Utah John

SB wins are an important factor but not the only factor. The most important factors for me are not measurable by considerations that depend on the others on the team or the coaches. To me, it's looking at who's the best student of the game -- who prepares most effectively to attack and defeat the opponent -- who shows leadership and poise under pressure -- who could make all the throws -- who handled the ball most effectively. To me, the top three all-time are Peyton Manning, Montana, and Brady, even though I think Brady has a better arm than Montana did. SB wins can be over-weighted. To say Eli Manning is better than those three, or Troy Aikman, or Drew Brees, is just not realistic. They're all excellent but just not in the same class.

Spiller can be an explosive talent, but he's hardly been able to get in gear over the first four games. I don't know what's wrong, but when he doesn't have his wheels he's pretty ordinary. He doesn't have his wheels at the moment due to an ankle injury. Jackson is one of my favorite Bills of all time (and I'm a fan since I can remember, about 1962) due to his determination and ability to get extra yards. For every run that Spiller breaks, Jackson has three tough runs that get key first downs. I don't hate Spiller, far from it, but we should look at what the guy is doing this year and not imagine he's doing magic tricks like he did last year. When both are fully healthy, I like the mix that's been going on. When Spiller is a step slow, he shouldn't be on the field because he can't even get back to the line of scrimmage. When Jackson is a step slow, he still finds a way to get yards.

No offensive scheme in the world can work if the offensive line can't block. This year it's clear the cheapskate Bills will never spring for an adequate fill-in to replace Levitre (who wanted too much money). But without a replacement for Levitre, the LG situation alone will prevent a winning record, no matter how good the skill position players are, and the defense will wear out fast every game if the offense can't sustain drives. I just have to ask what the front office was thinking, not addressing such an obvious problem. Spiller will take a hole and make exciting plays. Jackson gets yards without a hole. If Spiller had Jackson's heart, and strength, he'd be the best back in the league. As it is, running behind Colin Brown, Spiller is helpless. It's best to start Jackson.