tonyjustbcuz

I turn on WGR at 6 a.m. when I wake up in the morning. I usually know what they are going to talk about as they are very predictable. They often cover the Sabres and talk about the game the night before, but I sometimes get a little frustrated with Howard Simon. There are many times when there is either a Sabres game or some type of sporting event the night before that they will discuss, but Howard usually say's something about how he caught some of it and went to sleep after a perior or two, or at half-time of a football game or whatever. It kind of a waste of time listening to coverage and as far as I know the leading sports authority in the room in Howard when he had to go beddie bye prior to the games conclusion. I leave for work around 6:30 a.m. most days..will listen to a few minutes on my car radio and start to get bored with their continued conversation on the same topic. So I listen to something else instead until I get to work at 7 a.m. I drive a school bus and after I have unloaded my last child at school I will turn WGR back on just after 9 a.m. and believe it or not those same guys are talking about the same points they were talking about 3 hours earlier! They just keep regurgitating the same information! Sometimes, I swear they just play back the 6 a.m. portion of the show, but that would be pretty sorry! Nothing worse than going back at 3 p.m. and they begin to talk about the points brought up in the a.m. show..and kickstart the same lame subject as in the morning! Half the time these guys talk about stupid stuff like the Grammy's, American Idol, favorite type of pie for Thanksgiving, and many other stupid, non-sports related topics that I don't tune into a Sport Radio Station to listen to! What I don't understand is how the heck did they ever win a Marconi award? Macaroni award maybe? But any type of sports related award is absurd! The Best thing about WGR550 AM was when they used to have the Coach Chuck Dickerson talking football ! I didn't care how abrasive he seemed, as he was very knowledgable, opinionated, and never boring! and as Chuck always said "Who Loves ya baby" !!! oh yeah..one last thing...Howard..I don't want to hear about your lack of finances and how poor you are! It's just bad juju to always let everyone know that you don't make much money or have much money. Nobody cares..the wealthy certainly dont, and the people who have less than you do would give anything to be in your positon! So please stop it!

They may have the 12th highest payroll, but they often don't plug the money they spend in the right spot. Now, I don't try and remember contract stuff too much, but didn't they spend a lot of money to keep Chris Kelsay? I may or may not be right about that I don't know..but too often they will overpay a marginal player or even a player that I think is sub-marginal instead of spending the money in areas that net better results. I do agree with you that the Bills organization is not a magnet for marquee players at all. I really don't believe that it's based on the weather as players wanted to come here in the early 90's when we had a great team. But, the Bills don't seem to draft players in a way that they will have to pay out huge contracts. For example who would've commanded more money in a contract last year C.J. Spiller or a QB that many thought we might have taken? This year the Bills will have a realistic shot at drafting the first QB in the draft. I'm not saying that they should, but it's up for discussion..But, even if they should..I don't think they will no matter who the QB is as that is a position that will demand a bigger investment. I think the Bills will probably grab a QB in the 3rd round once again..on the cheap! Also, the Bills have not been known to keep their better players at freeagency time. They have let very talented players walk because they weren't willing to pay the going rate to resign the player. ie: Antwoine Winfield, Jabari Greer, Pat Williams, Nate Clements, Leonhard, London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes...etc..etc...etc... I do agree that the front office is inept and question why Tom Modrak is still in the mix? I still think selecting Spiller was a bad use of the 1st rounder last year. If your numbers are correct and the Bills have the 12th highest payroll there is definitely a disparity between the value of the talent that they have and what they have for a payroll. So maybe it's not neccessarily the total of what they spend, but just bad allocation of what they spend it on for clarification purposes. As far as seriously waving big bucks for a coach before hiring Gailey, I just don't buy into that too much. I think it was all a charade, and I never took the Bills too serious about possibly hiring Cowher, Shottenheimer, Gruden, Billick, etc......but I appreciate getting a different prospective on things anyways. Thanks!

