BigBuff423

I am sincerely happy for Cleveland as it seems like there is a fraternity of suffering among our two sports cities, and wish them all the best. Plus, I don't particularly care for basketball AND Buffalo no longer has a pro team, so not competing with them for anything - in football however, that's a different story. So, happy for the City of Cleveland, and now hopeful Buffalo can take a similar path in both football and hockey....ya know, the only two sports that really matter.

I think there are a number of good and valid arguments to be made, but I am one who votes for a new stadium - with the very, very important caveat that I do *not* live in the taxable area of Buffalo or the surrounding counties. I do live in NYS and if NYS were to adjust some pennies to kick in money to help, I'm all for it. My reasoning is much of what others have already said: 1. to be taken seriously as a franchise in the current NFL and social climate, you must put a first-rate venue on the table for the players, fans, and media to consume, 2. I think it has to be an indoor with the option of a retractable dome depending on additional costs, personally - I don't see the tremendous benefit to having a retractable roof, but that's me, 3. the aesthetics of the place do play a part in this, as we are now catering (whether we like it or not) to a generation who has grown up and will continue to do so, on flat-screen t.v.s, high-def cable and the graphics that accompany it so the stadium must be far more media and high-tech friendly and the appearance of the stadium must also show well with said technology, 4. putting up a dome would allow a year round venue - not just for things like concerts - but additional fan experiences such as Draft weekend, extensive touristy type things like the BILLS Hall of Fame with games, displays and museums all done in exceptional quality as well as restaurants and bars 5. And lastly, let's face it - it's a rare thing for any of us to TRULY enjoy the frigid and wintry weather basically from mid-November on to the end of season....and before we talk about home-field advantage in the playoffs, let's not forget this team needs to get there first.... Also, on a side note - if it were to be a dome, I think the BILLS could make at the very least a logistical argument for the Super Bowl, between the new stadium and proximity to Canada and casinos, IMHO it's a worthy argument....

I'm encouraged by this Draft, as I'm one who believes that Whaley has done a very good job since he took over as GM, but to be the best Draft ever - Cardale would need to eventually become a HOF QB....IMO

To all the detractors - keep in mind, people were like "Preston who?" And he's doing well and getting better. John Miller might catch more heat and a rash of insults more than any other 3rd Rookie I can remember - but he played fairly well when healthy....and considering how quickly he picked up Roman's complicated running Offense as a Rookie too. So, Whaley has me on the "wait and see, but trusting him" train...

It sounds like this NT Reader is the real deal - and I honestly don't know. But, if he's as good as advertised here, it would seem the BILLS would need to get him in the 3rd, since true NTs are more rare these days and a good one, is nearly quite literally worth their weight in gold...for the right team.

I posted in the Kevin Hogan thread that he *reads* like the type of QB the BILLS will be looking for....but the more this whole process goes on, the more I'm thinking the BILLS go in a direction few are thinking / predicting.

Only from what I've read, FWIW, as I haven't seen him play - he seems like a cerebral quarterback, comfortable in a complex Offense, and has started a number of games including important / big games. In addition, he's managed his father's long battle with cancer and ultimately his death while continuing his collegiate career, including the aspect of classes at a highly academic institution. So, while I know nothing of his arm strength or poise by watching him - and I'm not discounting that importance or how it bears on my opinion - but the aforementioned traits, seem to be what lends itself to a viable if not very good QB in the NFL. The NFL is littered with "strong armed" QBs who fail to grasp the complexities of the NFL, who cannot adequately read and process a Defense, and who don't truly manage personal life struggles or tragedies while carrying out their professional obligation. I would prefer a guy who has an NFL "good enough" arm but has all of the above-the-shoulders acumen we've been missing from the BILLS teams for many years. Tyrod may be great, and I have high hopes for him, but if we're taking a chance on a QB, it would seem Hogan in the 3rd or first 4th would be a solid choice.

