BillsVet

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.

That's what you get when you spend so many picks on non lineman. Marv and the gang never rebuilt the OL and it was too little too late drafting two rookie guards in 09. Why anyone didn't get the memo about drafting lineman from 06-08 (TD didn't take any either from 03-05 on Day 1) is beyond me. Both regimes are at fault, but DJ wanted more DB's. EDIT: TD took Kelsay in the second of 2003 and Tim Anderson in the third of 2004.

I don't disagree there is little semblance of a pocket. Fitz tends to tuck it and run more than I'd like, but he's missed throws he should have made. Edwards may very well have been hurt had he started.

The need a huge infusion of talent in the off-season, and Russ Brandon is not the man to do it. Real GM and new HC are required, not to mention a QB who can stand in the pocket and make decisions.

PF may someday be a fine HC, but this Bills team could be one of the thinnest of the entire Dick/Levy/Brandon era. They're starting 3 guys on the OL who might not even be on an active roster: Chambers, Simmons, and Jonathan Scott. Matt Millen said they have the most players on IR in the NFL. Been there done that, it's no longer just bad luck, there's a reason for it.

Those Toronto fans will overpay to watch a bad hockey team, but they're not going to do it for a lousy NFL team in the CFL's backyard. The Bills are a bad product with a 91 year old owner who makes the decisions. He and Rogers didn't do themselves any favors in that press conference announcing the Bills in Toronto Series.

This game serves to illustrate the team is a long way from being a playoff contender, let alone a SB team. Gonna need a QB, OT's, OLB's, and another DT. Williams and Stroud are okay, but the DL is not getting enough penetration.

Come on TO

Lynch hesitates too much before getting to the OL, not that the big guys can run block consistently.

Aaron Rodgers takes a lot of sacks, some probably on him, but man does he make plays. He needs to make quicker reads, because 3 seconds is about all he's going to get. Now, this is why you've got to have better hogs up front.

Fitz is not your long term answer at QB. He'll make a throw occasionally, but he runs when he's hurried and is inaccurate too often.