BillsVet

No one runs out of 2 back sets anymore. I can't remember a team doing so in the past few years, as it removes options in the passing game particularly with offenses in 3 receiver sets. The CJ experience in two years really illustrates the lack of a vision with this team. They select a hybrid RB with their first pick in a massive rebuild, then proceed to pass almost 60% of the time while possessing an OL more suited to a power running game. Beyond that, Gailey couldn't find ways to involve their prize RB or simply didn't trust him. Either way, that's a failure on several levels. And I'm willing to bet that Fred Jackson's legs have more life in them than the normal 31 year old back. He's got 817 career carries with short seasons in NFL Europe and the NIFL/UIFL. That's not a lot, but apparently some have forgotten the production Fred had in 2011. He'll be back.

If you think Nix and the Pro Personnel are so outstanding and Pears is a solid RT, how does it explain Nix's signing Cornell Green? I wouldn't give him that much credit with their spotty record in unrestricted free agency. Pears is on his 4th NFL team since entering the league in 2005, so he's no slam dunk starter. Pass protection is pretty easy when your QB has thrown the ball less than two seconds after the snap.

Ironic the WR debate came up before the SB. In big games, an offense needs three receiving threats, and the Giants flashed Nicks, Cruz, and Manningham. When the former 2 were covered, Manningham made plays. The Patriots were a team that banked on 2 TE's and Welker. Green Bay with Jennings, Nelson, Finley, et al. Falcons with White, Jones, and Gonzalez. Saints had their stable of guys. etc. Buffalo has Steve Johnson between the 20s. After him are a bunch of low cost options short on accomplishments and experience. The odds of Jones and Easley both becoming dependable receivers is not high. For every Victor Cruz there are 15 guys who are marginal NFL wideouts. For a team predicated in Chan's offense on the pass, their options are few and far between. That more than Fitz's ribs probably played a huge part in their offensive woes.

More like re-arranging the deck chairs. That 2010 group isn't looking all that good, especially considering their first 3 picks are backups entering their third NFL seasons. I remember Buddy talking about "stacking players on top of players" and they accomplished that. They just didn't find starters. At some point the team will run out of excuses and building through the draft mantra ain't cutting it anymore. Buddy's draft acumen isn't enough to get this team anywhere near the top of the mountain. Sure, 2011 picks look better, but to build through the draft you've got to get about 3 above average starters a year for 3-4 years. Buddy's 1 for 2 in that department at best right now.

It's great to recognize guys in the trenches, but 4 of 5 in the class of 2012?

The old fall back "you've never worked in the NFL, ergo, you know nothing" response. How original. His 2010 draft and UFA signings tell a big story, as well as that pesky 10-22 record since taking over as GM. Really? Because the Bills just promoted Dave Wannstedt to be DC, and his 4-3 Over defense calls for smaller quicker players. Quite the opposite they were looking for when Nix authoritatively went to a 3-4 back in 2010. There's another indication their vision isn't quite you make it out to be. Nix was Pro Personnel Director and didn't work from San Diego, choosing to remain in Tennessee during most of the year. I would ask you to review the 2006-08 drafts which were either average or mediocre.

The problem Nix has, aside from being undercut by cap guys Littmann and Overdork, is that he hasn't put together a vision for what this team is going to be. Buffalo hasn't spent in UFA for years, so their drafts have to be outstanding and a 2010 "meh" draft means they'll be rebuilding in perpetuity. And if he didn't know Modrak was garbage in 2010 after working there since early 2009, then he's not the "top 5 talent evaluator" a lot of people claim he is. Has Buddy Nix ever built a team? Ozzie Newsome built one from the ground floor.

The difference between Ozzie Newsome making this statement and Buddy Nix is clear. One is an outstanding talent evaluator who has an owner, Steve Bisciotti, who'll back him up. The latter is an average at best talent evaluator with an absent owner who's delegated responsibility to bean counters. Cue a Lee Evans criticism of Newsome, but ON drafts a heck of a lot better than Nix ever will. That, and he doesn't flip flop his defenses every 2 years.

At the risk of being called grammar police, dominant is an adjective. Dominate is a verb. Finding talent is step 1, which the Bills still have not accomplished at the money positions, QB, LT, 43DE/34OLB, WR, and CB. There are some younger players, but nothing proven at any of those positions aside from SJ. Step 2 is deciding whom to retain, which Buffalo isn't quite at yet. Buffalo does have Johnson up for a contract, and then Byrd and Levitre next season followed by Wood. Rosters turnover quickly, but that in and of itself isn't necessarily a good thing. The Bills have done it many times over with the same mediocre result.

Basically? What was Jim Bates doing, twiddling his thumbs? Carrington will become the backup based end in their 43. He's not a pass rusher. Dwan Edwards is a 5 technique who's played that position the past 4 years, and even if he becomes a DT in their rotation, he'll backup Williams or Dareus. And we know the Bills aren't interested in paying backup linemen a couple million each year. But you're right, not a whole lot has been lost. They still have no one capable of rushing the QB, are missing at least 1 starting LB, and have another who is unproven at a key position (MLB).

There's another built-in excuse if 2012 doesn't turn into a playoff season. Add in injuries and the small market status and homers are all set. Moats and Batten come from I-AA programs (or whatever they call it now) and couldn't get on the field for the Bills even when they went to a four man rush. The point is, they have NO ONE who is capable of getting to the QB. Kelsay turns 33 during the season, Carrington is strictly a base end, and the RDE is a black hole. And not for one moment does anyone bank on Williams or Dareus being the rushers. And then, they'll need a SAM who can cover, which isn't on the roster. I'm just glad the scouts and personnel types have been looking for 40 front talent since they hit the road last April or so.

