BillsVet

I take it you're concerned Buffalo's need will outweigh their draft position and necessitate a reach for a player that is ranked the highest at their respective position? If so, I'd agree. I think this is a realistic scenario. Undoubtedly, BUffalo's hand has been forced with even the proposed shopping of Spikes. I know they couldn't hide it forever, but dealing him alerts everyone that Buffalo has a significant need at LB. And if they get blinders on like they did last season, I can see this happening.

I don't think the front office was happy with Spikes when he publicly complained about Vincent's release. I didn't think that was a good move by Spikes and never should have been in the public realm. That's stuff that needs to be kept in the locker room. But I've read that Spikes wasn't too enthusiastic about Losman starting either. Forgive me for not providing direct links to the latter, but here's an example of his displeasure with the front office: Spikes-Vincent 9-14-06 I can understand wanting to shed him from the team for multiple reasons. I'm merely concerned with the replacement. I personally like Okoye and Posulszny. Both would seem to be excellent on this team. Same for Willis, they are all character people. Plain and simple, I think the front office would deal Spikes to prevent the younger players from buying into a guy with great playing credentials who is bad-mouthing the transactions the team makes. Not a good thing. I'd like to see Buffalo grab another DT, a starting LB, and a RB. Those are my three distinct areas of need.

An excellent point. Surely 5 years of TD greatly contributed to Buffalo not being post-season bound. But Buffalo is part of some infamous company with regard to playoffs. Detroit and Arizona are the only other teams (excluding Houston) who have failed to make the post-season for 7 or more seasons. You can't blame the current regime for this because they've been on-board for a short time. But I'm still not convinced this team can be a playoff team. Granted, it's March, but the chances of adding players after draft day who can make your team instantly better are few and far between. I'm not talking about spending crazy cash in free agency, but adding the guys who can fill a position and be reliable without needing to be spectacular. Cato June wasn't had for all that much in TB. But if the cash to the cap method is studied, Buffalo is at about 105M of their 112M maximum. Getting rid of Spikes saves some money, but basically eliminates the Bills from almost all the decent free agents. That money will go toward their draft picks.

If that PC was any indication, Marv is not your classic Polian, Newsome, Pioli, insert GM here, type of General Manager. I got that. I'm just not comfortable with a triumvirate of people making decisisons. I have no definitive smoking gun truth, but I think it's safe to say they make decisions by committee up there at OBD. But I'll say one thing, micromanaging a team or an organization is doomed to fail. Individuals don't care for someone looking over their shoulder. At the same time, you must exercise some level of control. Hopefully Marv is in the middle of those two areas. If anything, he's closer to the latter. The season itself will point out mistakes and good decisions. Hindsight is 20/20. But it's my take that they're stripping away too much of the team at once, and while some people like to rationalize every move and question nothing, I don't see it that way. You can talk about Spikes being a negative influence, his cap hit, whatever. But you don't have a better option. If he departs for draft picks, you're leaving the team extremely thin at LB. And CB doesn't look much better. We're hoping and praying that the guys who've been career backups and our 1st and 2nd year guys can perform at a certain level. To believe that is nonsense. You can get picks for experienced veterans, but doing that too often is such a long-term and risky investment. Let's see what Spikes goes for first, because it seems like a foregone conclusion. We all agree draft picks are not a sure thing, no matter who is doing the selecting. In Buffalo, having 2-3 starters come from each draft will be required, not optional. Marv and DJ need immediate impact players each season.

