White Linen

Very little about winning has to do with free agents. It's about having a great QB, drafting well, and having a great QB.

But you act like he doesn't have "a few years under his belt". If the defense in Buffalo performs he'll immediately get credit for the results in NY, IMO coupled with that will get him interviews.

I don't have the ability to do any of that, but what you don't understand is none of us do when it comes to predicting. We do know that Pettine has had some excellent defenses with the Jets. I think something happened between him and Rex and the time was ripe for him to go out on his own. I think our defense has enough talent for Pettine to put them near the top 10. For him personally he'll make himself legitimate outside of Rex's shadow and if he does it with a team like Buffalo it will look that much more impressive. If he does that, I'm of the opinion he'll find himself interviewing for openings.

See in another moment of adolescense you can't seem to tell the truth. Never said Petting will turn the Bills defense around in one season. I'll tell you what the numbers are after their given. Hey everybody Jibber Jabber doesn't want anyone to predict anything except him because he's a super scout. He needs 3 pre season games and he'll be able to tell how the entire offense is going to perform. You ma'am are a joke.

Well I'll be waiting with bated breath for your predictions after your skilled eye gets a good look at everything. How can you lay out anything so far under your theory of needing to see things first? I see, you're the only one talented enough to be able to forecast. Jibber Jabber, Jibber Jabber

So you don't get it, you're a slow learner. If you're not into predicting, cool, but to act like conjecture is somehow not a major part of the discussions here is crazy. Let us know how many games you think the Bills will win after the seasons over then.

Another lazy response. I never once assumed Pettine was going to "lead the Bills defense out of the abyss", in fact I said "I believe if he can bring the Bills defense out of the mire and have them in the top 3rd of the league he could leave for a head coaching job as early as next year." If he CAN then he COULD leave. It's a hypothetical question, hence you don't have to wait to SEE anything. Kind of like; how many yards do you think Spiller will have from scrimmage? My response: I think he'll gain 1,400 yards on the ground and another 400 receiving. Your response: I want to see Hackett's offense first and see how he's getting utilized before I guess. Do you get it yet?

What a lazy answer. Of course we haven't played a game and it's premature. That's the genesis of the discussion.

I thought this might be an interesting topic with not much else going on. So how long do you think we have Pettine as our DC? Who do you see as a possible replacement? I believe if he can bring the Bills defense out of the mire and have them in the top 3rd of the league he could leave for a head coaching job as early as next year. I think these two gentleman would get the first shot: Jim O'neil (Bills LB coach) - Spent 4 years with the Jets under Pettine. Defensive quality control coach to being promoted to assistant DB coach. Chuck Driesbach (Bills LB coach) - Long college career in coaching. To my knowledge he's never coached directly under any of our current coaches.

Kind of sad actually. I spend so much time figuring out how to teach my boys what's good about me and shielding them from seeing all that's bad.

Do you hope E.J. Manuel becomes a top NFL QB? If you do, then you better get real used to losing players.

Absolutely

Well that wouldn't be parity it would only help the teams with bigger stadiums.

There is a zero percent chance that keeping football players on this team will have anything to do with being loyal to "Buddy's picks".

And they'll probably be able to figure out what to advertise based on the audience's personal searches. I looked on ebay for a particular shirt and now everytime I come to TBD their advertisement and website is sitting right in my face. I don't like that that's happened to me, anybody know how to stop this?

I personally think a 10-11 win season is expecting/hoping for too much. IMO the future looks great I just don't expect it to manifest this season, but I do anticipate it to start. I think a great season for the 2013 Bills is 8-8. Beyond a tough schedule, too many crucial things have to come together in one off season to be a playoff/AFC East winning team. I don't think it's impossible to come from no where to win 10-11 games but I'd put about a 10% chance that could happen. This season to me is about building something that starts resembling a team that could take the next step. 8-8 does that for me. If we go less than 7 wins I think we'll be looking at year 3 of the new regime to start thinking about 10-11 wins.

For him to not be voted one of the top 100 NFL players in 2012 was a joke. We have finally have a bonified superstar.

I'm not real sure how you read into my stats comparing that defense to last years, but that's cool. I think we by in large agree but are trying to disagree about it, hahaha.

Did I compare the 09 defense to last years?

I definitely agree with you that a great QB can win with a bad defense to a point. Brees won with a bottom half in the league defense. I don't think a QB can win with "one of the worst defenses" or a "putrid" defense. I also think you know what I meant, I didn't embellish. Fact is history bears out that you more often need one of the best QB's not necessarily one of the best defenses.

All the way to the Super Bowl. Yes they were opportunistic with a lot of key take aways, but they ranked 20th in points given up and 25th in yards.

Thought it would be an interesting thread to ask everyone who they think are the top 3 most crucial players that must play great for the Bills in 2013. I'd also like each response to include why you think these players are your top 3. To me there's many different thoughts about why you would chose your players. For example the player has to be great in order for us to: make the playoffs - to have a winning record - to shore up a position - or for the future of our team. Here are mine: Nigel Bradham: I chose Nigel because this team is so very desperate for answers at all the LB positions. The reason I didn't have Kiko here is I actually expect him to be a very very good player and for him to answer one of our question marks at LB. If Nigel can secure another slot we will be such a better team for it and obviously would begin to end this teams seemingly unending search for a solid LB group. Robert Woods: For very similar reasons as Bradham above I chose Woods. I imagine Woods game being patterned similarly to Hines Ward. Good hands, finds soft spots in the defense well, a first down machine, and a nemisis to a defense. If you look at Hines 2009 season where he caught 95 balls for 1,167 yards it allowed several things to happen beyond his individual great season; it allowed Ben to have his best statistical season, it allowed Santonio Holmes to have his most productive season, and in 2009 began the emergence of a rookie named Mike Wallace. I think Woods can be the cog that takes pressure of of Stevie and will allow our speed receivers to take the top off of a defense. E.J. Manuel: Ok don't shoot me for making this easy choice. I'm honestly not trying to say that if Kolb beats Manuel out it means anything long term about Manuel, but I think it's crucial for the 2013 Bills to have Manuel win this job and play very well. IMO there isn't a more important position in all of sports. This team and coaching staff needs Manuel to be the number one reason this team has a chance to become a great team going forward. He needs to be the reason every FA signing and draft pick means we are building a winner and conversely the reason why not being able to keep every player i.e. Levitre stings less.

How did you get away with starting a new topic about Hernandez?

In order to believe we are in a downfall (which I do) you have to believe that we were at a higher point in order to come down from it. Problem is most think we are progressing.

T Master I always like your posts man but this wasn't the easiest piece to read. I get what your saying, kind of. Like others have said Brady is all that matters. Jake Ballard is going to go off this year and I believe they'll sign Lloyd back. They will be excellent offensively, maybe not super bowl worthy but excellent.