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How else can you explain this mess? Dockery is released without any replacement on the roster and free agency and the college draft are weak at this position. Will they sign the guy from Carolina for three or four million a year? Does that make sense given that Dockery was going to make about four million a year for the next five years? Based on prior free agent acquisitions by this FO, what are the chances that this guy will be an upgrade over Dockery? I think zero. It would have been one thing to release Dockery if the plan was to go after Jason Brown, but that clearly was not the plan. I just don't understand why the Bills constantly create new holes when they have outstanding old holes to fill, particularly in a year that is weak in terms of available free agents. The Bills cannot fill all of these holes in the draft and will be lucky to get one starter for this season out of the draft. By the way, I don't think it looks good to potential free agents when you cut a guy like Dockery after two years. Finally, with limited funds available each year, missing on a guy like Dockery is devastating and leads to the departures described above. This money could have been spent elsewhere with better results. In the last five years or so, the Bills have lost Clements, Winfield, Williams, Fletcher and now probably Greer. Through our efforts in free agency, we have failed to acquire players that perform at a high level. Drafting has been fair, but players like Whitner and Poz have not yet (and may not) become great players. All of the experts panned the picks of Whitner and McCargo and the overpayment to acquire Dockery. Seems that they were right. We need a real football GM who can make decisions regarding free agency, the draft and coaching.

Why should we relax? After the release of Dockery and the creation of a new hole with no immediate fix in sight, I continue to have zero confidence in the front office. We have struck out with almost every free agent acquisition in the last five years, while letting decent players leave via free agency (Clements, Fletcher, Winfield, Williams and probably Greer). Why will it be different now, particularly if we only acquire so called reasonably priced players? In the past, we have failed with the expensive acquisitions (Dockery) and cheap acquisitions (Reyes). Yes, it is only the first day of free agency, but we are a weaker team now than we were at the end of last season and no one understands the plan to move forward and improve.

Sorry to say, but Greer and Dockery are better players than anyone the Bills will sign this year as a free agent.

How do the Bills expect to improve by creating new holes and then trying to fill new and old holes with second and third tier free agents? Currently on offense, the Bills do not have a starting starting center, LG and tight end. They also need a back-up QB (and maybe RB). Please do not tell me that a back-up from Carolina and a guard from Pittsburgh with diabetes and coming off a ruptured achilles are the answers. We have already lost out on Brown and Andrews, the best options at center and guard. We cannot possibly fill all of these holes in the draft (we will be lucky if get one or two quality starters this year out of the draft). I know it is early and patience will be preached, but I am already reminded of the year we acquired Tutan Reyes as the answer at guard.

This makes no sense to me. At approximately $4 million per year over the remaining five years of his contract, Dockery's compensation is not crazy. The Bills have no replacement currently on the roster and it is a weak year for guard in the draft and in free agency. This is a big hole, and with another big hole at center, how does this get fixed? Clearly, Peters and Dockery regressed this year. Does our o-line coach know how to coach? Do we miss Mouse?

It really unfortunate that the Bills have lost some decent players over the last few years via free agency, including Winfield, Clements and Pat Williams. Greer appears to be next (and Crowell, if he is healthy), and maybe McGee next year. What are the ramifications? Constantly trying to replace talent rather than upgrading talent. This problem is magnified since the Bills have received nothing for the loss of these players (other than possibly a supplemental draft choice or two). Have many teams lost this number of quality players over the last four years or so? It is interesting that while the Bills currently have one All Pro player (Peters, which is subject to much debate), Winfield and Williams have been named All Pro since departing the Bills. One positive--whoever scouts cbs for the Bills has done a good job. Winfield, Clements and McGee are all better than average, Greer is probably as well, and McKelvin seems to have much potential. Not a bad record for drafting corner backs.

I think the Bills would have drafted Tra Thomas (Eagles) with that pick. He has had a very good career as a left tackle.

I have no idea what happens here. Even if the charges are dropped or Lynch pleads to a misdemeanor, it is conceivable that he will be subject to suspension under the NFL conduct policy. In the event that he is suspended for four games, I do not see how the Bills go into the season (and for the first four games) with only Fred Jackson and the back-ups we had last year. I really like Freddy, but I can see how this scenario could result in a poor start for the team, which would be devastating with the tough schedule in 2009. Under all scenarios, I think the Bills will be forced to either pick up another RB in free agency or use a draft pick in rounds 2-4 on a RB. We need to hope that the charges are dropped and that the NFL does not suspend Lynch. Even if this happens, the question will remain as to whether the Bills need to make contingency plans given Lynch's problems in only his first two years with the Bills.

I have a feeling that the Bills will make no effort to sign Greer. I have not read that there has been any contact with his agent at any time. I don't think this is the right decision, but I predict Greer will not be re-signed and McKelvin will start in his place next year.

With Schonert, I find it really strange that he was not able to have any success against the 3-4 defense. Was it the quality of the teams or a real problem in figuring out how to attack that defense?

