offsides#76FredSmerlas

The bottom line is there are many different ways that we can go about building an offense and a winning team in the future. No matter what you have to roll the dice and hope things work out. Different possibilities... 1. draft a QB in the first round and grab a lineman with a high pick or a quality free agent. (win in 2 or 3 years) 2. find a way to get Mcnab and draft a lineman or a quality free agent. (immediately start winning) 3. take a chance on D. Anderson and get some lineman through the draft or free agency. (not what I would do) 4. get Vick and get some lineman through the draft or free agency. (not what I would do) 5. allow Edwards another chance to succeed under a new regime and draft or get lineman through free agency. 6. I'm sure we can all come up with a million other scenarios like picking up Tebow or one of the other QB's in the third or 4th round. etc... I'm not sure of the right way to go about this but I'm sure hoping Chan Gailey and the front office make the right decisions. We need better O-line and QB-play or we'll be 7-9 again. I do think that a quality QB can get away with an average line and make them look better; but it would need to be a veteran QB. If you have a rookie in there or a guy like Edwards you need a stud O-line.

How do you figure that Tampa is MUCH closer to Carolina than Tampa? I have relatives in both area's and I live in Charlotte Carolina. If he lives in Raleigh or Greensboro it might actually be farther. Tampa might be 30 minutes closer by car and 10 minutes closer by plane from Charlotte. You really think that is weighing in to his decision???

This is total speculation but my gut is telling me that there will be a change in ownership next season. Why do I feel this way? Why would Jim Kelly be hanging out so much this past season? He has been on the sidelines, in the the locker room, he has traveled with the team and he has been writing some very candid articles. He has spoke fairly openly about him along with some investors wanting to buy the team. Then Thurman Thomas was on the radio and many people think that he was suggesting ownership changes in January. Thurman and Jim are not hanging out in Buffalo because they like the weather. It's not a normal thing to see former Qb's at all the games. He is there for a reason. I believe he is keeping a close eye on things and I truly feel he is already working with Ralph on some future changes. Ralph may not give up total ownership but I think Jim and probably Thurman as well, are going to be in the mix by next month. This is what Buffalo needs. It would definitely get me excited again.

What is there to like about Fox? Last year he has the number one run game in the NFL and decides to get pass happy in the playoffs for some crazy reason and the Panthers lose in the first round. He then signs Jake Delhomme to an extension after he has 2 consecutive horrible years. The fans in Carolina want Jake out of town yesterday. He continues to keep him as the starter which is driving people nuts. Good thing he is hurt right now so at least the other bum "Moore" can give the fans someone else to boo. John Fox would not be a good choice.

Heres the bottom line. It doesn't matter who the quarterback is they are going to look bad. We will not be able to accurately study Trent Edwards because we have a bunch of hand me down offensive lineman in the game. Our line is the worst in the NFL. We cannot run; without a running game teams can just pin their ears back on us. Every damn time we go back to throw it has to get out of the QB's hands before the wideouts even finish their routes. Fitz tried to look deep several times Thursday, but everytime he did he got crushed. Get some linemen in here and then we can talk about QB's. Edwards has digressed and the reason he has is because of the constant heat put on him by defenses, "tell me your timing wouldn't be off if you're hurried all the time". Then when he has that once in a blue moon protection he still throws bad because his timing has gone to hell. I don't believe to many Qb's would play well in Buffalo. Peyton and Brady would probably be considered average behind this awful thing we call an offensive line.

The best of all time; that's a joke. He had a couple of solid years but he has blown 2 games for us already this season. No matter what, you can't bring those games back and his value will never equate to the muffed punts, and his 15 yard backwards run. He is also a cancer. He has been crying about being a WR for 2 or 3 years. He can't even get his 165lb butt off the line of scrimmage. If he would shut up an just be a punt returner then I would have no problem with him. But because he's whining all the time about wanting to be a bigger part of the offense and that he wishes to be traded his focus is not 100% with the Bills. For the money he makes, he should have shut up and played until his contract ran out. The Bills deactivated him this week because they know his heart and head is not with the Bills and he is making mistake after mistake on the field. Cut the twig and move on!!!

