Typical TBD Guy

Well, not quite. I said that Gray "may very well be a mediocre DC." Key word in there is MAY, which implies that I don't know for certain. In 2001 and 2002, we sucked. Then we got a lot of great players in 2003, and we were good. Now we lost Pat Williams, Spikes, Fletcher partly, and we are back to sucking again (yes, 32nd in the NFL for rushing yds can be called sucking). We'll see for sure whether Gray is a mediocre coach in the next 13 games.

Yeah, that's also how I interpreted Nick's comments. But unfortunately, I have very little faith in Gray's ability to alter his gameplan. Why didn't he make the necessary adjustments last Sunday? And the Sunday before? The reality is that Gray may very well be a mediocre DC who benefited greatly from the talent that he was given. His head coaching prospects are growing dimmer by the week.

Nice research, Bill. You get an A this morning. One thing that stands out to me is that TD drafted 7 day 1 picks in 6 years with the Steelers (or 6 in 5 if he wasn't with the Steelers in the 2000 offseason). Then, in his 5 offseasons with the Bills, only 2 OL were drafted in day 1, and NONE in the past 3 years.

bada-bump: 1. Bengals: 3-0 1. Colts: 3-0 3. Chiefs: 2-0 4. Patriots: 2-1 4. Dolphins: 2-1 4. Steelers: 2-1 4. Jaguars: 2-1 8. Broncos: 1-1 9. Bills: 1-2 9. Jets: 1-2 9. Browns: 1-2 9. Titans: 1-2 9. Chargers: 1-2 14. Texans: 0-2 14. Ravens: 0-2 16. Raiders: 0-3 Who to root for this week: Tonight: Chiefs over Broncos (H) This Sunday, 1pm games: Bills over Saints (H) Texans over Bengals (H) Broncos over Jaguars (H) Colts over Titans (H) Chargers over Patriots (H) This Sunday, 4 pm games: Ravens (H) over Jets Cowboys over Raiders (H) Eagles over Chiefs (H)

We seem to have a large number of OL players who can fit under the broad category of "average." Put several "average" players next to each other (for example: Gandy, Anderson, and Teague) and somehow the final product is much less than average.

No, it's not solely Edwards' fault. But he certainly hasn't helped. And the meltdown has come from an entire collection of TD-assembled players who have been melting down in clutch games as early as 2003. This team keeps having meltdowns becuase it has been built incorrectly. We're soft on both the OL and DL, despite our all-pro LB's, DB's, and offensive skill position players. TD failed this team and deserves to be fired if we don't make the playoffs this season (though Ralph probably won't do that, which means we're going to have to waste a 6th year with this loser).

You are probably correct on that one.

Who's talking about franchising Pat Williams? TD should have better prepared for PW's departure - through the draft or through free agency in the past 2 years - and he didn't. TD's best solution was Ron Edwards, which was unacceptable.

It's only a matter of time before the Teflon Tom Apologists come out to defend their Fuhrer. Many of their names can be found here.

I'll lose all respect for the NFL if they allow the Saints to move to LA. I realize that they currently have no home stadium, but why can't the other 31 owners chip in and help fund a new one for NO? And what kind of reassurance was that to the loyal New Orleans fans? Don't worry about your team moving to San Antonio permanently...because it's LA you have to worry about??? Way to be compassionate to the hurricane victims, Paulie! Also, FWIW I've heard of the Vikings, Chiefs, Chargers, Colts, and Cards each as possible franchises to relocate to LA along with the Saints and our Bills. So if the Chiefs are in genuine danger of moving, you've got to think that the Bills are not untouchable .

Can you elaborate on this contingency group? I hope you're right, because at this point, I feel like we are more or less at the mercy of the NFL's profit whores once Ralph dies.

2001 Draft pick, 6th round, didn't make the cut in his first preseason, 49ers immediately picked him up, and he played 4 seasons thereafter in SF before Seattle picked him up this past offseason.

My point was that the Bills should focus on winning as a team - even if that means JP is restricted in the same way Pittsburgh managed Big Ben last year - over letting JP air it out and gain a lot of experience reading D's but losing a lot of games for the team in the process. And I wouldn't call it "backing into the playoffs" because: A. If you make the playoffs in the NFL system, you're qualified. B. Once you're in the playoffs, it's any given Sunday. C. Many of our players could use the postseason experience now for future playoff runs. D. Given the salary cap constraints, the ages of many of our veterans, the contract status of many of our veterans, and the randomness of injuries, you never know when this year will be your last for a long time. Making the playoffs would be a sign of our coaches' competence and not a sign of them "trying to keep their paychecks coming."

Here's a list of ex-Bills still currently in the NFL: K Shayne Graham, Bengals LS Ethan Albright, Redskins QB Drew Bledsoe, Cowboys QB Todd Collins, Chiefs QB Doug Flutie, Patriots QB Travis Brown, Colts RB Travis Henry, Titans RB Shawn Bryson, Lions RB Antowain Smith, Saints FB Sammy Morris, Dolphins WR Peerless Price, Cowboys T Jonas Jennings, 49ers G Tom Nutten, Rams G Ruben Brown, Bears G Corey Hulsey, Raiders G Mike Pucillo, Browns C Billy Conaty, Cardinals DT Ted Washington, Raiders DT Pat Williams, Vikings DE Marcellus Wiley, Jaguars DE Bryce Fisher, Seahawks DE Erik Flowers, Falcons DE Grant Irons, Raiders LB Sam Cowart, Vikings LB Keith Newman, Vikings LB Kenyatta Wright, Jets LB DaShon Polk, Texans CB Ken Irvin, Vikings CB Antoine Winfield, Vikings CB Jimmy Williams, Seahawks S Travares Tillman, Dolphins S Keion Carpenter, Falcons S Pierson Prioleau, Redskins My apologies, SDS, for releasing the hounds...

