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players who were whipping boys that we should have kept QB-Doug Flutie RB-Joe Cribbs WR-Chris Burkett C-Ziegler is a good one G-Rueben Brown for sure the dude was good LB-Sam Rogers guy had to stay at home to flack for it but was a good player DT-Sam Adams CB-Nate Odomes

I have grumbled about the Bills on here for a while now...I got lectured for being so negative when I felt as though I was being realistic in my assesment of the Bills. I tried being an optimist for a week and put a positive spin on things. But, I really had to dig deep and hard to reach optimistic conclusions on most fronts. I really think the Bills are a 5-11 team this year and I have been saying that before the schedule even came out. Looking at the schedule I am concerned that the Bills may not even reach that win total. They would have to beat the teams they should beat like K.C. and Detroit and have to pull one or two out of the hat as they are over matched early and often. They may be able to beat Jacksonville, and should be able to beat Cleveland, but they have not fared well even against them the past few years. This organization sure have made some head scratching moves over the past several years in hirings, firings, and selecting personnel in the draft. I still don't understand how the heck we selected Maybin over B. Orakapo at DE. That was such a gift and we turned it down without an afterthought! This year our 2 most pressing needs were OLT and QB and we waited until late in the draft and took chances on projects that are iffy at best! QB is almost always a chancy selection in the draft except for maybe Peyton Manning, and these upper management people in the Bills War room are not willing to take a chance on a potential franchise QB. The Bills just about always shock me with their inept assesment of college talent. I mean these people are supposed to be experts, and it's not just talent...but they fail to recognize the need to fill holes that they often create themselves by not being willing to pay a player NFL value prior to them jumping ship in FA. It's really self-defeating creating additional holes each year when your ship is sinking! Nate Clements, Jabari Greer, Anwoine Winfield, Pat Williams, and you could just continue to add names to that list. Unfortunately, the Bills have not even adequately filled those holes that have accumulated over the past several years. Who did we ever replace Pat Williams with? Were they as good? No! etc.... I just hope that when the time comes that Jim Kelly and his associates come up with the necessary funds to keep this team in Buffalo and take a different approach than this organization from top to bottom currently takes. There is a reason why successful GM's typically win, and the same teams are winners.....then slouch and rebuild...and become winners again...look at Indy with Bill Polian...He brings winning wherever he goes. He knows the winning formula and is not hindered by his owner. Pittsburgh is a winning organization, and New England will bounce back and knows about winning. San Diego has been in and out and back in the winning frenzy over the years. These are all good organizations and the Bills are just a cut above Detroit which may change after Detroit's last couple of drafts. I am not typically a pessimist, but I am pessimistic about the Bills of 2010-2011 with reason to be. I hope for the best and expect the worst. If nothing else, I hope Trent Edwards's GPS points him to a new destination by years end. I'll root for him, and then if there is pressure, or he's playing a good team, or it's snowing, raining, windy, muddy, loud, or his head hurts he'll probably fall apart or get injured once again! History, just like in winning tends to repeat itself. We haven't made the necessary to make the appropriate roster changes to indicate any changes in the wind! 5-11

Williams and Winfield would be my top picks, but Marcellus Wiley had a couple pretty good years with SD after leaving the Bills. Nate Odoms tore his ACL before ever playing a down with the Seahawks (charity BBall game) and Nate Clements has seemingly played his way to the bench in Denver so I guess neither of those really merit consideration.

I remember sort of a Bills "curse". Don Smith to Miami. Nate Odomes to Seattle. Didn't Will Wolford get hurt when he went to Indy? Edited to add Howard Ballard to Seattle, too. Discuss.

ok... I had to go and check on this... while there is no proof that williams indeed wanted a QB (I dont see why the first year, primarily defensive coach would want one when we had the wonderful rob johnson on staff... but thats besides the point) I think our first three rounds I'd say were pretty good that year, with Nate Clements, Schoebel, and Travis Henry. and also, as people have pointed out, Modrak didnt start "running" the draft until 2002. this was the 2001 draft

The year was 1993 and it was a friday night. Living in Fort Lauderdale, a buddy of mine worked at the Weston Hotel and told me he got late word that the Bills would be staying there for the playoff game against the fins (the game where Miami could not stop the screen to Thurman and got us to the superbowl). Anyhow, I lived about five minutes from the hotel and arrived there and sat in the lobby hoping to get a glimpse of the players. While there, there was a knock-out babe seated by herself that I started to chat with. She was so pleasant and told me she lived in florida. I told her I was a Bills fan and she told me she was dating one of the players. She didn't want to tell me but finally confessed the player was none other than Jim Kelly. My next line was "Boy, how awesome to fly into a city and have a beautiful woman waiting for you." She was so flattered she took my name and address. About two months later I got an autographed picture from Kelly which I still have this day. I don't know if this became Kelly's wife but she was a real catch. Anyhow, the players arrived on the team bus and it was a thrill for me to stand right next to them. I remember seeing Andre Reed, Henry Jones, Carwell Gardner, Bruce Smith, James Lofton, and Nate Odomes. The best part was that there was hardly anyone else in the lobby. The players were very focused and I just knew they would beat the crap out of the Dolphins which they did. I never made it to Buffalo to see a game during the glory years but watched all that were televiseds in Ft. Lauderdale. It was really cool to see these guys up close and in person. And the autograph that I didn't really expect arrived which was icing on the cake.

