I'm sure many followers of the Battle Red Blog are also heavily involved in Fantasy Football. In my drafts last weekend, Ben Tate was actually drafted anywhere between the 12-14 round and by Owners that didn't draft Adrian Foster with the 1st or 2nd pick. My question is, with the news that Adrian has a hamstring tear! and Kubiak quoted that it's indeed Derrick Ward at RB2 and Tate 3rd, who would you pick up and believe has the greater impact, at least while Adrian gets healthy?

I already can hear the negative arguments, but please think this through. Did CHIX pass on Clausen last year due to his physical or mental defiencies?

If attitude was the issue, could one assume that the Pickle has had a 180 degree adjustment after last season's humbling experience? He reportedly was the first player at Carolina's facility this morning...

And obviously, Carolina invested the #1 overall pick in Cam Newton [and you know it's going to be a ton of money with no rookie pay scale in place] and have Matt Moore as the 'veteran' mentor and I believe still with QB Pike.

Would you trade a 4th rounder for Clausen and let him sit and learn behind Fitz for the next 2 years?

Foster was a new addition to the Texans' injury report Thursday, the team's official site reports. He was listed as limited with a hip issue. So far there is no indication that his availability for Sunday's game against the Titans is in any jeopardy. I am in my Fantasy Football league playoffs this week and looking for a RB to plug in my starting lineup... If Foster can't play Sunday, do you think Derrick Ward would get the bulk of the carries vs. Tennessee? If you have any Buffalo Bills [stop laughing please] Fantasy questions, fire away!

As anyone who plays Fantasy football knows, sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Plus how many times have you had a good team only to be hit by key injuries at the worst times?

I have Aaron Rodgers as my QB heading [pun intended] into the Semi Finals of my league's fantasy playoffs. I personally don't think he will play. And if he does, can I take a chance his bell won't be rung again in the 1st Quarter?

I picked up Jason Campbell this morning. My opponent has McFadden. Any short passes DMC takes to the house will be countered if I start Campbell. My worry is this will be a blowout and all the Raiders will do is run, run and run some more.

Any predictions on Jason Campbell's stat line for Sunday?

As a life time Bills fan, the Music City Miracle with always be etched into my mind. So I hope you will feel at least a tad sad for me and answer a Fantasy football question.

It looks like Aaron Rodgers will not play Sunday night and I am in the semi finals of my League's playoff.  I picked up Kerry Collins from Waivers basically because your Titans are playing against the worst Fantasy pass defense.

Any predictions on Collins numbers this Sunday?  How motivated are the Titans as they play out these last 3 weeks? What's up with Britt, Moss and Washington, etc? Do you expect the Texans to 'stack the box' ?

Any insight would be helpful. Any Buffalo fantasy football questions? [ahem] feel free to ask.

 

 

It sounds like MJD is good to go today which obviously is good for many Fantasy Football owners.

If you play Fantasy Football, you know it's important to have the backup running back to a star Football player.

So my question is, god forbid, MJD can't play or get hurt early, who is MJD's backup? It seemed that is was Jenning to start the season and then Karim looked well for a few weeks. But Karim kinda disappeared from the landscape.

Anyway, in your opinion, who would get most of the touches should MJD be hampered in the future?

Thanks.

 

 

Anyone who participates in Fantasy Football realizes that it's tough to put a player in your starting lineup for MNF without understanding or knowing Injury status. Also, I don't have Ryan Mathews and I'm weak at the RB position.

My question, with your knowledge and insight of your favorite team, is what chance, e.g. 20%,  to you believe Mathews will be able to play MNF. I read he hasn't practiced since November 7th and would assume he wouldn't be ready, but this week's game is very important from a fantasy perspective. I want to start Tolbert and read he is fairly healthy despite his injury designation earlier this week.

If it helps, I drafted R. Mathews 2nd round in by other league [3-7 ;)] and as a lifelong Buffalo fan, would be happy to answer any fantasy [ahem] questions you have about my Bills!

Thanks in advance and good luck Monday night

 

 

 

First, let me say as a life long Buffalo Bills fan living in northern Virginia in early 1992 and married into a family of die hard 'Skins fans, Super Bowl XXVI was a hallowing experience. However, it was fun living there during the glory years guided by the one and only Joe Gibbs.

Anyway, as anyone that has participated in Fantasy Football for at least 5-10 years is well aware, having any RB on a Shanahan coached team can be heaven or can be hell. Sometimes he will ride a horse like Terrell Davis but after that it seemed like Mike would go with a 'RB of the Week' committee.

