Dan

Mario wasn't even the start. I would suggest that re-signing Stevie.. or even possibly the firing of Edwards was the start of the continued rebuilding this offseason. The thing the OP, and other perhaps, need to remember is that while signing Mario is great and definitely should improve this team; going over board with FAs is never a good thing. Nix, I still believe, is firmly committed to building through the draft and signing FAs that will help. Its why he's basically said they're done. Yes, they need a WR. And early indications were they were making a good effort to sign a FA WR, but when the one(s) they wanted were signed, there's no need to keep chasing WRs. It doesn't mean they won't still keep looking for diamonds in the rough, but I think it entirely means they're back to the original plan of building through the draft. And I'm more than happy with that. It seems to be working. Start chasing every FA to fill every possible weakness and where do you end up? With the Skins or Philly or any number of other teams that have tried that and gotten ...no where.

I was in Jackson, MS interviewing potential sales peoples. When a buddy texted the good news ..and then many of the updates. I was pumped. After getting the text, my primary question to the candidates was ...do you watch football? follow up: Do you know who Mario Williams is? (they'd answer with something) No.... he's a Bill now!! Then I'd make them talk football for a bit. I'm sure they think it was the most screwed up job interview ever. But, hell, I was having fun! Ps ... mods this should get added to the super mario thread.. just to keep it alive!

On one hand, I completely agree with you. However, on the other hand, I say... you don't just sign any guy out there just to sign someone. If you have an idea of the type of player you want or need and you can't get them, then you move on to something else. That's why so many FA signings don't work, IMO. People chase names and past production and fail to think about whether or not he will fit into what your team needs. Mario, for example, is a great fit for Buffalo. Not because of what he's done so much, but because he's exactly what we need ... a true 4-3 DE that can pressure the passer. So, yes, we need to sign a good WR. But, we need a big guy that can stretch the field and adjust on the fly to Fitz's innacurate passes. If that guy is not on the market... then you don't waste money on someone else just for the sake of saying you brought in a WR. And after looking at what's left on the FA market, I say lets look at who we can draft.

I had to work ..out of town today and missed the excitement first hand, but got texts from my buddy (a fin fan.. he's pissed). It wasn't real until i got home and read it here .. in this thread!! Awesome thread!!! Best board on the internet Is right here!! I'm still in shock! It's a great day to be a Bills fan. Just great! Go Bills!!

It almost had to... right? His agent has to be saying how can a WR make more than the best DE in the game??

What?? He said something bad about Tebow???

ok.. I can't read 50 pages of posts ...the last ones i saw were his fiance was coming into town. Then I had to leave. What the f#%k happened?? Can someone be kind enough to provide an abridged version of the afternoon?

Ralph's too cheap to pick up the tab!!!

My guess... they'd all go together. I'd invite a couple of current players too. Show them the team you're building, don't just talk about it.

I just said the same thing to a buddy of mine. If Nix uses all this cap money he's saved and actually signs Wlliams... he comes off looking like a genius.

Agreed. Why do I get the image of that movie the Firm? Nix and Wanny sitting with Mario... we only made one offer .. we want you ..as they slide an envelope over to him. Seriously, it's gotta be kinda impressive to have the team GM personally pick you up on a jet. Definitely a sign that they are going all in on him.

Somebody needs to put some billboards up in town ...quick!!

well done, good sir!

i haven't seen it reported on espn or nfln. they confirmed williams meeting in buffalo though

Signing Merriman may be one of the best FA signings in years. Not for what he's done on the field, but for what he's doing off it. I believe this is the 2nd consecutive off season that he's openly recruited quality players to come to the team. He is no doubt spreading the word around the league that Buffalo is a good place for FAs to play. And, IMO, that's every bit as important as being willing to pay them. edit: can someone translate those tweets? hit me? its not about signing with buffcity? i'm not cool enough to know.

I'm sorry you felt I quoted my earlier post in an attempt to call you out, I didn't. I just wanted to recap what I considered would be a decent off season and highlight where we were in that process. I thought bringing up that post would simply be more efficient than restating it all in a new thread. I was also, genuinely, interested to get your opinion on the recent moves. Mostly because you're a consistent and vocal critic of the Bills' FO (for good reason, as I previously stated). I just wondered if someone more critical of the FO than me was beginning to change his mind as well. That's really all there was to it. I suppose I got my answer. Thanks.

