JoeF

On the surface--new coach; new GM; losing Moulds; Adams; Milloy; Big Mike; Teague; Campbell; Benny from a 5-11 team looks like equal at best or at worst less wins...but then I look position by position and look at an experienced head coach that seems to have a plan and conviction to stick with that plan and I wonder... QB-JP improves nominally; Add Nall; Holcomb stays the same-we are improved I keep thinking that no matter who wins this battle its an improvement over last year... OL-A stable line with better athletes and a budding star at RT who got his feet wet last year and was a Street free agent TE 2 years ago--we are improved..if Reyes and Fowler > Teague and Benny...that is almost a certainty WR-Losing Moulds hurts --we don't have a guy you automatically have to double yet but we have a lot more speed with Roscoe for the whole year; Price; Davis and Evans--that's a track relay right there--at least its a threat-So I would say down in superstar talent but up in depth which fits the passing part of Fairchild's offense better-Slightly down RB-Willis is playing for Money and we have a better back up plan if we need it-but if we need it this year-its because Willis is tired not because the coaching staff goes brain dead on third downs...Improved FB-We have more depth--and face it--Shelton wasn't as devastating last year as he was in 04--Ricard is a good pick up...Improved as of today TE-This position has contributed very little in the last 5 years--Royal and Everett have to be an upgrade...Improved On ST's Even if we are slightly down--by adding Bowen, Watson, Ellison (Who I think will be a ST stud if he is active) to an already fantastic team we are certain to be a top 5er--so a push On D: DE-Same guys except for the 4th...Schobel is steady if not spectacular--his play against the run has really improved the last 2 years. I believe Denny and Kelsay improve on passing downs with the push from the middle taking more attention, but I call it a push. DT-This scares me the most on the team...we can get run over...or worse make huge holes as we take upfield risks at the tackle position--but to say we are much worse off than last year when Anderson and Bannan got most of the second half of the season snaps -- is not my opinion..we lose Fat Sam; Bannan and Edwards (Out all last year) and pick up Triplett and the two rookies--Push LB-Posey wasn't great in Jerry Gray's scheme--he would be absolutely lost in Perry Fewell's scheme-unless he sticks as a combo LB/DE he may be gone. Fletcher-Baker knows and thrived in this system. Crowell getting on the field and TKO coming back--adding Watson for depth and the continued development of Haggan, Stamer, Eziekel and adding a good athlete like Ellison -- this is improved DB-Losing Milloy in this scheme is a blessing--We have lots of depth here--at both CB and Safety...look at all the athletes -- McGee, Clements, Whitner (get your butt in camp); Simpson; Bowen; Youbooty; Vincent; Greer; Baker; Wire (okay maybe not); King--all can run; all can support--tough choices here--we are better We have arguably much better depth; got rid of some whiny vets; and have an experienced head coach who doesn't appear to have too large an ego or a penchant for the moronic..I am goofy to think we can squeeze three more wins out of this...or should I go back to my thinking that 5-11 is okay.. What am I missing????

Bills sign Ravens FB Must be dissatisfied with Shelton? This guy is an experienced starter.

Thanks Mike. Your usual standard of excellence. Awesome stuff.

McCargo To Hospital Was it hot today in WNY? Sounds like hydration...

Repeating right now in West Coast Prime Time Kalsu story is one I can't see enough Russert/Vince Gallo is tremendous as well. If I had a second mom it would be Jan Gallo..what a trip.

Thank you so much Sven...great stuff.

New diet consultant...

Hey Stuck--how are they progressing on guard tower construction at the stadium? Are the electric fences in yet?

Top 3 left

Thank goodness. What will our QB's do without a favorite receiver.... Maybe I can appreciate this guy's accomplishments now...the bastard

Enough of a tizzy to get tasered for a parking violation...now there's some real sound judgement. The name askew really fits. Marvin Lewis probably has enough life credits to get a warden's certificate from the University of Phoenix.

Absolutely agree Jack--but there are enough personnel around the field where selected employees could be spotters for those watching the crowd while the play is going on. It doesn't totally remove the risk but it mitigates it some. Its done in other stadiums with CSC personnel at the college and pro level -- why not Buffalo? Anyway--if they paid his medical bills and it had no job consequence for his full-time job--why would someone sue....the emotional pain thing seems to be a crock.

Thanks RobGuy...I think that's kind of a stupid policy for the guards directly surrounding the field while there is a play going on. Maybe the guy has a case if its a policy the Bills dictate to CSC.

What the hell was he doing looking up in the crowd when the Bills were running a play? What kind of a fan is he......countersue his ass for disloyalty...probably was looking at some hottie in the stands anyway....

Sorry RTDB--had to correct your quote..

TC -- I love your optimism...I will be happy if we end the year with: 1) One of the three #1 QB candidates stepping up and prove they can lead the team to being a top third of the league offense in 07 and the future. 1a) An offensive line that gives up less than 40 sacks (still very high) and with Willis can get us to an average of about 110-120 total yards per game rushing.. 2) A defense that figures out how to stop the run consistently--at least moves to the top half of the league... 3) A special teams that stays where it is... I also think we will surprise with our competitiveness but it may not show up in the W column just yet....

Her Loretta Lynn was great...but her Carrie is probably much more appropriate for a hockey reference. Damn that girl wears blood well...

Me to..damn guy...selfish of him to just play defense and special teams. Think of what Gilbride could have done with him.... I would like to see Nate lose the asbestos jersey this year though...he wore it a few too many times last year.

No question that TD deserves credit..but these 4 will use it as a subtitle of every story they write about JP if past history is any indication.

Sounds promising. Lenny P, Peter King, Mort and Clayton will stage an ultimate fighting match to see who wins the right to first point out that TD drafted JP if JP develops this year. I warn you if this happens--don't count out the scrawny dude--slide rules can leave a mark.

Cost of Living Calculator This is the link the first step I took when calculating..

Saw Cars yesterday with the kids....really enjoyed it.. I love all the Pixar movies--I can't believe they have been in business for 20 years. I would rank Cars probably second to the Incredibles on my personal list. Good lesson, funny--as good for the kids as Bugs life; Toy Story; etc.. Specific scenes in Cars. Tractor tipping is classic....Don't miss the end where several of the Pixar films are redone shorts with cars as the main characters -- Woody in toy story for example is a wood paneled ford wagon--its good stuff--...and the character that Newman voices--Doc Hudson -- is perfect for him. NASCAR fans will not want to miss Cars...

Thanks....I calculated that our living expenses were going to go up $6K per month net when I weighed everything (mortgage, taxes, tuition, etc.) before negotiating the deal. My new boss said add another $1.5K (He is a pretty good man) and then we made the deal...Its just amazing how much more expensive it is..

Thanks Mark, Wacka, Dante--I start the new role on June 26--I will be in contact...I have been out there a lot the last 6 years for work...but usually its 12 to 15 hour days when I am out there--so not a lot of time to sample the area. I am a runner -- and the weather is truly a runner's paradise. We are excited in many ways and we are used to moving... Mark--thanks in particular for the offer to guide...

Its about 3x for us to get close to comparable....its a company sponsored move and a nice promo...but still painful...I don't know much about the environmental laws--but Mountains on both sides..doesn't leave a lot of land...