BillsVet

You're not supposed to be negative around here. Haven't you heard? Marv and Dick have a plan. I call it, "Fun with Dick and Marv." The 2007 Off-season brought to you by Ralph Wilson. Coming to a football stadium near you.

I wanted something to represent the Army Battalion I was with in Iraq...that was all I had for the moment. I was kidding about the piercings, it's prob something Marv doesn't care about as long as the guy doesn't beat his wife or throw singles at strippers and start gun battles. Those are not fun.

Oh yeah, Chris Brown is not someone I want to put too much faith into. He's got talent, but there's no amount of talent that can calm my concerns about his durability. Anthony Thomas is out there, and yeah I've got to believe the front office knows he wants to return unless someone comes along and gives him ridiculous money. I think they'll take their chances and wait for him to re-sign here in Buffalo. There are some good backs that people are projecting going in the third. Maybe Antonio Pittman is available, I don't know. But it's a risk waiting until draft day period to clear up your running back situation. I guess we'll have to wait and see. I know trades aren't popular in the NFL like they are in other major pro leagues, but I wouldn't doubt Buffalo trying to engineer something. The question is, with whom and for what player.

Those were eight options, all of them pretty poor. Sure, there will be cuts, but who's going to cut a quality back for us to have fall into our laps for a low price? I'm not even going to rely on the Bills relying on an NFL Europe Player. (Right now someone is desperately saying Brian Moorman, but totally different position) Let's get real here. 1. Ron Dayne was not retained in Houston because he's a poor option. Despite playing well at the end, he doesn't have the speed and cannot run outside the tackles. A one-dimensional back. 2. Kevan Barlow was cut by the Jets. End of story. 3. Anthony Thomas filled in admirably for Buffalo, but against the NFL's worst run defense (Indy) could not average 4 yards per carry. Of course the line had hand in that, but a back-up type player. 4. Correll Buckhalter has had serious injury concerns and never could come close to supplanting Brian Westbrook, a UDFA. 5. Corey Dillon has either said thanks but no thanks or Buffalo told him he can take his attitude back home. I've got no problem with him not being here. 6. Chris Brown is the option that reminds me of a politician you don't agree all the time with, but against the other options on election day you vote for because there's nothing better. So, what you have are castoffs that other teams don't want vying for a starting job in Buffalo. Again, it's early, but too late to be opening another position. If Chris Brown signs, fine. But there should be another guy in the mix should he get hurt. Someone who can handle the load if need be. I don't take your post as belittling at all...I like having informed discussions with people in a civil manner. RB is an easier solution than QB, OT, or even DT. But you've got to have A solution at some point. Marv might get it done, but using a first or second on a RB takes away from using that on the defensive side of the ball. The defense needs help now, and I don't see it coming in free agency.

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck, but who's still out there? I know Chris Brown is there. So are Corey Dillon, Ron Dayne, Correll Buckhalter, Anthony Thomas, and Kevan Barlow. Those are the top choices remaining in free agency. These are not options I'm crazy about, but I do feel better about taking a Chris Brown and putting him behind a much improved line. Having Anthony Thomas share time with Brown isn't a bad thing. Sure it's early, but the availability of backs in free agency combined with some coming off the free agent list is limited. I don't see any backs being cuts from their team. Perhaps Clinton Portis will get the boot in Washington as the Skins have re-signed Ladell Betts. Beyond that I'm not sure. Notice, I've only supplied UFA options. I don't think Turner is leaving SD for less than a 1st or maybe a 2nd and a 3rd, despite the tender he received that equals a 1st and a 3rd compensation. I'll be fine with Chris Brown and A-Train for a year. But there needs to be a long term solution from the draft either this year or next.

Is there a right side of 30? I'm trying to figure that one out. Adalius Thomas might be a system player, but who knows. He's played well in Baltimore with a good defense and I'm willing to bet with Belichick that he's going to be good for 2-3 years barring injury. But so what. Welker and a healthy Donte Stallworth are improvements over players like Doug Gabriel (who was released) Reche Caldwell, not to mention Jabar Gaffney. We all know Brady makes his wideouts better, and now he's got more to work with. Our offensive line is the foundation of a good defense. But having the best OL without some diversified set of weapons is not good. I think Losman will be better and Evans will play better than even last season. But you can't be an all pass team, because, and I might be wrong here, we don't have a legitimate RB on the roster and it's getting late. You can fall back on the whole, "we'll draft a RB in Round 1 or 2" rationale, but here's the scary thought, the defense needs some help too, as in now. So NE doesn't scare you? They're another team, but one with a track record of success. I suppose they didn't concern you last season in the fourth quarter there Week 1 or in that monstrosity in week 7.

