SBNation.com User Blog: DJ O

Stevie J...the new "old" Bill?

DJ O — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:08:46 -0000

I've gotta say, Stevie J being at the Bills new Jersey unveiling Friday night at One Bills Drive has become the final reason why for me, the Joker has become my new favorite Bill. The event is provided for only the truly die hard, hard up for football kind of Bills fan. And he's at it?!? Wow!

Guys like Poz, Whitner, Byrd, Schobel, Evans and even Kyle Williams have all "missed the mark" when it comes to one important ingredient critical to success in the ultimate team sport IMO. Passion. When you have it you embrace everything around you that will help you to succeed. That includes loyalty, love of city, love of team and more. Stevie being at this event epitomizes his passion to a tee. Nobody told Stevie he should be at the event. He didn't have a sports agent call him on the phone to say that he should because it would be good for his next contract negotiation. He didn't have a coach call him to tell him this would set a good example of what a team leader does. Hell, if anything he may get in trouble from the league BECAUSE he went! But he HAD too, because he absolutely, positively loves the game of pro football. And the team and city he plays for. (Heck, he might even bought a jersey after the event just so he could go home to sleep in it:)

The guys I mentioned that don't have this trait do of course have skills that can lead them to be very good football players. So please don't get me wrong. But I don't believe you can say they have this kind of very rare, very underrated characteristic - that all the great sports teams have. Whether that passion is to be great, to be a winner, or to lead your teammates to victory, it doesn't matter. The fact is a team needs it. Great teams have it. And our Bills team needs it in abundance.

I just haven't seen it around here. And it's bothered me, even though I don't believe I even understood what it was that bothered me up until today. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I was too spoiled growing up watching the desire of players like D. Talley, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith, Andre Reed, Jim Kelly, Steve Tasker and Kent Hull - leave absolutely everything out on the field. Every game. These guys played hard, then partied even harder. They loved the Bills. And they loved BEING a Bill. They played their hearts out for this city. And nobody told them that they had to. Not an agent. Not a coach. No one but themselves, to each other. Their passion or desire was clearly seen after every win...and after each painful loss. And it just haven't been around here in Buffalo in a long, long time.

Until now. Here's hoping M. Dareus, CJ Spiller, Shawn Merriman and Ryan Fitz' all join Stevie J in realizing how wonderful their opportunity is to be a professional football player in the National Football League. Embrace the city and logo you play for. And exude true passion to be great. Only from there, will we begin to reverse the curse that has been on this team since it was ripped apart, ironically through an unveiling of that ugly, hopefully buried for good jersey that was shoved on us over a decade ago.

So Cheers to you Stevie J!!! Keep it up!!! And make BILLS PASSION thrive!!!

Should the Bills draft the "Andy Reid" way?

DJ O — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 22:01:35 -0000

When it comes to which teams perennially draft well, Andy Reid and his Philadelphia Eagles seem to rise above the rest of the league. The experts and analysts love what the Eagles do. And it really is no secret. The Eagles, year after year, draft for the trenches.

Now whether it's for the OL or DL this philosophy of drafting in the trenches has rightfully gotten a lot of pub on this site. Due in almost equal part 1/ our FO neglect toward addressing the lines and 2/ the fact that we absolutely can not stop the run NOR run the ball effectively ourselves - it became clear to me that I should look further into the Eagles draft history. So if you are like me, firmly in the belief that we would be wise to replicate the success of a team like the Eagles, you may like this closer examination of their draft. And from it, get a glimpse of what the Bills should do come late April.

Since Reid began, the Eagles have had 10 1st round players selected Of those 10 players, 5 were D Lineman and 1 was an O Lineman. That's 60% of 1st round players drafted in the trenches. And when you look at how many games they've won over the past 12 seasons, it's hard to argue the strategy. After the jump you will see my selection on who the Bills will pick this year if they follow this Andy Reid blueprint for success....

.....Cam Newton!

