uncle flap

I was calling him out just because he was the straw that broke the camel's back. Maybe I should have titled the thread Thanks all you @$$&0!3$, but that would be a little hypocritical wouldn't it? Obviously it was a significant interaction since it caused Tim Graham to leave, and since generated 10 pages of replies. Hopefully, this will serve as a wake-up call to use the board a little more responsibly, for those that don't. I think it's reasonable for Tim (and SDS) to set simple guidelines for threads like Tim's, and how hard is it to abide by those guidelines? I mean Leonidas posted something that wasn't all that inflammatory on it's own, but it didn't belong there. Furthermore, once Tim replied to it, Leonidas couldn't take a hint, and lo and behold, here we are now. There are plenty of places to b*tch and moan about ESPN and the state of sports media, but come on, in an ask Tim Graham thread, you're going to ask him to tell his friend/coworker to STFU? I seriously would have no problem with a thread titled "Someone should tell Mike Reiss to STFU," but you're going to "ask TG" to do it? What did you think was going to happen- TG would say, "You're right Leonidas, I'm sick of him!" Let me just reiterate that I don't mean to pile on just Leonidas, but he sure made himself an easy target by representing the posters who lack respect for one another.

I agree with just about everything you say here. I'm certain the Bills will improve, and though I'm not sure how the W column will reflect this, we are seemingly on the right path. A big part of how the Bills do record-wise depends on the other teams, and maybe catching some breaks that have eluded them the past few years. I don't think there's any games on our schedule the Bills have zero chance of winning, and for the beginning of the season at least they'll have that element of surprise you speak of to counter the growing pains I'm sure will be apparent from switching schemes on both sides of the ball. One thing is for sure... by the end of the season we'll definitively know what we've got in our QBs. If it's Trent back there, and he can't get it done, he'll be out of excuses. I know the O line will still be an issue, but I get the impression Chan will call plays to minimize that weakness, as well as maximize Trent's strengths. So if we have to suffer through another year of garbage QB play, we can rest assured Chan & Buddy's TOP priority will be solving the QB deficiency, whether it means developing Brown or Brohm (or some other prospect), and even bringing in a capable vet while a long term solution develops. That said, I want Trent to excel cuz I'm tired of waiting to get back into the playoffs!!!!! GO BILLS!

but that means gailey recruited this guy tho right?

I wasn't aware that all smokers litter and that all non-smokers are a picture of health. I propose a fat guy ban. They smell, walk too slow, and take up too much space. Someone should keep them from ordering all that fast food. McDonald's et al do terrible things for the environment, and all that packaging gets littered or at best winds up in landfills. And those poor factory-farmed animals Tall people should be banned from the Ralph, too. I mean, god-forbid one of them sat in front of me and then I couldn't see our beloved Bills. I completely understand not wanting to be around smoke or smokers, but most people can deal with it without crying. Plus, I think an acceptable "compromise" has been met per the Ralph, so where is it that all these smokers are blowing filthy smoke into "your" air? I would suggest avoiding those places, since they are few and far between these days.

I won't attack you for claiming that Leonidas's rant was near genius, only bc you realized that it didn't belong there. Too bad he didn't. Why not start a thread on the state of sports reporting then? And I use twitter for a variety of things - admittedly some of them "childish," but don't knock something you haven't tried or fail to understand. As a news aggregator, twitter is on par with anything else.

I can't say I'm terribly surprised, but I am extremely disappointed. We've been warned and now this is what it's come to? Thanks Tim (if you ever bother to check the board again), I and many others really appreciate all your insight and you will certainly be missed.

interesting to see CJ and FJ neck and neck, with marshawn way off in the distance. well, not really. I love fantasy but these rankings are pretty much worthless at this stage of the game. I didn't really comb thru the list but Shonn Greene was the first person i saw rated way too high

where's Jeff Gillooly when you need him?

well, I'm hoping that Nelson steps up... and I will be watching Shawn Nelson with Buffalo... There are a lot of crazy posts on here but this one is up there. Of course I wish homegrown talent the best, and would be willing to give him a shot, but you've got to be nuts thinking we should have drafted him in the second round. Even if Gronkowski winds up being the best TE ever that still would've been the worst pick I cold imagine other than going for another RB after Spiller or a DB.

