The Bills sounds like they are ready to draft alot of players.

[HHURRICANE]

I think the fact that Bills are already talking about getting rid of the special teams "guys", who aren't even serviceable backups, tells me that the Bils are going to be using all of their picks.

Personally I'm ready to get take the focus off of special teams and put it on the roster.

[Tatonka]

link?

[Wys Guy]

I think the fact that Bills are already talking about getting rid of the special teams "guys", who aren't even serviceable backups, tells me that the Bils are going to be using all of their picks.

Personally I'm ready to get take the focus off of special teams and put it on the roster.

If true, sounds like the front of another three-year rebuild.

And hell, why not, these guys seem to think that they have two decades. They've already changed once midstream, what's another change in course. LOL

And laugh is about all that's left for the real fans to do.

[Tatonka]

so because they are ready to get rid of some special teams players to draft some new ones, we are starting over the rebuilding process? i see.. very intersting observation.

[G. Host]

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/billsnfl/story/238274.html

The prospect that the front office could break up Josh Stamer, Mario Haggan, Ryan Neufeld and Sam Aiken is on everyone’s mind.

They all came in during the 2003 season, serving as the core of April’s “Special Ops,” and managed to produce another solid season despite losing several key teammates to injury. Yet the mainstays are all in the final season of their contracts and Sunday could be their final game together.

Haggan stays being useful on short yardage situations. The rest may get minimum 1 year contracts with amount of signing bonus allowed and still get veteran discount and be in camp to compete or may choose to take similiar offers eleswhere.

[Mr. Pink]

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/billsnfl/story/238274.html

The prospect that the front office could break up Josh Stamer, Mario Haggan, Ryan Neufeld and Sam Aiken is on everyone’s mind.

They all came in during the 2003 season, serving as the core of April’s “Special Ops,” and managed to produce another solid season despite losing several key teammates to injury. Yet the mainstays are all in the final season of their contracts and Sunday could be their final game together.

Haggan stays being useful on short yardage situations. The rest may get minimum 1 year contracts with amount of signing bonus allowed and still get veteran discount and be in camp to compete or may choose to take similiar offers eleswhere.

The 4 of them could be axed 3 minutes before gametime Sunday and I don't think it would amount to a hell of difference. That's just my personal opinion.

[Wys Guy]

so because they are ready to get rid of some special teams players to draft some new ones, we are starting over the rebuilding process? i see.. very intersting observation.

Good point, the number of teams that make it to the playoffs with the crap talent that we have coupled with slate full of rookies is extensive.

My bad.

Pardon me, I hadn't realized your infinite wisdom in this matter.

[Wys Guy]

Either way, once again, the fans' hopes for next season are all propped up with a slate full of "ifs, ands, and buts" with hopes of another soft schedule.

How encouraging.

[Jan Reimers]

If true, sounds like the front of another three-year rebuild.

And hell, why not, these guys seem to think that they have two decades. They've already changed once midstream, what's another change in course. LOL

And laugh is about all that's left for the real fans to do.
In the last couple of years, we've rebuilt the O line, added a quality RB (and his backup), found a smart and poised young QB, and drafted a number of good, developing defensive players. We'll go no worse than 7-9 this year, and perhaps 8-8, even with a rash of injuries.

We're talking only of replacing some strictly special teamers with guys who are better position players.

I think rather than being in a 3 year rebuild, we're 3 to 4 quality players from being a playoff caliber team.

[Jan Reimers]

Good point, the number of teams that make it to the playoffs with the crap talent that we have coupled with slate full of rookies is extensive.

My bad.

Pardon me, I hadn't realized your infinite wisdom in this matter.
Hey Wys, could you refrain from calling everyone who has a diiferent opinion from yours an idiot?

[Mr. Pink]

In the last couple of years, we've rebuilt the O line, added a quality RB (and his backup), found a smart and poised young QB, and drafted a number of good, developing defensive players. We'll go no worse than 7-9 this year, and perhaps 8-8, even with a rash of injuries.

We're talking only of replacing some strictly special teamers with guys who are better position players.

I think rather than being in a 3 year rebuild, we're 3 to 4 quality players from being a playoff caliber team.

I'm more optimistic than you, and I'm highly negative/realistic, this team is undoubtedly 2 players away from a playoff team.

A mauling Center and a dominant DT

The game is won in the trenches. Even with some subpar weapons on the offensive side of the ball, we have enough to win if we can win the battle at the LOS. On both sides of the ball.

[John Doe]

I think the fact that Bills are already talking about getting rid of the special teams "guys", who aren't even serviceable backups, tells me that the Bils are going to be using all of their picks.

Personally I'm ready to get take the focus off of special teams and put it on the roster.