Not sure if someone kicked your dog today, but that's funny stuff. Troll? Nah, wouldn't have joined in the dead of January when nothing was going on. I enjoy talking about moves and seeing what other teams do. While there are exceptions, I like what people bring to the table here with news and opinions. And that's all they are...opinions. If you don't like mine, so what. Listen, I'm not a DJ fan after what happened in Chicago. Sure, there's the career record, not to mention an 0-1 playoff record and one good season to show for five seasons total. And yes, he has immense impact on Marv's personnel decisions. Ever wonder why we went defense with 6 of 9 picks last draft? It's because Jauron is a defense first and second coach. His Bears teams recorded 4 30+ point games. That's fine if you've got the defense to stop the other team, but if you don't you're in for a long day. Kinda like this last season. As for Marv, he was out of football for 10 years. Have you ever asked yourself why we hired him? How many guys come back into the league as a GM with no NFL GM experience? Only teams in need of a face-lift and a better rep do something like that. And did you watch or listen to the press conference back in February? Marv spoke about running down the hall to Overdorf about cap issues and just now getting deeper into scouting and personnel issues. And did you even think he didn't know what Willis said? Come on, that's more wishful thinking. Do you think Marv didn't know or was feigning cap knowledge? He's too honest for that. And one more thing-I don't care what a newbie said about your tone. At the end of the day your opinion and mine make no difference, so shelve the intimidation thing. Who cares? Then again, this could all be a devil's advocate thing.

There certainly aren't many free agents left who could be counted on as quality free agents. In fact I think we can all agree it wasn't a real strong class after about 5 players who commanded immense cash for their services. Still not sure about Chris Brown, but he's been rumored to go to Buffalo for about 2 weeks now. I have a feeling it's not happening. To say we've got to wait some more ignores the players we have on the roster from the TD regime. There are some remnants from TD's five poor seasons who make contributions to this team. You know the names, but if we need 3 full drafts in addition to what was here before Marv arrived you're looking at 2008 to compete. That's a long time. I guess the sum of this topic is this: Do you want to have 8-9 years between playoff appearances? The salary cap was designed to get more teams into the playoffs rather than a select few who had the best personnel departments. 7 years is already an eternity. But if that doesn't bother people, I guess it shouldn't bother everyone. And for the character who wondered if I was TD...nice. But unless TD was running the show from Iraq, then I'm not him.

Marv and DJ are confident. In what we're not sure. But if last season's, "we're going to be quicker" mentality remains, it's going to be a long season. Of course it's not for another 5 months until opening day, but some people haven't figured out the people who may stop the run are assembled in March and April. Without DT's in the middle, your "attacking" LB's will quickly become "pursuers." Trust in Marv?

I'm merely suggesting that you can win more than 2 games over the previous season. And you don't have to acquire big name talent to do that. I think this board has agreed the path to success begins on draft day. But free agency is there to fill in for those times you can't stock a position through the draft or need help right away. The draft takes 2-3 years normally. Listen, I'm not advocating getting name free agents every year. We can agree that's not the solution. But a little spending goes a long way to enhancing the draft. Dockery, Langston, and Whittle have been signed to improve the OL and I believe they'll do just that. But did any other area improve? The answer is decidedly no. We're wishing and hoping that what we had last season combined with improvement in now 2nd year and drafted players will provide the difference. Plain and simple, it seems to me that expectations are modest for the 2007 season. As for Levy, still a great guy. He's not bad as a person or coach. But GM remains to be seen. Unless that press conference was a complete and purposely misrepresentation of his knowledge, I'm not really confident of his abilities to be an NFL GM. HOF coach...newcomer to GM. We want to give Marv credit for everything, but how much did Polian, Butler, Smith, and Adams contribute to those late eighties and early nineties teams? In their sted we have Tom Modrak and Jim Overdorf. Just because Marv believes in character players doesn't mean that's a dynamic or new-wave approach. That's been going on now a few years. The Dockery signing was huge and I'm glad for it. It will come off like a kid not getting enough on Christmas, but I was expecting more beyond that. Not once did I insinuate being a Super Bowl team. There's 32 teams in this league and that's not going to happen. But 12 teams get into the playoffs. And just once I'd like to be one of those 12.

