Mikie2times

Maybe he came back early to try and occupy his mind with football. I figured he wouldn't be back until the playoffs.

Seattle' opponents are a combined .436, good for the NFL's easiest schedule, and as you pointed out many of the good teams they have played have been under ideal circumstances. Of the 15 games they played so far 5 have come against teams with legit playoff aspirations as we enter the final week. Seattle ended up going 3-2 against those teams, but look how they won those three games. Dallas- Bledsoe INT at midfield with under 20 seconds in a tie game Giants- 3 missed game winning FG's Colts- First game following the death of Tony Dungy's son, and a Colts team with nothing to play for. The Bears SOS isn't much better, but that just illustrates how wide open this things is. The two teams getting the bye have played cake teams all year, and the rest of the teams in it don't appear like they can run off the three straight wins necessary to reach the SB.

I think he would be a great choice KO. Tressel's system and philosophies seem like a perfect fit for this Bills team. He might not be the best X's and O's guy, but he get's the most out of his players, and it seems like Ohio State is always winning the close games. Perhaps nothing else is a better indicator of this then the complete reversal of Ohio States fortune in the Michigan series. Cooper couldn't win, and Tressel can't lose, and for those that think it's because of talent those 90's Ohio State teams were dominant against everybody else besides Michigan. Tressel just knows how to get the most out of his players, and at the NFL level that’s usually the best quality a coach can have.

Really? Teams throw high picks with no experience in all the time over veterans. See Kitna/Palmer, Warner/Manning etc. We would see several more examples but not every team has a quality veteran to go with the 1st round QB. Again the amount of starts wouldn't be so troubling if he wasn't facing make or break status, a problem I contend MM and TD created. You can't play an injured QB, but if JP is healthy enough to play he needs to be playing. Part of the original problem with JP's implementation is what you pointed out. He was elevated to starter without the roster even being set. To even further complicate things this occurred at a time the locker room could have been divided on Drew Bledsoe’s release. The Bills probably had some veterans questioning JP Losman's credentials, and then he starts off slow. Gee a first year QB starting off slow, who would have thought that could happen? So the Bills knee jerk it and yank Losman, which is an action that would only seem to fuel the questioning of JP Losman by the players. As a young QB that support is what you need the most, and JP Losman doesn’t seem to be getting it the same way Kelly Holcomb is. All for what? So Kelly Holcomb might be able to keep the brass from losing their jobs? How does that benefit the franchise, or the Bills likelihood of finding the first QB since Kelly worth a crap? The point is Boller was under the gun entering his third year as a qb with 25 starts under his belt. Losman will enter the same situation with 8 starts under his belt. Who has a better chance at turning it around?

Bears 24 Colts 17

Kyle Boller ...................................................JP losman 6-3 ..............................................................6-2 220..............................................................217 Selected 1st Round 19th Pick..........................Selected 1st Round 22nd Pick First Year QB Rating 62.4................................First Year QB Rating 64.9 Year 1 Starts- 9.............................................Year 1 Starts-0 Year 2 Starts- 16...........................................Year 2 Starts- 8 Year 3 Starts- 8.............................................Year 3 Starts- Unknown Kyle Boller has looked great so far today, and was excellent last week. We always hear about the light bulb turning on at different stages for QB, and perhaps that is what’s happening for Boller right now. Regardless of whether or not Boller has turned the corner we do know players who have taken that long and then some for the switch to turn on. If Boller has turned the corner it took him until start 32 of his third season to make it happen. This number is relevant because like JP he's a QB who was playing poorly, and approaching make or break status in his 3rd year. He is also a player with many other similar measurables to JP, The main difference is JP will be approaching make or break status his third year with only 8 starts under his belt, while Boller had 25. The fact that JP hasn't started many games wouldn't be such a big deal if he had more time to prove himself, and that to me is a problem the Bills management and coaching created. Buffalo decided to draft a QB in the 1st round, they weren't forced into doing so. When you do that you can't constantly flirt with a veteran every five seconds because a veteran will probably outplay the green Rookie, and from then on many of the issues we have seen are a likely conclusion. Personally I don’t agree with drafting first round QB’s unless he’s a once a decade type player. It’s a costly investment that is unsuccessful more often then not, and almost always comes at the expense of a few bad seasons. Still if that’s the path you choose you must do what Baltimore has done with Boller, otherwise you pretty much guarantee the pick will be wasted. The only exception I could see is if this team was truly a contender, which is exactly how the Bills tried to spin it off.

