SuperKillerRobots

FA: Bert Berry (AZ DE) DRAFT: BJ Raji, Eric Wood

He had little arms - like T-Rex, couldn't reach them to his mouth. That's why Tim Anderson eats without his hands.

I'd rather have the 2nd than Winslow

One word: amazing

Dean, it's not like he started playing later in life or anythign. he played his four years of college ball and then went to the indoor league for two years. Not sure about how the punishment translates from one to the other, but it is football nonetheless and it probably took its toll on him in some way. I don't think he's about to breakdown or anything, but I'll bet he starts to look old around 31 like all the others.

Good stuff Big Cat. I think Tuckerman's model is definitely applicable to what's happening with the Bills or any other team to a certian extent. It's interesting to think about football like that. Most people look at the players abilities and times and the schemes the teams runs without really thinking about how the guys play together. when you are on a team it seems like sometimes it goes really well and soemtimes it goes terribly, but it rarely depends on who is in the group and what they can do well and almost always depends on how everyone gets along and is able to fit together. You can say that they are all getting paid and should work together no matter what, but you cannot force chemestry. I know that there are people I work with better than others, even though we all get paid to work together.

I guess this must be the "shot in the dark" version of his mock.

I'd be all for bringing the guy back, assuming there are no bad feelings as the article suggests, but if he's the only change from last year's linebackers, I don't think that's enough. One of the Bills' biggest problems is that they carry LBs for Special Teams primarily and not necessarily to start at LB. I don't know that it hurts as much with the WLB and MLB as it does with the SLB though. Most of those special teamers are smaller guys who can tackle, which translate more into a WLB or maybe a MLB than a SLB. I think they should bring back Crowell and draft somebody in the first four rounds to compete with Crowell for the starter's job and the back ups - Bowen, Ellison, DeGeorgio, and Lehman. A big guy - over 6'2", 255 lbs.

That's a good list man. I like everything you have there and think that's pretty much what the Bills are lacking at this point. My only contention would be that I think DE and OLB are the top two priorities, with vet QB a close third. The Center position needs to be upgraded, but I think they could get away with a year of getting some one to compete with a re-signed Duke Preston for the starting job. Preston hasn't been great, but he has made plays at times (I will admit here that he is absolutely the worst of the starting five at this time), is pretty big for a center, and may still get better. He's made his share of bonehead plays over the years, but it would be tough to find a center that big in the offseason with any more proven skill. I wouldn't mind an obvious upgrade from what we have (and would expect it to happen eventually), but I think there are higher priorities. In a sense I would say the same thing about the TE position. We have two guys - Schouman and Fine - who look decent and possess at least some of the skills we look for in the position - blocking and dump-off. What I would like to see would be a big target type with some speed. Even if they took some one who was a little raw, they would have the opportunity to use him sparingly to create match up problems for the opposing defense (assuming we have a coach who can put that together). Essentially this team needs to get dominant on defense. We play in a tough division with a lot of consistent offenses and in cold weather most of the time. If the defense can become a top 5 unit in the league (which they are probably a pass rush and a few takeaways away from), the Bills will be able to win consistently. This year, we beat up on some bad teams and played with a few good ones. We also got beat up by some mediocre and good teams. If we could have stopped the Jets or Miami in the first two games better - or gotten more turnovers - we would have won. If the offense can achieve some level of consistency running the ball (which is probably dependent on whether they can get Peters into minicamp), they can help out the defense by keeping them off the field and put the special teams on display, which the Bills excel at. Imagine having the best punt returner/special teams in the league and a defense that forced three and outs with more consistency. This approach would cater to the strengths of the team while not really having to change all that much personnel-wise. One of either Denney of Kelsey hits the road (unless Ellis is completely worthless) along with McCargo, we get a rotational DT and the pass-rushing specialist to go with a LB and that's that. The offense will get better on it's own with development. If anything they would get a center, but I doubt it will be more than a prospect or competition-type player.

