2003Contenders

Off the top of my head.... -- 89 (I believe it was) against the Dolhons when Kelly scored with no time remaining on the clock. -- 90 beating Denver with 3 forced turnovers (and 3 TDs) all within like 90 seconds, when the game looked over late in the 4th quarter -- 90 AFC Wildcard game against Miami... Marino and Kelly were both on their A Game that day... 44-34 -- 91 AFC Championship Game 51-3 over the Raidas -- 92 the no-punt game against San Fancisco -- 92 Wild Card Game against Houston... The greatest game I ever saw! -- 93 AFC Championship Game... We're back! The Bills knocked Montana out of the game early in the 2nd half. -- 96 againt New England. Ugly 10-3 (or something like that) game. Bills fail to convert a 3rd down play late in the game. Instead of refusing the penlaty, Parcells takes it and forces 3rd and 20 rather than 4th and 2. The Pats blitz, Kelly reads it and hits Reed in stride for a long TD. Marv screams, "Thank you blitz!" The Pats get the ball back and drive down the field. On 4th and goal from the 2, Bledoe tries for the draw and gets stuffed. -- 98 against Jacksonville... 4th and goal from the 1 with seconds to go. The playcall is a run to Thurman, but there is a mixup, so Flutie runs it in himself. The beginning of the Flutie Magic Era. -- 99 at Baltimore... Defense dominates on both sides of teh ball. Down by 10 late, Flutie finally manages to engineer a scoring drive aftre having thrown 4 INTs in the game. The Bills get the ball back again and are faced with a 4th and 15 situation. Fluties scambles for the 1st down. And the Bills go one to socre the game winning TD on that drive. I cannot bring myself to mention any of the games that have happened since then, since none of them has played a part in getting us to the playoffs. Hopefully that changes in 2012!

No great loss. When was the last time any of the beat writers at the D&C broke a story anyway? The Buffalo News is a different matter.

Historically it does seem like the most polarizing figures around here are the ones that we as fans deem to be "overpaid" (or "over-drafted" a la Donte Whitner). There is the "Ralph is Cheap!" crowd, and then there is the "Why did we pay that much for...?" crowd. Often I think these crowds are one-in-the-same: perpetual complainers. When it come to Kelsay, I understand why the coaches love him. He is a hard worker, good with the media, an excellent locker-room guy, wants to be here, and shows up to play every Sunday. Aaron Schobel used to say that he got paid for what he did on Monday through Saturday and that what he did on Sundays he did for free. The difference, of course, is that Schobel was much more of an impact player than Kelsay has ever been. In a way, Kelsay reminds me of a favorite whipping boy from the past, Kurt Schulz -- who used to make an occasional play and was usually in the right position to make a play but always seemed to be just a step away. Part of the problem is that Kelsay has been playing out of position for the last 2 years, but even when he was playing his natural DE position, he was never an elite player. He's a guy that did everything reasonably well -- but really nothing exceptionally. Buddy pretty much said as much when the team signed Kelsay to the contract extension a couple of years ago. The truth of the matter is that for the first time in his career he is probably in the perfect situation -- playing as part of a rotation with higher profile guys like Williams/Anderson/Merriman (not to mention Dareus/Williams from the inside), who should demand most of the attention of opposing offenses. As a role player, which he is destined to be in 2012, (combined with all of the positive attributes that the coaches like) I am not sure why anyone would have a problem with his presence on the roster, especially since his existing contract is no longer that much of an issue.

One word: stability. Their front office has remained very consistent, and over the course of the last 43 years they have had exactly 3 head coaches: all of whom won Super Bowls.

I wouldn't say that Kelly necessarily threw it too many times. It was just that the defense couldn't get off the field and the offense had trouble getting into a rhythm. The one series that I remember the most that no one ever talks about is the offensive series AFTER the safety. The Bills had just gone up 12-3 and the momentum was on their side. They received the ball in favorable scoring position -- and a score there may very well have sealed the game because the Giants' offense was not built to come back. Instead, the offense wasted that series -- all of which were passes: a beautiful throw to Reed that was incomplete due to a crazy hit by the defender, an errant throw from Kelly that went incomplete, and another beautiful throw to Reed that was simply dropped (poor Reed was beaten to a pulp that day and certainly heard footsteps). The Giants got the ball back, marched down the field on a 8 or 9 minute drive to get within 12-10 -- then got the ball first in the 2nd half to go on another 8 or 9 minute drive to take the lead. The Bills' offense was dormant for over an hour. Yes, those NFC East teams of the early 90s were a poor match-up for us (always thought the Bills would have fared much better against the 49ers). But Marv was badly out-coached in all 4 of those Super Bowls.

