Got_Wood

If I were to re-draft today, I would say that it would probably go something like this: 1. Tim Tebow 2. Rob Gronkowski Although, I really like Spiller. I can't wait to see what this guy does for us next year after a full offseason of training (AND a new OT next year, hopefully).

Oh, I guess I could have included the news about Trent Edwards starting for the Jaguars this weekend. But he is old news at this point. Best of luck to him.

1. A big thanks should go out to Russell Salvatore for what he did for Buffalo residents/fans last week: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/24/buffalo-resident-ensures-sellout-by-buying-more-than-7000-tickets/ 2. It’s good to see that Kyle Williams will likely be playing in the Pro Bowl: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/34648/source-kyle-williams-top-all-star-alternate 3. The Bills Defense has struggled this season. When it’s all said and done, they will likely be 32nd in the league in rushing yards against, 27th in the league in points against, 27th in the league in interceptions, and 28th in the league in sacks. It’s good to know that should the Bills choose to look for a new Defensive Coordinator, there are some excellent options out there. See: Mike Singletary, Dave Wannstedt, Wade Phillips, Ron Rivera (could be an option if things blow up in San Diego), etc. 4. The last game of the season may be one of the most crucial games for the Bills in the last 10 years. Why, you say? The Bills will determine whether or not they draft in the top 5 of the 2011 draft. What’s the difference? Well, it could be the difference in getting a franchise player like Bruce Smith or a run of the mill DE like Ron Holmes, as the Bills did in the 1985 draft. The difference between the Chiefs landing Derrick Thomas (127 career sacks) in the 1989 draft over Broderick Thomas (47 career sacks). a. Article about Bruce Smith after the draft (just for fun): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1119974/index.htm 5. Love the camaraderie on the team this year. It seems like these guys are playing for each other more than any season in the last 5 years I can remember. Tweet of the week from Stevie Johnson: a. “@StevieJohnson13 iDnt Wanna Speak Too Soon. but Im Lookin Forward To Congratulating A Certain D-Linemen For A Huge Season! Name Rhymes With Lyle Smilliams!!” b. Quote on Stevie Johnson from Fred Jackson: "What he has done with the opportunity he's gotten this year ... I heard it from every team we played, somebody said, 'That guy's been really impressive.'" 6. And then there’s Donte: a. “@DonteWhitner Am I loved in Buffalo?” b. “@DonteWhitner Some say yes. Some say no. Am I?” c. I don’t think he’ll ever learn. It’s not always about you. You will be loved if there is less talking and more producing results. 7. A good read about the Bills new Strength & Conditioning Coach, John Gamble: http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/article293397.ece a. “He's not a yes-man. Sometimes what he says is the hard thing to say. But you respect him for it.” 8. Looking ahead to the draft. See Walter Football’s latest Mock Draft Here: http://walterfootball.com/draft2011.php 9. There has been a lot of press about CJ Spiller not living up to his draft slot. I feel the opposite about this guy. Every time he touches the ball, he is a threat for a big play. He made some mistakes out there, lost some fumbles, etc. But he has a good head on his shoulders. I believe he will be a star in the next 2 years. See this article on CJ from Buffalo Rumblings: http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2010/12/30/1903996/bills-vs-jets-c-j-spiller-gets-encouragement-from-ladainian-tomlinson 10. Everyone in the Bills and Panthers organization will be collectively holding their breath until after the Orange Bowl for news on Andrew Luck’s draft status: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/campusrivalry/post/2010/12/stanford-andrew-luck-nfl-draft-decision-orange-bowl/1 That’s all for this week. Hope you enjoy!

Couldn't be more right on. The talent argument is getting old. I would argue that we have equal or better RB's and WR's talent-wise. The Pats biggest advantage over us is their O-line, D-line (although somewhat weaker this season), Linebackers, and QB. Build those trenches up and we'll be in much better shape next year. Don't just SAY we're going to do it... actually DO IT.

