TPS

No one will ever do what Belichick (in combination with Brady) has done, but I just found their similarities interesting. In John Murphy's interview with Schwartz yesterday, he mentioned an anecdote by Gregg Williams when he became the Bills HC. GW said that the guy taking over in Tenn (Schwartz) was going to be even better. There's a lot to like about the guy. There's been a lot reported that he is into analytics. In fact, there is a story that he told Belichick that fumbles were irrelevant--there was no correlation between good/bad teams and fumbles; it was totally random. Belichick still didn't believe him though. I forgot about that. I think I love the guy now!

It seems that Schwartz and Belichick have some interesting career parallels. While it's been reported that Schwartz started his career as an intern under Belichick, here are some other commonalities: - Both played football at good academic institutions at the DIII level. - Both majored in economics. - Both cut their teeth as (eventual) D coordinators under a couple of very good coaches, Parcells and Fisher. - In their first HC positions, both were able to get their teams to the playoffs within a few years. - Both then were fired a year or two after that playoff appearance. - Both went back and took D coordinator positions after losing their HC jobs. Belichick spent another 4 years a D coordinator for Parcells' teams before landing his next HC gig with the Pats. The rest is history, as they say...

I wonder how much Marrone learned about pettine's defense and how much input he'll have in shaping schwartz's defense to incorporate any of pettine's principles?

Sure, you move back for the right price, but I don't see a scenario at the moment where there will be a player available at 9 that some team will want to over pay for. Weird things happen in the draft, so you never know...

I'd hate to see them move that far back. I don't want to see them go beyond 15/16, or at the very least, they should stay in front of the Jets and Miami..

I came across a mock draft from Bleacher site (sorry, but I get a message that I can't link to it..), and I think this guy (Dan Hope) makes a good case for Mosely...

You're right, there are "holes to fill" and there are positions to "upgrade." I agree with your assessment that there are two holes to fill, LG and LB. I disagree with those who say QB, because you've just drafted someone at #1 who has shown ability, and it's not certain yet that he won't be a good starting QB in this league. Given the salary cap, all teams have positions they can upgrade. Given the differences, I'd like to see the Bills use FA to fill the holes LG and LB, then use the draft to upgrade RT and TE.

We should stick to this board instead of that other one... Yes, Robinson may not be as good now, but he will be the better player in the very near future. He's a beast. He's already ahead of Mathews on some boards. It's going to be another interesting draft for the Bills. If they don't get OT in the first, I hope they get one of the top guards in the 2nd.

I went Robinson. However, his recent rise up the charts into the top 10 has me thinking he won't be there now. He'll be the first tackle off the board. If so, I hope they trade back a couple spots and grab Ebron.

I know he mentions the top FAs, but I'm surprised he didn't mention that the Bills should try to re-sign Carrington? He also focuses on LT, and says the Bills don't need. They do need a RT, and he brings this into the equation only wrt cap savings. I think the Bills should focus on their own first--Byrd, Chandler, Carpenter, and Carrington, then maybe bring in at least one OL (RT or G) and a LB. This would give them the most flexibility in the draft.

There will always be a DVC AND there will always be exceptions. In the case of the skins, in their view (and in the view of most) rg3 was an exceptional player. They were willing to go beyond the charts that are based on "averages" to secure an exceptional player. There will always be teams or mike ditkas who covet a player so much the charts are meaningless to them; they will "pay" whatever it takes.

It only takes one team to think he is....a la ej

With a slight tweak, your selections indicate why this would be a good move--highly likely 3 high quality starters instead of 2. for the tweak, I'd prefer a greater need--LB, CB, or OT--at 42. Or, depending on who else is available at 35, i might wait to take a G at 42. Should add, it depends on whose there at 9 as well. Robinson is a guy they should take if available.

he's moved into the top 5 on some draft sites.

I'm coming around to your Oline of thinking. I'm starting to like what I'm reading about Greg Robinson at 9.As you mentioned in short yardage situations, too many times they seemed to fail. They really don't have a good Pair of linemen to dependably run behind for short yardage. Glenn-legusky? Urbik-pears? I don't think so. A guy like Robinson will also be good insurance if they can't afford Glenn down the line...so to speak... In R2, I won't be surprised to see one of the top 2 guards still available, and I won't be disappointed if they pulled the trigger on Oline again!

My GDP # was nominal, not the real value. You are correct on the average interest rate.The deficit continues to fall. “The deficit is going down, will continue to go down as percentage of GDP and in nominal terms through about 2018, 2019 under current forecasts,” said Stan Collender, executive vice president at Qorvis/MSLGROUP in Washington and a former congressional appropriations aide. “It will essentially cease to be much of an economic issue over the next five years.”

Several people listed Hogboy. Wasn't he also various incarnations of "Lenny"? Lenny in Sloan comes to mind. There were some really funny posters here back in the day...

your response belongs in the "poster you miss the most" thread.... :-)

here's a good piece breaking down which segments of the population are leaving the LF.http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/01/wolf-richter-chart-true-representation-employment-crisis-country.html

agreed. It will happen when they win some playoff games.

They certainly had a lot of turnover on STs throughout the year since there was a lot of roster churning over the season. The bills still don't have great talent at some key positions that contribute to STs (LBs for example), so I'll give crossman another year, and the additional infusion of talent it brings, before crucifying him...

Bad actors have done well in politics...

I like it, and posted in another thread that a rookie TE stud paired with chandler would be a red zone nightmare. I also like the idea of having the top 3 gone before NE picks. Why no Ebron on your TE list?

Maybe it's a brilliant pre-draft ruse....? Or not....

it was pretty entertaining. I sure had a lot of non-bills related arguments (still do on PPP), but would buy a beer and share beers with any and all. Gavin in VB comes to mind...