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I absolutely agree. I am tired of the "patience" of our Front Office. Giving Edwards another year to coach, to see if he can do better, is an insult to the fan base unless there is the perception by Nix and Gailey that Edwards is the next Defensive Guru in the NFL. But, if that were the case, I think our Defense would have been a little more imaginitive last year. And, if that were the case, I don't think we'd of interviewed Wanny. Mediocrity is the problem around here. Nix and Gailey talk a lot about winning as an attitude. They need to expect to win. Well, as far as I'm concerned, when you are looking to assemble a coaching staff, you go after the very best, and you do what you have to get them. I mean, what is the behind-the-scenes thinking when they're considering the best Defensive coordinators? Wanny/Mangini v.s. what? Pay? Loyalty? Or Edwards. It has to be either they don't want to pay the best, they feel they owe Edwards another year, or they believe Edwards is the best there is to get. Well, I don't believe they believe he's the best. So, that means our Front Office has settled on a less than ideal DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - WHO WE NEED TO BE AN A-GAMER TO HAVE A CHANCE TO BEAT THE PATRIOTS, OR TO SUCCEED IN THE PLAYOFFS, because they either don't want to pay the right guy a few extra million - WHICH THEY WILL WASTE ON GUYS LIKE GREEN AND KELSAY, or, they just don't want to harm Edwards career. This is the stuff that kills this team. They'll waste millions on players that are marginal or worse, but they won't spend the exact same ammount on a coach who'll make an enormous difference.

That is a nice spot to sit at. Cinci will almost certainly grab him. If he's as good as advertised, then some team should really want to jump up to get him. You've got to figure, we'll be giving up on a prospect like Asamuhga? in Oakland, or Revis in NY, in Patrick Peterson. We'll be giving up on the chance to land a guaranteed superstar at a number of positions. That kind of risk, for us (especially given how poorly we've drafted in the top two rounds over the last decade) should mean that whatever we get in return is better than what we're willing to risk. What does that equal? 17, 33, and, say, a third? I think I'd take it. We'd still land real starter talent at 17, whether it be an OLB, QB, or DE. YOu can say the same for picks 33 and 35. Then, with our thirds and fourths, we would hope to land the BPA types that are capable of coming in and helping, or we use them to trade back for a slipping star.

We don't need players that are going to complain about how underpaid they are - have you seen the write-ups over at BuffaloRumblings about the salary of most of our starting offense? It's insane! We are paying most of our starters like 600 thousand a year! There are a lot of guys on our team licking their lips, waiting to get a payday somewhere. That is part of our problem. We have money tied up in players in the early rounds who aren't even playing, we have money tied up with retreads like Green who we overpaid for and who aren't even playing, and then we overpay for guys like Kelsay - All that money tied up there, while Stevie Johnson is getting like 600 grand a year, and so is Bell, our starting LT, and our starting QB is making very little, along with our Star RB - like 1.5 million a year, or something ridiculous. My point is - the guy on our team who are producing, and who we rely on to hopefully build on to get better, are being severely underpaid. So, by the time they get to F.A. - they want to get a payday, and they're probably a little sick of Buffalo for not having wrapped them up sooner. Now, you add a guy like Gaither who doesn't want to work and who thinks everyone owes him the starting LT job and the payday to go with it. No thanks. I think I'd rather have Clabo - a guy who is entrenched at his position, who looks to enjoy doing it, and is a beast. As for the above, I just think we need to get rid of guys who aren't performing, stop overpaying for "character" - the Kelsay contact could really hurt us in a lot of ways - and start wrapping up the young stars with contracts that are not stellar now, but are extensions, and are upgrades to the low salaries they're making. Then you take that core of players and add the quality F.A. depth - and yes, give the superstars who are 50/50 for some reason like Merriman incentive laden contracts - or any player, for that matter. We should overpay a little on guys who are going to be quality starters, rather than throw gobs of money at players, in total, who aren't going to help us do anything but lose.

I think one thing that is obvious, though, if you are trying to build a winning team: you do it on both lines. If you devote all your energy first making sure you have an outstanding D-line, for instance, then that makes the rest of the unit better right away. A lot of times (Minnesota is a good example) a good D-line can stop the run itself, and can apply pressure to QB (Giants recent SuperBowl). Then, on the flip side, a very good O-line can make a mediocre RB look good, and can give the QB enough time to hit the second and third reads. I know if I were trying to right a team, that is where I'd apply all my initial attention and energy.

