ChanOverChin

I am depressed about the way that Nix and Co. are handling things this year. Without a viable QB to tout they can't even pry a guy coming off of an ACL tear from his original team with more money. When it comes to priorities a viable starting QB has to be #1 on the list. Without one we have no hope to win and no hope to be able to sign quality veteran FAs..............................and we need to be able to sign some quality vet FAs because our six draft picks cannot possibly fill all of the holes that have been created. With that said, here's an updated list of available FAs that could help us: Some Available Veteran Free Agents Brandon Moore LG Brandon Lloyd WR. Darrius Heyward-Bey WR Calvin Pace OLB Nick Barnett OLB James Harrison OLB Shaun Phillips OLB Michael Boley OLB Karlos Dansby ILB Daryl Smith ILB Tracy Porter CB Mike Jenkins CB Brent Grimes CB Nnamdi Asomugh CB. Your thoughts?? I'm concerned that no FA will want to sign with us until they see who our potential starting QB will be.

The problem is that the Bills need to get better at multiple positions in order for the new QB, whomever it is, has a fighting chance to succeed. The Bills need a young QB like G. Smith or Barkley to develop and they need to improve at various offensive positions as well such as LG/TE/WR. The Bills have a very good shot at getting either Smith or Barkley and I think they should take one of them at #8 overall.

USC Quarterback Matthew Montgomery Barkley!! ,,,,,,and it's not even a difficult decision for them. Don Banks put out his most recent mock draft and seems to agree......... 8QB Matt Barkley USC Sr. 6-2 227 It didn't take listening in on Buddy Nix's phone calls or sitting with Doug Marrone at breakfast last week in Phoenix to figure out the Bills are the most quarterback-desperate team in the NFL. Just check the depth chart: Tarvaris Jackson and Aaron Corp. Barkley will be on the rise if he turns in an impressive Pro Day showing Wednesday at USC, with the priority being he flashes the necessary arm strength scouts need to see. The Bills might wish they could wait until the second round to find their quarterback, and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib would be their hoped-for target in that case, but I just don't believe Buffalo has that luxury. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130327/nfl-mock-draft-3/#ixzz2OlQLtz8c

Your logic is flawed. If everyone of those QBs you mentioned played in the same syste under the same coach you might have a point. Barkley is not those guys. He's a brother from a different mother. I happen to think that the Bills will very seriously consider taking Barkley at #8 overall because they know that they're chancing of getting him in R2 are slim and chancy. The Bills need a franchise caliber QB and Barkley has the pedigree to fill that role. SI's Don Banks just put out his latest moch draft. Guess who he has going to Buffalo at *8 overall?? 8QB Matt Barkley USC Sr. 6-2 227 It didn't take listening in on Buddy Nix's phone calls or sitting with Doug Marrone at breakfast last week in Phoenix to figure out the Bills are the most quarterback-desperate team in the NFL. Just check the depth chart: Tarvaris Jackson and Aaron Corp. Barkley will be on the rise if he turns in an impressive Pro Day showing Wednesday at USC, with the priority being he flashes the necessary arm strength scouts need to see. The Bills might wish they could wait until the second round to find their quarterback, and Syracuse's Ryan Nassib would be their hoped-for target in that case, but I just don't believe Buffalo has that luxury. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130327/nfl-mock-draft-3/#ixzz2OlQLtz8c

Fitz was set to make $10M+ this year. That's not chump change for an NFL starting QB. Nix finally realized that Fitz wasn't worth that kind of money and was ultimately released as a result. The irony is that Fitz could have probably stayed with the Bills as the starter for about half that amount, but instead chose to go to Tenn. as the delegated backup QB for about $2M.

Nix has no businees being an NFL GM. He got the job because of his familiarity with Wilson. He was a long time NFL scout, but that doesn't qualify him to match wits with the top flight NFL minds that are the GMs of other NFL teams. I'm afraid that the Bills will NEVER get back to their early '90s glory years until they hire a top flight NFL caliber GM. It all starts at the top. The GM is responsible for far too many decisions for him to not be very good at what he does. At the very least Nix needs to find us a high quality QB to build around. That should have been his highest priority on Day 1. We have no hope without one. Fitz was nothing but a tease. He was never any better than adequate before the Bills picked him. I don't understand why the Bills thought they could make him much better than that and pay the MF $10M+ per season. What a joke!!

Fred Davis is a very good TE. Athletes are recovering from ACL tears much better these days than they have in the past. The Bills are obviously not going to sign Davis if his doctors don't clear him. My guess is that he will be ready to play by opening day or sooner. The recovery time is usually 8-12 months.

