Dan

Agreed; which is why I stated be prepared for heartache. I just can't see them trading up and losing valuable picks to get a QB, when the FO has shown confidence in the one we have AND we have so many needs elsewhere. So, like it or not, Fitz is going to be the QB here for the next year and, in all likelihood, the next several years.

Fitz's single biggest short coming is his accuracy, especially down the field accuracy. With proper off season training to improve his foot work and improve his core body strength, he can improve his accuracy. Now as the unquestioned starter, with the contract to prove it, with a full off season to work with, the question is... will he put in the work to address his most glaring weakness? If he does, IMO, his performance will improve dramatically and so will the team's fortunes. Unfortunately, we won't really know until next season starts. For those wanting to draft a QB of the future, just be prepared for heartache. Given Fitz's past performance and the glaring needs we have elswhere, I think its highly unlikely they draft a QB in the first round. Fitz has shown enough flash to get next season, but I think we can all agree he needs to improve. Let's just hope he does.

I must say... this FO is definitely showing some signs of competence. About a month ago, this thread was started, and I laid out what I saw as the keys to a good off season. Also, for me personally, what it would take to enter the 2012 season with some measure of optimism. For me, signing Stevie was a big part of it; he was first domino that would fall, if you will. With his re-signing and now Chandler's, I think I'll say item 1 is checked off my list. The FO is indeed recognizing their own talent and not letting it walk. I know we have a few more players to re-sign; but at this point, I think the FO has shown that they're certainly willing to do what it takes. We can't forget that the players have a voice as well, and for that reason, not all players re-sign with their current teams. Next step is free agency. It'll be interesting to see what happens there. Also, in this post, I was ready to say BillsVet was right about the future of the team and the FO. My question, is now, BV and other "Ralph is Cheap" posters, are you ready to say that this FO.. may.. be on the right track? I say, may, not is. I admit, we still have a good distance to go before we see the baby. Note: I'm not attempting to call anyone out. I genuinely want to know if maybe some of these moves are beginning to change your mind a little as well. This has been a good off season, thus far. Let's all hope it continues. Go Bills!

TBD truthism #1. All Bills players are average at best and should not be overpaid. All non-Bills players are probowlers that should be signed at all costs. TBD truthism #2. All moves made by the Bills' FO are bad, cheap, and just generally wrong. All moves made by any other team's FO are good, smart, and just generally what we need to be doing. TBD truthism #3. All pessimists about the Bills see the world as it really is and are right. All optimists about the Bills are living in a dream world and content with mediocrity. duh

For me, this is exactly how I see it. The Oline, although not great, is easily not the worst unit on the team. DE/LB is... period. Depending upon what they do in FA, I'd put WR next. Then, LT. So depending upon the health of a few of our own players, who they do or don't sign as FA (including our own guys), and who's available at #10, you take the best player at one of those positions. see... it really is just that simple.

$3.49/gal in MS

I very much understand and agree with your post. I also firmly believe that you and most all posters that routinely rail on the FO, don't want to be right and genuinely want to see the right moves made and the team improve. I have always been optimistic about this team; its just my nature. However, you're right. I see the signing of Stevie as a bell weather mark for this team and FO. Perhaps, I'm wrong... time will tell. But, Stevie is the epitome of what Nix and company have said they want to build this team around. If they can't get him signed, then its hard to believe anything they've said and its nearly impossible to believe they truly want to improve this team. Quite frankly, I'm at the point of being sick of excuses and saying they can't sign him because he demanded too much money is exactly that... an excuse. For now, I guess, this is all a premature discussion. I'll remain hopeful and always be a Bills fan, but I'm not holding my breath by any means.

Well done! I have no idea what was said, but nice to see the post (which judging by the reactions was well over the line) is gone... as well as all quotes of the post. The mods here are easily the best in the business! Regarding your comment. Exactly. Letting Stevie walk says more about the seriousness of the FO in turning this team around than anything else. It makes no sense to let him walk, period. If Stevie walks, we have to pay an equivalent FA WR similar money and we're still where we are today - 1 really good WR and David Nelson. If the FO office is content or restricted to that going into next year (whether that really good WR is Stevie or a new FA), then there's really not much else to say. BillsVet is right; all us optimists are wrong.

Here's one for you... My link

It's not a question of sexual activity. Its a question of using birth control while being sexually active. So, why can't they ask someone's opinion on birth control, or any other issues dear to their heart? Or only hire devote catholics in their community? But, as I see it, they want to have their cake and eat it too. That is, hire anyone they want and deny them coverage because its against their beliefs. Is that not forcing their beliefs on someone? Can the church determine that each employee must donate a large portion of their pay back to the church, effectively dropping your rate of pay below minimum wage? My point being that there are certain standards that employers - employers being the operative word - must adhere to (whether we like them or not). At what point do we allow religious oganizations to pick and choose the laws they wish to follow all in the name of religious freedom. And, yes, individuals don't have to work for a chuch and be subjected to any of this. But, imo, churches that feel so strongly on certain issue have the same ability to not hire those indivuals. Effectively, making this all nonsense.

