Rockinon

MMMMM!! Mapo. Used to eat that when I was a kid.

Atlanta is giving up more than 130yds per game on the ground.

C'mon, Kyle. Rub some dirt on it.

I understand you. I did before as well. We have drafted our QB and hopefully he can turn things around. Right now we are simply turning our sights on what we consider a glaring need. Even with a great QB, you still want to run the ball as well. It pains me to see great talents like CJ and Fred going nowhere because the get hit for a loss immediately after a hand off. Yes, a great QB can disguise some deficiencies but that does not change the fact that the OL is not measuring up to expectations.

How did a thread that is so obviously about the OL become a thread about the QB? The OL needs work. Whether QB is great or not, the OL needs work.

I agree with this. A lot of it just depends on how the chips fall too. During a draft for instance, we look at all of the positions that we would like an upgrade at and then decide which player we think would make the biggest impact. That position may not be the one we consider our weakest link. Just that the draftee is who we think will make the biggest impact. Sometimes you can't hit on the weakest link. Sometimes the draft position prevents getting value at the spot we most want to upgrade. There ain't no Gronk store. Have you read this thread? Or did you just read my last comment and assume you know where I was going with this? I would much rather upgrade the OL before getting a tight end. Read the whole thread. Some pretty good conversation here.

Absolutely correct. That's why a TE who can block and catch is so important.

I was thinking the same thing.

I think Hackett wouldn't mind incorporating more pass plays for a TE. I think the number of skill player we all ready have kind of changes things. I think this team really does have a lot of talent at the skill positions, but there has been such inconsistency at QB. It'll be fun to see if EJ can turn things around. Even though I would prefer offensive line depth over TE, it would be great to see a TE that is good at both blocking and catching. You are right though. that guy won't be easy. Where did I say we don't need a good QB? I don't remember that at all. And our OL is a long way from being superbowl caliber. We don't have Brady, Brees or Rogers on this team to carry us.

Not really nonsense when looking at our team. Where do you see a QB the caliber of Rodgers on our roster?

Aaron Williams did not replace Byrd. The two play entirely different positions. One is a free safety and the other a strong safety. Why is it people don't get this?

Nice job Fear.

I think we have our QB all ready. At least I hope so. We'll see down this final stretch of the season. The Mankins vs Gronk is a good observation but I also think you have to look more closely at the characteristics of this team. When you have someone as explosive as CJ on your team, you have to find a way to get him going. Getting tackled within the same second that he gets the hand off is a problem. Keeping your QB upright is important too, especially a rookie who is still learning to go through his progressions. TE is nice and all....he can also stay in and block so that is a nice double-edged blade. I just think that an OT is grossly underestimated and especially in our case. I also think right tackle can be improved. It's my opinion that our line has managed hold up fairly well because every other player on the line is exceptional. Guys like Cordy Glenn and Eric Wood are helping to disguise some deficiencies. Our backs and TEs also help to disguise some problems by blocking. We could get a TE, but what good will it be if he has to stay in and back up the OL when with solid OL play, he could then be another weapon out of the backfield. Not saying TE is not important. Just that a good offensive guard can help the skill positions....even the TE.

I think we are thinking pretty much the same. I find it kind of funny how fans start salivating over sexy picks like pass catching tight ends. Then we like to go and find all kinds of statistics to back up our prognostications. There isn't anything sexy about OT. Statistics don't seem to do a very good job of determining how good an OT is. So fans like to do things like quote Bill Parcels who says he can find any old fat guy to plug a hole. People love to see all of the flashy plays that skill players do on a regular basis in the NFL. And the offensive lineman just gets no respect even if he is the guy that protects the QB or springs a RB for a big gain. No matter how many flashy pieces you have if you don't build a foundation(IT BEGINS AT THE LINES) you aren't going anywhere.

