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I don't know - it's like comparing great fighters, or WR's, or even RB's - people are always going to prefer one style or package over another. There are some very talented Safeties in the NFL this coming season. Chiefs have Berry, who I think might end up being the "best" safety, or the safety most others in the NFL are compared to. It is such a crucial position, especially now, in todays NFL, when teams are passing so much but also running out of those passing formations. Anyway, the Bills - and other NFL teams - knew about Byrd coming out of college. He has done nothing but get better, and he has exceeded expectations, I think. We have a safety who is smart, is around the play a lot, who we all know can catch!, and who is now better than average at run defense and tackling. He is certainly set up, with the other defensive additions this year, to be in the pro-bowl as one of the top 5 or 6 at his position in the league. I really am excited to see if he can regain some of the interception numbers. If he managed to come down with 7 or more interceptions this year, there's no doubt he'll be mentioned as a top safety. And if the Bills were smart, they'd do everything they can to lock up Byrd and Levitre before they just add to their proven history of consistency and push themselves into elite salary contention with great years.

Other than some remote chance at the fans becoming split on who they'd like to see at QB, picking up Vince Young was virtually no risk, all reward for the Buffalo Bills. They aren't paying him a lot. He was once, not long ago - and recently enough to think that he still has all the good attributes at his disposal - an exciting, dynamic QB, in the mold of a Cam Newton. Now, Vince's intelligence has been widely discussed, and we know he isn't as smart, or mentally quick as Newton, nor is he as great an athlete, but he is a very good athlete (probably top 5 in NFL for athletic QB's) and he passes nicely. If Gailey can install an offense to suite Vince's strengths, as well as be complex enough to make it difficult for defenses, then Vince can surely be successful. As for the emotional, or mental issues - we fans should really not get too confident about diagnosing, or attributing labels to players in that type of situation. We've likely never been in the national spotlight, nor have we grown up in their shoes, the whole ride to the NFL is foreign to us. I can imagine a guy like Vince Young might easily have a hard time telling if he has any real friends, or if he can trust anyone to talk to about very personal things, and I can imagine it'd be hard for him to admit any vulnerability in the form of insecurity or dysfunction - after all, he's supposed to be a rich, iconic, model citizen, team leader. If he didn't grow up in an environment where money was around, not being accustomed to having money can lead to losing money - and that can happen rather quickly. There are just a lot of things that we don't know about, and I feel it is borderline indecent of us, as fans, to probe and judge this young man's personal life like that - as long as he contributes while he is here, and is a positive influence on the team. And, I've got to think, being who he is, where he's from, this has got to be seen as an attempt to come back - to prove people wrong. I doubt he's planning on just standing around with a "yes, sir" attitude, and draw interest from the sideline. It's a one year deal. He must be thinking he can take this team to the playoffs if he is given the chance, and if he isn't, and Fitz plays well, and Vince is positive, he'll likely get another shot next year. So, it's all good.

A lot of it is who is in the game, how the plays are designed. Then, even if we have Chandler, Brock, or Dickerson - the better catching TE's - in the play, and he gets open, Fitzpatrick has to be willing to throw it that way, and not already have his mind set on Stevie, or Nelson - a lot of times with Gailey it seems like the plays are designed to go to the WR's. Because of that, and because we run so well out of the 3 and 4 WR sets, and because our TE's aren't well known or respected, necessarily, around the league, these guys are getting open. I think the biggest thing with TE's, especially when they show they can catch the ball reliably, is just being willing to use them. They're like running backs in a way, the more they get into the game, the better they get into it. So, yeah - I think we have enough athletically in our TE's - Dickerson, Onobun, and Brock are all athletic enough to be weapons offensively, and even Chandler can be used as a weapon, he's fast enough to run 15 to 20 yards and he's big enough and able handed enough to jump up, separate from the defender, and catch the ball. It doesn't have to be pretty. Gailey just has to plan for it more.