They let Centers go because they wanted more of a blocking fullback, which was fine, but when they got a blocking fullback (I think Sam Gash came back for a year or so before he gave way to Shelton) they still insisted on throwing to him out of the back field. It seems to me that if you want to reduce the fullback role to blocking for a power running game, then suck it up and face the fact that you can't throw that guy the freakin ball as an outlet receiver 3 times a game! One thing that's stiking about the Bills during the era of futility is the lack of defined roels fo rplayers. They talk about it in the offseason - Trent Edwards making quick passes to receivers who get open quick, power running team, quick and active defense, four man rush pressure, etc - but they can never follow up on those characterizations. The good teams have a guys on the roster who fill roles - whether they be large or small roles - and fill those roles well. They don't necessarily have the best pure football prospects all over their teams, but they have guys who do what they do well. We seem to find guys who do one thing well and then try to move them to another position (seemingly to see if they can do something else well), but it doesn't seem to work out and then the guy they moved never goes back to where he was actually successful and then we lose that player. Look at how they currently use Jackson and Lynch from game to game. Why would Jackson ever be used on the goalline? Makes no sense whatsoever unless Lynch is not playing. Nothing against Jackson, but Lynch is an animal, especially near the goalline. Another example, what about our o-line? The first year the current group was together, they kept trying to zone block witht he biggest line in the league. I understand that it was popular amungst teams at that time, but use some common sense. You got big guys, make them hit some one. So in conclusion, that's what I think of the Bills since Larry Centers left.

So they got three players with the picks we sent them that all would have been run out of town by now in Buffalo or declared busts! (unless Sean Ryan got the Pat Keleta treatment)

The zone blocking is a bad idea. As you say, you need smaller, quicker linemen (we've been hearing that about the d line for three years!) to run that scheme, which generates a lot of cutback lanes for the "one-cut" back. I don't think it would be an issue as far as Lynch is concerned (or Jackson for that matter), but we'd need 4 new linemen (we could keep Peters, maybe) to make it work. This is a classic example of liking a scheme to the point that you don't consider the players on the team. Not to mention, how well do little linemen do against the big 3-4 NTs? I think they built the lione with big guys so they wouldn't get destroyed everytime they played a 3-4 team in our division. Now if they were taught a little better how to execute the scheme, it might actaully work. I think the o-line is actaully in a pretty good place talent-wise (except for maybe backups). The d-line is decent, but certainly could use a DE that can take on a meaningful role (at least) on game day. they could also probably use a DT as a rotational guy. The other thing is that there is no way any team gets rid of their top 3 DEs in one offseason. There is no way you can draft and/or sign 3 DEs in one offseason that will be able to pick up the defense and contribute in season 1. That's crazy, especially when you consider that the guys you want to keep would be Copeland Bryan and Chris Ellis.

I think you might be going a little overboard on what we actaully need here, unless you are talking about depth players and starters, but I assume you are talking about starters only. I can see a new starter at center (and preferably a new back up as well) and I can understand the OLB (hopefully some one over 6'2" and 255). I also see your point about the DE position, but I don't think we necessarily need a new starter for that position, but instead a player to compete for the starting DE job with Kelsey and if he doesn't win, he should at the least be able to play and make contributions (pass-rushing perferably). As far as TE and DT, I think we could use rotational players. A TE who was primarily a pass-catcher would be nice to use situationally, since I find it hard to fathom Royal coming back. Another DT who can hold the point of attack would also be nice, but the only value add here would be if he's a bigger guy (height wise). As for the rest, only FS has a chance of getting upgraded and I doubt that since they have so many DBs now. A RT and a G are pipe dreams unless you mean replacing Whittle. I'll bet D Bell is the primary back up at LT next year and they get some one to replace Chambers as a back up RT. The talent is here, we just need to find out how to use it better.

No chance DJ beats that - he can't win anything.

So now this guy, Ellison, and Alvin Bowen can fight it out for the coveted position of the new Coy Wire/first small and useless LB off the bench role.

OK, dude's awesome for another week in my book.

