Going the Pittsburgh route

[billnutinphoenix]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

[purple haze]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

 

Agreed.

[JohnC]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

 

The Bills are going to rebuild this team through the draft. They have no other choice. Stringing togother a few consecutive years of solid drafts will put the Bills in position to compete. Their franchise qb probably won't be available in this draft, a developmental qb at best will be acquired, so the best strategy to take is to rebuild the lines, get heftier and stronger as a team and develop its own players.

 

It is frustrating that it is, at best, going to take a few more years, added on top of a lost decade, but I don't see any other approach which will work. The Jets, Phins and Patriots are significantly better than we are at this point. It is going to take years for us to move ahead of any of these teams.

 

Having an owner who is almost 92 yrs old certainly doesn't help the situation. But you deal with where you are at, not with what you would wish it would be.

[el Tigre]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

I don't think it's a gamble at all. It's really the right way to build a team. It's just that the Bills have been bad so long a lot of fans have lost their patience,and they vent on boards like this. As long as they can show they're moving in the right direction I think most fans will keep supporting the team.

[BillsVet]

The start point for both franchises could not be more different. Buffalo is in full on rebuild mode, and the Steelers have avoided free agency when they were coming off good seasons.

 

As a matter of fact, Pittsburgh has had only 1 LOSING season since 2000.

 

Steelers Season Team Records

 

Pittsburgh's draft record is excellent, so free agency is optional for them whereas Buffalo has 1 WINNING season in that same timeframe. Free Agency should not be optional for them.

[DarthICE]

The start point for both franchises could not be more different. Buffalo is in full on rebuild mode, and the Steelers have avoided free agency when they were coming off good seasons.

 

As a matter of fact, Pittsburgh has had only 1 LOSING season since 2000.

 

Steelers Season Team Records

 

Pittsburgh's draft record is excellent, so free agency is optional for them whereas Buffalo has 1 WINNING season in that same timeframe. Free Agency should not be optional for them.

 

That was dumb as hell. We are building through the DRAFT period. If you and others can't get that, or don't like it, maybe its time to find a new team? Nix has already said he is not going to sign bigtime 'Name' players and I agree with him, they are not worth it.

 

If some mid tier guys want to be here fine, if not fine. It is time to rebuld through the DRAFT and resign and keep our own.

[BillsVet]

That was dumb as hell. We are building through the DRAFT period. If you and others can't get that, or don't like it, maybe its time to find a new team? Nix has already said he is not going to sign bigtime 'Name' players and I agree with him, they are not worth it.

 

If some mid tier guys want to be here fine, if not fine. It is time to rebuld through the DRAFT and resign and keep our own.

 

When you want to rebut my point, please let me know.

 

By the way, what's your plan for introducing a new offense and defense with holdovers from the previous coaching staff? Most of the posters like you on this board evidently believe the mere presence of Gailey and Nix with some rookies will turn this thing around. Unfortunately, rookies rarely perform well and it's important for veteran players to be involved.

 

I've never demanded big name UFA signings. I'm simply looking for them not to rely on rookies every year like successful teams do when they rebuild. ATL, BAL, and MIA in 2008. NE in 2000. NO in 2006.

[Kingfish]

Here's an incomplete list of FAs the Bills have signed since The Music City Miracle-

 

Chris Watson

Larry Centers

Dave Moore

Trey Teague

Chidi Ahanotu

London Fletcher

Eddie Robinson

Pierson Prioleau

Mike Hollis

Charlie Rogers

Charles Johnson

Bobby Shaw

Mark Campbell

Ross Tucker

Izell Reese

Jeff Posey

Sam Adams

Lawyer Milloy

Takeo Spikes

Troy Vincent

Dainon Sidney

Chris Villarrial

Daimon Shelton

Kelly Holcomb

Mike Gandy

Bennie Anderson

Robert Royal

Peerless Price

Melvin Fowler

Tutan Reyes

Larry Tripplett

Andre' Davis

Michael Gaines

Derrick Dockery

Langston Walker

Kirk Chambers

Rian Lindell

Kiwaukee Thomas

Jason Webster

Bryan Scott

Jason Whittle

Kawika Mitchell

Spencer Johnson

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Drayton Florence

Geoff Hangartner

 

Maybe it's about time for a change in philosophy at OBD.

