I must say that I am happy with how the draft had gone for Buffalo. Picking Dareus third overall was awesome. I have been waiting for the Bills to assess the gaps seriously at D-line. They picked another guy at Nose Tackle, Michael Jasper This guy has to be one of the biggest guys to ever play for the Bills. They went and got a few Inside Linebackers which isn't a terrible idea, especially if Poz can't stay healthy and we need some depth. Something that surprised me a little was that they picked a running back. I realize that Buffalo had quite a few injuries last season which brought on the no namers from the practice squad. They filled in nicely but just weren't the same. So, I can see that picking a rb might not have been a dumb move after all. Adding an OT to the mix was a great idea. This guy is a beast at 6'6'' 325. and it looks to me like he's light on his feet also. Picking Williams at 6 foot in the second round was a good pick as well. He was said to be a ball hawk of a corner which is good to hear, especially in the second round. They picked another corner and a safety as well, maybe to make up for the lack-there-of of certain players due to free agency. Good thinking Bills. All in all, the coach and GM made some great selections and I can't wait for the season to start if and when it ever does.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Why am I a Bills fan?
Most people that I encounter, when they have learned that I am a fan of the Buffalo Bills, ask me "WHY?" I am going to tell all of you right now and for the last time.
I am a Bills fan for many reasons:
*They are almost always the underdog.
*Nobody likes them.Even people from Buffalo hate them.
*They have heart and character.
*They suprise and amaze me everytime I watch them.
*Because I'm NOT a band wagoner
*I appreciate the teams acomplishments rather than dwell on thier downfalls.
*I can't picture myself being a fan of any other team.
*I've been a fan for 20 years and I'm not a quitter.
*The fact that people have to ask that rediculous question "WHY" is another reason.
*Because it pisses people off.
*They've got some quality players on that team that contribute to the community and I admire that.
*And last but not least, because I FUCKING want to and will continue to be a life long fan of the Buffalo Bills!!!
I am a Bills fan for many reasons:
*They are almost always the underdog.
*Nobody likes them.Even people from Buffalo hate them.
*They have heart and character.
*They suprise and amaze me everytime I watch them.
*Because I'm NOT a band wagoner
*I appreciate the teams acomplishments rather than dwell on thier downfalls.
*I can't picture myself being a fan of any other team.
*I've been a fan for 20 years and I'm not a quitter.
*The fact that people have to ask that rediculous question "WHY" is another reason.
*Because it pisses people off.
*They've got some quality players on that team that contribute to the community and I admire that.
*And last but not least, because I FUCKING want to and will continue to be a life long fan of the Buffalo Bills!!!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Key notes for 2011 season QB - K/P
The quarterback issue that has plagued the Bills for close to a decade has, for the time being, subsided and it looks as though we have a good quarterback in Fitzpatrick. As far as depth goes, I believe we need some improvement in that category. We practically have two rookies at back-up and from what I've seen, they are nothing for apponents to be affraid of. Brohm had a great teacher in Green Bay but you can only be tought so much before you have to rely on raw talent. Brown is to be seen but if he turned out to be good, well that only leaves us with a couple of qb's to work with. I'm not saying we should pick up a qb in the draft or off of free agency. That would be the last thing we need is another qb contraversy. I think that they just need to work hard over the off-season and come out in the pre-season and show us how they've gotten better.
Runningback position isn't that bad. Fred Jackson had a nice season providing the lack of continuity on the line. I think that if he keeps up with his training over the off-season, he should have another good season, maybe even another 1000 yarder. Spiller still has to come into his own before he can make it as a premier NFL runningback. He must realize that everyone is faster and just be patient for his blocks to mature and then hit the hole. Another addition to last years line-up was Ganther. This guy looks like he is a natural runningback. From seeing him play, he looked strong with the ball. He's a solid back-up. If anything, put C.J. at slot and Ganther in the backfield with Jackson. For the most part, there doesn't need to be any changes at runningback.
Fullback is one of those dead topics. We have McCintire and that's it. What, do we think that he will never get hurt? Hell we put him on the most dangerous position when he's on kick-off coverage. I think that there needs to be a little more depth at FB and maybe that will give us a little more power in those short yardage plays and goal line stands. Don't get me wrong, I think Corey is awesome but we need someone else at FB for depth.
