bluv

So what they are not making as much profit as the other man; they are still making NOT losing money. The ability to sign players (etc. salary cap) should be fair and level; the amount of profit they gain doesn't have to be even. As long as RW is making substantionally more than he is pending then this complaining makes him seem like a whiner just because he can't compete as far as profits with the big boys. To me it seems like a ploy to justify either raising prices or moving the Bills in the upcoming years once the stadium rights run out as they would paint some gloomy picture how they are losing money when really they just aren't making as much as the other guy and blah, blah, blah while really the under the table focus would be on making more profit in another market. To those who would defend them; remember if it were a player crying this same tactic while being paid handsomely but not as much as the next, most would call him a whiner or a cry-baby! But while similar, at least a player can judge his salary by a player with stats. An owner is guaranteed to make a profit just by having a NFL team and based on spending power will be on a almost balanced competitive level as far as paying salries go. If he wants to make more profits its up to the product he puts out and what his customers are willing to pay.

And yeah those same OL looked horrible for 2 years, needed to be upgraded - while Bledsoe was at the snap! I mean until they got Dillion there running game wasn't all that great either. Remember they took our awful RB Antwain Smith and won 2 SB's with him starting! And I'll agree I don't want to see a "merely mediocre line' for that line wouldn't be servicable or productive, it would be MEDIOCRE! If we can get an OL that while it may not have a superstar or Pro Bowl talent but plays together well as a group then I have no problem with that for we will be productive. Once we have that and then we feel like we want to fine tune and add an upgrade at a position then no problems with that. But since the middle of the line is the most obvious weakness, why worry about replacing our tackles with these draft picks when besides supposedly D'Brick all others are projects that may not be serviceable. Do you want a Mike Willliams situation all over again where we invest a lot of money into a player who hasn't proved anything and he turns out to be nothing more than an average, serviceable player? There is not one tackle in this draft besides Da'Brick who will come in and be an upgrade over Gandy but I guarantee that we could definitely find some upgrades at either guard position or DT for that instance. Since Da'Brick will most likely not make it to #8 the next rated tackle won't be worth consideration at #8. If we stay put then and he is not available, Huff, Davis, or AJ hawk would probably be the choice as I'm sure one of those guys will be available at #8. And if we trade down, since the DT available would probably be a better talent that the available tackle that is who we would go with. Once we get the middle of the OL sturdy then we can worry about upgrading from an average solid player to a superstar - IF the price is right!

Exactly. And since their aren't any free-agents who are afforadable and a definite upgrade ON THE FIELD not by name, going into 2006 with Gnady as ourstarting LT is the least of my worries; I'm more worried about who is starting next to him!

Now while Gandy definitely is not a Pro Bowl LT, but based on his play last year he would start for a lot of teams as most teams don't have a star franchise LT; most have a serviceable guy who at the very least can get the job done and Gandy can do that. You only really notice them when they are playing poorly. While I've never seen him make exceptional plays, I haven't seen him struggle much either. Remember Jonas Jennings; for the longest time we felt we needed an upgrade at LT for he wasn't spectacular and never noticed his play until he got hurt (which was often) and until he finally left and then we realized that you know what he wasn't that bad after all! I'm sure the Texans would have been glad to have Gandy the past few seasons. Overall, as was stated before, the interior of our line was our wekaness. If we make an upgrade their and get those guys to at a minmum be serviceable players then we can make some noise with the skill players and speed that we have. Look at the Pats; they never had a world beater OL like the Hogs were in the late 80's early 90s but they were servicable and this approach by keeping guys who aren't neccessarily the best but serviceable and affordable is the key to success in today's NFL. In this day and age you can't keep a superstar at every position so at nonglamorous positions such as OL and DT unless there is a clear weakness or an overpriced player why is there such a big push for a change to bring in an unknown component? I say fix the obvious weaknesses first and then worry about fine tuning IF you are confident that the serviceable component you are replacing is a definite upgrade; not just by name only. While we can use an upgrade at LT, DT & gauard are our greatest need followed by safety. I can see it now: we draft a tackle at #8, he struggles and the fans call him a bust after one season!

You know how some fans on this board think about DT like Pat Williams or Big Ted; they think they are too fat, too lazy, stay at home, not stat guys but don't realize their worth - till they are gone doing nothing for the other team but make their run D shoot to the top of the league while ours sputter until we find another too fat, too lazy that can stay at home and stand his ground!

