tonyjustbcuz

Tonight (Maybe the one and only time) I am going to try and be Mr. Postitive as I have promised a few posters who are tired of the Jerry Sullivan gloom and doom approach to the Bills! Yes, I am just as quilty and I will try to be positive starting right now!! As a matter of a fact....For one day! All the doom and gloomers (like me) out there...please try hard to say one positive thing about the Buffalo Bills, players, organization, coaching, etc.....and for one day it would be nice if we refrain from the sarcasm, the negativity, and lets just see where positive energy as a joint force of Bills fans take us!! Maybe, positive thoughts will help produce positive results???? That's not inconceivable! You can move a mountain if you believe you can and starting now, today is the day as it is 12:00 am on the dot as I begin this.....My blog will follow as 12:00 sounds good for a start!!!

I'm thinking that maybe the Bills in the Buddy Nix regime are tougher negotiators as far as trades/draftpicks? Maybe, they are demanding a little more than teams want to pony up for Lynch, and Nix feels Lynch's potential is greater than what is on the table...and that he rather keep him than give him away at a degraded value. The same with Gaither, maybe Nix feels that Baltimore is placing too high of a value on a player that will not start at his true positon, as Baltimore will start Michael Oher at left tackle. Baltimore probably realized Gaither's flaws and that is why he is trade bait. Buddy Nix probably won't go beyond a 3rd pick for Gaither as he can't afford to over compensate teams for a flawed player. I think that last year that Buffalo could have gotten the higher of the two picks in the round as Philly owned two, but we settled on the lower pick. I think Nix may be more patient and will ensure that he doesn't get burned in trades. Making no trade is still better than making a bad trade, although I think it would be great to trade Lynch for whatever the justifiable compensation is.

sounds like a cross between Mike Williams and Jason Peters..

For being a lot of writing It sure seems unfair to anayze my complete post based on 4 lines, wouldn't u say? I never asserted that, as you say "no one knows anything", which is silly as their are many superb posters on here and many intelligent people. Yes, I have to admit that I do come off sounding like I think I am an authority on the subject, and have confidence in what I believe I know, and a condescending attitude can sound similar, yet be different as reading between lines or trying to hear the tone of the voice who wrote something is difficult. But, I apologize to anyone who feels insulted out there as I appreciate your love and compassion for the Bills. I also share those feelings! A decade of being critical of the Bills might be understandable after the decade we just went through? I have become a cynic, and tend to be negative on optimism. That is not good, and I have decided to try and look at the positive potential of the team. It may not be easy, but you'll see my next topic of what is right with the Bills very soon! I'm actually a little bit excited about that post...as it's been a while since I have wrote much positive about the Bills either on this site or others. I know football, and although I love the Buffalo Bills, Sabres, Bisons, Bandits, UB, etc.....I have tried to seperate my emotion, and my Love for the team when it comes to critiquing there strengths, weaknesses, and what I believe the future has in store, based on development, coaching, transactions, injuries, and all the other pertinent things that go into building a football team. So, your opinion is valued, and may even inspire me to look at the other side of things! Sometimes, I strive to get a good reaction to a post, and maybe deep down I want to inspire someone to write a worthwhile post based on what they believe about what is right about the Bills. Self-admittedly that person hasn't been me, but I'm going to give it a good effort today or tomorrow when the kids are sleeping. Hopefully my next post will truly be awesome in a legitimate way, and someday we'll laugh about it as the Bill's select a player in the draft with their 32nd pick in the first round!!!! Yes, I said 32nd (Finally, as the 5th time is the Golden Ring!!!)..

I agreed w/your first 5 lines.....u had some good points as well, too bad u started to get a little personal, but it doesn't matter. Usually those who have low self worth, or cannot make a worthwhile arguement tend to attack or yell louder to make up for their own shortcomings. I suppose you want me to throw stones in response, but I will take the higher road since we are Bill's neighbors in a sense of our passion. I could point out that I remained true and loyal and live in this state rather than being a buffaloian only on sunday's when you watch your NFL Direct ticket. I'm a 365 day fan, and have every right as a Citizen of Erie County, a 20 year military veteran, and a American, to blog here regardless if our opinions clash and your tainted views! But thanks for playing!!! Also.........before critisizing me, and saying that I said the Bills suck and basing your post on that info, please read all my posts as I have never said "The Bill's Suck" in any post, and you will also see that I project them as 5-11 season and taking a step back before taking two steps forward the following season. Detroit and St. Louis sucked...we are just somewhere between poor and marginal typically.. Too bad you couldn't fuel your disagreeing tone based on the 5 ponts I made. That at least may have carried more creedence neighbor!

