Dan

I think you're completely right. Those were some bad years. Fortunately, I'm of the age that I don't quite remember them. I was just young enough to still be able to wipe them from my memory. Of course, its difficult to compare eras, but with FA and the "parity" of today's NFL it's almost more difficult to see a team stay perpetually bad. In an age where the Fins can go from 1-15 to division winners in one year, the Cardinals can be in the Super Bowl, and 2 rookie QBs can make the playoffs; you have to wonder how can anyone be as bad as Detroit and Buffalo have been. You do bring up an interesting point though about OJ, as great as he was what did the Bills do with all that talent? Truly amazing being a Bills fan ain't it.

Must be nice to have people.

Jon Stewart Eviscerates CNBC and Rick Santelli - March 4, 2009

First of all, signing Fitzpatrick never had any luster to begin with. I'll be somewhat surprised if Hamdan doesn't start the season as the #2 QB. Secondly, bringing in a litany of aging, big name, big price FAs has never been the way to build a franchise and make the Superbowl. It hasn't worked for Washington or Dallas. It didn't work for the Jets last year. So, stop the insanity. And C, despite the buzz over TO, we still need offensive and defensive line help if we want to do anything next year. Period. Although serious help at the LB position is a very close 3rd, if not second on the list. And just for good measure, a new coaching staff wouldn't be such a bad idea either. But, I digress now.

I think we could contend that our current streak of futility is coming in a close second. Since 2000, we've only won 9 games once (2004). We're also approaching our 0 fer streak against Miami, having beaten the Pats* only once in the last 7 or 8 years. Granted we've not had as many 9 or 10 loss seasons, but we're still pretty bad for the past 9 seasons.

Add to that... you're losing games and eventually out of the playoff race. I'm not sure I agree with all the drama, but maybe he had a point. More Barber and more TO and maybe they would have been in the playoffs.

Which is why there won't be any problems. Evans gets all the balls on Friday, when Jauron focuses on playing his best. TO gets all the balls on Sunday, when he focuses on playing his best. See, it really is a win win.

Yeaaah. I made the cut! Unfortunately, I couldn't quite figure out that whole "name (city)" concept; so I'm now known as "Dan from Parts Unknown". Excellent! Now I just need to get me a horse with no name.

You can delete mine... no sense causing the whole internet to crash.

I'm fairly certain I don't know what this play action thing is you speak of. The Bills' offense hasn't used play action or slant passes for years. Perhaps TO will change all that, but until I see it on the field, I'll be reserved in my enthusiasm for this great new NFL-style offense we'll magically begin to run.

I'd suggest that this is several players and coaches year to finally show some progress. And Trent falls squarely into that category as well. If he can't throw the ball down the field and into the endzone with Evans and TO on the field, I'd hope we go lookin for a new QB regardless.

We've needed a legitimate #2 WR for years. Seriously, I was thinking yesterday of who's job TO was taking and I really found it hard to name our #2 WR. So, yeah, we needed someone - bad. So, if you acknowledge that, who's the best WR on the market? If you want Coles, why would you not want TO? It's aggressive. It's risky. It's anti-Jauron - I like it on that premise alone.

The one thing about TO is he has to be the center of attention. It seems all his problems start when the cameras start leaving him and following the QB. The thing is... in Buffalo, TO will be a star. Period. No matter what who else is catching passes, he'll still get plenty of attention. Plus we have zero playmakers or personalities for him to compete with. And from a fan perspective, we have just the kind of fanbase to appreciate the downfield blocking and less obvious things that TO is noted to do. I'm not saying this is all going to work out great. (I wouldn't be surprised if DJ/TS decide to only have Evans or TO on the field at one time because we want them to stay rested.) But, I am suggesting Buffalo may be a better fit for TO than somewhere like the Giants.

training camp

Ask and ye shall receive. I'm really not sure what to make of this signing, but I think Dean summed it up best in the pinned thread. IMO, at least. Definitely gonna make things interesting for a change.

Quick question: If a player gets suspended by the league, they don't get paid for those games, correct?

I have no question... I just wanted to say thanks to Lori for the idea and Tim for his candor. This is just one of the many reasons this is one of the best places to get Bills information - period. So thanks again for the great reading.

I tend to agree completely - which is why I've tried to limit my posts on most of the trade/FA talk (hence me reading the PPP board more - as bad as that may be at least it's humorous). It is what it is I suppose. So, I'm trying not to B word too much. But, I'm also not getting too excited. I'm still firmly implanted in the passive observer phase. I'm glad people still have hope for the season and our off season moves thus far And I really want them to be right. Unfortunately, I just can't get excited about any of it yet. Sucks.

But you're missing the key ingredient there. After 2 and half bad years, they made a change. How would the prologue look if they'd have stayed the course that 3rd year.... and decided a 4th year was worth a try before bringing in Marv?

Sad because it's true - for me at least. I'm sorry, but since Jauron's announced extension I've seen little to nothing to get excited about. I've tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but I lost all confidence in his decision making process this season culminating with the complete farce that was the final NE* game. So, I say, does anyone here really think that if we signed Haynesworth, he wouldn't be dropping back into coverage 4-5 times per game? Does anyone really think that any linemen signed is going to suddenly mean we don't keep 2 noncatching TEs on the field at all times along with a FB that does next to nothing. Does anyone really think that we're going to sign a WR and suddenly find the page in the playbook that has a slant pass on it? I'll certainly still watch the team. Heck I'm here now following the off season. But, do I expect any sort of success? Do I expect any improvement? Do I even hope for it? No. I'm just watching because I'm a Bills fan and that's what I do. I'll still cheer every week for them. I just won't' get so upset when they lose.

I understand that. And I'm not complaining because, quite honestly, I've given up hope this team will improve regardless of who they sign. However, so far all we've seemed to do was cut or release average players and replace them with similarly average players. I guess we saved money, in the process. But, I don't see any of these moves - either the cuts or the FAs signed - as being doing much to help the play on the field.

Iran Contra ring any bells?

Is it just me or are we just treading water here? Cut a guard, sign a guard. Cut a CB, sign a CB. Let a backup QB walk, sign a backup QB. I wonder if we'll see any kind of potential "impact" player sign.

I removed the keyboard. It's connected to the motherboard with a thin, flat wire (maybe an inch or so wide). Unplugged that and the keyboard came completely out and was in no way touching the computer. I think that's what you mean? I was looking for a command line process that could kill it just now. Still haven't found anything. But, that's what I was thinking as well. I didn't try the antivirus stuff yet - quite honestly my brain didn't even go there. I was too busy thinking it was related to the keyboard being messed up. I'll let ya know what I find out - if anything. That's what I told them when I first saw it. "who butchered this thing?" But, yeah they're close to getting a new one. It's an old hand me down as it is, so I'm not sure they're ready to send it off to HP for repair.

Yeah, I unplugged and physically removed the keyboard. It was laying on the table 2 feet away from the laptop. I turned it on (with and without the usb keyboard). Opened the recently opened programs and got cmd up. 7's still steadily typing in. I agree - no logical reason behind it. I'm completely stumped.