Bob in STL

Time for a history lesson. It took Canada 50 years to beat the Russians in Olympic hockey. For decades the Canadians have complained about Russian professionals beating Canadian amatuers. Please recall that two Russian teams toured North America in the 70's and kicked the crap out of most of the NHL teams! Those teams were 98% Canaidians. So much for that great Canadian depth you speak of. After that, American college kids beat the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. Where was Canada and that great depth from their Jr. Hockey or-gan-eye-zay-shun? Since that time the NHL has many more Europeans and Americans in it. The Canadian dominance you speak of is eroded today. Since the early 70's the NHL has gone from 98% Canadians to approximately 50% Canadian. In twenty years it could could be 25%. Canada might just win the gold but you need to get a clue.

I have been outside of the US a lot. I disagree with your comment although it is a common misconception that has some truth to it. I can tell you that French Canadians are not well liked in Paris. They are below Americans on the social scale which I find to be an amusing aspect of the French culture. In any world disaster you take a look at the aid provided by the US. Typically the US contributes more aid (measured in dollars and in people) than the rest of the world combined. When times are tough the USA is there to help and that is recognized and appreciated by some. Canada is a nice country and I like it and the people. Some Canadians have an inferiority complex when it come to the US and feel they have to down the US in order to prop up Canada. That is a shame. I think that Canada wil have a huge advantage if there is a rematch with the US. I suspect Canada will win but I would not under estimate the US ... you could end up crying in your Molson's.

What you need to know about Butler: 1. Butler was a starter. 2. A rht round pick, he worked very hard to start at both RG and then RT. 3. He has had injury problems that have cut his career short. 4. He is an intelligent and decent guy that was liked and respected on the team. 5. He has other aspirations that include law and politics. 6. He announced he is retiring which is WHAT DECENT PEOPLE DO when under contract. Happy now?

Lets not forget: Dunc (or anyone else) named MacTavish - NHL Bob McAdoo - NBA

I don't know if he is a bust yet. Too soon to tell. The lack of playing time is the Bills front office's fault. They drafted a player that is a "tweaner"with only one year as a college starter. Maybin was a project right from the get go. He was a risky pick made by a poorly organized front office that lacked both accountability for decisions and a clear development plan for this team. I would not blame his the coaches at all. Sanders did a great job with the defensive lineman and was re-hired by Chan and Buddy. Fewell did a great job with the defense overall. Given all the injuries the poor play of the offense or defense did ok.

Really? Oh gee whiz. Thanks for making us aware of that. No one on this board has ever made that statement before. Since Maybin is only 21 maybe we should let him come to camp and try out? What do you think?

Babe started out big and strong and became big and fat but still very strong. Babe's fat was minor in comparison to Cody. To be fair, an NT needs a lot of girth but Cody looks like someone who does not train. That will change in the NFL or he will be out in of it in 3 years. No doubt he can be wipped into better shape.

You did your homework. Thanks for the info. I still like him as a player on the field but your right, he is a gamble. College to NFL is a big jump and his work ethic and training habits will matter. Buddy will be making the call. I hope he finds us an NT that can contribute this year.

D. Almost DD.

So why are the Skins trading him then?

I have not seen that attitiude in Maybin but in todays NFL most of the players have a cocky attitude. It seems to be perfected in college football. I just watched the excellent series, Fill Color football on the NFL channel. It is about the AFL. Watching the highlights of all the teams in the AFL from 1960 through 1969 the contrast in player demeanor is astounding. You see a more business-like approach to the game. You do not see any excessive celebrating. It was a nice change.

The problem is Campbell. I cannot see him as an upgrade over Trent or Fitz? I hate giving up a pick, any pick for Campbell. There have been some great players drafted in the late rounds. I don't like this rumor at all. I do agree that Whitner is a solid player. Not his fault he was taken when he was and he is a whipping boy on this board for it.

Oh, and you know what all the people that left thought of the place , must be nice. I'll bet they left because they agreed with his article and that caused a mass exodos. Right, I'll bet the loss of jobs in the area has nothing to do with it.

I guess I should have said his mockery of the Buffalo goes beyond fashion. I try not to read this article any more. I saw it when it came out and it has gotten worse with time. It is irresponsible journalism that goes beyond humor.

You missed the point on the 1948 comment an it has nothing to do with fashion.

Thanks for the nice note. Don't be surprised to see a rematch for Gold. I actually thought that Canada dominated for much of the game .. Miller was the difference today.

Add to the absurdity that they planned on playing a no-huddle offense with a fat and lazy Langston Walker at LT, then they fired their OC at the end of preseason and stayed with the no-huddle. Then they cut the fat and lazy Walker one week prior to the first game and replaced him with an inexperienced Bell who missed much of the summer with injuries and they still stayed with the no-huddle. Add to that that the had a new Center and rookies starting at both gaurd positions and they still stayed with the no huddle. Not to mention a defense that could not stop the run and they still stayed with the no huddle.

If you want an experienced HC then you get a retread by definition. If you want new, then you get an unproven person, like our OC and DC. Sean Payton started as a newbie OC and he did fine. Then he was newbie HC and he won a Super Bowl. Comes a time when you have to take a chance and give good people a chance. Actually our DC has lots of experience. Our defense was poor, even with a number 15 rating. We forced a lot of turnovers and that helped but for the most part we cannot stop third downs and get off of the field. The switch to the 3-4 is just an NFL copycat thing. Right now defenses are more easily disguised in the 3-4 which is a big advantage.

Everybody talks about the Parcells coaching tree. Over the years (Giants, Patriots, Jets, Cowboys and Dolphins) you will find that many of his position coaches are first time coaches from college, many of his coordinators are first time coordinators, etc. Many have moved on to other places and to success. Is that a bad thing? I don't think so.

Given your philosophy you would of hired Sean Payton as the Saints OC but you would not hire him as a HC?

I am not going to dispute Polian's greatness but to set the record straight, Jim Kelly was drafted before Polian was GM. Credit Polian for signing him a few years later but the Bills had exclusive rights to him when the USFL folded. Also, Polian was GM for the first 3 Super Bowls. He left prior to the fourth. During his stint in Carolina he did a great job getting Carolina into the playoff ... he also benefitted from a system that gave them many more draft choices than the other NFL teams. Carolina and Jax both had the luxury of this system that was never used before for stocking expansion teams. Both franchises built strong teams in a short time. Prior to his job in Carolina, Polian also did great work for the commisioner, Paul Tagliabue, to set up the Free Agency system with salary cap. True, he is a certain Hall of Famer.

Uugh. Even in a fantasy question you pick an offensive line and a defensive line that is worst than last years!! I'll skip Trent because we have nothing else but Chambers and McCargo? They were back ups last year. Chambers actually got cut before the season started. Chambers should never play another game as a Bill again and you have him as a starter? Meredith maybe at RT and either Wood or Incognito at RG makes more sense. Hangarter did a nice job at center while playing inbetween two rookies. McCargo at NT? He is an incredible kitty, always has some mystery ailments, he could never hold up at NT. Why not Poz on the inside? Why Maybin on the inside? You say he is "not an edge rusher?" Then why did we ever draft him?

Hmm ... Maybe typical for other teams but it looks like we have about 4 or 5 more coaches than in the past. Thanks for the info.

I agree that over a long period of time the better drafters will prevail. Good timing and good luck should not be discounted though.

I really think this could be worth a few wins. A good S&C program and good coaches as teachers. I just hope that Chan is a good game day coach and can make adjustments at halftime. I will assume he can get a flag out of his pocket and forcefully toss it on the field although we have seen even that small task get botched.