jahnyc

How about: Derek and the Dominoes Blind Faith (only made one album) Dire Straits

Little Wing-- Derek and the Dominoes (Clapton).

I know that TD and MM are reviewing the team and evaluating the players now that the season has ended,but think TD also needs to reflect and review his staff (scouts and player personnel types) to make sure that our drafts and free agent acquisitions are as strong as possible. I am not going to list the positives and negatives of TD's performance as GM over the last four years (it is very mixed), but one area that can be improved is our drafting. Yes, McGahee and Evans appear to be excellent picks at this time, but some of our late round drafting has been disappointing. McGee seems to be the only player drafted in the fourth round or lower over the last four years that is making a significant contribution. Because of this, we have no depth at some key positions, such as offensive line and defensive tackle. I believe that we have some players that may surprise us with their upside, such as Crowell (actually, a third rounder) and Haggans, but overall we need more "hits" in the lower rounds to, at a minimum, improve our overall depth. In fairness, I must note that we may have acquired some decent undrafted players this year (Peters, Baker and Greer). I also think we can do better with identifying "bargain" type veteran free agent acquisitions that have potential. For example, B. Berry and Coleman (Falcons) were reasonably priced free agents that could have been acquired.

I don't think we have great options at LT (assuming Jennings departs) or LG. I am not comfortable with Teague or M. Williams at LT, or Tucker or Peters at RT. I think that would be a recipe for disaster.

Whether it is Bledose or Losman, we need to improve our o-line. Most of the successful teams over the recent years have had very good o-lines (i.e., Pittsburgh, KC, Philadelphia, Indy, etc.) If we lose Jennings, we will need a LG and LT (unless Teague is moved to LT, then we will need a center). Should we be comfortable with Teague at LT? I am not sure. In addition, we have no depth and Price is a free agent. McNally did wonders for the overall play of the line, but I think Tucker should be a reserve and not a starter and Pucillo should be cut. We need help, free agents and draft picks.

I think the only certainties are Villarail at RG and Williams at RT. If we lose Jennings, I hope TD improves the LT position with a free agent signing. I believe we need to upgrade the LG spot either through the draft or free agency. I am assuming that Teague will continue at center unless he is needed (and shows he can still play) at LT. Clearly, we need depth, particularly since I think Price is also a free agent. I don't think Pucillo will make the team next year if we bring in some draft picks and/or free agents.

A couple of more things that I noted from other posts: 1. A pass rushing defensive end to complement Schobel. Maybe Kelsay is the guy, maybe not, but we need more pass rush from that end position. I don't think TD will do anything here because he drafted Kelsay, Schobel and Denny. 2. Could use a pass catching tight end. Maybe Euhus is the answer, probably not.

Some random thoughts: 1. Whether it is DB or JP, we need to upgrade our o-line. With Teague, Villarail and Williams signed for at least next year, this leaves us with the LT and LG positions. I still can't figure out if Jennings is solid or lacking in some ways, but I am assuming he won't be back. Going in to this season with nothing at LG was a big mistake, although it is clear that our o-line coach made a difference in the overall play of the o-line. We also need depth, particularly since I think Price is a free agent. 2. Whether DB or JP starts next year, we will still struggle on offense. We can't expect DB to suddenly improve. Teams have figured out how to play him (with a rush up the middle) and he will always be immobile. Losman may have some skills, but he will struggle if he is the starter next year (first and second year qbs generally do). He did not get enough game experience this year for it to matter next year. 3. I think MM did a great job keeping the team together during a very rough stretch, but he will need to show next year that he can coach in big games against good teams. I am a little worried about our performance against the good teams this year. Too many penalties, mental mistakes and wasted opportunities. 4. I am very impressed with our special teams play this year. April did a great job and improved the play significantly. Based on their play on special teams, I think that Crowell, Stamer and Haggans have excellent potential at linebacker and that is why I have some confidence in our depth at that position. 5. Jerry Gray surpassed my expectations this year. I had wondered how much of our defensive performance over the last couple of years was the result of involvement by LeBeau and G. Williams. I think Gray answered these questions. 6. Spikes, Fletcher, Adams, Milloy, McGee, Evans and McGahee were all fun to watch this year. 7. We should sign a stud free agent left tackle (if one is available) (see point one above). 8. I can't figure out if we need help at DT, particularly if P. Williams leaves via free agency. Is Ron Edwards a free agent? Can Edwards, Bannon and Anderson step-up next year? What happened to Anderson this year? This is going to be an area of need. 9. I assume Moulds will be back since he is under contract, but is there any chance that he will want out?

There was a special last night on VH1 on the "birth" of Velvet Revolver. Interesting to see that Slash and the other former members of GNR have cleaned up. I know that Weiland is trying to get clean, but he seems very fragile and diminished. I think "Go to Pieces" is a great song. Seems like the band is sincere in trying to help Weiland through this and I hope they make it.

What a great group of rookie wrs. It usually takes a couple of years for a wide receiver to become effective. I wonder if there has ever been this kind of overall production from a group of first year wrs. I doubt it. I really wanted the Bills to draft R. Williams and thought that M. Clayton was going to be a bust. Glad that the Bills selected Evans.

No comp if we lose J. Gray as a result of him becoming a head coach.

