bigK14094

Byrd is good, not great. I would point out that his performance this year was good, he got the same number of ints that Leonard, Williams and Alonso got. He missed, say 5 games. I don't really see that he was a difference maker out there. He was solid, so were the others safeties. Now, I am not a believer in Meeks or the Duke, so I don't advocate they are equal replacements. Byrd's biggest shortcoming is his speed. I have posted this on other threads, but again here it is. The Bills are in TB, and the TB rb rips off an 80 td run. Byrd is in pursuit.....he doen't catch the rb, but thats OK....what is not OK, is that Bradham ran Byrd down from behind and passed him in pursuit of the same guy. Folks, he can't outrun the olb...not even close. Now, maybe its his feet, I don't know...but the Byrd we saw this year is getting by on instinct and skill, but is not top tier physically like other safeties in the league. My take here, franchise him.....one more year to see if he is sound physically...might not want to pay top dollar for multiyears for a guy who is slowing down permanently. Also, can he play 16 games with the right attitude.....not so sure on that one. Finally, there was a great article about the free agent class of 2015, and the Bills have got to be ready to spend a bunch of money on those guys. (Spiller, Darius, others) And, if they trade a franchasied Byrd for a #2, well, so be it. It is bothersome that the Bills have been a farm team for DB's going all the way back to Thomas Smith.....Winfield, Clements, come to mind....but passing on some of those was right also. those guys were all B+ players.....Byrd is another B+. We can use him on the team, but not at any price, and the $ may be needed elsewhere. and, I am not priviledged to the big picture at OBD,

Since the Toronto City laws preclude tailgating, you really change the game experience. Now, my crew are not drinkers to speak of, but we do have a bottle of beer or a glass of wine with our theme based lunches. (Cuban sandwiches when the Phins come to town, ribs for the KC game etc) Anyhow, all that is gone with the Toronto experience. Even Canadian Bills fans who come to the Ralph do not go to the Toronto game. So, the game experience is totally different, can't expect the same fan base to support that totally different experience. I might add, that other venues in the league have different experiences as well...attended a game in Baltimore (early Losman era) a few years ago, and the outside stadium experience was PGA tournament like, different than Buffalo. We arrived by train...station at the stadium, and walked right in past all those hospitality tents. Like I said, different experience in Toronto (and elsewhere)

Just recalling Buddy's advice on OL. "Always draft tackles, you can play them at guard if you want" (implying you cannot reverse the order) That said, we won't be drafting a guard, we might draft a tackle and play him at guard.....really, a good OL can play a number of positions...it was one the the reasons Levitre was so valuable. He could fill in at LT....center (not so much) Levitre was a round 2 pick, and if we could get a similiar talent at #2, that would be a good fill for the Bills. Now, the guys on the squad that they picked up off practice squads.....I recall, that is how reinhart and urbik got onto the bills, and they were both more than serviceable. So, I think the coaching staff opinion of those three (?) guys will impact how much OK talent they draft. In terms of Pears, I can say that they missed him when he was hurt a couple of years ago, but I also am afraid of the wear and tear situation with him (as posted by another here) Still, having vertrans play is good if you can afford them. Finally, I was struck watching the post season of how many ex bills were playing. Choice for Colts, Brad Smith for Eagles doing the same things he did for the Bills. DaRick for the Colts......I think there was another ex Bill on the Eagles as well......

Yep, this is just another 3 laps around the same old track I am thinking.

Evans has a meltdown at the bowl game....not ready mentally to be a pro. I don't favor taking that guy!

I was watching as Byrd chased the TB running back go on his 80- yard scamper for a TD. It was OK that Byrd could not catch him.....what was not OK was that Bradham ran down and passed Byrd chasing the rb. That tells me something....although Byrd is instinctual and a solid safety, he is relatively slow if a lb could pass him like that. So, top money is out, and a more moderate pay structure makes sense. I don't mind franchise and trade if that the best the Bills can do.

