marck

I was wondering why the name of Mike Martz has not come up as a possible coaching candidate for the Buffalo Bills. With Levy and Modrak making oersonnel decisions and providing the on-field talent, Martz could use his skills as a developer of quarterbacks to get Loseman moving in the right direction and use the existing personnel to put together an exciting offense. Now, I would only do this hire if the Bills were to add a strong defensive coordinator such as a Dick Jauron or Dom Capers who would act as a "strong assistant". I would keep Bobby April as Special Teams coach and award him a top salary so we don't lose him. I believe this coaching staff would put the Bills back in playoff contention with an exciting offense, great special teams and a defense that could be back into the top 10 in the NFL. Thoughts and feedback please.

In response to one of the posted items on the board stating the Bills personnel fits a 3-4 defensive scheme, I wanted to explain the concept of how this style of defense is staffed. In the base 3-4, you need two anchor defensive ends. These are the players that are the "smaller DT's" in the 280 to 295 lb mode. A team to use as an example is San Diego who uses Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky to man those spots. Then you need a bulky 2-gap defensive lineman such as a Jamal Williams. In addition you would need explosive LB's who can rush the passer. This is where players such as Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsey could work. They would be outside linebackers in a 3-4 scheme. Then you would have Takeo Spikes and London Fletcher inside. If the Bills were to reconfigure in a 3-4, you would need a player such as Haloti Ngata at DT, then go after "quck" defensive tackles who have some heft against the run. No one on the Bills present roster fits this profile, and you would have to scour the free agent pool for this type of player. I think if you have the personnel, this is a great scheme as it provide for great run coverage and brings many posssible options to attacking the QB. But, just to caution readers on the site, it would take two to three years to build up the personnel to fit the scheme and by that time the effective top-level performance skills of players such as Fletcher, Spikes and Schobel would be on the significant downside of their careers.

I read over your feedback and as much as I think TD's time will be looked at as a failure the overall 'body of work" will actually be the groundwork for success. In his tenure he drafted the QB, RB and WR that will be key components to successful teams in the next 5 to 7 years. This team will have 5 or 6 picks inside the top 105 picks in the 2006 draft and has open holes on only the offensive line and at the DT spots. TD came in handicaped with a horrible salary cap mess which he resolved, made moves to make the team competitive and this year was put into a bad situation where key injuries took away the heart of the defense. You could not reasonably expect to pay Jonas Jennings and Pat Williams salaries that would put the team back in cap hell. So although his tenure will be looked at as a failure the key pieces of future winning teams has been put into place and next year this team will be more then competitive and be back in playoff contention. Speak evil of the man and I do understand your frustation, but look back at the overall work before you bury the guy.

Let me provide a little feedback for you as the era of the 1970's. The Dolphins 1972 perfect season was built on them playing one team on their pre-playoff schedule that had a winning record. Unlike today where you have parity scheduling the 1972 Dolphins played 14 regular season games. They played in a division with the Jets, Bills, Colts and Patriots. They played two games against these teams. The Jets were 7-7 on the year, the Bills 4-9-1, the Patriots 3-11 and the Cols 4-10. They also played the 1-13 Houston Oilers, 2-12 San Diego Chargers, the 4-10 New York Giants, the 3-11 St. Louis Cardinals, the 5-7-2 Kansas City Chiefs and the only winning team, the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings. They played a crappy Cleveland Browns team in the 1st playoff game, got the still developing Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game who got their only because of the Franco Harris Immaculate reception and then played the way over-the-hill Washington Redskins of George Allen in the Super Bowl. With that schedule its really not hard to have a "perfect season". What really makes me vomit is that I have to see, read and hear those miserable gravy training 72 Dolphins have their champaign toast when the last undefeated team loses their first game of the season. I hope those stupid bastards choke on their champaign as their perfect season was a by-product of a soft as a baby's ass schedule and weak competition in the NFC. In fact their 1973 yeam who lost two games was much better and just happened to lose two games and blew throught he Bengals and Raiders and then a much better Vikings team was the better team. Think of this as simply a history less.

