BillsVet

If it weren't for the fact this team is in the market for more positions historically taken top-10, I'd be all in favor of Suh. The Bills will probably draft in the 6-10 range, which puts them most likely out of the running for NS. And, they'll be probably be looking at for QB and LT help, not to mention LB as well.

How quickly we forget that there hasn't been an off-season in forever that translated into success come September. Plenty of casual fans laud the moves of the off-season that ultimately fail to improve the "sub-par" product during the regular season. RW has said a lot of things over the past decade. He's told us to appreciate the fact we have a team, and not to worry about the team moving-for now. I cannot believe we're counting on a 91 year old man to make substantive changes with his track record this decade. This team is as bad today as it was when TD was fired, perhaps worse.

This is what Bills fans do in December: watch the college ranks in hopes of getting a jump on our own personal scouting.

IIRC, Tim Graham wrote an article earlier this year which showed most amateur scouting directors did not work out of the franchise's home town. I still think there needs to be a complete overhaul of tha front office, although the ambiguity of Buffalo's draft process makes it hard to point to one person. As has been mentioned before, Modrak and Guy merely provided TD information on personnel. They were fine with playing a supporting role. But then, when Levy came in to fashion "consensus" they weren't real desirous of helping make a decision but supply information as they had TD. There should be no doubt that the team needs a strong GM who doesn't receive interference and can pick their own amateur scouting director, pro personnel director, and HC. Any other way and we'll see the same product ad infinitum. Despite TD's failings, this is how most successful NFL teams work.

The majority of the NFL will be in off-season mode by mid January. Unless Buffalo has focused on a guy who works for one of those teams still in the playoffs, I expect to see movement on a GM and HC by this time. Waiting the entire month of January before naming a GM and/or HC severely curtails the off-season analysis and preparation for UFA and the draft. That is, if the Bills do make any management changes beyond firing DJ.

I can't see new personnel people agreeing to keep TO, but the point of charting a new course is correct. Now that DJ has been fired, they need to decide what type of team this will be. For the past decade, it seems like 10 1- year plans have been instituted without a long term vision.

TD's 04-05 drafts are still setting this team back, but it's the combination of the 06-08 drafts that put this team where it currently is. The book's been written on the 06-07 classes, but it's a not encouraging that Hardy and Ellis aren't even dressing this season. Everything goes back to the team using so many picks on non-lineman in the 1st-3rd rounds during those years. They've used too many resources at the skill positions. Their OL and DL is going to need a lot of attention over the next 1-2 years.

RW does not want to make changes at his age, and has found every reason not to get rid of the real problems. Without significant change at the top and on the sidelines (i.e. a total rebuild) I don't see the fans buying the hype. Well, not nearly as many in 2010.

What difference does it make when you lost the game and give up 249 yards rushing to a team that completed less than 10 passes?

Good teams routinely find talent in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the draft. The 06-08 drafts were very bad, which compounded the fact that 04-05 drafts were horrible. No one knows who made the calls on specific picks, but the bottom line is the Bills drafts stunk for 5 years. Hence, the team relies on practice squad guys, UDFA's, street free agents, bargain basement UFA's, and low round draft picks.

As soon as the season ends on 3 JAN, this organization will show whether or not they're interested in being a winner again. They have two courses of action: choose to make short term emotional moves which may sell tickets like hiring Marv as GM, or begin to lay the groundwork for another rebuilding effort by hiring a real GM and letting that person hire a HC. To rebuild properly, it requires RW to relinquish some control over football operations to a real GM versed in football operations. And in Bills franchise history, RW hasn't gotten much right. He also won't be able to hire one man to do both GM and HC jobs, which historically hasn't worked in the salary cap era. Either way, we'll know where this team intends to go when the month of January is over. RW said during his ring ceremony that he still wanted to bring a SB to Buffalo. Now is the time to prove it, because hype will no longer cut it.

