On paper...

[Mickey]

Perhaps the glass is not as full as the original poster hopes - there are no doubt question marks - but neither is the "glass is always empty" view of Mickey the likely answer. There is ample reason for optimism - especially since it is only May. I am not sure why you would even bother to be interested if you did not think so, but some people clearly prefer overwhelming negativity. I guess that way you can always say "I told you so" if things do not work out. Personally, I am cautiously optimistic and anxious to see this team on the field again come September - then we will see.

 

Go Bills.

Actually I am interested in reality and "all the pieces are in place" is not what I would call reality. Rather than babbling on about what you think some people prefer, why don't you talk about the team, like I did, and if you disagree, tell my where I am wrong? Do we not have two rookies, two guys at new positions and one third tier FA as our starting offensive line? Did we not go 0-6 in the divison? Is the defensive backfield not the same absent Jabari Greer who was a pretty good player? Don't we have the same QB who goes to the check down quicker than you can say "punt"? Did we or did we not trade our only pro bowler? Is Schobel older and coming off of an injury? Is Lynch going to miss three games to start the season or is that just a product of my pessimism?

 

Anything is possible from the playoffs to 0-16 but after being a fan of this team and this league for many a year, this looks more like a rebuilding year to me than a "we finally have all the pieces in place" kind of year.

 

By the way Dad, could you shoot me a lits of what kind of speculation as to the team's fortunes are permitted without drawing your disapproval? Do I have to predict rainbows and lollipops all the time or am I permitted to occasionally point out that a really crappy player is a really crappy player, even if he is in a Bills uniform?

[Mickey]

I like your posts...and the bit about Edwards last year... I'm glad someone else has mentioned it. He looked as bad as a QB can look. Yet, at times he does all the right things. I guess we'll see this year. Still, I think you're being a little too tough on the Bills roster, and probably as a defense against being disappointed. I do think we have some areas on our team that are in the top of the league - DB, RB, WR, and of course, ST. If we had the right O.C. and a consistent QB, our recievers would put up huge numbers, and our RB's would also, consequently. Some areas go down because they depend on other areas. And the coaching - I've already said it - it's a make or break year, but I hold on to some hope that Jauron can be successful. And, if not, we can hope for an upgrade.

I hope you are right but it looks to me like other teams in the division, already quite a bit better than we are if the outcome of actual games means anything to anyone, have moved forward where, at best, we have not gotten any worse. It really does look like a rebuilding year to me, perhaps one we will later look back on and see that something good was started with this draft. But for this year, I just don't see it. I have hopes for Edwards just like everyone else but I can't deny what I saw last year, quick to the checkdown and a total loss of confidence in himself in the Cleveland game the likes of which I am not sure I have ever seen from a Bills quarterback. Learning from disaster rather than being crushed by it is something every QB needs. With any luck, he will learn from that failure and emerge a better player.

[Guest dog14787]

Actually I am interested in reality and "all the pieces are in place" is not what I would call reality. Rather than babbling on about what you think some people prefer, why don't you talk about the team, like I did, and if you disagree, tell my where I am wrong? Do we not have two rookies, two guys at new positions and one third tier FA as our starting offensive line? Did we not go 0-6 in the divison? Is the defensive backfield not the same absent Jabari Greer who was a pretty good player? Don't we have the same QB who goes to the check down quicker than you can say "punt"? Did we or did we not trade our only pro bowler? Is Schobel older and coming off of an injury? Is Lynch going to miss three games to start the season or is that just a product of my pessimism?

 

Anything is possible from the playoffs to 0-16 but after being a fan of this team and this league for many a year, this looks more like a rebuilding year to me than a "we finally have all the pieces in place" kind of year.

 

By the way Dad, could you shoot me a lits of what kind of speculation as to the team's fortunes are permitted without drawing your disapproval? Do I have to predict rainbows and lollipops all the time or am I permitted to occasionally point out that a really crappy player is a really crappy player, even if he is in a Bills uniform?

 

 

The reality of it is allot is riding on this season, players, coaches, even the FO is going out on a limb here, do you honestly think we would bring T.O. in for one year if our FO and ownership didn't think our team was close to being a playoff contender? Sure its a brilliant marketing move, but Ralph Wilson brought T.O. into Buffalo to do one thing, get us over the hump and into the playoffs.