I totally agree, and for those who don't, well, they probably just don't understand what they are reading!!! That's why, when I post about the realities of this franchise. I also get similar, mean spirited, responses. Because they think their love for the Bills, should be a blind, unconditional love, and they wag their tails and come running back for more of the same. Some fans, are so blind, that they can't even admit just how bad it has been the past decade! Then, when the national media and other fans point out that the Bills organization is bad joke, they feel like the City of Buffalo, and them personally are getting picked on for no particular reason, other than, everbody hates Buffalo ! Seemed to me like we had the Nations respect up until losing SuperBowls began to become routine, but if you rely on the Bills for your own identity and self-confidence it is most definitely a problem that one would probably seek counseling for!

I agree more with you than the "over optimistic" fans that get burned everyear, but keep wagging their tails and coming back for more of the same. (I do appreciate the optimism though, and I think it's a great quality, but I want to be optimistic based on legitimate reasoning, and haven't seen any reason to be yet!) Here are my thoughts: #1 The Bills talked about big-time coaches, and the media and fans as well. The Bills discussed Cowher, Shottenheimer's regardless of what they publically admit, and several others include Mike Shananhan. The reason they decided not to coach Buffalo are multi-faceted reasons. First of all, the Bill's did not want to compensate top level coaching commesurate to the level of earnings that one of these coaches would desire and demand. Secondly, the Bill's have a difficult drawing top free agent talent to our destination, based on their current history of not retaining many of their top free agents on payday...the list is numerous and includes a few for starters with many others: Jabari Greer, Nate Clements, Pat Williams, Antwoine Winfield, as these players like many others go where the team will give you fair market value, and they can collect their big pay day! If you can't draw the talent, it's hard to build a successful franchise. The difference is that when the Bills were a winner, Ralph gave Bill Polian the latitude to spend big money and keep players (self-admittedly, the current salary cap structure is much harder to accomplish this), and even though everyone say's that the salary cap prevents dynasties, and teams from harboring talent for great durations...Polian still does the same thing in Indianapolis and has a dynasty that even surpasses the four-time AFC Champion Buffalo Bills that he built. As a matter of fact, Polian Built the Indianapolis Colts in the image of the '90 Bills teams, using the same philosophy!!! So the arguement that "our" hands are tied is proven to be a lame excuse rather than a reason for our futuility as a franchise for the past decade!!!! The point of all that is that we have had poor upper management, GM's, scouts, and personnel that make impact decisions. We have been unwiling to keep our talent, and therefore each year we are filling holes that the Bill's organization has created. No coach except a washed up coach, a retread, that just wants a job with a resume that includes; mediocre credentials and networking connections of assistant coaches limited to the second best college football team in the state of georgia... doesn't quite quantify as a exemplary selection of a head coach in my book!! #2 Selecting a 70 year old General Manager that has never served in the position of GM of any football club is undoubtedly a troubled hiring at the outset. The last team that I remember to recently give someone who had a nice resume as a head coach/hall of famer, but never served as a GM or any other capacity of a NFL front office was: Marv Levy who was also quite old for his title, and quite old to learn such a demanding position! In hindsight, it was a bad move that was applauded quite heavily by the fan base initially. Looking back in retrospect, the drafts did not work out too well, and although we thought we outsmarted the rest of the NFL, Mel Kiper, Draftnik guides etc...in the end, all these sources had a better assesment of talent than the Bills did. Another point about Buddy Nix is that he has said a couple things that are questionable, and could be considered quite dumb. First of all, he pretty much laid out the context of our first draft selection right on the table for everyone to see when he mentioned that the Bill's would likely go for a "Scatback early in the draft", I don't think the rest of the NFL took Nix seriously, but they won't be fooled the next time Nix prematurely, and unnecessarily announces his intent. Secondly, I did not take kindly of Buddy Nix announcing that he will be sleeping at Midnight when free agency first went into affect! If he is in the top position of the Bills personnel decisions and you have a chance to land a really good player in free agency which can instantaneously improve your team, knowing that the other GM's are going to be hot on the heels of some of the top talent and will try to sign the top talent before another team has a chance to, I feel that it is poor policy to announce you will be asleep at the helm! It also signifies, a blahzay, carefree, attitude in reference to your responsibility to the