KeisterHollow

All any of us can do at this point in time is cross our fingers and hope it works out. Seriously, this franchise has fallen so far that if this new coaching staff does not produce winning results, does not change the culture and turn the Bills into a legitimate, respected team, how many fans are going to wait out 3 or 4 years of failure, only to hope another savior comes along? What I mean to say is this: I see this hire as the Bills last chance with many fans - because if the same results continue to happen, if the team continually falls short and baffles us with bone-headed decisions, I - and, I suspect, many other fans - will just tune out. As far as I'm concerned, the Bills change their ways now, or I'm done supporting them. I want competence, and I want to see a talented, prepared, competitive team. Nothing short of that will keep me involved from here out.

And there's more to be ticked off about than just that. For one - this is the NFL. Why would you have any QB on the roster that you didn't believe could step in and maybe take you places? What is the sake of having players on a roster - especially at the most critical position - that you know are totally limited and aren't even capable of dressing? Jackson was paid that money as insurance against Fitz getting hurt - that is all. I believe they kept Jackson from dressing because they tied themselves to Fitz, and didn't want a better option just sitting on the bench while Fitz stunk it up week in and out. Can you imagine! They were so worried that either Fitz would be intimidated and lose out in a competition with any QB with real talent, or they didn't want to look foolish for signing him to that contract. Either way, their decision for not having QB's on the roster with a spark of potential is unforgivable. It screams that they were NOT trying to win it all, at all costs, but were trying to cover their butts. That is worth getting fired over, IMO. My only question in regard to that whole situation is this: was it Gailey who insisted on the QB situation remaining the way it was? If Nix wanted to bring in someone else, but Gailey said, "trust me - I can win with Fitz" then it is more palatable. But, still - it's a GM's job to make sure the best talent is there, and to keep the coach's perspective straight, if need be.

All this QB draft talk is funny - so many opinions about who is good enough to merit taking in what round - and the truth is the variables are too many to make any really solid predictions about a lot of these guys. Just look at last year. I was sold on Russell Wilson being a good enough QB to select in the 2nd or 3rd rounds. Why? Because he proved he was a winner everywhere he went, he beat the best competition, and his size, which was his major knock, didn't stop him from being able to throw over a very NFL sized offensive line in college. Yet, many people - in fact, I'd say 80-90 percent of fans had no faith in Russell Wilson as a legitimate NFL starter even right up to the draft. Kaepernick was also similarly regarded. The point I'm trying to make is this: right now - months before the draft, senior bowl, combine, etc., Nassib is already considered a 2nd, or low 1st round talent. That is to say, right now most of the "experts" and fans alike think more of him coming out of college than they did of Wilson or Kaepernick. That is to say, none of us knows just how good this kid is going to be at the NFL level. There is no reason he couldn't be as good as Phillip Rivers, say. I'd put other guys into that same category - Barkley, Smith, Wilson, Landry Jones, Manuel, Glennon. Right there are 7 QB' - 8 including Nassib. All of those guys are regarded as highly as Kaepernick and Wilson were these past few drafts, or even Dalton. So, we can discuss and predict all we want whether it is worth taking a flyer on any of these guys, but my opinion is this - if they're good enough to make all the throws, and smart enough to learn a system, and they land in the right place, then any one of them might be "the guy". I'm going to trust Marrone and co. to make the right choice - after all, he's been in college, AND he's coached, first hand, one of the best QB's of the past decade in Brees. If Marrone says any of them is good enough to take, I'll trust it. I like Nassib's talent - but saying he's a lock to go in the top 10 is undervaluing a lot of the talent in the draft, IMO. There are some really high caliber players that teams needing QB's would be crazy to pass on - like Joeckel, Luteteli, Jarvis Jones, Werner, Warmack, etc. - I just think in the top 8 picks there could be at the very most 2 QB's taken, because otherwise you're leaving guys like I just mentioned on the board for what we mostly all agree are not sure fire QB's. That is why I think if the Bills want a QB, there will be some nice options at 8.

As far as I can see, many former players are becoming assistants and positional coaches. Most HC's don't get that shot until they've been coaching for 20+ years - so, as others have stated, it isn't as much about racism and opportunity now, as it is about timing. In ten years half the coaches in the NFL might be African Americans. If an African American candidate was a genius, and blew the minds of the GM's interviewing them, he'd be hired by someone - sure, he might get passed over once or twice, but eventually an exceptional NFL mind will get a shot, if he's patient and persistent.

