WickedGame

Watching Merriman's press conference after the Bears game, I was impressed by his demeanor. He's got a good sense of where he fits in this defense, sounds like he as a good rapport with Dareus already, gives credit where it's due, and has the right balance between serious and playful. He looks mature and focused. If he combines that with high-level play, it'll be a good presence on this D.

Picke 'em...

Verizon customers can listen with the free NFL Mobile app, right?

I'd take a half-eaten cheerleader and an average-looking box of chocolates...

I love that this team is starting to get a personality...an identity. I can't come up with a single word for it, but it's there. You see it Fitz's "Amish Rifle" beard, his joking in the huddle, his clearly-just-for-fun "I went to Harvard" comments. You see it in Kyle's down-to-earth, "Whatever, I'm a real-world guy" mindset. It's in Stevie's "Why So Serious?" swagger, and in Marcel's hungry will to dominate. This group WANTS to win, wants to WORK for the wins, isn't crying over the disrespect. They're out to EARN respect. I'm not sure if we get to a winning season this season, necessarily, but I get a sense this club will earn respect for its refusal to roll over.

The most interesting part of that clip: Bill Belichick was 25-23 at the start of his 4th year as head coach. Guess it shows ya gotta start somewhere, right?

Who cares? Let's get Matsui in here to play RT.

Are the Bills shopping Lee Evans? Kevin Negandhi of ESPN says "I'm aware Buffalo got Brad Smith.. he's a fine player.. no need to keep reminding me.. he'll be a #2 WR on that team.." Link Is that just a poor understanding of the Bills depth chart, a commentary on Stevie, or a hint the Bills may be shopping one of their top two receivers?

"...an inviting red zone target..." Actually, it sounds a lot like Donte Whitner.

Can we petition the NFL to let Jasper where a triple digit jersey number? When you weigh in at a smidge over 400, I think you deserve a perk. Like a free meal if you eat the 96oz. steak.

If we get Tyson Clabo, I'm happy with free agency. TE Zach Miller would be nice (is he still a FA?), but Clabo would be more useful.

We're definitely drafting guys who are passionate about football. Dareus, Sheppard...look at Moats last year, or even back to Wood. These are guys who get fired up and love the game. I love that!

Anybody remember how many times Drayton Florence was called for pass interference? I seem to remember him getting flagged several times on 3rd and long. Usually resulted in a touchdown. I bet that pisses a coach off...

Here's a rough synopsis of the logic around here: Jim Kelly was awesome. Ryan Fitzpatrick IS NOT Jim Kelly. Therefore, Ryan Fitzpatrick sucks. Ryan Fitzpatrick sucks. Andy Dalton/Ryan Mallett/Colin Kaepernick IS NOT Ryan Fitzpatrick. Therefore, Dalton/Mallett/Kaepernick does not suck. Does not suck > Does suck. Therefore, we need to draft Dalton/Mallett/Kaepernick, or we suck. And anyone who says otherwise is an idiot.

Is Fitz perfect? No. Is he a great QB? No. Is he a pretty good QB who gives us a chance to win? Yes. In his first game of 2010, AT New England, he put us in a position to tie in the final minutes. AT Baltimore, he put on a show and had us in position to win. The D surrendered the win in OT. AT Kansas City, he took us to OT against the Chiefs. The D surrendered the win in OT. Against Chicago, we were tied in the final minutes. The D surrendered a game-ending field goal. He led us to victory against the Lions. He led an epic come-from-behind thumping of the Bengals in Cincy. He took us to OT against the Super Bowl Steelers and had a perfectly thrown ball to Stevie in OT to win it...dropped. He got wins over Cleveland and Miami. Yes, I'm cherry-picking stats. Yes, our 4 wins came against mediocre teams. But our close losses came against playoff teams. Wins are what matters, which is why I'm not giving him credit for being a champion. But there were A LOT of units that let this team down, and in a majority of the cases, it wasn't our quarterback. We need a star QB, but Andy Dalton and Ryan Mallett aren't stars. We have enough "average," thank you.

More Bermanesque options: Marcel "Block Him if You Dare"-eus Marcel "Double Dog Dare"-eus

Think we can't knock your quarterback out of the game? DARE|US?

Eggsaktly. If Carolina can't convince themselves Newton is worth the gamble, they pick Dareus. Denver has a choice between Miller and Peterson (they pick Miller) and Buffalo settles for the consolation prize: A choice between Newton and Gabbert. Fairley's stock is falling. Buffalo's not sold on Quinn. #3 is too high for Jordan. We don't really need Peterson. Bowers is a medical risk we can't afford. A quarterback pick 'em is our lot in this scenario. MAYBE that scenario attracts suitors for the trade-down, but who knows.

I fear Newton is in love with himself, his past success, and his natural talent. Something tells me he won't do the things you need to do as a pro to be a great quarterback. I contrast that with Tim Tebow, who I think of as a lesser talent, but with the will and desire to do anything necessary to lead his team to victory. Fairley is big and nasty, but dumb as bricks and not focused. If he can focus on football and commit to working to be the best at his job, he'll be a beast. If he doesn't make football his life, though, he'll be a big disappointment.

I believe our defensive troubles comes down to coaching. Yes, our DC inherited a lot of mediocre talent, and yes, we were shifting to a 3-4. But Chain Gailey took a pathetic offense (be honest, that's what it has been for years) and made it respectable -- and did so with a no-name cast. He recognized the QB fail within a few weeks, made a change, and gave the offense a spark and an identity. What did DC Edwards do when he recognized mediocre talent and poor execution? Nothing. He didn't get mediocre players to "play up" as Gailey did. He didn't take swift, decisive action to bench or cut dead wood. He didn't stamp an identity on the D. He didn't give give young prospects playing time to gain experience. We need an infusion of talent on the D, but we also need a coach who can make chicken salad out of our current check sh**. I believe the current regime is doing what Levy said he would do (but didn't): Righting the ship. Before we can be a good football team, we have to purge the worthless, form a plan, and build on a solid foundation. Year One was "eliminate the suck" -- let's see what Year Two brings.

Tennis racket by Chanel...handbag by Louis Vuitton...Bills defense by Charmin.

I submit for your amusement... Tom Brady Dance Party Enjoy!

Dude, we're having an argument ABOUT A ROBOT. On Jeopardy.

Criticizing community members for being too negative or too positive is easy. Where do you stand on the SUBSTANCE of the post? If you don't agree with my assessment of the players and their value relative to the #3 pick, explain why and offer a counter argument.

Yeah, I was a little confusing on that, but you got it about right: I'm not crazy about 3rd because it's like have pick of the litter when we actually need the whole litter. Strange as it sounds, at least if we were in our traditional 9 spot (or 8 or 7 or 6...) it'd be a little clearer who the best player available is at a position of need. At 3, you could argue four or five are best players available, and that there are 8-10 darn good players who fill a position of need. So, trade down? Sure, sounds obvious, but we all no finding a dance partner isn't as easy as it sounds. And we don't even know if Buddy and Chan would even consider it. How's that...clear as mud? Spot on assessment of Fitz. His quick release (indeed, refreshing) and decision-making/leadership (ditto) and confidence are all great. It's like he's got the best of Trent (release) and JP (confidence). Now if only he had the arm of Kelly and the accuracy of...I dunno, whoever we know that was accurate. Of course, he had the beard, too. I think we could get a 3rd rounder for the beard.