The Senator

Chan Gailey & Buddy Nix...

Meh... Michael Vick finally started and NFL game, his first since 2006, and won - against the 2-14 (last season) Detroit Lions sans Matthew Stafford. Big deal. I doubt that Bell's gonna 'lite it up' for the Eagles - remember, CJ Spiller had 3 TDs in his first 3 preseason games, sat out the 4th, then disappeared in the first 2 regular season games. Just sayin'. Buffalo took the Eagles to the cleaners on the Jason Peters trade - unloading an aging, overpaid, undermotivated, malcontent locker-room cancer whom the Eagles are very unhappy with... Reid's attempt to revamp the offensive line behind the Andrews brothers and Jason Peters has also failed miserably so far. The Andrews brothers are long gone, while Peters seems like a human false start penalty. (link) ...for draft picks that resulted in Eric Wood, G/C, Louisville Wood was Buffalo's highest-rated interior lineman on their board, and he will slide in and start immediately at left guard. Wood - 6'4" and 309 pounds - is viewed as one of the most intelligent interior linemen available this year, and it doesn't hurt that he's tough, physical and plays with a nasty demeanor. The kid's talented, to be sure, but far more importantly, he plays the game the right way. (link) After redshirting his initial year at Louisville, Wood started all 12 games at center for the Cardinals in 2005. He earned Freshman All-American honors by Rivals.com, Sporting News and College Football News. Also an excellent student, earned Academic All-Big East accolades as well. Wood remained Louisville's starting center in his sophomore and junior seasons, starting all 13 and 12 games, respectively. Led by quarterback Brian Brohm, the 2007 Cardinals offense ranked sixth nationally with an average of 488.0 yards per game. Wood earned All-Big East honors in both years, and again in his senior season. He finished his career with 49 consecutive starts at center, the second-longest streak in school history behind Travis Leffew. Wood was considered one of the best centers available in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has been compared to Brad Meester by The Sporting News, but his instincts and "nastiness" on the field had scouts comparing him to the NFL's old time centers like Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tim Grunhard of the Kansas City Chiefs. (from Wiki) Shawn Nelson, TE, Southern Miss This was by leaps and bounds Buffalo's best selection...Nelson is one of the finer athletes available at any position in this draft class, and he's also got an incredibly soft pair of hands. Even better - unlike some of his "receiving TE" counterparts, he's got upside as a blocker. Buffalo now has themselves a legitimate tight end threat for the first time since Jay Riemersma. (link) Danny Batten, OLB, South Dakota State Add Batten to the list of small-school defenders snapped up by Buffalo. Once again, Batten's an undersized lower-level collegiate defensive end that will make the transition to NFL outside linebacker. Relentless motor and a very fast first step, but even still, is not a top-notch, explosive athlete. Good depth player that probably won't see much playing time defensively as a rookie, but will be a staple in Bruce DeHaven's special teams units. Has some upside. Batten is the second consecutive sixth-round pass-rushing prospect added to the [bills] roster. At 6'3" and 246 pounds, Batten put up excellent career numbers at South Dakota State, finishing his four-year career with 273 tackles, 52.5 tackles for loss, and 23 sacks. A four-year starter for the Jackrabbits, Batten put up impressive workout numbers at his pro day in March, running 4.71 seconds in the 40-yard dash, displaying a 32.5-inch vertical leap, a 4.05-second short shuttle, and sitting on his 30 bench press reps that he put up at the combine. (link) So if you're upset about losing Joique Bell to the Eagles, I'd say so far the score is Bills Front Office -- 3 Eagles Front Office-1

Am leaving for Boston at 3:25 this afternoon, and will be at Gillette Stadium* to see Fitz and the Bills upset the Cheatriettes* Nice article about Chan Gailey - thanks. Had forgotten that one but remember now that, at the time I initially read it, the parts about Gailey's competitiveness, offensive creativity, being a great teacher of fundamentals, uncomplicated game plan w/limited # of plays out of multiple formations, and ability to get the most out of whatever QB on his roster reminded me a lot of... Mike Leach (I just hope all that crap inside Gailey's head doesn't affect his ability to come up with an effective game plan to beat Brady* & Belicheat*!)

