ntjacks79

Here is one reason why we should panic: 1. Both the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins knew they were playing the 1st pre-season game of the year, and clearly were treating it as nothing more than "practice". When a team gets blown off the field by another team under such circumstances, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that team doesn't even belong on the same field with the other. So, unless the Redskins are going 16-0 I would say there is serious cause for concern...

And management has announced that all home games of the Pittsuffalo Billeers will be played in Toronto so better to regionalize the team.

+1. I too feel that Dish Network is horrible. Cheap? Yes. Any good? No.

+1 in regards to the Pepsi jersey. I heard they explored that but there were "legal issues"... or else it was in serious consideration.

Believe it or not, this was brought up by the Sabres. But I believe it's dead, because of "copyright" issues with Pepsi. I'm not sure why it's an issue now, and not in the 60's, but that's what I recall hearing. It's a good idea though...

Awesome Comments, especially about the Bills current uniforms. The Slug is GONE, thank God. There will be a completely new 3rd jersey... to be announced. Although I'm not sure the current Bills uniforms aren't as bad as the slug. Can't Brandon do ANYTHING right? Not only does he not know football and instigate the Toronto-fiasco but something like uniforms, which should be right up the alley for a so-called "marketing guy", are a joke. I would bet if a vote were taken league-wide, the Bills uniform would finish in the bottom 5 in the NFL if not AT the bottom.

I knew about this guy before the article written today. When Buffalo signed him a few weeks ago I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. I probably watch SEC football as much or more than the NFL, and trust me, this kid is GOOD. I guarantee that the only reason he got passed is "size". He's kind of a tweener... too small for DL and not quite a LB body either, based on "classic NFL stats". But I think teams are SO STUPID for looking at these things and having them outweigh what you see on the field. Maybe he's not a top-3 pick because of size, but not even drafted? That's crazy. This is the SEC he was playing in. I think Buffalo did a GREAT job in this draft - but in this case they just got lucky. A guy that should have been a 4th or 5th rounder at worst signed with them because he probably thinks he has a chance to prove himself on Buffalo's roster.

+1

I am going to bring out Archie Bunker to Mike Stivic quotes if I hear you defend Brandon any more. Sorry, but my opinion of his marketing skill is low, say nothing of his football knowledge.

I think we would have 8 home games in Toronto if Brandon were still in charge...

+1. If the Bills give up a 2nd rounder here, maybe they can get 2 1st rounders for Lynch? Seems to be fair.

The only things I'm upset about are: 1. The Toronto-Disaster. But I'm upset about that every year. 2. Our uniforms. They are AWFUL. Kinda surprised there isn't the same outcry there was with the Sabres. Other than that, I thought the draft was one of the most positive things in years (it's obvious they finally drafted for talent, not merely to plug holes) and I'm willing to give new management a chance (except Brandon... he is Public Enemy Number 1 in my book, for Toronto alone). Also, I can see a "Ravens Style" developing in Buffalo. Tough, hard-nosed D with a conservative but efficient offense. Honestly, that suits the QB's and OL on the roster anyway... so there is a lot to be hopeful about.

Hush your mouth. If Russ Brandon hears you we will be playing a "home game" in Beijing. I mean, who needs a home field? Buffalo folks can just sit at home and pull for their Wang while playing all 16 games on the road so Russ can "develop markets for the long-term good of the franchise".

I was thinking much the same thing after the draft last Sunday. I LOVE what they did on Defense in the draft, although I admit you can't count on a defense of rookies. To me the Bills biggest challenge on D is that they will be in the 1st year of the 3-4 and probably still learning the defense as oppose to reacting. But beyond that, talent-wise, I see the Bills building a Ravens-type team. "Put a Hurt on you D" (especially if they become turnover focused) and a conservative, "take-advantage of what's given to you" O. Edwards can lead that type of offense, no matter the constant QB-bashing that goes on around here. Edwards failures are as much or more to do with the situations he was put in by the prior coaching staff as his ability. You add Spiller, and it supplements this type of O even more. If the OL can perform OK, and the D learns the 3-4 quickly enough, I think a lot of fans are going to be surprised. But, realistically, we could be 1-2 years away from realizing what I'm describing.

