WickedGame

I wish the Bills weren't picking at 3. Too many good choices, too many needs, too few picks to fill them. And then there are the talented players who don't fill the Bills biggest needs, but who would be great additions. Anywhere but #3. Blaine Gabbert's in that category, in my view. Defense is our biggest need. And Dareus is an enticing pick. I like Cameron Jordan, too, but not that high. Ditto Quinn. But if not Dareus at #3 -- and if that's too high for Jordan or Quinn -- then what? Take a flyer on Newton? I'd rather have Gabbert. Did you read this month's Sporting News? He was originally a pro-style quarterback -- he only switched to the spread at Missouri. And he's worked with a quarterback coach who has helped groom Bradford, Stafford, and Matt Ryan, and that coach feels Gabbert is cut from the same cloth. But again...is he worth it at #3? Are we patient enough to let him develop under Fitz? Or will he win the starting job? Are we willing to accept modest defensive upgrades in rounds 2-7, instead of a potential stud in round 1? For once, that #9 overall pick we're used to from recent years sounds like the better position.

I'm down in North Carolina, and trust me, Quinn is a beast. Even with a year off from football, I'd take him at 3. I'm not sure 3-4 OLB is our biggest need, but Quinn would TERRORIZE opposing quarterbacks. The size, the strength, the speed...yeah, yeah. Look at his closing power. If he's within an arm's length of the quarterback, he closes the deal. He doesn't generate pressures or QB hurries...he generates sacks. He's decent against the run, too...has a knack for finding the ball carrier. Not a run-stuffer, per se, but good in pursuit. His weakness is probably dropping into coverage. He's a better player than Von Miller by a mile and a half.

I DON'T believe there's a conspiracy against Buffalo. I do, however, players and agents are smart enough to recognize that a team with multiple, well-document needs is perceived as a potential competitive threat to any team interested in signing a player. You don't hear as much speculation about free agents making a swing through New England, Pittsburgh or Green Bay before settling on Buffalo. It's usually the other way around: They swing through Buffalo, Jacksonville and Oakland on their way to signing with a team almost over the hump. If they settle on Buffalo, it's more often a destination of last resort. I agree with you that the key to attracting more free agent talent is to be more competitive. Most players are happy to be the last missing piece for a team on the rise. Nobody wants to be relegated to purgatory in Buffalo. So...ironically...we have to get better before we can get better. We better hope a few of these recent draft picks emerge as true stars.

Since free agency (assuming it happens this year) is almost upon us, let's clarify what the Bills' role in free agency is. You'll see lots of "So-and-so could land with the Bills" articles and posts, then you'll see lots of so-and-sos landing elsewhere. That's our job: We're a bargaining chip for players. That's it. Our role is to be the (artificial) "Second Suitor" players use to leverage more money out of the team they intended to sign with all along. Yes, we'll land a low-level FA or two, but the vast majority of the "Headed to Buffalo?" articles are just smoke and mirrors...mere fabrications.

Donte needs to stop sounding like an over-emotional diva. Enough with the public "woe is me" about uncertainty surrounding your contract. MAN UP!! You're an NFL defender, for crying out loud! Act like it. Pouting like a teenager waiting by the phone for a boy to call won't get you respect, Donte. Shut the F up and make a play!

Depth behind crap just means a deep pile of crap. We don't need mediocrity three strings deep. We need better talent, THEN depth.

Bellichick is the Dick Cheney of sports: Does something amoral, is punished for doing something amoral, denies that it was amoral and denies any responsibility for doing it.

A cookie is just a cookie, but a Newton is fruit and cake. For whatever it's worth.

What troubles me more is the notion, as suggested in the Alternate #2 scenario, of Buffalo taking AJ Green in the 1st round. No doubt he's a talent, but cutting Lee Evans and drafting Green is sorta like saying "With the number four pick in the 2011 draft, the Buffalo Bills select a $3 million payroll reduction."

Maybin will unleash an arsenal of moves on Moats. Luckily, Maybin won't be able to get past Cornell Green. Or Al Green. Or Al Davis.

It's nice to see a strong showing in the second half of the season. I'm tempering my optimism until the Bills prove in '11 they can build on this year's progress, but things are looking up. If the Bills make one ROCK-SOLID acquisition in free agency, I'll be pleased. A solid RT would be good. That leaves us 6 or 7 draft picks to find upgrades at LB and D-Line. And yes, the "unknowns" we're getting back (Batten, Easley) are intriguing.