I am a Bills fan living in San Diego who favors the Chargers as his 2nd favorite team. The beating the Bills took yesterday was not unexpected. In fact it was consistent where each team is in their stages of development. For those who feel that the Bills are years away from contention let me simply remind them that in 2003, San Diego was 4-12 and had the 1st pick in the 2004 draft. The 2004 Charger team had 5 new starters on the offensive line with castoffs such as Mike Goff, Leander Jordan, rookies such as Nick Hardwick and Shane Olivea along with the trade for Roman Oben. The defense had only Jamal Willimas and Donnie Edwards as quality players. They could not stop the run, had weak pass defense and on offense they had given away their only receiving threat in David Boston and had drafted and traded for Phillip Rivers to replace the bust that was Drew Brees. Antonio Gates was an unheard of ex-basketball player who seemed to have some untapped potential as a football player and the only player of note on the entire roster was Ladanian Tomlinson. From that train wreck came 12-4 in 2004, and in 2005 a team that will finish at least 11-5, who now has rebuilt through smart work in free agencey and the draft and will have their #1 pick and a pick in the top 5 when they trade away Phillip Rivers. If you take the Bills present roster, you have a potential top RB in McGahee, a developing QB in Losman, a couple of excellent young receivers and an older pro in Eric Moulds, two developing tight ends, good solid defensive ends, a fairly decent secondary, solid linebacking and an excellent special teams. Now it seens to me that the Bills have more pieces in place then did San Diego and with building by bringing in functional but no big name free agents and using the draft, Buffalo can take that big leap forward as the Chargers have. What we all saw yesterday was what the Bills can be in 2006 and beyond, so as bad as that loss was, look at it as a portend of what the Bills may be in the VERY NEAR future.

Being a Bills's fan now living in San Diego who watches each Charger game, I feel that the Bills are in serious trouble next Sunday. The Chargers have their backs to the wall and need to win every game to have any shot at the AFC West title. Also the way the Chargers can run block, having a bye and getting their lineman back and going against the worst run defense I have seen in years really does bring up the point that LT could run for more yards then Jamel Lewis did against Cleveland. I know I'll get trashed for this, but start to really consider the possibilities.

Looking at where the Bills are now, I have a great feeling that the team will get better over the next 10 games. They will be getting Roscoe Parrish and Kevin Everett back, Angelo Crowell is playing better each week and the interrior run defense has to get better (can it really get any worse). This week the Bills need to beat an Oakland team who really looks as though they have quit. Plus Randy Moss has bad ribs and a strained groin and even if he plays he will not be the dynamic Randy Moss. Run Willis and control the clock and just let the Raiders make the mistakes they make over and over and that game will be a win in the Bills column. As odd as this may seem, I am not going to "assume the loss" against the Patriots. The Bills have everything against them, Patriots coming off a byte, Bills going from West coast to East coast, Sunday night game on the road and on and on. I think the Bills will play the game close and it may possibly be decided deep into the 4th quarter. Even if we lose, we have the advantage of the bye and winnable games at home against Kansas City,Carolina, Denver and New England. Of the four games we have after the break on the road, the games at Miami and the Jets are very winnable and even the Cincinnati game may be played at a time where the Bengals have their division clinched. I think it is very possible to get to 10 wins and win the AFC East. What does the board think?

Here's my best guess on how the team will do the rest of the season. Opponent W/L/T Record After Game Division Record Conf Record Jets W 3-3-0 2-0-0 3-0-0 @ Raiders W 4-3-0 2-0-0 4-0-0 @ Patriots L 4-4-0 2-1-0 4-1-0 Chiefs W 5-4-0 2-1-0 5-1-0 @ Chargers L 5-5-0 2-1-0 5-2-0 Panthers W 6-5-0 2-1-0 5-2-0 @ Dolphins W 7-5-0 3-1-0 6-2-0 Patriots W 8-5-0 4-1-0 7-2-0 Broncos W 9-5-0 4-1-0 8-2-0 @Bengals L 9-6-0 4-1-0 8-3-0 @ Jets W 10-6-0 5-1-0 9-3-0 The Bills most critical game will be the rematch with the Dolphins, a win on the road against a division opponent will be crucial to the Bills maybe winning the AFC East or getting into the playoffs where their will most probably be a tie-breaker situation and conference record will be crucial. In the AFC North the Bengals and Steelers will battle for the division title and the loser in the battle for a w/c In the AFC South the Colts will win the division easily and the Jaguars may be in position for a w/c spot. In the AFC West, San Diego and Denver will be battling for the title with the loser in the w/c picture. In the AFC East the Bills will be battling with the Patriots for the division title and the other w/c. I think the Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Browns, Titans, Texans, Chiefs and Raiders can hang it up for this season. This leaves the Bills, Patriots, Bengals, Steelers, Colts, Jaguars, Broncos & Chargers as viable playoff contenders. Love to get your feedback on what I have projected.

Duey, You make a great point. Randy McMichael got a contract extension on 10/07, now Shockey gets his. The Bills have the ability to get this done and the one key free agent is NC. Like you I am very upset about this. Thanks for venting for all of us.