My question, if you dare try to decipher Shanahan's shenanigans, is this: With Keiland Williams strong performance last week and Torain declared out but Portis scheduled to return after missing 5 weeks, how do you feel the carries and touches will be split? e.g. 60/40 Keiland...

Thanks in advance and should you lo and behold have any Bills fantasy questions, fire away!

 

 

Hey, Buffalo Bills fan here. We've been 'cursed' since Polian left us or was forced out  ;(

Anyway, I was lucky enough to pick up Tamme in my Fantasy league a few weeks ago.

I read the 11/15 post about him and his injury, etc. but get the impression if for some reason he can't play Sunday @ NE { I can't wait to watch that game } that Brody Eldridge, depending on his health, would probably start and if not, Gijon Robinson.

Any update on Eldridge's health? Is he a 'playable' option fantasywise if Tamme can't go because of his back? What about Robinson?

Thanks in advance and feel free to fire Bills fantasy questions at me.

As a longtime Buffalo Bills fans, I can feel your anguish over losing Hardesty for the season. I gotta believe my Bills have lost more players to IR over the last 3 years than any other NFL team but don't know how to research it. It just seems that way!

Anyway, I was wondering who you recommend from a Fantasy perspective to pick up as a back up in case Harrison goes down. Davis? Also, if you have any Buffalo fantasy questions feel free to fire away. Thanks in advance.

I drafted Beanie in one of my Fantasy leagues and starting to worry that I may have made a mistake. Given the QB situation [now with Leinhart gone], it does appear the Cards will lean on the running game more, however it seems Hightower is the true #1 RB or at very least in the dreaded RBBC approach used last year.

What say ye? As a follower of my hometown team, Buffalo Bills, I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have in that regard, although I can't imagine there would be too many :)

Anyway, thanks in advance.

First of all, good luck this year in real and fantasy football! I am definitely rooting for the Texans to overtake the Colts and win the AFC South. I am worried about your tough schedule but Week 1 vs Indy is a must see game for sure.

Anyway, as a fan and follower of the Buffalo Bills on Buffalo Rumblings, I have a fantasy question for you. Any questions you would like answered in regards to the Bills, although I am sure they are few ;), I will be happy to return the favor.

I have both Kevin Walter & Jacoby Jones as my 4th WR on my Fantasy team. I would like to drop one prior to Week 1 to add more depth to my RB position. In your humbled opinions, which one has the most upside/consistency for this 2010 season. If you were in my situation, which one would you keep knowing they would probably only be used for a bye week start barring unforeseen circumstances, e.g., injuries.

Thanks in advance and look for to your answers and any Bills questions you may have...

Life long Buffalo Bills fan, sorry, but respect the Jets and rooting for them to represent the AFC East this year since we are in serious rebuilding mode in route to contending for 2014 Super Bowl in New York [New Jersey] ;)

Anyway, drafted Shonn Greene in my Fantasy League and wanted to get a perspective from true NYJ fans on how you expect his stats to be this year in Rushing yards, Receiving yards and TDs. Although LT seems to have gotten his legs back and behind your stellar OL, I still see Shonn with over 250 carries especially since you ran the ball over 600 times last year. Sanchez from an outside perspective doesn't seem ready to put the team on his back thus the Jets will need to run and play D like last year?

Anyway, let me know what you think and if you have any questions for me about my Bills, fire away!

I am a long time member of Buffalo Rumblings and a long time Bills fans. Any questions you may have in regards to fantasy implications of any Buffalo players feel free to ask! Also, glad we can provide you a win in Week 13 ;)

Anyway, my question is what impact will losing Sidney Rice for at least 6 weeks and Brett's ankle questions affect AP's performance in 2010. Any prediction on his rushing, recieving and TDs stat for this year? Also, who is most likely to replace him [knock on wood] should he be injured, Gerhart, Moats, etc?

Thanks!

I am a long time Buffalo Bills fanatic, but now live in the Los Angeles, CA area. I will be working when most of the preseason games are being played in real time. When I am not, I can see these games for free online. I know there is a preseason package with NFL.com at a nominal fee of 39.99 which will let me watch the replay of the games at any time, but I was wondering if there's a local Buffalo website that will be replaying the preseason games at no cost.

Anxious to see our young players develop as I know it's a New York [NJ] Super Bowl party in 2014!

Go Bills!

With this being a very slow period for legimate NFL news, it tends to make my mind wander and I find myself wondering what our Buffalo Bills will look like and play like 5 years from now...