I don't disagree that our offensive line needs to improve. I think ROT is the most urgent need there. But I'm in the "fix the defense first" camp. Between free agency and a draft, we should both be able to get some of what we want.

I traveled 675 miles from Charlotte, NC to stand in the 36 degree non-stop rain starting at 8:30 a.m. Trust me, it was a good game to watch. Honestly, despite a low score, I'd say we played a good game. Our defense kept them in check (pass AND run), kept them out of the end zone, had a goal line stand, and notched a few takeaways. Our offense moved the ball into scoring range, got first downs, gave us a 4th and inches from the six-inch line and a 1st and goal from the 3 at the end of the game. Sloppy? Sure. In those conditions, it wasn't gonna be pretty. But it was football the old fashioned way.

Almost all of the Bills supposed "shortcomings" on offense are not related to the offense. They're related to the defense. We trail in time of possession because our defense lets teams use a run-first strategy. They allow long drives, fail to stop opponents on 3rd and long, and until recently trailed the league in turnovers. Every single one of these defensive weaknesses factors into our offense's ranking in time of possession, points scored, TDs and more. When our offense is on the field, they score points. Not always, but on pace with other good offenses. If our defense gave them the ball more, we'd be in the top third in the league. Just watch: We fix the run D and maybe boost the pass rush (Moats?), and this offense matches anybody in the league.

FitzPassIt. Because Trent wouldn't.

Ditto. We're probably just imagining things -- too much free time between Sundays -- but it's fun to imagine our front office being clever. It's a refreshing alternative to being outsmarted in recent years.

Anyone else think Fitz is about the most mature 28-year-old you've ever seen? They guy conducts himself like a guy in his late 30s. Calm, reasoned, responsible. And yet, when he's on the field, he plays with verve. Even if he can't lead us to a championship, I like him as a guy holding the steering wheel while we get this ship to float again.

Have you guys noticed this team has played up or down to the ability of its opponents in recent years? That was what frustrated me most during the Jauron era: We'd take the Cowboys or Patriots to the wire in prime time, then play like garbage against the Browns. They'd flash a bit of hope to sucker you in, then remind you who they really were. This year, we've definitely played UP to some our best competitors (see Baltimore, Patriots [which was close]), and while we've had SOME cases of playing down to the level of not-so-good teams (Dolphins, Lions), we've also found ways to shake off lousy play in the middle of a game (Bengals). Only the Jets and Packers have completely outclassed us. And we can always chalk the Dolphins and Packers up to Trent. My prediction for the Steelers: Close, but not close enough.

Wow. Fans from a blue-collar town ragging on a guy from a blue-collar part of the country. Solid. Maybe you'd be more comfortable in Cowboy Nation, with their $1 billion stadium and Hollywood girlfriends.

I thought the headline for one of Chris Brown's non-football puff pieces would be a perfect headline for the 'Phins game: http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/09/10/bills-to-host-blood-drive/ That is all.

Okay, I'll bite... Hey Trent, it's me, Lee. Trust me dude, I'll catch the ball. Just chuck it, okay? Okay, one more... Hey, look! It's Spiller! Wait...what the...where'd he go? Jesus Christ...I blinked!

Count me among those who think 7 enjoyable Sundays is better than 15 miserable ones (Is 1-14 really an option?). The difference in draft position is negligble -- you're looking at 1st vs maybe 9th-11th. What does #1 get us? A shot at the top QB? The #2 QB, if available at 11, would still be a very good QB. The #1 tackle? Again, whatever tackle is left at 11 would be a very talented player. Sorry, the trade-off just isn't worth it. It's called "rebuilding with a plan," not "throwing the games and hoping Jesus or Steve Jobs declares for the draft."

The Patriots injury woes continued today, as they placed their top cornerback Leigh Bodden on IR. Anyone keeping score of how many Patriots are injured, demanding a trade, or otherwise part of the Pats' troubles?

It should come as no surprise, but Gailey has plans to get Lynch, Jackson and Spiller onto the field at the same time. See the note from Chris Brown during a live chat this afternoon: Commenter: Anything you've seen in training camp that makes you think we'll see freddy, marshawn and C.J. on the field all at once? Chris Brown: Yes, but you'll have to wait and see where they all are. Screenshot here:

If we hired a left tackle named Du Jour, I think we could say all that was meant to be done in this life had been done. Put a bow on it and call it a day.