JoeF

Bill -- your perspective is appreciated on this one. There isn't a right answer here...but I think we can have a relatively rational thread that outlines the risks/opportunities. Rather than a irrational Drew sucks--JP is God or they both suck thread.... I would really prefer for example, that Drew stay with the Bills, the job be open in camp, the best man wins and that man starts the entire season (indicating a good year). One great thing, as opposed to last offseason, I trust our coaching staff to make a good decision here...Mularkey, Clements and Wyche have my confidence on this one...if they go with JP they know the risk they are taking.

I have been wrestling with this since the season ended. If JP unseats Drew--what are we really giving up. Here are some thoughts: Drew's stats this year were in the last half of the league. His touchdown/int ratio was immeasurably better and his ability to avoid the negative play was significantly better. Opposing teams bunched the line against us this year (just like '03) and dared us to pass. We did burn them a lot more often this year due to a combination of Drew's improvement, an improved scheme, McGahee's blitz pickup, improved OL play and having Moulds healthy and Evans. Drew showed great improvement in avoiding the blitz and he greatly reduced the number of negative plays caused by pressure (sacks and turnovers). Much of this was due to the factors above. I don't think anyone realized how bad off we were in '03 when Reed and Shaw were our starting receivers for much of the year... If we go with JP, we give up: 1) the chance to see if Drew's improvement was a step toward a major remaking of a late career qb. 2) a wealth of experience against almost every defensive look we will see next year 3) a QB ready to run the no huddle at the drop of a hat The main advantages of JP are: 1) D's have to plan for a mobile QB--this may loosen up the D some 2) there is little drop off in arm strength between the two--in fact JP's release may be quicker 3) Youthful enthusiasm and a passion for hard work can carry one a long way--JP has loads of both apparently. While in my mind, I would really like to see JP sit for another year (see Pennington, Culpepper and McNair for case studies)...I have a feeling JP, because of his work ethic and attitude will rise to the challenge if given the opportunity. I would rather go with him from the beginning of the year than make the change in season--because if we make the change in season -- by definition we are not performing very well at QB and probably as a team. So we give up a huge experience advantage for youthful enthusiasm, work ethic and great mobility. We sacrifice misreads and a few mistakes for the ability to adlib and learn on the fly......it could mean '05 is another year without the playoffs, but the playoffs are not gauranteed with Drew either.... What's it all mean--who knows-but I am ready for a change...let's just do it now. Sorry for the drivel...

I really don't think it is that much of a risk to have him in the division, either as the main guy for the Dolphins or as the heir apparent to Curtis Martin with the Jets (if they lose Jordan). His value is relatively high because he seldom goes down on the first hit, he has a high pain threshold (except for this year when it didn't matter) and he is really good at following his blocks. He doesn't really have breakaway speed, fumbles (mostly when he is giving second effort) and is not strong against the blitz. I think TD should feel about Henry the way Pioli and Belichek felt about Bledsoe 3 years ago...whomever gives the best package wins..no matter what conference or division. Playing Travis Henry twice a year doesn't scare me...

I was listening to a debate on NPR coming home tonight. Two professors, one an advisor to Bush who had spent three months in Iraq in early 2003, one a Stanford fellow. They had a rigorous discussion on this topic. They concluded that a majority of Shiites will vote and a minority of Sunis will not, thus somewhat skewing the results..and that it may take more negotiating after the election to get all factions (including the more radical of the Sunis) represented in the government. Just thought this might be an interesting question to pose.

You forgot the syringes

Sosa for the birds

Mularkey stated a couple of times that they wouldn't hesitate to use Moulds in the slot in 3 wide. I think he was in the slot when he scored his touchdown against Miami..the one where Aiken had a nice wall off block to get him into the end zone.

Your first statement is will the Bledsoe bashing ever stop--that's a general statement ... sorry if I misunderstood that you were only referring to that specific play. I can see how you think I was Drew bashing by saying Aiken had to wait for the ball--that was not my intent--I was stating a fact...He did have to wait for the ball...under the circumstances--the rush and the less than perfect pitch back by McGahee -- Drew did a great job getting the ball out and down field. And its not garbage--some have followed the same path with Drew that we did with RJ/Flutie -- all emotion, no facts.

