OldTimer1960

the other 20 or so teams still looking for a top notch QB probably never thought of this. Some around here talk like there are great QBs floating around to be had and the Bills just stubbornly refuse to go get one. It is pretty rare that a true star QB becomes available and then you have to be lucky and aggressive to be in position to nab him. Why do you think that we all pine for another Jim Kelly? It's because he is the best QB that this franchise ever had by a wide margin. That really isn't atypical either. Who has Miami had at QB since Dan Marino left? I am confident that pretty much all these "clueless GMs" know that their team would be much better with Manning, Brady, Rodgers or Brees at QB. I understand being frustrated, but who is there to get? And before we go to, "if we only had this year's 19th pick...", who specifically would you think will be available there?

That's because there aren't any great options. This is why 1/2 or more of the NFL teams are looking for a good QB.

In terms of QBs that Nix "ignored", the following stellar QBs were available when the Bills selected: Josh Freeman, Pat White, Tim Tebow, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, John Skelton, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, Colin Kaepernick, Ryan Mallett, Brandon Weedon, Brock Osweiller, Russell Wilson, Nick Foles and Kirk Cousins. I'll grant that Wilson has turned out much better than expected - but he hasn't had to carry a team by himself as he is supported by a great defense and outstanding running game. Dalton is arguably better than Kyle Orton, but he hasn't performed well in pressure situations. Colin Kaepernick is not as good as advertised and has faded - he may still become a high end starter, but that doesn't look like a sure thing now. Finally, Nick Foles had a great 2013, but was not playing especially well this year before being injured. Beyond those guys, who did they blatantly ignore?

To be sure, Buddy Nix missed some high picks - as pretty much all teams do. But Nix did draft Eric Wood, Andy Levitre, Jairus Byrd (all in the same draft), CJ Spiller, Marcel Dareus, Aaron Williams, DaNorris Searcy, Stephon Gilmore, Cordy Glenn, Nigel Bradham and Ron Brooks. Not sure whether Nix or Whaley made the pics in 2013, but that draft netted Robert Woods, Kiko Alonso and Duke Williams.

That 2-12 team also beat good Chiefs and 49er teams - also at home. Some teams improve over the course of a season. Further, losing Marcel Dareus hurt the defense and we all know that the weak offense left no room for error by the defense. Now, lest there be confusion, the Bills heavily invested in defense and it has improved greatly. They just started to address the offense last year. Whether some here like it or not, that strategy has made the team competitive. They were in the hunt for the playoffs until week 15 a far cry from years past. IMHO, if the Bills play the Pats competitively tomorrow, then I think this has been a very encouraging season.

It would be interesting if Bill Polian were brought in as a consultant, but I still would like Doug Whaley to remain as the GM. I also think that Doug Marrone should stay as head coach. Marrone has instilled toughness and grit into this team. He has set a positive culture in place and I think those are the most important jobs of a head coach. I would like to see if Whaley and Marrone can continue to improve this team through the offseason. Certainly, there needs to be improvement on offense, but I think that is achievable for the OL. QB is another matter, but that puts the Bills in the same boat as many teams - unfortunately, there aren't man answers available there,

Hmm, it wasn't Gailey's fault that the defense was bad because they lacked talent and the talent that they did have was young. Yet Marrone has gotten good results on defense where he has talent, but he is to blame because the offense lacks talent and the talent that they do have is young....?

Agreed that the QB position is still unresolved, but the Bills will likely pick in the middle of the round, so what sure-fire franchise QB are they missing out on that they could have gotten?

Good points and the data suggests that poor offense is a predictor of not making the playoffs. I agree that the Bills' offense is a wreck and I agree that Chan Gailey got more out of less offensive talent than the current staff has. I do think that you failed to mention how terrible the Bills' defense was during much of the playoff drought. I suggest that defense is also important and that the Bills have improved markedly in that area.

How would you suggest scheming around an OL that can't open running lanes and can't pass block? I think that they've tried getting the ball out of Orton's hands quickly, but folks complain that they "never go deep". Unfortunately, the OL hasn't held up in pass protection long enough to go deep. I think that they've tried screens, but OL blocking for the WR/RB on those has been poor. They've tried running the ball inside and wide, both without a lot of effectiveness. The poor pass protection means that opposing DBs can play tight to the line not needing to fear getting beat deep. This also further clogs running lanes for a team that can't create holes to begin with. Offensive scheming requires at least *some* kind of strength to play to. I really think that they knew that they needed OL help last offseason. Unfortunately, either Kuandjo and Richardson are not yet ready or they misfired on those picks. I give them credit that they knew what needed help, but the reinforcements didn't work out. After watching Cyril Richardson be abused during Senior Bowl practices, it isn't surprising that he wasn't a help this year. Kuandjo was a bigger let down. I know that I thought that he would help when they drafted him, but the preseason showed that he couldn't play at the NFL level - at least not yet.

I know that everyone is frustrated, but Buddy Nix laid the groundwork for this defense. I don't think that a major coaching overhaul would be wise. Teams that constantly make major changes in the coaching staff most often end up on a continuous treadmill of poor results. While I think youth and talent on the OL is the biggest problem, I would not be too surprised to see a change in OL coach. I don't expect Hackett to be fired - his hands were really tied by poor OL play, injuries at RB, mediocre QB play and inexperience at WR.

Joe D'Alessandris where have you gone? When he was OL coach, he got a lot better play out of a lot less talent (IMHO). I won't be surprised if current OL coach Pat Morris is let go after the season. Marrone did everything but completely blame the OL for the Oakland loss and they certainly have played poorly all year. I think that both Pears and Urbik played much better under D'ALIESSANDRIS than they have since.

This could be part of it. I haven't seen one screen pass this year by Buffalo where an OL successfully blocked anyone.

Orton needs to be in no-NFL all the time.

This team truly SUCKS!!!! However, if the POS offense could score once in a while the D wouldn't need to shut out every team. Orton and Hackett should not be allowed to ride back to B'lo after this abysmal game.

This team truly SUCKS!!!! However, if the POS offense could score once in a while the D wouldn't need to shut out every team. Orton and Hackett should not be allowed to ride back to B'lo after this abysmal game.

You gotta be f-ing kidding! The D can't win if the O doesn't score...

Somebody needs to make sure that Orton gets hurt...

F-me! This is a MISERABLE Offense. I don't care how bad the offensive players are, the entire O should be fired for this embarrassment.

OL Needs to be fired!

OL is a POS!

F-ing Orton - asking for a miracle to score 20 points... He NEEDS to go. Top 5 defense and they can't score enough to be competitive?

Embarrassment! They won't score rest of the game...

Just QUIT NOW. This is an embarrassment! No chance that the O comes back unless they take 3 months worth of Viagra

Pressure on the pathetic offense. They can't just turtle and hope to win. If Orton can't pull this out, EJ should start against NE.