DUFF

watching it now on atdhe.tv

If we would have played shi$$y last night there would have been an overflow of posts about how bad we suck. I know as Bills fans we tend to keep our expectations low, as to not be disappointed, but if that game is any indication of how we will look this year, it's gonna be a good year. Im not a "stat-man" so forgive me if these are a little off, but Fitz threw 11/12 completions for 164 yds and 2 tds in the first half. Keep in mind his completions were not due to a bunch of little checkdown passes; he aired it out a few times (50+yd completion to Stevie). Another bright spot was the O-line kept Fitz untouched the entire game...hmmm...i wonder if there is some correlation between the line keeping him upright, and him making good throws all game??? The running game was good...Fred flowed thru their defense like the "salmon of capastrano", and spiller hit was hitting the holes (PS- i may be alone on this one, but i feel like every time he touches the ball he could take it all the way- he is gonna have a good year!. Defense remains solid played well even with "lights out" not in the game. someone already mentioned this but carrington played really well, and i feel like batten has gotten a sack in every game so far....this time it was with the ones. I already called a "no jinx" before posting this so don't worry about that. I am definately one to b*tch about this team when they play poorly, but at the same time give credit where it is due! I am interested in TBDers take/opinions on the game. Win or lose this should be a good/(at least fun to watch) season

I personally believe that some of the Bills players do read these threads...maybe not Lee Evans himself, but someone on the team that perhaps could pass on a message. I wanted to start this thread (even though i'm pretty sure the powers that be around here will close it due to too many "Lee Evans" threads)to over shadow all of dix on here that say Lee is not a #1, he's one dimensional, deep threat, blah, blah,blah!!!!! I'm not saying that i don't understand the trade (i do feel that Lee is worth way more than a 4th though), but anyway there are enough threads about that. This thread is simply a "good luck" and thanks for your time in B-lo. You've truly been a class act, through i don't even know how many different qb's, coaches, coordinators, TO, etc and have been nothing outside of a true pro. I and i'm sure many others (although usually only the negative people post on here)wish you the best. Good Luck Lee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to get some of your opinions regarding some of the free agents who are left (in positions of need IMO), whether you think they fit our system/swagger, or if they are even obtainable: Carl Nicks (guard for the Saints)- personally never heard of him but is ranked #2 of the top 50 free agents list. If he is good, that would help with the OL and shifting Wood to center. Zack Miller (TE for the Raiders)- the ever popular mystery...does Chan not like to use TE's, or is it just that he hasn't had a good one worth planning around???? (aside from Gonz. in KC) Cromartie (CB Jets)- personally I don't think we need him and think he is over rated, but wouldn't mind taking him away from the Jets. Braylon Edwards (WR Jets)- same as above, not needed but he is definately a tough reciever. Cliff Avril (DE Lions)- again never heard of him.....is he an upgrade over Dwan Edwards? Jamaal Brown (OT Redskins)- not Clabo...opinions?? Please let me know if there is anyone worthy of mentioning that i missed. Also just as an FYI I did not include any free-agents over 30 years old.

So I see the weak spots as TE, OL (RT and RG), and depending how the rookies pan out DB. I really like this team that is beginning to develop...reminds me of when the US hockey team filled with a bunch of nobodies went on to beat the USSR powerhouse!

I may be overly optomistic about this team (usually am until the season actually starts), but after reading several posts about free agency i decided to break down the starting roster give my opinion (again opinion)and let TBD'ers add their opinions or replace starters with available FA's out there. QB: Fitz (need a back-up, but theres no one out there worth replacing Fitz with at this point) HB: Freddy and Spiller (like the combo- ps also liked another posters idea of using Jasper like the "fridge") FB: Corey Mc. (I like him as our FB and Sp. Teams- Jasper would be cool here too) WR: prior to last season this was considered our biggest weakness with TO leaving, now I feel it is one of the strengths of this team- Evans (people complain about him, but he makes the rest of the receivers better just by lacing his shoes), SJ, Parrish,David Nelson, and I'm expecting Easley to make his splash in the NFL this season. TE: one of the few spots on this roster where i see upgrades in FA (Boss would be my choice) but in terms of current roster i think Chambers has potential, and I still have hope for Shawn Nelson. OL: Bell (getting better), Levitre (stud), Wood (stud),Urbik (not sure), Pears (not sure)...both could use an upgrade! LB's: Poz (resign), Merriman (we'll see- even if he doesn't go back to his old form, he is still an upgrade over what we have), Moats (shows potential), Andra Davis (ok), K. Sheppard (unknown/potential), Kelsay (i think he will surprise people this year...he is good at getting after the qb), Maybin (don't get me started). DL: Dwan Edwards (solid), Kyle Williams (stud), Dareus (unkown/but should be great) DB's: McGee (old), McKelvin (varies from game to game-could be incredible if more consistent), Drayton Florence (solid) Safeties: Byrd (if defensive line gets more pressure could return to rookie form), George Wilson (ok)-bye Donte, + the new rookies (aron williams, Danorris Searcy ??) Sorry it's long....but I am interested in what people think!