I also welcome you!!! Congratulations on winning the Lombardi Trophy and bringing the trophy back home!!! That's a huge accomplishment for any team!!! I remember back in the 80's when my dad (passed away in '98) brought me to then "Rich Stadium" and we were playing the Packers. Two guys who were G.Bay fans were in the seats behind us...I can't remember which team won, but all I remember that they were wearing their G.Bay Packers rainjackets and talking to us throughout the game. Sometimes that would be annoying, but they were good company/good people and it was a very pleasant environment, without the ill feelings that I have felt from fans of other teams ie: Dolphins, Jaguars, Patriots, Jets, etc....I've had a soft spot in my heart for the packers ever since! I have to be honest though..I have a soft spot for the Lions as well going back to Barry Sanders. I know how it feels to be 0 for a decade and we have walked their shoes. Anyways, Congrat's and I'm looking forward to reading a Packer's fans perspective (that has a soft spot for the Bils). Go Pack Go! Let's Go Bills!

Thank Goodness! Finally a post I can agree with! Yeah, you got that right...I love the Bills, but I don't have much faith in them as a franchise....I know that it all starts with the draft, and to select impact players in positions of need first! This is against the grain of what Buddy Nix preaches, but I think there will be at least a couple of good DT's, DE's, QB's, LB's, early in the draft where we should be able to find 2 impact players with our first 2 picks! I also know that some of the better teams acquire FA players during free agency and are better off for it! I know Nix has mentioned that he doesn't believe in big name free agents, and that it's less expensive to keep your own players. We have so many marginal players that would not start for any of your good teams! I look at free agency as a opportunity to pickup a potential impact player, but except for the money the owner has to shell out it's like an extra draft pick! Why wouldn't you try and get a couple impact players when you could?...ahh haa! that's what it really comes down to....The Bills don't want to spend to the cap, and just like the Sabres they try to do more with less! That may mean that drafting a QB at #3 isn't on the agenda as they would have to make a substantial financial committment which the owner may not be willing to make! My prediction is the Bills select a M.Daraeus or Von Miller with their 1st selection, and C. Ponder in the 2nd or 3rd round. I think I would prefer Fairley in the 1st round, but I anticipate he'll be gone!

I'm not inclined to trade Lee Evans (if it were up to me that is..), he still has skills and didn't have a very good year, but unless he lost his speed which I doubt I don't see trading away a strength. He is a leader on the team and has likely mentored the young receivers and should continue doing so. As far as Kyle Williams, that would be absurd trading your hardest working and productive player! We need more guys like Kyle Williams. We do have enough marginal talent (that's funny..talent) that should either be released or traded ie: John McCargo, Ashton Yubooti, Paul Pozluzny..(his stats make him sound better than he is)etc...Donte Whitner wasn't an impact player the first half of the season and is overrated! On and On..but not Kyle Williams!

agreed! Unless we reach and select the next Lossman that is..Scouting appropriately, and not missing is essential here! I want a winner with all the tools that performed as such at the level on a winning team! I don't want a player with tools, that was on a losing, underperforming team like Trent Edwards was when he was drafted. I want him to have success at that level first, instead of thinking he can win despite the lack of talent around him! That being said, I guess I am answering my self-imposed debate of which QB I would select if I had the pick of the litter...Sudden realization just made me select Cam Newton! All the physical tools, performed at the college level,Heisman (which is no guarantee of success in the NFL)..Can throw very well, good mechanics, can run, and has strong desire to win! The only negative is some issues about theft of a computer & his father supposedly soliciting his services to the highest bidder, but you can never predict future criminal/moral issues. O.J. seemed to be a mild mannered player who just loved the game! We were fooled on that one!!!