We'll I find it funny we're saying who cares about Stallworth because he's not a sure thing and we accept that JP is a a sure thing. He improved tremendously last year, but it's one season. Let's not draw too many conclusions from one year. Sure, Fairchild may open it up more next year with a better line, but when you start assuming Stallworth won't be much of an impact for various reasons, you should use the same reasoning for Buffalo. I saw a lot of underthrown balls last season, both in person and on television. Regardless, JP's the starter and much is still expected from him. No need for huge panic. I was at the GB game that started the resurgence of the team. Losman threw for 82 yards. The next week against Indy produced 102. He did play well against Houston, but still is not a sure thing, though he's not going to be a bust. I don't think QB is an area of need on this team, but I'm using it to illustrate the absurdity of not keeping pace with the Joneses in the AFC East. You can stick your head in the sand and just ignore NE and NYJ, but that's not a rational response. They're getting better, we're sitting back and watching. But who knows, maybe they move again in free agency, though it's been said they'd bring in 4-5 free agents and we've already signed 3. WR has it's advantages and disadvantages. Evans is surely a #1 WR. Parrish, Reed, and Price are the other options at this point. Generally, they're similar players. Undersized WR, but all in all, I don't see Buffalo getting another starter grade guy here because they re-signed Reed and Price to bigger deals last season. WR is not a priority. I beg to disagree with the idea the CB position is better than we think. We've got 3 CB's on the roster right now. One who started and didn't play well (McGee) one who is a former 3rd rounder and dressed for 1 game at CB last year(Youboty) and another who is an undersized RFA (Jabari Greer) That doesn't make me too comfortable. That's not much depth. Sure, Jason David and Nick Harper are out there, and they may well sign someone, but their inactivity a week after the beginning of free agency is a little perplexing. If the coaches were so convinced with Youboty, they'd have dressed him for games instead of relegating him to the press box. Guys who can contribute dress, not the other way around. LB is not close to providing any depth. Crowell is the best of the bunch, Ellison may be the starter after some time starting last season, and Wire is a converted S after playing the position in college. Slim pickings there. Spikes in all probability will be cut. I'm in complete agreement about letting Fletcher and Nate go. They were not consistent with the avenue this team was taking for the long term for a host of reasons. But I'd like to see someone with NFL experience and decent talent there to replace them. Putting rookies and seldom-played 2nd year guys in there doesn't make me feel good about the defense next season. I'm not writing off the 2007 season, but I need to see some experienced NFL guys in here before I'm willing to hand the jobs at CB, LB, DT, and RB to rookies and less experienced players. It ain't a doomed season fella, but this draft isn't going to provide all the solutions some would have you think. Free Agency has to give us something to go on. And guys are coming off the board quicker than some might think.

I take it Lee Evans along with Peerless Price, Josh Reed, and Roscoe Parrish make you comfortable with a QB with maybe one and a half seasons as a starter? To each his own.

Marv might not like the piercings he's got in his team photo on the Bills Website. I'm sure he's coming to training camp, but it'll be interesting how much competition Buffalo brings in at RB.

I'd feel a lot better about this team if we made another signing of a player who's got NFL experience and talent that isn't over 30. There are some defensive players still available, but it's wishful thinking to believe Buffalo will be better in 2007 with the current team and any whomever they select in the draft. Putting faith into rookies and 2nd year guys isn't something I'm too comfortable with. Should Spikes get released for either salary or performance reasons, who will step in and play there? Crowell and Ellison are the only options at LB unless you're thinking Coy Wire will suddenly capable at LB. If you go after a LB in the draft with a round 1 or 2 pick that guy is going to be counted on to start. A very sobering thought. There are positions that won't be improved much in the draft. That leaves free agency. With a more limited budget than other NFL teams, I'm not convinced we'll be better simply because Marv is the GM. I'd like to hear options that Bills fans think we'll take to address our positions of need. Making a smart comment or downplaying an opinion that doesn't look at things with rose colored glasses because it's somewhat negative is not constructive.