I'm an optimist here - remember, if Tom Brady were in this draft, you'd be saying there are NO QB's in this draft that could be great. My point is, you just don't know - I'd bet my little finger that at least one QB in this draft ends up being a top 10 QB in the NFL. I actually think there is a lot of talent at the QB position in this draft - just because last year's draft produced some amazing QB's - this draft, in comparison, looks worse. But, compared to the last 10 years, I'd say this draft has plenty of potentially good QB's, and is better than many years before and to come, in that regard.

In regards to Hackett doing both the jobs at once - I have to think it's more Marrone as OC, Hackett helping, and then calling plays - so, although he will have multiple jobs, Marrone will take much of the burden off of the OC part - sharing it, so to speak; much more than he might with Pettine. So, as much as it might be a negative, it might also be a positive that Marrone, Hackett, and the QB will have a sort of blended, cooperative, relationship. Consider this: if Hackett is planning on installing a no-huddle offense similar to the K-Gun offense of old, the QB will have to be, like Peyton Manning, a sort of on-the-field OC, too. Think of it, potentially, as three heads very close together in the play calling process. I don't know if this is going to be the case specifically, I'm just pointing out that it could go many different ways, some of them perhaps beneficial.

The Bills have to come out of this draft with a QB that has potential - HOWEVER - I'm a firm believer that you take what the draft has to offer. If a draft has a ton of talent on the D-line, for instance, but the O-line candidates are uninspiring, you don't take the O-line just because you need to, you take the talent that is available, if it is exceptional. Every draft has quality players at every position. Not every draft has a lot of exceptional talent. You don't pass on the pro-bowlers to take a mediocre player you're going to have to replace in a few years, anyway. Smart GM's keep their teams good with the draft, and so I agree here - take the exceptional talent. That doesn't mean, though, that you can't also get at least one young QB with some potential - we desperately need a young, talented QB on this roster.

I've read so many times how Barkley has lesser physical skills - that he doesn't have the strongest arm, and isn't real quick - and I've just been disinterested in him because of the Bills past failures with the California types - but, I'm beginning to think I was hasty in making that conclusion about him. The more I watch of him, the more I believe we'd be quite lucky to get this kid. Sure, had he come out last year he'd of been the 3rd QB taken - but, that's like saying he looks better than Russell Wilson, Tannehill, guys like Dalton, Locker. The Bills need a solid QB to build an offense around. From what I've been watching, I really like the quick decision making of Barkley, I like his mobility (Brady-esque, or as another poster mentioned, like Roethlisberger), and I watched him make many throws that were 40+ yards IN THE AIR and still hit the the WR IN STRIDE. Fitzpatrick had a hard time hitting a WR in stride at 25 yards. So, all I'm saying here is, once again, this might be the perfect draft for Buffalo to need a QB - simply because the concensus seems to be none are worth taking high - which might allow Buffalo to end up with one of the best QB's in the draft, even drafting at 8. I'd be just fine if we came out of this draft with Barkley, Smith, Glennon, Wilson, Bray, Dysert, or Nassib. That's 7 QB's, all of whom, to me, look like major upgrades to Fitz. It gives me some hope.

I really liked Alexander coming out of college, and hoped we'd give him a shot. The injury history should make getting him pretty easy.

It's tough to say who on defense would be axed when we don't really know what our defense will look like. I suspect there are players who are just not good enough, regardless of whether or not they "fit" a scheme - like, say, Sheppard, or McGee (he's just too old and oft injured), and Kelsay, who, although he's not terrible, should be replaced with players with higher ceilings. Another consideration is the approach the new staff is going to take - I don't think they'll be looking at this as a "rebuild", and I know they're aware they don't have 3 or 4 years to get to the playoffs. If they were looking at this as a rebuild, they'd likely cut the older players with higher caps who have a very mid-level ceiling, while going heavier on younger guys who have yet to display their ceiling. If it were a rebuild they'd definitely cut Fitzpatrick. However, in this case, if he were willing to restructure or if his cap number is not too high for a 2nd stringer, they might keep him for just that - a mentor type. I'd prefer they didn't, but it's just a matter of how they're approaching it. I think the O-line stays mostly intact. I think Donald Jones is out, but Neslon, Stevie, Graham, and I believe Easley stay. I could see a F.A. move at TE. Our RB's are good. Our D-line is good, too, although they might look to pick up a young DE with upside. The biggest cuts/changes on Defense will be linebacker, I think.