It is a good subject to think about - but one I hope we never see tested!!! Anyway, I'm thinking our defense would look a lot less daunting if Mario Williams was not here. Sure, we'd still have the two DT's and Mark Anderson, but we'd all be talking a lot more about whether or not Merriman would be coming back healthy, and if he could, then we might have a very, very good D-line. With Mario Williams in the mix, that kind of conversation goes from what we might have, to just how awesome is it going to be? So, I'm saying Mario makes the most difference, simply because of how the complexion of the whole changes when he's not in the picture. We lose a safety, corner, or even a linebacker or DT, and we have comparable talent to fill the void for a few games. We have no young DE with such promise behind Mario.

As far as I'm concerned, we have the talent to win now, and to go deep in the playoffs, but that depends on many things - as it does with all teams - but this Bills team especially, since teams like N.E., Baltimore, and Pittsburgh show up and win consistently through the variables, like injuries and schedules. Anyway, I think Buffalo could win the division this year if these 3 things happen in our favor: 1. Fitzpatrick plays good. He doesn't have to play great, but he does have to minimize turnovers and stay consistent with his improved accuracy. 2. Our team is coached, and gameplans are, good on both sides. There have been times in the recent past where we've just been outcoached. We've also been much less talented a lot, too - but, my point here is this: teams that are coached excellently, and whose coordinators prepare their respective units with gameplans that take the other team by surprise, or that are just sound, can compete on any given Sunday. We've simply got to be the team that is ahead of our opposition in scheming and play-calling. 3. If our defense comes together and STAYS HEALTHY - and hovers around top 5 in the league, we will be a playoff team. That alone would practically guarantee us the postseason. We know our offense will score - so, if our defense is lights out, especially against our schedule, we'll end up with enough wins to make the post-season. If it takes until next year, or the year after, for Buffalo to be a contender, it'll either be because of QB play, injuries, or poor game planning. That's my take on it.

Love the optimism! I have said before, and I'll voice it again here - I think the places having a healthy Merriman will help are in the specialty packages, the 5-2-4 defense, or the 5-1-5 defense. Wannstedt will have both healthy rotational players to count on, and enough quality pass rushers to use exotic schemes from time to time. It's that creativity I look forward to the most, other than the possibility of just all out dominating!

I get super excited thinking about Merriman being back healthy, too! I also have worried about the Performance Enhancing Drugs and whether or not he can stay healthy without them - but, as a fan, I just hope it has all been purely bad luck with the injuries, and that he can still have 3-5 years of productive NFL football in him. I just look at this defense on paper and see the potential for every one of the starting D-linemen (Williams, Dareus, Williams, and Anderson) to have ProBowl worthy seasons, statistically, and our secondary, starting Williams, Gilmore, Byrd, and Wilson - are also all capable of having ProBowl seasons, individually! It is crazy how much talent the Bills have, now, at those positions. The linebackers are the only place the Bills look average. And, Barnett didn't play average last year. He played pretty good. Kirk Morrison has also played much better than average as a 4-3 linebacker. Our coaches believe Sheppard can be an excellent middle linebacker, and I personally love the potential of Bradham and Carder. This group is just full of POTENTIAL - we're hoping we see some stars rise out of the group - and frankly, as a 4-3 defense, this is the least critical group. Now, IF we could add a guy like Merriman, a healthy, back-to-form Merriman to the mix at DE/OLB, it puts a player in the fold who has played at the upper most echelon of talent level in the NFL. I personally don't think he should be put in a position to have to cover TE's or slot recievers/running backs, I also think he has to be able to do so on occasion, otherwise his placement on the field would be less effective. No matter - I just think having him healthy would allow Wannstedt to come up with plays where the best 11 guys on the defense might be 5 linemen, two linebackers, and 4 secondary - creative stuff that would simply overload any offensive line. Merriman gives us that extra pass rush talent that would just, quite simply, overload any offensive line. Mario Williams, Dareus, K.Williams, Anderson, and Merriman are unblockable as a group. I've been a Bills fan for more than 20 years, and I don't ever recall a defense that has lined up, potentially, 4 or 5 probowl talents on the D-line alone! The Giants of the recent superbowls had DE's that were a nightmare, and the Vikings of recent defensive dominance were 3 deep in Allen, Williams, and Williams. We are adding two more elite level talents on to that! I just can't wait to see them actually play.