Unfotunately, I don't think we have the luxury of signing guys like Dansby or Grimes or Porter. These guys are going to command big money most likely. I'd love to see the Bills sign Dansby and Grimes, but you might as well be wishing for guys like Revis and Welker. Nix is a draft expert (so called). He's not a high quality GM who knows how to make trades, stockpile draft picks, and find stellar FAs for reasonable dollars. Sure he can get a stud FA like M. Williams, but he only had to pay a cool $100M to get him. That's way, way, way overpriced and that's the kind of signing that puts where we are today with having to sign so many low tier FAs to fill many, many positions. The Bills need a GM with experience who knows what he's doing and who can wheel and deal on occasion. The best GM the Bills ever had was Bill Polian. The biggest mistake R. Wilson ever made was firing Polian. Even at Polian's advanced age, he's a much more knowledgeable and better prepared NFL GM. If the Bills don't want Polian as their GM, I would at least hire him as a trusted advisor.

Keep in mind that the FAs that I have advocated are NOT the ones that I would prefer to have the Bills sign, but players that could be signed from the cap space that we have available while filling some positions of need. Beggars can't be choosers. The Bills will be lucky to get Barkley at #8. While Smith is more highly regarded (and likely to be drafted within the top 5 picks) Barkley's drafting position is much more up in the air because he hasn't been able to show all that he can do yet. I'm very concerned that the Cards will snap Barkley up right in front of us at #7 overall OR some team will trade up in front of us to get him. It's pretty obvious that the Bills are in need of a QB with only journeyman T. Jackson and camp fodder Corp on the roster. If we can get Barkley I will consider the 2013 draft a success. I know some people think we ought to wait until next year, but there is no guarantee that we will be able to draft a top flight QB next year either (unless get earn the #1 spot overall.

Nix has said himself recently that he is NOT done with signing FAs. Thanks goodness for that. He has to know that he's not going to adequately fill all of the holes that he has created by releasing guys like Fitz/Levitre/D. Jones/Rinehart/Kelsay/Barnett/G. Wilson with just the six draft picks that he has this year. The Bills have an appoximate payroll of $105M at this point in time for 2013. With this year's cap set at $123M and the Bills needing almost $6M to sign their 2013 draft picks that leaves them with approximately $12M to sign their own FAs plus any outside FAs. That's not a lot of cap room especially since the Bills don't usually spend right up to the cap. Thus, at this point, the best approach to filling the existing holes with a viable NFL player is by signing low cost or "value" FAs. Here's a list of those type FAs that are currently available that I think the Bills could look to sign: 1. Resign DE K. Moore - He's still young and is a good pass rusher. 2. OG B. Moore - This is a no-brainer. He's a solid player much like Levitre was (minus the gigantic contract). 3. CB M. Jenkins - Big CB who can cover man to man and he's only 27. 4. TE K. Davis - 6'-7" with good hands. 5. Need a vet WR to go with SJ, Graham, B. Smith, and Easley. At the very least I would resign WR D. Nelson on the cheap. He was very productive until he suffered the injury. WR D. Alexander is another guy to look at. 6. ILB B. Scott - Good vet to lead what will surely be a very young LB corps. Knows Pettine's scheme. Sign him only if he comes cheap. 7. FS J. Leonhard - Good player. Can play FS and help on ST as well. Knows Pettine's defensive scheme. 8. I'd love to see the Bills sign another vet pass rusher as well. This is probably asking for too much, however. What the Bills do with their R1 pick this year will tell you what their mindset is for this year. If they stay at #8 overall and draft a QB (G. Smith/Barkley/Nassib) then I think they could be competitive, given the adds mentioned above. If they opt for a player other than a QB though at #8 overall, then I think it's going to be a long year and their mindset will be to build for the future (which is what EVERY YEAR seems to be be). BTW, I think Barkley is the gem in this year's draft..........with Nassib not far behind. Smith is a better athlete than both, but doesn't read defenses as quickly or quite as well, which is critical to having success in the NFL. I would consider Barkley at #8, but not Nassib. If I wanted Nassib, I would either trade back from #8 to the latter part of R1 or the early part of R2 OR keep the #8 pick and trade up to the latter part of R1 or the early part of R2. Nassib's stock is rising steadily. He could easily be drafted in R1. Considering our current plight, I would consider signing and then trading Byrd (who I think is a great player) for a bevy of SF draft picks. Nix needs to learn to make trades. Staying with his 6 draft picks is not going to allow him to speed up the improvement of the team.

