San Jose Bills Fan

For instance?

Here's a little assignment for the OP and his/hers supporters: Find one single article which states any beliefs even remotely similar to what the OP states the "national media" thinks of the Bills offense. (hint: don't bother looking because you won't find one)

I doubt anyone would criticize a post without reading it first. The poster tries to project what he/she believes the "national media" sees in the Bills offense. The picture the OP paints is ridiculously negative. There's no way the "national media" sees the Bills this way. Here's what James Walker sees in the Bills offense (published yesterday on ESPN). He has the Bills offense ranked 2nd in the AFC East, ahead of the Jets and Dolphins: No. 2: Buffalo Bills Analysis: The Bills have the potential to be solid on offense. The big question is, can quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick prove he is the long-term solution? Fitzpatrick looked fine early in 2011 and fell off in the second half of last season. Injured ribs were mentioned as one of the reasons. Running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller should be one of the best one-two punches in the NFL this year. Steve Johnson is a solid receiver coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. The Bills also have a versatile offensive line that fits their wide open style. The Bills still need to find their No. 2 receiver. David Nelson filled the void at the end of last year, but he's better in the slot. Donald Jones is coming back from injury and rookie T.J. Graham will get a hard look. If the Bills figure that out, their offense can be dangerous. Again, this offense was 14th in points and yards gained in spite of a huge onslaught of injuries. Chan Gailey is typically characterized (again, justified or not) by the national media as an offensive mastermind. The OPs post is ridiculously inaccurate and I'm amazed at how many of you really want to hold his post to your bosoms. http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/42620/ranking-afc-east-offenses

No doubt. But right after Auburn's win, the choice in this forum was Fairley. In fact, at that moment, it seems to me that Bowers was ahead of, or at least neck-and-neck with Dareus. I think that people viewed Fairley and Bowers as better pass rushers, therefore more-attractive picks.

No. The OP is a troll… I think it's kind of obvious. I would guess that most of the media would scurry to the stats as a starting point for evaluating the offense. They would see that the Bills offense finished 14th out of 32 teams in yards gained and also 14th in points scored. They also see that this was accomplished in spite of a huge rash of injuries at offensive line and wide receiver, and the loss of MVP candidate Fred Jackson. The national media may or may not be aware that Fitz played the last 10 games of the season with broken ribs. Also the natiional media tends to speak well (justified or not) of Chan Gailey's offensive prowess.

Right after his bowl game though, if you would have taken a poll, Fairley was the popular pick over Dareus.

Holy Crap! Carmichael was on both staffs? I apologize and stand corrected.

Sorry for the criticism but you are not a poster whose word I would exactly take as authoritative or objective.

I probably saw Jim Kelly play in person about 12 times. But the best quarterbacking performance I've ever seen was when Brees lit up London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes, Jeff Posey, Aaron Schobel, Nate Clements, Terrence McGee, Lawyer Milloy, Sam Adams, and Jabbari Greer to the tune of 48-14 in 2005. Brees was flawless as he quickly found receivers and threw perfect balls which defeated tight coverage… over and over again. I'd swear the only incompletions were passes that his receivers dropped. Granted the weather was perfect that day but I never imagined that a quarterback could throw with such touch and accuracy. Every throw had perfect location, velocity, and trajectory. The performance was a revelation. I doubt his offensive coordinator that day was the same offensive coordinator he's had in New Orleans. In fact I know it's not the same OC. But it is the same quarterback.

First of all, thanks for posting. Secondly, I thought (and couldn't confirm because I can't pull up the Bills roster from their website right now) that at last look that Carrington was listed as a DT, and Batten as a DE. However according to the "Fan Friday" link, Carrington is mainly a DE and Batten mainly a OLB. I would say Carrington makes more sense at DE and Batten looks to me like a man without a position.

And then there's the always hopeful aspect of "second-chance, chip-on-his-shoulder" talented players. The guy's a specimen who played at a slightly lower level of competition (San Jose State, which btw has about 5 wide receivers in the NFL right now). His measurables are elite-level. He was signed to and released from the Jets practice squad about 3 times before we signed him to the active roster. This will be another one of the interesting stories to follow. For all I know he could suck but also, I wouldn't be surprised if he made the team.

LOL! The trade hasn't worked out for the best… but the discussion then becomes, is it because of the picks involved or the players selected with those picks? No. I disagree with your spin. Bell was ALWAYS an injury-prone player. Then there's the fact that not a single team was interested in Bell as a free agent until Jason Peters injured himself.

Good stuff, Damond. Yeah it's close between 2004 and 2011 for best although arguably it's still too soon to judge the 2011 class. As for the worst years, 2002 and 2009 seem to be at the top (or the bottom). The 2005 draft is kind of interesting because none of the top 5 players has been worthy of their draft position but none of them have totally busted either.

Of the two factors, we all agree on the management aspect. Good management will succeed where bad management will fail. But why are people treating the market discussion like a black and white issue? To say the market is a non-factor is just as ridiculous as saying that the market is the only factor. Both of those statements are wrong.

You have your players/years mixed up. Not saying Troup was a good pick because he certainly was a head-scratcher at the time and has done nothing since being selected but again, some teams had Gronk off their boards due to (ironically) medical concerns about his back. I agree. With what Spiller showed in the second half of last season (in a broken-down offense no less) it's obvious to me anyways that he's become the player the Bills thought he was… a player who easily justifies his selection. The only first rounders taken after Spiller who are showing they are possibly better picks are JPP and Pouncey… but the Bills didn't need Pouncey and most teams didn't view JPP as a can't-miss prospect. Critics of the Spiller pick have been evaporating over the last few months and I think will virtually vanish by the end of this season. In other words, I think he will shut up his critics.

It's not.

Here. You forgot this: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/Troups-redemption/c6cb3c31-2520-42d0-8f52-ca45e2bc0cf8

I heard Tony Bennett's making a comeback and has composed a few new songs… I guess it bears mentioning that most all of SF's "Gentlemen's Clubs" are in North Beach. Full nudity, beautiful women… but no alcohol served. Because of that, not quite on a par with the Canadian Ballet.

Actually I believe he was arrested for hunting down people who said unflattering things about him on fan forums.

I can't believe I remembered it. You rattle it around and every once in awhile something drops out.

I believe he was drafted as a run stuffer.

Fair enough.

It may have been Tom Catlin who was a respected defensive coach.

Agree with your point and will add that you also have to take into account the cost of tickets… the Bills have the lowest ticket prices in the NFL… and that hasn't been mentioned yet in this topic but is a big part of the issue (market strength).

We haven't signed Graham AND Wanny could possibly leave after the season?