sllib olaffub

I can't pretend to know anything more than the next guy - but, I'd think that the difference with the pro's is that all they are responsible for is football. So, they might not have as smart of players on the team, but they've got their whole day, every day, to learn their role. In that context I can see why discipline and good teaching are the two most important factors in success. You've got to have the discipline to make the players put in the amount of effort, and to take it seriously enough (ironic that you'd have to force these guys to work hard, when they're making millions!) - and then you've got to have the teachers in place to be able to communicate with the various players the right way, so that these guys aren't failing because they simply don't understand. It looks like Gailey thinks this way: he's more on the discipline side, and he's brought in a bunch of coaches. Add to that the importance of staying healthy and flexible, and I think we might see some real success here. It's encouraging that the Georgia Tech teams didn't really reflect his ideal offenses. It's encouraging that he's found some success at the NFL level, and from place to place as a OC he surely was stashing away bits of insight for what he'd do better next time he had a H.C. position again. That is where I really get excited about watching him over the next few years. He's done pretty good in the past - but, I think his best coaching is going to be done now and in the next few years.

There's more than just the QB that will ultimately decide the outcome of how our QB plays this year. When I think of Gailey and this subject of how he's adapted to QB's strengths, built successful offenses - and I think that is really what he does - he makes the collective bunch of guys that comprise a particular offense work together successfully. So, I think, he's going to come in here and turn our bunch around from being a terribly ineffective offense into being maybe middle of the pack - and, I think we'd all be happy with a 16th ranked offense? I'm wondering: if our Tackles don't play good this year, then our QB might not get a fair chance, again. Not only did we pass on replacement QB's, but we passed on adding any significant talent to the O-line. I'm thinking in order for Gailey to work magic on this squad this year he'll have to be a keen talent evaluator - and he'll have to be right in being able to have a functioning O-line and QB with what the majority of NFL analysts beleive to be garbage. He jumped at Spiller - and now he's got maybe the best group of RB's in the league. He's always had good running teams, more than having good QB play. So, we'll probably have a strong running game that sets up the play action pass. We'll probably see slot type routes - maybe moving Evans into the middle, or using Spiller or Easley or Parrish, and Shawn Nelson, to take advantage of the LB's stuck in the box to stop our running game. I suspect we'll have just better production offensively, and I'm excited to see it happen. I just hope we don't have to suffer through another season of our QB's getting pummelled before they've got a chance to throw the ball. Even Nix acknowledged that as being a problem last year - and yet we didn't address it.

I'm not defending T. Edwards; there have been times during both J.P.'s time and Edwards' time with the Bills that I liked each, and then there were times when I rooted for someone to replace them both. That said, Edwards, prior to last year, looked like a smart, decisive young QB. He was bringing the Bills from behind to win, or keeping them right in there with teams back in 2008. Sure, it wasn't always good, but after 2008 people were saying the same things about him as they are now saying about Sanchez. I absolutely hated the way Edwards looked last year. There are excuses - the O-line, the firing of the O.C., the different input and conflicting information he was being given. Still, I suspect if you would have put Favre, or McNabb, or Brady in the same situation, with just last offseason to prepare, they'd of done better. So, if you just chalk last year up to circumstances out of control, then Edwards might rebound and have a 3000+ yard season, with 25 touchdowns or so. Then, there's Brohm. He might out perform the others in camp and lead us. Either way, whoever is playing, they'll have to have a really good, consistent season to prevent us from going after one of the good QB's coming out next year. In that light, I can live with what we have right now and see what happens.

The Bills won't get any respect until we prove that we're capable of competing with the good teams. It doesn't surprise me that we're ranked this low. The media is always a year late in their evaluations - the last few years they predicted the Bills as being potentially on the rise - and now, after our terrible performances last season, they say we're going to be what we were. I say - we've added a better staff - with a much more professional, front-line way of thinking. We've added players. We've added a new scheme that should help our run defense. I don't see us as being worse. I see us as being better statistically, much better off mentally and constitutionally. Even if we finish 6-10, there is a 6-10 like our team played last year and a six and ten like a team on the rise; I think we'll be more of the latter. And, I hope we surprise some people with our record, too.

