The Dean

Indeed. I thought it was over and then THIS.

I'd love to agree with you. But at this stage in his career, do you really think Orton has it in him? The guy has had numerous opportunities with numerous offenses and offensive lines. At some point you have to ask "Is this the best he can do?". As I said earlier, I'd be more optimistic if I saw Orton making veteran decisions under pressure. But too often I see him making rookie mistakes. I really like this guy as a backup, spot starter. But I see why he hasn't been able to keep a starting job.

I don't believe there is a guaranteed franchise starter in this draft, and certainly not one in the 2nd round. I also do not believe one will be available in FA or by any reasonable trade this offseason. I'd be happy to get a Hoyer or Foles from this draft as a prospect. With that said, I'm not entirely convinced EJ can't be a quality starter. And at this point in time, I believe he is the best chance this team has for 2015. I'd love to think we had a better option, but I don't see it. I think EJ needs to win an open competition in the offseason, with the Bills bringing in the best QBs they can reasonably find in FA and in the draft. But if EJ can't win the starting job, I really think we are doomed for another poor offensive season in 2015---unless, of course, the Bill can invent some QB-neutral offense that has yet to be seen in the modern NFL.

Well, if your frame of reference is franchise QBs and 2014, then probably not. Guys have certainly broken through in the not too distant past though. Garcia, Warner and, though you want to exclude them, Brady, Romo and Wilson. But to be truthful, I wasn't assuming a QB the Bills might be able to get late in this draft would likely be a franchise QB. In fact, I'm not sure any QB in this draft is likely to be a franchise QB, no matter what round he may be drafted. But there may be a guy, who can be had in the mid-to-later rounds, who might be a serviceable backup. And in the NFL that is a valuable asset and not to be overlooked, IMO. So I would certainly look at a QB later in the draft, but I wouldn't want to pick one, this year, too early as I don't believe there is a franchise QB available---outside of possibly the top two or three, and then even then I'd be wary--this year. But rolling the dice on a mid-round pick on a QB isn't a bad strategy, IMO. Even if he ends up being a decent backup. I might have taken Cousins when he was available. I might have also have taken Wilson. I'm a big believer that a big part of QB success is tied to getting his shot in the right offense at the right time. Obviously there is something to be said for pure talent. But QBs with tons of talent have failed, while those with more limited skills have succeeded because they were in the right offense, with the right coach, and a good OL, at the right time---while others have failed because they were fed to the dogs, behind a terrible OL and a poorly conceived offense, when they were young. Perhaps I'm wrong, Perhaps I'm drunk. OK, I'm drunk, but I still think I believe this. Check with me in the AM.

Yes, I know a lot of people think so. I just can't take the fake stats. I'll take John Miller any day of the week. (And yes, he should shut the hell up once in a while, too.)

While I can't agree with that statement, I don't think there are any QBs in this draft I'd want starting for the Bills in 2015 or maybe even 2016. Those that are the best of the class are risky choices for the early picks they will be taken with. Some of the names thrown out here are interesting, if they can be had with a 3rd or later pick (preferably later). They might develop into something. I'm almost glad the Bills don't have a high pick this year (read" ALMOST glad) as the pressure to pick a QB would be great, and I'm not convinced any QB in this draft is worth an early pick.

I know I'm supposed to like Scully. But as a research guy, I just can't get past his babbling something like "Billy Jo is batting .258 against left handers over 6'3" on Thursdays when the temperature is over 80 degrees" as if it is something insightful. Sometime the best think to say is NOTHING. (Yes, I've become an old cranky man.)

Nice prospect, but I shudder at the thought of him starting in 2015. This is a guy who will need a bit of time, IMO.

My guess is the deadline for 2016, and maybe 2017, is approaching quickly, if we are to be realistic. No?

She's really 44. She just thinks she's that old because she roots for the Bills.

