starrymessenger

Yes, and when I say that TO is intolerant of his own mistakes, I am really referring to his dedicated work ethic more than to the fact that he would admit it publicly (though in fairness he has said he needs to play better). In spite of the drops, he remains a great player IMO and is still capable of performing at a very high level in the right circumstances i.e. not here in Buff.

My view is that TO is almost certainly not a bad person. In many respects he is probably a good guy. Many of his teamates wherever he has played like and respect him personally. But TO is not a tolerant man. In particular, he has not been able to accomplish all that he has as a player being tolerant of mediocrity, either with reference to his own performance as well as that of his teammates. And the truth is, for any number of reasons that we need not get into, Trent has struggled and been downright mediocre at times. TO continues to be a remarkable and potentially dominant player. Give him an A Rodgers and give Rodgers a good Oline (or perhaps even without one) and TO will still light it up (in spite of the drops). But that is not the situation that TO parachuted into in Buff. It was a very different situation. That is why signing him was a dumb football move, IMO. But none of changes the fact that RF should not be starting ahead of Trent, for the reasons I have mentioned. I know that many astute observers on this board and others have completely given up on Trent, and I can understand why. Just saying that I am not personally convinced that there is nothing there to work with and no room for improvement. There is zero upside with RF.

I think you and Peter are correct on this one. I too believe that TO has been undermining TE, not openly in pressers of course (that might cost him and Drew R money on his next contract) but in his interactions with other players, Reed and Evans notably, but also guys on the other side of the ball i.e. Wittner. For better or for worse, TO is a very heavy dude with tremendous presence, credibility and influence especially with younger players. He is a first ballot HOF with a very strong personality. Younger or less strong willed teamates will tend to follow him, and endorse his views and attitudes. I can sort of understand TO's "frustration" with Trent (though he has ben less than perfect himself). I think we all share those frustrations. But in the end the fear that many observers, in Buff and elsewhere, had that TO might contribute to destroying a young QB have sort of come true. Recruiting TO was a briliant marketing ploy, but ultimately a dumb football move. In spite of his obvious difficulties, TE is much better as a current prospect for a starting job. RF has exactly zero upside and his current capabilities are extremely limited. It is possible, and I hope, that Fewell is simply starting RF to give TE a breather while he gets better control of the situation, meaning of TO. Starting TE after the Josh Reed/TO sideline hysterics last Sunday could be a bit more than he can deal with right now- but maybe not against the jets. We will see.

I saw a number of his games his senior year in Louisville. For what its worth I really was not impressed with him even in college. I was surprised he was projected by some analysts as a first round pick. He obviously has not (yet) given any indication of transitioning to the pros. I would not expect anything but... nothing ventured.

I agree and I also worry that we may be going about this in the wrong way. Ideally you would first hire a (good) GM and then a (good) coach. But I just don't think that is what we are actually doing. My guess is Russ does not see himself relinquishing responsibility/power through this process. That is why we appear to be looking for a coach and not a GM, at least officially that is.

Russ Brandon should not be thrown under the bus. IMO he has wanted to get rid of DJ since the Jets game end of last year. What do TO and Shanny have in common? They are both winning moves from a marketing point of view. IMO Russ is behind not only the firing of DJ, (I think he finally prevailed upon a reluctant RW). but I think he is behind the move to try and land Shannahan. I think he wants to be successful as a GM, and I do not see his job title/position changing. Whether he will be able to overcome his non-football background and participate in making informed personnel decisions and show good judgement in the dificult process of talent evaluation will determine whether he becomes successful or not in his current role. Getting a coach who is good in that regard would obviously be a big step forward in his learning curve.

Phew I was beginning to think that never winning was soon enough for Perry. Maybe he is just saying that after the sideline hysterics of the Titans game, he wants to give Trent a breather. Cant really see any other reason for starting RF at this point.

By the way, does that remind you of anyone?

Not saying he is necessarily bad (though he looks suspiciously like Dick Jauron) but it may be useful for folks to know that he is 100% responsible for his team losing the Canadian championship last year. He has an old (veteran) QB -Anthony Calvillo. He had the bright idea of sitting Calvillo from practices for some weeks before the championship game, presumably to rest him. Many talking heads (former players) criticized the decision saying it would be much better for him to stay sharp. Sure enough his timing and general execution on gameday was way, way,way off -in effect causing the Montreal team to lose the game.

I love it!

It is hard to say and I would love to believe that Trent could have a similar carreer progression. The problem is that I recently saw a 2002 SD game on NFL Network- at a time when you say Brees was bad- and maybe he was, but I saw him do some really good things - he moved well inside and outside the pocket and his throws were accurate hitting receivers in stride. You could see the talent. I am not sure that Trent has that to build on/develop. I am sure however that he has gotten a horrible deal in Buffalo, like all QBs since JK.

Problem is he has absolutely no background at that position. It does require some technique to play OLB in the NFL after all. Hard to learn at the highest level. Even as a DE he started only part of one year. And he is known to be limited even as a DE - was never good against the run to begin with- and likely would be lost in coverage as a LB. What a mess. As a project Michael Johnson was a much better pick - and he went in the third round (and if you believe Mayock that was about right).

I know I know. God help us.

You need to suck it up & not get down. Things will get better. If it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger.

No no. I thought the comment was funny i.e. humourous (no sarcasm intended).

Funny. Bills fans have fathomed the cosmic notion of absurdity. The philosophers of France have absolutely nothing on us. We could school them.

I will always follow and support the Bills, but my interest is entirely clinical at this point. My feelings really cannot be hurt. I am not enthused or passionate about the games. Instead I problem solve. I know before the game begins that I will be looking at a thing that that is badly broken and underperforming. The challenge is to understand every aspect of a complicated problem: the continuing interest is in seeing if those in charge will or can do anything about it. I do believe that it is impossible for things to continue in this way and indeed they are so bad that they can only eventually get better. The end of tragedy is comedy and vice versa. It is an inevitable cycle. I feel sorry for anyone associated with this team, players, coaches, fans, who has not managed to achieve stoic indifference.

Ok ok you're fantastic, absolutely fantastic.

...and can run a pass pattern...and is tough as nails

I would rather get an offensive line and a pro type quarterback who can move well in the pocket and make all the throws (like successful NFL quarterbacks do). That is not Mike Vick. Never has been. To believe otherwise is to say that Atlanta would be better off today with Vick than with Matt Ryan. If the comeback is that Vick cant play the way he used to, well then why should we sign a player whose skills have deteriorated? Our FO would simply cement their reputation as suckers. Even they know well enough not to do this.

Orapko...Oher...or other available picks at positions of need who are making an immediate impact, like Brian Cushing, Larry English (who is being groomed to replace Meriman) and many others... the best "developmental" player in the draft was Michael Johnson, and he went in the third round. Maybin's selection with the first pick caused us to have a good draft, but not a great one.

He will not make the Bills a contender. If he is so good why don't the Eagles keep him and trade Kolb to us? They won't, because they know Kolb is better. This franchise cannot afford further costly player personnel mistakes.

Why are you doing this? Merely for your own amusement?

I think I just puked in my mouth.

Dick Jauron and Mike Martz - the perfect put/call combo.