BillsVet

Wouldn't argue at all with Marty. But DJ, if he is for some reason kept for 09, will have a tough go of it next year. The Bills had one of, if not the easiest schedules in the NFL. There won't be cupcakes in 09 as they had this year in abundance. To think they played the AFC and NFC West and could not muster more than 6 wins through 14 games should make even a fourth grader realize how bad 2008 has been. If fans think a 7-9 season was acceptable with that schedule, they'll struggle mightily next year against the AFC and NFC South. Next year, I'd be surprised if they went 5-11 with DJ running the show and those opponents.

The rumor is that Marv is returning as HC. Marchibroda will be wooed out of his TV gig with the Colts, and "Swizzle Stick" Walt Corey can come back as DC. If that doesn't sell tickets, nothing will.

At this point, RW's senility and power mongering converge to result in continued ineptitude. It's nothing different from the last 3 seasons. At least in 2000 he hired a football person, but that decision is preventing him from allowing anyone outside the inner circle to enter OBD with decision-making authority. Aside from the Ford family, Al Davis, and Mike Brown, RW is the worst owner in the NFL and every passing year with mediocre results has his stamp of approval. The fact that he retains the same bad personnel people and won't hire anyone from the outside is proof to me that he's content with what he has. Jerry Sullivan on the radio this week mentioned that Brandon fancies himself as a legitimate personnel man. We know Russ doesn't have a clue in personnel, but the idea that he thinks he does is scary. And if that's the case, then I don't see the front office changing. Then again, even the most die-hard fans are beginning to question the direction of this franchise. If nothing or only cosmetic changing is made, it won't be enough. Season ticket sales will plummet at least 10% with the current group of flunkies.

This fact, being swept in the AFC East, is the one which hurts the most. The easiest path to the playoffs is winning the division. To think this team will end up 0-6 in their own division is utterly ridiculous. I can't put into words how bad that is. NFL HC's rarely have second chances to prove they can coach. DJ got one, courtesy of someone unfit to handle the GM role in Levy. DJ has not improved his game management, nor has he stopped wasting timeouts. What more can he screw up to get himself fired? He has had unparalleled control in personnel (the product of not having a legit GM) and still loses. What more can he have that he doesn't already? The UFA additions have been underwhelming. The 06 draft is barely average. 07 and 08 are too early to tell. This team needs a new vision, preferably one in which teams fear Buffalo. But the Bills haven't had that, and have become a laughingstock throughout the NFL. If we want to retain that reputation, keep DJ. I guarantee he'll give us continuity in that respect.

It's plain ridiculous to say we can't find a good coach because Ralph is the owner. But RW is the common denominator in all of this and remains an obstacle to having a winning franchise. When he allows football people to make football decisions, good things happen. Unfortunately, he hasn't done this since, well, BP. There are coordinators right now in this league who can and will succeed as HC's. There are coordinators who cannot. The key is having a football guy who can make the right choice. Donahoe struck out twice, although it wasn't that cut and dry. It also wouldn't hurt to make it worthwhile to come to Buffalo, which is another sticking point. Not to mention having only 7 home games. Nearly every successful NFL coach, past and present, was a coordinator at one time. Generally, HC's have one shot to be good, hence the risk averse culture in the fraternity. Finding a competent guy who just came from being a HC somewhere else is very, very hard. Perhaps if Andy Reid is let go, but I doubt that. Therefore, it's key to find new coaching talent. Maybe if we hire a real GM, it will happen.

Any Bills fan who wonders about whether to retain or fire DJ needs to take a poll of Chicago Bears fans. It took five seasons for the Bears to finally fire DJ, but the fans knew he couldn't win after that playoff loss in 01, if not earlier. It's ironic that in Chicago, DJ coached 2 seasons without the presence of a GM. He had personnel control, and shaped the team the way he wanted it. When there were no results after his second season, ownership hired Jerry Angelo as GM from TB. Angelo then took control over personnel. Here in Buffalo, DJ has had personnel control these past three seasons. In essence, he was his own GM since the day he was hired. Even such, he's still not been successful. All that control and still no results. This is all-too familiar for DJ coached teams. I'd argue that few coaches in the league have the control he has. And coaches who do have that control are highly regarded NFL HC's.

