BillsVet

Not to mention one of the strongest men in NFL history. Guy could bench press 700 pounds.

I love the irony there. Haha. Very nice.

Merriman, McGee, Kelsay, Wilson, and Fitzpatrick were all given long term (3 or more year) contract extensions by Nix. In doing so, he affirmed they were necessary to his rebuilding, which he said would take 3-4 years. He also signed Erik Pears, who last season affirmed why he was out of the league and had played for multiple teams in the preceding few seasons. EDIT: McGee and Merriman had a 2 year deals IIRC.

Wait, Nix can't sign him to a contract now? Oh man.

If true, another takeaway is that Buddy is now willing to trade picks for a QB. This from someone who was adamant about not giving up high picks to move around on draft day in years past. Last year it was breaking the bank on UFA and now it could be trading draft picks. Nix has not traded a high (1st-3rd) pick for anything during his tenure as GM. I guess they're getting desperate.

That's a huge IF. Both positions are unsurprisingly weak in UFA, particularly with Buddy's believing receivers need to be bigger than a Welker, Jennings, or Wallace. The QB, well, we know those are never available in UFA, so it stands to reason these 3 players would come from the draft. And with Buddy's record there, it's not likely they'll get them in 1 year.

Looking at trends, Nix has never been affiliated with a team that took an OT in round 1. I don't think that's a coincidence anymore, given that he's been in admin personnel jobs since 2001 or so. And if anything, he's not a fan of smaller OT's like Joeckel or Fisher, who aren't mauler types. Nix has already tried the strategy of building the OL and defense before acquiring the QB. He wants to give the QB all the chance in the world to succeed, which, while admirable, is a methodology stuck in 1990. By the time you get the QB after 2-3 years of rebuilding, many of your picks are coming due.

Not to mention all the talent at the skill positions with that offensive line. They'd be stacked.

Stevie probably told them you can ignore the off-season training program if you want.

C.J., FJ, and whomever is throwing the ball would sure notice. Rinehart is more suited to the RG position because he lacks the ability to pull. The cost saving would, in theory, be nice. Loss of output would be significant.

I was about to post this. He's gone, but the team can't come out and say they're letting him go for fear of alienating the fan base. And when he's gone they'll be silent or say they appreciated him but were moving on. This nonsense about taking two to tango is a convenient excuse if he leaves. If the team offered him a market deal now he'd be more inclined to stay. Or, it's possible he doesn't want any part with playing under his 3rd HC in 4th season and needs a better organization. It would be one thing if the Bills had a young up and coming type to play LG who was capable of playing now. Unfortunately, they don't, and as always will hype a fringe guy or take one early.

This is funny. A team without a playoff appearance in 13 seasons, without a playoff win since 1995 that retains the same GM for another off-season responsible after their most recent run of inept play. If people complain about those who complain about this team now, what does that say? That results are optional? I can't speak for others here, but losing and the people who facilitate it are things I'm tired of. Cue the "go follow another team" diatribe.

I'm glad Smithers has admitted, both last month and this, that the brand is tarnished and the team is irrelevant. Most teams wouldn't do that, but most teams don't miss the playoffs for 13 straight seasons. At the same time he's saying this, he's telling the NFL world that Buddy Nix is sticking around. How can one take Brandon at his word and simultaneously retain the GM who's responsible for the most recent 3 years of failure?

As I mentioned earlier, the defense has few good starters and even less depth with the offense only slightly better in both categories. You do not have enough UFA dollars and high draft picks to fill the needs they have to get to the post-season. They'll try, but you can only add so many quality players in an off-season. Regardless of what anyone says, this is another rebuild.

How about drafting someone who'll lead and not relying on UFA for that? And as far as the Jets' castoffs (if they sign with Buffalo), why do they get instant respect when they walk into that locker room?

Vet? Maybe not that bad. Still looks pretty bleak for 2013. That is, unless the "top 5 talent evaluator" can find a way to get more draft picks and cap dollars to work with.

The leadership question isn't the biggest one, it's who plays on opening day. They have 2 DE's signed, the DT's are OK, but coming off a season where they contributed to a 31st ranking versus the run. The LB group features a mere 2 guys who have experience at the position, they have 2 safeties with NFL experience provided Byrd is retained. And, the GM just stated McKelvin is the starter opposite 2nd year man Gilmore. Wow. I wouldn't just say the roster has holes. It's more like the after-effect of a B-52 strike.

You must be kidding. Plenty of fans are critical of Nix and the roster he's built the past 3 seasons and off-seasons. And Buddy's issue is not just the lack of a QB. He didn't formulate a plan or at least didn't develop a good one to rebuild a team 6-10 after 3 off-seasons of rebuilding. NE's track record is poor? Gronkowski, Hernandez, Vollmer, Solder, Mayo, Devin McCourty, Ridley, Chandler Jones. That's pretty good, especially picking at the back of every round. I hate the Patriots, but their record makes Buddy look worse not better.

Who will Cellino and Barnes get now for a celebrity sponsor? That sack of Brady 8 years ago in the commercial is priceless and probably the only one he had of Marcia.

10 years takes its toll. Durability went downhill last 2 seasons. Best way to kill the David Nelson non-tender. Another bad contract extension courtesy of Nix and Overdorf. Don't re-sign guys playing out of position when they're almost 31 in the NFL.

All-Pro might be pushing it, but he's got potential. Could be a Pro Bowl caliber one down the road.

LS seems pretty good.

Hitting on your first round pick is not a bonus, it's a requirement to winning consistently. The true measure of a GM and his personnel department is how well they do in rounds 2-4. Who are the starters from those rounds from 2010-11? (not judging 2012 yet) Troup, Carrington, Easley, A. Williams, Sheppard, Searcy, Hairston? Any of those guys proven and dependable starters going into 2013? Not to mention, Buddy hasn't found a QB, hasn't drafted a dependable WR, and is now working with his 2nd HC in 4 seasons. It is preposterous that a GM who has "built" a team that went 6-10 after 3 off-seasons of rebuilding is lauded for anything. Goodness how much further can the standard get lowered.

Exactly. Nix's decisions on the QB seemed based in fear since he took over. His answer to the QB problem was to acquire or continue with lower ceiling and under-performing veterans rather than develop a young player. He failed to see that, unlike only a few years ago, young QB's could contribute quickly. And the argument to support Nix's strategy was that a low ceiling veteran was more likely to play OK ball than a young guy. Well, if you're looking for certainties in life, there aren't many. GM's get paid to do the research and make good decisions. Nix's was to punt on the QB on draft day. No team since 2010 without a QB in the NFL has devoted fewer draft resources to the QB position than Buffalo. Was Nix afraid of a bust? Sure seems like it. And it's what has the Bills backed against the wall at QB 3+ years and in their 4th draft with ol Buddy.

Where did I say anything about injured reserve in my post?