If we don't think Fitz has the tools to take us to the SuperBowl then we should draft the best QB that does! (If that's Newton or Gabbert I'm good with it..if the organization believes we got the right guy! It's hard enough with the realization that most drafted QB's are not ready out of the gate in their rookie season to start. To win a Superbowl is the WHOLE reason the teams play the game! Borrowing a former coaches phrase,"You play to win the game." If Fitz is Gailey's starter this year, that means any rookie QB will only get reps (barring injury) in practices. It will take probably 2 yrs in development (or more) in that scenario which means if the Bills do put together all the other pieces to become a contender in a year or two, (which I'm not optimistic to date) the one piece of the puzzle you don't want to be missing or delay further would be at the QB position, especially due to the lengthy learning process of the position. In the (lately) pass happy NFL the QB is the most vital component of a team. Just look at the Superbowl QB's this year, last year the same holds true! Yes, we have many holes, and we do need a good DT to stop the run, because that is killing our ability to stop teams on third down, and also prevents us for controlling time of possesion, therefore; limiting our offensive opportunities as well. It was not Troy Polmaulu (sp?) of Pittsburgh, or the Packers Clay Matthews that were game changers in the Superbowl. It came down to Rothlesburger made costly interceptions in the game, and Aaron Rodgers threw 3 T.D.'S and limited his mistakes that was the DECIDING factor in the Superbowl. Basically, in analogy form it's like each year we replace parts for our car. We drafted a RB, and traded away a functional RB. Is that car really any better? What was the differential in yards of each RB? Lynch may have been better? You can argue that point, but you can't prove it based on production. (personally I couldn't stand Lynch!). But are we better for doing all that? Still the same car! The year before, we buy a new part...(Maybin)..a one year wonder part which is a pwr steering pump..it's a little smaller than (A. Schobel) the other part was, but based on one year of testing is suppose to operate better, (Just ask the NAPA representative who swore by the part..(Poz)..a little quicker to deliver the fluids to steering components of the vehicle. Unfortunately, it just hasn't performed well at all...we've given that pump a 2yr break-in period and it looks like that steering pump will have to replaced once again. What a waste it was buying that pump to begin with! Is our vehicle any better because of it? No, it's probably worse! All these parts is just part of a circle of self-destruction of the Bills franchise. Even as we get new parts, we are only replacing parts that weren't orignial factory parts. Castoffs, or parts that were cheaper than the competition uses. Nix only believes in mid grade Free agents, he doesn't believe big name free agents will have the impact to make a difference. I don't believe him for a minute! What it means is that he is constrained financially by what he is allowed to do by the owner and will plug gaps with marginal talent or has beens like Shawn Merriman who once was a dominant force in the NFL. The Bills strategy has not differed much from the Sabres philosophy the past few years under Goliosono. The second part of the circle of the Bills self-destruction is that the past several years when a player of significance is up for a new contract as a freeagent, the Bills do not make a significant enough offer to retain the player. So instead, we lose players like Jabari Greer, Leonhard, Antwoine Smith, Pat Williams, Nate Clements, etc....players that are our very good players. When this occurs it creates another hole in our roster that is self-imposed and forces us to draft a player at that positon or find a street freeagent of marginal talent to replace a player that was better, therefore; degrading the overall talent base of the team a little more! So what can be learned from my lenghty rant about what ills the Bills? #1. The QB is the brain center, the engine of the car, and without superior talent at the positon we will never bring home the bacon! #2. Management can't afford to create more holes on your team because you don't want to pay to retain talent, it's more expensive to replace equal talent in the end, and if your M/O is to stay within budget constraints you are instead often degrading talent! #3. The main point though is good organizations remain good as it all boils down to ownership and the williness to spend enough, and in the right places to succeed! ie: Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis, Baltimore, etc.. Note: Based on ownership, I don't forsee the Bills using their #3 pick on a QB as a QB selected that high in the draft is going to require a lofty financial committment that this organization is not accustomed to delivering. Instead we'll replace a waterpump, an alternator, a battery, instead of replacing the engine. Thanks!

Exactly what I expected! how goofy/not even that funny at all..

I would want Fairley over Dareus... Dareus is 2" shorter and has shorter arms. Having that big wing span is definitely a plus at the DT position. I think both players dominate their opponents, but I think at the next level Fairley is can't miss Pro Bowl caliber player and Dareus will be a very good player, but not neccessarily as dominant as Fairley.

