Mikie2times

I think he would be a great blocking TE, but who knows if he has enough hands to threaten a defense. Besides he's a FA this offseason and I doubt he takes enough of a pay cut to become a back up blocking TE for Buffalo.

If that’s the case then I guess it didn't matter if TD liked him or not. I seem to remember him getting an interview with Buffalo before the Giants deal, I could be wrong on that, but if that’s the case I know we never offered Coughlin a deal to compete with NY. Now if Coughlin stated even before any other interviews he wanted to coach the Giants then none of this really matters anyway, however I still think the logic surrounding TD and head coaches is sound. TD's reservation of a potential power struggle has to play some role in who he wants as coach

You being serious?

I see plenty of people suggesting Duke should take over at Teague’s spot. That probably will be what happens but I just wanted to take advantage of Bentley being available with this prediction. We have problems at guard, and Duke has looked very competent at that spot as a rookie. I think Duke would also make a good Center next year, but I would like to see the Bills take a bigger step forward with the interior line then simply shifting in Duke for Teague. A player like Bentley really expands our options, and gives us a very formidable interior. Who knows if he will still be available, but that’s why this is just a prediction.

I'm not calling for MM's head or anything, but considering GW was a first time coach, and big miss by TD, I wonder why TD would take another risk by picking another first year guy, over the experienced Coughlin. We know of the power struggle that went on in Pittsburgh, and I that might of played a roll in us passing on Coughlin. Coighlins seems like a guy that wants to run the show so to speak, and certainly would like a large role in the personnel department. He's turned around the Giants in a year, and handled the same QB situation this team is in much better then TD/MM. This team appears soft, and at times has been coddled. We talk a ton and don’t back it up, we have players leaking information threw the media, and we just don't appear to be a mentally strong football team. Perhaps a coach like Coughlin would have forced a player coo, but if so are these the type of players we want on this team? A disciplinarian like Coughlin just seems like he could bring a much needed dimension to the Bills, and had a great resume, with an offensive mind. I think these types of coaches really turn TD off after what happened in Pittsburgh, and that probably has a lot to do with him rolling the dice with MM.

I think people are blowing Peters wonderlic out of proportion. Sure he's dumb as rocks, but if he's physically able to play LT we should move on it. Besides did the wonderlic ask any questions like who to pick up on a stunt, or a blitz? Some people possess certain types of smarts, obviously the book smarts went bye bye to Peters awhile ago, but that is no guarantee that he can't process information on the field.

I don't know if Williams can play LT, but if history is any indication I don't think he will ever be a LT at this level. He's big and agile, but he deals with mostly power rushes on the right side. As a LT he would need to deal with much quicker edge rushers, and that just doesn't seem to be his strength. He was drafted to play LT, paid like a LT, and yet after all this time he still is yet to play the position. Sure Jennings was solid when healthy, and that could partly explain why he is still a RT, but after JJ left the move was never made to switch big Mike over. With all the things that have played out with MW selection, pay, and the surrounding offensive line, I think it would be safe to say a switch would have been made already if the Bills brass ever felt he could do it.

It makes sense, Bruschi gets 2 tackles, 5 assist, 0 Sacks, 0 INT's and is named AFC player of the week. The NFC representative is Charles Tillman, he made 6 Tackles, 1 assist, 0 sacks,and had an INT returned for a touchdown in overtime. If awards are given for sentimental reasons why not give Willis the comeback player of the year award last year? I thought the actual NFL was better then ESPN, apparently not.

You have to be kidding, he wasn't even in the top 3 defensive performances in the game, let alone the league. I know it's not his fault the NFL and media are giving him a ball washing every 5 seconds but this crap is really making hate Bruschi.

It's a future projection so of course it's premature; I just feel that he will eventually develop into a player that can start at LT or RT. It's easy to downgrade his performance based on New England’s situation but at the same time this is a player that has never played a NFL, College, or high school game at either Tackle, yet he held his own. He makes pennies, and is certainly athletic enough to play LT. I wouldn't call him a book end type at this point, but his future looks bright, and the cap implications for the Bills if he starts would be very beneficial to the rest of the team.

I agree with everything besides looking at Gabe Watson. Sure he's a massive, and strong, but he plays soft and has very poor work ethic. All my die hard Michigan friends say he could be one of the best, but his motivation has never been in it. This is on par with what I've seen from watching all the Michigan games so I think it's an accurate assessment. Also consider that we probably will be in the top 15. If these things about Watson are true he probably projects between 20-30, while Ngata will likely be a top 15 pick. I'm really high on this guy, and IMO is the only DT we can expect to make an immediate impact for our run support and interior pass rush. Ngata and Sam Adams would combine at nearly 700 pounds, and both have uncanny agility for their size. This move could really make our interior defense formidable once again.

