CSBill

Wasn't he a starter in the 2nd half of his rookie season, 5 of last 7 games was starting LT? And last year, until he was hurt: • at SF (10/7), Started at left tackle ... part of an offensive line that only allowed one sack throughout the contest • at Ari. (10/14), started at left tackle and helped pave the way for 165 yards on the ground • vs. Ten. (10/21), made his third straight start at left tackle and helped lead a rushing attack that amassed 166 yards • at Hou. (11/4), started at right tackle and helped offense produced 308 yards of total offense • at NE (11/11), started at right tackle... part of an offense that produced season bests of 481 total yards and a time of possession of 33:50 • vs. Mia. (11/15), started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced 120 yards on the ground • at Ind. (11/25): started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced a 100-yard rusher (C.J. Spiller - 107) and a 100-yard receiver (Stevie Johnson - 106) for the first time since 11/21/10 at Cin. (F. Jackson - 116 rush, Stevie Johnson - 137 rec.) • vs. Jac. (12/2), started at right tackle, part of an offense that produced 232 rushing yards and did not give up a sack ... left the game in the third quarter and did not return

Current Tight Ends? Chandler: B+ receiver, C Blocker, B Speed . . . is what he is, never going to be All-Pro, but a solid player. My take: A valuable player to have around as long as he's affordable. Gragg: C Receiver, D Blocker, A- Speed . . . is intriguing, but I suspect his football IQ is not very high, or we be seeing more of him. My take: untapped potential so far, would like to see more of him, but maybe there's not more to see??? Smith: C- Receiver, A- Blocker, C Speed . . . will always be a blocking TE, and emergency safety valve when needed, or occasional surprise the D type of receiver. My take: as long as he contribute well on ST, he'll stay around. As for the draft? Yeah, if you can get one of the top tier guys, yes, draft him. But there are bigger needs on the team, so don't reach for a TE at the sake of a greater need, or over a better player (for the draft spot - i.e., BPA type) that can help the team somewhere else. As for a FA: No realistic shot at the top guys, and I don't think there are any others worth breaking the bank over. Again, if you're going to spend big money, there are greater needs (LG, LB, ??).

Great post and analysis San Jose Bill! I agree with everything you have posted, and I add these other thoughts: 9) It is much harder to build a longterm dominating line in the era of free agency. Think about this, if the Bills had/could have kept their best linemen over the past few year, you could add Jason Peters (whether we like him as a person or not, he is still one of the best in the NFL) and Andy LeV., and Butler could still be playing — with Wood, Urbik, and Glenn — now that has the potential to be a dominating offensive line. But with free agency, such things are not going to happen. Great line plays takes a lot of time to develop (chemistry, and all), and again, in this day and age, that is not going to happen . . . I doubt there is not a team in the NFL now that could not say they need to upgrade people on their offensive line. 10) I hope Chris Hairston is going to be back next season (does anyone know the specifics of his injury, and what his future status is?). If so, we have answered the RT position, and should we keep Pears around, he gives us a solid back-up situation at the tackle position . . . this is the best case scenario. 11) As for left guard, maybe one of the recent FA acquisitions can step up and be a real contributor there? Maybe? But, if the coaching staff and front office don't see this happening, then be aggressive in getting a quality draft pick there (even to the degree of being willing to trade for that pick it in the early rounds if needed), or, be aggressive in recruiting a quality starting FA for that position (I have no idea what might be available), but we certainly better be kicking the tires on that. Appendix: As for building this team going forward, like all teams, you cannot go wrong building a team with top linemen, both on offense and defense. So when you can get them, get them! And even better, do what you need to keep them! Right now we have quality players on both sides, but we need to do all we can to keep them, and to add to them when given the chance. By the way, I was one of them . . . I don't think I've ever been more wrong in my Bills armchair GM perspective. Fortunately, they can't fire me.

it was actually the bowl game in NYC last year (Yankee Stadium) against Syracuse, with snow and wind, that convinced me he wasn't the guy for Buffalo . . . up to that time, I was all for him. I came away from that game questioning if he could handle the elements, so far he hasn't handle them, nor NFL Defenses.

Johny Manziel back to the top of the draft board?

Bottom line, when you have top tier o-lineman, you should do all you can to keep them. Bills made a major miscalculation in letting LeVitre walk, and that problem started a few years ago when they didn't pre-empt him from leaving by giving him a contract before his old one ran out (like they did with Wood). Lets hope they do not make that same mistake with Glenn.

Wow, he looks like he's about 13 years old, or am I just getting old? Does he shave?

and not soon enough, I turn off the sound when he is doing games . . . drone, speak boringly, go on and on, talk at length; intone, pontificate; informal spout, sound off, jaw, spiel, speechify, bloviate, etc.etc. and usually about nothing of relevance

Try him at LG! He will be on the 53 man roster, so I'm assuming they expect him to be able to contribute now. Especially if someone goes down. Let's hope he turns out like another late season practice squad pick-up: Kraig Urbic

After reading this, I am questioning whether the Bills won this game or not? Oh yeah, it was a blow-out. One important detail was missed in all the analysis: THE SCORE!

Well, at least we're ahead of three of our last five opponents; thus, we should win those games, right?

I have to admit, first thing I thought, the guy (assuming it was a guy) was drunk out of his head . . .

Unsung hero's today . . . Doug Legursky - Wilkenson was never heard from Also, Chris Carpenter … who was that other kicker at the beginning of the season? Manny Lawson, got to love his effort

This! for the mercurial (and if you have to look it up, it's you!) Buffalo Bills TBD posters calling for Tuel, to draft a QB, etc., etc.

Fred Jackson is more a gamer, not fast, but quick and strong with the ball in his hands—and has great vision. He seems to always comes through when needed, is a tremendous blocker, and can catch and run with the ball. Spiller has more speed, he too can be very productive as a pass receiver, not as good a blocker or instinctive runner as Jackson. But, when given space, can take it to the house. Here's what I would love to see, more (any?) sets with the both of them in the back field. I think with some creativity, it would keep defenses off balance trying to guess which is going to get the carry, and as said above, both are above average as pass receivers.

Yayyyyy

Too Funny You win, #1 post of this going no where thread.

haha, best line in the entire thread

a 70% accuracy rate will make him a lot of money in Vegas, what reason would he have to change his strategy now?

Well, at least it wasn't a Facebook, relationship status change.

this! …. and yes, the curse is real

My captain obvious comment: the Defense has improved, and the offense has digressed. So this is a serious suggestion: Is it time to bring back Chan to be the Offensive Coordinator? . . . I​ would be all for it, especially comparing him to what we have now.

Might be time to give Easley and Hogan serious playing time. As for Stevie, the season is now over, let him rest and heal. . . . Trade him? STOP!

Not much I disagree with Bill, and I would add: 1) Hackett continues to baffle: Riddle me this . . . What came first, the chicken or the egg? Why don't the Bills throw the ball more than five yards down the field when EJ Manuel is the QB? Does he check down all the time, or does Hackett not trust him to? 2) Concerning Hackett: (I said this in the 2nd half thread) Did they change the rules so that you can no longer run up the middle, you know, take your best unit, tell them to hit the guys in front of them—who by the way, have been giving up like a 150 yards a game—and go straight forward. No, we try what has to be an NFL record number of sweep plays. And here is what is so frustrating, not one, no, not one, worked! 3) And again on our boy Hackett: Seems he forgot that thing called a screen play, but he did manage to find one in the 4th quarter, but way too late by then. ugh!