BillsVet

Peters was cut, then a PS'er for most of 04, began starting at the RT spot late in the 05 season, continued there through until the bye in 06, and was a 2nd team All-Pro in 2007. This is not commonplace in the NFL, and outside of Jared Gaither and David Diehl, there aren't any quality starting LOT's drafted from the 5th round down or UDFA's. There are certain positions that are over-drafted, I'll grant you that. My feeling is that you begin rebuilding the OL and DL first. The skill players are nice and shiny, but I'm not buying that Spiller makes this lackluster OL better. It's not a clip of him running by ACC defenses anymore.

1-15 in 07 to 11-5 in 08 to 7-9 in 09. In two seasons and three off-seasons, MIA will contend for the AFCE title in 2010. If the Bills are at the level MIA is now at after 32 games and three off-seasons, we'll all be ecstatic. I don't bet against Parcells led teams, which typically physical teams. BTW, Tony Sparano's career record from 08-09 is the same as Gailey's in Dallas from 98-99. You'll recall Chan had a declining dynasty while TS inherited that rebuilding team.

The NT was rated lower, but seems to have some promise as all rookies do. OTOH, the LT is a project player a few years removed from playing TE. He is a project player despite all the puff pieces written on the bills website. If we rely on these project types to man the blindside it's madness repeated. Buffalo conducts their rebuilds in direct contrast to what successful rebuilders like Parcells do: draft lineman, then focus on the non-dull players that Ralph craves. Miami completed their rebuild, while Buffalo will be doing this for the next two years beyond 2010.

This team is bigger on the DL, but it doesn't make them better. Stroud is on the downside and will be making a switch to a new position. Williams is a third down guy at NT, Troup is a rookie, but Dwan Edwards was a good pickup. The ILB's will be bigger, but I'm concerned about the OLB's, none of whom have rushed standing up. Meanwhile, the OL is the same except for one guy the Raiders didn't want who cannot be assumed will win the ROT job. Levitre stands to be better, but Wood is coming off a serious injury, and the LOT position is a complete mess. The depth on the OL is razor thin, as many of them are rookies or untested 2nd or 3rd year guys. We've been down the road before where assuming guys will be better isn't something to bank on.

At what point can a fan say, "prove it" before making further commitment? I'll still watch the games, just this time from home. It'd be one thing if Buffalo hadn't been good in 2 or 3 years. Jumping off the wagon would be premature in that case. But we're going on 10 years since the last playoff season, haven't won a playoff game since the 95 season, and recorded one winning record since 2000. This was a put-up or shut-up off-season, and so far it's leaning toward the latter. Besides, merely saying it's a rebuilding year ignores the patience that long term fans have demonstrated. I suppose the newbies don't mind, but they're the ones who didn't see the glory days and know what winning feels like. Before I put my trust into Nix/Gailey, they need to demonstrate they're not as bad as the last 3 GM's and HC's. The people that pick those guys hasn't changed either for the record.

I don't think Baltimore's losses in 08 were more substantial than Buffalo's in 2009. And yet the Ravens made the playoffs with a rookie QB, rookie HC, the aforementioned injuries, and advanced to the AFC Championship. And all of this after finishing 5-11 in 2007.

Henry, McGahee, Lynch, Spiller, J. Reed, Evans, Parrish, and Hardy represent one third of Buffalo's first or second rounders from 2001-10. Throw in Clements, Whitner, McKelvin, and Byrd and Buffalo's used half their picks from those rounds on skill positions. It's inconceivable that in their third rebuild this decade that three separate Buffalo regimes allocated so many resources to skill positions aside from QB. Not surprisingly, the first two rebuilds failed miserably. It was said that RW had a lot of say in drafting Lynch three years ago. Despite what people think, it's not out of the questions that he influenced the first pick this year as well. After all, tickets are sure to decline from the highs of 2008-09.

Dwan Edwards, Kelly Gregg, Chris McAlister and Dawan Landry are scrubs in 2008?

Marshall Faulk is about two steps away from being another Emmitt Smith. He offers no analysis worth talking about, barely does any research (Buffalo needing a LT for 2007?) and has trouble with English. Still, I believe the Bills will be in contention for a top-5 pick in the 2011 draft.

