BigBuff423

I understand the reluctance as the the age old question: "Is he that good because he's that talented or is he that good because he's facing less than stellar competition?" Truthfully only time will really answer that question but consider this; the following quarterbacks came out of the MAC: Leftwich, Pennington, Roethlisberger (sp?), Alex Smith, Charlie Frye, Bruce Gradkowski, and Charlie Batch. Now a few of those names are less than impressive but the purpose of my response is simply to say that if LeFevour (sp?) is setting all kinds of passing records for the MAC, these are the guys he's passing - no pun intended. So, will LeFevour be any good at the NFL level......I don't know, but I think the idea of the competition level not being adequate needs to be tempered with other factors as well. Of course we know Randy Moss came out of the MAC and we know how well he's done (twice a year at that!) but I also don't know what defensive players have come out of the MAC, as I didn't my research for that, and therefore the defensive talent may not equal the offensive talent as it appears the MAC generally sends offensive talent to the NFL more than I'm aware of the MAC sending defensive talent to the NFL. What does all this mean?? Couldn't tell you, just another tidbit to keep in mind as we begin to look toward the draft and have to consider what QB options are on the table. As a side note, Tony Romo set all kinds of records........for a Division I-AA team and went undrafted before Dallas got him and I think it's safe to say he's done fairly well also. So, I think we need to be careful about how we look at QBs and their college performance, because while Pennington has had a solid NFL career, Alex Smith the #1 overall pick a few years ago, is still trying to figure out how to put on his jock strap....

For my full thoughts on this post just check out my reply to Tim's suggestion of possibly "shutting this down" in regards to his exclusive thread. So to keep it short, THANK YOU!!!! I whole-heartedly agree and wish that your class and kuth could be the standard rather than the exception.

The fact is that while I realize I'm "hoping" that the front office and coaching changes lead to more wins and a better NFL reputation, some of the statements made were not intended to illicit heady football discussion or even controversy, but rather to just be another voice in a room full of siccophants that blindly believe there is only one blueprint for success in today's NFL. I don't know if Nix and Gailey and company will be successful, and like most of us, I have my own opinion on where we should start and the BILLS don't consult me (even though they should) but there are many things to love about Buffalo, and not just compared to Oakland....compared to any franchise. Buffalo has 4 seasons, not just cool summer, hot summer, and fallish summer, and playing football in the Fall and into the winter in WNY is a great thing, they way football was intended to be played; another thing, we have passionate and in general knowledgable fans who love this team even when they continue to frustrate you and break your heart year-in and year-out; we do have a storied franchise with a long history of great players, and yes the last 10 years are not those I would count but I digress; a lower cost of living than many of the other "big" cities that offers a small-town atmosphere with some larger city conveniences; a town that will reward its players who give 100% of their efforts and loyalty to this franchise a god-like status and will be remembered and cherished in the annals of Buffalo history - and say what you want but some places, i.e. Los Angeles, don't offer the same type of love for football and its hometown heroes as Buffalo and its passionate fans do in Western and Central New York. Buffalo is again starting from scratch and for that reason I find myself exhausted.....but still "hoping" for something to look forward to next season. So, I for one will be anticipating kickoff 2010.....with the caveat that the Free Agency period and the Draft go well

Nice...a little scarcasm for all the doomsday Eyeores on the board...

I'm sorry, but with all due respect I think you may overestimate this board's effect on Tim's career. It was successfully underway before these posts and I suspect it will continue to thrive without it. "Kissing" his ass was not the point, rather genuine appreciation for what is basically a charity event for him. Again, Tim Graham "owes" us NOTHING, what he does on this board is simply because he chooses to, and for that I am sincerely grateful. Don't confuses sincerity with flattery: on a message board they seem similar, but trust me, from this writer they are very different.

Tim, On behalf of all of the Buffalo Bills fans that don't have schizoid paranoia and are fair and reasonable minded individuals, I'd ask you to reconsider. People with myopic viewpoints and egocentric beliefs that they are "entitled" to certain information are the minority here, not the majority. I think the majority of us realize that you have a demanding career with insight and information the general public is not privy to and we respect the demand on your time, not just professionally but personally. And that every minute you spend here on this message board, is a minute you could be spending somewhere else; on another PUBLISHED and PAYING story or column, with your family, fishing, BBQing with a beer, or whatever you do in your free time and that we appreciate whatever valuable information you're able to provide. It's the rare few that for whatever reason feel that they "deserve" some explanation. I don't want to over-step my boundaries here, but on behalf of many BILLS fans I want to thank you for your perspective and tell you that what information you can share is more than we'll get anywhere else. I realize that in your profession you need to be thick-skinned regarding your opinion, but I apologize for the dopes on this board that challenge your reported facts. I absolutely love the Buffalo BILLS, but many of their decisions over the last few years have left me very frustrated, and I believe that much of that frustration has come to a swirling frenzy of shared delusions that have bonded many people together in cyberspace on this board....but no excuse, your integrity should not have been challenged...I humbly ask you to retain your interest and occasional input on this board and hope that you can continue to provide facts and opinions for the future: both are valued for different reasons, both have space on this board, and both should be shared regardless of the relegated few who only represent the fringe of Buffalo fans. No matter what, thanks for your time and efforts. Matt in Utica

