R. Rich

I'm no fan of Mack Brown, especially after the shameless lobbying crap he did this year to get into a BCS bowl. I do, however, recognize that he did a great job of getting the 'Horns stocked with talent. He probably will do enough to keep them competitive for the next few years. Now, does that mean he'll be able to get over the hump in the Red River Shootout? Time will tell, but that's where he needs to excel. People know he can recruit; now he has to show everyone he can hold his own coaching against the likes of Stoops.

BGIM, who did you have in mind in free agency as far as offensive line help? If they do sign Pat Williams, that would probably rule out guys like Walter Jones and Orlando Pace. Not that they were actual options anyway, with the kind of cash they will want-and probably get.

Your link doesn't seem to work, Astro.

Yeah it would be nice, wouldn't it? Still, I haven't been overly thrilled with the way Donahoe and company has addressed the OL talent issue. Maybe this is the offseason where they do go out and get a stud LT or LG; maybe not. If they do, it'll really get me psyched about next season, that's for sure.

If we were to pick up a 2nd round pick for Travis and used both 2nd rounders to get a stud LG AND a pass rusher like Wallace, that would be awesome. The only way I wouldn't try that (if we had 2 picks in the 2nd round) would be if the OL was addressed properly in free agency (maybe getting LT Tra Thomas of Philly and a LG like Cosey Coleman). If there's no upgrade to the line via free agency, it should be done early in the draft. Getting Wallace would be nice also. He could give us a solid pass rush and I also think he will develop into a solid every down LB.

You can use this thread for anything related to the keeper league (trade offers, entry fees for next year, etc.). So far, 8 people have paid the entry fee for next season: The Avenger (Wu Tang Financial) B-Don (Shop Wreckers; formerly justgivemedamoney) Ima90sJezus (Buffalo Backers) R. Rich (Absolut Power) BuffBills#1 (BuffBills#1) ExWNYer (Blitzing Barracudas) BigDaddy12 (Pro Bowler) soljc (Saratoga Swingers) Still waiting on email addresses on the following: KansasBillsFan (Punt Catchers) Please get back to me ASAP. I'd like to set up our online draft for late August.

Are you asking if he'll be drafted at FB or at HB? I think he'll get better consideration at FB and if so, his size and speed may move him into the 3rd or 4th round. As a HB, he'd be around in round 5. Then again, he could have a good workout and considering he's a big back with 4.55 speed, his workout could push him even higher. My guess is he'll be taken somewhere between the late 3rd to the 5th round, but that's purely a guess until we see what happens with the Senior Bowl and the combine.

I'd say go after Moats, but he'll more than likely be gone by round 5. Then again, if we were to acquire another pick in the 2nd or 3rd (if Henry is traded), maybe we could go after Moats then. I'd also look into free agents like Chester Taylor of Baltimore or Derrick Blaylock of Kansas City. Taylor won't command much in free agency, I don't believe. Blaylock would cost more, but the Chiefs also have Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson to be concerned with.

If my presence there, twice, hasn't jinxed it, nothing will.

This year, the 3rd year we've done this, I'm looking to renting some space at a park and have a picnic. This way, more people w/families can feel welcome to join us. There are some details to work out, such as cost of space, materials, etc., but hopefully I'll get that squared away soon. We've had good weather for these meetings the past two years, so doing a picnic should work out fine. More than likely, it will be held around the time of the NFL Draft, either the weekend just before or just after the draft.

More power to them. Considering the Jennings situation, we can't afford to be wrong about whoever we select at tackle. Check out my scenario; I had us going after Tra Thomas in free agency, but drafting a guy like Britt or Kaczur would be fine too.

I don't know if I'd take Mayes in the 2nd. He could still be had in the 3rd, I believe, and there are others like Chris Kemoeatu of Utah and C.J. Brooks of Maryland that have been more impressive than Mayes, plus they're both big, mean, nasty players, something we need in the interior of our offensive line. Now, if they're gone, he'd be someone to look at, unless we decided to go another route (like drafting pass rushing LB Rian Wallace of Temple).

There are a number of tackles I've seen that have been more impressive than Munoz, most notably Wesley Britt of Alabama and Nick Kaczur of Toledo. If those two were on the board, I'd consider them before Munoz without question.

