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Gailey is supposedly already at work "cooking up plays" to utilize the three backs. I, too, have been in favor of keeping all three. They're each different stylistically, each offer something different. I could see a two back set working great with Freddie and Spiller together until we get near the redzone or on real short yardage, and then Lynch and Spiller near the endzone or on the third and inches type play. The most challanging part for Gailey, I think, will be making the defenses respect the pass enough in those types of sets - maybe two back, with Nelson as T.E. and Evans and Hardy/Easley on the outside, and you could roll Spiller out into the slot creating 3W, 1T.E., 1RB set - or, the two back without a T.E., and have maybe Easley and Hardy on the outside with Evans in the slot... they could do a lot and it should be fun to watch - Imagine, Bills offense being fun to watch - for the first time since Flutie... Just imagine if Gailey can get Edwards to play good again - then, all of a sudden we've got a legitimate offense that could put up some points. I think if Edwards or Brohm look good in camps that will only motivate Nix that much more to go after Gaither.

If it were just one season you might chalk it up to having bad luck - but the Bills were plagued with injuries the whole Jauron era - and that is one of the things I liked so much about Chan and Nix - that they brought it two strength and conditioning coaches. If you're spending all this money on players and equipment and fields - why not spend on extra coaches? Especially in this area - where they can closely follow these players condition and know that each one is ready, and how they can stay at maximum levels of readiness. I'll bet it becomes a trend.

I thought our offense looked as bad as I've ever seen an offense look last year - pure ineptitude. Despite all the injuries we dealt with, the bad coaching, the inconsistancies in styles and schemes - despite everything, we still could have been in the playoffs if a few things had gone differently. Did we belong there? Absolutely not. But, just coming back healthy this year, and adding some size and a few guys on offense and, most importantly, sticking to a consistent scheme and philosophy, having players practice hard and believe in themselves, and having a coach who will really out-think opposing coaches - like an offensive version of Bellicheck - all those things make it possible for us to see an improved team offensively; and really, we couldn't get worse. Defensively, I believe we'll be much tougher, stronger, nowhere near as easy to run against. Will we have growing pains and will inexperience in the system hurt us at times? Sure. But - and I hope I'm not wrong - I think our Defense will be in the top ten by the end of the year. Simply because I think we have real talent in the front seven, and if we can stop the run then our secondary has shown how opportunistic it can be. We didn't even really see McKelvin last year. We could be a 5-11 team that loses some close games, but we could also be a 10-6 team in the mold of a Pittsburgh or Baltimore - run, stop the run. Seeing how we were as close to the playoffs last year as we were (while being as bad a team), I think that only reenforces two things - we have more talent than a lot of people will admit, and the league is much closer than people assume - that solid coaching can rise a team up to a playoff level of play quickly (if it were Cowher no one would think us crazy for expecting the playoffs, or Shanahan). (Just to remind some readers - I was pleased to read yesterday on some old arrowheadpride posts how Gailey was thought of a few years ago as the second best offensive coordinator in the league, behind Cam Cameron. I think we're really going to be surprised by what he brings to our team - since most people seem to expect the Bills to stink, once again.)

I agree that center is very important - especially going up against the 3-4 defenses we'll face this year, not to mention some tough DT's in some 4-3's. I'm hoping that Hangartner plays a lot better this year, because he didn't look all that good last year. I know there were a lot of changes and injuries - and that may very well be the reason, but, if he doesn't look quite a bit better this year then I hope we move Wood to center (I think Hangartner played guard before) and Hangartner could move to guard or be a terrific center/guard reserve.

Sure, some franchises have had it worse than us at QB - and, I'm not saying we should mortgage everything on who the experts say is the best QB - regarding Russell - I'm saying we should get the guy Gailey and Nix believe is capable of being a franchise QB. I personally think they like some of the QB's coming out next year, which is why they passed on McCoy and Clausen - and I hope they get him next year no matter where we end up slotted to pick. No matter what people say here there will be people quick to say the opposite. My point was simply that we should have no excuses next year when it comes to QB. All things considered, I would think a good GM and good Coach, given 2 seasons of draft and F.A., should be able to find a QB that can get you into the playoffs - this was more of a "what would you do approach" kind of post, because I do believe they'll get their guy next offseason; and, I still have hope they can win this year with Brohm or Edwards, or even Brown.

