I'll start by saying that Fred Jackson is my favorite Buffalo Bill and he is a good punt returner (as well as the best back on the team, but that's a different post). I just don't think he can score touchdowns on returns. Parrish has scored and will score again, either for the Bills or someone else. When you have an offense that can not score, then get a returner on the field who can. This team doesn't need consistent field position. It needs touchdowns!! And don't tell me about his game costing fumble. He's had more touchdowns then fumbles. Get him on the damn field, Jauron.

With all the postings on roster predictions, I've been thinking about where we're most vulnerable to a significant drop off if somebody goes down.

Some players are obvious. I think Edwards, Evans, TO, Stroud and Poz are probably the most irreplaceable players on the team. I thought about adding Lynch, but I think Jackson and company can do the job and to be honest, I'm not sure if our run numbers will be great either way. We'll find out in the first three weeks.

That brings me to the real point for this post. Who is the backup center? The depth chart shows Brandon Rodd, but I haven't seen him on anyone's 53. I know Wood is a center, but has he been practicing there. It feels like an injury to Hangartner would facilitate another two position shakeup. I don't think that's a good place to be given the shakeup we already have. I'd feel better if the backup center was on the 53 man roster (versus practice squad) and didn't require line changes. This is particularly true since were running the no huddle.

1. The line was a weakness and had to be changed. The Bills got rid of weak links Dockery and both centers.

2. Getting rid of Peters does not make you better, but the Bills have to manage the whole and they cannot afford to have anybody be the highest paid at their position, least of all Peters.

But is it better? Let's start position by position.

LT: Walker (presumably) vs Peters .. worse

LG: Wood vs Dockery .. don't know .. since Dock sucked we'll give the edge to Wood but that's being presumptuous

C: Hangartner vs Fowler/Butler ..  better

RG: Levitre vs Butler .. worse .. can't say Butler was our best lineman and assume a rookie tackle switching to guard is better from the start

RT: Butler vs Walker .. worse/same .. I have faith in Butler and know he's a tackle, but Walker has been a good right tackle. 

So position by position you can't say we're improved, but we all know the line is a unit. Is this "unit" better than last year's?? My position is that it won't be hard to be "as good" and that it's a line that can grow and improve. We have an excellent stable of backs, a smart quarterback, and very experienced receivers. The team did what they had to do with the line and now they have to coach to their strengths and know their weeknesses.

There is way too much talent on this team to be at the bottom of the rankings again this year. What do you all think of the positional comparisons?

Why do I think if this team had three more picks we'd have picked three more cornerbacks. Hell maybe we could convert them to linebackers or ends. Do the Bills think they're really strong at linebacker?? Because I think their linebackers suck. I'm really not a big fan of 220 pound linebackers. They don't scare anybody. I know you can't address everything but we drafted 6 cornerbacks in two years. I'd rather have linebacker projects then slow corners that can't play in the NFL.

This is the time of the year when all of the excitement is geared towards the upcoming draft, and rightly so. But for me, it's also a time when I look forward to the growth in players from last year's draft. I'm hoping for some surprises, because right now it's looking like a weak crop. I know, I know ... it's early. But seriously folks, is it too much to ask to get a little more out of your top three picks. McKelvin definately came on and gave us reason for excitement, but Hardy was lost (and now hurt) and Ellis was even more lost. The guys in rounds four and below look like they can contribute, but the Bills need more than depth from their drafts. They need to get depth and at least 2-3 studs. I'm not optimistic we're going to learn a lot more about Hardy this year and I'll give him a pass due to the injury . It may do him good to learn the game. If Ellis and/or Harper surprised us this year it would change the whole complexion of things. My offensive dark horse is Fine. I don't think he's going to be the next Antonio Gates, but I have a feeling he's going to become a key target for Trent. I'd love to know what the rest of you think and in particular, have there been any progress reports on Ellis. What do the coaches think of him??

I'm as discusted as everyone else is. I think all of the DJ criticism is right on, but I'm most disappointed in the character of these men. Don't you think at some point they would rise up against this team that has humiliated them for so long. I find it appalling that they don't have the guts, determination, and outright anger necessary to run the ball better.

Having said all that (and I could go on a lot longer), the opportunity is still there if these guys have the guts to take it. They really should win the next three. If they do and get some mojo, then they have a reasonable chance to take 6 out of 7. It's hard to feel that way now, but the mindset changes a lot with a few wins.

If, on the other hand, they go further south and pack it in, then I am done with this regime. I don't care how long DJ has on his contract, if he loses this team then I'm done until he's gone. I was a praiser and supported his extension. I still think they can do it because the schedule is so favorable. But they have to fight. They look tired. Here's to hoping the Monday night game gets them going again.

I really hate to complain about the broadcast, but how can you not. They failed to show, analyze, or explain so many key plays in the game. Why are they even there??

Bills second offensive play. Bills have just three and outed the Rams, completed a long downfield pass to Evans, and then get called for holding on a successful run by Lynch. We clearly see Peters complaining, but never get a replay. This was a key play in the game.

It would have never been overturned, but I think someone should have at least mentioned that Avery lost the ball on his long run and dive for the cone. In my opinion he was losing control of that ball before he touched the cone. Again, not enough to overturn it, but at least worth the observation.

Steven Jackson busts a long TD run that McKelvin blows contain on (again!) and there's no comment or analysis that explains McKelvin's role in it. Why not?

Lynch has a 27 yard run called back for tripping. Again, a key play in the game with no replay.

Bills convert a two point conversion to tie the game. An awesome play call with big impact at the time. Jauron and Schonert are arguing, but no replay and no analysis. Why not?

This isn't about the typical Buffalo hypersensitivity, it's about lame coverage.

Congratulations to Bruce for going up on the wall this week. I'm a firm believer that Bruce is the greatest Buffalo Bill of all time. My argument is that when you compare our best players to the greatest of all time at their respective positions, Bruce is closest to the top. Let's look at the other Bills greats ...

Jim Kelly: Mr Buffalo Bill and the face of the turnaround of the franchise. A hall of famer, but few could argue that there are not at least 10 or more ahead of him on the quarterback list. When you try to find the greatest QB of all time, Kelly's not in the discussion.

Thurman Thomas: same comments as Kelly. Great player, great winner, but no where near the greatest back of all time

OJ:  This is the biggest challenger. It's hard to say who is ahead of OJ on the all time RB list. Whoever you put at the top isn't that much better than Juice and there aint that many people in between. I think Jim Brown is the best all time, but OJ is in the discussion. I also think there are simply a LOT of great running backs.

As for Bruce, I honestly believe he is in the discussion for greatest defensive end of all time. If you disagree, that's fine, but I don't think you can put more than three or four guys ahead of him.

I don't think anything energized that stadium more than a Bruce Smith sack and there were a lot of them. Personally, I still get fired up watching hilites of Bruce swoop in and gobble up QB's. It was a site to see and we may never see anybody like him again in a Bills uniform.

Continue reading this post »