Agreed; which is why I stated be prepared for heartache. I just can't see them trading up and losing valuable picks to get a QB, when the FO has shown confidence in the one we have AND we have so many needs elsewhere. So, like it or not, Fitz is going to be the QB here for the next year and, in all likelihood, the next several years.

Fitz's single biggest short coming is his accuracy, especially down the field accuracy. With proper off season training to improve his foot work and improve his core body strength, he can improve his accuracy. Now as the unquestioned starter, with the contract to prove it, with a full off season to work with, the question is... will he put in the work to address his most glaring weakness? If he does, IMO, his performance will improve dramatically and so will the team's fortunes. Unfortunately, we won't really know until next season starts. For those wanting to draft a QB of the future, just be prepared for heartache. Given Fitz's past performance and the glaring needs we have elswhere, I think its highly unlikely they draft a QB in the first round. Fitz has shown enough flash to get next season, but I think we can all agree he needs to improve. Let's just hope he does.

I must say... this FO is definitely showing some signs of competence. About a month ago, this thread was started, and I laid out what I saw as the keys to a good off season. Also, for me personally, what it would take to enter the 2012 season with some measure of optimism. For me, signing Stevie was a big part of it; he was first domino that would fall, if you will. With his re-signing and now Chandler's, I think I'll say item 1 is checked off my list. The FO is indeed recognizing their own talent and not letting it walk. I know we have a few more players to re-sign; but at this point, I think the FO has shown that they're certainly willing to do what it takes. We can't forget that the players have a voice as well, and for that reason, not all players re-sign with their current teams. Next step is free agency. It'll be interesting to see what happens there. Also, in this post, I was ready to say BillsVet was right about the future of the team and the FO. My question, is now, BV and other "Ralph is Cheap" posters, are you ready to say that this FO.. may.. be on the right track? I say, may, not is. I admit, we still have a good distance to go before we see the baby. Note: I'm not attempting to call anyone out. I genuinely want to know if maybe some of these moves are beginning to change your mind a little as well. This has been a good off season, thus far. Let's all hope it continues. Go Bills!

TBD truthism #1. All Bills players are average at best and should not be overpaid. All non-Bills players are probowlers that should be signed at all costs. TBD truthism #2. All moves made by the Bills' FO are bad, cheap, and just generally wrong. All moves made by any other team's FO are good, smart, and just generally what we need to be doing. TBD truthism #3. All pessimists about the Bills see the world as it really is and are right. All optimists about the Bills are living in a dream world and content with mediocrity. duh

For me, this is exactly how I see it. The Oline, although not great, is easily not the worst unit on the team. DE/LB is... period. Depending upon what they do in FA, I'd put WR next. Then, LT. So depending upon the health of a few of our own players, who they do or don't sign as FA (including our own guys), and who's available at #10, you take the best player at one of those positions. see... it really is just that simple.

$3.49/gal in MS

I very much understand and agree with your post. I also firmly believe that you and most all posters that routinely rail on the FO, don't want to be right and genuinely want to see the right moves made and the team improve. I have always been optimistic about this team; its just my nature. However, you're right. I see the signing of Stevie as a bell weather mark for this team and FO. Perhaps, I'm wrong... time will tell. But, Stevie is the epitome of what Nix and company have said they want to build this team around. If they can't get him signed, then its hard to believe anything they've said and its nearly impossible to believe they truly want to improve this team. Quite frankly, I'm at the point of being sick of excuses and saying they can't sign him because he demanded too much money is exactly that... an excuse. For now, I guess, this is all a premature discussion. I'll remain hopeful and always be a Bills fan, but I'm not holding my breath by any means.

Well done! I have no idea what was said, but nice to see the post (which judging by the reactions was well over the line) is gone... as well as all quotes of the post. The mods here are easily the best in the business! Regarding your comment. Exactly. Letting Stevie walk says more about the seriousness of the FO in turning this team around than anything else. It makes no sense to let him walk, period. If Stevie walks, we have to pay an equivalent FA WR similar money and we're still where we are today - 1 really good WR and David Nelson. If the FO office is content or restricted to that going into next year (whether that really good WR is Stevie or a new FA), then there's really not much else to say. BillsVet is right; all us optimists are wrong.