I Really don't like your first two round picks much...I know Quinn has a great physique and played great in 2009, but having missed the entire 2010 season I cannot make that selection if I'm the Bills ! Also Jake Locker did not have a very good season and his completion percentage is terrible. I'd so much prefer Fairley or Bowers if either is there. If not I would either trade down a few spots for more picks and still possibly get Quinn if that's what you want, or stay put and select either AJ Green WR or Prince..CB (But that's only if Fairley and Bowers is gone)...That being said I'll probably like your picks better than the actual selections the Bills make! ie: Bryan Orakapo passed to take Maybin!

Thanks appreciate you reinforcing my position on Gabbert. Like you, from what I know he has a lot of potential, but if A. Luck declared for the draft we know which way the media would go on the issue. I kind of agree about Gabbert should've stayed in school which could've further enhanched his draft position. But, possibly he realized that Luck would not declare and figured this would be his best shot to possibly be the #1 QB selected in the draft. Either way I'm not sold on Gabbert just yet! Like'em but don't love'em if that makes sense..I love him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but with the #3 pick in the entire draft I think it would be foolish for the Bills to select Gabbert.

Short version...No not really...I would go with Fairley DT or D. Bowers DE if either are there at #3 !!!

I want to point out some things for arguments sake even though I do agree with many things you said... I do believe the Bills need to grade each QB (and of course they have been..and will continue to do so during the upcoming combine..) and I think they should focus on the QB that they feel would be the best QB for the Bills. I am not convinced that B. Gabbert is/or isn't the right choice to date. Statistically he clearly isn't, but there are many other factors to consider. I don't claim to know all of those factors, but I guess he has the build you would want, including great arm strength which is important. In my opinion there is no clear-cut can't miss QB, but that can be said for most draft classes. I felt good about Peyton Manning and a couple of others, but it's sometimes is a crap shoot. I would like for someone to explain why Blaine Gabbert is recently becoming the media favorite QB in this year's draft class? No sarcasm here, as I'm not sure as to why Gabbert is the new golden egg once Andrew Luck elected to stay in college. What I am trying to lead up to is that I don't think the Bills neccesarily have to use their #3 pick in the draft on a QB if they like best a QB who may fall to the second round or late in the first. It happens often that a QB who is a high to mid first rounder slides drastically. Last year Jimmy Claussen was that Guy..and I forget the name, but Arizona got one of them several years ago. I don't want to spend the pick, to say...there we did it! We got a QB in the first round...How did Lossman work out? If the Bills think that Ryan Mallet is the guy I'm fine with that, or Collin K...whatever his name is? is the guy in the 2nd or 3rd that's great! Look at New England...Their guy, if we have to name names..(Tom Brady) was what a 6th rounder I think? But, the Patriots liked him, graded him high and selected him. As a matter of fact the Patriots out draft us every year yet they pick way lower than we do every year!!! Huge point there!!! So does Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and a few other excellent organizations. The biggest (by far) glaring weakness on the team last year..(and a problem prior to last year too..) was the run defense! It's a bad joke that kept us from winning overtime games against some pretty good teams! That is why the Bills were either the least or 2nd least team that other teams passed against! Why would they when they could run all over us, right down the middle, over the top, etc? That also meant less interceptions if opposing teams throw less to their wr's(ask Byrd!)This is a stat that directly affects rather a team wins or loses. Usually the team that throws more interceptions loses as a rule! We were working against the grain all season! Also our defense was on the field longer..The opposing teams can eat up more of the clock by running the ball on us! Therefore reducing our offensive capabilities by keeping the ball longer. Also if we find ourselves down by more than 10 points..like we normally were at half time it also forces our QB's hand in the second half to throw the ball and take more risks in the hopes of closing the gap in the score. In return the high risk/reward chances that Fitzpatrick was forced into taking often resulted in interceptions! This isn't rocket science!!! If you run well, and stop the run you cure a lot that ails this team and you probably win many more games!!! So do you want to go through another year of giving up 3rd down and 12 yards only to have a team run for a first down, time after time???? It wasn't the QB that was the problem! Fitzpatrick did something no other QB has did for the Bills since 2004! He passed for over 3,000 yards and threw a lot of touchdowns too! Considering he didn't even play in the first two games as Trent Edwards was still the starter he did darn good! That was only his first year as a starter and probably will progress as his offensive line gets better and he can have a chance to play with the same wr's on a weekly basis as they were injured more than they weren't! So overall what am I saying...Yes, the Bills should try to improve the position, but unless the Bills are outright sold on a QB based on their talent evaluation..then I think it would be foolish to draft a QB at the #3 positon! If their guy is Gabbert...and they are sold..and he may be gone before they can trade up or pick again then I agree..Go For It!! But, otherwise you get that DT ie: Fairley or DE Bowers if one of them are available! One year wonders? Maybe..but unfortunately, that is something that is widespread through the draft, and Aaron Maybin had some question marks attatched besides being a one year wonder ie: he was undersized and needed much development. He also was a player that they wanted to switch positions, but he doesn't play enough if at all to know if they did change him to OLB or not. He seems to have an arrogance and doesn't seem to work hard enough to succeed at the next level. I wonder how much of that isn't the fault of the Scouting Department and Tom Modrak? All that being said, I would be excited if the Bills drafted QB at #3 daydreaming of the possibility that we may have drafted our future franchise QB! So even though I'm pulling for Fairley and Bowers I can understand and appreciate the appeal that drafting Blaine Gabbert may bring! Whatever happens let's all pray that it one day leads to the Buffalo Bills being Super Bowl Champions!!! Let's go Bills..Let's Go Bills..Let's Go Bills..babababa Billllllllllz!

