Rocky Landing

I don't remember where I read it, but I read somewhere that the depth of wide receivers in free agency, balanced with the cumulative cap space in the league will depress the cost of a FA WR. Good news for us. I just hope we don't go after Crabtree. That guy seems like a tool. Ew. Check what you're saying. To say something is THE priority, suggests that there no other priorities. An argument could certainly be made that QB is the #1 priority, with O-line being a close second. But, even visa versa would contradict your statement.

My favorite dose of salt from this list. Let The Crusades begin!

I think I'm going to start a Marqueis Gray crusade. I think we did upgrade at TE last season.

My belief is that we have already upgraded with Marqueis Gray. I think he's going to be a stud. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, but I don't think we need to go after top talent at this position. If we do, I would think that Gresham should be the first choice. Did that quote exclude the possibility that we would focus on the talent that we have? Was he suggesting that we would reach outside of the organization, or could he have been talking about scheme? I feel like we could inject a lot more Gray into the playbook. Maybe it's just me, but I saw a lot of potential in the few touches he had at the end of the season.

Perhaps in your OP, you overstated Rex/Roman's possible desire to go after Lupati a bit. Was Rex "hinting" that he, and Roman were tampering? Or, are you suggesting that he was "hinting" that he knew Roman had been communicating with Lupati? Both things would be a weird "hint" for a presser. Maybe (let's hope), they are just both on the same page, and will be going after him.

I forgot all about Marcus Thigpen! What about that guy? Do we keep him? Special teams, only? Or does he move into the offensive backfield?

Ignoring the obvious lunacy from a competitive standpoint, dropping Brees would also be one of the worst business decisions the Saints could possibly make. It would be like when David Lee Roth left Van Halen, and was replaced by Sammy Hagar. The Saint's fans might burn the Super Dome to the ground.

Who will be our tight ends for 2015? I have read several posters comment that we should be going after some of the free agency stand-outs: Gresham, Cameron, Thomas. But, do we need a significant upgrade at this position? Scott Chandler. What is it about this guy? He seems like such a quintessential Bill. Chandler's YAC seem to be predicated by which direction he falls over. A girl scout could tackle him. But, he led the team in receiving yards in EJ's first year, beating out Stevie Johnson. And, at 6'7", he remains a (relatively, by Bills' standards) consistent red zone target, and short yardage target. Just don't throw to him behind the line of scrimmage. Lee Smith. As a FA this year, I have to believe he will walk. Marqueis Gray. Like a lot of people, when he showed up late in the season, I had no idea who he was. But, with the few touches that he had, and considering the limited experience with the team, he had an immediate impact. I suspect that we will see a lot of him in 2015. My hope/prediction: We keep Chandler, and Gray. Gray becomes our go-to TE. We pick up a third in FA with good market value, and prototypical size. Anthony McCoy from Seattle? Matt Spaeth from Pittsburg? I'm very interested in TBD's opinions on this.

I'm surprised how many posters are willing to use up draft picks on a running back, for several reasons. First, we aren't that bad at the position, between FJ, Boobie, and Bryce B. (I'm calling Spiller gone.) Second, there are several, first-rate backs on the market. And, as several posters have pointed out, running backs are cheap. But, here's the real thing that bothers me the most about drafting a running back: IMO, it is one of the hardest positions to predict if a player's talent will translate into the NFL. Because, blocking in college ball (and, I admit, I don't watch a lot of college ball), is very inconsistent, and well below NFL standards. Trent Richardson comes to mind. And, Sammy Watkins, for that matter. You could watch Sammy's college highlight reel, and see that his catching ability, speed, and measurable tangibles would translate. But, you also saw him plow over some defenders, and skip around others like they were trees-- something that doesn't happen with an NFL defense. Were Sammy's YAC as spectacular as many speculated they would be? With so few picks in this draft, I hope we will go after BPAs-- and if that means a running back, then so be it. But, with the importance being placed on our run attack next season, I think we need to be going after known commodities at running back, and offensive line.

Matt Moore. I think Miami's going to let him walk.

I completely misspoke on Gore, and I corrected it on my post. I meant to say that SF will be willing to pay to keep him. I believe that Moreno will be a much better value, as well as younger.

Who do you think would command a higher salary: Gore, or Mareno? From what I understand about Gore's situation in SF, they will likely be willing to bid fairly high to keep him. Moreno, on the other hand, is coming off an injury year, where he only played three games. He was impressive until his injury, and he's three years younger. In my mind, there are too many things that Spiller is rotten at. He's terrible up the middle, and he's terrible at blocking-- two things that I think would be especially important to Roman. Using a second or third round pick on a RB in this draft seems ill-advised.

