BillsVet

He was injured. The degree to which is not totally clear but it didn't keep him from playing. And it still wasn't enough to play TT.

If a team can't find an answer at the QB position, have they truly been rebuilt? First Gailey and Nix were wrong on Edwards as the starter. Then they had so much faith in Thigpen that he couldn't play when Fitz was supposedly hurt in the latter half of 2011. Now they're showing they aren't comfortable with VY. That's a lot of swing and misses on QB's in only 3 off-seasons and if RF struggles, they've proven they can't evaluate QB's.

Why then did Buffalo game plan for this "glorified practice." When the first team offense scores 3 TD's in 3 games something's wrong, pre-season or no pre-season.

He freed up others all night long by taking up blockers. And he serves as pro personnel recruitment director in the off-season, clearly making his signing worth it.

Is there a team in the NFL that upon hiring a new GM and/or HC doesn't go acquire someone they see as a franchise QB? Picking a QB is what typically defines a GM and HC, and the Bills made their choice with FItz. Ultimately I think it'll go down as their worst decision.

Only on a fan message board would someone defend a 7-18 for 89 yard first half performance.

From now on, I'm not blaming the 2002 through 2011 drafts on anyone but Tom Modrak. He is clearly OBD's version of Mush from A Bronx Tale.

I'm just waiting for that baby.

I gather you're not a fan of objectivity, correct?

Buddy apparently doesn't remember being the first team in NFL history to be up by 21 or more and lose by 21 points. Giving up 49 unanswered ought to help him remember the lights were out pretty quick in that game.

The LT position continues to evolve, particularly with teams placing an emphasis on passing the ball and rushers who possess great speed and quickness. The days of 6'5-6'7 330+ behemoths handling blind side duties are probably over. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Is-the-Left-Tackle-position-evolving-in-the-NFL.html Glenn may be able to make up for less than stellar foot speed with his arm length, but he's not the prototype either. That's not to say Glenn can't be good, but he doesn't fit the mold.

If you're going to convert from a Tampa 2 to a 3-4 and don't staff it, what's the point of changing? Buffalo couldn't stop anyone with either defense from 2006-2011, and it only got worse from 2010 to 2011 in Nix and Gailey's first two seasons. It also stands to reason they'd commit to finding the most important pieces to the 3-4, the NT and OLB's. Instead, they miscast Kyle Williams as a NT, Chris Kelsay as an OLB, and signed the now departed Shawne Merriman to be the other OLB. Compare that to how Green Bay went from 40 to 30 front in 2008-09 (hiring Capers, drafting Raji and Matthews Jr.) or Pittsburgh upon hiring a former T2 DC in Tomlin. They either didn't change defenses, or drafted well to hasten the transition.

I disagree. Nix was the more adamant of the two that Buffalo switch to a 30 front. Gailey's no slouch and knew they needed an infusion of talent all over the field. Why would a team with 40 front personnel, albeit the DJ version, radically change their scheme at the beginning of a major rebuild? Even noted 3-4 disciple Bill Parcells moved to it over the course of 3 years, not attempting to do it in one off-season. Furthermore, Gailey has predominantly used 40 front defenses during his time as a HC, and his comments after his hiring indicate that to me: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/20/transition-to-3-4-defense-would-be-tough-for-bills/

In defense to Gailey, I think it was Nix's call to move to a 3-4. It's conceivable that Nix and Whaley's experience running the 3-4 defensively that led to the decision. And it being Gailey's first HC job since 1999, he probably didn't have room to argue. As for the talent evaluation, I think this team is making more mistakes re: starters versus backups than many want to admit.

I'll be here. And if they're 10-6 going into the playoffs, kudos to Nix, Gailey, and company. Should it be anything less than a playoff appearance, the excuses should be about over by now.

It only cost them 10M to find out and 2 defenses to figure it out. You pay a price changing players from 5 tech DE's into DT's, 34OLB's into 43 DE's, 34ILB's into MLB's, etc. Merriman was a casualty of changing defenses and simply not playing the RDE position. For all the Buddy love going on here, it's interesting to note that during his tenure as GM, Buffalo is 10-22, now on their second defense (and DC) not to mention some very questionable draft picks and free agent signings. Every GM makes mistakes, but some make more of them. Merriman is a microcosm of how football management is struggling to build this team 3 offseasons into their latest rebuilding.

