Dan

Firstly, you're making the same mistake of lumping the current FO in with past ones. Yes, many of the names are the same, but there's plenty of reason to believe that TD ran a completely different FO than did Marv. Just as I'll go out on a limb and say that Brandon is running things differently than Marv did. I don't see how you can blame Brandon or Modrak or anyone else for the way TD ran the team. To say in 2001 or 2003 we did something and it reflects poorly on the current FO, is fundamentally flawed logic. Furthermore, as stated earlier, the current Bills' FO did address the Oline, quite seriously. They just did it via FA, not through the draft. But, they appear to have gotten better at figuring out what attributes make a good OL, because the OL was not the weakest unit on the team last year. No matter how they got the players, you have to acknowledge that, right? OK, we don't have great depth. I'll give you that. However, what would you rather have (or perhaps more important, what's best for the team in 2008)... the defense continually getting burned on 3rd and long, getting ran on all day long, Trent not having any weapons; but several great OL prospects sitting on the bench just in case Peters gets injured? Or shore up all the teams deficient areas and have very average to below average OL backups sitting on the bench just in case Peters gets injured?

I was just reciting the ranking provided in BillsVet's post. Not sure what it referred to.

While I fundamentally agree with most everything you're saying, let me just play devil's advocate for a moment... OK, so the Bills 2 years (?) ago saw Peters' potential and signed him to a nice contract extension. At that time he had done very little other than show promise. So, now with several years left on his contract, we should renegotiate, give him a raise, and presumably lock him up for a longer term. So, what happens, in 2 years when we sign a new Center at a mega salary (because salaries always escalate) and Peters wants yet another raise and new deal, because he's still the best linemen. Do we throw out his deal and start again? I guess my point is.. at what point do players and teams honor the contracts that they sign? On another note, wouldn't it actually be in Peters best interest to wait a year or two and then re-sign when the salaries have skyrocketed and he's a perennial probowler? Granted its a risk on his part, but isn't that why he's kinda in this situation to begin with. He signed a contract 2 years ago before realizing his true potential.

Didn't we have that last year? As Ramius just posted, the Bills did address the OL. They just did it through FA, no the draft. The problem is that some people want to ignore the fact that the line was addressed. It was. Perhaps you disagree with how it was addressed. Perhaps you disagree with the players acquired. Perhaps you disagree with their salaries. But, you have to, at least, acknowledge that it was addressed. So they spent lots of money on the line... had great pass protection, and were 15th in rushing. Yet, we still want to complain that the line was ignored; primarily because we have no depth. However I would ask, do we worry about Oline depth this year or decent starters at other positions? As much as we do need Oline depth, it was clear we need better players at other positions first.

So I guess re-signing Schobel, Kelsay, Parish, McGee; not to mention paying big money on the likes of Dockery, Walker, Stroud, doens't count. Just because some GM 5 or 10 years ago ran the team a certain way, you shouldn't draw the same conclusions about the current FO. As to the original poster... all the best offenses have a well-balanced attack. We need good WR's just as much as we need good RBs. So, I say no way do you not keep Evans. The only caveat being if he demands to be played like the top WR in the game (ala Clements). However, I suspect Evans will be a little more level-headed.

It's always nice when smart fans of other teams join in over here. Welcome and may the Chroise be with you.

Thanks! Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. So, I'll just add...

I'm sorry, but I've missed the article that says Peters is holding out for a new contract. Can someone please point me to it?

Excellent. That's how I've been saying it since day 1.

May the Chroise be with you.

Your knowledge of the Bills continues to amaze me. Incredibly well done.

Hamdan Rockin the OTAs like a DDT!

beer good enough said

Yes, you did escalate throughout the thread. I agree. I mostly found your comments funny, which is why I went through the effort to cut and paste them. It was nice to see the build up then to have it come back to "lets gets reasonable". And I do agree, there really is nothing to do but wait. I hope Hardy pulls his head out of his ass and realizes what he could have if he stays out of trouble. On the plus side.. what's there to do in Buffalo outside of Applebee's? So maybe he finds less trouble. Maybe a few players become positive influences. Maybe his Dad gets the hint and stays away. All I know is, as with all Bills' players, I'll be hoping for the best.

