CNN/SI thinks we are playoff bound also

[mysticsoto]

Buffalo Bills

The Bills are a team I love. They have a talented core of young players. They have a very good defensive line with DE Aaron Schobel and offseason acquisition Marcus Stroud at DT. They have a bright young quarterback in Trent Edwards, who is surrounded by some of the best skills players in the NFL with wide receivers Roscoe Parrish and Lee Evans and running back Marshawn Lynch. This is a potentially dynamic offense -- as they learn how to play the game, they will improve and become very tough to slow down. They should score points in bunches.

Their special team units, covering and returning kicks, are in the top five in the NFL. Very few teams can match their talent in the kicking game and they can control field position with these units. Parrish is dynamic with the ball in his hands on punt returns and Terrence McGee as the kickoff returner assures the Bills great field position every time he touches the ball.

They do have a favorable schedule, playing the AFC West and the NFC West this year. Last year, the Bills were 7-6 heading into the final three weeks of the season, but could not close out with any wins. They also had two home games clearly within reach that they let slip away -- the opener against the Broncos and then against the Cowboys. Add those two wins and they would have been 9-4 with three weeks to play. So, with a few breaks -- or maybe a few less breaks than a year ago (the Bills led the league in IR players last year) -- expect the Bills to be a very tough team this season.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...all/index.html

[Al the Bills Fan]

The Bills seam to be getting alot of love from the national media this off season.

[OpIv37]

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/sho...d.php?t=156206

we had this discussion yesterday....

[gr8slayer]

Yeah, and in 2005 they picked us to go to the Super Bowl to face the Seahawks. That worked out well didn't it?

[mysticsoto]

They should score points in bunches.

This is the only part I have to actually question. What are they basing this on? At this point I'll be happy with averaging 2-3 TDs a game. But bunches seem like an exaggeration to expect...

[BAM]

Cool to see this.

[OpIv37]

Cool to see this.

too bad he's completely wrong

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/sho...d.php?t=156206

[lordofgun]

too bad he's completely wrong

http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/sho...d.php?t=156206

Your mom.

[tat2dmike77]

God OP have you ever smiled in your life? We get it you hate this team and no matter what they do you will think they suck. We get it your the football god of all time and nobody should question your football knowledge. Last year you said the bills would be lucky to win 2 games.

But enough of that i would really like to know what would make you happy? If you were GM what would you do to make this team a contender now? How would you make the Bills better? Since you are a genius at football and know everythiing. Why your not the Bills GM is beyond me, but i guess you turned that job down.

And yes i am a homer so what. It's a game it's not life or death. I enjoy going to games cause it's fun and i have a good time. Yeah it sucks when they loose but it does not mean the end of the world for me. You complain so much about this team why do you even bother considering yourself a fan? Why not go jump on the Pats bandwagon or something if you just want to win. Or do you just enjoy *****ing about this that much. It's just a game.

[OpIv37]

God OP have you ever smiled in your life? We get it you hate this team and no matter what they do you will think they suck. We get it your the football god of all time and nobody should question your football knowledge. Last year you said the bills would be lucky to win 2 games.

But enough of that i would really like to know what would make you happy? If you were GM what would you do to make this team a contender now? How would you make the Bills better? Since you are a genius at football and know everythiing. Why your not the Bills GM is beyond me, but i guess you turned that job down.

And yes i am a homer so what. It's a game it's not life or death. I enjoy going to games cause it's fun and i have a good time. Yeah it sucks when they loose but it does not mean the end of the world for me. You complain so much about this team why do you even bother considering yourself a fan? Why not go jump on the Pats bandwagon or something if you just want to win. Or do you just enjoy *****ing about this that much. It's just a game.

This board isn't about life- it's about a football team that has been struggling for a decade. And it's been ages since this team made me smile.

And don't put words in my mouth- I NEVER said we'd be lucky to win two games. I think I predicted 6-10 last year. If you're going to make those accusations, link the post where I said it to back it up. You won't be able to because I'm sure I never said it.

What would make me happy? WINNING. You're confusing the issue here. This isn't about what the FO should or shouldn't have done to make this team better. The team is what it is. Maybe there was nothing the FO could have done to make this team better, but that doesn't change the fact that the team we have now isn't good enough to win.

You contradict yourself when you say I complain so much about this team that I shouldn't consider myself a fan. It's quite simple- fans want the team to WIN and fans COMPLAIN when they don't WIN. If I wasn't a fan, why would I be so upset by how bad this team has sucked lately?

