Dan

You're forgetting it takes 2people to sign a contract. Nix apparently did make an offer to Bell. But, he can't force him to sign. It would seem, because Bell is now an Eagle at roughly $7mill/yr, that Nix didn't feel he was worth that much money and most ctainly offered him less. So you're advocating that we sign players regardless of what we perceive their value to be? I agree wih you, it does suck that we lost, what appeared to be, a decent LT. But given his injury history, it seems the FO decided the price tag was too high. And, quite honestly, I'm not sure they're wrong. I suppose only time will tell. But, its a gamble either way. Signing Bell would not have guaranteed that LT was no longer a "need", just as using Hairston/draft pick is no guarantee. In the end, we just have to hope the FO has a better handle on Bell's health/ability than we fans do.

So you're suggesting we could have tagged Bell. He would have signed the offer. And then we could have traded him to the Eagles for a mid-round pick, and Bell gets the same contract from the Eagles... now taking a pay decrease for 2012. ?? If you can swing that deal, you most certainly need to be an NFL GM. Because that would be quite a feat!

Spoken like someone playing Madden or something. The franchise tag for a left tackle is around $9.5mill. Are you prepared to pay that for Bell? You just asssume we could tag him and trade him and get picks in return. But, that's not guaranteed at all. Does Philly still go after Bell if they have to give up a 1st round pick for him? I doubt it.

A big part of what made football such a good sport is the immediacy of the game and the importance of every drive. You had one day, each week and only a few weeks (when you think about it) to watch. You get 4 downs, move forward or give up your possesion. Make it to the playoffs, you get one game - win or go home. Overtime, any one play could end then game. All these new rules are just watering down the sport, if you ask me.

I think you can transfer music, pics, etc. via iTunes in windows 7. However, if your ipad is already tied to another computer, you might could try dropbox or some similar app. But, I think iTunes is the only way to really get music on the ipad and have it show up in the music app. I believe the recently released iPad 3s have a retina display.

I've been saying this for years. There's absolutely no reason for the Ref on the field to have to run to a special monitor on the sideline and wait for the video to be cued up before making a decision. If anything, they proved how silly it is this past season when they started reviewing every TD upstairs.

I would agree with much of what you posted. The FO clearly either likes Hairston to start or have plans to take a LT at 10 (or in the 2nd) given that they're playing hard ball with Bell and looking at no other FA tackles. Personally, I'm not sold on Hairston, but what do I know. I can live with either a WR or LT taken at #10. It just depends on who's there and, more importantly, who's likely to be there in the 2nd.

May I ask: What is this industry standard? Who set it? How was it determined to be "safe"? Do McDonalds' cups now have to have a warning stating that their contents are hotter than industry standards? I ask because it seems that arguement is based on an arbitrary number and some implied safety it provides.

I think you have to add Left Tackle to the list of needs, especially with no Bell on the team. As it stands now, the most important, arguably perhaps, position on our OLine is a easily our weakest position on the line. So I could see a left tackle being taken early as well.

Going into FA, I was hoping we'd sign a DE and WR. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe we'd actually put up the money for Mario nor that he would sign here. When they brought in Meachem and Williams, I got excited that this FO finally had a clue. It kinda sucked to see Meachem walk away, and I really thought it was a matter of time before Mario did the same. But, in the end, seeing Meachem's contract with SD, I was a little relieved they didn't sign him. And now, seeing them bring in Anderson, I'm really glad we didn't land him. Because, I don't think they could have afforded both. So, it was probably one or the other. Although, they may not have considered Anderson till after Meachem and a few other WRs came off the market. IMO, what they've done is effectively address the DE situation. We now have the players on the line to Pressure any passer in the league. And that, makes us a better team than getting a high-priced WR. So, whether by design or not, I think it's worked out for the best to bring in Anderson over Meachem. I just hope my optimism is rewarded next season.

So.. now I'm supposed to read a book while I'm backing up? How is that any safer than talking on my cell phone or drinking a beer while I back up. I just don't get it.

I would think the majority as well. It seems like most of them are exactly that... trying to legislate out stuipd. No. Her's has all sorts of lines and such as you described. But what's the value of all those ticks and lines? 1ft ..2ft intervals? who knows... who cares. I've always thought for the video game crowd it made more sense and they felt more comfortable with it all. But for someone who lives in the real world, I don't know, I just don't see what's so hard about using your own eyes. Quite honestly, just like half the crap they throw on cars, computers, phones, etc. to make them "easier"; I'll be fine just ignoring most all of it.

I, personally, don't see the value of a backup camera. My wife's car has one and I never use it. Actually, I find it much more difficult than using mirrors or turning my head. How do you judge distance? Plus I like to see what's more than 5ft away and on the ground. So, I could care less ... yeah that's right... care less if they put the cameras in cars or not, I'm not using them. Its no different than mandating seat belts, tire pressure sensors, hands free headsets, etc. They almost have to. Who's going to be the politician to stand up and say.. I don't care about the safety of your children. That's what its all about - protecting people's kids because they're unable to teach them basic self reliance and common sense.

Here I am rehashing this thread again. In it, I described what I thought the FO had to do to have a good off season, and thereby restore some optimism for this fan. Well, the FO is definitely on the right track as I can check another item off my list. Perhaps the only "in-house" FA left to sign is Bell. We'll see what happens there. And of course there's Freddy's re-deal; but I have little doubts that will get done sometime before training camp. They went out and took care of our single biggest need with the single best FA on the market in that area of need. So what's left? The draft. We still need a solid WR and LB (at a minmimim); and possibly LT, depending upon the Bell situation. But I must admit that for the forst time in a long, long time... I have confidence they'll make a decent decision come draft day. All in all, I gotta say that in my opinion, the Bills are having a great Off Season. I'm looking forward to the OTAs, just to see how Fitz is looking. Yeah I'm slowly but surely becoming optimistic about next season. Because at this point, I think we are definitely heading in the right direction. Go Bills!

I very much agree with all you've posted, as usual. The injuries really hurt the offense. There really wasn't a unit on the offensive side that didn't escape the injury bug. Hard to keep the production up when week in and week out, your offense is looking like a MASH unit. That's what I keep seeing in regards to Fitz. I just don't know of any documented (news article) that has confirmed it. Just curious if there was something.

One thing that really stood out to me re-watching this game... Fitz was a lot more accurate than I remembered. Even in his downfield attempts, the ball was thrown pretty good (granted he only through "deep" about 4 times). There's been alot of talk about his cracked ribs and all, and I tuned out for much of that discussion, but is there a direct quote or evidence of his injury? Or just speculation? Because after watching this game, I'm feeling much, much better about Fitz if he has a full off season to work on his game... and he and the Oline aren't injured.

21-0 still just 2nd quarter. I hate the Pats*! no one can cover their TE and there's zero pressure on Brady! This game sucks.

My link almost makes ya feel sorry for the fins ... .....not !

Carrington? Kelsay? you're all missing the obvious.... Jasper will benefit more than anyone else!! Go Jasper!!

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???