ChasBB

Don't forget "The Prevent Defense" -- the one where teams inexplicably scrap the defense that worked just fine for the first 59 minutes of a game in exchange for one that allows a good QB to dissect the defense in about 3 or 4 plays to setup for the winning TD or FG.

That's the problem. Nice to have experienced depth, but we can only carry so many receivers on the roster. A mix of youth and experience is ideal and that's exactly what the Bills have at present. I think the WR position is about as ideal as it can be for this season.

I think this may be the best line the Bills have had in years. True, we don't know this yet, but what's not to like about these guys, as a whole? They are intelligent, physical -- even a bit nasty, hard-working, and -- with the exception of the rookie additions, becoming experienced. Most of them have shifted positions at points in their careers and so they all understand each other's positional requirements -- putting them all in a better position to understand each other and work better together. There's talent all over that offense and this group on the o-line will make that talent shine.

Not going to rip you, but I respectfully disagree. Losman *will* land on an NFL team by September.

I know what you mean, but what's the cop supposed to do -- arrest 51 of the 52 and let him go?

I agree. They (commentators) used to love to say he had "ice in his veins" because he made a few clutch kicks to win games, but he had a weak leg -- much like Lindell. I really hope the FO does an extensive search to bring in some real competition at the K position to oust Lindell.

Good stuff! Goes to show how important special teams is to swinging the momentum of a game. Gotta love that team. They never thought they were out of a game until it was over.

I predict Bills will sweep the Jets and split with both the Pats & Dolphins.

Wow, could have had Bill Walsh! I never heard that story -- thanks for sharing. I also enjoyed your "answers" even though my questions were rhetorical and intended to make pointless the "what if" claims. Good points you make all over!

I'm not a big DJ fan right now, but I must agree with you on this. Bottom line is we simply do not know what goes on behind the scenes. We certainly do see what happens on game days and to some (sometimes myself included), this seems like enough to base a decision on, but Ralph certainly has a vantage point the rest of us don't have. Nevertheless, I maintain that 2009 is DJ's last chance.

There's one weakness in your argument -- as big of a bean counter that Ralph is, I think he really does want to win a Super Bowl. I think he still thinks Jauron can get it done with better players. But I think his patience with DJ runs out after this season if DJ doesn't get it done.

I hear what you're saying. Ralph would certainly be adverse to eating any salary, but he would have to weigh eating 2 years of Jauron's salary vs. alienating 90% of the fan base.

No chance DJ is here after another 7-9 season. Ralph doesn't have to say it. If he wants to sell another ticket, he knows what would have to be done in that situation. Hope it doesn't come to that. Hope DJ makes a very deep playoff run.

I think Brandon has done a fine job this offseason in addressing needs. True, we won't really know until the season gets underway as to how well he did, but for starters: 1. I like the o-line -- a LOT. I actually think the o-line will be a strength this season. They are also a very intelligent bunch. We needed a new center and we picked up a guy from Carolina who his teammates hated to see leave. He selected two draft picks who will help the o-line immediately. 2. Hamden has been in the system a few years now -- he knows what to do. He's got good size, a good arm, and a good attitude. I don't know what else you can ask for from your backup. In is few preseason opportunities, he has looked very sharp. I think he should be #2 on the depth chart. Fitz improved all last season -- his first real season of work. 3. We needed a pass rusher and Brandon addressed this by taking Maybin. Schoebel will be healthy this year. Maybe even Chris Ellis will start to contribute. 4. We needed another big time receiver across from Evans and Brandon went out and got us TO. 5. We needed a decent pass-catching TE and Brandon took Nelson. Sure, would have loved to see the Bills go and get Tony Gonzalez, but maybe he didn't want to be here -- who knows. 6. Instead of letting the Fred Jackson thing be a distraction during the OTAs and training camp, he got the deal done -- LEARNING possibly from last year that doing the Evans deal in mid-season was a distraction -- probably got players thinking about their own paychecks a little bit more and about the opponent a little bit less. The offseason is the time to get deals done and he's doing that now. 7. He got rid of the dead weight on the o-line. Despite Peter's physical abilities, I'm kind of thinking you want the guys who keep your QB alive to have a Wonderlic > 9. I call all of this learning from mistakes and addressing team needs. You only get so many picks and so much you can do under the cap. He's done a great job with what he's had to work with -- fantastic really. Finally, you've got to give Edwards some credit. He WANTED TO. In other words, Edwards is essentially challenging HIMSELF to produce. He's inviting a guy who has a history of getting in the face of his QB's in the past. Edwards is finally stepping in and really assuming a leadership role. He knows it's time to produce now and he's up to the challenge.

