BigBuff423

Alex Boone anyone? Not that I think it will happen, but not entirely out of the question either. Much of this could be resolved long term if Marrone would just allow Kujo to develop as a RG, much could be relieved. But alas....

To be fair though, you would appear to be just a tad biased based on your signature....just making an observation...not really agreeing or disagreeing with anything anyone said or implied...but, it does appear you have a "favorite"...

I honestly do not understand the Russ Brandon vitriol on this board. Because for all the errors in judgment and mistakes many people want to pin on Brandon, that are usually undeserved mind you, they fail to then pass the praise on him for hiring of Nix, Whaley and other FO staff and subsequently be a part of the process for Marrone and getting out of the Toronto deal AFTER the deal made the team some very much needed money...it boggles my mind really. I'm not saying he's Christ in human form, just that maybe a balanced and reasoned approach to critiquing the pros and cons of his decisions and placing the responsibility of said decisions in their appropriate place....but, I suppose that is too much for some. Whatever, either way, I hope Brandon stays on, Pegula is unanimously approved tomorrow, DW continues as GM and FO continues doing their job, and of course a playoff season for the BILLS...and then, the BILLS finally, after many years and failures, at all costs secure a true, long-term answer to the QB position, even if that means allowing Orton to stay at the helm for an additional year while the next QB develops - EJ or Drafted Rookie "X"...

Go.....away.

Another thing I didn't realize at the time, was that was a 3rd and 10 play...ballsy to make a call and such a throw given the point in the game this throw and catch was made...and that throw was incredible! But the catch was also fantastic.

I think Sammy will have a great career and hope it is all in the Buffalo BILLS uniform, but I didn't like giving up that much in the first place and now, I just think the BILLS could have used Odell Beckham just as much to this point and kept the 2015 1st Round pick....JMO

Assuming the Pegulas are officially voted in as the BILLS' new owners, it will be so much more than just an exciting time for new ownership and new philosophy regarding team management. To me, what will also be rewarding is the potential respect the Pegulas will bring to the NFL owners circle. RW was often seen in a derogatory light in large part due to his age, frequently being referred to an old codger and past his time, yet many failed to see his brilliance and adept ability at comprehending the complexities of the current NFL, i.e. the CBA that resulted in a stoppage in the NFL when it was just him and the Browns (owners not team) who opposed it...his insight came to bear years later when that same CBA brought the entire NFL to a screeching halt yet few were willing to choke down some crow and laud RW for his foresight...RW was extremely intelligent and insightful regarding NFL business but due to his age he was often seen as merely and old miser owner who didn't want to see the NFL advance, and while those people would be very wrong, the perception continued nonetheless. So, with the Pegulas - assuming they're allowed into the inner sanctum of NFL ownership - credibility from an ownership standpoint is returned despite RW doing a hell of a job with this team over the course of five decades. And yes, RW made mistakes and errors in judgment but honestly, show me an NFL owner or CEO or NFL GM that doesn't make mistakes, but it was never at the expense of his loyalty and love for the Buffalo BILLS and WNY. I'm grateful to see the dedication of a gentleman and his family to keep the BILLS in WNY, but I am also excited to see some respect restored based on a new owner and even more respect *EARNED* on the field if and when that time comes....and this Sunday for all the reasons I just mentioned, is a day when some of that can begin anew with transition to the Pegulas and a WIN over the Pats! Go BILLS! and Go PEGULAS!!!

Assuming these statements are even close to accurate, and I know Fisher has since come out refuted he ever made such statements, this begs the question: why did Buddy Nix ignore EJ's own college coach? Is it such hubris that Nix presumed to know better than the very coach who spent years with EJ? This, only highlights the issue of being wise in listening to others even when you disagree...carefully consider the information and its source. Oh well, bring on the 2015 Draft...relax, it's a joke...or is it?

Saw that and thought it was awesome of Wood to do that...if you're going to criticize the play of a particular player, be man enough to include him so he can respond when possible....articles written for a publication don't allow for such dialogue, but in the Twitter-verse, no reason not to...unless, you'd rather they not notice or be forced to make a compelling statement with facts and persuasive argument rather than just throwing it out there and hoping people accept your bullsh*t without question....and in this case, that is EXACTLY what such a statement truly is...utter, bullsh*t

I think it's impossible to predict wins-losses in today's NFL, as others have said due to parity...but what makes *THIS* season different, is the feeling and belief that the BILLS could win any of those games and virtually any game on the schedule except for maybe Denver, but even Green Bay, as good as they are - have their ugly warts and at home it makes a big difference....so, no way to guess how many wins / losses the BILLS will have after the next 7 games, but at least for now it feels good to know they could win any of them and may win the majority of them...Orton and QB play will most likley be the deciding factor for the rest of this year, good - bad - or ugly..

I'll tell you what stands out, in addition to the other things mentioned earlier by other posters, is that it seemed the Cowboys were often in 3rd and long, and with as many pass attempts as Orton had, they also apparently didn't effectively establish the run. Two things I hope are vastly different on Sunday.

RE: body language and the larger context, also agreed which also probably makes his statements the more transparent.