Well said! I couldn't agree more and too question the integrity of some posters on this forum. Ralph is the man, and I think people will be very sorry when he's gone.

Do you even like the Bills??? (Not so much directed solely to you, but you and the rest of so-called fans that that seem to only post on this board to rain on any type of praise the Bills or any players may receive. Elite or not he was the best reciever on our team, he's a team player, willing to do whatever the coaches ask him, dedicated to this team, and has worked his way into the spotlight after being a 7th round draft selection. I'll take that form of Elite over a self-centered, money hungry, prima donna "elite" reciever like TO, Moss, Burress, etc... anyday. For those of you who just want a team to bash, you might want to switch to the browns or bengals, because the Bills are turning the corner. GO BILLS!!!!

Thanks!! I was going off the stats of the OP. but that explains it and i now see the hype!!!!!!! Sign me up! I think I am going to start an "all luck all the time thread" in preparation for next years draft. Thanks again for the info

I really need someone to explain to me the Luck hype. I know I am missing something because everyone and their mother is drooling over this guy but based on stats and the one game I saw, I don't understand why. 56% completion percentage on the season, and 8.9 yds avg per attempt. And in the one game I saw (don't even remember who they played) he seemed to throw alot of dump-off passes. I'll be the first one to admit, that I am no talent evaluator (just a big fan of the Bills), so i'll take everybodies word for it both on this forum, nfl network, espn, etc.. that this guy is great, But i'm ignorant as to what it is that makes him so special because the numbers aren't what you would expect from the most talked about college qb. (13 tds, 56% completion, and 8.9 yds/attempt). (Fitz was 57.8% completion, 23 tds, and 6.8 yds/attempt)............what is the upgrade?????

i was thinking the same thing!! maybe even as a fullback...he's got experience playing offensive line. id like to see him mauling people over. what we call him if he does run the ball. the fridge was already taken, and a little bit of an understatement for a guy that is the size of two fridges. "the kitchen" They mentioned the Bills being third in the league in passing yards allowed during the draft. This stat is very misleading due to the fact that we couldn't stop the run...not much passing was going on

i like that one!!!! and... if kyle continues to play the nose we will have a "double-stuff" oreo for a front line nice!

you guys are aloud to butcher as long as we're playing English teacher here....the word is "allowed", not aloud lol

not to say that this is right...but it is what i envision and like to see: in the 3-4:(i know kyle played the nose tackle position great last year, but i see his strenth as pentrating the line and getting to the qb...not so much as a middle clogging, unmoveable force) Kyle Williams/Troupe&(400lb new guy)/Dareus (Dwan Edwards and Carrington subbing in)- that is nice depth! Merriman-Poz-Moats-Batten-Shepard (not in that order...but it looks improved) backfield? (depends who is resigned or not.......but you can bank on mcgee(if healthy),mckelvin,williams, and byrd being back there.

I think the Bills have too many good recievers to keep off the field with a TE. I know that it helps with the block and run game, and i cant' argue with that (one of our biggest weaknesses). But I also think that having 3 big wide recievers (stevie, david nelsone, and hopefully easley all over 6ft)and Lee Evans down field threat creates alot of mismatches. my hope is that shawn nelson (TE) spent the year bulking up and learning how to block. he is a serious downfield threat for a TE, fast as a reciever, just never had to block in college. hopefully those "phantom migranes" were just a ploy to hide him on IR while they focus on bringing him up to speed with his blocking and strength training.

steve johnson-rd 7 kyle williams-rd 5 fred jackson- undrafted best players on our on team are nobodies and never will be's

Joiquee (sp?) Bell

on the positive side we can use chuck norris jokes with da'norris. like if DB Da'Norris was a dinosaur, he would be a Da' Norri-saurus!

i agree...........we need williams to cover the braylon edwards,andre johnson type receivers in our division. mckelvin and mcgee are way oversized in that department. this draft was not "sexy" at all, but it was exactly what we needed. now if we can just get the best right tackle left in the draft, Luke Stocker at TE and another LB we should be much improved next year.

