ozone

Merriman will save the day.

The Bills probably have plenty of money. Remember last year, they were like $25MM under the cap. Don't be dazzled by total figures in the contracts. All that matters is the guaranteed money--the rest is window dressing. Mario Williams is getting paid $50MM although some of it is front-loaded. The $100MM is a mirage as is the Calvin Johnson $132MM. As Bills fans, we have become programmed to think cheap. The Bills need to spend near or close to the salary cap number to not be cheap anymore. Let's hope they do. I'm really happy they got Anderson. Never heard of him but before they did that, I was hoping for Couples. But now they can focus on other positions--LB, OT, CB. I would like the Bills to address linebacker next (FA if any out there). They really need to get a stud in there somehow so teams don't run through anymore. The Reggie Bush game was an embarrassment for all times.

There have been...in other threads. The "he can teach the youngsters" mantra.

Couples. Bookend DE's. Agree with the Giants, no-holds-barred pass rush philosophy.

I'd rather not. It's time for Bills fans to demand quality and not got excited by the Buster Davis's and Ruvell Martin's of the world.

Signing one player doesn't erase "Ralph is cheap." That's erased if the Bills spend up to their cap limit. If they tie up money into one player and remain $25M under the cap, that is cheap and just a splashy signing to sell tickets. Remember it's not $100M contract, its $50M guaranteed, the only thing that matters. I'm for the Bills getting another elite DE--FA or draft. I assume draft and target Couples/Upshaw/Ingram. They should use existing FA money to sign WR (I like Lloyd for best fit although rumor has him going to New England) and address LB. They can draft tackle/LB/best available after getting their bookend DE's. Pass rush is critical and can mask other weaknesses and make an average secondary look stellar. Case in point, NYG. They can harass any passer, Rodgers/Brady/etc. That's the key to beating elite teams. I'm also not sold on Fitz--I really don't think he's a starter, but he's an elite backup. I would like to see Bills address QB at some point, probably after this year. Flynn is not Fitz competition--he's signing as a starter and could be a bargain for whoever gets him. He could also be a Kolb-like flop. Like another poster said, I hope I'm wrong about Fitz but he seems to weaken with the season and isn't strong-armed enough to handle Buffalo. Few are, maybe the elite QBs and Cutler types. There is reason for optimism, but if Buffalo stops after Williams, it seems more like a big marketing ploy than anything else. Ralph should prove everybody wrong and show he's serious about winning before his own clock expires. If I were him, I would go all out for a Super Bowl while he's still alive. Honestly, what's a billionaire saving money for at this point. C'mon Ralphie. Edit: I really like Wallace and think he's worth a #1 but not for Bills because Fitz doesn't have the arm strength to utilize his deep speed like it's meant to be utilized.

Given that most fans here are also Sabres fans, wouldn't it be cool to have a shirt or jersey that honors both teams? Perhaps something like this already exists--otherwise, if there are any people in that business here, think about it. Maybe a 50/50 vertical split with Bills color scheme on the left and the Sabres on the right and BUFFALO going across the top. The early 70's buffalo in the Bills logo seems closely related enough, to the that of the Sabres, that it could be used as a centerpiece--half red, half blue--to bring the shirt together. With the Bills and Sabres doing well, I imagine this would be a popular item. I would buy it or take a couple freebies for the idea, haha.

The Bills lost 2 of 3 and are currently out of the playoffs (by 1 spot) if the season ended today. The upcoming "home" game is a near must-win in the sense that it's a winnable game to achieve the record likely necessary to get into the playoffs. The good news is that the Bills get Miami twice and the Jets at home, both of which in essence will be must wins. The Bills need to step since the Jets are heating up (Bills can eliminate the Jets by sweeping them) as is Pittsburgh. There's no reason the Bills can't put a whupping on the Redskins. They just lost their lead back, Hightower, their lead WR (Moss) and benched their starting QB for a 30yr old with little-to-no NFL experience. I would say if the Bills can't win on Sunday, they don't deserve to be in the playoffs. But let's not forget they have only lost 2 games--both on the slimmest of margins. As for Merriman being out--sorry but he has never done anything in a Bills uniform. I was at the Philly game, and saw him on the sidelines in all the critical situations. I was shocked to see him standing during obvious passing 3rd downs but then again I never paid attention to that in prior games. It's not a loss--it's just lost hope as far as Merriman goes. Bills need to scour the waiver wire for some veterans who can get to the QB. They are out there--it's just a risk and will require guaranteed dollars since they are vested. As for the Sabres, the season is way early. Don't you remember last year? They were left for dead and and went on a sick run. Plus remember, Pegula is probably one of the best owners in all of sports and committed to winning. They have a top notch coach and some great attacking players. They had an amazing forecheck on Tampa in the 3rd period--just couldn't get the puck on net. I do think Miller is a bit overrated but I'll take him any day. He's not a top 3 goalie but definitely in the 5-10 range and on any given day can play like top3 and has ability to get back in there. Enroth also seems to be a solid backup and Ruff is a great coach. Plenty of positives on the Sabres. And let's not forget they have only played 2 home games and are 5-3. They are going to spank Columbus tomorrow and I will be enjoying it @ First Niagara.

I openly admit that I started "Freddy" chants on the Bills lower level sidelines during the Eagles game. After he scored his TD, he entertained the crowd with a little dance and cupping his ears to enact hearing the crowd. "MVP" and "Freddy" should both be resonating through the Ralph on Sundays.

Scott Norwood. The guy carried the Bills and won so many games. Even after Wide Right, he bounced back the following year and made some big kicks in the playoffs. The national media disparaged him forever--and even if wrong, that's somewhat understandable. What's embarrassing is how Bills fans forget all he did, for just one moment (and not to harp on it, but I will--the 47 yarder wasn't even all his fault: on the border of his range, and on grass. The Bills should have ran one more play, a quick out). PS Derrick Burroughs was awesome. Definitely the man and unfortunately, a career cut short.

Cosign.

I hope this isn't true. Haven't seen it posted here yet. Reports of Merriman bringing in steroids at the border: http://www.buffalosportsdaily.com/ He's issued a denial and hope he's right or this could be the beginning of the end of the new pass rush.

You are probably right--you have the evidence to support you. Us biased fanboys can only cling to the hope that he was quite impressive in preseasons and that he actually hasn't had any legitimate gametime with starters. Just 1 game--humor us. Clearly JP, TE, Fitzy have not been the answer, so we cling to this slim hope.

What a blessed day--just yesterday I was googling to see if Hamdan had landed anywhere.

Hamdan--because he could be the next Kurt Warner. Either way Brohm or Hamdan--it's an upgrade from Fitzpatrick. I'd like to see Hamdan get at least 1 shot--1 game, before his career is over.