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Do We Have a Better Team Now than at the End of 2008 ?


Kenwick

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You don't know how good or bad each division is going to be in actuality so to say we can improve with less wins is a little premature. I get what you are saying that those divisions do look harder on paper but the teams we view as hard could have down years or suffer injuries. It happens all the time hard schedules turn out to be easy while easy schedules turn out to be harder than you think.

 

Last year games with teams like Jacksonville and Green Bay looked like hard while games with Miami and Atlanta looked like penciled in wins. So what is hard on paper isn't always hard.

 

Yah those divisions could end up being overrated. We don't know. What we do know is that the Rams/Raiders/Chiefs/49ers/Seahawks sucked last year. It's going to be more difficult this year even if Carolina/Atlanta/Tennessee take a huge step backwards, which I half expect anyyway.

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Dude, you seem to have some knowledge of football, but your bitterness towards the coaching staff is way over the top. We drafted the TOP TWO guards in this years draft. We let go of one of the most overrated players in football, who did not want to play for us. Good O lines are not solely based on pure talent. The best O lines are a bunch of grinders who wear you down, and play physical, tough and hard on every down. (2007 Giants) Peters at his best did not do this on every play, and Dockery NEVER played hard. Preston and Fowler played soft AND had no talent. I think you will see a whole different attitude with our O line from day one of preseason. An attitude of toughness set by the O line can do wonders for a teams psyche. Just watch and wait. Maybe you will even smile at the new attitude that we will see this year. GO BILLS!!

 

I'm negative on the coaching staff because none of them have proven they're capable of beating playoff caliber teams. Check our DJ's record versus teams that end up winning 10+ games per season. It's not good at all, but those are precisely the sort of teams the 09 Bills will have to beat in order to advance. I won't soon forget the epic collapse of going 2-8 when the team was in the driver's seat after Week 7. Forgive me for being negative, but there are few HC's with 2+ seasons in the league worse than DJ on game day. Aside from Norv Turner (who has a LOT of talent) no one is worse.

 

I'm happy they picked up Owens, who I think will prosper if Edwards gets time to throw. It's that OL which concerns me. Starting two highly regarded rookies is not a certainty of OL success. I like Eric Wood's demeanor, and Levitre seems to be very similar. But they're still rookies and will require some time to acclimate to the pro game, especially considering they're changing positions from where they played in college.

 

You also won't see as many three receiver sets, simply because both OT's will need help from a TE quite frequently.

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Yah those divisions could end up being overrated. We don't know. What we do know is that the Rams/Raiders/Chiefs/49ers/Seahawks sucked last year. It's going to be more difficult this year even if Carolina/Atlanta/Tennessee take a huge step backwards, which I half expect anyyway.

 

Well its possible that the Seahawks rebound with the additions they made. Its also possible that one of those other teams like the 49ers have a breakthrough year. But Injuries and Luck always seem to make predicting a NFL season so hard.

 

I subscribe to the theory that most of the NFL around 75% of the league are 7-9 to 9-7 teams that either have bad or good seasons due to 3 factors 1- Injuries the great equalizer (Staying healthy adds about 2 wins to your season while bad injuries can take away 5 wins). 2- In game luck (A few good bounces and calls can add a game or two to your tally and vice versa)

 

The third and least impactful factor is production from unexpected sources. If you can get a few players to have better than expected seasons than you have added production that could add a game maybe even two to your tally.

 

Its a Topsy turby league and the Bills just need to face teams that are unlucky and injured. While we get some luck stay healthy and get a few players to preform better than expected.

 

Cute avatar by the way.

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Its a Topsy turby league and the Bills just need to face teams that are unlucky and injured. While we get some luck stay healthy and get a few players to preform better than expected.

 

that was last year when the stars aligned for the Bills

 

Dick could not handle it

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The Bills didn't lose much with Greer leaving. He was a good player, but he played in just 10 games last year and his stating spot was going to be given to McKelvin (who showed he had the skills as a rookie) anyway.

Really? It was going to be given to McKelvin?

 

It would have to be given, because he wouldn't have earned it away from Greer. Did you watch any Bills games last year?

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We'll know for sure pretty soon (9/14/09, at 7:00 PM). My feeling is that the Bills went from actually mediocre to potentially mediocre.

 

Peters v. Walker cancels Owens v. nobody, so it's is a draw, except that Owens in one and done.

