Dr. Trooth

God it's great to read a post from someone with an IQ above 10. Not that your's isn't far above that. I for sure don't mean it to seem that way. You speak the trooth for the most part, thank-you. I'm not so sure about the cb situation, because, let's face it... the defensive front 7 hasn't done a hell of a lot. And, the soft middle has allowed offenses to dictate the tempo and keep the defensive backfield honest and out of attack mode. Offensively... we really need an LT and C upgrade. We agree at QB... he just can't seem to get over the hum, but, I'm gonna hold off on calling that til the end of the season, for Christ' sake, the damn kid's only started 14 NFL games and doesn't have a lot of help. Other than that, clearly, RB is a stumbling block... and not too many Bills fans are willing to acknowledge that Willis ain't got what it takes and never will. There are many backs that have come through the NFL with an Oline as bad, or worse, than the Bills have and fared far better. Take a look at the Chargers oline since Ladanian Tomlinson has been there. The names constantly change and there aren't a whole lot of folks that can name one of them without looking it up. But LT still piles up the yardage. Corey Dillon in Cincy had the same situation, Ricky W. in Miami, and other than Lomas Brown, who blocked for Barry Sanders in Detroit? The Bills should be way under the cap next year. Clements is a gonner, Vincent already is gone, Fletcher's contract is up, and who knows what may happen with TKO...we've not seen enough of him to know whether he's the TKO we all knew. So, there better be one hell of a lot of activity in the offseason at OBD to upgrade the talent.

Did I write something illegal? When did you get your board moderator license? Can you publish a list of what not to think and write? Willis #5, Maroney #25? Hoorah!!! and great comparison i might add. Willis, 6 games, Maroney, 5. Willis 3.9 YPC, Maroney, 4.3 YPC. I may be mistaken, but, this ain't golf so Maroney trumps Willis in YPC. If Willis is your man, fine. I like to reach a little higher though.

Good news only in a sense that since us Bills fans don't get to see what a good running back is very much. Quite a few of us don't seem to recognize what a great back is. I mean, since Thermal left (Travis had some big games and teased us a bit, but no cigar) the Bills RB situation... well, let's just say it ain't what it used to be. When you watch Maroney and then stack him up against what the Bills have at RB ( I don't think I need to mention names), well... at least now we have a renewed frame of reference of what a really good RB is. DAmn, I wish this guy was a Bill.

First, the bad news. After us all being bummed out over the Whipping in the Windy City and then the Meltdown in the Motor City, now we get to watch our beloved Bills take a beating from Belichicks Butt Berries coming off a bye week, hungry and salivating. Come early, drink often, get drunk, and hopefully you'll pass out before kickoff. But, there is a silver lining... the good news for those who attend or watch the game on the tube is that you will have the opportunity to see what a real stud at RB looks like. I'm not being a smarta$$ either. I hate the Pats as much as any other fan, but damn... this Laurence Maroney kid is the real deal. He can run the football with authority... he's got power, speed, can make a defender miss, and can catch the rock. I'm pretty sure that he can block too... or else Belichick wouldn't bother having him suit up. He's a threat to take it to the house every time he touches it. And, against the Bills run defense, he could cut loose a lot. If he was on a team that didn't distribute the ball all over the place on offense, he'd be in the top 5 easily. Laurence better cut those locks off though, because that's the only thing a defender is going to be able to latch onto once he gets past them. Unless, of course he thinks he might enjoy the Troy Polamalu treatment. TKO wouldn't do that... would he?

I don't know, but he played for Bill Kollar the past 3 seasons. My guess is he doesn't fit into Haslett's style. I think the Rams swithced to a 3-4. The bigger question is, with the Bills down to 3 DTs in the rotation (plus Jefferson if he's even active), which of the 3 DEs have fallen out of favor and may be on the trading block?

You are probably closer to reality than many of us.

I think there's a subtle message hidden within. If "Juaron n bunch" chose to put McGee on the Lions #1, and not Clements on their #1, what does that say about the 8 Million dollar man? Perhaps they don't trust him?

Dude... lighten up, and 'listen' up. The guys I mentioned, right here and right now, are the core of this team... as I stated... whether or not this 'core' will take us to the next level, or will even be here after 3 years is another a question to be answered. It's too early to tell whether they'll step up. If you read what I stated, it was merely to point out that you better get used to it this year, cuz with 8 or 9 rookies aboard and the potential loss of the 3 I mentioned for next year, there are more changes on the way and some growing pains.

