jahnyc

By the fifth year (even the fourth year) of TD's reign, the Bills should be in the playoffs. If not, criticism is more than justified. You can't argue that the guy is a great gm until we start making the playoffs on a consistent basis.

I don't think TD is going anywhere because RW gave him an extension and I am not sure he has the energy or desire to find a new gm and coach. We look crummy so far and I have strong sense of how the rest of the season will go, but we do have 13 games to play. I think the real problem will be if JP looks bad in the remaining games. Next year will not be very promising in that case. At a minimum, we need to see JP make some progress. As far as TD, he is responsible for bringing in the players and choosing the head coach. The buck stops with him. No execuses about injuries, players not performing or the salary cap. He drafted the players, signed the free agents and chose the head coaches (so far). It is a bad situation when fans are thinking about next season after three games.

After four years, I am troubled that: 1. our o-line needs to be fixed 2. few late round draft picks have contributed 3. the jury is out on the second hc selected by TD after the first one failed 4. we may not have a quarterback for the future 5. we have not made the playoffs (while other teams have rebuilt and made the playoffs) 6. we may have large holes to fill this offseason (o-line and DT) 7. we may lose Clements, creating another large hole 8. our senior management shows such questionnable judgment (thinking that JP could come in a play effectively and consistently and that PW would not be missed) Clearly, TD has made great moves, such as trading PP to Atlanta. But I feel that we are treading water and not making progress. It is early, and I hope my sense of the situation proves wrong in every way.

Management did a poor job of filling holes in the offseason. We needed upgrades on the o-line and we lost Jennings, who at least was consistent in his play. We signed a couple of guys who would have provided decent depth but are instead starters. We lost P. Williams and did not find a replacement. I would hate to go into this off-season trying to fix the o-line and DT and then lose Clements. That would be a lot to accomplish in one off-season.

Do we know the length of the extension? I thought I read (or it was speculated) that it was an additional one or two years. Whether you like or hate TD, we should all be able to agree that it has been too long since we made the playoffs. The failure to build the o-line defies explanation.

I agree strongly with your second and third points. I don't understand the reluctance to invest in either high draft picks or free agents to improve our o-line. We have all recognized the weaknesses, and opposing teams have consistently exploited these weaknesses. It is not about coaching. It is about talent, or the lack thereof. As to your second thought, many teams have successfully been "rebuilt" in relatively short periods of time. TD has had five years, two coaches and enough resources.

We are three games into the season and some seem to think that it is okay to play JP win or lose for the rest of the season. We need to win now, not next year. This season should not be about preparing for next season. The coaches should do what they need to do. If it means playing Holcomb, play him. If JP improves, fine. We haven't played any of our AFC East divisional rivals. The season is still full of possibilities.

The Bills gave up more than 170 yards rushing (not including rush yards from Vick) and had no sacks. JP threw for 75 yards and has led the team to two tds in three games. This was a home game. The defense misses Pat Williams and JP is not ready to lead the offense. He likely will struggle more on the road. Put in Holcomb if JP has problems next week. The Bills need to win next week. JP will have plenty of time to play this season if the team continues to struggle. For now, use Holcomb if he can provide a spark and consistent play. It is too early to give up on the season and chalk it up to a learning experience for JP. That is not fair to the team or the fans.

I agree, but it has been a long time since we made the playoff. I will be upset if JP's erratic play keeps us out of the playoffs. I think the defense and the special teams are playoff team caliber.

From what I understand (I was on a plane yesterday during the game), we had no success running the ball yesterday. Was that on the oline, JP, coaching, WM, or all of the foregoing?

I should rephrase that: our potential weaknesses are obvious. We have a second year qb who did not play last year, an oline that could be more talented and which lacks depth, a starting dt who may be better as a reserve than a starter and and a def line which lacks depth. We have been discussing these things for months; there are no mysteries here. Opposing coaches understand our potential weaknesses and it is up to our coaches to compensate for them. Please upgrade the oline next season. It will take some of the pressure off of JP and help the rbs and the defense.