Holmgren - I'll concede that point, but Bellicheck, is totally different. Just before his Patriots hire, he scrawled out on a freakin' napkin his resignation to the Jets, and he had been horrible overall before going to the Patriots. Now, I can't stand Bellicheat, but he obviously turned that franchise around, with a 6th round QB (Brady) at that....and even Holmgren, he may have been a "sexy" pick going to Seattle, but what about when he was hired at Green Bay, wasn't he a coordinator prior to that hire? What about Dick Vermeil....he hadn't coached in years before going to St. Louis and winning a Super Bowl....what about Gruden, who wasn't "Gruden" in name when he was first hired??? In other words, I realize we all wanted a NAME coach, but I think it might be a little early to jump ship, we should see what staff Gailey puts together and how the Free Agents that are brought in are handled and how the draft goes, but I think we should step away from the ledge and re-evaluate in May to see if we're heading in the right direction....

Russ Grimm has been an interesting prospect for coach for me as I've been tracking all the various names and ideas floated around by the media, various pundits, and our very own message board. Since the "panic" button was officially pushed once Jauron was fired (which was one off-season overdue) many of us have clamored for Shanahan or Cowher but the more and more I hear about Grimm the more I'm in the camp that likes the idea of hiring this guy. Of course he comes with an Offensive line pedigree and after spending so much time in Pittsburgh that generated a power running type of offense and now in Arizona, that despite the various objections by people on this message board, that continues to create incredible offensive statistics I believe Grimm might just be the man for the job. If he comes into the interview process with the idea that he wants a Head Coaching job in the NFL and is lusting for the opportunity to demonstrate his football prowess.....then I would like him on the sidelines for the BILLS this upcoming season. I would also think he would know what to look for in a good offensive lineman and comes with quite a resume. As a side note, I wonder what round he was drafted in and his fellow compatriots on the Redskins offensive line, in other words, does he know how to unearth good line talent without having to take the sexy, 1st round pick in order to get offensive line talent? But Grimm now has one more fan, and I think he needs to know that he's not Buffalo's pick just because we've been spurned by Cowher but rather that the BILLS franchise CHOOSE him, not just GET him by default....make him know his knowledge and skills are coveted and desired in Buffalo...he's not our 2nd choice, he's our top priority, I think that may be more important to him than just money, but pride....this may be the time to realize that if we're going to re-build - it needs to be done with the proper mindset at the helm...a man who has made his name and his money in the trenches!!!

I understand the desire to have a "proven" winning coach in Buffalo...I get it, I really do. It would make most of us feel, well, comfortable because that coach comes with some assurance and history of winning. And I don't buy into the idea that just because no other coach has ever won 2 Super Bowls with two different teams that it can't be done either.... BUT, the truth is, we want a proven winning coach because it makes us FEEL better, there are very few if any statistics to show that a previously winning coach is a major contributing factor to a franchise winning with that same coach, in fact in just my humble recollection that only coaches that come to mind to have won a Super Bowl or Championship with one team and then been relatively successful with a 2nd team are: Shula (Colts and Dolphins) and Holmgren (Packers and Seahawks)....let's not forget that Bellicheat was a LOSER of a coach prior to going to the Patriots, now we can digress into all sorts of arguments as to why he started winning in N.E., but the fact is they won 3 Super Bowls in less than 10 years and made the playoffs for 9 out of 10 seasons and before N.E. he was TERRIBLE....my point you ask? Simply this, originally I wanted a NAME....now I want a COACH....I personally would prefer an offensive minded coach for the obvious reasons and I think in todays NFL it might actually be a little easier to find a good Defensive Coordinator over an inventive, creative, articulate, and charismatic leader for an Offensive Coordinator...but that's just IMO.....we do need a Coach, I just want one that will win....consistently.... On another topic, I think I understand now why Modrak and Guy have been retained. It's not for their assessment value or even because of their contract, but do we realize that every day that passes we lose ground on our ability to scout the NFL ready talent at the collegiate ranks? And that coupled with the fact that the BILLS don't want to rush their coaching search, their keeping the guys who can COLLECT the data and provide reports and updates, but WON'T make the personnnel decisions, so it's a way of keeping the information gathering and yet still take their time with the coaching decision.....if that's why their doing it, then it makes sense.....if not....then I'm all out of ideas!

A very hearty 2nd on that vote!!! I think the Bills would have to get back into the 1st round to draft Bulaga, probably around 20ish, but this would be great.....unless, God forbid, the Bills either traded for (not a 1st rounder) or obtained a LT F.A.....then this would be unnecessary unless the aforementioned F.A. or traded player was in his early to mid-30s, then we would want to draft a guy a couple years ahead of time so he can develop and be schooled by, what we hope will be, a solid Offensive Line coach....yeah, I know....I can hear my alarm going off too.....but dreaming is nice..

