BillsVet

The proof is in the pudding: Eagles: 7 playoff appearances, 5 NFC Title games, 1 SB in 10 seasons Bills: 1 postseason, 0 AFC Title games, 0 SB in 10 seasons. Every darn team in the league whiffs on select personnel moves. The Eagles do it far less, and as a result are in the post-season more often. The Eagles wanted Peters, and this was mentioned by none other than Andy Reid himself. They remember him from scouting one of the Andrews brothers at Arkansas. Had Bills front office read the stitches on the fast ball, they'd have realized this and held off to get more for him. Go on trying to destroy everyone who says Buffalo failed, but if you'd rather trust a team with 6 less playoff appearances than Philly's in the last decade so be it.

When Kelsay was re-signed, and admittedly it's easy to say now, I didn't like the move. He was on the verge of UFA, teams were apparently looking at him, and Marv forked over 4 yrs 23M. I don't think most people figured he was worth it. Looking back, it's another case of making one move which necessitates another. Schobel then needed a deal as well, despite having multiple years on his contract. Marv then signed Dockery, precipitating the Peters thing, and the rest is history. If the Bills trade Kelsay, it's yet another indication that Marv Levy and the circle jerks had no idea what they were doing. Unfortunately, the only person not in the front office now is Marv. All the same people, regardless of a track record worse than a NY Governor, still make decisions.

Remember 2007 when Buffalo continued the dismantling that started in 06? That was a huge example of addition by subtraction. McGahee traded, Fletcher and Clements left in UFA. Spikes traded. The previous season saw some vets depart as well. When those guys departed, draft picks (who are still developing) came in to replace them. Yet through it all, major changes don't work unless someone knows what they're doing. Both seasons after the overhaul was supposedly complete, Buffalo went 7-9. Spot on here.

The trouble once again with loading up on picks is there's no guarantee that they'll good players in 2-3 years, let alone as rookies. We're needing all three top picks to come in and play at a high level in their first NFL season and I don't like those odds. Drafting OL and DL is something people have been harping on since 2006. With their top 2 picks in each draft for those three years (that's six picks total) and having huge needs on OL and DL, the Bills chose exactly one player. And that guys a complete bust. I really think a few people on this board could do what Brandon does and Levy did.

I think you're right. It seems like simply making things new with a bow on top is enough to many fans. They will accept a change because it might be better than the previous thing. Mike Florio has a piece at PFT that sums up why this deal was bungled Florio on Peters deal Some people are better managers than others. Andy Reid typically makes the right move. Russ Brandon, Littman, RW, whomever generally make the wrong one.

Yes. Especially ones who are undersized but quick. Those types of guys can be traded up for at the bottom of the first round. That sort of draft day strategy is what makes Buffalo the perennial playoff team they are.

I don't like the Peters deal, because it does indeed show the Bills are stubborn and unwilling to go above and beyond. They'll pay players, but the process is lengthy. Schobel's deal evidently was negotiated from March to September 07 (or August). Evans went deep into the season before his deal was hammered out. The big contracts take forever, and even though I understand you don't fork over millions in a few hours, when it takes 6 or 7 months, something is just strange. And here we have the Eagles who make a trade and give the guy a giant contract-all in about one day. This tells me a lot about Bills management. They're slow at the draw and remain pennywise and poundfoolish. If more darn Bills fans started paying attention to other teams in the league, especially the successful ones, they'd know that Buffalo does things very much different.

When Walker has the footwork and ability to pass protect, I'll hope he holds out. Fans typically remember the last thing a player does, and Peters' 08 season wasn't great. But consider he had to play next to fat a$$ Derrick Dockery, and was left on an island. He could have been in better shape to start, but playing in Jacksonville didn't help. That's on him and I readily admit it. Everything will be realized in the fall. The same fans here bad-mouthing Peters will be the ones who see that Walker wasn't let go from the Raiders for no reason. And now Buffalo is asking him to play a more difficult position. Incredible. Can't say I'm surprised, but finding capable and starting grade starters in the draft hasn't been a hallmark of the current front office. And now we're talking about UDFA's, guy's cut from other teams, and those not wanted in UFA to provide the margin. Donahoe's method for the OL has become Brandon's. Find bargain basement guys, hype them, and hope to goodness they can play. The more things change the more they stay the same.

I forgot that experienced OL veterans who can be counted on are still available in UFA. What was I thinking? There isn't anyone Buffalo's getting to come in tomorrow, next week, next month, or anytime before opening day who'll play solid football and not let Trent become a rag doll. No one. There's two ways to get solid football players: 1. Free agency 2. The draft Both events take place between March and April. After that, the waiver wire is your only hope. That, and other team's refuse after training camp. Good luck Russ trying to build a winner with a foundation worse that a hut that Obama's brother lives in.

Philly wanted him and we didn't. Or maybe Peters didn't want Buffalo. Andy Reid, 7 out 10 in playoff appearances since 1999. Buffalo: 1. If it's true he wanted 11.5 per, maybe it was a way of getting out of Buffalo. Still would have wanted him, and not had to find OL on Day 1. Or perhaps Kirk Chambers is a capable LG, Walker can play LT, and Demetrius Bell will be a fine RT. Yeah right.