I just read the article on PFT about the talk of agents trying to convince next year's incoming rookies not to attend the combine, pro-days, and the senior bowl. All this to express the discontent at a rookie wage scale. Add that to the current pro football's athletes and their representatives talking about walking out in December of this year! Can you imagine what a walkout would be like in December - if your team was doing good? And then the strike next year - if it were to come to that. I know I'm not alone in feeling that this stuff is ruining the game. How can we spend what we do to go to games, to buy jerseys, other gear, and to spend our time reading and writing about these teams - virtually, all of us, making it possible for these athletes to live like kings - and they're not talking about playing football and working their butt's off to make it to the post-season for their fans, but, rather, they're talking about not being able to support their families on a 3 or 4 million dollar a year contract! And the majority of fans probably live on 50-75 grand a year, if that. Yet, the owners are making money and refuse to open their books to the public. So, as much as the players attitude frustrate me, it seems like the owners are only just as bad here - that together, both sides are ruining what the fans have established. Yes - the fans have established this game. We've supported. We support it. Without us, they'd be playing for free or not at all. Without us there would be no billion dollar stadiums - no Jimmy Jones smiles. So, I propose this: that a third party enter the mix. A third party not covering it's own interests, but whose interest is to make the game fair for both sides. For all sides. Let the objective party come in, look at the books, look at the expenses, all of it, and make it as even as possible. Why should this not work? And, why aren't the fans demanding this?

Unless Brohm is just obviously not smart enough to run an NFL offense, or quick enough mentally, then I'd say let's give him a chance - especially in the pre-season. We know Edwards and Fitz - in that Fitz is a backup only, and Edwards has potential, but he'll have to show no signs of panick as he has in the past. So, why not let Brohm play a ton in the pre-season? Some people play differently on game days, and he might go out and turn some heads.

My guess would be first the money - because first class organizations aren't going to be given the time of day if they weren't giving the player the best deal, or close to it. Second, the facilities - up to date weight rooms, stadium, training facilities. Third - maybe limo treatment, wining and dining them. By those standards I don't think we finish in the top half of the NFL.

I think we'll see our secondary matched up more one on one this year - and that might be good for them and increase their interceptions - due to the pressure on the QB, or, it might make them look worse than last year. I know it's possible that our defense goes through some transitional trouble this year, as some people think it will. But, I'm holding on to the hope that it will actually be better. For one, there's the secondary - which, as I said, should get more opportunities to make plays or get burned. Then there's the linebackers. Davis, Mitchell (who I like, and who has played 3-4), Poz, Maybin (who could be pretty good as OLB), Batten, Coleman, Moats, and Kelsay. Those guys are plenty big enough to stop the run. Sure, there's some question with Kelsay, Maybin, and Batten - but, on run downs I think Kelsay will be a strength. Now to Stroud, Williams, Troupe, Carrington, Johnson, and Edwards - rotating them in and out for stamina, and I see a front seven that shouldn't have trouble holding up against the run. That group looks like a 3-4 defense to me. So, as I see it, even if we don't come out and tear it up, we should at least be decent, which is better than we've been. I think we can be a top 10 defense.

I was reading the Brown article on our 3rd nickel cornerback this year, and it jumped out at me how deep our secondary is. Safety is really solid with Byrd and Wilson as two ballhawks, and Whitner and Scott as real good against the run - and then you've got McKelvin, McGee, Florence, Youboty, Corner - and even Seargeant and Lankster at cornerback. With all this talent - we could let these guys play a lot more man-to-man coverage this year and have a defense similar to the Jets. I think we're going to be able to devote a lot more personnel packages to stopping the run and blitzing - because our secondary is so good. What do you guys think?

We haven't seen him play yet, so all this is speculation - but, based on his measurables, and his history, we have bottled lightning with Spiller. Considering the offensive talent available to us, if we'd of passed on him I think we would have always looked back and regretted it. What I'm looking forward to is getting next year's best available QB. Great teams often had the great trio of QB, RB, & WR. I already see us as being able to get one of the two best QB's coming out next year - if we're willing to give up what it takes, if necessary. So, we're on our way!

