Turbosrrgood

I agree about wanting to keep the young guys 100%. The only way a vet LB signing would make sense would be to cut Torbor or Davis (Preferably Torbor).

I was gonna say...Nobody mentioned Theisman? He may be the most clueless announcer in any pro sport. He butchers calls, doesn't understand the rules, and makes huge deals over meaningless events in a game....The worse thing is, he thinks he's dead on accurate... I'd rather listen to Madden mumble and make noises... Great topic by the way

With the exception of 2009, Tatupa has only missed one start in his career. His "injury problems" are way over blown...But you make a good point, we don't need to try and "force" more players to fit our scheme.

Personally I'd love to see a guy like Tatupu in there. I think in that situation one of the veterans gets cut, like Torbor or Davis. Torbor is very mediocre, and Davis is gettin up there in age...Tatupu is solid. That being said it doesn't sound like that is going to happen. Nix and Gailey for some reason feel "comfortable" with the guys they have. I think they are upgraded in a huge way from last year, but there is no reason to stop half way. We still have a very questionable ILB spot (Davis is ok, but old), and Kelsey starting at OLB.

Actually I think what you posted there actually verifies exactly what I was making of it. As his playing time has gone up, his games played has gone down. What you just presented shows that he is playing less and less every year due to injury. That also doesn't include the various games which he was forced to leave early.

I wasn't there last night, so I can only comment on what I read...But I did see this. "The offensive play of the night was a long completion out of the Wildcat formation from Brad Smith to Stevie Johnson, who made a fine leaping catch versus Drayton Florence." I don't think Smith has much hope as a QB, but I am fine with him throwing out of the wildcat in mismatch situations. As far as teams that had real threats out of the wildcat, I remember the Dolphins running all over us a few years ago...And I remember Brad Smith plays pissing me off when the Bills played the Jets last year so I checked those stats... 1st game 4 touches 52 yards 2nd game 5 touches 60 yards...If we get anything like that out of him that would be great.

You make good points, and I'm leaning towards a little of both. Merriman simply hasn't been healthy...IF he's healthy (all reports say he is) there is no reason he shouldn't be a top notch player at his position. Well some say Bell played "great" last year, I thought he played "ok"....He is by far the best tackle on our team, but unfortunately I think he will get beat by better defenses pretty easily. If Bell get's beat 50% of the time, Fitz better stock up on a lot of advil...

Yup. I thought he looked pretty "good" this time last year to0. I didn't look up the stats, but if I'm not mistaken he had several sacks, and more QB pressures during the preseason games last year. Playing against 3rd and 4th stringers will certainly make you look improved... I was kind of thinking this myself...Poz made one kind of play, tackling the running backs after a 5-15 yard gain right up the middle (kind of explains his high tackle numbers last year). Barnett is a completely different player, this guy has real speed at the position. I like Poz, he was a good tackler when he got to someone, but he is flat out SLOW. Barnett also has years of experience in a good 3-4 defense, and good football instincts. It is insane (but great for the Bills) that he is making half of what Poz is now...

When the Bills gave a $15 Million dollar contract to Brad Smith, I had mixed feelings about it. However so far in this short offseason Gailey has made clear that he intends to get his monies worth out of him. Reports I am hearing from camp are that Smith has played just about everywhere, and that the Bills are spending a significant amount of time practicing the wildcat. This isn't really news, but it is starting to look like the Bills could be a real threat out of this formation. Not only are they running, but Brad Smith is throwing...Something the dolphins rarely did out of their wildcat formation. Their offensive line still looks very weak, so this could take a lot of pressure off of them, and it could also get Spiller out in the open to use his speed. Anyone have any thoughts on this from what they have seen in camp?

A lot of posters don't think Davis is going to make the team...But I think Nix has already made up his mind, he loves this guy from his SD scouting days. Roosevelt better hope Parrish continues to get hurt every play (which he probably will).

Parish injured? Theres a shock. I can't believe a guy that is 5-9 160 lbs keeps getting hurt...wierd. I know Gailey loves this guy, but I'd rather see one of our young prospects take his roster spot. Parrish is a part time player at best, and thats only for the few weeks a year he's healthy. This part about Davis doesn't sound too good either... "The Bills lost another receiver when Craig Davis left practice after losing his wind, according to Gailey. The coach said Davis is expected to be fine." Really? He's on the injury report for "losing his wind"? Nice

Damn, so we have to wait another year? That won't bring Fitz any comfort...

From what I have heard...There is a VERY strong preference for either the Chargers or Raiders. Why? They would be competing within the LA market, plus there is a built in fan base. The fans of those teams would almost certainly remain fans of those teams. In the case of the Chargers, you even have a pretty decent franchise at the moment. I get the feeling they would only import a competing team if they are somehow unable to move one of those two. Let's say the Chargers or Raiders can't be moved, the Jags have to look like the team to target. Jacksonville has relatively little support in its own community, nor has it been able to fill it's stadium. In fact Jacksonville doesn't seem support sports in general. What is the average age there anyway? 85? It seems unlikely the Bills or Vikes would be going to LA...In this particular discussion anyway...The Bills are far from being on solid ground as to what happens when Ralph dies, regardless of the LA deal.

I love hearing in person observations. Thanks.