What Whitner has to realize is that it's not about what you SAY you're going to do on the field, it about what you actually DO out there that makes all the difference. I don't think people would have as much of a problem with Whitner if he didn't talk like he was the greatest thing to ever happen to this earth. The bottom line is that he is AVERAGE. And his sense of entitlement is misguided. Teams pay big money to players that have the ability to change the outcome of a game. That's what guys like Polamalu and Reed do out there. They are a threat to force a fumble, intercept a pass, or make a stop on 3rd down every time they take the field. Donte doesn't do that for the Bills. He simply does his job. He makes the tackle down field as a safety should, he has an occasional tackle for loss, and he's intercepted a pass that was poorly thrown by the opposing QB. That's great and he's doing what he's supposed to. But the Bills need to pay guys top dollar that make a difference in winning games. And there are only a few guys like that on every team. I would much rather pay a big free agent like Lamar Woodley of the Steelers or David Harris of the Jets that you see making big plays every week.

No problem. Sometimes it's nice to sift through all the garbage out there and get some real information. I'll try and do it a little more often.

1. Kyle Williams and Stevie Johnson are still in the running for the NFL Pro Bowl. Vote for them here! 2. Ryan Fitzpatrick gets interviewed on Jim Rome Show: link 3. Shawn Nelson is headed to injured reserve. Looks like the Bills may be shopping for a new TE in the offseason. Here's a look at the top TE prospects in the 2011 Draft. 4. Shawne Merriman tweeted something interesting this past week: "RT @Hollaatyaboy82 @shawnemerriman r u going to come back to buffalo next year? If I did it will be because of the guys there are great" 5. Michael Oher continues to be touted as a top OT in the game. However, take a look at the stat comparison with Demetrius Bell: Oher - Starts: 13, Penalties/Yards: 9/53, Sacks Allowed: 5 link Bell - Starts: 13, Penalties/Yards: 4/25, Sacks Allowed: 3.25 link 6. Freddy Jackson is having a great year. Things are looking up for our running back tandem of Jackson and Spiller for next year. 7. The 2011 Draft is DEEP in the top two areas the Bills need to improve. ESPN has 5 Offensive Tackles and 11 Defensive Lineman ranked in the top 32 for next years draft so far. 8. Arthur Moats not only may have played a part in ending Brett Favre's career, but he is also up for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week. Give him a vote! 9. Lee Evans season may be over. Is his career with the Bills over after this season as well? It's possible, but I like his chances of staying in Buffalo. 10. Two of the Bills top defenders could become free agents this offseason. It appears that Whitner is in talks with the team to re-sign, and Posluszny wants to return if the Bills front office will keep him around. That's all I've got for now! Hope you enjoyed the updates in an otherwise boring week

I have to say, I think these two are the best combo out there. When you have band wagoners like Dan Dierdorf, guys who kiss ass like Collinsworth and Gruden, guys like Aikman and Buck who bore you to death, and guys like Joe Theisman and Matt Millen who bring nothing to the table... these guys are a BREATH OF FRESH AIR. They've got energy, and they can keep dull games like Bills vs. Browns mildly entertaining. Don't get down on Tasker just because the Bills suck this year. You'll love him when the Bills turn this thing around and he's calling the games.

Marcell Dareus and Da'Quan Bowers are also beasts. I'd take any one of those 4 players on this team in a minute. But Fairley sure does look Bruce Smith like out there, causing havoc all day for opposing QB's.

Ahhh, we finally get to see the Levitre - Wood - Wang combo...

Hate to say it because I don't like seeing our guys get hurt, but that shouldn't have been a penalty or a fine. I played football for a long time, and that is how you tackle a player. You could say that he speared Fitz a little bit, but 1.) he didn't leave his feat, and 2.) he didn't put his head down and lead with the drown of his helmet. Harrison is just flat out bigger and stronger than a lot of players in this league. When he hits guys, sometimes they're going to be hurt. That doesn't mean he doesn't take a lot of cheap shots / dirty hits in other circumstances. Both hits against the Browns were dirty. You can't drive your shoulder or helmet into a defenseless players head (or chest/back either). You can end careers that way, and even ruin someone's life for that matter with spinal injuries or severe concussions. Players need to get it out of their heads that this is the WWE. It's not about launching yourself into players and making the big jarring hit. It's moronic. Not only can you badly injure other players, but in many cases you injure yourself. Learn to tackle like a real football player. Maybe the league does need to go back to the old leather helmets...