Wow, there's obviously still a lot of very good players there. Are the Bills waiting to get some of these guys on the cheap by waiting them out?? We have MAJOR holes at QB/TE/WR/LG/ILB/OLB/S. We can't possibly adequately fill those positions with only SIX draft picks. Is Buffalo's strategy to go in the tank this year in order to garner a high draft pick next year...........and then select their franchise QB?? It's sure starting to look that way. If the plan is indeed to go into the tank and hide then I don't see the Bills trying to do very much in free agency. Even if they do plan to "tank one for the team" they would be wise to pick up some younger FAs to build around. Here are my recommendation for the two scenarios below: 1. Tanking one for the team: ILB Rey Maualuga - Improvement over what we have OG Brandon Moore - Need a vet OG (just to keep our QB upright) Draft QB M. Barkley at #8 overall. 2. Trying to actually be competive: ILB Rey Maualuga - Improvement over what we have WR Brandon Lloyd - Need a vet WR (did not fit well with NE, but is still a productive player) ILB Brad Jones - Improvement over what we have CB Mike Jenkins - Need a vet CB (could be solid #2 or #3 CB behind Gilmore) OG Brandon Moore - Need a vet OG Draft QB M. Barkley at #8 overall.

4 yrs, $12M - $7M in first two yrs.

I have very little confidence in BNixthe follwowing players thus far: DL DeVito - signed w/ KC WR B. Gibson TE D. Keller WR N. Washington - possible trade. It doesn't appear that players are in any hurry to sign with the train wreck that BNix has created. Meanwhile Miami has already signed Wallace, Ellerbe, and Wheeler. Bucs are close to getting both Revis and Goldson. What's interesting is the no. of players that are being released after a team has made a signing. Miami has released LB K. Burnett and LB Dansby for instance. I have very little confidence in BNix to improve this team. We are going backwards. Even when he signs players he makes fatal mistakes. It's time for him to go. Bill Polian needs to be hired at the very least as an advisor to the team. The Bills need somebody who has some savvy and who bargain with other teams. We have no starting QB and have lost our starting LG................with nothing to show for either player. Does Nix really expect to improve this team measurably with just our six draft picks?? The schmoe has got to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm making it very plain that I'm squarely in Matt Barkley's corner. He is the guy that I think we should draft at #8 overall because he won't last until when we draft in R2. He is the difference-maker that we desperately need at QB. I believe that Barkley is the best QB in this year's draft. I believe that he would start for the Bills at QB from Day 1 if he were drafted. The quote in my title above comes from a piece written by SI's Peter King in which Barkley describes what he's learned from hanging out with Peyton Manning. What he's learned, in so many words, is that to be succcessful in the NFL as a QB you have to be a great leader and in order to be a great leader you have to be able to command the respect of your teammates in order to have them put in the time that is needed to work out together so that all will get better. In the same article, Barkley disspells the notion that he is a typical Cali kid (so many on this site have claimed that he fits that stereotype). Barkley seems very confident and very sure of himself without being cocky. "As I start my NFL career,'' he said, "I really want to set the record straight on a few things. People look at me like I'm some Cali boy, but I'm not that way -- I don't even know how to surf. I'm a football junkie. I'm football, 24/7.'' Barkley would be a top 5 pick if it weren't for the status of his arm/shoulder, which he is currently rehabbing. "My Pro Day will dispel those myths about my arm,'' he predicted. We can only hope that Barkley continues to fly under the radar because that's the only real shot that we will have at drafting him. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl/news/20130225/nfl-combine-peter-king-monday-morning-quarterback/#ixzz2M7Nb7EHF

There's always someone in the crowd looking to say something negative. I guess it goes wit the territory. Someone's always looking to put the attention on themselves. Rob Johnson, for one, never had the pedigree that Barkley has had. Take the time to research Barkley's career from HS 'til now. You will be impressed. The fact the Barkley played for USC has nothing to do with his future success as a pro. He grew up in California and was the no. 1 prospect in the country coming out of HS so it only stands to reason that he would be highly recruited by a top notch college football program like USC and then ultimately play for them. I'm telling you, Barkley is the phashizzal!! He's all that and a bag of chips!! The stars may have finally aligned for the Bills believe it or not. If Barkley hadn't been injured last year (and the fact is that he's still not fully healed) he would not be flying under the radar like he is right now with so many people confused as to whether G. Smith or T. Wilson of EJ Manuel might be better prospects. He'd be taking center stage as the top QB prospect in this draft. But as it is, he's not. He's flying under the radar because he didn't play a full season last year and teams are questioning his arm strength because he hasn't fully recovered from his injury. All of that is very good news for the Bills because if Barkley was completely healthy and other NFL teams did have the opportunity to puruse him over time there is no way that the Bills would have a shot at him at #8 overall.