Yo... Mr. 'Hothead' I've seen dumb posts before... but your's makes it to the top of the list, undisputedly... you mention Kelly and the boys already in place.... like JP, Willis, Evans, Schobel, McGee, Parrish, Peters, TKO, Crowell don't exist. Jeez... last I checked, they were all here before Marv got here. Whether we like it or not, these are the core guys (however rotten to the core they may be). Marv whacked Smerlas and a few other vets, but brought in Art still for a couple of seasons and held on to Ritcher for a bit. Polian had a lot to do with it... but let's be real, Marv, he, and Butler were joined at the hip. WHat a fuggin joke you are

The Bills teased us the first month of the season. We have a team with, what... 9 rookies or so? 4 or 5 of them seeing significant playing time? All on defense? That should tell you something about this team. The team is in the process of a big overhaul, and it will continue next year, hopefully, because, as you well know, this team stinks badly right now. You may as well say goodbye to Fletcher, Anderson and Clements. I don't think they'll be here next season. When Marv forged his team in the late 80's he brought in youth and slowly got rid of the old guard. Watch, it will continue. If you want to blame anyone, blame Donahoe. He shredded this franchise in no time. Jauron get's a mulligan this year, but, if you think the natives on TBD are restless now, wait til next year... This crappy kind of play ain't going to fly.

Is this better? Anyone want a guy that "MISSES" 1 out of every 5 games? So, you still want him genius? What's his salary? Do the math and let me know how that shakes out per tackle.

what do you mean by that? This teamis 2-4, soon to be 2-5. Do you think Clements is the difference between 1-6 and 2 and 5? He's a better than average corner... but cannot lock down revceiver one on one like McCallister or Baily. Thus, I'd ratherr pickup two players for $4M than Nate for $8M. I hope the Bills trade his a$$ before Tuesday. Kiwaukee Thomas can't do worsew than Nate has this year, and Youboty is waiting in the wings.

McFarland? 20 career sacks? In his seventh season? Soon to be 29? He's missed 21 out of 100 regular season games. Anyone want a guy that plays 1 out of every 5 games? Someone, anyone, I need help... please explain to me why this slob makes the bills a better team?

Advertisers and ultimately the listening audience make this decision, not the media. Geographically, as distance increaseses there's a decrease in fan interest. When you get to 350 miles distance, that fan base has significantly decreased. The only thing that can increase it is a very good team. Assuming the Bills are headed in the right direction and make a quantum leap next year, I would project fan interest to increase a lot beginning in early November of 07... that's when the bandwagoners come out of the woodwork... when the team looks like it's almost a lock for playoff contention.

Yeah... we did. Signing him period was a huge gaffe. At age 32 or 33, bringing him in with a rebuilding team was just plain stupid. But, bringing him in at the price the Bills paid was even more stupid. When you pay that kind of $$$ for someone, there are expectations that come with it. He sure didn't leave up to his paycheck. I don't think it was his fault though, it was Donahoe's fault for not looking at the big picture. Vincent's best years were behind him. When you add it all up, signing him was a big mistake, but hanging on to him any longer was a wise decision. The Bills are getting more out of the young guys back there and they can also contribute on special teams. Vincent was also becoming a huge liability in the locker room with his NFLPA UNION attitude. A young team doesn't need a locker room lawyer hanging around. Getting rid of him was smart. It was addition by subtraction and cutting our losses... especially since the bills had the cap room to absorb the hit this season. It will put the Bills in a much better position in Free agency.

I would say so. I won't... it's irrelevant for this discussion. Ridiculous. Wouldn't have changed anything. A-train and Willis have virtually identical per carry averages. They're interchangeable. Neither has speed or threat to take it the distance. and A train's a better inside runner and blocker. Only advantage I've seen that Willi has is that he can get to the edge and get a few more yards on the outside. Moorman, the CBs, the defensive line lost this game. Because of the defense being shredded, the Bills were forced to do things offensively that took them out of their comfort zone. Bills are a team that can't be down by more than 10. If they are in that situation, 9 out of 10 times they're going to lose. So, Titans lose by 1 point on the road to the Colts. Respectable? Titans are 0-5 and Colts are 5-0. Have the Titans turned the corner? Should they and their fans feel good about last Sunday's game? Nope... Titans, Raiders, Lions... it's a toss up who stenches the most. Bottom line is the Bears game was a "benchmark" game for the Bills and the Bills flunked. All the hype leading up to the game was based on them giving the Pats a tough time, beating the Dolphins (who were the media darlings based on their late season run last year and the Culpepper myth), and a common opponent (Vikings) that both teams beat. The Bills are in rebuild... players and coaches. The Bears were a playoff team and it was a missmatch from the get go. The Bills offense was overwhelmed by the Bears speed on D and the Bills D got gashed up the middle with the run, which opened up the pass on the outside and their CBs couldn't deal with it. Things just snowballed. One team looked scary awsome... the other in awe of them, like a deer in headlights. Youth and inexperience exposed. So, where are the Bills after this benchmark game? About the same as I figured... a team that will be flirting with .500 all season. And, who knows, when the season's over, they've got a real shot at hitting the 8-8 plateau. It will be close, but me thinks more like 7-9 with some luck and without any major injuries.

