A week away

We are one week away from NFL Christmas and can you feel it in the air. Well, no that strange feeling is heat outside. It hasn't been in the 80's since October maybe. But that special feeling the comes every late april. Where all you care about is 40 times, character issues and health. I can only imagine the excitement of a player or the fear of a player during this time. You've worked all your life to get to this point and whether you run a 4.4 or 4.5 could make or lose you millions of dollars. Plus you're going somewhere where you probably have never lived. Don't have any family or friends there and have no idea if you will like it. Me or you go somewhere to work, we scout it out and make sure it fits. These players don't have that option. A reason why the Draft is unfair. If you let these kids all lose into the league, who knows what would happen. Would the richer teams always come out? Or would it all even out? How fun would that day be. The first day of rookie free agent signing. I know it would make nfl free agent period less exciting. Would you rather have a 22 year old kid with 10 years of possibility or a 5 year vet, who might be done in a couple years and never live up to the contract.

Thats an interesting concept, what if players didn't have to come in through the draft? Every league has it. And it seems to work. Also making free agency worth while since you finally get all the money you worked towards. In a way it makes sense with the real world. You work hard to make the big money and achieve status. Instead of making money on potential. Would things fall apart if rookies could go where they wanted? Would teams suffer? Would low level talents never make the big leagues? But whatever.

Come 1 week from now, the Dolphins will be on the clock. And I hope they pick someone terrible. Then I'll have to wait for a few hours before 11, and see who jersey I might want to buy. Its time to get excited.

The Draft

Ohhh the draft is coming. And I am getting excited. I love the NFL Draft. It is Christmas for Football fans. And with the Bills picking 11th, its nice and early and you don't have to wait till like 430 to see the first round pick. But the question is who do the Bills go for? WR has been the hot "need" pick by most people for the Bills, but now things are flattening out and people start thinking, well, WR's can be found in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. And if you are really interested in signing Lee Evans to a long term deal, you can't go draft a future #1. He might think its a slap in the face and contract talks fall apart. Because really the Bills need Evans and another reciever. Thats why with Malcolm Kelly falling off the map, you can wait till the 2nd to pick him up.

So what should they do at 11? CB (I love 1st round corners) and my pick is Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. I know hes a small school guy. But I think hes a future pro bowler. Of course what do I know. But I think lock down corners are lock down corners. Terrence Mcgee isn't a #1 corner in my eyes, so they need to draft one. People are like they need WRS!!!! Well they can go out and draft one or build from within inside. Though people are tired of Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish is a 4th receiver at best. And the other receivers are who? Felton Huggins, Scott Mayle and Justin Jenkins? (Mouth agape) They might draft 3 wr's this year. So I wouldn't worry about if they will draft a wide receiver, its how many they draft.

Color me excited that we are almost only a week away from the draft. Then of course Mini camps, training camp and september will roll around, and the Bills welcome the SeaHags in and proceed towards their super bowl run. (I'm a bit delusional right now)

Bills fill the secondary.

Bryan Scott Will James

The Bills made a few quiet signings over the day, one in resigning Bryan Scott, and second signing William James, formerly Will Peterson. Both signings add veterern leadership in the secondary. And gives the Bills that 2nd corner, they were looking for. Jabari Greer was pretty good last year, but having him the 3rd corner on the team is something I would love to have. And looking at Will James history, Jabari will get some playing time.

Since Bryan Scott played with the Bills last year, played in 15 game with 24 tackles. Really he was signed for depth purposes and insurance for Ko Simpson to see how he recovered from an injury. Will James however had a healthier season then the past two where he played 5 games. Last year he got in 14 games and had 1 int. This pales from his 2004 season, where he played in all 16 games and had 68 tackles with 2 picks. I'm sure this is for the 2nd corner position, but Jabari Greer could beat him out, otherwise it gives depth to a position where it needs it.

It looks like the defense is way more important for the Bills this year then the offense, with all the receivers that rolled through here, none were signed, except for one tight end. Either they are being cheap or none really fit their mold. I'd rather have a team want the right guy then just sign some guy to sign some guy.

It is becoming more obvious by the day they are going for a WR in the first round of the Draft, unless they make a move for Chad Johnson. But I highly doubt that, so start scouting the top WR's in the draft because they'll be a Bill come late April.

2 more new Bills

Marcus Stroud Spencer Johnson

Well the Bills continued their Free Agent addings, by adding 2 guys to the Defensive Line. Probably the most in need position on the team. They added a depth guy in Johnson, and a line stuffer in Stroud.

