2003Contenders

Count me in the crowd that would like to see the Bills re-sign Chandler. Throwing those 20-25 yard passes to Chandler in the seam was a real strength of Manuel's, and I would actually like to see the team look to bring in another quality pass-catching TE to compliment Chandler. Brady has shown over the years how productive an offense can be with multiple TE options.

For the record, I am on board with getting rid of Crossman -- he was a bad hire to begin with given his lack of success in Detroit. But what evidence is there that Crossman is a Marrone crony? Did the two have a prior association prior to the hire this year?

If the Bills are serious about re-signing him, they should make a serious offer that is commiserate with what the top safety in the NFL is making. If Byrd/Parker balk at that, we know that the issue is that they simply do not want to be in Buffalo.

Lewis appears to be smart and decisive. He has a live arm and has shown flashes. What he lacks -- which is what most career backups lack -- is the ability to CONSISTENTLY make plays. Weeks ago I was advocating bringing in a veteran QB in the off-season to help fortify the position, while we wait to see if E.J. can evolve into being "THE" guy. Although Lewis hasn't been in the league that long, I believe he can fill that backup role. I would like to see the Bills lock him up for a few years.

I like this concept of identifying our 4 weakest starters. First, it helps identify that the positions of need are the less galmorous ones: 1. OG 2. LB 3. TE 4. RT I also think that given the proliferation of the passing game these days, you really need more than 2 quality starting corners. So I would add CB to that list as well. I also would welcome a WR who is "open even when he is covered". I am not down on Chandler, but I believe that the offense could really thrive in 2-TE formations. You can find elite players at all these positions in the 2nd or 3rd round in almost any draft class. It is usually the QBs, offensive tackles and defensive linemen that come off the draft board early. This could be another great year to trade down in the draft, depending on what the team does in free agency. Another thing to acknowledge as I look over the team's existing landscape is that the roster really is not all that bad. The team has decent depth and is a classic case of the whole not being as good as the sum of the parts -- the exact opposite of, say, the Patriots. The difference, of course, is a seasoned franchise QB and a Hall of Fame head coach. If Belichick is coaching the Bills and Brady is Qb'ing instead of EJ -- and assuming the rest of the talent is the same -- then the Bills are competing for the #1 seed in the AFC. But neither Brady not Belichick got to where they are overnight. Bill B was fired from his first head coaching gig, and in his first year with the Pats, they were horrible. History can be revisionistic, but there is a reason Brady was a 6th round pick. He became a starter in his second season when Bledsoe got hurt, and the Pats won a lot of ugly games back then thanks mostly to a very strong defense. His obession with winning and commitment to always getting better is why he has evolved into being one of the greatest QBs of all time. Time will tell whether or not either Marrone or EJ has what it takes to get the Bills to the next level. Right now that next level is simply qualifying for the playoffs. Aside from a couple of bad games, the Bills have been in every contest. What they need to do is focus on consistency. Eliminate those bad plays. That goes for the offense as well as the defense. Yes, EJ has accuracy issues -- but I have also seen him thread the needle on a tough pass plenty of times. I honestly believe that the majority of his problems are correctable, mechanical issues. Footwork, in particular. His natural talents, for example, are far superior to Fitz's, who had to put everything into every throw he made. EJ's delivery is mostly effortless by comparison, and I think he still needs to learn that he has to use the proper technique on EVERY pass he throws. I am not opposed to investing a mid-round pick on an upside QB as the Redskins did with Cousins, but it would be INSANE to give up on EJ at this point and draft another QB in the first round in 2014. It will be interesting to see how well he plays in these last 2 games both of which will be aganst division foes with plenty to play for.

Plenty of overreaction here. If there have been rumblings of Marrone losing the locker room that is news to me. So he wants players to do things "his Way"? Is there any head coach that feels differently? In fact, when a new coach comes in it is always better to start off as a hard ass and then possibly ease up rather than doing just the opposite.

Let's bear in mind that the coaching staff is fairly young in NFL terms. Hackett especially -- and I certainly believe that he has progressed during the course of the year. Hopefully, he will continue to do so as he gains experience. Same with Pettine. Remember, he was a DC in name only under Rex in New York. Marrone himself has made some rookie mistakes this season, but I like his demeanor, and I think he has brought a level of toughness to this team that we haven't seen in a lo-o-o-o-ng time. As the young players gain experience -- and missing pieces of the puzzle come into play -- I think the coaching staff will also be rewarded with better performances.

Personally I would like to see the team continue to improve and finish strong. Bonus: play spoiler to Miami and New England. In terms of the draft, let the chips fall where they may.

The key word is "Consistency". The Bills are a talented football team. However, they are also a very young football team in many key areas -- not the least of which is the QB of the offense as well as the QB of the defense (Kiko). The coaches too, of course. As these young men get more experience, I believe (hope) the team will improve, provided everyone is patient enough.