team, and regardless of any feedback on this issue, I feel that it is a poor choice on Nix's part. #3 I also feel that the draft was a poor draft despite of what just the Bills fans are saying on this site! First of all...plain and simple Running back was a luxury pick that we did not possess this year (or any year recently), it was careless and irresponsible. If we lacked for RB talent, that would be a different story, or if we would have traded M. Lynch I could also come around to agreeing with the pick. Barring the Bill's making an off-season move trading Lynch for a positon of need it is not justifiable. One of the selling points has been Spiller's special teams play, but I disagree with that mentality entirely as well as we already have very good returners in Roscoe Parrish, and also Leodis McKelvin amongst others. I appreciate Spiller's abilities and his receiving skills as well, so this isn't a knock on Spiller at all, and since he's already here I am glad to have him. But, it was a unwise move as Fred Jackson has been fantastic, and Lynch can be good if he loses the attitude and gets his head back into the game, and stays out of court rooms. RB was not a positon that needed upgrading. When you total Fred Jackson, and Lynch's production together, and the potential of Joique Bell which a very intersting prospect that has great potential...How many more yards will Spiller really actually have than the tandem of 3 that I mentioned?? (Probably, no worse, but probably not much more, if any!)... #4 The 3 main needs we had in the draft was a starting OLT, NT/DT, QB.... I am not convinced on Wang yet, but of course there hasn't been a snap yet! But, everything that I have researched about Wang mentions that he oddly has not lived up to his potential as of yet and is a underachiever that sometimes doesn't put in the effort or have the temperment that you want at the OLT position. Geez, to me he sounds more like Mike Williams than anybody else????? Troup was not projected to go as high as the Bill's took him, but I understand the pressure to draft a DT as several were off the board. I don't think Troup will become a good DT in the NFL. I think he'll become a starter on the Bills due to the lack of options. I think it was also ridiculous taking a QB so late in the draft when you don't really have a starter on the squad at all ! A small time 7th round pick out of Troy State doesn't sound like the next Jim Kelly to me. If your going to draft a QB, when you don't really have one...you need to take a chance on one of the top 5 QB's or so that are out there! It is a high risk/high reward pick, but you have to take it! QB is the general of your offense and it is offensive that the Bill's place so little value in the positon since 1996!!! You can build a case and try to convince me, or a less than optimistic fan that we have a starter in Edwards, Fitzpatrick, or Brohm, and I'll respond politely...but inside you won't change my mind that the Bill's have just waited another year instead of pursuing the QB of the future and instead of getting that QB on the roster, have him learn the system, and playbook, get acclimated to the speed of the NFL and get his rookie year out of the way probably as the number 2 or 3 QB on the roster...we instead waste another year at least....and will start from ground zero down the road. This might even bite Nix in the butt, and him Chan Gailey, and hopefully Tom Modrak (useless gum, that we should have spit out years ago!) will be sent packing eventually, so we can hire the next head coach and GM of the Bills in about 4 years....whomever is the lowest bidder that is! #5 The Bills have more holes than "swiss cheese", and my prediction is a optimistic 5-11 season. Historically, teams that initially switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defense or vice versa do not win as many as 5 games! Normally your talking 1,2,3 or the most 4 wins!! Besides a new defense, there will be a new offense, playbook, several new teamates, and a lot of players coming off of injuries (some quite severe) Hardy, Wood, McKelvin, etc........I can see the transition being tougher than the Bills anticipate, I can see a repeated injury problem which has occured at a high rate 2 consecutive years, difficulty in the offensive line gelling, and the new defense. I can see there being a QB controversy with the fans, as whomever the Bill's choose as the starter among the 4 open competition QB's! The first taste of inconsistent QB play (which should be expected given our past, and the QB's involved) fans will be calling for his head, and a new starter...I can see them going through at least 3 QB's by the end of the year with no clear-cut starter heading into next off-season. Will they wise up and draft a QB or a FA that has "Franchise" potential then???? Probably not !!!! History repeats itself, and after a few years in the new regime's grip, it would be hard to conceive, but you may remember the Dick Jauron days as the most recent glory days of the Bills! This in itself would make me vomit, but I think what is in store is going to be ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the Bill's throwbacks as well and agree! I love the old colors, but would wanna see the updated colors scheme before giving my 2 cents...

Excellent feedback & thank you for the links! I would love for the sabres to go back the original uniform exclusively!!

