Dan

I agree and despise all of those things! I've never run across sidestep, but google desktop, google toolbar, yahoo toolbar, mysearch assistant, and that damn weatherbug are the more common ones I've seen and they all blow. Why is this software even legal? All it does is bloat your machine and clog the whole thing down with useless features that no one needs.

I've noticed tat as well.

I completely disagree with the OP (yeah you know me). The NFL Newtork is about the only national outlet that shows anything on the Bills. They've done the show 6 days to Sunday about how the Bills linebackers prepare for a game. They've done the State of the Bills franchise twice now this offseason. I've seen Shchobel, and Dockery interviewed, and plenty of other stuff. Now, do they cover the Bills as much as the Pats.... perhaps not. But, they do cover the Bills. Actually I'd say they do fairly well at covering all teams.

Then why am I here?

If Dallas wants to move up and KC is willing to move down, why wouldn't KC and Dallas just work out a trade? What would be the incentive for adding Buffalo into the mix (unless KC just wanted to drop from 5 to 11 and not further down)?

No way would I shoot the messenger; definitely appreciate the scoop. Just noting how these guys always make these bold claims. It'd be great if one of them actually had the balls to back their mouth up. If anyone does, it'd probably be Chad. But, I highly doubt it.

Isn't that what Briggs said this time last year in Chicago. And just about every other player that's unhappy and thinks he's all that. But somehow, they all seem to play that next year. We'll see if he's serious or not. But, my money is on him playing in Cinci.

Hamdan Rocks!

And people think the FO is asleep at the wheel. Well, take that! Brandon says.

Well, I turned my head. But left the laptop in its original position. But then I couldn't read the remaining instructions. I figured that's why I didn't get it - I was obviously missing some important piece to the puzzle after turning my head. (I was just about to call my wife over and ask her to read the rest of the post, but then I realzed she'd probably just tell me to get off that damn message board web site thing, again. So I figured it was better to be ignorant.)

Given that notion... for me it would be a fairly short list: Lori, KTFBD, Bill in NYC, Dibs. I used to love reading the Ice posts, just for the pure entertainment of watching a train wreck. Although I'm not sure posters like that should be recognized (if anyone seriously considered it). Imagine all the new trolls seeing that and trying to stir things up just for the sake of saying hey look at me, I exist. Not that it matters much I suppose. I've been around in one silent form or another for quite some time. Longer than I'd care to admit, suffice it to say I still have a bookmark for the HyperBills site. Not that it really matters - with my lack of brain cell development I find it hard to remember what posters said 2 days ago, let alone 10 years.

Yes... much as I hoped like crazy for the Y2K bug to crash the American banking system and erase my debt. Unfortunately, that didn't happen; but I'm hopeful the "TBD crash of '08" will be more beneficial.

I can attest to the fact that I have not posted anything with any intrinsic or extrinsic value over the last year. So, in a way, losing all those posts provides me with an oppurtunity to re-invent myself, to erase my past, to recreate myself in an image of substance an intellect. So screw the lost data. I beg of you - give my life meaning and purpose again.

You make some very good points. However, you're neglecting the primary premise of the anit-FO arguement. Yes, the FO did something in the last 2 years, but they did nothing good for the 8 years prior. For some reason, the current FO is held accountable to the decisions that were made years before they had any control over the team's acquisitions. IMO, the current FO has done a very good job of rebuilding the team. We're heading into year 3 and we've had 3 solid FA periods. The team is financially in great shape. And, despite, the concerns over taking a safety, they've drafted quite well the last 2 years. They've released the attitude players (McGehee, Clements) and the aging players (Spikes, Fletcher) from the previous regime, while re-signing the players that best fit the new team (Schobel, Parish). It's nothing flashy, but its solid team building. The problem, I think, is that people (1) expect immediate results and (2) don't distinguish the current FO's actions from the prevous FO's actions. For the latter, well either they get it or they don't. My guess is they don't just because it's fun to complain with little care for what you'r ecomplaining about. For the former, I attribute it to the recent trend of expecting instant gratification. When you build through the draft, as the Bills are currently doing, you have to remember that it takes several years for a rookie to develop and be a consistant contibutor. But, today, we want instant gratification. Too many people expect draft picks to produce probowl-type performances from year 1. However, the reality is just the opposite. IMO, you have to judge a FO in years 3-5. We're just getting there. It takes at least 2 years to get the players that a coach wants, to install the systems that he wants, and for the players to learn those systems. So, in year 3, we should see some progress because we've had relative stability on both offense and defense as we're building. The biggest concern I have is the QB. Not because I don't trust Trent; but because Trent is only a 2nd year player and 2nd year players are often erratic and inconsistent. And, on top of that, he's playing the most important position on the field. So, the QBs inconsistent play has a way of trickling through the entire offense. Hopefully, he's got all the immeasurables that people seem to think he has, most importantly a short learning curve. Because, if so, then I truly think we're contending for a playoff spot. If not, then I'd say we have another year of falling just short.