Yea, to be honest, given the Bills' needs I do not see a "worst case scenario". To me, the only players that we know with certainty that will be drafted ahead of the Bills are Luck, RG III, Claiborne and Richardson (I do not see Cleveland, Tampa Bay and St. Louis all passing on him.) That leaves 5 more guys to come off before Buffalo picks. I have no idea how the next 6 would be rated, but lets just say the next 11 are: Kalil Blackmon Kuechly Gilmore Barron Floyd Tannehill Cox Ingram Coples Glenn I know opinions here differ wildly on the pros and cons of each of these guys, but regardless -- assuming none of the top 9 teams do anything crazy (well, top 7 since we already know about Indy and Washington) -- the Bills will be able to choose from 1 of 6 of these remaining picks. That could very well give them the ammunition and flexibility to trade down. In fact, if I were Buddy I would even take an "under market" deal with either the Cowboys or Chargers for that very reason.

Nix's comment that the fans and media may be surprised what direction the Bills go made me wonder if Barron may be the pick. Depending on who goes in the top 9, I could live with this pick, especially given the TEs the Bills have to face each year.

I think the key for Spiller has less to do with his abilities and more to do with whether or not Chan can come up with creative and effective ways of using him.

Despite what some may say, I believe that the Bills are in good shape picking at 10 this year. In handling the dire need at DE in free agency, they can now focus on taking a WR, OT, CB or LB -- all positions that could stand an upgrade -- without having to reach. Heck, if they really believe that Tannehill is a potential frnachise QB, they could even go in that direction (in the unlikely event that he is still there). They honestly can take the BPA and still fill a need. What's more, with the flexibility at position, they may even benefit if the unthinkable happens and someone like Blackmon, Claiborne or Kalil falls. Assuming that all of the blue chippers have been snatched up with those first 9 picks, it would be hard to be upset by the selection of any of the guys whose names pop up here all the time Kuechly/Reiff/Floyd/Upshaw/Kirkpatrick/Gilmore. Also, why is no one talking about Kendall Wright? I know he is under the 6-foot mark, but he could be an explosive receiver in the Bills' offense.

Many reasons... 1. Even with Spiller and Fred on board, the Bills would hate to pass on a true blue chip stud RB if he fell to them. They owe it to themselves to see if this guy is merely a decent back (a la M Lynch) or the next Jim Brown. That is the due diligence part of the equation. 2. When the Bills talk to him, they can press him to gauge what interest other teams have shown in him. That helps them analyze their draft board and interpret where players may go in the draft. Also, perhaps they can get more intel about these other teams (in terms of strategy) gleaned from information that they may have shared with Richardson in interviews. Moreover, by doing a detailed analysis of the player, they have the opportunity to scout up close a player who could wind up playing for a division foe. 3. Smokescreens indeed. If the Bills convince the other 31 teams that they are interested in Richardson, that means that another team that really wants him will need to draft him within the first 9 picks, increasing the possibility that another player that the Bills may truly be interested in may slide. 4. On a related note, it opens trade possibilities for teams interested in Richardson. That means that such a team will either need to trade up with the Bills or one of the top 9 teams. In the former case, moving down a bit and adding extra picks is always a good thing. In the latter case see 3 above.

So much misinformation and conflicting views out there about Reiff. What I will say is that over the last couple of years, the Bills have done a pretty job finding decent linemen. I trust the Bills talent evaluators to make a good decision about whether or not to draft (or whomever) when the pick comes in at 10. I don't see Buddy reaching.

All teams (including the Bills) do a thorough amount of homework on each of these players. If they suspect that the kid has learning disabilities, they will investigate. There could be any number of reasons why he recorded such a poor score (if this report is true). Remember when JP left because he had to pee? Fitz recorded a nearly perfect score on his test (I think it was 49 out of 50), while both Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, I believe, scored under 20. Who would you rather have quarterbacking your team?

I wonder if the leak wasn't by a team in the bottom half of the the top 10-12 hoping to make him fall to them.

Not denying that he appears to be a special athlete. So why wasn't he more of a difference-maker at the college level? I don't think Nix will over-draft these workout warriors.

I think much will depend on how much the defense improves. It is pretty clear that Chan had little faith in the defense and that could be why he was so pass-happy. Perhaps an improved defense would mean more carries for both Fred and CJ.

