Big Bills Fan

Live in the Denver area and still looking for Tickets. Craigslist is full of them, but I suspect that there a number of scams out there too. If anyone knows of someone selling 4, shoot me a note. The kids are excited, unfortunately one is a good Bills fan and the youngest is a Broncos fan just to spite me... :-)

7. If the Bills move to another city, I will stop being a fan of the team football. ***Football will be dead to me***

Not gonna be sexy, but they will take Warmack/Cooper with #8. Then best available QB in RD 2 - Nassib, Manuel, Barkley in that order. If they go with a QB at 8 it will be Nassib due to the Marrone/Hackett tie in. Austin doesn't make sense here - we have both Spiller and Graham with similar shiftiness and speed so there is no need to get yet another. When was the last time though that a top 10 QB has made a real impact besides the two slamdunk, once in a lifetime QBs of last year - Luck & RGIII? The few other QBs that that the Bills "could have" taken in the past but were passed up were all 2/3/4 rounders (Brees, Kapernick, Dalton, Wilson). There are good players to be had later. It's a crap shoot with QB honestly and I don't think that they will reach for anyone but Nassib if they do.

Not gonna be sexy, but they will take Warmack/Cooper with #8. Then best available QB in RD 2 - Nassib, Manuel, Barkley in that order. If they go with a QB at 8 it will be Nassib due to the Marrone/Hackett tie in. Austin doesn't make sense here - we have both Spiller and Graham with similar shiftiness and speed so there is no need to get yet another. When was the last time though that a top 10 QB has made a real impact besides the two slamdunk, once in a lifetime QBs of last year - Luck & RGIII? The few other QBs that that the Bills "could have" taken in the past but were passed up were all 2/3/4 rounders (Brees, Kapernick, Dalton, Wilson). There are good players to be had later. It's a crap shoot with QB honestly and I don't think that they will reach for anyone but Nassib if they do.

Not gonna be sexy, but they will take Warmack/Cooper with #8. Then best available QB in RD 2 - Nassib, Manuel, Barkley in that order. If they go with a QB at 8 it will be Nassib due to the Marrone/Hackett tie in. Austin doesn't make sense here - we have both Spiller and Graham with similar shiftiness and speed so there is no need to get yet another. When was the last time though that a top 10 QB has made a real impact besides the two slamdunk, once in a lifetime QBs of last year - Luck & RGIII? The few other QBs that that the Bills "could have" taken in the past but were passed up were all 2/3/4 rounders (Brees, Kapernick, Dalton, Wilson). There are good players to be had later. It's a crap shoot with QB honestly and I don't think that they will reach for anyone but Nassib if they do.

Because this year Fitz is not performing even to the level of his inconsistent last year. He has always thrown bad picks that have cost games over the last couple of years (remember the Giants in 2011). He is missing open receivers even on short passes, forget about the long ones. His pick at the end of the Tenessee game was horrible and cost them the win. Forget about the D being bad, they should never have been in that spot. He simply has to play better, smarter and be more accurate. Teams with bad Ds can only get better and win when they have a QB that 1) Puts up points and keeps them off the field or 2) Plays smart and doesn't continually put them in bad situations. Unfortunately, Fitz is doing neither right now.

Chan will be back with high expectations next year. An improved record and/or some true momentum at the end of the season will be enough to keep him around for 2013 even if he doesn't make the playoffs. Edwards will be gone after this year - Wanny will be defensive coordinator. The bell will toll for Chan if we don't make the playoffs in the 2013-2014 season. The problem we have is that there are no coaches out there that will truly make a difference - pick your poison. Fisher might be an option, but let's be honest, getting folks to the come to Buffalo is half the battle (continuous losing, unsure ownership situation, iffy financial commitment); there is no Cowher (established winning coach), Harbaugh (bright young mind) or true winners that will suddenly lose their job (someone like Fox in Denver) to step in and do more than Gailey. Gailey seems to have the right mental approach and winning pedigree to back it up - I truly believe that in the long run, he is going to have this team focused on how to win instead of how not to lose - and that belief starts with attitude. Yah, he makes mistakes, but he has no franchise players, just lots of potential. He wants to be here, has built some of the foundation, seems to have a good coaching staff in place, with the exception of Edwards; Wanny and Gailey have had success together before in Dallas. There have been huge improvements on the o-line this year which has helped both the running and passing games immensely along with positives spots throughout the D - the Bills need consistency and depth which only comes through drafting well. We will begin to see Whaley in 2012 filling in some good guys through the draft and free agency. Guys like David Nelson, Donald Jones, Nick Barnett. I don't like it, but I am forced to put on the rose colored glasses every week. It kills me that we didn't make more of this season, especially after beating the Pats. But I am a realist and reality is that there is no one better out there who wants this job at this time. This team is going to get better, but throwing in more change for the sake of change is going to be what gets us to the playoffs and beyond. And Buddy knows that.... - BBF