You keep talking about comparing the two, not compaing them, comparing Maybin to Orakapo, comparing Jenkins to Byrd, and with all that comparing or not comparing as I'm not sure what your trying to get across, you've failed to meniton Maybin's statistics seeing that you are talking about the comparison of the two...So, did Maybin only have half as many sacks and tackles?? I would guess that he had no sacks or maybe one last year! So, regardless of it all should we compare Trent Edwards to Joe Montana and rationalize that Joe Montana had better receivers on San Fran and that is why his stats are inflated and if Edwards played then on that team he would be about the same???? You really can't rationalize anything by starting with a "probably"...I mean, I probably would've won the lottery if I played! But, I didn't so we'll never know and it's really fruitless to speculate. I personally think that Aaron Maybe Maybin is lousy, but it's not up to me to evaluate him, and even if I do what good will it do seeing I don't make roster decisions? I think Bryan Orakapo is awesome and was really mad that the Bills didn't draft him when he fell in their laps. Maybin is still undersized for his frame and probably will not have much of an impact this year as he will be thrown around like a ragdoll IMO. Well, I just wonder after this year what excuse you will give for Maybin when he has 0-2 sacks and Orakapo has 10-15 sacks this year???? I also watch a player and the way he carries himself, his enthusiasm on the sideline, and in the huddle, his body language, and nothing that I see of Maybin when I watch some of last year's games looks impressive, there is a definite lack of confidence, he tends to stand around, give up on a play a bit prematurely, and he is not explosive at the snap. Just my observation as I like to critique players and the games. I think we screwed up 3 years in a row at DE in my opinion rather they shift to OLB or not. I didn't like this year's pick, I hated the Maybin pick, and I was unhappy with the Chris Ellis pick as well, and there has been nothing to date to give the slightest reason to change my mind, nor a glimmer of hope for any of the 3, even though it's a bit early to get down on A. Carrington quite yet. I hope I am wrong, and you are right, but I'm afraid that I'm not! Until I see different I'll stick with 5-11 for 2010 and be hoping for 11-5

I sure wish the Sabres would switch back to the old style Sabres uniform (I guess that would be there 3rd uniform that they occasionally wear now...or very similar) permamently!! I don't like the design too much of the other two uniforms. Anxious, to know what everyone thinks!! Sounds like another bilboard idea to me...??? Also, I am not sure which uniforms are the best uniforms the Bills have ever worn, but I know my favorites don't include their typical home and away uniform that they currently wear. I guess they have a alternate uniform which was better than their primary uniform in my book. I am curious to get some opinions on that as well??? I don't even like the shade of blue that they use either...I think it is called royal blue and I almost painted my son's room in Bill's colors, but couldn't use their current shades..because to be honest I didn't like them. Hope to get some feedback and if someone wants to keep track feel more than free to do so as I don't have too much time with several young children.

Nice Post! I remember going to a few of the Sabres open practices back in the '70's as well....what a great thing it was back then...Hockey seemed funner to me...maybe because I was just a kid. I loved watching Danny Gare play a little after that time frame I believe. He was my favorite player for a few years! I used to watch the hockey games on t.v. and listen to the buffalo braves on WBEN 930 AM simultaneously. Sit there with my hockey and basketball cards and Mom sometimes would bring in a pack of cards for me when she got back from the store during the games. What fresh great memories of that era. I remember loving seeing Peter the Puck (It may have been hockey night in Canada?)...and boy back in the day the French Connection was really something special. I used to watch Gil Perreault practically wide up as he made a circle or two in the ice as he began his way down the ice...And couldn't that Richard Martin really shoot a slap shot. That unsung here Bill Height was such a solid defenseman...and how 'bout king kong korab and Shoenfeld...Geez, quick reflection but those guys could really teach the players of today a few things about effort...which makes me think of Rick Dudley in the corners..... Sorry, for the long trip down memory lane...you got me thinking!! Yes, todays teams could do a bit more to market and show the fans that they also in return care about the fanbase, not just the dollars/bottom line...and in return their bottom line would be even better! The Blue and Gold...I wish the Sabres would just completely revert back to the old design that they occasionally wear on a permament basis. I think I'll ask the Bills fanbase as a topic about uniforms for both the Sabres and Bills...

I will be there with a kid or two or three!! Can't wait, the price is right, the Bill's can't lose this one! and the prices of food and drink are supposed to be discounted! Hopefully, some or all of the new players will participate. I don't know if they have to be signed prior to participating??? Well, even though I have been less than optimistic about how they will do this year, I want a first-hand look to evaluate the new kids on the block, and hopefully see some things to change my mind about their prospects for a good season. Hopefully, everyone out there will come out to the Ralph and enjoy the practice! Does anyone know if they have held one of these in past years, or is this just a ploy to get you out to the Ralph to try and sell you season tickets? Isn't this probably the same as a select your seat day event they have had in the past?? If so, How did it go if anyone has attended this before? Wouldn't it be amazing if 30,000 people turned out for this open practice instead of 3,000....probably not likely?