Yeah - you know, other than the first year Nix drafted, with Carrington, Troupe, Spiller, and Co., Nix has been one of the best drafting GM's in the league. I'd say he's been a top 5 GM without a doubt. I love that, because so many people critisized the hire when it happened. I think Nix being new to the job, not having his own scouting staff in place, having to feel pressured to draft for a 3-4 defense, especially with the small defense he was inheriting, all are factors in that first draft. And, I don't even mind the first draft, personnel wise. Spiller is very good, Troupe might be good, if he can stay healthy, and I'd bet if a team like Green Bay, or the Jets, or Houston picked up Carrington he'd end up being an excellent starter for years. He just hasn't had the benefit of a consistent defense, consistent duties, and he hasn't been given a lot of time on the field. I think the guy has a ton of potential, and he would be the one I'd regret losing the most, of all the possible D-line cuts coming this year. Anyway - Nix has not been bested in the draft department, I think, by any GM. Granted - San Fran has had a very quick rise to dominance with the new coach and system, but that defense was being built gradually - not in just two years. If you look at any team being assembled, virtually from scratch, there are only a few that have been as well done as Nix's Bills. And, to top it all off, he's wise enough, and modest enough, to have a successor lined up, so when he is ready to quit, the system will be able to continue seamlessly.

If everyone comes out healthy and stays healthy, and plays to their potential, I'd say we would have the best defensive line in the NFL, with probably all 4 D-linemen being Probowlers (Mario, Dareus, Kyle W., and Merriman). Has that ever even happened before? However, I'd say the real key to us truly dominating opposing QB's is how we handle the running game, and the short passing game - like screens and quick New England-esqe passing - because, that is how teams are going to be planning on attacking this defense from the start. If we can stop the opposition from running - and I don't see why we shouldn't be able to, as Dareus and Kyle Williams are plenty big enough to plug up the middle, and Mario and Merriman, or Kelsay, are good at run protection, too. Obviously teams aren't going to plan on just dropping back and running long routes. And, another key in our defense being in sack frenzy mode is how quickly our offense can go out and score. If we get a two touchdown lead on opponents early, it will force our opposition to play into our hands. As a deprived Bills fan, getting this chance to envision realistic dominance from my team has left me prone to random daydreams of our defense shutting teams down. I want nothing more than to see our opponents frustrated and impotent, and to have the football world talking about the Bills defense as a once-in-a-generation type masterpiece. But, when I really think about it, I always come back to those keys - stopping the run, the short passing game, and us being able to score. It'll probably be the teams like the Jets that give us the most trouble this year; teams that have truly good defenses that will allow their offenses to run and be patient. Now, if we end up being a great defense, and not just a good one, that wont matter. I see that happening, BTW - this team is closing in on being elite. Another offseason of key additions, and elite QB play, and we're there.

Any way you look at it, Buddy has done a very good job of accumulating talent on this D-line. It is a big line, even by NFL standards, and we are going to be giving other teams a couple of players by the time the season starts, but whether those guys are Troupe, Gilbert, Edwards - I'll trust Wannstedt to make the best call. My guess is they'll keep the guys who show the most versatility, or the most outright potential. We know Williams and Williams will be there, Dareus, Anderson, Merriman, and Kelsay will make it. That is six linemen. I think that leaves three spots, another D-end and two D-tackles, unless a tackle, like Carrington, can play both tackle and end. So, I wouldn't be surprised to see the last two spots go to Carrington and Spencer Johnson, with maybe a bigger, space eating DT as the ninth, like Troupe maybe, or Gilbert?

I am really curious how Wannstedt is going to do this year. It's been awhile since he coached an NFL squad. The defensive players keep referencing how they are in year two or three of this system, and it makes me wonder how much of an influence Dave W. had last year, how much he is keeping the same/changing. I don't think Miami is going to be a terrible threat right away, but their new coach is a sharp offensive mind. Bellicheck and Brady have given us nightmares for so long - it is on Wannstedt to put a defense on the field this year that is ready for the modern NFL. I, too, am excited to see just how different this team looks - in a good way. I've talked with other long time Bills fans recently, and I said I hoped this defense, with these players, ends up being one of the best defenses the Bills have ever had. The response I get is usually "No way", that the defenses with Washington, Sam Adams, and Pat Williams were too good. I'm hoping Dareus ends up being the best DT we've ever had!

