Bill from NYC

This might be the best thread in the history of this board. Not everyone (if anybody at all) is able to articulate the problems wrt the Bills as is DD. The Bills have foresaken their foundation to draft running backs, gadget players and defensive backs. This is why we are losing. It will be impossible for them to win until they change this idiotic philosophy. In addition to the qb position, they need to draft players who can block and sack the opposing quarterback. This should be the focus instead of plugging holes and selling tickets. And wrt qbs, I am all about a "franchise QB." Who isn't? But you (and others) please tell me...how many franchise qbs out there in this entire league? The Jets tried to draft one and failed, but they had built up such a strong foundation that they can still win games, this while we were drafting McKelvin, Whitner, Spiller, etc. Thanks DD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I simply disagree any team not having any depth or game changers on their team at a position can even have any pick be classified as a luxury, and I also can't understand how any player can be deemed a bust without getting the chance to play. I'm not arguing your strategy isn't more sound than what the GM decided that day, I can't control that, but the point of this thread was that I did agree with the pick, still do, even though other players have had more opportunities to play, hindsight is 20/20, and i didn't want to go there, I want to stay on task that it's not always doom and gloom when we pick in the 1st round, but Buffalo fans love to poke holes in paper houses when it comes to draft picks. OK, and I appreciate the dialogue. However, the above is where our fundamental disagreement lies. The Bills have a history of strange and horrible first round picks, dating WAY back. But for the purpose of this conversation, let me only cite a few. In 2006, the first 5 picks were devoted to Whitner, McCargo, Youboty and Ko Simpson. That's right, they traded away a very early 3rd to draft this complete mess. In 2003, they took Magahee in the first, and waited at least 20 games for him to even take the field. I could easily go on, but I won't. They made these (and other) asinine selections while having NO foundation. QB problems, no blocking, and no pass rush. There is a reason why we are a losing team. This is it, and many Bills fans are really fed up with this kind of neglect, and even idiocy. John C. is a great poster imo. He blames all of this mess on Mr. Wilson, and I can see his point. But in the interest of being fair, it must be hard for a financial success like Ralph to believe how stupid the people he hired have been. And for what it's worth, I do not consider Gailey to be stupid at all. But in essence, Ralph makes his cash even though the people he hires make idiotic decisions year after year. It ain't his problem. We will see what happens wrt Spiller. You have more faith in him than I do and it goes without saying that this is beyond OK. But, imo a selection such as this is symptomatic as to why we suck. And if Ralph was involved in this pick (which I will always think that he was, despite being blasted for saying so), then John C. would be correct. All of this is simply my opinion, and thanks once again for the fun dialogue.

There is nothing I can do. I will never stop rooting for this team. I am even dumb enough to believe that 1 sane, solid draft could make us respectable. Other teams do have a great draft once in a while. Ours virtually all suck. The drafts of 1995 and 2001 were very good. That's 2 in 16 years.

I will try, although you will probably dislike, or perhaps even get angry at my reponse. If you live in a beat up bungalo that needs a roof, bathroom, kitchen, and has a basement that leaks, would you put Anderson windows on it? Andersons are "good" windows, but the house itself won't be any good until the major needs are addressed. Now, CJ, while he might be good some day, would appear to be a luxury that the Bills couldn't afford. After 28 games, are we really sure that he is an every down back? To add insult to (imo) injury, they RAN to the podium to make this selection. They didn't wait for last minute trade offers, which do happen. Then, Mr. Wilson was loving the pick, stating that the team needed "more excitement." This while we had no pass rush, no OTs, weak lbs, and was Trent still the qb? So, as you requested, I left out Lynch and Jackson. And if you like the pick to this day, what's the problem? We can't agree on everything. One question if I may: Trent Richardson may or may not be picked in the top 10. Who would you prefer, Richardson or Spiller?

John, Upshaw is a complete linebacker, and he weighs over 260. He provides a ton of pressure and has to be accounted for on every play. Not only that, he has a ton of tackles behind the los on running plays. Alabama concentrates very much on stopping the run. He will be quite the player for some lucky team.

Do you want to see more of the Jauron Tampa-2. The Giants have the best group of DEs in the league, and they aren't doing much.

Having had time to cool off and read my anger fueled post, I am going to say that I was too tough on Spiller. I probably use him a bit too much as an outlet for my frustration. BUT, when I saw him make a good play and the ball was flying around the endzone, that set me off early. The crucial drop didn't help. I will lower my expectations. He doesn't need to be Marshall Faulk to contribute, and he didn't draft himself at number 9. I do hope that he can produce for us because the truth is, we need him to, and could have used big plays from him even before Freddie got hurt. PS: I DID miss FJ yesterday, and came away with a new appreciation of how fast he can get through creases.

