In the lastest edition of SI, dated November 30, 2009.  Players voted on which team they would least like to play for.    The five teams that made this list are:

Green Bay Packers

Detroit Lions

Buffalo Bills

Oakland Raiders

Cleveland Browns

Would anyone care to guess the rankings among these?  Ok......I'm bad at building the suspense.  Here are the results:

Oakland Raiders       20%

Buffalo Bills                14%

Green Bay Packers   13%

Detroit Lions              12%

Cleveland Browns     7%

I wasn't shocked to see Oakland or Detroit on this list, but the Packers did shock me.  The Poll goes on to explain that the least desirable among players in the league for five or fewer seasons was GB at 16%.

This Poll really shows how league players feel the Bills are a bottom dweller in the league.  Any Bills fan who feels insulted by this poll needs a reality check.  WE NEED AN ORGANIZATIONAL OVERHAUL.  How can fans really feel spending $10 million on a coach/GM isn't worth the money.  Obviously, we need changes and being frugal won't secure an elite candidate (IF they choose us).  I think it is the classic Blue collar mentality that we can't afford to spend alot.  Ralph has money, may not be as much as Jerry Jones or Dan Snyder, but god bless him for finally wanting to spend whatever it takes to turn the franchise around!!!

In one of the more recent front pages, Ron NM brought up the discussion.  Some bloggers brought up the fact that the helmets looked "different/new" and it spawned that these helmets maybe the latest and greatest anti-concussive technology.  I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread just for this specific topic.Here is the most recent artical I could find.  I remember reading this when it came out.

The Xenith helmet artical

Also if you go to this company's website

Xenith website

Watch the video for the X1 helmet.  It discusses how the technology works.

I'm not sure the NFL helmets actually use this technology, but if its one thing the NFL is good at, its spending the money to get the best technology.

I think the Bills will go LB at 11.

I have stated my desire for E.Brown and B. Pettigrew.  But, as of late many have been starting to think that OBD isnt high on the DE available and Pettigrew is a reach (not unusual for the bills). On a need and impact player that can start week 1, LB looks to be that position.  When ranking draft prospects, a position of need makes the players grade more attractive.

Even tough, our Offense can't score pts, and now has Q's at LT.  I think a Matthews or Cushing could give our Def that 1 player it needs to get over the hump (as long as schobel plays).  I think the best value at 11 is LB.

I think the top 10 will end up with these selections (not in order):

2 QBs (stafford, sanchez)

4 OT (smith, monroe, smith, oher)

1 DT (raji)

2 WR (macklin, crabtree)

1 LB (curry)

I just think that OBD wouldn't have traded Peters unless they thought someone currently on the roster could manage the LT spot as well as any rookie drafted (doesn't mean they wont draft a LT).  I think the value left to on the draft board matches well with our need for a LB over a DE.  IMO Oher will be gone and leaves OBD to "go fish" when thinking about an OL at 11.  If we go LB at 11, I hope  a guy like Eben Britton falls to us at 28.

This guy is a physical freak.  I know I preach drafting football players and not athletes, but check this guy out.  I think he is an intriguing prospect that could give us tons of flexibility if we can't get our DE in round 1.  He is listed as a tweener for DE/DT, but for 288lbs and 37" arms, this guy has alot of potential that could help the bills out at both those positions.

YouTube

Wow,  Is it just me or is there alot more members than last offseason?  I started blogging here during the "Panda" episode last offseason (When the Bills were trying to sign Bryant Johnson). 

I get the feeling alot of fans here think the Bills are "CHEAP".  I think they try to spend wisely in FA and build in the Draft.  I do not doubt any Buffalo Rumblers Passion for the Bills.

But, How many rumblers here are Season ticket holders to Ralph Wilson Stadium? I live 350miles east towards NYC and I am a season ticket holder.  I understand season tix cost money and everyone cannot afford them.  But my point is this, Do you actively spend money to support the Bills Franchise or do you just complain that Ralph is a cheapskate?  I pay money to the Bills, and I truly feel they do not just take my money and run.  I would love to hear everyones opinion to my poll and opinions.

I recently have reviewed a couple of DE in this draft.  I looked at C.Barwin, E. Brown, T.Jackson, B.Orakpo, L.English. (spelling could be off on these names)

I would trade the 1st and 3rd pick this year to make sure we get  Everette Brown.  I think with out question he is the best DE available.  Barwin reminds me of Kelsey, Jackson and English seem ok, but not #11 material (maybe early 2nd IMO).  Orakpo reminds me of the 1st overall draftpick by the Eagles years ago.  The hulking Off Tackle that was a work out warrior and was horrible in the NFL.  IMO Orakpo is one dimensional and too much of a physical specimen.

