BillsVet

Tyrod got 2 yrs 7M total. Cassel and Manuel's contract are not huge, so they're probably spending all of 10M in 2015 on QB's, or about 7% of the 143M cap this year. Then you look at how much they spend on QB versus the total cap and then the DL versus the cap, it's amazing. The Bills have chosen to invest in their DL, draft DL, sign UFA DL. They need that strategy to pay off and make up for what may be average QB play.

They're too busy complaining that Dareus is negotiating publicly and that he should accept what they're offering.

Ironic that during contract impasses some fans instinctively blame the player first, especially if the negotiations are acrimonious. But why does the team predominantly get the benefit of the doubt here? The player has no leverage but to negotiate publicly and threaten to leave in hopes the fan base will tell management to keep him. Still, it's amazing how much the Bills have invested or will have to invest in their DL.

Is that why Schwartz got so much interest after he was essentially fired?

It's only just shy of the 43k+ posts the two of you have combined for defending the organization during their greatest period of ineptitude. But you can debate when the snark gets turned off. For now I stand by what I wrote. Their strategy hasn't worked and it could undermine what's been built already.

I think the most telling stat, aside from the number drafted, is how many have started. That's the best indicator of issues at the position. Based on this camp, the Bills will start their 5th different QB since 2013 alone. Management to me, remains much the same. Sure there are new Pro Personnel and College Scouting people. But the strategy hasn't changed because they don't draft anyone until it's clear the last option has failed. In 2011-12 Nix adamantly stuck by Fitz without drafting a young guy. And they went into two training camps (2013-14) without serious competition for Manuel.

It's staggering how the numbers fall when you discuss Buffalo's QB situation since 2010: 17 have been on the preseason or regular season roster since 2010 11 have been on the preseason or regular season roster since 2013 7 have started a regular season game with another likely added to that list on opening day. 6 were on the preseason or regular season roster in 2013 alone (EDIT: Kolb, Manuel, Tuel, Leinart, T. Lewis, Flynn) 4 were signed in UFA (Thigpen, Kolb, Orton,Taylor) 3 were traded for (T. Jackson, T. Lewis, Cassel) 2 were drafted in 6 total drafts And this is with one guy (Fitzpatrick) starting 45 of 48 games from 2010-2012. This doesn't appear like a team that knows what they're doing at the game's most important position. That's QB purgatory.

Wood's under contract through 2017 at an average of 6M+ per. That's a lot of money for a center who admitted at the end of last season he didn't play well.

That'd represent one heckuva turn of events. From January HC interviews when Whaley talked up developing Manuel to now, the team trying to cut losses on a 1st round pick 2 years ago.

This may be, I'm not a daily reader of Carrucci, but he's been a respected NFL journalist for years now. There has to be something other than old age which drives someone to say what they do.

I used the example to show that a person who goes against the team can become a pariah of the fan base. Even if they enjoyed a good journalistic reputation before, as Carrucci had before this interview. But when he or any media say anything perceived as anti-Bills, they become a target of scorn. There's not even any debate about the merits of what they say, only that they're wrong and anti-team. And Carrucci will never be accused of inciting people like Sullivan.

Vic is to some Bills fans now what Chuck Schumer has become to the President.

My point remains that the "strategy" of not taking a QB until they had no long term option (i.e. post Fitz) is why they're in this QB predicament today. You've said that they did what they had to do when on draft day 2013. I choose to look at it deeper, which is to say, why they were in the place they were at in 2013 at all. You don't get a lot of shots at good QB prospects and choosing to eschew the position entirely at the outset of a rebuild isn't what I'd call a good professional strategy. It's actually the prime reason they're 0 for 5 in playoff appearances since Nix took over.

I find it ironic that Jim Kelly is your avatar. Buffalo didn't take a QB to replace him until Todd Collins in '95. But under your rationale, it wasn't Butler's fault he waited until the draft before Kelly's penultimate season to find a successor. It was just that Buffalo's options when they decided to take a QB weren't very good and therefore, the GM/team cannot be blamed. You can believe what you want. I simply disagree with the notion you wait until you have bad or no options remaining to draft a QB.

Ah pride. It goeth before the fall. Nowhere did I mention Wilson, nor am I insinuating as much. But because you're incapable of debating the facts, you fall back on demogoguery. There is no non-sequitur, as Buffalo's current QB conundrum is a result of what transpired in 2011-12 and perhaps the 2014 draft.

No need to be sophomoric and deflect from the point, which you obviously avoid. As you won't answer the question, I'll go ahead and do it myself. The Bills absolutely refused to take a QB in the 2011 and 2012 drafts and that's why they are where they are today. Call it hindsight, call it whatever. The GM was adamant a journeyman on his 3rd team in 6 seasons (at the end of 2010) could start and win, most likely an opinion supported by the HC. After going 4-12 in that 2010 season, the GM and HC went against conventional wisdom which usually has a rebuilding team drafting a young QB early they can groom. Buffalo then re-signed said veteran in mid 2011 when he had early success, after which he predictably went downhill from mid-season on as teams prevented him from the short passing game employed by the HC to cover up for his weak arm. The journeyman lasted another season before being dumped in a salary cap decision which then left the Bills with no young QB to groom in 2013. No one every makes good decisions when in desperate need for something. You can quibble, distort, or disqualify that take. But at the game's most crucial decision they had set themselves up to be forced into taking a QB in 2013, which ultimately proved to be a very poor draft year for QBs.

Of course it is. But can you answer it without deflecting from the question?

Why did they need a starting QB in 2013?

Maybe Dug Whammy made the Manual pick and Gus Cramden was the one who pushed him into it. Billy Nixon was a bystander at that point. It didn't help that their HC, Herron, had already picked Tate Sackett to be both QB coach and offensive coordinator.

It's time for Dug Whammy to admit he made a mistake with DJ Manual and let Dex Bryan just go with Mat Castle or Roddy Baylor at QB.

Well, if you don't draft one high you can't get criticized. Then, sign low ceiling veterans to bridge the gap when the one guy you did draft struggles mightily. And I'm not referring to the 2015 draft, which appears moribund in terms of QB talent. The 2011, 2012, and 2014 drafts were better.

Most media types won't have a take against a player's chances unless they're absolutely convinced. Joe B's a big FSU guy having attended there and if he's not giving Manuel much of a shot, that ought to be telling. By all accounts, EJ still makes some of the same mistakes he made as a rookie, including an inability to make basic throws. No, a scrimmage isn't going to kill his chance to win the starting job, but they don't have another year to find out if the guy can play either. And it's distressing to hear people claim that EJ's issues come down to the previous coaching staff. These guys are pros and need to be able to adapt quickly. EJ should have good coaching now, so it's on him to become the Whaley thought he might be when they selected him 2 years ago. Didn't Joe Flacco have the same situation?

I don't believe Arian Foster can stay healthy for an entire season. Ask Bob McNair, he'll tell ya.

I'm surprised Whaley didn't just echo Dick Jauron and just say "it's hard to find a good QB in the NFL."

I trust Ozzie Newsome's decision making more than your opinion though.