Stop. He dropped a crucial pass and went down if an opponent sneezed. Be serious please.

1) On the failed 4th down attempt at the end of the 1st Qtr., Fitz got punched in the head. It was as clear as a bell. The Bills not getting a call like this is a concern wrt the integrity of the league imo. 2) News Flash: Erik Pears is a so-so, backup level RT. Yes, I am going there. Taking this a step further, he will never be able to cover at LT in case of injury. He is a plodding, slow blocker. Hairston is much more suited to play RT on this football team than is Pears. In another thread, a particularly sickening "consensus demander" calls the Bills OL top 5. Posts like this are worse, FAR worse than those of pom-pom wavers, but this is just my opinion. 3) Let's get to Spiller, shall we? His game stats were good, right? Sure. Well, imo he sucked. He dropped at least 1 crucial pass, and he went down upon any contact at all. He even fumbled his toucdown. The fact that our football team wasted a #9 on him will hold us back for many years. Sorry, it's true. 4) Who are #83 and #85? And why were they catching passes just short of first downs? 5) The Bills should sign Urbik to a long term deal. My hunch is that they could, but they are too stupid to do so. 6) Davis Nelson seemed to get his act back today. Good, because I do like this kid. 7) Sheppard was God awful in the first half, but not so bad in the second half. If he clicks, this will be very good for our football team. 8) "Now what's to be found, by racing around? You carry your pain wherever you go. Full of blues, and tryin' to lose. You ain't gonna learn what you don't wanna know." 9) Did you see Fitz console the receiver who dropped his perfect pass at the end of the 3rd qtr.? Yes, Fitz is an easy person to like. 10) On a personal note, my daughter Amanda (who I implore to sign in) got me a Bills tree ornament as a Christmas present. It consists of 3 Bufflalo Bills celebrating. Which 3? Whitner, Evans and Lynch. My baby is an Ivy League/Law School grad. Amanda, I love you and I miss you every day. And I am NOT sorry that you are a Bills fan. It made you stronger and more loyal. Don't give up my sweet honey, ok? 11) I have been just a bit loathe to jump on George Edwards. Those days are gone. He is starting Spencer Johnson, a worthless player, over Moats. And the truth is, Gailey should see this and know better. 12) People, we need COURTNEY UPSHAW!!!!! I'm not gonna let go. Sorry. 13) Bills Fans are the best fans of any team in any sport. I am proud to be in this community. 14) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So is Dick Jauron.

You got lucky. Often he demands full agreement, or at least a very strong consensus on all football issues. In your case, he was merely belittling you for clicking the wrong post to respond to. He is threatening to "laugh at you," but it could have been much worse. He might have issued you a vicious verbal warning.

No doubt John. This season, the defensive units at Alabama and LSU are professional level. The conference is stacked with talented players.

Let's hope that is I who gives you the credit for predicting good things from this back.

I was wondering, is my quote in your signature a tribute at this point?

Stretch? Probably, but he was out of control, literally. What Johnson did hurt his entire team, not to mention Gailey and Fitz, who took his seventh round ass and made him what he is. Fitz spent a ton of time practicing with him when they were both second string. The Bills need all the help they can get to win football games and this s*^t was 100% unneccessary.

Furthur has brought it all back. It was gone and now we have it again because of John Kadlecik. I saw them reluctantly at Jones Beach in July. I viewed it as a night out with my girlfriend and lifelong friends. The music was secondary or so it seemed. They were off the charts great. I saw them again at MSG this month, and they were once again utterly fantastic. The female harmony singer on the link is Jerry's daughter. Check her out at 3:05 or so. Remember, her father did this. And btw, she is much better than Donna. Enjoy.....

Maybe. I hope so, and also ask you to consider the possibility that while my expectations are very high for a #9, yours might be unreasonably low. One thing is certain, he will get his chance to prove if he can play in this league. He is on the field by default, not because Gailey wanted to use him. And again, I know Freddy is a fine back, but so was Thurman, and Kenneth Davis saw the field and was a contributor.

Bell is a UFA and would never sign a one year contract. Decisions have to be made at the OT spot.

The players we have lost are a 5th round rookie (who is back), Wood, who has been either injured or ineffective until this year (he was playing very well), and a small, weak (though agile) Bell, who is injured FAR more often than he is healthy. A top LT needs two things: 1) The strength and agility to protect the blindside. 2) Strength to dominate his opponent on running plays. Again, Bell is very agile, but unlike top LTs, he is frequently not as strong as the defender he faces. The guy did what, 9 reps at the combines with 225? One would expect that much from Spiller. And, the above doesn't take his health into account. Not everyone can play LT in the NFL, you know? Jonas Jennings was much stronger (and better) than Bell, but his body couldn't take it. Levitre is a very good guard, and I am fond of Urbik so far. But like it or not, Pears and Bell are question marks. And yes, Fitz does make this OL better with his mobility and quick release. Bottom line? This OL, even before the injuries, was somewhere around the middle of the pack. This btw was a huge improvement for the Bills. It is unlikely to get better unless they devote some major resources to the OT position. They need to get a quality LT and not trade him away.