Do I understand you correctly? The Bears game doesn't really mean much, but this week's game will tell us something more about the Bills character? Bills played a 4-0 team last week and got thumped. The Bills play on 0-5 team this week. If they thump the Lions, it means they have character, if they have a hard time but win thye might have character, and if they lose, they have no charater at all? Could you please do us all a favor and jot down which games mean something and which ones won't for the rest of the season? That way, when I get pissed off after a Bills loss I can look at that list and say... no big deal.

OK, you win. Willis, as their #1 RB, for any NFL team, will not win a championship. Willis... with the Colts. Wow, I can see Polian salivating right now to bring him on board so he can watch as EMS carts Peyton off the field after another blitz whiff by Willis. What exactly is Willis game? Is it power... if so, there are many more powerful backs out there. Is it speed? If so, where is it? he's approaching 800 touches... 41 for his long gain and no TD to go with it? Is his game elusiveness? Can't say I've seen any game tape with any evidence of that... you'll have to show me a clip. Is his game blocking? that last question wa s a joke... please forgive me. Who then?... Damn, I like a lot of other RBs out there, but the Bills can't have any of them... Alenader, Ladanian, Willie P., etc. But, the one I like the most though is Laurence Maroney...he's the real deal.

Reiterating and summarizing... Bills O... work in progress McGahee... not a championship RB. Evans... great #2 (hasn't proved otherwise). The rest of the WRs are 3's at best. Oline... serviceable, but the starting group won't get Bills to next level. JP... Jury still out. 1 step forward, 2 back. By season's end we'll no the answer to whether or not he's the real deal. Has to unlearn what Mularkey/Wyche taught him + deal without having a championship caliber RB and no #1 WR. I think the only thing we're in disagreement here is on the McGahee issue. You can certainly argue it, but, no championships for the Bills with McGahee as the starting RB... mark it down. There may be some disagreement with my assement of Evans. However, I like Evans, but he's not in the class with the big boys... at least not yet. I don't know if he will or will not get to "Harrisonville", Steve Smithville" or Holtville"... but right now he's somewhere between "Reggie Wayneville" and Darrell Jacksonville". He can be defended sans the doubleteam at this point of his career. As for my comparisons with the former greats... well, if the Bills are to get to the next level, isn't that what it will take? We're looking at a 2-3 team right now with 2 wins against the Fins and the Vikes... let's be real here. We all witnessed the carnage in Chicago. Teams like Broncos, Chargers, Ravens, Jags, Colts, etc.... teams they would have to go through to win the SB, they really can't matchup with at this time. And, who are the core players on this team? Are the core players JP, Evans, and Willis? I know folks don't like to know the stone cold trooth, but many of us Bills fans were around when the Bills carved up the AFL in the mid 60's, so we know the look and feel of what a championship team is. The same is true of the early 80's when the Bills had Fergy, Cribbs, Frank lewis & Jerry Butler and a stout defense. And in the 90's with Jimbo, Thermal, Reed, Wolford, Ritcher, Ballard, Biscuit, Bruce, Odomes, etc. As fans, we sensed early on in those teams there was something special. Sorry, but that truly is the frame of reference... that's somewhat of the template.

Are you serious? After 4 games...You'd hitch your wagon to McGahee. For Christ s sake, he's in company with Frank Gore and Chester Taylor. WHO? And, why exclude the Bears game... he did play. You're making excuses for him. The fact is he has a 3.9 yd. per carry average for his career. For an NFL back, that's average. Willis is number one in the NFL in two categories... running his yap and whiffing on blitz pick ups. Remove yourself from being a Bills fan for just a moment. Forget how much $$$ you blew on that Mcgahee jersey. For this question you must have no allegiance to any team... for just this question. You are simply a football aficianado. Ask yourself this question, honestly...If you had a choice of backs for your team, and let's say your team is the Kokomo Kangeroos... a new NFL franchise and you need a RB. Between Laurence Maroney and Willis McGahee, who would you take? The back who can take it to the house from anywhere on the field and consistently get you yardage on every play or McGahee. McGahee has never taken the seed longer than 40 yards and never taken a pass for more than 20. Maroney's only had 84 touches and he's electrifying. McGahee's had 732 touches and I don't know of any fan that get's out of his seat when McGahee touches the football. I've watched the bills for a long long time... and I'll bet a hell of a lot longer than you have. I've seen backs like Cookie Gilchrest, OJ Simpson, Joe Cribbs, and Thurman Thomas run the football for the Bills. Let me tell you this...in no way, shape or form is McGahee in any of those RBs class. If he were on any of those Bills teams with those guys, he'd be lucky to be the number two back on the team... and in the case of Bills of the 90's, he clearly wouldn't have been able to beat out Kenneth Davis for #2, let alone Thermal for the #1. Now there's some perspective!

