Fan in Chicago

The fact that they did it once does not mean a solid D is not required to get to a SB. If your D is weak and/or your running game is weak (they finished with a #29 rank in run D for the season) a opposing team can capitalize on these holes. The Colts D could not stop a ~ 10 minute TD drive in the 4th quarter and the Colts were held to two FGs in the same quarter. We may have to agree to disagree but I maintain that as great as Manning is, he cannot consistently do it by himself.

I disagree. Manning is the one covering up the deficiencies on defense. And this year, they have been inconsistent both at the receiver position and rushing attack. But to continue being an elite team for years through a head coaching change is commendable. In my mind, they clearly need an infusion of talent on the D to get back to the SB.

actually the crux of my argument is that Nix and the FO need to first evaluate the candidates and if there is a can't miss QB option, take it. I dont know enough to say one way or the other about any of these QBs.

I say $150 for all speaks more to Nix's smartness than it does Fitz's and Nix didn't even go to Harvard. Are you saying the moral of the story is that it is better to be an undersized, young, under-achiever than a bearded Harvard alum with a wonderlic of 48.

More importantly, their teams already has a good OL in place - something we are atleast two players short of. I do agree there is no single way to accomplish the goals but the most proven one is to get a franchise QB when you have the opportunity. Ideally, one or two years before you really need one.

I agree with you on keeping Whitner, Poz ... Here is the deal with the QB situation - Great QBs and even above average QBs are rare. See the long line of under-achievers drafted by other teams (and heck the Bills also). Secondly, it is always better to be not rushing the young QB into the starting line-up. See the development of A Rodgers and how he learned under Favre to now become a solid QB. Put both these thoughts together and you can see that we need to grab a QB if the FO believes they have a potentially great one available. Then he can sit behind Fitz, get used to the speed of the NFL and be eased into the starting line-up. Yes Fitz has made getting a QB less of a problem than it was last year but his performance overall has shown that he has limitations which will prevent him from taking us to the top level. Look at it another way - we are likely to load up on talent in the next two seasons and be ready to make a major run in 2012 and beyond. If at that point we find that the rest of the team is championship ready but Fitz is the weak link, we will have to wait another two years or so to groom a young QB. We are better of getting a good one now so that the entire team will be fully mature and prepared for a SB run(s).

There is always next year

It also helps to refresh ones memory about the meaning of negotiation

I would like not to weep over spilt milk but rather use the experience to make better decisions in future drafts. Spiller could still turn out to be a game-changer but the fact is that he, in no way, postively impacted the Bills in this season. Maybe I aim too high, but I would like to see high first rounders helping the team out in their rookie season as opposed to being pampered and apologized for in the line up. I really do not want to see another Maybin and Spiller type picks who we have to wait on to succeed. Heck, look at how Moats, Troup and Carrington contributed this year. If these players keep improving, we have the makings of a very good defense and would need to add a couple of LBs and one DT/DE. As far as who we pick, hopefully it is a no-brainer that it should not be a RB or CB. My personal feeling is that it should not be a WR either, considering the crying needs we have elsewhere. In order - QB (if the FO believes there is a franchise player available), OT, LB, DE. It looks like if no QB is graded at #3 by our FO, we should trade down and get atleast an extra #2. Then we will have #1, 2x#2, #3, 2x#4s which would be great for the team. And yes, re-sign Whitner, Poz, Wilson.

Problem is that we need quite a few LBs especially if we go back to committing to the 3-4. So, I don't foresee a scenario where Poz is re-signed but relegated to being a backup.

Agree. Keep your own (the good to decent ones anyway), draft well and get high value FAs.

In one game ?

Thanx for the non-PC but totally funny post. Hilarious.

As far as talent goes, the Pats* are by far the superior team. And they are also ones who translate that ability into results. rarely does that team make stupid mistakes. Having said that, lately we have played them very very close and that is not due to any charity on their part (which ofcourse they are NOT known for). I think we are close in terms of sheer will and coaching to be able to beat them. Can we beat them this Sunday ? I am not sure. If we click on all cylinders, make no mistakes and force them to make a couple perhaps we have a chance. If our OL was intact, Evans & Parrish were healthy I would say we could pull this one off especially as we are at home. If I was a betting man, I would not bet on the Bills this Sunday. But as a fan, I am pumped, will cheer for them and hope they pull of what would be a colossal upset.

You ain't seen nothing yet.

What way did you look at him before ?

And here I thought it was because McNabb generally sucks and is done.

I rather win an NFC game in the post-season. But thats just me.

If he goes to Miami, chalk up two easy wins for the Bills next season.

Same here. NOne of my feed links are working

One more of those on Dec 26 and I will worship him.

Meh, I don't give that announcement (which I missed) much credence. If there is a blue chip LT in the board when we pick, he will be ours and will compete with Bell for the starting spot.

So do Illinois politicians so I fail to see the significance. Welcome back and thanks for sharing the pics.

Very nice gesture, mead.