MRW

I see the case for pessimism, but I look at teams like the Steelers who don't break the bank (except for keeping a couple of stars) but still remain consistently good. Trends come and go in the NFL, and I think it's the teams who can stay ahead of the curve who will have a competitive advantage. Unfortunately I'm a bit nervous about switching to the 3-4 as it seems like more of a case of following the trend rather than setting it. The Steelers had success because they could pick up players cheap who wouldn't fit in other teams' systems, but I'm thinking the bargains are no longer in good 3-4 players. In any event, though, once you get past the real stars of the game, I think that players become, not interchangeable, but very dependent on the system you run. If the Redskins and Cowboys drive up the price for current stars, it will be critical to find no-name players who can play a solid role on your team. That's how the Steelers did it, that's how the Patriots did it back when they won their first championship.

Fran Kaliber, drafted #1 overall in 1971 by the Rams. Never played a down in the NFL. Wiki link

Good post. Trent Edwards is the exact same QB today he was 3 years ago. I don't think we need to look for some kind of post-concussion symptoms that disappear against San Diego only to come back with a vengeance. I think Bills fans were blinded to Edwards' faults by the fact that he was the anti-Losman, but just because a guy has a different set of bad tendencies than Losman doesn't mean he'll ever be a good QB. Edwards really seems to me like a guy who will go somewhere as a 2nd or 3rd stringer and be perfectly content. And, y'know, good for him. But I really think he's shown us everything he's got and ever had, and it's not starting caliber.

When they rename it the Hall of Perfection, they'll be sure to look at this clip and make sure Warner doesn't get in.

In 13 postseason games, Warner has completed 2/3 of his passes for almost 4000 yards, with 31 TDs and 14 INTs. Those are some absolutely sick numbers and cement his case for the HOF in my opinion.

Well, wasn't it Philips who made him the scapegoat and brought in his crony? I don't think there was any particular bad blood between DeHaven and Ralph Wilson or the FO.

Sending along my wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

It's hard to say, really. The best I can say for Tolbert is that maybe he was just a victim of circumstance here. The offenses in general never got going - Losman had no pocket sense, and Edwards never developed beyond throwing checkdowns, so it's not like the receivers were put in a position to shine. But on the other hand, there's nothing to make you think that they weren't part of the problem as well.

Wait... I've seen this game before... Marry Brohm !@#$ Fitzpatrick Kill Edwards

I don't buy it. Letting crazy ideas about paying Shanahan huge amounts of money to come in and rescue the franchise, then promoting Buddy Nix and hiring Chan Gailey, does nothing to fool the fanbase. Unlike the TO signing last offseason, this gets them nothing. Yes, there are people for whom hope springs eternal, but they would've bought in anyway if the narrative had been that the Bills thought they had some good people on-board but just needed to shuffle things up a bit. So the problem I have with what you're saying is I don't see any kind of PR gain from the way management approached this process. I'm not optimistic about the Gailey hire, but I think Brandon is savvy enough to know that Nix + Gailey is not a marketing winner. So I don't find it tough to believe that they think this is a good football move. Success on the field is the only thing that will make this look good. Whether that will happen is a different question (I lean toward no).

That's harsh. At least my dad calls me directly to tell me I'm a disappointment.

How's that working out for you?

He'll fart the fart, but he won't cart the cart?

The Chargers lost because of their defense?

Wow. Really? So the board needs 50 different 2 or 3 reply threads about how much the hire stinks?

Josh McDaniels is doing a heckuva job out there in Denver. Wonder if Bowlen is starting to regret firing Shanahan?

Man, way to sour them on the deal.

Can you blame us? Have you tried to read one of your posts?

The ability of TBD members to tease out hidden meanings will never cease to amaze me. Apparently, praising the Giants = slamming the Bills, and now I learn that praising Perry Fewell = slamming Dick Jauron.

His avatar is Hunter Gathers, from the Venture Brothers, so it's not a reference to Hunter Kelly at all.

I have to agree, with the marquee names going elsewhere or choosing to stay out of the game, top assistants are next on the wish list, and guess what, if you're a top assistant chances are your team is still playing. If you don't want the Bills to make a hire without doing due diligence, you should be applauding the wait.

If you can't see the inherent flaw in the standards you're setting, I'm not sure I can help you.

So... if Grimm had been hired by the Steelers 3 years ago you'd be ok with the Bills hiring him now?

They're sitting at home because they insisted on passing when they had two 1100 yard rushers. If they'd run every down against the Bills, they would've won.

Spot on. Identifying needs is all well and good (but even then I'd strongly disagree with anyone who says LB is not a need) but you can't let needs dictate drafting at the expense of getting a good player. Your pick at #9 should be a guy that you believe will be a playmaker, not just a checkbox on a form that says "QB". And if the thinking is that the defense wasn't the biggest problem, that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Imagine how different a Bills team that could actually get off the field on third downs would look. If there's a chance to build a dominant unit, take it.