Wide Receiver is something very suprising to those of us who watched the whole season and how it unfurled. When Lee and Roscoe got put on IR, we saw the true depth at WR and it was grand with atleast 3 of them being rookies, they showed their stuff. I don't know what happened with Evans but I hope that it gets straightened out over the off-season. Roscoe really came on and showed us that he can play at number 2 WR and if he can stay healthy, he'll be a force to recognize. Stevie Johnson impressed us with spectacular performances but needs to stay out of his own head out on the field and just play the game. Donald Jones, one of the rookies was an instrumental part of the receiving depth as he took some of the pressure off of Lee and Johnson. David Nelson is a beast. He is a great addition to the receiving line-up. It seems like if it's within 5yds of him, he'll get it. As for the wide receivers, keep all of them and use what you got Chan. You got a great bunch of receivers.
Tightends have been an issue for years as buffalo failed to find the perfect mix of run blocking and receiving. The tightend position needs some sprucing. I know that this roster spot isn't really looked at in the draft especially at high pick and that's not what I'm talking about. I mean that Buffalo needs to find a sort of (Tony Gonzalez, Algae Crumpler, or Kellen Winslow) type of player to ballance out their weapons on offense. Buffalo seems to mainly get tightends that are only good in certain scenarios. This year I have only seen one tightend stand out from the rest and I think that it's only due to playing time-Jonathan Stupar who I believe is up for free-agency this off-season. It seems that there are many tightends and not one of them is complete. Work on that will ya Buffalo?
Offensive Line has been beaten up these past years as injuries have made thier way through the majority of the O-line. There is only one remedy that I can think of. CONDITIONING. I don't know how hard these guys work in the off-season but a little conditioning goes a long way or should I say ALOT of conditioning. The line, for the most part, looked good even when all of these injuries took place. Like I have said before, there isn't going to be a winning team if the players don't get used to one another. That's called CONSISTENCY. The only way the line will get better is if they line up next to one another for more than one season.That is providing the members of the O-line are good enough to keep around. Eric Wood is a saint to be able to come in from his gaurd spot and play center and as well as he did. Bell is a solid tackle and I'd like to see Wang get some time in game. If Buffalo goes for an O-line position this off-season, they should do it through free agency because the line is young enough. They need a veteran to anchor them.
Defensive Line could use some work but only a little. As you all well know, Kyle Williams got a Pro Bowl nod this year and why not? Although he was double teamed most of the time, he still got in the backfield and caused chaos. Stroud assisted in the rush but didn't really have the effect that we thought. Since we are going to a multiple defensive scheme, picking up a fast outside rusher for that around the corner pressure but fast isn't much without TECHNIQUE. A (Ted Washington) type player wouldn't hurt to put in the interior line to plug up those inside running lanes. I say this because we gave up way too many rushing yards this season and most of it was from going righ up the middle.
Linbackers were a small disappointment because it seemed that only one guy was making all of the tackles. A little more hustle would be nice. Guys are missing assignments and aren't coming off blocks fast eneough or not at all. I also saw that people were giving up during plays. That is uncalled for. Again, I am unaware of what goes on during the off-season but CONDITIONING, TECHNIQUE, & CONSISTENCY really need to be harped on. I understand why they say to give it 110% out there on the field. It's because some players' 100% just isn't good enough. If Posluszny stays with Buffalo, it would help this organization regroup thier linebacking core. There are members that had banner games but again I stress CONSISTENCY. If Merriman is healthy for the whole 2011-2012 season, I think that with a little assisstance, they could be squared away at these positions.
Corners suprised me in a good way some games and bad in many others. The stats speak for themselves but let me say something else "It's cliche for a corner to drop a ball" so stop being that cliche. Everytime they would drop an easy interception, someone would shout "That's why your defense!" Again conditioning may have had some part in that. Early on in the year, Florence had a bad one and just couldn't get anything right. But, later on, he pulled it together and played as he was supposed to play. McKelvin was very shaky this year and I don't know if he truly has a 100% game. Others faired okay but that doesn't win ball games, it keeps you in them till the offense has nothing left and you implode as a team. This is where they need to maybe pick-up someone either from the draft or free agency that has experience catching the ball and that has some quickness.
