Bill from NYC

I call that the Levy/Jauron Era. After all, good ol' Marv hired Jauron. And I don't know if it was the "low point," but the angriest I have ever been was in 06 when they drafted Whitner. The next 3 picks were also about as dumb as it gets. And this is not 20-20 hindsight. I was furious, and this draft is still hurting the Bills. Hopefully, we are climbing out of this hole now.

I remember a play (think they were playing Tampa) where RJ got hit way after he released. A player would get ejected and fined for doing that today. Marcus Spriggs was standing right there. He didn't go after the defender or even help RJ up as he lay there bleeding. If Lori was around she would remember that game. I think we lost a slew of players, some for their entire career.

Nice stuff Rich. It was a very unusal game for the Bills. Gailey deserves a ton of credit for knowing when to be conservative and when to be daring. Pretty much everything he called seemed to work. This was a game where stats meant little. For instance, Brad Smith made key first downs. Dareus and Kelsay didn't show up big on paper, but there was constant pressure. And remember, Gailey actually removed many starters, which I thought was an extremely smart move. Guys like Batten and the rookie running back need some reps. The stat that mattered most (besides the score) was T.O.P. We dominated the clock. It was a thing of beauty. As a Bills Fan it is always hard to know what to expect, but I sure am happy now, and think/hope that we can put away the Raiders and be 2-0.

Posters do come and go for various reasons. I get this. Badolbilz is a special case imo. I know him well, and state openly that he knows more about football than any person I have ever met. My friends and I would write down questions and run them by him at tailgates every year. Seriously, if you ask him for a guard who would last until round 4, he knows. It's almost surreal. And, he isn't smug; he is totally unimposing. Just a great guy. The mods here are as good as it gets. They do the work and maintain this site. They do a great job and we owe them, and of course SDS. I mean this. This site is SO good that I am fully convinced that media figures borrow from us. I have seen it. In any event Badol, if you are lurking, please tell us what you think of Batten and the rookie RB. These guys could make us a lot deeper.

Welcome to TBD!

And you are one cool m.f.

I am sorry that you feel this way. Actually, I think it is great that we have a forum in which we can exchange differing views. Both of us have valid reasons for our opinions. Neither of us pulled them from you know where. Imo Spiller was a wasted draft selection. I don't think that we were in a position to use a #9 on a situational player. And he MIGHT improve and contribute to this team. This would be ideal John. Otoh, if yesterday showed us anything, it that getting bigger and stronger worked. And it was a pleasure to see. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you read my post? And, if you think that the Bills were in a position to draft a situational running back at #9 despite other glaring needs, we simply disagree on how to build a football team. And I see nothing wrong with 2 posters having 2 differing opinions. What's the problem?

Seriously, stats meant little in this game. Think about it. Kelsay, Williams and Dareus didn't show up big in the recap, but they put pressure all day. Not only that, many Bills starters were graciously pulled. Other than the score, if you want a stat that reflected the game it was the T.O.P. The Bills had the ball approx. 15 minutes more than the Chiefs. This is almost always very indicative of dominance.

It is probably early to call him a bust. But it isn't too early imo to call him a stupid, and even suspect draft choice. We just got Brad Smith, who I expect to be a better player than Spiller (this doesn't mean I will be correct mind you), and we didn't have to burn a number 9 on him.

Absolutely Chan Gailey. Next would be Fitz, but Dareus was great.

Lori, I am so sorry. May God help you and your loved ones through these times of sadness.

LOL, cool! The thing is, she learned so much because she said that for years, I have been telling her what the Bills do, and yesterday they actually did it. And yes, Gailey was superb. There were time I hope he would just run out the clock. He went to the air, and it worked. At half time, I thought that perhaps they should have tried to get into field goal range. He didn't, and it worked. Only a Bills fan can understand what its like to watch inept coaching year after year. Gailey is a teacher, and an offensive mind. What a great freaking game!!!

Joe, he actually did. It's hard not to get excited about what happened yesterday on a very emotional day.

In the first drive of the 3rd quarter, the defender smacked Pears on the head and ran by him. Fitz got hit hard. It worked today John, but he has to improve. John, defensive front 7 got bigger and stronger. We dominated. If we do the same thing on offense we will get the same, if not better results. It's no secret, my long time friend.

