Just in Atlanta

If you think watching kneel downs increase from 16 percent to 44 percent and touchdowns on kickoffs decrease from 23 to 9 is exciting football, then I'll have some extra sharp cheddar. Look at the stats. Actually, it's as simple as that. Was thinking the same thing. Sure sign it's offseason.

I don't know about "as the year went on," but in entirety, touchbacks increased a whopping 250 percent from the 2010 to 2011 season. Touchdowns on kickoffs decreased nearly 150 percent. The rule sucks. We can actually do a lot about it. Complaining on Twitter. Complaining on Facebook. Complaining here. They would listen. I almost don't even want to watch kickoffs anymore.

We forgot because Goodell hypnotized us. Seriously, though--I hate the rule. Also don't know why people aren't complaining. We all complained the first couple games, then we just stopped. Turns out one of the most exciting parts of the game is, in fact, being taken away. According to this ESPN story, the touchback rate jumped from 16 percent to 44 percent from the previous season and the average field position after kickoff was reduced by four-plus yards. I'm with ya--watching guys kneel down in the endzone 44 percent of the time doesn't thrill me.

A CB in the first would not make me happy. Our top needs are OT, WR and an OLB who can cover TEs. Any BPA at those positions in the first, I say. I wouldn't mind trading up (or is it down?) to get Kalil in the first and drafting Randle (just looked at his highlight reel--looks like a potential Bill to me) in the second. What would we have to give up typically to get the 3rd pick? As long as it's not something like the Falcons did last year, and we don't lose a second-rounder, I'd be in favor of this. Also trust Nix and Co., so I'm not worried. Was ticked about Spiller a couple years ago, but now we all realize it was a solid move.

Character is important. The Bills have this culture now--guys who love the team, are jovial, and non prima donna-ish. I love this team's cast of characters--from the top down. Having said that, I'm not too worried about things like underage drinking and DUIs, assuming the DUIs don't continue (Floyd). And I don't know the details behind Merriman and his previous steroid issue, but he seems like a great guy and I love having him on the team.

Doesn't concern me at all. Guy has only had one full season as a starter. And that was a lockout year, and he had a serious injury for the second half. I personally need to see one more year, with better pass protection, better receiving talent and a better defense, before I make any judgment that he's elite, great, mediocre or bad. From what I've seen in the first half of last season, I think he has the potential to be great. No one has said he's the greatest or a monster, btw. Most people think he's a mediocre talent. Could be true, but one year isn't an adequate test.

He obviously went to the Cobra Kai school of coaching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kr24G8jQpM&feature=fvwrel

Cheerleaders can't even stop him.

I hereby rescind my initial critique of the white collar. The initial photos made it look weird. But In-depth photos of it, and the rest of the uni, look really sharp.

Wow, had no idea who this guy was, or of his status. Hopefully, he didn't teach Tony Soprano all his tricks. And why can't we read / watch analysis like this on ESPN? I would think this inside football insight would be perfect for the AFC East blog. Mr. Walker writes a lot of posts, which is impressive, but few actually teach me anything.

Looks like a complete dummy.

The collar just looks out of place. Also appears--hope it's just not visible from the straight-on angle--that the pant stripes are gone.

Looks weird in that blurry picture...holding judgment until I see a closeup. Hope Nike doesn't f it up--I love our current duds.

The guy shooting pictures for UniWatch needs to learn how to shoot.

Ack. Don't know if I dig the new Jets unis.

Just saw the Seahawks uni. Has an Oregon Duck look. http://twitter.com/#!/UniWatch/status/187202386064969729/photo/1 Still think it's better than their current ones--which IMO are the ugliest in football.

Great article. I like how the NFL is evolving. Diversity in strategy makes a more exciting game. I hope we can actually use Brad Smith is an effective way next season.

What PTR said.

For everyone worried about our backup QB-- Did Thigpen even play a down last season? I don't think so. I remember the guy playing pretty well in KC when he worked for Gailey. Also, Brad Smith seemed pretty effective, and fun to watch, when we used him. He just needs to throw the ball a little. I, for one, am not worried at all about our offensive strategy. We relied on these slants because that is the talent we were dealing with. I'll give it to you that sometimes Gailey abandoned the run too early, but I'm pretty high on our O strategy.

In order: 1. Weak offensive line. Yeah, it performed well--with a lightning-fast-release game. But we need to open up the deep game, and we need depth. 2. Inability to keep playing well throughout a season. We've seen it with Bledsoe--one great half of a season, another bad half. We saw it a few years ago. And we saw it last year. 3. Lack of ability to cover TEs. 4. Lack of depth at LB. 5. Lack of above-average talent at CB. 6. Lack of a second WR. Not worried about WR--we're getting one in the first or second. We have a slew of talented No. 3s. I think our average CBs will benefit from our now fearsome D line. Shouldn't be a problem. Hopefully, we can find LB depth in the third and fourth rounds. We'll continue to struggle against TEs, but the fact we have that new D line should help a lot. OT--don't believe we can get both depth and talent in the draft. This will likely be our one true weakness next season, as it has for others. Don't know what will happen with our inconsistency. I'm optimistic, though.

With Jerry Rice and Aaron Schobel, who also wants to come out of retirement, we'd be golden. Can Lynn Swann still run a fly route?

Next two years? Fred easy. He does it all. Long-term? CJ. Hopefully, we'll never have to make that decision until Fred retires. I envision both of them getting their fair share as both bring unique attributes and I don't think CJ's size allows 100 percent of the carries. Besides, the NFL is now a two RB league.

I hated the thought of drafting anybody but the best OT in the first, and since the best one would be taken, I was thinking WR or LB, even though I knew OT was a huge need. But you just changed my mind. It rarely happens, so that's a compliment.

Well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y