Chandler was coming off knee surgery, and was not totally himself early in the season. I think he is a tp 20 tight end, and will get a deal elsewhere if the Bills don't retain his service. IMHO

Now that Marrone has nominated EJ as starter next year, look for Thad to sign elsewhere. thad wants to be a starter, and if anybody offers him the opportunity to compete for that, he will go there. Marrone put his foot in his mouth if they wanted to keep Thad, a free agent now. (and, thad thanks the Bills for 5 NFL starts to move his career along!)

Well, I think Willaims is OK< and probablily Seacy as well. Don't really have an opionion on Meeks...he hasn't played this year, but I am skeptical about the Duke, as he looked lost in space when I saw him this year. Probabily need to draft a safety, but not that high. And, old and slow Jim Leonard did OK in the job as well. He had 4 pciks, just like Byrd. And, I am not for paying top dollar for byrd....as he is slow....not as slow a Leonard, but slow. I saw Bradham run him down and pass him in pursuit of a rb against TB. And, if you lb can run down your safety, thats not good man.

wrt the TJ Graham chatter.....he has improved some...I have to admit. So, they will look at him hard next preseason, and make up their mind. He is certainly better than Hogan, who I cannot figure out on the team. He plays Special teams, and does get some tackles, but he looks slow as a receiver, and I don't think he has a long term role here. Haven't seen the Tasker like big plays from him that it takes to stick as a special teams specialist. Anyhow, I do see improvement in Graham, and he has physical tools. His drop at the end of the game.......well, should have got that, wet ball and all, he was all alone, and the throw was not that bad...yes behind him, but, Pro's make that catch.

Yep, Kiko is a finese guy, can tackle, but can't go inside and beat a guard to get to the runner for a stop....needs to stunt to do that. At 238, he is a lightweight for a middle lb. Now, he could bulk up some, and thats up to him (based on what his coaches counsel him), but he looks more like an outside backer to me. I say draft the next Spielman at MLB so they have somebody they can't beat so easily. Kiko is getting beat by the OL.......when they run.

San Diego game planned their offense around moving away from Mack...and modified their schemes to double him always. It was to be expected that his impact was limited. (same reason that teams in the NFL don't throw at Revis)

We lost to three teams with worse records.......

Lots of parallels here, Marrone hired his gumba......not the best qualified man....who might have been the guy we had, Bruce DeHaven.

Actually, I think the players union has won in negotiations that coaches cannot fine players for those kinds of offenses. So, instead, Marrone benches Darius to punish the fans. Marrone thinks he is coaching college here, he is out of his element. These guys are pro's, if that takes handling, it appears Marrone is not up to that. Anyhow, after this dustup, I am guessing that Marcell (still have one year left on his rookie contract, I think) will want out if Marrone is still here. Yeh, that is how decisions get made...the money is likely almost the same everywhere....so who do you want to play for. Not so sure Marrone isn't the second coming of the delusional Gregg Williams in his approach here. If the players don't like you ......he is cooked as HC! But, not a surprise for a team that is "0 for the century" in terms of playoffs. (attribution for that line to the Boston Herald)

Did you see the Pats game....gashed by the run again. Need a run stopping lb....don't have one apparently. Kiko is that tall rangy guy you mention, and he should be playing outside lb. He does not match up well when the big boys come out and get him. He is not a plugger. Buffalo needs a plugger. They are making all pro's of average rb's every week. To many finess guys on this D right now. Need some hitters. Yeh, Kiko is a finess guy at 238lbs....thats really small for a middle lb.

I am in the camp that a 1st round draft choice that has three knee injuries in his first season is a bust......not durible enough to play the pro game, either because of physical limitations, or he doesn't know how to protect himself. In any event, I am hoping the Bills staff is not so invested in the Manuel pick that they don't go out and get another QB...either in free agency or the draft. Lewis is a journeyman backup, and I would not mind seeing him on the training camp roster. I find it interesting that it seems to me that the Hackett seems to call a more wide open game when Lewis starts, than when EJ starts. In any event, the QB situation is the weakest link in this now improving team.