Injuries aren't as big an excuse as many on this board insist they are. The Ravens had 17 guys on IR in 2008 and made the playoffs. I would hope the Gailey era featuring bigger lineman will alleviate some of the injuries incurred by the LB's and DB's. WRT Gaither, I guess people still want to live in fantasy land and believe he's actually available. Buffalo would have to give up picks AND re-sign him to a mega deal probably not far from Jahri Evans' recent contract. The Bills aren't handing out big contracts anymore, so this isn't even worth considering. Teams will key in on the running game and force the Bills to beat them with the pass. The OL stunk big time last year, and will again in 2010. No depth at G, a mediocre C, and absolutely nothing at OT. I think they'll be a lot of max protect this year, limiting options in the passing game.

I'm not a Tigers fan, but Harwell was a throwback to an era of the Mel Allen's, Red Barber's, Jack Brickhouses's, Harry Caray's, Jack Buck's, and so many great baseball announcers from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. And yet, I there's Mike Schopp asking why was Harwell great. I'm sorry, if you have to ask the question, you'll probably never figure it out. Harwell was an essential part of the golden age of baseball, and it's sad that fewer people survive who remember those days.

I'm negative on the Bills, and I admit it. But TBD is becoming a home for internet juvenile delinquents that can't discuss anything simply to resort to name calling. I disagree with my share of posters, and vice-versa, but civility has become an endangered species. To echo what SJB said earlier, I believe in the strongly in 1st Amendment, but it's increasingly clear that being on the board is a privilege and not a right.

JMO, but I don't see this organization dealing a pick or picks for a guy who will require a huge extension probably on par with what Peters demanded last year. Brown is an All-Pro caliber LOT and will need a deal exceeding 10M per season based on the current market. The Bills haven't handed out a 45M+ contract since Schobel nearly 3 years ago.

Dennis Green is that you? Has anyone given thought to why the Saints would trade a LOT? The guy is a supreme talent, but he'll need a Peters like extension and he just missed an entire season. Jermon Bushrod is OK, but he's not the player Brown is when healthy. Caveat emptor. Furthermore, the Bills aren't giving up picks for players. They want to develop their own guys and keep costs down. Brown doesn't fit with their plan.

I'm not so sure Schouman remains at his rookie playing weight of 223, but he's certainly not playing at 250 either. Not having a superior blocking TE is another issue with the offense and more specifically the OL. There is no OT on this roster that can be left alone, so they'll need to have more size at the TE position.

I'm not one who subscribes to conspiracy theories, but if there's one constant this decade it's the myriad of skill players selected by 3 separate GM/front offices. The question is why would three separate regimes favor smaller players over lineman when the league demands you protect your QB and pressure the opposing one? TD used 1st or 2nd rounders in 5 years on Clements, Henry, Reed, McGahee, Evans, Losman, and Parrish. Then, Levy/Jauron in 4 drafts went with Whitner, Lynch, McKelvin, Posluszny, Hardy and Byrd. Now, Nix/Gailey have selected another RB in Spiller with their first pick. By my count, the Bills have had 23 picks in the first two rounds since 2001, of which 14 were non-lineman. It would be one thing if they had a decent DL or OL throughout that time and went with skill players, but that's not the case. This over-reliance on off the ball players is one of the big reasons why Buffalo has gone 58-86 this decade.

I like going back and doing a mini-retrospective every now and then. As much as most of us like Posluszny, Patrick Willis is amazing. Unfortunately, he's been buried on a bad to mediocre team, although I think the 49ers are going to break out in 2010. I'm not a fan of taking skill players when the team can't win at the POA. In this draft there wasn't much at 9 other than some skill guys. As I recall, some were thinking Poz at 12, but he fell to 34 and Marv traded up.

Ah, Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. It was nice saving their butts in Najaf and Fallujah back in 2004. They have the best PR in the entire US Military.