Stone cold reality... The Bills O is a work in progress and it's going to take another two seasons. This is not a knock on the team. They are what they are, and as fans, we are just going to have to ackowledge it and live with it for a bit.. I'm just bringing it like I see it and believe it to be... So, don't expect a sugar coated analysis. 1) McGahee is not a back that can take a team to a championship. He's got nothing in terms of speed or elusiveness and his power isn't even adequate. A < than 4 yds. per carry avg. after a couple of seasons as a starter speaks volumes, and shows me nothing except that he's oridnary... and maybe not even as good as Corell Buckhalter (who is a waste of a roster spot in my opinion). 2) Lee Evans is an outstanding #2 receiver, and he proved that when Moulds was the #1. But, that's as good as he's going to get... an uper echelon #2 (one notch above "Reggie Waynville'). He's no Tory Holt, or even Isaac Bruce, Hines Ward, or Marvin Harrison and never will be. And he sure as hell ain't going to make anyone forget Andre Reed. 3) Don't expect miracles from the receiving corps. They're playing with one #2 receiver and a bunch of #3's, rating from average on down. 4) JP takes a step forward and two steps backward. I don't think anyone can characterize him as a bust just yet. Afterall, he's had to endure two season under mularkey and probably developed some bad habits that will take time to break. He basically has to re-learn some of the nuances of the QB position as a result. I will say he's young and has a lot to learn. At the end of the season though, it will be clear as to where he's at with his career. Even taking a drubbing against the Bears is something a young QB has to go through and come out of with a few lessons learned. 5) The offensive line is not a dominating line. That's not to say it's horrendous. It isn't. This line is very serviceable and will get better. However, there's only so far this offensive line can take this team... and it ain't championship caliber. It will need some new faces over the next two seasons. We can only hope that players like Mertz, Pennington, and Butler develop, because the Bills will need that sort of combination of athletcism and size to get to the next level. The bottom line is this... The Bills don't have a RB that strikes fear in anyone. I've never seen the likes of a Bills running back so hyped for so little in return, in terms of productivity on the field. Willis will be playing for a contract next year... His agent Rosenhoser is the kind of agent that overstates his clients value by 10 times reality. Willis may likely hold out... I hope he does... and the Bills will move on. The Bills basically need to go into the draft and/or free agency looking for a new starting RB and #1 type receiver. The RB upgrade is, without question, imperitive. Remember when the Bills drafted Ronnie Harmon at #1? He was hardly a back that could get you to the big game, let alone win it. When Jimbo said we need a RB that will 'hit the hole', he was dead on correct. Thermal's arrival totally transformed that offense. He was a back that was very good at running, blocking, and receiving. McGahee is not very good at any of those three and I've got a strong feeling the Bills know that and will address it in the offseason. The defense still needs help up the middle, and at both ends. After this season, both Takeo and London will be on the wrong side of 30. So, there will need to be an infusion of more talent in the front 7 as well as CB, if, and when Clements departs. Remember... Not a criticism or slam of the Bills. Just the way it is... the stone cold trooth. It'll take some time, but I feel a lot more comfortable that the Bills are on the right track with the current regime than with the last one.

Well, I'll go with reality and "trooth" on this one. Bears in a sone cold lock over the Bills this weekend. I may be a Bills fans, but I'm a human first, and if I use my brain as God intended, all the evidence I've seen points to a Bears victory. This Bears team looks like a SB team. This Bills team resembles nothing like that, right now. Bears earned respect by winning and a stout defense. The Bills will get respect as soon as they deserve it.

Nope. Cornell Univ. is zipping it up. The announcement was made last spring. My guess is, because of the facilities that are already in place there, the state is taking over. Since many of the jobs at Cornell are state paid anyways, I would think that some of the people already there in state paid positions at Cornell will stay thereand no longer be considered employees of CU.

why don't we have a tradition like that?

My understanding is that they're moving into the Cornell Univ. Experiment Facility which Cornell is closing... So, 60 jobs, or so, lost because of the closing... but, 30 government (tax payer funded) jobs come back when the state food safety lab moves in. The moral of the story is that the politicians can't wait to announce how many new jobs they've created. But, don't mention how many jobs lost... and, the all impotant number, net gain or loss... and in this case, this one adds up to minus 30 when I do the math.