Bill from NYC

1) I am just wondering.....has any NFL kicker EVER missed a field goal against the Bills? 2) Kiko made some mistakes, but I am satisfied that he will make plays and that today was a learning experience. 3) Carrington was non-productive today. That's a shame too because we really didn't need that much more to win this football game. 4) I think that CJ Spiller might win us a football game this season. Maybe even two. I hope that I am right because he lost us one today with his poor play and his fumble. He owes us a win. 5) How can a Bills fan not be pleased by EJ? I mean seriously. His stats were not great, but he truly appears to have the brain and the body to excel in this football league. I am guessing that he was told to try not to run due to his knee injury, and I suppose that this makes sense. But I will also assert that if he was not nursing this injury, he would have won this football game. In short, I really like this kid! 6) Usually I cannot see much of the RG on television. Today I was lucky and will tell you that Urbik had a nice game today, and btw so did Pears. 7) Everybody's bragging and drinking that wine, I can tell the Queen of Diamonds, by the way she shines. Come to Daddy on an inside straight. Well I got no chance of losing this time. No I got no chance of losing this time. 8) I have taken some heat on this board wrt my praise of Searcy. No, I am not whining; I deserve it. The truth is that he can hurt you. That said, he remains a favorite of mine. Yes, he will give up some plays, but he is one player on this football team that gives a 100% effort. No, he does not leave one damn thing on the football field. He actually looked as if he was running out of gas on his TD. My supposition is that he might have been hurt. Mark my words, he will be a coach some day. I really do appreciate this player. And he played a GREAT game today. 9) McKelvin had an uneven game. Make no mistake, he did get away with a call or 2, but he also did actually make some good plays. 10) Another thing that I am sure of is that assuming he is healthy, Woods will be our #1 receiver in 2014. I am a bit unimpressed by Stevie Johnson, but hopefully this will change. 11) In all, the secondary wasn't THAT bad, considering they were playing without their 2 alleged stars, and against a certain first ballot hall of fame QB. 12) It sucked that Goodwin never got a chance to run out a kick. Btw, did he get hurt? 13) If they can play this way against NE, I think that we can assume that the Buffalo Bills will win some football games this season. 14) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to be optimistic, but I just don't understand why they let Levitre walk. I think that he could have really helped EJ develop, as well as the running game. Their big weapons at this point will be EJ (a rookie)and Stevie (a small rb), and they let go of the player who did the best job protecting them. This move can easily cost them a game or 2, or so I see it. But I generally agree that the offensive personnel appears to be better just based on EJ. On defense, the wild card is Dareus. They placed a lot of eggs in his basket, and he needs to play at first round level, let alone a #3. If he plays at or even near his potential, life will be a lot easier for the secondary, even before Gilmore returns. Actually, my biggest fear wrt the Bills is 2014. It looks to me as if they are stocking up on dead cap space. Do you think that they are doing this on purpose to avoid spending actually dollars in 2014? I hope that your answer is no.

1) I for one tend to prefer the offseason on TBD more than the regular season. This is because of the dialogue, exchange of ideas, and the hard work that many posters put into the draft. Imo, this was one of the better years to be on this board. GREAT posters have returned, and this matters. I am not going to name names and embarrass anyone. Thanks for coming back. 2) Thanks to SDS and the mods, who do the work. 3) If the Bills could actually win games, this board would explode. 4) Thanks to those who read my "Thoughts." But do remember, they are just that. I don't serve them up as expert opinion. In fact, I am so busy looking to see if Glenn can extend his arms and ward off pass rushers, etc. that I often have to watch replays to see scoring plays. But the TRUE purpose of this post is to create dialogue. 5) I loved this draft. Getting Manuel and an extra second round pick was just what this franchise needed imo. And if he isn't good, they should continue the quest for a QB. 6) OK, I will name one name lol....OC in Buffalo, I cannot disagree with you more about your thread wrt drafting defensive backs. OMG!!!! But thanks for having a degree of respect for my opinion, and I do respect yours. 7) It's time to get this party started. 8) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree with this post. And I am glad to see someone NOT blame the entire situation on Parker. If Byrd wasn't down with Parker's philosophy, this wouldn't be happening, and it is silly (imo) to think otherwise. Btw, the Bills are not without blame for this mess. The team that drafted after the Byrd selection traded down and acquired a first round pick for the following season. Levitre was a 2nd round pick, but they thought enough of him to trade up and draft him. Both turned out to be very good players yet they let one just walk away (for miniscule guaranteed money) and didn't get a deal done with the other. At this point, they need to play hardball with Byrd. If he has a good season I hope that they slap the tag on him in 2014. I am sick and tired of the Bills (and their great fans) being shoved around.

