ChasBB

If DJ isn't around after this season, I'd like to see April have a go at it.

Anyone think Bobby April is HC material?

I definitely like the no-huddle, but what I like even more is the concept of the QB calling his own plays. I think Edwards is now ready to take this step. Turk started off on the sideline (because he believed that that you get a better "feel" for the game when you're down there with the guys), but he eventually ended up going back to the press box because he must have missed certain things that were important. Likewise, the guys on the field have the best feel for the game. If they have experience and talent, then I think it's a good idea to allow them to take more control over the game -- draw up plays in the sand as Jim Kelly once said. Turk will obviously provide crucial input and call certain plays because he knows what he's doing and he has a bird's eye view of the field from the press box, but I think he'll experience even more success if he let's Edwards become more of a decision-maker on the field. I'm all for the no-huddle, but your defense has to be in great condition because a 3-and-out with the no-huddle barely gives your own defense enough time to wipe their sweat off their foreheads before they have to hit the field again. It can be a double-edged sword, but when it's working, it is sweet!

Oh, how so very, very true!

My favorite part of article: "The Bills also signed a brainy center to make the line calls. Geoff Hangartner scored 47 out of 50 on his Wonderlic intelligence test before the 2005 draft. That's supposedly the record among offensive linemen." Gotta have intelligence on the O-line!

Agree, but I think the team had enough talent to at least make an appearance as a wild card last year. I don't think the players played to their potential. The mid-season negotiations with Jauron, Evans, etc. I think were a distraction along with JP not playing hard. Players need to demand more of themselves and their teammates and the FO needs to do contracts in the offseason and let everyone focus on football from September to January/February.

Absolutely. They've shelled out cash to guys that just don't contribute that much or are merely adequate. And then they get a guy like Fred Jackson, who DOES contribute, and they dick around with him. This FO has shown signs of improvement, but how they handle Fred Jackson is a big litmus test in my opinion.

No matter what people think about Jauron, this year *is* is his last chance to get it done. No more excuses. It's either playoffs or time to bring in a new HC. He knows it. His players know it. The front office knows it. The fans know it. If the players want to save his job, then they need to win games, end of story. Players need to step up and demand more of themselves and their teammates. They've got to have leaders step up.

I think the OL will really be a strength. Addition through subtraction. They will be a focused, competitive bunch. I agree, things look much better, but they still have to go out and get it done. They badly need guys to stand up and be leaders. I'm really hoping that Edwards takes full command of the leadership role. No more excuses. It's time for guys to step up and get it done. They are a playoff-caliber team, but they still have to go out and prove it.

It's too early to give a grade to Russ Brandon, but the two drafts prior to this year really don't look so bad: 2008: Leodis McKelvin James Hardy Chris Ellis Reggie Corner Derek Fine Alvin Bowen Xavier Omon Demetrius Bell Steve Johnson Kennard Cox (now w/Jaguars) 2007: Marshawn Lynch Paul Posluszny Trent Edwards Dwayne Wright (now w/Giants) John Wendling Derek Schouman CJ Ah You (now w/Rams) I think we need to see something very soon from Chris Ellis since he was a 3rd-rounder. I think we have a lot of guys with a lot of upside -- Demetrius Bell, Steve Johnson, Reggie Corner, hopefully Hardy. Alvin Bowen was impressive before injuring his knee, so he's still an unknown. I think Schouman showed some flashes. Wendling has done well. Lynch, Posluszny (still must remember that he missed most of 1st season), McKelvin all look like very solid picks. And, of course Trent Edwards. I still think this guy will be a star in this league and hopefully sooner. I don't know if Derek Fine will pan out or not, but I don't think he's had a lot of opportunity as of yet, so too early to say. Omon should improve, but just may fall victim to numbers. Bottom line is too early to declare 2007 & 2008 drafts a success, but they don't look bad -- not at all. The Bills have done much, much worse. Maybe Modrak finally has more say than he has in the past. Maybe Donahoe and Levy trumped him on who he really wanted and maybe now that he has more say, things are panning out. Maybe it's Russ. I don't know, but collectively, they seem to be making intelligent decisions in recent drafts.

