The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 You want a championship football team in "The Buf?" Well first you are going to have to trim the fat and tone up the team. This is where theblackbear would start ..... 1. Drew "The Tin Man" Bledsoe: A 12 year veteran that still makes rookie mistakes. Locks onto his receivers, struggles with accuracy in both short and long passing, is as mobile as a rock, and has no HEART! Lose this bum and his fat contract. 2. Troy Vincent: Terrence McGee is now starting in Vincent's old position and improving daily. Vincent will not play at that spot again. The Free Safety position also has a young guy with potential holding it down. Rashad Baker has the athletic ability you want at the position and he is currently learning under fire as a starter. Do the Bills really want to pull him out of the lineup and stop his progress? theblackbear wouldn't do that. The defense is playing well with him at free safety so he should stay there. If there were no player to play Free Safety it would be different but that's not the case. Give Baker a shot at that spot and get rid of Vincent. He's making too much to play free safety anyway. He has no experience there. 3. Trey Teague: Signed to play left tackle and moved inside to center because he couldn't start anywhere else. theblackbear still says that he is getting too much money for playing center at the level that he is playing the position. You want to know why the Bills can't run the ball between tackles? Start with Trey Teague. He is not good enough there and he's paid too much. 4. Josh Reed: As much as theblackbear liked this kid coming out of college he just hasn't produced as a number two or number three. The Bills would be better off with Sam Aiken and Freddie Smith behind Moulds and Evans. If Reed doesn't improve he should be released. He's not playing like a former 2nd round pick. 5. Ryan Denney: This guy was definitely a wasted pick. It's laughable that the Bills traded up to draft him. As soon as he can be released without taking a cap hit he should get da boot! 6. Aaron Schobel: It's a shame he just got a new contract. This guy is a situational pass rusher at best. No way is he full time starting material. He is too soft against the run and he doesn't always show up against the pass. He would be a good situational pass rusher but not at his current price. Bad move giving him a new deal. The Bills would have been better off letting him walk and moving Chris Kelsay to weakside defensive end. Kelsay will be the better player. Better against the run and pass. The Bills are now stuck with two weak side style defensive ends and no real strong side player. With Schobel gone they could have brought in the strong side run stuffer they needed. 7. Rian Lindell: You can not count on this guy. The Bills need an upgrade here. 8. Travis Henry: A warrior that deserves better than number two. theblackbear would hate to see him go but it is time to make a move. Hopefully the team can land a 2nd round pick for Henry. You have to go with the younger McGahee. 9. Coy Wire: He's not going to turn into the next Steve Tasker so there is nothing that he can offer the team. He'll never be a good safety (free or strong). He just can cover guys. 10. Jonas Jennings: The 2nd best offensive lineman on the team but the guy just can't stay healthy. The Bills need to find a more reliable guy for the left tackle spot. Jennings will ask for some big money and a guy that can't stay healthy shouldn't get big contracts. Replacements .... J.P Losman: To starting quarterback. The Bills need to take a good look at him and they also need to bring in a veteran backup. That backup should be Kordell Stewart. Stewart has had success under Mularkey and knows the Bills offense up and down. Terrence McGee and Rashad Baker: To cornerback and free safety. Jerry Gray is doing a good job with them. As is Lawyer Milloy. Trey Teague: Should be replaced by a free agent pick up and a center should also be drafted on day two. A guard also needs to be added for the left guard spot via free agency and/or the 2nd round of the NFL draft. The Bills should also look at Jason Peters for the left tackle and left guard spot. They want a pulling guard for the the left guard spot and Peters is a former tight end. He has to be able to move if he played tight end. Might be a good fit at left guard or left tackle. (left tackles also have to be able to move) Sam Aiken: Bumps Josh Reed if Reed doesn't show major improvements. Freddie Smith to number 4 or 3 if he can beat out Aiken. Free Agent Defensive End: Not a major need but the Bills need to find a strong side defensive for at least depth purposes. Willis McGahee: Already the starter this is not a huge concern but depth needs to be upgraded. Another runningback on draft day. Rookie free agent. (after round 7) Rookie special teamer: At the end of the draft the Bills need to look for special teamers with potential to be starters. Special teamers are always slept on on draft day. It's better to land a good special teamer than to get a backup player. *** NOT WASTED MONEY *** (has to be said) Pat Williams and Sam Adams: Whatever else the Bills do they HAVE TO keep both Sam Adams and Pat William. If they lose just one of those guys the defense will go from one of the best to one of the worse. Hopefully Donahoe realizes this! Ya dig? B)
The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 Timmah! 142710[/snapback] theblackbear thought this guy put him on ignore. Watcha talkin? B)
ch19079 Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 "The Bills should also look at Jason Peters for the left tackle and left guard spot" i was with ya till i saw this line. Do you think peters can keep jason taylor from getting 10 sacks in 2 games with the bills?????? what did J.P ever do to you???