http://fwix.com/dallas/share/48229f6bff/ri...rawstory.com%2F 1. Indianapolis The Colts were the AFC's best team a year ago despite getting nothing from their running game (No. 32 in NFL) and a disappointing 34 sacks from a pass rush that features two Pro Bowl edge rushers (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis). Peyton Manning had to shoulder more of the burden than usual, and he responded. He used 2009 to develop two young wideouts into playmakers (Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon) and led seven fourth-quarter, come-from-behind victories. The Colts also overcame 65 games lost by starters because of injury to win the AFC. Final 2009 ranking: 2 2. Dallas Only the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints had a more prolific offense than the Cowboys in 2009. The arrival of WR Dez Bryant gives the Cowboys the best offense in the NFL. QB Tony Romo, HB Marion Barber, WRs Miles Austin and Roy Williams and TE Jason Witten all have been to Pro Bowls, and first-round draft picks Bryant and HB Felix Jones have Pro Bowl potential. The Cowboys will need all of that to survive a schedule that includes games at Indianapolis, Green Bay, Houston and Minnesota. The Saints also visit Cowboys Stadium. Final 2009 ranking: 5 3. Baltimore The Ravens have always won with defense. They reached the AFC semifinals last season with the NFL's third-ranked defense and figure to be even stronger in 2010 with the additions of pass rusher Sergio Kindle and nose tackle Terrence Cody with their first two draft picks. But the offense is no longer just a spare tire – not with the emergence of Ray Rice as a Pro Bowl running back and the arrival of WR Anquan Boldin this offseason in trade. They will help accelerate the development of QB Joe Flacco, who passed for 3,613 yards last season. Final 2009 ranking: 11 4. Green Bay The Packers finished sixth in the NFL in offense and second in defense last season with the youngest roster in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers emerged as a Pro Bowl quarterback, and Green Bay re-emerged as a playoff contender, winning seven of its final eight games to qualify as a wild card. Twenty-one of the 22 starters return with only Aaron Kampman defecting in free agency. First-round draft pick Bryan Bulaga bolsters the blocking front. Final 2009 ranking: 6 5. San Diego LaDainian Tomlinson was the face of the franchise for the last decade. But he left this off-season after averaging only 3.3 yards per carry and gained a career-low 730 yards. The Chargers had already transitioned to a pass-first attack with Pro Bowl QB Philip Rivers and went 13-3 in 2009 with that approach. San Diego used a first-round draft pick on RB Ryan Mathews to balance the attack. Final 2009 ranking: 3 6. Minnesota Pencil Brett Favre in at quarterback. Officially, he remains undecided on his future. Unofficially, Favre underwent ankle surgery last month to restore his mobility. Don't look for Favre to walk away from football following a 4,202-yard, 33-TD passing season. But he's 40. When do his wheels start to wobble? The 21 other starters are back from a team that finished 12-4 and played into overtime in the NFC title game. This team has unfinished business. Final 2009 ranking: 4 7. Atlanta The Falcons return all 22 starters from a 9-7 team, and young QB Matt Ryan has another year under his belt. A healthy RB Michael Turner will energize the NFL's 16th-ranked offense; he missed five games because of injury last season. Coach Mike Smith addressed the NFL's 21st-ranked defense by signing CB Dunta Robinson in free agency and using his first two draft picks on that side of the ball (OLB Sean Weatherspoon, DT Corey Peters). Final 2009 ranking: 15 8. New Orleans The Saints enjoyed a magical season in 2009 – starting with a 13-game chase of perfection and finishing with a first-ever Super Bowl championship. But can New Orleans rebottle that magic? Offensively the Saints will be fine with Drew Brees at the controls. But defensively the Saints took a hit with the free-agent defection of LB Scott Fujita. Final 2009 ranking: 1 9. Houston The Texans have never made the playoffs in their eight years of existence. But Houston has strung together three consecutive nonlosing seasons, highlighted by a 9-7 finish in 2009. The Texans have a Top 5 offense, featuring the game's best WR in Andre Johnson, and some defensive standouts in DE Mario Williams, LBs DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing and SS Bernard Pollard. Final 2009 ranking: 13 10. NY Jets The Jets reached the AFC title game last season with a rookie quarterback. They are sparing no expense to take the next step, signing RB LaDainian Tomlinson and DE Jason Taylor and trading for WR Santonio Holmes and CB Antonio Cromartie. Gone is 1,400-yard rusher Thomas Jones, which will put greater pressure on QB Mark Sanchez. Final 2009 ranking: 12 11. New England Tom Brady is still taking the snaps, but the Patriots have become vulnerable. They have slipped from 16 victories in 2007 to 11 in 2008 to 10 in 2009. Age has caught up with the Patriots, and perennial Pro Bowlers Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Asante Samuel have moved on. Final 2009 ranking: 10 12. Cincinnati Mike Brown can't resist signing troubled-but- talented players. Last season, the Bengals added RB Cedric Benson and DT Tank Johnson and won a division title. This off-season Cincinnati signed WR Antonio Bryant and CB Pacman Jones. But it's QB Carson Palmer and CBs Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph who lead a contender. Final 2009 ranking: 8 13. NY Giants Last October, the Giants were 5-0 and looking every bit the best team in the NFL. But a 3-8 finish left them out of the playoffs. So which team is the real Giants? The defense collapsed, so New York sought some patches by drafting DE Jason Pierre-Paul and signing safety Antrel Rolle. Final 2009 ranking: 20 14. Tennessee The ball is back in the sometimes shaky hands of QB Vince Young, but bank on the Titans calling plenty of handoffs to get the ball into the hands of NFL rushing champ Chris Johnson. The Titans took steps to improve their 28th-ranked defense by drafting pass rusher Derrick Morgan and signing LB Will Witherspoon. Final 2009 ranking: 18 15. Miami The Dolphins needed some dramatic moves this off-season to close the gap on New England and New York in the AFC East. So Miami traded for mercurial WR Brandon Marshall and signed veteran Pro Bowl LB Karlos Dansby in free agency. But the continued development of QB Chad Henne will determine if the Dolphins can contend. Final 2009 ranking: 21 16. Philadelphia Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook carried the Philadelphia offense most of the 2000 decade. Both are gone. Kevin Kolb replaces McNabb and LeSean McCoy takes over for Westbrook. Coach Andy Reid bolstered the rest of his roster with 13 draft picks, including elite pass rusher Brandon Graham and versatile safety Nate Allen. Final 2009 ranking: 7 17. San Francisco Mike Singletary has the 49ers pointed in the right direction for the first time in a long time. All 22 starters are back from an 8-8 team, and the 49ers will be bigger and more physical up front with top two draft picks OT Anthony Davis and G Mike Iupati. Free-agent CBs William James and Karl Paymah bolster the pass defense. Final 2009 ranking: 17 18. Pittsburgh The Steelers are growing old on defense and must play at least the first four games of the season without franchise QB Ben Roethlisberger because of an NFL suspension for violation of the personal-conduct policy. Pittsburgh will try to re-establish its identity as a running team. Final 2009 ranking: 14 19. Carolina The long-time faces of the offense (QB Jake Delhomme) and defense (DE Julius Peppers) departed this off-season. Now the focus is on RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers will go as far as their legs can carry them. Matt Moore replaces Delhomme until rookie Jimmy Clausen is ready. Final 2009 ranking: 16 20. Arizona The Cardinals were a perennial noncontender before QB Kurt Warner arrived. He promptly delivered them back-to-back division titles and a first-ever Super Bowl appearance. But Warner retired, turning the offense over to Matt Leinart. How valuable is a franchise quarterback to a team? We'll find out. Final 2009 ranking: 9 21. Buffalo The Bills hired Chan Gailey as head coach and gave him a dynamic offensive weapon in first-round draft pick C.J. Spiller. The NFL's 30th-ranked run defense will be bigger up front with the signing of ILB Andra Davis in free agency and the drafting of DLs Torell Troop and Alex Carrington. Final 2009 ranking: 24 22. Chicago The Bears made the biggest splash in free agency, signing Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers. But it will go for naught if QB Jay Cutler doesn't reduce his turnovers (a league-high 26 interceptions). The Bears hired Mike Martz as offensive coordinator to straighten Cutler out. Final 2009 ranking: 23 23. Jacksonville Defensive deficiencies cost the Jaguars in 2009 so they restocked the front seven. Jacksonville drafted DE Tyson Alualu in the first round, traded for MLB Kirk Morrison and signed former Pro Bowl pass rusher Aaron Kampman. Final 2009 ranking: 22 24. Detroit Coach Jim Schwartz addressed the offense in his first season by drafting QB Matthew Stafford and TE Brandon Pettigrew. This season, the focus is on defense. The Lions drafted DT Ndamukong Suh and signed Pro Bowl DE Kyle Vanden Bosch. Final 2009 ranking: 31 25. Washington The Redskins will be an old team this season. Veteran Pro Bowlers Donovan McNabb, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker have been added to the roster along with former first-round draft picks Philip Buchanan, Adam Carriker, Joey Galloway and Vonnie Holliday. Final 2009 ranking: 29 26. Denver In Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow, the Broncos have unprecedented depth at quarterback. But Denver traded away two of its three leading receivers in WR Brandon Marshall and TE Tony Scheffler. An old secondary isn't getting any younger. Final 2009 ranking: 19 27. Kansas City Aspiring to be the Patriots, the Chiefs hired New England personnel director Scott Pioli as GM. In 2010, the Chiefs hired two coordinators who helped the Patriots win Super Bowls – Charlie Weis on offense and Romeo Crennel on defense. Final 2009 ranking: 26 28. Seattle Pete Carroll was a tremendous success in the college game. At Southern Cal, he could recruit the nation's best players and stack All-Americas two-deep. But he could recruit 25 players each year in college. He only gets to draft seven each April in the NFL. Final 2009 ranking: 28 29. Cleveland New president Mike Holmgren brings a rich history of aerial success to a franchise that has historically succeeded running the football. The Browns will have to run out of necessity in 2010 with aging Jake Delhomme at quarterback. Final 2009 ranking: 25 30. Tampa Bay QB Josh Freeman gives the Bucs a chance on offense and rookie defensive tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price give them hope on defense. But a young team and the NFL's youngest head coach will continue to struggle in 2010. Final 2009 ranking: 30 31. Oakland JaMarcus Russell is out and another disappointing first-round quarterback is in. After cutting Russell, the Raiders acquired Jason Campbell in a fire sale from the Redskins. Oakland will again wear out the NFL's best punter – Shane Lechler. Final 2009 ranking: 27 32. St. Louis The selection of former Heisman Trophy-winning QB Sam Bradford was a great move for the future of the franchise. But rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle. Troy Aikman went 0-11 as a rookie and Peyton Manning 3-13. Final 2009 ranking: 32