I just hope he comes in and design our offense into a scheme that fits around the talent on the team and vice vera like our new defensive philosphy has done. Whatever it takes to move the ball and put points on the board is fine with me. But for the past 5 season we haven't had any identity whatsoever besides the first year we picked up Bledsoe. It seems as if we have just been calling plays instead of good scheming and playcalling. I mean if our team is suited to be a smash mouth team and that works then fine. It would be better than trying to throw the ball every down and putting all the pressure on JP or whoever is behind center. But if we have all this speed at WR and we are stuck in neutral with an unproductive FB and TE in the passing game sticking with a smash mouth running game that is getting smash I will say open it up and go with a 3 Wr offense and spread teams out. I definitely and especially hate the past 5 years when our personell on the field would dictate wheter we would run or pass and it became obvious to those who follow the Bills and you could call the play before the snap; I hated the situational substitutions on average down and distances as it always dictated our intentions. I say find a core offensive group that will take %85 of the snaps (if healthy) and run the offense through these guys and unless it is 3rd and short or 3rd and 15 these guys should be on the field so that the D will not be able to read us based on substituion tendencies. For instance, maybe you can ocassionasly substitute McGahee to give him a breather but not every 3rd down passing situation like we have the past 2 years!

Exactly. While I wouldn't be against an upgrade at LT, an upgrade at both guard position and center is needed more. If we had any road grinders in the middle then Gandy or Peters play would get the job done. The only negative I can point out is that Peters is not the run blocker MW was for once he went down so did the running game as maligned as he was, he was only true body mover. If the guards and centers can establish a running game up the gut and be adequate pass protectors then our tackles can get the job done; maybe not All-Pros but adequate.

AMEN! Gandy was not as bad as some make him out to be. Now Benny was garbage; if we can find a solid LG, get Villireal to step his game up a notch and/or Fowler or Duke can push the middle better than Teague then Gandy/ Peters are more than serviceable. While most want to bash this combo, in reality they are our best OL as most of our problems exist between the tackles in both the pass protection and running game. Think about it; how many games have you seen this tackle combo get abused by the other teams DEs? Don't get me wrong, we can definitely do better than this combo but then again it could be a lot worse. You can't have and keep a Pro Bowler at every position on the line in todays NFL with free agency.

Playoff race? We were never in a playoff race in 2005. As far as Eric complaining the offensive gamplan; we ALL have cried about that for the last decade! Every other year it is some new philosohpy with the only constant being ERIC MOULDS! As far as his complaints about JP; while I prefer we stuck with JP, he had every right for last year was suppose to be make or break year for us after a strong finish in 2004. If he felt that Holcomb was better suited to get us on a winning track, there were plenty that agree with him (Not me I might add!) As far as the statement: "Great players elevate others around them". Who ever said that he was great or a Hall of Famer? All most have said is that he is a good WR who may have been considered great if he played in better offensive schemes with better QB's; key word may. But if you have followed the Bills since 1996 then you know our biggest issues have been lack of offensive identity and inconsistent QB play. If you don't think that this can't affect the numbers a WR puts up then its obvious that you are not open minded to this topic and want to label him whatever. All I can say is that while he wasn't the greatest, he played admirably and put up good numbers while wearing our uniform and I wish him well. Don't treat him like he was a TO or Keyshawn Johnson type!

Back when Eric first became a free agent, Philly and I think the Titans offered Moulds more money than the Bills and everyobe for sure thought that he was gone. But since the Bills made a comparable offer, he chose to remain a Bill. Now if he had left then I still wouldn't call him a quitter for he has the right to chose where he wants to play. But I can see someone labeling him a quitter in that situation; wouldn't agree but I understand. In this current situation I can't see any relevance as no one knows where this team is headed and since he has stayed his time with the Bills, maybe its time for him o test different waters. There shouldn't be any ill feelings for him doing what he wants to do after spending 10 years in a business relationship that is one sided to begin with.

Come on that was ONE game that meant nothing in a season that meant nothing and we really don't know what happened to get him upset. See its those who want to find something to hold against him will dwell on that game and the amount of kids and baby mamas he has. But let me get this straight: after 10 years of laying it all on the field you are going to dwell on one incident that you ASSUME to know what he was upset about? And after that game and the suspension he came back and put up his best numbers of the season. There has been a lot of things wrong with the Bills for the past few years but Moulds hasn't been one of them as he has been one of the few consistent player we have had over the past 7 years playing with average to subpar QBs.

