Cynical

Yes, Davis was supposed to be the "Thunder" while Spiller was supposed to be the "Lightning" in that game. Davis touched the ball only 6 times. Dabo used Spiller full time because he had no other choice. Davis was gone. Besides, it's not like ACC is full of dominate defenses. The strongest D (in the ACC) probably belongs to Virginia Tech, and Clemson did not play against them. Bama's DL was all over the Clemson OL. They could not run the ball, period. People are missing the big picture. It will be harder than hell to run the ball if the OL cannot get any push. Spiller strength is in open field, outside the tackles, not inside the tackles. He cannot carry anyone or power through people. Until the Bills OL gets better, especially at the tackle positions, Spiller's skill set is going to go to waste.

The only thing that will slow down a pass rush is the belief the QB will beat them down field. And since Trentative refuses to attack the field, choosing instead to constantly dump it off, defenses will sit on those short routes, just waiting for Trent to toss the ball. It will not matter how fast Spiller is, his speed will be negated by the ball being intercepted, or having a defensive player in his face as soon as he catches the ball. Spiller's strength is not in breaking tackles, even arm tackles. Put a hand on him, and he's going down.

Good point. For all the you tube links pointing out the Spiller highlight films, I got one nobody wants to see. Just search on you tube "Alabama Clemson 2008 football" Here's a quick summary: CJ Spiller Rushing - 2 attempts for 7 yards, longest was 8 yards Receiving - 2 catches for 27 yards but he did have a 96 yard KO return for a TD And no, he was not hurt before or during the game. Clemson got destroyed 34-10. This is what happens when a "speed" backs OL cannot get a push for the running game, and the OL is getting blown up in the passing game. And before anybody gets their panties in a twist, I am not calling this draft a "waste" or a "joke". I realize the draft is far from over, and the draft itself will be judged on ALL picks. But you will excuse me if I do not get "giddy" over drafting a situational/role type player (and yes, every scouting report I have read lists Spiller as such. Not a single one states he is or will be an every down player) until I see if the Bills plan on getting other players that allows them to take advantage of Spiller's speed.

IIRC, many on here were saying the same things about TO last year. TO was going to relieve the double team off of Evans, can't cover both, make the whole team better, give Edwards another weapon, etc ... and IIRC, that move failed miserably. (Come on, anybody really expect 1, ONE, player to have that kind of impact?)

Think they have been saying something similar now for the past 20+ years. Maybe even before that (Air Coryell comes to mind). The original West Coast offense was partially based on the concept of using the short passing game in place of the running game. Then came the Run 'n Shoot offense, that was supposed to redefine the game into a passing one instead of a running one. How's that worked out? The old adage still applies. Run and stop the run.

Got a link to that article? (or at least a direction to go look?) There are many in Bama land (me included) that would love to see the NCAA get booted to the curb. That organization, at the very least, is inconsistent and incompetent, if not flat out corrupt.

Story on USA Today site: "It now appears that the Big Ten may take on three or five schools to bring its total number to 14 or 16." Crikey. 5 Teams? USA Today: Campus Rivalry

Modrak being Asst GM is similar to Russ being the GM. Title only, no real power.

On a 92 Exploder, the cooling fan is mechanical and belt driven.

Jags, Rams, Raiders, and Vikings I understand. Chargers? I knew they had stadium issues, but I thought that was cleared up? And the 49ers? Unless i missed something, I do not see this happening.

Please. The Trent card? "Oh, the concussion, ..." Bama devised a great defensive game plan, and executed it perfectly. The Tide forced Tebow into a one dimensional player that had to read and react to the defense. He struggled; surprise, surprise.

Sorry. It's a software program. Just Google 'Mavis Beacon'. Fairly cheap (cheapest version is like $20). It worked for me, but YMMV.

Mavis Beacon

Ouch. Only one? On personal level, I am looking at the Tide's offense in general (running game could even be more dominant than last year). Ingram, Richardson, McElroy, Jones, etc ... Defensively, the Tide has lost numerous starters, leaving this unit with numerous question marks. However, with 3 straight top 5 recruiting classes, the 2010 team could be better overall than 2009 NC team. But since I have to pick only one: Dont'a Hightower, LB In 2008, he was true freshman, played the Will spot. Recorded 62 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 FF. In 2009, he suffered a left knee injury (tore his ACL and MCL) early in the season, and was gone for the year. In 2010, Saban is moving him inside (McLain's spot), and is expected to be an every down player on D. (Rehab is going well. During the recent spring scrimmage, Dont'a stated he had at least 90% of his mobility back) Why I did select him? Many are arguing he is a better LB than McLain ever was. We will see.

What part was funny? His antics? I am not a 15 yr old, so I don't get it. Maybe you can explain it us that are older than 20, what is actually funny about that clip?

@ 2 yards a crack ...

"Stay inside, grab a six-pack and watch a good football game."

Yes. Twice on Sunday even.

Actually, if you guys knew your USFL history, Kelly and Flutie damn close to playing on the same team. The league folded before they got the chance. Backgound: Before the leagues last year of play, Donald Trump, owner of the NJ Generals, drafted Flutie because he was convinced Doug was the missing piece for a championship team. (The Generals failed.) When the season was over, the Houston Gamblers were going to fold. Trump bought the team with the intent to merge both teams (Gamblers and Generals) into one team using the General defense and the Gamblers offense. The Gamblers were led by a 'gunslinger' named Jim Kelly running a full blown spread offense called the Run 'N Shoot. Kelly's response to the merger (and the potential conflict of 2 'marquee' QBs) was along lines of couldn't wait to teach the other guy(s) the Run 'N Shoot offense. Flutie responded with a remark of how Kelly thinks he is the starter, but he (Flutie) was going to win the starting job. Personally, I would have loved to see that training camp go down.

And hasn't won a game yet. Proof this off-season was a complete joke. Chan's hiring was a joke. Nix is a joke. The entire Bills organization is a joke. This entire reply is a joke (and not to be taken seriously). You sir, yes you, may choose to drink the Kool Aid, but BillsPhan will not!!

Not quite sure how the media and critical fans are causes for the team sucking, but, obviously, Trent needs to deflect blame for his poor performance. It's not like I was expecting him to come to the presser and say: "We went 6-10 last year. I played a big part in achieving that sad sack record. My bad."

A spanking? Then the ...

Is that really a bad thing considering this "is the biggest pile of horse dung I've seen here in the past 3.5 days."?

Workouts are starting, and the team hasn't got their playbook yet. The freaking horror ... Maybe it is me. Just maybe Chan will make a decision on who the QB is once he determines which player actually grasps the playbook. Or here's a thought. Maybe he has already made a decision, and he's hoping we draft a QB. So let's change one set of bad QB QBs for another set of bad QBs. Brilliant! Other than making you feel all warm and fuzzy, how is this an improvement? Wow. The draft has not happened yet, and your are bitching about the Bills not doing "enough" in a free agency that was very limited talent wise. What other astute pieces of wisdom do you want to share?

No kidding just look at the Bills vs. Cowboys in 2007. Or the Bills vs the Bengals back in 92(?).