The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 "The Bills should also look at Jason Peters for the left tackle and left guard spot" i was with ya till i saw this line. Do you think peters can keep jason taylor from getting 10 sacks in 2 games with the bills?????? what did J.P ever do to you??? 142727[/snapback] No. theblackbear doesn't think he can. That's why theblackbear said, "Look at him." See what you have in him before bringing in another young player. theblackbear sees him as more of a possibility at guard than tackle but he is blocking at tight end which is one spot removed from tackle. You don't know what he can do there until you look at him at the position. Who knew Justin Bannan could play pulling guard before he took to the field and did it? See what you have in your own guys before bringing in someone else. B)
Guest THE GRIZZLY BEAR Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 I agree with some of your points: Lindell needs to go at year's end. Vincent is likely done, and won't be retained. Travis will be traded (for a 2nd at BEST now) Jonas will likely leave via free-agency, only because TD has to choose between Jonas and Pat Williams. But, many of your points could easily fall under the heading "Hindsight is 20/20" The Grizzly Bear has spoken. . .
Rico Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 You want a championship football team in "The Buf?" Well first you are going to have to trim the fat and tone up the team. This is where theblackbear would start ..... 1. Drew "The Tin Man" Bledsoe: A 12 year veteran that still makes rookie mistakes. Locks onto his receivers, struggles with accuracy in both short and long passing, is as mobile as a rock, and has no HEART! Lose this bum and his fat contract. 142699[/snapback] I don't know, theblackbear, he plays more like the Scarecrow than the Tin Man.
Buftex Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 You want a championship football team in "The Buf?" Well first you are going to have to trim the fat and tone up the team. This is where theblackbear would start ..... 1. Drew "The Tin Man" Bledsoe: A 12 year veteran that still makes rookie mistakes. Locks onto his receivers, struggles with accuracy in both short and long passing, is as mobile as a rock, and has no HEART! Lose this bum and his fat contract. 2. Troy Vincent: Terrence McGee is now starting in Vincent's old position and improving daily. Vincent will not play at that spot again. The Free Safety position also has a young guy with potential holding it down. Rashad Baker has the athletic ability you want at the position and he is currently learning under fire as a starter. Do the Bills really want to pull him out of the lineup and stop his progress? theblackbear wouldn't do that. The defense is playing well with him at free safety so he should stay there. If there were no player to play Free Safety it would be different but that's not the case. Give Baker a shot at that spot and get rid of Vincent. He's making too much to play free safety anyway. He has no experience there. 3. Trey Teague: Signed to play left tackle and moved inside to center because he couldn't start anywhere else. theblackbear still says that he is getting too much money for playing center at the level that he is playing the position. You want to know why the Bills can't run the ball between tackles? Start with Trey Teague. He is not good enough there and he's paid too much. 4. Josh Reed: As much as theblackbear liked this kid coming out of college he just hasn't produced as a number two or number three. The Bills would be better off with Sam Aiken and Freddie Smith behind Moulds and Evans. If Reed doesn't improve he should be released. He's not playing like a former 2nd round pick. 5. Ryan Denney: This guy was definitely a wasted pick. It's laughable that the Bills traded up to draft him. As soon as he can be released without taking a cap hit he should get da boot! 6. Aaron Schobel: It's a shame he just got a new contract. This guy is a situational pass rusher at best. No way is he full time starting material. He is too soft against the run and he doesn't always show up against the pass. He would be a good situational pass rusher but not at his current price. Bad move giving him a new deal. The Bills would have been better off letting him walk and moving Chris Kelsay to weakside defensive end. Kelsay will be the better player. Better against the run and pass. The Bills are now stuck with two weak side style defensive ends and no real strong side player. With Schobel gone they could have brought in the strong side run stuffer they needed. 