Wag--I have never been one to "bash" drew...fact is fact--the speed of his progressions don't allow him to get to the #3 very often....noone other than Moulds and Evans had more than 25 catches this year (McGahee with 22 was next and no other receiver had more than 16 catches). We have to be one of only a handful of teams in the league where that is the case. I wouldn't be at all upset if he remains with the team and wins the competition with JP in camp for the job. I feel JP needs another year of watching before he is ready. Don't be so quick to defend the indefensible. I am !@#$ing tired of people seeing this as a black and white issue and basing their arguments on feelings rather than data...its not a feelings issue...there are real pros and cons of Drew. This happens to be one of his cons.

I doubt if Bledsoe even knows Aiken's number. The only play where he was option #1 all year was a flea flicker where Aiken had to wait for the ball. Drew's brain was 80, 80, look for 80, quick look to 83, 80, quick look back at 83......throw (or get pummelled or even run...). I think Sam can perform--he is a good route runner, deceptive speed, decent hands (although he had a couple of drops this year) and a very good blocker. I would invest our money in LG, TE, K, and resigning our own before I got another wideout.

I think that John Guy, Modrak, TD and the talent side of the house have always seen NFL-E as a place to stick guys that they want to take the proverbial "flyer" on...guys that they have seen at an open tryout, in one of the Arena Leagues or cut from a practice squad that might make it. The thought is to see once again, how they play against live talent and see if their skills are improving. I don't think they have ever used it as a developmental league, ie taking a player off the roster who is a developing talent or learning an new position and using the spring league to develop that talent or learn the position. I gather that the Bills thinking is that their own coach's time with a player in the offseason focusing on the Bills system is a more productive development scheme.

He is the real life Rod Tidwell....he will play. This is the perfect dramatic effect for TO. Will he be effective at all is the question? Will the Pats defense scheme to him or ignore him....makes this even more intriguing...

Joe from Raleigh: Hi Mort, hows it going? Do you think Drew Bledsoe could be cloned so that every team that needs a back-up qb could send a draft choice to the Bills for him? Mort: Geez Joe, what a great idea. I am on the phone with Tom Donahoe as we speak. Maybe Drew can do some research on the Human Genome while he's at it and negotiate an Arab-Israeli peace deal. Our presumed trash is other's treasure...

Nice job. I would add a quote from Buffalo Bills Super Bowl Champion coach Mike Mularkey. "I am shocked and dismayed but not surprised by these allegations. I am proud to say we have won our three Super Bowls in the last four years, without having to face allegations of bribing the officials."

I may be crazy--but I am willing to give Aiken, Reed and Smith one more shot. WR Depth would be in my second tier of needs with DT.

In order, I have 4-- Left Guard-another Nasty guy like Chris V. Move Tucker to Depth--he can back up all 3 interior OL positions--bye-bye to Pucillo. Left Tackle-prefer to sign our own to a reasonable deal here. Tight End-Questionable Comeback from Injury for Euhus and Campbell Kicker-I have no confidence that Rian Lindell would make a kick with an important game on the line...

Colonel Mustard in the kitchen with a ..... sorry wrong game... J P Losman

Rod Tidwell Owens Spiritually healed....help me help you....

Maybe for different reasons--like I hadn't had time to adequately digest my dinner ..

As much as I think Randy is a head case---I hope he remains an NFC head case

Let's see -- one of the world's biggest hams with an opportunity to perform on the world's biggest stage...if the leg/ankle/fibula is only on life support--he will find a way to play. He's already thinking about a Rod Tidwell like TD catch and what he's going to do to celebrate.

Randy on the block Someone in the AFC could become significantly better the 8 games a year Randy decides to play up to his skill. Its not us--but if he ends up in Baltimore, Cincy, Houston, Jacksonville or another close to contender team or an existing playoff team--our road to the playoffs gets a little tougher. I could see the Phins and Jets making a play for him...Herman Edwards would believe he can reach him, Linehan may want him on the Phins, but then again he and Randy had a love/hate relationship..kind of like every relationship with Randy and coaches

I feel dumber for having read this thread (not that I started out very smart to begin with). 1) Undefeated in the playoffs 2) Headed toward a 3rd ring in four years 3) Makes all the throws necessary to win 4) Makes very few mistakes So he has good coaching--Montana had Walsh, Starr had Lombardi, Bradshaw had Noll, it takes both good coaching and great talent to win. All I can say is I wish the player currently wearing #12 for the Pats played for us. End of story. Show some class and give credit where credit is due.

A real doll Mike--congratulations to you and your wife. On a side note, don't you just hate people who use the board to pass pictures of their kids...nothing ticks me off more...