Dibs

Nope. Sorry. I don't remember him.

You have made this same statement countless times in the last couple of weeks. Do you think that you could perhaps preface it with something like "In my view".....and reduce the capitals of the word "never" as well? You know.....change it from an emotionally driven crusade point that does not brook argument, to that of a firm opinion that gives others some sort of respect for them to differ with it.

It seems my memory was a little fuzzy on it....(meaning my memory was quite skewed, sorry) Here is the link: http://www.buffalobills.com/video/videos/Bills-Season-Wrap-Up-Press-Conference/fa663c39-62f7-4c23-a3aa-ca1ac618edb3 QB talk started with Whaley at around the 5:30 mark. Thad comments were at the 6:00 mark. EJ comments come directly after that. Upon re-watching......it looks like my memory was formed by the use of the term "serviceable". Have a look.....see what you think.

When I watched it, I got the same vibe as the OP. It felt like they were going to look for a better backup......but the words were that of support for Thad......with the ever present "always look for someone better" comment. Also, there was a comment that seemed to be somewhat of an after thought about Thad's future improvement/development......which I felt was in stark contrast to the guarantee they gave in regards to EJ improving/developing for next year. If I were to guess I'd say that they would like a better backup QB than Thad and will be actively looking for one in FA......but again, it is purely based upon the feeling from the answers, not the actual words spoken....so it could be totally incorrect.

Really? You state that as if you feel it would be a common thought of people. I could see a few people thinking that what is typed on the internet can effect the real world.....but certainly not enough to voice it as the main factor in why people might leave due to the negativity. The negativity is constant. Though it is largely understandable IMO due to the long period of suckitude we have been through combined with the expanded use of the internet becoming either a place for venting or a place to say "look at me". It definitely hinders reasonable conversation......and I can easily see many people not wanting to have to deal with incessant dogmatic emotion driven interjections when they wish to discuss something. It can't be helped IMO......but it would certainly be a strong factor for people leaving.

Hehe....another good definition needed. To me modern era starts around the time that free agency started.....maybe a little earlier. With both FA and the passing game starting to dominate, the NFL was changed in many obvious and subtle ways. Though you could slot Young into being an exception to the rule, I tend to think that sitting behind a future HOFer allows legitimate leeway to the rule. I have been assured by several posters who saw Young play at TB that he indeed showed elements of greatness when there(that it was the organization and team that were the major factors). You mentioned Aikman and Gannon earlier. Neither fit IMO as Aikman made the pro bowl in his 3rd season.....and Gannon wasn't of the level of QB that we are talking about(he found himself in a great situation late in his career where he excelled.....but I don't think anyone can strongly argue that he was a great QB in the manner of the other QBs being discussed). I think Brees is the only legitimate late blooming star QB in the modern era(coming good in his 4th year). Rogers sat for 3 years behind a future HOFer(Favre), so his situation is understandable. Rivers(is he great?) sat 2 years behind a future HOFer(Brees). I could be wrong but I can see only Young who can be seen as an exception to the rule.....and there were exceptional circumstances in his case.

Nicely done. The only thing I would have different is the most disappointing game. For me the KC game was the worst. Up against the only undefeated team left.....with our 4th string QB....and we were smashing them in every area. It really looked like the turning point for us.....and then the pick 6.

I tend to think that QB assessment is the bane of us stats geeks. I always fall back on Elway. Elway's stats for most of his career were very pedestrian.....and if one were to just look at the stats one wouldn't see anything special. Watching him play however, one simply knew he was a truly great QB. Conversely, some QBs can be in a great situation for several years.......thus making them appear great when they perhaps are merely good. I recently came to the view that some QBs can be "streaky great". Meaning that they can play for extended periods exhibiting truly great ability.....but not be able to maintain that level for entire seasons. Eli & Flacco I would place in this category. Essentially I see no statistical way of determining if a QB is great or merely good.....it all comes back to the eye test....and usually takes many years before one can be certain. That being said, when you look at all of the great QBs(modern era) you will typically(always?) find that they have shown a high level of play by the end of their 4th season.

The thing that I don't like about Marrone's views on analytics is that he believes in reacting to an individual opponent based upon what they have statistically shown. For instance, if your opponent uses a certain defence 70% of the time, and another defence 30% of the time......you run 7 plays that can beat the first D and 3 plays that can beat the 2nd. (He has stated this precise concept). The problem of course is that your opponents know you will be doing this so they will change the frequency of what they play. Even in the FO presser he stated that many teams showed new looks that they had never shown prior.....and the coaches had not prepared EJ for those looks as consequence. IMO using analytics to help predict against a specific opponent is hazardous at best.......and I really hope that Marrone is overstating things for the media's benefit.

I found it interesting when Marrone slipped up in his answer about the OL. He started to say that they would be upgrading the OL.....then quickly reverted to the standard "become more consistent" and "develop the talent we have" answer. Though no real surprise, I am expecting we get a FA OL upgrade.....or maybe the draft.

I wish that the smal minority of people that have decided that EJ is a bust would realize that no matter how much they crusade on the topic, they are not going to influence the majority of people, let alone influence the Bills FO with their incessant insistance on the situation.

I've come to like the expression "brown coloured glasses" as being the opposite of "rose coloured glasses". With rose coloured glasses, everything looks good. With brown coloured glasses, everything looks like crap.

Though I can't and certainly don't claim to in any way be an expert in this sort of thing.......I definitely agree with you. To my eyes our WRs lacked discipline in various ways all throughout the season. I wasn't surprised at all with the sacking.

I definitely agree. I just think that finding somebody better is not an easy task.....and in fact finding somebody who is as productive might be problematic also. Keeping him while we try to find better would be a wise move IMO.

In regards to sticking with a QB too long.....or learning on the bench for 3 years? He fits both discussion topics. Romo is a great example IMO of sticking with a QB too long and I'm very happy that the Cowboys have locked themselves into him for years to come.

I'd check my big board and if he is listed as one of the rare super QB prospects......I would take him(and wonder how he dropped past the top 3 spots and down to 9th). If he isn't listed as one of the rare super QB prospects I would gladly trade away the pick or simply let him pass so another team can gamble on him.

You know it's a bit of a horrid post when two moderators sink the boot in.....not that I disagree with them mind you. This should be a good lesson for new posters. If you want your views to be heard(why else would you be posting), try and make things as clear and easy to read as you can.

Whew, we dodged a bullet on that one. I was a bit worried before pre-season myself.....I thought "Myself, we need better LBs. Maybe they will put EJ in at LB." Luckily they didn't though.

Eugene Cyril. Only seriously mean parents would name a kid that.

IMO the worst situation a team can get into is having a QB that is pretty good....but not great. I also think that in the modern era, if a QB hasn't shown himself to be a star by the end of his 4th season then he isn't going to miraculously develop into one. He might end up with a couple of great statistical season or develop into a pretty good QB.....but not the highly saught after star QB that was likely hoped for when he was drafted.

Maybe so, but he hasn't spoken since 2011.

I disagree with those calling for Chandler to be gone. He is likely as good as nearly half the starting TEs in the league & would make an excellent #2TE IMO.

Coincidentally(?) Dr.D was posting today.

Deep Voice (For comic reasons).

I could be wrong but I don't recall Marrone or the FO ever saying that EJ was hindered by a lack of weapons(or core players around him lol). It's always been that his progression has been hindered by injuries etc. The Crossman comment however did sound like somebody trying to create excuses(rather than voicing legitimately accepted reasons).