timekills17

Clearly the GM role differs depending on the organization. Who handles the players day-to-day outside of "on field" issues? In some (few) teams it is the coach. In many it is the GM. Who is the face of the front office? Again, it's normally split between what happened in-game (coach) and "everything else" (GM). The trust an organization places in a GM can probably be seen better in who is representing the team publically. Most of the time we fans won't really know who pulled trigger on a player decision - through the gamut of whether drafting/FA prioritization, deciding to choose/sign, financial considerations, etc - but we can see who the team chooses to place front and center.

He liked our uniforms better. Winning.

But he is fine with Cincinatti. Because he can play behind A.J. Green. And Green Bay ebcause USC's QB compares favorably to Aaron Rodgers. Not that Cin-city compares to BFLO in the snow/temps, but its definitely cold. I suppose if he goes to a warmer area team it will be good because he'll never have any road games to worry about.

*snip* "...he'll have formidable competition in veteran T.J. Yates and first-year QB Josh Woodrum" Yeah. Those two would have any QB shaking in their cleats for competition at the backup.

I prefer the opener against the Patriots. Especially with significant changes, i.e. new QB or new coach. It makes it more an on-field talent vs. on-field talent game than later games where the coach's ability to game plan is much more relevant. Not that I've felt we've been outcoached over the past ~20 years or anything.

Oh yeah. It is 2017 isn't it. Well that went about as well as my fantasy football team last year. Done before it started.

My guess is home against the Titans week 1.

I'd take Allen as well, although I think our play is tied to how effectively our "tweener" safety and LB members can play that zone between DB and LB and less on getting another DE - this year. If Sammy can't play (most) of the season, our offense will be effectively the same as last year, which wasn't that bad. I don't think we lose a lot with our #2 and #3 or whatever receivers gone even though I did like Woody. Bottom line: I don't think we pick a CB, because I think the Bills feel they have the safety and "tweener" LB/safety they need to protect the DBs in this defense. A DE that like Allen that can force a quick play helps, but only if we have a LB corps that can stop a quick pass to a TE or RB. And my main concern is the only LBer we have with speed is an aging ex-Oliner that may or may not have had a once in a career year.

I don't think it takes two years to evaluate talent a the quarterback position. Sure - like the "it takes three years for a receiver to blossom" discussion, they'll improve. But they improve from either a good starting point to become very good, or a mediocre starting point to become...something more than mediocre. Tom Brady, Ben Roethisberger, Russell Wilson - all example of QBs drafted with varying (from none with Tom to high with Ben) expectations to start quickly. All have improved as QBs tremendously since their starting jobs. Tom and Ben weren't sure fire HoF'ers their rookie years, but their skill, physically and mentally, as witnessed by the coaches showed they had a good base and they learned the game and became better. Russell Wilson was drafted as the thrid string behind expected starter Matt Flynn and previous starter Tavaris Jackson (ugh). Admitedly, Wilson was given equal opportunity that preaseason to showcase his talents, but it was obvious enough that he had the BASELINE needed to be decent and improve. Not "bad but with potential." Drafting a "bad but with potential" QB is dumb in the NFL. There is no time in the NFL these days to progress a bad QB to a possibly good one when snaps are limited and wins are needed. We should draft good QBs. They may end up not good enough, but I think they can be evaluated and moved on from within two seasons. The problem becomes the money committed to them when you decide to move on - which is even more reason not to draft "bad with potential" that eats up cap space and a player spot on the roster.

You're one of those guys that thinks a business owner should just stay in his/her office and let the experts run the show, I assume. I'd prefer for the ownership to have an idea what is going on. Participating and learning doesn't automatically mean making the decision. I'll admit that owning a football team is different than many other businesses where the owner or CEO actually has experience in the business, and (usually) got to the top through savvy business practice. In the NFL, the owners may not have the acumen to make player picks. I'd wager the NFL is not that different when it comes to it's typically when the owner/CEO becomes completely disengaged that the business fails. Being engaged is never a bad thing. I'd think the owners that are interested, stay involved, and know their limits are the best owners. Being involved is great. Listening to the "pros" debate their positions on why a player should be picked helps to strengthen the process. Over-valuing your experience is the danger that good owners can avoid.

I finally move out of Dallas land and now I'm stuck with Tampa Bay vs Carolina this week. Go figure. Did enjoy watching the Bills destroy the Dolphins last week live at the game though. Of course, that *was* a game I could have seen on TV.

Is #66 replacing Dareus for the first week during the suspension? (3rd page of the article) http://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2015/08/ej_manuel_gets_his_chance_5_things_to_watch_in_bills-steelers_preseason_game_1.html#3

I hope you're kidding and that whatever joke you were trying to make went over my head. Obviously.

Nah. I heard he has slow eyes.

We also destroyed them in number of turnovers. Hell, we held them to zero!

Hey-ooo!

Actually, Collinsworth specifically mentioned the Giants first string offense was playing against the Bills second string defense. Al Michaels was the one who said the Giants finally looked like they were getting their act together, and Collinsworth said "What I see is a first string offense doing okay against the Bills second string." He also mentioned multiple times how impressed he was with the Bills o-line depth, something that has concerned most of us.