Yes, it all began for Andy Reid and the Eagles when Donovan McNabb was drafted in 1999. This pick single handedly changed the fortune of the franchise for a decade to come. Although many in Philly did not appreciate the offensive minded head coach picking a mobile QB from a shotgun/gimmicky offense. Sound familiar? Wow, how wrong they were! Granted Donovan never won a Super Bowl. But the fact remains that this is a QB driven league. And getting one early allowed their head coach a chance to mold him into the QB he envisioned, while their FO took care of the trenches in the subsequent years to follow (6 out of 9 now:).

So when the Bills have an offensive minded head coach and a FO that IMO, understands ALL of this, what do YOU believe Rumblers?

Poll

Will the Bills follow the Eagles philosophy and draft QB in the first round?

Yes! Why the heck would we want to waste ANOTHER year without an elite QB prospect for our offensive minded head coach to groom?

40 votes

No!!!!! I want BEEF! Give me a fat guy to control the line of scrimmage. THIS is where games are won!!

131 votes

171 votes | Poll has closed

FA DE Cullen Jenkins to Buffalo!

DJ O — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 01:40:28 -0000

As I grow quietly optimistic that both sides of the NFL Labor Dispute wise up. I thought it fun to discuss the possibility of free agent Cullen Jenkins coming to Buffalo. Thought of as versatile in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts, Jenkins would bring ideal size and power to a run defense severely lacking in both.

Of course, the million $ question is, "is a DE like Cullen Jenkins worth 7-8 million or more per year it may take to bring him here"? Personally, I feel that Dwan Edwards is an injury risk walking out of the tunnel. And no matter how good a first round pick would be at #3, DE/DT's generally take a year or two to develop (N. Suh the exception). Therefore, not only would Jenkins allow us to bolster our roster in a different direction with the #3rd overall pick in this years draft, but it would also significantly lift a defensive front 7, that TODAY, is in dire need of it.

What are your thoughts?

Poll

Should the Bills pay big bucks for a 30 year old Super Bowl Champ?

Yes

108 votes

No

136 votes

244 votes | Poll has closed

MY GUYS!!!

DJ O — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 04:11:43 -0000

The term "Franchise" has been used in previous posts to reference almost half the current crop of QB's playing in the NFL. For me, that loosely defined definition doesn't get us very far when trying to discuss why the Bills should select a QB in the first 2 rounds of the draft. Therefore I thought it best if we clarify that. Because, if you're anything like me, trying mightily to determine what's in the best interests of our Bills has become some form of therapeutic massage to my soul - working out the past 16 games of disappointment to renew what draws me to the sport, a feeling of hope.

Including QB's the like of Sanchez, Flacco, Cassel, Vick, Ryan and Palmer as well as others in a group considered "Franchise" leaves too much open for debate. When this happens, usually the following conversations ensue "We currently have the Amish rifle on our team, why on heavens earth should we waste a pick on a QB in the high rounds when we currently have a roster that closer resembles Swiss Cheese, than it does the Cheese Heads!" And I can partially agree. But that's only because we don't have a better definition of the term "franchise".

Last night on NBC Tony Dungy said that there are only 6 QB’s in the NFL that he believes are franchise QB's playing in the NFL. He calls these guys,“My Guys”. Meaning, if you asked any coach “if you could pick any QB in the league to be on your team, who would that QB be?”. The coach that says “My Guy”, quite simply put, has a “My Guy”. These QB's I believe would be, in no particular order, Brady, Rivers, Manning, Rothlesberger, Rodgers and Drew Brees. What's most interesting to me is that only 2 of these 6 were selected within the Top 5 in the draft (Manning and Rivers). 2 others were selected between 11 and 24 (Ben and Rodgers). And the last 2 went in the 2nd and 6th round (Brees and Brady, respectively).

So what does this mean?

That I leave to you. Does taking a QB with our #3 spot in the first round mean that we are any closer to having a "My Guy"? Would it be equally possible to find him within the top 40? Or is it possible that he is on our team now?

So what does this mean?

Poll

Are the Bills better of this year to get a "MY GUY'

#3 overall in the first

31 votes

Anywhere in the Top40

58 votes

Stop posting DJO. You are really beginning to annoy me!!!!

30 votes

119 votes | Poll has closed

Who does Fitzy remind YOU of?

