BillsVet

That trade proposal should be DOA, but it's interesting some fans continue to talk about skill positions. Taking skill guys is what has this team as weak in the trenches as they are. Fact is, they have two options if they choose to remain at 9: OLT or NT. They have zero depth at OT and absolutely nothing at NT. OLT's will go off the board very quick, which is the case every year. With a NT, at least you have the chance of finding a Cam Thomas in the second. All rebuilding teams (and that's what this team is) find their lineman first. But of course, the marketeers at OBD want to sell tickets, so I wouldn't be surprised if Buddy Gailey are overruled on the first or second pick and they take an offensive skill guy.

Draft picks rarely (especially 2nd rounders and below) start and make a difference. When people say the Bills are a NT and OLB away from having a defense, it's like saying the Washington Nationals only lack some starting pitching: you can't go without these positions and have a solid defense. Not one OLB on this roster has played the position in the pros. They'll be learning a totally new defense, of which only two current Bills have played in. Maybin, Schobel, Kelsay, Ellis, and whatever draft pick are total question marks at OLB. And they're the guys charged with rushing the passer. It's one thing to hope the first rounder comes in and plays well, but assuming they can rush the passer with current options and find a NT in the draft who will play out of the gate is absurd.

What's the difference between taking RBs/WRs or DBs? They're guys who play off the ball and typically don't control their own destiny on the field. Skill players are sell tickets and can run fast, but taking a RB/WR/CB/S/TE in Round 1 is an epic failure at OBD. From 2004-2008, the Bills used 8 out of 9 of their 1st/2nd round picks on skill players. Their lone line pick was McCargo. That's why this team does not win battles at the LOS, and Spiller does nothing to address that. I'm content with Jackson/Lynch at RB and a pick at OLT or NT.

This column is commentary, still not a readily understood concept at TBD. DiCesare may be incorrect about being a QB away from competing in 2002, but he's not wrong when making the point that acquiring McNabb for a pick or picks and giving him a contract would be a marketing/RW decision. For all the love Nix and Gailey are receiving from some (unfounded yet) there are powers that be who overrule them at OBD. Call it conspiracy, call it whatever. RW still runs the show and he's not going to be happy if season ticket sales are down.

For the life of me, I don't understand why anyone has any confidence in Gailey to resurrect a franchise. His only NFL HC experience was with a declining Cowboys dynasty. He was out of the NFL from 02-07 being barely average at GT, an OC for three teams since the mid-nineties, and received little to no interest for any other HC job. Where is the track record of taking a moribund franchise and making it better? And, if that's not enough, they've got the same old guys at QB, nothing at OLT, nothing at NT, and no proven pass rushers who've played the OLB position. Someone is sure to mention Marv, but this isn't 1986, and Bill Polian isn't the GM.

IIRC, McNabb wants a contract extension, given that he's in the final year of his deal. So merely trading for him comes with an additional price and I don't see this team willing to do that. Picks and money are not what this team is willing to give up at this point, season ticket sales or not.

Sure they lost AO. But they never really got on a roll and turned the ball over at the most crucial points in the game. Ah well, go Cornell.

I don't think it's a means of getting someone to drop if there are 11 or 12 of them. But, 11 guys went before Sapp in 95 and only Steve McNair and Joey Galloway were near Sapp's quality. He's probably the best 3 tech DT of the past 20 years.

We hear this tired refrain every year when someone dares criticize the team. Sure it's March, but there's two opportunities to find players, and both are before May. And if you're looking for more guaranteed players, it's free agency. The top players available there are typically signed in early March. And as much as fans talk about the draft, rookies aren't normally difference makers on the field of play. Oh sure, there's usually a RB, G, or perhaps a LB that plays well their first season. Those positions are not as complicated to find guys. This team needs pass rush, NT, OT, and QB talent. Unfortunately, there aren't enough picks to fill those positions. That's reality.

The likelihood of a team finding a starting QB from another club's PS is remote. Besides, 32 teams passed on signing the guy after hitting GB's PS. For another team to sign him, all they had to do was put him on the active 53 man roster, yet no one did. Pro Personnel Departments are looking for guys all the time; it's their job after all. I have to believe that after hitting waivers, he hadn't demonstrated enough to be on someone's roster. And that's with the NFL being a QB driven league. League inactivity tells me a lot re: Brohm.

I found it, but still disagree with Joe on this point. Building a football team is not as simple as finding a QB. With limited resources (picks, budget) a team needs to build to its strength. If the Bills are indeed going to be a run first team (like NYJ) then build the OL and Defense first. As for taking players from cold weather climates, a myriad of guys came from warm places that excelled in Buffalo. Joe D. is a HOF'er, but I'm not sure he's as accurate as some make him out to be.

I like Joe D., but he's wrong if those words came from his mouth. Lombardi resigned as HC after SB II and became GM, then went to Washington as HC in 1969. Landry was fired by Jerra Jones after the 88 season when Jones became owner. Noll retired (read: forced resignation) after the 91 season. Where is the link for this quote?

Why should anyone watch Animal House? It was made before I was born? Now, who's buried in Grant's tomb?

Parcells has been known for doing this. Belichick had 4 2nd's last year and yet Buffalo hasn't traded down in the first three rounds since 2001 when NC was their first pick. The buzz phrases on TBD this offseason have been "build through the draft" and that Nix "can't fill all the needs in one draft." I've got a feeling they'll got OT-NT in 1 and 2, but only out of sheer need. Just once I wish the Bills could go into the draft and not hae to take someone to fill a need.

