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As much as I admire a man his age for working the hours, and maintaining the vitality he has - there are things I really wonder about: One of Buffalo's problems this year - despite Fitz not being able to throw accurate deep balls - is not having recievers who are fast enough to warrant opposing coverage in the deep areas. Why, then, did we give up Evans if we were really trying to win? I mean, the only way I can make sense of a lot of the moves the Bills have made this past year is that they're either trying to lose, or they are totally inept. Why give Lynch away for as little as they did - that is often forgotten, but another poster mentioned it; there were teams that were almost all the way solid save for a good running back. I'm willing to bet there would have been better deals available had Nix tried. He just seems to be totally opposed to deals of any kind. He seems to have the kind of mind that thinks, I'm not going to mess around with trading up, down, or calling around to try to make deals to get or get rid of players. It will be black and white, clear cut pick ups or releases. No creativity there - he is in the bottom of the league in that department. What is going on with Buffalo's defense? I'm thinking - if Wannstedt is scheduled to take over, why haven't they released Edwards in an attempt at rejuvinating this unit? If Kansas City isn't enough of evidence - coaching can raise the level of a team's play tenfold; this organization seems to be more concerned with contracts or handshakes than they do the Fanbase - it's as if they deny the fans have a right to demand success! Any other franchise would have tried something else by now, Edward's feelings be damned. If they raise Wannstedt to coordinator, my first thoughts will be - what has he contributed to this mess this year? And, did he not have the authority to help, or change it? Again - it looks like they want to lose these games rather than try something else. Contracts - he isn't on the hook for Kelsay, but he's paid Fitz, Pears - anyone remember Green? That bozo got a 3 million dollar a year contract to play RT. How about Brad Smith - there are countless examples of money going to the wrong places and players under Nix's brief management. 30 million under the cap and the excuses of poor depth! Enough! All in all - I will see what they do to make changes for next year. But, if they keep Fitz the QB without getting a high round QB to be ready to come in and for development, and if they keep Edwards and don't seriously address the defense, then my days are done with watching or supporting this team. They have a chance at redemption next year. Nix has the chance to make this team playoff worthy, but, if he acts as if his rebuild can take as long as needed, without urgency and with the apparent "right" to as many crappy seasons as they care for - I'm done.

I allowed myself during the beginning of the Jauron years, and during the beginning of Malarky years (although, I really didn't like him much at all) to be excited about what we might do - I mean, I started watching the Bills when they were just getting good during the late 80's. But, it's been almost 25 years of being a Bills fan, and every year has brought me closer to here - I don't trust the Bills organization. I am, in fact, opposed to the Bills organization philosophically. I expect any competitive sport/league/activity - especially one like the NFL, which pulls so much money and influence from people - hard earned money, tax dollars, etc. - to behave in a certain way, a sort of darwinian way. I think you manage your resources towards identifying successful pieces to the puzzle, and you put together as many successful pieces as you can, with the money you have, all the while always trying to improve - always moving and working 100% towards one goal - excellence. I respect teams that go for it - teams like Philly, although they've proven that it isn't all about throwing money at the problem; still, you've got to use money for what it is - a resource. Teams like the Patriots - I hate them for being in my division, but I respect their efforts, continual and against many odds, to be great. We lack the drive to greatness in Buffalo. Ralph Wilson isn't trying to make the Buffalo Bills the greatest team he can, let alone the greatest team that ever was. Can you imagine a new owner going up to the podium, during the presser, and saying "I will not spend as much as I can on this team, nor will I pursue the most expensive coaches, nor will I rely on the wisdom of the best personnel men. If we're going to win, it is going to be against those odds." No! You expect an owner to be like the Sabres new owner - to come out and say, "I'm going to make winning our top priority, and we're going to expend every resource available to do so!" So, how can we be anything but ambivalent towards the Bills? I've tried to take a real interest in other teams that I admired philosophically - I can't. I'm stuck following the Bills or no team. But, I think the organization is garbage, the owner is foolish and cheap, and I only hope we, the fans, get to one day experience an ownership the likes of Pegula. Until then, I have lost any hope for us being really good - I just take a wait and see approach. I know I'm not an expert, so I'll sit back and watch, but I don't expect us to be good anymore.