Aside from the obvious (EJ, Spiller, the OL), imo we need a huge game from Dareus. It's at the point where sadly, I don't expect one, and I am a huge Crimson Tide fan. I watched him in college and always liked the kid. The thing is, if Dareus can dominate up the middle, it could very well be smooth sailing for Mario. I know this isn't a stat, but it's the truth.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of posting this.

They are much harder to find. And when you have a really good or dominant LT, he obviously needs less help, and this of course offers an offense more options. The way the league is today, salaries will probably go down a bit at every position other than QB but in all, the LT will always be a highly sought after position.

And were not even close to being as good as Jason Peters. Not remotely close my friend.

Because he follows through on plays. The man plays fundamental football. I openly admit that his skill set lacks, but a player like him can win you a game

I watched this game in a not so great surrounding in terms of this post. I'm saving up for week 1 as well. In any event, here are the aforementioned "thoughts."..... 1) Searcy has issues. He really isn't that talented. But imo he listens to his coaches and is a smart player. He follows through on every play. I for one hope that he makes this team. 2) When I came to this page I expected to see a lot of criticism about Gilmore. Then I realized that I am one of the only posters who is willing to do so. He completely sucked in every phase of the game. Maybe he will get better, ya know? 3) I liked what I saw from Glenn and even Pears. Glenn in particular looked to be in better shape. 4) Imo, the Redskins are a MUCH better team than the Colts or the Vikes. 5) Gideon come in with his eyes on the floor, Says: Y'ain't got a hinge; you can't close the door. Moses stood up a full six foot ten, Says: You can't close the door when the wall's caved in. 6) Don't worry about Tuel. Did you think that there would be no setbacks? 7) Spiller got hit low before the TD. He should have been taken out at that point. I gotta tell ya that I was unimpressed by Marrone at that point. One thing that Spiller is NOT is a workhorse running back. 8) Kiko is a player. I am sure of this. 9) A disaster like this was bound to happen. It will happen in the real season as well. Let's hope that we can recover from it. 10) Hate to say it but Fred Jackson and Kyle Williams are more than likely both shot. 11) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know Albert's contract situation so it's tough to answer. The sad thing is, the Bills skipped over Albert AND Ryan Clady in order to draft who? Yep, Leotis McKelvin. This by the way illustrates the point I am trying to make to you.

I hear ya; thanks for sharing this. Now, let's talk about your latest arrest. Did you go for drugs or beating up your girlfriend?

The worst player I ever saw on the Bills was Greg Jerman at LT. He was SO bad that I felt sorry for him. What's worse is that I distinctly remember watching a game in actual fear that he, a RB, or a QB might actually get killed. Not so long ago, another poster actually said the same thing. But he does not fit the bill of what the OP is looking for. I too will go with Whitner, Kelsay, and I'll raise you Jerry Ostroski. It wasn't Whitner's fault that he was drafted at #8. But he was 30 million real dollars down the sewer, and while not THE worst, not a great off field citizen. Kelsay got huge raises for mediocre play. Jerry O was something special. He was a piss poor guard, and he played out his option and received a 3 mil. per season contract as I recall. Included was a demand that he play center. He couldn't get out of his stance and was getting people crushed. I seem to remember him as even a bit of a malcontent as well. The good news is that I actually feel better about this team. Oh they can easily go down the tubes, but in a weak division I think that they can make some noise.

No surprise. Under these scenarios, the QB cannot suffer an injury. Why take the OL?

I am very sorry for your loss.

Using a 4th and a 5th on two safeties is a good move imo. If even one of them can play, at least it isn't a waste of prime resources. As for Mr. Levitre, I am not the type to say "I told you so." lol On the way to work, I heard on Sirius that the Bills were having trade talks about Byrd with multiple teams. Sorry, but I would rather have Levitre on the squad than be in this situation.