The most important parts of this 3-4 are NT and rushing OLB's. And right now, they don't have a big guy in the middle to make this defense what teams like PIT, NE, NYJ, et al function. Second, the OLB's on the roster have never played the position. Fans expecting Schobel to make the transition (should he remain) ought to pay attention to what happened to Aaron Kampman. Certainly not the same player, but both were older vets going from a 34 to a 43. Maybin isn't a given, because he's, well, Maybin. Things look better on paper, but this time of year everyone gets themselves amped up.

You're living in absolutes on Point 2. A LT supports the QB and vice versa. Each of those LT's played with arguably HOF QB's, who have a better feel for the pass rush than average QB's. It's no coincidence those teams didn't need a top LT. For a team that has an average QB, getting a lock down LT can exponentially make the offense better, especially in the passing game. Peters needs proper motivation, but there's no doubt he has the skill set to be left on an island. Now I know some fans will cite the highest "sacks allowed" figure, but let's look at the cost to replace him: -required the entire OL to be shifted, causing massive issues at LT and need for 2 guards as opposed to 1 in 09 Draft -is forcing the team to use another first round pick on a LT. Having Peters would mean not getting Wood, but they'd have a LT and could focus on taking a NT or pass rusher this year. When team's make mistakes, they tend to domino throughout the team. As BADOL has pointed out, finding solid guards in Round 1 and 2 is not hard for a personnel department. So while the interior is better, the OT's are still a huge question mark.

Sacks are a partial measure, even at Rush OLB, of measuring a player's caliber. Porter was benched toward the end of last season after his play declined. Call it negative, but MIA has some issues at OLB and they sat Porter while Matt Roth was having his issues. Unless he was going downhilll fast, the Dolfelons would not have made that move. An OLB in a 3-4 still needs to play the run, and Buffalo will see plenty of it if they don't have a decent NT. I expect those OLB's to play it as effectively as they rush the passer. The guy is a punk, as evidenced by his attack on former Bengals OT Levi Brown. Except now, his play on the field doesn't make up for it.

An absolute waste of time. I like Eisen, but Woodson and Dukes are clearly did not do much research before this segment. I think they've addressed the DL with Dwan Edwards, acquired some depth at ILB, and at least signed a RT. It was mentioned the Bills traded up for Trent Edwards, which is false. And Dukes is saying the popular thing for them to acquire Vick, who is said by some to have less accuracy now than when he was a Falcon. Dukes went so far as to say he'd give up a 2nd or 3rd. Yeah, sure. I think the MO for each "expert" is to say the most popular thing, even if it's absurd. Thinking outside the box is apparently outlawed.

Darth, we get you want them to take a QB. Everyday there is at least one post saying as much and even casual visitors to TBD get your opinion. You're like a recurring case of hemorhhoids sometimes. FYI. Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Jay Cutler, and Aaron Rodgers were all selected in the first and beyond the 10th pick.

It's not just the marketing angle which is subpar, but the communications department as well. There was the question of whether DJ received an extension, Peters' hold out, RW's ring ceremony being cancelled late, the team photo, Nix' press conference, and a litany of other more minor issues. It almost seems like a banana republic masquerading as legitimate country surrounded by developed nations. I can't speak for other teams, but my sense remains that anything coming from OBD is tightly controlled. Even still, it's not as professional as I'd expect from a NFL franchise. Scott Berchtold seems to be in over his head as well, but it may be he's dealing with Ralph/Littman and others who give him a crap sandwich to deal with.

I'm glad SP's Bills related columns are linked to TBD. He's a fine writer, and it's absurd he was cast aside so casually. Look forward to seeing him hopefully at the Press Radio Club dinner on May 12th. Buddy is a long time Saints fan. For the record, I'm keeping my team photo just to demonstrate to people how bad they botched that picture. Of course I'm sure something's online with that as well.

To clarify, I like both signings, as these two are the only experienced 3-4 players on Buffalo's defense right now. Free Agency was thin, and these two guys have proven track records with success. But I'm not the type who gets overly excited like many fans who are ultimately disappointed when the season degenerates. The team started the rebuild, not finished it. And I know you know that. Agreed. I don't care if you disagree with my stance, but have the audacity to debate my opinion. Even if Buffalo had signed Peppers and Dansby I wouldn't be overly thrilled. Buffalo is what it is: a rebuilding team in a division and conference packed with better teams. Tell me, what is your opinion?

The second season of a players career is almost more indicative of their career path. Some rookies surprise because there's little to no tape on them. After the season when teams study more tape, their flaws are exposed. How players adapt their game is crucial. 9 picks is great in a rookie season. Regardless of a rookie's performance in their first year, they shouldn't be evaluated until after three seasons. JMO.

2008: Buffalo signs LB Kawika Mitchell, DT Spencer Johnson, and traded for DT Marcus Stroud. Just like last night/today, the board was abuzz that Buffalo's defense would be much better with new additions. Unfortunately, those moves did not translate into a dominating defense. Fans who amp up their expectations during the off-season are generally the ones who disappear from the board in November. It's happened quite frequently these past few seasons.

Cheeseburger? Luck of the Irish? Classic stuff.