Here we go again: a player leaves and most bash him! Either he was overated, wouldn't be missed or sold out. Remeber last year with all the Fat Pat Williams post? Or even farther back with all those crybaby Andre Reed and money hungry Bruce Smith? Face it: it is a GAME not a marriage. Back to Moulds; to say he quit on the Bills; that is ludicrous! In the era of free agency he stood with the Bills for 10 seasons thru all our losing. In his breakout years when he became a free agent he could have jumped ship for more money and went to a contender with a consistent QB but yet he stuck with an organization where the fans had repeatedly called him a bust because he had underperformed his first 2 years while barely seeing the field. He has played with the all types of QB's from midgets to big slow sloths to pretty boy surfers and yet still managed to put up decent numbers. While I hope we turn it around and finally start winning with the right combination of coach, QB, and GM, why would Eric think it would be any different? I can see the quitter acussations if this was year 4 and we had just come off a succesfull season and he jumped ship; most of us Bills faitful don't even expect much from the team this year. And I'm sure Eric would love Houston, being closer to home way better than Buffalo. SO why not have afresh start?

What I forgot to add was that I was talking about this year or maybe next as the player will take time to develop. And if he struggles any; doesn't play like a Pro Bowler after at least 8 games he will be labeled a bust by most fans on this board.

MW benching wasn't the reason Peters go the start at RT. Remeber at the beginning of the season Peters was the backup LT; when MW got hurt the first time they brought in Greg Jerman to play RT and Peters never touched the field as they didn't want him learning a new position. But in a game I can't remember both MW and German were hurt and Peters was our only option - at RT. He came in, played admirably and started ever since. When MW came back healthy he was tried at LG to no avail and then he was benched.

I think that our OL problems are really between the tackles. While I hope we can add a superstart LT, anyone drafted other than D'Brick will not be an upgrade over Gandy or Peters. I hope we can find a road grinder to fill LG and I hope Fowler is an upgrade over Teague. Villereal needs to step his game up as well for if we can get some body movers and get the running game consistent, with the speed we have at WR, maybe we can get something done. Who knows; if we draft Davis at TE and find a road grinder at guard to get those tough yards up the middle then we may make some noise next year.

I don't think that either tackle, especially Gandy is as bad as some fans percieved. Really how many games did he get abused? I think Peters is a decent tackle in the making. Even though Mike Williams is considered a bust, we did miss his run blocking once he got hurt. Since Runyan specialty is suppose to be run blocking we could sign him and either move Peters to LT or stick with Gandy for like you said the real problem with this line was between the tackles, Villareal included. Hopefully if we sign Wells and he is a stud and we find a center; either Duke or a FA who is better at holding his ground and pushing the pile than Teague maybe we can make some process. No team can have and keep a Pro Bowler at every position on the team so while Peters and Gandy aren't All-Pro they are adequate, especially at pass blocking.

Exactly. Put the pieces to the puzzle around JP; if he flops then sign a free agent QB to come in and leads us to paydirt when we are only have a few spots to field. But on a team with many holes to fill and no high expectations, why cut a young Qb who was traded for 2 years ago who has only 8 starts and draft a QB who has the same physical skills as Losman? I mean in 2004 JP was the Cutler of that draft as he had the strongest arm and was one of the faster QB's. Now after 8 start's we should give up on the kid and start this process all over? I say we build this team for the next year or two and at the same time give JP enough starts to make a valid decision.

My points exactly. There will always be better options at every position that look better and greenere, especially at draft time. The thing is no team can have a squad full of Pro Bowlers at every position. But QB is a position that really must be developed so patience is a virtue for it is definitely not a plug and play type position where you can make good long term analysis based on 8 games. I know some will say what if drafting a new QB turns out to be gold. But what if it doesn't? I think that situation would be far worse for you would have 2 first round QBs wasting money and time and setting us back.If we stick with JP 2 more years and he doesn't work out then we can sit him and sign a free aganet Qb if all the other areas of the team are strong. If we draft a Qb and he fails then we will waste 3-4 years on this guy with JP sitting on the pine. STUPID!

No matter how you look at it, Levy has to take the hand that was dealt to him; he can't just start over from scratch. JP was dealt to him and he has to find out whther JP can get the job done. My point is that it takes more than 8 games to truly judge a QB. So if Levy gave up on JP this early and brings in another QB while still having JP on the roster this is stupid! I mean JP has shown way more potential than Alex Rodgers has. I mean this team fell off running the ball and the D went from a top 5 D to the bottom 5. That combined with poor coaching how successful would you expect a 2nd year QB making his 1st start to do; lead this team to the playoffs? I could see if JP played poor all season and made no progress; I mean his last 4 games after coming back from being bench were pretty good FOR A 2ND year QB qith less than 10 starts. So why give up on him when athletically he is just as good as the top 3 Qbs in this draft with just as much potential but yet at least a few games experience under his belt. If he comes in next season and lights it up while these other QBs hold out for they would want to get paid like the top 5 talents they feel they are but yet dropped to us at 8, we could have a San Diego situationhere but it would be worse; at least the Chargers gave Drew Brees 2 years to do hi thing; we only gave JP * FREAKING GAMES!