Safeties position was disappointing too. Byrd looked like a deer in the headlights and Whitner was just out there to hit someone. He had no coverage and didn't wrap up the tackle. I think that they should let Whitner go for a more rounded individual either from college or free agency. The others I felt did an alright job but it seemed as if they were making up for others missed assignments.
Kickers/Punters well there isn't much to say but that if it's your job to do something like kick a ball and you get paid alot of money to do so, do it and do it great regardless of whatever conditions are thrown at you because you're position is a fragile one. I think that the Bills should stick with who they have in these positions and just remind them of thier expendability.
Runningback position isn't that bad. Fred Jackson had a nice season providing the lack of continuity on the line. I think that if he keeps up with his training over the off-season, he should have another good season, maybe even another 1000 yarder. Spiller still has to come into his own before he can make it as a premier NFL runningback. He must realize that everyone is faster and just be patient for his blocks to mature and then hit the hole. Another addition to last years line-up was Ganther. This guy looks like he is a natural runningback. From seeing him play, he looked strong with the ball. He's a solid back-up. If anything, put C.J. at slot and Ganther in the backfield with Jackson. For the most part, there doesn't need to be any changes at runningback.
Fullback is one of those dead topics. We have McCintire and that's it. What, do we think that he will never get hurt? Hell we put him on the most dangerous position when he's on kick-off coverage. I think that there needs to be a little more depth at FB and maybe that will give us a little more power in those short yardage plays and goal line stands. Don't get me wrong, I think Corey is awesome but we need someone else at FB for depth.
Wide Receiver is something very suprising to those of us who watched the whole season and how it unfurled. When Lee and Roscoe got put on IR, we saw the true depth at WR and it was grand with atleast 3 of them being rookies, they showed their stuff. I don't know what happened with Evans but I hope that it gets straightened out over the off-season. Roscoe really came on and showed us that he can play at number 2 WR and if he can stay healthy, he'll be a force to recognize. Stevie Johnson impressed us with spectacular performances but needs to stay out of his own head out on the field and just play the game. Donald Jones, one of the rookies was an instrumental part of the receiving depth as he took some of the pressure off of Lee and Johnson. David Nelson is a beast. He is a great addition to the receiving line-up. It seems like if it's within 5yds of him, he'll get it. As for the wide receivers, keep all of them and use what you got Chan. You got a great bunch of receivers.
Tightends have been an issue for years as buffalo failed to find the perfect mix of run blocking and receiving. The tightend position needs some sprucing. I know that this roster spot isn't really looked at in the draft especially at high pick and that's not what I'm talking about. I mean that Buffalo needs to find a sort of (Tony Gonzalez, Algae Crumpler, or Kellen Winslow) type of player to ballance out their weapons on offense. Buffalo seems to mainly get tightends that are only good in certain scenarios. This year I have only seen one tightend stand out from the rest and I think that it's only due to playing time-Jonathan Stupar who I believe is up for free-agency this off-season. It seems that there are many tightends and not one of them is complete. Work on that will ya Buffalo?
Offensive Line has been beaten up these past years as injuries have made thier way through the majority of the O-line. There is only one remedy that I can think of. CONDITIONING. I don't know how hard these guys work in the off-season but a little conditioning goes a long way or should I say ALOT of conditioning. The line, for the most part, looked good even when all of these injuries took place. Like I have said before, there isn't going to be a winning team if the players don't get used to one another. That's called CONSISTENCY. The only way the line will get better is if they line up next to one another for more than one season.That is providing the members of the O-line are good enough to keep around. Eric Wood is a saint to be able to come in from his gaurd spot and play center and as well as he did. Bell is a solid tackle and I'd like to see Wang get some time in game. If Buffalo goes for an O-line position this off-season, they should do it through free agency because the line is young enough. They need a veteran to anchor them.
Defensive Line could use some work but only a little. As you all well know, Kyle Williams got a Pro Bowl nod this year and why not? Although he was double teamed most of the time, he still got in the backfield and caused chaos. Stroud assisted in the rush but didn't really have the effect that we thought. Since we are going to a multiple defensive scheme, picking up a fast outside rusher for that around the corner pressure but fast isn't much without TECHNIQUE. A (Ted Washington) type player wouldn't hurt to put in the interior line to plug up those inside running lanes. I say this because we gave up way too many rushing yards this season and most of it was from going righ up the middle.