 

The reality is the excuses are over for this coaching staff, every team goes through growing pains, its time to get the job done.

[AJ1]

On paper this team is vastly improved over last years team. Special Teams was #1 last year. It will be on top again or close to it. Defense Was 14th last year... Now with a improved pass rush, a new quality FS in Byrd, McCargo looking like a 1st round pick I believe the Bills can improve to 10th or 12 best in the league. Offensively the Bills improved by subtraction. Gone are Losman, Peters, Dockery, Fowler, Preston and Royal to name a few. The front office replaced them with better talent and willingness to win... The offense with T.O adding spark and talent will be better.

 

On paper we still have the fumbling, bumbling, coaches who they themselves lost games for the Bills last year.

Turk called plays the announcers called before the ball was snaped...... that's ugly

Perry did not have the Bills defense ready for the Cardinals game last year. The players told the media they were not ready for that offense... Blame goes to the defensive coaches

 

Then there is the head coach who everyone loves and admires but the fans. He is a great organizer and can run a club from top to bottom except on game days when he screws up over and over with the clock and substitutions. He does not take charge when things go wrong. It would be better if he were a stronger on field coach during games.

 

On paper this team still looks like the 4th best team in the division with the same old coaches not improving...

 

One of his greatest sins is a complete lack of imagination, unless you call plays that no other coach in his right mind would entertain, imaginative.

 

Of course , he also searched far and wide to find a OC as creative as himself ( a separate problem ).

[VOR]

Before we start dogging the offensive coaching, remember that it was Schonert's first year as OC last year, the Bills (still) had no true #2 WR, and the O-line had to deal with Dockery regressing badly, Peters' poor play, and Fowler and Preston's continued poor play. I guess we can criticze Schonert for not being able to make chicken salad out of chicken crap, but I'll wait until this season to pass judgement, now that the #2 WR spot has been filled in spades, a TE threat like Nelson is on-board, and the O-line will have the full off- and pre-season to gel. If the offense continues to stink, Schonert, among others, is gone.

[AJ1]

Before we start dogging the offensive coaching, remember that it was Schonert's first year as OC last year, the Bills (still) had no true #2 WR, and the O-line had to deal with Dockery regressing badly, Peters' poor play, and Fowler and Preston's continued poor play. I guess we can criticze Schonert for not being able to make chicken salad out of chicken crap, but I'll wait until this season to pass judgement, now that the #2 WR spot has been filled in spades, a TE threat like Nelson is on-board, and the O-line will have the full off- and pre-season to gel. If the offense continues to stink, Schonert, among others, is gone.

 

I base my evaluation on his body of work as a NFL coach, which is mediocre at best. I will stand corrected, if he does something positive with the '09 edition of the Bills offense.

[Hossage]

On or off paper we are the easiest offense to scout in the NFL. More than 50% of our runs in some games are the stretch play to the right.

[VOR]

I base my evaluation on his body of work as a NFL coach, which is mediocre at best. I will stand corrected, if he does something positive with the '09 edition of the Bills offense.

His body of work up until last year consisted of being a QB coach. A QB coach rarely has input into gameplans. And again, it's a matter of not being able to turn chicken crap into chicken salad.

[Big Daddy JC]

On or off paper we are the easiest offense to scout in the NFL. More than 50% of our runs in some games are the stretch play to the right.

 

We might as well put the playbook on itunes.

[Big Daddy JC]

His body of work up until last year consisted of being a QB coach. A QB coach rarely has input into gameplans. And again, it's a matter of not being able to turn chicken crap into chicken salad.

 

Then how about bird drop soup?

[Paup 1995MVP]

"All the pieces are finally in place"????

 

I am not sure which one of these balloons I want to pop with a reality pin first.

 

Schobel is on the backside of his career and is coming off of a serious injury that hasn't healed completely. Kelsay sucks. Denney sucks. Maybin is an undersized rookie who will be a likely liability against the run. So I am not sure why anyone would think that our anemic pass rush is going to make a major turn around.

 

One of our best players, Lynch, is out for the first three games, assuming he can make it to opening day without another run in with the law.