I agree. Jones won't be there at 8. Ogletree will, though. I think if we want to go LB with our first pick it will have to be Ogletree, unless we trade up for Jones. There are some interesting prospects at LB who might be there in rounds 2 and 3, also - not a ton, but we could come out of the first four rounds with 2 starting caliber LB'ers. Add a WR and QB and I'd be very happy.

Marrone, like every other coach, will be judged on whether or not he produces a winning team here - and, considering the history of late, he won't have but 2 seasons to do so. He stated, when he came in, that he wanted experienced people under him - that he would allow his coordinators to coach/control their respective units - to the extent that allows for the most success. So, as far as I see it, once he hires the coordinators, the assistant coaches that follow are more a reflection of what those coordinators are looking for. So, he gets Pettine - who all of us agree, I think, was a great hire. From that point forward, whoever is hired as an assistant on defense should not be a reflection of Marrone, but of Pettine. I'd bet my little finger that Marrone did not tell or influence Pettine in any way on who he should have hired on the defensive side of the ball. Next is offense - and, although Hackett is the coordinator, I'm thinking it will be a collaboration between Marrone and Hackett. Marrone as an offensive coordinator would be a huge hire for a team. So, whoever these two bring in under them, I again will trust. Frankly, two years ago I would have been more suspect of the offensive assistant hires, but with all the recent success of new offenses in the NFL that have generally transferred over from college, I'll reserve judgement until we see the product. New - in Buffalo - is good for me. New - when it comes to play design, scheme, etc., is what I'm hoping for out of the Bills with this group of coaches. I want to see innovation, even at the risk of failure. The only critisism I have thus far for hires is the special teams coach. Now, again, I'm merely a fan who watches the games from afar, so I'll reserve judgement until I see what the product is. I could easily wonder about his failures in Detroit if part of the issue was a lack of interest in playing special teams by the players. Special teams is the type of unit that needs players who pride themselves on SPECIAL TEAMS. So, we'll see. What I'm saying here is - I'm expecting a knock out defense and an innovative, Saints style offense with a good power run game, and until I see this team play and appear as badly as they have in the past fifteen or so years, I'll remain hopeful that this Bills team is now a NEW Bills team, and I just don't want to connect my old frustrations and dissappointments with them.

Man! I am sooooooooooo ticked off that this guy is getting attention now! Up until just a month ago or so, you look on mock drafts and other prospect rankings and this WR is a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He was the 3rd reciever on his team! Yet, I've had my eye on him since the summer and I've been PRAYING he falls to the second round so the Bills could get a shot at him - he is, IMO, by a bit of a margin, the best WR in this draft class. He's just raw. Still, I think his skill set will translate to the NFL like a Green/Moss type. If the Bills go WR high - and I'd rather they get LB and QB squared away first - then I hope it is this kid.

I think you might have mistaken my meaning. I don't mean what a coach looks like on the sideline - screaming, shouting, getting angry. I mean - if a player isn't giving it his all, and studying and being accountable, then a coach can let it continue or not. If a coach benches, drops, or put players like that on notice, then the whole team will soon understand they can't just cruise. Sure, an on field presence like Ray Lewis, or Brady, makes it easier - we need leaders on the field, too. But, the coaching staff has to take the lead.

I don't know enough about them yet, either. However, I've been a fan, based on what I have seen, of Glennon, Wilson, Bray, Dysert, Smith, Manuel, Nassib, and Jones. If we end up with any of them I'd be fine with it. I do agree, though, that since we've neglected the position for so long we need to bring in 2 new QB's a year until we find one who has the "it" factor, to be our franchise QB. I'd be happy if we came out of this draft with 2 QB's, 3 LB'ers, 1 C, 1 WR, and a CB.

I agree with those who say this FIRE has to come from coaching. I tend to agree, also, that you want to bring in the rookies and free agents who have always given it everything - not for the fame or glory, but because they strove to be the best that they could be. Intelligence has a lot to do with it, too. Coachability. But, I think the greatest element critical to this "FIRE" is coaching. Look at the coaches in the final four: the brothers Harbaugh, Bellicheck, and the Atlanta coach. You need a coach who ABSOLUTELY DEMANDS that his players perform at THEIR highest level - and if they don't, regardless of who they are or how much they get paid - they're goners. Once it is known throughout a locker room that EVERY player must give it his all, then slackers disappear quickly. The coaches must also be this way, to a higher degree, and make sure their preparations are good enough to give their team an edge. In regard to the players knowing that they are all in it together and must give it everything - imagine what it did to the Bills locker room this past season when Mario Williams was brought in and given priveleges like refrigerators, his choice of music, etc. (all stuff I read about towards the beginning of the season), and then add to that his enormous salary, and then he goes out on the field and looks to be giving it a half hearted go for the first half of the season, and at times afterward. The way the Bills treated him was a mistake, and I'll bet it screwed up the locker room's cromraderie.