Just noticed...over 28 Thousand posts!!! I salute you

Thanks, I needed that!

Your opinion is most valued and although nothing quite so harsh was intended I can understand that you may read between lines and here the voice who is responding in the demeanor that you anticipate. But, when I used the word "you", I didn't quite mean, you as an individual, but you the reader out there that makes generalizations, without the supporting documentation to enable those reading "your" (all the bloggers) point to understand how you (the bloggers) came to the conclusion that you (all those bloggers who post) arrived at. Your most welcome to make your opinions on here as you like, but as long as I maintain good discretion of the use of language, and don't call "you" the poster anything cruel, then I also will continue the same freedom of blogging my opinion as freely as I intend without acknowledging your suggestion of blogging somewhere else. That, as you (the blogger) is also my inherent right as an American. And, although it sounds like our opinion(s) on the Bill's fortune/misfortunae are at polar opposites. I have earned my right to express my opinion, and I retired after 20 years of military service, honorably, a 100% combat veteran. One fault, that I will admit is that I am a maximum effort person, who expects a team, rather a military unit or a football team to give everything they can in the pursuit of achieving the mission at hand. I just haven't seen the effort level to date, excluding this year of course to be optimistic about the Bills. I didn't much care for Buddy Nix's comment about being asleep when the free agency period began. I am not saying that we have to acquire 5-10 top tier free agent, but I do believe that you go into overdrive when necessary, and that their should have been at least one free agent that they should have been pursuing by 12:01 a.m. to help better the team. I bet you Bill Polian was awake at the wheel, while we were sleeping! Anyways, I am not impressed with this draft, I think we got a lot of numbers, a lot of marginal players, except for possibly C.J. Spiller. I think a RB is a position of luxury when you already have good production out of that positon. I just did not agree with the "Draft Philosophy," that Nix injected in this draft. I think it will be difficult for the Bill's to climb into contention and out of mediocrity as long as Ralph Wilson is the owner. I also think that that is a double edge sword, as I believe that there is a very good chance that the Bills will have a change of venue whenever Ralph Wilson expires. Another point that leaves me less optimistic than some of the other bloggers on here is this: The Bills have lost many players of value in free agency in the past decade. I have seen countless players that I like leave because the Bills didn't want to pay them: Nate Clements, Jabari Greer, Antwoine Winfield, Pat Williams....and the list goes on and on! If you are always plugging holes that you create each year it is very difficult to build depth at any positon. You have to retain your players and add instead of lose and replace mentality that Ralph, Russ, and company have clung to in the past decade. I know times have changed since the "90's but some teams keep their core players, and retain the majority of their free agents that are worth keeping. So, as before I am predicting the Bills to be 5-11 this season until I see a reversal of philosophy and the team heading in a different direction. I have been (+ or - ) 1 win in my predictions the past 5 seasons, so as condescending as it may seem, I am confident in what I have learned, know, and share as a blogger, and have been proven right to my own displeasure more than I care to remember. I remember, every year that I would be excited over who the Bills drafted, thinking that Antwoin Smith rb was the next Earl Campbell and believing every word the coaches, and GM's used to feed me. I remember each year thinking that..this year we're going to be 10-6 and make the playoffs. Then, reality hit me like an asteroid and I remember thinking more as a critic, and judging for myself, exactly what has transpired, and how it will affect the team in the upcoming season. I admire your optimism! I applaud it! and wish I continue to stand behind it!, but as long as the Bills stink! which last year they did, and the year before, and the year before, and the year before etc.... then I don't want the Bills to lay back and think that it is acceptable as another body goes through the turnstyle and into their seat! I think that is exactly what is happening, I believe that is what they want, and as long as you support mediocrity (you the fan...not u personally) then you get exactly what you asked for! I want and expect 100% effort level and their are plenty of players who remain on this roster that can not look you in the eye and say that they don't take plays off!, that they give up prior to the completion of a play. I watched a few games from last year over again, and watched players give up on many plays prematurely, players standing and watching the play. You would never catch Don Beebe doing that, even Takeo Spikes was a hard worker when I replayed games he played, Chris Spielman was the same way. These are high motor players, character players who cared! Those are the kind of players that we need on this team, and maybe? we got some of those in the off-season, we'll see...but besides Fred Jackson, and Jairus Byrd I didn't see too much else going on unless you want to count the kickers too? 2010 B.Bills season record: 5-11

