I think a C is okay right now...a C- to D+ if they finish 4-12 and to earn a B+ I think your looking at 7 wins with some close games lost. I mean a B+ is almost an A, and even 7 wins is less than average if you think about it...I think a 8-8 would put them in the middle of the standings...and get them a B+ considering where they have been! I really can't see justifying a "A-" at the RB positon...the Bills weren't didn't have any great performances in the running game last year. When the Bills needed a first down on short yardage, most of the time they didn't get it..C.J. Spiller didn't have a good season last year and has not proved one thing yet in this leaugue. His career is better than James Hardy's and Aaron Maybins to date, but such an important part of the running game seemed non-existent most of the year and in my opinion would be at best a "C". I just don't know why we are talking the letter A in any way! Johnny White has not got one yard in the NFL..May be the next Xavier Omon for all we know..who was extremely productive in college...Johnny White was inconsistent at N.C. and has quite the downside, with some upside as well...He may never get past special teams in the NFL. Anyways, Caulcrick...I've heard of him...can't say I remember much about him? Who else? McIntyre...as far as the running game goes? Oh well, I don't get it! Well I'm close to you with WR's and I like our group...lets see how some of their sophmore seasons go...but based on last year I like our guys, but I think we need a true number 1 guy...and I think that Stevie Johnson is a good #2 guy and that Evans would be better in the middle like Josh Reed used to do for us as he may be starting to get heavy legs. I would probably grade our WR's with a B as we need one Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald to order! I'm not going to rip on the grades anymore as I did say I liked what you did..just felt you were a little forgiving at positional shortcomings and a lack of depth at key positions. I still think the Bills tendancies are that the roster seems to sustain more than the average amount of injuries and would contribute that to strenght and conditioning and early in the season it seemed that once the second half came about that they were out gameplanned when it comes to adjustments, and not having enough stamina to keep up with the other teams. Once their conditioning started to improve it seemed like they were playing with teams longer late in the season and even went to overtime against some very good competition like Baltimore & Pittsburgh. One of the reasons that Jairus Byrd did not produce as much in 2010 wasn't just because of a sudden inability to intercept passes like he did in 2009, but also because teams didn't pass in his direction nearly as much as '09. One of the reasons why is that they could run the ball down our throats and it wasn't necessary to test our secondary much. I think this is where you will see the greatest improvement with Byrd, McGee (if healthy) and McKelvin provided that Dareus stays healthy and is able to have the impact that I think he will have on the opponents running game. I also wonder if the Bills will pursue Vince Young as I realize he is a head case...but I also realize with the right therapist..lol...and a coach like Chan Gailey..that Vince Young is young still and has all the tools to become a franchise QB. I think you can get Young for a few nickels on the dollar and it may be worth investigating that fire sale and see what he can do? K. Kolb will cost you though as he is a wanted man..probably by Arizona....I think you go after someone instead of getting just undrafted free agent QB's from the past year's graduating class, because all you are doing is just filling the numbers with little hope of landing a potential player. It will be interesting to see what the Bills will do...oh yeah,,,one more thing about front office grades: The Bills organization made a choice to stop pensions and different cutbacks for staff, coaches etc...that they were not required to make. Some of the personnel that are normally hard at work for the Bills organization are going to be in dire straits fairly soon if this lockout is prolonged. With the County paying for renovations, and the Stadium being paid for..it was not a move that the Bills organization or Mr. Wilson should've made! I think I will revise my grade for the front office to a "D" or at least the miser owner who will die with Millions upon Millions as the Bills load up their moving trucks in due time. So much for my optimistic approach, as reality took over! Da'Bills

If you really read my post? I wasn't optimistic about getting Andrew Luck at all! If anything it was quite the reverse, and I had us pegged as picking #8 in the 2012 NFL Draft. I am sorry that seeing his (Andrew Luck)name scarred you in some way. It is interesting to speculate who may draft Luck, or maybe any of the 3 top QB's next season. I am sorry that I was ignorant on the ground rules limiting are discussion to the subjects that interest you. If you don't mind me asking? I'd like to know my limitations, so next time I can focus just on your needs. I find it odd though that you inject your comments and expend your time on something you don't have any interest in? I personally would not waste my time and emotions which are a precious commodity on subject matter that I deemed senseless. Thank You regardless for your reply and insight on how you feel. I appreciate your optimism that we will be better than 12 teams and possibly more. Although I feel we've improved in a few areas I think that we will fall slightly lower in the standings contributed by the second most difficult schedule in the entire NFL. But, I like optimism and enjoy you playing along in the end! I'm not so fast to agree that we are better than Miami, Oakland, or Detroit....I think Detroit is assembling a pretty good team with their high 1st round picks the past several years. They are really set with Suh at DT, at QB, WR, and are building a strong team! I think they are a year or two ahead of us on the rebuilding front. I guess it's all just an opiion, and thank you for playing! I think San Fran may be better than expected with the coaching changes that occured. A good coach can make an impact ie: Bellicheck, & Parcells they can beat you with their team or beat you with your team!