Now, that's a haul...and good for the Browns for the trade and good for the BILLS and Doug Whaley and co for *NOT* paying such a steep price....

^^^this occurred to me as well

To each his own, but honestly, the statement about "Whaley's been horrid at 3rd and later picks"....might be a bit off, IMO. John Miller and Karlos Williams (3rd and 5th rounds) last year, Preston Brown - 3rd rounder, Sentreal Henderson 7th rounder....and I'm not sure where the "six seasons" is coming into play either, since he's only been the GM for the 2014 and 2015 Draft thus far....

I voted for Hogan simply based on the presence of Taylor and the fact that Hogan played in a Pro-Style Offense at a largely focused cerebral university - Stanford - which in my mind means, the learning curve is diminished. Furthermore, I think the cost to the BILLS would be minor, i.e. a 6th round pick, while giving him a year or so to grow into the position. Personally, I think all too often QBs are viewed in similar physical standard sets as the rest of the positions, which is far more mental than physical in the overall picture. That is not to say a weak arm isn't a concern, but Chad Pennington is one that comes to mind when the mental aspect is super keen and the arm is less than NFL stellar, not saying that's the case with Hogan, just the previously mentioned attributes appeal to me more than say a Jones type of specimen.

To play the other side, if Favre played for the BILLS, and they had a relatively weak Defense the way Green Bay did at that point AND the BILLS Drafted Rodgers with a 1st, the fan base would have lit OBD on fire. Because the philosophy was / is to pass on a guy who may be great, but we already have one - so address an area of need but try to go BPA. Green Bay had foresight and once Polian left, the BILLS didn't have that, so they've been playing catch-up ever since then. That is why if a QB in the first is the BPA, regardless of name - you take him. And hope Tyrod plays so well, the guy gets a year or two to learn and mature into your next Franchise QB, sort of like eh, a certain current Pack QB?

Tom Brady is in fact an anomaly, but to say it *has* to be 1st to top 2nd would be false, IMHO. Please see: Brees, Dalton, Russ Wilson, Kaep, Cousins, Montana, Romo, Fitz (I know but Jets are getting it done with him), etc

I like it, and pondered the same possibility - it essentially would add a potential play-maker to the backfield who can cover, run and stuff the run when necessary....just not catch that well.

Of course I wanted the BILLS to win, but that said, this loss for the BILLS this early in the season may prove to be helpful. Only time will tell, but this was essentially a return to humility and IF, and that's a huge IF, Rex learns from this the way he says he wants to, then it could lead to a better overall team. Second, assuming the suspension was upheld, the BILLS would have faced him anyways later in the season at Gillette, so maybe by getting some exposure to how Brady / Belichick beat the BILLS it will help them game-plan better for the 2nd meeting. I also realize Belichick will make adjustments, but see first statement....So, yeah, I still prefer they faced Brady if given a choice, the outcome of course was not desirable but I think there are positives to take away from this regardless.

Honestly, it's hard to find too much fault with Roman's Offense or play-calling. For one, can we just enjoy the first win of the season? It was against a team many have going to the Super Bowl, and almost all pundits have winning their Division. So, for Buffalo to win at all is a real demonstration of well-played football as a team, and second to do so in the manner they did was impressive in some respects. Were there too many penalties? Yes. Was the gadget play to begin the game silly? Yes. But did the Offense do its job? Yes. And more to the point, I don't care how an individual player shows in a game, I care about overall productivity and winning, by any means (except cheating). To me, what stands out even more - is that this team has yet to fully realize its potential. I think the Offense is going to get better, as Shady becomes 100%, as Watkins and Woods feel more comfortable in the Offense, as the line matures and gathers even better chemistry, as Dareus returns next week, and keep in mind one of the starting Safeties was injured on the first play of the game, so Graham coming back at some point is only going to help. Then, after the BILLS' bye week, they *should* get Leo back as well. Barring any additional significant injuries, that means this team is going to get healthier and better, including the QB and his WRs. That, is a major point in all of this. Defense played very well and Offense was good but will get better. First time, in a long time that we can say that and is accurate and fair, IMHO.

