BillsVet

Miami became legit in late 2006 when Bill Parcells was hired (cue the skewering of BP) and cleaned house. Two years after going 1-15, they're a combined 18-11 and look like they've got a QB. BP's track record speaks for itself, and he knows how to build franchises. Holmgren does as well, given that he's taken two clubs to the SB, beating BP in one of them. Hiring one good management type is how it's done. As in, find one solid GM who can evaluate talent and find other talented people.

If Mike Holmgren takes the job in Cleveland, they become a legitimate franchise again. Many fans assume RW can waive some money around and attract a coach and/or GM with ease like MH. Unfortunately, it's my feeling that RW has no contacts in the league, and the individuals who used to work for RW and now working elsewhere-Polian, Smith, et al-have put the word out about working for RW. Buffalo's only shot is to hire up and comers who are willing to work for a meddlesome owner that permits his treasurer to dictate moves. That narrows down the choices, no matter what anyone says.

Teams with credible front office management, particularly at GM, draft for it. Teams that formerly coached by Dick Jauron without a real GM believe otherwise.

These are merely names who could be candidates for the GM position. To my knowledge, no interviews have been scheduled, nor is there an official meeting save for Shanahan thus far. Last year people suggested Gabriel when it became obvious the team was in the tank. He never received an interview. That's no knock on Gabriel, but the team needs to make the first move. Unless of course it's done via the Jim Fassel method of writing a letter asking for a job.

I think most fans on TBD cannot understand what management is, because they don't manage anything or anyone beside themselves. It's why they can't understand why bad decisions beget more bad decisions. Peters wasn't the greatest guy in the world, but his departure has produced a domino effect that rippled through the entire OL. And the team as a whole is paying for it. Next month, the Bills have yet another opportunity to correct their management structure. They can choose to make the hard right decision or continue along the path of making easy wrong decisions. There is no quick fix to building a better team.

They don't sell out because by this time of the year hope has been erased. But, they sold all of their home games out last season and had 56k+ season tickets. Eventually, promising hope means you've got to deliver. When you don't, prepare for problems. Besides, winter weather and the Christmas season didn't hurt back in the early nineties.

Henry made it back with the Bengals because he'd cleaned his life up after so many issues. He's was a fine WR when he had his mind straigh, and if people can't be forgiven, then what else is there?

It's football character...get it right! Football character means guys who can be learned up bout football. Now, does Russ get to take a picture with the guy?

The Bills are taking every short-term measure to avoid bottoming out. A 26-35 record in four seasons of rebuilding means we're good enough to beat bad teams, but unable to win when it matters. Most fans want to see the team win, and I subscribe to the theory that a higher draft pick doesn't guarantee success next season. But the question remains: Try to be mediocre (which is what we're doing) OR bottom out and start over. Neither is fun, but only the latter might provide substantial change for the benefit of future Bills teams. At the least, there's no doubt the NFL product is as watered down this year as any previous season.

Zeke's back in the league after a near 40 year retirement? I knew the NFL was watered down, but not this bad. Who's next, Sonny Jurgensen?

The Cleveland game on 10/11 made Sunday's game look awesome.

It's debatable whether RW was willing to spend 10M per on a GM/HC type. Until I see them attract someone worthy of a contract that high, I'm not going to believe it. I'm not even confident the big changes to the front office will happen. Your info is good, but I think RW's vision of his ownership remains the same: he's going to own it until his final day, whenever that may come. RW and his handlers (Littman, Berchtold, Brandon, et al) have insisted on not changing because they can't make any plans based on the owner's advanced age. This off-season will reveal who and what they really are. If there are sweeping changes, then perhaps there's a plan after his passing for this franchise. But if no significant changes are made, I think the inevitable happens when he's passed away.

I really don't see why you've got a problem with picking eighth. Last time Buffalo was 8th, they took the current league leader in unbacked up predictions. Not only that, but that guy set the record for most unnecessary jewelry stolen during one weekend. With that kind of production, I'd wouldn't mind taking someone 8th in 2010, especially a DB.

Isn't Jim Fassel still available? That guy went to a SB, had a great speech when his team was struggling, and won a title in the UFL. Not to mention he sent a letter to Al Davis begging to coach the Raiders. Who wouldn't want someone like that?

All a lot of fans have is hope. And they buy it wholesale from this organization, especially the ones who don't know that PS players can be signed onto an active roster. The fact that Brohm wasn't signed until later in the season says that he's not a top-80 QB in the league. But because the Bills have such a stellar pro personnel department, they found him and they buy into more hype. The exception brothers. Why stop at PS guys and include 6th round picks from 2000. You know, guys like Tom Brady. Because you can routinely find start OT's and QB's late in the draft and in the ranks of the undrafted. Happens all the time. /sarcasm

For once we agree. Let's say Buffalo drafts in their usual 10th-12th slot and Williams is on the board. No way do I spend that high of a pick on a RT. The guy needs to be able to play LT in the pros, and he can't do it at the college level. If there isn't a good QB, LT, or DT on the board, then there's nothing wrong with going DE again. IMO, Derrick Morgan from GT looks pretty good, but it's early. Guys who can consistently get to the QB are not usually found outside the first.

I think he's been going through the motions more often than not. He's not drawing double teams and for all the talk about the pass rush being better, the DL can't get off their blocks. I recall Marv saying almost 3 years ago that they wanted LB's who could attack the LOS. Hard to do that when the DL gets moved easily.

Certainly. No way 3 games gives anyone an opportunity to know if he's legitimate or not. I tend to think no, given his poor showing during the pre-season and inability to win the backup job in GB. We can only hope there'll be another regime that is more suited to building a winner than the previous versions.

Based on what exactly? Drew Brees' Saints didn't get a strong performance from their QB vs Buffalo, but it didn't matter. Another statistic is Buffalo's team INT's, which is completely worthless when a team has a allowed a 100 yard rusher in 11 straight games. Not trying to be a jerk, but it's like when people talk about Brohm: there's nothing to say he'll be good. Instead, it's a matter of fans hoping things get better.

With the draft as publicized as it is, the top college talent is hyped far too often as guaranteed. PIT, IND, NE, PHI, BAL, and SD rarely pick top 10, but certainly are for lack of talent. There's no reason a team can't find excellent players in 10-15, which is where Buffalo could very well select. Now, if only RW wises up and hires a GM who can find these top notch personnel evaluators the aforementioned teams have.

Fitz is your typical journeyman QB, now on his 3rd team in 5 NFL seasons. He was brought in to be the anti-JP backup QB and nothing more. Brohm is a cast-off, and it astounds me that people think this guy is franchise QB material. 30 other teams declined to sign him from GB's practice squad, but we're to believe Buffalo's pro personnel department knows something the other 30 franchises don't? Sure.

Just when I thought this team couldn't get any dumber, they go and find a way. Then again, this refereeing crew isn't all that stellar either. Where is Mike Pereira to make excuses for his suspect part timers?

Keep blitzing Perry. It's worked so well.

Scott's been in the NFL since 2006, having been cut by Detroit. If he's still raw it's because he's bad.

Jonathan Scott should be bagging groceries next week...but Buffalo doesn't have anyone else at LT.