I agree Buffalo51, the Stallworth signing is not the end of the world. A lot can happen between now and Week 1. That said, it doesn't appear that Buffalo will sign an experienced a quality free agent in this free agent signing period. Meanwhile, NE and the NYJ (to a lesser extent) are making their teams better as we sit on our hands. And those teams made the playoffs this season. The draft is not going to provide all the answers to our problems, at least not this season. Usually only Round 1 and 2 picks are instant starters and not at a high level. You can say all you want about Whitner, his rookie year will not be his best. At least I hope not. If we plug in a few more rookies it's not an improvement. Marv has talked about being able to run the ball and stopping the run. We've made no improvements on the defensive side of the ball and continue to rely on the same players minus LFB and NC to play tough defense. Just expecting Tripplett, K. Williams, and McCargo to have better seasons is a pipe dream. They couldn't do it last year, why will they do it this year? Buffalo made improvements along the OL and I'm glad to see they've put their money where their mouth is. But I think with as many glaring weaknesses in the defense we're not in a position to be a playoff team from the AFC. Welcome to the second year of rebuilding. To think otherwise is not rational. And one more thing-which other NFL teams are using this cash to the cap philosophy? None of them. They're trying to win this year. No other team in the NFL has ever used the term,"Cash to the Cap."

What is it with all this, "methinks" stuff? Are we in 1850's England or something? Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch are the only First Round quality picks. Kenny Irons, Tony Hunt, Michael Bush, Brandon Jackson, and Antonio Pittman are all good backs, but not of the first round variety. I still don't think Adrian Peterson has the pass catching skills out of the backfield Marv is looking for. Lynch is better, but doesn't posses the charcter that I think Marv wants. Lynch isn't in the McGahee category, but driving the cart on the field at Cal was funny stuff.

Call me negative, but the Bills do the unexpected on draft day. TD is gone, but I got the feeling he always had to make the decision that wasn't obvious. McGahee was just one example. Last season, I'm willing to bet no one say Donte Whitner coming beyond Mike Mayock. And trading back into the first for John McCargo was probably not in most experts' minds. Could they end up going TE? Well, if they're not high on Robert Royal I suppose so. Just because we all think RB, LB, and CB are areas of need doesn't mean Marv and Dick think so. I've seen Leon Hall on so many mocks that I just think the stars are aligning that we don't select him. There are a bevy of CB's out there with good speed and ball instincts like the draft experts say. Either way, our depth needs improving, and by that I mean a rotation of DT's, another CB, either/or a OLB and MLB, TE, etc, etc, etc. Drafting the best player available is not an option. So trading down may be our solution in Round 1.

I simply wanted to demonstrate how thin we are in so many positions. This is why I don't believe we possess the luxury of drafting the best available player. At this juncture, how many players will be coming to the team before the draft? We'll see, but I can't imagine more than 2-3 more free agents. Na, we ain't 6' under, but we're not in a position to do what we want in the draft. This is year 2 of the three year plan. Don't get to worked up becuase we've spent money. This season will determine how good a coach DJ and his staff are. Because they're not going to have as much talent as many other teams in the AFC.

I thought Marshawn Lynch had character issues...that automatically disqualifies his from Buffalo. And Adrian Peterson has a child with a woman he's not married to. There goes another option.

