muddy waters

Clemens is one free agent qb I think the Bills should go after if they can't get Bradford or Claussen in Round 1. I was really impressed with Clemens as a starter with the Jets and I was surprised when they drafted Sanchez. Looked to me like Clemens was gonna be a solid starter for years. He comes from a cold weather college team in Oregon and he seems be a tough competitor with good arm strength. He would probably love to come to Buffalo and face the Jets twice a year. He's a free agent so we would not have to give up anybody for him. I really think this could be a better option than giving up some prime picks for McNabb whose career is clearly on the downside. We can not afford to give up draft picks.

Were there any other Bills fans out there who thought a little bit about Joe Ferguson's 1981 playoff performance while watching Bret Farve against the Saints? Just like Favre, Ferguson showed bigtime determination and grit while playing with a badly sprained ankle in the divisional playoff game against the Chargers. Despite jumping out to a 14-3 lead, the Bills lost a 20-14 heartbreaker, but Ferguson's performance was memorable.

Me too! Great team.

As a Bills fan living in the Philly area, I agree that it would be a bigtime mistake to acquire McNabb. Most Eagle fans are fed up with McNabb and can not wait to get rid of him and move on. Yes, he would be better than what the Bills have, but he is clearly not the answer. McNabb behind a weak line is not much better than Edwards of Fitzpatrick. He no longer has the mobility he once had, and he is horribly inaccurate when under pressure. On top of that, I get the impression he is not a good clubhouse guy. He seems to alienate himself and get defensive when criticized. Philadelphia fans can't understand why the national media is so in love with McNabb. Yes his numbers look good, but his time has passed. The only place McNabb will find success is if he goes to a team with a super solid line. I desperately hope the Bills do not waste a draft pick or good player (Lynch) to acquire McNabb. He would flounder big time behind a reconstructed and developing offensive line and miss receivers all over the place. As for drafting Tebow, I wouldn't do this either unless he slips to Round 3. Unless Bradford or Claussen slip to the Bills, I would let Chan take a shot at a free agent and do some magic.

I just finished watching the press conference and was feeling much better about Chan Gaily as head coach. Then I read this. Wow. Now I don't know what to think.

Check out this article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2007 when Grimm was being considered for the Steelers's head coaching job: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07011/752956-66.stm Some tidits from the article: ...Grimm's reputation as a coach grew quickly once the Steelers hired him. The Chicago Bears were ready to hire him as their head coach in 2004 but Grimm balked when told management would help him pick his staff. Gibbs wanted to hire him as his offensive coordinator when he returned to the Redskins in '04, but Grimm was under contract to the Steelers, who did not want to lose him. They promoted him to assistant head coach. "He's been our little hidden secret for many years now," Steelers All-Pro guard Alan Faneca said. "He'll make a great head coach." Grimm, who coached from the sideline with the Steelers, presented the halftime adjustments to the players in the locker room for their offense and worked closely with coordinator Ken Whisenhunt on the game plan. "When he talks, they'll listen," said Fazio, who coached the 2000 season with Grimm with the Redskins. "A lot of people in the league go to Russ for advice on pass protection. You have to be a bright guy to know all the defenses." "I know of no better football man," said Dunn, now an assistant on Dave Wannstedt's staff at Pitt. "He's a guy who knows the X's and O's of the game, a guy who can discuss coverages and blitzes and footwork from a technique standpoint of the defensive backs and linebackers, too. His knowledge of the game is superior." Grimm is known as a teacher, a prankster and someone who can be demanding. "He's going to teach all day and let you go out and do what you have to do," Faneca said. "He's not the kind of guy to say something just to say something. He's not going to beat a dead horse on the sideline. But he'll let you know when you mess up and he's going to correct it. "When he first got here, I thought I knew a lot and we were doing complicated things before. But when he got here, that completely changed. Our learning of the game up front just grew tremendously." Can he crack the whip? "Are you kidding me?" Boures said. "I know I wouldn't want to be on the other end of it." Yet after almost every game, Grimm is host to a tailgate party in the Steelers' parking lot for everyone who wants to attend, coaches and players. Many of them did, win or lose. "That's a good thing for team camaraderie," Faneca said. "Besides being together on the practice field, it was good hanging out time." Dunn noted that while Bill Cowher was a competitive person, he never met anyone as competitive as Grimm. "He wants to win in everything he does." Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07011/75295...m#ixzz0cVwdDVcF

Adam S. just reported that Jim Haslett has accepted a job as the Redskins' defensive coordinator. Good luck Jim!