Could you please explain a his 3-18 record since 2006 against teams that finished the season with a winning record. Belichick's second season in NE he won an improbable SB with a rookie QB. He also won in his fourth and fifth seasons with the Patsies. DJ? He can't even get over .500, and this season will be his 7th in 8 season below .500 for the season.

Buffalo's PR guys know they've got an uphill climb to market this team for 2009. And IMO, letting people know that the popular QB supports the embattled HC is the first step to selling tickets for next year. I've read here that some fans, while still supporting the team, clearly don't see the need to invest money in season tickets, the Sunday NFL Ticket, and merchandise as long as this team continues doing what they've done these past few years. I'm beginning to think the Bills will retain Jauron, while doing their utmost to make it seem cosmetic changes (perhaps new coordinators, a new UFA, draft picks) will make this team a winner. It didn't work in 08, and I don't see it happening in 09. Needless to say, the PR effort has to go into overdrive ASAP if DJ will be kept around next year.

Baugh played QB, CB, and punted-all extremely well. As a matter of fact, in addition to his passing prowess, he was a league leader in punting. He lived or had lived in Temple, TX which is not far from Fort Hood. A great player from a great era in NFL history. RIP.

The OL looked good playing against a team they were motivated to play against. Lynch also gains a lot of yards on his own, and is elusive enough to get into the secondary when given a hole. He's taken it upon himself. But let's not forget this team's leading rusher in the Miami Toronto game was... J.P. Losman. This OL has played poorly more often than not. Much of it is because neither guard has very good mobility. Peters is very good, and Walker hasn't been consistent. Preston is not a starter, and Butler is someone they should look to replace. Lynch didn't run for more than 100 yards until the Cleveland game. Luigs and Unger may be values in the second round, unless of course the front office finally gets one right in UFA. I doubt that though.

This makes far too much sense. We're not looking for people who are up and coming. This franchise is looking to maintain the status quo and dress it up as though we've made big changes. I trust that AJ Smith, despite hiring an overrated coach in Turner, knows who to put in charge of pro and amateur scouting. That's enough for me. It's been said that having a marketing guy running the front office is emblematic of this franchises vision. Sell tickets, invest limited resources, and market like a son of a gun. So far, so good. But real football fans, when they look league wide, know that having a competent GM to run the football side of things is absolutely necessary. Especially when you see Parcells and the Belichick/Pioli tandem.

I thought Bills players coached themselves. Easterbrook just confirms this. I can't imagine being in that locker room and going to practice with DJ. Any shred of respect those players had for him went out the window with such an asinine play call on Sunday. Besides, DJ has the audacity to say perhaps some of the most arrogant things when he's clearly failed. I'm talking about not "destroying" Marshawn, even though ML hasn't had more than 25 carries in a game. That came after the SF debacle. And this week, saying it's a good call if it works to throw a FB pass on 2nd and 5 with 2:06 remaining. Well of course, if it works. It's also a good call to throw 80 yard bombs when they work. The likelihood that it works is minimal.

I can't root against them, but it's getting old watching losing teams year in and year out. Not to mention, I've had season tickets this year and last. I'd like to know what it's going to take for DJ to be fired. At this point, I wonder if it can get worse, but we know it can. The changes this team has made the past few seasons have been merely cosmetic and failed to address the real issues in the front office. Until the front office is shaken up, I can't see a team with the same execs making the calls moving forward.

Wire and Lawyer Milloy both seem to be playing well for Atlanta. Throw in Mularkey, and Atlanta is almost Buffalo south. Then again, Milloy wasn't good enough to start on this defense. He is fine starting on a playoff contending team though.

You have to love the off-season Bill. Once the SB is over, the clock starts on FA beginning. The senior bowl and combine offer plenty. But it's depressing when the highlight of your season is waiting for the off-season. Just once I hope this team can get into the playoffs. The Bills have an uphill climb, considering they have to win in spite of an elderly distant owner, no GM, and a HC who should have been fired Sunday at about 4:30PM. Still, working on the lines is not done. Just once I'd like this team to find a dominant lineman in the draft.