I wanted to look at where Buffalo was with regard to certain positions. There are some that as of today remain severely thin. OFFENSE QB: Losman is the entrenched starter. Holcomb could be a cap casualty. Nall could become the 2nd string man should Holcomb be cut. Not big concerns here, but JP must continue improving. RB/FB: Lone back with NFL experience is Shaud Williams. Anthony Thomas may be re-signed but there is nothing official yet. Bills will most likely pick up 2 more backs, perhaps A. Thomas and a pick who may be used in Round 1 or 2 of draft. WR: Lee Evans is the star of the group hands down. Peerless Price is serviceable, but did not get many yards per catch. Roscoe Parrish is an undersized guy with toughness over the middle. Josh Reed is solid but not spectacular. TE: Robert Royal is a steady blocker but has limited receiving skills. After that, Brad Cieslak and Ryan Neufeld are below average NFL TE's. Kevin Everett may be a cut in training camp or even before. OT: Peters is a star in the making at LT. Some would say he already is the best in the AFC. Langston Walker is being touted as a good player on a bad team last season and will start at RT. Terrence Pennington likely moves to being a depth player in his second season. Kirk Chambers signed for probably a depth role. G: Dockery is the big signing of the off-season. Will most likely solidfy a position of need at LG. Jason Whittle, Duke Preston, and perhaps Brad Butler vie for the RG position. C: Fowler is the starter. Average player who worked well with Losman. Preston can play if called upon, but not as good as Fowler DEFENSE DE: Probably the strongest area on the team, at least on the defense. Schobel is a 2006 Pro Bowler and Kelsay was re-signed to a big contract. Ryan Denney gives great effort and is very good against the run. Anthony Hargrove is the other DE in the rotation. DT: Larry Tripplett was frequently invisible last season. 1st rounder John McCargo didn't start, played sparingly, then broke his foot (same injury that kept him out one season in college) and missed the rest of the year. Kyle Williams played tough, but might not be the answer. Tim Anderson was a big disappointment, resulting in his scratch from the season finale in Baltimore. OLB: Takeo Spikes may well be another cap casualty. His salary and lack of play since an Achilles tear could result in his swan song. Angelo Crowell might be forced to the middle with the departure of Fletcher-Baker, but played excellent until a late season injury. 6th rounder Keith Ellison played well, but may not be big enough to handle the rigors of a 16 game season. Coy Wire is moving to OLB, though he has not played the position professionally save for the conclusion of last season. MLB: Crowell could slide over depending on the draft. John DiGiorgio, a UDFA is the current back-up. CB: Only signed CB's are Terrence McGee who struggled last season, Ashton Youboty, and Jabari Greer. Youboty missed significant time after being drafted in the 3rd round but may become the starter in the wake of Nate Clements' departure. Jabari Greer was a RFA who signed a 2 year deal and is an undersized CB. S: Donte Whitner started nearly the whole season and played like a rookie. Ko Simpson was selected in the 4th round and made few errors, though the defense featured the safeties playing deep. Jim Leonhard is the only other safety on the roster. SPECIAL TEAMS K: Rian Lindell is a superior kicker and played extremely well for Buffalo last season. Re-signed in December to a 5 year deal. P: Brian Moorman was a Pro Bowler and impressed most experts with excellent distance and accuracy. PR: Parrish shows good vision, but made some bad mistakes. KR: McGee didn't play as well as 05, but nearly went the distance once and is a very good NFL KR At this point I think the following (as of 3/10) are the most pressing needs: 1. RB/FB 2. CB 3. OLB (maybe more if Spikes is cut and no quality LB's are brought in) 4. DT 5. WR There's strengths at OL and DE along with the Special Teams. After that, it's a little more cloudy.