Update: In addition to the autographs of Marv, Kelly, and Bruce on the program cover, I have the autographs of Jim Ritcher, Jamie Mueller, Scott Radecic, Nate Odomes, Wayne Davis, Butch Rolle, Chris Burkett, Darryl Talley, Steve Tasker, and "Best wishes" signed from non other than GM extraordinaire Bill Polian on the inside. There are also other autographs on the inside that I can't make out.

Anyone see the post game press conference with Glen Davis and Nate Robinson? Classic

Can't wait for Sunday...great game tonight...if Bynum is out, this could get interesting. Still concerned about the lack of production from the starters, but I think they are getting their shots...they just aren't making them. This drought has to end at some point...Baby and Nate Robinson were awesome! Wish they could play like that in LA...

It sounds like you're feeling extraordinarily frustrated with this Bills team and the direction it's taken over the last ten+ years. Quite frankly, I can't say I blame you. On the contrary. The problem is that while other teams were moving forward and making progress over the last ten years--building themselves up--the Bills were achieving little. Peyton Manning was taken first overall in the 1998 draft. I mention him because I want to draw attention to the fact that other teams have spent the last ten+ years acquiring long-term building blocks, and keeping them. Obviously, the Bills have no players from the 1990s. In fact, let's look at the first round picks from 2000 to the present to see how many are still helping the team. 2000: Erik Flowers. Result: bust. 2001: Nate Clements. Result: first contract and out. 2002: Mike Williams. Result: bust. 2002b: traded for Drew Bledsoe. Result: released after three years. 2003: Willis McGahee. Result: traded for two third round picks. (Those picks became Marcus Stroud and Trent Edwards.) 2004a: Lee Evans. Result: a solid starter. 2004b: J.P. Losman. Result: UFL Championship 2005: none 2006a: Donte Whitner. Result: a player roughly equal to George Wilson 2006b: John McCargo. Result: unsuccessfully attempted to trade him for a fifth round pick 2007: Marshawn Lynch. Result: discontented player worth no more than a third round pick in a trade 2008: Leodis McKelvin. Result: a reasonably good young player who looks to play nickel back this year 2009a: Aaron Maybin. Result: produced nothing his rookie year, but may be more successful as an OLB 2009b: Eric Wood. Result: a solid interior OL who's coming back from a gruesome injury Other than Lee Evans and Eric Wood, there's no one on this list where you could say, "The Bills are counting on this guy to be a solid starter at his position." If you consistently fail to build your team through the draft, and specifically through the first round, then you're going to fall behind the teams that have succeeded in that task. Catching up to those teams is not the work of a single year. Obviously the team was very poorly run under Jauron. Key positions such as quarterback and offensive line were neglected, resources were showered on positions like DB and RB, and there were some real reaches in the draft. Players in the latter category included Whitner (obviously), McCargo, and Lynch. With the exception of McCargo, none of those guys played a position the Bills should have been trying to address in the first round to begin with. That depends on whether you're just throwing something together for one year, or if you're trying to build a team that will last for a while. If you look at last year's team, only two players out of the front-7 represented good long-term answers at their respective positions: Poz and Kyle Williams. So that's five holes right there! Add to that the holes at QB, LT, RT, C, etc., and that's a lot of holes! Not only that, but there are very few difference-makers or game-changers on this team. You need a few of those if you want to be really good. I was not happy about the idea of addressing the RB position with our first round pick. But if Spiller was a significantly better football player than anyone else on the board when we picked, then I could see some sense in taking him. I just hope that next year, the best available player is at a position we really need.

Hit's like a truck, what a tiny s-10, i sure haven't seen him hit guys that hard. Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements laid better licks than him as does Brian scott.

One of the many failings of the Levy/Brandon as GM debacle was allowing players to decide if they wanted to play in Buffalo or not. Before their first season even began they agreed to not franchise Nate Clements after the season, which in essence cost Buffalo a first day draft pick at the very least. Then the following offseason, Clements walked for nothing and Levy allowed McGahee and Spikes to talk their way out of town. Jason Peters no doubt saw this and was emboldened by the Bills weak-willed handling of players. I don't know their intentions, but it was time for someone in the Bills organization to put an end to this. If that means not getting value for Lynch, so be it.