I didn't mean to suggest a franchise QB was remotely easy to find. What I meant was instead of going after one QB and using the rest of our draft picks on other positions, and maybe a few F.A.'s at other positions - even if we pick a QB with our first draft pick - I just think it's too important and we've been in need of one for too long to roll the dice on one guy. We should be sure we get the best prospect in the draft - but, we shouldn't stop there. We should bring in as many guys as we need in order to be sure we go into next season with a franchise calibre QB. When I look at Peyton Manning - he seems like he makes WR's look like pro-bowlers. He's certainly one of the best of all time, but tell me it wouldn't be worth it to set our team back one year drafting in order to get a guy that will be very good for the next decade. (as a for instance - had Ditka given up all his picks for a guy like Manning, I don't think anyone would question that ten years later...) You can't be sure that a rookie QB is going to be that good, but you can bring in maybe three and be reasonably sure that one will end up being good.

I was just reading the posts on here about Flutie - how he was the fourth best QB in our 50 years of history, and there were responses along the lines, "how pathetic is it that we've only had three or four good QB's in 50 years!" When I look at our QB situation in that context - of 50 years of ineptitude - and I wonder why we don't just go out next year and find a star QB at all costs! Trade whatever we've got to trade to get the guy who we're convinced is capable of being a star. Bring in a few guys - baltimore's second stringer comes to mind - and maybe draft another QB - if it takes bringing in three or four QB's to find the right one, then do it. It'd be great to be able to get a QB, LT, maybe a WR and OLB or TE in one offseason. But, WHEN WE'VE BEEN AS BAD AS WE'VE BEEN AT BRINGING IN A FRANCHISE QB, IT'S TIME TO FOCUS SOLELY ON FINDING ONE. I can see someone saying, "o.k., sure, we need to focus on QB, but how do we go about it, then?" My response to that would be draft the best one in the draft - just get the best one, regardless of what we've got to trade to get him - and then maybe bring in a young QB with potential, and if we can draft another one whose supposed to be good, then do it - who cares if people say, why draft another one when they just grabbed one? I don't think it'd be a waste to devote an offseason - to make solving the QB problem the top priority - our next offseason.

I don't have any inside info, but when I look back before the draft at speculation about who the Bills would pick, it ended up that Gailey and Nix pretty much were honest before the draft about who they'd be looking at. It appears these guys aren't saying one thing only to do another. That being said, I recall Gailey responding to a question about LT after the draft: he said they wanted to look at how their guys performed in camp, with pads on, and if they thought they needed to upgrade - if it looked like the guys they had couldn't do what they wanted them to do - then they'd look for an upgrade via F.A. That pretty much tells you they are in no hurry to sign a LT, unless it's a good deal for them. If our LT candidates dissappoint come training camp, then I think you'll see the Bills moving to trade for someone.

Sure it's premature to say what the team will look like this time of year, especially when we could still get veteran additions, but what else is there to do here? I ask myself, how could the offense be any worse this year? They were so disorganized last year, had so many three and outs - it looked like they didn't have an offensive coordinator most of the time. So, yeah, the offense should be better, just by having healthy guys start from scratch, and an organized, offensive oriented coach. And, the defense should be better at stopping the run. We're going to be so much bigger - teams will see our run stuffing package on most first and second downs - which will be a big group. I'd bet our secondary gets challenged more this year on account of the running defense being better. I know, it's just guessing - but I wouldn't be surprised to see those things happen.

Funny how so many in the media say how bad Buffalo is going to be this year, yet, if we went and signed a veteran LT from either Baltimore or New Orleans, I'd bet you'd hear how we might have a real good rushing attach this year, how we could "surprise" some people. We need better play from that position, and I'd like to see Gaither signed, but I'd be surprised if our line was terrible this year either way - I think Gailey will have it playing solid. And I also thing we're being way underestimated - if we'd of hired Cowher and he made all the same moves, people would be saying "you can never count out the Bills now that Cowher is up there".

I was a big J.P. fan, although I'm guilty of being overly optimistic with a lot of Bills players. He had the intangibles, and had he been more successful on the field, we would've loved him off of it. Now, in retrospect, he probably didn't fall into the best situation. If things could slow down for him a little I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him be a late bloomer.

And this is a tough one that I've struggled with. Sure, if we don't stand a chance at winning the SuperBowl, then why not just finish last so we can get the QB we're lacking? It makes the most sense from a purely intellectual standpoint. However, this team is more than just numbers. Football is as much about heart as it is about points. We, as fans, want to see a team that plays to win, plays their #$^@'s off; we want to see a tough team, a team that opponents aren't going to want to face again. We want our team to be the one the rest of the AFC East dreads having to face twice... and to get to that place of identity and respectability again, I think it is important for this squad to go out this year and play hard, play with heart, like it is about being a team, winning despite the odds, etc., and if we finish 6-10 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs by a game, then we trade what we have to in order to get our QB next year. That's what I think - like the Jets did a few years back - if there is a guy we covet, then trade whatever we need to get that QB in here who we can build around.