Yep. No coincidence that TD's best draft was his first -- the year BEFORE Modrak got here. The best draft since (time will tell, of course) may very well have been this most recent one -- the first one since Modrak left. The Bills traded down in both drafts -- and I cannot recall a single time they traded down when Modrak was here. Of course, they traded up plenty -- for the likes of Denney, Losman, McCargo, Poz, and Levitre. All of them either busts or guys who never made it past their first contract.

Look, like it or not, the Bills as a unit invested a great deal of time and resources in evaluating the QB landscape last year, and decided (for better or worse) that EJ was the best proposition. Much of went into that analysis, undoubtedly, was looking forward to the 2014 draft. So we can forget about them investing another 1st round pick -- and probably a 2nd round pick for that matter (unless someone unexpectedly falls) -- on the QB position. A more likely scenario is that they bring in a veteran journeyman with starting experience to help EJ along. That has been their MO when bringing in Flutie, Holcomb, Fitz, and Kolb. They all wound up being starters because the team failed miserably in evaluating Todd Collins, RJ, JP, and Trent Edwards. Cutler is a pipe dream -- no, he is NOT just another JP -- because it will take $20 M per year to sign him. Schaub should be available and may thrive in a new town, but I suspect he will have many suitors willing to pay him decent coin. Guys like Jason Campbell, Chad Henne, Matt Cassel, Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman, Shaun Hill, Matt Moore, Matt Hasselbeck, and David Garrard may be available and are the sort that we would be looking at.

And yet a simple and obvious quick-fix is there if the front office has the guts to do it. The price tag would be about $20M per year though. Jay Cutler, anyone?

Well, we had a decent enough test of that in Week 12 when these 2 QBs squared off against one another. The Bills were minus any sembalnce of a running game, Chandler was essentially a non-factor, and BOTH Stevie and Woods were out. Which QB prevailed? In all honesty it is going to take some time before we know for sure what is up with these 2. There are some things about Geno that I like, and I do believe that he entered the league as a more polished passer than EJ. I do think he throws a pretty ball -- and his footwork is better than EJ's. That said, I think EJ is miles ahead in the leadership department. I also think that EJ entered the league in a more favorbale situation: better supporting cast, greater continuity (if you can believe that) -- and minus the fishbowl in NYC. Geno made matters worse by running his mouth and complaining about not being drafted in the first round. He definitely has some maturity issues going on. Of course, those are the same things that drove Atlanta to trade away Brett Favre after just one season. All in all, despite the many issues I have had with the offensive coaching and play calling, I do believe that they have down a commndable job of bringing EJ along. He may have a tendency to check-down too soon, but he does not have that deer-in-the-headlights look or start succomb to pressure in the pocket. His confidence remains en tact. If he can continue to improve his footwork and improve his accuracy, I think he is a keeper. That is, of course, if he can stay healthy.

In terms of the blame game, I would rate the fault for the loss in this order: 1. Front office: for making this inane deal with Toronto. Gotta believe that had this game been played at the Ralph with the conditions and legitimate fans behind the team, the Bills win this one in blowout fashion. 2. Officiating: This one bordered on impropriety, and I really believe that the league should investigate. In particular, on the Falcons' final TD drive, there were 2 game-changing calls that were beyond questionable. The first was the illegal contact call on Aaron Williams, when he never even TOUCHED the receiver. The second was the pass interference in the endzone, when the receiver initiated the contact. 3. Hackett: The play calling was abysmal at times today. Also, inability to get the play into EJ late in the game resulted in a delay of game penalty, which ultimately played a critical role in their having to punt the ball -- allowing the Falcons ample time to tie the game. 4. Gilmore: I am really starting to worry about him. 5. LB Corps (Kiko included). Not a great game from this group today. Over-pursued way too many plays. 6. Stevie. No use beating a dead horse... 7. Chandler. Ditto... Regarding EJ, he was far from perfect, but certainly played well enough to win.