Linbackers were a small disappointment because it seemed that only one guy was making all of the tackles. A little more hustle would be nice. Guys are missing assignments and aren't coming off blocks fast eneough or not at all. I also saw that people were giving up during plays. That is uncalled for. Again, I am unaware of what goes on during the off-season but CONDITIONING, TECHNIQUE, & CONSISTENCY really need to be harped on. I understand why they say to give it 110% out there on the field. It's because some players' 100% just isn't good enough. If Posluszny stays with Buffalo, it would help this organization regroup thier linebacking core. There are members that had banner games but again I stress CONSISTENCY. If Merriman is healthy for the whole 2011-2012 season, I think that with a little assisstance, they could be squared away at these positions.
Corners suprised me in a good way some games and bad in many others. The stats speak for themselves but let me say something else "It's cliche for a corner to drop a ball" so stop being that cliche. Everytime they would drop an easy interception, someone would shout "That's why your defense!" Again conditioning may have had some part in that. Early on in the year, Florence had a bad one and just couldn't get anything right. But, later on, he pulled it together and played as he was supposed to play. McKelvin was very shaky this year and I don't know if he truly has a 100% game. Others faired okay but that doesn't win ball games, it keeps you in them till the offense has nothing left and you implode as a team. This is where they need to maybe pick-up someone either from the draft or free agency that has experience catching the ball and that has some quickness.
Safeties position was disappointing too. Byrd looked like a deer in the headlights and Whitner was just out there to hit someone. He had no coverage and didn't wrap up the tackle. I think that they should let Whitner go for a more rounded individual either from college or free agency. The others I felt did an alright job but it seemed as if they were making up for others missed assignments.
Kickers/Punters well there isn't much to say but that if it's your job to do something like kick a ball and you get paid alot of money to do so, do it and do it great regardless of whatever conditions are thrown at you because you're position is a fragile one. I think that the Bills should stick with who they have in these positions and just remind them of thier expendability.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
NFL Draft 2011 projections for the Buffalo Bills
Draft
1st Rd - DL - Nick Fairley
2nd Rd - CB
3rd Rd - OL
4th Rd - LB
5th Rd - TE
6th Rd - S
7th Rd - FB
This has been as long as they only have 7 picks when it comes time for the draft which is unlikely.
I don't think that Buffalo needs alot of help but something is better than nothing. I belive that they need to focus on defense but not exactly the secondary. Buffalo might lose alot of players in free agency this off-season like LB's, CB's, and S's. I also think that it couldn't hurt to have another FB in the mix instead of hoping to GOD that nothing happens to Corey Macintire. The TE spot is looking shaky but if they keep all of their personnel, the draft could look totally different. My perspective is from if they were to let go all of their free agents.
If it were me, which I know that it isn't, I would let Whitner go on to another team this season and pick up another safety who is willing to put in the work to better the team rather than go out there and be an individual. He just seemed to be out there only to hit people as hard as he could. In this league, that doesn't cut it. You have to wrap-em up Donte. That brings me to another nugget. He was never good at coverage from what I had seen. He was only good when he was blitzing the QB. I would re-sign CB Drayton Florence due to his major improvement on the field the second half of the season. He really turned it on and showed the team that he was able and willing to fill and keep that roster spot.
Paul Pozluszny is a keeper. He led the team in tackles and was 3rd in the league in tackles. The man is a force on the field and he is smart. The only reason he looked bad in coverage is because of poor matchups. You just can't put a LB on a WR or RB. TE or FB and he would have been golden everytime.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on the Buffalo Bills 2011 offseason/draft. There may be a revision closer to the draft given that it is only January at this point and anything could happen between now and April.
GO BILLS!!!
1st Rd - DL - Nick Fairley
2nd Rd - CB
3rd Rd - OL
4th Rd - LB
5th Rd - TE
6th Rd - S
7th Rd - FB
This has been as long as they only have 7 picks when it comes time for the draft which is unlikely.