Missing the playoffs this year would be unacceptable. The team's success takes greater priority over the speed of Losman's individual development. The problem hasn't been the number of passing attempts that Losman has thrown; it's been his accuracy and judgement during these attempts. 52 passes a game would almost certainly mean routine blowouts early on in the season, and the damage to JP's confidence from that type of losing will overshadow the extra experience he'd get. But I do agree to some extent that the offensive coaches need to let Losman attack more of the field. This should get better as soon as Parrish and Everett return from their injuries.

Exactly. This is Eric's last year as a Bill. He's still a great WR, but not top 10 NFL anymore. And his production doesn't justify his salary cap number. We could really use that money for the OL instead, and hopefully we can trade him for a 1st rounder that could, in turn, lead to his successor.

You're probably right. At this point in time, I would not hesitate to trade Moulds at the end of this season. He's among the most overrated players in the NFL with his sagging production and projected salary cap numbers for next year.

This is a top 10 defense, but certainly not top 5. Our DL is mediocre. Kelsay and Schobel are good, but not great. In terms of durabiltiy for games like yesterday, Adams is a few cheeseburgers away from a heart attack. Edwards is nothing more than a situational pass rusher in this league. As outstanding as our back 7 LB's and DB's are, the gameplan for every offense here on out is to keep our D on the field and constantly attack up our gut with the run. When we start putting 8 men in the box, simply uses screens and other short passes to keep our LB's honest. The 85 Bears we are not. Nor are we the 00 Ravens or the 02 Bucs. Unlike those teams, we cannot win games singlehandedly on defense. JP and Crew need to step up their production big time or this team could fall out of the playoff race by mid-November.

Interesting thread, SDS. I'll give it my best shot. This would be my general blueprint for a SB winner, and I assume all of us here recognize the EXTREME (i.e. ridiculous) level of uncertainty regarding player availability, cap constraints, injuries, trade prospects, players left over from previous regime, etc... Note that this 4 year plan only includes the 24 starters on a team (11 O, 11 D, K, P). I assume that Day 2 draft picks and bargain free agent signings would fill out the remaining backups and special teamers. Don't assume, though, that I am discrediting the importance of these types of players since they are arguably what has made the Patriots a dynasty (along with coaching). Year 1: Free Agency - C, LG, MLB Day 1 draft picks - pass-rushing DT-1st, LT-2nd, QB-3rd Year 2: Free Agency - RG, FS, will OLB Day 1 draft picks - pass-rushing DE-1st, split end WR-2nd, run-stuffing DT-3rd Year 3: Free Agency - TE, sammy OLB, SS Day 1 draft picks - CB-1st, RT-2nd, RB-3rd Year 4: Free Agency - K, P, FB Day 1 draft picks - CB-1st, run-stuffing DE-2nd, flanker WR-3rd I'd expect Year 1 to be about 4-12, Year 2 to be about 8-8, Year 3 to be about 10-6 with playoffs as a wild card, and Year 4 to be 12-4 with division title and deep playoffs/possible Super Bowl victory. Anyway, this was my best shot. I appreciate any questions, comments, or criticism!

Drew Haddad isn't going to save this offense. We need to give that preseason topic a rest already. And an opinion correction for brihs2005: Josh Reed is the best blocking WR we have outside of Moulds - not Aiken.

Bump, as of the end of Week 2: ***NOTE: I won't bother differentiating between ties until Week 5 or so. 1. Steelers: 2-0 (DL, 2-way tie) 1. Bengals: 2-0 (DL, 2-way tie) 1. Colts: 2-0 (DL) 1. Chiefs: 2-0 (DL) 5. Bills: 1-1 (DL, 4-way tie) 5. Patriots: 1-1 (DL, 4-way tie) 5. Jets: 1-1 (DL, 4-way tie) 5. Dolphins: 1-1 (DL, 4-way tie) 5. Browns: 1-1 (WC#2, 7-way tie) 5. Jaguars: 1-1 (WC#2, 7-way tie) 5. Titans: 1-1 (WC#2, 7-way tie) 5. Broncos: 1-1 (WC#2, 7-way tie) 13. Ravens: 0-2 13. Texans: 0-2 13. Raiders: 0-2 13. Chargers: 0-2 Who we should root for in Week 3, starting with the obvious: Bills (H) over Falcons Panthers over Dolphins (H) Bears (H) over Bengals Eagles (H) over Raiders Rams (H) over Titans Giants over Chargers (H) Steelers (H) over Patriots Jags over Jets (H) And the less obvious, with my own preference: Colts (H) over Browns Chiefs over Broncos (H)

Certainly more than 81 yards total offense

Are we on pace for the worst offensive performance in Bills history? I'm not joking. This is a serious question.

Moulds a stud WR? Maybe a few years ago he was.

Bengals: 0-2 in the Super Bowl. Bills: 2 AFL Championships. Bevis, welcome to my ignore list.