offsides#76FredSmerlas

I am not an expert but I have heard to many QB's talk about the windy cold conditions causing them a problem in Buffalo to simply say that it is not an issue. I have also heard several people "who should know what they are talking about discuss this very problem, Here are a few that I have read most recently. ESPN’s Mel Kiper on Barkley: “He doesn’t have a great arm. But he’s got good enough arm strength in the right situation, which wouldn’t be Buffalo. It certainly wouldn’t be a cold-weather environment.” College scout Matt Hand: I see how they operate their offense, if they’re making checks, changing it up. Then I look at arm strength. I think that’s a huge thing in Buffalo, for obvious reasons. If you don’t have a strong arm, and you’ve got some wobble in your ball, it’s very hard to play here.” College scout Tom Roth: “The first thing that jumps out is arm strength. Can he make all the throws? Arm strength, decision-making, and the big thing is turnovers. It might not be the end all, be all asset in a quarterback, but as far as the Bills talent evaluators are concerned if they do draft a quarterback it would appear that arm strength is a priority. Doug Whaley: You have to put stock into it because it’s going to come into play and one of the main attributes are toughness and arm strength and we’d like to use that weather to our advantage. Earlier in the chat Whaley was asked what qualities he and Buddy Nix look for in a quarterback. Again Whaley mentioned the arm with his response. Doug Whaley: You have to have a guy with a presence, arm strength, accuracy and an ability to make people around him better. Quite a lot of talk about arm strength; I would think this means it's a highly important asset, especially when you play in Buffalo.

Here's the truth,: I do like Manuel but I am no expert, as nor are you! I have also coached high school football but that doesn't make me an expert. If they go with Barkley I will have no problem with it because I would assume they know more than I do. I responded back at you because you seem to enjoy mocking others comments like you are the guru of football knowledge. I think you have a big EGO and no one really cares to hear from people like that. We all have opinions and that's what being a fan is all about but you like to make personal attacks which made me want to put you in your place a little bit. nuff said!

In Reply to kellyto83TD: I don't care about the 70 yard throw as much as I do hitting a 15-20 yard seam route with tight coverage. Do you know how many times I have heard on the radio after a Bills game a QB talking about how it was a tough day throwing at the Ralph because of the swirling winds. There have been so many games where the Bills have chosen not to throw until they had the wind at their backs. For you to say you have sat at the Ralph and you don't think wind is an issue tells me everything I need to know about your credability. For every expert who says arm strength is not a factor I can give you 5 that say it is; just read what the Bills scouts say about it. But, other than that, I still believe Manuel has so many other qualitues as well, that it would be hard to pass him up. Also, you said some things about Jaws not being associated with any team as a scout or coach. Is Kurt Warner? You don't have to be a scout or coach to be an expert in football.

Barkley and his wobble passes, it would be like throwing a nerf ball on a windy day in Buffalo. Get EJ Mauel and coach a guy up that has all the intangibles to be a great QB. They say he is a leader, he is smart, he has a rocket for an arm, he has agility, he is quick, he has great size, and he comes from a quality school and played against top competition. The only knock on him is that SOME people say he needs to work on his accuracy. Damn, if you want to coach a kid up for a year; this is your guy, period!!!

I think they are leaning towards offense in this years draft. If they pass on Austin then maybe they surprise everyone and grab Tyler Eifert, the tight end from Notre Dame. Personally I want EJ Manuel, somehow, someway...

Thanks guys, I guess I'm not the only one having issues.

I used to be able to watch all the video's on the Bills site but then they changed the format and ever since I haven't been able to get a video to play. Can anyone give this diehard Bills fan a suggestion on what I need to do? thanks...

I think the QB with most upside is EJ Manuel. I like his size, arm strength, mobility and leadership qualities. I would love to grab him and let him sit behind Kolb for 1 season. I am not sure if he is ready to step on the field year one but I think down the line he may be the best prospect. I like the Kolb move because it gives us more options and some better stability at a position of need.

Would love us to give up a 3rd on Alex Smith, play him for one or two seasons and draft Manuel in the 2nd round. Pick up a WR or LB in round 1.

When I listened to the Rob Johnson interview Rob was asked what kind of QB he thought Barkley would end up being in the NFL. You would think Rob would strongly endorse a fellow USC player. Rob hesitated and then said he wasn't sure and he noted that Barkley has always had an issue with throwing a lot of interceptions both in college and as far back as his high school days. I am no expert on QB's but that made me wonder if this is who I want as my QB with the Bills.

