OldTimer1960

I think you are over-estimating McCown's leverage. Save for one miracle 9 game stretch in Chicago throwing to 2 great WRs with a very good RB too, McCown's career stats are flat worse than Manuel's.

Do you also feel that J'vlle should cut Blake Bortles? After all, his rookie year was not very good - guess he'll never be any good...

Huh? Why would we want them to get better? So that the Bills have the best QB that is available to them. If EJ, Locker or Ponder were to grow into competent starters, then problem solved until the Bills get a (rare) shot at a truly great QB prospect - you have to realize the truly great ones are few and far between. In addition, I am not sure that Locker and Ponder aren't already better than McCown.

I would prefer Locker or even Ponder to McCown because they at least have a chance to get better.

I think that describes EJ Manuel too, but the jury is still out on him.

Hughes is an accomplished pass rushing DE. He has now done it for 2 consecutive years, so it doesn't appear to be a fluke. A pass rushing DE is valued fare higher than an OG or even 2 of them. They can't pay top dollar for every position and there are no FA QBs worth big $, so spend the money on the important positions (DE being one of them). Do you think OG Mike Iupati instead of Jerry Hughes would make the Bills a better team?

What is the fascination with Ryan Mallett? Besides having a big arm, he has done nothing to speak of in the NFL - even in pre-season. The Pats thought so little of him that they drafted his replacement last year and dumped him off to Houston for (I think) a lousy 6th round pick. If Houston thinks he has potential to be a good starter, they'll spend good money to keep him.

I kind of like this plan. I think that Locker would be decent competition. I might consider Christian Ponder too (not to sign both, but pick one or the other). Ponder played pretty well in 2012 (his 2nd year) starting all 16 games throwing 18 TDs and 12 INTS. He got hurt and didn't play well in 2013 and was buried this year with Bridgewater coming in and playing well. Could he recapture 2012 form and build on it or was a fatal flaw in his game exposed in 2013?

That is easy to say, but besides Russell Wilson, who is it that they had a good opportunity to draft and failed to do so? I'll grant that they were close to in position to get Dalton or Kaepernick, but I think both went before Bills' pick in 2nd round. Not sure either are a great answer, either

I am usually not OCD about spelling, but it is Iupati not Lupati.

Whether he "just chucked it up there" or made some nice throws, it can't be debated that that season was the true outlier for McCown's career. Outside of that season, McCown has thrown more INTS than TDS and has a sub-60 completion %

I agree with you. Aside from his one year abberation in Chicago, His career stats are VERY underwhelming. Without the miracle year, he has thrown more INTS than TDS. Even including the great year in Chicago, his career QB rating is worse than EJ Manuel's (with Manuel only having played 14 games)

Frank Gore is old and worn out. They need a younger back than him and Fred Jackson

i am not sure that it is as much that there are "few if any qualified scientists" as much as fans' expectations of the draft are way off. As you said, a .333 hitter in baseball is very good, but in the NFL some fans expect every 1st - 3rd round pick to become a very good starter. I think that history shows that isn't a realistic expectation.

So, we are back to what other veteran option did they have at QB besides Kevin Kolb? Let's assume that Fitz wasn't a good option because he perhaps didn't want to help a rookie take his job. So who else should they have brought in?

I don't think that Bradford will go anywhere unless the Rams think his injuries won't be healed or will never fully heal. I don't think Washington thinks either Cousins or McCoy are viable options. They may not think RG3 is either, but it isn't because they are sold on McCoy or Cousins. Cutler' attitude and salary could make him available. I don't think SF is happy with Kaepernick, but expect them to keep him because he is still young enough to improve and because there are no better options.

I agree. Manning is an All-time great, but he was awful the last quarter of the season and I think Father Time has caught up with him. I think investing huge money in him for one more year would be risky in terms of the other players already on the roster that wouldn't get paid and could be lost.

I think that the OP has a point, but I argue that now isn't much different than the last 50 years - there never were a large number of great QBs. The aberration is when there are more than a handful of outstanding QBs.

+100 Respectfully stated, well thought out counter arguments are always welcome. Just bashing someone or their opinion always comes across poorly.

"Been a winner everywhere he went" describes the vast majority of QBs that even get a cup of coffee in the NFL. I am skeptical, but sometimes CFL players can make it in the NFL.

Archie???

These guys are both still young and at least there is some hope they might improve. FWIW, I would have a bit of interest in Locker, too. Locker and Ponder both have physical ability (especially Locker if he is healthy. We need to be realistic, there aren't going to be ANY proven very good QBs available in FA, the draft where the Bills pick or by trade. Bradford or Cutler are it in terms of "names" that *might* be available. Beyond them, I would just as soon take my chances with EJ competing with a Locker, Ponder or even Cousins over someone like Matt Moore or Josh Mckown. Older career backups are what they are and won't be good enough in the long run, likely not even for a season.

Of the available options, I think Ponder is worth a try.

Well, you are right about that, but tell us who the next Brady, Brees, Rodgers, Manning or Rivers is that will be sitting at the 50th pick?