G. Host is right about keeping Mario Hagan - he is really effective in short yardage defense.

[Dr. Lecter]

If true, sounds like the front of another three-year rebuild.

And hell, why not, these guys seem to think that they have two decades. They've already changed once midstream, what's another change in course. LOL

And laugh is about all that's left for the real fans to do.

It does not sound like that at all. Rather, it sounds like the last step in rebuiliding - the adding of depth.

And this regime did not change course in midstream.

As for you determining who a "real fan" is, well that is amusing.

[Goobylal]

The Bills will make an attempt to re-sign these special teams specialists, but won't spend a lot of money. Likely it won't make a huge difference either way, much less leading to another "3 year rebuilding process."

The Bills will be well-served getting their injured players back, adding some key FA's and draft picks, and having a weak schedule. Not to mention getting rid of Fairchild.

[HHURRICANE]

In the last couple of years, we've rebuilt the O line, added a quality RB (and his backup), found a smart and poised young QB, and drafted a number of good, developing defensive players. We'll go no worse than 7-9 this year, and perhaps 8-8, even with a rash of injuries.

We're talking only of replacing some strictly special teamers with guys who are better position players.

I think rather than being in a 3 year rebuild, we're 3 to 4 quality players from being a playoff caliber team.

I agree that we have made good moves and have a base to build off.

However, I think we are more than 3-4 quality players away.

I think the number is easily 8-9 quality players.

I do think we will be a playoff team next year. How good will totally depend on how many additions/subtractions to the roster.

The team is in need of one more massive purge where mediocre guys like Price, Stamer, Aiken, Thomas, Wire find the streets.

Look at all of the guys that got cut this year that didn't find another team. It tells you how weak our roster was and is.

[Goobylal]

The Bills will be a playoff team next year IF Trent progresses, they can avoid the onslaught of injuries they suffered this year, and add some good players over the off-season. They have no must-re-sign FA's, with the possible exception of Hargrove. So buck-up little campers!

[John Doe]

I agree that we have made good moves and have a base to build off.

However, I think we are more than 3-4 quality players away.

I think the number is easily 8-9 quality players.

I do think we will be a playoff team next year. How good will totally depend on how many additions/subtractions to the roster.

The team is in need of one more massive purge where mediocre guys like Price, Stamer, Aiken, Thomas, Wire find the streets.

Look at all of the guys that got cut this year that didn't find another team. It tells you how weak our roster was and is.

I agree to a certain extent, but the last guys on the depth chart usually make the squad because of special teams ability. Ideally, if the Bills can improve without sacrificing special teams quality, then it's a no-brainer.

It's just not that easy to take a guy who was a star in college and convince him that he has to develop as a special teamer. It is usually less talented guys like Stamer who are willing to devote themselves to it.

[YardRat]

Haggan's a keeper, IMO. The other three can look elsewhere or accept the minimum to compete for a roster spot in camp.

I think being two player's away is a bit optimistic...Three minimum...Along with the interior of both lines, we desperately need an upgrade at wide-out.

[Goobylal]

Haggan's a keeper, IMO. The other three can look elsewhere or accept the minimum to compete for a roster spot in camp.

I think being two player's away is a bit optimistic...Three minimum...Along with the interior of both lines, we desperately need an upgrade at wide-out.
I think that a stud DT, good #2 WR, and a threat at TE are enough to make the Bills serious playoff contenders. The Bills could target 2 of those 3 in FA and use the draft to get the rest, maybe doubling-up on those positions, what with all the draft picks they have.

[Night Train]

I think that a stud DT, good #2 WR, and a threat at TE
and a Center, another LB, Offensive Coordinator..

Hey, I'm an optimist but we do need the help. We can't beat winning teams yet and must grow.

[YardRat]

I think we can make do another year with the TE's we have...maybe take one with a mid- to late-round draft choice.

Center, DT, and WR are the big three for me. Another LB, TE, or CB would be gravy.

[djjimkelly]

Haggan's a keeper, IMO. The other three can look elsewhere or accept the minimum to compete for a roster spot in camp.

I think being two player's away is a bit optimistic...Three minimum...Along with the interior of both lines, we desperately need an upgrade at wide-out.


haggan should be starting instead of ellison but the coaching staff and GM need to show how smart their DP's have been

[Goobylal]

and a Center, another LB, Offensive Coordinator..
The new OC is coming. As for LB, I'm perfectly happy with Crowell at SLB Poz at MLB, and JD/Ellison/Wire at WLB, as long as they bring in a stud DT like Corey Williams.

I'm with you on center, but that's further down on the list as I think a better OC will help the offense out a lot.

[HHURRICANE]

Are we trying to contend or compete?

I'm not happy with 3 players added.

[Goobylal]

Are we trying to contend or compete?