You can't blame the people of Toronto for hating the Bills. I mean we give them a terrible product and they are not Buffalonians. I sometimes can't stand the fact that I was born in Buffalo because now I am a Bills fan for life and except for a brief time in the late 80's, early 90's we have sucked. Buffalo is 1-4 during the regular season in Toronto and last season we got smoked by Seattle. We give the people of Toronto no reason to like us. If we went up there and built a winning tradition or played competetive football we might have won some people over but that has not happened and playing on this neutral field doesn't help our team when there is no crowd behind them. It's obvious the Bills organization is more worried about the buck than the win because we take away home field advantage by going to Toronto. I also believe it has a negative affect on the players because they know they are not welcomed and they feel they like they shouldn't be there, ask Woods!

This move couldn't hurt, I mean we haven't made the playoffs since I had hair on my head. If all he knows is how to grab a quality QB he would be worth it. Let's face it a solid NFL QB will make anyone in the front office look like a genius. You can't keep playing with mediocre QB's and expect to win games in the NFL.

It was as plain as day when I watched it again. The ball NEVER went out of bounds.

wrong, the ball never went out... +1

Yes you can challenge the call. They blew it dead because they thought we were out of bounds when we touched the ball which was untrue. He was a half yard from stepping out, not even close.

I hate to burst your bubble but I went back on my tivo six times and it was a clear fumble. It was Buffalo's ball, no question. Gailey blew it. It should have been Bills ball and they could have run the clock. I was irate!!!

This is what you talk about after a HUGE win for our BIlls. This reminds me of when I was younger and was watching some of the heavyweight championship boxing fights with my mother. I would be all in to the fight, the big hits, the blood, and the intensity of the fight and then my mother would be sitting there saying "hey I think I just saw Sylvester Stalone sitting ring side or I don't like the color of the trunks Larry Holmes is wearing today". REALLY!!!

It's a shame but we are playing with a back up QB and this has been the case for way to many years now. I know Gailey is backing his QB up but what is he suppose to say, there's not much else to choose from. If we had a QB everything would look a lot better. I'm not by any means saying we don't have other needs but Fitz is not a consistent winner in this league and to be a good team we need consistancy and someone who can put a team on their shoulders when needed. He is a serviceable back up who can get you by a few games if your starter is injured. We have way to much talent not to get a QB ASAP. Unfortunately, we will have to bide our time, bite the bullet for another season and hope that we can get lucky in next years draft. This will be Fitzy's last hurrah!

head back to the mountains...

My bad but I still know the nurse and will see her tomorrow night. My mistake on the docs name though... Then she has violated that act several times because she gives me the scoop on several players from several professional teams.

The one guy who I couldn't stand as a person was Bruce Smith. He was a hell of a player; we all know that but the guy in my book was a complete jerk. He cried about money continuously and he milked injuries to stay off the practice field. Also, how many times did he get a DWI. He was all about himself and that's why he hung around the NFL so long to pick up the sack record. My biggest gripe on him though was the night I went to Jim Kelly's bar downtown and I saw him standing by himself near the stairway. After several minutes of trying to build the courage to say hello I finally went up to him explaining that I was a big Bills fan and that I wish him and the team a lot of luck for the upcoming season. He looked down at me without saying a word and while my hand was out trying to make a kind gesture to shake his hand he looked away without saying one word to me. I put my hand down, feeling like an idiot and I walked away that night saying that I wil never root for that $%#^& again...

I'm hoping to get more of an inside scoop on Merriman's health. I am good friends with someone on Dr. Anderson's nursing staff and I will be seeing her on Tuesday night. I know Merriman has been cleared by Dr. Anderson but if she has any other good information I will pass it along. I thought it was funny a few weeks ago when she said Kyle Williams came to the Charlotte clinic and was flirting with her. She said he was to chubby for her, lol.

I think if Merriman is healthy he will be our starting RDE. If and that's a big "if" he stays healthy I envision him being the NFL comeback player of the year and quite possibly leading our team in sacks. He could have a monster year. I am pulling for a full recovery and hoping to see him dominate.

True, there are two sides to every story. I guess these people that are on here calling him a good guy have no idea what they are saying either though. We only know football players for their time on the field and maybe a couple of guest appearances in public. Like I said though, I liked Eric as a player. I would be very cautious before calling him a good guy though after hearing several detailed stories about his character off the field.

I loved Eric as a player. His ex-father in law in Charlotte had some awful things to say about him as a person but putting his private life aside he was solid player for the Bills.