You try to seem like you are a scout and have a handle on knowing all about the players and how they will fare to some degree. There are many factors to take into consideration and unless you are on the inside you really don't know and are either just being a parrot repeating what you hear others say or guessing. So you think Spiller and Carrington are starters..Why? First of all a college player entering into the NFL has to first get acclimated to their new city and surroundings. It may be a drastic change for them as they are suddenly often far away from family. They have to find living quarters without receiving much of the money they will receive until a bit later. They need to get familiar with the team and fit in, get acclimated to any weather differences, all the new found attention they may receive, and accept constructive criticism from coaches. Some players have guaranteed money and don't handle the fame well. Suddenly, some players think they made it! They forget that their hardest work as a pro athlete is about to begin. The long hours training and working out, team physical requirements, medical testing, and on the field practice and team meetings. Some athletes have problems with weight management and have to work hard to stay in shape. The physical and mental toll from all these requirements and challenges can be very real. The risk of injury is always present, strains from running, weight lifting, and practices often occur and are hopefully limited to minor pulls, cramps, and strains. If all this goes well, there is constant competition, and constructive criticism..not everyone likes critical comments. Then there is the playbook, not just a positional chore as you need to know what your teamates are doing as well. The NFL Playbook is a complex much more than a series of x's and o's that goes way beyond that of a college football athlete. There are many other issues that are involved in your rookie year. Some players just never take the next step and mature on the football field. There are plenty of examples, especially QB's, but all positons have there inherent challenges. Many players take two or three years until they really get the whole concept, and become a impact player. Some players just never quite live up to their prognosticated expectations. Considering all these factors from being someone in the know, I realize that you can never say for certain that a player will be a starter or impact player in their rookie season or know for sure that they will ever taste success. I am reluctant to say that Spiller or Carrington will be a starter...especially in their rookie season considering all the things that can go wrong including injuries. I think when people blatantly project a player as a starter without supporting documentation and having knowledge of all the obstacles that a player has to clear before ever jogging onto the field is haphazard. It leaves a clear indication that yes they are a fan but they really don't have a clue as to what it entails to become a NFL Player. To me, it seems that Spiller has the potential to be a rookie starter, but I won't go further than that because even with my background I know better. As far as players being reaches, it is a waste of time to even try to figure that out so prematurely. It will take probably two years or in some cases more to determine a players value regarding the draft. I thought the Bills drafted 9 players, but I could be mistaken...I thought they took a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th, 7th, 7th?? Like I said I could be wrong...but if history repeats itself out of the 8 players you mentioned that were drafted it would be a great draft if 4 players really made the roster longterm. A good draft if 3 players did well...and if one player becomes a hall of famer it was a great draft. One thing I can say from my experiences, is that intangibles, guts, heart, the determination to overcome, self-pride and other important moral character traits all are part of what seperates great players from average players. It is not just the size and physical ability and past success that makes a hall of fame player. That is one of the reasons that I think a player of the caliber of Tim Tebow has a good shot of being a special player. Like I said, there are no guarantees, I know he has some mechanical issues to continue to improve on, but that kid has the intangibles that I would want on my team. I really hope that the Bills continue to improve, because we all have something to prove, and pride of our city of Buffalo. We have been down to long and have to get back to the Superbowl and hopefully win one!!!!! I just don't think you can make predictions at this point, and I don't think you can safely assume who will be a starter, and how well our Buffalo Bills did in the draft or free agency. I know I'm ready for some football, some wings, some snow at the Ralph, and some wins! Let's Go Bills!!!

"YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH" lol.... Da Billz! With the #1 Pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the Bills pick RB Pee Wee Herman, Country Bumpkin community college, lambswool,Alaska! A big gasp as Mel Kiper say's "wow that's a reach, I didn't have him projected until the bottom of the 7th round". "The Bill's must of really liked him a lot to get their player this early in the draft." Buddy Nix, later stated, that "Pee Wee, was under the radar and dominated against the competion at his level." He also was surprised that nobody took him before them, and then realizing it...corrected himself, saying well I guess nobody could get him having choosing first in the draft! Hopefully, next year we'll be just as lucky." Way, to go Buddy!! I'm sure those optimistic bloggers will continue to render you praise, despite your ineptitude and especially Tom Modrak's.

