JoeF

Interesting post. So if you look at it on the surface..There is no way you could state at this point that we will be better. Losing Clements, Fletcher-Baker and Willis -- arguably our two best defenders and one of the few offensive weapons we have there is no way. But take a look deeper.... 1) Improving LG gives us an awesome Left Side of the offensive line-one that can be relied upon to get push and protect JP's blind side at a higher level. For the pass--it means more time and JP improved his accuracy immensely last year--he is only going to get better with more time. For the run--we got overwhelmed a lot on 3rd and short the last seven years--while we won't convert every third and short now--I bet our total conversion rate increases by 10% from this years 31.7% to around 40% that's more time on offense, that's less stress on the defense. -We were the third worst O in the NFL last year--6th worst running and 5th worst passing--I think despite the loss of Willis we improve markedly next year. -Another fact--the games Anthony Thomas started--he had more average yards -- 84 per game-- than Willis' average for the games he started--77 -On Walker--I agree with you that he is a risk and that the pro scouting team and McNally must see something we don't--but look at what McNally has had to work with--he has led the development of Peters, made Gandy play the best football of his career, prepared a rookie to play last year and basically evaluated Williams as a lost cause--we haven't given McNally much to work with--but he has gotten a lot out of it. Walker only has to be better than our RT's last year for the line to improve--that is a pretty accomplishable task. 2) On D-- we were mid tier last year...we will suffer with the loss of the Clements and Fletcher-Baker--my biggest worry about corner is McGee, not the loss of Clements. He was very shaky last year--however he was also gimpy all year with hammy, shoulder and ankle issues. We prepped for this loss of Clements last year by drafting better coverage safetys and Youboty. Plus a shutdown corner is not critical in cover 2 where you almost always have Safety help deep..we will be hurt--and won't have the flexibility to man up all the time -- but the system and Whitner and Simpson's logical improvements help mitigate this some...plus the draft will yield something here. On Fletcher Baker--believe it or not -- I am less worried about losing his talent than his leadership...I think we will make more mental mistakes because #59 is not there--we need Crowell to step up and lead...be the coach on the field. I think we slip on D--but I am hopeful that McCargo and Youboty make the slide a small one. Plus I have confidence we will find talent in the draft on this side of the ball -- why--well Kyle Williams, Ko Simpson and Keith Ellison are pretty gosh darn good players and they were 5th, 4th and 6th round picks respectively last year. 3) We still have field changing, reliable and talented special teams. Its not totally lost--I want to see the 8 new Bills we get at the end of next month...but my biggest concern is Fletcher's leadership--its the most important loss of the off-season to me.

I love this...we transform to the Bengals (Sorry Stuck) in one move....from the choir boys to the convicts...sweet...Its like the Spiderman suit turning black in the previews for Spidey III

Damn you are fast on the draw....

If TD were still with the Bills these deals would all get done. Sincerely, Chris Mortenson & Len Pasqaurelli ESPN

He may even find a new love interest. You never know where romance will blossom. We should all chip in and get him a prison survival package.... http://www.middlemanmedia.com/images/eldsoap.gif Seriously--in the long run this is good...at least the Bears can monitor where he is this offseason.

1) Julius Jones not on the trading block--he doubts that the Bills were interested anyway 2) RB will probably be addressed in the draft and likely in the 2nd or 3rd round With that information -- go forth and conquer..

Sniffing Clue makes sense too...Sniffing for a clue

Watch the interview with Jauron at bb.com-- he really didn't say that Thomas will be #1 -- he did say they are looking to add one or two more players at the position--keeping their options open and that he feels that running back by committee is the way to go. He did say he absolutely thinks highly of Thomas' ability and attitude.

Just displays the worthiness of the strategy...Modrak wanted the year off anyway

I think we package all our picks and make a deal for Ricky Williams...that's what Ditka would do...

I found this guy pretty interesting.... Pro Day: ran the 40 in 4.33 and 4.35. He had a 37½-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-8 broad jump, a 3.96 short shuttle, a 7.07 three-cone drill and 17 benches. BIO: Hobbled with injury throughout much of his senior season and posted just 15 tackles. Career-best numbers of 60/2/13 came as a freshman when he started every game at strong safety. POSITIVES: Talented defensive back whose play regressed the past two seasons. Displays skill in zone and is effective when the action is in front of him. Quickly breaks to the ball, has a burst of closing speed and displays a good degree of explosion. hmmmm --- depth---- http://www.buffalobills.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=122692 http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3825

My name reflects the futility of life as an average Joe combined with the most common grade I received throughout my 18 years of formal education--which carried me through the 4th grade.

Marv's still got some quicks..watch his training video. He's only 60 years removed from his sprinting days at Coe..

Maybe TBD could take a lesson from the Bills....I love you all my sisters and brothers (yes, even DeLuca)...it is a pleasure to come to post everyday.

Its a prerequisite for a Bills fan.. and you are one of the best...

Gotta mix in a little faith my friend....just a little faith....

Needs: One More RB One More Corner One More LB One More DT Addressed with" 8 Draft Picks - 4 in the top 100 Room still left under the cash to the cap scheme. Plus: An emerging talent at QB Budding superstars at WR and LT A rebuilt OL that is respectable for the first time in 7 or 8 years (maybe a decade) The best special teams in Football that gaurantee us winning the field position game in most contests Life is good...

Interesting quote from the ESPN article on the situation with Briggs and the Bears: Money might not be the only reason Briggs wants out of Chicago. He said he wants to be the leader of a team and knows he'll never overtake Brian Urlacher in Chicago. "I've talked to Brian about it," Briggs told the Web site. "I'm a competitor and I want the same thing he has. I've learned a lot from Brian as a player and a leader and I eventually want to be 'the man' somewhere. I want to be like him and have everything put on me too. Obviously I'll never be able to do that there. Contract offer the Bears made in March 2006-- Bears general manager Jerry Angelo countered that he felt the $7.2 million the team would pay Briggs next season was very fair. The linebacker reportedly turned down a seven-year, $33 million deal in March 2006. Now, he's ready to gamble again.

I love happy endings....another classic

The guy says he's not playing for them....look at the deals that get done when players make that kind of ultimatum...I know we may need to go a little higher but it won't be the 2 1's the franchise tag requires.

You just can't teach really big, quick, fast and nasty...Alan Branch--add our 3 to our one and move up to get him...

How about a #3 this year and a #3 next year :-) or even a #2 next year...

Stallworth has been rumored to be part of the League Substance Abuse program and facing a 4 game suspension for a previous violation. He can't help if he's not on the field. http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16835778.htm I totally agree that these are moves that could pan out for them very well and since Chad Jackson is probably done for 2007--they were necessary moves..but they are sitting there with a ton of picks--why not acquire Moss instead of Washington and Stallworth--he is the true breathtaking talent and has less of injury history...He comes with lots of baggage too..but if they are in risk taking mode why not go for one of the best there is..

Stallworth-facing suspension for violation of the substance abuse policy Washington-injury history; attitude history Welker--most stable of the bunch A lot of guys betting better pay days on Tom Brady's arm http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2795771

What a guy.. caring heart - waiting right there to give comfort and solace to the emotionally scarred...wow...