BillsfaninSixburgh

Leadership is an intangible....either you have it or you don't. Some of you have replied to my previous post and asked for specific examples of where Clausen showed a lack of leadership. Well since football is a team sport, and the QB is the face of the team, I'll start by citing the fact that ND lost its last 4 straight. That tells me that Clausen didn't put the team on his shoulders and will them to win at least one of those last 4 games. There was no shame in losing at Pitt or at Stanford. But there is no excuse for losing at home to Connecticut and at home to Navy. ND also had to come back late at home to beat a mediocre Washington team. The only thing close to a "quality" win this year was against a Boston College team that finished 8-5. For those of you that will now respond with, "well Notre Dame had a down year/bad team", aren't the two most prominent figures in the making of a bad team the coach and QB (see Buffalo Bills 2000-2009). We've been saying for years we need the Bills to get a QB who can put the team on his shoulders and make the players around him better. Clausen did not do that. ND's record the last three years were 3-9, 7-6 and 6-6. As Bill Parcells says - "you are what your record says you are". I've watched football for almost 50 years. The intangible that the great quarterbacks almost universally have is that aura around them that they can bring their team back no matter what the score. They get their teammates to believe that as well. Clausen has not demonstrated that trait. So count me among those who has made up his mind and won't change it. I hope Clausen is gone by No. 9 so the Bills don't have to make the decision. If I'm wrong and Clausen becomes the next Peyton Manning, I will live with the comfort that "real football men" in the past have passed on the likes of John Unitas, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Dree Brees over can't miss prospects who went in the 1st round like Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Todd Blackledge, David Klingler, Rick Mirer and Kelly Stouffer. (And please don't call me an ND basher. I've been following ND since 1970 and I still get a lump in my throat every time Rudy makes that damn tackle!). "Da Bills - they're an ugly mutt, but their MY MUTT!"

The difference between Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf was not physical skills, it was what they have between their ears. Clausen has never impressed me with his leadership. He may have the physical tools, but he doesn't convey confidence or leadership. My opinion, right or wrong, is he's a Phillips Rivers-type. Rivers puts up numbers at times, but in big games comes up small. A lot of people called Jim Kelly arrogant and cocky, (and he was), but he always backed it up with his toughness and leadership on the field. Marino and Elway were the same way. I don't get that feeling with Clausen, and apparently at least one of his ND teammates agree (see article below). http://www.nesn.com/2010/03/former-notre-d...neffective.html

Round 1 OT Hopefully Bugala Round 2 QB Pike or Lefevour

I saw him play against Pitt this year. It was a perfect night for throwing the football. I thought his passes had way too much air under them and he was playing against a beat up Pitt secondary. Golden Tate made him look good by being able to run under some balls, but he didn't impress me. I can't see him throwing in the winds of the Ralph. If he's good, he will be the next Brady Quinn, if not, the next Rick Mierer. Either way, the Bills should pass on him.

Old enough to remember that game as well as the one 3 years later when they beat them 38-35 in Miami for their first win in Miami since 1966 on Joe "The Nose" Delano's FG. Aaaahhhh...... brings back some good ol' SHULA SUCKS hatred!

I respect your opinion. Although I don't agree with the 2nd part about everything else being chopped liver. Even the NFL acknowledges the pre-Super Bowl era differently. For the sake of argument, I'll stick with my claim that 51-3 over Raiders was 'bigger" than 1964 Championship. In 1964, AFL was still considered the minor leagues (AFL'ers can b*tch all day that wasn't true, but the fact was that's what most of America thought at the time). After the 1990 AFC Championship Game, Bills were considered THE BEST TEAM IN NFL until the Giants upset them a week later.

I was at the 1980 Bills-Rams game. Another top 10 in my book. I remember Smerlas in particular dancing in the end zone. Other two both great. They are games you remember where you were. (My Dad was upset because my 3rd grade Xmas play was at same time as OJ 2000 yard game).

Hey......I highly resemble that remark! I'd have more to say, but its time for my nap!

Bills 14 Cowboys 3 (1984) Memorable - can't call any game by a 2-14 team "great" Greg (Tinker) Bell's shining moment as a Bill.

The guards put him on "escape alert" after they watched the replay and saw all the tackles he broke on that 3rd and 13 play he made. That play still makes me sick.