Damn! I meant to type 'after being with the team less than one month and nine days...' (Thanks for the correction ) Stranger things have happened, my friend... Graham Harrell Now Packers' Third String QB: Who Is He, and What Does This Mean? Keep the faith!

I'm totally against trading Marshawn Lynch, our best RB - we can sign Harrell off GB's practice squad, just like we did with Brohm! (We can do it tomorrow, if we want to go ahead with the inevitable and cut Edwards tonite. )

Well said, Wood-man. Keep the faith. You know Brohm's potential, and so do quite a few others. Many that aren't sure would like to find out, just to be sure. And then there are those who 'already know for sure', even though they really have no clue - just an opinion. Everyone's entitled to their opinion. Some have dismissed Brohm based on nothing more than the fact he was relegated to Green Bay's practice squad, and didn't 'light it up' when he was thrown into the starting role for one game in Buffalo after being with the team less than a month (with a limited playbook, an injury-riddled o-line, an interim head coach, and lame-duck offensive coordinator). Green Bay cut Kurt Warner before he ever saw the beginning of a regular season, so the Brohm-haters are basing their opinion in large part on the actions of a team that cut a future Superbowl MVP, 2-time NFL MVP, 4-time Pro Bowl selection, and future HOFer with multiple NFL passing records. Based on Chan Gailey's recent epiphany and sudden reversal regarding Trent Edwards' ability as an NFL QB, I'm pretty confident we'll see Brian Brohm in a starting role this season, and here's why: Trent Edwards Age 26 Exp. - 4th year 2010 salary - $1.65M 2011 - free agent Gailey factor - “I think he’s gotten better, and that’s the best way I can judge somebody,” Gailey said after practice Monday, providing his first in-depth insight on Edwards since naming him the starter two days earlier. “I’ve seen a light at the end of the tunnel. And that’s what you’re looking for.” Conclusion - Put a fork in him...after two regular season games, Gailey saw enough. Ryan Fitzpatrick Age 27 Exp. - 6th year 2010 salary - $2.3M 2011 salary - $2.8M 2012 - free agent Gailey factor - "We are just trying to get the right combination going with personnel, maybe it fits better with Ryan." Conclusion - ]After placing the Bills' 2010 destiny in the hands of Trent Edwards, Gailey said, "Uncle!" after just two games. For the time being the Bills will move forward with Fitzpatrick, whose experience - Chan Gailey probably feels right now - gives Buffalo the best chance to get some offense going, maybe even win a game or two, while they continue to groom Brohm. But Fitzpatrick's nearly $3M salary in 2011, for a guy that's probably at best a reliable backup in a disaster situation, will necessitate that the Bills find out once and for all what they have in former Heisman candidate and NCAA standout... Brian Brohm Age 24 Exp. - 3rd year 2010 salary - $470K 2011 - restricted free agent Gailey factor - “He’s done a good job in practice and he’ll get his shot,” Gailey said, assessing Brohm. “He’s very smart. He knows where to go with the football. He’s got good velocity on the ball." Conclusion - He'll get his shot. Gailey will take his time grooming Brohm for the scheme Chan & Buddy want, while at the same time satisfying themselves, the fans, the front office, and the owner that there is no future in Trent Edwards or Ryan Fitzpatrick. He's an RFA at the end of the season - if he succeeds, we have a QB and options going into the draft and FA market; if he fails, we cut him an free up a roster spot for the next 'QB of the Future' At least, at the end of the season, we'll know about Brian Brohm - not think - know. On the whole 'chemistry thing', Wood-man, I'm not sure there's anything to worry about there either - as I know you know, Brohm spent 3 seasons at Louisville taking snaps from Eric Wood... After redshirting his initial year at Louisville, Wood started all 12 games at center for the Cardinals in 2005. Wood remained Louisville's starting center in his sophomore and junior seasons, starting all 13 and 12 games, respectively. Led by quarterback Brian Brohm, the 2007 Cardinals offense ranked sixth nationally with an average of 488.0 yards per game. Alongside Alex Mack, Wood was considered one of the best centers available in the 2009 NFL Draft. He has been compared to Brad Meester by The Sporting News, but his instincts and "nastiness" on the field had scouts comparing him to the NFL's old time centers like Mike Webster of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tim Grunhard of the Kansas City Chiefs. (from Wiki)