I like that he emphasized how everyone in the defensive program - coaches and players alike - had something to prove, and that they'd approach it that way. Much of this defense has been bad for a long time, or has been overlooked. I think part of the mentality of good defenses - and good teams, in general - is that they have something to prove. They make it personal. It's not just about going out and collecting a paycheck. If the Bills defense goes out there week in and out on a mission to prove to the NFL that they are to be reckoned with, then I think we'll finally see that attitude, that Identity, that we've been missing for almost 20 years!

There's always the issues of health - a line with Wood is a lot different than a line with Brown at Center - and, whether or not Levitre gets re-signed, although I think the Bills just about have to sign him, after all he's done for them, BUT, if they stay healthy, and if the group remains: Tackle - Glenn, Hairston, Sanders, Pears, Young Guard - Levitre, Ubrik, Rhinehart, Jaspers C - Wood, Asper, Brown That starter line of Glenn, Levitre, Wood, Ubrik, Hairston - with backup tackle Pears/Sanders and backup G Rhinehart makes for one of the better lines in the NFL over the next half decade - which is what the original post was saying, and I believe it. It's so crazy to finally be seeing all this young, talented depth on this roster, and to have to wonder, instead of who is going to play, who is going to have to sit out because of too much depth!

When I look at the schedule - and predict a relatively healthy season - I see us finishing 11-5 also. I just don't think it'll be enough to win the division. Enough, barely, for a wildcard, I think. The thing about predicting these things is an injury or two to the right player could totally change the landscape of division. If Brady goes down early, the Pats go from an easy 12-4 team to probably more like 9-7. So, if things go well, we have the look of a 10+ win team, and so long as they are in the playoffs, that is good enough for me.

I was thinking of Buddy Nix's job with this team earlier today when I was reading some article online. When you look at this team - as the initial post has eluded to - there is a lot of good, promising, talent almost all around, AND IT IS YOUNG! You draw up this theoretical job a GM is supposed to do when taking over a team, and the result is very close to what the Bills have - and if Fitzpatrick pans out, he will be on it to a T. I was thinking, man, if this team begins winning, and going on a run of 3 or 4 years of continued success - playoffs, maybe a SB - you always see teams (except, it seems, the Steelers and Patriots) go through cycles where they are good for a few years, and then bad. Also, with these cycles, most teams hire and fire coaches every four to six years or so. Now, I was thinking, if Buddy has done this in a few years, turning over most of the team, making it young and full of potential - won't his job get easier now? Won't he have less holes to fill year in and out? If Buddy can build this team like this, why couldn't he keep it going? The answer, I know, is drafting, luck, and the play of the QB. I am psyched, more now than ever, about this team!

You're likely right, but I think Aiken might be decent, and Session hasn't even had a chance to show up yet. Roosevelt? I bet if we cut him he'd be with another team in a matter of a few weeks. You never know where the next surprise WR might come from.

I have a couple responses that come to mind. For one, we only have space on the roster for so many WR's. Let's assume we keep S. Johnson, David Nelson, Donald Jones, Marcus Easley, T.J. Graham, and one from Derek Hagan, Aiken, Roosevelt, Martin, and Session. If you bring in a guy like Plax, you are leaving someone off the team. Some of these recievers are good - maybe they haven't had the chance to show it yet, but these younger guys like Aiken, Roosevelt, and Session have some skills. We can't assume we can just hold these guys on the practice squad without other teams getting interested. Sure, Plax would fill one role for us very well - the endzone jump ball WR. But, is it worth sacrificing developing a more dynamic WR who will be around for years for that sort of a veteran? We do have TE's, all of which are at least 6-5, and Nelson and Martin are 6-4. So, I think the roster spot is the biggest reason why we don't. And, maybe this is just an afterthought - but, I think part of the charm of this offense is these young guys are getting a shot here, they are developing, and they are really burning to prove themselves. To me, bringing in a guy like Plax at the expense of one of these younger, more promising WR's, could maybe mess with the chemistry. Now, if the guy was a little more dynamic, younger, then it would be a different story.