I have been bothered by this before, and am so again - I hate it when we bring people in who we're interested in, and then they leave the building and are soon talking to other clubs and then they've signed somewhere else. If we want them, we've got to start being able to get them. Otherwise, what's the sense of having an NFL franchise? I'm sick of it seeming like we have a damn handicap. And, the worst part is, I feel like it all comes back to us, and not these prospective players/coaches. These guys actually come in and give us a chance. It seems like we bring them in here, and then we offer them some pathetic amount of money or in Wanny's case - who knows? But, it'll stink if Nix and Gailey knew they wanted him, knew they needed to upgrade the defense, and brought him in here with the hopes that he'd take a lowball offer. Granted - I don't know why it happens to us so much. I just think that until it changes we'll remain the team that isn't taken seriously and that isn't serious about contending.

I agree with Mangini - or Wannstadt, whoever that is smart enough on Defense to deal with these great teams we face every year in our division. Anyway, as far as Nix and Gailey are concerned - I know Gailey does the offense himself, but they should have looked for the very best defensive mind to build the very best defense; not what we have now - frankly, it looks like they are handicapping themselves for some reason (ralph?, $$$?). It doesn't have to be Mangini; any intelligent professional coordinator would be able to figure out how to beat these guys, schematically and personnel wise. (For what it's worth, I came up with the idea on my own earlier in the year to devise a different game plan for the first and second quarter - so that whatever adjustments are made become mute...) Anyway, I was going to say, if Wood stays at center then there you have the dominant Center to handle the tough NT's in our division. If McKelvin had panned out, as he was projected to be every bit as good as Revis, I believe, then we can say we've made similar attempts - only we haven't had the money to spend on the same quality free agents, and some of our rookies haven't panned out. Nevertheless, I think it is important to believe that we aren't that far off, really, in my opinion, only one very concentrated, well executed offseason away from having the personnel to compete in our division. I'm more concerned with having the Defensive coaching to be able to prepare for our opponents - because, N.E., and the Jets are some of the best coached teams in the NFL, and we need someone way, way above average to coordinate a defense that can compete. (In fact, I'd say our worst setback these last ten plus years has been Ralph Wilson's very outdated ideas on how much money should be allotted to a coaching staff. I think he believes this: it's only football, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know how to coach a game! - It seems obvious that the absence of real capable coaches and personnel men has hurt us more than anything else.)

It could be Denver, too. Still, he reminds me of Haynsworth.

When I reply to various posts, it's easy for opinions on certain topics to make it seem like I believe a bunch of contradictory things - for instance, I might say I think we need a solid Defense, and then say I think we will draft a QB with our 1st, or that you cannot turn down a Franchise calibre QB if you can get him. But, I believe, and I've said it before a few times, that the best way to go about fixing this team is to fix the defense this year, no matter what you have to throw at it, just get the guys you need, so that it is rich in talent and that they'll grow together, mature, for the next four or five years. Then, next year you throw everything at the offense, and after that it's just a matter of maintenance. It does appear that this year's draft class, along with the F.A. market, will furnish the right types of players for us to reload on Defense, and even fix our O-line. It's just a matter of whether or not Gailey and Nix believe there is a college QB who has the tools to be great, and if that is the case, I can't see them passing on the guy (Locker looks to me like the perfect QB for Gailey's preferences - we'll see).

To me, the most consistent constant on the teams that have handled the Patriots over the last three, four years is a fierce Defense that gets after Brady, and especially while not sacrificing too much coverage. That means effective pressure from the D-line, or very creative blitzing. Brady and Co., had just as dominant a year this year as almost any other of their years. Time and again, we've seen it play out, the way to handle that team is to rattle Brady. If we don't assemble a Defensive unit capable of doing just that - and, by the way, that approach would work nicely on the rest of our division, as their QB's aren't capable of handling that kind of pressure, either - then I can't believe we're serious about being contenders. Also, a good point was made in an article on this site - why not hire someone like Mangini to help erect a defense that can handle the Patriots and the Jets? It is only so obvious to me that our Defensive Coordinator was in over his head last year. He wasn't even average. Average won't cut it. Above average won't cut it. We need a real master Defensive Coordinator to go along with good personnel in order to win in this division. Unless Edwards is a genius and we just don't know it, our coaching staff is either not in it to win it, or they are strapped for cash allowances on coaching. Let's hope they get Wannstadt or Mangini, or someone with real know how on the Defensive side to give our team a little brighter future.