First on Spencer Johnson

He's a 6-3 286 lb DT going into his 6th year in the league out of Auburn. He's mainly been a depth guy for the two big Williams in Minnesota Kevin and Pat. He seems to have 4 sacks in his career and 62 tackles. He's here not to start but to spell Stroud and McCargo, plus getting time with Kyle Williams. But looks like a good pickup.

The big move, emphasis on big was Marcus Stroud. Acquiring him from Jacksonville for a 3rd and 5th round pick. Hes coming off a bad year of injuries and a "steroid" suspension. Which sounds worse then it was. He is definitely a big man going 6'6 and 310 lbs. So he'll enjoy the food around here. Hes going to turn 30 in may, so hes in the prime of his career, maybe near the downside. But hes under contract for only 3 more years, so if he declines rapidly, it won't be that much of a problem. Has been a 3 year pro bowler and has 22 career sacks and 457 tackles. Could the be the linchpin in a new and improved buffalo defense. Otherwise not much to pay for a quality DT like Stroud. The Bills are going out and signing and trading the right way again.

Its seems like the people at 1 Bills Drive know what they are doing, and I don't expect they are done.

The Newest Bill

Russ Brandon with the Holy Crap I'm a Gm look

Well yesterday the Bills kicked off the free agency period by signing 5 year veterern Kawika Mitchell from the Giants.

Some stats on Mr Mitchell

6'1 253 Lbs

He played in all 16 games last year with 76 total tackles , 3.5 sacks and 1 interception. Hey 1 interception I wonder who he picked off?



Ohhh I almost forgot. Stupid Lee Evans should have had that one.

Well it looks like a good signing, and its not for an outrageous amount of money, only 5 million guaranteed. But you get a solid linebacker, that played last year for a big contract, so that could be an issue. This should make the LB core better, now its time to shore up the DL, and releasing Larry Tripplett yesterday, does make the case for the trade for Marcus Stroud. But we'll see what the Bills are up to. They still need to address WR. They can in the draft, but I'd rather have someone with a proven track record.

Well stay tuned to GCFB, we'll have all the signings and important doings from 1 Bills Drive.

Talkin 'bout the Bills

Well its been a few weeks since the season has ended and its not like the Bills have been sitting on their thumbs. Named a new management staff, ok changed titles, but its alright since it keeps the same focus and there isn't a shift in philosophy, now is not the time for that. Named a new Offensive Coordinator in Turk Schonert, who from an interview with Chris Brown, sounds like was the players choice, since they all hated Steve Fairchild. He's been around awhile so that sounds like a good hire, but that will show next year. Please open it up Turk. And fan favorite AVP is the new QB coach. All Trent needs to do is listen and AVP will turn him into Tom Brady. I may be way to optimistic, but I have faith in AVP

Other news

Anthony Hargrove a pending FA, will be suspended for 2008. Which sucks, he was a quality depth guy.

They signed a veteran fullback, who will help in getting the Tight Ends out of the backfield and where they need to be out in the passing game. A first good sign from Turk Schonert.

And in bad news Jason Peters is getting surgery on a sports hernia. And from the look of the article a whole bunch of players are going under the knife after the season. But Peters will miss the Pro Bowl making the game even less attractive for me. No Bills no watch. Sorry all star game that doesn't matter.

Well now is the time for me to start paying attention to free agency news and college kids I've never heard of, to see who might be playing for my team next year. Ill try to update things as they happen.

The Three Headed Monster

These three men will lead the Bills to almost make the playoffs.

Well as many may know by now the Bills have called up three guys in the organization to basically do the GM job. With Russ Brandon is the head of day to day operations. And Tom Modrak and John Guy go from Directors of College Scouting and Pro Personnel to Vice presidents of college scouting and Pro Personnel. Man all those business cards down the drain, for a minor title change. I hope they don't have to pay for their own, I might just use some white out and type over it. No one would notice.

I guess its smart to promote from within. Tom Modrak has done quite the job, John Guy must have called a hundred people last year to be on this team and Russ Brandon, um Look at that Smile! Who couldn't promote that man, hes HANDSOME! But seriously the most important hire is left to come. Thats Offensive Coordinator, I always felt that people jumped to Turk Schoenert to quick. He's been around a while and no one hired him as a OC yet? That tells me something, that he might not want it or have it in him. Thats why an outside force maybe good. Because why would anyone want the same offense as last year. That is a pitiful terrible offense and should be thrown in the lake.

Well heres to another off season where people bitch and moan about the signings or lack there of and then go they drafted WHO? They don't need a Quarterback! (oops I guess they did last year) Well this should be an interesting offseason.