GA BILLS FAN

Agree on the semantics, "why don't the Bills spend closer to the cap" is the question --- they will always want to leave a few million just in case, got it. ---- the new CBA does allow rollovers, it is not clear if they allow re-rollovers, but, within the 4-year period where teams must spend to a floor it becomes somewhat irrelevant ---- however, spending to 89% of cap vs. 98 or 99% is significant when the cap is in the $120M+ range -- we are talking $12M/year in lost opportunity to improve the team --- as far as when to spend to retain guys, I think if Bills strategy is to wait and use rollover monies vs. restructuring contracts of existing players to move cap dollars around, I'd prefer the former, however, that's an easy answer to a questions that never is asked by media --- in other words, Brandon could say, we are under spending the cap in 2013 to ensure we have extra money in 2014 to extend Dareus, A Williams, Spiller and Hughes ---- he could also say during year end presser that "the Bills are committed to spend as close to the cap as possible to ensure we have the best players on the field" --- he could also say that "we didn't sign Levitre because we wanted to save 2013/2014 and 2015 monies to extend Wood and Glenn" etc. etc ----- these questions that we are debating are on a lot of fans minds -- a lot of people I talk to feel that the Bills are not willing to maximize their financial spending to build a winner --- and before everybody brings up Mario, the year he was signed the Bills were under the cap by almost $10M (2012), in 2011 (over $20M)---- this is where the words spoken don't match the actions ---- and this is where media and fans should be questioning and probing --- the guys in this FO do not deserve the benefit of the doubt --- BTW, great post ---

So, are we back to square one in the thread -- "why don't the Bills spend to the cap ?"

So, let me try and summarize the points made by Dibs and Old Timer --- The Bills can't afford to spend to the cap since they don't have the same revenues as the larger market team --- am I correct ? --- and this is probably the same reason we consistently see them under spending to the CAP, why they need to ship a home game to Toronto each year and why we always go cheap with coaches --- what I think and others on this board THINK is that they should spend to win and make that a priority -- if they start to win, they will be able to generate more revenue and mitigate any losses or even turn profit ---- said another way, the Bills think SMALL --- look no further than Green Bay if you want a lesson in maximizing a small market --- and Brandon self professes himself to be a marketing genius --- UGH

+1 --- the Bills need to address all 3 phases of the team -- OFFENSE, DEFENSE and SPECIAL TEAMS --- the fix for special teams should be firing the coach --- the fix for Defense is another LB and depth in secondary --- the fix for offense is LG, Big WR/TE and better QB play --- this isn't rocket science --- or maybe it is for the dim wits that are running this team

You've seen Favre's upside --- as for Thad --- not sure he has any

And that's why I feel there is so much inconsistency in your statement about hiring Marrone --- most successful organizations put winning first -- I don't think Bills have done that in their 50+ years of existence --- I'll answer my own question --- the Bills don't spend to the cap because they want to show a profit short term --- they send a home game to Toronto because they make more money short term when they do --- they don't sign the $5M coach because they make more profit short term ---- there is not one logical football reason to not spend to the cap on a consistent basis --- granted there might be a year or two when you under spend, but not over the long term --- as for profits -- these knuckleheads don't realize that all these short term actions will lead to long term ruin ---- Brandon was right when he said the Bills brand is tarnished -- what he failed to say, was that he was responsible for it being that way and worse yet was put in charge to fix it and he has no idea how to do it --- well, I do, as do a lot of the posters on this board --- WIN !!! --- the best way to do that is to start with that as your #1 priority --- this FO makes me sick

OK, I'll take you at your word. So, explain why the Bills would under spend the cap every year ? . . . . if that isn't financially motivated then what is the reason ?

+1

If you have source, please share, because your opinion isn't supported by the actions this FO has taken in the past and, in fact is inconsistent with your statement --- if they have carte blanche --- why under spend the cap ? . . . . why the Toronto series ? . . . why have they hired inexpensive coaches the past 15 years ? . . . this FO thinks and acts SMALL and in the NFL they are getting outspent and outmanaged and as I've said many times on this board are trying to win with one hand tied behind their backs

Your shooting a bit high on that one ! . . . . Thad is to Favre like hamburger is to filet mignon --- both beef, but hardly the same ---

Really ? . . . . I'm at a loss. . . . I don't get people who are constantly trying to take Brandon "off the proverbial hook" . . . . the guy sets policy and budget (at a minimum) which determines quality of HC you get as well as how much you can spend on personnel --- if he doesn't do that, what does he do ? --- not financially motivated ?? --- EVERYTHING about Brandon and this FO is financially motivated -- open your eyes --- I'll give you a quick list: (1) Toronto series (2) Renovating a 40-year old concrete stadium instead of building new (3) under spending the cap for past several years (4) HC salaries --- should I continue ?