The Bills want to win this year. Everything they're doing is to win now. I'm sure, in regards bacup QB's, they're entertaining two possible outcomes - Fitz gets hurt and they need a guy to play, maybe more than just a few games - or - Fitz just doesn't play good, and he is bringing down the offense. In either case they would need to have a QB on the roster who could come in and win games for them. I think that is what they are looking for in a backup QB this year - a guy who is not going to demand the starting role, but who is good enough to push Fitz and who could come in and win some games. Vince Young looked like he could be that player. However, McNabb believes he is one of the better QB's in the league. He isn't going to accept second string easily. He could cause problems. More importantly, though, is the time it would take to get him prepared for THIS season, and, is he capable of even learning Gailey's offense? I've read that McNabb has had trouble picking up offenses lately. Couple all that with the amount he'd be asking for, and I just think there are other options much more appealing to Buffalo, if Vince Young doesn't work out.

I agree that it is important to know the history of this team in order to predict the future of it - and when I look at the team entering training camp, I think they are much, much better off than last year. Defense played a large part in their woes. If they had had a better defense last year, they might have finished the season 10-6 instead of the other way around. That doesn't even address injuries or Fitz's play! This transition to the 4-3, Dave Wannstedt's influence on the squad, and the player influx, not to mention the guys returning to health like Williams and Merriman, all point to one of the better defenses in the NFL this year. Now, injuries did play a large part in the poor play last year, as acknowledged. If the Bills can stay healthy, they should be able to produce enough points offensively, I think, to win 10 - 12 games this year. The other points - leadership, for instance - I think there is plenty of it here. I think having the offseason is going to make a huge difference for a team that is very young and that is still coming into it's own. I'd say two points that will have to bear watching - Gailey's play calling, and Fitz's QB play - will be determined in the actual games. There's little way to guess how those will pan out. Gailey's play calling will be a major factor in the games where we are up against very good teams, and if we make the playoffs. I believe he, at times last year, was too predictable, and even stubborn, with his play calling. We'll see if either he can adapt, or if his team has enough talent to play the way he wants them to all season long. And, we'll see how Fitz does now healthy and with the added tutoring of coach Lee. If he plays top 10 caliber, then the Bills should have a shot at the AFC. Good questions - a lot to be hopeful for, I think!

It is certainly true that we fans on this forum have been getting more and more confident, making these claims of future wins against the likes of the Patriots, even. And, although we haven't actually been good yet, at least not for a duration, we are a team that has been improving step by step since Gailey and Nix took over. It is not at all unreasonable to expect that we'd be better this year, given that we're getting healthy on offense, got a key guy in LT Glenn, Wood is healthy at C, and Easley is back at WR - those are additions that will help. Not to mention Fitz is healthy again - and the whole team has time and an offseason to get better at Gailey's system. In the Patriots case, they've already been there - so we should improve, while they should merely remain good. And, on defense, there is no denying all the additions we've made - and it isn't just a couple players. The entire front seven is better and by a ton. The front seven lineup we're likely to see this year, on paper, has the potential to be one of the best in a decade, perhaps. And, our secondary is very solid - it's not like they are just passable, they have the potential to be excellent! Add to that Wannstedt's presence, and all this premature arrogance is really more just a very reasonable, long waited, anticipation. It is okay to get excited and to have something good to look forward to. It is not bad, either, though, to remember that we have to prove it as well - and the Bills know that. That will be the fun to look forward to!

