Fan in Chicago

Let us see: Alex Smith Lifetime: 59.3% completion, 14,280 yards, 179 yards/game, 81 TD, 63 INTs for a 1.28 TD/INT ratio. Rate of 79.1% Alex Smith Last 3 years (his best have been the last two but I threw in one additional year to even things out: 62.7% completion, 7251 yards, 207 yards/game, 44 TD, 20 INTs for a 2.2 TD/INT ratio. Rate of ~ 90+ (I didnt have exact calcs) RF Lifetime: 59.5% completion, 14,336 yards, 193.7 yards/game, 92 TD, 81 INTs for a 1.14 TD/INT ratio. Rate of 76.8% RF Last 3 years: 60.3% completion, 10,232 yards, 227 yards/game, 71 TD, 54 INTs for a 1.31 TD/INT ratio. Rate of ~82% So,: - Alex Smith has improved over the years and his statistical best years have been the last two. - AS is much better TD/INT than RF over past 3 years - RF throws for 10%+ more yards/game - AS has a better QB rating - AS has a better completion rate over past three years - RF throws for more TDs/game (1.57 versus 1.29) over past 3 years RF's air game is much better. But AS is more conservative and has been throwing a lot less picks per TD. None of these prove that AS will give us a dynamic passing offense but he is less likely to make critical mistakes. Also, from what I have seen, he has the arm to make the sideline throws which RF lacks. Not a long term solution , but I prefer AS over RF just cos he is less likely to lose games for us.

Yes and of the fired HCs, Lovie is the one that makes the most sense. Plusses: Strong defense year after year Coached a cold-weather, outdoor stadium team Good track record of successful seasons Negatives: Nearly clueless on the O-side Loyal to a fault regarding his coordinators. E.g. took a long time to kick pass-happy Martz in the rear and make him balance the O Poor record versus a key divisional opponent (Packers) Neutral: Boring press conferences Perceived laid-back style (is this true in the locker room ?) IMHO, the Bears made a big mistake by firing Lovie. And the candidates they are interviewing don't inspire much confidence either save for McCoy: offensive coordinators Mike McCoy (Broncos), Tom Clements (Packers) and Mike Sullivan (Buccaneers) and special teams coaches Keith Armstrong (Falcons) and Joe DeCamillis (Cowboys). Really ?

It certainly seems that the changes at OBD and the current roster are making Buffalo more attractive to coaches than in the past. I wouldn't be too upset if Lovie is hired. Get Marinelli as DC and Norv Turner as OC and we are golden

I think you are not renting a car, but if you do, Houmas House (about 45 min-1 hr drive)is a nice plantation to visit and it also has very good lunch. Walk around in their gardens before or after lunch. I think they have special dinner times, but call them to check.

Good job, Scott. Very fitting that you represent the board in the media. I suppose now we will see a flood of new posters with this exposure?!

yes, fully agree. Lovie rarely had a team talented in all groups. Spend on Peppers (good idea), ignore that the LB's are getting old (bad idea). Acquire Marshall, ignore the OL. Underwhelming Carimi. It is no wonder that early rumors point to the Bears aggressively pursuing Levitre. having said that, if we hire Lovie, I still want dedicated OC and DC to help him out. I think the HC should do just one job.

IMHO, Lovie will get quite a few interviews and not just to satisfy the Rooney requirement. He has been fairly stable here in Chicago and has suffered through years of an inconsistent roster. His major failing is not having a good OC under him (Cutler leading a Martz offense !!!). But time will tell how much interest Lovie generates.

Can someone link this speech ? Maybe I am dense but I can't seem to find it on buffalobills.com or wgr

I don't believe it. I have been told repeatedly that no coach wants to come here. Must be the wanna-be low level coordinators who can't find a job.

Point taken. But all humans should have an optimistic view of life, no ? Else we can grow old being curmudgeons.

Indeed. But the noise created by these posters drowns out reasonable discussion and hijacks perfectly logical threads. Make no mistake, when Nix et al took over, I was cautiously optimistic. I did not say it was a bad or great move because there was no way to know how they would handle the organization. We should afford the new management/coaching structure (whatever shape it takes) the same courtesy. If every move is seen as 'same old' or 'bottom of the barrel' or incestuous, then there really is no point in being a supportive fan of this team.

Disagreement has never been seen as a problem here. What gets the reasonable posters' goat, is the relentless cynicism, misinformed blathering and negativity to every move that the FO makes.

I agree. He owes it to himself to, proverbially, shop around. He has been resilient, steady and an excellent guard. I wish we retain his services else it will be a huge hole in an otherwise promising OL. I am not sure we have to make a choice between Byrd and Levitre as we should have enough money to sign both. Plus, push comes to shove, Fitz should be asked to re-structure to save cap space.

You cannot be serious.

A lowly draft pick, fought to be the #1 WR on the team. Posts back to back 1000 yard seasons and about to make it three in a row. All the time with a less than stellar QB and while being part of team with inconsistent offensive philosophy. Toned down his attitude this year and been nothing but a team player. Yes, I root for him and wish him the best. I care and so should every Bills fan.

Fitz is retiring?

This is what I am wondering. Are Nix and Gailey on the same page wrt: QBs ? Vince Young was acquired and he could not grasp Gailey's offense. Why should this have been a surprise ? There was enough body of work to show that he got by on athletic skills and not on gray matter, which Gailey's offense requires. Then why go through the trouble of getting a guy who was never activated ? Did Nix like him but Gailey refused to play him ? Both possibilities point towards a disconnect. Either way, I have also come around to the opinion that is JOhnC' s original point - Nix has failed as a GM. Even if we accept the disconnect hypothesis, Nix is the one who hired him. So it comes around full circle. Frustrated with every new regime touting patience.

Reggie Bush wasn't told that either

An accurate QB, a true #2 WR opposite him, David Nelson and Chandler. That O would be truly terrific to watch.

Trading for Alex Smith has been discussed a lot in this thread: http://forums.twobil...th/page__st__60 (my support for this idea is also in that thread). It is something worth considering whether or not Gailey is retained. But not as the long term answer - for the next 3 years or so before we draft for a true 'franchise' QB and he is ready to take over.

Norv as OC. Rex Ryan as DC but not if that means a switch back to the 3-4. I would support both. But still torn regarding HC. I don't want a re-tread and would like a fresh face who would re-energize the franchise. Someone in the John Harbaugh mold.

Are you suggesting we keep the current coaches cos its not going to matter anyway?

Should Harbaugh put Alex Smith in?

That was the other Williams

I dont know whether to laugh or cry