Ed_Formerly_of_Roch

Before Pettine we also had a banged up Williams brothers, we had a Darius who's brother just died and only had one year under his belt total. We had no LB's worth much of anything, now we had Lawson and Kiko. We didn't have Hughes. Maybe his coaching is what turned around McKelvin and Arron Williams, though you could argue it was Henderson coaching the DB's or could have been the other aforementioned changes changes that made these guys look much better. Was Pettine a step up from prior years, yes but I do question how much truly was him vs using his attacking style and now had injury free, more experienced players to back it up. Not saying I'm at all happy he's gone, but the level of hysteria around here I think is way over the top for a guy who's defense struggled as much at times as they did. Without any statistical data to back this up, but it seems to me that position coaches promoted to coordinator positions, succeed at a much higher rate than coordinators promoted to head coach, so if they promote from within which I expect they will , I'm not all that worreid that we'll see this big drop off assuming evenyone stays as healthy as they did.

The other reason I think it will be Henderson is this, in spite of the vindictive nature of many posters her's who'd name O'Neal (beliee that's the LB coaches name) the DC just to screw Cleaveland, professional teams will look out for the overall development of people. If the Bill's name Henderson and let O'Neal go to Cleveland, two people get promoted to DC. I'm sure if the Bill's feel O'Neal is heads and shoulders the better choice, then probably don't follow my strategy, but if it's close to a coin flip between the two, then Henderson is the next DC. At this point way to late to bring in an outsdie guy, unless he's happy with the entire staff.

Absolutely, just have ot hope the other 31 teams don't bite on Jerry's direction. Kind of interesting when you look at all the teams that are also under the cap. 11 teams further under than we are, but everyone here keeps blasting the Bill's for not spending. Some good teams too on that under side.

I would certainly say the defense was way, way more exiting this year, how much better did it actually play, was it better yes, but not amazing. OK will agree the offense was worse so defense was on the field more, though I'd like to actually see a stat on that to verify we faced more plays, but would also add that Pettine had the best group of players in past few years to work with too.

At this late of a date, would be shocked if it's not an internal name as bringing in someone else they will want to change up scheme assistants ,etc. Plus that's kind of the method that most teams utilize, assistants get promoted to DC and O,once the present ones leave to become a head coach and everyone else moves up one chair.

I think it's cool that went from a baskball star to now a football star. I wonder if he went deaf from listening to Boeheim too much?

Cause people have heard of him! That automatically makes him a great choice. I'd be shocked if they brought Peppers in for anything more than a position coach. Likely he'd want to replace most of defensive staff which agai nto do now would hurt the Bill's much more than promoting one of their existing coaches to DC. The only way they look outside would be if they felt none of the position coaches were qualified at all.

I doubt the Pats were the first team to win who cheated, they were just the first to to win who got caught cheating. I recall a story from back in the late 70's Raiders were playing the Steelers, Madden was still the coach, Raiders finished their practice, ready to hit the showers, Suddenly they are called back out to practice against some other formation, why because spy's had sneaked into stadium and watched Steelers practice. Reported back to Big Al, so now they were working on this. Raiders won game BTW From what I recall Pats were first turned in by their old assistant coach (Mangini was it?) who was now with the Jets' If Pettine goes to Cleveland, I'd bet he has plenty of info he could turn Rex in for doing illegally and likely even Buffalo. But it's kind of an unwritten line that normally isn't crossed, ex-coaches don't tell secrets of old teams. But for some reason the Pat's ex-assistant crossed it. Also kind of interesting that he has not coached since I beleive??

So are you saying Wilson is a franchise QB? If EJ does crack the top 20, from what I've seen he''ll be right about where Wilson is. So Hogan and TJ being on the roster reflects back on Hackett?? Granted I'm sure Hackett had SOME input on who they kept and who they cut, but also certain Marrone and Whaley had alot of input on that too. So if they should have cut them two, who should they have kept instead? Or was it also Hackets job to go out and sign better WR's too? Granted he had some freedom on shaping the roster, but he still needs to go with the best six or seven available and not sure who else would have improved the roster. Rogers, maybe, but he had issues and may also have been over ruled on that one. I would agree that a couple of player changes the Bill's could be getting close, but also assumes that many of the rookies and 2nd year players, like EJ, Kiko, Woods, Grissom, Glenn all improve alot in the off-season, then they re-sign Byrd, and Arron Williams and McKelvin prove not to just have one good year in them. Also need Stevie, Spiller, Eric Woods, to step up a fair amount and the D-line to play as well as this past year. I'd agree with OP in that there are only a few positions where you feel you definitely need to replace the 2013 player, maybe 4 or 5, certainly less than in prior years, BUT also need alot more from the other 16 starters and backup to be equal to Seattle.

I think they should go after that Whitner guy. Anyone know anything about him??

Yes but that will cost you a big signing bonus which then you'd take a hit on the cap if you cut him. If that's really your plan to have a competition and potentially cut him, then wouldn't bother giving him big bucks which likely then would mean he's gone.

Was expecting much more!!

But the title was he didn't resign, then he must still be coaching there! Ah forget it!

Well someone did ask last week, well more like told, (maybe it was you and you're just baiting us) and the answer wasn't very pretty.