I made a statement during this last off-season that the BILLS should scout ONLY Pro Style QBs in college, regardless of school or location (in the U.S.). I would think, development would lend itself to better overall maturation and improved capability if they eliminated the spread offenses and gadget QBs - focus just on Pro Style QBs and spend as much time as possible with that narrow focus to get your guy. Just IMHO, but I think it would allow for greater scrutiny and a better player for the future.

Man, best wishes for a full and speedy recovery - but it doesn't seem like a long time for Powell to go nearly a month before he gets surgery?? I could be completely off base but it seems like the other players in the NFL get surgery within a week of their injury.....hope it doesn't set him back too far, if at all. Hope he can come back next season ready to do some damage!

Truthfully though, you don't have to take a QB in the 1st round in order for said QB to be of a "Franchise" quality. Although, IF and that's one huge a*s IF, the BILLS were to pick at 32 (and they weren't trading up to do it), I'd be fine with any QB they take they believe is the long-term solution to the QB puzzle. Because, as we see now, that is the exact piece they are away from being an incredible team. And given how Whaley et. al. seem to be able to Draft fairly well in the mid-rounds, I think they continue to add good starting caliber players and depth. Not to mention, apparently the Pegula money tree is thriving and they're spending money in FA, which is very refreshing....not just spending money, spending it correctly (or, so it appears). Keep in mind, players like Montana, Brees, Russel Wilson, Kaep (although he's regressed a bit), Tony Romo, and others were taken in Rounds 2 to 3....and Minnesota moved up to Draft Bridgewater at the end of the 1st round, which right now looks brilliant. I really, really want the BILLS to Draft a QB in 2016 in either 1st or 2nd round in a drafted being touted as quite deep at the QB position.

^^^this

He did about Fred, sorry I don't have the link but it was in a Tweet, he essentially said that if Fred can get cut, anyone can...and that's a good thing.

Honestly, I don't think the BILLS will miss any player....I know Whaley has taken some sharp criticism over the last couple weeks, but IMHO, he's done a hell of a job actually IMPROVING the roster from last year and not a single player I can think of, will actually be missed in terms of causing the BILLS to lose games. I love Fred Jackson, but given the roster at this point, it was time to move on....as for the rest, none of them I think do something their replacements can't and in fact, I think their replacements are better.

Bryce Brown is a very talented back, and in other threads and as others have noted, his fumble issues have been greatly exaggerated. I love Fred Jackson and am grateful for what he has done and did for the BILLS' organization and for the people of Western NY, he was exactly the kind of guy you want in a BILLS uniform. That said, it was time to move and he fumbled as well, let's not forget that, all RBs do at some point. Bryce Brown will be good back for the BILLS and I have faith in him and in the new, revamped Offensive Line and their Coach (despite is apparent inability to control his temper or act appropriately with juveniles, no matter what they did or said).

You dear Sir, I believe would be in the minority RE: your outlook at the beginning of the season.

In all due respect: No. Rex is saying exactly what he should be, do your damn job or find somewhere else to play. I realize he was fantastic the last two years for the BILLS, but as someone who loves this team and has seen mediocrity be the standard for far too long, I'm okay with a HC and his staff say, "Hey, you better get your sh*t together or we're finding someone who does". The Kicker is NOT the least valued option on a playoff team - See Vinateri, Adam and Gostkowski, Stephen - only in Fantasy Football does a Kicker not get his true value. Especially in Buffalo - you need a clutch Kicker who has a hammer for a leg and is accurate. I also agree that I'm not in favor of carrying 2 Kickers, for any reason. You have Special Teams tacklers for a reason, let them go out and hit someone. Keep an extra LB or WR so he doesn't end up with the Patsies....