Now THAT is one great broad. I'm sure she was pissed. But probably not as pissed as the decision to go for it on 4th and 10 from the 15 yard line against KC. Perhaps the worst decision I have ever seen from a team.

I find it amusing that there is speculation any team would move to play in a dump like the Coliseum without an iron-clad new stadium agreement---and maybe with construction underway, just for good measure. I don't recall having been to the Rose Bowl, so I can't comment on it. I also find it interesting the articles discussing a particular team's potential imminent move (which I have read several of the past month or two) a specific site wasn't mentioned as the one that team would utilize for 2015. If a team was going to move in 2015, wouldn't a site have to be identified further in advance? I'm told Super Bowls need to have a site named years in advance, yet the NFL wants us to believe an entire season of football can happen in another city with less than on-year in which to plan? Do they believe we are that stupid? Clearly some sports journalists are.

Championship!

If I'm in an area with no real wing joint, then Wild Wings makes an "acceptable" wing for me--only if I get the Blazin. But once I return to Buffalo, or go to a really good wing joint (or make them myself), I realize how mediocre they really are. On a few occasions I've considered buying this: http://www.amazon.co...9124524&sr=1-12 I haven't pulled the trigger, for the obvious reasons, but I wonder how good of a job it does, and if it stinks up the place. Since I'm typically only cooking for one, or two, the capacity is probably OK. But I question if using this little bit of oil really does the wings justice. I think there was another similar "fryer" a a better price, but I couldn't find it quickly. Same concerns as the one above, though.

Completely agree. Actually the threat of a move to LA is probably more valuable to the NFL than actually having a team in LA at this point. Now I see many have come to the conclusion there won't be a team in LA in 2015 (duh). But if if a team were to move to LA for 2015 where would they play? I have seen no discussion of where the NFL team (Rams, Raiders, Chargers) would play had they moved.

No doubt. Take a look at OL evaluations and they vary quite dramatically depending on who is doing the analysis.

Vick and Geno are certainly more TALENTED than Orton. I don't think there is any question about that. I'm not saying they are better QBs, but they do have physical talent.

Nice review, Bocephuz. First I have seen of these. Of course, we should understand that any analysis of the OL should include the running game, too. But as a pass blocking view, this works just fine. And it is true we don't know the plays called, and/or the responsibilities on those plays. Sometimes an over throw (or under throw) might be the responsibility of the WR, or simply bad communication between the QB and WR. But it isn't too hard to see when the QB had time, but failed to get rid of the ball before taking a sack. That's probably my biggest complaint with Orton's game. I understand he isn't a high-level NFL passer. If he was, he wouldn't be a career backup/journeyman. But with all his experience he should be able to avoid many sacks he ends up taking.

You can't prod cattle? Then what the hell are cattle prods used for? But I agree re-signing Hughes is something the team should REALLY try to do.

I'm not sure you understand the meaning of "straw man" arguments. I will say you use entirely too much hyperbole in your posts for me to put much value in your opinions. Examples:" That's like saying at least the murderer didn't kill the WHOLE family. ""Is he God? Is he immortal? Does he ride in chariots of fire?" Please, understand we are talking about men setting priorities and making judgments. I understand you aren't happy with the way the FO prioritized the guard position these past two offseasons, nor did you like the choices they made for that position. But you don't seem to understand these choices were made in context, with other issues on the table. I happen to agree with your conclusion they didn't seem to value the G position enough in the past. But let's not pretend most organizations consider the Tackle positions a bit more important (judging by both salary and draft position). And I did have a bit more faith than you that Williams might work out (at least for a season). Obviously that didn't work out. What did work out is the FO managed to shore up the RT position as well as the LB and DB depth (which turned out to be very important this year). What I do not agree with is, because the FO didn't get it right the past two years, one must conclude they CAN"T address that position with any competence. That's just sloppy logic. My point is, I think we will see this year--we'd better. Marrone is an OL guy. Perhaps he sold the FO on the idea he could hide the G weaknesses with strong T play. (I don't know this, I'm simply saying we don't know all the things at play here.) Based on the performance of this FO at fixing many other positions on this team, I believe they can, and will, make a concerted effort to fix that position this offseason. I can't predict your reaction to their efforts, but my gut anything they do probably won't be enough for you. As this is not a thread about guards, but rather QBs, I will make this my last response on the matter in this thread.