I agree it's a great rivalry as they play each other twice a season. Factoring in the first three items you mention you have two very evenly skilled QB's going up against eachother. The more I see of both of them I'd call it the battle of mediocrity Buffalo doesn't have any of those first three items, I think if we had drafted RW, likely this board would be covered with posts talking about what a bust he is and we need to get a new QB this year in the draft. Kind of like this board is now, but times ten!

So if he didn't resign, how can we hire him?? He's under contract!!

No the worst you can do is draft another QB in the 1st round, now both a competing for snaps and neither gets enough to improve. I've heard from multiple outlets once the regular season starts, the back up QB gets around 2 snaps per week with the first team. So how's he going to improve which ever one it it? These days with all the new rules reducing OTA's two-a-days, and other off season work, it also reduces the amount of snaps you get in training camp too. You could use a lower round pick on another QB, but with a rookie, it's unlikely he'd look any better than either Lewis or Tuell. I agree it is a QB driven league and the problem is there aren't enough to go around. Adding up all the teams I count 14 teams that if I were the GM, I'm completely happy with my QB, I count nine teams that are either actively looking for a new QB or have someone they believe is their #1, but is completely unproven like the Bills and Jets. Then there's another seven teams left that have a solid QB, has proven they are somewhat capable, but not enough to move up into the group of 14 teams whom have no plans to upgrade and two years from now these teams could all find themselves in the group of teams looking to make a change. I'd include teams like Miami, Cinnci, and would also include teams like Wash, Balt (a year ago people were claiming Flacco was a bust, then he wins the SB, this year not looking so good again) So the Bill's had Fitz who had games where he looked like he could move up to the "A" league so again don't want to waste a high draft pick to sit the bench when have many other needs. So you keep the guy and try and ride him hoping he plays steady, eventually most of these guys tail off and then you move on to the next choice. The problem too why teams are reluctant to move on to the next guy is look at he high rate of failures of rookies. I've heard this year they expect around five QB's to go in the first round. I'll promise you at least two will be labeled busts in five years, trouble is you don't know which ones and another one or two will become the Fitz of 2018 or so. But given those odds you tend to ride the middle of the road guy a little longer and hope he can move up to the next level or at least close to the next level.

Doesn't matter if he was convicted. Did Barry Bonds ever admit to using steroids, why isn't he in the HOF. This is a popularity contest, and people need to like him to vote for him. What happened is likely enough to turn some off, particually since it's his first year. Not voting for him in year #1 is kind of making a statement that your actions hurt you and this is my way of sticking it to you. Being convicted comes into play say if the league tried to suspend him when it happened, (don't recall what did happen on that end) or other similar things It's very dificult to take any kind of legal actions agaisnt someone without any convictions, but easy to say I'm not voting for you.

I think Harrison is made to wait for off field. Is this the first year for DeBartolo? if so I also think he waits for off field issues.

I think on the D side LB is there #1 need and resigning Byrd. They don't need a LT so going guard or RT in round #2 makes sense as you don't want ot pick a guard or RT at #9. Wouldn't mind them trading dow neither. If they don't go with LB I also wouldn't mind another CB though admittedly their secondary played much better than I would have expected, but can never have too many QB. The way the game is going, we have the nickel back, then the dime, can't jump to the "quarter" or "half" so what's next, only think left is the penny back.

If you can't get a contract worked out, you could tag him then try and trade him too. No team would likely trade for him unless they were able to work out a long term deal, or the offer from the team would be very low. So worst case, you tag him with the intent of trading, can't work out a trade, unless the rules have changed, as long as he hasn't signed the tender, which doubt he would sign it right away as then he'd be on the hook to report for OTA's etc. you can then retract the tender. That could hose Byrd somewhat as if you pulled the offer say in May, most of the big FA $$ would all be soaked up by then and he may have to take less or less options of teams still willing to sign him.

With a rookie QB who missed close to half the year and a rookie backup up, a weaker O-line though was more healthly than the prior year. So no not all that worried. Was Fitz better than EJ yes, but EJ has more upside, admittedly much of it's unknown.

Have you seen Buddy lately?? I also watched the Football Life episode, not sure how old he is, but it doesn't appear that's aged well at all. The best he may be capable of is running Gilbrides toe over with his walker.

Wow, you really look smart pointing that out now! The Cat's point was they signed a number of other guys in which on his list worked out well. So they expected similar results here. How many of the players on that list last April were expected to do even half as well as they ended up doing? Hughes was so bad the Colts traded a #1 away as they expected nothing from him. But we got ten sacks from him. So as likely as Hughes had ten sacks either Brown or Legursky could have played just as well. As far as QB goes, they used A #1 draft pick on one, signed a guy who two years ago everyone was talking about as an up and coming star and a free agent who many people in August on the board were arguing he should be the starter. I'm sure much of the thought process that went into who the Bill's did sign at QB was also that since they just invested a #1 pick on a QB you also don't want to have too much of a distraction either with regards to who should start.

Yes but while he said he did like Lewis he touched his left cheek with his index finger at the same time as he patted his right knee twice immediately after crossing his legs. That's the standard single that everyone here knows he really didn't mean any of that. It's amazing how many followers here don't understand all that is written and spoken between the lines to be able to see the true negative meaning of what was just stated. It doesn't matter what it was stated, if you re-read it enough times or listen with your head tilted just the correct way, you can see/hear the negative in it.