One minute JP is our QB of the future who is suppose to be eased into the job and MANAGE the team. Now after being forced to CARRY the team in his 2nd year when he obviously wasn't ready but showed flashes, we are ready to give JP 8 games and now all off a sudden draft another QB? It doesn't make since. Maybe San Fran or GB should draft a QB as well for I would much rather have JP than Alex Smith or AJ Rodgers and they have higher picks than we do. If they can stay put, avoid the temptation, give their QBs time to develop, and add more talent then I think we should do the same. I know Favre hasn't retired yet but who knows? I could see if JP had started for 3 years or even a whole season but 8 games? The worse move for the Bills would be to start Holcomb as this would set us back years. Also drafting another QB high in the draft that doesn't pan out will set us back 5 years if he doesn't pan out. If Jp doesn't pan out in 2-3 years then we could ad a free agent QB IF we add the other pieces to the puzzle and the QB is the only thing holding us back. If we draft a QB then we would have to invest 5 years in him plus pay JP to sit on the bench or possibly trade him and watch him blossom on another squad.

For the Bills to draft another QB 2 years after giving up a 1st rd pick to move up and take JP when he has only played in 8 games is stupid! If Leinart, Young, or Cutler falls in our lap they should be used as trade bait to get more picks to shore up our OL and DL or possibly draft Davis earlier in the 1st to give JP some weapons and a OL/ DL later. I mean if JP fails then yes some would look back and say I told we should have picked one of the Qbs. But what if one of those top 3 QBs struggle, as most young QBs do? This would be JP all over again with those who would start harping on rebuilding the line and adding weapons and setting us back 2-3 more years. I mean if the Ravens or Lions could stick with Harrington and Boller for as long as they have why can't some give JP more than 8 games to show more than flashes and give him a chance to be consistent? At least give him a chance for none of these other QBs are going to come in and light up the league in thir first season.

I know a lot of us are HOPING that DC is a flop for the Dolphins but deep down inside most are a little nervous. Take away the few games he played bad last year, he is definitely not a slouch. Just in 2004 he had one of the best seasons EVER for a NFL QB; and Moss was injured for a good part of that season (I know a few will still keep bringing up how he played last year and the Randy factor). But if the Dolphins can get solid play from him they will be a force to reckon with as for the past few years this is what has basically held them back. I magine if we didn't have JP and we signed DC for a 2nd round at a reduced salary; this board would be so positive talking about the what ifs ith a few nay-sayers as expected. But hope would be high. I just hope that the Bills can step our play and talent level up a few notches for if DC plays anywhere close to expected level then the Bills and Jets may be fighting for cellar dwellars in the AFC East!

The fact that the Bills aren't willing to pay him 6M is the issue as Moulds would happily play for 6M! They want him to take a paycut and play for about 4M. Next to TO, Moulds would probably be the only premier free agent WR out there worth taking a chance on paying 4M for. I'm sure a team on the bubble that needs a WR like Philly or ATL definitely wouldn't mind paying him close to 4M; no less than 3M. So why would he take a paycut for us when he has restructured numerous times to help the team (so actually he is owed this money from previous season where he EARNED it by his play on the field) and play for a team that once again is going thru a regime change. If this were a similar WR such as Joe Horn who is a good WR who played for team that constanly tinkers with average success but more often than not failed to make the playoffs and declined to restructure and was available for about 4M in this weak WR free agent pool most on this board would be like lets get 'er done!

I agree a %100; though the D deserves a lot of blame as well but they only allowed 19 points. A lot of people would say we were out coached. On D, there isn't much the coaching staff can do when you have undersized DL, especially at NT against a O hell ebnt on running the ball and an offense that either scores or punts quick leaving you on the field; it's all up to the players to get the job done. On offense if Kelly who called the plays and managed the clock had utilized Thurman earlier in the game against a defense bent on stopping the pass, this game should have been easy as we could have been the ones controlling the clock; much like we did against Miami in the 94 AFC Championship game where we had 2 backs run for over a 100 yards. It was obvious that the Giants could not match up with us and stop both the run and pass and we had them right where we wanted them. The playcalling didn't call for enough runs and who called the plays in the No-Huddle? Look Kelly was a great QB and I loved watching him play but he froze up in that game. And that aside, the last drive was awful clock management as mentioned before they hadn't run the ball all day then they deside to run the ball on that last drive when the clock was running down; thank god Thurman broke a 20 plus run!

I agree. That was BS as that is the only one I know where they let a player or coach do the narrating and it is sickening listening to him boast: "we were laying the chips down one by one"... the NFL did us wrong with that one!