Rockinon

Looking back on our offense last year, I really think the skill positions are better than we might think. My biggest frustration was seeing how little time our QBs had to throw and seeing very good RBs stopped at or behind the LOS. From my eye, not that I'm an expert anything, is that the OL is the problem. I have absolutely no problem with going with an OT at 9. Listening to Marone talk about what a quality offensive line can do, makes a lot of sense. He believes that having a better line frees up your skill players so they don't have to stay in and block. Watching CJ, FJ and Chandler blocking so much last year really made sick. Those guys need to have their hands on the ball instead of taking on linemen, LBs etc. When you are doing everything you can to keep the OL from collapsing rather than trying to put your skill players in skill positions you are losing an advantage. A 1st round WR also makes sense, but I keep going back to what I consider to be the offenses core issue. The OL. A 1st round TE makes sense too. He would be big enough to take on some of those blocks, but again, if he can catch why? Perhaps stockpiling on Defense would make sense. We could have quality DLmen who never get tired because we always have someone available in the rotation. But I saw a defense last year that spent too much time on the field because the offense couldn't get clicking. My belief is the best way to fix a problem is to find the source of the problem. To me, it looks like the OL.

I'm with Alpha on this one. While I agree that the QB is important, I also recognize other positions as very important as well. Looking back on the dramatic transformation the defense went through last year, I can see the Bills continuing their trend of addressing areas of weakness other than QB simply because they still haven't determined that QB is a weakness. There are however some sure fire areas that need to be upgraded. They have to focus on them and not give up quality picks just to have multiple options at QB.

We get lucky last year with a trade down that actually worked out pretty good for us and now we have all of these pipe dreams for this year. Aw.......the smell of draft season.

This may be true, but who the Bills actually pick will be determined by a number of other variables as well. They may decide a quality WR at 9 is a better option because they think they can get a good OT in round 2. Or they may decide that a OT is better choice because they may not find a quality OT in round 2. They may decide to go TE because they feel they can find a quality OT and WR later. It all depends on how they have different positions rated, whether they feel they can wait until later as well as, as you say, determine which position is the greatest need. Who knows. They may not even consider OT as the greatest need.

LOL. I like your style.

You know, with all of these defenses moving toward defending spread offenses, I see offenses bringing back power running games to counter.

Parker being blackballed? Carrington has made a lot of visits. Maybe the injured player shpeal has caught up with him.

Really! I have a friends who are Giants fans, Jets fans, Miami fans, etc. We all talk smack about each other teams. While from time to time, the comments can become annoying especially after such a long run of no playoffs, we should all know deep down that it is really just all in fun. When you can no longer realize that, it's time to find a new pass-time. Sports writers and fans from other teams are going to take jabs at our team. As far as I am concerned, it's their job. If NE starts losing, I'm pretty sure some of us might take a shot or two at a NE fan. This stuff should just role off your back. Of course that doesn't mean you can't return the favor when their team screws the pooch.

Very good read. Didn't realize it was posted all ready....heading there to check it out. I think there is merit to this view.

He may be Buffalo's surprise cut this year. Anyone think the Bills might pick up another big DE in this draft?

Hence the need for a RT that can pass block too. Did I really say hence? I think I'm getting old.

Nobody really knows except Byrd, his agent and the Bills FO. That is why I said "Believed to be". And I am not eve certain it was that much. Point is, NO mad an offer he can't refuse.

I wouldn't mind watching Buffalo's defense making him look just as bad as Geno. They should be looking for offensive line help instead of this.

Mathews and then a good looking safety in Jammie Ward. I wouldn't mind that at all. The D is going to be sick this year.

Have you guys read this? ON THE CLOCK Very interesting read about how teams are rating RT compared to prior years. And also some tidbits about what defenses are bringing now-a-days.