I have no doubt our defense is going to be a whole new animal next season. Look out!

I'd like to add - when I look over that list of QB's drafted in the last 10 plus years, I see an average of about 2 quality starters in each year, until the last 2, which produced 4 or 5 good QB's per draft. I also noted that the "running QB" really began with Vince Young. After that we saw Cam newton, Kaepernick, Griffin, and Wilson - and the trend will continue on that front. I think the success of these QB's lately, coming out of college, hinges on the fact that offenses in the NFL are doing other things with their QB's than just having them drop back and throw. Plays are designed to allow the read option, the QB designed run plays, the scramblers, even, like Rothlisberger, all these running QB's I think MASK their otherwise lesser abilities in passing (not the case with all of them, as some are very good passers, too). My point is this: QB's who aren't necessarily purely great pocket passers can succeed with other skills - mobility and athleticism. So, I think the trend continues this year, too, and we end up seeing 4 or more QB's from this draft starting and finding success, if not at first, in a few years.

I actually read that about the west coast offense, too. I don't know if it was speculation on the part of some writers, but I specifically remember that being written, the west coast offense with a little bit more down field throwing. So, we'll see - but, I have to think whatever offense we do run, it won't be specifically one style or another, but a mix of styles that caters to our players and the defenses we play. Nevertheless, when I read that Barkley also came to mind. I have real reservations about west coast QB's - not because they cannot make a transition to cold weather teams, but because the ones we've picked have not made that transition. I also don't like reading that Barkley has a weak arm, and is not as physically talented as the other guys in this draft, but gets by on his intelligence. I'm not good enough at evaluating players to say one way or the other - but, he does have the 4 years of experience which Nix likes, and he has been successful. I'd have to guess that Tom Brady had all kinds of knocks on him coming out of college - probably similar knocks as Barkley has - otherwise he would have been drafted sooner. So, we'll have to wait and see.

A QB who can run is great, as long as he can make all the throws - however, a QB who can run but CANT make all the throws - well, that is a QB who is going to be figured out very quickly - TEBOW, if you will. I will go on record here, when it comes to predicting future NFL tendencies, and say that things like this happen every couple of years, and then there are, in this case, defenses designed, practiced and ran, that eliminate much of the threat. As far as I'm concerned, no matter what, the most important elements of QB'ing in the NFL are arm strength, accuracy, and decision making. If you can add running to that group then you've got a special talent. I agree that these types are going to be more prominent, and you'll see more and more over the years. Funny, the Bills don't have a QB who can pass it well OR run it well! If it were up to me, I'd go after such a duel threat QB if he were available, but the Bills need to get a guy who can at the very least throw it accurately. Here's to hoping the Bills coaches are finally on top of everything and get us a really legitimate QB. I agree, as well, with those people touting the speedy LB's who are big enough to cover big TE's - that, apparently, is a type harder to find than the good running QB's. I think the Bills would be far, far better served if they could manage to get a couple speedy, capable shutdown LB's, and just a good, accurate passing QB, instead of going all in on a highly prized running QB. The great LB'ers seem to be harder to find these days. I know it hasn't shown much, but I still think a dominant defense is better than a dominant offense. I don't think there are too many dominant defenses in the playoffs this year - the 49ers and the Seahawks were the best two, and I think the 49ers Defense will carry them all the way this year, barring significant injuries.

I'm fine with Marrone, Nix, Whaley and co., taking anyone at any time - but, I'd LIKE to think Marrone will look at all the available QB's coming out of college, and the available QB's in the NFL via trade or free agency, and IF he sees one or more that fit the bill, that he believes he can win it all with, that he'll go out and get that QB first thing. If they think the QB is good enough to take a team all the way - which to me means top 12 or so in the NFL (the top 10-12 QB's in the NFL are all very good, certainly not holding their teams back) - then grab him and don't risk someone else getting him. However - if they see a guy like Dysert and think, "we could probably make him a good QB", and feel the same way about a few different QB's in the draft, while Pettine is thinking - "get me this kid in round 1", then I'd be okay with the Bills going defense first, and trying for the QB later. I just am done with crap QB's with this team - as a fan, I'm sick of seeing anything but extremely high level of play out of the QB position. I mean, THIS IS THE NFL!!! Our QB should be able to throw the ball anywhere he wants. Be that as it may, I still don't want the Bills to waste a pick on a guy who can't be that for us. If there simply is no QB able to win big with available, then take what the draft offers - there are stars to be had. As I see it, I have a handful of QB's I'd like the Bills to go after in this draft, and I'd be happy with any of these, as I think they all look like they could be Franchise QB's in the right system: Geno Smith, Glennon, Nassib, Dysert, Bray, and Wilson. As for Barkley - I just don't know; I'm weary of west coast QB's, and wary of weak armed QB's, but I'm no expert. If Nix and Co., think he's good enough to make all the throws in Buffalo, then I say add him to that list.