Which goes with the point that Minnesota was doing more planning-wise. But it also demonstrates that when the regular season begins, teams are constantly looking for a weaknesses. Right now there are 4 guys in the back 7 on defense who are fairly untested or have question marks about them. I expect teams to look for ways to off-set the front 4 push and how Buffalo counters this will be very interesting to watch. Talent typically wins, but there are times when coaching has to provide the margin. I'm looking forward to see how Gailey and Wannstedt on their respective sides of the ball counter.

But he's wasn't re-signed to that large contract to simply be a game manager. Sure it's one pre-season game, but Fitz has 30 starts in Gailey's offense with receivers who he ought to be familiar with by now. Say what you will about him keeping them in games, but he has a penchant for turning it over when it hurts the most. The Giants game last season was a prime example, and there simply aren't many teams who get into the playoffs with a game manager type at QB. I think Gailey's reputation as a good offensive mind will be significantly tested this year. Furthermore, it took into the fourth game of the season last year before teams figured out Buffalo's offense. No matter how good the defense is, the offense needs to carry their weight.

Now here is the civility which has driven plenty of knowledgeable posters away. You can pat yourself on the back for being wrong more often than not, yet still have the audacity to keep coming back and acting like a total d-bag. Congratulations. This board is worse with you on it. Not every Bills fan has to be a massive homer to post here. Stay classy.

Buddy's grade as a GM remains incomplete with signs pointing up and down. 2010 draft, 2010 and 2011 UFA acquisitions aren't so hot. 2011 draft looks better, 2012 UFA signings excellent at this point. Still, it's a team under Nix working on their 2nd defensive scheme, have already fired a coordinator, have some offensive personnel challenges, and went 10-22 in their first 3 seasons. It's a make or break season and nothing less than a playoff appearance is acceptable.

Kelsay's strongest trait has always been his durability, but at 33 and having missed time last season, even that is in question entering his 10th NFL season. He's a good guy and probably an exemplary teammate, but personnel decisions often involve contracts. With Williams and Anderson on board and sure to get plenty of snaps, it'll be interesting what Kelsay's role becomes. He'll probably make the team, but he's not automatic either at this point in his career. Problem is, he won't be playing his natural position and DE's typically aren't paid big dollars to be a 2 down run stopper. A lot depends on how Mark Anderson is used at RDE and whether any of the younger types develop.

I'd agree. I don't think anyone figured Buffalo would make the post-season in 2010, and the chances in 2011 weren't high given the roster. But beginning this season and for the next few it should be playoffs or bust. You don't re-sign SJ, FJ, RF, then spend big in UFA on MW and MA and not expect to make the playoffs. It's unfathomable that RW would spend that kind of cash and not expect a post-season win, let alone an appearance. It's time.

How is it that a guy goes 7 seasons in the NFL and only now realizes he has bad mechanics? Did he have any coaches, especially the "esteemed" George Cortez these past 2 seasons? Buffalo's offense is built around the short passing game, as the receivers aren't deep threats, the QB doesn't have a plus arm and the OL is built more for run blocking the pass pro. I will never forget the Giants game and seeing Fitz toss 2 INT's on passes beyond 20 yards. His accuracy downfield was among the NFL's worst, which is something I don't see changing. There just aren't many NFL QB's who magically improve in their 8th season. Beginning with the Bengals loss, Buffalo got figured out offensively. For the record it took 3.5 games: jam the receivers, disrupt their route running, and Buffalo's offense ground to a halt. Those first 3 games were more the exception that the rule scoring wise for the 2011 season, in large part to Fitz's physical limitations. And David Lee can't fix that.

How about the seven seasons from 2003-2009 when he was at his natural position and recorded all of 22 sacks, or 1 for every 5 games. Add in the 5 fumbles he forced, 3 picks, and 1 safety and that's 31 impact plays in 7 seasons. If Kelsay had signed an extension in 2010 for 3 years and 10M I think there'd be a lot less criticism, but he didn't. DE's get paid to get to the QB and Kelsay doesn't despite have a decent sized contract.

Because 2nd round picks aren't supposed to enter their third season in the NFL as backups. Easley is a 4th rounder and thus a lesser resource was used on the him, not to mention he's shiny and new not having taken a snap in a regular season game. Even if Troup returns 100% in 2012, he'll be nothing more than a rotational player behind K. Williams and Dareus. And then there's Heard and a few others who'll be challenging him for time, which could put his roster spot in jeopardy.