I 100% agree with the idea of bringing in Shottenheimer. He has proven that he can take a bad team and make them good. He has done more than any coach out there as far as getting the most out of nothing. He is old school which I really like. He will put together and offensive line and he will run down your throat. He also will not take any crap and will not tolerate stupidity "penalities/ botched punts, kickoffs". Yes, he has had bad luck in the playoffs; I can think of a late interception and a goaline fumble that cost him games. He will win during the season and at least give us a chance, something we haven't seen in a long long time. He would without a doubt be my number 1 pick. Just check out his records in KC, San Diego, and Cleveland.

I don't talk on this blog to much because I feel like half the things I read are by people who never even played a sport before; other than maybe pop warner or little league. Fans love to jump the gun either positively or negatively. The Bills have some major question marks but I have seen several posts from people who have already thrown their towels in for the season. I agree with a few of you which state it's only preseason. There are a lot of factors that go in to your production during the preseason; attitude, depth, injury's, rookies getting adjusted to the pro game, game planning or lack of, experimenting with different schemes and players, etc etc... Lets wait for the season to begin and judge them on what counts. If they come out the same way after the first 2 or 3 games then I have no problem with throwing some shots at the organization. We have gone 0-4 in preseason before only to make it to the super bowl. Do I think were a super bowl team-NO! Do I think we are a playoff team--50/50, but wouldn't be surprised one way or the other.

Your right, this game is making me sick. I have to defend Edwards a little bit although he is sucking up the field. It's tough when your getting that much pressure in your face. It doesn't allow you to get in any kind of rhythm. Then when he has an occassion or two when he has a little time he is out of sink; thinking he needs to unload faster than he has to. I'm sitting here on every pass play yelling get rid of it before you get sacked. When Ben Roth is throwing he can have a beer and a piece of pizza and still find time to throw the damn ball.

I'm with you on that one; Mace played a real good game and I hope he sticks on the 53 man roster. After watching the film a second time the one guy who I thought stole the show on the defensive front was Copeland Bryant. Copeland was a force on almost every play. He was very disruptive and what an awesome play he made on that forced fumble. This guy has got to eventually pass Denney on the depth chart.

I agree with the poster. Our DL is absolutely horrible. Schobel gets a free ride from many fans because at one time he was productive but his play has drastically gotten worse over the last 3 years. Denney and Kelsey were horrible high draft picks. Mcargo looked terrible in his first preseason game. He has run out out excuses. I don't care if he is having a good camp; he better show it in the games. Maybin is our only hope. It sucks to have all your hope in a rookie. I can't understand for the life of me why we didn't address this either in the draft or in free agency. There were quality lineman in the FA. I believe there are still a few guys out there but the status quo is not going to get the job done. We could have the best DB's in the NFL but their going to look bad on Sunday because the QB has all day to deliver the ball. Do you want to know why teams like Tennessee are better than the Bills----> because they dominate in the trenches!!! This is not based on one preseason game. This is based on the last several years and the fact that we did nothing to address this major weakness...

Hey, I'll watch it! I knew going in to it that there would be a lot of staged commentary. You have to know that many of the things that went on were scripted for entertainment. In the real world, I don't see T.O taking that kind of abuse from anyone...

Bruce Smith was a hell of a player, but as an individual he has proven to be nothing but a big jerk. I still remember seeing him at Jim Kelly's bar down town. He was standing on the stairs when I reached out to shake his hand and tell him that it was an honor to meet him in person. He looked at me, never put out his hand, and then looked away like I was just another nobody. That along with him missing several spring training camps and always crying year after year to be paid more has made me really not like him. Oh yeah, the 3 drunk driving arrests didn't do anything to show me he has improved his character. I think he would still be playing today if he didn't get the sack record yet. He played until he got the record because he is all about himself and loved the glory of people patting him on the back. Like I said, hell of a player, but a total jerk and should be put in the "HALL OF SHAME".

Faulk is horrible. He has no clue to what the Bills are all about. The only guy worse then him is Mark Shlereth from ESPN. He absolutely hates T.O and the Bills. He loves to talk tough and tell everyone about his 200 surgerys.