It isn't hard to believe - although I'm surprised - I thought the drug testing was random time and for anything. The way it is set up, if this is the case - is bound to draw attention sooner or later. But, with these guys making as much as they do, all of them having lived in the college setting for years - and drugs are a staple of life there, and then the opiate family of drugs that is sooooo addictive - I mean, once these guys get hooked on pain pills it'll take a huge amount of will power and determination to get away from that, not to mention having to deal with the pain of playing in the nfl without the medicine. I guess the only thing I'm really surprised about is how the testing is set up to let these guys pass. If someone is failing then they really have a problem, or are unfathomably stupid... or both.

I've got an optimistic view on this season, too - and this is why I don't think it is foolish: This is just football; it's something these guys are genetically apt to do better than anyone, and they've already been doing it longer than most people have been at their jobs. I believe the difference in talent between probowlers and the average player at a position is usually not that great - sure, in some cases there are extraordinary players whose abilities dwarf that of others, but these guys measurables are all similar. So, to me, a lot of what constitutes perennial playoff teams is coaching, system, and staying true to a system for long enough time periods to develop players and a team identity. I think we now have - and it isn't something that is so rare that we should have been without it for this long - a good coach, one who knows how to run a team (think about our last ten year string - 2, almost 3 coaches without experience as H.C.!). He isn't messing around, he isn't concerned with anyone's opinions, nor the players feelings - nor is Nix - they're out to win games. So this team will look like a pro football team this year. It might not have all the right parts yet to be able to beat the better teams, but we aren't going to be run over, we aren't going to show up acting as if we already know we've lost. I think we're capable of competing for our division. It isn't likely - because we are switching a lot, because we don't have all the players yet - but why write us off before we even begin? Isn't the fun in football believing the underdog can win if they have enough heart and discipline and will power?

I've always wondered why you don't see more foreigners in the NFL - there's got to be beasts all over the world that could be special players (Sumo Wrestlers, for instance, maybe as O or D linemen - or, the World strong man competition). I'm happy to hear Buffalo is turning over every rock. Really, though - I know Americans think much higher of American Football than anyone else in the world, but for the money a star in the NFL makes, I'd think someone with the talent from another country would jump at the shot.

I was really hoping the Bills would've tried him out last year! I know - he probably was washed up, but the tampa 2 - he knew it so well... Anyway, I think the Saints would be a great place for Josh Reed, or Detroit. He'd make a decent 3rd reciever in Detroit and could block for their new RB. In New Orleans, Brees knows how to hit a reciever, and Josh was pretty good and finding soft spots...

Nicely written post. I agree that Modrak had a hand in missing on some talent. Yet, to say that these other players would have performed as well here is something no one knows for sure. Coaching does play a role. A lot of teams miss on players. He's been wrong on the high round picks - which is troublesome - but, he's been pretty good with finding talent later in the draft. All in all, I think you look at not one draft, but the overall production of the players drafted in his time here. Is it good enough? I'm thinking Nix will look to upgrade, because he's obviously not doing a good enough job, or we wouldn't be having this discussion. Now that Nix is the GM, though, I'd say this years picks were his responsibility. Whether Modrak was responsible for bad desicions in the past, we do have a GM now that has a reputation for knowing talent - and then there's Waley (spelling?) who should have an imput on players, too. My guess is that if Nix can upgrade any position in the F.O. he'll do so, but as of this year the picks have to come back to him - and I like the draft picks. I'll keep an eye on those other players, though - Mitchell and Joseph - I'm curious.

As some mentioned - Ellis and Ellison are both going to be measured up this year, but, I think they'll also be looking hard at Stroud. Can he hold up as a 3-4 end, and good enough to make his salary worthwhile? Likewise, of course, with McCargo. Offensively, I think Hangartner needs to show he can handle the center job or he'll be replaced - and I don't think they'll wait until the end of the year to do it, if he doesn't play well. Then you've got Lynch, Edwards - this is his last year here if he doesn't light it up, Hardy has to show something this year, as with Parrish and I'd say Brohm, too. So, Ellis, Ellison, Stroud, McCargo, Hangartner, Lynch, Edwards, Brohm, Parrish, and Hardy. I'd say they all have to exceed expectations this year or they're out.

Fitz makes too much money to be kept - he's too inaccurate, inconsistent. They drop him. If Edwards doesn't show much they keep him this year as backup, and Brown as third string - unless he wows people - and he'd have to outperform the other guys considerably in order to move into the top spot. So, it's Brohm, Edwards, and Brown. Or, if Edwards shows he's bounced back enough - and he'd have to be pretty solid, combined with Brohm looking bad - because it's Brohm's job to lose right now - I know they say it's open, but he's the one they hope will make it. So, if Edwards really shines it'll be Edwards, Brohm, Brown. Of course, if they sign a Vet then it'll probably be Vet, Edwards, Brown. Edwards contract is just too affordable this year for him to be let go, when they can always use him as a second stringer for a year. Brohm, though, if he doesn't show he's got it, then I think they look at dumping him and picking up a Veteran.