I think you made my case stronger in just one sentence that you stated: Guys like bowers or miller might have more upside but they have huge bust potential too... Why would you use the #3 pick for a guy like Dareus that you even admitted has less upside? Case closed, point reinforced! Thank You..(There is risk in every pick..)

Awesome..another reply that I really agree with! I'm more up on Fairley, and Bowers knowledge wise..but I've read somewhere before that Quinn is a physical freak of some sort..maybe I'm wrong about that? I don't follow college as closely as the NFL but I try to keep up on the bigger names. I realize that Quinn was out to pasture for a year so maybe that's why I lack an opinion on him. I was thinking you could probably move down to the 6-10 range and get Quinn and pickup a second rounder to fill another need. If some think Quinn may be a risk at least you'd be getting an extra pick with the possibility that Quinn may turn into the next Bruce Smith! Hmmmmm..a lot to consider? But, I just don't think Dareus will develop into more than an above average player at best in the NFL so hopefully the Bills will not outsmart themselves once again!

That's exactly the point I am trying to make..You get it! Too bad some don't...I'm not trying to take away the accomplishments of Dareus the past season, and denying that he won't possibly be a star in the leaugue. I'm just inviting the arguement that I take the position that he is high risk due to lack of experience. The same may be said for Bowers or Fairley except just like Orakapo compared to Maybin..even though Maybin was excellent in his only productive season in college..I feel there is a seperation in talent and a slight downward leap from Bowers and Fairley compared to Dareus. He is a potential impact player, but I take the stance that the odds are better with AJ Green, Fairley, Bowers, or P. Peterson being impact players at the next level. Anyways, I like your take and am in agreement with you. Good reply!