The 07 and 08 draft classes aren't looking that good either. From those two years, you've only got three starters: Lynch, Poslsuzny, and McKelvin. Not good enough for any team, let alone a spend-less small market franchise. In-line straight speed is one thing. For DB's, especially CB's it's being able to turn and run. Whitner doesn't do this as well, hence his playing S.

The book on RF was he scrambled far too often when confronted with pressure. And, by virtue of being on 2 teams in four seasons, probably wasn't more than a journeyman. Why it's a surprise this guy wasn't good enough is beyond me. Granted the OL in Cincy wasn't great last season, but his play there was very similar to what it's been here. Fitzpatrick today is a lot like what people figure DJ would be in early 08: that he would somehow improve to carry the team. And then reality reappeared again.

The example of Bushrod does not demonstrate that it's easy to find a solid LT. When more than half the teams in the league have spent a day 1 (1st or 2nd round) pick on an OT, particularly LT's this decade, that's a trend. Outstanding LT's are not found in the bargain basement bin. They don't normally come off the street, via UDFA, or even UFA, usually through the draft. You've outlined an exception (Peters being another) that is far outweighed by the amount of first round guys. They have not addressed the OT position since the Mike Williams debacle. Butler has been injured each season he's been in the NFL, which is another trend not lending itself to success at RT. Bottom line is, they've allocated more resources to an area of the team with less effect on the success or failure of the team. I know Bill will answer this way, but why build up a secondary when you don't have a pass rush? And why acquire WRs, RBs, and TE's, when you don't have an adequate OL?

It's not normal and an indictment of the management structure that this team fields and plays more late round picks, former practice squad guys, and street free agents. Draft, J. Scott, Simmons, Chambers, Stupar, B. Scott, and many more. These guys are starting or logging serious time. And, you've got former DBs playing LB (Coy Wire where are you?) Go back to 2007, and the same thing happened. Injuries were rampant then, as they are now and Buffalo was forced to comb the waiver wire for help. I would like for anyone who thinks Marv/DJ/Brandon rebuilt this team to tell me what this team is on the way up. IMO, there are no more than 15 players on this team who are worth keeping. You're welcome Toronto.

Are you a big Brian Brohm fan? Baltimore had 17 guys on IR last year but actually went to the AFC Championship. Injuries are the crutch that casual Bills fan lean on when things go wrong. This team was so bereft of talent it's absurd. Almost like the team was constructed by amateurs. This injury thing happened in 2007 when guys like Leon Joe and Jason Webster went down.

Ever notice the Bills have a whole bunch of needs every year? That's an indictment of the supposed rebuilding that took place from 06-08 and in reality their drafts were mediocre.

I've been accused of being too negative. I didn't want to come off that way tonight. This is what happens when amateurs and people who should be fired still run personnel. The 08 draft is looking really bad right now, and both 06 and 07 have offered little.

Buffalo has allowed 2065 yards rushing in 12 games this season...an average of 172 per game. Aside from losing Kawika Mitchell, the defense hasn't lost anyone in the front 7 worth a darn, yet they can't stop the run consistently.

What's the point, it's another wasted season. Top 10 pick here we come, and we only need a QB, 2 OT's, a LB or two, probably another DT, a GM, and a HC. We'll end up with another marketing plan from Mr. Smithers and Mr. Burns.

Matt Birk...too expensive Jason Brown...too expensive Geoff Hangartner...just right. No RW, you're not cheap, but you haven't spent a dime on a GM who knows what they're doing in more than a decade. Hire and pay the people who can find talent, and you won't waste millions on fat and unmotivated OL. But yeah, signing TO to a one year deal is proof positive that you're committed to winning. Right.

Even Haslett with the lowly St. Louis Rams had a 2 game win streak last year. And still finished good enough for the 2nd overall pick.

Most teams that change coaches get an emotional boost for a game or two. The lack of talent will eventually show up, and tonight is that night.

Go Poz!

And last in the NFL in run defense. 210 yards allowed in 3+ quarters tonight. Some things never change.