I think the opener sets the tone for a good part of the season, and in our case, I think, will have a big impact on our season. We are a big question mark right now - and will be so until after game one. No one knows really how our offense or defense will look. That alone is an advantage. Furthermore, Miami, although being a solid team, is one of the wins we would expect, when looking at the schedule, and which might be one of the more beatable opponents. We are going to see some good passing and running with Miami - now having Brandon Marshall - that bumps their number one and two recievers from last year to their two and three, respectively, which adds a lot of dynamic to the group, and skill. So, our run and pass defense will be tested. If we get beat up on, it could get into their heads a little, allowing the players to think that once again they're on a losing team. On the other hand, if we can stand up and play like men, play with pride, and not get pushed around, and showcase our talents, then we might be able to develop a bit of confidence and carry that over. As was just posted on Buffalo Rumblings - the mental aspect of the team is just as important as the physical. We've got to expect to go out and be able to beat on the opponent if we ever expect to have a winning team here. I can imagine it now - Buffalo's defense coming out tough, shutting down the wildcat and the passing game of Miami, jumping out to a good lead, and holding on to that lead throughout the game. The announcers would be saying, "what a surprise out of Buffalo. A lot of people expected this team to be in rebuilding mode - well, someone forgot to send the Memo to the Bills. This team looks pretty good!" Yeah.

Just because Jim Kelly is the former Bill's QB of greatness, because his word carries so much weight, because his opinion is going to be posted in stories on the net and in the papers, if he talks to a reporter and says Trent Edwards has had his chance and the Bills should move on - this coming right before the draft - then, that is the same, more or less, as saying Trent, you've blown it, you aren't good enough, and we're moving on without you. We didn't go and draft a Tebow - who, I think, Kelly very much wanted the franchise to draft - and now Kelly is seeing that Nix and Gailey are running the show as they see fit, and that Edwards probably will be the starter this year (despite Kelly thinking it should've been Tebow). He's got no say in the organization, and now he's simply backing it up regardless. He did say, Most people don't get third chances - so lets hope Edwards can find success in Gailey's offense. Ouch. To me, that isn't backing him up, that's Kelly merely backing the Bills.

There was an article awhile back about how quite a few of the "Great" QB's had rather mediocre numbers their first three seasons - that, if you were to total their numbers Edward's would compare favorably. It's not the numbers - it's the way he looked last year that bothers me. Can he bounce back? I don't know - I guess it depends a lot on what really was wrong, and how the coaching staff is at getting into his head and restarting whatever clock got busted in there... but, he's shown he can be good - and with our team as it is now designed, I think a game managing QB who can sling the ball down field with accuracy once in a while would be enough for us to win some games. If Trent can't do it - if he even shows a small tendency towards reverting to his play of last year during this preseason, I'd just let Brohm start and develop. Between the two of them, one should be capable of doing it for us this year.

There has never been a worse stretch by any QB in the NFL, as far as I can recall, than the one endured by Edwards last season. It was painful to watch. The uncertainty, the fear, the loss of whatever - confidence, guts... whatever makes a QB capable of making good decisions even under hard situations. But, we have to agree that the conditions he landed in last year were bad, that many a QB would have floundered there. Was it schemes, play calling, WR's not getting open, O-line not protecting - all of it combined to make Edwards season bad. Yet, the way he dealt with it all was not a good sign, in my opinion. Maybe he was coached to dump the ball off a lot more than we might believe... maybe he can come back to the form he was in before the concussion. Because it was night and day difference there. He was the cool QB who made smart decisions, who led the team from behind, who was an up-and-coming franchise QB. If Gailey can somehow wipe away the negative consequences of Edwards performance last year and bring onto the field this season the Edwards of old, then we could have a wild-card team. Can he come back from it? With the defense we have going into this season, and our RB's, and the new dynamic at our WR positions - I think we've got speed there like the super bowl Rams had, not even kidding - Parrish, Jackson, Easley, Hardy, Evans, and a T.E. in Nelson - all who have what? 4.3 - 4.4 speed. Then our undrafted rookies and Stevie Johnson are looking nice, too. If Edwards could manage the games, keep the chains moving, allow the running game to open up, and then hit some of our fast recievers down field for big chunks of yardage - that would be ideal. That's hoping Edwards returns to form.