Much uncertainty this year. A second year qb with a crummy o-line combined with a solid defense and strong special teams (other than Lindell) produces this result. It will be interesting and fun. Although I am somewhat neutral towards TD, I am a little tired of all of the positive spinning about TD. We are into year five and have not made the playoffs. That is the most important fact (other than the Bills still playing in Buffalo). The o-line is still average at best and our back-ups are inexperienced. I don't see much talent at DT, other than S. Adams. Our starting and back-up linebackers look great, but where is the overall team depth? Wire? Aiken? I know that TD has done many good things, which I purposefully did not focus on in this reply. I am very pleased that season ticket sales and attendance have improved. My biggest concern is that the Bills will eventually leave Buffalo. TD seems to be focused on improving the stability of the franchise, which I appreciate. But we need to start making the playoffs on a consistent basis. It has been too long. Bottom line: the negative posts are as interesting to me as the positive posts. Keep them both coming.

Unless there are significant injuries, the defense will be very solid and the special teams strong. MM's challenge will be the offense. He inherited a strong defense and our special teams have improved to one of the best. MM was brought in to fix the offense, and that is what will be needed to make the playoffs this year. Although JP is a qb with no experience and the o-lline has questions, there are weapons in WM, EM and L. Evans. There is hope if JP can play with some consistency (i.e., without turning the ball over) and the offense makes use of the skill players mentioned above. MM's coaching abilities, in particular on offense, will be the key to the season (along with injuries, the play of JP and the performance of the o-line). Because of the strength of our other units, we really need JP to be no worse than average. I hope JP will play better, but to be competitive, this is what we need. Regarding our special teams, I can't help but think that the unit's stregth must be a combination of coaching and talent. For example, I believe that some of our back-up linebackers (Crowell, Stamer etc.) may be legitimate starting prospects. I hope this bodes well for the overall talent of our reserves, because I am worried about the o-line starters and depth. When M. Williams came out of last night's game, I was concerned about our lack of RT depth. I don't see that we have an experienced back-up at the tackle position this year. Price fulfilled that role well over the last number of years, but he was not re-signed. I know that we can move players around (i.e., Teague), but I would feel more comfortable with other alternatives.

I think that Eric Moulds is the last player on the current roster remaining from the Butler era. In thinking about this, the one thing that is clear is that this is TD's team, built through his drafts and free agent acquisitions. Some thoughts in this regard: 1. I am neutral concerning TD and his reign. I will be more supportive if we make the playoffs this season. I appreciate his dedication, but after five years, it is more than reasonable to expect at least one playoff berth. 2. How do we compare to other teams in terms of the percentage of free agents that are starters? For example, our starting linebackers, safeties and four out of our five o-linemen will likely be free agent acquisitions (as opposed to draft choices). 3. If JP struggles, I hope that the team will play Holcomb. We have a solid defense and very good special teams. We need to win now, not in two or three years. 4. I hope that we do not draft in the top five again. Mike Williams contract is ridiculous. The NFL needs a cap for rookie contracts. 5. How much cap room do we have? Travis has been traded and I thought I read that Mike Williams restructured his contract by moving some bonus money to next year (saving about $2 million on this year's cap). These two moves should have resulted in savings of approximately $3 million.

I agree that we are (i) desperate at LT and (ii) overpaying Mike Williams significantly. No RT, even a very good one (which he may finally become this year), is worth more than five million a year. This is a serious drain on our cap. I am not sure what the intention was when he was drafted, but I think we would complain about the compensation for any player that would have been drafted at number four overall that year. As for the situation at LT, I am surprised that we are going into the season potentially with Gandy or Teague at LT. At best, one of them will be a stop-gap, average LT. I worry about that position with a second year qb with no starting experience. It seems to be a recipe for disaster.

It seems odd to me that we would go into training camp and probably the season with a very unsettled situation at LT. I understand that McNally is a great coach, but our choices for LT seem to be, at best patches. Afterall, as I noted above, Gandy was injured last year and Teague has not played LT in years (and is now older). We don't even seem to have a natural LT on the roster and we did not draft one this year. I know that many hope that Peters will be the answer, but I must assume he is a project and will take more than one season to develop. Many teams invest heavily in the LT position (i.e., Pace and Jones). I always thought Philadelphia's development as a team was keyed from the drafting of Tra Thomas and the acquistion of John Runyan. Are there many other teams with this amount of uncertainty surrounding the LT position? I think the best we can hope for this season is adequate play at LT, which is unfortunate.

I am still concerned about our o-line, particularly with a young qb. Who will play LT? Gandy? He could not stick with the Bears and, a year later, he is good enough to be a starting LT?. Teague? He has not played LT in years and was not especially effective with the Broncos at that position. Maybe I am missing something, but I don't think we have the answer at LT curently on the roster.