(though I did mean to delete the restaurant's URL and just leave the picture, which would have resulted in a better reply since you'd only have seen the goofy patrons & the 'Funky Oyster Shack' sign with no hint of the location - was having trouble downloading/uploading the foto, got too late, got too frustrated, too much vodka, etc.)

I was optimistic about Gailey too, cautiously so, but still optimistic that maybe Buddy and Ralph got it right. That Ralph Wilson, sensing his own immortality and tired of a 10-year playoff drought - particularly a 12-game streak of gut-wrenching, rip-your-heart-out losses to the Cheatriettes* - went and hired a competent, offensive-minded head coach with an eye toward fixing our offense and our QB situation and one with at least a modicum of success working with young QBs in the past. And I liked what I saw, at least initially. I sensed confidence - and cockiness, in a good way - about Gailey when he stated... "I've been around enough winning programs that when I walk on the field I expect to win. I don't just hope to win." I liked the end of 'Camp Marv/Camp Dick', the removal of TVs from the workout rooms, putting players in pads from the very beginning of camp, the two-a-day practice sessions, etc., and I liked the way he handled the media - he seemed honest and forthcoming. It seemed things were different this time around. But after declaring a 'wide open competition' at the QB spot, which we all looked forward to, it turned out to be anything but 'wide open'. Gailey instantly started slithering and weaseling his way out, knowing well in advance of the season that he was handing the reins back to Edwards. And thenGailey did something really stupid - he dressed down a gang of kids having a bit too much fun at Trent Edwards' expense while enjoying the final days of their summer vacation at the Bills' training camp. Nobody's gonna push this guy - or this team - around. Chan showed he was boss. Chan stuck up for Trent. Problem is that Chan had yet to build any credibility with the fans, and had no capital to cash in. Now, after two blown weeks and miserable losses, it's FINALLY so painfully obvious to Gailey that Trent Edwards can't play QB in the NFL??? Makes you question whether he really does have a clue how to evaluate QB talent, and what might be sitting on our bench that Gailey's ignoring??? “I think he’s gotten better, and that’s the best way I can judge somebody,” Gailey said after practice Monday, providing his first in-depth insight on Edwards since naming him the starter two days earlier. “I’ve seen a light at the end of the tunnel. And that’s what you’re looking for.” "We are just trying to get the right combination going with personnel, maybe it fits better with Ryan." “He’s done a good job in practice and he’ll get his shot,” Gailey said, assessing Brohm. “He’s very smart. He knows where to go with the football. He’s got good velocity on the ball." Chan Gailey - Guru

And, in other breaking news, water is still wet...

All you Vick fans out there (if there are any), this song's for you...

The Senator will be there* with 3 fellow KA in VC alums - 2 from NE*, 1 from RoTown (but the 2 NE* guys are originally from Burlington VT & Monroe NY, so they're not super-obnoxious Cheatriettes* fans). (I no longer wear Bills gear at Foxboro - not out of embarrassment, just don't like NE* idiots hurling glass bottles at me when my back's turned.) Didn't think we had a chance 'til Gailey opened his eyes and sat Edwards down - with Fitz, who knows? If Fitzpatrick doesn't go 3-and-out every series like Edwards did, we keep the pressure on their D and keep ours off the field, maybe we pull the upset? Patsies* looked like sh_t against New Jersey last Sunday... Buffalo Bills - 20 NE Cheatriettes* - 6 GO BILLSSS!!!! 17 and 2 maybe!!!!!