Don't worry...the draft will fill all our needs. And I got everything I wanted for Christmas as a kid. There's a need for signing a capable NFL back. Brown's got a history of injuries and yeah that worries me. But ESPN Insider had this to say about the lack of running backs available and teams who still need them: Running backs in high by Matt Williamson Green Bay (1) and Tennessee (2) have what I will label as a "major need" at running back, meaning they need a starter. Prior to Wednesday, Cleveland would have also been one of the teams, but between Reuben Droughns, Jerome Harrison and newly acquired Jamal Lewis, it now has enough to get by and eliminate their running back needs. The Ravens also would have been one of those teams, but trading for Willis McGahee is a clear upgrade at the running back position over Lewis, whose production and explosiveness has steadily declined due to an awful lot of wear and tear and the constant battling of injuries. McGahee desperately needed a change of scenery, and he will join fellow Miami alumni Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and should instantly feel comfortable in his new surroundings. On the field, he is an excellent fit in the Ravens' run-first, downhill attack and should thrive in Baltimore. The Ravens got better today. McGahee's departure leaves Buffalo (3,4) with both a major and minor need at running back. They will be counted twice, once for each category. In addition to those three teams, there are eight other teams who ideally would like to add another back to help out for 2007. The Colts (5) have a solid young player in Joseph Addai, who has yet to establish that he can carry the load for an entire season. The Chiefs (6), Vikings (7) and Rams (8) all have a proven No. 1 back but little depth behind them, so all three would be wise to find a solid backup. The Falcons (9) have two solid running backs but lack the big power runner to fit their new offense. The Steelers (10) re-signed Najeh Davenport, but he isn't good enough to be the second back behind Willie Parker. Brandon Jacobs looks like a keeper for the Giants (11), but he runs very high, will take plenty of big hits and is unproven as a true workhorse. They need someone with wiggle and pass catching ability to complement the bigger and more physical Jacobs. Brian Westbrook is an outstanding football player but lacks size. The Eagles (12) surely will add a bigger runner to back him up and lighten his load. That's 12 teams that probably would like to add a running back to their roster in a somewhat prominent role. Now, how will those 12 spots get filled and who is available to fill them? In my estimation, the only names who could be available, at a hefty price, are Chargers RB Michael Turner or one of the Redskins' two top running backs. Obtaining one of these players would be very costly. Neither the Chargers nor Redskins has to move one of their backs, and with Clinton Portis' injury, Washington may be in no position to move Portis or Ladell Betts. Meanwhile, Turner is a restricted free agent who has little leverage to force a deal out of San Diego. So, what does the draft offer in terms of backs who can come in and start from day one and handle the bulk of the carries? It appears just Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch are qualified for such duty, and they should be the only two runners taken in the first round of the draft. Let's assume they both go to one of the teams with a major need. That would leave one team left with a major hole and another nine with a minor need. There are probably a few of you out there saying, "What about Dominic Rhodes and Corey Dillon?" I wouldn't want either as my No. 1 back. Rhodes runs with fine aggression but isn't real big and would be a durability risk as a true lead runner. He looked great at times, particularly in the postseason, but he is not equipped to be a top dog. As for Dillon, his best days are behind him. He is tough and runs hard but isn't dynamic or a game changer. His role is best as a backup. Now back to the demand side of this equation. Not including Rhodes and Dillon, we were at one team with a major need and nine with minor needs. For argument's sake, let's just say that Rhodes or Dillon lands on that one team with the remaining major need. If that were to happen, I would switch the needs to none with major needs and 10 with minor needs. How can those eleven teams find a suitable runner to give a respectable number of carries to? Correll Buckhalter, Chris Brown, Ron Dayne and maybe T.J. Duckett could all be suitable backups to bring a physical presence to a team's running game and spell a true No. 1 back like Steven Jackson or Larry Johnson. There are some other veterans out there who have had success, but none I would put a lot of stock into as a player to have 5-10 carries per game. It is not far fetched to say that each of these four backs along with Rhodes and Dillon sign before draft day with one of those 11 teams with a need at the position. That would leave six clubs in the market for a running back on draft day, with Peterson and Lynch already being factored in and unavailable. These teams with a minor need are not going to spend a first round pick on the position, but they could be in the market for a runner on the first day of the draft. There are six remaining first-day running backs who could make the team that drafts them happy. For teams in the market for bruisers to relieve their workhorse, Penn State's Tony Hunt, Louisville's Michael Bush and Rutgers' Brian Leonard all fit that bill. For a team like the Giants who need someone with more shiftiness, Florida State's Lorenzo Booker could be a real nice fit. Then there are three others -- Auburn's Kenny Irons, Ohio State's Antonio Pittman and Nebraska's Brandon Jackson who have some versatility and offer a little of both power and flash. So, what does this all mean to the running back market? There looks like there are enough suitable running backs overall, but there is a bit of a shortage of true starters. Those teams with minor needs could find some excellent values and may afford to be patient but still must not push their luck too much. Still, it is a buyers market now for running backs. Granted I don't know who Matt Williamson is, but I'd say there's some weight to this opinion.

The reason I ask about this remains because we're seven years without a playoff appearance. I'm wondering how long the front office thinks Bills fans will wait until we make the playoffs again? One year? Two years? They've improved the OL and that's the foundation of a good offense. Their defense leaves much to be desired because there are simply too many ifs. If Youboty can start, if McCargo can be a good DT, if Crowell can move over to MLB, if... Our running back situation most likely will be at least partially addressed in the draft. I'm sure Buffalo re-signs A. Thomas at RB and/or another veteran. But spending a first or second on RB ignores defensive depth. I think Patrick Willis would fit in nicely with Marv's character requirement and at MLB. From time to time rookies are required to start in the NFL. We did it with two safeties last year and limited their chance of error by playing them deep on many occasions. You can't do that with a MLB in the Cover-2, they're simply too important in the defensive scheme. If we go LB, Timmons and Poz are there as options in the first. I think they'll go late in the first and not be there by the time Buffalo drafts in the second. But what about CB? Milwaukee Thomas is a free agent, leaving us with Youboty, T. McGee, and Jabari Greer as our only options. Unless we use some more funds in Free Agency, the draft will be the only option to round-out the team's positions of need. We did that last year and you reap the benefits when rookies start. I know Marv does not like starting rookies, but he had no choice. I don't see a way around having to start our 1st and 2nd round picks. Perhaps even the third. It's just the era in which the Bills find themselves; continually looking to replace established players (whether they fit in or not) with younger players we hope have potential.