Unfortunately, I think Detroit is the lynchpin in these next 4 games...if the BILLS win against Detroit, the next 3 are very much up for grabs...based on how NE is playing, I could see the BILLS taking that one, Minnesota at home could be another win and then @NYJ is the one where I question how the Offense would fare against Rex's Defense...so, IF and it's a tremendous IF the BILLS could somehow find a way to win against the Lions, there really is a chance to go 3-1 or even 4-0.

I think I understand your point about Watkins' statements, but at the same time, I don't think he intended it as a "dig" at EJ, but more an observation about what has changed...now certainly, we all read it as a criticism, but I don't think his intent was malicious, just not careful about choosing his words to indicate the difference between the two....also agreed though, that media interviews take some savvy and realize you're not at Clemson anymore, all of your words are amplified, and that takes time, IMO...

I think Fred is right and I don't think the BILLS' brass has "given up" on EJ as a whole, but realize their original plan for EJ to take the time to mature as a QB to be ready for the NFL was and still is, the right one...I have no clue if EJ will ever be a good to great NFL QB, but I do know right now, as of today, he doesn't give the team the best chance to win based on what I have seen thus far...it really is too soon to determine what his long-term value will be as a QB, but I also agree that Drafting a QB high next year, i.e. 2nd or 3rd round, would make a great deal of sense. The BILLS could have their Rookie QB, EJ, and Orton all coming in ready to play and whomever wins that QB job, plays...presumably, if Orton plays well (and I'm not suggesting he will or he won't) Orton would keep that job for at least another year and not rush the Rookie QB or EJ into something unnecessarily....allow both of those QBs to learn and develop while Orton is holding the job and he's only doing that IF he is producing and playing fairly well, at least well enough for the BILLS to win....also, as others have stated, Fred is just one hell of a guy - in a day and age of narcissism and "me" centered philosophy it is truly refreshing to see a man like Fred conduct himself the way he has, all the more respect for Fred Jackson...

I'm not an EJ fan, although I am reserving full judgment, and there is much debate about the reality of the pick, but Nix was the GM at the time of the Draft and conducted three separate interviews, before, during, and after the Draft indicating EJ was his pick. Nix said before the Draft they would be Drafting a QB, the day following the 1st round selection of EJ defending it by saying everyone of the QBs in that Draft had issues but they liked EJ's upside, and then again discussed the pick of EJ as "his guy" and why he believed EJ could be the QB of the future for the BILLS....you can disagree with him, you can argue that Whaley had some say about he pick and you can speculate about how made the ultimate decision, but what we nor the OP can actually do, is remove the words spoken by Nix out of his own mouth as fact...in another thread in Pre Season when I was being shouted down for my serious reservations of EJ and my advocacy to let Tuel play with the 1's in the final Pre Season game, because Orton was not here and Thad was terrible, I posted 3 links to all three interviews, if you're interested have a listen...but facts are Nix insisted then that EJ was his selection, the rest is all conjecture and speculation - true or not, I have no idea but putting that out there for consideration....what is NOT debatable about DW IMHO, is his failure to secure a better Veteran option last year and this, but mostly, this year until Orton several days before the bullets started flying....on all other aspects, Whaley has earned my respect thus far...

Based on results of their respective jobs, IMHO, Brandon and Whaley along with much of their staffs retain their jobs...however, if Marrone continues to fail to act decisively, even if that's taking over the play-calling for the Offense, then I don't think Marrone reaches a 3rd year and if all those aforementioned things are true, he shouldn't...I like Marrone, and I really do think he can coach, but in the NFL coaching is only one aspect of what your responsibilities are, others include assessing your own coaches and staff and making adjustments as needed and Hackett isn't getting it done...I feel for the guy since he really does seem like a nice and energetic man, and probably smart in some respects, but his play-calling has been questionable at times and atrocious at others...and, this EJ thing is sinking the team, sorry Fred - but I don't care what you say, a change at QB would absolutely make a difference

I still like Marrone as a Coach overall, I give him credit for sticking with Crossman and DW getting him the players to execute as sadly STs - the worst of the squad a year ago - is now a real strength and maybe the best unit on this team, but Offensive play-calling and continuing to force EJ into a position is he not ready for, may very well be his undoing and equally detrimental to my opinion of him as all other things are positive in my mind....Marrone, I think can Coach in the NFL and can lead a team, but if his refusal to accept that this team is built to win THIS year, not next year or the year after, and therefore make some difficult decisions such as benching EJ and taking over the play-calling then I start to lose my support of him...EJ, may (and I have my serious doubts about this) *develop* into an NFL QB but he is nowhere near ready to do so now and not this year....FWIW, this is not the first and probably won't be the last as I'm sure he starts next week much to my chagrin, time I've said such things and it's not bashing EJ, it's that the ORIGINAL plan was to have a Vet QB lead this team, to get wins and build team chemistry and, and allow EJ to develop slowly rather than forcing the issue, the BILLS Coaches and FO should at the very least go back to their original plan....maybe EJ is the guy next year and for the next 10 years, I really don't know, but I *do* know that he is not ready...and as others have said, including myself in other threads, it is unfair to tie your entire team and it's future to one individual when all other aspects of this team are playoff ready...if this team were the Jags, I understand let your Rookie QB learn and grow with the rest of the team, but in this case, all other phases are ready to go....however, to the OP's point about Whaley, I strongly disagree - except for in the case of Manuel although we've had this debate about it being Nix's call or if Whaley was on board or if Whaley actually made the decision, but failure to address the QB position until one week before the start of the season that does fall on DW's shoulders...however, let's not forget all the good DW has done otherwise, none of us are perfect and make great decisions all the time, this is a glaring failure for DW, but in nearly every other aspect he's been dead on...my 2 cents.

