Dawgg

Lynch hustles. Lynch plays hard. But he does juke a bit too much and he needs to improve his vision to reach the next level. Otherwise, he'll continue to tease you with 65 yard games.

The sad thing is that this isn't 20/20 hindsight. It was as plainly obvious on draft day as it is now: the Bills botched the 2006 draft. The number excuses people make for not picking Ngata is amazing. He's not suited for the Tampa 2, Kelly Gregg is more of a reason for the Ravens' success, he's lazy, character issues, and on and on and on... But at least Whitner has weekly pizza parties at his house

My bad!

I think Marshawn has shown flashes, but if you get a chance, watch the Edge NFL Matchup with Jaworski and Hodge. They broke down the tape and showed that Lynch just doesn't have the vision yet. Sometimes he cuts back when there's a wide open hole right in front of him, while other times he jukes a little bit too much rather than head straight into the hole. He has attributes that just can't be taught: in terms of raw power and athleticism he is in the upper echelon of backs in the NFL... I just question whether this running backs coach (who was recently promoted to "Running Game Coordinator), Eric Studesville, is the right guy for the job.

I never once said he's a bust. I simply said that passing on Ngata was a big, big mistake. Watch how he has been playing this season and you will see why. Reading comprehension... sharpen those skills, Dan! I also didn't bash Lynch. I did say that he's not getting the job done, but feel that he's a good player and his problems can be fixed with good coaching. As for Trent, give me a young QB who was able to win games without any semblance of a running game. Again... reading comprehension... sharpen those skills, Dan!

1. Dick Jauron's failure to challenge the Wes Welker catch in the first quarter is absolutely inexcusable. Big mistake on his part. That said, he did not cost the Bills the game at New England. While the knee-jerk reaction after a 3 game losing streak is to call for the coach's head, such calls are not warranted. Coach Jauron simply doesn't have the benefit of superior personnel at the offensive and defensive lines. Perhaps he's a part of these personnel decisions. But last I checked, we have a personnel department... 2. The last 3 games have clearly illustrated the fatal flaw in the Bills' rebuilding plan. Ignoring the offensive line in the draft and fixing the lines by overspending on marginal free agents is not the answer. Derrick Dockery was paid in the same league as Steve Hutchinson and Eric Steinbach. It was the richest contract in Buffalo sports history at the time. Problem is, he's nowhere near that type of player. Langston Walker is a decent pass blocker but the fact that he needs tight end help on running plays to the right side is a bit concerning. Both these gentlemen signed contracts for a combined value nearing $100M. The fact that this small-market team devoted such heavy financial resources to two marginal players is not only sad, it's a disservice to the fans who pay their salaries. 3. Yesterday should end all debates regarding Donte Whitner vs. Haloti Ngata. Whitner is a decent player and a nice leader. Ngata is an absolutely dominating force in just his 3rd year in the league. Passing on Ngata was a major miscalculation on the part of the front office and one that will be a source of regret for quite some time. The real question is this: Who was the "genius" behind this boneheaded move? Modrak? Levy? Jauron? All 3? 4. Terrance McGee is a gamer. He had some nice plays on Randy Moss and has bounced back well since being torched by the Dolphins coming off an injury. Here's hoping the Bills re-sign him and keep him around for a few more years. 5. Lee Evans caught his first pass with 8:00 left in the THIRD QUARTER. There is absolutely no excuse for this, Turk. Involve him in a screen, a reverse, a direct snap for all I care... the Bills are a better team when Lee touches the ball early and often. Certainly, the team didn't invest $37M in this player for him to be a decoy. 6. The lack of running game is concerning. While the line is littered with problems, Marshawn Lynch is simply is not doing the job expected of him as a first-round back. Jaws and Hodge showed on tape why Marshawn has had little success this year: his vision is poor, he doesn't hit the right holes even when they're available, and he jukes around too much. That's not to say he's not a good player. These issues can all be fixed with good coaching. Is Eric Studesville doing his job? I've got my doubts. 7. Last but not least, Trent Edwards has shown enough this season to show that he is the QB of the future here in Buffalo. Yes he has regressed. And yes, he made some poor throws yesterday. But the kid has absolutely no running game to rely upon. Look no further than Atlanta, Baltimore and Washington to see how a solid running game can help a young quarterback. All 3 teams are averaging 150 yards a game and all 3 are winning with young QBs. Make no mistake, the lack of a reliable running game is catching up to this team, and it's stunting the development of our young quarterback.

Dockery's problems are due to the fact that he is overrated and was a VERY poor free agent signing. Peters, despite a few minor patches of bad play, is still playing well.

In the playoff hunt = "Not mathematically eliminated?" I suppose McCain was in the presidential hunt for a few hours.

And Donte Whitner voluntarily took a penalty against the Raiders and is hailed as a hero.