Hey...I can appreciate that. I grew to hate Dwight Howard and Martin Gortot, just because they played the way you have to play to win, it appears, in the NBA, at the expense of my team. I know not many like the Celtics (I think I have to apologize at least once a day for liking them), but man, I love this team. I would kill for the Bills or Sabres to have the same competitive desire. Pierce has been the only shining light for C's fans, for most of the last 20 years, so it is hard for me to fathom hating him. Garnett is just so damn intimidating, I think, not only to his opponents, but his teammates too. The team has so much leadership. I really hope they bring Allen back...though it seems unlikely. I know, Pierce likes attention, but man, the guy delivers when it matters most. Lost in all of the hype of his 31 points, and Nate Robinson's spark-plug performance, is the fact that Pierce pulled down 13 rebounds. That, to me, was a huge factor in this game. I don't know if you watched any of the post-game press conferences...but all the Celtics were very complimentary of the Magic. Pierce and Doc Rivers mentioned that they had talked, early in the season, that the Magic were the team they would have to beat to make it back to the finals. Kind of slap at the Cavs, I think...I think they are pretty confident that they can beat the Lakers or Suns. Anyways, I really don't want to sound condescending, but, the Magic really are a strong team...despite the fact that they got eliminated, I think they are going to get better from this experience. I think they learned, in games 4 and 5, how they need to play to get where they want.

Congrats to the Magic...they really had me scared going into this game...they are scary good sometimes. In the post-game press conferences, Paul Pierce pointed out something that I hadn't really heard before...Boston was the only team in the playoffs with the same returning starting 5. Granted, Nate Robinson, a bench guy, was a huge factor tonight, but, there is something to be said for consistency (when it works).

I agree more with you than the "over optimistic" fans that get burned everyear, but keep wagging their tails and coming back for more of the same. (I do appreciate the optimism though, and I think it's a great quality, but I want to be optimistic based on legitimate reasoning, and haven't seen any reason to be yet!) Here are my thoughts: #1 The Bills talked about big-time coaches, and the media and fans as well. The Bills discussed Cowher, Shottenheimer's regardless of what they publically admit, and several others include Mike Shananhan. The reason they decided not to coach Buffalo are multi-faceted reasons. First of all, the Bill's did not want to compensate top level coaching commesurate to the level of earnings that one of these coaches would desire and demand. Secondly, the Bill's have a difficult drawing top free agent talent to our destination, based on their current history of not retaining many of their top free agents on payday...the list is numerous and includes a few for starters with many others: Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Pat Williams, Antwoine Winfield, as these players like many others go where the team will give you fair market value, and they can collect their big pay day! If you can't draw the talent, it's hard to build a successful franchise. The difference is that when the Bills were a winner, Ralph gave Bill Polian the latitude to spend big money and keep players (self-admittedly, the current salary cap structure is much harder to accomplish this), and even though everyone say's that the salary cap prevents dynasties, and teams from harboring talent for great durations...Polian still does the same thing in Indianapolis and has a dynasty that even surpasses the four-time AFC Champion Buffalo Bills that he built. As a matter of fact, Polian Built the Indianapolis Colts in the image of the '90 Bills teams, using the same philosophy!!! So the arguement that "our" hands are tied is proven to be a lame excuse rather than a reason for our futuility as a franchise for the past decade!!!! The point of all that is that we have had poor upper management, GM's, scouts, and personnel that make impact decisions. We have been unwiling to keep our talent, and therefore each year we are filling holes that the Bill's organization has created. No coach except a washed up coach, a retread, that just wants a job with a resume that includes; mediocre credentials and networking connections of assistant coaches limited to the second best college football team in the state of georgia... doesn't quite quantify as a exemplary selection of a head coach in my book!! #2 Selecting a 70 year old General Manager that has never served in the position of GM of any football club is undoubtedly a troubled hiring at the outset. The last team that I remember to recently give someone who had a nice resume as a head coach/hall of famer, but never served as a GM or any other capacity of a NFL front office was: Marv Levy who was also quite old for his title, and quite old to learn such a demanding position! In hindsight, it was a bad move that was applauded quite heavily by the fan base initially. Looking back in retrospect, the drafts did not work out too well, and although we thought we outsmarted the rest of the NFL, Mel Kiper, Draftnik guides etc...in the end, all these sources had a better assesment of talent than the Bills did. Another point about Buddy Nix is that he has said a couple things that are questionable, and could be considered quite dumb. First of all, he pretty much laid out the context of our first draft selection right on the table for everyone to see when he mentioned that the Bill's would likely go for a "Scatback early in the draft", I don't think the rest of the NFL took Nix seriously, but they won't be fooled the next time Nix prematurely, and unnecessarily announces his intent. Secondly, I did not take kindly of Buddy Nix announcing that he will be sleeping at Midnight when free agency first went into affect! If he is in the top position of the Bills personnel decisions and you have a chance to land a really good player in free agency which can instantaneously improve your team, knowing that the other GM's are going to be hot on the heels of some of the top talent and will try to sign the top talent before another team has a chance to, I feel that it is poor policy to announce you will be asleep at the helm! It also signifies, a blahzay, carefree, attitude in reference to your responsibility to the team, and regardless of any feedback on this issue, I feel that it is a poor choice on Nix's part. #3 I also feel that the draft was a poor draft despite of what just the Bills fans are saying on this site! First of all...plain and simple Running back was a luxury pick that we did not possess this year (or any year recently), it was careless and irresponsible. If we lacked for RB talent, that would be a different story, or if we would have traded M. Lynch I could also come around to agreeing with the pick. Barring the Bill's making an off-season move trading Lynch for a positon of need it is not justifiable. One of the selling points has been Spiller's special teams play, but I disagree with that mentality entirely as well as we already have very good returners in Roscoe Parrish, and also Leodis McKelvin amongst others. I appreciate Spiller's abilities and his receiving skills as well, so this isn't a knock on Spiller at all, and since he's already here I am glad to have him. But, it was a unwise move as Fred Jackson has been fantastic, and Lynch can be good if he loses the attitude and gets his head back into the game, and stays out of court rooms. RB was not a positon that needed upgrading. When you total Fred Jackson, and Lynch's production together, and the potential of Joique Bell which a very intersting prospect that has great potential...How many more yards will Spiller really actually have than the tandem of 3 that I mentioned?? (Probably, no worse, but probably not much more, if any!)... #4 The 3 main needs we had in the draft was a starting OLT, NT/DT, QB.... I am not convinced on Wang yet, but of course there hasn't been a snap yet! But, everything that I have researched about Wang mentions that he oddly has not lived up to his potential as of yet and is a underachiever that sometimes doesn't put in the effort or have the temperment that you want at the OLT position. Geez, to me he sounds more like Mike Williams than anybody else????? Troup was not projected to go as high as the Bill's took him, but I understand the pressure to draft a DT as several were off the board. I don't think Troup will become a good DT in the NFL. I think he'll become a starter on the Bills due to the lack of options. I think it was also ridiculous taking a QB so late in the draft when you don't really have a starter on the squad at all ! A small time 7th round pick out of Troy State doesn't sound like the next Jim Kelly to me. If your going to draft a QB, when you don't really have one...you need to take a chance on one of the top 5 QB's or so that are out there! It is a high risk/high reward pick, but you have to take it! QB is the general of your offense and it is offensive that the Bill's place so little value in the positon since 1996!!! You can build a case and try to convince me, or a less than optimistic fan that we have a starter in Edwards, Fitzpatrick, or Brohm, and I'll respond politely...but inside you won't change my mind that the Bill's have just waited another year instead of pursuing the QB of the future and instead of getting that QB on the roster, have him learn the system, and playbook, get acclimated to the speed of the NFL and get his rookie year out of the way probably as the number 2 or 3 QB on the roster...we instead waste another year at least....and will start from ground zero down the road. This might even bite Nix in the butt, and him Chan Gailey, and hopefully Tom Modrak (useless gum, that we should have spit out years ago!) will be sent packing eventually, so we can hire the next head coach and GM of the Bills in about 4 years....whomever is the lowest bidder that is! #5 The Bills have more holes than "swiss cheese", and my prediction is a optimistic 5-11 season. Historically, teams that initially switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defense or vice versa do not win as many as 5 games! Normally your talking 1,2,3 or the most 4 wins!! Besides a new defense, there will be a new offense, playbook, several new teamates, and a lot of players coming off of injuries (some quite severe) Hardy, Wood, McKelvin, etc........I can see the transition being tougher than the Bills anticipate, I can see a repeated injury problem which has occured at a high rate 2 consecutive years, difficulty in the offensive line gelling, and the new defense. I can see there being a QB controversy with the fans, as whomever the Bill's choose as the starter among the 4 open competition QB's! The first taste of inconsistent QB play (which should be expected given our past, and the QB's involved) fans will be calling for his head, and a new starter...I can see them going through at least 3 QB's by the end of the year with no clear-cut starter heading into next off-season. Will they wise up and draft a QB or a FA that has "Franchise" potential then???? Probably not !!!! History repeats itself, and after a few years in the new regime's grip, it would be hard to conceive, but you may remember the Dick Jauron days as the most recent glory days of the Bills! This in itself would make me vomit, but I think what is in store is going to be ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Naa, it is a farm club for the rest of the NFL... The Bills find them and train them and then decide not to pay them what they are worth so they end up getting traded or released. Pat Williams- Jason Peters- Antoine Winfield- Ruben Brown-Jim Leonard-Jabari Greer-Anthony Hargrove- Richie Incognito-Nate Clements-Justin Bannan