ESPN Insider is speculating that a few "second-tier" candidates are possibilities: Brian Schotteheimer, Haslett, or Mike Nolan. I actually like the Nolan idea as I think that he would bring experience, discipline, organization and consistency on defense where it has been lacking. He has done a great job with the Broncos D this year. The two lines need to be fixed no doubt - especially offense, and the D needs real linebackers. I think that Poz has really come on in the second half, so he can be an anchor there. A Nolan 3-4 can make better use of Schobel, Maybin, Denney and Kelsey if they are still around. The secondary should continue to be solid. The Tampa2 has gotta go. Take Bradford when the chance arises, keep Brohm and Fitz as he brings vet experience. O-line needs some top draft picks and spend the cash on a good left tackle. Peters' attitude is what killed his chances of staying so they need a guy who is a lunch pail type guy. We have that in Wood (lord willing he makes it back), Levitre, Hangartner looks a bit weak at the point of attack but may do OK at guard. Simmons might have some potential to stay. And, this feels weird to say, but I actually like Incognito. Needs to manage the anger, but one of the Bills biggest unheralded signings IMHO in the 80s was Conrad Dobler. Peace out Bills Nation. Everything is gonna be alright. BBF

ProfootballTalk.com is reporting that Dungy said on the Dan Patrick show that it wasn't the Bills that contacted him. I am guessing it was the Browns. Link: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/...out-an-nfl-job/

Tim, Thanks for joining us here - I certainly enjoy getting opinions that are much closer to inside than most of us will ever be. And I am not saying you have a Buffalo bias, but you definitely understand our town and Bills fans. Now that the Peters issue is just about put to bed, do you think that the Bills will move forward with a better deal for Fred Jackson. He was a helluva player last year, definitiely seems to be a high character guy and makes clutch plays out of sheer will and effort - what more can you ask for. I know that the Bills don't have to do anything considering his status, but they certainly reached with Kelsay and Dockery, so why not take care of a guy who is actually productive? Is this battle with him just part of the negotiation process, a matter of timing, or are they just being dumb? -BBF

I gotta say that the timeline in the article does not make sense nor does the description of what took place. I suspect that they had plans to go for someone big like Jason Brown, who by the way got taken after Duke Preston by the Ravens in that draft - 2005 I believe. Also looking to re-sign Peters and I believe that Chambers has been re-upped. What I don't understand is why they could not have just made a big signing if that is what they intended and then released or traded Dock unless it was out of professional courtesy. It's not like his salary was going to hurt us any less on the cap-side or otherwise. All this being said, I am looking for reasons that we don't suck and so far my search has been futile. Put that extra money to some good use on some quality FAs (what is left) to fill the holes that are even more apparent and perhaps we can move on from yet another round of dubious decision making. -BBF

No doubt Leodis is a stud and will only get better - so far it is looking like a great pick. Don't forget that Whitner has been injured and it wouldn't surprise me if he is playing through some pain and will have surgery this off-season. He could be a bigger playmaker at this point in his career, but as has been pointed out, the defensive scheme and lack of a quality pass rush is likely holding him back a bit. He is versatile and has stepped in to play corner more than a few times. Polamalu, Reed, etc. all have great players and schemes around them allowing them to go out and make plays. I think that he will get better with a stronger pass rush and a playmaker or two on the D. His leadership stands out right now though and will pay dividends as this team grows up. Although it didn't get big press at the time, one the keys to the 90's Bills emergence was bringing in Leonard Smith from AZ. Donte will be better than him in the long run. - BBF