If he just makes a playoff appearance, I believe they keep him. I'd like to see him replaced if he has an early playoff exit, however, but I think this team is capable of making a deep run. Time will tell.

+1 -- yes, that totally sucks.

I think a lot of it just depends on where you grow up. I grew up in the Buffalo area and the Bills were it. I now live in the Gainesville, FL area and got introduced to how big college football really is. I honestly never appreciated college football until I came here, but it is very exciting, too.

I agree. I remember Kelly DEMANDING better play from his o-line. That's what this team needs badly -- leaders who are not afraid to get in the faces of their teammates now & them and demand better performance. Yes, it can be a negative distraction if overdone, but right now that kind of leadership is badly needed. I welcome TO.

Hey Skooby, let me save you the trouble of starting some new "what if" threads: 1. What would have happened if Fergy played on a good ankle against SD in the 1981 playoff game? What if that game was in Buffalo had the tie-breaker system considered that we beat SD head-to-head during the seaon? Would Buffalo had appeared in the Super Bowl sooner? 2. What would have happened in Miami's perfect season if Mercury Morris' fumble against the Bills actually been ruled a fumble instead of a dead ball? No perfect season for the Dolphins and no 20-game winning steak for the Dolphins against the Bills. 3. What if Ralph and Lou could see eye-to-eye? He could've been our Tom Landry, Don Shula, or Chuck Knoll and taken us to many championships. 4. What if Ryan Lindell doesn't miss a couple of key kicks the past few seasons effectively ending our playoff hopes at least two of the last three seasons? 5. What if Ronnie Harmon catches that pass in the end zone against the Browns? 6. What if the Music City Miracle was ruled a forward lateral? Do we return to the Super Bowl? 7. What if Ralph & Bill Polian could see eye-to-eye? Our star GM would still be here instead of with the Colts. 8. What if Jauron knew when to use the red flag and when not to? 9. What if Jauron had some balls now & then to go for it on 4th down? 10. What if our Super Bowl teams actually reduced their partying for a couple of weeks leading up to the big game? 11. What if James Lofton falls to us in the 1978 draft instead of Green Bay? 12. What if Ralph didn't let Ahmad Rashad get away after 1975, thus earning the "cheap-skate" label? 13. What if we actually paid coaches a competitive salary in line with most of the rest of the league? It goes on-and-on. There, I just saved you the trouble of posting 13 new "what if" threads. I'm sure if I tried I could come up with some more, but what's the point?! OK, any chance we can focus on the 2009 season? I'd rather focus on the upcoming season. Edwards is our QB, Brandon is our GM, Jauron is our HC. This is 2009 and asking all of these "what if" questions is meaningless. Imagine how one, just ONE Super Bowl victory makes all of these painful memories pale! I like how the 2009 Bills are coming together. There's no reason this is not a playoff team and we all know DJ is gone if it's not a playoff team. This is likely the only year we get to have TO on our roster. This is the year we return to the playoffs -- and once there anything can happen.

Thanks for info

OK, Maybin, you have your assignment -- make sure this never happens again.

Doesn't a player have to clear waivers before he can be placed on the practice squad? That would be my main concern -- that some team would claim him.

Miami has to be in the "Crack" division instead.

Great article -- thanks. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he makes the 53-man roster straight-up. If he studies hard, there's no reason why not. Obviously, he has all of the physical qualities and then some. If he can wrap his mind around NFL football during training camp, there's no reason he can't bypass the practice squad and make the roster.

Like your name! Bobby Chandler by far one of my most favorite all-time Bills players. He kept getting edged out in pro-bowl voting because of the horrible teams he played on, but that guy was one helluva playmaker!!