Is it a coincidence that only Everette Browns highlights on Youtube are double the length of other DE in this draft (6 min versus 3). I think it is because he has so much more to show.  Brown has an arsenal of pass rush moves (spin, misdirection, speedrush) and shows great body awareness versus his fellow DE's.  On his speed rush he does a great job of not just getting up field, but has the control to dip his shoulder underneath the OT to turn the corner and get the QB when he steps up into the pocket.  He also showed the ability to spin out of double teams and get sacks.  Lastly, I saw the ability to play contain (important in our 4-3 under/ Tampa 2 scheme) versus QB's on the rollout.  I saw great field awareness and body control to FINISH plays.  I'm tired of DE who just effect the play.  Our DE's rush the QB and then the QB steps up and makes the play or throws the ball away.

And if OBD can't get E. Brown trade down and take Pettigrew.  As a sidenote I heard Alabama Center Antoine Caldwell speak on Sirius then checked his profile.  I like him alot as a Center pick.  Very smart, he got his degree in 3 years (IMO is the best attribute to a center).  Has great agility, versitility (played C & G), but not the road grater.  Would love to hear everyones opinion

 Below are draft results along with my opinion.  For some reason I remember that this class was a downer year opposed to previous years (maybe someone can find a quote whether I remembered that correctly) or lacked enough talent to actually make all picks worthy of the 1st rd selection. Using the scale of " Great, above average, starter, or bust pick".

Overall I dont think the bills did horrible considering the impact of all players in this draft. It was the wrong 1st rd for a Safety.  But maybe they emphasized a player/leader to start the rebuild of the franchise.  I know this is the same OBD that tabs Kelsey as a leader as well.  But, OBD also finished this draft well with two more starters.

I remember being optimistic about the player I wanted the bills to select out to this draft.  I wanted N. Mangold, though I knew we needed to trade down before selecting him.  I do remember that before the selections took place, that there really wasnt alot of players that made me salivate at 8th overall.  All of the big players would be gone.  I was hoping for AJ Hawk or V. Davis, but really wanted Mangold out of all of the players.

Well let me have......am I off my rocker or actually in the majority with my opinions.

I haven't posted anything in a long time for two reasons.  1.  the implosion of the team &  2. the overall negativity (well justified).  I will begin by saying that I am a "conservative minded play caller", but by no means feel DJ is the coach to take us to the superbowl. 

Let me explain why I am in favor of keeping DJ after this season.  Throughout the previous 2 years he could have easily been named "Mr. Conservative".  And the main reason was the Bills didn't have the talent to be aggressive nor did DJ have the spherical items many men possess below their waist.  Now in his 3rd year, we came out aggressive in week 1.  Following week 2 we began to see injuries to key players and then "Mr. Conservative" reared his ugly head.  Then, the 1-7 run happens.  But did anyone notice that in key scenerios DJ has been more aggressive than ever in the past. 

Examples 1 - Look at the 10-3 loss to San Francisco.  in the 1st quarter The Bills drove the length of the field done by 7, ball in the redzone and we went for it on 4th down and didn't convert.  He was blasted for this decision because we lost the game by 7pts with 2 FG misses.  I dont blame him for being aggressive and trying to dictate the tempo of the game (especially a HOME game).  He trusted his players to take control of the tempo and they failed.

Example 2 -  The latest game.  To go for it on 4th down with a fake punt in the 1st quarter.  You may say it was the dumbest play call ever to hand it to a LB, then back it up by saying jets had poor tackling.  I strongly disagree.  DJ finally showed a set of "spherical items below the waist".  He once again allowed the players to take the tempo the the game away from the opponent.  Note, every fake punt we ran this year gave moorman the ball, why not try a play that has never been run.  To give the ball to moorman would have been "predictable".  Everyone says our play calling is predictable. So you be the judge on this call.

Example 3 - the infamous 2 and 5 pass play.  Once again DJ said the call was his and he explained the reasoning. This is were I disagree with DJ, but aplaud the agression.  JP or Mr. Turnover could have done what any average QB could have done, take the sack , throw the ball away or run.  Instead he tries to make a name for himself and prove to the world that he is a "starting caliber" QB (haha...which he is not).  The rollout suited Losmans strength.....get him on the move to ease his "happy feet".  Look at the play call this way.  If the bills had completed that pass for more than 6 yrds, it would have deflated the Jets.  Best case scenerio was the jets getting the ball with 20 seconds on the game clock.  I applaud DJ for making a call to WIN the game.  Not be conservative, like previous years.  The bills have lost many games under DJ (cowboys Monday nite ring a bell) were we played with our tails tucked between the legs and LOST.  Remember Herm's quote " You play to win the game".

So I feel DJ has shown he is will to improve his own coaching, by being aggressive.  But don't critisize him for being conservative, then turnaround and do the same when is aggressive.  You can point out that it is poor timing and bad management, but look at one KEY factor.  The PLAYERS have to execute the play. It is those reasons I beileve DJ deserves to be HC for next season.  I can go on forever with this topic, but I will open my opinion up to public critique.