Looking back, I remember how the Bills acquired Glenn. Most teams looked at him as a guard in the draft and simply passed him by. The Bills were one of the few teams that actually looked at his performance as a LT and graded him pretty high. IMO they got an absolutely steal when selecting Glenn. It was surprising to us when we picked him up in the second round and even more surprising that he has performed as well as he has. Even after he was selected, many thought he was going to play guard. Boy were they wrong. The point is this: We have no clue who will be selected. The Bills have their own way of doing things and they don't always follow a formula that makes sense to us. There will be players who the Bills FO identify as a good fit. Meanwhile we always love trying to determine who is the best option for ourselves only to be shocked when things don't go the way that we expect. Anyway, it's all in fun. But I'd like to be right for once, dammit. Just give me someone who will help EJ in the pass protection department and someone who can open holes for our running backs. Do that and I'll be happy. I'll also take a WR and TE. Maybe even another LB or S. Perhaps even some depth on the DL. I tend to lean toward dominant offensive and defensive linemen as a building block and then build from there.

Buffalo offered Byrd, a 3 yr contract believed to be in the neighborhood of 9-10 million a year. That's a total of 27-30million. NO offered a 6 yr contract averaging approximately 9 million per yer. That's a total of 54 million. That is a lot of money to leave on the table. Not only that, Byrd got a very healthy amount in guaranteed money as well. The 2 contracts were not even close to the same. If I was planning for my future, that NO contract is no brainer. I would have left too.

Ya know? I think another year of experience will make a huge difference. Marone also recognized a weakness in the coaching and brought in additional help bolster the offense. I wonder how much of an impact that will be? There are so many different variables that effect a game. Coaching, experience, a player natural talent, a players determination to get better. Looking back on last season and seeing a number of improvements from the previous year and then realizing how young this team is, I can't help thinking big things are about to happen. I'm guessing EJ is all about improving his game. Whoever the Bills bring in on the line, I'm guessing EJ will be working on making quicker decisions. That's surely going to help. He'll also have the help of a full time QB coach.

The Bills have tried that too.

Building through free agency works if you aren't out there trying to hit a home run every time. Picking up players like they have this year......areas of weakness.....modest contract, nothing wrong with that. We still have the draft. What are we supposed to do? Ignore free agency all together?

I actually can't watch them. Something about it just seems to make me feel like someone living in the past. I'd rather watch them win live!

The team had weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Focusing on only one side is a mistake. Agreed. The OP put some thought into this and there's nothing wrong with that.

Gilmore's facebook handle is Bumpnrun Gilmore.

The Bills weren't too shabby in pass coverage throughout the season, even with the loss of Gilmore. Not only that, they were near the top of the league in interceptions. All I can say, is it sure is nice to have a disruptive defensive line for a change. I really don't see the Bills changing their philosophy very much. The DBs all ready do a lot of bumping near the line of scrimmage and I think guys like McKelvin were successful because the coaches actually allowed him to play his own style rather than try and conform him to a defensive philosophy. In fact, I think the philosophy was to allow players to play according to their strengths. Gilmore on the other hand, is a back that likes to get into shoving matches while following his man. Robey is another back with a completely different style. He is small, but very good at closing in quick and snatching an interception or braking up a pass. The addition of Corey Graham, is a big DB with a more physical presence than Robey. It appears the Bills are kind of mixing it up with different kinds of backs. Perhaps so the defense can be more versatile? Bottom line, I don't see our coaches trying to make all of the backs play the same way as the Seahawks. I see a Bills backfield with a lot of talent and a style all their own. We may very well find franchises across the league trying to emulate our style. What really bothered me was the last game against, NE. Brady, one of the best in the business, nearly abandoned the pass game because of the pressure he was getting. Unfortunately for the Bills, NE successfully ran the ball right down our throats. Our pass defense is far from being the problem. I'd actually call it one of our best strengths.

Why do we have to make this so complicated? Here, let me clear up some confusion. We need a right tackle. There see how easy that was?