FLFan

They tried to negotiate with Whitner but he felt he was worth much more money than the Bills thought he was worth so he waited for free agency. By the way, he did not get what he was originally asking for as he found a relatively soft market for his services. This is all well documented. The Bills were restricted in negotiations with Poz before his contract expired due to rules set by the CBA with respect to extension offers and percentagtes of existing salalry. I do not recall the specifics of the dollars, but again, this was well documented and you can look it up. When FA started the Bills immediately made what Poz's agent referred to as a very competitive offer. He chose to play elsewhere. You need to look elsewhere to justify your arguement. The Bills have acted to lock up key players this year. They resigned G. Wilson in FA and Florence. They signed Fitz, Williams, Pears. They extended Merriman before the season started. They tried to sign Stevie and negotiated with Fred as well. Those players rejected initial offers and decided to wait. You may disagree with who they have extended but it is hard to argue they are not trying to lock up players they feel are essential to their plans, at least under this regime. I am not interested in past behavior under Donahoe or Levy as it is well past the point. The big problem with this team is the misses in the draft over the past 10 years, the past 5 years particularly. Since you mentioned San Francisco, here is another stat they mentioned during last night's game. SF has 11 players on their roster drafted in the top 10 picks of the draft, 8 of whom they drafted themselves. The Bills have had as many opportunities, but have whiffed. Free Agency is a great way to fill in a few good players here and there but means nothing if you have not built a solid core through the draft. Evidence abounds in the league to support this. I think the jury is still out on the last two drafts but they have picked some decent to potentially very good players. Some are strating caliber and some are decent depth. They clearly need a few more. I would love to see a stud receiver, they must have a pass rusher to fill at least one of the gaping holes at OLB. They clearly do not have even one starting quality outside LB on the current roster. They need depth on the OL at least, but a real stud at LT would be sweet. This year has been awful but this team is closer than everyone thinks.

Well reasoned, cogent post, that happens also to be true. How dare you!

They must have missed the starting center sitting out there after week 11 of the season just waiting to be picked up, taught the offense, schooled in all the line calls and made ready to paly for the following Sunday. What a bunch of screw ups.

Seriously? What evidence has Jackson ever given you in his time here to suggest he would lay down on his team that way? By the way, he has a chance to lead the league in rushing and all purpose yards and make the pro bowl. I am sure he would be ouit there if he could. Yes, I am sure old Mr. Smithers in his wheelchair up in Detroit is scheming how to make a few sheckles by holding out the Bills best player. Wow! I have heard some half baked conspiracy theories in my time, but this one takes the cake.

Unfortunately, this game is likely to be over in the first quarter. The Bills do not have the horses to compete with the Jets at this point. This will be another week of humiliation I am afraid. I hope I am wrong and the team somehow rallies and plays over their heads, and the Jets come in so over confident that we can surprise them, but I just do not see it. I would be surprised if they could stay within 20 points.

This is the most reasonable post(one of the few with ANY reason) that I have seen so far today. Way to go.

This is exactly the Bills problem. They are unable to get sustained pressure with just 4 rushers and have been largely ineffective with the blitz as well. The last two games in particular, Sanchez and Romo have literally had all day to stand back there and wiat for the recivers to open. They always will given enough time, against any secondary. In games where the Bills have had pressure, not necesssarily sacks, the secondary has performed, as the interception total would indicate.

Bills 27 Jets 16 Close in the first half, Bills get ahead in the second and force Sanchez to throw, leading to turnovers. I had a dream.

Personally, I cannot wait to see Fred Jackson put Maybin on his back when Maybenot runs one of his patented "speed moves" on a blitz. Maybin does not get near Fitz on Sunday. Count on it.

This guy actually did an impressive analysis, and one I would not disagree with. My sense watching the game was the real problem was Beck. I am not taking away from the Bills effort on D, but clearly there were plays to be made by a good QB. I think this really highlights the success of Fitz in the Bills offense. He recognizes coverages and rush schemes, understands where to go with the ball, and makes quick decisions. Beck's performance Sunday reminded me of Trent Edwards - the polar opposite of what we have in Fitz right now. I cannot believe that Shanahan thinks this guy gives them the best chance to win.

Exactly. Gailey outcoached Haley, the Bills got up early because they cashed all their opportunities where SD botched them last night, they stuffed the Cheif's running game, and when you force Cassell into passing to catch up, they are simply dead. Neither San Diego or Kansas City are impressive teams to me. People here have written off the SD road game, but I think the Bills win that game.