Dazed and confuzed I just put out an opinion and asked if anybody else thought that there might be a correlation to Schobels poor performance and his weight. I could be looking at bad information online but from what I read his weight didn't start dropping off after his rookie year. His weight dropped off according to the sources I looked at between the 2006-2007 year. Was it because they changed defenses? Was it because he stopped using steroids? "just specualting" I am not sure of the reason he did this but I do know that 20lbs is an awful lot especially when a player was always lean. He never was fat like a Bruce Smith his rookie year. Even before his injury last year I would watch him and just see a guy who was getting overpowered and not even sniffing the QB. We paid him like he was a dominating player, not a role player who can't play without a surrounding cast. He should have been the guy who made others better.

C. Biscuit, You are wrong about Schobel playing almost his entire career st the same weight. He played 20 lbs heavier during his first 5 years. You don't think 20lbs is a lot of weight? In my opinion his drop in play began as soon as he got light in the can. Why doesn't he add some weight back is what I can't figure out.

Aaron Schobel in my opinion has not even come close to earning the money we gave him a few years back. I always wondered if it had anything to do with his dramatic weight loss. His stats from 2002-2006, 8.5, 11.5, 8, 12, and 14 sacks. Then in 2007 he dropped to 6.5 sacks and then in 2008 when he was injured after 4 or 5 games, 1 sack. If you look at his weight from his rookie season up until 2006 he played anywhere from 262 to 264lbs. In 2007, 2008, and 2009 his weight is recorded at 243lbs. He lost 20lbs. Does anyone think there is a correlation between his recent weight loss and his performance. Did he sacrafice to much strength to try and increase his speed?

He needs to get good "quickly". We can't rely on what we have had in the past to get the job done. Heres something that many fans might not know. I would like to hear what others fans might think about my observation. Aaron Schobel in my opinion has not even come close to earning the money we gave him a few years back. Something I noticed about his weight kind of made me think a little. His stats from 2002-2006, 8.5, 11.5, 8, 12, and 14 sacks. Then in 2007 he dropped to 6.5 sacks and then in 2008 when he was injured after 4 or 5 games, 1 sack. If you look at his weight from his rookie season up until 2006 he played anywhere from 262 to 264lbs. In 2007, 2008, and 2009 his weight dropped big time, 243lbs. He lost 20lbs. Does anyone think there is a correlation between his recent weight loss and his performance.

Tim, I'm a first timer here. I wanted to get your perspective on something. Aaron Schobel in my opinion had not even come close to earning the money we gave him a few years back. Something I noticed about his weight kind of made me think a little. His stats from 2002-2006, 8.5, 11.5, 8, 12, and 14 sacks. Then in 2007 he dropped to 6.5 sacks and then in 2008 when he was injured after 4 or 5 games 1 sack. If you look at his weight from his rookie season up until 2006 he played anywhere from 262 to 264lbs. In 2007, 2008, and 2009 he is 243lbs. He last lost 20lbs. My question to you is Tim is do you think there is any correlation between is recent weight loss and his performance?

Beerball, since you won't listen to me here you go: Per Sal Capaccio @ SalSports.com, coach Dick Jauron initiated the process, lobbying the front office (which is now essentially run by non-football guy Russ Brandon) to consider Owens. from Sully's article a sure sign that Jauron, the embattled head coach, needs to win this year and will do anything necessary to get there.

JohnG You have no idea what you are talking about and I won't even start with your lack of knowledge on the Tony G situation. How do you or anyone else outside of the Bills front office know what the Bills are actually doing? How do you know where their urgency is? My bet is that they are on the phones and in contact with all kinds of agents and players but how easy do you think it is to bring players to this city. Would Buffalo be your first choice if you wanted to go to a winning franchise? When is the last time Buffalo went to the playoffs? Would Buffalo be your choice over warmer cities? Would Buffalo be your choice when their not even sure where they'll be playing after Wilson passes on; causing the player to uproot his family possibly once again? I believe that the Bills organization probably works their butt off to bring players to play for us. I mean if they don't win they get fired; don't you think their trying to build a winner as best as they can? Do you think they are just sleeping through the day as other teams are trying to pick up players? Don't always blame the Bills when players go to other teams. It probably isn't because of a lack of effort on their part.