NFL Mock Drafts vary greatly, but some of the players that continually get mentioned as potential top 5 picks include: N.Fairley DT, D.Bowers DE, B. Gabbert QB, P. Peterson QB, A.J. Green WR, M. Dareus DT, and possibly a couple more....Quinn, Miller, My opinion is that Fairley and Bowers could easily go #1 & #2 in either order but Green or Peterson could sneak in either spot as well... If Fairley and Bowers go before the Bills pick at #3 there would obviously be a wide range of options at this pick...Some of the "so-called" mock draft experts are starting to prognosticate that the Bills would select M. Dareus at #3. I think that has the potential to be a devastating mistake! Not that there are guarantees of any pick every reaching expectations. Here is a few reasons to worry about selecting M. Dareus as provided by FFTOOLBOX.COM (You can select Mock Draft) and read all the draftnik mocks, all the user mock drafts, and also make up you own mock draft which people will leave comments about and rate! It's a lot of fun and it's free!!! So back to the topic...Here are some reasons why we should avoid selecting M. Dareus with our 3rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft: #1. Marcell Dareus was really a one-year wonder at Alabama who only started 4 other games in his entire collegiate career prior to last season! Wasn't Aaron Maybin a one year wonder at his college position? #2. Marcell Dareus is entering the draft after his junior season..Did Aaron Maybin come out after his junior season? #3. Marcell Dareus also was suspended for 2 games last season for receiving improper benefits from agents...Just gives me red flags of the potential for other future criminal/moral impropriaties. #4. M. Dareus is ranked between the 2-4 best DT in the upcoming draft and will not be in the words of Buddy Nix (Best Player available at pick #3.) He is rated by fftoolbox.com as the #6 pick in the draft, and I believe that is a slight reach as I have him at #10. If the Bills feel like he is the pick, they could trade down to pick #8 or possibly lower and still get him while picking up some extra picks, but personally I don't want him as this has to be a sure pick! (as sure as one can be that is!). #5. M. Dareus is a little stocky and is 2" shorter than Fairley and at least 1" shorter than Bowers. Doesn't sound like much, but than often means a shorter wing span, possibly shorter arms etc. To be the best, size at the position of DE/DT counts! So what do you think is Marcell Dareus worth surrendering our 3rd pick in the 2011 NFL Draft? My answer is he has great upside, but is high-risk, therefore my answer is a resounding NO! A couple of years ago I was saying that Aaron Maybin was a high risk pick that I would not approve of because of some of the same reasons! I was devastated when the Bills passed on Bray Orakapo. History often repeats itself...(especially in the Bills organization!!!) The pick I fear the most is the pick I believe the Bills will make..Mark my word!!! Tell me what you think as I'd love to get your prospective on Dareus and the Players I mentioned at the beginning of this post.

If You could select any three (3) players in the 2011 NFL Draft, forgetting just for a moment the limitations each team has in being awarded one pick per round, (except for receiving compsentory picks or trading for extra picks)which players would you select and why??? Remember in this scenario you can pick any 3 players..there are no restrictions at all !!! I will lead off by selecting.... #1 Nick Fairley DT/DE #2 Da'Quan Bowers DE #3 Patrick Peterson CB (but I strongly considered A.J. Green WR). I think that Fairley is an obvious pick, as DT is a position of dire need for the Bills. I would think that Fairley would be one of many pieces that would help Buffalo shore up their run defense and intimidate opposing offenses. I think you could easily say almost the same thing for Bowers as well. Opposing offenses would be intimidated by Bowers capabilities. Bowers may be just as good of defensive player as Fairley. I really despise the idea of selecting a CB early in our draft, but in our division it may be a prudent move even though it's not as exciting as selecting a QB, or WR. It's just a shame that everytime we seem to get a young CB to the point of being a very good player..we lose them in free agency ie: Antwoine Winfield, Nate Clements, Jabari Greer etc...The problem with our Bills over the past 10 years or so is that we live in the circle of self-destruction...We create holes by not resigning our players..therefore instead of drafting to IMPROVE our team, instead we draft to fill holes that we created because we didn't want to pay to keep a player..therefore in turn we usually end up paying just as much or more to a free agent of marginal talent or draft a player that we could've used at a different position. Hopefully this circle is/will be broken and we will learn to draft to improve instead of drafting to fill holes!!!!! (Sorry I just had to get that off my chest!!!) GO BILLS!

So I looked at this schedule which may change slightly and tried to realistically analyze it in advance as I did last year...My (way in advance) prediction for this year (2010 season) was 5-11 which I thought was optimistic given a new coach and staff, switching defensive schemes, etc....Well, the season has worked out almost exactly as I forecasted (if anyone out there cares?)...I mentioned how the Bills would start out really bad...and they had a chance to win in the Jacksonville game, but could realistically lose their first 6-8 games given a switch from 4-3 to 3-4 defense, and other factors...I am almost sure I mentioned how Edwards would flop early and be out injured or replaced prior to mid-season. I mentioned how they would begin to gel some on the defense and actually surprise people in the second half of the season and win at least half of their remaining games. I really don't know the inner workings on this site, but would love to look at my prediction and comments prior to the season if I can look at old posts of mine? Anyways, at first glance I have a rough prediction as early as it is at this point, dependent some on the draft, free agent acquisitions, etc..training camp injuries, opponents offseason etc....but to me it looks like 6 wins and 10 losses plus or minus one game. I know I will get criticized like I did last year for my prediction, but once the real season evolved this year all those "positive", "optimistic", people who felt that I was a "debbie downer" all disappeared as it played out incredibly close to what I realistically predicted. I love the Bills as much as the next person, but I try to take my emotion and passion out of the equation when I'm being objective. I really wish the Bills were 10-6 this year and next but 6-10 is what I see next year.

