dave mcbride Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Anyone remember the last "franchise QB" we traded for? Drew Bledsoe? How did that work out for us? A 1st round pick to a division rival to get to 7-9. PTR 9-7 , actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills1960 Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 9-7 , actually. There isn't a Bills fan alive who won't admit that they were excited for Bledsoe. They took a risk on a previously good player and it backfired. At least they made the attempt, something they really haven't done since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewildrabbit Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 (edited) Note to the thinking Bills fan: The interesting thing about the Bills spending philosophy is that while there may be no splash "now", they can (and almost have to, with the new cap floor) use the cap $ to build a solid foundation of young vets that (wait for it...) will be around a long time as the core of the team. Meaning, theoretically, they can lock up players like Kyle Williams, Wood, Levitre, Stevie Johnson, Poz, Byrd, Fitz, Spiller/Moats/Bell (maybe, if they develop as hoped) as their core group who can grow together over the next 5-7 years. This also means that potential young stars like Dareus and Aaron Williams will actually STAY ON THE ROSTER after they've played out their rookie contract. Wouldn't this be a refreshing change to the perpetual roster turnover that so many of us have lamented over the years? And deep down don't we all realize that this is how you build a winner? It's not the glittery instant gratification we all like, but there is some logic to Buddy's philosophy if you're into that boring "solid foundation" stuff. I think to see some evidence of this, we'll need to be hearing about some contract extensions being put in place relatively soon. This plan might hold some water if anyone on the Bills staff could even identify decent talent at any position, at any level. I like how fans here are comparing the Patriots way of building through the draft, they can build thru the draft because they already have a solid team that only needs a few upgrades and can wait for players to develop. This Buffalo Bills team doesn't even have decent starters at many positions much less decent backups, this team could stand some solid top free agent additions. But then, going back to my first sentence, I kinda doubt anyone on this staff knows the difference between a good player and a bad one. Just look at the first years draft picks and free agent acquisitions. 35 million under the cap and the plan is to bring in some ordinary joes...I can't wait until the season starts so you guys will see what I already know.... Edited July 27, 2011 by Harvey lives Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papazoid Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 that sneaky buddy just made a splash.....or maybe you prefer a ripple..... A league source tells PFT that QB Tyler Thigpen agreed to a three-year deal with Buffalo. The Vikings were also involved in heavy discussions with Thigpen, but ultimately the former seventh-round pick of the Vikings chose the Bills instead. Thigpen was highly productive in Kansas City under Gailey despite an unstable situation around him. (He threw 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2008 and made some incredible plays with his feet.) http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/26/tyler-thigpen-headed-to-buffalo/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akm0404 Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Consider this: If you were an NFL Free Agent with any sort of options (lol Thigpen), would you choose to play for the Buffalo Bills or perhaps one of the other 31 teams? There is the answer to your riddle - we don't try to sign the top tier of free agent talent because we are resigned to the fact that we CAN'T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K Gun Special Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 that sneaky buddy just made a splash.....or maybe you prefer a ripple..... A league source tells PFT that QB Tyler Thigpen agreed to a three-year deal with Buffalo. The Vikings were also involved in heavy discussions with Thigpen, but ultimately the former seventh-round pick of the Vikings chose the Bills instead. Thigpen was highly productive in Kansas City under Gailey despite an unstable situation around him. (He threw 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2008 and made some incredible plays with his feet.) http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/26/tyler-thigpen-headed-to-buffalo/ If thats considered highly productive..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
....lybob Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 No splashing allowed in the baby pool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12Kachy Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 You can change the uniform, the coaches, the GM, but you can never, never change the owner. He is setting up for his death. When he goes his kids will be set. They sell the team to the highest bidder, make a ton of cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bills1960 Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 Consider this: If you were an NFL Free Agent with any sort of options (lol Thigpen), would you choose to play for the Buffalo Bills or perhaps one of the other 31 teams? There is the answer to your riddle - we don't try to sign the top tier of free agent talent because we are resigned to the fact that we CAN'T. This is exactly the lame excuse Ralph wilson uses when he ends another offseason with no significant moves. The bottom line is in order for a team like us to acquire a legitimate free agent we need to be a playoff team. That starts with drafting, but unfortunately Ralph has shown little interest in improving our scouting department over the past decade, leaving us below average and an unattractive destination for free agents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I can't wait until the season starts so you guys will see what I already know.... It's a common mentality on this board… and yet I always struggle to characterize it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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