General consensus seems to be that Gailey prefers mobile qbs. Is this because of the qb's he's coached in the past (kordell,thigpen,fitz), or because that is who he ended up with and made the most out of it? Fitz was clearly the more mobile qb between him and TE, yet TE initially was named starter. My question is Gailey's strength working with mobile qbs or is it that he could really take any type of qb and exploit his strengths and hide his weaknesses? Thoughts?

when did bowers hurt his knee? i don't remember hearing that he was out during the season at all. did he play the season with this injury?

I have some questions about Bowers that im sure some of you on this board can answer: 1. Does anyone know the extent of his knee injury? I know that he may have a degenerative knee problem, but im not sure exactly what that means. Does it mean that 5 years from now his knee will be shot? if so is the second round a good value for a 5yr. player that was ranked in the top 5 of this draft class? 2. Does he fit our 3-4 scheme? (i know he was a 4-3 player) where would he play? I apologize if this was posted already...but this inquiring mind wants to know. also with the addition of Dareus what does our front line look like (kyle-?troup?-dareus)?

4 games

Since this is the greatest time of year to be a Bills fan (when no games have been played yet, and optimism is as high as it can be)I thought it might be interesting to review the roster and see what we got. Gailey- first year with a team of unknown players and created an offense that was at least enjoyable to watch. turned what we thought was our biggest offensive weakness (recievers) and made them the strength of our team. Wannst<<- defense could literally not get any worse....he should be a real upgrade. Modrak- this is a little off topic, but I wondered what other TBDers thought about this. It's absolutely clear that the Bills have picked 1st round busts way too often the last 10 or so years, but it seems as though most of our recent Pro-bowl talent (or close to it) has come in the form of later round gems. (Stevie Johnson 7th round,Kyle Williams 5th round,Jairus Byrd 2nd round, Fred Jackson undrafted)...you get the picture....is it possible that Modrak has no say on who the Bills pick in the first round?? Fitz- Love the guy...outside of his accuracy issues at times, he is everything you want from a qb (smart, tough, not a primadonna, gun slinger, team player, could go on but you get the point.) Another year as a starter with the same sysyem and he could be great. ps- really happy to see him working out with the offense at his home. Lee Evans- not working out at Fitzies place (from what ive seen) pisses me off royally. i was a defender of Lee for many years, and he was not sooo great last year that he couldn't use the extra time to gel with his qb. Spiller- didn't produce the way a high first round should have...maybe it's just me, but everytime he touched the ball, i had a feeling that he was one mis tackle away from taking it to the house (except when he fumbled). I am convinced he'll get better and better every year. Shawn Nelson- the TE who kept having migraines (any word on that????). I still have hope for this guy if he manages to bulk up a little and learn to block he could be a force as he has wide reciever like speed. Easley- big WR who looked good in camp...could be a star Batten- didn't see much of him but they seem to like him (thoughts???) Merriman- as fans we are never satisfied. If we didn't take him we would all be complaining about how cheap we are. We take him and people still complain. If he plays anything like he used to, and Batten is as good as people say he is we could have a pretty solid LB core. PS- I think Poz is a pretty good LB too (i don't think he was the weakness on this D-acccept at covering TE's) Stevie Johnson, David Nelson- diamonds in the rough....who saw that coming??? Terrel Troup- I honestly don't focus on him when I watch games, so i'm going off of what i read on this board. Some think he has the potential to be good (thoughts on him???) Wouldn't mind seeing Kyle W. Terrell T. and Carrington (Dareus) lined up as our 3 man front. I also think Moats started coming into his own towards the end of the season, and should only get better. All in all this is a very young team, only a year old if you take into consideration the new coach, and new schemes on offense and defense...i apologize for the rant, but I am curious as to what you guys all think about this... like i said my optimism is still high right now....hopefully it lasts longer than the first two games of pre-season. Go Bills!!!! PS- you guys gotta try this Kool-Aid!!