Sisyphean Bills

I wouldn't dispute that. I think there is a lot of truth to the idea that Gailey was convinced he could scheme around Fitz's limitations. That Fitz wasn't the Big Problem and thus they needed to address defense primarily. On the other hand, their plan has been exposed: drafting runners and defensive players is outdated thinking. Today's NFL trend is all about throwing the football and having a QB that can light up the scoreboard like a pinball machine. Gailey was an enigma. Despite focusing on fixing the defense (draft and free agency) and drafting Spiller very high, he just seemed to disappear into his role as an OC and let his defense be run by others (who turned out to be overmatched) and built an offense around a QB that had the will but not the talent to operate it consistently at a high-level. If the only talent one is going to add to the offense is a RB and tinkering with the line, one might think an identity of running the ball is coming ... until you see empty backfield sets used in every situation...

And he's still head, shoulders, torso, thighs, and knees above what the Bills have at LB.

And that is squarely on the GM. Even if the coach can't see that his QB situation is a dumpster fire, someone in the organization has to have the talent evaluation skills and foresight to lay down a path into the future. Nix just collected pedigrees under the "once upon a time, I think he did something" slogan.

We're in agreement ... except I wouldn't compliment Wannstedt by calling him pedestrian or mediocre, not even with the homer-goggles on. His coaching was a train wreck of flaming tanker cars. So much so that he made Edwards look mediocre.

Buddy signed him to his current starter money contract. His effort at upgrading the competition have been to bring in a 7th round pick, a pistol offense guy off the scrap heap, Vince Young, and a guy that the coach promised would never see the light of day. If he was really worried about the talent at the position, he has a bizarre track record over 3 years of showing it.

It can be both. We had a coach that wanted to build a read-and-react defense behind a DL that could disrupt the offense by itself with a straight 4 rush. The DL wasn't good enough to do that. (Is any DL given the last 20 years of evolution in the NFL game?) An unsophisticated coach putting players in positions to accentuate their weaknesses is not a formula for success, which bore out in some record shattering horrific performances.

Not to mention that Goldson was more of the enforcer (not counting grabbing headgear).

Can't believe anyone is still buying the baloney that Ngata isn't "quick enough" to fit a scheme. The Tampa-2 defense was built around the unblockable Warren Sapp for cripes sake. If they end up putting Haloti in Canton, will Whitner still be a better pick because of Jauron's scheme?

Boldin is as tough as they come and explodes to the ball. But, I'm not sure about calling Smith and Jones "gold-standard wideouts". Those 2 can flat out fly and have developed with Flacco, but I'd say they are helped by a guy that can throw the ball a mile and can be deadly accurate with his throws. Line them up with Fitz and they'd be much less productive, I think. On the third hand, the Ravens have a pair of TEs that can run and catch. Maybe having a GM that played that position helps the team realize that it can be a weapon?

Like Phil said, he did his best work during the power outage.

Shannon Sharpe is still talking... yawn.

who's caught flat footed. (fixed)

Whitner toasted on the 1st drive... some things don't change much.

Sure. I get that. The point was more about degree. Going from an awful (worst) CB to an awesome (best) S seems like a bit of wishful thinking. Would he be a better S than a CB? is a different question altogether, and the answer is probably yes. Still, if the given is that he has no cover skills whatsoever (absolutely zero), he's a liability anywhere in the back 7 of any NFL defense.

George Edwards ran a 5-2 defense here just 2 seasons ago. People went back and pulled up scouting reports on Chris Kelsay and pointed to him being a tweener and a natural fit as a hybrid DE/OLB in that defense. To say that asking Kelsay to play in space was a joke would be an understatement. Edwards also tried playing Spencer Johnson at the position, which allowed offenses to run around the edge of the defense at will. I'm not sure I want to see Mario Williams running with TEs and RBs down the seam. Build the scheme around the guys you've got.

I'm not sure Scott himself knew if he was playing LB or S last year. Deer in headlights. PS: Didn't Super Mario say one of the reasons he signed with the Bills was he wanted to play DE in a 4-3? Now, we're to assume that he's a stud OLB in a 3-4?

I don't get that either. If the guy sucks in coverage, he sucks in coverage. Moving him to safety doesn't fix that and safeties have to cover people these days as well. With the 3, 4, 5 WR spread sets and little, quick guys like Welker that can get open, catch, and run after the catch, having a safety that sucks in coverage really isn't a winning formula.

She does have a point if the reason they gave is she had a 1 pound weight fluctuation as the sole reason she didn't get invited but other cheerleaders that were invited also had weight fluctuations. However, the team states that the criteria were otherwise. Maybe they should have just drawn straws. http://ktla.com/2013/01/31/ravens-cheerleader-sacked-from-super-bowl-for-gaining-weight-she-claims/#axzz2JfFErkbW

I always thought the Redskins DBs hitting the Bills WRs before the ball got to them had the biggest impact on that game. I wonder why he doesn't talk about the advantage he had by pissing himself before the game.

She should have gotten some pointers from Aaron Maybin. He can gain or lose 30 pounds overnight while dreaming.

Ramius has a point, but there is a difference between evaluating a draft based on the career production of the players selected and based on the ability of the GM to build a franchise capable of sustained success. While the 2007 draft had a Pro Bowl caliber player taken and that player has made a large impact elsewhere, that draft was a complete failure in terms of turning the franchise around. Not one of those players in the 2007 draft are still on the team at a time when they should be in the prime of their careers. While most of the Modrak era was nothing but failure in terms of team building, 2007 shouldn't be picked on in terms of talent. Lynch and Pos are still playing and Edwards is still a pre-season stud somewhere. Compared to 05, 06, or 08, the 07 draft is outstanding. <gack-spit>

Why Kelsay? He did a solid job warming the bench to start the season.

Fits him better, more like it was at the Ohio State. Surrounded by guys that make plays.

Add to your list that he was a commentator for the UFL on Versus (or whatever they called it then). Always thought that curious given his popularity. In fact, he's easier on the ears than some of the ex-jocks on the major networks for years.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2001.htm