You make some really nice points, and not just the above quote. I agree insofar as we can say the Bills have played the offense about as opposite as they should have, all things considered, since Fitz signed his contract. With the injuries and his struggles, and our defense being as bad as it is - we should be running to set up the pass, because, at the very least, running is the only thing we're doing well! I thought Gailey had a reputation as a run-first coordinator. I imagine if we ran something like the Jets type offense, Fitz would be adequate. However - that is all Fitz is ever going to be. I don't know who got carried away with that contract - but, I believe someone was there arguing it, with the clause in it to drop the contract, it is obvious it was not a full fledged commitment. Where we are at, Fitz is perfect for being a mentor, a QB to give a young Franchise QB the leadership and the on-field coaching, and maybe start half a season to let the young guy come in slowly, but, he is now too expensive for that! What are we paying the coaches to do? Thigpen is also versed in Gailey's schemes. I think we've got to draft our future QB this coming draft. I mean, there hasn't been a better draft for QB's since the Rivers draft, and this might end up being the best QB draft in 20 years. We do what we have to to get one of the top 3 QB's, and that will give everyone hope. I can't watch the Bills next year, or think about them, if they try to go into the season with Fitz as the only viable QB. I mean, every NFL roster should have starters, and it should have guys behind the starters that have potential to be just as good - younger, but physically exciting - small school, lower round talents, at least, so that if someone gets hurt you hope the replacement might be as good or better. You don't have mediocre talent starting with practice squad talent as back-ups, especially at the QB position!

I'm starting to think Gailey came up with this plan for the offense in the offseason, implemented it during the first half of the year with very good results, and became so enamored with his plan, his playbook, his belief that he knows what the answer is on offense, all to such an extent that when things started falling apart, instead of realizing that his scheme had been found out, that it is easily countered - as evidenced by every team shutting us down, more or less, he blames the failure on injuries and bad play. Face the truth - this offense, the way it is apparently designed, cannot function with Fitz as the QB - at least, not at the level we need to be a contender. Fitz's limitations create more problems for us than he is worth. If Gailey scrapped his gameplan and went to a power running game, letting that set up the pass, and keeping our defense off the field, we might win more games - but, such a simple answer that any laymen football fan sees is too simple for Gailey. I am really worried they tie next year to Fitzpatrick. Especially given Gailey's obvious failure to adapt when things go wrong. Because, there will come a time when teams figure us out - and Gailey has to change it up. I mean, unless they were trying to lose, I have some serious doubts about Gailey and his ability to adapt. And, I would really like Nix to come out and just be honest, instead of giving the fans the same bag of sh-- we've been getting forever around here. What is the limitation with this team?

Some great but obvious insights mentioned: Why are we so dead set on passing all the time? It seems like we're passing 3 times more than we are running, and the funny thing is, our running is the only thing working! It's almost as if Chan was told to try to lose! Also, Indeed - why are we so confused on defense? Any Coordinator on any other team in the league, who had the worst defense in team history in his first year, and then manages to have an even worse defense in the second year, despite drafting defense heavy two years in a row, would be fired by now. I know, why fire him now? What good will it do? With that mindset, they better be trying to lose for a QB - because, look at the two interim coaches this week - Miami and K.C. - both wins, one over the G.B. Packers! Why fire our D.C. now? Doesn't that also suggest the replacement isn't on the payroll already - because, if he were, don't you think we'd of fired him by now? So, what is up with Wanny? And, when it comes to drafting players and extending contracts - and all the major decisions on this team - doesn't it seem like there is some MAJOR ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM KIND of stuff going on here? I mean, they draft guys for a style of football that Nix says is good for this climate, and then they play some totally opposite style offense and their defensive players, who they drafted to play certain positions - Moats, for instance - are benched to let DT/DE's play OLB - what is going on here? I'm beginning to wonder if Fitz's contract wasn't pushed along by the men upstairs - at least, it seems as if there are major players in this organization with very different points of view, and instead of working together, they're fighting, using their authority where they can, despite conflicting with what the next guy is trying to do. That - all that mysterious dysfunction that we know is happening, but about which no one openly talks, is why no one of real talent or importance will come here - it is a sinking ship, with real losers making too many important decisions.