Some observations below: 1. With two coordinators without prior coordinator experience, I am not surprised that the Bills have had difficulties. As many of the newly hired coaches begin filling their staffs, you see a common interest in trying to fill the coordinator positions with fomer head coaches or coordinators with prior experience (such as Linehan, Ryan (from the Raiders), Nolan, Haslett, etc.). I think the lack of experience of our coodinators really has hurt this team over the last number of years. 2. Interesting that some of the articles about Jauron returning to the Bills indicated that he seems to have final say over his coaching staff. I wonder if this provision was in Jauron's contract because of what happened with Wade and his special teams coach. 3. Fewell's post-season comments about Poz have been interesting. He praises him about his smarts but seems to indicate that he is not making enough big plays. 4. I have had the feeling that since TD, the Bills seem to think that they are smarter than other teams when it comes to drafting (and that the draft experts and fans don't get it). This is clearly not the case. Most teams/experts did not have Losman going in the first round, and many pointed out that he had maturity issues. Whitner was an okay pick, but would have been a much better value late in the first round. Ngata should have been the pick. Trading up for McCargo was met with a lot of criticism, most draft experts had him at best as a third round pick. He is a bust. The Bills traded up for Poz, but many teams/experts had David Harris more highly rated and there were concerns that Poz could be a bit too slow to be an impact player. My point is that most of the draft experts have been better at assessing our picks than the the Bills. 5. I wonder how the poor economy will affect the offseason plans of the Bills. 6. I think second WR will be a big need this offseason in free agency, but there is little available this year. I don't think we can expect Hardy to be ready for the regular season and he will miss valuable practice time as he rehabs. Because of this, even when he is ready to return, I doubt he will make much of an impact.

If the rumor has some basis in truth, I doubt it involves selling the team. These are not ideal times for a sale, particularly with any financing that would be necessary in connection with a sale. Could it relate to possible tampering by other teams with coaches on the Bills' staff (i.e., April)?

Interesting that John Guy was not included as being in attendance?

According to the Buffalo News. Sorry, no linky.

If the winds are as strong as predicted, any chance the game does not get played on Sunday? Could be dangerous if gusts really reach 60 mph.

Not happy that RW is looking to increase the role of Modrak, at least according to the article. The Bills need a full-time football guy as GM. This sounds like another band-aid, or a way to keep the status quo. I think this is the most important need at this point, particularly since this is the person who should make the decision about the head coach and staff.

No contest, JP is worse. RJ played effectively at times, JP never has. Please don't misundersand me, RJ did not have it, and neither does JP. The difference is that when RJ had a lot of time to throw, he could look good.

Hard to disagree with that.

I completley understand the unhappiness with Jauron as the head coach, but, for what it is worth, I am impressed with his taking full responsibility for the play call (and not throwing JP under the bus). It makes sense why the players like playing for him (other than maybe today), particularly compared to guys like Williams and Mularkey. I am sure the players are very frustrated with the play that was called, but playing JP is a huge disadvantage for this team. Maybe my biggest criticism of Jauron for the play that was called is thinking that JP was even capable of making a play. He certainly did not show that ability during this game or in any game in the past. For a qb with this number of overall starts in the NFL, he could be the worst qb I have ever seen.

The general frustration is that things have not turned around in almost ten years, and we are all having a hard time identifying the problems and even whether our team or individual players are talented. The frustration is exacerbated by Miami (and other teams, such at Atlanta) turning things around in one year and a sense that this team is soft (probably not true, but it is weird that we do not know if Trent can play in poor weather conditions). Finally, the easiest schedule in years and the Toronto situation (and constant anxiety about the team moving from Buffalo) add to the overall feeling of utter frustration.

Time of possession was a real problem in the game against Miami. Edwards seems to be able to sustain drives better than Losman.

Looks to me that the Bills could end up as high as #9.

Some thoughts below: 1. Schonert is in his first year as offensive coordinator, and no one should be surprised that he seems overmatched at times when the Bills are playing teams with experienced coordinators on both offense and defense. I still don't understand why he was the choice, particularly because Jauron's experience is with defense, not offense. I hope it was not a money issue. 2. It seems that we overpay to re-sign our players and free agents. Kelsay, Parrish, Butler and Williams all signed extensions, and I don't think any of them are playing to their new contracts, particularly Parrish. Kelsay has played ok this year, but with very few sacks, most would probably say that he is barely average as a DE (or worse). 3. Our defense has played well the last two games, but it may be deceiving since San Fran and Miami could play conservatively knowing that our offense was inept. 4. Our recent drafting has been average at best. Obviously, missing with Losman, M. Williams and McCargo has hurt. I hope Hardy and Ellis are not added to the list. 5. It was clear last offseason that the Bills needed a number 2 wide receiver. Who thought (on the Bills staff) that Hardy could be that guy? All we hear now is how raw he is and that all he did in college was run very simple routes. 6. It will be another offseason wondering whether we really have a starting caliber quarterback. Can Trent play in poor weather? I have my doubts. 7. I think the overall talent level is better than when TD left the team, but still lacking. We need some all pro type players, not the average or slightly above average players we seem to have at most positions.

The organization needs a real football guy as gm. The way the organization is structured currently is not producing results, and we need an honest evaluation of not only Jauron, but Guy and Modrak as well. The reality is that we seem to have come up short in all areas other than marketing. Our recent drafts have seemed okay, but they have not produced any all-pro players, and busts such as Losman and Williams have really hurt the franchise. Free agent acquisitions have been overall very disappointing. Is Dockery playing like an seven million a year player? Coaching has been a disaster, yet some of these coaches are having success in other organizations (i.e., Mularkey, Hennings, Gilbride). Other teams, such as the Falcons and Dolphins, turn things around in one year, and we can't do so in nine years. It is unfortunate that the team has faltered this year. The organization and, specifically the team, need some stability and consistency. However, it is clear that there is something very wrong with the organization and the team. A new coach will not be enough, we need a gm with real power to change whatever is necessary to turn things around.

There is no way Losman gets tagged no matter what happens for the rest of the season. The Bills would not do it and JP has been very clear that he wants out of Buffalo.