Rob's House Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I keep hearing about all the many holes we have to fill this offseason but I just don't see it. Maybe it's a question of semantics - I think of a "hole" in this context as a position that doesn't have a legitimate NFL caliber starter to fill. Some may consider a "hole" any position that could use an upgrade, but by that definition any position that doesn't have an all-pro could be considered a hole and that's just silly. By my count the only hole we have on offense is LG. RG and RT could stand to be upgraded, but I don't really consider the team to be devoid of NFL talent at either postion. Same with TE. With Woods and Goodwin showing potential as rookies, and Stevie still in the mix, I don't see WR in that light either, although a big WR would be nice. On defense we could use a physical LB to help in run support. Otherwise, unless Byrd flies the coup, I don't see a position that doesn't have a solid starter to fill it. So help me out here, what am I missing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QCity Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 QB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM57 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 LG is, without a doubt a hole. I would assume that Pears will be a cap casualty (age + fit + salary) which would make RT one as well. I think that a "matchup nightmare" on offense is a hole as well, whether you want that to be an athletic TE or a big physical WR is personal preference. The Bills have neither of those guys. Then for "upgradble spots" like you said, RG could use one, but if you fix LG/RT and Urbik is your weak link you have a very good OL. A 3 down LB to pair with Kiko would be nice, as would a dime DB (Brooks' spot) and OL/DL depth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) QB I agree. I think this is far and away the biggest hole on the team. I didn't include it because it seems clear that we've got the guy the coaching staff thinks will grow into that position and I'm thinking in terms of holes to address in the offseason (although I'd still be open to drafting a QB either in the mid rds or if a top prospect falls to 9), but yes, that is our biggest weakness. Edited January 19, 2014 by Rob's House Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangarang Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 LG, RT, TE (depending on Moeaki), LB, S (depending on Byrd), QB (depending on EJ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DE Bills Fan Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 QB. Without a QB, nothing else really matters. Manuel is not the answer, so the Bills can do whatever they want at the other positions, but until they get a QB who is a leader and can throw the ball accurately, they will never move forward...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gray Beard Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 LG, RT, TE (depending on Moeaki), LB, S (depending on Byrd), QB (depending on EJ) I agree with this assessment. I think RB may need to be added to the list. If Fred gets hurt, then what? CJ can't handle the job by himself. Last year CJ was playing with an ankle sprain so he couldn't juke or explode like we all know he can. And CJ is not much of a between the tackles runner. Fred ain't getting any younger, and I think going into yet another season with Fred as the primary offensive work horse is pretty risky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnychemo Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 LB and either pass catching TE or stud WR. Anyone who thinks they'll draft a QB early is delusional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimer1960 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 QB. Without a QB, nothing else really matters. Manuel is not the answer, so the Bills can do whatever they want at the other positions, but until they get a QB who is a leader and can throw the ball accurately, they will never move forward...... Can we not escape this in any thread? How is it possible to know that Manuel is NOT the answer after 10 starts as a rookie, after having missed valuable preseason experience and in season practice time - and yet he still threw more TDs than INTS to a predominantly very young receiving crew? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Two true empty holes: LG and ILB2 One three foot deep hole containing a shovel-full or two of gravel: RT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max997 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) LB LG RG and RT are all legit holes in my opinion WR, TE, and DE opposite Mario need upgrades as well Edited January 19, 2014 by Max997 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) LB LG RG and RT are all legit holes in my opinion WR, TE, and DE opposite Mario need upgrades as well Urbik is more that serviceable. His play declined this year as he was forced into nearly exclusively 1-1 assignments with Wood being consistently required to work back to the right side of the line due to the play of Brown and Legursky. Filling the LG spot effectively upgrades the RG spot to 2012 levels of production. Also, keep in mind that some players on your roster will simply be league average players, and that each team has limited resources with which they must fill an entire roster. You can't over commit those resources to your offensive line. The rest of your post I agree with. Edited January 19, 2014 by TakeYouToTasker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Pie-hole, ear-holes, and at least 1 more. Yeah, LG. Edited January 19, 2014 by ICanSleepWhenI'mDead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swnybillsfan Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 i think a huge hole that needs to be filled is qb coach. i think that if the bills were to hire a competent, intelligent person for this position it would be a wonderful thing. i have nothing against hackett, in fact i kinda like the man, i just think that if the team were to hire a coach whose sole purpose in life is to get the most out of the qbs on this team (especially manuel) then that could only be a good thing. if the qb position gives us only moderate improvement over what we got last year, and all other parts remain the same, i think this is a playoff team. if we get moderate improvement from the qb position and add bpa for the first couple rounds, who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffaloed in Pa Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Q.B,LG , #1 WR, run stuffing DT, ILB, and another faster pass catching TE. that should be a good start. EVERY TEAM has there Holes though. Nobody can afford a allstar team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) i think a huge hole that needs to be filled is qb coach. i think that if the bills were to hire a competent, intelligent person for this position it would be a wonderful thing. i have nothing against hackett, in fact i kinda like the man, i just think that if the team were to hire a coach whose sole purpose in life is to get the most out of the qbs on this team (especially manuel) then that could only be a good thing. if the qb position gives us only moderate improvement over what we got last year, and all other parts remain the same, i think this is a playoff team. if we get moderate improvement from the qb position and add bpa for the first couple rounds, who knows? I agree with this 100%. I don't understand why a team would have positional coaches and assistant positional coaches at most every other position, but fail to bring in a dedicated positional coach for the most important position on the field. Nate Hackett might be both a great OC and QB coach (I won't make that argument, but am rather supposing he is for the purpose of making a larger point), but by forcing him to both roles he isn't fully dedicated to either, and with never maximize his potential imact at one without sacrificing at the other. That seems to be a counter intuitive way to proceed. Edited January 19, 2014 by TakeYouToTasker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDinRTP Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 offensive coordinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 QB is unanswered LG is a big hole WR (#1 or 2 or 3) RT or RG LB TE (anyone figure out why the Bills activated Moeaki for the final 2 games?) If Byrd stays then no hole at safety, if he's allowed to walk add another hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 anyone figure out why the Bills activated Moeaki for the final 2 games? My guess is that they put several situational play packages in for him, but that it never became appropriate to use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 QB is unanswered LG is a big hole WR (#1 or 2 or 3) RT or RG LB TE (anyone figure out why the Bills activated Moeaki for the final 2 games?) If Byrd stays then no hole at safety, if he's allowed to walk add another hole. I should have addressed that one in greater detail. I was going under the assumption that Chandler will be re-signed, yet I have no basis for that assumption. Even if Moeaki is fully healed, I'd still consider TE a need if Chandler leaves on account of Moeaki's propensity for season ending injuries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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