When it comes to Buffalo's current philosophy on drafting - Nix basically explained that if the players on the board couldn't come in and potentially start, then they weren't going to draft them merely because they needed a guy at a certain position. I like the reasoning there. I guess we'll see with Troupe - I like his motor, but there was Cam Thomas, Terrance Cody, Linval Joseph available, so Troupe is going to have to outperform those guys for that pick to make sense. I think the Carrington pick could very well have been best player available, though - he looks like he might be a very solid, talented DE who, I think, will prove to have been worth a much higher pick.

I'm of the opinion that if you're a team like Buffalo - who isn't attracting the big name F.A.'s - and you need a franchise QB, then you trade whatever you need to to get into position in the draft to grab a guy you know will be very good. I think just about any team could get into the first spot - as long as the team already there doesn't need the guy as badly as you do... in which case maybe you can't trade up; but, I think to secure that one position, which is good for six years if he's a top 15 player, then you can consider it a good draft if you walk away with that starter, even if you've got nothing else. An example. To have been able to draft Peyton Manning - if the Colts came away from that draft with no one but Manning, I think you still have to consider it a successful offseason. You can usually get the other positions in F.A. The one big question I have with that approach is: if you're the Bills and you're going to see what you have this year, but you're pretty much waiting to grab the great QB next year, then don't you spend this year beefing up the O-line so that next year you've got a good line waiting for the QB? As it is now, we're going to have to get our QB and a LT next year. With our team as it is now - I really like our defense, and it's young and will develop now without having to add too much, we could walk away from next year's offseason with a QB and a LT and be looking pretty solid. I know we should be adding five or more starters with the draft and F.A., but I'd be happy if we came away with those two positions - and I don't think that is too unrealistic to ask for.

As much as this team could use the first pick in the first round - I just don't think playing that badly would benefit them, even considering the first pick. They really need to play hard, smart, tough football this year. Teams have to look at Buffalo as a team they're going to have to scrap with to beat. Teams should fear coming to Buffalo. It'll take time for that to happen, but I think we end up with more like somewhere between 6-10 wins this year. Of course, 10 is if Edwards regains his pre-injury form (which was considerable, and more than capable of playing playoff caliber football), or if Brohm has a break out year. Then again, we could win 5 or 6 games and still be a tough, young team on the rise. As long as we have the mentality of playing relentless, never-give-up football, knock 'em in the mouth, this is our house kind of football, then I think we'll all be happy with things. Gailey and Nix have to change the old attitude of losing is excusable. It is not.

I've been a supporter of Nix and Gailey since they came in and it's because I respect their moves to date - I can see their logic in what they've done. They knew to do it right it would take a few years to rebuild, although they also knew they had a very young team with some talent. So, where to add talent and when? If they tried to fix both sides of the ball this year they'd of fallen short on both sides, I think. Instead they fix the run game on defense. By adding Edwards, Troupe, Carrington, Moats, Coleman, Batten, Davis, and Torber, and getting back Mitchell, the Bills will have all the guys they need to put together really nice packages on Defense. I think we'll be hard to run on and to pass on. Our secondary is so talented as it is - now we'll have teams scrambling to find ways to go the distance against us. For year one, getting Spiller, they now have every kind of talent at their disposal at RB, and teams can win in the NFL - and especially in cold weather towns - by running and stopping the run. The offense will be proving themselves this year - especially QB, WR, and some of the O-line - but, at least we'll know what we have going into next year. And, even if we do have to get a QB, a Tackle, and a WR - that isn't too much to ask out of a draft and a F.A. period. They could trade up and get their QB, grab a F.A. tackle, and pick up a wideout in F.A., too, and have a very well rounded team. You've got to appreciate Nix when he says they didn't want to draft a guy - spend the money and the pick on a player who might not be better than what they already have - i.e. McCoy or Clausen - it'll only compound the problem because you'll still have to spend another pick on fixing it, and you'll have wasted the opportunity elsewhere. So, these guys drafted guys they were fairly certain would contribute to the team as upgrades - and I think they got starters as far down as the Batten and Moats picks - which will end up being a very strong draft for Nix in his first year here. It's a two year rebuilding project. I see what they're doing - they'll fix the offense next year. Very similar to what Miami did not long ago - and I think our team will be similarly competitive right out of the gates this year - it's about time!!!

