Bill from NYC

Robey is bad. Is that right? Absolutely no credibility here.

HUGE Crimson Tide Fan here..... Sims is a very smart player who listens to his coaches. I love this about the kid. He throws an easy pass to catch but at times he needs a bit more air than one would like. He is small but he's a gamer. He buys time ala Wilson but is far less fluid and natural. My expectations for him are mixed. McCarron was a better college QB by far (numbers notwithstanding) if this helps at all.

>>>>>“There’s no way you can write EJ Manuel off yet,” Monos said. “He has the chance to compete for the starting job just like he has before. Hopefully he’s learned some things. We have a new staff now and hopefully they click. You never know.”<<<<< Underwhelming indeed, especially the word "yet."

It isn't. The blame lies on Brandon for hiring Marrone, his Syracuse crony. Hackett was part of Marrone's coaching tree. How sad is that? Can you imagine bringing this low level of accomplishment and experience to lead an NFL franchise? People are certainly entitled to their opinions, but I think that Brandon gets off easy on this board. He brought in an inexperienced clown and actually gave him a 4 million dollar escape clause. Let me know when this happens on another franchise. And btw, I actually prefer Hackett to Marrone.

Good post but sadly, some of the above names will more than likely suffer serious injury. That's just how it goes. I also think that it is VERY important to re-sign players such as Robey and Searcy. These guys don't get headlines but they are key contributors AND, they already are familiar with the system having played for Pettine. And btw, it would be very dumb to have to use up precious resources to replace players such as those who really are doing their jobs quite well.

I agree. The thing is, I am of the opinion that the Bills do really need a back. Fred is old and Spiller is a small, situational, inconsistent back and I am being kind. And as I said, the Bills are in desperate need of interior linemen.

Pat Kirwin was speaking very highly of a guard from Duke. He said he is 6'3"/330 and fierce.

Yes, it was me . His 40 time at the combine will be interesting. I also thought he was closer to 6'2", but we shall see. The comment about his vision was true. He can really get through openings and he is hard to catch and bring down. Frogger, you are correct. He is faster and more of a home run hitter than Lacy, but not quite as strong. That said, he blocks and he is very good on screen passes. He is also great on 3rd and short at the goal line. Don't worry too much about his yardage numbers. I know that sounds strange but he was on a team with unlimited weapons, to include Amari Cooper, who I think will be every bit as good as Julio Jones. My only concern would be his health. Like most backs, he has been banged up a bit and believe me, this is a kid who will play through injury. But, Saban rested him. For Fred Jackson fans, I have never seen a back who resembles him more than TJ. They have the same type of bodies, same running style and versatility. TJ isn't as strong as Fred just yet but he is a baby, and I think he will get to be on a par with Fred in terms of pure strength. When healthy, he is a full step faster than Fred from scrimmage. In the open field, it isn't even close. Imo, he would be a great fit on this football team but as others have said, we need interior linemen as well.

Totally true. Looking back, Kiko was starting to get beat up a bit on running plays. He isn't a big guy and my GUESS is that it isn't easy for him to keep his weight up. That said, the kid was fantastic in coverage and great (for his size) vs. the run. If we can keep Hughes, I think that the defense might be even better this season. Btw, I am every bit as high on Bradham as you are. And there is little reason to think that he cannot even get better, especially wrt pass rush.

What about Searcy?

That's what I thought. From afar it seemed like Snyder gushing all over RG111 put Shanny in an untenable position. Also, after Elway retired in Denver, he was stuck with Brandon Marshall. Imo, Marshall has almost as much talent as Megatron, but he is also a self proclaimed sufferer of Borderline Personality Disorder. How would you like to coach him? Poor Trestman had Cutler (a bit off), Marshall, and that crazy tight end. How did that work? I always thought of Shanny as a fine coach. Maybe I'm wrong.

How much was his fault?

Ya know, I think I saw the same sentiments expressed by a poster or two on this board. Yes, I think that for EJ to have any chance at all of being a good quarterback, he is going to have to run the ball. He has proven to be inaccurate so far at virtually every distance. He needs more defenders to be bunched up on the line in order for his receivers to get wide open, to the point that maybe he could complete passes to them. Jmo.

Well if Brandon gets canned and finds another job it's all good.

I will. He was drafted at # freaking 9!!!!!!! And no, it was not the greatest draft, but there were many players there who would have helped the Bills more than a small gadget player at #9. CJ would have been a decent pick if he went in round 3 or 4. http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/years/2010

You left out: Gadget player Absolutely horrible blocker Inconsistent Terrible waste of a top 10 draft selection

I wish that he was under contract for next season. It would be cool to maybe pick up a 6th or 7th round pick for him in a trade.

KTD, I just got in and have not been through this thread yet. How do you feel about us getting Rex? For the record (not that any of us should care lol), I am literally thrilled. I think that Rex will fit into Buffalo like hand in glove (no pun intended). GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How to be LAST inside the 2 minute drill before the half in points scored.

Some great RBs there. Spiller is a turkey.

Yes, and Ryan Leif had a great arm.

I understand what you are saying Coach Marrone. BUT, you were dead last in scoring inside the halftime deuce, and you truly did botch things on the OL which was supposed to be your area of expertise. That said, I for one appreciated the way you stood up to your dumb bosses. It's going to be tough for you to get a job. You are not a true offensive mind and you might not even be hired as an OL coach due to your lousy results with the Bills. Then again with 4 mil. in ones pocket, who really does need a job? If you do feel like working, I suggest that you apply to some second rate colleges. Your record suggests that you will raise their level of play to mediocre. Be well Coach.

I agree, (or so it seems). If Rex thinks that EJ completely sucks (not the worst evaluation ever mind you), what SHOULD he do? In Atlanta Matt Ryan is very good, and Rex is more than capable of building a defense, no? I have a feeling that many on this great board are going to spend the offseason pretending that EJ Manuel does not suck.

This is one way to look at the situation. Another is that EJ is inaccurate at virtually every distance. He clearly has a hard time seeing receivers and has even been very disappointing when he runs, something he did well in college. When Rob Johnson came to the Bills, I was taken by his height, perfect spirals, powerful arm and ability to run. When he sucked, I would blame the OL (which was horrid no doubt), coaches, etc. My point is that many qbs have every tool and cannot play. You might see things in EJ that I do not and I hope that you are correct. However, going with EJ in 2014 would have been a huge risk. It would also be quite the gamble in 2015. In terms of your post I ask you this: How many opposing defenses looked forward to playing against EJ Manuel?

But Dave, this can be good or bad. There is NO indication that Manuel is a good quarterback. Let's remember, they traded DOWN and took him. If they really thought he would be a top flight QB they would have taken him early, no? Seriously, what normal team would risk losing a good quarterback to pick up an extra 2nd round pick? And as I recall they even gave up an earlier pick in the late rounds with a swap in that trade. Pat Kirwin recently said that running qbs in college who cannot run in the NFL are thrown to the curb, and he sited EJ as an example. I am on record from day 1 as not liking Marrone getting hired. But imo the best thing he ever did was bench Manuel. At least we got to see the Bills win 9 games. Do you think that EJ is, or ever will be a top shelf quarterback? Do you think he will even be mid-range ala Dalton?