As much as I hate to think of being in the same spot next year, a change in the coaching staff is not going to put us in any better position. We need to fix our player deficiencies before any coaching staff is gonna turn it around. Did we underachieve this year - yes. There were at least three winnable games that we blew and that frankly would have been won with more a more experienced QB and Offensive Coordinator. Dick has responsibility as well but it is all hindsight. He was a genius after 6 games this year. I say this team wins at least 2 of those 3 games with a good pass rush. The defense had a hand in our collapses just as much as the offense and I was just as frustrated watching other teams carve us up when we couldn't even touch their QB. Yah our offensive struggles sucked, but I remember the defensive collapses (third and long killed us once again this year) more than the offensive failures. The fact is that we have a chance at an impactful draft this year. Draft a stud pass rusher in the first round. A good center in the second (although Preston is making strides). Linebacker in the third. Build depth on the lines including another TE to replace Royal. I truly believe that if we get a couple of great pass rushers, this team goes to the playoffs. This draft is Dick's final chance to save his job. - BBF

....So do the Bills....

It was me. No sh--. And the fact that someone posted this is a bit scary. I got the Edwards standing buffalo/third jersey version right before the Cleveland game. I figured that it was time to put the Moulds one away considering they crapped the bed and he left the team at the end of that season. The last thing that I wanted was to be walking around in a cursed jersey. Ooops (to quote JP), the new one was instantly cursed by a wide right 47 yarder....where have I seen that before. Everytime I think that there can't possibly be a curse, I am shown undeniable proof that there is indeed something beyond our understanding. We all know it, we are from Buffalo. I do believe though that it can change. It will the day that we stop caring to the point that our mood every day throughout the season is not affected by this team. I am so tired of being pissed off whenever we lose. Bills fans try too hard, hell the whole town does. We are who we are and to quote the great Lonnie Johnson - every dog has its day. And when we finally do get a championship (either the Bills or Sabres will do), I am bringing my family back to Buffalo for the parade.....along with the million other folks that left and have come back to kick the curse to the curb. If Boston can do it we sure as hell can. - BBF

Gotta agree here. Everyone is calling it as it is and we are who we are. Remember that we had to go through Bullough and Stevenson to get to Levy. We have a foundation to build off of both with players and coaches, but we still need a good draft/trade/FA to add playmakers on the D-line, linebackers, and O-line. There is no reason to think that this can't happen with our first three picks of the '09 draft and some off season maneuvering. Dick and the gang have a chance to build on the good from earlier this year. Schonert and Edwards need some seasoning. We need a pass rush. Problem is, and this has been said before, that there is a pattern of losing that has to end. The latest collapse is a symptom, not the cause. Unfortunately we have reached the point where these details are obscured that the fact the Bills are stuck in a culture of losing. It is practically a caption under a picture of Dick looking at a scoreboard with his hand on his chin; like the cloud of dirt that follows Pigpen in the Peanuts. So I pose this question while asking for realistic answers. If not Dick, then who? Shotty or Cowher would be great; is RW willing to pay and are they willing to come? Who is the next Tony Sparano or Mike Smith that is gonna change the culture in WNY? Please don't say Bobby April.... -BBF

Unless they can bring in a proven coach, Dick is our best option for next season, as scary as that is. I would like to see some consideration to Casserly and Reese on the GM side and Schottenheimer as a coach. Haslett is too undisciplined as are his teams in general. Cowher unfortunately will never come to Buffalo considering our unwillingness to spend the money to make it happen, although with our front office structure, it would actually work well to have a head coach who is willing and able to be GM and coach. We are not in a position to bring in another rookie coach ala Mike Smith or Sparano. Williams and Mularkey burned us and set us back in terms of giving a rookie coach a chance. Again, I don't necessarily want to suffer for another year, but realistically, we were still a draft or two away before the start of this season. Trent could use another year of seasoning with an experienced back up who is willing to mentor. Stock up on the lines and linebacker in this next draft and I think that one more year is reasonable for un-tricky Dick. -BBF and resident realist