http://www.maddenbible.com/2010/04/madden-...rookie-ratings/ 3. The Rams made a few good additions with Sam Bradford and I believe Marty Gilyard in the 4th round. They still need tons of help but look improved. 2. The Cowboys made another strong play which PROVES that Jerry Jones does infact play Madden. They traded up for a top 3 Madden Stud in the Draft, Dez Bryant. However Dez is only 6′2 and this moves likely means they move Roy Williams. The Day 1 winners were the Denver Bronco’s. They picked up a Great WR from GT early instead of Dez Bryant who is taller and just as athletic (In Madden) They then traded back up to get Tim Tebow who will be a great Madden weapon when used properly. I think the Bronco’s easily improved themselves more than any other team. Buffalo nabbed CJ Spiller with the 8th pick, which makes them a better but still terrible team in Madden. They could have added nearly anyone and stayed terrible. Just not fun to play with. The Patriots and Giants had a chance to really improve and were in good positions, however the Pats moved down and selected non impact players. Depending on Welkers opening day health, this team could struggle in Madden 11. The Giants added to there already crowded D-line however if the 5-2 is popular next year, they have a great rotation. Plus if the game still rates LB/DE type players well, you can raise hell with that defense! Credit has to also go the Chargers who got us a nice RB from Fresno State in Ryan Matthews. He is a solid overall talent to replace LT and lets us keep Sproles at the speed back with our popular 2 back style. Here are some rookie ratings for Madden 11 You can check out more at EA Sports site and discuss them at Pasta Padre’s site as well. Just want to say great job by EA Sports, they posted the ratings instantly and allowed fans to vote on the ratings. This was interactive and you got to see tons of stats early. Props to Pasta as well for running a nice live chat by using cover it live and following the draft intensely. Sam Bradford (Rams) 80 Ndamukong Suh (Lions) 85 Gerald McCoy (Bucs) 84 Trent Williams (Redskins) 79 Eric Berry (Chiefs) 85 Russell Okung (Seahawks) 82 Joe Haden (Browns) 79 Rolando McClain (Raiders) 79 CJ Spiller (Bills) 79 Tyson Alualu (Jaguars) 69 Anthony Davis (49ers) 75 Ryan Mathews (Chargers) 77 Brandon Graham (Eagles) 78 Earl Thomas (Seahawks) 81 Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants) 79 Derrick Morgan (Titans) 79 Mike Iupati (49ers) 84 Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers) 76 Sean Weatherspoon (Falcons) 75 Kareem Jackson (Texans) 70 Jermaine Gresham (Bengals) 78 Demaryius Thomas (Broncos) 74 Bryan Bulaga (Packers) 78 Dez Bryant (Cowboys) 80 Tim Tebow (Broncos) 70 Dan Williams (Tennessee) 76 Devin McCourty (Patriots) 74 Jared Odrick (Dolphins) 76 Kyle Wilson (Jets) 76 Jahvid Best (Lions) 74 Jerry Hughes (Colts) 74 Patrick Robinson (Saints) 75 2nd Round Rodger Saffold (Rams) 71 Chris Cook (Vikings) 70 Brian Price (Bucs) 75 Dexter McCluster (Chiefs) 70 Nate Allen (Eagles) 75 T.J. Ward (Browns) 65 Arrelious Benn (Bucs) 72 Koa Misi (Dolphins) 67 Torell Troup (Bills) 57 Rob Gronkowski (Patriots) 77 Sergio Kindle (Ravens) 78 Lamaar Houston (Raiders) 70 Zane Beadles (Broncos) 68 Linval Joseph (Giants) 66 Daryl Washington (Cardinals) 70 Jimmy Clausen (Panthers) 76 Taylor Mays (49ers) 75 Javier Arenas (Chiefs) 71 Toby Gerhart (Vikings) 71 Jason Worilds (Steelers) 63 Jermaine Cunningham (Patriots) 53 Carlos Dunlap (Bengals) 74 Sean Lee (Cowboys) 69 Mike Neal (Packers) 65 Terrence Cody (Ravens) 72 Ben Tate (Texans) 69 Montario Hardesty (Browns) 70 Golden Tate (Seahawks) 77 Vladimir Ducasse (Jets) 75 Brandon Spikes (Patriots) 72 Pat Angerger (Colts) 61 Charles Brown (Saints) 76 3rd Round Jerome Murphy (Rams) 70 Amari Spievey (Lions) 68 Myron Lewis (Bucs) 64 Jon Asamoah (Chiefs) 77 Jared Veldheer (Raiders) 68 Ed Dickson (Ravens) 65 Morgan Burnett (Packers) 70 Alex Carrington (Bills) 62 John Jerry (Dolphins) 65 D’Anthony Smith (Jaguars) 68 Major Wright (Bears) 67 Chad Jones (Giants) 65 Damian Williams (Titans) 74 Brandon LaFell (Panthers) 71 Donald Butler (Chargers) 72 J.D. Walton (Broncos) 64 Earl Mitchell (Texans) 57 Emmanuel Sanders (Steelers) 66 Corey Peters (Falcons) 50 Jordan Shipley (Bengals) 68 Colt McCoy (Browns) 72 Daniel Te’o Nesheim (Eagles) 54 Eric Decker (Broncos) 66 Andre Roberts (Cardinals) 64 Armanti Edwards (Panthers) 60 Taylor Price (Patriots) 55 Novarro Bowman (49ers) 73 Shawn Lauvau (Browns) 63 Tony Moeaki (Chiefs) 65 Kevin Thomas (Colts) 65 Jimmy Graham (Saints) 64 Brandon Ghee (Bengals) 68