 

There isn't a team in the league that fears Josh Reed. For a franchise WR with the talent he has, Evans' numbers were pretty sad last year. Was it his fault? Was it the QB's fault for not having the gonads to go deep more regularly? Was it the OC's fault? Since we have the same QB, the same OC and Evans is still Evans, not much has changed. Sure, TO is a big change but I am not sure that a group whose numbers were among the crappiest in the league suddenly becomes among the best in the league due to the addition of one player.

 

The TE position is being manned by the same stiffs last year less one stiff with the addition of one promising rookie. Hardly a titanic shift in quality just yet.

 

I am not sure what you are thinking about at DB. We have the same guys as last year pretty much though we did lose Greer, a guy who made a lot of plays despite his lack of an impressive pedigree. Don't confuse their runback abilities with picks and returns with their ability to cover.

 

As for the LBs, Poz has been nothing more than ho-hum average and Ellison is only on the field because we have had too many other spots to upgrade to get a linebacker too.

 

The offensive line is now depending on a RT who no none has ever thought could play LT starting at LT. Then we have a guy we long ago decided was a G and not a T, being moved out to RT. We are then filling up the inside with two rookies and a third tier FA. Our depth will come from the practice squad.

 

As for our QB, he is quick to give up on the downfield routes in favor of the dump offs the defense gives because they won't move the chains. If that habit isn't enough to give you cause for concern regarding his guts, watch a tape of the Cleveland game. An Origami champ couldn't a fold a tent that quick.

 

McKelvin is older and hopefully ready to justify the high pick. Hopefully Trent took a trip to Oz and got some courage. Hoepfully TO will kick some complacent butts. Lots of hope to go around but really, this is looking more like a rebuilding year than a playoff year.

 

Tell me what we have done that is so markedly better than what the other teams in the division have done this offseason that we can expect to go from 0-6 to, say 4-2? Really, the PATS get league MVP Brady back and our biggest achievment this off season was to divest ourselves of our only pro bowler.

Man, why do you even root for the Bills?

[Tonawanda Troy]

The only way our record will be improved is by getting some solid QB play from Trent. The QB position gets paid the most and gets all the glory for a reason, it is the most important position on the field. If the Bills had a top 5 QB we would be in the playoffs every year, instead we have not made the post season in ages!

[spartacus]

The reality of it is allot is riding on this season, players, coaches, even the FO is going out on a limb here, do you honestly think we would bring T.O. in for one year if our FO and ownership didn't think our team was close to being a playoff contender? Sure its a brilliant marketing move, but Ralph Wilson brought T.O. into Buffalo to do one thing, get us over the hump and into the playoffs.

 

The reality is the excuses are over for this coaching staff, every team goes through growing pains, its time to get the job done.

 

Our front office has no clue on what it takes to build a contender. Contenders don't trade away pro bowl LTs in their prime.

 

TO was signed to a 1 yr deal for the sole purpose of selling tickets to the gullible Bills fan.

 

From Ralph's perspective, mission accomplished.

[VOR]

Our front office has no clue on what it takes to build a contender. Contenders don't trade away pro bowl LTs in their prime.

 

TO was signed to a 1 yr deal for the sole purpose of selling tickets to the gullible Bills fan.

 

From Ralph's perspective, mission accomplished.

Opinion noted. Again.

[afcfan1]

On paper we have one of the better groups of WR's in the National Football League, possibly even the best, especially considering the Arizona Cardinals may lose Boldin. Between Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed, I expect at least one of our WR's to have a very productive, pro bowl type season. Its seems very possible two, or all three WR's could have productive Seasons.

 

One paper we have one of the better groups of RB's in the league. Between Marshawn Lynch who has already seen the pro bowl in his young and promising career, Action Freddie Jackson who many believe is almost as good as ML, and Dominick Rhodes the new comer who also believes he is starting material in the NFL and understandably so, I expect at least one of our RB's to have a productive season. Its also possible, two, maybe all three running backs could have productive seasons in the run and or passing game, possibly both.

 

One paper we have one of the better up and coming QB's in the NFL, he topped the league last year in completion percentage and ended the season with a QB rating above 85 despite suffering a severe concussion mid way through the season. With all the pieces finally in place, many weapons to choose from including at the TE position, It is very possible Trent Edwards could have a break out year and finish the season as one of the top rated QB's in the NFL.