[Lori]

The start point for both franchises could not be more different. Buffalo is in full on rebuild mode, and the Steelers have avoided free agency when they were coming off good seasons.

 

As a matter of fact, Pittsburgh has had only 1 LOSING season since 2000.

 

Steelers Season Team Records

 

Pittsburgh's draft record is excellent, so free agency is optional for them whereas Buffalo has 1 WINNING season in that same timeframe. Free Agency should not be optional for them.

If you want to patch a few holes and try to get to .500 this season -- like they've been doing for most of the decade -- then sure. But not as a long-term plan.

[aristocrat]

the only way any franchise can be successful on a yearly basis is through the draft. but key free agents also are needed to fill holes. we had 3 very solid picks with byrd, levitre, and wood last year. if maybin can play olb well this year and we pick up 2 or 3 draft prospects this year then we are well on our way to success. drafting=success in any sport

[BADOLBILZ]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

 

I'm all for sitting out free agency, they are awful at it anyway.

 

Problem is, they have to draft a lot smarter than they have. Last years draft is nothing for a rebuilding team to hang it's hat on.

 

Wood and Levitre were interior offensive lineman picked on the first day. That's like shooting fish in a barrel. Byrd was a success, but he's also a free safety. Again, not a hard position to fill. Nelson showed very little. On a good team, he'd be way down the depth chart.

 

In short, the Bills added three starting type players at "filler"positions and a TE with some potential but nothing else. What has killed this team on draft day is not getting the difference makers at KEY positions of QB, OT, DT and DE filled. They tried with Maybin, but on tape it appears that this guy is not fast or physical enough to be special as a DE or rush OLB.

 

In recent years they have gotten too cute on draft day. Reaching up for an undersized SS in Whitner, using a #11 overall on a RB without speed or size or hands then trading away valuable extra picks to move up and get "deadweight" McCargo and Poz. Even if they nailed the Whitner, Lynch and Poz picks they still wouldn't have gotten franchise type players. They've been careless on draft day, reaching, trading up for average talent, not working to stockpile picks and subsequently increase their odds of success......

 

Now that Nix is the GM, hopefully they can start building this team like a winner. But right now, I will "Billieve" it when I see it.

[BillsVet]

If you want to patch a few holes and try to get to .500 this season -- like they've been doing for most of the decade -- then sure. But not as a long-term plan.

 

They need to bridge the gap to the rookies they'll be drafting. Buffalo had a good idea in finding depth guys in 06, but their judgment on those players was poor. To make matters worse, they weren't all that great drafting from 04-08 either, thus magnifying the problem. I'm advocating a calculated approach where the improved Pro Personnel Department finds a starter or two and locates some depth. Meanwhile, college scouting is drafting their replacements.

 

This is especially true while they transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4.

[Max997]

I know this is extremely unpopular (especially with all our needs), but I think Buddy Nix & Doug Whaley (who is the player personnel director from Pittsburgh) are utilizing a strategy seen in Pittsburgh...It is not a fun way to look at this team because we'll never look to sign anyone in Free Agency but mere role players (i.e. dimeback corners, long snappers, blocking Tight Ends, 3rd Running Back)....Some may call this cheap, but it has worked in Pittsburgh (albeit Pittsburgh has signed some guys this off-season)....However, as everyone knows with Pittsburgh, you MUST find the gems in the draft....You had a good draft last year (Wood, Levitre, Byrd, Nelson) and if we can build on that this year (with an awesome draft) maybe we'll be dare I say it 8-8....I know its a huge gamble for the Bills with all the needs but if they can pull it off, they may be good in 2-3 years. And I know the 2-3 years thing is something most fans don't want to accept and I know I don't want to stomach missing the playoffs for another few years.....I am saying this based on remembering '83, '84, '85, '87, '88 drafts...IT TOOK 5 DRAFTS FOR US TO PUT THE PUZZLE TOGETHER (remember it was before Free Agency, too)...

 

Shoot darts at me if you want, but based on our needs and the overall weakness thus far of free agency, this appears to be the way they are going (long term vs. short term overpaid solution).... I am not happy with it but I am willing to give this group time and see what happens..

