Bob in STL

I sure missed it? He looked completely unprepared to play LT.

Maybe there were no formal interviews but how do you know that Whaley was not contacted very early on? Maybe they wanted the experience of Nix, a known commodity to Ralph and Brandon, with Whaley coming in as his assistant and heir apparent? This could have been in the works for quite some time. Maybe "Smithers" does not want to run the football side? He was stuck with it when Marv bailed. Maybe "Smithers" is smarter than you think?

Assuming we sign Incognito I think we have four solid players (counting Wood, Levitre and Hangartner) on the inside to battle for 3 starting positions. I do not think moving Levitre to tackle is a good move. I think we need to draft a player that can man the Left OT spot for years to come. I suspect that will take a first or second rounder. To be safe we need to bring in a veteran OT from free agency if possible. We can't rely on a rookie and Bell/ Meredith/ Scott for LT like last year. After that we can have Butler battle with Bell, Meredith and Scott for RT. Butler can be valuable, even as a backup, in that he can also swing to OG. I suspect we will draft more players for OL depth in the mid to late rounds. We need as much competition as possible. Thanks to the improvements in the interrior that were made last year, this line is getting close to a top-flight unit. It is critical we get someone good to play LT.

Schoebel just commented on the defensive scheme that they had been playing and how difficult is is to stop the run is someone misses an assignment. Look beyond the stats if you can. When you consider all the injuries and the crap they had at LB last season it was a miracle that our defense did as well as they did. They kept us in a lot of games.

I think that Schobel is an excellent DE. Kelsey was overpaid paid for sure but all I am saying is he had a good year last year. The new DL coach was able to make him better. So my question is: if he can get us a draft pick, why cut him?

I bought a used car, my first car, from the guy who owned the Texaco station at Bailey and Lisbon. Ahhhh the good old days!!!!

I am not sure he should be on the Bills Wall of Fame either. We have some outstanding Guards, many with longer years of high performing service. Compare him to Billy Shaw and Joe D -- no way. Compare him to Jim Ritcher, Reggie McKenzie, or Kent Hull -- Maybe? Rueben and Joe Devlin are close. Rueben has more Pro Bowls on his resume but Develin was Bills warrior for a long time.

If you stay at #9 you might get McClain, a potential impact player for years to come. You also have a shot at several of the top OT prospects. McNabb is not worth the swap. He is not a great leader and we are rebuilding with or without him. In fact, I would rather keep our 4th pick than trade it for McNabb straight up. Bad deal.

He is one of the many Almost-Hall-of-Famers.

You don't care if Schobel retires? Do you watch the games? Kelsey had a good year. Maybe they want to give him a look in the 3-4? If they could get a 5th for him, as you suggest, then why release him now?

I lived on West and School Street. Across from PS 18. Delaware Park was fantastic. I think it still is. Last year I went by there. That whole area has not changed too much.

I would trade for Earl Campbell.

You beat me to it. April's STs were bad in St. Louis for these reasons: 1. no emphasis on ST in the drafting 2. no starters allowed on ST 3. Very little practice time and game planning provided by Martz. I will bet that Detriot meets at least two of the 3 criteria above. The original point is not valid at all. If DeHaven wants to work with Kwan then so be it.

Thats the Burger joint I am alluding to in my original note. I lived on the West side as a kid. That Henry's was known as "Ernie's".

Thank you for the sane version of what happened. Polian did not quit because he did not like Linda Bogden. That is folklore for TSW.

Who says sons would be any more competent to run a business than daughters? Ralph's daughters are old (one is dead) but here is some news for you ... there are more young women admitted to college today than men and that ratio is widening. Universities all over the country have been converting male dorms to female. Look at ACT and SAT scores of high school girls versus boys in the last 10 years. The girls are outperforming the boys. I read about this phenomenon about 20 years ago while in London, England. The Brits were very concerned about it. Now it is here.

Bills fans are smart. They just need to make a few solid FA moves and another strong draft. Play on the field will sell tickets.

No night at Gabels was ever complete without stopping at the original Mighty Taco which was a short stagger down the street on Hertel.

All I will say is that they were much more tolerant back in those days then they would be today.

Agree on that. He seems excited and energized. Can't wait for opening day.

Well your analogy could be interpreted this way. Ralph is the doctor. Buffalo is the town. The fans are the patients. Ralph stays in town, just like the doctor. Ralph turns down other and greater opportunities, just like the doctor. Ralph is recognized in the town as a hero, just like the doctor ... except in your world Ralph is a bad guy because why? He doesn't win enough? He lacks the benefit of 20-20 hindsight that you possess? He has made mistakes? He is old? Some of the above? All of the above?

Good news if true. Same thing can happen to Buffalo when Ralph is ready.

Wrong on so many levels.

I can recall Precinct 7, on Colvin near Hertel. Unfortunately I spent a little bit of time in there after a night of partying at Gabels.

Yes, Main Street is correct. I have to dig deep into the grey matter but I remember it. I was first thinking of Henry's Hamburgers on the West Side. Several of the 60's era Bills settled in the area. I also recall that Tom Sestak and Paul McGuire had a steak place called ... Sestak and McGuires.