Don't let Seattle fool you, the NFC is completely up for grabs this year and the Bears are looking more and more like a team of destiny. Their defense is vanilla but dominating, and they have a great ground attack. What's scary is they still could get a lot better as Grossman improves. Old Rexy has been injured every season he's played, but when he has played he's been good. If they can start scoring 20+ a game not only will this team win the NFC, but they might just take it all, and that’s not something I thought a NFC team could do a few months ago.

Only game on right now, and as the Packers are making a comeback DTV switched to Seinfield

Counting isn't difficult, it's trying to do the other million things coaches need to do that makes it difficult. If it was so easy why do these things even happen? Like you said it's not just Mularkey, the heralded Marvin Lewis did it. Most coaches will mess up from time to time, some more so then others. This is clearly the trend in the NFL regards to time management, especially when dealing with new coaches. I do agree that it's inexcusable for not one of the million other assistants to be keeping an eye on it. If that is happening and MM is still messing it up what a nightmare that would be. Personally I don't think they have anybody that does monitor the clock, because Mularkey thinks he can handle it. That's probably the problem at a lot of places, but regardless of what the problem is it needs to be addressed before 2006. .

Clock management is one of the most butchered areas in the league. Just like ST some coaches don't spend much time working on it, while the good ones either have the experience to multitask, or hire people to deal only with the clock. Mularkey is making the same mistake several inexperienced coaches make, namely underestimating how difficult managing the clock can be, and how much of an effect it can have on a game. I'm not making an excuse for Mularkey, but this is often a league wide problem coaches have, and the less experienced guys should all have people in charge of watching the clock.

Our DE's are small, and despite having talent at LB our depth is pretty thin. Those are the two main obstacles facing this team if they want to switch to the 3-4. The obvious benefit of a switch would mean we would need less DT's, and by the looks of our roster that could be a huge plus. I think this is a doable plan that the Bills can achieve by next season. It gives Buffalo a youth movement, depth, and versatility. If they want a 4-3 look these players would have no problem playing in that role. DE: Mario Williams (1st Pick)- Chris Kelsey DT: Grady Jackson, Sam Adams, Maake Kemoeatu FA (BALT) DE: Aaron Schobel OLB: Elvis Dumervil (2nd Pick), Posey Retained (He did well in a 3-4 for the Texans) MLB: London Fletcher MLB: Takeo Spikes (Injury makes him a better fit at ILB) OLB: Keith Adams FA (PHIL) Angelo Crowell (also backing up the middle) CB: Nate Clements, Eric King CB: Terrance MaGee, Troy Vincent FS: Pat Watkins (3rd Pick), Troy Vincent, Rashad Baker SS: Lawyer Milloy, This draft is nearly all defense, and why not? The problem on defense is that this team relies too much on if the call is right as opposed to being able to win straight up one on one match ups. We have some talent already, but why not draft some players that allow us to dominate teams instead of only making a play when the perfect blitz is called. The offense can be upgraded threw FA, which is good for a line that needs to get better in a hurry.

I see this draft class as being different then 2002, and an elite player being available. To me you have 4 major talents in Lienhart, Bush, Ferguson, and Williams, past that some players could also warrant top 5 attention in Hawk, Ngata, or Young if he declares. If we can end up at 4 or 5 a real chance exists that we land either Ferguson or Williams which happen to also serve need areas. Anything past 5 and your likely getting into Ngata territory if he posts a good combine, and East West game. This is one of the most heralded drafts in a long time, and while sometimes that amounts to squat in the long run, it is a much better year then 2002 was for picking top 5 or top 10.

I agree Think Aaron Brooks with even more talent but much of the same problems.

It could happen, in my mind his stock has dropped as Reggie Bush's went up. Still he's a QB with an incredible resume, and as Joey Harrington showed teams are so QB desperate a good bowl game can vault a QB into the top 3. Lienhart has already had that status for 2 seasons, and with a good bowl game will likely have teams like the Saints, Titans, Jets, and Lions pinning for his services. Perhaps even enough to try and trade up to get him. The more action the better for the Bills, and while I recognize the need for a DT, Mario Williams or D'Brick Ferguson seem like major steals if they manage to fall to us.

A few of those losses were just brutal, the Eagles and Cowboys games come to mind. SD is a bit unpredictable, and the loss to Miami was inexcusable, but they do have the talent to beat anybody in football, and have shown the past 2 years that they match up well with the Colts. I would consider them legit contenders in the AFC if they find a way to get in, probably even more so then Pittsburgh, or the Jaguars without Leftwhich. If the Jags can get Leftwhich back they have also shown the past two years they can hang with the Colts. Throw in NE and I think it would be a bit premature to anoint the Colts champions despite how impressive they have been.