I understand you being guarded against disappointment, but your sources are not altogether correct. There will be somewhere between 7-10 QB's taken in this draft, and I have no trouble predicting half of the guys end up starting, and 2-3, at least, end up being good starters. It's not that there aren't any good QB's in the draft; rather, there are a lot of QB's with potential - you just don't trust Buffalo's GM/Coaches to identify WHICH QB's are really the starter types. I think Glennon could be a starter and be good with the right system and a good OL. I think Geno Smith, Barklay, and Wilson will all be pretty good - and maybe better. There are guys like Landry Jones, Nassib, Manuel, Dysert who could end up playing as well or better than Dalton has these past two years. And there's Bray who could be just as good as Tannehill - who any Bills fan would have gladly had as a QB this past year. Now, I agree that there won't be drafts that often that feature talent like Luck, Griffin III, and Wilson - but I think this draft is as good for QB's as the Newton, Dalton, Kaepernick draft. It just comes down to Buffalo knowing which talent will work for them - and if they could do that, they could wait till the second or third round and still get a QB better than Fitz. As for Alex Smith - I say get him IF you don't have to pay so much you'll be strapped to him, and only if you intend on going after a franchise QB in later years. If you spend a 1st or high 2nd round pick on a QB you think can be a Franchise QB, you don't go after Smith, but someone much more qualified for second string, and you let the young guy play as soon as possible.

I'm not so sure Geno Smith is worth the trade. If he is in the range of Griffin or Newton, then I say go for it, no doubt, no hesitation. But, if he's not much better than Glennon, Nassib, Wilson, Barkley - then what's the point? I'm just not good enough at player analysis to say if he's really got "it". One thing that I saw which made me second guess him - he backed out of, or elected not to play in, the senior bowl. I would definitely have to see him perform at the combine next to his peers. Not to mention, we need LB'ers, for sure - we could use another WR, and we need a QB. Maybe we need another CB, too. If we could bet a stud LB, or a GREAT DLineman/OLB, or elite CB, and then pick up a Nassib, or Barkley, or other QB who is good, and still be able to go after insurance later, like Dysert, or Bray. I think you want to fill as many needs as possible in this draft, unless the QB you're trading for is as much of a game changer as Griffin or Newton, you don't make the trade up.

I predict we'll have a better offense - with a legitimate QB - an offense that is more rounded - can go no-huddle, elements of both Gailey and the Saints, and other offenses, too. That, as others have mentioned, was Gailey's weakness - he couldn't run an offense that best suited what he had; instead he tried to force the offense into a QB carried unit. His inability to mix it up, try new things, new personnel, hurt his units, and made him predictable. And I see out defense as going from lower 10 to top 10. We already have a solid group. Add some more talent in critical areas, a good offseason, a hungry mastermind coordinator, and we'll have a totally different unit this year. I see both units as finally getting an identity. People will know what kind of team they're going to be playing by the mid-point of the season, and it'll be a dynamic, tough team. We're back.

I like a bunch of QB's in this draft, but I trust Nix and Whaley, Marrone, and co. know what they're doing and will see better than I which ones are NFL caliber, and a good fit. Looks like that kids throws were a bit slow, kind of lofting as opposed to say, ''on a rope''. If I'm wrong about, or if its fixable, then otherwise he demonstrated he's capable of making NFL type throws as far as distance and route. I'd like to see 2 QB's in the first 4 rounds, as well. I envision us finally having not just one quality QB, but 3 QB's on the roster who've got skills. Imagine that - we pick up Alex Smith, draft someone in the first 2 rounds - maybe a Glennon or Nassib, Bray or Wilson. Then grab another guy like Manuel or Dysert in rd 3 or 4. Go forward with 3 QB's all potentially capable of playing well if called upon. Our offense could be exciting AND consistent. Add a nasty defense, and we're a new and exciting Buffalo Bills team.