Agreed. Great DC, terrible HC. I have a feeling Rob won't be any better at the HC job, should he get a chance. Anyone as arrogant as Rex shouldn't have excuses made for them And looking at some of the guys here defending Rex, I have to chuckle. Some of these posters have never given a Bills HC the benefit of the doubt, no matter what the circumstances. And Watkins has played most of the season injured.

Good call, great movie. Actually that was a bit creepy as a kid. I went to a wedding reception in Bodega Bay in some schoolhouse that was used in the movie.

Holy crap. At least you had a snappy comeback. I never had that bad a problem in the past. But in the condo I'm in now fried food (especially fish) really stinks the place up. i will only saute now. and finish in the oven, if I wan't something that has a bit of fried mojo. It helps that I really have cut down on the deep fried stuff lately. But on the rare occasion I jones for it, to a restaurant I go. I love making my own wings, but it really isn't worth the trouble to do it for one person (or even two). There is a bar/restaurant right in the front of our condo complex that makes wings. (They were good at one time, but now they suck--but only because their sauce blows.) So sometimes I order wings (extra crispy) with no sauce---take them home and put my own sauce on. Homemade(ish) wings without the mess. In SF I used to bring my own sauce to a wing place and have them use it for my order. I brought extra, so the staff could have some if they wished. The first time I think they were a bit insulted, but soon after they looked forward to my visit. I had to bring more and more sauce every time I visited.

Your reasoning is preposterous and suggests you think fixing a football team is something that is very easy to do. Whaley, on the whole, has made some excellent personnel moves. Did he get the entire team fixed? Every position? Well clearly the answer is no. But based on what he has accomplished in a fairly short period of time, I have confidence the OL won't be left unaddressed. Will he make the right moves and decisions? We won't know until it gets done, of course. But I wouldn't bet against it, that's for sure. Unless I am mistaken here, the RT position was the most glaring need at OL, according to most. Fortunately, that seems to have been addressed. It wasn't with the draft pick we all assumed would be the starter, but give Whaley credit for not stopping there. I'll give you Chris Williams was a questionable call, but I believe he was chosen to be a veteran stop-gap. A guy to get us through this season, but with a pretty big upside if he didn't crap out (he is after all a former 1st round pick, and started all 16 games last year). His salary is a non-issue (at leas to us fans) as the Bills weren't up against cap issues. His signing prevented nothing. But bottom line, when it comes to the G position, Whaley had a bad year. The Bills only have two true guards on the roster (well more if you count the centers). Do you have any question Whaley will be addressing that position in the offseason? Do you think he will just sit back, another season, and figure, we're all set at guard? Or do you think, with fewer holes to fill this year, guard moves up in the priority list? Based on the mistakes last year, do you think he is (or our scouts are) incapable of acquiring talented guards? Or do you think they simply had a combination of some bad judgment and bad luck last year, that resulted in this mess? Whaley strikes me as a guy who really goes after his priorities and tries hard not repeat mistakes. Guard HAS to be a priority this year. So I will be shocked if they don't attack that position aggressively. Some might say QB is a bigger priority, but it is a position that is a bit harder to attack in the same way as G. If the Bills don't sign a bunch of bodies (draft, FA, trade, whatever) I will have agree that Whaley didn't get it done. I'm not a big believer in "if they don't sign player X then they will be doomed" when it comes to guards (or any position to be honest). Nor do I think if not drafting a first rounder means you are ignoring the position. But I expect to see quite a bit of action at that position in the offseason.