BillsfaninFl

We get the government we deserve.

A good example of the mistakes other teams make. Sometimes we scrutinize the Bills so closely, that it seems like they are the worst decision makers in the league, but that is not true. Unfortunately, they are in the bottom quarter of teams and have been consistently at that low ranking for a long time. I think picking a quarterback in the first round would be a mistake. Not just because we have greater needs, but because none of the QBs available stand out as having a high probability of success. Granted, there is no such thing as a sure thing, but this might be the time for the Bills to trade up to get Suh. I don't care if we have to throw in a couple of draft picks along with our #1 to do it. Look how badly we have done when we have had ten picks in the draft. Let's get one really good player and start building a team around him. I'm tired of hearing the experts say that Buffalo's pich was "a reach." I'm tired of hearing it because it keeps being true.

Some very good points. Not only have expectations become so high that players are supposed to "contribute" immediately, but the same is true for coaches. Therefore, coaches who do not have a strong portfolio must scramble to win the next game, even if the player decisions are not in the best interest of the team long-term. Conversely, coaches who have already been successful get more time to build a winner. It is not the reason for their success, but it helps. So if the Bills try to hire an "up and coming" coordinator (or position coach) who they hope will be a diamond in the rough, the guy has to coach as if there is no tomorrow. Of course, hiring these guys are a crap shoot to begin with. (i.e. Williams, Malarky) So what do you do if you are Wilson and you want the team to win? You have to change the image of the organization from one that is not attractive for elite players or coaches to join, to one that has respected football men in charge (with the true power to do their job). That is why it is so important that the Bills hire a "name" GM and/or Head Coach. Not just because of their proven skills, but to show that they are now committed to building a winning team. IMO Wilson's Donahoe experiment hurt this organization badly because he was given the power necessary to build a winner, but at a time when Donahoe was overcompensating for having lost the power struggle with Cowher in Pittsburgh. He made himself a dictator so that he would not be overthrown again, and it was his undoing. At the same time, it made Wilson promise himself and publicly state "I'll never let that happen again." I believe him... unfortunately.

Refering to the Bills, you say we don't know what's going on? And you tell us all that we "don't know anything about Brandon?" Your right in my case, but there may be others that post here that have gained some information that you do not have. Possibly reporters or guys who know someone inside the organization. But after professing ignorance, you state that Brandon's job does not include signing players and hiring coaches. Yet he is interviewing candidates. I respect your speculations but wonder what prompts these statements of certainty. I believe that many of the contributors on this board make good points about the Bills organization and individuals. And many of them accurately illustrate trends in Bills decisionmaking based on recorded history and observations. If I felt that everyone posting here is clueless, I wouldn't be reading their comments.

I know what you mean. So much is lost when you can't go to the games and get the full experience. It's been eleven years for me. Even though I am long gone from western New York, I would do practically anything I could to keep the Bills in Buffalo so that my former neighbors and tailgatemates could still enjoy the games. They deserve to have the Bills in the future. Bills fans, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I hope everyone's Christmas (or other holiday) is enjoyable and that the new year is even better. Thanks for all the opinions expressed during this year.

Which NFL players were you refering to with your ridiculous example of domestic violence? I did not say I condone Vick's crime, I indicated there are worse things happening by players in the league. Even a couple of cases where players may have committed murder. So your ranting is off the mark. And yes, I consider beating up your wife worse than doing something to a dog, as bad as that is. My point was that decisions about whether a player is allowed to play on the local football team should not be based on our dislike for him and/or what he has done in his private life. We live in a free country, governed by the rule of law. If he has paid for his crime according to the law, I cannot see keeping him from continuing his career (even though it pisses me off that he makes so much money to do it.)

LOL Very good.

Tried to give away all my Bills stuff. No takers. My wife suggested the Salvation Army, but I would feel guilty forcing some poor soul to walk around with a sign on him that he is a loser. Then I thought, hey, I'll bury them in the garden. The plants took off with a growth spurt. That stuff was just like manure. Hmmmmm.

I know T.O. is running the team, but is it that obvious now? He makes announcements that Fewell should be making?

Explain that please.

Man, those airport cocktail bars can make a guy have strange thoughts.

It's not up to Brandon to hire a GM (unless the guy is just a figurehead), it's Wilson's. And Brandon certainly cannot give a new GM any power to do his job well. That, too, is Ralph's decision.

Too bad about Reed. He is an excellent blocker for a WR, probably developed those skills while he was a running back. He runs decent routes, but drops a ton of balls. We need someone more reliable in the slot.

Regarding his distorted view of what he has been through compared to "95% of the world," thousands of people die a slow death due to starvation every year, thousands more have chronic, painful and debilitating diseases. His life may have been more challenging than mine (I cannot judge that because I don't know his whole story.) But to think he is even close to the end of the spectrum of those who have suffered the most, shows how clueless he is.

It's an award not for just courage, but also sportsmanship. Dogfighting is a sport to some, but I would think that since it is not condoned by most people in this country that it is an insult to the award to choose Vick. I'm not saying he's the worst crimal there is. But he doesn't deserve a sportsmanship award. Actually, as much as I like dogs (have two in the family), I think it is a worse crime to be guilty of domestic violence to your spouse. Several NFL players have been guilty of that, making them worse criminals in my opinion. If Vick is hired by the Bills, that's fine. The team has moved away from the "high character" policy since Levy was coach anyway.

If our starting QB bombs again and we get crushed by Atlanta, the fans will have Fitz of anger and Fewell will forgive our interim coach. Sorry, that was really lame.

Does anyone have the link to an article that says Byrd will be undergoing surgery again?

I hope Schobel retires. You could tell he lost a step before he got hurt. This year he bounced back on sacks, but too often runners have gotten outside of him on sweeps and he cannot run down the line to make tackles on inside runs like he used to. I like Schobel. He has been a good contributor to the team, but it's time to go.

I don't want the Bills flexed. Why suffer more embarrassment on national TV?

I would love it if we moved ahead of the Bears. Regarding picking a WR in round one, we've hardly seen Hardy and have seen less of Johnson. With two guys who may or may not be good waiting in line, it would be stupid to add another. I can't believe some members of this board would be okay with picking Bryant in the first round. Other than getting a stud linebacker, this team better go after linemen with a vengence or there will be no improvement in play.

Apparently you are not familiar with the fact that Wilson owns the naming rights for the stadium. Other owners have criticized him for crying "poor," but refusing to sell the naming rights. I think they know a little bit about Ralph's contract.

If you are flying somewhere, bring plenty of money along. You may be eating airport food for days. If you are picking someone up, I sincerely hope they made it in okay.

I wonder if Fitz has pictures of Fewell cheating on his wife. It's the only reason I can think of why Perry still wants the dud on the field.