7. Rian Lindell: You can not count on this guy. The Bills need an upgrade here. 8. Travis Henry: A warrior that deserves better than number two. theblackbear would hate to see him go but it is time to make a move. Hopefully the team can land a 2nd round pick for Henry. You have to go with the younger McGahee. 9. Coy Wire: He's not going to turn into the next Steve Tasker so there is nothing that he can offer the team. He'll never be a good safety (free or strong). He just can cover guys. 10. Jonas Jennings: The 2nd best offensive lineman on the team but the guy just can't stay healthy. The Bills need to find a more reliable guy for the left tackle spot. Jennings will ask for some big money and a guy that can't stay healthy shouldn't get big contracts. Replacements .... J.P Losman: To starting quarterback. The Bills need to take a good look at him and they also need to bring in a veteran backup. That backup should be Kordell Stewart. Stewart has had success under Mularkey and knows the Bills offense up and down. Terrence McGee and Rashad Baker: To cornerback and free safety. Jerry Gray is doing a good job with them. As is Lawyer Milloy. Trey Teague: Should be replaced by a free agent pick up and a center should also be drafted on day two. A guard also needs to be added for the left guard spot via free agency and/or the 2nd round of the NFL draft. The Bills should also look at Jason Peters for the left tackle and left guard spot. They want a pulling guard for the the left guard spot and Peters is a former tight end. He has to be able to move if he played tight end. Might be a good fit at left guard or left tackle. (left tackles also have to be able to move) Sam Aiken: Bumps Josh Reed if Reed doesn't show major improvements. Freddie Smith to number 4 or 3 if he can beat out Aiken. Free Agent Defensive End: Not a major need but the Bills need to find a strong side defensive for at least depth purposes. Willis McGahee: Already the starter this is not a huge concern but depth needs to be upgraded. Another runningback on draft day. Rookie free agent. (after round 7) Rookie special teamer: At the end of the draft the Bills need to look for special teamers with potential to be starters. Special teamers are always slept on on draft day. It's better to land a good special teamer than to get a backup player. *** NOT WASTED MONEY *** (has to be said) Pat Williams and Sam Adams: Whatever else the Bills do they HAVE TO keep both Sam Adams and Pat William. If they lose just one of those guys the defense will go from one of the best to one of the worse. Hopefully Donahoe realizes this! Ya dig? B) 142699[/snapback] Hindsight is always 20/20! Your post is too long to retort here at work, but let me just say, you are passing judgement on guys who are still developing. Yeah, it is fine to say that Vincent was a waste. Who knows, if he hadn't been injured, maybe our record would be 8-3 right now. As good as McGee has been at times, he has also was a major liability in coverage in a number of games. He is improving, but who knows, maybe we win the first Jets game if Vincent is in there instead of McGee...also, in case you haven't been watching, Aaron Schobel is improving by the week....some of criticisms are valid, but most are based on knowing what we know now! It would be nice if every GM had that luxury. Funny you say that WE HAVE to keep both Sam Adams and Pat Williams. How do we know, like McGee or Baker, that Tim Anderson or Justin Bannon would not be adequate replacements for either. What happens if we retain Williams and Adams, one goes down, and Tim Anderson comes in and plays very well. Do you then say it was a waste of money to resign Williams or Adams?