right. i should have said "less experienced" rather than younger

darth, i agree with a lot of your posts, but this is ludicrous. while fitz might be the best QB on the roster (i don't think he is), i'm willing to bet chan & co. don't see fitz as anything more than a back up, and unless they determine brohm is a bust, fitz is the most likely to get cut. No sense in "retarding" the younger players we have with more upside - © Buddy Nix everyone is going to say we know what we can get out of trent, but i don't think that's necessarily true. i am hoping this year will be a fresh start for him and then we really will know what we can get out of trent with competent coaching. yes, fitz has picked up a variety of offenses, and also has the most body of work to evaluate. but I think it's safe to say based on that that he has the least amount of upside. now i realize based on my logic regarding trent, fitz has just as good a chance to show how he fits into our new scheme, but i think his seemingly lack of upside gives every other QB the edge over him. and to your original point about there not being a competition- i agree chan has an idea by now who he wants to be the starter, but i don't believe that it's set in stone. we've got a long way to go before opening day and i'm just praying somebody steps up, whoever it is, and can play the entire season and develop chemistry with our young team- laying the foundation for the future

while i enjoyed watching this, when it was over i thought of two things- 1. i wish trent was simply consistent (and confident, if that's what affects his consistency). He has some talent, and it's not as if the times he was successful were purely due to luck. 2. by no means do i wish to say that trent is the answer, and i want whomever is going to put us in the best position to win (even if it's fitz *barfs*), but I am really interested to see what chan and co. and get out of trent. I know there are a ton of posters who will say "trent had his chances and we know what we'll get out of him." but what we don't know is if trent can succeed in an entirely new offense. Since we (and the bills) know what they'll get out of trent, how can we as observers know that what trent offers is or isn't good enough for chan? i don't think that trent will ever be a pro bowl caliber QB, but for everyone out there saying he flat out sucks i think it's more accurate to say trent isn't very good and neither was the oline, scheme, and play calling, so as a whole the offense sucked. maybe as a whole the offense can be successful despite not having a good QB, no matter who it is back there. and maybe brohm will throw for 4000 yds on the way to the superbowl. go bills!

Despite Chan repeatedly alluding to installing a run-heavy offense, I keep seeing national media bloggers referring to the idea that Chan will be running a spread offense. I don't watch a lot of college football, so can anyone tell me if there is such thing as a run-heavy spread offense or am I correct to assume these bloggers don't know what they're talking about? And in regards to our passing game- if we do employ a lot of 4 and 5 wide sets, could that mean that our stable of young receivers (especially Hardy, who reportedly has trouble reading defenses and adjusting his routes accordingly) will have a greater chance of success by running college style routes in a spread passing attack?

I'm honestly asking now. When did Lee or someone actually a part of the organization say that he's unwilling to run over the middle? Just because he hasn't done it extensively doesn't mean he is unwilling. I have a magic rock that keeps tigers away. You don't see any tigers around here do you?

I admit it's hard not to read too much into statements like this, but it wasn't like that was an answer to a question about Lee Evans. And I'll also admit Evan's recent production has left a lot to be desired, but I can't stand when he is criticized for not running over the middle. It's not like whoever is calling the plays is sending him on a route across the middle and then he flat out refuses. He would be on the bench in a heartbeat. If there is anyone to blame for Lee only running two routes it is the inept offensive play calling and designs courtesy of all the bums we just got rid of. Bottom line- although Evans might not physically be the prototypical wideout in Chan's/Buddy's eyes, he is too good to not have his talents utilized. Chan will find a way to put him in the position to be productive, and hopefully our QB can deliver.

man the kool-aid sure is sweet this time of year. i'm right with ya bro!

Right on. Since Gailey is known for tailoring an offense to his players' strengths, who knows who will be the best fit. Outside of Fitz, you can argue any of the other guys has the most natural talent (and I know we will), so it's going to come down to whose particular skill set fits in with our other players. Is mobility going to be a higher priority than release? Is arm strength going to be more important than reading the defense? We don't know so I know I'm interested to see what Chan and Co. come up with and I think when all is said and done one of our guys will come out head and shoulders above the rest, at least in terms of how they fit into our particular scheme. And in regards to Gailey tailoring an offense to his player's strengths, the QB that becomes the starter is going to be the one that compliments our intended uses of Spiller et al. The QB position won't be a strong point no matter who is under center, so I don't see the new system demanding a lot out of the position.

AMEN!

at least this year we picked maybin in the 6th round instead of the first

Awesome we are now North America's AND Asia's team (or at least China's)

yessssssssssssssss! i love the p[r]ick!!!!! (no homo)

A match made in heaven? I'm not really advocating for this, but does anyone think that Spiller might be the perfect compliment to Captain Checkdown? Maybe Gailey et al. do and obviously see the potential for big plays resulting from dump-offs to Spiller in the flat. Conversely, whoever is our QB is going to see the middle of the field open if defenses are forced to respect the threat of an outside swing pass. I see big things for Shawn Nelson this year, and whichever of our WRs wind up in the slot or find themselves slanting across the middle. Of course we need to wait to see who else is drafted- but as it stands I'm pumped that Spiller alone instantly improves our ENTIRE offense!

i don't have anything to add here because darth hit the nail on the head. campbell, charlie brown, and saffold are all still on the board right? is one of them next? or could it be my choice (please oh please) TERRENCE CODY?!?!!? GO BILLS!!!! Keep up the good work, Buddy!

that's not a bad idea at least vs the jets and their stacked secondary