Young guys who should get better every year. I see Stevie being our go-to guy for years to come as long as he can stay away from being an Ochocinco/TO "look at me" type of player, and try and be more of a Andre Reed/Jerry Rice work ethic type of player.

I agree with you. It's a large impressionable audience that gets caught up in events like this. ESPN is owned by Disney, one of the largest corporations in the world. They know what generates a buzz and what doesn't. Try Googling "steve johnson god" and see what comes up first. Fox News, TMZ, etc. I can't stand the media. Bloodthirsty, schadenfreude, greedy, money hungry... all of the above.

For a game that didn't mean anything, it's kind of odd that Steve Johnson's drop is on the cover of the Yahoo and ESPN home pages. Are they feasting on another man's misfortunes, or is it something else? Is it because "God" was involved in Stevie's tweet after the game? Kind of odd to make an example out of someone when so many other events went on in this sports filled weekend. How about the Andre Johnson vs. Cortland Finnegan fight, or the complete breakdown by Peyton Manning, or the rise of the other Peyton (Hillis)???

I agree that he deserves a little credit here. He has sent us to overtime in clutch situations several times this season now. Even having to nail that long one twice yesterday. I fully support Lindell. But Moorman on the other hand... get it together kid!

I agree, great post.

Well, I like their response to the questions asked. I really like this group of guys. http://www.nfl.com/videos/buffalo-bills/09000d5d81c7b8c4/Bills-postgame-press-conference

Just curious considering his recent angry tweet. Fans will still be behind Stevie, but he's gotta learn from this game. I would be staying after practice catching an extra 100 footballs every day to make sure that doesn't happen again. Still a big fan of this kid though, and every Bills fan should be too.

Wide Receivers don't win championships for teams. In my opinion, the most critical elements on a team are a Head Coach that emphasizes discipline on the field and off, QB with strong leadership qualities, and strong in the trenches (both offensive and defensive lines). Look at the last 5 Super Bowl champs: 2010: Saints - tough coach in Sean Payton, great leader in Brees, solid o-line and d-line 2009: Steelers - no BS coach in Tomlin, strong leader in Big Ben, and solid trenches 2008: Giants - hard ass coach in Coughlin, so-so leader in Eli (lead by example and limited mistakes), very strong o-line and dominant d-line 2007: Colts - Tony Dungy preached discipline and work ethic, Manning (enough said), great o-line, solid pass rushers 2006: Steelers - Bill Cowher was cut throat and didn't accept poor effort, Big Ben showed great poise as a young guy, and the Steelers trenches once again dominated I think we've got a very good coach that preaches toughness and discipline, and a QB that has shown the ability to lead this team, not get down on himself, and never quit. And we need to build those trenches. We're getting close. Another offensive tackle should round out this O-line. But the D-line needs a pass rusher or two, and possibly another run stuffer. I'm excited about our future!

Yeah, I get your point. But not everyone gets a "Tom Brady" on their team. I'd love a guy here that is a great player, gets in guys faces, and is tough as nails. But Fitz is about as close as it gets. I think it's funny how little emotion Lee Evans shows. He hardly says a word out there. It's almost like he's numb to all the losing. Kind of sad really. We need more guys like Eric Wood, Kyle Williams, Steve Johnson, and Drayton Florence. Tough players that show emotion and get the team fired up. We're lacking in that category.

This is why I like the throwbacks. Very simple. We need that design brought into this generation. The standing Buffalo, although iconic, is old and boring. If you simply use the throwback uniforms with the helmet in this design, we've got a winner.

What??? Compared to what these guys are wearing now? These uni's are great!!!

I love it. The throwback uni blue is sweet, and I like the white helmets with the newer logo. SOLID.

That was awesome! I think we're staring our franchise QB right in the eyes Bills fans. He has the respect of his team, his coaches, and the fans. It's a nice feeling having faith in a guy to carry this offense. You add a talented RT and TE into the mix, and we've got ourselves a solid offense!

Yeah I doubt he's a distraction. People forget that we had TO in town just last season. The players are numb to that stuff at this point.