FistingBot

I think it is hopeless... the team has so little talent across the board that shuffling QBs, RBs, offensive linemen isn't going to do a whole lot of anything. There isn't a way to make up for a decade of horrendous drafting. Our players are lousy, our coaches are second rate, and worst of all, we have a cheap owner who is only interested in maximizing the book value of his asset before his pending death. I applaud you guys who can watch this debacle of a "team" week in and week out, but I just can't subject myself to the torture every Sunday. Until Ralph passes, I just can't see anything changing. It all starts at the top. If the owner doesn't care about winning then it is hard for the organization to do so.

I don't advocate "bottoming out" or throwing the season or anything... but I really think this team is that bad. Been following the Bills since the mid-70s and never have I been less excited for a season to start. If the team ends up low in the standings as expected, the QB class in the upcoming draft should be much stronger (Locker, Luck, Mallett, etc.) than last year's class. I just don't think they can afford not to draft a QB because he might not work out... that kind of thinking is what got them into this position in the first place. The last time we drafted a QB high in the first round it was Jim Kelly. We haven't had a good QB since he retired. Time to take a shot at another first round QB.

Thigpen is just another Trent, Brohm, and Fitz. Our best (and increasingly realistic) hope is to finish dead last this year and draft Jake Locker #1 overall. At least Locker can take off running if/when the line can't block anyone.

This guy was the 11th overall pick a year ago and we're still talking about being encouraged that he shows flashes of potential against 3rd string tackles in a preseason game? $15 million in guaranteed money over a year ago and we're still not sure if he can play? IMHO any team would want immediate and sustained production from a top-12 pick given the big money that's being thrown their way. Top-12 picks are not supposed to be projects. I hope I'm wrong, but this guy has 'bust' written all over him.

He looks like Finch from the movie Wildcats

Valid point, but in this case we're picking up a career journeyman who is past his prime (34), has character issues (beat up the mother of his kids with a broom) and has already played for 1/4 of the teams in the NFL (Falcons, Jets, Dolphins, Broncos, Bucs twice, and Raiders). To me, that is why it doesn't pass the "this guy might be a diamond in the rough" smell test. In the case of the Bills castoffs, we've tended to sign them, develop them, and then let them go (Greer, Aiken, Jason Peters, Pat Williams, Winfield, Jim Leonard, ...). They haven't failed repeatedly in multiple places.

Apparently our strategy is to pick up guys who are too crappy to play on the other crappy teams. We'll add them to our existing crappy players. Then they can all have a big craptastic battle royale in training came and see which of them stinks the least.

Given that he's already played for Atlanta, the Jets, Miami, Tampa, Denver, Tampa again, Oakland and now Buffalo... hard to get too excited about this pickup.

Just to clarify: He'll get a better return on investment by leaving it to his wife rather than putting it up for auction right away? TIA

Unfortunately, I think you're absolutely right. Do we have a city that everyone wants to live in? No. Do we have coaches that everyone wants to play for? No. Do we have an owner that people want to play for - a guy that'll throw around lots of cash? No. Do we have a history of winning on the field? No. ...I just don't see what we can offer that'd make a free agent choose Buffalo over other options other than maybe playing time.

I know we tend to view the world through Red, White and Blue glasses, but if you were a free agent why would you come to Buffalo? It's not the most attractive place to live, the team has no history of success for the last decade or so, we don't have charismatic coaches who can convince someone to take a chance on Buffalo (ala Detroit), and Ralph isn't likely to throw around more cash than some of the other bidders like the 'Skins... most free agents this year are older players who want to win right away. No one in their right mind would look at this team and think it has a chance to win in the near future. ...I don't know. I try to be optimistic, but I just can't convince myself that this team is not on a slow spiral to nowhere.

I've certainly never "hammered" Whitner or implied that it was his "fault" that he was drafted in the top 10... I just think that the team made a very questionable pick for that slot. He's a nice player, has a lot of heart, but clearly is not a "top-10" talent IMHO. You expect/hope guys drafted that high to be real difference makers... to be play makers... to be guys that other teams game plan around. You expect guys picked that high to not fall behind George Wilson on the depth chart. He's a nice player, but definitely not the difference maker most had hoped for with a pick that high. That is all. Personally, I like the guy and hope it works out for him.