We can't (I should say we won't) afford Cowher at 9 mill per year. I just heard Marty last week saying that he is done with coaching, but minds can always be changed. He is probably our best bet to actually come here and bring real change. Cowher: $18 million over the next two years Shotty: $10 million over the next two years Jauron $4 million over the next two years. No need to get out the calculator. What's most likely is that Jauron is around for another year; one last chance to give this team an identity and save his career in Buffalo. Oh and save a few million bucks..... -BBF

The problem with this team is the mentality of this football team. Sure, everyone is supportive and constructive and there is a good sense of unity and support, but what is our IDENTITY? This team has not had any defining characteristic(s) since Marv in the 80s and even Knox in the 70s. With Knox, we KNEW that he would build a winner. We had a sense that he was coming in with a plan. Breaking that 10 year losing streak against the Fins was a defining moment. We tore down the goal posts for a regular season game for pete's sake. With Levy we weren't sure what he was bringing but it turns out that he was a diamond in the rough. It didn't hurt that he had future Hall of Famers work with. Curiously though with all that talent (Bruce, Reed, Kelly) Marv came in and the first thing that pointed out was that "the kicking game is shoddy" (I still have the article I clipped when I was 16 announcing his signing). Imagine that, the team sucked in every phase under Bullough and the first thing that he talked about was improving the kicking game. What I wouldn't give for a coach right now to step up and say that we are committed to be being the best _____ team in the league. I for one am tired of wondering when the shoe is gonna drop on the all the good stuff we are doing. I for one am tired of hearing the same line, as admirable as it is that the players play and the coaches can't be held responsible for their play. That's fine for a key kick or a big stop or a defining play. But the fact of the matter is that our issues result from a SERIES of miscues not just one. That's on the coaches. Believe it or not, Jauron has the potential to give the Bills an identity besides "chokers". The '01 Bears showed that he can do it. But if he can't find that identity for the Bills in the next 3 games whether that is running the ball; turning into a dynamic, turnover inducing defense; come back kids that show heart; winning record; whatever it is, this year should be his last. If it is his last and we get to start fresh once again, this organization will have to decide whether we HOPE to be champions or actually BE champions. Our answer will be reflected in whoever is the headcoach of the Bills in '09. - BBF

We are a terrible team right now and yet this season hinges on two out of three games. Despite being as bad as we are we could easily have take 2 wins out of the following three games and be in the thick of it: Miami @ Miami: 16-7 lead in the third quarter. A stretch/fumble by Trent for a first down on third and an interception in our own end doomed us. We play with a lead and hold it, it's in the bag. Cleveland: The opposing kicker hits a 56 yarder on a 30 degree night and we miss a 47 yarder, are you kidding me? We won't get in the 3 1st quarter ints. San Fran at home: Lindell misses two field goals (I still can't even talk about the first one), the opposing guy hits a 50 yarder on a fumble at the end of the half. In a terrible game a nine point swing would have been huge. The irony is that the difference between a bad team and one that finds ways to win is about 5 plays in this whole season. It's a scary thought that for as bad as we are, we'd be in it in the AFC West and certainly parts of the NFC. The moral of this story is that Luck Favors the Prepared. We are clearly not prepared to be a good team no matter how badly the team or Bills Nation wants it; you can practically feel the weight of that desire in the way we play, especially with a lead. I look forward to the day when our DESIRE to be a good team is equaled by our ability TO BE a good team. - BBF

I agree that there is still hope. There is no doubt that the AFCE is tough which complicates things. These last three games we had chances to win, but as was pointed out, little mistakes led to big game changers. It sucks that these were division games, but if we take care of business and go 5-2 over the last seven, we'll at least make the playoffs. Wins against Cleveland, KC, and San Fran plus two division games at home are within reach. But it all starts on Monday night. - BBF

The difference between Trent and JP can be summed up in the 3 come from behind wins that Trent has led so far this year. But the biggest illustration in my mind was that one throw last year against the Redskins to Josh Reed to get the Bills in range to win the game. There is no way that JP completes that pass. JP didn't lose that game against the Cardinals this year on his own, but he didn't do anything to rise above his limitations either and that is the point. I think that it is time to put to rest the thought of JP doing something positive with the Bills. He's a loyal, hardworking guy but his time in Buffalo is pretty much done. Time will tell if Trent's the man but he certainly has more potential right now.