I don't think that Buffalo needs alot of help but something is better than nothing. I belive that they need to focus on defense but not exactly the secondary. Buffalo might lose alot of players in free agency this off-season like LB's, CB's, and S's. I also think that it couldn't hurt to have another FB in the mix instead of hoping to GOD that nothing happens to Corey Macintire. The TE spot is looking shaky but if they keep all of their personnel, the draft could look totally different. My perspective is from if they were to let go all of their free agents.
If it were me, which I know that it isn't, I would let Whitner go on to another team this season and pick up another safety who is willing to put in the work to better the team rather than go out there and be an individual. He just seemed to be out there only to hit people as hard as he could. In this league, that doesn't cut it. You have to wrap-em up Donte. That brings me to another nugget. He was never good at coverage from what I had seen. He was only good when he was blitzing the QB. I would re-sign CB Drayton Florence due to his major improvement on the field the second half of the season. He really turned it on and showed the team that he was able and willing to fill and keep that roster spot.
Paul Pozluszny is a keeper. He led the team in tackles and was 3rd in the league in tackles. The man is a force on the field and he is smart. The only reason he looked bad in coverage is because of poor matchups. You just can't put a LB on a WR or RB. TE or FB and he would have been golden everytime.
Anyways, those are my thoughts on the Buffalo Bills 2011 offseason/draft. There may be a revision closer to the draft given that it is only January at this point and anything could happen between now and April.
GO BILLS!!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
A year without
My thought on a year without football is that of sadness and hatred.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement that the owners and players are stewing over will have to be settled by March 5 or there will be a lock out and no football. That speaks to me on several levels. I already thougt that football players, amongst other athletes, were over paid for what they do. But, since this agreement came to make it's evil face known, it has made it apparent that football players are more concerned with the millions of dollars they rake in each year than just playing the game that they love if that be even the case anymore. If there were no football come pre-season, I beleive that it would be hard to gather up the following that football once had a year later when they get thier head's out of eachother's asses and realize that it's not just about them and thier huge houses and fancy cars. The players and owners need to realize that without the fans supporting the teams, there is no football. I said to my friends that if the football season doesn't happen like it normally does, I will abandon it like it was a deformed child. I don't have the tolerance for people that already make millions to whine about making more millions as well as the owners greed. They should know as well as any other that the NFL is bigger than them and it would be in their best interest to try ad bend a little to what the players ask. I see what they might be concerned about. A hostile work environment is what they go through every week and they ask to be compensated for that. The owners just want to make more money while giving them what they want. Some say that this won't happen. I say it will because it comes down to if the two parties can get passed thier differences and see that the fans are the number one priority.
Do I believe that there will be a season of football this year? Yes I do because there are alot of common sense people that work in the NFL.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement that the owners and players are stewing over will have to be settled by March 5 or there will be a lock out and no football. That speaks to me on several levels. I already thougt that football players, amongst other athletes, were over paid for what they do. But, since this agreement came to make it's evil face known, it has made it apparent that football players are more concerned with the millions of dollars they rake in each year than just playing the game that they love if that be even the case anymore. If there were no football come pre-season, I beleive that it would be hard to gather up the following that football once had a year later when they get thier head's out of eachother's asses and realize that it's not just about them and thier huge houses and fancy cars. The players and owners need to realize that without the fans supporting the teams, there is no football. I said to my friends that if the football season doesn't happen like it normally does, I will abandon it like it was a deformed child. I don't have the tolerance for people that already make millions to whine about making more millions as well as the owners greed. They should know as well as any other that the NFL is bigger than them and it would be in their best interest to try ad bend a little to what the players ask. I see what they might be concerned about. A hostile work environment is what they go through every week and they ask to be compensated for that. The owners just want to make more money while giving them what they want. Some say that this won't happen. I say it will because it comes down to if the two parties can get passed thier differences and see that the fans are the number one priority.
