PushthePile

I hope the next time I hear the definition of insanity, it will be my last. Every week somebody drags that quote out and thinks it's a show stopping gem.

In today's NFL the pass sets up the run more often than not. Without an effective passing game, defenses tend to put eight or more in the box and that is awfully tough to overcome. As Bills fans we have seen this used against us over and over again. Until this team can find ways to punish opposing defenses for this strategy, we will continue to see it. Again, no one is disputing that our QBs are getting hit. The o-line is unquestionably poor but the QBs aren't helping themselves either. Good QBs get rid of the ball and lose a down. It's not like no one else is under pressure, some just deal with it better. Rothlisburger is a great QB but he willingly takes hits by holding the ball. It's admirable on his part but his career will be shortened.

Who saw the Colts game last week? As soon as Painter went into the game for Manning, the Colts o-line looked very Buffalo Bills like. It goes to show you how much a QB can help his line. Manning goes through his reads quicker, feels the pressure better, knows where to position himself, and gets the ball out of there. Painter looked like Losman and Manning rarely gets a finger put on him.

+1 The o-line is an extremely important unit for a football team and it is certainly a major need of the Bills. However, it is not a complete excuse for poor QBing. Make no mistake about it, this team has horrendous QBs. Would the Mannings and the Rivers of the league put up the same numbers here in Buffalo? Obviously not. Would they make a huge difference? Of course. This team had weapons this year and it's a real shame that the offense was awful. Some fans are under the impression that our QBs had no shot. While I agree that the line was poor, I can't buy into the no shot theory. Protection was poor often but not always. Even during stretches of decent to good protection our QBs stunk up the joint. The elite QBs would have faired much better here and the decent QBs would have been moderately better. The Bills lost 6 games by a total of 23 points. Anyone who thinks Rivers, Manning, Brees, or a handful of other good QBs, aren't 23 points better than Edwards and Fitz, are delusional.

Has he really fallen that far? I admit, it's very difficult to grade DTs without knowing assignments.

I agree but who knows. It's not like Matt Moore and Tavaris Jackson are Steve Young and Warren Moon.

This is pretty close to what I'd like. 1. Brohm 2. Another young QB in the league, that has upside Troy Smith, Matt Moore, Kevin Kolb, Tavaris Jackson, Jason Campbell (all under 27 years old and have the possibility of getting better) 3. Rookie QB 4. Trent or Fitz (whomever the new coaching staff feels could run their system) A real competition in training camp would dictate the starter and backups. No one gets handed a thing.

I agree that Joe Flacco is solid. This doesn't mean Troy Smith can't play the game though. You can't blame the Florida loss on the kid either, it was men v.s. boys.

Incorrect. Troy Smith was likely to start 2008. The Ravens drafted Joe Flacco because they had Boller and an unknown fifth round rookie at QB. The next season that fifth round rookie had played well enough to start and had won the approval of his teammates. The only reason he didn't start was illness. Troy Smith hasn't had much of an opportunity but that is not the same as crappy. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/...-trade-request/

He actually beat out Flacco during the 2008 preseason. The Ravens were prepared to start him but he came down with a rare case of tonsillitis and lost alot of time and weight. Flacco went on to have a really solid rookie season and the starting job was no longer a question. Troy Smith is a RFA, I see no problem with him wanting to play somewhere else. The Bills need players with confidence and desire.

Pink mist

I can think of a dozen players that need to be locked in a shed.

Did anyone notice if our backup RB had D-1 written on his eye black?

+1 What a joke! This kid sounds like a punk and probably deserves a beating.

Wow! Every once in a while the pro-bowl gets it right. Nice pat on the back for Kyle.

What Dan said. I'd give Kyle Williams a little honorable mention as well.

Colts v.s. Vikings Peyton v.s. Brett would be cool. I'd like to see Peyton win another one. My prediction though: Chargers v.s. Eagles Chargers win!

Who doesn't love a barbecue?

Perhaps our coaches wouldn't be braindead if they had talent to work with. Mularkey and Williams must be really lucky outside of Buffalo.

Orakpo is listed as strongside LB, and you are correct he has played more snaps at that position thus far. You originally stated that he had 11 sacks as a LB and that is false. 8 of Orakpo's 11 sacks have come from the DE position and the coaching staff is already transitioning him to a full-time DE. The Bills "brain"-trust might not have managed him the same way but it is becoming obvious his talents are rushing from the DE position. I'm sure they could handle that. Nonetheless, do what you have to do, to convince yourself he'd be terrible here. Of course we all know Jim Zorn has always gotten the best out of his players. Perhaps he could have done the same with Maybin.

Orakpo plays DE for the most part.

They could retain him, I just think that relationship has run its course.

He was assistant GM in San Diego and has been around football forever. I think it would be awfully shortsighted to think his input is not valuable.

Wasington is getting a new coach and the new regime will want their own guy. Campbell is a free agent and will likely be somewhere else next year. I think Seattle is also a canidate for a QB. Hasselbeck is actually struggling this season and looks old. I think Mora is going to get fired too. St. Louis is likely to draft Suh, but alot of things can happen between now and the draft. They have invested two recent first rounders into the d-line and might look at a QB. These prospects can grade out differently as the offseason moves foward.