I would rather us not win another, and with the help of other teams winning, at least put us in position to land a legitimate QB in next year's draft. I mean, if I were Gailey and really wanted to win either of the next few games, I would tell Fitz he is definitely playing for his job. The idea that we would keep this QB merely because he got a contract he deserved before he got it, but certainly doesn't merit based on where he can take a team - is another reason to abandon hope. Fitz, without a doubt, belongs on the list of areas that are URGENTLY needing an upgrade, as in #1 pick. But, I can't go without saying - Gailey is a huge disappointment when it comes to abandoning the run this year. We could be the leagues best rushing team if we weren't to have given up on it almost every game this year.

Pierre - that would be a nice piece to add around. Watching him chase down Felix Jones, that was a thing of beauty! A man that big shouldn't be able to move like that. Still, I haven't given up on Spiller. That is one pick most around here think was wasted, but if he turns into what I think he can, then we'll be alright with it.

Thank you for offering a fresh take on the subject of Ralph Wilson. Most of me would like to simply agree that the old man loves this team, put his heart and soul into it, and just can't run it anymore, and has nobody to run it for him that is interested in ANYTHING OTHER THAN KEEPING IT AS PROFITABLE AS POSSIBLE! That is why I've wondered if it isn't really a coorporation approach, where any and all sacrifices must be made to maximize profit. I don't think there are too many instances in life where things are clearly black and white. I'm sure much of what you said has merit. However, Ralph has had this similar pattern for much of his life, during times of vigor and lucidity. He got lucky with Polian, Butler, Marv and Company., and quickly destroyed the Franchise that was so much to the Bills community over what now seems like nothing - in terms of Management Salary. I mean, if it weren't for his relentless mentality that dictates "You don't need rocket scientists, and you don't need to pay guys millions of dollars to run a football team that any high school coach worth his salt could run successfully", then we wouldn't be in this mess - at least not for so long. He just refuses to pay what the league has established as legitimate salaries for the men in charge of building and running a team. Therefore, it will take luck for this team to ever turn around again - or, it will be in spite of Wilson, and not because of him.

Two responses above seem very perceptive: one, those teams that might have worse records at least have better defenses, or are in position to draft a QB (look at Miami, for instance. It has a very good WR, a couple others that are comparable to our own group, a terrific young LT, a solid Defense that is good enough to play with anyone - you add a dynamic young franchise QB, and I can see them turned around in two years and looking very good for a long time.) - whereas, Buffalo has as many holes as players they'll lose along the way of filling the holes they have now; and, as always, will be just out of reach of the best QB's - most likely, so that in two years, when Miami, or Indy is looking to make a multi year playoff run, we'll still be arguing over who will coach us, who will be the future QB, etc. And, secondly: those teams have, at least, front offices that have, and will again, spend what it takes to get the right coaches and players. I mean, no Franchise except Buffalo - and maybe Jacksonville - have the kind of reputation Buffalo has that makes any Coach or GM or top F.A. laugh at the idea of coming here. Laugh! And we're one of only 32 teams in the whole world! That is Ownership, and that makes up the bottom, the pit - and there is only one thing that will change it. It's too bad Ralph looks to be waiting for someone to move the team before anything good will be done with it.

Nice Post. I believe a quarterback in the NFL has a career - if he is good - of about 10 years. So, over the course of 10 years, how often does a team have a chance to draft a really good, franchise QB? Most teams only have a shot at drafting a really great QB about once a decade. When have the Bills passed on great QB's? Not often. They seem to win just enough to miss out on the good ones. My point in this regard - if there is a really great QB prospect that your franchise is sold on (another frustration with Bills - they can't evaluate talent good enough to know who is worth going hard after!) but, if there is a good one, you do what you can to get him; and, especially if he is just there, in your lap, you take him! I could argue that even already having one, you could draft another and have more trade value in the pick than what your pick alone would be worth. The thing with Buffalo is they don't seem to get there, not after three years, not after six - there just hasn't been that window where all the pieces are in place. Now we are looking at draft number 3 with Nix and Gailey, and that SHOULD be the year the pieces are falling into place. I absolutely believe a great QB can make an average offense a good one, or even a very good one. And, you take away a good QB and replace him with a weak armed, very inaccurate QB, and the other pieces could be good, but the offense might stall. So, bottom line, we take the QB if we can, and throw the rest at the Defense. And, another frustrating thing - I believe this team could add every piece it needed in next year's offseason to make Buffalo a very good team. But, we'd have to have a front office set on doing whatever it needed to - and ours just seems very intent on trying to pull the wool over the fan's eyes as long as they can, with pathetic excuses like "not enough depth" while they're sitting on 30 million in cap space! Aghh!