Now I realize so much can happen between now and then, but it looks like Chix is starting from the ground up with our rebuild program. Add in the high probability of getting our Franchise QB in the 2011 Annual Selection meeting and mix the recipe gently with bridled optimism, I envision the Bills as actual contenders for Super Bowl XLVIII in of all places...the state of New York !

All indications seem to lean towards the NFL Owners awarding the 2014 Super Bowl site, although much to my chagrin, to New York City. But then I started to imagine how stout our 3-4 Run defense will be by then along with our veteran, savvy secondary. Our run oriented offense with our now veteran franchise QB [Locker/Mallet/Luck] built for such weathery conditions found in our state in early February.

Even dreamier as I am now deep into a R.E.M. cycle, I envision beating the upstart wildcard NY Jets in the AFC final while holding their vaunted running attack to 51 yards and then holding on in Super Bowl XLVIII to beat the 'home team' NY Giants as their new kicker, Pete Gogolak III, misses wide left ! as time expires...

I can hear the new Mayor of Buffalo, Brian Galliford, announcing prior to the downtown victory parade, "Folks, here are your 2014 Super Bowl Champions Buffalo Bills led by the oldest NFL owner, Ralph Wilson and the soon to be new owner Jim Kelly...

ssshhh...please don't wake me up!

 

I don't trust McShay, and I think he just piggybacked Gosselin.

He just switched OTs on 4th and 6th [Redskins and Seahawks] and chose a different pick at 10 to the Jaguars.

That said, both Gosselin and McShay have the Bills taking Dan Williams, DT, with the 9th pick.

We need to start with Defense and I believe Chan will make our Running game strong. Hopefully, with a little more ball control and consuming Time of Possession, we will hold on to win tight games in the 4th quarter...

I love it...how about you?

I needed to leave the country for the last 7 days as I couldn't handle all the smoke and mirrors leading up to today's 2010 NFL Selection Meeting. Okay, I actually had schedule a vacation to Cancun, Mexico ;)

Anyway, I am of clear mind and heard something on TV this morning that made me pause and think...rutrow. I am sure this has already been discussed and chopped into small bite size pieces, but if not, I wondered what other Rumblers think.

Is Tim Tebow the next Alex Smith?

I am afraid since Alex Smith was a very successful college quarterback that played in an Urban Meyer offense and has struggled in the NFL for the last 4 years [ Yes, I am aware of his injuries and OC changes]. Is this a glimpse into the future for the professional prospect of Tim Tebow ?

 

I will be the first to admit I don't have deep enough knowledge to complete a full mock draft. However, I would like you to fill in the blanks for me if the Bills used their 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks this way:

1st round      Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee

2nd round    Jared Gaither, LT, from Ravens

KC Joyner
Gaither is near elite status

“Gaither has been a starter for the past two seasons and in that time his metrics have been nothing short of superb. He has allowed only seven total sacks in 27 games and only one of these was a one-on-one sack (defined as when a defender beats a blocker in a one-on-one environment and tackles the quarterback in the pocket within three seconds of the snap). That illustrates Gaither’s dominant pass blocking skills, but his run blocking numbers are also quite notable. Gaither was at the Point of Attack (POA) on 300 running plays the past two years and he won his block 255 times, or 85 percent of the time. That is a solid number on its own, but his 2009 POA win rate of 89.0 percent is even more noteworthy. To put that total into perspective, consider that in a typical NFL season, a little less than one out of ten offensive linemen will crack the 90 percent POA win mark. Gaither was on the precipice of that mark last year despite battling injuries.”

3rd round     ________________________

4th round     ________________________

5th round      Jason Campbell, QB, from Redskins

I think KC Joyner opened my eyes with this:

...how 'did' McNabb’s numbers fared against Jason Campbell’s in 2009 … Totaling it all up (400 passing yards minus 50 interception yards minus 77 rushing yards), we come up with McNabb having a 273-yard lead over Campbell. How much of that was due to having better play calling and better receiving options is impossible to say,

And what I've read and heard, I believe J. Campbell will be a great 'fit' in Chan's system and Buffalo's late season weather conditions.

6th round      ________________________

6th round      ________________________

7th round      ________________________

7th round      ________________________

 

Color me crazy, but I would be very happy if OBD used their 1st, 2nd and 5th round picks this way.

Feel free to throw in trades, e.g. Lynch, Schobel, etc, but I personally would like to hang on to Lynch with CHIX in control.