Clumping Platelets can correct me on this one, but I'm pretty sure the cap hit if we cut Williams is very high, so high that it makes him nearly uncutable. He is the resident salary cap expert and I seem to recall him saying this in several posts. No doubt it's a mistake paying a RT that much money, but when healthy Williams is still the best RT we have by a long shot. Considering these factors I just don't see TD cutting his number 4 pick anytime soon.

I like the thought of going DT, but not Gabe Watson. Watson is not known for his work ethic, and despite his massive size and strength is known for playing a little soft at times (Sam Adams). We need a power DT that can eat up blockers and allow Sam to free lance, Check out this post I just did on Oregon DT Haloti Ngata.

I think Kiwanuka will develop into a very talented pass rusher, but the FA DT's are paper thin this year, and run stopping should be in #1 priority for the defense this off-season.

The draft is stock full of LT's but the FA market is paper thin at DT. Both lines could really use the first pick, but in terms of FA's I just see us being able to do more with the offensive line then defensive line. If Chris Villerial is out of the picture you could alter the line to look like this LT: Peters LG: Gandy C: Bentley RG: Duke RT Big Mike That would keep the Duke playing the RG position which he has played this year, and Gandy could move to the LG position, which many prognosticators feel is his natural position anyway. After watching a very green Jason Peters on Sunday my feelings are we must be able to get this talented and cost effective of a player into the lineup. He seems to have the LT footwork, and agility, and his price really offsets the ungodly amount Mike Williams is making. I agree that he still has a long way to go, but due to his cost effectiveness, and potential, I would atleast like to see him get some time at LT this season. Another positive of this setup is the line being comprised of younger players. If these 5 guys ended up being a talented group we would have the benefit of them being able to play together for awhile.

I don't know who wrote this song but I would also like to nominate the theme from Requiem for a Dream. Obviously much more popular candidates exist but I think the song fits perfectly for the mood the movie portrays.

Given the teams ahead of us, and our future schedule, Ngata is a player that could be available when we pick. The guy is a mammoth beast of a DT, and could make an immediate impact. Profile from Consensus Draft Services: Sometimes a prospect comes along that challenges your ability to trust what you've been told, usually a Polynesian surname+300+pounds equals plugger, run stuffer, not this red-shirt Junior who has tons of potential. The battle with Nebraska to sign Ngata, out of high school is already legend in Oregon. And was according to Mike Bellotti "the biggest signing in the history of Oregon football" Ngata's defensive line coach Steve Greatwood calls him the most intelligent athlete he's ever coached. Greatwood goes on to say that he has the potential to be the greatest player to ever come from the school. The mammoth defensive tackle has been clocked at 4.84 in the 40-yard dash. Ngata played in 12 games as a true freshman, finished the year with eight consecutive starts and was second on the team in tackles among defensive lineman. showed great agility in blocking kicks. His blocked PAT against the Bruins sealed a 31-30 victory for the Ducks and got them off to a 2-0 start in the Pac-10, and Named a Freshman All-American in 2002. Ngata returned to football for his sophomore season at Oregon but had his impressive development interrupted, after being injured in the first quarter of game 1 he missed the rest of the 2003 season with a torn ACL suffered in the first half of Oregon's first game against Mississippi State, had it surgically repaired, missed the rest of the season, and 2004 spring practice. After rehab Ngata stated that he believes his injured knee is stronger than his uninjured knee a statement he proved on the field. Ngata is a better player than day one 2004 NFL draft pick and fellow Oregon defensive linemen Igor Olshanksy and Junior Siavii. For what it's worth, Ngata was also a supreme rugby player, and a very fine wrestler in high school. Recently named to watch list for the 2005 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the best defensive player in college football. Etuini Haloti Moala Ngata is a massive young man with a rare combination of power and agility. Ngata also has the athletic ability to chase down quarterbacks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage totalling 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks. Very good stats for a man that was double teamed on every play. Off the field, Ngata is a quiet, devout Mormon who comes from a very close family. Tragedy struck the Ngata clan when Haloti's father died in a car wreck last December. Ngata wants to earn his college diploma out of respect for his late father, who never graduated from high school. It was his faith that nearly landed him at BYU. However, playing in the NFL is also one of his stated goals, so leaving school early is a probability, made even more likely if he continues his dominating ways this season he should considered a top ten pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. Not only is Ngata is a giant with tremendous athleticism, he's one of the fastest linemen on the team and has great balance. When he gets leverage, it's over. His strength numbers are impressive: Power Clean: 385, Bench Press: 485, Squat: 585. If he can stay healthy Ngata will show that he is like Randy White and Joe Klecko only much, much bigger, but just as quick. He can get upfield, pursue, and annhilate a pocket, he's difficult to block even when double teamed there might be no player in the entire 2006 NFL Draft with more ability to make an immediate impact. Haloti Ngata from Oregon's site

