MadBuffaloDisease

I think that Marv and Dick are men of their word. I doubt that Nall was strung-along thinking he had a shot at the starting job when it was all pre-determined. And someone should have informed Holcomb, because the guy seems like his heart was ripped out when he lost the starting job. Whatever. Again we'll agree to disagree. The point is JP did enough to win the job and wasn't handed it, which will go a long way in the eyes of his teammates. Hopefully he'll continue to improve and his teammates will give it that extra effort.

Well they also re-signed Josh Reed, giving him almost as much money. And Craig Nall was brought in, and seemingly had/has "chunkability," so that could have been meant for him. Lastly, I think that the Bills wanted Holcomb to show it, but he instead chose safe passes, and this is when the tide began to turn.

On the depth chart on BB.com, Preston is the backup at C and RG, and Jason Thomas is the backup at LG.

The Patriots also have an uncanny knack for drafting good OL players throughout the draft, every year. Dante Scarnecchia is a magician and easily the best OL coach out there. I wish the Bills had him.

Well then, we'll agree to disagree. I think most reasonable fans are happy that JP won, but I believe that Jauron and the vets wanted Holcomb to win, at least until JP started showing signs that he's starting to get it.

So you're saying that despite Holcomb being #1 on the depth chart and starting the 1st pre-season game, JP was actually favored to win the QB competition? At best I'll give you that it was truly an open competition, but I'll still stand by my claim that Holcomb was the favorite. The main point though is that JP was NOT favored or given extra reps.

I'd take a totally new offense and defense over what they had LAST year. Talk about dysfunctional! And JP got 2 of those 5 wins, while McGee got one. Frankly I don't think that a whole LOT has to click in JP's head to duplicate 5 wins this year, and easily see them winning at least 6. I'd say more, but I think that even just 6 wins is improvement, given the new coaching regime and schemes.

Usually when you set-up someone to win something, you give them more of an opportunity to prove themselves. I agree that Holcomb ended the year #1 and thus remained there at the beginning of the off-season and training camp, which again points out that JP was NOT favored to win the QB competition.

How old are you ajzepp? Not a slam, just asking.

More than last year? Are you serious?

Also, Holcomb was #1 on the depth chart for most of the off-season and the beginning of training camp, and got the start against the Panthers in the 1st pre-season game. Jp earned it.

The Bills actually brought Volek in before the 2004 season, as an eventual successor to Bledsoe (who the Bills traded for in 2002).

Ricard played in the game, but didn't record a single stat. I hope he sees extensive action tomorrow night.

Screw Volek. He had his chance 2 years ago. He can be another career backup for all anyone cares.

If the Patriots are asking for 2-1st rounder then it's not even a negotiating ploy. No one will be willing to part with 2 of them, and I'd have a hard time believing any team would part with even just one of them, given his lack of great numbers. But what it's supposed to prove is anyone's guess? Teams are MUCH more willing to pay a player the salary he wants, if a draft pick, much less a high one, isn't involved. So Branch likely hears the numbers he wants to hear, but also hears "sorry kid, we just can't give away 2-1st round picks for you."

Yeah I can't imagine the Patriots slapping the franchise tag on Branch. But I also can't see them allowing him to leave for nothing. I'm hoping he holds-out. And I didn't realize Pinkston was coming off an injury. As for the QB competition, from what I've heard recently, it was NOT a sham and Jauron hoped that Holcomb would win, because of his veteran experience and steadiness. JP also received less-than-glowing reviews from the players. However he impressed them while Holcomb stunk, and most have changed their minds about him.

Even though Pinkston is nowhere near Branch's ability, he'll probably help more, and immediately, given he knows Childress' system. Plus he won't cost a draft pick or a huge contract.

I can only surmise that they'd be asking for a 1st rounder for him. Word is that if he sits out 10 games this year and returns to collect his year of eligibility, they'll franchise him next year.

I believe a player has to go onto the 53-man roster only if a team signs a player from another team's PS.

I still have a hard time seeing anyone giving up a 1st rounder for Branch, in conjunction with the high salary he wants to be paid. As good as he is, he's never had more than 1,000 yards (he was 2 yards shy last year, but that was in a full 16-game season) and 5 TD's in a season, and has had injury problems.

Here: http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=50485

There's no sense in anyone picking-up Nance right now. He wouldn't show much in just 1 pre-season game with almost no familiarity with a new system. If he gets signed, it will be for a PS, hopefully the Bills'. At worst I see the Steelers signing him to theirs. Euhus is another story, since he can't be PS'd.

It's okay to admit you didn't get it.

I was reading Reader's Digest and learned that there's a Japanese word for that: baku-shan.

The AFC East is weaker than it was last year. The Pats have lost more good players and coaches, the Dolphins are overrated and now have the moron who prevented the Bills from sweeping them last year, and the Jets are the Jets except without Curtis Martin and John Abraham. As for the rest of the schedule, I don't know.