BillsVet

It still takes two to tango here. I don't know if Segal is waiting on the Crabtree deal, but I think the ball is in his court now. I'd love to blame the front office, and for all of their structural issues, can't see them pinching pennies. They've signed picks in 06, 07, and 08 in relatively the same draft area (8th-12th picks).

It's funny that both DJ and Jeff Fisher are former NFL DB's, with the latter have a short career. Then again, Jeff Fisher didn't win much in his first few years, so that makes it OK for DJ not to win in his first 3 years in Buffalo, right? I thought it was interesting where Tennessee's strength lies: OL and DL. They draft there and even without Haynesworth should be formidable. The Bills have been taking skill players, and we're still concerned about both OL and DL. There's a trend there, and it begins with the HC.

Expecting 235# Derek Schouman to block 280# Kyle Vandenbosch is absurd. Not surprisingly, he was pushed around by a far stronger DE. Unbelievable. And Turk's been around the league since the early eighties. This thread is the result of years of futility which are taking their toll on long term hard-core fans. Casual uninformed fans who don't follow league trends are the ones using the "hater" term. The Bills just ride down a mediocre path , and for casual fans who just like to drink at the homegames, it's no big deal. OTOH, fans who care about football first know it could be a long season when DJ is the coach and rookies are being looked to play well from the start.

Why does this team rely on rookies in abundance each season? Is it because they're new (and thus marketable) or perhaps cheap, or because UFA offered little in the Bills' price range? Frankly, entrusting the interior of the OL to two rookies and a former backup is playing with fire. I like Wood, but how many teams break in multiple rookies at any position on the field? And if so, are they successful? It's one thing to say this was the first game of the preseason. But players generally don't come into their own until their 2nd or 3rd season, not by opening day.

It's not worth it to get bent out of shape over the backups and soon-to-be cuts. But what I'm seeing from the coaching staff is the same tired play-calling and uber-conservative game-plan. Sure, there's a little no-huddle, but it's not going to make up for interior players completely. And it sure as heck isn't going to make up for this lackluster coaching staff that will have even greater challenges with a tougher schedule in 2009.

This popular refrain has been dredged up each year during the preseason. And each year, the regular season resembles the poor play in the preseason. In this case, the Bills have had more practices than Tennessee has. Why do they look and play so much better?

He's been named a starter, and while he's a young rookie, he's expected to play well from the start. It's a gamble to depend on rookies to play average or better football.

Because he's already been tabbed to be the starting LG for a team which has undergone serious transition on the OL. How many guys get strong enough during the course of the season to prevent that from happening?

He's an undersized rookie. Depending on rookies each season isn't a good solution to the myriad of personnel issues the team had from last season. That's not to say he can't improve, but he's not Eric Wood.

Levitre isn't ready yet...getting pushed by a backup DT is not a good sign. Not much time to throw there, although part of that is on Edwards.

Players have all the leverage in the league. Even rookies and their agents, when properly hyped, command the ability to negotiate as long as need be. It may not see fair, but it's reality. The line will be a concern, and minus their best OLineman, how can it not be? Buffalo gambled a lot when Peters went out the door, forcing all those moves. If it doesn't work, the front office should be nuked.

True...but he wasn't scripted like someone can be on a teleprompter. He ad-libbed at the right times, and referred to those notes. And by golly, he was entertaining with those stories.

No notes...I've made speeches, but his came off as genuine while touching and funny. The speech to the team in 1960 was great.

I've had my differences with Bills management over the past few years, particularly Ralph. Perhaps I'm caught up in the emotion of the moment, but Ralph did an awesome job tonight. He is a credit to the NFL, to Buffalo, and to all the causes he has quietly supported over the years. And of course, he's a veteran. He was funny, spoke well, and hopefully when I'm 90 I'll look as good as he does. After all, how many people won professional football teams for 50 years? God Bless you Ralph.

I think there was a reason why Schonert waited 12 seasons with 5 different clubs before getting the promotion to OC from QB coach-he just wasn't OC material. Some fans think being a rookie coach is like being a rookie player. It's not, TS has been around the league for 20+ seasons and struggled mightily in his rookie season adapting to, among other things, 3-4 defenses. He shouldn't have that issue with his experience.