As a fan, if you're not looking to make the playoffs and win each season, you may as well not even follow the sport. That's my point. There are a host of teams last season that made huge strides from one year to the next. New Orleans, the Jets, Baltimore, Philly, and San Diego all improved their win total by 4 from 2005 to 2006. Seems like we're taking baby steps toward respectability. Then again, we're not giving our front office enough time. So other teams can become successful (see playoff appearances) from one season to the next and yet we somehow don't have to be because we're building up to it. Marv's a great guy, but the league passed him by. He relies considerably on Dick Jauron, whose 43-58 career record doesn't really make me feel better. Face it, Marv was hired to provide gravitas and a nice popular face after the departure of the universally hated TD. Other peole do the heavy lifting. He provides the image and character. This team's struggles have a huge effect on WNY. There are varying levels of Bills fans throughout the region, but the fans I can't stand are the ones who see Buffalo lose and don't care by Tuesday. In comparison, the people who carry it around for months are also out there. The team's PR people get you all excited season after season and we end up on the outside looking when the playoffs roll around. Yeah, patience is a virute. Most Bills fans have had 7 years worth. I guess it's OK to give another year.

There's nothing like a sarcastic response to brighten your day. Thanks for the new perspective. Seriously, please give me something more than that. When someone starts using facts to back a perceived "negative" (see realisitc) opinion we get sarcasm in return. It's so predictable and usually comes from those who want to feel good about their team without much beyond wishful thinking to back themselves up. Asking the tough questions doesn't go over well with them. Already this off-season we've shed some players that needed to go and didn't replace them all that well. I'm happy they addressed the offensive line, but if you target one area in free agency, you're never going to cover all your bases. This team has more young (read >3 years in the league) starters it's unbelievable. Some of them will be good, others won't. Youth doesn't usually lend itself to success. But you know sarcasm, it's what you fall back on when you've got nothing.

I'd agree with you on this one. Usually there isn't one year where RB is stocked. This season there are 2 clear #1's and a host of 2nd-3rd round talents. Even if you don't get the guy you want this season and have something serviceable, there's next year's draft. But for this year, we need to get a guy who can carry the load at about 4 ypc. Two guys who can't are 3.5 ypc isn't going to do it. McFadden made Arkansas run with one of the most highly recruited HS QB's in 06 on the team. Hart is a local guy from Syracuse area and Slaton has done some amazing things at WVU. So there's going to be talent there in 2008. As for that 20 million in cap room-I'm fine with using it to keep Losman and Evans. I personally think Evans is a more sure thing by virtue of his performance last season. Losman still has further strides to make. If he can make them, then yeah lock him up. But I do expect us to get close to the salary cap limit at some point. Spending less from season to season (i.e. the minumum) isn't an encouraging sign.

Every time someone like a new GM and/or coach arrives, we've got to give them a few years. At least that's what many on this board say. Well, we've done that a few times now. At which point do we say, "Win Now" to the new guy. Frankly I don't want to hear about 2008. It's too far off and the 07 season is still more than 5 months away. We had to play those five rooks last season because there was nothing else in the talent/warm body department. Having five rookies play doesn't mean you had a solid draft, it means your team had no depth. I'm concerned about a team that continually gets younger every season. You could potentially have starting on defense this season 7 guys who were drafted in 2004-2007. (CB Youboty, SS Whitner, FS Simpson, CB McGee, MLB/OLB Crowell, OLB Ellison, DT Williams/McCargo) Don't confuse youth with talent and it's not always a good thing.

Sure, I'd want the team on solid footing for the long haul. But give me something this season like a playoff appearance and it'll make 2008 even more anticipated. But to a certain level you've got to spend money to remain successful. IMO, this whole cash to the cap thing comes not from "amortizing" the future but from an unwillingness to spend. Now some smart person out there will cite the Dockery and Walker signings, but with roughly 20 million left in free agency, are we going to be that one team with room to spare and an unwillingness to spend it? I think the answer is yes and that's why I'm questioning where this team is going. If we're not using the resources we're alloted, are we putting our best effort forward?