RaleighBillsFan Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 You want a championship football team in "The Buf?" Well first you are going to have to trim the fat and tone up the team. This is where theblackbear would start ..... 1. Drew "The Tin Man" Bledsoe: A 12 year veteran that still makes rookie mistakes. Locks onto his receivers, struggles with accuracy in both short and long passing, is as mobile as a rock, and has no HEART! Lose this bum and his fat contract. 2. Troy Vincent: Terrence McGee is now starting in Vincent's old position and improving daily. Vincent will not play at that spot again. The Free Safety position also has a young guy with potential holding it down. Rashad Baker has the athletic ability you want at the position and he is currently learning under fire as a starter. Do the Bills really want to pull him out of the lineup and stop his progress? theblackbear wouldn't do that. The defense is playing well with him at free safety so he should stay there. If there were no player to play Free Safety it would be different but that's not the case. Give Baker a shot at that spot and get rid of Vincent. He's making too much to play free safety anyway. He has no experience there. 3. Trey Teague: Signed to play left tackle and moved inside to center because he couldn't start anywhere else. theblackbear still says that he is getting too much money for playing center at the level that he is playing the position. You want to know why the Bills can't run the ball between tackles? Start with Trey Teague. He is not good enough there and he's paid too much. 4. Josh Reed: As much as theblackbear liked this kid coming out of college he just hasn't produced as a number two or number three. The Bills would be better off with Sam Aiken and Freddie Smith behind Moulds and Evans. If Reed doesn't improve he should be released. He's not playing like a former 2nd round pick. 5. Ryan Denney: This guy was definitely a wasted pick. It's laughable that the Bills traded up to draft him. As soon as he can be released without taking a cap hit he should get da boot! 6. Aaron Schobel: It's a shame he just got a new contract. This guy is a situational pass rusher at best. No way is he full time starting material. He is too soft against the run and he doesn't always show up against the pass. He would be a good situational pass rusher but not at his current price. Bad move giving him a new deal. The Bills would have been better off letting him walk and moving Chris Kelsay to weakside defensive end. Kelsay will be the better player. Better against the run and pass. The Bills are now stuck with two weak side style defensive ends and no real strong side player. With Schobel gone they could have brought in the strong side run stuffer they needed. 7. Rian Lindell: You can not count on this guy. The Bills need an upgrade here. 8. Travis Henry: A warrior that deserves better than number two. theblackbear would hate to see him go but it is time to make a move. Hopefully the team can land a 2nd round pick for Henry. You have to go with the younger McGahee. 9. Coy Wire: He's not going to turn into the next Steve Tasker so there is nothing that he can offer the team. He'll never be a good safety (free or strong). He just can cover guys. 10. Jonas Jennings: The 2nd best offensive lineman on the team but the guy just can't stay healthy. The Bills need to find a more reliable guy for the left tackle spot. Jennings will ask for some big money and a guy that can't stay healthy shouldn't get big contracts. Replacements .... J.P Losman: To starting quarterback. The Bills need to take a good look at him and they also need to bring in a veteran backup. That backup should be Kordell Stewart. Stewart has had success under Mularkey and knows the Bills offense up and down. Terrence McGee and Rashad Baker: To cornerback and free safety. Jerry Gray is doing a good job with them. As is Lawyer Milloy. Trey Teague: Should be replaced by a free agent pick up and a center should also be drafted on day two. A guard also needs to be added for the left guard spot via free agency and/or the 2nd round of the NFL draft. The Bills should also look at Jason Peters for the left tackle and left guard spot. They want a pulling guard for the the left guard spot and Peters is a former tight end. He has to be able to move if he played tight end. Might be a good fit at left guard or left tackle. (left tackles also have to be able to move) Sam Aiken: Bumps Josh Reed if Reed doesn't show major improvements. Freddie Smith to number 4 or 3 if he can beat out Aiken. Free Agent Defensive End: Not a major need but the Bills need to find a strong side defensive for at least depth purposes. Willis McGahee: Already the starter this is not a huge concern but depth needs to be upgraded. Another runningback on draft day. Rookie free agent. (after round 7) Rookie special teamer: At the end of the draft the Bills need to look for special teamers with potential to be starters. Special teamers are always slept on on draft day. It's better to land a good special teamer than to get a backup player. *** NOT WASTED MONEY *** (has to be said) Pat Williams and Sam Adams: Whatever else the Bills do they HAVE TO keep both Sam Adams and Pat William. If they lose just one of those guys the defense will go from one of the best to one of the worse. Hopefully Donahoe realizes this! Ya dig? B) 142699[/snapback] Stop talking about yourself in the third person...it doesn't give you any more credibility
The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 Drew Bledsoe is "The Tin Man" because .... 1. He has no heart: Failed to show up twice in his first two games against his former team. A guy with heart would at least show up for the games against his former team. 2. He is a big stiff: He is about as mobile as a man of Tin. Could he be any slower? And His game is rusty!! -------------------------------------------- Guys behind the guys that are developing are developing quicker. That's why they should bump the guy ahead of them. Kelsay has passed Denney already and Aiken looks to be passing Reed. Terrence McGee struggled earlier but look at who was behind him. Coy Wire and Izell Reese. The guy missing from the lineup that hurt the Bills was Lawyer Milloy not Troy Vincent. Why wait for Vincent to learn how to play free safety when you have young guy that has played free safety before that just needs to learn the NFL game? B)
BuffOrange Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 If you'll recall, Pierson Prileau(sp?) and Tavares Tillman looked decent in their first couple of starts at safety. Can we please hold off on the Rashad Baker lovefest after 2 games? He's the same guy who was burned on 3rd & 27 in Oakland.