Your opinion is most valued and although nothing quite so harsh was intended I can understand that you may read between lines and here the voice who is responding in the demeanor that you anticipate. But, when I used the word "you", I didn't quite mean, you as an individual, but you the reader out there that makes generalizations, without the supporting documentation to enable those reading "your" (all the bloggers) point to understand how you (the bloggers) came to the conclusion that you (all those bloggers who post) arrived at. Your most welcome to make your opinions on here as you like, but as long as I maintain good discretion of the use of language, and don't call "you" the poster anything cruel, then I also will continue the same freedom of blogging my opinion as freely as I intend without acknowledging your suggestion of blogging somewhere else. That, as you (the blogger) is also my inherent right as an American. And, although it sounds like our opinion(s) on the Bill's fortune/misfortunae are at polar opposites. I have earned my right to express my opinion, and I retired after 20 years of military service, honorably, a 100% combat veteran. One fault, that I will admit is that I am a maximum effort person, who expects a team, rather a military unit or a football team to give everything they can in the pursuit of achieving the mission at hand. I just haven't seen the effort level to date, excluding this year of course to be optimistic about the Bills. I didn't much care for Buddy Nix's comment about being asleep when the free agency period began. I am not saying that we have to acquire 5-10 top tier free agent, but I do believe that you go into overdrive when necessary, and that their should have been at least one free agent that they should have been pursuing by 12:01 a.m. to help better the team. I bet you Bill Polian was awake at the wheel, while we were sleeping! Anyways, I am not impressed with this draft, I think we got a lot of numbers, a lot of marginal players, except for possibly C.J. Spiller. I think a RB is a position of luxury when you already have good production out of that positon. I just did not agree with the "Draft Philosophy," that Nix injected in this draft. I think it will be difficult for the Bill's to climb into contention and out of mediocrity as long as Ralph Wilson is the owner. I also think that that is a double edge sword, as I believe that there is a very good chance that the Bills will have a change of venue whenever Ralph Wilson expires. Another point that leaves me less optimistic than some of the other bloggers on here is this: The Bills have lost many players of value in free agency in the past decade. I have seen countless players that I like leave because the Bills didn't want to pay them: Nate Clements, Jabari Greer, Antwoine Winfield, Pat Williams....and the list goes on and on! If you are always plugging holes that you create each year it is very difficult to build depth at any positon. You have to retain your players and add instead of lose and replace mentality that Ralph, Russ, and company have clung to in the past decade. I know times have changed since the "90's but some teams keep their core players, and retain the majority of their free agents that are worth keeping. So, as before I am predicting the Bills to be 5-11 this season until I see a reversal of philosophy and the team heading in a different direction. I have been (+ or - ) 1 win in my predictions the past 5 seasons, so as condescending as it may seem, I am confident in what I have learned, know, and share as a blogger, and have been proven right to my own displeasure more than I care to remember. I remember, every year that I would be excited over who the Bills drafted, thinking that Antwoin Smith rb was the next Earl Campbell and believing every word the coaches, and GM's used to feed me. I remember each year thinking that..this year we're going to be 10-6 and make the playoffs. Then, reality hit me like an asteroid and I remember thinking more as a critic, and judging for myself, exactly what has transpired, and how it will affect the team in the upcoming season. I admire your optimism! I applaud it! and wish I continue to stand behind it!, but as long as the Bills stink! which last year they did, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before etc.... then I don't want the Bills to lay back and think that it is acceptable as another body goes through the turnstyle and into their seat! I think that is exactly what is happening, I believe that is what they want, and as long as you support mediocrity (you the fan...not u personally) then you get exactly what you asked for! I want and expect 100% effort level and their are plenty of players who remain on this roster that can not look you in the eye and say that they don't take plays off!, that they give up prior to the completion of a play. I watched a few games from last year over again, and watched players give up on many plays prematurely, players standing and watching the play. You would never catch Don Beebe doing that, even Takeo Spikes was a hard worker when I replayed games he played, Chris Spielman was the same way. These are high motor players, character players who cared! Those are the kind of players that we need on this team, and maybe? we got some of those in the off-season, we'll see...but besides Fred Jackson, and Jairus Byrd I didn't see too much else going on unless you want to count the kickers too? 2010 B.Bills season record: 5-11

This thread is great but it is causing my head to hurt. Andre Johnson's situation is crazy, because of performance he had his original deal torn up and given a new deal with 15 million guaranteed. Guaranteed is what it sounds like, the terms of the contract are for 8 years and a total of 60 million dollars. Because of the threat of injury, NFL contracts have a large % of the total value of the contract paid over the first few years and are guaranteed. He currently has a full five years left on his deal and he wants to renogatiate AGAIN. According to everyone in the league his case has no precedent because of how much time is left on his current deal. I know all of the above has already been said but....Everyone that argues that the owners can get out of any contract prior to the expiry of the contract so the overall contract is in their favour doesn't understand the concept of guaranteed signing bonuses. When you hear of crazy contracts ala Nate Clemens, the only thing that counts is the guaranteed money as it is the only thing that the player would be entitled to no matter what happens. I expect Drew Rosenhaus et al understands this. Andre's problem is that he renegotiated too soon, at his behest. If he waited until Larry Fitzgerald had signed his deal he would be the top paid receiver in the game with a ton of it guaranteed. The trade off is that if he got hurt before he resigned he would be SOL. That is business and that is life. If I were a GM of an NFL team I would gladly renogiate rookie deals for the likes of Chris Johnson, Andre and Jason Peters for that matter when their original deal wasn't close to be fair. Once a deal is renegotiated I would never renegotiate a second time within the first few years of resigning. Houston may have a problem on their hands as he is their best player and I would say the best at his position. If they choose not to resign him, which there will be huge pressure to do in this year of labour strife. They will have a disgruntled player who may or may not turn up, if they trade him they will never get the level of compensation they deserve as his stock has fallen because of his situation. Rock and hard place if you ask me and also a good illustration of why the system doesn't really favour owners.