We've painted ourselves into a corner at RB and the draft. I fully support the trading of McGahee, he wasn't going to make this team better on the field or locker room. However, I'd feel more comfortable by signing a veteran with something left in the tank sooner rather than later. Dillon doesn't fit that, but Chris Brown might. Despite signing a veteran, we're still going to spend a pick in the first or second on a RB. Rookies can indeed contribute, but I'd rather see someone at LB, CB, or DT on the defense than RB selected in the first or second. We're literally forced to use an early pick on RB. Of course we could make a trade and get another late 1st or 2nd, but it'll cost us dearly. It's true those four aformentioned teams (NE, IND, NO, CHI) have used higher picks at RB. But those teams were much further along at the defensive positions Buffalo is weak at. Our depth at CB, LB, and to a lesser extent DT is not good. I know NE and CHI were good defensively, but NO and IND were still better defensively than Buffalo was last season. Hence, the selections of Benson in 05, Bush, Maroney, and Addai in 06. They had enough defense to select a RB. As for Deuce McAllister, his play in the NFC playoffs speaks for itself in demonstrating he's an excellent power RB. Thomas Jones has been with a few teams and while he's not a premier back, he's above average. Dominic Rhodes I believe was SB XLI MVP and Corey Dillon became a good short yardage back last season in sharing time with Maroney. I don't like using a pick on a RB because that leaves the defense short on prospects. At RB, I'd like someone who has starting NFL experience not over 30 signed and perhaps another. If that means Anthony Thomas and Chris Brown, that's fine. But our version of the platoon is going to be far short of what other teams in the AFC and NFC title games put on the field. It's simply a poor comparison and short-sighted of the fact that our defensive lack of depth does not allow us to draft a RB.

Anyone comparing those four teams' running back situations is really a glass is half full type of person. IND: Rhodes and Addai. One avergage back along with a 1,000 yard rusher his rookie season. NO: McAllister and Bush: One powerful back with multiple 1,000 yard seasons and another electric rookie back who caught 85+ passes last season. CHI: T. Jones and Benson: Probably the worst "platoon" of the bunch. Nevertheless, Benson will be the starter and had flashes of talent while T. Jones carried the load for most of the season and ran for 1,000 yards. NE: Dillon and Maroney: Dillon aged, sure, but he still found the endzone 13 times and Maroney provided another hard runner for NE. Maroney will be the starter this coming season. Those four examples don't carry any comparison with the Bills current nor future situation. Taking into account their cap standing, they have one back on the roster with NFL experience (2 carries last season) and no decision yet in free agency. While FA is still ongoing, time is winding down and the better players are signing. This is a significant issue. Please don't make comparisons about platooning and refer to these four teams. They had superior talent and one more thing, all of them featured a first round draft pick they selected fairly recently. Benson, Bush, Addai, and Maroney all were 1st rounder in either 05 or 06. So, I presume you're one for selecting a first round RB this season?