Thad reminds me a lot of Fitz -- smart, gunslinger mentality, careless with the ball, inconsistent with limited upside -- so, I'd say Thad and Fitz are comparable ---- EJ has potential to be better than Fitz by a long shot -- he wasn't this year, but could be ---

It's been a year since Marrone was hired -- we are all still trying to assess his qualities as an NFL coach and whether he'll be the difference maker this franchise so desperately needs --- let's face it -- when Brandon hired him, he went on the cheap (as the Bills always do when they hire coaches) and as fans, we are hoping he's the diamond in the rough --- he wasn't the BIG NAME this past off-season, but I think we've all come to expect Wilson and now Brandon to look for mid/lower tier names when they hire --- SO, to me, this decision to retain Crossman is a sign that Marrone isn't willing to hold to a standard he himself created --- is this a make/break decision ? --- of course not, but it is a decision and one that when analyzed creates more doubts on Marrone --- that is the big issue ----

To get this back on track --- I'd rather have Aaron Williams than Andy Dalton --- to me, Williams will be a Top 10 safety and Dalton will never be more than an average NFL QB --- and tease you with 8,9 and 10 win seasons --- I'm afraid EJ might be headed in that same direction --- if you want to talk revisionist history, reopen the TJGraham vs. Russell Wilson post

Great post ---

To me, it's not whether you carried your team to SuperBowl, it's whether you are capable of doing it -- it takes a team and there have been franchise QB's that were victims of their team's limitations that I'd take in heart beat --- Dan Marino is good example, even though he only went to ONE SuperBowl his rookie year, he was clearly capable of multiple SB's and is a franchise QB --- there are also exceptions to the rule the other way, look at Dilfer, no way was he a franchise QB, but he did win a SB ----

Offense took step back, in theory to take two steps forward in 2014. Fitz was at his ceiling, in theory, EJ's ceiling is much higher, same for Woods/Goodwin vs. Nelson/Jones. You need to also consider O-line, where Brown/Legursky is significantly worse than Levite as well as Spiller 2013 being worse than Spiller 2012. If you judge on 2013 vs. 2012, the offense is worse, no doubt. What you are betting on is that 2014 will be much better. My biggest concern is EJ. I don't think we saw enough to suggest he'll be a more consistent passer and better decision maker to elevate his game past Fitz. If he does, (BIG IF) and if Bills address LG (smaller if), the offense will be better in 2014 than 2012.

"Good is the enemy of great". Marvin Lewis, Dalton and the Bengals are GOOD, they will never be great. You watch, no changes to Cincy coaching or Cincy QB this off-season, and they'll be the same next year as this year, a 9,10 or 11 win team that loses in first round. To a lot of fans, that's acceptable. Hell, to Bills fans that's progress. But, in the end, the objective is to be great -- get to a SuperBowl and hopefully WIN one. The Cowboys are in a similar situation, 8-8 for 3 straight years, not quite good, but not bad enough to realize they need a different coach/QB. This is not to suggest the Bills situation is better, but at least when you lose, you make changes and try something else. When you win 8, 9 or 10, you tend to stick it out, and worse yet, waste precious time. Cincy has a very good defense, an All-Pro WR and decent offensive supporting cast -- they have an average NFL QB and average NFL coach. They will NEVER get to SuperBowl with that combination.

The "Eye test". A lot of comments on value of special teams and rankings etc. etc. I think it was clear in TWO games this year, that special teams factored big in the team losing -- it wasn't one play, but several. In addition, I can't recall one game where special teams factored into a game to help Bills win. So, at minimum, the ST unit is 0-2. Being 8-8 vs. 6-10 isn't a big deal --- being 10-6 vs. 8-8 IS and certainly the direction we expect to be headed --- the big issue, in my mind is accountability and Marrone living to his own mantra. Another point to make, this team is loaded with return men who exceled in past with Bills and/or in college. To have our return averages be so dismal is mind boggling. FIRE CROSSMAN and let's all move on. ST is important.

and BRANDON !!! ..... sorry, but the buck stops with the HEAD CLOWN in this circus.

Let me state it a different way --- if I'm trying to sell this product (the Bills) to my customers (Bills fans) it would be best to make sure customers have a clear understanding that this product is actually going to improve and get better -- I think the explanation is a way to convince fans to continue buying season tix and standing behind this team --- they don't technically owe fans anything, however, the team isn't viable without the fans (customers) --- you'd think the so-called "marketing genius" would understand that -----

+1 This team hasn't made the playoffs in 15 years -- at a MINIMUM we collectively deserve explanations -- the year end presser was a completely JOKE and waste of time --- first, questions from media SUCKED and second, BILLS FO & Co. didn't answer any that were asked --- if Marrone is so confident in this joker Crossman, he must know there are serious questions about him --- come out and tell why he is so great and gets to stay --- I was honestly thinking Marrone was giving him a chance to land another job so he could exit gracefully --- this is ridiculous --- I start off 100% behind every coach and try to give all of them 3 full years --- Marrone just lost a year because of this --- he needs to be 10+ wins next year or I'd can his a$$

Late to the party on this one --- First, retaining Crossman erodes Marrone's credibility -- you can't preach accountability and let a unit that was 30th in NFL and not make change --- Marrone has some serious explaining to do and spare me the "I need 6 core guys" speech --- that's a complete joke --- I would give Crossman a pass if his track record was close to average, but his unit's have underperformed consistently --- as for Brandon, I'll repeat my mantra -- "HE is the singular biggest issue with this organization" --- you want to talk accountability -- just look at Brandon --- promoted to Prez/CEO defacto owner with a horrible track record --- UGH -- this is a bad sign

NO !! --- look no further than Philip Rivers -- look how much better off he is -- besides, Norv smells of Wannstedt --- and we know how that story ended

+1 -- his ideal position is weakside, especially with a versatile MLB next to him