I've not watched a lot of Jake Locker until I just now looked at some of his highlights... and, yesterday I would have said the Bills will go for either Peterson, Dareus, Bowers, Fairley - of course, if he were there - but, now I think there is no chance Locker gets by us. I just don't see Chan Gailey passing up this guy. Wow! I didn't realize how fast he is. Not only does this kid look like a Pro Quarterback in size, and has been playing in a pro system, but he is a passer first, and a good one - I mean, I watched him make all the throws - numerous 50 yard tosses, and he's got a quick release, he can throw very good on the run, and he runs fast - Tight End fast - plus, he's tough. Let's see... easily a good enough arm to throw in the Ralph, good runner, can play in the pro styles, has exceptional talent. Now, what does Gailey like? A quarterback who can scramble, with a good arm, and intelligence. Man, we can draft Locker and let him learn the system, Fitz is similar, only, I'd say, inferior in measurables. As much as we need to fix our Defense, I see us getting Locker and then spending the rest of the draft on Defense. I think our staff is loving the fact that everyone else seems to think Locker is now questionable. I think they're drooling to get him. And, I think they selected Spiller last year with the intention of creating a "threesome" of young, electric, WR,QB, and RB - like the Bills and Dallas used to have. I like the idea of Spiller and Fred, Locker, Easley/Evans/Johnson/Jones/Nelson/and Parrish - between Easley, Johnson, Jones, and Nelson - one of them might step up as a legitimate number 1, although, I think Gailey wants a bunch of viable options - much like Green Bay's roster. We still need a real threat for a T.E. - but, I see us being able to address that and RT in F.A. this year. That's my prediction - Locker to us at 3. And, I'm thrilled with the prospect. Remember, Fitzpatrick was considered as only a marginal second stringer until Gailey propped him up. Imagine what he can do with what can be considered perfect prospect in Locker. It is perfect for us as things stand now - how everyone sees him as going to Washington, but, on most years we'd lose out on the great QB prospect (as we would have this year with Luck) only, the guy I believe we would want anyway is going to be there for us.

I think just about every team needs a good QB. Only once a generation defenses are good enough to shut down a team so that even a mediocre QB can win. I happen to think Aaron Rodgers looks like the best QB in football. He's fast, has a quick release, is deadly accurate, and can throw the ball anywhere. Not only does he do all that, but he's really elusive, he reads defenses great - the guy is the total package. If you can get a great QB like that - you grab him. Great DE's and LT's are also so rare that you grab them if you can, because you'll never get one via F.A. So, in our case, is there a great D-lineman, QB, or LT available at 3? I would bet there is only a potentially great player at one position sitting at 3 (if the corner is that good, it would be tough, but I still think that if the D-lineman is close and definitely going to be great, then for us you have to solidify the D-line first), and that is who we need to get. When I look at this draft, and at this year's F.A., I think this: 1st pick: D-line 2nd pick: ILB or D-line 3rd-4th round: QB, TE, LB Rest of draft on BPA Free Angency this year will allow us to get a good RT if we feel we need one (I hope they do). Atlanta's looked perfect. There will be plenty of O-line F.A.'s. There will be LB F.A.'s, too. The only position that looks like we'll have to wait on is QB - unless there is a daimond (and there will be some potential stars - a few - in the 3rd and 4th round) or in F.A. - like Vince Young, Donovan McNabb, or Kolb. Personally, Kolb is the only one I'd like of that bunch, although Donovan would be o.k. for a two year contract, but I think Fitz is probably about as good there. But, Kolb would be nice, only he's not worth a 1st, so who knows...