Fresh off the news? I saw this on ESPN yesterday about 5 p.m. !! Here's the thing about good teams, and I'm not including the Redskins in this evaluation...They know when to dump a player !! Look at the Patriots & Eagles...The Eagles saw a decline in McNabb and saw him hitting the wall. They were right and usually are! New England realized that Randy Moss hit the same wall and back a few years Lawyer Milloy did as well. The problem with teams like Washington and our Bills is that they often sort through another teams's junk pile and try to salvage a career that isn't salvagable (exception: T.O.) The Bills recently did this with Shawn Merriman and it looks like that project is over before it started. It's funny how New England can evaluate talent better than anyone else. They can take your junk and make them a Pro Bowler, yet dismiss perrenial big name players like Richard Seymour and they die out on some other teams's roster. I guess when it comes down to it, talent evaluation is the key to success or failure as a NFL franchise. That is why the same teams re-load and are almost always near the top ie: Pittsburgh, New England, Indianapolis (down year..but still in it) San Diego, Philadelphia, etc....While Teams like Buffalo, Detroit, Cincinatti, Cleveland, etc...are somewhere from mediocre to bottom feeders year in and year out. This is one reason why I don't take our Bills too seriously until we release Tom modrak !!! Getting back on topic though...I think Ryan Fitzpatrick has earned the starting positon next year, but we should still draft our future franchise QB in the upcoming draft.

Great...I have to decide between two evils! Overtime tie seems appropriate, then nobody wins!! 0-0 Overtime tie with both N.E. and N.Y.'S QB's both getting knocked out of the game! Feel free to add to this wish list if you'd like and see what happens! I will give the edge to New England because of Belicheat's ability to gain an edge (legally or illegaly), and his unfortuante masterful coaching skills that I am envious of. Secondly, Brady is used to big game scenario's more than the Jets QB Sanchez and his skills are fully developed in comparison to Sanchez who is still trying to learn the NFL game. My prediction is: New England 27 NY Jets 24 OT ............. I sure hate both teams though!!!

The Bills could possibly be the last team the legendary QB Brett Favre ever played against!!! After knocking Favre out of the game after only one pass attempt it was revealed that Favre has a sprained ankle. I don't know how significant of a sprain it is, but I'm wondering if it's Favre's last game before he retires for the third time. At least the Bills have gotten after the QB the past two weeks if nothing else. But, knowing Favre's past history he'll probably find a way back onto the field this year, and even though I am a skeptic about next year, it wouldn't surprise me if he comes back once again.

Interesting post... I don't neccessarily have the same confidence that the Bills will win another game. I think they probably will one or two games more, but one thing the Bills have been consistent at is not delivering victories when they should. I think Carolina is bad, but I think they may be able to win a game or two. Any given Sunday teams win that shouldn't so I think anything can happen. Also remember if a team has everything sewn up with a week or two remaining in the regular season it often occurs that a team doesn't play all it's starters. Remember we beat Indy when they had it all sewn up! Also injuries are unpredictable and take away a key player from a good team and anything can happen. So in a nutshell, Carolina could win 2 or 3 more games as well. As far as Claussen goes...I don't understand what you mean by Carolina not investing in Claussen? They already have a huge investment in Jimmy Claussen, at least financially. It would go against the grain if Carolina released Claussen after one season. Carolina won't tie up so much of their salary cap with 2 QB's..I don't see that happening as most QB's take at least a year or two to develop at a mininum. I say most because Bradford, Manning, Rothlesberger and a few others came on fairly quick. I don't see Carolina drafting another QB even if they can get A. Luck. I don't see Luck going any worse than 2, maybe 3rd in the draft though. We have had some success in Cincinatti over the years, but I don't think the Bills will win today! I don't even know who to root for in this game, as I love the Bills, but I love the idea of getting the 1st pick in the draft as well! It's really a dillema...I hope for a well played game, I like how well Fitz is playing too...which is another subject and dillema as well.... Cincy 27 Buffalo 24....Buffalo will get down to Cincy's 17 yd line and run out of time and downs....I'm sure I got it wrong as predictions are so unpredictable...lol