It's been a few years, but I'm STILL mad that we took him 8th overall in 2006 (although taking McCargo in the same first round was even worse).

You left out that the Chiefs went 1-10 in those stellar 11 starts... So, let me get this straight. The Vikings didn't want him, the Chiefs didn't want him (dumped him for a 5th rounder) and now the Dolphins don't want him, but they're all wrong, he's really a pro-bowl quality QB capable of taking a team to the playoffs? The fact is that almost all of the top QB's have only played for one team, the team that drafted them. If a guy is good, the team doesn't let him get away. Of the 12 playoff teams from last year, the only starting QBs who WEREN'T drafted by that team were Brees (SD replaced him with a pro bowler), Warner (former Super Bowl winner with another team) and Favre (former Super Bowl winner with another team). So the evidence is pretty strong that picking up re-tread QBs and hoping they blossom in a new system just doesn't normally work in the NFL...

Okay, again, I'm no mathematician but how can you be 18-12 in 11 starts?!

You predicted Bledsoe 8 years ago, but have only been a member for 5 years? I'm no mathematician, but... BTW - This thread made me add a new avatar.

“If I’m lying, may lightning hit my mother!”

I love the "trust me" posts. Like writing "trust me" magically makes it legitimate... Marshawn: "Hey, can I borrow $20? I'll give it right back. TRUST ME!"

Denver get about 1/2 the average yearly snowfall that Buffalo gets. Plus over 300 days per year of sunshine. Having lived the last 5+ years in Colorado, it really is no comparison between the two. That said (and as pointed out by others), no way weather was the reason Shanny turned this job down. Shanny wants an owner like Bowlen who throws big money around at free agents and draft picks. Snyder fits the bill... Ralph does not.

WADR, those of you posting his passing statistics seem to miss the fact that he's the third leading all-time rusher for a QB, and the only QB to go over 1000 yards rushing is a season. He also holds the single game QB rushing record of 173 yards (on only 10 attempts). THAT is what Vick brings. Seriously, have you guys even seen him play? He was never a pocket QB, nor should a QB with 4.3 speed be a pocket passer. The guy didn't sign the biggest contract in league history (at the time) because he has no talent... The real question is given his style of play, how much more does he have left. And, if it only costs a 5th or 6th round pick, why not find out?

If it only costs a late round draft pick, it seems like a reasonable gamble given the relatively low cost. People say he is a lousy QB since he only completes about 54% of his passes, but he averages over 8 yards per carry and is the only QB to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. So, yes, he's not a true pocket passer. But, I don't see why running for a first down on third and five is any worse than checking down to a back who picks up the first down. Stats and moral arguments aside, he has won at both the college (20-1 as a starter) and NFL levels (.575 career winning percentage).

With all due respect, Druck only started one NFL game in his entire career. He was a bust from the get-go since he lacked accuracy (completed only 54% in college) and was dumb as a box of rocks. Edwards has already shown glimpses that he can play in this league. He had a winning record in his first two years (12-11). Up until the New Orleans game, he showed some promise. He just wasn't the same from that point on. If he was injured then I'll give him the benefit of the doubt... if not then hopefully Chan and company can fix him. Otherwise, he may make a serviceable backup.

Harvey is an intriguing prospect. He was recruited by all of the major east coast schools coming out of high school, but didn't have the grades so he went to Morgan State in his hometown of Baltimore. Panthers, Colts, Bucs, and others were high on this guy as a raw prospect. He doesn't fit a 4-3, but certainly is worth a look at the nose in a 3-4. http://cdsdraft.com/profile.php?id=3624

We already have two potential nose tackles on the roster: Lonnie Harvey (6'3 350) and Rashaad Duncan (6'2 320). Both guys were signed to the practice squad mid-year last year, and both were given contacts (resigned) a couple of weeks ago. I assume they'll be given a shot at the nose tackle spot. http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-3...73-247654f7659c

Gotta mean we're switching to the 3-4. It'd be really strange to have an inside linebacker coach for just the middle linebacker!