Jump on the Pats bandwagon? Go **** yourself. If it was that easy I would have done it years ago. But I don't want to watch just any football team win- I want to watch the BUFFALO BILLS win and I'm going to be complaining like crazy until they figure out how to do so.

[feelthepain]

This board isn't about life- it's about a football team that has been struggling for a decade. And it's been ages since this team made me smile.

And don't put words in my mouth- I NEVER said we'd be lucky to win two games. I think I predicted 6-10 last year. If you're going to make those accusations, link the post where I said it to back it up. You won't be able to because I'm sure I never said it.

What would make me happy? WINNING. You're confusing the issue here. This isn't about what the FO should or shouldn't have done to make this team better. The team is what it is. Maybe there was nothing the FO could have done to make this team better, but that doesn't change the fact that the team we have now isn't good enough to win.

You contradict yourself when you say I complain so much about this team that I shouldn't consider myself a fan. It's quite simple- fans want the team to WIN and fans COMPLAIN when they don't WIN. If I wasn't a fan, why would I be so upset by how bad this team has sucked lately?

Jump on the Pats bandwagon? Go **** yourself. If it was that easy I would have done it years ago. But I don't want to watch just any football team win- I want to watch the BUFFALO BILLS win and I'm going to be complaining like crazy until they figure out how to do so.

It aint rocket science!! How come so few here ask themselves, how can we be considered a playoff team after the last two years? Like Ive said a 100 times, If the Bills were, 4-12 in 05, 7-9 in 06, 9-7 in 07, I could very see the thinking that the playoiffs are possible. There is no steady imporvement for the Bills over the last three years. The Bills this offseason, is very similar to last season. One or two signings, but not a signing of a player anywhere near the top of the league at their position. Just and decent signing. A draft that doesn't blow anyone away but gets a decent grade., just like last year. IMO the only reason the Bills are getting anyone to talk about them is because they finished 2nd in the division, but lets be honest the Bills finished 2nd in the division with just 7 wins.

[justasportsfan]

It aint rocket science!! How come so few here ask themselves, how can we be considered a playoff team after the last two years? Like Ive said a 100 times, If the Bills were, 4-12 in 05, 7-9 in 06, 9-7 in 07, I could very see the thinking that the playoiffs are possible. There is no steady imporvement for the Bills over the last three years. The Bills this offseason, is very similar to last season. One or two signings, but not a signing of a player anywhere near the top of the league at their position. Just and decent signing. A draft that doesn't blow anyone away but gets a decent grade., just like last year. IMO the only reason the Bills are getting anyone to talk about them is because they finished 2nd in the division, but lets be honest the Bills finished 2nd in the division with just 7 wins.

Translation : " No one picked my fins. The last time they picked my fins, they sucked a$$ and the coach abandoned us to go coach a college team wahhh! The last time we went to the playoffs the coach with a pornstache quit on our team too before the season ended... Waah ...NOw I'm going to my moms basement and write Dear Daunte another love lEtter..Waah! "

[mysticsoto]

It aint rocket science!! How come so few here ask themselves, how can we be considered a playoff team after the last two years? Like Ive said a 100 times, If the Bills were, 4-12 in 05, 7-9 in 06, 9-7 in 07, I could very see the thinking that the playoiffs are possible. There is no steady imporvement for the Bills over the last three years. The Bills this offseason, is very similar to last season. One or two signings, but not a signing of a player anywhere near the top of the league at their position. Just and decent signing. A draft that doesn't blow anyone away but gets a decent grade., just like last year. IMO the only reason the Bills are getting anyone to talk about them is because they finished 2nd in the division, but lets be honest the Bills finished 2nd in the division with just 7 wins.

Very easy.

- We were 7-9 last year against a tough schedule. Even then there were several games that we barely lost and could have gone either way to make the schedule a winning season. We have an easier schedule this year that's an automatic 1-2 extra wins by default there!

- We are getting back some starters that we lost to injury. You can question the playmaking level all you want, but fact of the matter is, a starter is always better than his backup - that's why he is in. Throughout the season last year, there were times when we were down to 3rd string players both at the S and LB position. A starter is going to be miles above a 3rd stringer. Go ask Daunte Culpepper if he fears Ko Simpson or Jim Leonard more!!! He'll probably still wince when you mention Ko!

- We have a viable #2 WR finally. Peerless Price was supposed to fill the #2 role temporarily and with his retina detached eye problem - left us with a huge hole that one of our slot receivers was just not capable of filling.

- We no longer have our inept OC making calls. Don't think an OC makes a difference? Go back and watch some of your own Mularkey called games and see if you still agree.

