OldTimer1960

You guy's should be ashamed for posting such garbage - especially the comment about hoping he was down and out. Just awful.

Do you mean this (below)? I can't imagine that being overly negative. I guess I should just take the tongue lashing that you have given me and be quiet until I come to the conclusion that the Bills' really obviously do have a very good QB situation and they ought to be considered favorites to win the Super Bowl. Now now, I didn't criticize any of therir acquisitions, indeed I have been a consistent supporter of Whaley and even Buddy Nix. Together, they have put together a very talented roster. I also am realistic enough to know that finding a good QB is damn hard and I honestly can't point to one that they really have had an opportunity to acquire and blew it. Some may argue that Russell Wilson is that guy, but it sure wasn't obvious to me at that time that he would become a good pro. However, the reality is that the pass receiving weapons are going to significantly hand-cuffed by the QB play. I really believe that the Bills' best hope is that the light comes on for Manuel because Matt Cassell has had a long career in which to prove that he is even a middle of the pack NFL starter and he has not done so. He is now several years removed from his very good season with KC and I think that believing that he can revert to that form is just hoping and wishing. I really am not one of the more negative posters here. I do think that a team with this much talent could sneak into the playoffs, but without at least decent QB play, they are not a threat to go far in the playoffs.

Thank you. I don't know what I was saying that could be interpreted as being as negative as John was treating it.

Please go back up thread and see my reply. I've been here a long while and I am not one of the more negative posters. I do think that unless the Bills can get at least average to good QB play, that the rest of the team could be held back by that. I am not blaming the Bills for not having a better answer at QB, because I know those are very hard to find. Look, I get that they've pursued a plan to beef up around the QB to hide that weakness and I applaud them for that, but to pretend that won't have a negative effect on the team's performance is not realistic, in my opinion.

Now now, I didn't criticize any of therir acquisitions, indeed I have been a consistent supporter of Whaley and even Buddy Nix. Together, they have put together a very talented roster. I also am realistic enough to know that finding a good QB is damn hard and I honestly can't point to one that they really have had an opportunity to acquire and blew it. Some may argue that Russell Wilson is that guy, but it sure wasn't obvious to me at that time that he would become a good pro. However, the reality is that the pass receiving weapons are going to significantly hand-cuffed by the QB play. I really believe that the Bills' best hope is that the light comes on for Manuel because Matt Cassell has had a long career in which to prove that he is even a middle of the pack NFL starter and he has not done so. He is now several years removed from his very good season with KC and I think that believing that he can revert to that form is just hoping and wishing. I really am not one of the more negative posters here. I do think that a team with this much talent could sneak into the playoffs, but without at least decent QB play, they are not a threat to go far in the playoffs.

How? They don't really need to worry about any of the pass catchers with Cassell/Manuel/Taylor at QB.

Given the Bills' now very precarious situation at TE, I'd seriously consider dropping pursuit of Clay to sign Jermaine Gresham. He is a competent NFL starting TE who had 62 catches last year and is a good blocker. I would rather get that done than gamble that they can get Clay after waiting Miami out for a week. Pursuing Clay could leave them completely empty handed and Gresham would be a solid signing (IMHO)

I wouldn't say that Favre was an unknown when GB traded for him. Atlanta had taken him in the early 2nd round (33rd overall) and had just finished his rookie year when GB traded for him.

So what FA guards are you hoping that they sign?

I don't fault their plan, because good QBs are very hard to find, but there won't be much winning beyond the 1st round of the playoffs with any of the QBs on the roster. A lot. I am not trying to be a downer, there just are not more than a very few NFL OL that are 35 years old.

I don't think that there are many 35 year old guards starting in the NFL. I think getting 1 more good year out of him would be pushing it...

OMG, Bills don't have a 1st round pick to use on a QB!

I disagree - the quality of player available this year that could have been selected had the Bills not traded the pick last year is very relevant in deterrmining the opportunity cost. The definition of opportunity cost is the value of opportunity forgone when one makes a certain investment.

Not much OL talent available in FA. I don't think spending $3-5M for a marginal (if that) upgrade at OG is a good investment. Just because a guy played OG for another NFL team, doesn't mean he isnreally much better than Urbick or Chris Williams.

WAAAY too harsh, IMHO. Chandler was a good, not great, player for Buffalo. You can be snarky, if you wish, but Chandler maximized his talent and produced for the Bills (without a legit QB)

Partially agree. Companies want information about current, past and potential customers. I'd be willing to bet that only a small fraction of TBDers are really any of those. FWIW, I am originally from Buffalo and was a season ticket holder for several years. Now, however, I live east of Rochester with young children and logistically I can't justify the $ or time to be a season ticket holder. Perhaps I am outside of the Bills' targeted demographic, but no matter how much I love the Bills and TBD, I am pretty unlikely to purchase tix to more than a game or two per year.

Strongly agree

Who/what were they going to trade to get either? Apparently, Kelly wasn't a Foles fan and he traded him for a guy who: 1 - has missed two consecutive years with major knee injuries 2 - was criticized by a former teammate for not being a hard worker (see PFTTalk early today) That isn't a winning combo on the Bradford side and if that is all the Eagles could get for Foles, then maybe the NFL doesn't think as much of Foles as some on this board do

What are you proposing- that they trade away all their good players in order to try to get the 1st pick in the draft to find a QB? If so, I argue that the NFL is a lot different than the NHL and NBA. 1. In the NHL/NBA, a true superstar at ANY position can make a team a contender. That is only true in the NFL of ONE position (QB). 2. In the NFL, teams depend on a lot more supporting positions and depth is more important than it is in hockey and hoops. 3. Great QBs are RARE in the NFL draft, even with the 1st overall pick. How many years have no viable NFL starting QBs, much less a great QB that can overcome the weakness in the rest of your roster that let you get the 1st pick in the first place?

Edit: we either get Clay and way overpay or Dolphins way over pay

I don't like the idea of an offer being tied up for up to a week while FA is just starting. I'd rather they just pass on Clay and bolster the OL.

And that is why Suh is getting so much money. What center that is available do you think could handle Suh 1 on 1? Can you name any center, even if they are not available in FA or draft, that could handle Suh?

Agreed, I've been a "wait and see about EJ guy", but man, if he can't thoroughly outplay Cassel in camp and preseason, then I'd conclude he is a lost cause.

+1 he did his job well. He is a blocker, no pretense of being a receiving threat.

That line was pretty clever - "knee J" and "king of the Cassel" - at least you didn't call them pooh-pooh heads