BillsVet

How about we bring in Greg Robinson for GM, SD?

Everyone knows how bad Detroit is and their absolutely terrible record during the Millen era. But looking at the other awful NFL franchises, they all have one thing in common: the lack of a real General Manager with a personnel background. Millen was hired without any previous personnel experience. Cincinnati fans are putting a billboard up asking owner/GM Mike Brown to hire a GM. KC has the the man Jason Whitlock at the Star calls, "King Carl" Peterson. Oakland still has Al Davis calling the personnel shots. Those four teams will be drafting in the top 5 come April. All of those guys are terrible talent evaluators, and their teams have become jokes. So much so that in the last five seasons, those four franchises have produced a mere 2 playoff teams. In an era where a salary cap exists and parity is almost predictable, some teams have still had no success while others routinely win. It's a lack of true talent evaluators and sound football minds that's been missing in Buffalo. For as much heat as DJ rightfully takes, it's time to demand an experienced football executive with solid personnel experience. Maybe then this franchise can regain some semblance of a winning culture.

It's probably 6-3 minimum. The more things change, the more they stay the same. All of the bad teams have one thing in common: Bad front offices. Detroit had a bad GM and now has no one. Cincinnati's awful owner is the defacto GM. Oakland's GM is the owner who is well past his prime. And Buffalo doesn't have a GM. All of those teams are struggling mightily while other teams prosper. It's no wonder none of them appear headed in the right direction, despite millions spent on players and new coaches. If more fans on this board knew what happened elsewhere, their attitude would change. Unfortunately the Bills are the exception to the rest of the NFL - and not in a good way.

I think PF is gun-shy after these past few weeks. Most of those blitzes featured Mitchell and promptly were handled by opposing OL and his predictability is what I can't understand. We know Mitchell excelled while blitzing for NYG, but in Buffalo he doesn't have the supporting cast to be as effective. It's time for something different. Going a step further, the DL can't generate pressure on it's own. Everyone knows it, and they're not that talented enough. A hallmark of the C2 is dropping those LB's into short zone coverage. I think PF's more concerned about pass coverage on the short to intermediate routes than he is rushing the passer.

I remember when people were saying that 7-9 season last year was improvement over the the 06 7-9 record because of injuries. That's fine, but I haven't heard a chorus of "we're progressing" this year despite a 5-4 record. Making the playoffs in 2008 was the goal, and every fan with a pulse knows it. Given the schedule, and Brady's injury, an 8-8 or 9-7 without the playoffs is unsatisfactory. There are quite a few fans (probably ones who've grown up with this mediocrity since 2000) who don't see anything wrong with what's going on. They've never known anything different. I'd believe it's time to demand some accountability for 2 seasons of rebuilding and a subsequent non-playoff season. 7-9 or 8-8 isn't cutting it.

My post to BBB and SD was an example of illustraing absurdity by being absurd. Of course SU should fire GR, because he's neither good on the field, or heading a recruiting effort. In those same ways with the Bills, DJ has failed. At the first signs of trouble this year, there was no adaptation, no creativity with the gameplans. And during the offseason, the team prioritized areas that shouldn't be a priority. This includes spending 7 picks out of 26 total (including 2 1sts) on DB's. Yet, both the OL and DL aren't much better than they were in 2005. We have the same DE's, and the OL can't run block. Sound familiar? Yet we're (SD and BBB) are still looking to excuse DJ's time in Chicago, and the fact that he's had a great deal of control in acquiring players for his team. We know he, Marv, and Modrak shared this responsibility. And with RB, it's probably mostly DJ handling personnel. It's plain silly to continue this masquerade that DJ is competent and finds the right personnel.

SD-perhaps SU should retain Greg Robinson because he hasn't had enough time either? BBB, how about it? I mean, GR's only had a four seasons and they played Louisville tough, right? Head coaches should have at least five seasons, regardless of record. The problem is they don't have the right players at SU, and GR's trying real hard. Let's give him another year or two to right the ship!

The Bills are playing the team who eliminated them from the playoff contention last season. With a home crowd on MNF, a weak Cleveland secondary, and inexperienced QB in Quinn, they'd better destroy Cleveland. They certainly should have enough motivation, given a 1-4 record these past five weeks. If the coach can't do it, which is readily apparent, the players need to do it themselves.

