BillsVet

It's one thing to be pessimistic on this team, which I freely admit. The team is run by a 91 year old owner and the direction just doesn't seem there. It's still no reason for single-minded posters to hurl insults at anyone that suggests something they disagree with. Still, the obnoxious posters have become too much and John Wawrow along with others know it. I realize there are varying levels of football knowledge on this board, but when a reporter comes onto this board it's a good thing. We collectively benefit as a message board because of them. The Bills should be criticized if they cannot win and advance to the playoffs this season. Collectively though, criticism needs to be done in a more considerate manner.

I think it's also worth noting re: NE is their penchant for finding players who can be play different positions. They've gone after Adalius Thomas and Jerod Mayo who both can play inside or outside. I have no doubt people like Warren and Wilfork could be DT's if they were asked to be. Flexibility is something BB values, because it adds another dimension to their game plan. And I have no doubt because he basically doubles as a GM, that the scouting staff and team makeup are coordinated very closely. I still hate them.

"The signing of Terrell Owens after his release from Dallas was a desperation move -- one that Wilson himself has acknowledged was made in an effort to improve ticket sales." RW may be nearing 91, but he's still with it in terms of making a dollar. He knew keeping DJ would rankle the fan base, and I don't think many astute fans believed RB, DJ, or Trent was behind the move. But, he's hitched his wagon to a coach that clearly will never figure it out. There should be no question now that Russ Brandon is a figurehead like his predecessor. No wonder people like Polian, Butler, and AJ Smith didn't want to work for this guy. He knows it all.

How many times can NE swindle OAK before the commissioner has to step in? The Patriots* have won the division 7 of the last 8 seasons. The best way to make the playoffs is winning the division so you're not competing for 2 WC spots among multiple teams. I don't think this move takes away from their pass rush, because 3-4 DE's aren't called on to be great sack/pressure guys. In a 3-4 it comes from the OLB's. And so a 4-3 change means less of a need for a 275# DE. BTW, this house has been in disarray for a long time. And from what we've seen this week, that's not changing anytime soon.

Actually, cutting Rhodes is a slight departure for the franchise. I recall two years ago when the Bills chose to keep Anthony "Slow-train" Thomas and play him more than Fred Jackson. At the time though, AT played more because he had better pass pro skills whereas people didn't think Fred Jackson did. Hence, AT played more frequently. I'm concerned about Omon in pass protection, but he did outplay DR.

Maroney hasn't been stellar, mainly because he seems injury prone. Meriweather will be a starter, but they haven't had much from beneath the 1st in recent years and I'll grant you that. They've gotten older that's for sure. NE has defined in the salary cap era how to remain competitive without going into total rebuild move. There aren't many teams that have a track record of success for nearly a decade aside from perhaps IND. I hate the Patriettes (and Red Sox), but I'll grudgingly admit they have one of the finest front offices in the NFL.

Beerball-You don't miss anything. I remember around draft time each year that teams college scouting staffs are already looking forward to the next year's draft. Even though the regular season hasn't begun, I'd say OT and LB are areas the Bills will need to address. I just hope thy don't find themselves with a need at QB.

Perhaps they've taken stock of the DLineman picks of late and figured they could get something for him without a steep drop off. Ron Brace was their 2nd round pick and they've got a few others. Reports have the Patriettes switching to more of a 4-3 type defense, and Seymour is a tweener in that he's too big too play DE and not big enough for DT. Furthermore, NE picked up Derrick Burgess who they can use at DE. Why does anyone doubt NE anymore? Which moves have they made in the past 9 years which were total busts?

Supposedly, RW and those in the meeting engaged in a give and take type meeting. I assume that to be RW giving and DJ and his coaches doing the taking. How ironic is it that RW's is concerned at this late juncture about the status of the team?

This reminds me of the supposed conversation Peter King overheard before the 07 season at the owner's meetings in which RW asked DJ and Levy if they'd be able to stop the run. I'm sure they didn't tell him they weren't better, even if they weren't confident. I think in some ways RW is similar to Al Davis in Oakland. Not so much in the strange personnel moves or conferences held to refute fired coaches' claims. He has surrounded himself with yes men who cannot tell him something they know he doesn't want to hear. I'm referring to DJ and RB, who make up possibly the worst GM and HC tandem in the NFL.