The Bills have done fairly well with the next man up this season. When Gilmore went down, guys like McKelvin, Williams and even Robey have surprised us. When Stevie and Woods went down, last week our other receivers came through. Even Thad Lewis impressed. I wouldn't say next man up equals garbage.

Something like bringing real buffalo to games would never fly today. There would be too many people saying it's a cruelty to animals case. Would really be in trouble if we staged a modern day Buffalo Bill circus.

I keep seeing the comments of Aaron Williams being capable of replacing Byrd. Free safety is not the same as strong safety. Byrd and Williams do not play the same position. The last couple of games we have had both on the field at the same time and that is a great thing. With two great safeties roaming the backfield while our defensive line is putting pressure on QBs, this defense is much better. Also, guys like Searcy are contributing. Having Byrd, and Williams on the field at the same time, Searcy is actually lining up like a LB. QBs are then fooled into thinking their receiver has an advantage over Searcy because they think LBs are too slow. Searcy however is a S/LB hybrid that can cover. Make no mistake, having as much talent as possible in the backfield is a huge advantage for us. Our DBs aren't too bad either, this really makes things difficult for an opposing offense. Our DC is really starting to turn things around for our defense. I really hate it when fans think getting rid of good players and good professionals is somehow good for the team. In Byrd's case, there isn't anyone out there that can replace him and bring what he brings to the table. To think otherwise is foolhardy. Another thing that kind of gets in my craw is, while Byrd was holding out, I am certain he knew about his medical condition. He had issues with it last year. Who's to say the Bills brass didn't also know about it and also new he wouldn't be able to play right away anyway. None of us are insiders. Why do we presume to know that Byrd is unhappy here or that he is only interested in the biggest payday? I'm certain anyone would want to do what's best for their own future. Byrd has said that he wants to play where he is wanted. That tells me he is going to let the market decide. Too me I see a guy who is trying to wisely secure his future and play where he is wanted the most. Letting the market decide does that for him. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps it is for the Bills in the end but that doesn't make him a bad person. Then again, maybe the the Bills and Byrd find a place where they both can agree and he is with us long term. Call me crazy, but I think that could happen.

Run the ball. Run the clock. Manning doing what he is supposed to do.

I keep seeing people say locks. Until you either see that little x or y in the win column there are no locks. Anything could happen. Colts could lose enough to be out of contention. Shoot, even NE could lose enough to not make the playoffs. It ain't decided until it is.

Every game from here on out better be the game of the season or we're toast.

Go Broncos!!

Who said anything about upsets? NE ain't "all that". I think it's kind of hilarious how it's permanently inscribed in everyone's brains that NE is the division champ without even thinking about it. They are far from wrapping up the division.

Absolutely, the whole point of this thread, I think is to look at the possibility of a playoff shot. I think everyone is aware that the Bills need to handle their end by winning. I'm just trying to point out that the Bills may not be simply playing for the last wildcard spot. Taking the division is actually a valid possibility. Long shot but not as far fetched as some would think. There is a lot of football left before the post season. If NE loses their next two games, I'm sniffing a division championship. They don't need to lose out, but they do need to lose 3 of 5 before us and if it's 4 of 5 even better. That percentage changes exponentially with every Bills win!

Texans have had a tough schedule and they are not nearly as bad as their record indicates. Yea, I've seen some of their games and I just can't believe how they have slid this year. At home against the Patriots, I think they have a legit shot because I simply do not believe the Pats are very good away from home. Have you been watching the league as a whole? Games have been pretty close league wide and NE with the exception of the Pitt game has been squeaking by. I by no means guarantee a win but this game will be tough for them. Also, NE does not need to lose out and the Bills win out. With NE at 9-6 and the Bills at 8-7 in week 17, a Bills win would make them 9-7 and NE at 9-7. What that means is Buffalo would be 4-2 in the division and if NE doesn't beat Miami, Bills win the division.

I would much rather see the Bills and Pats play for the division crown than that crazy scenario.