 

so you are content with missing the the playoffs for another 2-3 years...i dont see how any fan can be

 

the Steelers can afford to not be active in free agency because they are already a solid team and have been for years...its easy to continue to add through the draft when you already have a solid foundation, just not the same when you are as bad as the Bills are and have been for as long as they have

 

you cant compare any team to the team that was built in the 80's because there were 12 rounds in the draft as opposed to only 7 now giving each team more players they could select and sign as opposed to now when they have to fight for those additional players just to sign them when if there were more rounds they could have just drafted them

 

if the draft were the same today the Bills could have that many more opportunities to fill the numerous holes there are on this team but with only 7 rounds and with the amount of holes on this team they cant afford not to be active in free agency

 

even if this team drafts well they will be lucky to get 4-5 quality players out of the draft which just wont get it done without adding quality players through free agency

 

free agency is an option available to every team, not taking of advantage of it makes it that much harder for the Bills to be competitive

[NewEra]

If this is the case, I hope we can keep our studs in Buffalo long term like Pittsburgh does. If we never let Pat Williams go, I don't think we would be the laughing stock we are today. One or two players CAN make sort of an impact.

[Kingfish]

if the draft were the same today the Bills could have that many more opportunities to fill the numerous holes there are on this team but with only 7 rounds and with the amount of holes on this team they cant afford not to be active in free agency

 

even if this team drafts well they will be lucky to get 4-5 quality players out of the draft which just wont get it done without adding quality players through free agency

 

free agency is an option available to every team, not taking of advantage of it makes it that much harder for the Bills to be competitive

 

200 players slated to become UFAs became RFAs instead-there isn't a whole lot of quality out there.

[Max997]

200 players slated to become UFAs became RFAs instead-there isn't a whole lot of quality out there.

 

Dansby couldnt help this team? what about Jamal Williams, Bryant, Porter or Foote

 

thats 5 players off the top of my head....there are or were quality players out there

[billnutinphoenix]

so you are content with missing the the playoffs for another 2-3 years...i dont see how any fan can be

 

the Steelers can afford to not be active in free agency because they are already a solid team and have been for years...its easy to continue to add through the draft when you already have a solid foundation, just not the same when you are as bad as the Bills are and have been for as long as they have

 

you cant compare any team to the team that was built in the 80's because there were 12 rounds in the draft as opposed to only 7 now giving each team more players they could select and sign as opposed to now when they have to fight for those additional players just to sign them when if there were more rounds they could have just drafted them

 

if the draft were the same today the Bills could have that many more opportunities to fill the numerous holes there are on this team but with only 7 rounds and with the amount of holes on this team they cant afford not to be active in free agency

 

even if this team drafts well they will be lucky to get 4-5 quality players out of the draft which just wont get it done without adding quality players through free agency

 

free agency is an option available to every team, not taking of advantage of it makes it that much harder for the Bills to be competitive

 

I NEVER SAID I WAS CONTENT WITH THIS>>>IT IS REALITY OF WHAT THEIR STRATEGY IS!!!

[Max997]

I NEVER SAID I WAS CONTENT WITH THIS>>>IT IS REALITY OF WHAT THEIR STRATEGY IS!!!

 

their strategy is that Ralph is cheap, its not anymore complicated then that

[Lori]

200 players slated to become UFAs became RFAs instead-there isn't a whole lot of quality out there.

This from Mike Sando, who's a master at building massive databases of NFL players:

156 UFAs left and 139 will be 30 or older once Jeremi Johnson hits the big three-oh on Sept. 4.

[Kingfish]

Dansby couldnt help this team? what about Jamal Williams, Bryant, Porter or Foote

 

thats 5 players off the top of my head....there are or were quality players out there

 

Everyone knew Dansby had his mind set on playing for Miami weeks ago.

 

I wouldn't have minded Jamal Williams but he's 34 and missed virtually the entire 2009 season. I can understand a rebuilding team not wanting to take the risk on him.

 

Cincinnati paid Bryant 4 years 28 million, no thank you. It's time to see if Hardy or Steve Johnson can play.

 

Joey Porter reportedly is looking for 6 million per year.

 

Larry Foote, too slow.