I remember it all like it was yesterday. A few points of reference... 1. 1995 was a contract year for Andre. 2. During the preseason, he made it plain that he was unhappy with the front office for not signing him long-term and entering the season with that final year remaining. 3. As someone mentioned, he hurt his hammy rather significantly early in the season and sat out much of the rest of the year. Some insiders questioned whether he was doing that to avoid making the injury worse and potentially hurting his chances of getting a big deal upon hitting free agency. 4. The defense was very good that year, and Kelly had one of his best seasons (some thought he deserved consideration as MVP, given his surrounding talent at WR with Reed out most of the year). The Bills managed to win the division and hosted the Dolphins in the Wildcard round. The Bills set a then playoff record for rushing against the 'Fins in that game, which would be Shula's last. 5. The Bills went into Pittsburgh minus Bruce Smith, who had contracted the flu. Weeks earlier players had been advised to take the flu shot, and Bruce refused saying he had a phobia for needles. Ralph Wilson reportedly had a private jet on stand-by ready to transport Bruce to Pittsburgh in the event he recovered in time. Of course, it didn't happen. The Bills got down multiple scores early. Kelly went down with a collar-bone injury and was shot up with painkillers to get back in the game. He returned in time to cap off a TD scoring drive, which put the Bills within one score early in the 4th quarter. (It was like 26 to 21 at the time.) From there it all went down hill. A pity because, had the Bills won that game they would have had a good shot at going back to the Super Bowl. The Colts had upset the Chiefs on the road and wound up traveling to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game. Had the Bills won, the Colts would have had to go to Buffalo -- and the Bills had beaten the Colts badly in both games that year. (Bills always seemed to own Harbaugh.) 6. When the season was over, the team expressed little interest in retaining Andre. So he hit the open market. The Bills instead signed the younger Quinn Early who was coming off a pretty good year in New Orleans. They also invested their first round pick that year o Eric Moulds. Andre received very little interest on the open market. At the time he was over 30, coming off the injury that was either severe -- or one that Andre had milked (given his lengthy time out and perception). At some point Kelly went to John Butler and asked him why he had not made any effort to re-sign Andre, and Butler told him the Bills were interested but the phone works both ways. So Kelly and a couple of other teammates (may have been Thurman and Bruce, but I do not remember) called Andre and told him they wanted him back. Eventually Reed and the Bills did indeed work out a new contract. 7. The 1996 season was filled with promise with Reed re-signed and now Early on the team as well. However, Kelly seemingly got older overnight and the OL struggled to protect him. Reed was actually one of the bright spots that year. He started it off with a strong performance in an overtime victory over the Giants. He made it very clear that the injury issues in 1995 were behind him -- and I believe he was hurt by the suggestions that the hammy injury was not as severe as he made it out to be. 8. By the time the Flutie era began in 1998, Reed was starting to play second fiddle to Moulds. Clearly Moulds and Flutie had a connection -- and Reed was the odd man out. When he left after the 1999 season, he had less than kind things to say about Flutie and other members of the Bills organization. Andre has always had a bit of a surly attitude. I don't think he is a bad guy, just doesn't like talking to the press and always seems to have a chip on his shoulder. Contrast that with Cris Carter, who always loves to tell "his story". I think Andre Reed is a Hall of Famer. He was the to receiver for a high-powered offense, who played the thankless slot role and played in less than ideal weather conditions. Thus, his catch totals were great -- but his TD and yardage totals weren't. He was an important factor in multiple playoff games. Who can forget those sliding catches he made in the snow against Miami in the 1990 Divisional round? Or the all time performance in the Comeback Game with multiple TDs? He was not horrible in the Super Bowls, compared to some of his teammates. Parcell and Belichick game-planned for him specifically in Super Bowl XXV. They knew they couldn't stop him, but instead believed the best thing was to prevent the YAC and punish him when he caught the ball. The plan worked. By the 2nd quarter, Andre started hearing footsteps... He did have two very crucial drops on the series after the safety. The Bills were ahead then 12-3 and had all the momentum. One drop was a great play by the defender, hitting him hard right after the ball arrived. The other was a simple drop. He catches that, and the Bills likely wind up with at least a field goal if not a TD... Wish more HOF voters would watch the Comeback Game and not the Super Bowls... Oh, and how many Super Bowls did Cris Carter and Tim Brown help lead their team to? TO? Randy Moss? Reed may have been 0-4, but these other guys only ever went there 2 times total among them all. Both losses.

I stopped listening about 30 seconds into the clip when Stephen A. referenced the "authoritative opinion" of Todd McShay. What I find funniest about the soothsayers heading into the draft was their ranking of QBs. You catch a glimpse of that with Bayless, who suggested that it would have been OK if the Bills had drafted Landry, Geno, Tyler Wilson, or Barkley. When the card came in that the Bills had selected a QB, most thought the name on it would be either Geno Smith, Matt Barkley or Ryan Nassib. When the name was E.J. Manuel, the draftniks of the world snapped.

Anyone who watched the game yesterday knows exactly why Spiller didn't get more carries. Everytime he touched the ball, he ran laterally and wound up getting virtually no positive yards. At least Fred was plowing ahead for 3 or 4 yards a pop. The problem is that the Steelers loaded up on the run with 8 or 9 guys in the box, and EJ Manuel was unable to get them to back off by completing (or hardly even attempting) any downfield passes. I have been as annoyed with the often unimaginative play calling by Hackett as anyone, by I really think yesterday his hands were tied by a rusty and inexperienced rookie QB going up agianst a really good pass defense that was playing for pride after having been humilated the week before. I got a kick out of how many Bills fans in the forum yesterday were calling for Manuel to be cut and for the Bills to invest a first round pick in April on a different QB. Guess what? Rookie QBs sometimes struggle. Heck, even veteran QBs sometimes struggle. Big Ben did not play much better. Cam Newton, Kaepernick, Romo all played poorly yesterday too. Guess what? Manuel will probably struggle again next week against another stout defense (the Jets). But eventually, he will get a shot at some softer competition -- and we will have 6 more games to see whether or not he evolves and gets better -- or if the gloom-and-doom crowd will be more happy to tell as at season's end that they were "right" than that our team may actually have a potential franchise QB.