Yea - how could anyone - ANYONE - use injuries as an excuse for Buffalo Bills this year when they are somewhere near 30 MILLION DOLLARS UNDER the salary cap!!! I mean, using injuries as an excuse is just a very coy way of not saying Ralph Wilson won't spend the money to field a competitive team. The Bills didn't want to sign talent at backup positions - that is why they let Hangartner walk - he was capable at center and guard, and is a starter on another team - but, he was too expensive to keep as a backup; but, tell me, who would have made more of an impact - Hangartner that game Levitre couldn't even snap the ball, or Brad Smith? Any excuse for this team that doesn't begin and end with ownership is a copout.

Thank you! I agree 100%, coaching is the most important position on a football team. Any franchise is insane to pay for good players before it is willing to spend on top coaches. Go get the best coaches, offer them whatever they need to succeed, and they'll get the players to fill out their schemes. Schemes win. Players do what they're told. Fitzpatrick, with most any other coaches, would be what he was before - mediocre. With Gailey, in Gailey's system, he looks (at times) better than he would in other places. But, Gailey hasn't hand picked him. Go get a great D-coordinator and let him find the right players. Nolan, for instance, could turn us into a top 10 defense in one year, I'm sure of it. As for Gailey - imagine what he'd do with Cam Newton, or Griffin III.

If I'm judging from history, this franchise won't go out and get a top QB because they just signed Fitz and Wilson would think Nix and Gailey didn't know what they were doing if they popped the 1st round QB on him before a season had even passed. Also, if the Bills continue to act as they always have, they'll let Stevie walk and sign a first round WR, or in the first 2 rounds, saying they want to have a young nucleus there - but, really, all they'll be doing is letting a smaller rookie salary replace the expensive one an experienced Bill is due to make - in other words, we'll be treading water and not building anything. If the Bills continue to act as they always have, I don't want to watch anymore! There is no reason the Bills couldn't afford any of the top QB's if they fell to them - if the Bills said they were trying to model their franchise after Green Bay, one of the best and smartest and most efficient in the NFL, then Green Bay paid much more money for Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre together than the Bills would pay, for one season, of Fitz and a high round rookie. And, it is painfully obvious the Bills don't have a top QB on the roster. Period. Whatever Fitz can do, he isn't close to elite. If a franchise doesn't have an elite QB, and they can draft one, regardless of the other failings of the team, you draft one. That opportunity is less frequent than any other position, when it comes to finding a player. If the Bills pass on one of the top QB's all it will say, No Matter What Excuse They Throw At Us, is that their pride, their owners wallet, any of a number of things Other Than Winning is motivating their decision. If they have the chance to draft a potential Franchise QB and don't - I wont watch another one of their pathetic games again until the franchise is in another owners hands.