This is my first scenario of this offseason, so there's bound to be some room for improvement. Still, it addresses the offensive line (what a surprise!) and the pass rush, two major areas of need for the Bills. Free Agency 1. Sign T Tra Thomas of the Philadelphia Eagles. Thomas will want big bucks, but he's worth big bucks. I still don't think he'll command the kind of cash either Orlando Pace or Walter Jones will, but he won't be cheap. Still, as I said, he's worth it. He's huge, has good feet, and is strong. 2. Sign a good free agent corner. Hopefuls: a. Aaron Beasley-Atlanta b. Jason Craft-New Orleans c. Nick Harper-Indianapolis d. Renaldo Hill-Arizona e. Kiwaukee Thomas-Jacksonville Why a CB? We need to be able to better match up w/teams using a 3 WR set, like what Pittsburgh did in the season finale. Their slot receiver, Antwaan Randle El, killed us becuase we didn't match up well. The Draft 1. Use our first pick, 2nd round pick, on the best interior OL available. Hopefuls: a. Elton Brown-Virginia (doubtful he'll fall out of the late first/early 2nd, but you never know) b. C.J. Brooks-Maryland (very impressive; I'd love to end up with him in the 2nd) c. Chris Kemoeatu-Utah (good athlete with good size and toughness) d. Sam Mayes-Oklahoma State (good size, toughness, and work ethic) e. Claude Terrell-New Mexico (big, mean, tough) NOTE: options C-E may also be available in the 3rd round, should the Bills look to do something else (maybe a pass rushing LB like Rian Wallace of Temple or a safety?) with the 2nd round pick 2. Use our 2nd pick, 3rd round pick, on a pass rushing LB. Hopefuls: a. Kevin Burnett-Tennessee (quick, good cover man as he was a safety once) b. Michael Boley-Southern Miss (very fast, good playmaker) NOTE: Wallace would be the best candidate here, but probably won't be around past the 2nd round. If we use the 2nd round pick on Wallace, then I'd look to options C-E mentioned above, as they could be around at the time of the 3rd round pick. 3. Use our 3rd pick, 4th round pick, on a C to push for the starting job and provide us with a good backup. Hopefuls: a. Jason Brown-North Carolina (was impressive in his senior year, could surprise some people, very strong with good size!) b. Junius Coston-North Carolina A&T (good size/strength, nice quickness, a real sleeper!) c. Richie Incognito-Nebraska (tough, good size/strength, needs to improve his attitude and control his temper, but a good prospect) Use the remaining picks on top players available at the pick.

Yes, they are.

We're getting ready to leave Erie soon, after we stop at Perkins for the pregame meal. After that, we'll hit I-90 and be at RICH!!!! See you there (those who are attending).

Aw, c'mon BGIM, why should you be any different than anyone else here? Lower yourself back into the group.

Not ALL of the Steelers fans are "seriously cocky" this week.

There's a slight chance I'll be in town Saturday night and if so, Psycho Ward 86 and I will be there.

Anyone know what's going on with the Yankees? C'mon, now. We just have to know!!

In terms of better production out of the offense, improved special teams, and a defense that is getting more and more dominant, this has already been a successful season. There's still room to improve (bigger, nastier offensive line; pass rush), but at least we're heading in the right direction.

The best gift I received this year? I don't know. I received a lot of good ones, so I'll say it's a tie between: elephant figurine w/candle elephant sculpture Band of Brothers DVD set LOTR extended version trilogy DVD set Bills cap Best gift I gave: (to Psycho Ward 86) two tickets to see The Lion King on Broadway

Who's Prisco?

How 'bout some more of those garlic potatoes we had for the Cardinals game? Those were great!

Exactly. I am a proud Bills fan, as I have been for over 20 years, but I am a husband first. I won't let ANY drunk a** Bills fan do anything that will cause harm to my wife. The first 2 Steelers @ Bills games we went to (in '99 and '01) went well, but this one has a lot more riding on it, which I'm sure means there will be even more drunks out there who care more about showing just how much of an a** they can be when they're liquored up than they do about watching the game. I'll be hopeful that nothing will happen (the people in my section seem to be pretty cool), but I will also be prepared for the worst.