Really? People were willing to bet the Bills would go with a DT to fill an obvious need in 2006. They sure fooled everyone then and they might do it again! My suggestion: keep your money in an interest bearing, FDIC insured account rather than betting it on the Bills front office displaying common sense on draft day

Dockery is not "very good" and never was. The Bills paid him like a very good player... but that doesn't make him one. Same goes for Langston Walker. ... and therein lies the problem.

You couldn't be more wrong. Good, young offensive linemen taken in them middle rounds can translate well into the NFL, early in their careers. You claim that 2006 was too late to start addressing the O-Line in the draft if the timetable called for making a playoff push this year. You're dead wrong. Here are some facts for you: - In 2006, the Jets spent 2 first round picks on offensive linemen, both of whom have playoff starts under their belt. Both started in an AFC Wildcard game that year. - In 2006, the Green Bay Packers spent 2nd and 3rd rounders on Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz respectively. Both have been durable starters at guard and center. Both started in the divisional playoffs and the NFC Championship Game last year. - In 2006, the San Diego Chargers found both their starting tackles in a single draft! Marcus McNeill, the 2x Pro Bowl selection and Jeromey Clary, chosen in the 6th round of that same draft. The Chargers have had a very good rushing offense and have reached the playoffs featuring linemen they drafted and developed in-house. - In 2006, the Tampa Bay Bucs spent a first rounder on guard Davin Joseph and a second rounder on tackle Jeremy Trueblood. Both players started from Day 1 and managed to perform decently well in Jon Gruden's offense. They too have playoff experience, going into their third year. You can continue your homer-like support of the front office, but reality points you in a different direction. You can rip McKinnie all you want... but he has proven to be a capable offensive tackle in the NFL.

Spending big $ doesn't substitute for drafting and developing your O-Line. The Bills are coming to this realization now. Perhaps this year, they'll take some linemen in rounds 2-4 rather than trading the picks away to move up in the draft.

Nice post. A few points: - I thought Terrance McGee came back with a very nice game after getting burned last week. Kudos to him, The team will certainly need him over the long haul. - Paying Dockery elite-guard money won't turn him into an elite guard. Dockery signed a contract in line with the likes of Hutchinson, Dielman, and Steinbach but he's a few notches below them in terms of skill. Chalk this up as a big mistake, one that has burned a hole in Ralph's pocket. - It's hard for Lee Evans to get open when he is consistently double-teamed. James Hardy is just nowhere near ready for primetime and the team needs him to step up. He has trouble getting separation and is not nearly as physical as he could be. While that pass to to the end zone wasn't nearly as high as it could have been, Hardy made no effort to battle with the DB, let alone knock it down. - The short passing game is killing this defense. Both Stroud and Spencer Johnson need to generate more pressure on the QB to disrupt his timing. - Chris Kelsay is overpaid and overrated and is laughing his way to the bank along with Derrick Dockery.

"He was a once-every-10-year type of a guy coming through the draft," defensive coordinator Rex Ryan said. "It was a no-brainer for us. We wouldn't trade our guy, that's for sure." Ngata has become big deal for Ravens

If you're talking about the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty... you've made my point.

Post of the month. Well articulated and 100% accurate. The simple-minded among us fail to realize that the Bills, going into the draft were desperate for DL help. With a blue-chip lineman staring at them right in the face, they inexplicably passed on him. About 18 picks later, we quickly found out why. They had their eyes on John McCargo, a vastly overrated player. The rest is history. Whitner holds team pizza parties at his house and is a great in front of a microphone and McCargo has essentially played himself out of a Bills uniform. Homers - you taking notes?

Absolutely. If Hardy develops into a very good receiver, watch out. Evans will become a perennial all-pro.

But, but but, a reporter said it, so it must be true! [/ramius and his fellow homers]

Are you implying he gets fired? He has done a pretty damn good job of rebuilding that team.

It's been 5 years and you still call him Schrobel!!!

Didn't mean to call you out like that. I will say that Donahoe needed to go. He made one too many mistakes to justify his continued employment by the organization. I firmly believe that if he hired an experienced head coach instead of Mularkey, the end of the story would have been a lot different. Mularkey's team was not that far from winning. The defense was solid, great veteran leadership, and Bledsoe could have been a serviceable QB if the O-Line was actually addressed. All I'm saying is that we know Mort is a homer... but the rest of the mainstream press is giving the Bills more love than one could ever ask for. So who gives a #$$% ?

I certainly show up after wins. But I do admittedly show up more to respond to asinine posts (like yours) that, for example: - Claim McCargo was good pick - Enshrine Whitner into Canton Keep up your obsession with me, it's flattering

You ought to give it a rest. As should most Bills fans. We know where TD messed up. Picking coaches, failing to address the O-Line, and the inability to find a franchise QB during his tenure here. That said, under his watch the Bills' special teams went from worst to first. A number of solid contributor were acquired under his watch: Peters, Evans, Parish, Reed, Evans, McGee, Crowell. But he just wasn't good enough.