I think all your points are very valid. On the other hand, the 2009 team somehow finished 6-10 and the 2010 schedule looks a lot easier to me than 2009... so it's possible that the Bills could struggle with what you suggest above and still be able to improve record-wise.

Sure it is. We needed a QB so we should have drafted Clausen, right? No matter that his value was shown to be as a late 2nd rounder, since the Bills needed a QB we should have taken him at #9. That's what teams who "draft for need" do. And it's no coincidence that such teams are at the top of the draft every year, looking to plug another hole. You CAN'T do that unless you're a team that was in the playoffs last year and is looking for a piece to put you over the top. And those teams draft at the bottom of the rounds anyway. When you are a team like Buffalo you HAVE to go after talent like Spiller... I don't care if you don't need a RB. If you don't want that guy then you TRADE BACK... not do something stupid like draft a player far too high just because you needed that position. LOSERS draft for need in the first round. This is the biggest sign that something may have changed in Buffalo... that they actually took Spiller.

+1. I'm still trying to figure out what they were seeing in the 4th Round, but I like this one a lot.

WHAT? Why in the HECK do you need to rationalize this pick? Talk to anyone that knows anything about this draft and they will tell you that C.J. Spiller is a rare talent... a combination of outstanding athleticism and results on the field. Similar to Sam Bradford. I think most would rank the best players in this draft as Bradford, Suh, Spiller... in that order. This pick FINALLY shows that someone at Bills Drive is understanding that winning in the NFL isn't about drafting for need or drafting for selling tickets, at least not in the 1st round. Now if Bradford were available, and the Bills took Spiller, I could see someone trying to rationalize why they did it. But at PICK NINE? The only rationalization you need for Spiller at 9 is that premium talent wins in the NFL... not plugging your holes with the best player available, even if sub-par to other players.

+1. Many called CJ Spiller the most talented player in the Draft. It's not like Buffalo is the only team that knew that. This was GREAT grafting by Buffalo... for ONCE they drafted on talent instead of reaching for someone to plug a hole. That's OK in round 4... NOT at #9 overall!!

Completely Agree, but I must admit I didn't expect this response from Bills fans. To me the draft is ALWAYS about taking the BEST player in the top 1-2 rounds. When you draft for need, you end up with GM's and Coaches getting fired. This was GREAT drafting by Buffalo... and this is coming from someone (ME) who could not be more critical of things the Bills have done over the past 5-8 years. I think Brandon is a Moron. I wasn't happy with Nix and Gailey. But this pick of CJ Spiller makes me think that maybe something HAS changed at One Bills Drive.

Everyone wants to give Russ Brandon a free pass and blame the current state of the team on coaching and bad player decisions by the GM/Player Director at the time. It is my strong belief that Mr. Brandon has made the Bills such an unattractive destination for BOTH coaches and players, that it would be ranked in the bottom 3 easily if a poll was taken as to most desirable NFL destinations to be in. When you have such a situation, you DON'T get free agents, you DON'T get top-notch coaches... all you get is the opportunity to draft well and hope/pray that the perception of your team changes because of it.

If the best player available is far and away a CB, you darn well either take him or trade down. Drafting for "Need" is how teams end up in Buffalo's place in the standings for the last 10 years!

My two cents to make it simple... "Cash to Cap" was the Bills policy in the past whereby they imposed greater restrictions on themselves than was necessary with the salary cap (and versus what other teams spend). This was done because the Bills are a smaller market team and don't generate the revenue, so therefore couldn't well operate their business spending what other teams do. So, theoretically, if the Bills raised ticket prices it's possible they could spend over the cap on a cash basis (still within the cap because of deferred money) and make themselves more competitive. But it would be completely up to them, and how they want to run their business.

Both of these comments is what makes being a Bills fan special.

Agree. I would even take it a step further. They should raise ticket prices even MORE if it stops them from doing absolutely INSANE things like giving away home field advantage for games in Toronto!