White Linen

My head is spinning with trying to figure out who I like at QB. There's a lot to like and a some to worry about with a handful of them. If you've read any of my posts I have a personal bias towards Dysert. For some reason I think he's the one that gets overlooked a bit and then becomes the star out of the bunch. But when it comes to Barkely. If Marrone and the FO get on the same page and really like him, then that's good enough for me, I'll be excited and let's go with it.

Nix had and has his convictions on Glenn. He drafted him as a LT, emphatically stood up for him as being a LT in the NFL, he let Bell walk, Glenn started and did a very nice job. Now you think he's drafting his replacement? No need to even talk about this, it's not ever going to happen.

My argument wasn't that Belichick isn't smart or great. He's an all time great. So in context I was responding to this post "I've got real talent at reading people - and one of the BIGGEST factors for success in the NFL, especially now, is INTELLIGENCE. Why has N.E. beaten the snot out of Buffalo for so many years? Yes - they have Brady. But far more importantly, they have Bellicheck. The guy is so smart." To say that Belichick is the "more important" cog in their time together to me is insane. You mention the one year with Cassel, but he averaged 7.2 wins and 8.8 losses with the Browns and then went 5-11 with the patriots. Very Dick Jauron like. Insert Tom Brady the next year and they win a championship and have had only one year below double digit wins (9-7 year after first super bowl). You say the Patriots aren't a Brady injury away from being the Bills and that may be true. But are you willing to say Belichicks career would have been very similar without Brady? Look I'm not nieve to Belichicks importance and I've always said when you have a great QB, a good head coach, and their relationship is strong - that's how dynasties are built. But in my opinion it starts and ends with the QB.

That's an excellent point.

I'm a little envious. I live in Charlotte and just can't root for the Panthers even casually. Not even because of my loyalty to the Bills, there's just something about the fan base that causes me to not want to be apart of them.

The batteries must be dead in your sarcasm detecter.

Drafting Maybin was a mistake too.

You could try to email the John Murphy show or the online shop and see if you get somewhere.

Why don't you prove Belichick is "more important" than Brady? You're the one calling him a cheat, but then want me to bow down to him without Brady.

I think you're nuts. If we trade Fitz for Brady the tables turn immediately.

Obviously they just won't address the QB position. i wish they would just wake up and listen to the fans and realize "Hey we need a great QB", and then go get one. I mean how damn hard is it to address this problem and go get a franchise Quarterback? It's like they just won't admit we need one. I'm just so sick of it. Every other team has a franchise Quarterback except us. Do they not see it's our number one need? I know they do it on purpose. They say they want one, but they won't do what it takes to do it.

This is his first year formally running the team. It's probably a good idea he understands the entire process of the combine including what appears to be the new meeting ground with agents. Do you think he's there saying "Hey buddy take a look at #53, I've been watching him and I think we should draft him."?

This league knows what they are doing. To me the off season feels shorter. It used to drive me nuts waiting, and now I'm like wow the combine is already here.

Clearly

I didn't say he couldn't be blamed, I said he couldn't be maligned for trying. No argument here on the points you make and Nix's culpability in the poor defensive play. I'm just saying I'm not so sure the players themselves are all mistakes. I want to see what Pettine does with them before saying Nix didn't build a viable defense. To me it's too early to say that the personnel is the problem.

The issue is both understand the position the Bills are in. Unless there is a "want to play for the Bills" attitude by one of them before the deadline, the reality exists that one leaves. I too believe it will be Levitre. The only other scenario I see possibly playing out is if Byrd starts to believe the reports he will be franchised and is willing to sign prior to a negotiation process under the tag. Then of course we could franchise Levitre. To me the linchpin behind this comming to fruition is Byrd signing. I believe Levitre is dead set on testing the market.

We will learn a lot about what Nix has done with Pettine. The possibility exists that Wannstedt was the problem. Nix can't be maligned for trying. The contract extension of Kyle, drafting of Dareus and Gillmore, and the signing of Anderson and Mario were all things that made a lot of sense. Let's see what an innovative coordinator does with it. I believe we will more accurately be able to judge those moves this year.

To me it all boils down to how much they value being great at Safety. In other words is it better to invest in a free agent LB so we have one good one, invest in one good safety, one good pass rusher, etc? Or is there more value in being totally solidified in one area? I don't know the answer but I believe Pettine will figure it out.

I think it's like a "I want everyone to read what I said, so I'll start a new thread" thing.

When do you propose that they will see him "throw in person" before March? That's my point, they only are privy to the film they have on him under the previous regime. They have no idea if they can help him improve. So they signed Jackson to compete. I'm not saying they won't cut Fitz or shouldn't, but it's not the easiest decision as most fans who want Fitz cut now presume. Then you're left with Jackson. How the heck do you or they know if they'll get a rookie? What if the guy(s) they want get picked before their pick(s)? As Hondo in Seattle mentions above, it appears they aren't just willing to put all their eggs in Jacksons basket.... yet.

Because he might be better than Jackson.

At least let us get through the combine and pro days so there's at least an opportunity for new feedback.

I agree with you and think Jackson is the opening day starter too, and I think they draft a QB. This puts the Bills in a bind because Fitz gets his $3 million signing bonus and his salary. But what else can they do? It's a tough spot to be in. They either cut Fitz (doesn't help cap too much) to not pay him the real money and risk Jackson being awful, or keep him and still have to pay him if he gets beat out. I just don't understand what fans would have them do?

Yep, that's the issue. He's trying to draw an analogy between his opinion and what Whaley said. It's just not there.

I'd be on board with him if it wasn't for his very weak arm. I know evaluators keep trying to say his arm is better when they see it live, but it's pretty weak. That kind of arm doesn't translate well in the NFL.