Best post of the day!! I agree with everything you said and that is a rarity for me!! I don't know what people are thinking when they are over optimistic. It reminds me of a dog that you tell to get out of your yard...you kinda chase him away...and he keeps coming back wagging his tail and crapping all over your lawn. I love to be optimistic as well...but jeez why not base it on some logic people! I get these weirdos that respond sometimes that don't even make sense. One of them made my point for me with his response and didn't even know it. The Bills are a 5-11 team this year (+ or - 1)...and that's the jist of it really! I am concerned after another strange draft and off-season that this team may actually remember the glory days of Jauron...lmao...as if the Bills were actually good!! I think you could be looking at 3 to 6 wins this year and next year! I like C.J. Spiller's game, but what the heck are they doing picking a RB when you already have Fred Jackson and M. Lynch in the backfield? If they unloaded Lynch and got a OT or something of value then I can see it (Lynch for Gaither sounds nice to me!)...but I don't think that'll really happen. Besides the positional weaknesses on the offensive line and QB...we really don't have much for WR's once you get past Lee Evans. Hardy's been injured and non-productive, Stevie Johnson disappears after pre-season, Easley is a rookie who never had any production until the last 8 games of his college career for some little school that plays inferior competition. They let T.O. go and Josh Reed....So what do they have? Um...Lee Evans! Anyways, it looks like another fine mess Modrak got us into...Just like last year when they took Maybin over Orakapo at DE...what were they thinking???

I agree with you...the Bills have been so pathetic that I stopped getting so angry after a loss as it became apparent that the Bill's were consistently going to find ways to blow games and Jauron seemed to care less than I did. Our house used to be a very irratable place to be if the Bills lost. I decided that I was not going to allow a team that seemed like they didn't care that much rather they won or lost control my mood towards my family and those around me. I still care, but last season I actually ran errands on occasion during games and fell asleep during games as well a couple of times. I never would've even thought that it was possible to fall asleep during a Bill's game. Every year I sit there and watch the draft with a draft day wish list like a little kid on xmas! Every year they disappoint me and take players out from left field and think they are smarter than all the other teams. I could've kicked someone in the Azz last year when they passed on Bryan Orakapo DE and choose the smallish Aaron Maybin instead!!! This year they left me just as bewildered and seemed to purposely not address positons of need until late in the draft which totally defies logic unless they are trying to destroy this organization so badly that we will give our blessing when the moving trucks come!!!! Which really makes me wonder??

As I see it ___________________ I think it's just that the Bills and Sabres like Simon Cowell would say are "Forgetable", and with the lack of MLB and NBA Basketball we are barely on the professional level as a sport's city. We're a very small market with little impact or presence. It say's a mouthful that the Bills play some of their "home" games in Toronto, Ontario !! I think I'd rather be the biggest loser, than totally off the charts and forgetable. We were memorable in the early 90's despite fallen short in the Superbowl 4 years in a row! At least we were AFC champions! It seems like our most pressing decision is rather we should retain, cut, re-sign some Detroit Lions castoff named Klopenstien which is funny, but sad as well. All you have to do is take out one hand and count how many NHL and NFL household names/stars we have on both of our major leaugue sport's teams combined. Ready/Go! .......Okay for the Sabres there is: R. Miller..um..um...kal..no...Gree..no..Vane..no...um...that new rookie defensemen who's pretty good..tyler mey....um not just yet...okay, Miller..woops I said that...So the Sabres have Ryan Miller and oh boy the Bill's...um...Trent Ed....oops..not, Pozinjury..no...Mitche....no...Lync...beastmod...no! not lately....C.J. the new guy...we'll see...We have Byrd but will he have a sophmore jinx? Okay we have Brian Moorman a punter!!! So, we've got a star goalie and punter and that's about it and I doubt the punter is considered of star stature even though he's real good!! So, with our teams never winning a Superbowl or Stanley cup I think we qualify and especially in the heartbreaking fashion we lost Superbowl 25 and the Stanley cup to the Flyers in '74-75 season and against the Dallas Stars no-goal debacle!!! The problem is we're not recognizable to be worthy as a winner or loser as long as we have Ralph Wilson and Goliasano pulling the puppet strings of two sub-standard franchises we're just a non-factor!!!! Sorry, the truth hurt me too!

Appreciate your input...overall like a lot of your ideas! I'm concerned about 2 things with N.Orleans though...1. I'm concerned with the recent accusations about their coaching staffs involvement (Sean Peyton and an assistant I believe)..with allegedly stealing pills/drugs/medications and how that will effect that talented teams and #2. Now, that they have achieved their SuperBowl victory will their be a dropoff in desire which would be quite normal after winning a superbowl. I think you have New Eng overated even though B.B. is a super coach...but who knows?? I think San Diego could slide between disaccord with Merriman and L.T. being gone...I don't see it..