If that's true perhaps other teams were interested in him due to his high draft status. My point was this. Despite being a 3rd round pick, he was not even on the active roster most of his rookie season as a backup. The next year, despite Steelers o-line woes, he again couldn't make the team as a backup. The Steelers didn't think enough of him to be a backup on their own team for 2 years, despite the fact they spent a 3 on him. Now he's our starter...

As much as I use "footballoutsiders" to determine all of my thoughts on football...I don't see these "stats" as an indicator of OT success. Not mentioned here is that the Bills ran up the middle more often than any other team (according to that link), and to the left fewer than most teams. Teams probably just didn't expect it...Also, I just don't believe you can have rankings like "blocking effectiveness" that you can quantify that accurately using "stats". There are way too many variables in football for stats like this to mean anything to me.

I have to agree with this. Especially about the part about listening to what the coach said. Gailey basically admitted he is working with a train wreck of an O-line right now. Ubrik has never been a starter, and no other team was interested in him. Pears has had trouble landing a spot as a backup anywhere else. Now he's our starter

I don't think Bell is trash, but sorry, I don't consider allowing a few sacks per game "great pass protecting". As it stands right now Bell is by far our best OT (by default), that doesn't mean he would be able to start on any other NFL team. Bell is decent, but the fact that we keep settling for "Decent" players at the most important positions on the team is why the Bills consistently struggle...

Haha, more fine reporting.

I am not sure why Roosevelt seems to be such a "lock". I know he's easy to root for, but looked very easy to cover in his brief playing time last year, and dropped a few easy ones. I think there are guys with a much higher upside on this roster. I'm not smashing him, he very much has a chance to make the team...But with the pickups of Smith and Davis, he seems to be on the outside looking in right now. I also don't seem him beating out Jones, who looked faster and more physical, as well as being a solid ST guy.

Should that happen, that sounds like a logical possibility. I would lean towards Easley making the team if healthy. I like evans, and I don't see his kind of speed anywhere else on our roster that we could replace him with....BUT we do have a lot of WR depth, so it would make some sort of sense. He might do pretty well in AZ, Kolb with Fitzgerald on the other side...They might even put Evans in the slot. If we DO trade him...PICK UP O linesmen, since we will have even MORE cap space and picks. He doesn't have to be great, just better than what we have...Actually, we should do this regardless of Evans.

Sorry, can't help myself... board (bôrd, brd) n. 1. A long flat slab of sawed lumber; a plank. 2. A flat piece of wood or similarly rigid material adapted for a special use. 3. Games A flat surface on which a game is played. 4. The hard cover of a book. 5. boards A theater stage. 6. a. A table, especially one set for serving food. b. Food or meals considered as a whole: board and lodging. 7. A table at which official meetings are held; a council table. 8. An organized body of administrators or investigators: a board of trustees; a board of directors. 9. An electrical-equipment panel. 10. Computer Science A circuit board. 11. Sports a. A scoreboard. b. A tote board. c. boards The wooden structure enclosing an ice hockey rink. d. A diving board. e. A surfboard. f. A snowboard. 12. Basketball a. A backboard. b. A rebound. 13. Nautical a. The side of a ship. b. A leeboard. c. A centerboard. 14. Obsolete A border or an edge. 15. A usually large, vertically positioned flat surface used for writing or posting, especially: a. A blackboard. b. A bulletin board.

I definitely wouldn't say the offense as a whole has regressed, for the most part it looks improved in many ways...Except for the O-line. You might have a case that it regressed. This has been discussed plenty, but outside of Bell (backup on other teams) Levitre (decent) and Wood (pretty good) I'm not sure that we have anyone that would even make another roster (for instance, Pears and Ubrik, two penciled in starters, haven't been able to stick with any other team even as a backup). They were not starters last year, so this in theory could be used to make the case that they regressed. Bell is serviceable at best, when healthy of course. I would say that RB's look fine, TE (Chandler) and WR look better, as well as QB depth (Thigpen/Smith). We will need it with that O-line...

I agree with these, except Coleman. He doesn't get cut barring injury, we are WAY to thin at that position (no pun intented Maybin). I really don't see how Maybin can make the team though, the guy just simply isn't good. Size or no size. I respectfully disagree. I am not a Parrish fan, but Gailey is...meaning he will be on the team barring injury. Smith will be on the roster as well. Roosevelt is a real long shot, he also has to compete with Buster Davis, whom Nix loves. Nelson is solid, and has by far the best hands on the team, plus he's huge. He is penciled in right behind Evans and SJ. Jones is a solid special teams player, ensuring his roster spot. He is a decent WR too, just needs to work on those hands. Easley should make the team IF he can recover quickly from this last injury, and stay healthy through the rest of training camp...a big if. But from what I hear, is already doing drills so it looks good. We also have some UDFA's and PS guys that look decent. Roosevelt isn't bad so he has a shot, but he's not great either. I think he only makes it with injury help. This is key, I'm pretty sure he will be on the roster as a WR (and used as one), taking up a spot.

Yeah I'm off today, don't know why I was thinking 7th. I certainly can't argue against KW either. My overall point was that when I saw his name from that era I thought, wow that was one draft pick that actually provided long term benefit. Not just his CB skills, but he was a bad A $$ returner too