Bill from NYC

I hope you are right and his name is worthy of mention in this thread. The problem is, he also might belong on the list of the most overrated. If he lives up to the potential you describe, he could win us some football games. This is what we need.

I like and can relate to this post. I also would like to point out that this is a very big part of the reason that I (and I think many others) was against the Watkins trade. We have already lost one of our top 3 players imo, and maybe two (btw Mario would round out my top 3), and the preseason has not even started. Will Kiko ever be 100%? Thankfully medicine has advanced, but Spikes went from hall of fame level to average. If Glenn is very sick, how do we replace one of the best draft selections the Bills ever made? If the injuries mount and the Bills tank, how good will Watkins have to be for this to be a beneficial deal for our beloved franchise? And what will become of those who made this trade? Just something to think about.

I see your point. A case could be made that the very strong showing from Robey, and for that matter Searcy were due to the excellent coaching of Pettine. That said, the same could be said wrt McKelvin. I think that he was an actual liability before last season. How about you? The Bills passed on Clady and Branden Albert to draft McKelvin. Before last season, he looked like just another dumb draft selection. That said, McKelvin was tremendous in 2013 imo. Remember, the team was 28th in time of possession. This places way too much pressure on the defense. Losing Pettine really does suck, but hopefully the offense will improve and make the team more balanced. Call me crazy, but I think that this defense will be pretty good, loss of Kiko notwithstanding.

I disagree. BV said that he doesn't trust EJ and the coaching staff. What should we do? Lecture him about why he should? What we know about EJ is that he has God given talent. We also know that he can throw picks and get his ass kicked. We knew the same about RJ and Losman (although I don't think JP was as smart as EJ). What we know about Marrone is that he was horrible at challenges and clock management. The above worries me more than losing Kiko, and I am a huge fan of his. Sure, they were both rookies, so this leaves us with hope, right? But we always have hope entering a season. Well, almost every season. In any event, I think you and others are being rough on BV who imo raises valid points for discussion.

What has NOT remained stable is the rule changes. EA, what were the stats on Chris Chandler. His nickname was "Chandelier," but he could really throw. I liken him to Drew Brees. Ferguson and Chandler would do very well today in my respectful opinion. QBs themselves are protected and back in the day, there were safeties such as George Atkinnson, Steve Atwater, Ronnie Lott, etc. who would KILL receivers over the middle. Receivers now own the middle. Players such as Cutler, and soon Dalton will make 18 million dollars per season. Stats notwithstanding, are the really THAT much better than Ferguson and Chandler? Seriously.

It's ok Promo. You and I have WAY different tolerance levels. It doesn't make either of us more of a fan. The truth is, I applaud Bills Fans. As a group, we are as loyal as it gets. No matter what stupid thing the Bills brass does, I will support the team and the fans. You seem to be more supportive of the organization than the fans, or so it would seem. When I write my weekly "thoughts," most of the time, the Bills have lost the game. I try to mix in humor with analysis. But there is also anger. We deserve better Promo, and I think that deep down you agree. Either way, do be well.

I was with you until the last sentence. That was mean spirited and totally uncalled for.

And I think that the theme of virtually all of your posts is to insult Bills Fans who won't stand in the streets with you waving pom-poms. That said, I sincerely hope that your 4th was pleasant.

John, the above IS my point. You seem to question whether or not EJ will be "competent," yet you think it's ok to give up the Bills best resource for a wide receiver. And btw, I think he will probably be at least competent if they let him run the read option. If.....IF he isn't a top quality passer there is no reason to baby him. Sorry, but I completely disagree with the above. Another losing season and heads will roll, with Marrone being first on the list.

But when your OL sucks and you pass on Clady and Branden Albert for McKelvin, you have found a sure fire way to lose football games. Whitner was a complete waste of a premium draft choice. Given who was there to be selected, it ranks as one of the dumbest picks in the Bills history, and that is quite the distinction.

I ask you to consider the following for the sake of good dialogue..... When the Bills drafted EJ, they traded down 8 spots. This tell me that the Bills were either not entirely sold on him as a franchise OR, they had someone (Smith?) rated about as high. Then, in his rookie season, he has a mediocre year and multiple injuries to boot. What to do? Trade away a potential top 5 future pick for a wideout. I can easily agree to disagree, but from where I sit this makes no sense. And if you don't even suspect at all that this move was more about the brass trying to save their jobs than to build a solid franchise, I don't really know what to say. Bottom line imo is that someone has to get the ball to Watkins. I hope EJ can do it. As you said, time will tell.

It might be a relief to message board posters like us, but it was a move marked by people desperate to keep their jobs. It was an ill advised move in a draft which was absolutely stacked at the wr position.