Rico Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 His game is rusty!! 142787[/snapback] Good point.
The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 theblackbear doesn't recall Travares Tillman ever looking good at safety but Pierson Prioleau is still a decent player. He's just better at strong safety than he is at free safety. Izell Reese is also not that bad. He's just too slow now and doesn't make plays on the ball. theblackbear is not in love with Rashad Baker. theblackbear just believes you stick with the young guy if he is not killing you. He needs to learn the NFL game and you can't do that from the sideline. If the Bills had a guy that they KNEW would be better at free safety it would be different but that's not the issue. Troy Vincent has NEVER played free safety. No one knows how he'll do back there. Get rid of him unless he takes veteran minimum. B)
Rubes Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 I actually think that most, if not all, of those points are fairly valid. I don't agree with all of them completely, but I think you make good arguments for most. The one I do take exception to is Schobel. While I agree that Schobel is not worth big contract money, and right now he is not anywhere near a Pro-Bowl caliber DE, he is still relatively young and improving. Plus, we don't have anything better. I think if Kelsay improves more, or we can get a top-notch LDE, Schobel would still be a solid starter on the other side.
Generation ME Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 Izell Reese is also not that bad. theblackbear is not in love with Rashad Baker. theblackbear just believes you stick with the young guy if he is not killing you. 142813[/snapback] The blackbear is a free agent for a reason, I see.
Jiminy Cricket Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 1. Drew "The Tin Man" Bledsoe: A 12 year veteran that still makes rookie mistakes. Locks onto his receivers, struggles with accuracy in both short and long passing, is as mobile as a rock, and has no HEART! Lose this bum and his fat contract. 2. Troy Vincent: Terrence McGee is now starting in Vincent's old position and improving daily. Vincent will not play at that spot again. The Free Safety position also has a young guy with potential holding it down. Rashad Baker has the athletic ability you want at the position and he is currently learning under fire as a starter. Do the Bills really want to pull him out of the lineup and stop his progress? theblackbear wouldn't do that. The defense is playing well with him at free safety so he should stay there. If there were no player to play Free Safety it would be different but that's not the case. Give Baker a shot at that spot and get rid of Vincent. He's making too much to play free safety anyway. He has no experience there. 7. Rian Lindell: You can not count on this guy. The Bills need an upgrade here. I agree with most points particularly the 3 above. The only problem I have with the Drew comment is that I belive he has heart but no longer has the ability to preform to the level he did as a younger man.