If a church is so much against birth control that it cannot support a health care plan that provides birth control for it's employees, why is that church hiring employees that would use birth control in the first place?

If your opinion of Fitz is predicated on this opinion, then I think you're evaluations are completely flawed. Although, I wouldn't say our Oline is the worst in the league, I find it hard to see how anyone could say we have one of the best 3-5 lines in the league. Fitz has issues with his accuracy, certainly. And, he needs to work on that quite a bit this off season; however, at least a portion of that is due to the Oline allowing too much pressure. I might also add that throwing to UFA and the like makes his job considerably more difficult than Eli's (for one).

Gotta love the off season around here!!

I sincerely hope they do, because that will be the first step. I completely agree!

I, most assuredly, am not.

As sad as it is to admit... I agree with this attitude more and more each day. I have almost no optimism for this team at this point. With that said, I might get a titch of it back if: They re-sign Stevie. If they let him walk, for any reason, this franchise is going no where. Period. They re-sign a few of the other key players currently on the bubble. They extend Freddie. Do that, and they show they're able to recognize talent currently on the team and they want to keep it and build around it finally. Go after a quality WR and pass rushing DE or LB in free agency. Do that, and they show they recognize what our biggest offensive and defensive needs are. Have a solid draft. That's all I can hope for here. Until we see who they re-sign and pick up as FAs, I can't see hoping for any particular player(s). Do that, and they're continuing to build a solid foundation. Get Fitz into a core strength and training program and working with someone on his foot work. His greatest problem is down field accuracy. At least attempt to correct that and we just may notice an improvement in his game. Do all that prior to or concurrent with the OTAs and I'll consider it a good offseason, and entertain the possibility that this team is heading in the right direction. Don't do each of those things, and its the final proof that they truly are just spinning their wheels. So until I see what happens with Stevie, imo, the first domino that will fall, I have little to no feeling one way or the other about the future direction of this team.

That's what I've been saying for a while. The Republicans need to stop worrying about their base. Their base is already fired up and will vote for anyone that isn't Obama. They need a nominee and VP running mate that will fire up the independents. That, in my opinion, is exactly why Newt (or Santorum) would lose a general election. They can get the conservative base fired up, sure, but not enough independents.

My link Yes. Its gotta be rough being the poor guy.

So take the Bills of 2011 and change the HC and we're a game away from the Super Bowl?

No. I didn't. JH inherited pretty much all of that team. How much rebuilding did they do last off season? The 49rs of last off season and the Bills of 2yrs ago are not analogous at all.

How do you figure a one year turnaround? Smith, Davis, Gore, etc. etc. have been on that team quite a bit more than one year. The core of that team has been there, they just needed a coach to pull it all together. But to say that team was built in a year is disingenuous at best.

From the other thread, he was being courted by the Jets, as well. So apparently, he chose the lowly Bills over the high flying Jets? Interesting; could the worm be turning? Personally, I don't know if this is a good hire or not. But I really hope he can help Fitz work on his mechanics and thereby help improve his down field accurcy issues.

I would disagree. I think it's more an indication of poor coaching coupled with excessive injuries. Is Maybin the complete waste that can't even get on the field that he was in Buffalo or is he a 5 sack a year guy that he was in NY? I agree with several posters here, we have fewer holes than I think many realize. The problem is they are important holes. How do you run a 3-4 defense with only 1 decent LBer on your defense? We desperately need to get good LBs, a DE, a WR. In that order, IMO. Yes, we have needs at many other positions, but that's to build depth or just to upgrade. OL, for ex, yes, it would be nice to upgrade our LT; however, Bell is not complete crap like our LBers are. So, I don't see how that can be considered a hole. Same with QB. Fitz is ok (especially if we get a starting WR to go with Stevie). But, yes, it would be nice to draft a guy to replace him in a couple of years. But QB is by no means a huge hole on this team. Get some adequate coaching which maybe we've done with Wanny, fill some of these glaring holes, continue upgrading and finding good depth, and watch several of our existing guys improve dramatically. Obviously, we can't address every hole and every upgrade this year. So do you draft a young QB this year or do you continue filling other areas of greater need? That's an answer that I would expet depends upon the player available this year vs next year. But, IMO, you have to address the major holes, first. Then you worry about the upgrades/depth.

Yes! He's not currently on the Bills roster, ergo he must be better than anyone on the Bills roster.

That's my thoguht as well. Why is Polian getting all the blame in Indy? Shouldn't the HC shoulder a large portion of the blame? Yeah, with Painter as your QB, you don't expect the playoffs maybe. But the complete and total collapse of the entire team, IMO, has to be on the HC as much or more than anyone. Irsay is nuts.