I also was at the 1980 Miami game. It really was wild and fun. I have fond memories of watching Jerry Butler play. Of course his career ended prematurely, but he was a great player during his short career. I also remember the excitement that Terri Miller (first or second round pick) generated in his first game as a Bill (I think it was his first game) when he returned a kick-off for a touchdown. Everyone at the stadium was yellling "Miller Time." Unfortunately, he turned out to be a bust. I also liked watching the Bermuda triangle. Smerlas was dominating at times.

I am feeling much more optimistic about the team for the rest of this year and next year. I am also enjoying our offensive play; it is no longer a boring mess! Our special teams have been amazing (I think five returns for TDs) and our defense has been, for the most part, pretty solid. I am trying to hard to focus on the present and enjoy our remaining games. I am no longer spending time worrying about next year, not having a number one, or wondering if TD and MM are up to their respective jobs. It is all about strongly supporting the Bills, including Drew, for the rest of what has become a very interesting season.

I think that since qbs and wrs take generally take so long to develop, it is not unreasonable to consider them equivalent to rookies in their second year. It will help Losman and Evans to have some starts this year, but their development may be a slow process. Rookie rbs can contribute immediately, but it takes time for them to develop blitz pick-up etc. It seems to me that too much of our future is going to hinge on the development and play of Losman. That makes me very uncomfortable.

I must agree with that statement.

I am not saying that we are rebuilding, but I don't have a great feeling about the near term with a young, inexperience qb, Moulds maybe wanting out, a bunch of free agents (Jennings and P. Williams), no number one pick next year, and questionnable talent to replace our free agents. As to who should replace TD, I must admit that I really have no idea. Scott Pioli would be great, but he won't come here. Isn't there a guy (Savage?) well thought of in Baltimore?

If we are rebuilding again (and I hope we are not) why should TD get another opportunity? He had his chance to draft, sign free agents and choose two head coaches. No GM should get the chance to rebuild twice after failing to have any success after the first rebuilding. What is wrong with this team? Is it the coaching, the talent, the QB, the o-line, the drafting, the leadership? We need someone who can do an honest evaluation of all of these things and then make whatever moves are necessary to fix them.

I really don't think it is fair to question whether someone is a fan just because they have lost patience with this team. The last number of years have been extremely frustrating. Poor qb play, losing records, poor head coaches, a boring offense and suspect drafts. Of course we should be upset! Many of just want to see things fixed, or at least see some improvement so that we can be optimistic about the future. After what we have been experiencing, I think we deserve at least that.

I agree that Moulds probably would like a change at qb, but don't assume he wants JP in there. He also may be thinking about the next couple of years working with a young, unproven qb.

I don't blame him either. He has been a team player through a very rough period, and these comments were not particularly inflammatory. I guess the real question is what are the cap ramifications if we were to trade him? We would also need to something at wr in free agency or in the draft since Lee Evans will not be able to do it alone.

I always wonder about the comments that RW is most concerned about making money. The guy is in his 80s and I think he wants to win now. I am sure he is very comfortable financially and his heirs will be well taken care of. He may appreciate TD in the role of president, but I would hope that RW will take a hard look at the on the field football product. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the thing that has been hard for me to understand is RW's aversion to paying big money for a head coach since he regularly pays huge sums to the players in signing bonuses. He also seems to have issues about firing coaches and being on the hook for the remaining comp. I never understood why he went after Wade after he was fired.

We will be screwed if we maintain the status quo. We need some new blood at the GM level to come in and figure out how to fix things. We would also need to give that person the power to make whatever changes are necessary, including hiring/firing coaches (including MM) and player cuts (including TD's draft picks and free agen acquisitions). I believe that any strong GM candidate would insist on the foregoing as a precondition to accepting the position. I also think that we should play Losman now to get a sense of whether he can be our franchise qb. I know that he will need time to develop, but we should not wait three years to figure out whether he is the guy. I understand that it is unlikely that RW will fire TD after the season, and more unlikely that MM's status will be reviewed. But I think this is a mistake. We can't just sit around and hope that things will get better. TD has had four years, and there is already concern that next year will be a tough season as JP goes through growing pains. MM may become a good coach, but he is making some odd personnel decisions (cutting Shaw and sticking with Bledsoe) and game decisions (punting from the 35 last week, poor clock management against the Cards and the JP/Mathews situation last week). I am starting to have doubts about him as well. This offseason, we need action. Unfortunately, it is, for the most part, out of our hands. All of this falls squarely on the shoulders of RW.

I recall that the Giants did not give a good reference for Fassel to TD. I think it was the way the team was run and maybe some personal stuff. I agree that it was a huge mistake to bring in another rookie HC.

We can argue about specific moves, but TD's record is really the only objective measure of performance. After four years, a clean slate and a number of drafts, we should be enjoying some success. We are not, and for that TD must take responsibility.

Of course we should play Losman now. But if we cut Bledsoe in the offseason we will need a veteran qb for next year. Since Jimbo, The Bills have had a very poor record in developing and identifying a franchise qb for the team. I hope JP breaks this string, but, in any event, the team should be agressive in efforts to improve the team at every position, including qb. I think playing JP for the remainder of the season makes sense, but I do want someone who can be an effective substitute for him next year if he gets injured or plays poorly over an extended period of time. I don't want to put all of our eggs in one basket and then find out a couple of years later that it is not going to work out. I am tired of this constant process of rebuilding.