Nice to see that you have come around to my way of thinking. I have posted time and again that a draft is (imo) measured by who a team passes on as much as it is by who they select. And I am NOT talking about Brady in round 6, etc. That was a fluke. The Bills passed on Ngata, Cutler, and a slew of good blockers to draft this undersized, not particularly fast safety. Then, he actually HELD OUT, and signed a contract for 36 million or so and collected every last dime of it. Levy and Jauron destroyed this team. They had help mind you.....Look at who got drafted after McKelvin... http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/years/2008

I think that you know how much I enjoy your posts. That said, wanting the Bills to go 0-16 is impossible to defend under any conditions, let alone in a year in which they squandered a future first round draft choice which could quite possibly be a top 5 selection. The truth, in my strong opinion, is that even if the Bills reach 8-8, Whaley, Marrone, Hackett and Schwartz will be well deservedly fired. Think about it.....which of these men would get another NFL job at their current level? Whaley? I doubt it. Hackett? Little to no chance. Schwartz? Highly doubtful. Marrone? He would be lucky to get a job as an OC. My guess would be OL Assistant Coach. Brandon? He might catch on at Ringling Brothers. Maybe. Btw, Whaley's first draft was interesting. He took a first round qb and actually gained a second round pick while doing so. This, imo, is to be praised, given the talent of Kiko and Woods, a particular favorite of mine. The 2014 draft was marked by utter desperation imo. Whaley and especially Marrone knew that there days are numbered, so they went "all in" by trading the future for a wideout. They could have traded DOWN in this draft and picked a perfectly good receiver but again, their jobs were clearly on the line. My opinion of EJ might differ from yours. I think he would be fine as a read option QB. If his body cannot stand up, so be it. At this point Lewis is as good as EJ, although I readily admit that EJ has a higher ceiling. In any event my friend, there is NO room to defend wanting to go 0-16 in any season, and this would be the worst one to do so. May you, and anyone who reads this have a great 4th!

While I certainly hope that you are right, do remember that excuse making is par for the course of a Bills Fan. If Gilmore, the 10th selection of an NFL Draft, is a good football player in year 3, who's better than us? If not, perhaps the excuses will wear thin. Ya think, or should we give him 5 years or so?

1) Spiller. He is a modern day Roscoe Parrish. A flashy waste of a draft pick who posters compare to Barry Sanders. 2) It shouldn't be close, but it is. Gilmore is called a "shutdown corner," but he is frequently smoked and penalized. 3) As we speak, EJ is no better than Thad Lewis. When and if he does improve, I will be cheering as hard as any fan because we need him to get WAY better if we are to win football games.

I fail to understand why you take my "thoughts" and opinions to a personal level. I for one enjoy the dialogue. Spiller doesn't "suck." I hope this is clear. Is he the type of player to build a team around? Of course not. He, as I recall, wasn't even an every down back in college. And yes, he did play hurt, but so does virtually every player in every game. Btw, have you noticed how many posters do not agree with the pedestal upon which you placed Spiller? It isn't about ME; before this I had but 1 post in this thread which I did NOT start. I hope that Spiller can win us some games in 2014. We shall see.

Wow, what great numbers! In the other 7 carries, he gained a whopping 10 yards. Defensive coordinators around the league are certainly shivering. They also cower at the thought of our team being 2nd in rushing yards and 28th in Time of Possession!!! Spiller does nothing but win football games for the Buffalo Bills. He was a steal at #9, no?

Good point Promo! The truth is however that with Mr. Wilson in poor health and the inept Brandon in charge, Whaley, and especially the Syracuse crony mob had little to worry about in terms of keeping their jobs. A new owner will almost certainly demand more results. So, they traded away the future to get a wide receiver in a draft that was absolutely stacked with good ones. They went "all in." To you, I am sure this is a mere coincidence. Can you find a way to blame this state of events on Bills Fans? I bet you can!

Yes, the above makes perfect sense. Trading away a #1 pick to draft a wide receiver in a draft which was chock full of wide receivers (and could easily be a top 5 pick) was NOT a desperation move. In fact, Whaley and Marrone never even discussed losing their jobs to a new owner. If anything goes wrong, the fans will be to blame, right?

There is no reason for me to care about the Browns. I care about what is best for the Buffalo Bills to win football games and build a strong, winning franchise. Making the playoffs would be cool too, dontcha think? We might not even have a good quarterback, and Buffalo is not really a coveted place for free agents. And, football players do get injured, no? I have been through ill advised draft picks before as a Bills Fan. It's not an unfamiliar road. Players such as Gilmore, Spiller, Maybin, McKelvin, and Whitner come to mind. In this instance, we traded UP for a wideout with big time questions at QB. I hope that it works, and please don't let me stop you from loving the situation. But from where I sit I am looking at second string management trying to hold on to their jobs, which imo they will all lose. Let's hope I'm wrong. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't, and I'm not a shamed to say so. There will be other good receivers in this draft without a doubt. Meanwhile, we have no first round pick in 2015. The above is not to say that Watkins will not be good or even great!!! He might just be. And he might play SOOOO well that he will change my mind. I sure hope so but it's asking a lot at that price.

Maybe he will be the best player in the history of football!

Mario Williams is overrated? I like your posts but completely disagree. In 8 seasons he has 76.5 sacks, to go along with 14 forced fumbles and 5 recovered fumbles. This is how to win football games. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WillMa22.htm

The amount of fans who think that Butler was a high quality player has always fascinated me. I think that he was a so-so player who was hampered by injuries. His production was minimal. Schobel otoh is frequently underrated but even at that, he doesn't belong on any list that includes Jim Brown and Sandy Koufax, nor does Lynch. Jmo.