Close friends Singletary and Frazier meet EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — At first glance, San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier couldn’t be much more different. Singletary is the Hall of Fame linebacker with the fiery, intense personality of an old-school football coach who specializes in straight talk and in-your-face confrontation. Frazier is the former cornerback who quietly commands respect with a more analytical and subdued approach in the mold of one of his former mentors, Tony Dungy. But 28 years after they first met as rookie teammates with the Chicago Bears, Frazier and Singletary remain the closest of friends. “Maybe on the outside it may seem that we’re different, but we are very similar in a lot of ways,” Frazier said on Thursday. “I think that has had a lot to do with why, from the day we were rookies in the NFL, that we hit it off. We do have a great deal in common.” The two talk every week, except for this one. Frazier’s Vikings (2-0) host Singletary’s 49ers (2-0) on Sunday in the only matchup of undefeated teams in the league this week. Both say shared values of faith, family and football brought them together. “There is not enough time for me to tell you how much value and how much trust I have in him,” Singletary said. They broke into the league as players together in 1981 and were roommates in their first training camp with the Bears. They bonded instantly and played on that vaunted Chicago defense that took the Bears to the Super Bowl title in 1985. So Singletary says he saw a side of Frazier few see. “Leslie can fool you,” Singletary said. “He seems to be a quiet guy, really calm and reserved. But inside of him is a rage. Inside of him is a mad man. He doesn’t let it come out too often, but it’s in there. He does a great job covering it up.” Frazier? A mad man? “I have no idea what he is talking about,” Frazier said with a laugh. “When we do talk, I will be sure to ask him that question. It’s a great relationship. Unfortunately this week we haven’t had a chance to converse because of the circumstances. I look forward to talking with him when our game is done.” So would you pull your pants down at halftime to get your players’ attention, like Singletary did in his debut as interim coach last season? “No,” Frazier said with a hearty chuckle. “I’ll leave that to my friend in San Francisco to handle.”

For them not to even mention Cowher's name when talking about the Buffalo head coaching situation is very poor journalism. No credibility to that report. They need to somehow acknowledge the AP article with Wilson's comments and not that the Bills did with Cowher. Maybe something is up. It would have been very easy for Cowher to say he was not a candidate and stop all the talk, but he obviously chose not to do that. Horrible journalism and very weird.

This was posted by jw earlier in response to a question about the tone of rw's response: QUOTE (john wawrow @ Jan 8 2010, 06:39 PM) * right, not much earth-shattering news, but Mr. Wilson at least named Cowher as someone they've talked to. his tone of voice regarding "you'd have to ask him," sounded to me like they've left it to Cowher, and he hasn't really been that interested. in the updated version of the story, you should note that Mr. Wilson said: "we don't want to hire a coach with a splashy name," and instead is looking for someone who "wants to come to Buffalo." reading between the lines, that suggests they're not counting on Cowher. Mr. Wilson at least did clear up the timetable, but saying there isn't one and that they're not rushing into making a decision. that leads me to believe that there's still candidates out there to interview. so rather than expecting a press conference this weekend, it might be further down the road. Mr. Wilson did not want to say much, and that's understandable. the search is ongoing. jw

How about a season opening Thursday night game against the Steelers. Bill Cowher faces Steelers in his first game back. Get it done Russ!

Marty was great in his prime as a head coach and I would have loved him as hc 5-10 years ago, but he is going to be 67 this year. A 92- year-old owner, a 70-year-old GM and a 67-year-old head coach. I dunno, it just seems to me that this franchise needs to get someone younger as a head coach, who has energy and innovation.

I would think that Holmgren would be near the top of any list. He has had experience and success in a small market, he is a great offensive mind, and he has had experience as a gm. A head coach/gm combo may not be the ideal way to do things, but it could be cost-effective for Ralph. Perhaps Ralph is beginning to realize the the Russ Brandon arrangement is not working too well. I think Holmgren could come in and make a good evaluation of the Bills' talent and get things moving in the right direction. Pay him and give him authority as gm and coach, maybe we could entice him to start before Thanksgiving.

Any qb in the league would drool at the opportunity to have Lee Evans and TO as their targets, and all Trent can do is dump off to the tight ends. I can not believe these guys are never open. Sorry, times up for Trent, and give Fitz a shot. He can't do any worse...

I used to wonder how many games Trent could last before getting hurt..... Then I wondered how may quarters could Trent last before getting hurt.... Right now, I'm wondering how many plays can Trent last before getting hurt.... Oh my gosh, things are looking scary... I don't know if I can bear to watch.... Somebody surprise me and give the Bills a happy ending... please....