DJ O — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 03:19:04 -0000

I've been trying to think of a player of recent memory that reminds me of how Fitzy manages a game, threads passes, etc. I've heard Doug Flutie mentioned. But I see that player as Kurt Warner. Now, I know I may take heat for saying this so early in Ryan's career. However, what I'm trying to point out are the similarities. And not career stats.

What I see is that both share a very uncommon trait. A rare moxie if you will. And a trait that once evident, can propel a player to much greater heights than any draft combine measurable can propel a player too. It's a self confidence. Not born from a heralded life on SportsCenter as a 17 year old, touted as the next great Joe Montana. Then followed up as a god for 4-5 years on a college campus. Exactly the opposite. These two are real, salt of the earth type men that consistently got overlooked for the guy with bigger "measureables". Ryan was almost the last man drafted in 2007 by the St. Rams in the 7th round. Warner went undrafted and signed with the same Rams. Both had their first real chance as the full time QB only after injury to the starting QB (both named Trent ironically). And when you couple all of this with the way in which they handle the pocket, their team, and how they deliver the ball to their teammates, to me it's very intriguing.

Again, I want to point out that I am not making any predications here. Kurt Warner may go down as one of the greatest QB's to ever play the game (my opinion, not mainstream at this time but based on how his teams fare after he leaves. Where as if a Tom Brady goes down, or a Big Ben, the franchise keeps humming.) Ryan hasn't won a thing yet. Therefore, I am in no way predicting what is in store for Ryan going forward. But what I see and perhaps the greatest similarity of all, is a gunslinging style of delivering the ball in tight spaces that is absolutely fantastic to watch and must be exhilarating to play for.

It's a style perhaps built on that inner sense of self belief, one that cannot be taught, and one that may be very difficult to duplicate.

What do you think?

It's a style perhaps built on that inner sense of self belief, one that cannot be taught, and one that may be very difficult to duplicate.

What do you think?

The "Balloon" Game. Week 7 2008 vs. SD

DJ O — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:51:03 -0000

Not much of a fanpost. Want to let you know this game is available right now on NFL Network on Demand (via Fios). If you recall, it was an interesting game pitting the favored SD Chargers against the Bills in the Ralph. However, something unusual happened to make this game not like any other dating back to a certain "Heidi" game shown decades ago.

I thought to share mainly because the game may not be in their video library much longer. And it is fun to watch. The NFL Network crews cover plays not seen due to the infamous balloons that took out the transformer/power over our stadium, leaving those of us not in the stadium to quickly turn to the radio. These unique video shots include radio coverage by John Murphy when the Bills O have the ball, then the Chargers crew (I assume) when they do.

To top it off, it arose memory of the feelings I had directly after the Bills won that game. Perhaps the most optimistic about any Bills team in some time, I foolishly entertained thoughts of the Bills making the playoffs. And even went so far as to state the same to friends and family. Damn mouth of mine. Man, have I not learned anything through the years of anguish and disappointment with our Buffalo sports teams!!?! :)

Oh well, only one thing is certain. I will fall for it again. And I will be disappointed. But here's to hoping we build a team that gives us more than just false hope.

If anyone has comments in regards to that game, post away. I'd like to hear your take on the game.

Oh well, only one thing is certain. I will fall for it again. And I will be disappointed. But here's to hoping we build a team that gives us more than just false hope.

If anyone has comments in regards to that game, post away. I'd like to hear your take on the game.

My 3rd Round answer for not taking Clausen #1

DJ O — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:58:09 -0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-7sEg7JgLQ

Turn your sound up. And enjoy.

If you don't like the idea of a first round QB. Or no one is there for us at #9, what should the Bills do?

Evaluating QB play is intriguing to me. The knock on this kid is questionable arm strength and career play out of the spread. IMO, if you like Tebow, you have to consider this kid too. I personally like him better than Tim. Mostly because of his quicker "in a phone booth" foot speed coupled with the fact he may be available after the 2nd. Perhaps I'm wrong.

What do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-7sEg7JgLQ

Turn your sound up. And enjoy.

If you don't like the idea of a first round QB. Or no one is there for us at #9, what should the Bills do?

What do you think?