BillsVet

The book on Youboty closed when he got hurt opening it.

10 points seems high unless the Bills can get 5 safeties.

They can't run a 3 or more receiver set because the OL is so bad. But we needed to get rid of Peters because he cost too much.

This team just does not have the players. And while we're at it, can we admit that Reggie Corner isn't a starting caliber CB?

It's funny and true. As Jim Kelly said in his recent column on the team website, the QB's have about 1 second to throw after a 5 step drop. May as well find the closest receiver when a DLineman is bearing down on you. Difference between Jackson and Lynch is that FJ makes the catch and gets yards, whereas ML might not. If he does, it's negative yards.

Drinking heavily last night?

Evidently you haven't paid attention to the union contract and the owners opting out of it this year. By opting out of that sweetheart player deal, the owners guaranteed there'd be no cap floor or maximum in 2010 minus a new deal. There's no overriding sense anything will be worked out before UFA begins in March.

Backus is a mediocre NFL LT. He's part of the reason Stafford is out for the season this year, so yes he's not a third stringer, but he's not special either. Secondly, Maybin beat the guy with speed around the edge. That may work twice a year, but until Maybin learns to use his hands and feature some counter moves, he's not going to get a lot of sacks with pure speed. Teams do watch films and adapt.

A lot of people love the draft, but unless you're Matt Millen, there's actual work that needs to be done. Things like scouting, building a draft board, et al. That and having to hire a GM, along with a pro personnel and amateur scouting director. Then, supervising them to ensure their vision mirrors yours. It's not like a guy can show up a week before the draft because he had success 15 years ago and draft well.

You're using a pre-season finale game, typically when the imminent cuts play, as an example that's he's solid? And it was against the freaking Lions? I've seen some good ones on this board, and that's up there. I wan the kid to succeed, but there's nothing to indicate he'll live up to his draft status. It's like the Demetrius Bell syndrome: buy into hype about an unproven commodity until you realize he's not good.

Two critical things here: Johnson, no matter the role, isn't returning to the NFL. It's not going to happen. Second, Billick is on record as wondering why anyone would go to work for the Bills. What's next, someone wondering if Chuck Noll will come out of retirement?

For the same reason they chose to rebuild with an undersized SS. Levy/Jauron/Modrak/Guy could not rebuild their OL and DL despite repeated attempts over four off-seasons. When they finally take a DE, it's someone not physically prepared for the NFL. There are a few posters on this board who I seriously believe could do a better job than the current staff, who should be fired on January 4th.

This is the year RW's meddlesome ways finally catch up to him. I have no doubt word has spread league wide that going to Buffalo is a half-step up from working in Oakland. And that alone will convince proven people and top assistants from interviewing. I don't care if it's the NFL or not, this is a wasteland and people know it. Besides, Brian Billick has wondered aloud who would consider coming here. Fassel, Haslett, or Dennis Green seem to be the logical choices because they want in.

There's going to be a huge issue in Minneapolis/St. Paul with the Vikings demanding a new publicly financed stadium. Minnesota is having some budget problems, yet have already assisted the University of Minnesota and the Twins. Now the Vikings want a new home to replace the Metrodome and it's not looking good.

Billick is on record as wondering why anyone would want the Bills job. It's a massive rebuilding project and no name coach wants to begin like that. Gettleman is being pushed, but he's in his late 50s and hasn't had a GM job yet. He may be adept at pro personnel, but there's probably a reason he hasn't been hired as a GM elsewhere.

Acquiring Edwards, Jolly, and Jackson will require untold draft picks when each are tendered for at least a 2nd, if not a 1st. They will be RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS as a result of 2010 BEING UNCAPPED. MIA, BAL, and ATL have gone from bad to being a playoff team in one season. Only problem is, all of them had/have extremely talented football men like Parcells/Ireland, Ozzie Newsome, and Tom Dimitroff running their football operations. And each of those teams had owners who delegated the responsibility and authority to make football decisions regardless of a bean counter. Only if those things happen, can this team have a shot at rebuilding quickly and correctly.

Acquiring more picks has been the style of Belichick and Parcells, hence more chances to succeed. Buffalo hasn't traded down in the draft once since TD did in 2001. The guys you pronounce "Trade Bait" like Edwards, Kelsay, Parrish, McCargo, and Whitner are not going to bring anything more than a 5th. Teams have figured out that giving up picks for low end talent doesn't yield great results, even though we think these guys are good. Besides, TE, CK, JM, and DW are entering the final year of their contracts and have done very little these past 2-3 seasons. Also, all f the names you mentioned above will be RFA's, meaning they'll be tendered a certain contract size and should a team sign them to an offer sheet, would need to give up picks commensurate with the tender. We do not know what the off-season will be like with the owner opt out of the CBA eliminating the cap in 2010. Guys who'd normally by UFA's won't be.