If I'm GM of Buffalo, I look at this team all around and I say "I am going to put together a team that can go out and compete for a playoff spot this year". You've got 3 areas of concentration - Special Teams, Defense, and Offense. You've got 3 Coordinators, there, as well. On Offense - I figure out who the QB's coming out of college are. If there is a truly elite QB that could be a difference maker/Franchise QB then I try for him with all I have in the first. If I cannot get him, then I try to move down into the later part of round 1 and grab some extra picks. Each draft has its own merits - and this draft is heavy on 2nd - 4th round talent. The only positions that might be in abundance at a high 1st round level this year are OT, QB, and WR. The other positions that usually go high - OLB, DE, CB - those positions have guys that can be good starters, but there are a bunch that are together in the typical 2nd and 3rd round talent. So, if we get our QB high, then we need to throw everything next at OLB, with depth at CB and OL, and we use F.A. to get improvements at WR and another LB to start. That would give us a team, that if it stayed healthy, could have the players to compete, and we'd have a stud QB to groom and step in when ready. If we don't get an elite QB, there are others that could end up being real 10 year starters that might go in rounds 2 and 3. We get one, as well as a couple OLB's and maybe a WR or TE - all in the upper part of the first 2-3 rounds, guys that can come in and compete right off for starting positions. After that, we go BPA at OT, LB, CB, and WR - and we get the best help in F.A. We really ought to get a D-Coordinator that can come in and give us credibility right off, and give the players confidence again. He would have an obvious impact on who we specifically draft. But, we have a knack for getting special impact players in every draft these days, a later round or UDFA jewel - we'll need that, too. If we go at it all in, no more waiting till whenever, and we still go about it wisely, with a mind towards core players, and we pay for a very good D-Coordinator, as well as, IMO, another Special Teams coach - ours is no good - then we could turn it around. AT THIS POINT, THIS OFFSEASON OUR TEAM CAN TURN A CORNER AND REDEEM ITSELF. BUT, BUDDY AND CHAN HAVE THIS YEAR TO DO IT. IT ISN'T TOO LATE TO KEEP THE FANS, BUT IT WILL TAKE A REAL ABSOLUTE TURN AROUND IN COMMITMENT AND A SHOWING OF READINESS TO GO FOR IT WITH ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES. IF THEY DO NOT, AND GO CHEAP YET AGAIN, I FEEL THE FANS WILL WALK AWAY FROM THIS FRANCHISE, AND THE BILLS WILL BE MERELY DEAD ON THEIR FEET - IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY THERE.

Funny how Miami fires their coach right before the Bills game - why? Because, they know they're up against Buffalo for the last of the top QB's in this coming draft, and they don't want to miss out. They're trying to lose this game coming up, and lose out, because that ownership knows they need a good QB to get a good coach to have a good chance at winning.

Whaley might not be too bad. He was high on a national list of potential GM's when we hired Nix. Steelers pedigree. Plus, he is young, and he might infuse the whole front office with a new energy and philosophy. I'm not bailing on Nix/Gailey yet. I'll give them 3 years to make something happen - but, for me, anyway, that means they've got to fix the QB situation this offseason. I can't stand watching Fitz miss a wide open receiver 15 yards away - and later that night watch Eli Manning hit just about every pass - in the 4th quarter, with 6 minutes left, down by 12, with Dallas playing against the pass - and Manning hits passes, one after the other, for 20, 30 yarders, over and over, with pinpoint accuracy.

It is so early to talk about the draft already... but, I am of the opinion that we need to take a QB if he is available with the top pick. If he isn't - I say trade down, if you can, into the twenties, and pick up another 2nd, maybe a 2nd and 4th. With those picks we could really get some good late first, early second round OLB's - or, think of it, a later 1st, two 2nds, one of which is very early, a third, two 4ths - with those type picks, we could be landing, potentially, 4 starters and a QB to groom - because, if we don't get the Barkley/Griffin III/Landry there will be QB's in the second round that could end up being very viable starters, like Dalton quality guys. I think there will be near 6 QB's potentially, in this coming draft, who could go first 2 rounds. Luck, Barkley, Landry Jones, Griffin III - all potentially in the first. Then I think you'll see other guys who are now considered 3-5th round picks climbing up, like Dalton did, after all the pre-draft analysis. I wouldn't be surprised to see Tannehill, Foles, Kellen Moore, Keenum, and Kirk Cousins group of QB's produce a few 2nd rounders. Anyway - that is between 7 to 10 Qb's that could have potential to start in the NFL sometime in the next few years, which is why I say, if the great one isn't there high, trade back, if possible, and load up on other talent and still get a QB. I know - I really want a true, elite QB. But, if we just cannot land one because they're gone, then I think Gailey could work wonders with a guy like Kellen Moore, or Tannehill.

San Jose Bills Fan - you make an excellent point about OLB talent. Man! When you put it in those terms - I knew Houston had invested in Defense a lot over the last three years, but I forgot they have Mario Williams/Brooks Reed/Connor Barwin as their OLB's. All of them - we know how good Dallas has it, but even San Fran with those guys - we don't have a single OLB who can match those team's second OLB. The disturbing part to all of this, as I've eluded to around here lately, is the timetable that must be non existent, or very long, for our staff to assemble a good team, because they knew going into this season they were hanging their hopes on Merriman, and even I suspected, as an outsider, that without the use of HGH or whatever he was using, he just can't stay healthy. That's beside the point - the point is, they must expect to be able to go another couple seasons, at least, before they line up the right personnel, because we only have one of each high pick, and we're constantly in that pick one spot neglect another position. On the bright side - I do believe the right men could turn this around in a year or two. There is hope. We'll just have to see what they do.