THANK YOU!!! I mean, I was thinking the same thing, and have been since the Giants Super Bowl victory. I mean, those very teams you've mentioned have shown the Patriots weakness - and schemes won't mask it; it is Brady's weakness - pressure. So, we've got K. Williams, Carrington is looking good, and Edwards is o.k. We need two more players to have the 3-4 base to build a defense around designed to beat them, and the other teams in our division, as well - I mean, none of our division's teams QB's can function good with that game plan... Miami's NT - if he gets to the open market - proved to be the best one we faced all year. He'd be a great addition. And then Bowers or Fairley, Alden Smith, Ohio State's defensive end is it Heyward? Anyway, get our D-line to the point where we can keep the RB's in check and put some pressure on the QB - like Bruce Smith used to do. Of course, our LB's still need upgrades. We need a very talented ILB, more than an OLB if Merriman is healthy. If we grabbed Peterson with the 3, we could still get the best ILB with our 2 pick. That would leave the need to pick up some later round D-line help. I think if we can get a very dominant D-lineman at 3 it would be easier to get good secondary players elsewhere than to find the dominant D-linemen.

I don't know about you, but these guys look like they all could be special - Claybourn, Fairley, Dareus, Bowers, Quinn, Alden Smith, and there's even the Ohio St. DE. That's seven defensive linemen, not to mention Paea?, and the DT who got suspended along with Quinn who's projected first round. There'll probably be one third of the 1st round going to D-linemen. That's not to mention linebackers - although, the linebacker class and the offensive line are the two weakest parts of this draft. Hopefully we'll get what we need to make our group better in those positions - but, it is a strong class for D-line, Wide Reciever, QB (in my opinion, there'll be five or six NFL QB's eventually starting out of this group). So, I don't think we can go wrong drafting D-line. We should go get the best guys where we need them, and a legitimate all-star probowler if we can, the best of the best at 3, I'd say, but, in all, this draft we should come out of it with our D-line fixed, front seven help, and a prospect at QB. Maybe even secondary finished, too, if we get Peterson at 3. We can fix our O-line in F.A., and we can bring in a LB there, too, if need be.

Yeah, I would rather have a losing record against the hardest schedule in the NFL, consequently be able to measure our own level of development, and get a good draft pick to help the cause, than to have the easiest schedule, make the playoffs because of it, and not be prepared for the tough competition once there, lose early, and have junk for draft position. If we win enough to get a wild-card with a really hard schedule, then going into the playoffs a team like that is dangerous (Green Bay is a great example - Baltimore, too, despite their loss).

I went back and looked over the prospects, and I think these guys match what we want (toughness, accuracy, heart) - Locker, Nick Foles - Arizona, 6 foot, 5 inches tall, 235 pounds, senior season completed 78.6% of his passes with 8.9 YPA average (just the kind of stats we want), and then there is Ponder who I'll leave to the Bills to judge, and finally Pat Devlin - Delaware, 6 foot 4 inches, 220 pounds, "toughest QB in college right now", has a rocket arm and good accuracy. I like McElroy from Alabama as a backup. Anyway, there are my guesses as to who we'd go after. Locker in the first if we do draft that high. I'm not liking what I've actually seen of Blaine Gabbert. Ponder in the second if we get one there. Foles between 2nd and 3rd round. Devlin would be a 4th round prospect, unless a team loved him and went for him in the third.

I have been a Aaron Rodgers fan for a few years now. After watching last night's game, I am reminded of what we need in a QB. On maybe 10 occassions last night, Rodgers was chased from the pocket, and the play (in our case) would've been dead or worse, a sack, and Rodgers, running towards the sideline, hits a reciever downfield for 7-20 yard gains. My point here is, when he moves and throws, he hits his guys in stride. More than just in movement, though, but when he throws the 20 yarders and when he throws the five yarders - he hits his recievers. THAT KIND OF ACCURACY IS WHAT WE NEED IN A QB - and it is what we haven't had in a long while. Find me a QB in this draft who is: 1. Accurate - very accurate, or, who has the mechanics and potential to be taught to be very accurate. Bradford type accuracy. 2. Toughness. I want a QB who will want to fight to win, who will want to either come back and never give up, or who will want to seal the win with the extra, final nail in the coffin sort of finish. The rest - running, alleged character, height - whatever - if there is a QB in the second tier this year who looks to possess excellent accuracy, intelligence, and who isn't either a wuss or just doens't have a heart, then I say we go in that direction. I'm sick of seeing QB's - Fitz is a great example, but there are many in the league - who can't even hit, on a regular basis, the 5-20 yard passes; who, if they lead their team down the field for a string of 5-8 passes, it is considered a highlight game. I mean, the guy is a pro QB - it should be the norm for him to hit most of his passes, and he should make several a game that awe us...