It's complete speculation, but I don't see the team giving a 2+ year contract out for GM considering the owner's age, and affinity for (of late) hiring those he can control. Even if Buffalo suffers a lost season (6-10 or worse) and DJ is fired, it doesn't mean they'll address the gaping absence of a GM trained in personnel. I can see Brandon acting as GM, even though he has no real power. There are three teams in the NFL in which the owner runs the show. Those clubs, CIN, OAK, and BUF, have combined for 1 playoff appearance since 2003. Contrast this with Arthur Blank and then MIA owner Wayne Huizenga who trust the people they hire to make their team a inner.

Yeah...Dellapelle Giovanni is getting upset!(!!!!!!!)

I don't think Ralph would spring for a Wii. More like a PS2 from ebay, although they can get Madden 2010 to determine who to keep.

Thank you John. This board has been inundated so many times with garbage rumors it's nice to have someone with good sources.

It's not HSFB. Teams watch plenty of tape and know your tendencies before you do, thus the need to be complex and innovative. I've never felt that the names Jauron and Schonert should be included with "innovative." That's why none of DJ's teams have ever been offensive juggernauts. They trend toward the bottom.

Another great Levy pick. That 2006 draft looks worse each season.

Amen. Al Davis holding a press conference to refute Lane Kiffin's allegations last season shows they are the most incompetent. Buffalo should be grouped above OAK and with CIN. Most fans don't realize that of the top 12 drafting teams, this happened: 1. DET Fired HC and GM 2. STL Fired HC and new GM 3. KC Fired HC and GM resigned 4. SEA New HC 5. CLE Fired HC and GM (Jets drafted 5th after trade) 6. CIN (owner runs team) 7. OAK (owner runs team) 8. JAC Fired VP of Personnel 9. GB Nothing 10. SF Fired HC during 08 season 11. BUF Nothing 12. DEN Fired HC and named GM We are bottom of the barrel. Group Buffalo in with CIN and Oakland. At least those other teams made changes when they stunk. At least GB made the NFC Title game in 08.

Dick Jauron: 5 offensive coordinators in 9 seasons of coaching. How's that for a track record?

For the record, most NFL coaches do not get to hire as many OC's/DC's are DJ has. Normally, when you're not able to pick new coordinators (unless of course they're hired for a HC gig) you get the boot eventually.

Wow...I'm thrilled. Happy Labor Day Turk.

There were many on this board who responded to DJ being retained by noting that he would have to change to keep his job. It was total ignorance of not only DJ, but much of the NFL coaching fraternity. Coaches, like politicians, first priority is to keep their position. They trust their method to do this will win them games, and DJ is no different. We can make DJ's post-game and training camp quotes what we want them to be, but it's clear he has not altered his vision of coaching a NFL team. He's not pulling a 180 and taking chances with his players, schemes, and game-planning. It's not going to happen. DJ will continue as HC or go down with the ship the same way he's been coaching since 1999: conservative, try to force the opponent into a mistake, stick with the game-plan football. I hope the Bills come out and stomp the Patriettes on MNF 9/14. But I don't expect it either. After all, their coach hasn't beaten them in 6 tries and the man opposing him is so much better.

1) The Bills played what turned out to be the 31st hardest schedule in the NFL. Their 4-0 start came against four teams that all won less than 5 games. The SD win was probably the team's best of the season, although the Chargers were at a low point. 2) Edwards played well in that SD game, or 2 weeks after the concussion. His problems came after Week 6. 3) Schobel was an above average DE at 31 years old in 2008. We have no idea if he'll be able to play the way he did in 2006 when he recorded 14 sacks. TO still has talent, but he had issues beating press coverage in Dallas last season. Maybin is a rookie who, while showing talent against lesser players, still is a raw prospect. Everyone knew that when Buffalo selected him. If you're depending on rookies season after season, it's not a strategy for winning. Things could be worse. But they should be better.

Is this your first season watching the DJ-coached and Russ Brandon managed Buffalo Bills? I mean, what in the past 3 seasons gives anyone hopes that in an ultra-competitive AFC that Buffalo will put it together and make the playoffs?

DJ's departure is just a symptom. The entire front office must be revamped, but 91 year old owners aren't going to make sweeping changes. Even if they are necessary to field a good team. Not making the playoffs is failure after 3 seasons and 4 offseasons of rebuilding.

But he knew Bill Walsh and watches 80 hours of film a week. That should be enough, shouldn't it? There's a reason he spent 12 seasons as a QB coach without being promoted, and the best (or worst) is yet to come.