Rockinon

We have never had Kyle & Marcel healthy and playing next to each other for any extended period of time. Or last year's big FA DEs either. All of these guys healthy will make a huge difference. Picking up some quality LBs would go a long way as well. I think the defense is much closer to being dominant than the offense at this point. I'd still like to see another good pass rusher....whether it's a DE or a LB, I don't know. And good three down LBs are there if you know where to look. Hopefully we can get a couple pieces to put the D in position to succeed. When is the last time we saw a CB blitz or a safety? This is the beauty of this new coaching staff. There will be people rushing the passer that no one would expect. And we all ready know that the front four can bring it. I fully expect the Bills to have some serious sack numbers this year.

The thing that strikes me most about Pettine/Ryan defenses is not that they have been 3-4 alignments, which if you look closer there are a number of different looks they have used. What stands out is that they actually send rushers from virtually any position on the field. They attempt to disguise where a blitz may come from by mixing up with different looks. The need for a dominant NT, at least in my opinion is way over rated. You need a strong defensive line, to keep teams from running all over you but the league is very pass happy and bringing heat on the QB is a bigger priority. I'm sure you have heard the interviews of Pettine. He stressed that the defense will be an attacking. Not having a traditional big NT isn't going to prevent that from happening. I guess what i am thinking is that we have some very good DL personnel. Why reinvent the wheel? I think a couple of good LBs will fix a lot of problems on this team. More than NT. Marcel can play NT. Kyle can play NT. And if Troupe finally comes back healthy, he can too. I just don't see bringing in another one.

He had a successful surgery on one foot and looked great until his other foot began giving him trouble. He'll be back to form soon enough. I didn't mention this before, but it just seems to me you are overly keen on getting a NT for a 3-4 when we have two very good 4-3 defensive tackles. What are you going to do? Put two of our best big bodies on the bench so you can play a NT? We also know that Kyle and Marcel can play nose. That doesn't mean that they will play those positions exclusively. I tend to think the formation will be changed up a lot. Also, a particular formation doesn't necessarily mean the DL will attack in one specific way. The guys will be doing different stunts to throw off the opposing offense. We have some very good DLmen why try to force them into a traditional 3-4 look? Why not let these guys do what they do best....penetrate to the second level instead of just clog up space? I thought I read somewhere that one of the coaches thought Dareus can play NT too.

It wasn't an achilles injury. It was bone spurs. Very painful, but a very minor surgery to clean them up. Kyle will definitely be back with a vengeance.

This is actually what makes the most sense. A LT at 8. Remember that our rookie LT was a very highly regarded G in college too. I see the Bills either doing this or getting a quality pass rusher at #8. Not sure which, but a LT makes a lot of sense.

There is some speculation that Carson Palmer will be cut on NFL.COM.

Fitz had 3400yds, a 60.6% completion percentage and 24TDs. You aren't asking for much. Oh, and he's 6'2" 224lbs. Are you saying you want Fitz to start?

Lets hope offenses are frustrated trying to figure it out too.

Actually, it's about half way between starter money and kick returner money. I was very disappointed with special teams last year because of the rules change of allowing kickers to spot the ball 10 yds further down the field. No one is bringing the ball out when it it is kicked deep into the endzone on every freakin' kickoff. That rule hurt the Bills big time last year. It also decreases the value of a great return specialist.

Or not. Other than message board material and postulating sports writers suggesting that Fitz must restructure or be cut, I have heard absolutely nothing that suggests either. Fitz is not going anywhere IMHO. I know people really want a "Franchise QB" but at this stage, I'm thinking the Bills will bring in a young prospect to compete and nothing more. The FO will do what it can to beef up other areas of need and there will not be a clear cut Franchise guy at QB this year. I don't see Geno Smith still being there at 8. Maybe Barkley. Not sure the Bills will think there is enough value for a QB at 8. Pass rusher, OT, DT or WR seem to be the most likely scenarios at #8. Of course, no one is knocking on my door wanting to hire me to read tea leaves for them either....so what do I know.

Barkley has thrown for 12327yds and 116TDs in his four years at USC. That does not sound average to me. Does anyone know how to insert code for a table. I can't seem to get it to work. When I try to insert html code using special BB code the content is displayed but not the table. I know the code is correct for html and displays well in a browser or an editor. Just doesn't work under the BB code command with html selected.

After both Kelsay and Merriman "Retired" I think this is exactly where the Bills will be looking at #8.

So, drop 7 million and get nothing in return for that money? No. The Bills still need a #2.

Not buying it. Not with 2 defensive ends announcing retirement on the same team. The Bills allowed them to step down graciously instead of flat out announcing they are done to the media. I think Marone/Pettine have evaluated last year's pass rush and came to the conclusion that it simply wasn't good enough. The more I think about it they will be looking for a pass rusher in round 1.

What makes you think Nix even asked for a contract restructure in the first place?

I got that. I was just funnin' with ya.

Wow.....I'm guessing you don't approve.

Another DE retires? Coincidence? I'm beginning to think the Bills will be going after a pass rusher at #8.

That's what I was thinking. Now if we can just eliminate AZ.

This is what I think too. Pick up another guard in the draft, use the money not spent on Levitre to fill another need in FA.

two-bills-drive

Patterson?

The Bills numbers are looking better.

Um...try scratching your behind instead.

I'm starting to think. What if Buffalo let Levitre go, move Glenn to guard(he was highly regarded as a guard coming out of college. Then with the first pick the Bills get a top LT. That would put an immense amount of money in the Bills coffers for FA signings. They could literally fix every weak position on the team with the possible exception being QB.