In light of the coaching vacancies this year and their hirings, I'd say Nix/Gailey is very good, especially if we end up with Wanny in the mix, too. Whaley is a good, solid future GM. San Francisco looks to have gotten a good coach/OC/DC, but I like what we have going here. I like it better than Shanahan in Washington. Of Carolina, Cleveland, Denver, San Fran, Oakland, Minnisota, Dallas - I would say our coaches hold up good. I do think Dallas is going to end up with a powerhouse staff if they land Rob Ryan as D.C., and, I also think Houston is going to be a powerhouse with Phillips as their D.C.; in fact, I'd bet on Dallas v.s. Houston Superbowl as a real strong possibility in the next two years. I saw an article about Houston's front seven - and if they snag a good NT and an OLB - they might end up having the best front seven in football. That's a scarry thought with Phillips running the show. Anyway, I like where we are going with our staff.

I've watched games and video of Bowers, Quinn, Dareus, and Fairley, not to mention Von Miller. I absolutely love that Buffalo will have a shot at, at least, one of these studs. Bowers and Quinn look great to me. Bowers, I think, could stay at 3-4 DE. Quinn, paired opposite Merriman or Moats - yeah! And, of course, Fairley would be perfect for us switching between 3-4 and 4-3 looks, as he could be DE in both. Dareus, too, at the least, would be solid and good for years to come. I'll take any of them and be happy. And, there are other guys at the top of this draft who will be solid DT's and DE's, too. I think it's Aldin Smith? who is projected top 12 prospect at DE. There is that other guy, along with Quinn, a DT, who got suspended and who will be 1st round material. I think we can really stock up in this draft on 3-4 front seven talent.

There will be enough F.A.'s out there this offseason for our front office to be able to legitimize this roster with a combination of drafting and free agency. I expect to see a few additions to the linebacking corps in free agency, as the crop of draft talent isn't very deep there. Pittsburgh and Woodley is a fine guess, since our guy Whaley is real familiar with him, and Nix did convince Merriman we'd be actively upgrading our roster's talent level. So - it would be an absolute dream if we could get Woodley and Soloi? (Miami's NT), and Tyson Clabo. Throw in Zach Miller. Yeah! Of our restricted and unrestricted F.A.'s, the unrestricted class has some guys that we will have to replace if we don't resign them. I'm talking about Whitner, Wilson, and Florence in the secondary, and Poz in the middle of our D. All of a sudden we are thin at secondary. All of a sudden Patrick Peterson looks real obvious a choice if he's there at 3. I would o.k. with that pick if we did solidify our D-line with Miami's NT and our linebacking corps with Woodley. I hope we resign Wilson. I think he was underrated and underused, and is ready to peak now that he's acclimated to the position. There are a lot of combinations of possible rosters after all is said and done. I'm with you all out there hoping Nix and Gailey aren't too patient with the rebuild.

I went back and watched youtube video on Gabbert to get a better idea of what he looked like. Usually the youtube clips are either the best, or the worst, moments in a players career; kind of a highlight reel. Anyway, I wasn't very impressed with him from what I saw. Sure, he did have a really strong arm, and could throw the ball in the Ralph just fine. But, he didn't appear to possess great leadership, or an iron will to succeed. He's skinny, and looks like he'd get hurt pretty easily. (On the topic of leadership - I know, it isn't exactly a science, but I just don't get that passionate, win at all cost, impression from him - he seems more objective, even a little timid). Sure, he could end up being great. But, from what I saw I'm now much more on board with us grabbing the best D talent in the first and second, maybe third, and go after someone like McElroy - who I like a lot - or one of the other 2nd tier guys who look to have a few real gems in the bunch. Then again, if our staff likes Locker, or Mallet (again, Gabbert and Mallet look similar to me) then we'll have to trust them. One thing is certain - I'm excited to see Gailey get the opportunity to hand pick his pupil(s). He will obviously, after last year, pass on guys if he's not sold on any - and, judging by their intelligent decision not to jump all over Claussen, as so many criticized him for, Nix/Gailey look capable of determining who is the real deal, and who is probably not.

