Maddog69

the addition of 1 good NFL starting caliber LT would have substantially improved the OL as a whole. Bell could have served as a backup LT and fought for the starting RT spot improving the depth across the line. I think we are OK at C and G

something is better than nothing

I put no stock in the final scores of the preseason games. But do put stock in individual performances and group performances (OL, DL). The DL (and Defense in gernal) with the starters in the game looks like they should be very interesting to watch. I think they are going to make some big plays, but I also think they will get beat for some big plays as teams learn to exploit their aggressiveness. The OL is a differnt story. I impressed with their play in the Jax game, but other than they they have been pretty bad. It doesn't what combination of players were in the game, they just don't seem like they are good enough to compete. We will see how it goes as the season rolls on, but my expectations for this year are pretty low. Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.

I agree that Clayton is a moron. But in this case it is difficult to argue with him. As much as many fans love Fitz, nobody with any common sense could argue that Fitz is a top NFL QB. Combine that with the lack of an offensive line and it is fair to assume that Fitz is going to have a tough season. Based on most of the comments in the thread, most fans would put Fitz around 20-22. Since this ranking was very subjective on Clayton's part, I have a hard time really criticizing him for putting Fitz just slightly lower than most of the Bills fans with their rose colored glasses would put him. The simple fact is, Fitz is an average to below average NFL QB playing behind a horrible OL and throwing to a group of young, talented, but unproved receivers.

The thing that sticks out to me that that we have a horrible group of OL on this team. Besides Eric Wood, none of them are definite starting quality OL in the NFL. I don't think it makes one bit of difference which ones they keep and which ones they don't. But to answer your original question, here are my guesses: WR: I hope Roosevelt stays but I have a feeling they will keep Davis TE: Chandler and Martin RB: White DB: Corner, Corto and Searcy OL: Wrotto, Rhinehart and Howard (I think Hangartner gets cut) Last spot maybe Pinalto, Eddins or Aiken

That's a tough question. It's like asking if I would like to be shot or stabbed. Based on what I've seen of Thigpen so far, I think we are in serious trouble if Fitz goes down. Fitz is half way decent. None of the rest of the QBs on the roster appear to be competent starting NFL QBs. It kills me to say this because I was excited that we signed Thigpen and I had high hopes for him, but so far he is horrible. He reminds me a lot of JP. If Fitz does not play great this year, it's time for Luck, Barkley or Jones in the draft (with any luck, it will be Luck)

I agree. Unless Fitz proves without a doubt that he is the man and the team is on the verge of playoffs, I want Andrew Luck.

If Spiller were any good, he would get playing time and carries. He is Gailey's hand picked boy. Gailey wants him to succeed but so far he has not shown the ability to play in the NFL, thus he is not getting carries. Best has been getting carries because he has made plays when he was given the chance. If he did not, Detroir would have picked up someone else who could. We have Freddy who is decent. He will continue to get the carries until Spiller outplays him. I personally don't expect that to happen anytime soon. In my opinion Spiller would not have the success in Detroit that Best has had. Best appears to be a better runner. But that is simply my opinion.

I know. But don't be too hard on yourself. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/455843-cj-spiller-shockingly-named-starting-running-back-over-two-veterans Spiller was named the starter for opening day last year.

Even if you move Fitz up to 22 or so, he's still a below avergae NFL QB.

That is my question too. Blocked and closed are the same thing. Abbott Rd is closed to traffic in front of the stadium.

You do realize that Gailey handed the starting job to Spiller but he could not handle it, right?

Best is 1000x better player but the repeated concussions scare me.

All this talk about Eddins is comical. He is this year's Joique Bell. I am pretty sure nobody else around the league gives a **** about Eddins. If he makes the roster that's fine. But if he plays it just means that Merriman is hurt or Kelsay/Carrington etc cannot get the job done. I think it is funny how everyone was putting Moats in the Hall of Fame for making one hit on Favre and now he is going to be cut. All of the Armchair GMs/Talent evaluators on this board better not quit their day jobs. Oh, and we should rush out and grab Tony Pike off of waivers. So many of you castigated the Bills for not picking him because he was surely going to be the next Tom Brady.

Unless Fitz really takes a big step fordward this year, I will be annoyed if we end up missing out on Luck.

4) They continue to suck for another decade because they have no franchise QB

So Clayton is stupid for giving the Pats* credit for being good and for giving Buffalo **** for being terrible? Is he supposed to ignore reality like most people on this board do?

Very well said. I agree 100%. The thing that sticks out for me is that this is just another glaring example of the disfunction at 1 Bills Dr

would Buffalo need to give T.O. another key to the city?

with Stafford durability issues, I doubt Detroit would be willing to move Stanton. Nor do I think Buffalo has any interest in him right now with Fitz, Thigpen and Smith as our top 3.

Nice

Let me start by saying I respect the opinion of the OP. Everyone is entitled to their own perspective and opinion. The differences of opinion are what make the board interesting. But I think it is funny how the term Optimist is misused on this board a lot. An Optimist is someone who looks at a situations and finds the most positive reasonable outcome. An optimist does not look at a piece of poop and see a chocolate cake. An optimist would look at the Bills and say, "well they addressed the defense so they should be better this year" He would not expect them to win the Superbowl, that is just plain stupid.

Curious why you would say that we won't have a chance at Luck. Unless he returns to school for his senior year, I think we will definitely have a chance at him. The Bills have done nothing to improve from last year (except adding Dareus). I fully expect the Bills to be drafting at the top of the draft order again next year.

I don't see them taking Pryor. I think our 3 QBs are Fitz, Thigpen and Brad Smith. It doesn't make sense to waste a pick on Pryor and not have a roster spot for him. I'd hate for them to use a WR roster spot for Smith. We have too many other young WRs to evaluate/develop. The only option seems to be to slide Pryor onto the PS. That seems unlikely, as someone would snag him off waivers. I will be surprised if we select him in the Supplemental draft tomorrow.

we finished in last place last year and really didn't do much to get better (especially on Offense). What makes all of you so confident that we will be any better this year? You can bash the guy all you want but 1.) it's just his opinion and 2.) There is a ton of evidence to back up his opinion (Search Google for "Buffalo Bills 2000-2011" and you will find a ton of it.