Consider the interior protection problems we have had recently and also that Duke Preston has only played guard this season. The line looks bad but I think we can put together a solid group with depth with only one "major" upgrade, and a few draft picks. LeCharles Bentley of the Saints is available this off-season (if he is yet to resign). He is one of the leagues best young offensive lineman, and being that he plays the Center position he should come cheaper then top Guards and Tackles. This move would really sure up the interior, and allow Duke to play the same position he has this year. It would also give us much better depth then we had in recent years with most backups having several starts under their belt. How does this look for 2006 LT Jason Peters/Mike Gandy LG Duke Preston/ Bennie Anderson C: LeCharles Bentley/ Draft RG: Chris V/ Bennie/Draft RT: Mike Williams/ Mike Gandy/ Draft The draft picks can be used to grab a back up center, or eventual replacements for Mike Williams and Chris V. Thoughts?

I agree that JP should be starting, and he might end up doing just that. But a ton of factors are influencing this decision so I wouldn't be surprised to see the Bills stick with Kelly. The fan and media pressure on TD and MM will be tremendous if the season implodes. Also with New England playing the Colts, it is very possible the Bills will only be a game back after the bye. I'm just trying to look at this thinking about what the Bills will probably do, as opposed to what they should do. In reality with the schedule ahead we have no chance at the playoffs, but again don't underestimate just how much TD and MM are thinking about their collective heads in this decision. A 5-11 type year would be a major blow to their status with the fan base and media, and the simple truth is Kelly gives us a better chance at winning. JP wasn't just bad for a QB, he was bad for a rookie QB. His stats don't measure up to the best post 2000 QB's, or even the worst ones. If you want so see exactly how he's faired check out this post I made awhile back, it compares the first four starts of 20 or so recent QB's. Old Post Despite the fact that JP's first four starts are among the worst of all recent rookie QB's their is one player that JP has beaten out, Eli Manning. We absolutely must find out if JP is our Eli Manning this season, otherwise we go into next year basically in the same shape as this year, and this years QB play won't be good enough to reach the playoffs. In the end if MM and TD are confident enough in their job security, or New England Wins, JP starts, if not don't be suprised to see Kelly remain in for a few more.

Let’s try and keep this realistic as I’m curious to how people feel. Here are my midseason grades with the following scale. A: Huge impact, among the best performances in the league B: Consistently making a positive impact in the outcome of games C: NFL average, not going to help you much, but won’t kill you either D: Consistently making a negative impact in the outcome of games F: Huge liability, among the worst performances in the league. I will also include the +/- format as I feel some positions fall in between these definitions. Finally I factored in all the players into these positions, for example QB is not just Holcomb, but both Holcomb and JP’s performances combined. QB: D+ RB: A FB: C+ WR: C TE: F LT: B- LG: D C: C+ RG: B- RT: D LE: C LDT: B- RDT: F RDE: B- SLB: C MLB: B WLB: C+ LCB: B RCB: A SS: B- FS: C+ PR: C+ KR: A P: B- K: A- HC: C OC: C- DC: D

I bet Mularkey says something about the officiating, and takes the fine. The deep pass hit the ground; it was on replay so the refs even had a chance to overturn the original wrong call. Maybe my definition of indisputable is different the refs, but that looked indisputable to me. Then the horrible offensive interference call that set this offense against enormous odds. Instead of a 1st down, we get 3 and 16, and as we know 3 and 16 is nearly impossible for our offense. That contact happen all game long, and you might see it called once every two games, instead we get it called to stop our game winning drive. BS!! Everybody's pissed and so am I, but the Bills played a great game. I just think those calls cost us the game more then any player from Buffalo did. Sure Kelly blew it on the 4th down, but it should have never come down to that to begin with.

I don't know how I feel, on one hand I'm shocked at how we played, on the other I'm pissed off at being cheated by the Refs, and Kelly’s stupid throw. It hurts bad, but even in defeat this was easily the most entertaining Bills game in a long time. Still this one stung the core, so dejected would be the best word to describe how I feel.

Cue the Patriot love fest, it was on hold until the NFL robed us. Some will say the Bills blew it, but we got completely jobed on two critical calls. Welcome to Just Give it to um 2 FU Patriots

Holcomb got crushed and many QB's would drop that ball in that situation, but his pocket presence is still scary. Kelly gets the ball out quick but when he's pressured he looks a former Bills QB

When they gave that call to New England I died, they score here now we need to stop the best 3 point combination the NFL has ever had.