If we lose to the Jets 3 or 4 looks possible, and remember some awesome talent exists in the first few picks. Lienhart and Bush might just pave the way for Ferguson or Williams to be available, when in other drafts they would be top 3 for sure.

I used to think a team was robbed at 10-6, but 11-5 and not making it is unheard of. I'm not going to look it up but I imagine no team has ever posted such a strong record and missed the postseason. In the AFC, NE, CIN, IND, and DEN seem to be the division winners, leaving PITT, SD, JAC, and KC to duke it out for the two Wild Cards. The Jags are already in the double digits, with SD and Pitt at 9 wins, and KC at 8. Pitt and the Jags remaining opponents are are a combined 15-41 , with SD having two difficult must win type games left. The talent exists for SD to win the final two, and if the Jags and Pitt plow threw the cake walk 3 teams will be 11-5, and one will be watching at home. Perhaps a more logical approach could improve the system, maybe not, I just know I would be pissed if the Bills missed out at 10-6, 11-5 would just be cruel.

I messed around with a excel draft order program I found online, and it looks almost guaranteed the Bills and Jets winner will drop 5 or more spots. Buffalo would likely be in the 11-13 range if they win, and between 4-7 if they lose. I did a lot of scenarios with other teams winning and losing, and if Buffalo loses a top 5 pick is almost a lock. Then for the Jets if they lose they could end up 1st overall, but with a win could fall to the 6-9 range. Check out the link, and make sure to hit sort on the predicted draft order sheet to ensure it shows the changes made. Excel Draft Order Link

You captured a dilemma facing the Bills in the draft, but it's still awfully early to be placing value on the players you mentioned. Ngata is still a player more then capable of getting top 5 considerations with a solid East-West performance, and good combine, but IMO the same can't be said for Vince Young. Young has been great this year, but let’s just say it's a bit premature to be placing him top 5 in this type of draft class. We all know the crapshoot drafting a QB can be, this team needs help all over the place, and I just can't justify scrapping JP and ignoring the needs by rolling the dice on Matt Lienhart, let alone Vince Young. Both would still get killed by this offensive line, and they both would have to overcome giving up 140+ on the ground each game. Drafting another QB just doesn't feel like the best approach to turning this team around. Two guys you did mention in that group, Reggie Bush and Mario Williams do look to be top 5 locks, and are deserving of consideration. If Bush lasts past the 2nd pick any team would be stupid to pass on him, no matter who they have at RB. Bush looks like a once a decade type player, but I just don't see him making it past 1 and 2 so it won’t matter to Buffalo anyway. As you pointed out Mario Williams should also get some consideration. He plays the opposite side of Schobel, and would really strengthen our DL pass rush. He would also bring some more size at DE, potentially opening the door to a 3-4 defense if we ever find a quality DT.

I understand 8==============D

Seems like a lot of people are looking for the best of both worlds and it probably won't happen. Good coaches that have HC experience are always at a premium, and even if one is available who actually thinks he will come here? Let's face it; Buffalo does not have a long history of bringing in coaches with HC experience, let alone good ones. Plenty of coaches have failed much worse then Haslett and gone on to have success. Personally I would like it to be someone else, but their is a lot to be said for giving a guy a second chance, especially since he will be armed with the knowledge he didn't have before. It almost sounds like the last guy we road out of town, who also happens to be the last guy to get us to the playoffs, Wade Phillips.

I will defend Nate as a top corner, but we have personally witnessed blown assignments and coverage’s all year, much more so then we were used to see from Nate Clements. The scheme does tend to isolate him more, but it has for awhile and he's shown in the past that he could handle it. This year he has really been off and it's made him much more retainable. I figured he had the potential of being the highest paid corner in the NFL at the start of the year. Now he is worth about the franchise tenure, which Mortenson reported as being very affordable. If not Clements, I think Will Allen has shown plenty of value this year for the Giants, and would be worth looking into.

Milloy saves us nearly 3 million if we cut him, while Vincent saves us only 800,000. In terms of play I would rather see Vincent go, in terms of money I would rather see Milloy. If a new GM is brought in we very well could see the FS or SS position shaken up a bit.

Seriously Can you think of any recent player that has managed to hurt his stock as quickly as Clements, without injury? Even the national reporters like ESPN talk about how Clements has played poorly. Resigning him has become an intresting proposition. We will have more then enough cap room to bring some quality players in, and retain Clements, but is he even worth the franchise tenure? Then if you don't tag him some team out there (probably a division team) would pay him top dollar and he would get away. Ultimately I would like to see him tagged, and traded only if the Bills get a premium pick or player.

Apparently you missed the first sentence "Save the usual posts that we can't turn it around with MM and TD. We will see a fall guy, so to write off impending doom without knowing their status is pointless."