 

(Preston&Fouler) v. Hangartner = Why do I keep thinking about Larry Tripplett? ...but couldn't be worse, so OK

 

Greer v. (Mckelvin&Youboty&Florence) = pretty big step backwards

 

[Dockery& Butler (to RT)] v. Eric&Andy = step backwards (at least for a year).

 

Nelson v. Royal = just OK

 

(Maybin&Schobel's back) v. (Denney&Ellis) = OK

 

"Thug Mode" v. D. (for DUI) Rhodes for few weeks = a little down

 

Ellison v. (Ellison&Harris) = still screwed

 

Ko v. Jairus = so what?

 

Edwards returns = who the eff knows? At least the boat anchor is gone.

 

Fewell returns = still stuck with the Marshmallow Menace

 

Schonert&Kugler return = "The Lindell and Moorman Show" returns

 

Jauron returns = Dancin' At the Zombie Ball

 

2009 v. 2008 strength of opponents = Should I cancel Sunday Ticket?

 

Really?!?!?!?

 

You cant pull the Peters vs Owens comment. This team has needed a 2nd WR since P. Price left the first time for Atlanta. Now we have one opposite Lee and this WR group should be one of the best in the league. At least on paper.

 

A step backwards with McKelvin at CB? The depth at CB is one of the best weve had in a long time.

 

Larry Tripplett was a DL why the hell are you even thinking about him when your talking about the OL? And Handgartner is much better than Fowler or Preston who were absolutely horrible.

 

Ill agree that Wood and Levitre COULD be a step backwards, and this goes along wtih your Peters part too. The interior of our OL was absolutely horrible last year. With some mean and nasty guys pushing people around in the middle the outsides will benefit as well. Its an if, but I expect it to happen and sooner than next season.

 

Robert Royal was a 6'5" pickle on the football field. Nelson may be a rookie but he will prove that he is better than Royal any day of the week. Thats more than just OK.

 

As much as D Rhodes might touch the ball early on I dont know if anyone here or anywhere else thinks that Rhodes will take the job from Jackson. If anyone is the threat to take ML's spot its him. And if I were ML I'd be worried while Im suspended.

 

Byrd was projected as the 2nd best safety in the draft that is a huge step up over "Im Ko Simpson of the Buffalo Bills and Im worth millions". And if that wasnt enough theres always the rumor of Whitner moving over to FS and Scott taking the SS spot. Also better than 08'.

 

Fewell did bring the defense from 31st to 14th in one season. Thats a pretty big jump in a year. Even if the team didnt get any better (Which they did) they would most likely be a little better as theyve all played another year in Fewell's "Marshmellow Fence" scheme. Oh they also picked up Maybin(DE), have a healthy Schobel(DE), drafted another LB in Nic Harris, and get Alvin Bowen back.

 

Schonert attempted to run the No Huddle offense last year but couldnt because our fat lazy LT that wouldnt show up to camp wasnt here to learn it and it had to be scrapped right from the get go. Which brings me to Kugler, what do you expect out of an OL coach that expected to start the season with guys that were practicing in different positions then all the sudden 2 days before opening day hes told that he needs to start the fat lazy bum that held out on his team and had no continuity with his teamates on the line that had been practicing together for the past few months and learning different calls and signals from the 07' season with a new OL Coach.

 

I cant say dick about DJ, your right. Lets just hope he doesnt blow too many time outs and lets hope that Trent and the offense can put up enough points to overcome DJ's rediculous calls.

 

All in all I'd say that you were wrong about most things, and some of the other comments made me want to puke. Who compares Hangartner to Larry Tripplett really? A fat, lazy, and technically unproven (I dont care what idiots voted him into the pro-bowl) LT who gave up more sacks than any other LT in the league with a HOF WR who has caught more TD's in the last 3 years than any WR in the game.

 

Im done. Have fun being rediculous and pessemistic. Ill enjoy the season, you can hate it.

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Really?!?!?!?

 

You cant pull the Peters vs Owens comment. This team has needed a 2nd WR since P. Price left the first time for Atlanta. Now we have one opposite Lee and this WR group should be one of the best in the league. At least on paper.

 

A step backwards with McKelvin at CB? The depth at CB is one of the best weve had in a long time.

 

Larry Tripplett was a DL why the hell are you even thinking about him when your talking about the OL? And Handgartner is much better than Fowler or Preston who were absolutely horrible.