It also shows why a team like the Bills should always be in the market to trade down (as long as the compensation in return is good value). The draft is not an exact science -- the more picks the better.

The problem that I have seen with Thad Lewis moreso than any other is his pocket awareness. He is not necessarly slow, but everything he does seems so deliberate that it allows defenses time to load up on him. That is true whether he is rrunning with the ball, waiting for a play to develop or going through his progressions. I am not sure if it is an issue with his mechanics -- or if he has been over-coached to the point that he reacts almost robotically. How this relates to Woods, is that I suspect that Woods has not been the 1st read on most plays -- and Lewis just does not have the time to get to him. In many ways, Manuel has almost the opposite problem -- as his pacing is so frentic that he goes through his reads almost too quickly.

I guess I am not understanding the hand-wringing of folks who are complaining about this move.I think the Cleveland game was an eye-opener about the dangers of having an inexperienced backup QB. Manuel is going to be out for at least another few weeks. So without the signing of Flynn, the only healthy QBs on the roster were Lewis (a guy just elevated from the practice squad) and Tuel (a guy who would have been on the practice squad himself if the Bills were not worried about losing him). There were not many options out there in terms of quality veteran QBs. The Bills took a shot at Josh Freeman, and he elected to sign with the Vikings. They took a long look at Pat White. When it was all said and done, they decided to bring in Matt Flynn, who has been a career backup in Green Bay then Seattle then Oakland -- and now Buffalo. When asked to fill-in, he has mostly done a good job. We will see what happens when EJ gets healthy. Thad has certainly played well enough to maintain the primary backup job. Would the Bills release Flynn at that point -- or move Tuel to the practice squad?

In the glory days this would be a game where the rest of the team would rally. Remember Frank Reich's days -- or Jimbo's final season when the Bills beat the defending Super Bowl champs (Dallas!) with Todd Collins behind center? I also get what the OP was saying (not trying to put words in his mouth). At this point in their respective careers, there may not be much difference between Thad Lewis and EJ Manuel. I love the potential that EJ presents. He has the natural leadership, seems to be a very bright kid -- and he has all the physical tools. However, he entered the league with remedial training at FSU (i.e very "raw") -- and I believe the Bills were even aware that it was going to take some time for him to develop. Playing behind this raw rookie with a dumbed-down playbook the Bills would probably be 3-2 if he hadn't gotten hurt in the Cleveland game. Given the improved health of the defense and the commitment to the running game with multiple able RBs, I have faith that Lewis should be able to perform on a par with what Manuel had demonstrated. Maybe -- just maybe -- it will do Manuel some good to sit and watch from afar for a few weeks. I for one will be interested to see what the offensive game plan looks like with a new QB under center -- one who has at least been in the league (albeit in limited fashion) for more than just a few weeks. Since, his skills are close to E.J.'s, no reason to remove anything from the play book -- and possibly expand it some.

Basically that concussion against Washington ended his NFL career, given the recurring head injuries. The real issue is that the front office did not bring is a serious veteran once he got hurt. No excuse, given that Manuel was nursing the knee injury at the time, too. As much as we all fussed about Fitz, if he is on the team Thursday night, the Bills beat the Browns. Period. The same could possibly even be said about Tarvaris Jackson.

Well, for full disclosure, Mayock was adamant that Dareus was the best player in the draft that year -- and he wants to validate his opinion. That said, MD is certainly starting to shine -- and I think proper coaching has A LOT to do with it.

That was one of the things (to me) that was most impressive about this victory. The Bills had several close calls go against them -- but managed to perservere and not give up. I do believe that all of the reviews were, unfortunately, correct. The only plays that I recall disagreeing with were both on Glenn. The unnecessary roughness call, I thought, was ticky-tack. Also, he was called for a hold on Suggs on a play that looked very clean to me.

I have hopes for Hackett. Everyone that know him says he is smart with a bright future. I applaud the gameplan this week. The offense played a very physical brand of football today. That said, Hackett makes some really frustrating calls during the course of the game. The inept 3-and-out series to begin the 2nd half is a perfect example. He needs to do a better job of devising a sequence of plays that helps to get the offense in rythm. Remember, the coaching staff is itself very young. Perhaps, as Manuel gains experience, he and Hackett will work together to better come up with a better collection (and selection) of plays.