Actually it says ..."in what appears to be a gay bar in Texas?" So, no confirmation there.

I'm sorry, but... do not equate to... If you want to argue for common sense, then it seems to me a good start would be to make sensible statements rather than extensive hyperbole.

The problem here is one of rashness. Several posters seem to want to act rashly and cut Hardy before he has a chance. So, they seem to suggest that at the first sign of trouble, you cut and run. Why not try to work with the guy? Get him into town and put him into a better environment. Council the guy. Why not try to get him on the right track before you write him off?

Hamdan Rocks!

Wow. That report pretty much completely calls out Goodell, the NFL, and the pats* organization for excessive cheating and the subsequent cover up by the league. How every news outlet in the country can't be all over this demanding action is beyond me.

Actually this makes alot of sense. The QB on the field has a fair amount on his mind and probably can't regularly see all of the opposing sideline. However, a backup or 3rd string guy can roam the sideline for the best location to watch; has a headset; and has the time during the week to study the opposing signals rather than the Pats* plays.

Precisely! Who wants to cover this guy now that they know he's probably packin and if you get too close you're likely to get a cap in yo arse? See, it really can all be good news.

In many, many ways its easier to eavesdrop on radio signals than to figure out hand signals.

Why do people complain about Kelsay's salary in one thread and then complain that Ralph is cheap and we have too much room under the cap in another thread? Which is it? Do we spend too much on players? Or not enough? Kelsay's salary is irrelevant. If you don't like his play, fine. But to even mention a player's salary when that salary is in not preventing the Bills from signing other players or is in no way negatively affecting the team, is just nonsensical. IMO some posters are just looking for excuses to complain.

Aren't most Hondas made in Ohio? How's that not buying American? It's' like rednecks down south not wanting to buy a Jap Nissan Truck. Nissan trucks are made outside of Jackson, MS. Look past the name and see who's acutally building your car/truck.

I would very much agree with all that you posted. The Oline Depth is probably the weakest on the team, easily. And will have to be addressed. Only caveat being... the FO may decide to address the depth issue in FA - not the draft. Either way, I'm guessing it'll have to be addressed. I agree. None of the later round guys will be starters. But, IMO, they were taking best player available approach at that point. And not addressing needs. Which is why I'd hope they'll draft OL earlier rather than later. But, when they weren't drafting them this year, that's when I could only conclude that the FO sees the deficiencies at CB and WR as bigger needs than OG or C. Next year.. hopefully is different. Hopefully, we don't have any glaring weaknesses on the team and we can draft 1 or 2 quality linemen to develop as backup and/or starters. But, you're right; there's a few players that may effect that. I think Ko is definitely a question mark seeing as how he's had little playing time. Of course, the TEs. So, if Ko is the weakest link and once again the Oline looked good throughout, yeah I could see draftign a safety first again. Not sure I agree either way, but I could see it. Bottomline for me is what's the product on the field look like. Because there's often more than one way to get to your destination. I would suggest that the team is getting better. Although the record didn't show it last season, I think that was largely due to the number of injured players. I expect this year our wins to be greater that our losses. If that happens, I think we can conclude that the current plan is working. And the FO buys its self a little time and respect for putting the team together. If we have another middle of the pack 8-8 or worse year, then its definitely time to look critically at their building plan. But, overall, I think everyone has to agree that the team is better off now than 2.5 years ago - regardless of how we drafted or handled FAs. Could we be even better? Perhaps, but that's complete speculation. I guess to say it shortly, it's just been ~2.5 years for this FO and HC. That's not quite long enough to see if they know what they're doing. Most regimes come in with a 3 year plan (or so it seems). I think we have to be patient for another season and see how their moves pan out. IMO, this is the first season that we can really even begin to talk about Whitner and the '05 guys abilities. So, I understand the consternations, but I just think we have to be careful that we're not judging this FO based on mistakes of the past FO.