The Bills recognize that they need someone who is big AND fast to pair with Stevie. I'd like to see us obtain a vet WR if possible since the learning curve for rookie WRs to show significant productivity is around three years. How about Barkley throwing to D. Bowe and S. Johnson and Graham with H. Miller and S. Chandler at TE and Spiller/F. Jackson at RB??

none other than Mr. Matthew Montgomery Barkley. The Bills already know it. Geno Smith is a much better athlete, and thus, won't last to #8 overall since NFL teams are now enthralled with "read option" QBs. He'll be the first QB drafted this year. He looks like another C. Kaepernick on film. Tyler Wilson sucked at the combine. That does not bode well for him. Barkley has been nothing but a stud QB his entire life......from HS (#1 in the nation) to college (#1 in the nation).......and now to the pros. He wile the Bills' pick at #8 overall..............if he lasts that long. The more time that the NFL scouts and coaches have to dissect this year's QBs the more they will see that Barkley is the true future gem. He can make all of the throws, make the right reads, will stay out of trouble off the field, and will be the team leader that the Bills need. I've said it a million times already........the Bills must make it their top priority to obtain a franchise QB this year. There are a ton of available pass rushers and WRs, but future franchise QBs.....not so much. The team has no hope without a franchise QB. Fitz and Jax are not good enough. I wish they were. Draft Barkley and he will start from Day 1. That's when the road back to prosperity will begin.

He'd be a nice addition. He's big, experienced, a great leader, and a great run stuffer. Probably only a 2 down player though. The Bills got rid of Barnett to make room for a guy like this. A guy who Pettine really likes and needs to help make his defense a success.

If the Bills have any sense they will take a QB with their R1 pick (whether at #8 or further down in R1 should they trade down in R1). from what I have heard and read, Matt Barkley if considered by many NFL scouts to be an NFL franchise QB. He may not be ready right away, but like GB's Rodgers, NFL scouts really like his potential be a future franchise QB.

Fitz is nothing more than a quality BACKUP QB. Thus, he should be paid like one. He knows he not an elite QB (not even in the top 20 in the NFL) and yet the Bills have a contract with him to pay him over $10M/season. Most of the QBs in the league who are better than Fitz are not being paid more than $10M/season. Buddy Nix is a jacka$$ for paying Fitz that kind of money and should be fired for it. We've seen Fitz's ceiling. He's not going to get any better than he's shown folks. Nix knows it and finally realizes that he needs to draft a young QB who has a much higher ceiling. Heck, draft TWO QBs this year!! I would seriously consider it because: 1. You're not going to find a quality FA QB and not have to pay him M. Williams type money. 2. The Bills are never going to turn things around without a drafted young QB to develop.

Drafting SIX QBs may be a lil too much, but the obvious premise is there. I think the Bills need to consider revamping their entire QB depth, meaning they should plan to dump Fitz, TJ, and all others in favor of acquiring a vet QB (how about Rothlisberger - the Steelers are displeased with him after last season or possibly A. Smith??) and then draft TWO QBs in this year's draft. Let's face it, the Bills are going nowhere and have no future without a franchise QB. Obtain Rothlisberger, draft a QB in R1 and possibly in R3 or R4 and maybe, just maybe, the Bills will finally have a franchise QB to build around.

The Bills need players like pollard who are hard hitters. The Ravens just showed the world how to beat the Pats.........and that is to beat them up. Hit them hard when they catch or run the ball. They play with so many smallish players (Woodhead/Welker/Vereen/etc.) that it's amazing that they haven't been pounded before. Ironically, it's the same stretegy that Belichick employeed against the Bills when he was DC of the Giants in the SB. Hitting guys hard whe the catch or run the ball is just pure football. Sometimes guys are going to get hurt or even knocked out. That's part of the game. We need to play that way on defense to be able to beat the Pats.

Pollard is a game changer. We could certainly use a player like him. The Ravens showed the world how to beat the Pats................and that is to knock the snot out of their receivers every chance you get. Welker took a beating. Ridley got knocked out. You wanna beat the Pats then you must make their smallish players (Welker/Vereen/Woodhead/etc.) pay the price every time they touch the ball. That's what the Ravens did to them. Belichick is not taking it well. He refused to meet with CBS after the game.

A little friendly advice for Nix and the Bills, when all else fails and you're not sure what to do, draft a player from the Univ. of Alabama. So many very good players. Very well coached. Already having played in pro schemes. Competed against the very best competition...........and dominated it. They looked like men playing against boys. Nix likes to draft players from the south and the SEC so hopefully the Bills will be able to grab 2-3 'Bama players.

It's way too early to be doing this because we don't really know the true value of the draft picks. The bottom line though is that the Bills need to be focusing on obtaining a solid QB.