Do I believe that there will be a season of football this year? Yes I do because there are alot of common sense people that work in the NFL.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
End of a productive yet unsuccessful season
Throughout the season, I have seen many good plays, many bad plays, injuries, and players stepping up and playing their hearts out. This season was an experimental season. Chan Gailey wanted to see what the defense could do switching to a 3-4 defense, see who was going to be the starting qb, and sort out the running back dilemma. This season was riddled with injuries and no name players stepping up and filling the role as a starter. People cam off the practice squad and just started making plays when they were asked to. They looked great out there too. During the season, we got rid of plenty of people like Trent Edwards (to Jags) and Marshawn Lynch (to Seahawks). At first, I thought that geting rid of Lynch was a bad idea but in retrospect, it was a grand opportunity for Jackson to be the premier back. Jackson had a productive year with nearly 1000 yards rushing and 200 plus yards receiving. He really showed that he was a dependable back with every game he played. With the let go of Edwards, I had a sigh of relief. It seemed that Trent held the team back from going forward and being a good team. As soon as Fitz took the reigns, an instant improvement showed across the board. He ended up passing for 3000yds and having an 81.8 passer rating with 23 tds and 15 picks. With him at qb, we were able to see what a fantastic wide receiver can do when a good qb is behind center. Stevie Johnson had a 1000yd season in receiving as well as some rookies having the chance to become noticed like David Nelson and Donald Jones who showed that they are also a force to be reconned with. The defense struggled to stop the run all season with some glimmers of hope a game here and there. After acquiring linebacker shawn Merriman off waivers from the Chargers, Buffalo wasn't able to see him play due to a pre-existing injury that was aggrivated during practice. Next season, we'll see what kind of difference he'll make for our defense. GO BILLS!!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Steeler's Game result
I have to say that there were plenty of people out there who doubt Buffalo not only because of their record but because of the negative things the Bills have done as well. I like the Bills. Not because I like the "Underdog" or I feel sorry for them. I like the Bills because I am a lifetime fan and will never change my loyalty no matter what. Throughout these past ten years, I have seen the Bills lose and then lose some more. I have been criticized countless times for being a fan. I tough it out and hope for greener pastures. I know there are people who don't have the heart to stay loyal to a team who loses. I don't understand that thought process. If you are a loyal fan, that means sticking with your team. You expect them to lose every once in a while. Some of the best fan bases out there are from losing teams. You know why? Those people have heart and if I were to have a friend, I would want any of those "Loser fans" as friends/fans than all of you switch-up fans out there who don't have LOYALTY and only have shallow greed.
Now to my topic. I sat at O'briens last Sunday and watched the Bills and Steelers game with my girlfriend and some buddy's. We were surrounded by Steelers fans. These people were twice our age all decked out in their jerseys, hats, and terrible towels talking trash and speaking of statistics. These people were funny yet bitter. My kind of people. As we all watched the game, we traded verbal slams to one another and enjoyed company as well as the game. People predicted that this game would be a blowout and that the Steelers would mop the floor with the Bills. As the game unfolded, a horse of a new color showed it face as the Bills stuck with them till the bitter end and made these same skeptics eat their words for Buffalo almost won if it hadn't been for a few miscues and the receiving side. It cam down to OVERTIME and the Steelers won by 3 in a nail biter. After the game. We all shook hands and said "Good Game" as if we had played it. That was comradory and respect. Those were loyal fans acknowledging other loyal fans. It was a beautiful thing and I wish that others could partake in such past times as being good sportsmen instead of poor sportsmen.
Now to my topic. I sat at O'briens last Sunday and watched the Bills and Steelers game with my girlfriend and some buddy's. We were surrounded by Steelers fans. These people were twice our age all decked out in their jerseys, hats, and terrible towels talking trash and speaking of statistics. These people were funny yet bitter. My kind of people. As we all watched the game, we traded verbal slams to one another and enjoyed company as well as the game. People predicted that this game would be a blowout and that the Steelers would mop the floor with the Bills. As the game unfolded, a horse of a new color showed it face as the Bills stuck with them till the bitter end and made these same skeptics eat their words for Buffalo almost won if it hadn't been for a few miscues and the receiving side. It cam down to OVERTIME and the Steelers won by 3 in a nail biter. After the game. We all shook hands and said "Good Game" as if we had played it. That was comradory and respect. Those were loyal fans acknowledging other loyal fans. It was a beautiful thing and I wish that others could partake in such past times as being good sportsmen instead of poor sportsmen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)