Snipped by me According to PFW 2010 Draft Preview Spiller ran 4.31 and Best ran 4.36 Lindy's Sports Pro Football Draft 2010 has Spiller running a 4.37 and Best running a 4.42 Fanball.com Pro Football Draft 2010 has Spiller running a 4.37 and Best running a 4.35 PFW's Draft Guide 2010 has Spiller running a 4.35 and Best running a 4.40. Only one of the guides has him running a faster 40 time than Spiller. Here's the breakdown on both players by TSN; Here's TSN on Jahvid Best, They have him running a 4.35 and rank him as the 4th best RB in the draft. Jahvid Best RB, California War Room analysis Best is an explosive playmaker, but he is a major injury concern. Not only did he suffer two concussions in 2009, but he has also struggled to stay on the field with back and elbow injuries. This appears to be more of a need pick for Detroit, and is certainly a risk -- especially considering they traded within their division. PRE-DRAFT ANALYSIS Inside running: Shows good patience, allowing the play to open up and then shows the explosiveness to blow through the hole. Must add bulk to become a better short-yardage back when holes don't develop. Shows the skill and speed to bounce runs outside. Grade: 8.5 Outside running: Is effective on speed alone, but his cutback ability keeps defenders honest. Once he sees daylight, it is off to the races. Must improve open-field moves; too often loses balance when making moves and thus is easy to tackle. Grade: 7.5 Blocking: Hasn't been asked to block often, but seems willing. Stays in front of his assignment and works hard. Must learn to gain better leverage to block NFL blitzers. Upon contact, must learn to keep feet moving. Grade:8.5 Hands/routes: Looks natural catching passes, and is exciting once he has the ball. Gets upfield in a hurry. Must learn to run sharper routes. Lacks urgency until after catching the ball. Is a matchup nightmare based solely on speed. Grade:8.0 Durability: Has taken on every challenge. Rarely takes a big hit, which allows him to stay healthy. Must add bulk, which shouldn't be a problem, to be an every-down back. Has concerns because of a concussion that ended his senior season. Grade: 7.0 Bottom line: Best is a big-play weapon with the natural ability as a runner and receiver and make game-changing plays. The big concern is how easy he is to tackle. He almost never runs through arm tackles and is easily tripped up. There is little doubt about hisphysical ability, but his lack of size and concerns about his concussion will knock down his value. Best could go in the second or third round and become a third-down back, slot receiver and return man. Vinnie Iyer analysis Detroit must have really liked Best's all-around playmaking skills -- as a rusher, receiver and return man -- to make this move up into the late first round. There are questions about his durability as a smaller athlete, so the Lions need to put Best in the right part-time role for him to remain explosive. Correspondent Analysis How he fits: The Lions were desperate for a running back because they needed some speed and explosion in the backfield to complement their passing attack. The team has made moves this offseason -- signing free-agent receiver Nate Burleson and trading for tight end Tony Scheffler -- with the goal of pulling coverage away from star receiver Calvin Johnson. Also, the Lions want to surround young quarterback Matthew Stafford with as many weapons as possible. Best has great speed and will force opposing safeties to respect play-action fakes. When he'll play: Immediately. The Lions were going to target a running back even before Kevin Smith suffered a serious knee injury last December. Best will get the bulk of the carries, but he'll share some of the workload with Maurice Morris early in the season. The Lions will have to keep an aye on the 200-pound Best's carries because they need him to be as fresh as possible throughout the season. -- Tom Kowalski TSN on CJ Spiller, they have him running a 4.36 forty and rank him as the best RB in the draft. C.J. Spiller RB, Clemson War Room analysis Spiller is another surprise pick considering Buffalo's current backfield situation and need at tackle, but he is a game-changing explosive athlete. He needs to prove he can withstand the constant pounding he will receive in the NFL, but his speed and athleticism are on par with that of the Titans' Chris Johnson. PRE-DRAFT ANALYSIS Inside running: Can be a dangerous, but is inconsistent. Is quick to identify a crease and explode into it. Shows the balance, agility and strength to run through arm tackles, but doesn't break many tackles. Is a bit of an upright runner, leaving body susceptible to hard hits. Doesn't lower shoulders to deliver blows to defenders. Is a dangerous cutback runner, showing a sharp "jump cut" to explode through holes. Can freeze defenders in the hole and explode past them. Grade: 7.5 Outside running: Is a threat to score on every touch because of rare athleticism, speed, balance and strength. Is patient waiting for blockers to open a hole or seal the edge. Is an explosive cutback runner. Keeps legs churning, and fights for every yard. Grade: 8.5 Blocking: Lacks experience. Wasn't asked to lead block on any running plays in the games we evaluated. In pass protection, gives a solid effort and shows enough strength to be effective. Must be more aggressive and use better technique. Grade: 5.5 Hands/routes: Is not polished, but has all the tools. Is quick and explosive down the sideline and when aligned in the slot. Shows the quickness, explosiveness and speed to consistently separate from defenders. Shows good hands, and catches the ball well; twists body nicely to adjust to off-target passes. Grade: 6.5 Durability: Is the issue that could keep him from becoming an elite NFL back. Is strong and well built, but had trouble staying healthy in college. Shared the workload until senior season. Grade: 5.5 Bottom line: Spiller surprised us by returning to Clemson for his senior season because players with his rare big-play ability usually jump at the chance to enter the draft. He would've been a first-round pick in '09 but improved his stock as a senior, showing improved inside running and receiving skills. Spiller gets personnel men excited because he has all the tools to be an NFL star, someone who makes big plays from a variety of alignments. Vinnie Iyer analysis This pick signals the end of the Marshawn Lynch era. Buffalo had some bigger needs, notably offensive tackle, but instead went with a dynamic playmaker who can spark it in both the running and return games. The Bills needed someone to bring excitement to their offense. Correspondent Analysis How he fits: Spiller gives the Bills an explosive playmaker with game-breaking speed and the ability to score from anywhere on the field and in a variety of roles. His size and all-purpose ability as a rusher, receiver and return specialist have drawn comparisons to those of Reggie Bush. That also suggests Spiller is not built to carry a heavy-duty load. But he has shown the toughness to run inside like a back of similar stature, Tennessee's Chris Johnson. Spiller needs to work on blitz pickup, but it's doubtful he'll be asked to remain in the backfield on passing downs. When he'll play: Adding Spiller creates a logjam in the backfield. He joins Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, who could be on the trade block. But neither Jackson nor Lynch offers the threat of the home run every time he touches the ball. The Bills didn't take Spiller in the top 10 to be a part-time player. He will see a lot of action immediately on offense and special teams. -- Allen Wilson

old story, from greggo, so it might be a bit of an exaggeration. we went Nate Clements at 21, then Brees went in the 2nd. interesting.

