Matt in KC

If everything works out right: 1) We draft Willis and he performs as well as Fletcher immediately (highly doubtful I think). 2) We draft a CB in the 2nd (no way as good as Clements in the first year) 3) SD accepts 2 first day picks for Turner 3b) and he performs significantly better than McGahee (to justify our not signing two draftees) 4) we draft a LB as good as Spikes in the 3rd or lower (doubtful in his first year) 5) Dockery - no contest, this makes us better 6) Walker performs better than Gandy/Reyes (we'll see; I'm as hopeful as anyone) 7) Walker improves the DL (better than Tim Anderson, but so much better it offsets the other losses?) 8) We find a FB better than Shelton (not hard in my opinion) Then yes, we are better than last year. But, that's a lot of "if's". Even our O-line, our biggest improvement, may take several games to "gel." If you take the same approach for any team in the NFL you are likely to conclude that each is likely to improve for next year. Who has more holes to fill than us? Is everyone going to get better? EDIT: Unlike BuffaloLips, however, I both think we're getting worse (for 2007) AND on the right track (for 2007 and beyond). Our moves have been far from pathetic. If anything I think losing so many veterans is courageous and guarantees our team chemistry (mired in mediocrity) is going to change, likely for the better.

Thank you, thank you... I'm actually saying I'm as excited as ever (emotions) for this year, even though I don't see how our record is going to improve significantly until next year (brain). You can choose to wait or not (whatever that means; it's your choice), though I'd love to hear a compelling argument that we'll make the playoffs this year to get me even more excited.

I'd be intereted in hearing Jaworski's opinion about what team has helped their 3-year outlook the most. Mostly we have let go players who would have been a problem over that span. Clements (high salary, risk), Spikes (performance), McGahee (mentality), Fletcher (risk if he insisted on a 5 year deal, and performance, though I'm not convinced), Holcolm (no upside, possible team chemistry problem). Overall, this year's roster looks like they will start the year worse than the guys from last year. I say that because I think it is unlikely we will sign free agents or draft players who can start at the level of the vets who are leaving. I am excited to see how this team grows and gels over the season, who will step into the leadership void, and how they react to adversity. I'd rather get worse this year and break the cycle of mediocrity than suffer another year of the same-ol' with no real change in sight. I don't think this is "our year," but I am already excited for next year if we can sustain a healthy attitude through the season, learn from our mistakes and grow as a TEAM.

wholly crud, he was running-out-into-traffic crazy right after the season and before they brough him back again? Did he ever run over to the wrong sideline...? I'm mostly kidding, since I'm sure he must have gone off his med's in the off-season... but wow. Stigma around mental health issues is so strong I'm surprised he made the team again (even with those fantastic stats). ----------- I'm not sure I really understand what a favorite bust is (with regards to football). I'd be better naming least favorite Hall-of-Famers ....or maybe the most forgettable Bills?

So if the picks traded are fair, the poster worthy of a good reputation will say it's neither of your two choices?

I think since all of the moves definitely help 2008, and we might break even in 2007 (if we have a solid draft), this is the definition of rebuilding. We will emerge in 2008 with a ton of young signed players, extra draft picks, and cap room to extend one or more of our stars. I think explaining the Spikes cut as a cost-savings move (without saying his skill is no longer worth the money) was a good way of talking up his value and "selling" him. Attributing this to the small market team not being able to afford him is fine with me.

Welcome to the Wall, wifeofbillsfan! Did you just find us after the McGahee trade, or have you "lurked" for awhile? Does husbandofwifeofbillsfan also come here? I just moved to KC after living in DC for the last decade. So far, it looks like DC has all of the other cities beat for restaurants, but I agree with whoever said city vs. suburb seems to be the biggest difference. The KC suburbs are choked full of chain restaurants, and make me miss my Capitol Hill hangouts (La Lomita Dos, Park Cafe, Montmartre) and my college dive, Amy's Place by UB. I'd be thrilled to have the Inner Harbor choices nearby. At the intersection of these two points, I'm impressed with how well the Bills decided Willis should leave the team, but did not trash him at all. A hold-out or dispute in the media would have hurt his value and I'm sure the Bills would not have gotten such good draft picks for him. For this alone he should be thankful. Add to this his high draft selection, and his entire first year collecting a huge paycheck for just watching the team, and it's clear this guy should be singing the Bills' praises, not acting like a jacka$$... again.

Hey, that's what a lot of people here have said about Spikes and Holcolm....

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187671 It looks like 27 tackles, and 9 assists (and 6 sacks, 3 passes defensed). 6' 3'' | 294 pounds. 3 games missed in the last 5 years. His stats look fine to me....