I would prefer to find a FA LT and permit Bell to hopefully develop into the starting LT after another three years of experience, keeping in mind he's still quite young and raw at LT. However, if we're not able to get a solid LT via FA, then I would prefer Bulaga out of Iowa, BUT not at 9th overall....either trade down toward 20ish or trade back into the bottom of the 1st Round if he's still there at pick #25 or later...problem with trading back into the 1st is what you potentially give up, this team and I would assume the next HC needs all the draft picks it can get!!

I've given it some time before I posted such a topic, and while I have no real issue with Mike Shanahan not becoming the next Bills coach, I just thought some positive regard should be given to the man despite him not being in Buffalo. If the reports were true, and I don't think we really know for sure, that Shanahan was offered the $10 million a year range of salary and since he accepted approximately $3 million a year less since he took a 5 year $35 million offer from the Redskins, Shanahan forfeited approximately $15 million by NOT taking the Buffalo Bills Head Coaching job. Truthfully, most of us feel that Shanahan's rebuff of the Bills organization and their lucrative offer was hurtful but because of his decision Shanahan can actually say that it wasn't about the money. Shanahan's power hungry, egocentric personality disorder - where he'll be VP of football operations and thereby making the major personnel decisions - may very well be the underlying purpose for wanting to go to a Redskins team that in my opinion is in a worse state than the Bills. Sure they have an owner willing to spend major coin, but as evidenced by their lack of success over the last number of years, spending so much money on multiple Free Agents hasn't proven to be a winning strategy, and it appears that Shanahan and Snyder were made for each other.....but at least he can truthfully say, "It wasn't about the money".....

As one poster stated above the Defense was not the major issue....however, that also means it's most likely easier for the Defense to absorb a rookie and hide some of his errors without it causing a major disruption. The truth is that any LT, in the top 10 or not, will require a significant learning curve (as all Rookies do) and if we (as fans) are looking for immediate improvement on Offense, then a FA LT is probably the best bet. Now, if we're willing to give the new coaching staff two to three years to develop a much improved Offense, then a rookie LT is a great value to have. Personally, I think that the new Defense should be 3-4, with Maybin moving to OLB and Mitchell converted to an ILB with Poz being the other OLB, that means we need a stud ILB, hence my vote for McClain from Alabama. Kirk and Brent praised his football intelligence, not just his physical talent, which something I believe our linebackers could dearly use and it would mean a Defensive "QB" for years. And then trade back into the 1st round around 20 or so to get Bulaga from Iowa if at all possible as this is the guy that stood out for me AND he's coming out a year early. But, we all have our thoughts so..... in the end, I just want the stupidity and insanity to END!!! Please make this offseason one that will stand in the annals of football history as a turning point for this organization!!

This was my post in another thread regarding Anthony Davis.... I agree in principle that LT is the most pressing need and that the QB situation should be looked at. However, as for QB I'm on the train of thought that says "let's give Brohm at least one full NFL season to evaluate what we have in-house". Brohm may or may not be the answer, I'm not sold either way, but given that he was just drafted in 2008 and highly touted through his last two years at Louisville and taken in the 2nd round, doesn't it stand to reason that just as much promise was demonstrated by him as any other QB coming into this year's draft? And to me after watching a decade of really poor line play, I would rather see the Bills get either a LT in the first round and LB in 2nd or vice-a-versa depending on the value of their pick. Personally, I like the kid out of Iowa who I believe just indicated yesterday that he would enter the draft, LT Brian Bulaga (sp?), as I watched the bowl game, I thought that he was truly impressive with his physical size, strength and ability to get push on his opponents, and he may very well be available in the bottom third of the first round if we were to trade down or try to trade back into the 1st, just my thoughts....

I agree in principle that LT is the most pressing need and that the QB situation should be looked at. However, as for QB I'm on the train of thought that says "let's give Brohm at least one full NFL season to evaluate what we have in-house". Brohm may or may not be the answer, I'm not sold either way, but given that he was just drafted in 2008 and highly touted through his last two years at Louisville and taken in the 2nd round, doesn't it stand to reason that just as much promise was demonstrated by him as any other QB coming into this year's draft? And to me after watching a decade of really poor line play, I would rather see the Bills get either a LT in the first round and LB in 2nd or vice-a-versa depending on the value of their pick. Personally, I like the kid out of Iowa who I believe just indicated yesterday that he would enter the draft, LT Brian Bulaga (sp?), as I watched the bowl game, I thought that he was truly impressive with his physical size, strength and ability to get push on his opponents, and he may very well be available in the bottom third of the first round if we were to trade down or try to trade back into the 1st, just my thoughts....

LaFevour looked impressive last night and he may well end up being an NFL level talent, but unless the Bills were to draft him 4th round or lower, I would be disappointed. Actually, I think I would rather give Brohm one season to see if the fundamentals and basics are there for a NFL caliber QB. I'm not sold on Brohm, but since it's highly unlikely we're making the playoffs next year either given that we're in a "rebuilding" phase.....again.....you might as well spend one of the first two draft picks on a true LT and LB and then begin go from there as to needs, depending on what we do in FA....