Mike Williams' compensation this year and in the future has us in a jam. Even if he is considered to be a top five RT (I am not saying he is-- I have no idea), he should probably be paid approximately $5 million per year (assuming he was a free agent). He is being paid double that. If the Bills cut him, they have a huge cap hit and lose a decent RT. If the Bills restructure, they reduce his cap hit for this year but pay him a huge bonus that will hurt us in future years. Plus there is no way he is going to agree to reduce his annual comp from almost $10 million to a more reasonable number in future years (he is not a veteran who is perceived to be on the downside of his career).

Yes, I was only referring to the TD era.

I have always found it interesting that the Bills invested so heavily at the linebacker position. I am not questionning it because I think this investment has contributed very significantly to our defensive success, but it is definitely unusual. The same can be said for our investment at the safety position. I believe that Milloy and Vincent are two of the top paid safeties. At LT, it appears that we are going to try to get through the season with Gandy or Teague. This is also interesting since most of the LTs were highly drafted players.

Whether you support TD or not, I think it is very understandable why many us are confused about the direction of the team. TD seems to make statements about players (i.e., Bledsoe and J. Reed) and the team (smashmouth football or the need to improve the o-line) that are contradicted by actions a short time after. It is also frustrating to have a quiet offseason in terms of free agency and the draft. Our inability to trade Henry i(so far) s also frustrating. I am neutral about TD and will be until we make the playoffs and have success on a consistent basis. I don't understand the glowing praise for him nor the hatred. Having said that, I think it is okay to be critical of TD and/or some of his picks or trades as part of our discussions about the team (just like it is okay to praise TD about the same things).

There have been second and third round ol picks that have contributed immediately, as noted above (plus Fabini of the Jets, I think). It seems that we have needs at the position that are not being fulfilled. I believe that Teague is a free agent next year and our talent behind the starters seems thin. Drafting ol would have made sense, but other than Williams, TD has not been inclined to address the position with high picks. We will see who plays left tackle and whether Losman, essentially a rookie, has the protection he will need.

1. I am surprised TH is still a Bill. It appears that all of the teams that supposedly had interest drafted rbs (Arizona, TB, Philly, Chicago, Miami). Are we officially stuck with him now? 2. WR in the second round after TD talks up J. Reed? Makes no sense. 3. TE in 3rd makes some sense with T. Euhus and Campbell coming off of injuries. But was this a need? 4. No o-line or dt help (so far). TD and the coaches must really think our oline is good. Who plays LT? I must admit that I am very concerned about the prospect of Teague moving to LT. 5. I really thought TD would move-up for Barnes at ot.

1. Travis will probably be traded for a third round pick, but he is a good value. We all downgraded him for a variety of things (fumbles, injuries, off-field stuff, blitz pick-up, etc.), but he rushed for over a thousand yards behind fairly crappy o-lines. He should do very well with a team with a good o-line. 2. We need to build depth at a variety of positions. I am not comfortable with our reserves on the o-line, dt or at rb. We really need a solid rb prospect in this draft since we don't have any real idea about WM's durability. 3. Spencer or Baas sure would look good in a Bills uni. I think Teague is a free agent after this season. 4. I don't expect the Bills to draft a wr with one of their top picks. I do believe TD when he says that J. Reed is suited to be a quality slot receiver. I am not sure I agree, but I think TD believes that. 5. I wonder about our depth at LB, but I have a feeling there is some quality there even though Stamer, Crowell and Haggins don't play much. 6. Vincent and Milloy are getting old. We could use a quality safety prospect.

Why would you trade Nate for a #9 pick? Signing a #9 pick will be very expensive and we need Nate next year. He is a proven player. Who knows what you will get over the long term with the #9 pick. In addition, if we trade Nate, Vincent may be too old to play corner and while McGee played well last year, he is still relatively unproven. I understand that Nate will be a free agent after next season, but if we are serious about making every effort to make the playoffs, we need him here for this season. Assuming we can make enough cap room after this season, we can worry about trading him or signing him later (of course I would prefer if the Bills would sign him now to a long term deal). You need to pay market for some of your key players at key positions. We did it for Moulds and Spikes and we should do it for Nate. He is an excellent corner and is in the middle of his prime. I think it would be really tough to recover from losing Winfield and Clements in consecutive years.