John, I hope that you know how much I appreciate our dialogue. I have in fact for some time. Where we differ is wrt the philosophy of building a football team, and this is really OK. I think that Spiller is a very good player. I am more skeptical wrt Gilmore, but I get the potential. But John, I am not getting any younger, and I want the Bills to win football games. And, I was extremely happy with this draft. They got a QB who has tons of potential AND an extra 2nd and 7th. On this RARE occasion, they ran away from running backs and defensive backs. This is how to build a winning team my friend.

You give the past front offices way too much room. In 2006 the Bills picked at #8 and had an early extra 3rd round pick. They came away with 3 dbs who ranged from so-so, to a defensive tackle who sucked. This in 4 rounds. Levy and his clone Jauron believed in building a football through the secondary. This of course is idiotic. When the Bills drafted Spiller, Ralph said that the team "needed excitement." He was right, but more in terms of his own wallet than building a football team that wins games. Running backs have faded in importance to the point that they are rarely drafted in the first round as compared to not so long ago. As for Gilmore, I really hope that you are correct. He had a slow start but I do understand growing pains. Maybe he too will waltz into the hall of fame. And maybe the Bills will start winning games because this year, they look to have had a very good draft.

The point is simple if the goal is to sit around and talk about who is "good," or as promo would have it, on the fast track to Canton. But the real goal is to build a team that wins football games. The Bills are consistent losers, and mainly because of idiotic drafts that Badol well describes. And as Badol points out, the league has changed. It is a passing league, period. Even an old football purist like me can grasp this. The bottom line is that Spiller is good, but was an ill advised pick. Win/Loss records are tough to deny.

John, imo, Tuel looked like a pre-injury Trent Edwards. There are, believe it or not, good things about this. This kid looks to be accurate. And like Fitz with SJ, he appears to have practiced quite a bit with Easley. This is all good imo. I want EJ to start and develop, and I think that Tuel is a great player to have around in case of injury. This was only one game, but our receivers were getting open, holding the football, catching first down passes and touchdowns, and running back kicks in an off the charts way. This without SJ to draw away coverage. Players get hurt. If a team really needs a receiver I am hoping that they will look in our direction.

Coach, the no-huddle concerned me at some points. Glenn looked gassed and then made a good play after a timeout. I am hoping that some of the no-huddle was to teach. What gripped wrt this game was that it looks like we had a good draft, and that the receiving corps is unusually good. I still am taking this in and trying to sort it out.

Watch just how fast he is cut if his game doesn't get MUCH better. He was WAY off today. A player at that level can lose football games for a team.

Robert Hunter lyrics keep things grounded LOL!!!

And did you hear Warren Sapp gushing about Mario? And he was right. Mario is far and away the best player on this team!!!

1) Tuel to Easley reminds me of Fitz to SJ. This is a GOOD thing. They played together as scrubs and developed a chemistry. This is a great thing to see. 2) Am I the only one who thought that Crezdon Butler had a very interesting game? 3) Ron Brooks was awful. If he doesn't play twice as good as he did today, he will not make this roster. 4) I sent a letter to am man I know, It said, "One for the money, two for the show." I waited all summer for his reply, He said, "3 to get ready and 4 TO FLY." 5) Manuel? He was every bit as I could have hoped for and more. 6) Welch at LT? Sorry but no. His play resembled that of Raquel. 7) This team has some receivers, no? There are too many to keep. Seriously, they were doing this without Stevie Johnson taking away coverage. They can't keep them all, and I hope that they are able to get draft picks for a couple of them. As a Bills Fan, this was actually strange to watch. 8) Goodwin? OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! He looked like McKelvin with a brain and football instincts!!!!! If his returns can stay anywhere close to what he did today, I don't really care if he ever catches a pass. The 106 yard TD was just that sick! 9) Glenn and Dareus looked out of shape. I guess this is normal for huge players, but it concerns me. 10) Hairston and Pears are not as bad as most of you think that they are. 11) Aaron Williams was surprisingly not bad at safety. Bear in mind that I never saw him play a good game at corner, and have always viewed him as an unthinkably dumb draft choice. 12) Who is this guy Kaufman? 13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!