I think it's ridiculous to predict production out of rookies. If the coaches planned, game one, to give him fifteen touches, say, and he lights it up with like a ten yard run his first touch, and maybe a fifteen yard catch, and then maybe a thirty yard run... there's no way they'd put another back in who is only getting three or four yards a carry. The good thing is - the backs will really be competing for bragging rights, and our options are all so good. Anyway, if Spiller proves he can, indeed, take it all the way at any time then how could they take him off the field, if he's healthy?

I see the point about Best, and I thought, before the draft, that they would've looked at him in round 2 and went LT in round 1, or Clausen when he was still there. But, now that it is over, I think what separates Spiller is that he is more solid physically, he's shown he's durable, dedicated, can be a three down running back, and that character - I think the Bills F.O. finally believes that players character, their willingness to be team players, to want to win above everything else, is perhaps more important than the public realizes. I think of the New England teams that were dominant half a decade ago - they were a group of apparently interchangeable players that as a team always played hard. From what I've seen and read, it looks like that is the kind of team being assembled here - players that want to dedicate their lives to winning games, to team goals. I think we're going to be proud of these Bills in the years approaching, and I think they will prove a lot of people wrong with how good they perform as a group. And, really, you can't go wrong with Spiller - it was a no brainer. Even if they could maybe have traded and gotten an extra pick, at least they came away with certainty that they added a playmaker - a one of a kind player.

They aren't going to give Lynch away - and they're right. He's too good on the field - could be a starter, a 1500 yard back, on probably ten teams in the nfl besides ours. With the way we've brought in other running backs my guess is the Bills will get an offer by training camp, or package him in to get a LT or QB prospect, if not for draft picks outright. Still, if there isn't interest the Bills have nothing to lose by keeping him, and a lot to lose by letting him go for some low round pick. He's young, tough, and has to produce to improve his value. What are the odds of Jackson and Spiller staying healthy all year? And, if it were a straight up competition for the #1 RB spot, who's to say Lynch wouldn't win the job? So, they keep them and are looking good there no matter what unless they get what they think is good value for him - probably a second round pick or a package for another player.

Because the Bills have been so bad (more F.O. & coaching than players, I think), they are written off every year at this time, and will be until we prove we're legitimate. I think that's the impression that Ralph has given since he fired Donahoe - is that the old man has lost his senses and the team has developed an Oakland Raiders like reputation. Buddy will prove to be a competent GM, I think, and seems to have hired a respected eventual replacement. Gailey is legitimate. This team will be a well coached, good team that won't be an easy victory anymore. We're still a few offseasons away from being complete, but we're finally back to being sound... how far that'll take us we'll have to wait to see.

That's a good point about the fans and seating - and we can see the difference in our Canadian games - there is no home field advantage - and that could be the detriment to the corporate seat purchasing. I've come close over the last four or five years to stopping watching the NFL simply because it is so glaringly business first. The players are greedy, the owners are greedy - the idea it is non-profit is absurd. Sure, I love watching football and pro athletes deserve to get a good wage - but, to make 100 million dollars over eight to ten years is insanity. Nurses, police, firemen, Military - it's when you look at jobs like those, people risking their lives, and what these people earn and contrast that to the NFL - And then you've got players like Jason Peters - whining about "got to take care of my family (like a few million wouldn't give any family in Buffalo a good life) - that almost pushed me too far to watch - the thought that these guys wouldn't even really care about making the playoffs as long as they get their money - in the end that was what Jauron stood for - pay without expectations or responsibility. That's what I like about Gailey - he expects and demands it of himself, and his players, to win. He and Nix just look like they care about nothing else but football and winning. They are no nonsense - and from what we've heard, this team will be much more accountable henceforth.

Gailey has a specific scheme he's running - and on both sides of the ball, at each position, they are looking to have players fill a specific role - so, they see guys that don't fit what they're doing or who just suck and cut them, and they see positions that need more talent and they bring in more players at those positions. With WR it shows they want to create a set that looks like San Diego - tall and fast. With linebackers it was bigger, with running backs it's been, I think, just have at least four capable backs because we're going to run a lot. The only positions I'm surprised we haven't seen more change at is QB and TE. Maybe Gailey doesn't use TE's alot. I wouldn't be surprised if we brought it another QB by camp - like Thigpen or Garcia. In two years we'll look at this team and it will have almost no-one on it from last year. Our team will be as similar to last years team as a whole other team would be now. That is exciting, to me, to see the beginnings of that transformation now.