 

Ill agree that Wood and Levitre COULD be a step backwards, and this goes along wtih your Peters part too. The interior of our OL was absolutely horrible last year. With some mean and nasty guys pushing people around in the middle the outsides will benefit as well. Its an if, but I expect it to happen and sooner than next season.

 

Robert Royal was a 6'5" pickle on the football field. Nelson may be a rookie but he will prove that he is better than Royal any day of the week. Thats more than just OK.

 

As much as D Rhodes might touch the ball early on I dont know if anyone here or anywhere else thinks that Rhodes will take the job from Jackson. If anyone is the threat to take ML's spot its him. And if I were ML I'd be worried while Im suspended.

 

Byrd was projected as the 2nd best safety in the draft that is a huge step up over "Im Ko Simpson of the Buffalo Bills and Im worth millions". And if that wasnt enough theres always the rumor of Whitner moving over to FS and Scott taking the SS spot. Also better than 08'.

 

Fewell did bring the defense from 31st to 14th in one season. Thats a pretty big jump in a year. Even if the team didnt get any better (Which they did) they would most likely be a little better as theyve all played another year in Fewell's "Marshmellow Fence" scheme. Oh they also picked up Maybin(DE), have a healthy Schobel(DE), drafted another LB in Nic Harris, and get Alvin Bowen back.

 

Schonert attempted to run the No Huddle offense last year but couldnt because our fat lazy LT that wouldnt show up to camp wasnt here to learn it and it had to be scrapped right from the get go. Which brings me to Kugler, what do you expect out of an OL coach that expected to start the season with guys that were practicing in different positions then all the sudden 2 days before opening day hes told that he needs to start the fat lazy bum that held out on his team and had no continuity with his teamates on the line that had been practicing together for the past few months and learning different calls and signals from the 07' season with a new OL Coach.

 

I cant say dick about DJ, your right. Lets just hope he doesnt blow too many time outs and lets hope that Trent and the offense can put up enough points to overcome DJ's rediculous calls.

 

All in all I'd say that you were wrong about most things, and some of the other comments made me want to puke. Who compares Hangartner to Larry Tripplett really? A fat, lazy, and technically unproven (I dont care what idiots voted him into the pro-bowl) LT who gave up more sacks than any other LT in the league with a HOF WR who has caught more TD's in the last 3 years than any WR in the game.

 

Im done. Have fun being rediculous and pessemistic. Ill enjoy the season, you can hate it.

 

Chris Brown's press releases should not be taken as a catechism, IMO.

 

The Bills FO and coaching staff (including the Marv episode) is basically incompetent. Why would anybody believe their spin? Here's some examples:

 

They decide to bring in the Tampa 2 high on the delusion that Larry Tripplett and John McCargo were Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice. They adhere to the delusion to the extent that they pass on Haloti Ngata in favor of their next delusion, namely that Donte Whitner is going to be their Bob Sanders. OK, so the "dream team" gets pushed up and down the field for two years, thereby exposing the stupidity of their blunders. There's no place left to hide, so they sign Marcus Stroud, and, wow, the defense has improved! Now they're brilliant, and the team is on the verge of greatness. Ngata will be blowing up plays for a decade after Stroud runs out of gas.

 

Now they've loaded the roster with all kinds of tweeners. I suppose they think that Maybin is Dwight Freeney? Hooray for Bobby April.

 

Give me a break.

 

When the Bills are any good, we'll all know about it without having to be told by Chris Brown.

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Really? It was going to be given to McKelvin?

 

It would have to be given, because he wouldn't have earned it away from Greer. Did you watch any Bills games last year?

Did you? That is, outside of the ones against the Patriots? What struck you most about Greer in those last 6 games of the season?

 

But you knew what I meant. And go ahead and believe that McKelvin wouldn't have won the starting spot from Greer outright.

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Chris Brown's press releases should not be taken as a catechism, IMO.

 

The Bills FO and coaching staff (including the Marv episode) is basically incompetent. Why would anybody believe their spin? Here's some examples:

 

They decide to bring in the Tampa 2 high on the delusion that Larry Tripplett and John McCargo were Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice. They adhere to the delusion to the extent that they pass on Haloti Ngata in favor of their next delusion, namely that Donte Whitner is going to be their Bob Sanders. OK, so the "dream team" gets pushed up and down the field for two years, thereby exposing the stupidity of their blunders. There's no place left to hide, so they sign Marcus Stroud, and, wow, the defense has improved! Now they're brilliant, and the team is on the verge of greatness. Ngata will be blowing up plays for a decade after Stroud runs out of gas.