Trent Edwards is a better QB than JP plain and simple. He manages the game better, makes better decisions and has shown that he can bring the team back in tough situations. That being said, he has struggled as of late and no one is arguing that fact. This is his first season as a true starter and he is still learning. Peyton, Elway, Aikman, Cutler, heck most every big name QB in the game has struggled in their first season or two. JP had plenty of chances and he didn't take advantage of them. JP's biggest challenge is his inability to overcome tough odds and make something happen. If you are a "gunslinger" and don't have the ability to lead your team in the toughest of times, you are the worst kind of gunslinger. That Cardinals game was proof of that...it just took me back to the frustration of his previous seasons. I understand he came in as a backup, but leaders are born out of adversity and he didn't show an ability to rise above his circumstances. No doubt Trent has made some bad plays and had costly turnovers. But you get the sense at least with him that he is going to learn from those things and move forward. Three times this year already he has lead his team back from tough deficits. It's going to take time for him to be a truly complete QB. Without a consistently solid D and problems on both lines, those challenges are amplified. The fact of the matter is that we had chances in all three division games and had bad turnovers or defensive breakdowns. At least we were in those games. I'll take that any day over having to worry about JP stalling yet another drive. This team has bigger issues than the QB play. Trent has the skills and mentality to rise above those issues and make this team better. That streak starts on Monday against the Browns. -BBF

Hey all, Long time Bills fan, first time poster. I grew up in Lockport, listening to the Bills on the radio every Sunday (since we rarely sold out games and we never played on Monday night). So I have felt the futility and I know the pain. I sat shivering under a blanket watching that first SB and screamed into the cold, dark night when Norwood missed it (I really did). Don't get me started on the No Goal....that is for a different board. So now I am taking a stand. I have finally admitted to myself that I live in fear. I fear a late penalty on every big Bills play. I fear that costly fumble or interception. But no more. I am gonna let go of my feeling that the other shoe has to drop everytime we get up. That includes our great start to this season and privately wondering when the wheels were gonna come off. I tell my son every game that good teams win big games. It's a simple formula. If we deserve it, we will win. If we don't, we have to move on to the next game. Our keys this week (there's probably 10, I'll list four): 1. Run the ball. Yes, we always have to run it well, but I believe that we have to pound it with committment even if it costs us a couple of series. The Pats line is strong and honestly, they will eat our lunch if we don't win the line of scrimmage. Missed blocks, holding penalties, and miscommunications that have been absolute game changers and win-killers. (Trent's not innocent here). Focusing on the run will create rhythm, tire out the defense, and hopefully neutralize the pass rush. Marshawn and Fred have to step up. Trent has to get them the ball including swings and screens. 2. Stop the run. If we don't do this, our rookies will be even more exposed when trying to stop the pass. It is windy in Foxboro today, so passing is gonna be tough not matter how you slice it. I predict that either McKelvin or Corner will end up with an interception today. 3. Return to special teams dominance. Frankly we haven't seen very special play from this unit over the last several games. Today is the day. 4. Perfect execution. This one is a given every Sunday, but we are going to need it against the Pats especially. I haven't seen it since week 1. Think of the killer plays this year (not including AZ). Trent fumbles on a short converstion because he extended the ball. Trent throws an interception for a TD inside the redzone. Robert Royal fumbles at a key time in two games (if I had a nickel for everytime I've seen that....). Missed blocks leading to turnovers and safety. We have to be focused on executing and playing smart. No mistakes. We will we win the game today? We can. We WILL if we make this our game and set the tempo. For me, I am committed to start enjoying myself again by cheering without fearing. After all, every game from here on out is a big game. As I tell my son, good teams win big games. -BBF