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I understand they both paid Maynin big money to hold out so long that they couldn't possiibly be cut before the season started. Looks like it will work out for them.

Gotta agree. You keep hearing the players saying in post-game interviews that the other team was giving them different looks, schemes they had never seen before. The coaching staff is NOT preparing these players for games. They are richer than me, but I sort of feel sorry for them. Wait until TO learns what weak coaches they are; he will go off bif-time on them and that might be the best we can hope for. It won't cure anything, but it might wake up the guys who hire these losers.

Well, we certainly will have the first crack at any QB in the draft. Unfortunately, a new QB won't solve this team's issues.

True. Ellison, take a seat.

Perfect. I sure hope that's how it went. Young prick.

Totally agree.If they cut him, they'll regret it. The Dereks are no-names we'll never remember in a year.

Must have been someone from WGR. TBD is the only way they get any news. What an irrelvant station.

Dick has already showed he is changing. Didn't wear a hat on Saturday.

OK, it was pre-season and the Bears were missing (or didn't play) some of their stars eg Matt Forte. It was also their first and our second game. Still, they are supposed to be a playoff contender and the Bills looked MUCH stronger IMO. After watching the first quarter and part of the second, I was saying things like "Same old Bills" and "Make some plays!" But then they actually did. Starting with McKelvin. Then Fitz showed us good command of his position and toughness in taking a roughing the passer shot. On defense, linemen like Ellis and Bryant and Mace got good push. Nic Harris made some plays and Langster won the game. On offense, Nelson and Stupar showed some promise (compared to the Derek Fine/Derek OK combo). Jenkins shows he can get separation. Omon and Hall and McIntyre ran well. To sum up, we have depth. As for the starters, Edwards to Evans is always a great thing to watch, Lynch is a constant (after 3 games), and Owens will make a difference. The O-line will be inconsistent, but now has some young talent. The defense has all those solid corners you need for a good Tampa 2. We will make some plays this year. The only weaknesses that need to be addressed are Kelsay and Diminutive Donte. I cannot wait to see these two replaced with guys who let their play do their talking. In other words, let's hope Byrd and Maybin get on the field soon!

Yeah, the tight end situation just got interesting. J. Stupar really opened eyes with his play, while the Dereks were basically screwing up and showing their lack of talent. Nelson's TD shows why he will make the team as a red zone weapon. Seems like either Derek 1 or Derek 2 will be one Derek too many at the end of camp. Anyway, we should definitely insert Stupar a few timers with the first team offense and see what happens, He looks big enough to block and is a great release option for Trent. Funny also to see McIntyre excell carrying the ball late inthe game, meaning it would be wrong to replace him with a Derek.

Think we'll be grasping at O-line straws like this one (about Bell being "ready" to start) all year. Especially with Butler's bad back, never a good sign for any worker, let alone an NFL lineman. We'll try Bell, we'll try Levitre, then Chambers, then...some other great hope. But the fact is, this is a bad situation the FO got us into and we will pay for it this season (look out, Trent!) I agreed with the Peters deal; I just think it was a big gamble and will take some time before it pays off...if ever. Hopefully, those who see Bell as the answer at either tackle spot will be right.

Sounds like we got rid of an inconsitent painintheass who didn't want to play here, even for millions, for a younger mauler of a guard who wants to play here, for a few fewer millions. I'd say that was a good FO move, but much will depend on how the switched tackles perform. If Trent stays healthy, this will be the deal of the decade. (Of course, he might have got killed with Peters in there anyway, so it really can't be a bad deal).

Mny thanks for the report, as someone already said, far better than the so-called professional, paid reporters give us. You add to the rising hope that they made a good pick in Eric Wood. Also nice to hear Ellis is making strides in his second year. Hope he can replace Kelsay, because otherwise, there isn't gonna be much pressure on QBs. I'm concerned about Butler's back; obviously, an O-lineman can't perform if his back is going out on him and no-one can do much about backs. That's why I'm glad to hear good things about D. Bell, but I am also wondering how Chambers looks, because he'll probably end up playing RT.

Chuck has a right to be a cantankerous old fart; he's in his 70s. What's Schoop's excuse?

Thanks, I'll tune in. Always enjoy listening to someone who actually likes football (rather than hockey) on a Buffalo radio station.

Thanks. Can you tell us where that station is on the dial? am or fm?

According to Allen Wilson of Buffalo News, Keith Ellison is "shedding all competition" for the strong-side LB position. Should we feel glad that he is so competitive and smart that no-one can take away his starting job or fearful that draft picks like Bowen and Harris aren't even good enough to challenge the D's weakest link? Personally, I suspect it's a positive. Maybe he's not our weakest link.

regarding #3... I look forward to blitzes from the backfield, say McKelvin or Whitner. Our secondary is our strength and even in the Tampa 2, it should be used aggressively to keep opposing QBs on edge. Personally, I'd be turning McKelvin loose 2 or 3 times every game, starting with NE and Tommy Boy.

I'm going with the coaches on this one, though I am probably dumb to do it, given their years of failure. Walker has a decent chance of playing well at LT, based on his experience and smarts. If he looks bad there, he won't be the only LT to get beat in the NFL. If he's really bad, we can move him back to RT and try Chambers, then Bell at left tackle. Chambers has played there before and played well. The coaches "love" Bell's progress, so it seems he is the long-term hope. I am as much concerned about Butler at RT, so if Langston goes back there and Kirk plays the left side, that leaves Butler as one of the guards until Wood or Levitre is ready. In short, I think we have a decent bunch of O-linemen and the coaches will sort out who works best where. I'll start panicking if and when Edwards runs for his life every 3rd play.

another great pick cb in the second round made no sense

Exactly.

If he fires DJ, he'll just appoint April head coach and make him do special teams at the same time. Won't cost him a cent, but it'll make fans think he's turned a corner. Ralph's smart...and cheap.

Best analysis of the current Bills I have read. Worth reading carefully for what it says about individual players. Andy Benoit is obviously not a Marshawn Lynch fan, for example.

I like the idea of trying two new guards in the same year and hopefully grow with them. But that usually means they will get schooled by a lot of DTs this year and might get it together in 2010. I don't see where Maybin fits in this year. He is a RE, not a LE, which means they probably drafted him to replace Schobel in a year or two. I would try him in Ellison's LB spot, but doubt that works either. I didn't get the pick of Byrd in the second round. Unless Whitner is as bad as I think, Byrd doesn't play much this year either. I also don't see Nelson playing much in-line TE and we already have a lot of wideouts, so he'll only get spot duty in '09. My conclusion is that this MIGHT be a good long-term draft, but won't contribute much of anything this year. Sorry. I don't blame the FO for drafting these guys, but I am too impatient for playoffs to put up with another year of "re-building".