At first glance it would appear Buffalo has indeed built a defense whose primary objective is to be able to beat the Patriots. On the other hand, how do these personnel moves mesh with Wanny's preferred defense, Patriots or no? I think having to contend with the Patriots gives the Bills extra incentive to get that D-line fortified with pass rushers, but I also think our defense is built to stop just about any offense. We don't have much by way of weakness. And, as far as 4-3 vs 3-4 goes, some of the best defenses in history, IMO, were 4-3 fronts. The way I see it, if you can control the running game and get pressure on the QB with 4 guys, that beats having to commit 5 or more that 3-4 usually end up using. Anyway, I think, when two teams have evenly matched players it comes down to the coaching. Bellicheck hasn't been out-coached in many games. Gailey, IMO, though, hasn't looked too bad in games either. When he's been beaten it usually has been because his players weren't up to the task, or, he's crippled himself by refusing to adjust schemes. I think Buffalo is going to have a real chance at beating New England this year in both games. But, other posts have brought up, quite rightly, that the Patriots are likely to win 12 or more this year. Their schedule favors it, as well. We have to not only beat them, but we've got to come out of the regular season with 11 wins, I think, to guarantee at least a wildcard.

Vince Young's greatest obstacle to success coming to Buffalo was, from the start, his ability to pick up a new system and process it good enough to be able to lead the team in a real game. He'll no doubt get to go over everything he's learned and been through these past 3 weeks over the course of the next month and then he'll get more coaching and practice in training camp. Also, coach Lee's mentoring, with mechanics especially, take time to become evident. When players are learning to do things a little differently with their throwing motion it sometimes actually looks like they're regressing for a while, and then when it becomes muscle memory you begin to see the real improvements. I would think this is going to apply to Fitz, Young, and even Thigpen. They won't show a great improvement in accuracy for a while, but then it will become noticeable - hopefully by the start of the regular season! With Young, this delayed improvement might be twofold. He will look, at times, maybe not so good (on account of having to process the plays and lean too much on thinking about things at first), but, then, it'll probably happen kind of quickly when the time comes - he'll know the offense, have confidence, won't have to think about it so much, and Lee's coaching will have had time to sink in - all that probably won't be evident until the middle to end of training camp. Until then it'll just be wait and see. But, my bet is on Young to be our 2nd QB, and I think he'll have some games during the preseason - as he'll get the bulk of the action - where he will look so good there will be rumblings, by some, that he should be the starter. I'm hoping Fitz hits camp and especially the season looking incredible, so we won't have to worry about the QB controversy.

Actually - that was my first thought, too. Then I realized, if the rankings are based on talent, and not division position, then the Bills could very well be the fifth most talented team in the AFC and still miss the playoffs - IF - say, two of the division winners are worse than Buffalo, talent-wise, and we end up losing out on wildcard because a division is stacked. It's unlikely, but it is possible considering how talented Baltimore's division is. It's not totally unrealistic to envision Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Cincy making the playoffs. However - it is nice to finally see Buffalo getting some legitimate attention.

It's funny, with the difficulty our defense has had in recent years, but I believe our CB's are among the best in the league now, as a group. I think we have to keep A. Williams, Gilmore, McKelvin, Brooks, and Rogers, with McGee being the sixth CB on the opening day roster. If we put Brooks or Rogers out there to be snagged by anyone, they would be in short order - both are good enough to play on a number of teams. Our core group of young guys is solid, and looks to be set for the next half decade in Gilmore, Williams, Brooks, and Rogers - and, if McKelvin can turn it on this year in a new system/new role, he may end up also staying at a lower salary (although I think he'd test the market, and being a former 1st rounder, if he has a good year would be picked up by some needy team - with McKelvin it's never been about talent, it's always been the mental aspect of the game. Maybe Wanny's system will allow him to shine?).

In regards to the QB's on that list - Eli Manning, in my opinion, is not a low impact, or mediocre, QB. He just has played too good in important games. When he is hot, he's as good as any QB in the NFL. Now, when it comes to Fitzpatrick, I've been as big a critic as anyone. I've often said I don't think he is an elite QB, and I just don't see him as a Qb who can lead this team to a championship. However, I also have noted that I think he is tremendous at reading defenses, knowing where to throw the ball, and his intangibles are super high. It's always been his accuracy and occasionally his strength. Well, if Lee can change Fitz's mechanics to the point where his accuracy is better, he could very well develop into a top 12 QB. He has the heart. Nevertheless, teams have won championships with great defenses, so I would hope we learn to lean more on our RB's this year and let Fitz surprise teams, instead of trying to always carry ours.