I heard on AM 550 radio today an interview and - it might have been Tim Graham - the guy was saying how the elite coaches like Cowher, Shanahan, Gruden, wanted to go somewhere where there'd be stability for the rest of their coaching lives, potentially, and that was absent here. Also, the organization was in disarray, and we didn't have a QB. Summing it up, we weren't really in the running for one of the top three coaches. I like the Gailey hire, though. I like Nix, and I like Edwards as our D.C. I think a big part of being a good coach is teaching, having assistants who teach, and having discipline - enough so that the guys respect you and the program - and having flexibility, adaptability. I think we've got all of those here. I like Harbough in Baltimore. I like Rex Ryan in New York. I like Singletary in San Fran. Arizona's coach. There are some good coaches who are winning now, or placing their teams on the right track to succeed, and they aren't the old guys. I like that we have Nix as a GM - because this is his chance to leave behind a team as he would have made it. He's more than capable intellectually, and appears healthy - so, I think he's going to create a good group of players. And Gailey has had chances, and he's done well. He has shown enough that you want to give him a chance, that he deserves a chance, unlike Jauron who lost just about everywhere - save for that one season in chicago. Gailey is in a position to decide his fate. He can win here and become known as a really good coach. He'll have the players. He's done enough where if he wins here his NFL record will be one of winning and succeeding wherever he's been. If he loses, then all his past success will have astericks. I think Gailey will win here. I think he's going to prove to everyone the other high profile coaches have nothing on him. He and Nix and Spiller will be soaking up the Bills fan's applause here soon enough - it might take a few seasons, but it'll start showing this year.

I would think Spiller would be used out of the backfield more than anything, being sent in motion out of split backfield formation - which would give the QB a pretty good sense for the coverage, I'd think. As for his size - he's strong enough to be a Warrick Dunn type player - 20 touches a game. Everybody gets hurt - and he will at some time, too, but if you look at the photos of him working out - he's solid - and the F.O. mentioned that was acknowledged when they drafted him - that he was big enough to run between the tackles, too. As a wideout - considering he's got good hands, he's got a college return yard record, and we know how fast he is - he is going to be what our previous coaches wanted Parrish to be - but able to take a pounding and to break tackles. I think Spiller will get 15-20 touches a game, and will be on the field more right out of the gate than some people think, and I predict him breaking out some long runs and then - after a few games, no one will be talking about why we drafted him, or if he should be on the field in this or that capacity, rather, everyone will be saying how fortunate we are and how crazy the 8 other teams ahead of us were for not taking him.

I'd love nothing more than to see the Bills break out with an innovative, high power offense. I think we'll be a successful running team, and I really hope we can use that run threat to set up big plays in the passing game. I think we've got a few different 3-4 WR sets that could feature guys who all have really fast 40 times, so, in theory, or in a Madden-like setting we could have a dangerous offense, but in real life, with our O-line and QB situation, I can't convince myself we'll have that yet. Anyway, I just don't know what is being referenced that shows us in what way Gailey's offense is supposed to be new, or why it will be so great - and I'd love to hear more about that.

There is almost no better scenario for the Bills this season to give playing time to their young players and see what they have. The team is rebuilding…not contending. Sure they may surprise but I don't think you make player moves based on that expectation. I think you make roster decisions based on the expectation that you are rebuilding and need to play your young players to develop AND evaluate them. I think Bell and Meredith need to play. Ditto Troup, Carrington, Calloway, Easley, Batten, Moats, etc. etc. etc. I think Steve Johnson suffered from sitting behind Terrell Owens last year. Fewell started Fitzy because he knew it gave him the best chance to win games and get the head coaching job. But to me, Brohm should have gotten the starts down the stretch…for the good of the organization. The only valid counter-argument is the "we need to have competent play from this position in order to evaluate the QB, etc" but I disagree. I think the Bills will get adequate enough tackle play and if they have to use the tight ends and backs more in pass protection, so be it. They get to evaluate how well their running backs and tight ends pass block. They get to see if the young tackles have what it takes to become solid starters and if they improve week to week. I really agree with this. I don't think it could be much more obvious what our F.O. is thinking right now. As much as I'd like to see us win every game, I'll be happy also to see some of these guys dealing with the adversity of having to make do with what we've got. If they can find any measure of success - especially offensively - without having a dominant O-line, for instance... it'd be nice to see a QB fighting, and yelling at his teammates, and earning yards and first downs... maybe, despite the youth and inexperience, we'll see some fight this year, and expect more of it to come.