Thanks - someone points out what a lot of people here don't want to admit - Spiller is just fine, man. He averages a good bit - almost 5 YPC. You know, just because he hasn't been given a full season of full time play, doesn't mean he is a bust. The kid is so fast - if you can't see that, you're selling him short - he is so fast he needs more than anything to learn to slow down a little and follow blocks. The only thing keeping him from Chris Johnson type skills is that Spiller, when he gets the ball, outruns all his blocks and virtually runs into the defense, or, he sidesteps too much and gets caught behind the line. That stuff can be fixed with practice, experience, and better run blocking. Is he Fred Jackson - which is why everyone is killing him, because Fred is so good. No. There is no running back in the NFL like Fred Jackson. The man just makes things happen. It's hard to rationalize why he is as good as he is - it is special. But, it isn't Spiller's fault that Chan and Buddy didn't have the ability to percieve the talent they had when they took over the team. I'm just a fan watching the games from a distance, but even I knew, 3 years ago, that Freddy was special. Even then he was averaging like 5 to 8 yards a carry, but it was always in relief of Lynch, or someone else. Truth is - if Spiller were on half the other teams in the NFL he'd be a star. There aren't a lot of players with his speed. Look at how quick he gets out around the edge! If he can learn to slow down for his blocks and choose his holes better, look out! But, that comes with time. If we're losing and out of the playoffs, why not let him develop? Lets not run him out of town so we can watch him become the next Barry Sanders on a team like the Patriots.

Hahaha - good one.

Unless Wilson passes away it must come to the point where fans are willing and UNITED in boycotting the team if onwership doesn't own up to its responsibilities. I was so perterbed when Russ Brandon reacted the way he did to the notion of Ralph buying out the remaining tickets to the Titans game - there was a lot of judgement in his tone; as if the Fans were behaving badly in WNY, as if the FANS didn't deserve the team because they weren't buying out the stadium, as if they expected Ralph to pony up and He, Ross Brandon, had to be the Wise Parent and give the Fans some tough love. What a load of crap! Man! The Fans have been paying for this poor excuse for a team for over 50 years, and what has ownership done in return? Brandon acted as if it was common knowledge that an NFL team is meant to generate profit - that it DOESN'T OWE ANYTHING TO THE FANS - and that is the real source of the problem here in WNY. The Buffal Bills do owe the Fans! This organization has been using the excuse of a small market choke hold for as long as I can remember - but, the truth is (although our owner will never give reality a chance to confirm this) that the fans will be there to give all the support that is necessary for profits if the team is a good one! A winning organization - think of this, now - A SUPER BOWL win from the Buffalo Bills? There would be fans all across the globe celebrating. The Bills have become the Redsoxs of Football, only they don't deserve to win - and that is the ugly truth. Why should we win with half the investment? All that would do is give Wilson a reason to have a smug I-told-you-so smile on his face when he passes on, while all the good owners are doing all they can, and spending a boatload more, to try and get a winner. No, if the Bills organization is run this way, it is up to the Fans to stop supporting it. If Wilson's argument is that he will sell the team - then so be it. Every intelligent sports fan across the country knows what is happening here. As long as the tickets sell, as long as it isn't a weekly news that the Bills stadium once more didn't sell out - as long as the facade of All-Is-Well is continuing, no one talks openly about how Ralph has run this team into the ground. But, if people stopped going, if every one gave up on the team - who really thinks people would say, Look at those Bills Fans - look what they did to poor ol' Ralph Wilson. No. They'd be forced to admit that the game is over with his frugal, penny pinching ways. That depression era, backyard football mentality to running a team doesn't work. And we, the Fans, deserve more. As far as I'm concerned - I'd rather see the Bills run properly elsewhere than see them run to the ground here - where it's gotten so bad that we are not even taken seriously anymore by anyone in the N.F.L -not players, coaches, analysts - no one. That sucks.