The Black Bear Posted December 2, 2004 Author Posted December 2, 2004 I actually think that most, if not all, of those points are fairly valid. I don't agree with all of them completely, but I think you make good arguments for most. The one I do take exception to is Schobel. While I agree that Schobel is not worth big contract money, and right now he is not anywhere near a Pro-Bowl caliber DE, he is still relatively young and improving. Plus, we don't have anything better. I think if Kelsay improves more, or we can get a top-notch LDE, Schobel would still be a solid starter on the other side. 142822[/snapback] The problem is you have two weak side defensive ends. Schobel and Kelsay and no strong side defensive end. The Bills could have easily let Schobel walk and moved Kelsay to right end. (weakside) If they had done that they would have been free to go out and get a REAL strong side defensive end. Now they are stuck with Schobel and Kelsay. And Aaron Schobel is overrated. He only plays well against bad competition or an injured competitor. He can be taken completely out of the game and you don't want that from your main pass rusher. He needs to DOMINATE or you have to send blitzers and have less men in coverage. Isn't it funny how the Bills could have had Dwight Freeney instead of Mike Williams. Dumb-Dumbs said it was too high to draft Freeney there but not too high to draft Mike Williams. So much for listening to know it all's like Mel Kiper! As for hindsight being 20/20. theblackbear said most of this at the very beginning and has been saying it ever since. It's the Johnny Come lately's that are only now just catching on. Take note of the new that theblackbear is saying now for down the road and you'll see that theblackbear will be proven right about this as well. Who knows the game? theblackbear does! Ya dig? B)
jad1 Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 The Blackbear's releases and replacements don't add up. The Blackbear wants to drop both Shoebel and Denney, but then says "Free Agent Defensive End: Not a major need but the Bills need to find a strong side defensive for at least depth purposes." Even a tardo like Blackbear must realize that releasing Shoebel, a starter, would make the signing or drafting of a DE the #1 priority. Then Blackbear wants to release Wire, a backup safety, but a big contributor to the #1 special teams unit in the league. But Blackbear also says, "Rookie special teamer: At the end of the draft the Bills need to look for special teamers with potential to be starters. Special teamers are always slept on on draft day. It's better to land a good special teamer than to get a backup player." So Blackbear wants to cut a solid special teams performer in Wire, and then replace him with a rookie, why not just keep Wire and consider your special teams set, which lets the team focus on other areas? And by the way Blackbear, you must have been hibernating during the 2003 draft, when TD DID focus on Special teams, drafting McGee, Haggins, and Crowell in the mid-rounds. Aiken was also a good returner in college. TD also picked up F. Smith in the 2004 draft. So, unbeknown to you, Donahoe hasn't been 'sleeping' when it comes to special teams on draft day.
Fake-Fat Sunny Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 The blackbear (I love this third person silliness) misses the point in that many of the cuts he would make of wasted money actually creates more dead space in terms of prorated bomuses which will cost the team Ws. Add to this the costs of finding adequate replacements and his pronouncements from on high (or wherever they come from) will simply result in a true waste of monet which will hurt our ability to get Ws. If you want further proof of how dead money from the bonus of cut players directly impacts Ws then look no further than the Pats cut of Bledsoe. The did the right thing as Brady was obviously the better choice and the need to increase Brady's contract to wrap him up as a Pats made it impossible to keep both. The effect of cutting Drew was that the Pats won an SB in the 2001 season. Absorbed the cap hit and could sign neither FAa or better back-ups and they comletely missed the playoffs in the 2002 season. Being free of this cap hit they went into the market and signed FAs like Rodney Harrison who were pivotal to them winning the SB in the 2003 season. When and whether you cut big bonus players like Bledsoe, Vincent, or Teague makes a difference which cannot be ignored in a serious conversation. Likewise, the costs of replacements and cap negotiation has a huge impact. The problem for the Bills with the RJ/Flutie mess was that Butler first attracted DF here by agreeing to an incentive laden contract which rolled incentives achieved into his base pay. He then signed RJ to a guaranteed deal which when RJ failed and ot hurt and DF played like we wanted him to, we ended up with a cap hit at the QB position far in excess of what even the top QB was paid. If you are calculating wasted money you have to take into account money guaranteed to a player even if he is cut because it directly impacts our ability to generate wins. Whos is the highest OL player by the Bills in 2004? Its Ruben Brown who contributes nothing on the field. Dead space matters to W/L.
Rico Posted December 2, 2004 Posted December 2, 2004 So Blackbear wants to cut a solid special teams performer in Wire, and then replace him with a rookie, why not just keep Wire and consider your special teams set, which lets the team focus on other areas?142859[/snapback] Because sooner or later, someone will get hurt & then Wire will be in at S again. I agree with theblackbear, Wire needs to leave town.
Recommended Posts