BillsVet

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?

There's the answer. Once defenses figured Gailey and Fitzpatrick out by forcing him to throw outside the hash marks downfield, Fitz proved he couldn't do it enough to hurt opponents. Gailey was particularly frustrated after that game because his QB not once but twice couldn't complete those types of intermediate routes. The broken rib thing sounds like something leaked out in hopes it would explain away why their anointed QB fell off the table post-contract extension.

Well, the buzz word in 2006-07 was progress. And then in 2008-09 it became continuity. This year it's stability. Shouldn't it now be futility after 12 bad to mediocre seasons without a playoff appearance?

It's hard to argue they've got much versatility on defense with their current personnel as most are either 34 or 43 types. You look at guys like Merriman, Dwan Edwards, Carrington and Sheppard they're not offering much in the 43. Same goes for Kyle Williams with the 34, who's best served as a 1 or 3 tech in a 43. In terms of the front 7, the only guys I like moving back and forth are Dareus and Barnett. A hybrid defense in Buffalo is nothing more than an inability to staff either with proper players. Listening to the press conference, Nix talks about having guys 6'4-5 255-260 to rush. He's looking for a Terrell Suggs type who can play with a hand in the ground or rush standing up. When you can't settle on a defense and aren't committed to one, it makes drafting and pro player moves a lot more difficult.

I don't see the Bills drafting a TE high as it's apparently a weak class, nor do I see them addressing the position in UFA. Still, during Buffalo's march to 5-2, after the KC win he was essentially invisible inside the twenties despite 4 TD catches between Weeks 2 and 7. I suppose that's not bad, but his blocking isn't anything to write home about either, so he's not going to get a lot attention in UFA I'd imagine. This would definitely be a position of need, but with pass rush, OLT, WR2, CB, and LB being ahead, the chances of a more versatile threat there isn't happening anytime soon.

Certainly, but the most direct method to attaining a post-season berth is winning the division. And going back the past decade NE has laid claim to the automatic berth almost every year. Problem is, the Patriots knew after SB XLII that they needed edge protection for their QB. And so, they drafted Vollmer and Solder and can feature Gronkowski as well. Their defense and offense may not put up huge numbers like in 2007, but they could be a better team.

I completely understand about needing pass rush. It's priority #1 given the aerial game NE can offer, and the division goes through them until Brady is gone. At the same time, it's frustrating to see all the resources allocated toward the defensive side of the ball and know they need to spend more high picks and UFA dollars there. Unfortunately, they've not found nor developed a single pass rusher in the first two years of this huge rebuild. Being that QBs, pass rushers, and OT's are the bread and butter of NFL teams, I can only conclude the rebuild isn't moving quickly enough. They've so much as said so now that Nix expects a big leap forward in 2012. To me, they're putting all their cards into the upcoming season, which is a huge bet to make.

Hairston needs a lot of work before he can be considered serviceable and Bell is an injury waiting to happen. It'll take a better OLT, WR2, and TE for the Bills offense to improve with Fitzpatrick at the helm. He needs a better supporting cast than what took the field even in Week 1 if the Bills are to compete for a playoff spot.

A team that doesn't lose it's starting QB should never go 1-8 to finish a season. Ever. The Chiefs went 3-4 with Tyler Palko and Kyle Orton getting snaps without Jamaal Charles and missing Eric Berry since Week 1. Buffalo entered the 2012 off-season with questions at OLT, pass rush, WR, CB, and LB. They don't know which defense or aren't letting on it'll be changed, and have to re-sign their top WR. It goes without saying they don't get into bidding wars for top UFA's and if that's the case in 2012, they'll again be banking on rookies to provide the difference. That's never worked. Buffalo hasn't spent big money on a UFA since 2007 and that trend doesn't look to be changing. Still, Nix doesn't hit enough home runs on draft day, particularly in later rounds to make up for his misses. So much for that "top 5 talent evaluator" moniker people attached to him.

It wouldn't be the first time Buffalo drafted the one position they had a strength at.

There is no cap floor this year, but cumulatively the league must spend a certain amount. Per PFT from 7/25: Salary floors: Players accepted a relatively low salary cap in exchange for the raising the minimum teams have to spend. This can’t be underestimated. 99% of the salary cap must be spent in cash in aggregate between 2011-2012. The league-wide number falls to 95% after that. Teams must spend at least 89% of the cap from 2013-2016 and 2017-2020. The Bills can spend less in 2012 and rely on the larger spenders to make up for it. However, Nix said that they'll spend to the cap, which if the number didn't change from 2011, would be spending 120.375M in cash. The cap may be easily massaged, but in terms of money spent that what the Bills will spend per the GM.