[Mitchell55]

It aint rocket science!! How come so few here ask themselves, how can we be considered a playoff team after the last two years? Like Ive said a 100 times, If the Bills were, 4-12 in 05, 7-9 in 06, 9-7 in 07, I could very see the thinking that the playoiffs are possible. There is no steady imporvement for the Bills over the last three years. The Bills this offseason, is very similar to last season. One or two signings, but not a signing of a player anywhere near the top of the league at their position. Just and decent signing. A draft that doesn't blow anyone away but gets a decent grade., just like last year. IMO the only reason the Bills are getting anyone to talk about them is because they finished 2nd in the division, but lets be honest the Bills finished 2nd in the division with just 7 wins.

2 things to correct you with. 1, these 2 drafts both got As by most experts, 2 how do you compare Stroud, Mitchell, and William James with Tripplett and Webster. Bills had the best full offseason last year. No one picked up the big named players like we did. Stroud is a house hold name in Jacksonville. Now lets talk about your team. Started a former 3 string QB. Then a horrible 3rd round pick. Had your comback RB get injured on his 1st drive back. Won 1 game to the 8th worst team. Got a great tackle but a no name offseason. Ill admit, Henne was a good pick but everything else sucked. No WR. I have heard of only 5 players you signed. You didnt realy need 3 DEs did you?

[Night Train]

Your mom.

I'm going to thank you in 4 weeks for this one.

[feelthepain]

2 things to correct you with. 1, these 2 drafts both got As by most experts, 2 how do you compare Stroud, Mitchell, and William James with Tripplett and Webster. Bills had the best full offseason last year. No one picked up the big named players like we did. Stroud is a house hold name in Jacksonville. Now lets talk about your team. Started a former 3 string QB. Then a horrible 3rd round pick. Had your comback RB get injured on his 1st drive back. Won 1 game to the 8th worst team. Got a great tackle but a no name offseason. Ill admit, Henne was a good pick but everything else sucked. No WR. I have heard of only 5 players you signed. You didnt realy need 3 DEs did you?

2 things to correct you with. 1, these 2 drafts both got As by most experts

Well I do believe the Bills did not get an"A" for this years draft by the experts cause You got an under sized CB with some ST skills. Yes he has talent, but he also had issues in college with coverages. As for Hardy, he was not a first round pick because of off the field issues. Being as those were the best part of the Bills draft what I remember reading is mostly "C" grade for the Bills 08 draft...not "A". As for last year I beieve it was basically the same type of draft, nice addition early, but later in the draft the additions were questionable. It's why I believe these last 2 drafts were similar for the Bills.

2 how do you compare Stroud, Mitchell, and William James with Tripplett and Webster. Bills had the best full offseason last year. No one picked up the big named players like we did. Stroud is a house hold name in Jacksonville.

I'm comnparing last years FA additions to this years FA addition, so the addition of Mitchell and Stroud this year, would be like the addition of Dockery and Walker last in FA. Granted a couple were trades, but they came during the FA period, so I compare the 2 seasons the same.

Stroud, has not been a pro bowl level player in years. He's had injury and drug issues even being suspended for performnce enhancing drugs in 07. If he's the monster most Bill fans want us to believe he is, why would Jacksonville move him?? Better yet, why would they move him for so little. To listen to Bill fans, Stroud is a top level DT still in his prime. Ready to dismantle every Oline he lines up against. Again why would Jacksonville just give the Bills this huge talent for next to nothing knowing full well they will face the Bills this year...possibly twice???

I think Bill fans want him to be what he was 4 years ago, but he's hardly been a top DT since his last pro bowl. You also seem to forget what defense Stroud played in, he was in a top 10 defense, the Bills have the 31st ranked defense the last two years. So Stroud won't have the supporting cast he had in Jacksonville..especially "Big John" Henderson, who lined up next to him.

As far as your "opinion" that "Bills had the best full offseason last year. No one picked up the big named players like we did." Seriously, that's a ridiculous statement. There's is no way in hell Dockery and Walker were the biggest FA's on the market last year....NO FRIKIN WAY!!!

Now lets talk about your team. Started a former 3 string QB. Then a horrible 3rd round pick. Had your comback RB get injured on his 1st drive back. Won 1 game to the 8th worst team. Got a great tackle but a no name offseason. Ill admit, Henne was a good pick but everything else sucked. No WR. I have heard of only 5 players you signed. You didnt realy need 3 DEs did you?

First of all this thread isn't about Miami, it's about Buffalo, but I'll play along.