Carrington has not been a part of any big defensive success. I would speculate that he will garner some little interest around the league. IF anybody is willing to take the chance with big money ,he will be gone. We lost Sam cowert to the Jets a few years back, big money deal, the Bills did not match because he was coming off injury. Cowart ate up cap space and did not much else in NY for a few years....he was constantly hurt. Same with Jonas Jennings....78 mil in SF....and didn't play many games in 3 years...injury prone. All in all, I am doubtful that Carrington will be here next year, mostly because Parker likes to stick it to the imcombent teams.....to maintain his reputation. I doubt that he has the interest of his clients at heart all the time. Now Byrd/Parker....I am thinking that the Byrd man is gone. And, although he is competant with what, 4 picks, I would point out that Leonard and Williams also both have 4 picks playing in those safety slots. Not sure the incremental benefit is worth the big bucks. And, Byrd is slow.....I saw Bradham run Byrd down and pass him in pursuit of a TB running back. Hard for me to see the big bucks for Bryd, him being that slow.

I thought the glare out there was from Mario's teeth from his smile at the thought of playing against Tyson Clabo once again.

Thad is a free agent after the season, with four starts this year. He will draw attention on the market. Bills wil need to show him the money, or he will be gone. Not Byrd kind of money, but top backup kind of money. And, if somebody else thinks he is a starter, he will be gone, as starter money will not come from the Bills. so, the bills still have a QB problem......

thanks for this post.

I had to sell my four tickets to the Miami game this weekend. I did it on the NFL ticket exchange...goods seats for slightly below par price. They sold, I believe, because of the blackout policy. So, as a season ticket holder, I am grateful for the "blackout" policy, it enabled me to resell my tickets. Good seats always sell. My buddies and I are all out of town, game should be OK to watch, but we had to move them. So, I support retention of the blackout policy. As a holder of 4 season tickets, I can tell you that we would not be investing $2700 if the product was always available on TV for free. And, the Ralph Wilson stadium will have to be renamed the Ralph Wilson Studio....cause not many folks are going to be there. It would surprise me if the NFL gave up ownership of their property rights (viewing of their games) without a fight. The FCC will loose, at the Supreme Court level , if it comes to a court fight. You cannot confiscate property, physical or intellectual, from private entities. (Unless they use eminent domain, and that ain't happening)

I would point out, that if Thad Lewis is not resigned, we don't have backup QB.....that should be resolved before the draft, however. I say resign Lewis, I like him as a backup. so, EJ will get one more season to show his stuff. Who know, maybe Marrone goes down with the ship on EJ.....but, year 3 in Marrone's contract is 2015....and he has 4 years. So, EJ gets another year...no QB drafted in next draft. No question, we need one high draft OL....buddy used to say "draft tackles and play them at guard"...so, a tackle at #1 or #2. And, I am all for Kalil Mack as #1....I think Moats is special teams fodder at best. Bradham is fast....he ran Byrd down (and passed him) chasing that long Tampa run early in the game. (or Byrd is slow, not sure which) Anyhow, a stud LB would help, Lawson is ok, but getting on in years. He likely has a couple left, not more. And, since we are likely to not retain Byrd.....draft a safety. I would like a TE, but resigning Chandler is OK....he is an NFL starter. Neither Smith or Gragg make a lot of NFL teams, so there is room for upgrade if they can spare the draft choice.

Just sold my 4 tickets on the NFL ticket exchange. Nothing game in cold weather.....cashed out.

I would like a better draft pick next year that comes with two more losses, but, really, the Bills need to knock the Phins out of the playoffs. We need to MAN UP on this one........I don't think we will see a high round QB by the Bills, but a trade down and get an extra pick more again if its a deep as rumored. Now, who is our backup....I like Thad Lewis, and, frankly, he played better than EJ, certainly in the downfield passing game. But, he is a free agent after the season. Tuel is still practice squad material. And, we have Dennis Dixon on the practice squad? EJ will get another season to make it or not.