 

On paper we have on of the better defensive backfields in the NFL. Our top two DB's are also return specialist who can bring back an interception for a TD from any part of the football field. Now we are bringing in a ball hawk who specializes in doing just that, intercepting the ball. With Shobel back, the addition of Maybin and in my opinion one of the better LB groups in the league, the Bills defense could go from one of the worse to one of the best defenses in the NFL real quick.

 

On paper we have in my opinion a real good football team, now its up to the coaching staff to get good results. I realize the team is very young, our O-line has just been overhauled and in some of the key positions we have young, inexperienced players, but on paper make no mistake about it, the Buffalo Bills have enough talent to win football games.

 

On paper...

 

 

I intentionally did not mention special teams because Booby Aprils squad speaks for itself on paper and on the football field.

 

On paper this team is 7-9. First it was hype around Fred fricking Jackson, which I found funny. Now the Bills have one of the best WR cores in the NFL. You have the 2nd best WR core in your own division. Josh Reed?????? Seriously. What has Trent Edwards done to show he is anything more than JP Losman? There is a strong chance the Bills O Line could end up being the worst in football. This team would have to overachieve to finish better than 7-9.

[Flbillsfan#1]

On paper this team is 7-9. First it was hype around Fred fricking Jackson, which I found funny. Now the Bills have one of the best WR cores in the NFL. You have the 2nd best WR core in your own division. Josh Reed?????? Seriously. What has Trent Edwards done to show he is anything more than JP Losman? There is a strong chance the Bills O Line could end up being the worst in football. This team would have to overachieve to finish better than 7-9.

You may be right, but on the other hand the Pats* have a number of questions as well. Will Brady be the same after a year off? Or will he be RUSTY? Will his knee hold up? The fact that the Giants showed the World the way to beat Brady is to HIT him, then HIT him again, could lead to another injury to Brady & at his age the body takes longer to heal. The Pats* have lost not only Coaches but Pioli. It remains to be seen how well this draft was for them. The years have caught up with the Pats* Defense...............................it is not the defense it was a couple years ago. Finally with all the changes around the league, the film the Pats* had in the vault from cheating will be of much less use. Does Billy dare hire a new camera man?

[afcfan1]

You may be right, but on the other hand the Pats* have a number of questions as well. Will Brady be the same after a year off? Or will he be RUSTY? Will his knee hold up? The fact that the Giants showed the World the way to beat Brady is to HIT him, then HIT him again, could lead to another injury to Brady & at his age the body takes longer to heal. The Pats* have lost not only Coaches but Pioli. It remains to be seen how well this draft was for them. The years have caught up with the Pats* Defense...............................it is not the defense it was a couple years ago. Finally with all the changes around the league, the film the Pats* had in the vault from cheating will be of much less use. Does Billy dare hire a new camera man?

 

 

Great plan! The Giants showed the NFL you have to have a D Line that consists of Strahan, Tuck and Umenyiora quality pass rushers. The Bills don't even have 1 player that touches anyone of those 3. No other team in the NFL (including the Giants now) have a D Line like that. The mistake the Pats made in that game was not running Maroney more. He was a beast the 2nd half of that season. The question marks the Pats have are really nothing compared to the Bills. Like I said anything better than 7-9 would be an overechievement for the Bills.

[Flbillsfan#1]

Great plan! The Giants showed the NFL you have to have a D Line that consists of Strahan, Tuck and Umenyiora quality pass rushers. The Bills don't even have 1 player that touches anyone of those 3. No other team in the NFL (including the Giants now) have a D Line like that. The mistake the Pats made in that game was not running Maroney more. He was a beast the 2nd half of that season. The question marks the Pats have are really nothing compared to the Bills. Like I said anything better than 7-9 would be an overechievement for the Bills.

The Bills may never get a hit on Brady because of Dick being so conservative. I expect many teams however to bring it to Brady. It may take an extra man blitzing but I guarantee you Ryan & the Jets will put the heat on Brady, as well as Miami & a good number of other teams in the league. We will see how Brady & the knee hold up. I think you are right about running though, I expect Belicheat to run Taylor & Maroney to take the pressure off Brady.