Just as you want me to expect a reasonable amount of time for the Bills to develop, I need a reasonable amount of time to make Super Bowl predictions. That's too far off at this point. Indy, SD, NE certainly appear the front-runners in the AFC. The NFC is a little less clear, CHI still has excellent talent, but PHI and NO will be there with them. If Spikes is let go, I need to know it was for salary cap reasons. Just saying the guy isn't performing is an insult to my intelligence. The guy looked to be coming on last season and the key question here is: Do we have an alternative to Spikes? Or is there a guy on the free agent market who can play to position like a veteran with talent? The answer is no, not at this point. You're not going to get a Merriman in the draft most likely and without a veteran with talent, you're turning the reigns at WLB over to a 2nd year former 6th round pick, the MLB most likely to a converted OLB, and then whomever they draft at SLB. That's playing with fire. The Bills aren't on the right path if we get into the endless cycle of simply looking to the draft and rookies each season to replace veterans. I've said it before that I completely understand letting NC and LFB go. But you don't put rookies in their place or career backups and expect me to say nothing is wrong. And again, I think I have the right to voice concern because this team is 0-7 in making the playoffs the last 7 years. Of course Marv wasn't here, but then they'd better understand most fans want to win. Just telling me to patient isn't something I'm going to buy. They've got to win now.

I think JP will continue to develop. The effect of having a better offensive line should help him grow. I wish he had some more weapons, but there's still draft day. The danger is saying the team is one way or another based on what they have on paper. I don't want to do that, but it just seemed like 07 was going to be the bridge to a successful 2008. I'd rather not wait that long, but it is what it is.

For all we know, John McCargo will be the man this season at DT. We don't know. The reason guys go in the first is because they've got more upside and better physical skills. We had 2 firsts in 06, two in 04 under TD and I wouldn't rule it out. I like having an extra 3rd to play with. Looking down the 06 DT draft class, there wasn't much after Ngata and the underachieving Bunkley. I like Okoye because he's got tremendous talent and physical skills. And I think he's going to get better. Combine that with great character and he's my wish for Buffalo. If you trade down in the first, you should get another second, but of course whomever you trade with may not have that high 2nd pick you'd typically like. Even so, having 2 seconds is a nice addition to having a low first rounder.

I'm looking for more than simply trusting in Marv. We won't fully be able to have ultimate confidence in Marv's drafting ability for another 1-2 years. It will take some time to evaluate Marv's decisions. Character players are good for the organization. Won't argue there because they're the face of the franchise and get people in the seats. Of course winning doesn't hurt either.

I keep hearing about pursuing versus attacking LB's. My question is, how much of the LB's success depends on the DT's holding O lineman at the LOS? If they can't do that, LB's will be making a lot of tackles down-field. Ergo, attacking LB's become the pursuing version after the snap. You take away Tommie Harris and Tank Johnson and Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs don't seem as great as they are.

With free agency 3 weeks old and the draft still a long month away, I get the feeling Buffalo is looking further down the road than 2007. Although the season is still almost half a year away, it appears the Bills will not acquire any starting caliber free agents the rest of the way. There may be some players available later in the off-season, but I rarely hear Buffalo is interested like we heard when Dockery visited OBD on opening day of free agency. The question is this: do Bills fans think Buffalo looks toward 2008 or will they go out of their way to win in 2007? And what qualifies for success in 2007? Is it merely being .500, making the playoffs, or winning a post-season game? Do they have a sense of urgency for 2007 with the franchise missing the playoffs each season since 2000?

We don't need a SLB. We also don't need a MLB. We're going to go with the Crowell and Ellison as the two backers in the 5-2 defense. Nah, seriously. They'll draft a LB and expect him to step into start if Spikes is cut. If Spikes goes, you're top LB's are: Crowell Ellison or Rookie Haggan/Wire/Stamer/Later picks or UDFA's Not something that gets me excited when we go up against NE, NYJ, et al. Teams will be circling Buffalo on the schedules, especially the RB's.