Dan Fockers!

I agree completely.

Yes, on the surface, this all seems rational and you make some good points. But, come on, you really think we wouldn't be better if we signed a bunch of aging, question mark, vets to high salaries; just so we can get in cap hell in 2 years when they haven't panned out and are being cut or walking because we can't get under the cap. As if anyone even cares about 2 years from now. You know, as well as I do, that's its better to sign big name, big money contracts in March so we look good on ESPN. Screw the future, I want to win now. And by now I mean before the end of March.

We all have our moments of doubt. We all question our faith at times. But, its in these darkest hours that our faith is needed the most. It is in this darkest hour that the Chroise will shine the brightest... but you must allow yourself to see the Chroise. We all understand the doubt. And that is why Hamdan's bandwagon will always be here for you. When you're ready the Chroise will there for you... again.

Hamdan Rocks Long! Hamdan Rocks Strong!

How do you know you're an addict.... when you're steadily hitting the refresh button thinking maybe you'll get through. A few hours later you give up and consider going to espn.com for some Bills jones.

First, I'd echoe MLBs' comments... the Patriots and Bills are in 2 completely different places and therefore can shop for players on a completely different basis. Second, I'd say that money and chance to win certainly are the primary factors, but what if 2 teams offer similar money and a similar chance to win? What if Buffalo and the Lions are after the same guy and offer very comparable salaries? How then does the player decide? My guess is somewhere down the line they think about where they'll be, how they'll be treated, and the teammates they'll be playing with. And if so, then that is where being a decent GM and treating players with respect comes into play. I guess the difference here is you prefer to treat players like commodities to be traded and utilized; whereas, Marv has chosen differently. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages.

Agreed! I definitely missed one or two oppurtunities to call someone a nappy headed hoe. I'll try to do better I think the key to this whole Nate situation comes down to Youbouty. If Nate's replacement is currently on the roster and plays well next season, its all a wash in my opinion. If we draft a CB at #12 to replace Nate, then it'll look more and more like a huge mistake.

I completey agree its always good to have high draft picks, low picks even. However, there certainly are years with less talent coming out of college; therefore, poorer draft classes. 2007 appears to be such a year (at least from what I'm reading here and elsewhere). I'm not saying this year is a complete wash, but it doens't appear to be a deep draft. Perhaps Marv and co. saw this coming. To answer your question.. am I glad we recieved zero compensation? In short, no. Of course you want compensation for any player, especially the ones of Nate's caliber. However, I'm suggesting (as I think the Dean is) that perhaps we have to look at the forest and ignore some of the trees. There are many forms of compensation and I would argue that the compensation we got for Nate was respect and a positive attitude towards Buffalo by many players and their agents. And that is not completely without value. I wouldn't suggest or be happy if we did this with every player, but I can see the value in making an example out of Nate. Not too dissimilar from benching a player for not performing. I know there's concern that we let all our best players walk rather than pay them the big bucks. In the past few years, who could argue with that? However, I'm not sure Marv will operate as such. We'll have to see how he handles certain key players (Losman, Evans, Peters, for ex.) before I say that's completely true. To this point, I think Marv's let players go that either he (or the coaches) didn't like, or who wanted to leave. Conversly, they've kept some that they presumably wanted - and paid them quite well I might add. Marv certainly makes mistakes. And I would certainly call this a potential huge mistake. If Youbouty blows, then it'll look alot worse. However, if Youbouty plays reasonably well and we gain the good will of players, would it have been a mistake? Maybe still, but maybe one that we can all live with.

Perhaps Manning, respecting the well-established curse, refused this oppurtunity to end his career prematurely. Young, however, being..well, young and brash and thinking he's bullet proof dismissed the curse and signed away. First the Titans lose Pacman, now Young blows out his knee in week 3... it looked like such a promising season for the Titans.

Thanks. I know we get it, many other people get it, others will continue getting it for years to come; but I fear some will never get it.