Yeah - I am going to have to go back and review all the games to see how the Bills have managed to average over 30 points per game with only one player. I guess Fred Jackson has been disguised as other players all year. Who knew. I hope the Bills destroy this POS team and their POS coach. Although any win would be great, a beatdown would be sweet.

The Bills have as many injuries, perhaps more, than the Skins. They have lost two LTs, 2 of their top 3 WRs, a starting LB, a starting pro bowl NT. What this game showed to me is that the Bills are far ahead of the Skins with respect to talent and depth, and that Gailey at this point is a far better coach than Shanahan.

This is exactly right. Small market teams like Buffalo or MN do not survive without taxpayer help on the stadium infrastructure. I am not sure what the issues are in MN or if the team there is being reasonable, but in the case of Buffalo, unless the State and County pony up to keep that stadium at least competitive, there is no franchise in Western New York. They do not need a Jerry Jones style palace and are not asking for one - the local economy could not support it even if the team built it - they are asking for enough improvements to keep it viable long term. Of courwse, the taxpayers can "rebel" and chase them out. How would that be for the local economy and psyche?

Your clarification does not make any more sense than your original post.

The bills game is a 4:15 start.

This is unfortunate news albeit not unexpected. For those who have been paying attention, while he has not had the sack numbers, the Bills run defense has been considerably better when he was in the game. He played his position and held the edge on his side consistently. He has also had a termendous impact on the teams attitude, exhibiting positive leadership, and as others have pointed out, was a solid recuriting influence. Make no mistake - he will be missed on this defense. Hopefully the long delayed surgery will enable him to come back healthy. As for the preposterous comparisons to Maybin being made by some posters, this is like comparing water to wine. Incidently, it would take a similar miracle of turning water to wine to make Maybin even a fraction of the football player Merriman is. Hopefully the young outside backers the Bills have can learn to play the position nearly as well, but at least in the near term, this is a big loss.

Some pass rush on this drive would be nice to see. Manning just has way too much time. Sack n TO

Just listened to the announcing crew's "analysis" of the game. Gonna be a long day.

How did he get into Harvard with a 1350? I sense a football recruitng scandal.

All good points. For my part, it is not that I think he does not deserve a chance - of course he does. My points are: - I doubt he has the skills, based on what I have seen at Florida and so far in the NFL. - He is a very devisive figure, whatever the reasons, and I would be shocked if that did not translate to issues in the locker room. - I really am tired of and confused about the arguement on a Bills message board. By that I mean, when it was a possibility he would be drafted by us, sure, but he does not play here. I do not get the fanatical "devotion" some people have to shouting out about Tebow at every opportunity, nor do I get the same bevaior on the negative side. (and this is not directed at anyone in particular, just a general observation) It is, you must admit, very different that any discussion on any other players in its longevity and persistance. I suspect Treg is right, the religious thing is polarizing, but I don't really know. - While he may well succeed, or he may well fail, since he is not a Bill, I really do not care, but I am glad he is not here. I would rather have Fitzpatrick. Yes, I did use the words "devotion", "convert" and "savior". Perhaps I was trying to be a little too cute, but honestly I do not know how else to describe this phenomenon. I certainly did not mean to insult anyone and I am sorry if you or anyone else took it that way.

I was really hoping this would all go away when the Bills did not draft Tebow, but yet it continues on. What is the zen like devotion some people feel for this guy all about? I just do not get it. I much more readily see, on the other hand, the flaws in his game that do not translate to the success in the NFL, and the fact that he inspires devotion and scorn in equally committed amounts. Whether he can play QB in the NFL or not, we will eventually find out. More importantly, Denver will find out of they can actually win with a guy so thorughly devisive. My guess on both counts is no, which is why I am glad he is not here. Unfortunately though, it looks like the Buffalo Chapter of the Tebow fan club is alive and well and intent on converting the rest of us. Personally, I could not care less since he is Denver's problem (or savior) and not ours.

Actually reminds me of the Flutie/Johnson days in Buffalo when Johnson would get booed constantly. I was at a Miami game in Buffalo when much of the crowd actually cheered when Johnson got hurt. Flutie could do no wrong to his devoted followers. Careful throwing those stones at Denver fans - they have no exclusive on being boorish. I expect if Tebow was here, we would have the same problem.

Brian Billick, the coaching genius who called the Bills game, also wrote the power rankings. He is confused as to Nelson's position, but to be someewhat fair, the Bills do often put Nelson in what would be a normal tight end or H-Back position on the field. None the less, no excuse for Billick not to know this. I wish I could get paid for being incompetent.

Vick had a running head start of 20 yards as Shep was in pass coverage all alone in the middle of the field. Vick made him look a litle silly, but the fact there is not a LB in the league who is going to make that play. Not one.