4BillsintheBurgh

Well, if the current system is in place and they have a top pick, they're going to pay a lot anyway. If there are slotted rookie salaries in the new cba they won't have to worry much about it. Either way I don't see it affecting who they're drafting.

I'm thinking: QB: P1 We need a franchise guy if he's there OLB34: P2 While we have Maybin, who else has at least some potential to be a standout 3-4 olb? Let's not ignore the requirement of the 3-4 to have top notch pass rushing olb's. LT: P2 Assuming Bell doesn't step it up OG: P3 Let's get Wood over to center NT: P4 We can get a rotational guy for NT here, but I'm not sold on the need. Pit will bring their NT off the field in pass rushing situations, and I can see the Bills letting TT play run downs and bringing KW in for pass rush. RT, ILB, OG, C: P5 - Looking for backup depth and possibly hitting on one of these guys. Assuming Meredith plays well enough to start at RT and we will still need some depth at interior OL. Although I wouldn't be suprised if we pick up a guy in free agency here for the interior. I like putting multiple positions at one level in your software because it seems to pick the bpa better. I had a lot of fun with that last draft.

I think it's about the makeup of the team - the days of not having issues resolved among players and OBD are over. You don't want to get to work we don't need you. This is an example of the new mindset when it comes to this team, you're with us or you're not going to be here. It sets an example to the rest of the players in the locker room about what the expectations are as a player. This mindset is predicated on being able to draft quality players, and if Buddy can do that we'll have a team that is very competitive again.

Why would anyone trade anything for him if he's going to get cut? The only way to get anything for him is to get two teams in a bidding war, and with his salary I would guess not many teams are looking to pay him and give up draft picks. Teams would probably rather take their chances signing him in the open market.

I had PI bad a few years ago, the drugs help. It came in waves on me like your describing, even though the clearing work was done over the course of a few hours (and in the winter). This year I was weed whacking and thought I may have gotten into some so I tried rubbing some crushed jewelweed on my skin afterward. Seemed to help because I only had a few small bumps where I didn't rub as as much, but it would be tough to say how much it actually helped. And that wouldn't have helped you unless you had done it right after exposure.

I'm not saying its the best or optimal thing, I'm saying that's what I think we're doing. Whether or not you want to B word ad nauseam about it or not is another thing.

Who do you release at tackle? Buddy had a direct hand in bringing in Wang and Green, Bell and Meredith both have potential. Heck, Buddy may have had a hand in Meredith as well. I think that's why Chris Brown has been saying they will probably get interior help instead. Maybe if Bell/Meredith lay an egg in camp they can move Pitts out to LT, but if he's needed inside because of injury that puts one of those guys back into the lineup. I think we've hitched our wagons to the current group of OT's and we'll see what happens. Injuries are probably going to be the only thing that changes our roster at OT.

Pick the one that looks the best. But this group isn't getting a ring, they're just setting you up for the long term girl. At least that's my hope...

I think they will also have room for a high round OLB that can get after the qb. Heck, you could probably throw in bruising tailback on the need pile as well but we'll see. Seems like they'll go with the most talented player on the board, although I bet they could justify reaching a little for a qb if they think it's needed. It's going to be tough for a qb to play at a pro bowl level considering our offensive line, but one of these guys may play "well enough" for them to push a qb down the list as a need. I am personally hoping this year that Chan is just looking for a backup/seat warmer for a first round qb pick in 2011.

Sorry, I shouldn't have used the "c" word, I forgot about the long drawn out discussion the board had regarding the meaning of character as it related to what Marv was looking for. I'll rephrase with "hard working and dedicated to football". In looking at Lynch, he may have issues outside of football, but his work ethic and dedication to the team is lacking. I remember NGU mentioning that we will see his true colors this offseason, and ML hasn't disappointed. Coaching can help players perform better on Sundays, but there is no substitute for the mental toughness to work hard at something when no one is around. I always think of Jerry Rice or Walter Payton as an example of that. And while coaching can enhance a players abilities, working hard is really how a player can make the most of the talent level he is blessed with. I will also say that Whaley should know how to recognize talented and hard working players. The issue is finding the talent and then having a coach that uses that talent well.

Exactly. Everyone has a plan until the players they draft/sign in FA don't live up to expectations. I will say this though, it seems like this FO can pick out "high character" players a lot better than prior regimes, and I like what they've done so far. But as fans I think we're closer to the 3 year rebuild than a one year turnaround because of the defensive scheme change and the subsequent players we've added there. In the defensive front seven, we could realistically end up with 4-5 (Torbor, Davis, Troupe, Carrington, Edwards) new starters for major parts of the season. I hope the offense gets the same treatment next year.

Grew up in West Seneca but moved to Pittsburgh after 7th grade. Been around here since, between college and getting on with my life's work...

I know ganesh is from around Pittsburgh also, he used to head down to Buffalo Blues for the games. Unfortunately I haven't been able to make it and I don't know if he still has a group that goes down there.

Actually I was thinking Gar-wy Anderson.

I think Buddy's view is we keep the best players, so I don't see them cutting one of the three unless we need the roster spot for another position. I don't think Buddy cares if the players feel badly they didn't win the competition, and the players seem to realize they are being given a fair shot. And I really don't see how Brown will be ready to take the field this year, so I don't think the coaching staff will want to count on him. That said, if a player becomes available that improves the talent on the roster, like Thigpen, someone will get cut. But I could see Fitz getting dropped before Brohm in that case because it *seems* like Brohm has shown enough and is raw enough for the coaching staff to think he has more upside.

The Steelers haven't been drafting oline high (except Pouncey) for the last few years and haven't hit on any low round picks, and it looks like it may finally catch up with them. I think it's funny that Kugler is the steelers line coach and I will be sure to remind all the fans around here where he and possibly their right tackle are from.

There are a few Bills fans in Pittsburgh.

There's a lot more hands to throw through in the middle of the field, plus bad things can happen it the ball goes up in the air. I think the hallmark of the Jauron era will be that the offense was not allowed to take chances (eg do anything that might turn the ball over) but there was not enough talent on the field for us to play without taking chances. The only way to play that way is to establish your will with a competent oline. As we all know, OBD failed to put an oline capable of consistently pushing people out of the way.

It's just asking a lot of a rook especially with limited practice time and no clear cut starter so there are even less reps for him. I think he'll easily slip onto the practice squad because he won't get that many reps during the preseason either. We'll barely know what he can do, other teams won't see much and the will probably have another qb on their roster that is a developmental guy.

I think there was a competition and Levi Brown has already proven he is not ready to compete with the other qb's on the roster. I think the only thing he'll be holding this year during the games is a drink.

Nice sig.

I felt it slightly here north of Pittsburgh. I'm on the top (fourth) floor of the building and it was just a little side to side motion for a few seconds. A lot of people in the building didn't feel anything. So I thought at first I may have done some drugs, but then found enough other people to conclude we all couldn't have been high.

What some guys will do to get out of training camp - jeesh!

At this point, assuming he doesn't show up and the Bills don't trade or release him, how does this play out? Isn't there a "list" for this situation, like a reserved/did not show up list where he doesn't count against the 53 man roster but is still under contract to the team? How does or will he be paid in this limbo state? I'm trying to remember other situations like this, but I can't think of any. Usually the player retires (like Butler) or there is a cut/trade.

I wouldn't be suprised if McGee or Florence are traded this year. Seems like we could get something for one of them and we have a few cb's that can fill the nickel role. One variable is who can play in this defense and who can't, that may determine who is out.