Buffalo’s schedule will be far from a cake walk in 2010. Half of their 16 game slate will be against top 10 defenses in points per game allowed (Balt, Cin, GB, Minn, Jets and Patriots twice). But if the Bills’ defense can duplicate their takeaway success of last season and special teams with some ultra-talented returners can provide short fields, there’s a chance Buffalo’s offense could have more production than it has seen in some time.

That is a quote from Chris Brown in his 25 question series leading up to training camp at BuffaloBills.com.
And I just wanted to admit a couple of things. I love the Bills and I always will. The Bills have been sucking, and once the playoffs are out of reach, and as every new year dawns, I am very realistic in terms of my accepting just how bad our Bills do in fact suck. Front office, coaches, quarterbacks, linemen... everyone is to blame in some form or another.

As the offseason moves on, I read what the site editors like Brian, MRW and Kurupt talk about in terms of team needs, talent in the college ranks and what needs to be done and what has been done, and why are why not those have been either good or bad...

As the draft approaches, I am commenting heavily, and perhaps putting up fanshots to get the first jump on the news of the day, or writing fanposts and being disappointed at the small amount of comments it received. At least there are rec'd comments to cheer me up... but that's beside the point.

Now that training camp gets nearer, the draft news has settled, and mini-camp has created a place where we can learn about our players and how they PRACTICE, already deciding who should start and who is going to get canned based on what team employees say they have done in the field house.

But now, after reading the above quote, I have realized what has come so fast, that I have already been infected. I am a Buffalo Bills HOMER and I am already envisioning scenarios where the 2010 Buffalo Bills have a very good shot at beating the Ravens, the Bengals, the Vikings, the Packers, the Jets, and the Patriots. It doesn't matter how, it only matters that it is possible.

Every year it happens, and I go from pessimist at the end of the previous year, to realist during FA and the draft, then to cautious optimist during mini-camp, enthusiastically hopeful optimist during training camp, and then when opening day hits... I am a full-blooded Buffalo BILL-IEVER that the Bills can win any game.... and in recent years, that lasts until about week 10 or 11 (sometimes sooner) that it is horribly apparent that we can't.

Just a fan. GO BILLS!

Good teams have a face of the franchise, and that most often is the starting quarterback or head coach and often times both, with one or the other being more prominent in some respect. All-Time great teams have many faces... on both offense and defense and always the coach and QB. 

With that being said, it is very likely, that if we are successful in the coming years, something that won't happen in 2010, but will at least appear to be so in some respect this season, that the Bills Head Coach Chan Gailey will be part of this "New Face" of the Bills.

Along with Chan, if he brings success, this year and in the coming years he will draft, the new faces of the franchise that are players. To me, there are some possibilities around the team, but not at the most important position, QB.

Trent Edwards can be a very good back up, much like a Frank Reich, and after 2006 when JP had his best year as a pro and showed some signs of turning the corner, I felt that Edwards was a great pick up to mature into a solid, head -set wearing back up and that can fill in when the playmaker is gone. Unfortunately, it does not seem in the cards that Edwards will be the man in Buffalo. I like Brian Brohm too, and think he can be developed, but I am not a Bills coach and have not seen him up close enough to know what he brings to the table. Fitzpatrick is like Edwards... a capable back up.

With all the draft talk, I would like to give my preference that the Bills draft the best lineman (offense or defense) at #9, and then select either Colt McCoy or Tim Tebow with their next pick at #41 or elsewhere if they find it necessary to trade up to get either of them. I think both players have the drive to be very good, and have the leadership qualities and toughness to get the job done in Buffalo. Each has a different skill set, or is better at one thing or the other, but I like both and would be smiling if we were lucky enough to land either.

Go Bills.... and please God (or other celestial being) bless us with a new QB. For me its one of these two, but any QB that becomes a success would suit me just fine... P.S. lightning quick RB, help develop Stevie Johnson & James Hardy, and don't forget about getting Aaron Maybin up to snuff as well :) 

The brief mention at the end of the news blurb stated, "Bills have discussed moving rookie Aaron Maybin to outside linebacker if they feel he is too light to play defensive end"

I am sorry there is no link, but if you listen to Sirius NFL radio you might hear it again.

It sort of came out of nowhere, and seems very curious. With buffalobills.com usually "down" over the weekend, I can't find anything there or anywhere else?

Thoughts? I know Maybin can run a 4.6 timed speed at his more natural 240lb weight, and certainly has quickness, and while he was projected as a possible 3-4 OLB, how would that translate to the 4-3? As well, what are the thoughts of him developing into that position over the season and does anyone think that Maybin has already been preparing for a switch to LB with or without the Bills coaching staff in the mix? Another connection to this line of thinking could be his connections to LBs, Shawn Merriman, Ray Lewis, and Lavar Arrington? 

I will say that while I am skeptical about his effectiveness at LB, because I am not knowledgeable enough on Maybin's game or the specifics of such a transition, if it were to work it would certainly shore up the OLB position. However....I would be very disappointed with losing a DE prospect...unless they really plan on moving him around a lot. Could he be a Shawn Merriman, or just some guy we keep waiting to achieve? 

The quarterbacks in the AFC East are no different than any other division; the better the play at quarterback, the better the team and for the most part, the better division ranking. He's a closer look.

via blog.pigskinpundits.com

1. Tom Brady --  New England Patriots - Tall and limitedly mobile, Brady throws a very nice ball. His throwing motion, is also just nice. But Brady excels at carving up the defense, as well as hitting the short passes. Swing passes and slants seem to set him up greatly for success. He is an excellent leader at his prime, and at the very top of his personal game, and the entire NFL for elite quarterbacking.

via img.fannation.com

2. Trent Edwards -- Buffalo Bills - Tall and fairly mobile, Edwards still has a young quarterbacks nack to tuck and run and make some significant yardage. He seems to have slightly unique footwork, and throws good, accurate ball many times, but it lacks confidence at times, and his indecisiveness shows with his passes. He has lacked rhythm, and is too safe, but seems to have a good head on his shoulder. He needs to energize the offense and turn into a leader or he will not come near elite status.

via nflplayers.me

3. Chad Pennington -- Miami Dolphins - Little athleticism from Pennington and limited arm strength, have hampered his career, but he can be lethally accurate, and knows when and where to throw,as good as any QB, but either has suffered from a bad team, or has been let down by his own physical limitations, which have included a laundry list of shoulder injury. A strong leader, he has hit, and passed his peak, and his decline will be more evident as every season passes, possibly every game.

via i.cdn.turner.com

4. Kellen Clemens -- New York Jets - Unfortuantely, the rookie incumbent Mark Sanchez has been drafted, and will most likely be squeezed into the starting position, but it is my opinion that it will be lead to failure. And because I Sanchez has not played, I can't speak of his pro play. I also didn't hate what I saw of Clemens a couple years ago. He has a strong arm, has a good physique, and is still an unkown commodity in many ways. Because of his long absence from the field, it is hard for me to gauge his mental grasp of the game.

I predict that the ranking of these QBs will reflect the pecking order in the division. Second place does not guarantee a playoff berth for the Bills, but it gives a chance. Hopefully some parity, and mediocre records across the conference, will get 9-7 a playoff berth, but my guess is if Trent Edwards can't bring our team 10 wins, and that is what I believe he has to do, then we will not make the playoffs. The QB has to lead his team to the next level. If he steps up, I am confident the team will rise with him. If he fails, our team will not be up to the task, and will fall below .500 for the fourth straight year.