I believe with the new CBA, teams can declare two players "June 1st" cuts at any time, and allocate their remaining cap hit over the next two years (same as the old June 1st cuts). This means they can actually cut the veterans early and give them a better chance to land with a new team. Sorry I don't have a link. I tried to find this in January and I think and spent a half hour and only found a few credible references saying the same thing, but nothing definitive. I do not expect a lot of talent will appear in June, though some old vets will of course be let go between now and training camp. I suspect we'll sign one or two stop-gap veteran players to one or two year deals.

And seeing as both of these questions (sucking and winning a SB) have a price, it makes sense to merge them: Who here would suck someone if it meant the Bills would win the Super Bowl this year? For your post above, I know where you stand.

I was thinking the same think.... Maybe I should take the money, so I could spend it going with a friend to see the Bills in the Superbowl, where they play (in January 2009) based on their own wins, nothing given for free by the same hypothetical question that magically produces my cash.

Not to be cynical, but does anyone else question that the contractor had keys to the house and the most to gain from a flood, and happened to just discover this disaster? I hope Royal has a security system which logs access so he can be sure the contractor didn't come in just before the flood as well.... It's nice to hear some new information about the players!

Maybe we could get Vilma and Briggs for Takeo and our 5th round pick (or one of our many compensatory picks) in a three team trade! That way Vilma and Briggs could compete in camp and we'd know whoever performed better would be a solid starter.... I think this sounds pretty good for us. We should do it.

I wasn't counting his 2003 injury-shortened season. 2004 was a good year for him, but he's been sliding since then. (The three years I refered to were = 2004, 2005, 2006). Actually, the decreases in his YpC and first down stats occurred more with the Bills, not the Texans; they just continued with the Texans. So, while you can argue there were also "variables" on the Bills that hurt him (moreso recently than ever before), I don't know why you'd think next year would be any different. I chose these two stats because they really jump out. I could understand a falling YpC if a reciever started being used as a first down possession-receiver, but this would mean the first downs and/or TDs would have to be going up if this was succeeding. I think it's safe to say Eric wasn't considered a success for the Texans. Also, I think the performance decrease for receivers as they get older is not linear; it excellerates. At some point they "fall off the cliff" and their output drops precipitously. His YpC has fallen for 8 straight years, and I doubt he will play any more than one more year in the NFL.

Eric is averaging about 15 receptions, 250 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1.0 YpC and 10 first downs LESS each year over the last three years. If this continues, he will have 40 receptions, 300 yards, 8.8 YpC, -1 TDs and 23 first downs next year. I would say that's not a very productive year for a #2 receiver. Of course, that's about the same as Josh Reed (34| 410 | 12.1 | 2 | 21) or Price (49 | 402 | 8.2 | 3 | 20). Also, just since I was looking them up, this is Parrish: (23 | 320 | 13.9 | 2 | 10 ). Since this is about what we already have on the team, why put money and time into a reciever who is on his way out and could screw up our adolescent team chemistry?

I'm glad he's back! Anyone know if it's a two-year contract? (I hope)

Take a drink every time they compare a college player to someone in the NFL Hall of Fame. Finish your beer if they actually say "Hall of Fame" or say someone is the best ever at anything. ("May be the best ever..." counts.)

For instance, after our running back is traded, or some other big news breaks, there could be trouble and SDS or a mod might start a topic called something like "beats the stevestojan out of me who Rosened the board" and his first post would say belinda since that's it. Then someone would probably make a crack about pandas. I hope that helps clear things up. Welcome. Normally I feel guilty if I give in to the urge to thread-jack (post or encourage conversation off-topic). In this case, however....

I thought he was a locker room leader. No? I can't believe he trashed his (ex)teammates. The idiot doesn't realize if he plays another 5 years he's likely to have one of them on his team again. Also, we know he's going to play against them (though I'm not sure he does). Brilliant, as usual. Good riddance!

Man, this is one of the only ones here I can't take. I agree it's one of the worst memories, but least favorite Bill? With a bunch of these responses you can tell who is judging the Bill as a player, who as a person (or peronality), or in your case, it's the memory (neither). Least favorite Bill (based on talent): Matt Stevens (embarrassed he played on TV wearing Bills uniform) Least favorite Bill (personality): McGahee - honestly not because of the recent trade Favorite Bills (talent): Cowart, Bruce, Reed, Evans, Tasker Favorite Bill (personality): Tasker (not announcing skills!), Reich

How huge are you? Seriously... welcome! I'm from Pittsford myself and miss Wegmans and Country Sweet.

I have no idea what FUD is, but it makes this quote no less funny. I do feel a little different after going to that site.... I wonder if they've worked through the complexities of using the Internet to broadcast brain-scanning theta waves. Thanks for the laugh, Dean!

...and for giggles, how about the 2nd and both thirds?

Or maybe they're smart and are bringing in other teams' cast-offs to be their backup running back. How do you know they don't want McGahee to be a 3rd down specialist?