 

Now they've loaded the roster with all kinds of tweeners. I suppose they think that Maybin is Dwight Freeney? Hooray for Bobby April.

 

Give me a break.

 

When the Bills are any good, we'll all know about it without having to be told by Chris Brown.

 

I dont know of what Chris Brown release are you talking about? These are my opinions. It think its obvious that Ngata is at this point in his career a better pick up than Whitner. Im not going to be one to back up anyone of the Bills FO for that. I didnt want Whitner either. You can say what you want about the Stroud trade. The fact is the FO realized they made a mistake and fixed it the best they could at the time. Would you rather have them made another mistake and just went with Tripplett and McCargo? or maybe you would have rather them drafted an unknown DT that might turn into another McCargo? Your post doesnt make any sense.

 

They have made some extremely bad moves in the past but have made some good ones as well.

 

Sure they put alot of nuts into the McCargo basket and were wrong, but make up for it with Stroud

They needed a 2nd WR that all of us were begging for since Price left and they get the best available WR on the market

They picked up Kawika Mitchell and until Crowell's injury (that could have been avoided) they had a solid LB core with Mitchell, Poz, and Crowell

They finally ended the Losman experiment (unfortunately they started another one with Trent)

They look to be ending the Kelsey/Schobel reign at bad pash rushing (at least trying to) by drafting Maybin

They have gotten rid of overpaid(Dockery), overrated/unhappy(Peters), and under performing(Fowler, Preston) players on their OL and replaced them with younger(hopefully better) versions in Wood, Levitre, and Handgartner (by the way this is a major youth movement to ensure the interior of the OL for years, we hope)

 

Basically you cant guarantee draft picks work out. You win some and you lose some. Time will tell. Id just rather have optimism that this team will perform. Its one of the most exciting offseasons in a long time, and hope it turns into one of the most exciting seasons in a long time.

 

You can continue to be negetive and think everything they ever do is going to be bad.

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I dont know of what Chris Brown release are you talking about? These are my opinions. It think its obvious that Ngata is at this point in his career a better pick up than Whitner. Im not going to be one to back up anyone of the Bills FO for that. I didnt want Whitner either. You can say what you want about the Stroud trade. The fact is the FO realized they made a mistake and fixed it the best they could at the time. Would you rather have them made another mistake and just went with Tripplett and McCargo? or maybe you would have rather them drafted an unknown DT that might turn into another McCargo? Your post doesnt make any sense.

 

They have made some extremely bad moves in the past but have made some good ones as well.

 

Sure they put alot of nuts into the McCargo basket and were wrong, but make up for it with Stroud

They needed a 2nd WR that all of us were begging for since Price left and they get the best available WR on the market

They picked up Kawika Mitchell and until Crowell's injury (that could have been avoided) they had a solid LB core with Mitchell, Poz, and Crowell

They finally ended the Losman experiment (unfortunately they started another one with Trent)

They look to be ending the Kelsey/Schobel reign at bad pash rushing (at least trying to) by drafting Maybin

They have gotten rid of overpaid(Dockery), overrated/unhappy(Peters), and under performing(Fowler, Preston) players on their OL and replaced them with younger(hopefully better) versions in Wood, Levitre, and Handgartner (by the way this is a major youth movement to ensure the interior of the OL for years, we hope)

 

Basically you cant guarantee draft picks work out. You win some and you lose some. Time will tell. Id just rather have optimism that this team will perform. Its one of the most exciting offseasons in a long time, and hope it turns into one of the most exciting seasons in a long time.

 

You can continue to be negetive and think everything they ever do is going to be bad.

 

I think you just admitted that Ralph's same old front office has been chasing its tail since 2000. It's the same crew give or take the name on the window of the GM's (or COO's) office except they brought in the sales manager wunderkind, and have had a death. They are always 2 years behind the curve, and busy filling holes they dug for themselves.

 

Enjoy your optimism. It's your right.

 

... but then, don't YOU get in my face for facing reality.