I think the reason so many people get down on Bell is because they want to see him play more - like Hardy - they've got the physical measurables that should equate to excellence on the field, but they just haven't maximized their skills. If we could see Bell practice, and have the coaches and teammates say, "Wow, this guy is good", then we wouldn't necessarily feel like we're cheap when we don't go after guys like McNiel and Gaither. As it is right now, the prospect of Bell being our opening day starter is all very much a mystery. And, I think, people see long injuries and they assume a player is weak, or lacking in motivation, mental toughness. As for development - with guys like Maybin and Bell, their second years should show us something - if we are in the same place with them after this season, then I think you have to look to replace them, so you're not depending on them. I think that is a big difference between good teams and bad teams with "upside" and "potential" - namely, good teams have starters in place that have proven capable of starting - they don't have a lot of guys that need to immediately live up to potential, or that are being rushed into developing. They get playing time as they can handle it, and in the meantime can learn from the veterans ahead of them. In situations like ours - we're depending on some players to play at a high level without having had the time to develop, and so we're naturally going to see growing pains, and we've just got to hope that early setbacks don't damage their confidence and hinder their development - like, I think, happened to Edwards.

...the Ravens. I really don't like 'em. They do such an outstanding job at evaluating talent, both collegiately and professionally, that they're stacked at most positions, and they can sit on players that might be good enough to start on other teams and wait for good offers to come in, or just not deal them if they don't get a good enough offer. That is, in my opinion, one of the best teams in the NFL, and looking to be good for a long time. But, as for Smith - either the Ravens have been planning on moving him, and have had offers, or he isn't that good. The aging Bulger might be better suited for second string/mentor - not causing friction - but, his skills have declined enough to have left him available when a good number of teams are in need of starting calibre QB's. When I look at our roster, I'm at a loss with the O-line and QB situation. My mind always comes back to us just letting our guys play this year in order to know how good they are. Our G.M. and coach will never have another season to do that with players. That kind of implies that they're willing to suffer through a bad season without making upgrades - or, it's a matter of them not thinking there are legitimate upgrades out there. McNiell and Gaither are available, and N.O. shipped their LT for what - a 4th? - so, we better see some good play from that unit this season. But as for QB's - I can't really think of any that inspire me, and I can see why they'd wait till next season to draft a really good one. I'm braced for a long season - as much as I think we'll be competitive, have a solid defense and good running game - it's probably not unrealistic to say the difference, in our case, between a five win season and an eleven win season could be two players. Ending on a bright note - what Miami did a few years ago was done without a great QB, so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

I don't think anyone who has followed the nfl for more than ten years needs be convinced that you can win in this league with different types of teams - and not all championship teams need great QB's. There have been a number of very tough teams with some very unremarkable QB's of late - Tampa and Baltimore won SB's without a top 20 QB. When it comes to Edwards being good enough for the NFL - well, I think his arm is not even that much of a question. It's plenty good enough to win with. He can make all the throws, physically. It's his decision making, his ability to react to pressure, his mental fortitude that is lacking. Whatever fear crept into him sometime last year really undid him - in the eyes of his teammates he's proven he can't perform under pressure - and these have been the lesser forms of pressure that a great NFL QB will have to face and overcome regularly. That is why Trent Edwards is looked down upon. It isn't his physical skills. If he had the toughness of J.P. Losman he'd probably be one of the best young QB's in the game. (Those two had the opposite skill-sets). The players don't trust that T.E. will come through in the face of adversity - and that was his trademark - oddly enough, his first season and a half, namely, that he was cool and calculated. Can he get that back? I think that is the question - that and what does Brohm have, really -that stopped our F.O. from going after Clausen this past draft. If these guys don't shine this year for us, we'll be getting a QB - my guess - in the first round next spring.