When it comes to scheme - I'd really love to see Edwards fired, in fact, if he isn't fired, I'm not going to watch anymore Bills games next year. Watching our guys play defense - or whatever the hell you call that - was painful! Their recievers weren't even being touched most of the time they made catches! On most defenses, you watch the defenders in the recievers faces, or jumping up and fighting for the ball. SanDiego's men were by themselves catching the ball most of the night! I've never seen a defense as outmatched as the one I saw yesterday. There is absolutely no excuse acceptable to keep this man on the sidelines. The longer he stays, the less credibility Gailey has, because he has to see what I'm seeing, and Football, at the NFL level, isn't about friendships or honorable relationships. It is about jobs, and performance. If the guy can't handle the job, you've got to let him go. Now, when it comes to what defense we'll be playing next year: I want to see a coordinator come in here and be creative. There are 11 players our there. There has to be a ton of ways to use guys to get the job done! Whoever they bring in here, I pray he makes it simple and that he demands some aggression from the players - I want to see Ravens type toughness! Listening to the Texans players talking about Phillip's Defense being the difference for them - they said he made it simple, and he lets them go out and play. Whatever he does, it can't be rocket science. Let's hope we get someone who can give this group a fierceness they sorely need. And, I know there will be people who say we don't have enough talent - well, we can get enough, in the next offseason, for a legitimate Coordinator to run a top 12 defense. It is scheme and heart more than anything, and we lack both right now.

This team isn't that far away from being competitive - if you have a creative GM who is willing to use every resource available - draft, F.A., UDFA, and trades. We need a high draft QB, OLB - first two rounds. Another F.A. WR or two. Rounds 3 on - draft linebackers, CB's, and Tackles. You do that alone and we might not have too bad of a team to look forward to. Make a few draft trades or swaps to move up to come out of the first three rounds with a promising QB, two excellent LB's, and either a solid, exciting WR or another CB - and that would be a nice corp to add to what we have. Frankly, the Bills do well when it comes to adding value in the later rounds - LB's and CB's and Olinemen who can step in in year 2 and 3 and contribute, or even become good starters. It doesn't have to take another 3 years. It is all about what kind of timetable you set for yourself, as a GM and Owner. Once you decide how long you are giving yourself, then you build a plan to get there. They could do it in one year, if they really wanted to put all their resources into it, and if they were very smart about it. That isn't impossible - and it bothers me that so many people think the only way to go about building a team is through a 3-5 year plan. Sure, 3 years is about what it takes to turn things around, and teams like Green Bay did took longer to do it right - which is what I think we are looking at with Nix. I'm not saying do it in one year, because I don't think that is realistic in this situation - another team, another owner/GM, and yes. But, what frightens me with Nix is I don't know if there is a timetable. Without one, you can lose the urgency that sometimes in necessary to make things fall into place. I mean, really - with the Bills, if your rebuild is more that 3 years running, you're going to start running into the problem of resigning guys - which we don't do - and then it is a continual plugging of players we already had, which is where we always are at, or always rebuilding, however you want to look at it.

Fitz is never going to be more - and, he was never much less than this. It is a bad, bad thing that Fitz was signed to this contract. The only saving grace that might exhonerate Gailey and Nix from being guilty of actually believing Fitz was the QB to lead the Bills for the next 4 or 5 years is the ability, put into the contract, to cut him after this season without owing him more. So, that tells me they had a serious concern that this might happen - and it has - so they better axe him in favor of a promising QB. They keep Fitz and don't draft a premier QB next year, we are never going to have a chance at the real goal of every NFL season; he is just not consistent enough to carry a team to the Super Bowl. When he was winning, even in his best moments - he just can't do all the things you want a QB to be able to do. Fitz can only win and play good under specific conditions. You take those conditions away, and he cannot do it. I don't want a front office that just wants to be able to lock down a QB and move on to other needs, just becuase he isn't going to cost them really good QB money, and irregardless of him not being great - I mean, they knew he wasn't even close to being top 10. They knew it was Gailey's system that made him good. But, instead of saying, "our organization needs and deserves a great QB - not a mediocre one." No. They'll take every cheap way out, as long as it is just good enough to keep Buffalo Bills here...

Robert Griffin III if only we could be sooooooo lucky!!!!