I think the fundamental question is, do we want to be good this year or next? A lot of people make the point that it's only March and the season doesn't begin until September. I hear you, but the pieces to the puzzle are in place with players in March and April. After that, sure you might have some cap casualties in June, but more often than not finding starter grade players after that point is not likely. I honestly believe we're going into year 2 of a 3 year plan. They could be playoff worthy this season, but right now, I don't see the Bills having the team to win in 2007. There's not enough available in free agency and the draft to make us good this year. Perhaps next. The fact remains that there are more question marks that exist now than before free agency. I believe and support the front office letting NC and LFB go. Revamping and improving the OL is an excellent move. I think a football team begins with a quality OL. However, the longer they wait to get players at RB, CB, LB, and DT the more uncertainty going into 2007. The chances of finding starters in the later rounds are not great. Many people say the draft is a crapshoot and it is. But it's even more of a chance in rounds 4-7. Let's face it, the reason we started so many rookies last season revolved around the fact that our depth was so poor. That's why I believe Marv went after so many free agents. They needed depth and not star power. I understand that. But if we're going to improve upon 7-9, to become a playoff contender, it's going to take some more personnel additions that can start at a high level. We all know the NFL continues to evolve. Free Agency is different than it was 5 years ago, making the draft more integral to a team's improvement. Many clubs are attempting to find a solution to remaining competitive for many years as opposed to 2 or 3 and only the best front offices will get it. Last season, 15 of 32 teams finished either 7-9, 8-8, or 9-7. There's parity for you. And while I believe a team could make the playoffs at 8-8, the AFC East will prove to be very competitive. Call me a doomsday type, call me whatever. But unless we get more depth, we are thin at a lot of positions. It's fine to have faith with Dick and Marv. But why do you have faith? Marv has never been a GM and was out of the league for 10 years. Dick has a career 43-58 record. People always want answers when someone criticizes a move. Well, I'd like someone to tell me why they have faith in these two. 2007 will provide some changes, but will those new faces be enough of a difference to make this team into a winner?

Well, with Kyle Williams and Larry Tripplett handling the DT position, we were porous against the run. Kyle Williams works hard, but he's physically limited with shorter arms and not as much burst to penetrate the backfield. This defense is built on speed at nearly every position, specifically at DT. I just don't believe he can disrupt the line of scrimmage enough. More often than not, you can tell how good a rookie will be when he gets significant time his rookie season. Not all the time, but a good portion of it. As for Bryce Fisher, I remember being at camp and watching him in 2000 when I interned with a Rochester TV station. He went to St Louis and now finally, 6 years in the NFL has begun playing well. But he's a DE. DT's in the Cover-2 are different because they must be quick enough in the gaps and strong enough to take on blockers. Let's not compare a DE with a DT. Using one out of context example to illustrate a point is not sufficient. What about Leif Larsen, where's he? Another low round Bills pick in 2000. We need more than just improvement, we need to take leaps at DT this year if we're going to have a shot at controlling opponents from running the ball 140+ yards per game. I'm just saying Kyle Williams isn't the answer because his physical tools are limited for a Cover-2 DT.

Everyone knows Rhodes was a back that shared the load. That's fine, but his deal with Oakland was about 7.5M for 2 years. Now, if we didn't like Rhodes because he was, well, Dominic Rhodes that's fine. But if it's about the money and we can't cough up that sort of money for a RB, then we've got a problem. It takes a lot for a guy to decide to go to Oakland at this juncture. What would it have taken for Buffalo to sign Rhodes? At this point the options at RB are getting smaller. Even if you re-sign Anthony Thomas, I guarantee we go RB in the first or second round. And if we do, then now you've got a rookie and Anthony Thomas sharing the load. I'm fine with that, as long as the back sharing the load is Lynch or Peterson. Lynch has some personal baggage, but we've used the first round pick to fill a hole we created. Those are the two guys ready to go now. The others have some issues. The bottom line to me is Buffalo continues building for the future. The line is good on paper. But, there are many positions left to fill and depth to have in case of injury. RB wasn't supposed to be a problem in the off-season, and it's become one.

Manny Lawson played well for SF this season at OLB this year in a PT role. Mario Williams not so much for Houston in that he didn't register a sack his final 8 games. McCargo's foot injury concerns me. It's the same one he broke in college and subsequently missed a season. I know they want a rotation of DT's, but without him playing good football, Larry Tripplett's going to be in the same position this year as he was last, fighting off multiple blockers while the 1-Tech guy gets engulfed too. I know that despite the Cover-2, both Triplett and McCargo were featured together for a short time. Kyle Williams can't be counted on for more than depth. We're depending on McCargo more than I think the front office ever wanted to at this point in his career. DT is a big question mark.

Chris Brown sounds like a rational choice. Then again, this team goes against the grain quite often. I like the Michael Bush pick if he's physically ready. Marv has a history with backs that other teams pass over in the first and early second rounds. That guy is going to the Hall of Fame this season. Who knows if Chris Brown can carry the load for 20+ a game. If he does and stays healthy, I could stand to live with Anthony Thomas at the right price.