It seems to me that a high priority should be on a space-eating DT..to stop the run! How could that be left out?? That is probably the biggest flaw of many.

Interesting topic (great job!)...Well I think conventional wisdom has shown that a 1st round QB pick in the draft is no assurance of success. We've proved that with J.P. Lossman. Of course their is your Ryan Leaf's...I'm not sure if Tim Couch was a first rounder or not. There have been many 1st rounders who have not panned out. Didn't the Raiders just get rid of one? (Forget his name..) Anyways, knowing all that I would still rather keep my first round pick then trade it off for Michael Vick. Vick isn't really a big guy for the positon..definitely not a Rothlesberg type height/weight wise. I would not be surprised to see Vick injured at some point in this season or next. He runs so much, and so far has endured some hard hits, but in the NFL you can only take so much of a pounding without eventually incurring an injury. Hopefully not the case, but realistically don't be too surprised! I also realize Vick is no spring chicken and if he had four or less years remaining as an active player that wouldn't surprise me neither. I know he had some time (away) from football, but age is age and even though he isn't that old he's no 22 year old neither. I don't think Vick (nor any QB we draft) would have the kind of success that Vick is having in Philadelphia, being a team game consisting of up front blocking plays a part in the success of Vick and Philadelphia's offensive success. Put Vick on this team and there is a dropoff in production. I think that you keep this pick, and refrain the temptation to use it on Vick. (Not that the Eagles are a willing trade partner)..Going into the draft we will have the ability to draft just about any player or position we desire depending on which selection we have. Assuming that we have the first pick in the draft is a (hopefully) once in a decade opportunity to change the destiny of the Bills. Not only could we land a potential hall of fame type player, but if the Bills decided to move down a few spots we could also pick up possibly an additional 2nd round pick by trading out of the position. This would not surprise me considering are owner's frugal nature. If Andrew Luck does not declare for the draft and stays in College I would definitely anticipate the Bills to trade out of the top spot and pickup extra picks! I can almost hear Buddy Nix's media statement. "We felt strongly as an organization that we need to address several positions on the roster, and in trading down to the 7th selection in the first round we feel that we will still select one of the players that we have been targeting, while having the good fortune of adding a additional 2nd round selection in this year's draft." My only concern with the "Build through the draft" mentality is that it's paramount that an organization re-signs all their key free agents and avoiding losing them in free agency. The Bills in the past decade+ have not done well in this key area, and in my opinion this has led to their continual "circle of self-destruction." You cannot build through the draft if you keep plugging holes that you create in an already depleted roster filled with holes. Lets see, to name a few: Jabari Greer, Leonhard, Pat Williaims, Antwoine Smith, Nate Clements, and I'm sure you "out there" can name several more! We already have enough holes re-sign all your core players and draft very well and I'll believe in the organization once again! But if you get cute and draft a CB, RB, or any positon of strength you are foolish..(which we've been)...also when a player like Orakapo falls in your lap and you take Maybin instead it takes years to recover...etc...Hardy, McCargo, Maybin, Mike Williams, Eric Flowers, Whitner, Lossman, T. Edwars (next Montana!! lol).. Prudent drafting could've landed us instead: Hali Ngata, Bryan Orakapo, Clay Matthews, Colt McCoy...all were better picks than...enough said..point made...Now Bills Get busy..(and if you can Buddy..Have Tom Modrak looking for talent in Adak, Alaska for the next few years)...Go BIlls