I was thinking about this last night as I was watching the Green Bay-Carolina game. The Packers are now at 0-4 and even though they are in a horrible division, they knew that the team is very flawed and needs an infusion of young talent to start the rebuilding process. They also have the young QB in house with Aaron Rogers. Would it be reasonible to offer Green Bay next year's 2nd & 3rd round picks to trade the Bills Brett Favre. The Bills could throw in Holcombe to round out the deal, make JP the back-up for 2005 and let him prepare for 2006. The question is would Favre ever approve a trade such as this. In my opinion, he wants to go out a winner and if he can't would prefer to retire. There is no chance in GB for him to win and everything is pretty much in place here in Buffalo. He could lead the Bills to the playoffs in 2005 , and possibly to a legitimate run for a Super Bowl berth and then retire leaving the team to JP in 2006. The other alternative would be Steve McNair of the Titans. Although after the Travis Henry deal, they might not care to deal with the Bills in the near future. Anyways, would love to hear your feedback on what I am suggesting.

Your response just shows you to be a know nothing whinner. When you have something worthwhile to contribute then post. Otherwise, just go back to surfing porn on the internet and waiting for your unemployment check to arrive loser.

Hi Bill, Guess that 6-10 team last year was better then the 9-7 Bills. Also, would you like to have your offense built around Drew Deadslow, Terry 9she) Glenn and Keyshawn (Just shut your damm mouth) Johnson. That's the future of that team. Also, what has Parcells ever won without Bill Bellichek. Answer me that hot shot!!

Dan, Great response, 27-40. You need to qualify the points as to why the team went 27-40, not just use the numbers. Try making some reasons and justifications and then generate an actual intelligent response.

I am going to vent my frustations for all of the individuals on this board who think they have any knowledge of football, whether it be at the level of a dedicated Bills fan or someone who has somne level of league wide knowledge. I have read post after post on this board decrying the efforts of Tom Donahoe's performance as the General Manager of the Buffalo Bills. The whinning, complaining and complains about I am fed up with not making the playoffs, and his personnel moves suck, and he is an idiot and is ruining the team. People, please get your heads out of your collective a__ses. Look at the roster that was inherited after the 2000 season. Look at the salary cap mess that this team was in. I have seen complaint after complaint that the teams record is 27-40 in his tenure. In his first draft, TD trades down, picks up Nate Clements, gets an extra 2nd round pick for Travis Henry who gives the Bills two really good years after an average season, and now we get an additional 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft after dumping the druggie on the fading Titans. Also, we did also get Aaron Schoebel who is an excellent DE on this years team and who is also signed to a long term deal. Lastly, he drafted Jonas Jennings who is now gone, but will be worth a compensatory pick in the 2006 draft. Well, first of all you can toss the 3-13 record in his first year. That was the remnants of the late John Butler's spend all the cap money on aging veterans with diminishing skills and pay the rest to QB's who were to short or too disinterested (Flutie/Johnson). With the high pick in that draft we get Mike Williams who to date has been good but not great, but has been developing and will be a pro bowl player in the next couple of seasons. Later in that draft TD drafts Terrance McGee who is a pro bowl return specialist and developing as an excellent CB. So, we move to year two, team gets Bledsoe, which energizes the fan base increases revenue, allowing the Bills to have the revenue to bring in quality free agent upgrades to improve the defense. Also at the end of this year, TD makes the ultimite gamble and lets the Falcons throw stupid money at Peerless Price and we then turn around and use that money to add Takeo Spikes and use the draft choice to draft Willis McGahee, how does that move look now Donahoe haters? Now in the long term Bledsoe needed more protection and the offensive line constructed has not been able to get that job done. This is an area that TD has not addressed sufficently and I will concede that point. The patchwork effort has led to a lack of cohesion and there is a need to use draft picks to boost this part of our team. Lastly, this team may be one year away from being a significant player in the AFC East for the rest of this decade and it is in part to the excellent work done by TD and the efforts of the players on this roster and the additions that will be made in the future. I know many of you on this board do not remember or are too young and immature to think backs of the teams under Bill Pollian that went 2-14, 4-12 and 4-12 before maturing into the team that won the AFC East from 1988 to 1991 and went to four straight Super Bowls. Be patient and let this team develop instead of your constant whining and bitching because frankly I am getting fed up reading it from you bandwagon losers. Go ahead and argue with me on what I have written, but I guarantee you that any point you bring up will not be supported by facts which I will prove out in my response, so fire away all TD bashers, as I am ready for you.

