Thurmal34

Why not stay a running team when Fred's backup is just as good as FJ, if not better? All I'm trying to get at here is that our two best offensive players are running backs. If Chan is true to his word and tailors the offense to suit his best players, shouldn't we expect an attack that features a heavy dose of both FJ and CJ? Look, I love Stevie, I even have his jersey, but in all honesty who is the better player, Stevie or CJ? If Chan can objectively look at this club and see it's being built for pounding the rock and limiting Fitz to 25-30 throws per game, we will excel. Maybe even win the division. Yes I said it. However, if we get down 7 or 10 in Q3 and Chan starts going 3 and out on pass plays, that's going to be frustrating. Being down 17-21 in Q3-Q4 is one thing, fine, pass away, but IMO you win with your best players. IMO our best player on O is FJ and our second best player is CJ. We should make teams pay for that, not let them relax when they have a 7 pt lead and know Fitz is going to throw to far less talented players three times in a row. We handcuff ourselves.

Hondo I hear you about using the pass to set up the run. However, I think our backs (and our OL, if tasked properly) are good enough that we can use the run to set up the run. In the days of Thurman, we used to be able to convert key 3rd and 2 slash 3's on the ground when everyone on the opposing team, in the stadium, and watching on TV knew the ball was going to Thurman or KD23. We got it anyway. IMO that's what Buddy is building us for. The question is will Chan be flexible enough to adjust to that style? What it comes down to, IMO, is those key short yardage plays. Will Chan drop Fitz back and toss to Donald Jones on a big Q3/Q4 3rd and 2 or will he simply hand it to FJ or CJ and shove it down the other team's throat? IMO even if our line isnt "dominating" yet, out backs sure are. Let's feature our two best players.

We have two stud running backs and "meh" QBs and WRs. We have a D (on paper, I know) that should finally be less than paper meche. We have added some depth to a solid but thin OL. We play in the northeast and fortunately host a succession of dome/warm weather teams down the stretch run. Our two best offensive players are running backs. Will Gailey leverage our two best offensive players and get them at least 15 touches per game each? Or will he get down by 10 and claim he "had to pass" (see Tenn game last year)? Fitz has shown to be better when his attempts are in the 30 or less range. IMO Buddy is building us to run more and pass less. Will Chan play to our perceived strength?

Originally from Williamsville, now in Wenham, MA.

What happened to Buddy's maroon leather blazer? Haven't seen it since pre draft 2010. Anyone have a recent sighting, or for nostalgia's sake, an old pic? Clearly Buddy would never have drafted Gilmore had he been wearing the maroon leather blazer!

Right, this is what I'm saying. It's been so frustrating not being able to get off the field against these types of offenses. All offenses are going to struggle from time to time, even the Saints and Pats. In our conditions, division, and city, building a D like the Ted/Fat Pat/Winfield/Cowart defense of 99 is what is going to win us enough games to make the tourney. I dont want teams to fear The Ralph b/c we might outscore them, I want teams to fear coming here b/c they know we will bury them with a flurry of mean nasty defenders.

or, like the local chowds say, "Nuttin' from nuttin' but yer mother makes a tough mozzerella!" This. Maybe not necessarily this year, but certainly in 2013. I'm excited about this pair's future. Big, physical, talented, and young. The future looks bright!

Don't they have 0 picks on Saturday? I mean they have good depth I guess, but yeesh, 4 picks in the entire draft?

I think the Pats did well with Jones and Hightower, but I have to say I was very surprised to hear that they have no picks at all on Saturday. I mean it makes sense with Brady aging, and their depth isn't too bad, but to have only 4 picks is kind of weird.

I dont think mentioning Easley is a justification for taking Gilmore over Floyd. It's simply a reminder that he is indeed on our roster and has potential. If the Bills thought Floyd was the right pick, they would have taken him. They didn't. They recognize the D still needs help. Personally, I love the commitment to defense the Nix regime has shown. I'm so freaking tired of getting gashed by mediocre offenses.

I think this is important to point out. We dont need rocket scientists, but this is a high character, intelligent locker room and Gilmore's academic and low key creds fit right in with what we are building.

I think it's great. We now have a pair of big, talented, young corners to pair up for years to come. The draft is a marathon, not a sprint. This guy is Antoine + 5" and 20 lbs. By 2013 Williams and Gilmore will be a coveted pair of corners. A year or two of seasoning and by 2014 they can be elite. Strong move. Defense wins in Dec and Jan in our conditions.

It's pretty simple. Stevie is our #1 and would also be for many teams in the league. By that criteria alone he's a #1. However, he's not elite (LarryFitz, Megatron, etc) and therefore some folks will bump him down to a #2 for that reason, which is totally fair. The trick now though is that Stevie is at the point in his career where even if we draft Blackmon or Floyd (obviously both are more "physically" talented) he will still be our #1 based on experience, rapport with Fitz, and leadership. Sometimes a team's #1 WR isn't always their most talented guy. See Steelers, Pittsburgh - Hines Ward and Mike Wallace. Clearly Wallace is more talented but Ward remained "the guy" for a duration. Not the case anymore, obviously, but the bottom line is the #1 WR label = more than just "being the best guy on the team". Stevie is a #1 for us, and that's all that matters.

Thanks Mypetrobot!

How rude.

Does anyone know where to purchase the painting on Dre Reed's Twitter page background? I can't make out the artist's name and wondered if anyone had any insight. https://twitter.com/#!/Andre_Reed83 Thanks!

I know that I certainly could not. Since the topic is about college talent and not pro scouting, I'll leave out the shrewd moves Nix has made WRT to plucking gems from the wire/other teams, but who here honestly thought Justin Rogers would be looked at as someone to factor in to the DB rotation this coming year? Da'Norris Searcy looks to have good instincts and a strong work ethic. Spiller looks like he could be elite given 23-27 touches a game. Aaron Williams, if he can stay healthy, looks like an opening day starter. The list goes on...

I live in Boston, surrounded by the jugheaderry of the typical asshat Pats* fan. As much as I'd love to tell these rubes how much better this one move makes our D, i'm not gonna say jack until they DO it on the field. Let the haters see for themselves. Anything else is pissing into the wind until the games are played. TBH, i dont care if bbwolf90 gets 0 sacks in '12, as long as he opens it up for his opposite DE, 99, and 95, it will still be a great addition.

Hilarious stuff. Love it.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! We will certainly check out some of the recommended places. Aussie, we are definitely parking in Hammer's Lot, should have our first coldies cracked by 8:00 am! Haven't been to a game at the Ralph since '06. Can't wait!

Hey TBDers! My brother and I are flying in from Boston for the Titans game this weekend. We are stying downtown (Embassy Suites) and have our plans lined up for Saturday night (for the most part). However, I was wondering if anyone can give us some suggestions on places to go for a few beers and maybe some pool/darts/live music within walking distance (or short cab ride) of Niagara Square for Sunday night. We are not dance club type guys, looking more for tips on places that are casual/sports bar type locations that will have some people there on a Sunday (we are going Pearl St. on Sat for the Sabres game). The last couple of times I have stayed downtown for a game the Chippewa area has been pretty dead on Sunday evening so I was wondering if anyone can offer up any alternative suggestions. Heard Allen Street has some cool spots but unsure of the Sunday night scene. Thanks! Mods - feel free to move this post if this is not the appropriate location.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2011/11/patriots-colts.html?p1=News_links No news yet on which game will be flexed in to that spot, but it would be sweet if it was our game as I have tix!

I don't like it.

Blast your oily hide to Hades!

Encouraging, but I felt like he spent too much time on the ground. Hopefully he can learn to stay on his feet more.