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VOR said:

 

...and in a couple of years McKelvin's spot will be given to some other #10 draft pick since the Bills will finish 6-10, and so forth, and so on, as with Jones, Winfield, Clements, Greer, ad nauseum.

 

One step forward, 1.5 steps back.

 

Really, is $6 million so outrageous for a guy who can finally play a tight corner?

 

Then everyone wonders why the Bills draft 4 corner backs each year...

 

Not another one of these "the Bills draft more corners than any other NFL team" guys. This board has proven in the past that we are right around the avg when it comes to drafting DB's. But you wouldnt know that because youve only been here a week.

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I think you just admitted that Ralph's same old front office has been chasing its tail since 2000. It's the same crew give or take the name on the window of the GM's (or COO's) office except they brought in the sales manager wunderkind, and have had a death. They are always 2 years behind the curve, and busy filling holes they dug for themselves.

 

Enjoy your optimism. It's your right.

 

... but then, don't YOU get in my face for facing reality.

 

Why do you even bother signing in here? It seems pretty obvious that you have absolutely nothing good to say about the team. Why do you even care anymore. If I ever get to your level I'd prolly just give up on the team and follow someone else.

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Why do you even bother signing in here? It seems pretty obvious that you have absolutely nothing good to say about the team. Why do you even care anymore. If I ever get to your level I'd prolly just give up on the team and follow someone else.

 

OK, you win:

 

 

Feel better now?

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I think you just admitted that Ralph's same old front office has been chasing its tail since 2000. It's the same crew give or take the name on the window of the GM's (or COO's) office except they brought in the sales manager wunderkind, and have had a death. They are always 2 years behind the curve, and busy filling holes they dug for themselves.

 

Enjoy your optimism. It's your right.

 

... but then, don't YOU get in my face for facing reality.

 

Its Ok to critique your team but you have to have some hope. You were probably bitching about how they were trying to get a fat undrafted tight end to be a LT. Than you are moaning and groaning how they didn't keep that guy after he turned in a sub par year.

 

You were also complaining about how the Bills never draft offensive lineman. Than when they draft 1 in the first round and 1 in the second you complain about how they are counting on rookies too much. There is being critical (Hey I thought they should have drafted Orakpo and maybe trade up to get Oher) and than there is never being happy. I think you are never going to be happy. And its not the criticism of the team its that you never acknowledge the good things they do in addition to the bad.

 

Simply put you are really going out of your way and stretching to find things wrong with the Bills. You make them seem much worse and incompetent than they really are.

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Its Ok to critique your team but you have to have some hope. You were probably bitching about how they were trying to get a fat undrafted tight end to be a LT. Than you are moaning and groaning how they didn't keep that guy after he turned in a sub par year.

 

You were also complaining about how the Bills never draft offensive lineman. Than when they draft 1 in the first round and 1 in the second you complain about how they are counting on rookies too much. There is being critical (Hey I thought they should have drafted Orakpo and maybe trade up to get Oher) and than there is never being happy. I think you are never going to be happy. And its not the criticism of the team its that you never acknowledge the good things they do in addition to the bad.

 

Simply put you are really going out of your way and stretching to find things wrong with the Bills. You make them seem much worse and incompetent than they really are.

 

May I compliment you on your psychoanalytical prowess? I presume you're a pipe fitter.

 

Which orifice did you pull all that stuff about offensive linemen and the draft from?

 

Hint: Maybe arguing the football stuff on its merits??????

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May I compliment you on your psychoanalytical prowess? I presume you're a pipe fitter.

 

Which orifice did you pull all that stuff about offensive linemen and the draft from?

 

Hint: Maybe arguing the football stuff on its merits??????

 

The merits of the Bills football decisions hasn't been good but they aren't terrible either. Obviously when you miss the playoffs for so long you make more bad moves than good ones. But to say that all the Bills do are bad moves is just not true. You hate on the Bills deservingly so but it seems like you just go out of your way. Like if they make a move it sucks and has no way of panning out even though you haven't seen the results of the move.

 

An example of your over the top negativity was saying that the Bills don't have a plan when drafting. When this year they drafted two defensive needs and two lineman who can build the o-line.

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...But to say that all the Bills do are bad moves is just not true...

 

...An example of your over the top negativity was saying that the Bills don't have a plan when drafting...

 

Would you mind terribly if people read my actual words instead of you fabricating some lame summary of what I actually said?

 

Thanks

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