If the Bills couldn't draft to fit a 30 front, how can they do it for a 40 front? Buffalo has a systemic problem of drafting poorly (across many regimes) and then refusing to spend in UFA to make up for it.

Wannstedt hasn't coordinated a NFL defense since 1999, before NE won their first SB. A lot's changed since then, not the least of which is a league predicated on passing the ball. Meanwhile, the version 4-3 practiced by Wannstedt was one built to stop the run There's a cost to switching defenses 3 times in 4 years, and the built-in excuse is already there for 2012. And that is they needed to switch defense because their players were more suited to it. Troup, Carrington, and key 2010 UFA signing Edwards are all either backups or without a position. Blowing high picks and UFA dollars on guys who don't fit your scheme or will be backups is no way to ever build a team. Ever.

Pardon me. I meant to say RW and his self-appointed top executives are not going to spend big in UFA.

They can't rush the passer in either defense, which is not so much a schematic problem as it is a personnel acquisition one. Finding 4-3 DE's who rush from the 7 or 9 technique is a challenge, but those teams that have them are successful. The Giants and pre-2011 Colts are outstanding examples. Those who don't have them are shredded in the passing game. Buffalo being a team that doesn't spend in UFA, I fully expect them to address this issue with draft picks. In the past 2 drafts, Buffalo has used 5 of their top 6 picks (1st-3rd rounds) on defense. When you rebuild the defense each year with questionable results, the offense will pay a price.

Merriman will be situational if he even makes the team. He's never rushed with a hand on the ground and it's a huge leap to hope he can in his 8th NFL season. I hope the personnel folks and scouts were looking for 40 front types when they began visiting campuses last April in anticipation for the 2012 draft. Something tells me they weren't and this change was made when Edwards was fired. Think of it this way: the Bills bowed to the needs of their 3rd DC in 4 seasons when it came time to choose a defense. A defense very much different than what the GM and AGM worked with in their previous positions and adamantly said they'd run. This defines dysfunction.

Apparently the Bills personnel guys are so good they can look for talent to fit 2 defenses, unlike the traditional base one most teams play. They still don't have the personnel to rush the passer regardless of running a 30 or 40 front. From Tampa-2 to 3-4 to 4-3 in less than 3 seasons. The indecision and reluctance to commit to a defense is emblematic of this team's woes the past few years.

Pro bowl. Not only are there several ex-Bills playing, but Buffalo is the only NFL team not being represented. It's possible FJ might have gone, perhaps Eric Wood as well, but there's no doubt the team is a long way from being close to ready to compete for a playoff berth.

That goes contrary to what's coming out of San Diego. From National Football Post: Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson wants to remain in San Diego, and it’s sounding more and more like the Chargers want to keep the free agent to be. “The way he performed this year speaks to how valuable he is to our team,” Chargers coach Norv Turner told me. “From a coaching standpoint, I’d love to have him here. When you look at his production, his average per catch separates him from a lot of guys. It's hard to see Buffalo signing anyone of record unless they get into bidding wars, something the same Chris Brown said the Bills wouldn't do. Second Question answer Remember the Bills do not often get into bidding wars for free agents and most of the players you’ve listed will be in demand. But Nix has said they want to add another big receiver. Bowe and Jackson would be my top choices. We’ll have to see if the Bills feel the same way.

Hybrid has become a euphemism for not being able to run either. Moving between 34 and 43 is no longer the point, rather sticking with one and fitting personnel to it should be. And that requires that all levels are on the same page: front office, talent evaluation (scouts) and coaching staff. Buffalo hasn't fielded enough players to suit one scheme, let alone 2. It's also become commonplace at OBD to bank on rookies when they won't spend in UFA to find the key ingredients to a team, and defensively that's a pass rush. I'd like them to acquire that quality pass rusher in UFA then focus on OT with their top pick. People are enamored with Clay Matthews Jr, Aldon Smith, and Von Miller, but each of those guys was put into a position to succeed. I'm not sure that Buffalo will be anything but throwing all their cards behind the first round pick to produce from Day 1. That's a flawed strategy, and not just because Maybin was a failure. There just aren't many difference makers out of the box who can get after the QB in their rookie seasons, save for a few special guys.

No player on the verge of UFA wants the franchise tag, given the one year contract length. Players want some semblance of security, which is a long term deal with guaranteed money. If the Bills tag SJ when it becomes apparent they won't reach a deal for a multi-year contract, I would expect both sides to reach terms before the season. It's not a good sign if there haven't been actual negotiations since the early part of the season. That is, unless they're just planning to tag him.

That's a huge gamble to take considering their next best wideout is David Nelson, who's best served as a slot(3rd-4th) WR. Letting players who are important parts of the team hit UFA is a recipe for disaster considering the money sometimes offered and fact that Buffalo has nothing proven as a feature receiver behind SJ.

Post-game interview All Star Chris Kelsay was re-signed after the 2006 season just before UFA. Drayton Florence hit the market and came back just last year. Regardless, it's not a good sign that there have been no talks and Berchtold, Brandon, and the boys will need to get the spin machine cranking if SJ doesn't return. Unless of course they sign a huge free agent, which hasn't happened since Takeo Spikes 9 years ago.

When they get another WR, find a real OLT, acquire a receiving TE between the 20s, then maybe he'll have enough weapons to get the team into the playoffs. That, and a defense which can hold teams under 20 points per game. Kinda like Buddy Nix in 2010 when they raced to the podium to take a future part time player? The Buffalo Bills have not traded down in the draft since 2001, which IIRC, is the longest streak in the NFL for not dropping.

Buddy finds his OT's off the street or via the draft with project types. Why waste a high pick on an OT when there are at least 5 other positions in desperate need of talent after 2 years of rebuilding?