You're new here. And I'm guessing for the better part of the decade you didn't watch a team which is going on 10 years without a playoff appearance. So pardon the OP for laying it out. Buffalo isn't at a Rams or Bucs level, but they could be real quickly. Here's the deal: Buffalo is woefully thin at the critical positions. There is no QB, their top (and admittedly declining DE who I like) is considering retirement, they have no OT on the roster right now that is capable of starting (sorry Bell and Meredith fans, it's a dream) and there's no one running the football side of the house that's knows anything about personnel. This team, especially if old man Wilson springs for a new GM, is in line for a major house cleaning. The only positions I'd say are somewhat decent are CB, S, and RB. Aside from that, they're aging at DL, lack talent at OT, and don't have a QB play.

You could easily have said this in 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, and now we're saying it again. Yet, many of the same people finding players were there this whole time. No QB. nothing at OT, cannot stop the run, little pass rush, OLB extremely thin, I'd say that's a total rebuild right there. oh, and in desperate need of an actual GM and HC.

Nailed it. The man is a coward who decided that photo ops were all he needed to be present for. The only comment I've seen from him this season was what he said after the loss to Cleveland in October. The worst was Brandon showing up to the combine and acting like a real GM. I have a feeling that other GM's knew the guy had no power, no knowledge of personnel, and didn't even run the draft room like he should given the position. I can't believe they've decided he can look for his replacement, as if he suddenly knows what to look for.

Buffalo went with a project DE because they finally realized a pass rush is important. The greater reason, IMO, was that taking an OT would open them up for criticism that they again used a high pick to replace a traded or UFA veteran. I've always had the feeling that the Bills, TD or Levy/Brandon, are concerned with not doing what the supposed experts think they should do. And BTW, I've seen Maybin run by (I sit in the front row behind an EZ) and he's real cut, but lacks bulk. He has a lot of work to do in the off-season, but I'm willing to wait another year before declaring him a completely bad pick.

Is RW willing to spend money, or is that merely a rumor started somewhere? I expect there to be plenty of activity beginning 1/4, but there's no indication RW is about to spring big dollars onto a "name" commodity. The Bills are being forced into hiring a real GM like they should have in early 2006. There is no one on the Bills payroll in the front office capable of making a good decision on the next GM. 24 years ago about this time, RW hit the lottery by naming Bill Polian GM. Because he won't hire a consultant and won't trust anyone but Brandon, all we've got is hope that they'll hit the trifecta once again.

The NFL has become a stadium building league, which ultimately creates bigger revenue. Look around the NFL and there are or will be new digs built in NYC, Washington, Dallas, New England, and many other cities in the past 15 years. There is zero chance of a new stadium built in WNY, what with the financial problems at the state and local revenue. And we know the current owner won't privately finance anything at his advanced age. People will say RWS is fine, but with the NFL helping to finance the new NYC Giants/Jets place, it's clear they want more new stadiums to create more revenue. Buffalo already has one of the oldest homes in the NFL. If there's parity in the NFL, then why are the Giants, Eagles, Chargers, Colts, Steelers, and Patriots in the playoffs every season? If half the playoff teams are perennial, that speaks to something.

Merry Christmas to you as well. There's no question a decade of losing has taken a toll on Bills fans. Re: Schobel. I don't think any of us know how much pain he's in, but if John Wawrow says he's had back problems, it's probably true. And while he has a high salary, I think most athletes fit into that category. My gut tells me that Schobel's injuries, combined with a full-on rebuild coming up in 2010 might be enough. We'll see, but I'd want him back, if only as a part time pass rusher at a reduced rate.

For the record and because you won't look it up, I said Sanders lost almost every year. But you're correct in that Detroit had 5 playoff appearances in Barry's 10 seasons with a mere 1 playoff win. Too many posters, yourself included, deal in absolutes. As in, Team A was bad with Player A, therefore Player A was bad and didn't help them win. This sort of mindless logic is tiresome and intellectually lazy. But go ahead, attack people to cover up for your lack of knowledge and for having to actually think. You truly are an asset to this board.