"The Emu"????

Apparently, you don't know Steve too well... Steve The Lawnmower Man

What I'm saying is, well, let's say this Twinkie represents the normal amount of psychokinetic energy in the Two Bills Drive area...

I wouldn't say his trade value is close to zero, or that he's had progressively less production each year (all 3 of them) - but if folks think that, GREAT, 'cause I guess that means we're stuck with the guy. But for the record - 2007 - 1299 yards total offense, 7 TDs 2008 - 1336 yards total offense, 9 TDs (Pro Bowl) 2009* - 629 yards total offense, 2 TDs *missed 4 games due to suspension, as you mentioned, which resulted in losing starting RB job to Fred Jackson (yet rushed for 450 yards on 120 carries - which, if you stretched to the 280 carries in his rookie season, would possibly have been good for 1050 yards) Hardly a 'progressively' lower production each year, IMHO. As for his age, Lynch is 24, will turn 25 in April (prime for an NFL running back), and is signed thru 2012 at $1.14M/yr. If Nix even THINKS of trading this guy, someone needs to break into One Bills Drive and bust up Buddy's still! Edit: correction - as Union pointed out, ML was only suspended for 3 games last season.

Great - then let's dump one of our highly talented backs to make room for a less talented one that couldn't make our practice squad (and hasn't been picked up by any team with needs at the position), on the hope that all someone needs to do is flip a switch to turn Spiller's motor on. I'm sorry - you're an intelligent guy and a great poster, but I have to go take something because I'm laughing so hard. You did see Trent Edwards in the last two drives of our home opener - when one game was 'on the line' - yes? Dude's in his fourth year as a starting NFL QB and had ample opportunities to throw downfield, but the chicken-sh_t just couldn't figure out how. Edwards? With the playoffs 'on the line'???

sowwie...it's twue

People are a bit irascible these days, Captain - myself included. There's been a river of slime running under Two Bills Drive since the Miami loss, and the stuff is pure concentrated evil. Thanks for providing the first bit of comic relief in over a week! (I have a feeling we're gonna need more. )

I'll give one two weeks as well...three, tops.

Who says we have 3? Spiller looked promising in pre-season, but has yet to break a tackle when the games actually count. Fred Jackson is in his 7th year and will turn 30 in February. Chad Jackson couldn't beat out Joique Bell for a spot on our practice squad. Now what was it you wanted to do again? You do realize that sometimes you can get a good player in the 7th round, so why would Jacksonville trade a 7th round pick for Edwards, when the Bills will probably outright release him just as soon as Gailey and Buddy get off the hooch? (There are better QBs to be had on Green Bay's practice squad.)

Hmmm...wonder why Lynch is unhappy? All he's done is run, block, pass, catch, and play as hard as he can while embracing the team, the fans, and the area... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSO-kdWLFes ...while all the fans have done is crap on the guy. Apparently Bills fans don't like or want any players that are both talented and entertaining.

Actually, I don't think he's been declared 'marginal' by any team - just a few posters on TSW - but let's see...Kurt Warner was cut by Green Bay, then (after a stint as a HyVee grocery store stock boy) sat on the bench in St. Louis as their #3 QB behind Tony Banks and Steve Bono. So yeah, let's not see how Brohm might do with our starting WRs and offensive line - 'cause there's no chance that a guy might step up, given the opportunity. (And I really find it hard to believe this offense could get worse - if it does, we should really reconsider the 'offensive guru' we hired.)

No. No one expected him to complete many passes or make any clutch plays. It's Trent Edwards - everyone but Chan Gailey and Albany knew he sucked.

Trade our toughest RB & one of our few effective offensive weapons - great idea. Git 'er done, Buddy... "I don't just hope to win, I expect to win." "If anyone wants to know, Trent Edwards is our QB." "CJ Spiller will start...he's earned it." "We're looking for a spark..." 'Offensive Guru'

pot...meet kettle haha