This is a kid the Bills can build a defense around REGARDLESS of scheme!

The top of the 2011 draft looks good already. And, yes, that includes Dareus. He is going to be the cornerstone of the Buffalo defense for years to come. He is big, versatile and appears to have his head screwed on right. Because of what he is asked to do, he is not going to be a sack-monster or a tackling machine. But he will command attention from opposing defenses, which should allow other players around him (assuming we get some upgrades there) to produce. Believe it or not good big men like him are much harder to find that talented wide receivers (AJ Green) and pass rush specialists (Miller). That isn't to knock either of those guys, who had outstanding rookie seasons and look to be quality players for years to come. Indeed, the Bills could use a player like Miller and Green in this year's draft if they are there. Honestly, I do not see any real separation between Fitz and Dalton. Both are, IMHO, middle-of-the-road starting QBs. Dalton was a good pick up for the Bengals, because they desperately needed to find an instant starter once Palmer pulled his prima dona nonsense. Yes, Dalton is a rookie and could certainly get better, but he had the benefit of a very good defense to back him up, and the offense was structured in such a way that Dalton was not asked to do much. Whereas, Fitz, I believe, put too much pressure on himself to try to score on every possession, largely because he was having to play catch-up so often. Chan probably could have helped him a little more with additional patience with the running game. I liked what I saw from Aaron Williams most of the time. I know everyone screams every time the Bills draft a CB early, but their history of allowing them to walk (Odoms, Buris, Winfield, Clements, Greer...) means that they have to invest high picks on them early. Also, Dave W has traditionally favored using more man-coverage, and the Bills are going to need tough, physical CBs to deal with teams like the Pats.

Funny how he looks so much better with some real studs along the DL. Note that when that unit was banged up a month or so ago, the Giants' fans were complaining about him. If Nix and co. can find a couple of legitimate pass rushing linemen/olb, I think we will be happy with Dave W.

Yea, the word I am hearing is that the Redskins Plan A is to acquire Matt Flynn. However, it sounds like Flynn will either wind up with Seattle or Miami. Plan B, then, is for Washington to move up to #2 -- and they are willing to give St. Louis anything they want in order to make that happen.

Anyone who argues that the Bills missed the boat in not signing Stevie after his breakout 2010 season has a short memory. Does the name Jason Peters ring a bell? The Bills saw the talent in him early on and signed him to a contract extension that looked really good at the time. Once Peters started getting some recognition around the league, he wanted a new contract a year after signing his previous one. As much as Ralph's penny pinchers may or may not understand this, the NFL is never a "buy low" proposition except for through the draft. The only solution to this is to provide an environment in which players will WANT to come and play for your team without having to demand top dollar. Since Buffalo isn't a luxurious town, the only way for this to happen is for the team to get better. Kind of a chicken and the egg proposition... That is why it is vital that the team has a strong 2012 draft and wisely attracts the free agents they can -- even if they are not the glamorous sort.

The Giants have gotten hot (and not coincidentally healthy) at the right time. When they are healthy on defense, they can routinely get pressure on the QB with their front 4. That allows the secondary to do what it needs to do to handle the WRs -- both in terms of coverage and laying the wood on the receivers. The Bills would do well to follow their model for success.

And yet the Bills DID beat the Pats this year and were 2 bad INTs away from beating the Giants IN New York (if just one of those picks hadn't been thrown). Where I think the Bills need the most help is in the depth department. The team that beat New England back in Week 3 was probably a playoff team. The team that ended the season with so many injured players was far from it.

Well, in his defense, Ralph forced him to first his coordinators, and he was having trouble finding anyone willing to take the jobs giving his less than solid footing.

Textbook Buffalo Bills negotiating going on here. Remember that Chris Brown is a mouth-piece for OBD. We have seen this before with Jason Peters, Jabari Greer, Pat Williams, and others. The Bills start leaking demand figures to the press to make it seem like the player is greedy. Fans get on board with not over paying. Then the player winds up signing elsewhere for what seems like a "reasonable" amount.

That list includes 1999, the year he was DC for Jimmy's Dolphins. He also built some good defenses in Chicago as head coach -- and, of course, in Dallas. Wanny has always been a good game-day strategist but was a questionable talent evaluator when working as a head coach. If Nix/Whaley/Gailey can find him some good players, I have no doubt that he will coach them up. In fact, having an established coach like this may just attract some decent free agents on the defensive side of the ball.