favorite reply so far! Thanks...yeah I agree there is .00001 chance that (pretty close to absolute..) the Bills will pick first in the draft next year which means they either trade up or forget about him. I don't see the Bills brass as the type of organization that would trade up and surrender multiple picks that they need. I agree, I think the offense will be much more consistent, and I think a big key will be how effective the run defense will as it will effect all elements of the game in some way. I think Marcell Dareus is the answer we have been waiting for on run defense! I expect a lot from him and believe it will be contagious on the D line...I hope that either Shawn Meriman or Aaron Maybin bust out and surprise us. I think Maybin is less expected to surprise us, but Merriman has been hurt a lot so I'd be shocked if either player will be on the 2012 team! I know it's early..but I will go on record and say that the Bills will win 6 games next season. I include a surprising upset against New England, a few games we should win, and a win against Miami. I think the Jets are a little too powerful next season and don't feel we'll beat them even though we've beat them a few times the past few years. Thanks for a good reply, and getting me in the mood to talk Bills!!! Go Billlllllllllls !!

My question is which teams do you think will have worse records than the Buffalo Bills next year, and I guess that will better determine just where we should be picking in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes next year. I think the only way we get Andrew Luck is if we finish #31 of 32 teams and the worst team is Carolina. Even then there is a pretty decent chance that Carolina would trade down so some other team can draft Luck. So barring us finishing with the worst in the leaugue in 2011 (if there is a 2011 season) I don't think we stand a great chance of ending up with Luck! It would take a bad record and some Luck...(pardon the pun..) either good or bad depending on how you view it! I think that Cam Newton will not have a great or even a very good season as he has a lot to grasp in his rookie year, and this lockout is not helping him a great deal! I think Carolina will hands down be the worst team in the leaugue next season. I also think that Cincinatti will be bad, and will finish second worst. I don't think much of Cleveland and right now I think they will be the 30th best team in 2011. I think Von Miller will improve Denver's defense to some extent, but also feel that they have too many holes to fill and that they will be the 29th best team. My surprise pick next would be the Washington Redskins. I have them slated as #28 next season as I think they will be weak at QB and several other positions. I do not think that Tennesee will have a good season as their has been a great deal of instability with the Titans. I have them pegged at #27. I think Arizona has fallen fast and I'll rank them at #26 in '11. I think Buffalo will play well at times in 2011, but I think they will be at #25 by seasons end. They have an extremely challenging schedule and although Fitzpatrick will put up decent numbers the Bills seem to putter out in the fourth quarter in several games. One good note about the Bills is I have them finally beating New England during the regular season and splitting with them. #32 Carolina #31 Cincy #30 Cleveland #29 Denver #28 Washington #27 Tennesee #26 Arizona #25 Buffalo I have the Bills slotted at #25 in 2011 and picking #8 in the 2012 NFL Draft. I'd like to get your feedback and get your opinions and feelings as to where you feel the Bills will end up in the standings next season. Thanks!

I second that! Just a bunch of senseless babble..

Just looking to jump in somewhere and I guess Dareus will be the landslide winner in the voting. Even though I voted for Dareus and feel that Dareus may actually be the biggest immediate impact player of the top 5 players...I still realize that having such a vote on a Bills site is going to have slanted results in Dareus's favor. I would love to see this poll on Profootballtalk.com or somewhere that has national appeal. I think Newton will be learning on the job and will have mixed reviews in his initial year. I think Patrick Peterson has the potential to take this honor as well as A.J. Green, but we still have a long way to go and have to get past the labor dispute!

This would be the perfect post to compare Fitzpatrick's stats from last year as he started 14 games ( I believe..) Had a similar amount of total yards if I remember correctly...I'd love to see the comparison if anyone is prevy to that info. Thanks.. Alex Van Pelt returns!

I know this may be an unpopular opinion, but I think that it may be worth it to seriously look at Vince Young. I know that he has been a headcase the past year or two but he is talented and has a very good winning percentage and other tangibles. With Vince Young it's been the intangibles that have been rough. With strong mentorship and firm coaching you have a very mobile QB who can make all the throws. I have seen him have some really good games and he has a lot of potential. I think Chan Gailey would love to have a mobile QB with the tools that Young has. I don't know if I'm strong on Thigpen overall...I just sort of feel that he's a QB that had a strong season in the past that has some of the tools as a QB, but not enough tools to work with. I know that Chan Gailey has had a player/coach relationship with him before and was able to successfully get good results out of him. I guess I would be okay with him, but wouldn't expect him to ever challenge for a starting job. I think Vince Young could be a franchise QB in the next couple of years (Maybe less..) if he ever gets his head out of the sand and doesn't get so emotionally disturbed. I think that Vince Young would be well suited to Buffalo as Chan Gailey doesn't seem like a coach who is going to hammer at a player's insecurities. If Parcells were our coach I wouldn't recommend getting Young as he sounds as if he has a problem with a lot of criticism. I think Gailey is more of a detailed guy than motivating by getting in a players face. We should also look at an undrafted QB that has some of the tools and intangibles that may give him a chance in the NFL. I think that the Bills should go into camp with 4 QB's as Gailey mentioned and they will likely reduce their roster to 3 QB's after the preseason. (If there's a preseason!)... Go Bills!