If Amobi Okoye is gone at #12, drop down, pick up Posluszny and grab another pick or two. Minimum should be a second rounder if not another 4th or 5th for dropping down. I don't see Buffalo trading up, they're trying to acquire as many picks as possible. #12 is kinda in no-man's land, but certainly carries the potential of getting a solid player. Extra picks equal a less chance of missing on the second or third players. For this team to succeed, they need to have as many chances to get hits and replace the players they can't afford to re-sign.

What am I going to do about it? That's the question asked when we run out of options to support our opinion. My posts are directed toward what I perceive as weaknesses on the team. So far, we have not upgraded any of our defensive positions of weakness from last year. We're heavily relying on now-2nd year players (K. Williams, Ellison, and McCargo) and a former backup (K. Thomas) to be the answer. That's wishful thinking. Offense I think will be better because we made a significant addition or two on the line. Who do I think will win the Super Bowl? The team that can plan for the future and still upgrade enough from season to season. And we're only meeting the first half of that statement.

OK, I'll go along with that. Fair enough. Providing a definition about holding your own is helpful in the dialogue. Most guys aren't stars in the NFL. I'd like to be at least average to above average at every position. DJ seemed to echo that sentiment lately, but I don't have the link saying it. I think Whitner will become a good player. Same with Simpson who had a chip on his shoulder seemingly from being drafted in the 4th. Only time will tell. And there's some time left for evaluation.

The central question is, when can we at least get to the playoffs and be in a position to win one game in the post-season? Because now it seems enough people are saying to wait some more, another season and a draft to be exact. That's not acceptable. How many years of building to get to a level where we can see playoffs? 2 more? 3 more? If I'm waiting until after three Levy (read Jauron) drafts, I'm looking at the 2008 season! I don't think a lot of fans have that much patience. The NFL is always a win-now mentality. I think you've gotta have patience, but only to a certain degree. At some point you've gotta wonder when. And if it takes Marv three years to get the team to the playoffs, what is in the water down there at the Meadowlands that allows the Jets to make it to playoffs the same year they hired Mangini?

Here goes in no order: I like the phrase, "holding your own." But it leaves too much open to question. Call me negative, but I just like to have a reason for an opinion. I sure as heck hope that the players Buffalo is confident in will work out this season. Kyle Williams ended up teaming with Tripplett as the 1 and 3 tech respectively, but I can't believe for a second that McCargo and Tripplett won't be teamed together at some point either. I think Buffalo will adapt their scheme a little more to the players they have and their talents. Holding your own last season got us a defense porous against the run. Actually, I don't think that's holding your own. Not trying to be a smart aleck, but that's my take. ***I know most people say you can't grade a draft or a player until they've been in the league 3 years. But we shouldn't say they're good OR they're bad after one season. I'm fine with them holding their own, but at some point they've got to produce. And here's to hoping they can. If we're using our drafted players so much, using this mantra becomes less relevant. With so many rookies playing, so go the Bills. And that's when you can say something about rookies and their play.*** One thing about tackles, a stat cited in excess on this board. I don't think they tell the true nature of a player. It's a purely subjective assessment of a player's abilities. Lots of tackles doesn't always mean good things...especially from safeties. We talk about Fletcher's tackles downfield. Well, where were Whitner and Simpson making theirs? I'm willing to bet they weren't within the first three yards of the LOS or in the backfield. They were downfield, sometimes way downfield. And I'm never going to need a rookie to be a Pro Bowler. That's just insane, unless you've got that rare talent who can adapt to the NFL and use their physical tools. Marcus McNeill was one heckuva a LT last year for SD. He's the exception. But I would expect that down the road we're going to have a Pro Bowler or 2 in the next three years from the 2006 draft class. It's not the end of the day if we don't, but with all the talk Whitner gets, I hope he becomes one. The question is, where are we going to get improvement to take this team from where it was last season to being a playoff team this season? If you're not trying to get into the playoffs every year, you're not trying.