 

 

 

 

   I was reading the comments in regards to Tim Tebow and felt the fact that Jim Kelly had dinner with him was mainly labeled 'insignificant'. A few months ago I posted a question about the possibility of public ownership for our beloved Buffalo Bills which was expertly explained, especially by Brian and others, that the NFL has rules in place that would make it prohibitive.

   So now I ask these questions: Why would Ralph and 'Chix' ask Jim to have dinner with Tim?  What is the probability that Kelly has an ownership group in place to buy the Franchise from Wilson once Ralph is prepared to do so? If Jim Kelly Corp. [JKC] is the succession plan, would you support it?

   I just don't recall any NFL team asking a prominent player from its past history to be involved in an evaluation process of a college player entering the Draft. I'm rather sure it has happened, but this news just got my thought processes in motion...

   What do you think?

 

Sounds like OBD couldn't tell him he would be a starter? Or maybe it was the money offer. Do we still trust in OBD or is this a situation where the Player is in the driver's seat? I am curious what everyone believes or is it too early to tell until more information is released.

I can't believe I am disappointed over losing a depth FA, but like most here, I need to see some building blocks, no pun intended, start being put in place so we have some kind of foundation before Draft day. 

This is an offshoot of Gregeng's fanpost of what qualifies as success for our Buffalo Bills. While Won/Loss record is the ultimate bottom line along with playoff wins including the Super Bowl, I wanted to post some 2009 statistical rankings to find out what we expect [or would like to see] improved in 2010 and how much is reasonable.

At this time next year, I am optimistic that we will see improvement in many Offensive, and, barring major injuries [knocking on my hard head], Defensive rankings for key statistical NFL rankings at the end of 2010 season. Whether this will be reflected in Wins and Losses [one would assume it would be], I think we are going to need to look at numbers other than our record to help us evaluate Nix, Chan and staff.

Perhaps this is too early prior to Free Agency and the Draft, but if we are hiring Teachers, this may be a good excercise to review again during Training Camp and/or on Championship Sunday next year, unless, of course, we are participating ;)

OFFENSE

Time of Possession       29th         28:12

Points per Game           28th         16.1

3rd Down % made         32nd        26 %       [51 of 198]

Offensive Penalties       8th           107         [read 8th most of 32 teams]

Sacks Allowed               4th           46          [read 4th most of 32 teams]

Rush Yds/Attempt          8th           4.4          [very satisfied]

DEFENSE

Defensive Penalties       6th         107

3rd Down % stops          24th        40%   

Yards allowed/game     19th       340.6

Points allowed/game    16th       20.4

     I have been wondering for quite some time the possibility of the Buffalo Bills becoming a publicly owned company ala Green Bay Packers. According to Wikipedia,  the Packers are now the only publicly owned company with a board of directors in American professional sports (although other teams are directly owned by publicly traded companies).

     Typically, a team is owned by one person, partnership, or corporate entity; thus, a "team owner." It has been speculated that this is one of the reasons the Green Bay Packers have never been moved from the city of Green Bay, a city of only 102,313 people as of the 2000 census.

      It seems Ralph Wilson doesn't have a succession plan and perhaps some of our favorites sons, Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, etc., could be involved in this process and sit on the Board of Directors. I've only been following Buffalo Rumblings less than a year, so I am not sure if this subject has been discuss, but I love this site due to [most of the time;)] the well thought out Posts and Comments.

    Growing up in East Aurora, NY [ and no! I don't know Joe!] and the memories of visiting Bills training camps on Knox polo fields, going to the War Memorial Stadium and returning to Grammy's house 8 blocks away after a game for Sunday dinner, Lenny Dawson giving my brother a dollar after it was stolen from him while we waited for autographs from exiting players, Mike Stratton's stunning tackle on Keith Lincoln in the 1964 AFL Championship game and on and on and on...I cannot imagine life in Buffalo without our storied Bills franchise.

Anyway, despite the dismal 'State of the Bills' this past decade, denying any internal urges for them to relocate to LA, where I now reside, and desparately trying to stay positive with the recent FO/GM/HC moves at OBD...

Does anyone know if Public Ownership of our Buffalo Bills is even a remote possibility?

 

 

How about a WILDCAT defensive scheme?

The recent rumblings about our Bills bringing back a No Huddle Offense brought back memories of the defense the NY Giants imployed against us in Super Bowl XXV. To the best of my recollection, it was 2 linemen, 5 linebackers and 4 defensive backs.

In light of playing New England twice a year and with the Colts, etc on our 2009 schedule, should we consider this 'Wildcat' defensive package?