I think Holmgren would be the best fit. He has fantastic offensive mind and proven success in a small market. His coaching experience would earn immediate respect and he has had experience as a gm. Go get him Ralph, the sooner the better. Our first step from embarrassment to respectability.

Maybe Mike Holmgren would be a viable option. He's had success in a small market and seems like the kind of gm/coach that Ralph might hire. This season could get scary, and we may need somebody with experience and proven success.

Former Clemson QB Cullen Harper was invited for a tryout. He is likely as good a prospect as any late round pick. Curious to see how he does. Here's a link to an article about him: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090428/NEWS/904289971

I'm so tired of this Direct TV stuff. I do not understand why the NFL does not institute some kind of a pay-per-view for fans who want to watch one game that is not televised locally. I would think that there is a big market for this. It is not practical for me to get Direct TV, and I just want to watch the Bills games at home. Give me a price and I will pay it. By sticking with the exclusive Direct TV contract, it seems to me that the NFL is missing out on customers like me who are willing to pay for one game each week. I'm sick and tired of having to go to a local bar every Sunday and spend all kinds of money or food and drinks while putting up with obnoxious crowds.

Eagles interested in Bills linebacker Crowell The Philadelphia Inquirer and NFL.com are reporting the Philadelphia Eagles have contacted the agent for Buffalo Bills free agent linebacker Angelo Crowell but have not made a contract offer. Crowell is represented by Todd France, who also represents Brian Westbrook. According to the report, Crowell visited Detroit on Wednesday and Tampa Bay on Monday, according to the report. St. Louis also has expressed interest. Crowell, 27, missed all of last season following knee surgery and is not expected to be cleared for full football workouts until after the draft. The report stated Crowell surprised the Bills by having the arthroscopic surgery in late August. Although the surgery would have required a recovery period of one to four weeks, the team put him on injured reserve. That issue seemingly ensured that he would not be back in Buffalo when his contract expired. He is listed at 6-1, 246 and was a third-round pick of the Bills in the 2003 draft. A 5-year veteran, he had a career-high 126 tackles in 16 games in 2007. His older brother, Germane, is a former NFL wide receiver.

Signing T.O. is just the kind of a deal that Tom Donahue would pull off. I guess I like it because the Bills have nothing to lose. Yes it is a risk, but why not? If TE really is a standout QB and if the franchise is as close as Brandon wants us to believe, then this could be the boost we need to get to the playoffs. But if TE is not the QB some of us think, and the team has too many other holes, then T.O. wont make a difference. What the heck, let's see what happens. The only thing that is a little disturbing for me is that it's too bad the franchise has to resort to this kind of a signing to make the team interesting and competitive.

Let's not go beserk and give up Peters or Whitner, or any starters, but Derek Anderson is a legitamate starting QB candidate who could undeniably challenge Trent. For those who are totally sold on Trent as the future savior, maybe some real competition is what he needs to jumpstart his career. Derek Anderson would be that competion. For those, like me, who are not completely sold on Trent, I would love to see a big phylsical QB come in and get a shot. No, I am not sold on Anderson as a great QB, his completion percentage is kinda low and he does not have much mobility, but his arm is strong an he has had some success. He's also played in some nasty weather in Cleveland. Go get him and let him and let him and Trent battle it out. Like other posters, I think Anderson's fat contract lowers his trade price dramatically -- I say a third round pick might do it. You gotta get over the love affair with Trent. I like Trent and I believe he may still be the best option, but c'mon, with his durability issues and failure to produce in Buffalo weather, the Bills need to bring some real competition into camp and let the best man win. No more of this 7-9 nonsense, let's get going.

Thanks for posting that interview. When I first read your comments, I thought you were a bit harsh. However, after hearing the interview, I think your comments are on target. He clearly is a west coast boy who misses home. He makes some nice comments about Buffalo and the fans, but it almost sounds like e is trying to convince himself that he likes it in Buffalo. The kid's got talent, but he needs a big year this coming season, and he needs to learn how to love playing football in nasty weather. Hopefully it works out but that interview does make me a bit nervous. Surprised that Francessa didn't ask him about Juron.

Anybody who lives in the Philly area and sees too many Eagles games will tell you that McNabb can be a very good quarterback about 70 percent of the time, but that he is just horrible the remaining 30 percent. He has a lot of bad games. Absolutely, this trade would be a disaster for the Bills. Please please forget the idea of trading Peters. Sign him and keep him. He will mature as he gets older and be the keystone in the o-line.