That's funny that you put Bellechick so high - not that I don't agree, because I do think he and his staff are light years ahead of most of the rest of the NFL; but, I don't think there aren't people out there that couldn't do better. I remember when Indianapolis had Tony Dungy, and every playoff game against Bellechick was a tight one. He prepared his teams to a close level, although, I'd give the edge to Bellicheck. Green Bay does a great job, and I think they could hang with New England. I also think New Orleans' Sean Peyton could match wits with Bellechick. Let's see... Harbaugh is doing great with Baltimore. I think the best way to beat New England is to be tougher than them, and to out-physical them in play.

Word on ProFootballTalk is that the Chargers are signing Manusky as Defensive Coordinator. That is a big, big plus for us, here. Wannstdedt was also linked to that job, perhaps the only one with as much of a connection as this Gailey staff. So, with that out, and with us probably set to offer him Assist. Head Coach, Defensive consultant type position - we could stand to really have a nice core of coaches in place. Man, if we landed him... it would leave Nix the job to just stock us up with players - and, according to Merriman's interview, it sounded like Nix was planning on adding some real quality competition this offseason. So, things could be looking up. I'm all for a hybrid defense. We have guys that can play in a 3-4, albeit we need more help there, but I think our 4-3 look could be really lethal if we add a D-lineman like Bowers or Dareus or Fairley. Imagine a 4 man front of Fairley, Troupe, Williams, and Carrington. Yeah. Or, Bowers, Troupe, Williams, Carrington. And, behind them, Moats, Poz, Merriman? That would be tough to run against, and could be hard on the QB in passing downs. How would Fairley line up in a 3-4? Would it be Fairley, Williams, Carrington? It would be Bowers, Williams, Carrington if we drafted him, but that seems so out-of-position for Bowers, the 3-4, that I doubt we'd draft him. Rather, Dareus, Williams, Carrington. That's nice. Behind which we'd have Moats/Kelsay, Batten, Poz, and Merriman? Could be pretty good, I guess. The 4-3 looks better to me, though.

You guys will probably bash me for this, and it is really a hunch more than something I puzzled out - there are no signs indicating it would happen, other than he just seems like the kind of QB Chan and Nix will like a lot - and, I'm talking about McElroy. Yeah, he led the Alabama team to a lot of victories. He's played in a very good pro-style offense for what? 3 years? So he has experience, and experience winning. And, I saw him on television the other day, and he came accross absolutely intelligent and poised. I mean, this kid is just entering the draft, and he was virtually announcing on television, breaking down the upcoming BCS championship game. So, he's smart, collected, experienced, and has won a lot, and is NFL ready. He just lacks what we'd call elite measurables. I see him as a Chad Pennington-esque QB who will be a steal for some team in the 4-5 rounds. And, I wouldn't be surprised if it is us - oh, and we'll be coaching him, too.

I went to youtube and watched as much as I could on Blaine Gabbert yesterday. I was left with mixed opinions of him. First, he has a great arm, and he seems to have a quick release. I saw one play against Nevada where he threw the ball 60 yards, and he could very well handle the winds of the Ralph. But, he looked a little thin, a little fragile, and he didn't ever appear to be the type of quarterback that would rally a team, and take over a game. I don't know... when I heard comparisons to Rivers I was excited. But, he didn't really remind me of rivers. He reminded me more of Flacco. I guess he'd be an improvement, but, now I can say with certainty that I'd rather us get Fairley or Quinn or Dareus with the first and try to grab one of the lesser hyped QB's who many people feel have all the tools to be good.

I could be wrong - but, he looks like the kind of player a team would have to build the offense around, cater to, and even then, I can't say he's shown enough skill as is to be successful at the NFL level. Sure, with the right coach, the right offense, he might be great. So, unless Gailey looks at him and says, "he's perfect for what I envision", then I'd say pass, get the great D-lineman, and if you like that kind of guy, go get Vince Young. However - with Gailey's track record, we should be excited about whoever they do end up picking as the eventual franchise QB. I don't know - I'll have to look it up - if Gailey has ever had the chance to hand pick his QB? Whoever we end up with at the QB position, I think we can expect good things. I mean, look how decent Fitzpatrick was this year. Gailey didn't see a whole lot in him until the time came for Fitz to play. Imagine what he can do with a guy he is excited about.