Mr. Clutch, I am glad you are off the bandwagon. People like you aren't wanted anyways. There's not enough room for the quality fans anyways. The team will get better and JP will progress as the season goes on. This situation is very similar to the one last year in Cincinnati. Now look where Carson Palmer and the Bengals are. The Bills were a peripheral playoff tm this year with Bledsoe or with JP. If they do make the playoffs they are one and done anyways. If we had kept Drew, is a first round playoff loss make your entire year and make you so happy? Well it does nothing for me, I would rather have my QB of the future develop and be ready to go by midseason, then we can look forward to a long run of years in the playoffs. Yes, this team does have so gaps especially on the offensive line and the ability to stop the run on defense. But no matter I am a Bills fan and am proud to say so. Shame, you can't say the same thing.

This was the year after the Bills beat the Raiders 51-3 in the 1990 AFC Championship game. The year was 1991 and the Bills were down 27-13 in the 4th quarter. Kelly led the Bills back to tie. This was after Norwood had missed mutiple FG's and barely made the tying extra point. Norwood missed one FG in OT and finally Jay Schroeder threw a pick on a deep pass to Willie Gualt which was picked by Nate Odoms. Kelly led the Bills into FG range one more time and Norwood finally won it for the Bills 30-27.

When you get SuperFan you also have gamemix & redzone channel for those great endings. Last week Direct TV gave superfan away for free, genius move if you ask me, love to see what the sames are for that service this week.

Don't think I'm your clone but as a displaced Bills fan living in San Diego, I had no option. I would have sold blood & plasma to get my Bills fix each week. Do you have the Superfan package also? Nothing better then an NFL Sunday Morning, with all day to just kick back and watch football. At halftime take a swim in the pool and catch the 2nd half and then go into the late games followed by the Sunday Night Game. Just have a great life. Hope you do too.

As a longtime Direct TV User I have to tell you that this is the only way to go. The dish and receiver basically costs nothing. You simply pay for programming. NFL Sunday Ticket costs only $219.00 and it is broken down into four payments to make it affordable for you. Plus for the 1st four months you have the premier movie package for $59.00 per month. Face up to reality, get one of the great deals on a dish and receiver, pony up for the programming and watch the Bills in your home every week. I have three receivers and I have the Bills games on my big screen, and a 36 inch and 30 inch tuned to two additional games of interest. This week for example, I am watching the Bills-Bucs on the 55 inch, the Jagurs and Colts and the Patriots - Panthers on the other two TV's. The great thing is that with one dish, you can have up to four seperate receivers and each receiver can be programmed individually, so you can get multiple games for just one NFL Sunday Ticket package. Also, you can order NFL SuperFan and get GameMix which shows 8 games at once, and the red zone channel and shows an edited 30 review of each game starting at midnight each Sunday. It is the best money you will ever spend

Welcome back Mr. Right, I very much appreciate you coming back to grace this board with the mis-information about the return of the 49whiners to prominance. Would you like to place odds when Tim Rattay joins Thomas Herion in the land of those who reach room temperature. With the 36 million dollar turnstile Jonas Jenning providing his customary "look-out" block, Alex Smith ought to ensure he finds some way to avoid dressing this season, so when Rattay is mangaled into some contused, battered and broken down wreck, Smith won't share the same fate. Best of luck this season and the next time we will hear anything about the 49ers is when in late December they have locked in the 1st selection in the 2006 NFL Draft and the words of Chris Berman sayoing "The 49ers, yet again are on the clock" Now, enjoy your season and see what a re-built team looks like.

The point I am making is that Edwards is a good slot receiver with good hands and quickness. He is also elusive. These are three charactistics that Josh Reed does not have. The question to ask is Troy Edwards better then Drew Haddad, when you answer that question then you have your justification to sign or the reson not to sign him. In any case the Texans are looking at Edwards.

I am bumping this thread as I do think it is a possibility.

I am sure I am about to be flammed as a "someone with a name is available, why don't we sign him" kind of poster, but here me out on this one. Troy Edwards was released by Jacksonville this weekend. This was due to the depth they have at WR. Edwards is a six year pro, was a 1st round choice of the Steelers and works very well from the slot. With Roscoe Parrish out for at least two to three weeks in the regular season, Edwards could be a really big help. Last year he caught 50 passes for over 530 yards, and has skills from the slot position. I feel this signing could benefit the Bills for the short term and would made Josh Reed expendable and the Bills WR core should be as follows: WR - Eric Moulds WR - Lee Evans WR - Troy Edwards WR - Roscoe Parrish WR - George Wilson WR - Drew Haddad Go ahead folks, fire away.

Thanks, this will help the better teams such as the Bills keep more of their talent.

The Packers ran the ball ok, got a first down after a 3rd down pass was incomplete and on the TD, Favre escaped from Sam Adams and threw to Ahman Green who beat Aaron Schobel on zone blitz coverage. No big deal.