I'm not happy with 3 players added.
I'm looking for them to first MAKE the playoffs. Any thoughts of them competing for the SB are premature unless something happens like they find a pass-rushing DE stud in the draft or FA that transforms the defense.

[LifetimeBillsFan]

Depending on whether the Bills win or lose against Philly today, they could end up with 4 draft picks in the top half of their respective rounds in the draft, with more draft picks added to their own later in the draft.

Depending on how the draft falls and what the staff thinks that their biggest priorities are after assessing the severity of the injuries that the team has suffered, the Bills should be able to add 3-4 players who can contribute next season as well as perhaps 3-4 more who will fight for roster spots. Even with the way that this coaching staff tends to prefer to bring its young players along slowly whenever it can, by mid-season, at least two of those players should be making significant contributions, if not playing significant minutes (a big, fast WR and/or TE doesn't have to play a lot of plays, just be out there in certain key situations where the defense has to account for him/them for risk getting burned).

It should be obvious by now that the Bills management will expect some of the needed improvement to come from within: from players that they have getting better individually and from learning how to work with one another better. The return of some players, in particular Posluzny, will also be counted on to fill some of the holes.

I would not, under any circumstances, expect management or the current coaching staff to turn away from its belief that special teams is an essential part of the game of equal importance as offense or defense. I believe that the fall off in the effectiveness of the Bills' special teams as the injuries to the team mounted over the course of this season will only underscore the importance of having a solid core of special teamers in their estimation.

That does not mean that I do not think that there will be changes. If the team is going to add talent and playmakers to its roster, some players are going to have to go. And, this coaching staff has shown, when it let J.Burns go, that it is not so concerned with retaining a special teams ace, even the ST's captain, that it will sacrifice a roster spot that it feels can be better filled by a player with potential to help the team down the road to keep a valued special teamer that it feels can be replaced.

Coy Wire's neck injury (and how he sees his future in the NFL) could well impact whether the Bills make an effort to re-sign Stamer or Haggan or both. If Wire returns, I could see the Bills passing on one of those two, especially if they think that they can get the same production out of L.Joe or a mid-round rookie.

With Justin Jenkins available to take his place, I could see the team passing on S.Aiken, especially if they intend to take a big, fast WR early in the draft to team with L.Evans. If they let P.Price go, they might still find room for Aiken, but it will depend on how much it will take to re-sign him.

Despite his legal troubles this summer, I think the Bills like A.Hargrove enough to want to keep him. The question is whether Hargrove will feel grateful enough for the way that the team stuck with him to want to stay. This will be the second time he will be a free agent since coming to the Bills and it will be interesting to see how much he and his agent want him to hit the open market. Given what he was able to do for the Bills at DT as well as with the injuries to Kelsay and Denney, I think that the Bills will try to re-sign him, which will put the ball squarely in Hargrove's court.

I think that Marv Levy will certainly get Bobby April's input on which of the special teamers he feel that the Bills really need to retain and which he might be able to replace before the Bills make any moves to re-sign any of these special teamers. I think April will convince Levy that a couple need to stay, but I think a couple of them will also be gone before next season. With the needs that they still have to fill, the players that they will have coming back from injury, and the number of draft choices that they are going to have, there is going to have to be some turnover--that's the only way that the team, as a whole, will continue to get better.

While the Bills still have a number of holes to fill, on both sides of the ball, IMHO, perhaps their biggest task going into next season is going to be learning how to win, particularly against teams with an equal or better record. Whether they are able to learn how to do that will, in large measure, depend on whether Trent Edwards is able to take the next step forward or whether he will regress, as JP Losman did this season, or be inconsistent, as E.Manning has been, in his second season. Consistent competent play at the QB position would do wonders for this team on both sides of the ball. The question will be whether Edwards will be able to provide it: that will make a lot of the needs of the team less glaring and easier to fill. (An additional threat at WR or TE would certainly help Edwards to be more consistent, too!)

[mybills]

In the last couple of years, we've rebuilt the O line, added a quality RB (and his backup), found a smart and poised young QB, and drafted a number of good, developing defensive players. We'll go no worse than 7-9 this year, and perhaps 8-8, even with a rash of injuries.

We're talking only of replacing some strictly special teamers with guys who are better position players.

I think rather than being in a 3 year rebuild, we're 3 to 4 quality players from being a playoff caliber team.
:10: great post! That's exactly how I see it, too!

[jdbillsfan]

If true, sounds like the front of another three-year rebuild.

And hell, why not, these guys seem to think that they have two decades. They've already changed once midstream, what's another change in course. LOL

And laugh is about all that's left for the real fans to do.

If they keep these guys, you complain about their talent. If they let them go, you complain about letting them go.