1) To the civilians, firefighters and of course my brother police officers who lost their lives 10 years ago: I am glad that your time in heaven is pleasant. You are heroes, and I wish I could haved saved you. I constantly think about you; you are the best thing that ever happened to New York. 2) Andy Levitre threw key blocks today. He was always decent on passing plays but today, he put himself in position and took out his man time after time on FJ runs. So yes, I said before and am saying after this "benching" stint that he is our best blocker. If you disagree, please take me to task. 3) Barnett is twice as good as Poz. That's all I have to say about this issue but do feel free to comment. 4) I was lucky enough to have watched the game with two of my daughters today. My oldest (an ivy league and law school grad) made a striking comment. She said that she learned more about football today that any day of her life. She btw is 27. She said that they actually did things that I have been screaming at them to do for as long as she could remember. 5) If I had to pick just one player who won us this game, it would be Marcel Dareus. He won't show up on the stat sheets but he simply kicked ass. He stretched out runs and pushed back the pocket on pass plays. This, in his first NFL game. Marcel Dareus, at least today, was the exact football player that this team has always needed. OMG it was great to watch!!!!!!!!!! 6) I promised someone named Dan (a TBD lurker) from Buffalo that I would give him a shout out. Here it is. Good game! 7) Sorry, Pears is a huge concern. I won't go into it, but I saw what I saw and it wasn't good. 8) Badolbilz told us about Chandler. His hands were as soft as cotton and he looks as if he can block and get open. Please take this post as an overdue shoutout. Badol, you forgot more about football than most of us will ever know. Sorry to single you out, but please come back to TBD. The problems you had here can be worked out, and this board will never be as good without you my friend. Not ever. 9) I was impressed by Byrd. He looks to be in better condition than last season, and he was getting physical in the first half. 10) OK, more about Dareus....KELSAY was making plays. Spenser Johnson looked like a good football player. This doesn't happen in a vacuum. Marcel was occupying blockers. I am just so psyched about this kid!!! 11) Fitz? He was every bit as good as he had to be. He is a QB who is capable of winning football games (same with Stevie Johnson). He and Fitz are partners. I love that s--t. 12) Chan Gailey really had a set of b%^^s today. I would have been more conservative but his calls worked. And btw, I personally guarantee that Brad Smith will win us at least 1 football game this season. I am thinking 2. 13) We are in first place, an undefeated team! Yeah,us, the Buffalo Bills! I absolutely love it! So world....excuse the f*&k out of me. 14) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL thanks!!! Ya know, I take credit for the Bills not drafting Peterson this year. I wished him away!!! I did the same thing with Huiff in 06 and it worked, but things apart fell apart right after that!

1) On "Moving the Chains," one of the announcers (not Kirwan, the other guy) called Gailey "one of the best schematic coaches in the NFL." I am inclined to agree. The offense looked decent at times last year, while indeed lacking talent. 2) Todd Haley is a sharp coach. He specifically mentioned K. Williams, Dareus, Barnett, Merriman and yes.....Carrington. He is impressed by our defense. 3) I'm still thinking about e-balls thread about Nix. Not so much mention was made about his comments wrt getting bigger and building a team to suit the climate. Also, Gailey said that "coming into the draft, stopping the run was the #1 priority. My point? Levy/Jauron did untold damage to this team. They littered the roster with small, inferior football players. 4) Thanks to all for a fun offseason. I for one actually like this board most around draft time, when hope runs high. There were some great threads to read as of late. Thanks to those contributing, and thanks for indulging me and my complaints about the way the team was butchered. 5) Let's go 1-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What did he say?

This is a Bills board. "Homers" are to be expected, no? But when a team is losing for the same obvious reasons year after year, people who do their homework, or have even a miniscule clue about football are going to be able to see why. As bad as the Bills are, they are mine. It's ridiculous, but being a Bills fan is a part of my identity. I follow the draft, have social "Bills" events, and spend tons of money going to games. It is great to be a part of this because Bills Fans really tend to be cool people. But now, we are in an age where information is readily available. JW and NGU argued, but both spoke of football decisions being made by non-football people. What scares me is that even after we got rid of Levy and Jauron (two totally incompetent men), we continued to waste a HUGE pick on Spiller. Doing so followed suit. And, how good must this second round corner be to justify spurning numerous trade down offers (according to Nix)? Personally, I am OK with the "homers." But, a poster like Bills Vet is more likely to nail it than one who is starry eyed. As Bill Parcells said (paraphrasing), you are as good as your record.

But when they drafted MaGahee, they had to wait 16 regular season games for him to even take the field. and they KNEW he was hurt. Sorry, but imo, he was yet another dumb selection, especially with Steinback sitting right there.

>>>>>Q about ever being told by Ralph not to spend -- "don't know where stuff like that comes from" "it's the other way around" "i talk him out of [going after high dollar guys]" "that's happened more than once"<<<<< Do you believe the above? >>>>>OL -- "nobody will believe this, but we're much better in the OL, and better than people think we are" "depth is not good" "we're good in the middle" "only one backup T and he's a rookie, and that's tough" "[we hope] young will be backup at RT, hairston at LT"<<<<< Or this?

Good post Dave. Maybe this stuff is partially linked to the global economic collapse, but one would think that the people who would be least affected by it would be the rich NFL owners. And at his age, how could economic conditions matter to RW? The man is guaranteed a profit from the TV contract alone, no? And, WNY was already having tough times. I'm sorry to edge off topic. I'm still a bit dazed form the JW/NGU threads. And did you read the summary of the Nix interview that eball posted? It directly contradicts what these guys said. Who are you (and of course others) inclined to believe more, Nix or NGU/JW? As for me, I lean towards believing JW/NGU as far as the Evans trade being an economic decision, and the meddling by Mr. Wilson.

Good work, thanks!

Very good post and I do understand. I am hoping for big things from Batten. I liked the pick a lot last year and he was obviously hurt. I don't know how long you have been a Bills fan, but I am hoping he is not the new version of Dan Brandenberg. DB was an olb who in preseason looked like a fast Bryce Paup. I don't have his preseason stats but he was sacking qbs at will. In real games, he was absolutely terrible. He couldn't even play special teams. It was just that frustrating. I mention Batten because I actually expect a dozen or more sacks from a healthy Merriman. The Bears game was all I had to see. He was the real deal, of this I am as certain as one can be. If Batten is for real they can rush on some plays from both sides, and have Kyle Williams and my man Dareus up the middle. Offense is imo a much sadder story. I think that the player most capable of stepping up is Fitz. He is very smart and very mobile, and might survive behind our sub-par OL. If they actually decide to devote resources to the OL next year, the Bills could conceiveably field a respectable football team. It's possible.