Fisher's previous two seasons (2004 and 2005) resulted in 5-11 and 4-12 records. Had Fisher duplicated that in 06, his rear end would have been gone, rookie QB or not. Only in Buffalo, Detroit, and Cincinnati does mediocrity get rewarded.

We'll never know how much input or research Marv did into the draft, but I'm guessing he didn't play the entire Polian role during draft day. I believe he deferred a great deal to DJ, who had personnel control his first two seasons in Chi-town. I like the 07 draft a great deal. When Lynch begins taking what he's given (which isn't much) and gets a few more lanes to use, he'll be a fine back. Posluszny is a super-rookie, and has made some mistakes. He hasn't shied from contact, and given his injury last year, that's good. He's just a little too aggressive right now. That will be channeled correctly with more game experience. Despite his poor showings the last few games, Trent is a super-rookie as well. He will improve and mature as a player and there will be better days. I firmly believe he is the future QB of this franchise. The coaches he has though, are not.

IIRC, Jeff Fisher saved his job in the latter half of 2006 when VY and the Titans went 6-1 in their final 7 contests. In that stretch, Tennessee defeated Indy, Jacksonville (division games I might add) Philly, the Giants, and a certain Buffalo Bills team that should have defeated them. The Titans started 0-5 that season, yet finshed 8-8 and defeated three playoff teams in the process. All of this with Young, who has probably started his final game as a NFL QB. While Jauron and Fisher are former NFL DB's, the similarities end there. Coaching careers are far different. By the end of 2008, Fisher will have won 10+ games in 6 of 15 seasons, including this year . Jauron has 1 out of 8. Go ahead and blame players, but Fisher's teams do the things needed to win games. Stout defense, a strong OL and running game along with not turning the ball over are what Fisher teams do well. His teams have made the playoffs 5 times in 14 seasons, and barring a complete disaster, will do so this year as a top seed. He also finds a way to get good coordinators, which has been DJ's number 1 failure since he became a HC. Gary Crowton, John Shoop, and Steve Fairchild have been banished to the college ranks for a reason - they weren't capable OC's. Nice try.

It was always strange to me that Buffalo didn't really interview anyone else. There was going to be a promotion from within. There is a dearth of good coordinators and certainly good HC's throughout the league. The best ones react in-game to opponents, and I've not seen that with a Bills team in a long time. I'm not sure Schonert can adjust in game, which is a similarity he has with his HC. That fact alone is startling, considering that both men have spent a lot of time as coaches in this league. Jauron spent 8 seasons as a player and 24 as a coach in the NFL. Schonert has 20 seasons in the NFL as either a player or coach. I would like to see an aggressive passing game on Monday night, given the thrashing Denver handed Cleveland. That should nicely set up the running game as well.

If only there was a Polian type who could come in and do what needs to be done. Difference is in 2008, as opposed to 1985, this team is plain mediocre, not pitiful like they were 23 years ago. Polian's son Chris has been mentioned, but I'm sure Sr. Polian has advised Jr. that working with Ralphie is akin to sticking needles in your eyes. So, I don't see that happening. This team will suffer until finding a veritable GM from the personnel ranks and who is able to spot talent-both players and coaches.

Is that by opposing defensive lineman or this person: Fowler's "opponent"

This board was so high on that 2006 draft during and after that season. To many, it was the foundation of the franchise because so many of those guys started. But much like DJ's style of coaching, the Bills went with the safe move on draft day with Whitner. Ngata was a little risky, albeit with a greater ceiling professionally. McCargo is clearly a bust, and demonstrates why bad teams should not move up that early. Youboty came on this year, but his injury history should be reason enough to declare him underwhelming. He just can't stay on the field. Simpson is an average FS, and saw the bench in a few games this year. Butler and Kyle Williams are serviceable starters, but will be replaced when a better player is available. (Although both got unnecessary extensions this season) Ellison was liked so much at WLB that Buffalo signed Mitchell in March. All in all, you have Whitner, average starters in Williams and Butler. Outside of that, the rest is depth. Dawgg, great post. The front office must be nuked with a real GM hired to make this team competitive again.

Wouldn't mind Steve Spagnuolo. It seems to be ahead of the curve defensively, and realizes, unlike many on this board who would draft a DB every year, that pressure on the QB is absolutely necessary in any defense. I don't see Cowher coming to Buffalo, and it's sad that so many know DJ isn't going away with time left on his contract. Wade's issues with Ralph and being fired/resigned demonstrate this beyond a reasonable doubt.