Amazing how many boom or bust picks there were in this draft: 1. OAK JaMarcus Russell, QB. May go down as the biggest bust of all time, given his status as a #1 pick. All sorts of issues, overweight/bad work ethic, needed babysitting, and of course, his addiction to lethargy. 2. DET Calvin Johnson, WR. Perhaps the most physically impressive WR in the NFL. Slid back a step last year, although he was working with a rookie QB and a new coaching staff. One of the most talented WR's in the league and a tough matchup for any DB. 3. CLE Joe Thomas, OT. Has played at a high level since entering the league. Fell off a little last year, but Browns were terrible through most of the season, winning a few games late. A top notch NFL LOT and does not yield many sacks. 3 time Pro Bowler and 1 first team All-Pro. 4. TB Gaines Adams, DE. Passed away in January from heart ailment after having been dealt to the Bears for a 2nd round pick. Really never could get it going in TB, but CHI thought they could get something from him now that Rod Marinelli is the Bears DL coach. 5. AZ Levi Brown, OT. A classic reach pick by the Cardinals to protect Matt Leinart's blindside. Hasn't lived up to expectations and it's unclear if he ever will. 6. WAS Laron Landry, S. Physically touted as another superbly gifted safety but is a liability in coverage. More of an in the box SS than a FS. 7. MIN Adrian Peterson, RB. One of the most physically dominant RB's in recent memory but has become somewhat fumble prone. This became evident last season, most notably in the NFC Championship game. A gamebreaker when he holds onto the ball. Three time Pro Bowler and 2 time first team All Pro. 8. ATL Jammal Anderson, DE. Not much of a pass rush threat: 2.5 sacks in 44 games started. 9. MIA Ted Ginn, WR. Widely panned pick was recently traded to 49ers for late pick. Good in the return game, but is not a receiving threat considering his draft status and will shun contact. 10. HOU Amobi Okoye, DT. One of the youngest picks ever, surprised in his first season with 5.5 sacks on a DL with plenty of first rounders. Has somewhat underachieved since then. 11. SF Patrick Willis, LB. One of the fastest and most productive LB's in the NFL. Is a 3 time Pro Bowler and 2 time 1st team All-Pro. 12. BUF Marshawn Lynch, RB. Buffalo fans already know. 13. STL Adam Carriker, DT. Traded to Washington for a late pick last month. Missed much of 2008 and the entire 2009 season. 14. NYJ Darrelle Revis, CB. One of the top cover men in the game, is a two time Pro Bowler and was 1st team All Pro in 2009. 15. PIT Lawrence Timmons, LB. Became a starter at ILB in 2009 and played well. Probably overshadowed by 2nd round pick LaMarr Woodley. 16. GB Justin Harrell, DT. Not one of Ted Thompson's better picks. Had back problems going into the draft and has not overcome them. Only played in 13 games through 2009. Other busts: DEN DE Jarvis Moss, JAC S Reggie Nelson, SD WR Craig Davis, CLE QB Brady Quinn Solid picks: SF OT Joe Staley, CIN CB Leon Hall, KC WR Dwayne Bowe, BAL G Ben Grubbs, CAR LB Jon Beason, NE S Brandon Meriweather, TEN S Michael Griffin, NYG CB Aaron Ross

The Manchurian President himself. Who's running that tele-prompter anyway? Buddy Nix? J/K.

Hey, the President referred to a Navy corpsman as, well, a corpse-man. So there is a precedent.

The more question marks a team has after FA and the draft, the lower a team will be thought of. Several fans questioned the OL last year with the upheaval and lo and behold it didn't function well. This year those OL questions remain along with the conversion to a 34, and of course the QB. It also doesn't help that the AFCE will be extremely competitive in 2010.

Very true fearless leader. I take that into account when stating where I think the line falls and it would be hard to get worse than last year. 46 sacks allowed (a subjective stat occasionally) and an inability to convert in short yardage were the factors in my mind. Someone wrote this as well, but I see the LOT spot being manned by someone who's not played the position or Bell who's returning from a semi-serious injury. The position requires great agility, and it's no guarantee he'll handle it. Levitre acquitted himself well considering he was a rookie, but the kid was a 2nd round pick as well. Hangartner is mediocre, nothing more and nothing less. Wood's injury was serious and 310 pound men don't recover quickly from that sort of break. Cornell Green will be 34 on gameday, which is about 7 years older than Butler would be. No one could anticipate Butler retiring, thereby opening another hole, but Green isn't even a stopgap in my mind. The offense is a mess, and they chose to draft another skill player. It doesn't get better until they upgrade the OL, specifically at both tackle spots and project players don't count.

Easy to say when a 255# OLB or 280# DE aren't running full bore at you. Also helps if the WR are allowed to release off the LOS without a CB pressing them. None of BUF's receivers are outstanding at beating that sort of coverage. That said, Edwards was clearly lost last season. The OL is as bad this year as it was last season.

Brohm was placed on the PS his 2nd season, thereby exposing him to any team that wanted to add him to the active roster. If GB did this, it's safe to say he didn't make much progress from 2008 to 2009. Basically, a well-respected team led by a decent HC in McCarthy and good GM in Ted Thompson said he's not good enough. I'd take their word over anyone.