Dan

Why not... Sep 10 @New England - Loss Sep 17 @Miami - Win Sep 24 N.Y. Jets - Win Oct 1 Minnesota - Loss Oct 8 @Chicago - Loss Oct 15 @Detroit - Win Oct 22 New England - Loss Nov 5 Green Bay - Win Nov 12 @Indianapolis - Loss Nov 19 @Houston - Win Nov 26 Jacksonville - Loss Dec 3 San Diego - Win Dec 10 @N.Y. Jets - Win Dec 17 Miami - Win Dec 24 Tennessee - Win Dec 31 @Baltimore - Loss 9-7

Exactly. No one really seemed to want Moulds. So what was our leverage? The bottom line is the rest of the league didn't think Moulds was as good as we do.

This piece of fact, I would suggest, is wrong. Marv pretty much said he wanted Moulds to stay. I'm pretty sure it was all Moulds' decision to leave. Granted, maybe Marv and Ralph were wanting to cut his pay more than Moulds was willing to accept and that's why he left (I really don't know). But, lets face reality. As much as we liked Moulds and wanted him here - he seemed to make up his mind (sometime last season) that he wanted out. And that was long before Marv arrived. I do agree TD made some great moves. But, what I can't get over is all those great moves and 5 years later we still suck. TD reminded me of one of those accountants types that knows numbers and runs a business that is sound and secure, but never succeeds because he doesn't see the forest for the trees.

I think this just all shows a little more clearly what Moulds' value is/was. You have to think his agent/advisor shopped him around to everyone. Who was interested? A whole lot of nobody. And the few that were interested weren't jumping up and down and offering the world to get him. The only serious team was one of the worst teams in the league, I dare say a team that is certainly as bad as the Bills (if not a shy bit worse). And what were they offering, not much. In the end, Moulds didn't want to be here anymore - he made that painfully obvious. He thought he was the second coming of TO and could cash in big time on the market. Ultimately, I'd imagine Moulds is feeling pretty bad about himself right now. He tested the market and all he was worth was a 5th round pick and a pay cut (although it's probably more than what the Bills wanted to restructure to).

I hesitate to respond, because this is definitely a "what's the point" post. But, 2 years with Marv or 5 years with TD? It's no brainer.

That.. and fielding a quality team for a few years are critical in my opinion.

I can't figure out who'll be left at #8. And now I have to worry about all the iterations of people left and moving around between #8 and #134? No way.

Can they sell all those sky boxes in Buffalo? I thought one of the issues in '98 was finding people with the cash to buy all the luxury seats or something like that. My memory's a little fuzzy. I agree the taxpayers don't always pay all the money, but I've lived in several NFL towns and believe me there always seems to be someone wanting to raise taxes to build or improve a stadium. I guess what I'm saying is that I can't blame Marv for trying. But I would blame him if he used that as an excuse to move.

I may be mistaken, but I'd imagine this exact same scenario plays out in every NFL city. I don't think any of the owners build the stadiums with their own money. So why should Ralph?

..And this is pretty much how I see it. I'm not adverse to moving up or down. But we can't sell off all our picks to move up, nor should we mover completely out of the 1st round, just to get more picks. Maybe we can't get the #1 or #2 lineman, but then we trade down, just a few spots and take the #3 or #4 rated guy. But, we don't just take the best player available. That's been the approach for years and it clearly hasn't worked. We need to determine what our biggest needs are - OL and DL. And draft the best players available for those positions. But what if we're at 8, and no one wants to trade, do you still take this Bunkley fella? I'd say yes if he's the best lineman left.

Me too. But Iran out of race metaphors. So I stretched that last one.

I'm not really advocating for any player. I don't presume to know exactly who we should take. However, I do know we need linemen a heck of a lot more than a safety. I don't know who's going to be there or not at 8. I've read a dozen and 1 mock drafts and they all show all sorts of things happening. However, if Fergie or Ngata, or possibly Hawk, are not on the board, I'm suggesting we should consider trading down to get line. But what if noone wants to trade? You still take the best lineman, even if its at 8. Ideally, you could trade down a few spots and still get that guy, plus another pick. But, who's to say someone wants to play with us?

Its been six years and we haven't even had a competitive team on the field, ket alone thing about the playoffs. The marathon is over. It's time for a new race. And I completely agree we need to build for the future, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I think we're more likely to get a franchise player in the 1st round than in the 2nd or 3rd round.

Ok. So trade with the someone in the mid teens then and take the guy there. I completely agree that Marv didn't make this mess. But he needs to fix it. And it can't be fixed with a new QB or safety. We've ignoree bringing in any solid linemen in for far too long and that directly correlates to our losing.

True and while its out picking up the groceries, someone else is winning the race.

Precisely, right on target. I couldn't agree more. The core of this team is by far the most neglected segment of the team. Sure we may need depth or a "star" here and there. But, we have absolutely nothing on either line - save 1 or 2 players. Think about that - there's 5 offensive linemen and we have only 1 true starter. Tell me how you can ever expect to win with a crap line like that.

I agree. I wouldn't trade up either. We need all the picks we can get. But no way do you trade out of the 1st round either. I mean, yeah we need picks. But come on. Do you pass on Ferari, just so you can have 2 or 3 Taurus'?

Drafting a Safety would be about as bad as drafting a QB at 8. IT would totally suck @3s. We need linemen. And although a lineman isn't necessarily the same kind of star that a QB or RB is, a top tier perrenial pro bowl lineman is something that would be nice to have. Not to mention, good linemen make your stars, stars. So, for me, anything less than a lineman and then I'll start to get a little pissed about the offseason. I'll take a possible exception to Hawk. We really don't have great linebackers, despite the hipe. So drafting him (if available) wouldn't be a total disappointment.. Other than that, I want an new offensive line!

Throw in some free beer and you got a deal.

Alot of things would suddenly make sense.... no big FA hires, trading Moulds to save money, lots of cap space...hmmm

Anything is better than what was on the field last December. But have they actually progressed? Who can say before week 5 or 6 or the regular season.

I agree. Isn't that kinda like a QB saying I want to be just like Trent Dilfer.

Screw that, demand their second and a pick next year. When they balk, tell them to try drafting a WR in the 4th round that will contribute as much as Moulds next year. Then after a few days of negatiating, begrudgingly settle for a 3rd this year.

I've felt this way for years. I'd love to see us draft nothing but linemen. Everyone says the draft his a crap shoot. So, why not just draft every lineman you can and hope a few pan out. Since the dawn of time, everyone knows this game is won in the trenches. Gloss it over all you want, but that fact still remains. Improve the lines and the skill players will suddenly appear.

I completely agree with this statement. A good young QB, a good young reciever, a good young RB. All we need is a good young line and we're in great shape in my opinion. However, I am hopeful that prior to the first preseason game there will be an overwhelming call to trade Willis because .... (you can fill in any one of a dozen reasons). There's already been a few.