Detroit had a good off-season/draft and have purged some of the underachievers. Buffalo has picked up a few of their underachievers during last season and I believe at least one this off-season. So don't be shocked if detroit don't win about 6 or 7 games and we win about 4 or 5. There are too many reasons to list why we will probably take a step back before taking two steps forward the following season. But, one for instance is by releasing some players like T.O. and Josh Reed the Bills will initially have less experience and production out of their WR's. But, with especially T.O.'s age and imminent decline it in the Bill's best interest to have young WR's that will gain experience and become more productive in a year or two rather than have just an immediate impact now and be gone after that like T.O. Also teams who switch from the 4-3 to the 3-4 defensive scheme historically have had awful seasons and few wins in the initial year of the defensive switch even though the Bill's are likely going to play a hybird version of the 3-4 defense..but it will still be a difficult conversion and will take about half the season for them to gel and learn the nuances of the defense. I think it is a great switch because of they now will be practicing the same type of defense that they will play against in games with all our division opponents. We have been generally losing 6-8 games a season for a while against are division opponents and I think that as we get better adept to the 3-4 and become a better team you will soon see more wins against the division. That will probably be in 2011 if the season is played. So, getting back to the question...Do I "really" think that Detroit is better than Buffalo? The answer is no! I think Buffalo is a better team or will grow into one, but I also believe that with all the coaching changes, youth, personnel changes, and a change of both offensive and defensive philosophies that it will take time for the Bills to gel, develop an identity, perfect and learn the playbook. 2011 We may be talking 8,9,10 wins who knows?? And, Detroit will still probably be at 5, or 6 wins. Buddy Nix's/Chan Gailey's philosophy isn't a win now mentality. Of course, they want to win now with what they have but realize that it is a 2-3 year process as they plug all the pieces into the roster. Another solid+ draft and a few free agents that fit into their positional requirements and we should have a good team. So short term Detroit's better, Longterm we are!! Go Bills!!!!

Well that's your entitlement and I appreciate your opinion. I hope you are right as well, but based on history, and my assesment of what the Bill's have done in the off-season I find it extremely unlikely that the Bills will finish in the top 12 let alone #1..But in my book the Bills are #1 even when they are somewhere bettween 24-32nd in how many wins they get/will get a season! Hope I'm wrong, but I'm not! 5-11 (+ or - 1 win).

5-11 (IMO)....Most teams that have switched from the 4-3 to the 3-4 the initial year of the change have a very difficult season and as in most cases the record is usually terrible...we're talking 1, 2, 3, 4 wins...and rarely 5 !! Being optimistic I'll say 5 with a horrific start and a strong close. This team has a lot of Gelling to do at many positions besides becoming acclimated to the coaching staff and the 3-4 defense and likely as well the offense will be different in most instances requiring a lot of class time to understand the Bill's playbook. I am not sure if the Bill's have improved overall from last year. I think there are some new building blocks for the future, and some addition by subtraction, but I think some of these changes will hurt them initially. For instance, T.O. is not the longterm answer in Buffalo, but for the short-term he could help the passing game and give them a better grade at the position of WR. The Bills will benefit later for releasing T.O., but I'm not sure that they will benefit from releasing Josh Reed who's salary was favorably structured for the Bills. I think they needed to keep Reed for a year or two more until they can fill all the holes properly at wide receiver. I think with James Hardy coming of injuries and having not shown any impact at the position previously, Roscoe Parrish being unhappy with his stature on the team and failing to provide much help except on special teams, and Stevie Johnson going from Pre-season hero to zero when it counts for real. The new roookie M. Easely is a nice read and he failed to provide anything noteworthy until the last 8 games of his senior year at a small time college. He is a high risk/high reward pick who could be released after roster cuts or could be the next Andre Reed. But, overall there is nothing concrete at the WR position except for Lee Evans! I think the Bills misdirected their draft focus regarding C.J. Spiller despite his future achievements that are likely. The Bills already have strength in the positon of Rb and desperately needed a Left Offensive Tackle. There is no reason to believe that their mid-round pick OT Wang will provide the intensity and skills that are needed at the position. Wang has the tools but has been an underachiever to date. Anyways, gotta run and it wouldn't be fair to drag this out, but 5-11 give or take a game is probably about right in my estimation. But, for the record I'd much prefer to see them 11-5 and will be rooting and yelling with all my might for our mighty Bills to kick the crap out of everyone...especially the fish, the patsies, and J e t s stupid Jets who I think may be going to the SuperBowl in a fair assesment of their stellar drafting and acquiring free agents!!! Go Billzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!