@bandit...you want to take this one?^^^^

^^^^^^^^Essentially, absolutely right on IMHO...and I too believe Pegula will err on the side of caution initially and allow an objective set of eyes to evaluate what is truly transpiring at OBD...I don't think Whaley should lose his job, but whomever is doing the QB evaluations, should probably be set aside and a good QB evaluator allowed in the facility...nearly every other aspect has been outstanding when it comes to the last few Drafts and even FA signings, except Chris Williams that is looking more like a true fail, but QBs are the entirety of player assessment in the most prominent single position in a team sport in all of sports and it needs to be done right....so, let's hope the BILLS already have gotten right although I have my serious reservations about that but if they don't I want DW and Marrone to have the balls to come out and say, "Nope, EJ isn't the long-term Franchise QB we thought he would mature into, so now we're scrapping the EJ project and moving on..."

I can't say I agree in whole with your observations / statements / conclusions but I will say that I agree, failing to provide an adequate Vet QB is on Whaley's shoulders and more to the point, they should have gone the slow progress route THIS year, the original plan, with the idea to start EJ possibly next year under the assumption they brought in someone like Orton during the Off-Season and not a week before the NFL season kicked off...however, in a passing answer to a question during a presser on Wednesday, someone asked him about the departure of Fitz and Marrone stated he had no bearing on that decision whatsoever, which begs the question how much he had to say about EJ's Draft status as it appears more likely that he is merely doing the best he can with what he has...I'm not saying he did or didn't just that Marrone emphatically answered he had no voice at the table to dismiss or cut Fitz which only leads me to believe DW didn't exactly listen to Marrone, IF he had any concerns about EJ as their future and highly doubt Marrone had any input on which Vet would be targeted in their first season and had no idea about Orton until he was already in the building, so that speaks more to a lack of communication between the Dougs which is also disconcerting....

I have to agree...Thursday night games are fun to watch, except when it's the BILLS, then it's just anticlimactic...at least if it were a Sunday night game, there would be a slow build to it and cap off the football day with the BILLS' game...but I remember thinking last year, well, that's it?? Now, of course I'll watch the games on Sunday, but with a very different sense of urgency and enjoyment (disappointment) despite my Fantasy Football team being in play...

I can't say I agree with the OP's original premise of "same old same old", but I can say I enjoy watching entertaining NFL games, regardless of who that may be...and that except for Jax, I think any football game is worth a watch...even Cleveland v. Tenn, I don't even know if they're scheduled this year, but that would be a game I would watch on a Thursday or Monday...and the Giants v. Foreskins is a good rivalry game, last weeks, Bucs v. Falcons was a Divisional game, Pitt v. Carolina was a good match-up and fun to watch...so, I'm not so sure that it's "always" the same teams...Giants have I think 5 prime time games, but oh well...and I like watching the Giants so that doesn't bother me, but even if it was Cowboys vs. 49ers, no dog in that hunt but I like the game...I just enjoy watching football so except for the watching the Jags in their abysmal looking stadium in a rain-storm, I'll watch any of it....

Last week's loss might have actually been a good thing. IMO, the team, particularly the Defense appeared flat, in effort and in zeal...I think coming off the emotional high of the prior Sunday at home against a Divisional opponent left a lump in their mid-section and made them lethargic to some degree...Chargers are not a Divisional opponent and it came AFTER two good wins, and BEFORE two road games, one them tough in Detroit....this game, to me, will be the litmus test of where the team's mentality truly is...EJ was bad last game, will he take the all-important stride as leader and a bona fide NFL QB and come out making throws that NFL QBs need to make? Will the Defense get its heart and passion back and play with a sense of urgency? Will the Offensive Line once again play to their size? And, will the Pre Season awareness and football intelligence show up to stem the tide of penalties the team took last week in what will be an uproarious stadium who are foaming to see their Texans team avoid falling off the edge?? These things to me, will be a good indication of where this BILLS team is mentally speaking...because except for EJ's questionable abilities as a QB, the rest of this team is playoff ready in talent and capability to play with any team, except maybe the Seahawks, but otherwise, I think that's true...JMO

I'm sick of watching an incompetent QB....14 years and counting (minus one season with Bledsoe while the Defense sh*t the bed)...I don't care if it's Big Bird throwing the ball with some velocity, spiral, and on target on time to get this Offense clicking, just F-IN do it!