2008 additions through FA:

1) Chris Crocker- CB/ST
2) Tab Perry- WR
3) Nathan Jones-S/ST
4) Keith Davis-CB/ST
5) Boomer Grigsby- FB/ST
6) Charlie Anderson-LB/ST
7) Justin Smiley-G
8) Reggie Torbor-LB
9) Sean Ryan-TE
10) Randy Starks-
11) Ernest Wilford-WR
12) Jason Ferguson-DT
13) Akin Ayodele-LB
14) Anthony Fasano-TE
15) Steve McKinney-T

Draft Picks:

1) Jake Long-T
2) Phillip Merling- DE
2) Chad Henne-QB
3) Kendall Langford-DE
4) Shawn Murphy-T
6) Jalen Parmele- RB
6) Donald Thomas-G
6) Lex Hilliard- RB
7) Lionel Dotson-DT

Loses:

Zach Thomas
Trent Green
Cleo Lemon
Rex Hadnot
Marty Booker
Lorenzo Booker


Lets not forget about the FO and coaching changes, Miami is clearly better in this department. Simply by experience, success and philosophy. There is of course a learning curve with any new staff, but given the amount of experience with BP that curve should much less pronounced. Many of the Dolphins added in FA will contribute to ST and are considered very goo ST players such as,

Chris Crocker
Nathan Jones
Boomer Grigsby
Charlie Anderson
Keith Davis

Add these type of players to a team that has a returner with Ted Ginns ability and suddenly his ability to return the ball has greatly improved. Obviously with any team these players need to prove they can work well together in Miami, but there is a strong history of success with these ST additions. As for Ted Ginn he had several returns for TD's called back last year because of penalties that were called behind the play, so he can return kicks very well at the NFL level.

Miami has added many players BP and company are not only familiar with, but also comfortable with. Miami had plenty of talent on the team before BP arrived such as,

Ronnie Brown
Ricky Williams
Jason Taylor
Yeremiah Bell
Vernon Carey
Samson Satele
Joey Porter
Will Allen

Miami is a couple of years away from being a team that has a chance to win a SB, but we can compete with any team in the league this year do to the changes, soft schedule and expert coachiung staff and FO that will still make addition via the waiver wire because we have the first shot at every player released. Miami will not be the awful coached Dolphins they were in 07. As bad as we were in 07 we had the chance to be 7-9 with the loss of 6 games by 3 points or less. I'm not about predictions this year due to all the changes, but we are bigger, stronger, younger and better coached then we were in 07. So we'll just have to wait and see where we end up.

[mysticsoto]

Well I do believe the Bills did not get an"A" for this years draft by the experts cause You got an under sized CB with some ST skills. Yes he has talent, but he also had issues in college with coverages. As for Hardy, he was not a first round pick because of off the field issues. Being as those were the best part of the Bills draft what I remember reading is mostly "C" grade for the Bills 08 draft...not "A". As for last year I beieve it was basically the same type of draft, nice addition early, but later in the draft the additions were questionable. It's why I believe these last 2 drafts were similar for the Bills.

Not as questionable as the Dolphins taking 2 RBs late in the draft using 2 or their 3 6th rd picks - when in fact they have both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the roster already.

[justasportsfan]

[/B]Lets not forget about the FO and coaching changes, Miami is clearly better in this department. Simply by experience, success and philosophy..

WTF!!! You said that about Cam and Saban. We all know how that turned out. What has you new HC done to show he's better than the last 2? NOTHING!!!

Loses:

Zach Thomas
Trent Green
Cleo Lemon
Rex Hadnot
Marty Booker
Lorenzo Booker.

Ya'll lost your best MLD even though he's old and retained Porter who is nothing without his 6 friends.

You lost your best QB.Yes, Lemon was better than anything you have. Booker is better than anything you have .

[/B]Miami is a couple of years away from being a team that has a chance to win a SB, .

And you say the bills fans are full of wishful thinking?

This is a FH MOD?

[njsue]

The Buffalo Bills of 2008 are the surprise team.

I hope they knock NE on their ass.

[pintonick96]

feelthepain, honestly, Miami has done nothing well this offseason. Akin, Fasano, Jake Long, and Wilford are the only people with talent Miami signed, and Fasano and Wilford are iffy. Fasano hasnt really played yet and Wilford is very inconsistent. Jake Long hasnt even played here yet but as a Penn State fan I've seen him rape my team's amazing DEs so he should be good. Henne, Beck, and McCown are the reason Miami will blow. None of them have been good EVER. Henne has a great supporting cast and almost got benched his senior year. He'll do ****ty in the pros. McCown I didnt know was still in the league after leaving AZ and Beck was the biggest reach ever. Shoulda went with Quinn.