They ain't the Vikings

Thank God we didn't take a CB!!!!! I think this pick will work out.

Don't want to see top pick wasted on a TE. I like the guys we have -- have shown flashes. We need a DE much, much more.

From the link: "Fisher never played college football. He graduated from a college, Oakland University in Michigan, that doesn’t even have a team. No one in his family worked in the football business. He never interned with any NFL team. He did not know a single person in major college football or the NFL when he graduated from college in 2002 and set to work in earnest on his goal of becoming an NFL scout. "For five years, from 2002 through ’07, Fisher worked his day job as a financial analyst for a bank. At night he would study tapes of college football games and write up his own reports on the top 100 or so prospects in the country." Yep, that resume just screams "Hire me as a football scout". But, who knows, maybe he really does have a natural knack for it.

Yeah, agree -- I'd have been pissed if he *was* specific. He can't tip his hand just before the draft. He must remain coy.

They kind of lost the benefit of the doubt about 10 years ago or so. They used to draft well, but that history is getting more-and-more ancient. You could argue that the Bills were one of the best drafting teams in the mid-to-late 80's and early 90's, but that reputation has faded away. It's really living in the past to give this current front office the benefit of the doubt based on any long-running history. The Donahoe era was pretty bad, and it's looking like the brief Levy era was less-than-stellar. However, recent history is another story. So far, the 2007 & 2008 drafts are looking fairly good, so based on THAT, I will give the current front office the benefit of the doubt this year that they will make smart decisions.

Agree -- Ralph may be the ultimate decision maker, but I think he just serves as a rubber stamp for the suggestions that his staff makes for the most part.

The Bills were insane/desperate to throw that kind of money at Dockery & Walker. What were they thinking?! I can well understand how this would make Peters feel as he did. However, there is an important distinction. Dockery & Walker were FREE AGENTS. They paid their dues. They earned the right to shop the free market for their services. Peters had not earned that right. In fact, Buffalo had *already* re-negotiated his contract once previously even though they need not have done so. Peters owed it to the organization to fulfill his contract. He just needed to demonstrate patience and he WOULD have been rewarded, but to expect to get renegotiated every other year is just ridiculous. Of course, hard to argue with Peters' approach -- he GOT the payday he wanted! I'm annoyed with ALL parties in this one.

Very simply put, the Bills have underpaid for the fine services of Fred Jackson. Despite his age, he doesn't have a lot of NFL wear-and-tear. The guy has legs and he will for at least 4 more years probably. Why not do the right thing and the smart thing and keep him under contract long enough that he retire a Bill. He's not only a fan-favorite, but he is GOOD. He's an excellent compliment to Lynch. He's a high-character guy AND excellent on the field. Amen to Jackson's agent calling out the Bills front office for dicking around with Jackson.

Rephrasing -- I find this an idiotic statement ... Jackson had not held out yet from any mandatory attendance. He has not indicated that he will hold out. If I'm not mistaken, he did at least make an appearance recently. Peters just not very bright -- unfair comparison. Peters is the exception. Not too many players hold out with 3 years remaining on their contract. Jackson stands to gain nothing in a hold out as he's in his final year anyhow if Buffalo doesn't lock him in. Jackson is making his statement now by missing voluntary workouts. When it matters and when they become mandatory, I think he'll be there.

Over-zealous cops?! No, say it ain't so.

Yep, win and all is forgotten. While I'm not thrilled about all of this off-field crap, it's what they do ON the field that I'm concerned about. Just win baby is right!!

Agree -- I should have revised my comments to say if he doesn't get his butt in here for mandatory workouts.

Looks like TO has spent more time in the end zone than the Bills offense has spent past the 50-yd. line. Got to be a good thing.

True. I don't know that he is doing that this year. I wish he hadn't done it last year, but maybe he learned that's not the way to handle things. Guess time will tell.