[Guest dog14787]

On paper the Buffalo Bills have one of the better groups of WR's in the National Football League, possibly even the best, especially considering the Arizona Cardinals may lose Anquan Boldin. Between Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed, I expect at least one of our WR's to have a very productive, pro bowl type season. Its seems very possible two, or all three WR's could have productive Seasons.

 

We have one of the better groups of RB's in the league. Between Marshawn Lynch who has already seen the pro bowl in his young and promising career, Action Freddie Jackson who many believe is almost as good as ML, and Dominick Rhodes the new comer who also believes he is starting material in the NFL and understandably so, I expect at least one of our RB's to have a productive, pro bowl type season. Its also possible, two, maybe all three running backs could have productive seasons in the run and or passing game, possibly both.

 

The Buffalo Bills have one of the better up and coming QB's in the NFL, he topped the league last year in completion percentage and ended the season with a QB rating above 85 despite suffering a severe concussion mid way through the season. With all the pieces finally in place, many weapons to choose from including at the TE position, It is very possible Trent Edwards could have a break out year and finish the season as one of the top rated QB's in the NFL.

 

We have one of the better defensive backfields in the NFL. Our top two DB's are also return specialist who can bring back an interception for a TD from any part of the football field. Now we are bringing in a ball hawk (Jairus "the Bird man" Byrd) who specializes in doing just that, intercepting the ball. With Shobel and Youboty back, the addition of Maybin and in my opinion one of the better LB groups in the league, the Bills defense could go from one of the worse to one of the best defenses in the NFL real quick.

 

On paper the Buffalo Bills are in my opinion a good football team, now its up to the coaching staff to get good results. I realize the team is very young, our O-line has just been overhauled and in some of the key positions we have young, inexperienced players, but on paper make no mistake about it, the Buffalo Bills have enough talent to win football games.

 

On paper...

 

 

I intentionally did not mention special teams because Booby Aprils squad speaks for itself on paper and on the football field.

 

 

Any part of my post could be debated, the point I was trying to get accross is that the Buffalo Bills have sufficient enough talent to be a playoff contender. Take a look at Miami and compare our Offense, defense, and special teams with theirs, yet the Miami Dolphins won our division last year. Now can anyone honestly tell me that Miami has better overall player personell then we do? and keep a straight face that is,

 

So it all comes down to coaching.

[Leonidas]

On paper the Buffalo Bills have one of the better groups of WR's in the National Football League, possibly even the best, especially considering the Arizona Cardinals may lose Anquan Boldin. Between Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed, I expect at least one of our WR's to have a very productive, pro bowl type season. Its seems very possible two, or all three WR's could have productive Seasons.

 

We have one of the better groups of RB's in the NFL. Between Marshawn Lynch who has already seen the pro bowl in his young and promising career, Action Freddie Jackson who many believe is almost as good as ML, and Dominick Rhodes the new comer who also believes he is starting material in the NFL and understandably so, I expect at least one of our RB's to have a productive, pro bowl type season. Its also possible, two, maybe all three running backs could have productive seasons in the run and or passing game, possibly both.

 

The Buffalo Bills have one of the better up and coming QB's in the NFL, he topped the league last year in completion percentage and ended the season with a QB rating above 85 despite suffering a severe concussion mid way through the season. With all the pieces finally in place, many weapons to choose from including at the TE position, It's very possible Trent Edwards could have a break out year and finish the season as one of the top rated QB's in the NFL.

 

We have one of the better defensive backfields in the NFL. Our top two DB's are also return specialist who can bring back an interception for a TD from any part of the football field. Now we are bringing in a ball hawk (Jairus "the Bird man" Byrd) who specializes in doing just that, intercepting the ball. With Shobel and Youboty back, the addition of Maybin and in my opinion one of the better LB groups in the league, the Bills defense could go from one of the worse to one of the best defenses in the NFL real quick.

 

On paper we have in my opinion a real good football team, now its up to the coaching staff to get good results. I realize the team is very young, our O-line has just been overhauled and in some of the key positions we have young, inexperienced players, but on paper make no mistake about it, the Buffalo Bills have enough talent to win football games.

 

On paper...

 

 

I intentionally did not mention special teams because Booby Aprils squad speaks for itself on paper and on the football field.

 

 

Another person who has obviously not played football. You skipped the entire offensive line and barely mentioned the defensive line. They say games are won in the trenches for a reason.