RuntheDamnBall

This 1000

I didn't realize both Sanchez and Fitz played in the run defense packages. QBs are often big difference-makers, and Sanchez has made some strides, but he looks about as league average as Fitz does to me, for different reasons. QBs don't win the game alone, though, and you don't win many games allowing as many yards on the ground as the Bills did. That seems independent of Fitz's performance, and in fact it also limits Fitz's opportunities by virtue of eating up clock for the Bills' offense to use.

Point is that FJ was STILL under utilized by gailey until about 1/3 of the way thru the season. Roscoe was very much utilized until he proved once again that durability is a question for him. Jauron certainly didn't know what to do with him, or with anybody on offense, for that matter. This doesn't change the fact that the Bills FO appears to have respect for Roscoe when at least the same is due Freddie.

You're forgetting that he's never been the #1 back over the course of an entire season, and that the run blocking has been dismal during his tenure. He has been a versatile all-purpose back who does whatever you ask him to, and as a between-the-tackles option there is no one better here. If it were so easy to replace him, the so-called most talented RB in last year's draft would have done so when given the chance. I'm a believer in Fred. He is not Chris Johnson, but he doesn't bring his baggage or attitude, and he is the kind of team player the Bills are usually rewarding. Roscoe has been more of a malcontent (mostly due to the way Jauron used him - I can't blame him) and has rarely played a full season. He's a nice player to have as your #5WR with some designed plays out of the slot. He is fearless. But he is definitely not irreplaceable. You just don't understand that Roscoe is Wes Welker without the smarts, durability, and production.

What kind of car does he drive?

I'd rank John Clayton 27th out of ESPN's C-team of analysts.

I hated the Evans trade, and I think it's sort of unconscionable that they couldn't come up with a way for him to be part of the game plan, but that being said... is it so far-fetched that Gailey would have said as much to the FO, and that Nix and Overdorf conferred on it and Overdorf took it from there? I still don't like the value they got for him, or the notion that Overdorf would be pulling the strings... but it's true, they do seem to be spending *some* money, if not enough. An extension for Roscoe is either proof that they do spend on things they want, or of the extremely upsetting idea that they'd overpay some guys to show the public that they are willing to spend money. An extension for Roscoe should cue Fred Jackson to go postal on OBD, though. I know you should pay for anticipated future production as opposed to past work, but what reason has Roscoe ever given to show he's not the least bit replaceable? He can be an asset in this offense, that fourth round draft pick in the 2012 season might turn out to be equal to or better than his work. Fred, OTOH, has done some special things for this offense - special things that we're still waiting for CJ Spiller to do.

That he played a bit part in making David Carr look like a skittish, shell-shocked husk of a QB behind the all stars of grocery bagging is some kind of achievement.

The fact that he has much to learn is a good thing for the Bills, because it means other teams are less likely to clear out a roster spot for Jasper, and the Bills can focus on helping him learn the game. If he showed too much promise too soon, they might get nothing for their investment here as someone hungrier snatched him up. They might already have decided he isn't worth a practice squad spot, but I'm hoping they will. He certainly has some athletic gifts and freakish size. For now, it's not a bad problem to be so deep that a project player goes to the PS, where he should be.

Crack as inspiration?

Astro, why do you think they would cut David Nelson and Kirk Morrison? If you think they'd cut Nelson because they are high on Ruvell Martin, I guess I could see that, even though Nelson seemed to have the look of a clutch target, and a tall one, last season. But that same logic would seem to apply if they are high on Morrison as well, whom they also just signed. Unless there is something you know about his health? I view Nelson as critical to this season's success if they are running a lot of 4 and 5 WR formations. I have zero confidence in Easley, last night's game notwithstanding... His hands and his injury problems are cause for concern. I am not averse to seeing him make the team, but saying that both he and R. Martin make the team seems a stretch.

I'm sure the plan is to lose McKelvin, start Aaron Williams and maybe pick up another couple of CBs in next year's draft. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

You got the embarrassment part right.

Not nothing, just not enough. And truth be told, the damage has been done over the long term, not this offseason, which may qualify as one of their best in a decade (def the best since they acquired Spikes). Adding Merriman, Brad Smith, Dareus, Barnett is really a nice offseason. But they have to prove to FAs that this is a great place to come to, to secure some of the top-shelf offensive linemen. If they got Clabo we wouldn't be having this conversation. A commitment to winning needs to be shown, not talked about. So far it's a mixed message when you trade guys like Lee Evans and cheap out on guys like Fred Jackson.

Obviously one play is not going to tell us the whole picture. Bigger issues here are that the best hope for this line was a full offseason of minicamps and OTAs to start gelling early. The lockout killed that. I think the saving grace is that a lot of the league is in the same mess, but they are definitely grasping at straws. We'd feel a lot better if this decision were happening at the end of July rather than in mid-late August. The one other TINY thing that I'm hoping is just that Dareus is so good that he's making everyone look like a fool in practice, and that's going to translate to games. So far he looks pretty unstoppable. Full games of him and Merriman should definitely open things up for the rest of the D.

My what?

In baseball stats analysis SSS (small sample size) is an enemy. Why not in football? Eliminating outliers is fine, but then one should do so for both the peak and trough performances. What's happening here is basically cherrypicking. Having an opinion is fine, and there are even some good points made here by Alphadawg, but they don't tell the whole story.

Thank you for the information and insight.

According to Bleacher Report, Levitre is spending extended sessions on the rack after practice, to stretch those arms into NFL length.

http://bleacherreport.com/about Read BR for long enough and you'll discover the level of talent involved, which pretty much pales in comparison to any of my favorite posters here. Sports journalists and insiders don't blog "about their favorite teams." At best, you're going to get some decent analysis and informed speculation at Bleacher Report. At worst, you get a lot of noise that filters down into message boards like ours. I know that some of the people ESPN hires make it difficult to distinguish between those who actually work sources and have inside information, and casual bloggers. Yet, would anyone suggest that a trade or signing suggestion in an article in Buffalo Rumblings (a site I like) means "the Bills are going after __________"? I would hope not, and I imagine so would the founders of Buffalo Rumblings - they make it clear they're a fan blog. Fan speculation is fun, but it's fan speculation. There are any number of reasons why trades don't happen, and a hell of a lot of steps that have to be taken for a trade to go down. I'm sure that over the past few years the Bills have done their due diligence on Tebow. He is no more a sure thing now than when he was drafted. Unless he can be had for peanuts, why trade for him now when there was a chance to draft him in 2010?

I've long been (lonely) on the Kellen Moore bandwagon. Would love to see him improve and for the Bills to take him in 2012.

May someone run over children if this isn't true.

Career?

Well, we all know about 'roid rage, so the fact that Hair Grease is an anagram for "Rage Are His" is pretty damning.

It means the Bills are pro-steroids.