This situation with DJ has devolved into a sitcom, with Ralph the elderly grandfather playing the role of "am I senile or not." No NFL team signs a HC to an extension, and refuses toannounce it. Sean Payton's extension was announced this season. This entire PR attempt has been nothing short of bumbling. And it's little wonder, considering the owner passed his prime about 25 years ago, there is no GM, and the team continues to embarrass itself in new ways each week. Everyone should ask themselves if a franchise like NE, NYG, PIT, IND, BAL, or TEN would handle this situation like Buffalo has. Third rate teams like Buffalo bumble their way to becoming a laughingstock.

It appears to me that both Edwards and Losman have been playing scared these past few weeks. The constant dump-offs, the short throws. By calling short routes, Edwards (and even Losman) must know the coaches have little faith in their ability to throw down field. It wasn't as if the Jets dropped 9 into coverage all day. Frankly, players play like their coaches coach. I don't think either side of the ball has any faith in the coaching staff, and it's compounded by stupid play-calling. TS pre-season talk about being more aggressive has turned into one thing: BS. Maybe it wasn't SF after all, but the guy who hired him.

Both Williams and Butler are guys you look to replace whenever possible. I'm sure if given the ability to take another OG or DT, Buffalo won't worry about alienating those two. It's still a cop out to say they need someone next to them. Williams has Stroud, and while KW makes an occasional play, that's not enough to say he a dependable NFL starter. Butler seems overmated in the phone booth. It could be injuries, but guard play can be difficult to gauge. I purposely didn't comment on the 08 selections, as they are too young with not enough time to evaluate. Youboty is so injury prone, that he's unreliable. Playing 1 game out of 3 is not good enough. I still think with proper coaching Edwards will be a dependable NFL QB, if not better.

Thanks Tim. Everytime I ask if things can get any worse, they do. I sincerely hope DJ isn't retained.

Marv was a very good NFL HC. But Bill Polian was more responsible for the success than Marv. It also didn't hurt to have Ted Marchibroda as OC.

Buffalo has a myriad of holes to fill in the off-season. Arguing that is pure insanity. This draft will feature a bigger collection of talent because agents know a rookie cap may be on the way in the near future. A lot of guys are going to come out early this year. With distinct issues at C, TE, OLB, DE, DT, and S (depending on when Whitner reverts to FS), Buffalo is back to taking BPA at a need position. It's amazing that after three years of rebuilding this team, Buffalo still has so many personnel issues. Drafting 12th should give them a chance to trade down. If not, go best pass rusher and address Center in the second with Jonathan Luigs or Max Unger.

Personally, I don't think that front office is good at evaluating anything. When they do find a guy, it's pure luck, but that's JMO. A quality front office, finds talent throughout the draft. Even though Donahoe wasn't spectacular by any means, that 06 draft isn't all that great from rounds 2-6. 07 looks the same wrt to middle rounds, and the book remains out in 08. UFA is also a bungled mess since 2006, which coincides with Marv's majestical entrance as GM emeritus. I don't think it's a coincidence that ML drafted poorly with DJ. ML had BP to make him look good from 87-93. Outside of first rounders, who can this team point to in the past few years from rounds 3-5 that are quality players. That's where scouts make their money, and they don't do it in Buffalo.

I like the style where the HC has multiple HOF'ers on offense and defense. That's the one that Marv had, and it worked well here too. Until he ran into superior coaches like Jimma Johnson, Bill Parcells, and Joe Gibbs. Then you need good coaching.

Unless something happens this off-season with the hiring of a GM and firing of the joke of a HC, Brandon is RB's pawn. And don't underestimate the already potent PR department with good old Scott Berchtold running the show. They'll find a way to make this team like world beaters that just came up short. Again, unless something major happens, Russ is a pawn and RW is riding the senility train to the sunset with this team.

I have to wonder if Marv even remotely thought there'd be repercussions by handing out deals to Kelsay and Dockery. Like clockwork, Schobel and Peters came calling, and the former received a huge deal as a result of a moderate deal for Kelsay. And Peters will get a mega-deal at some point this off-season because Dockery got big money. Don't the front office number crunchers have the savvy to realize players want to be paid when someone close to them gets a fat contract? Don't they anticipate human nature, which is to say that people get jealous when someone makes more money and doesn't produce like they can? You don't have to have an Ivy League or Ivy-League caliber degree to read between the lines to see Marv and Dick are guys with great diplomas and plenty of book smarts. Their demonstrated lack of football savvy, both in personnel and on the field leave a lot to be desired.