OK, first of all, how is anything you wrote in this post ironic? It's not ironic that we passed on a QB and signed a UDFA RB. That's two seperate and pretty much unrelated things. I don't even know who you're referring to as the best draft pick, but that statement exhibits no irony either. Next, who cares where they dig up the bottom 20 guys on the training camp roster? i.e. the guys who wont even make the PS. If, as you contend (and are probably right), the Bills do not get more than 4 to 6 wins, why would you want a one year vet starting instead of a young guy who can learn, get better potentially, and most importantly still be on the team in 3 years? I think you hit it that QB is the msot important part of winning in the NFL, but if there wasn't a good one there, why take one? Just for the sake of it? I'm pretty sure as far as team size goes, that was basically the point of the draft for them. They got a lot bigger. We have the tweeners playing the "tweener" positions now in the 3-4 and got a lot bigger up front on the DL. Maybe it's not yet enough, but it was a hell of a start. You are one of those people that keeps saying the Bills are cheap. You mentioned 6 guys specifically that we lost. Of those players, I would say we only really missed Big Pat. To a lesser extent you could say that AW and Nasty Nate were tough losses, but we had Nasty Nate when AW left and Nasty Nate left for stupid money that he never played up to. Sam was a great player for us until the injury that basically made him ineffective for the rest of his career. Jabari was a good player that we developed, but nothing special - George Wilson is better. JL is exactly what you said you didn't want earlier in your post - a small guy. He never did anything for us and he was a UDFA when we got him, so no harm in losing him. Not tomention all of the money that they've spent on FAs and even re-signing their own players like Lee. Finally, I think what you are missing is that in order to sign/keep good football players you have to have them at one point. So the problem might not be so much that we are losing players because we can't keep them, but more like we don't have any players worth keeping, so why spend money re-signing a guy. I don't think that the Bills have had particularly good talent on the team, which is why they haven't been good. I think that's a result of poor drafting for the most part, but also to an extent poor coaching. The reason people are more optimistic is that we have a semi-proven talent guy, a new head coach, and soemthing of a direction that isn't based off the previous regime's schemes, players, ideas of how to play football, but their own.

Oh yeah...Byrd! Good one and I agree...but like other farm systems for the NFL....EACH TIME A PLAYER achieves a productive status they go to the highest bidder at FA time!...u say no?.....Jabari Greer, A. Winfield, Pat Williams, Nate Clements...Leonhard, I'll stop but that list is a lot longer.........Anyone want to add to it feel free! So what I'm saying is even the Byrd will fly away for FA.....

Isn't it ironic that we by passed Colt McCoy deep in the draft, but we take some unknown, inexperienced RB that Indy discarded named Colt Simpson. "No offense O.J."..... Wasn't there a free agent offensive tackle available not too long ago....Levi Jones or something like that? So instead we draft a small time QB in the 7th round Levi Brown..."No offense Jim".... Then didn't we just pick up a RB named Mendenhall? Well, yeah I know we did...but isn't the other one the one that matters? We picked up another unknown! I also know we picked up some hall of famers! Well actually their college players that went undrafted, but the Bills have high hopes for some of them. At least their optimistic! Yeah, but the names sure are iconic football names from the past: Destin Harris...."Darn not Franco" Sean Allen...... Drats not Marcus Antonio Coleman...Well not Monte Bell, Jones, Johnson (at least he's not Rob)... So after this big splash in free agency and the draft what are your feelings on how much we improved, regressed, or stayed the same???? To me, I like as Robert Frost put it "The Road not taken", but I like that road better than the road we took !!! It's also so ironic that the best player that this franchise has selected in the past five years is at a position that we didn't really need to improve on in contrast to severe needs at QB and OLT. Just remember, praise their selections if you want..but mark my work when we struggle this year...we're all going to say..boy they lost some close games...if we just had a better QB and better blocking for the QB we would've won 8 or 9 games at least. Unfortunately, the sad reality is that when it's all said and done and everyone has spoken their piece...and Donte predicts the playoffs again, and Chan Gailey talks about turning it around like the Dolphins and Jets did...We're still going to be 5 wins and 11 losses until we ADDRESS OUR NEEDS with big boy college players that played against top competition. This little tweener team of little guys from little colleges that can play more than one position including special teams like Spiller..is not what I want my team to be like....You don't see Pittsburgh or Baltimore get manhandled, and you see that quality teams like N.ENG and Indy have the skill positon guys which you need...The Brady's, Moss's, etc....Who do we really have at WR for sure besides Lee Evans?????? Parrish?? yeah right, Hardy? Hardly....Easley? It won't be Easy for the rook! Stevie (I wonder) Johnson? Not so far? Who??? Maybe, we should get the old but better than anything we have on our roster Marvin Harrison if he's not back with Indy! Core players?? Pozluzny...no Pozinjury is out more than in! Schoebel? Just sold his house! Sounds like that ship has sailed! Byrd (break...smile..2 more years GONE!) to highest bidder! u say no???? Hmmmm...Pat Williams, Nate Clements, Antwoine Winfield, Sam Cowhart, Jabari Greer, that Leonhart guy whose quite good!....etc.... It starts at the top..and as long as they hire coaches and staff on the cheap and avoid QB's in the first two rounds...they won't ever make it back to the playoffs! I see people predicting great things...that they are building towards..but it's all a facade. Even when they bring a player along like Peters, they repeatedly have shown that they are not willing to pay what it takes to keep him. That is a fact and history continually repeats itself. The top teams keep most of their superstars..Indy will retire a Colt and Brady will spend several years on the Patriots unless he gets plagued by injuries. Good teams keep their stars, the Bills like the Bisons is a good place to watch some young players develop and if they become a desirable player move on to a "real" NFL Franchise!!!! I hate to say all this, but it's the way it is and I'm a diehard supporter of da Bills regardless of the product they put on the field every year. But, I'm not going to call a pile of sh*t a pile of Gold !!!!!