He got to this point (an NFL HC) by playing close to the vest and hoping the other team makes a mistake. His coordinators are still mediocre and unimaginative. HC's like DJ don't survive this long in the league. But in his case, I can't see him changing his stripes in his ninth season as a HC.

No, but the anti-Peters crowd sought any way to marginalize someone they hated ad nauseam. Nevermind they did not see the EZ angle, nor comprehend that 340# LT's don't normally block 190# CB's who run 4.5 40s. It's typical "I hate this guy because he left my team-itis." Define "highest paid player in franchise history." Russell's statement is one with plenty of wiggle-room. It could have been a 6yr 50M contract. Heck, it coulda been 50M and no guaranteed money. Fans forget that the contract terms don't equate to guaranteed dollars in the NFL. NC's deal in SF is widely talked about as being 8 yrs and 80M, when in reality it's a 7 yr 64M contract.

In all seriousness, what could possibly Plan B? If Walker struggles (and that's an "if" at this point) there is no other capable OT on the roster to handle the position. Bell being able to protect Edwards' blindside is a pipe dream for this season. Chambers didn't play LT when Peters held out. Butler has had injury concerns each of the two seasons he's started at G. There is no Plan B, unless of course they find a diamond in the rough among the street FA's. And there aren't many decent OT's acquired through UDFA or SFA.

I think he was a big vote in the inner-circle meeting about whether or not to retain DJ. Reportedly, Wilson directly negotiated the contract with the HC. Wellington Mara was a great owner, and after I read, "The GM" about Ernie Accorsi, only made me realize how much so. He should be in the HOF if you ask me. I think the NFL bubble could burst if there's a strike, and it'll take awhile for it to come back. Charging crazy money isn't a given for tickets.

Jones has serious issues selling those suites as well in the bad economy, much like the Yankees in their new home park. Just because someone charges big dollar doesn't mean they'll get it. JJ wanted to build a monument to himself and his team, but it hasn't been a slam dunk, and if no one's willing to pay those ridiculous prices, he'll be the one footing the bill. Things have a way of balancing out. Keep in mind, this is the same Dallas Cowboys team which hasn't won a playoff game since 96. A new stadium at those prices won't change that either.

Who is Matt Leinart? I thought it was Max Leinart that Marv decided against?

Don't stop Billieving...in the front office. I think time will show it wasn't a hot idea to enter the season with Walker, Butler, and Chambers as their top 3 OT's. Bell may be hyped, but I'm not sure he's ready to be on the gameday roster. Having another tackle may not be what they want to do, but it could become a more pressing issue. Depth has been an issue for many years with this team, particularly because they choose to be just above the league cap minimum. Aside from Posluszny and Mitchell, who else among those LB's is NFL caliber?

Two items, coaching and the OL, will determine the fate of this season. None of the skill players on offense mean anything without that OL pass or run blocking. Agree on the move of LW to LT. He's not physically gifted with the foot speed and agility to handle edge rushers, and there are several of them lining up across him. Hangartner did say at his intro that he plays at around 315, so I'll hold out hope that he can handle those big 3-4 NT's. On DJ: who can forget the MNF losses, the 2-8 finish and still believe he's capable of stepping up his coaching? I don't, but you'll be attacked. It was the same way last season, and the optimists were not rewarded for their optimsim on the HC. Only time will tell.

Is that you Reverend Wright?

Bell is too much of an unknown to even believe he'll be more than an observer from the bench this season. I know he's stronger today than draft day 2008, but when 250+# OLB's like Porter and Adalius Thomas get a 3-5 yard head start, an OT needs to anchor. I'm not sure Bell can do that. From Buffalo Rumblings yesterday: "For those of you who have been on Demetrius Bell Watch, waiting for the second-year pro to lock down a starting tackle job, you may have been surprised to hear that when Butler went down, it was Chambers who replaced him at right tackle. This is perspective, folks - as good as Bell has looked in camp thus far (and it's worth noting that he was beaten cleanly by Chris Ellis on one play today), he's nowhere near ready for significant playing time. Buffalo's coaches realize that, and we should too." He was a two year project, and it's half-way to that point.