Dorkington

First, maybe the Bills didn't like Moore, and were looking at other options that either retired or re-signed elsewhere. Second, Moore might have put the Bills in a bidding war solution, and the Bills preferred to just get someone who is locked up (kinda like McCoy for Kiko, instead of going after Murray). Third, the Bills might have identified Cassel as part of a group of QBs that would be better in the QB room with EJ for mentoring purposes. We really don't know exactly what trading two picks for Cassel and another pick was about. In the end, it effectively didn't cost us much. I think if the Bills were truly desperate to get away from EJ, they would have cut him, like Leroi suggested.

Tier 1 (likely): Mario, Dareus Tier 2 (maybe): Kyle, McCoy, Watkins Tier 3 (slim): Woods, Clay, Harvin, Carpenter

How so? We needed a vet QB, instead of taking a chance in missing on a FA target, we traded a pick that wasn't all that valuable for one. Even if they like EJ (and I actually think they do), there's no way the FO/Coaching staff rolls into this season with EJ and Tuel as QBs.

Wonder if we're looking at the draft for LB depth then.

Not disagreeing with that, but in this case, the coach is the boss, so he gets to make that call.

Good news, lets hope the NFL doesn't drop the hammer on him.

Right, and I understand that... He fit the scheme, so it wasn't that. He was replaced with expensive player(s), so it wasn't that. What else is there, beyond personality conflicts?

That doesn't make sense... at that point the only logical conclusion is he either didn't fit with their scheme (he did), or that his ego was too much for Chip, and had nothing to do with being a "star".

But then they signed different stars.... O.o

Kelly wants no ego among players. McCoy has an ego.

Oh shut it McCoy. "Stars" don't deserve preferential treatment, everyone is a cog, nothing more.

There's definitely been offseasons that built major excitement around here, and even with the media... but this is, on paper, even better than those. Hopefully it translates into an even better record than last year

Yup. Every year players ratings drop if they join the Bills.

A lot of good quotes in there. I know players are paid, partially, to say the right things, but I like reading it!

On the other hand, the break could refresh his body if he's been staying in shape. Silver lining?

Those guys are franchise QBs? Well, that's news.

What's your real grade then?

So is this the day when the players can be given the playbook to study? Or has that already happened? I'm always unclear on how that works for new coaching staffs.

Lots of little jabs at Marrone, oh boy

I imagine he's working harder than ever this offseason to stay relevant. He has too much pride to be a baby, or to get lazy/depressed. I figure rounding grades was the easiest.... B- = B, C+ = C, etc.

Please tell me you didn't make that up.

This thread will be collecting dust by then, so it's not like we can't do another Question: Instead of drafting EJ (who he traded *back* for and picked up an extra pick), what should we have done with our pick?

Swapping out Kiko for Brown, this year vs 2013... but everyone else stays the same, no? I worry a bit about Lawson, I know last year he got burned quite a few times on outside runs, yet in 2013 I remember him playing well. I think.

Pretty simple question, how do you think he's performed so far in building a team? He came on to the Bills in 2010, as Assistant General Manager/Director of Pro Personnel. Lots of debate on the quality of his moves in general, so let's hear what your grade is, and why. I'm giving him a B so far. We have, what could arguably be the best defense in the league on paper. We have lots of young talent at key positions on Offense. YET, we have a major hole at QB, and our OL is weak. Quite possibly the most important positions in the NFL. That being said, finding a top 5 QB is easier said than done... so I can't fault him *too* much on that, considering who has been available to us the last couple years. But I can fault him for a weak OL.

My biggest worry in changing back to the Ryan system is how our run D is going to do... I felt like it was much improved under Schwartz. Whether that's due to scheme, or changes at LB, I do not know.