I like it, but I think that if Seattle gets rid of Hasselbeck, we have to go after him. He would be the perfect stop-gap type player for a year or two, while Trent learns. I think he still has a lot left in the tank and with a new head coach coming in there, they might go in a new direction.

It's interesting to think about it this way. The Cowboys even had Parcells in there for a little while and still haven't won in the playoffs for nearly as long as the Bills. I also think that's a good list of commonalities for consistently good or competitive teams. Unfortunately, when you see that list, it really shows why we are in the position that we are in - I don't think we have any of those things currently. The only one that can be fixed quickly (coaching consistency) might be the worst option too.

Ha ha - awesome

I'd rather get Hasselbeck if he would be cut loose in the offseason. With Holmgren leaving, it is possible they try to get younger and release him. While playing in Seattle he has experienced different weather, he also has been fairly successful during his career and probably still has a year or two left. He could be the starter for a year or two while Trent learns a little more. I still think he could be a good player, but I think a lot of what kills most young QBs are the expectations to do well when they really are not at that point yet or the coaches cannot put him in a position to be successful. Obviously there a two rookie QBs that are playing very well, but I think that's mroe the exception than the rule. Edwwards looks good, but could probably benefit from sitting behind a real vetern QB instead of Losman. Some one he can learn behind. Even if Edwards were still to be the starter, if he had another rough patch of games like he is going through now, the coaching staff might feel OK in bringing in a real vetern QB rather than Losman. I think there is no doubt the Bills need a vetern QB in the offseason and they probably need to draft one as well. I would like Hasselbeck over pretty much anyone else given that he was heathly and a FA.

That was classic Duke Preston. When was the last time the Bills had a real NFL center? Was it really Kent Hull? I still can't believe we had Trey Teague for all those years. He might have tainted the position to such an extent for the Bills that it is now impossible for them to have a competent center.

What I really want to know about that play was why it was thrown to a 5'11" (generously) receiver? Why is that even a play!? I have to think that some one over 6' can be lined up there and have more success. Hardy? Johnson? Jesus - even Royal!

We have too many "lunch-pail" type players. We need guys who steal other people's lunch money.

Brett favre never had Barry Sanders on his team.

I never said anything about the conference schedule, because that will certainly get harder since we are playing the two worst divisions in football, but it does get harder for everyone. All I'm saying about the division is that it's not going to be like it was last year when the Pats run the table. I agree that they have all gotten better this year and at this point have left the Bills in the dust. Next year things will be different however. I understand the Jets have a QB now that hasn't learned the entire playbook and should be better next year (if he plays). My point was more that he may or may not paly next year, he may or may not o to training camp if he does, and he may finally hit the wall if he does. The Pats will be better, but their defense is still getting old and how much past 30 can randy Moss dominate? Miami is much improved this year, but they are nothing special and who knows how long Chad Pennington stays productive. The Bills, despite being 6-6, are still in the playoff hunt (barely) and are looking to improve on last season's record, which is a real possibility. They have a decent core of young players who have the talent to become very good players in the league. Not many people before the season started gave the Bills much of a chance to be better than 9-7 and most thought another 7-9 or 8-8 season was upon us. If the Bills keep with the status quo as far as scheme goes on defense and offense, they would be in position for the first time in a long time to take prospects that aren't at positions of absolute need. Regardless of everyone's opinion on the specific players, we can all agree that we have at the VERY least marginal to average NFL players at every position under contract for next year with the exception of center. No one likes the TE, DE, LB, and at times DT postions as they are and they will need some upgrade, but we hacve guys to play there, so the Bills are not forced to fill unless a better option comes up. Personally, I think, in this same scheme, the Bills are a DE (starter), DT (reserve), & LB (starter) away from being able to field a playoff defense. I think the offense could use another outlet pass type player who isn't a WR and the aforementioned center (probably the biggest team need). So fives players would get the Bills to a point where I would feel great about their personnel. Why not let the team get the five players in the offseason and see what happens with more experience on offense and more talent on defense?