Lately it seems that the bulk of the conversation regarding our run game has centered around the O-line, and its obvious deficiencies in 2014. But, what about our running backs? There are quite a few possibilities. And, Rex/Roman are building a serious ground attack. What will our backfield look like next season? Spiller. I think he's likely gone. With Hughs, Searcy, and Spikes also entering FA, I have to think that all three of them would be a priority over CJ. Fred Jackson. Possibly my all-time favorite Bill. Every season he exceeds expectations. But, he'll be 34. I think he'll still be with us next season, but I have to think that his roll will be diminished. Boobie. Love him. He'll be great. Bryce Brown. A bit of a question mark? He's young. I remember people having high hopes for him at signing, but Marrone didn't play him much. Then, there is free agency, and the draft. There are some very talented RBs entering free agency, including Frank Gore, Knowshon Mareno, and DeMarco Murray. My Hope: Keep Jackson, and Boobie, Lose Spiller. Sign Moreno in FA. I'd be very interested in TBD's opinions on this.

Didn't stop Bellichick.

To be fair-- or perhaps, accurate-- there are really two layers to being a fan. One, encompasses analysis, evaluation, prediction, etc, and strives for objectivity. The other, encompasses passion, pride, and all the other emotional aspects of fandom which are, most certainly, entirely subjective. We all get pleasure from both elements. But, obviously, some people will place more importance on one element than the other. I believe this is why the offseason acquisition of one guard has generated 44 pages of debate. On the purely objective, non-emotional side of the coin, the RI signing makes perfect sense, with character issues really only applying to their effect on the locker room (no small consideration). On the subjective side, in which, as a fan, I want to feel good about rooting for my team, and would ideally like the Bills to be populated with individuals that I can respect as people, this debate gets quite a bit messier. Personally, I tend towards the objective, analytic side of things, but I'm certainly not immune to the subjective nature of being a fan. Indeed, I think such subjectivity is important. I want to respect the Bills as individuals. It makes winning all the more enjoyable. As the father of a four-year-old boy, I would be heart-broken if we signed Adrien Peterson. But, my daughter is only eight. The grim reality of Incognito's behavior towards women hadn't really gained a footing in my perspective until BackInDaDay brought it up in such personal, subjective terms. And, it is absolutely relevant.

It's a long offseason...

But, isn't the point of such a list to evaluate the overall strength of talent on each team? We all know that QB play (and coaching, for that matter) will drag down a team's effectiveness. But, Orton's or EJ's shortcomings don't make Watkins' any less of a player-- they just drag down his effectiveness on this team. So, what was the point of this list again? Is it just a power ranking? Or is there some deeper point?

I have to believe that having begun his second stint as a Bill by having to stand up in front of the press and say things like, "I'm not a racist jerk..." is going to put him on his best behavior. That being said (and, I'm being completely subjective, here), there is something about the ever-present smirk on his face-- even when he is being contrite-- that seems to spell out 'A-hole' across his forehead. But, he is a Bill, now. And so I will embrace him.

What bothers me about this list is that it tries (and pretends) to be objective, while attempting a largely subjective task. A team is not merely the sum of its various parts, and if it were, I suspect the Bills would be higher on this list. And, if we ever manage to get our act together, we will be.

I don't understand the assumption that because somebody has worked with someone else before, they would want them again. I, personally, have worked with some class-A douche bags whom I wouldn't piss on if their faces were on fire. I keep their names in my phone so that I'll know to ignore them if they ever call. Is there some reason that Roman would want either of these guys? Because, "he's worked with them before," is not a great reason.

It is a silly post, but I think you're both missing the point. When Rex stated that he wanted to "build a bully," he's stating that defensive lines are going to be a little more cautious in attacking our QB (whomever that may be), if they know that they may get hurt in the process. That's my take, anyway. I think the RI signing supports this line of reasoning.

I would say that it is HoF who consistently lacks context. And, while certainly quite a few Patriots*-hating posters were rather gleeful in their condemnation of the Pats*, I don't recall any assertions that they represent the only cheating ever done in the league. Indeed, it is the very context of their cheating that places a permanent asterisk on their legacy. As I mentioned above: We all cheat on our taxes. But, in context, there is a difference between me fudging my receipts, and Bernie Madoff not reporting hundreds of millions in income. By focusing on things like the Jets' "wall of humanity" (a one-time event that led to the immediate suspension of the offending party), or Jerry Rice's recent admission of stickum on his gloves (regardless of whether "everyone did it"), or the numerous other instances of cheating that has taken place in the NFL, it is those who use such arguments in defense of the Patriots* who are denying the context of the Patriots systemic actions. It is the context that impacts, and effects the Patriots* legacy.

Oh, you're going to use Jerry Rice's actions in defense of the Patriots*? I'm shocked!!! When a player breaks the rules, it is just that: a player breaking the rules. Jerry Rice cheated. That's what it is. When an organization breaks the rules, it is systemic to that organization. And, even if you can prove that every team cheats (you can't), so what? We ALL cheat on our taxes. But, there's still a big damn difference between me and Bernie Madoff.

OK, he's a dipsh*t. But, he's OUR dipsh*t. I embrace him. And, one thing's for sure-- he isn't going to be bullying anyone in the locker room. Let's hope he keeps it on the field.

I had to abstain from this poll. No one on this list could stay out until 3am, partying and getting laid, and then show up for an early Sunday game and shred an opponent like Broadway Joe Namath. He gets my vote.