You could argue the end of the Bills great teams of the late 80s and early 90s ended when Bill Polian left. Sure, Buffalo was good into 1999, making the playoffs in 93, 95, 96, 98, and 99. But those teams relied heavily onto the guys picked up during Polian's tenure. John Butler maintained the ship, but didn't add much and by 2000 and they went into cap jail for hanging onto Bruce, Andre, and a few others. It's obvious that since 2001, this team has struggled mightily to find real front office types. Ralph is the common denominator in all of this, and when people mention him for the HOF, I only laugh. He is the first one we should blame for an inept franchise that by the end of this season will be grouped with the Lions in not making the playoffs. The Bills must hire a real GM, who has a good track record in personnel. Atlanta hired Tom Dimitrioff away from NE, and they've got a blueprint that's looking very good through 9 weeks. Buffalo promotes business directors and guys that have been around during all the years they haven't made the playoffs. That's the difference between Buffalo and successful franchises.

If only there was a way to have Alex Mack leave Cal right now and join the Bills.

Face it: Jauron failed to execute and he'll be working on that this coming week in practice. Perhaps Belichick rigged his red flag and beamed radio waves into DJ's head to confuse him.

And how many times on third and short does our opponent convert running the ball? You don't own the ball for 38 minutes without getting first downs via the running game. UDFA BenJarvus Green Ellis Jauron Wilson Smith Jones ran for 105 yards today. As SoCal mentioned, the entire front office must be nuked. That means a real GM, new pro personnel director, and finding better minds that will advocate getting rid of the coaching staff. The DT position just demonstrates how badly they FO errors when it comes to fixing obvious problems.

In 2006, the Bills signed Larry Tripplett to a 5 yr 18.5M contract with a 5.5M SB. He is now out of the league. That same year, the Bills traded 2nd and 3rd rounders to the Bears to move up to 26th overall to take McCargo. Kyle Williams was selected in the fifth round. Buffalo did little at DT in 07, save for a non-move with Darwin Walker. In 06 and 07, Buffalo gave up 140 and 125 yrpg respectively. The only question is how the Bills would address their interior DL for 08. Those concerns appeared answered when Buffalo traded a 3rd and 5th to Jacksonville for Stroud and reworked his 5 yr 31.5M contract which he signed with the Jags in 05. Next, they signed Spencer Johnson to a 5 yr 17.5M contract with 6M guaranteed. I can't believe that after spending 1st and 5th round picks, combined with giving up a 2nd, 2 3rds, a 5th, and signing 2 FA's while trading for another big name player that the Bills still can't stop the run. This DT problem is a microcosm of why the Bills are stuck in neutral and not going anywhere this season. Step 1 is hiring a real GM.

Answer: DJ doesn't. The reality is, DJ picked coordinators who follow his gameplans. They mirror their boss, who may be the coach with the most who delivers the least. And the OC and DC deliver a predictable floozy of a gameplan which neatly falls inline with their HC who has had 6 different coordinators over the course of 7 and a half seasons in the NFL.

Glad to see even Apus is finally admitting there's some major issues with the Bills.

When DJ's previous HC experience in Chicago is brought up, they cite a lack of talent for him not being more successful. They'll say Jerry Angelo wanted him gone, etc, etc, etc. The reality is, DJ had personnel control those first two seasons and went 6-10 and 5-11. That "magical" 2001 season DJ had was in reality a mirage, considering they went 4-12 and 7-9 for 02 and 03 respectively. DJ has a team with a decent amount of talent. Granted, there are no superstars, but there are some decent players who take the field. Buffalo went 7-9 in 06 and 07. If they finish 7-9, 8-8, or 9-7 this year, it won't matter how much talent took the field. The final result will be remarkably similar to the rebuilding seasons of 06 and 07. And I blame a lack of innovative coaching, a hallmark of DJ's first swing through the HC ranks.

No one is talking about this, but Buffalo is in the top 5 of teams with available cap room. Without question this affects their ability to sign depth players. As to Ngata, he is agile enough to handle being a NT in a 3-4 or playing as a DE in a 4-3. How many 340lb DL can make the play he did today. It's nice to see some fans come around to the basic fundamental that is building the DL and OL first before skill positions in the secondary, LB, RB, and WR. Unfortunately, it's too late to fix these issues for 2008 and our coach who decides a great deal on draft day is signed for 3 more seasons.