Bills vs Argos is our best shot at landing a primetime game. It will be televised while Hockey Night in Canada shuts down for the NHL off-season.

Forgot about that one! But that would definitely make the top 10. I remember Chris Berman on GameDay with his specially made jacket. Half Bills/ Half 49ers. The Swami's annual Super Bowl pick for about 5 straight years.

Just watched "Missing Rings 1990 Bills." It again reminded me how lucky we were to watch those Bills teams from 1988 to 1993 in their prime. Unfortunately it also reminded me of the dreck we have watched the past decade. Bills Nation was on top of the world for at least one week following the 51-3 demolition of the Raiders. It got me to thinking about my list of all-time great Bills games (wins and losses). The Greatest Wins: 1. 51-3 Bills win AFC Championship (1990) 2. 41-38 (OT) Bills over Oilers in Greatest Comeback in NFL History (1993) 3. Frank Reich to Andre Reed last minute with on MNF over Rams (1989) 4. Joe Ferguson to Roland Hooks last minute win over Pats (1981) 5. Jim Kelly dive into the endzone in Miami on last play of game (1989) With respect to AFL Championship Bills (too young too remember personally): AFL Championship - Mike Stratton KOs Charger's Keith Lincoln (1964) The Toughest Losses: 1. Super Bowl XXV (1990) 2. Music City Miracle (1999) 3. San Diego over Buffalo AFC Divisional playoffs (1980) 4. Dallas MNF game two years ago (2007) 5. New England MNF game last year (2009) The first two wins were a toss-up as to which was the best. Nod to the AFC Championship Game because at least for the next seven days, the Bills were considered the best in the NFL.

Claussen OT

True, but the flip side is: Franchise QB + poor surrounding players = Archie Manning

Bradford Claussen

The hit in St Louis was a career changer for Trent. Some guys's have their careers end on a blown knee or a torn rotator cuff. Trent got his confidence blown out and has shown no signs of being able to regain it. I hope he makes a comeback, but I don't see it happening. Given the makeup of this draft, going OL-line with 1st round pick is the better bet. The majority of the past twenty Super Bowl winners had an elite QB, so if there was a truly an elite QB prospect available, it may be worth using the No 9 on a QB. But IMO, there aren't any except Bradford and he will be gone. Sorry, I'm not sold at all on Claussen. I see him as the next Rick Mirer or Brady Quinn, not Joe Montana. Best Bills teams of all time had both great (or at least very good) O-lines and QBs. There are a lot more available top-notch OL prospects than there are QB prospects. Improve the O-Line this year, evaluate whether Edwards or Brohm potential can be unlocked, and if not, then look for a high round QB in future drafts. I still think if they go O-line in first, and a QB (Pike, Lefevour) in 2nd, that's the way to go.

Drew Brees failed his physical with the Dolphins a few years ago. That didn't work out too bad....for the SAINTS! One man's garbage is another man's gold. Only time will tell.

"Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son"! (However, after following the Bills for the past 45 years, and specifically the last 10 - it certainly helps!)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. "The Bills - they are an ugly mutt, but they are still MY MUTT!"

I have to assume that your a wiseguy Bart trying to get everyone p/o'ed, because if your older than 15, posting comments like that on this board and you don't know who Andre Reed is, then you will find great success in sounding silly. On the other hand, if you really are a youngster who doesn't know who Andre Reed is, it only drives home the sad point that this next generation of Bills fans (including my young sons) have had next to nothing to cheer about with this franchise. This die hard Bills' fan and transplanted Buffalonian living in Pittsburgh can only hope that the new regime finally gets it right before my kids permanently become part of Steelers Nation.

Jimmy Clausen is a poor man's Jay Culter. A head case with an arm. I'm hoping he's gone before the Bill's pick.

The Steelers use a similiar cash to the cap philosophy as Bills, and they get called prudent. It isn't a matter of Bills being cheap, it's that they haven't spent their money wisely and invested in the right players.

Showing my age, but who cares....4 quotes in response to sharper..... Walter Brennan - "yer either fur us or yur agin us" John Wayne - "them's fightin' words Pilgrim" Bill Polian - "GET OUTTA TOWN!!!" Forrest Gump - "And that's all I have to say about dat"