Duke Robinson is not being talked about very highly anymore. His work ethic and body type may not instantly translate into NFL success. Herman Johnson is big, sure. But I saw him have problems with penetrating DT's, and his lateral movement wasn't really good IMO. The guard class this year is extremely weak, although centers Wood and Mack are very good. Reaching on OL because a hole has been created isn't going to solve the problem. And it ignores the lack of a true SAM LB and pass rusher. There just aren't enough picks to hopefully remove the holes Buffalo has created. It's like that every year.

I've got a feeling the Bills will take the most NFL-ready player they can at a position of need. This as opposed to a player who could have more upside in 2-3 years. Everyone at OBD knows they've got to win now, not 2-3 years from now. Fearing a bust by taking the safe pick is what has Buffalo in their current situation.

Don't look now, but the Royals may have a pitching staff in that AL Central. Being a small market doesn't equate to having no chance. There are plenty of teams who can, but they are great at developing talent with Peters as a fine example. Unfortunately, you're correct in pointing out that Buffalo either has poor scouts, or the people/person who has final say just plain stinks. In time, the Bills will be a memory. Phil Lind has been talking a storm about wanting 2-3 games in the near future. If that isn't disconcerting, I don't know what is. I'll be there in September, although if this season doesn't produce a winner, that's 10 straight seasons without a playoff appearance. And in only one year did the Bills have a record above .500. Not good enough, and remarkably some people are still optimistic.

You won't get any argument from me. The problem always returns to RW. I can't help but recall the story of why Lou Saban decided to leave in 1976. OJ sat out all of camp wanting a new deal, Saban made preparations for life without him, and then Ralph shows up the night before the opener with OJ and a new contract. RW has sold games to Toronto with no intention of spending more on players, gripes about revenue sharing, and tells us the HC needs to stick around for the sake of continuity. We are no better than the Bengals, or Raiders. At least the Lions hired a new coach and fired Millen. RW is a stubborn and micromanaging type, who while wealthy, couldn't make this team better if he tried. He struck gold with Polian, but aside from BP's GM time (86-92 seasons) RW has exactly 8 playoff appearances in the other 30+ seasons. There's no GM, Bogdan is a know-nothing, Overdorf couldn't negotiate a deal for ice with people in hell, and Brandon's time at the combine doesn't make up for never being full time in personnel.

I thought the Bills were all about "continuity" On second thought, that must only apply to coaches who for whatever reason are signed to extensions and then promptly go 2-8 in their final ten. They would cost the team money, so they're the exception. This is called illustrating absurdity by being absurd. Take note of the Giants OL. Those guys have been together for an eternity in the salary cap era-about 3 seasons now. Yet the moves Marv made are being reversed. I'm not clear on what was accomplished in his two seasons of answering fan mail and making speeches. The more I think about it, these are the moves of a marketing guy. Make changes, fail, make some more moves, hope to attract fans with changes, and end up in the same place you started: mediocrity and missing the playoffs.

When I say Bills, I'm referring to his teammates. I wasn't aware that he opted not to play the Denver game that morning. I'm sure it was announced, but not returning calls to teammates seems odd. I would also think that any player understands fellow players want to get paid, especially with a lower value contract.

One move in 2 years ain't enough. That's why they paid Marv the big bucks.

It makes me wonder what completely soured him on being with the Bills. Not returning calls to the front office is one thing. Not talking to players is another. Unless the locker room was divided on the hold out. That's pure speculation, but there's so much more to this story.

SB, Don't ever change your avatar. At least until the Bills leave town. Because they're living up to the surrender flag right now. Ole Russ has the troops motivated!!!

What can they get for a pass rusher who can't rush the passer and falls for every change of direction play?

Character matters I think they have the dart board up and Guy is just slinging right now. Maybe Brandon and he are a team.

Oh man. Joe Thomas was one of the best LT's to come out in years. Ran a 4.9 40 for a guy over 315 pounds. Tony Ugoh was a Polian pick in the 2nd that trader Bill used a 2nd to get. And if Polian's picking, that player is usually gonna be good. LT's don't grow on trees. To the casual and uneducated football fan, it's easy to put anyone up against DE's and pass rushing OLB's. The skill set just isn't available all that often, and most fans don't even know it. Most people know Buffalo will be playing Mario Williams, Joey Porter twice, whomever Belichick has, John Abraham, Dwight Freeney, and others this season. If I were Trent I'd be worried.

Dean, I know you're a big Marv fan. But you're too invested in him to admit there were several errors made, both known on the day they were made and in hindsight. Trouble is, had Marv been as successful as a GM, Buffalo wouldn't be in the hole they are now. His worst judgment was hiring DJ, and we both know it. The biggest decision he had to make was the worst. That does not constitute success, average, anything.

I'm just at a loss right now with this organization. Taking a step forward and then multiple ones in reverse. I get that some people love to be optimistic and that's fine. But I think it gets old hoping and wishing the team is successful. I want to see some proof the team intends to be competitive and will remain in WNY. Nothing is certain in life, and I don't want to be a doubting Thomas, but losing gets old. I've been to 3 primetime games since 07 where I've seen this team get blown out or lose in the waning moments. I want to win, and it hasn't happened. When they had the chance to change things up, they refused, citing continuity. That's why I'm amazed more aren't seeing the bigger picture here.

Because all players that have one poor season and who are disgruntled should be allowed to leave or traded Signed, Drew Brees