I think that drafting DL was a good idea. The problem is who they drafted, or so it would appear. We have seen flashes from Carrington, and little to nothing from Troup. That said, imo Carrington would apply more pressure if there was a player on the outside that opposing lines had to be concerned with, even a little. The OLB position looks like our OL used to, in that they don't really have a credible OLB (other than perhaps an inconsistent, and not terribly big) Moats. Like OTs, pass rushers are at a premium and tend to fly off the board early. They need to make a huge commitment to this position in the draft.

The thing is, Chandler scores touchdowns and picks up first downs. I wanted them to sign Boss, and I think that Chandler is doing as well as Boss would have. They need to give him a similar contract soon. And again, I hope they draft another TE, hopefully not a skinny, 225 pound Jauron TE. Wrt OTs, you will never get an arguement from me.

1) OK, here is the thing about Barnett...the man can play. The thing is, he is playing next to a collection of nobodies. Imagine what he would do if offenses had to account for Courtney Upshaw instead of Chris Kelsay? More on Kelsay coming up. 2) The TD catch by Brad Smith was great. It was a lousy pass to boot. Yes, Smith earned his money today, and he COULD have won us the football game. 3) The drop by Nelson late in the 3rd qtr. was crucial. I really want to like this kid but he needs concentration, which earlier in the season seemed to be his forte. I don't get it. 4) Stevie Johnson is a big question mark. The pass that he dropped might have been the best pass of the season thrown by Fitz. And, his dance act penalty hurt us. Otoh, he caught passes on Revis. He is a very good receiver but he pissed me off today. Big time. 5) Thanks Coach Gailey for the 53 yard FG. I would have punted. And thanks for grabbing Fitz on the sidelines and calling good plays. The man knows offense. Period. 6) Somebody in Bills management needs to get a f*&$^%g pen, and sign Chandler to a long term deal tonight. Seriously, I mean right this f*$#@&g second. Is he a superstar? No, but the kid can really play. They can even draft another tight end. I'm fine with Williams from Alabama. But Chandler is a key, and clutch player who they need to immediately sew up contractually. There is really nothing to debate here. 7) I wish I was a headlight, on a northbound train. I wish I was a headlight, on a northbound train! I'd shine my light through the, Cool Colorado rain. 8) I understand that many here dislike Fitz because he isn't as good as Peyton Manning, or for other reasons. Today, he should be left alone imo. He had his fastball, his best pass was dropped, his protection was so-so, he ran well, and he fought til the end. Can he get a pass for today? 9) Pears is another player that I am confused about. I don't like to cop out on opinions so here it goes...He needs to improve to be a true asset to our football team. Can he? I think he can. Btw, consider me almost a fan of Urbik. He too needs to improve and I actually think he will. He needs to be re-signed, and soon imo. 10) In the 3rd qtr., Spiller was walking back to the huddle and was accidently bumped by a Jet player. He almost fell. PLEASE.....did anyone else see this? Again, I would accept a 6th round pick for this worthless smurf if I was the GM. Prove me wrong CJ!!!!!! 11) Btw, thanks to anyone and everyone who takes the time to read my weekly thoughts. I love the dialogue, and I love the Buffalo Bills football team. 12) If the Bills had Revis and Mel Blount in their prime playing corner, they would get burned. We have NO pass rush. We absolutely need to address this in the 2012 draft before we do anything else. This pass rush is so bad that we were worse when Kelsay (who is God awful) was out. Sanchez is NO better than Trent Edwards, and we let him beat us. This is unacceptable. 13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He will make mistakes galore and not produce. Then, he will break one for a long TD and people will point to his overall stats and justify this selection.

Upshaw and Hightower are both great. I have seen both of them cover backs, let alone everything else. Either of them would step right in and make this a beter defense on day 1. Btw, Nico Johnson is a monster on the inside on that same team, Chapman is a fine DT, and the entire secondary, down to the 4th string corner, is great. Want a safety? Barron will be an all pro. And Senator, that's only the defense!!! Williams, TE is very good, and will probably be a sleeper. Trent Richardson is a top 10 or 15 pick, but a REAL one (unlike little CJ). Roberts will be a truly fine OG and Vlachos a good OC. Maze will catch passes in this league too. I would be thrilled if the draft 4 or 5 players from the Tide!

This is nothing compared to the Losman days. Some folks would still love to sign him.