Even if the Bills did do this, I’d suggest it’s still in keeping with their dreadful recycling policy. I don’t honestly think Cutler is that big of an upgrade on Edwards and this move would have the added drawback of losing a pick that the team needs to spend on a more pressing need – TE, DE, OLB, S, OG. The Bills need to put a better team around Edwards so they can keep him upright, give him weapons, and see what he can really do. I think he’s got it in him to be a solid QB with a decent squad supporting him.

I’m sure Tom Donahoe would love the idea but I don’t see that it would really help.

Peters may not be that good – yet. I do think he can be one of the best linemen in the league right now. I respect the view that you can trade him instead of pay him, but if you’re going to do that you sure as hell better have a plan. I don’t see that trading Peters for a first rounder that then gets used to draft a tackle does much to help the team and that’s likely what would happen. This is exactly what I meant in my original post that the team would simply be spinning its wheels.

Have to agree that they end up getting rid of these guys and then having to plug the holes with draft picks and not ending up plugging their original holes. On the other hand, the teams that got Henry, McGahee, Williams, Winfield, Clements have not fared all that much better than the Bills over the years…no Super Bowls for them plus they ended up overpaying for the majority of those guys.

My feeling is to get rid of him because I don’t think he is that good, but I can see the validity in your points.

Cody Hodgson had another outstanding game – creating chances offensively, potting 2 goals and doing an excellent job on the penalty kill. Hodgson looks like a mirror image of the Flyers’ Mike Richards. He’ll make an excellent pro, bringing a terrific 2-way game to the Canucks.

I also really like what Tyler Myers brings to the table. He showed a lot more composure throughout the WHJC than many of his more ballyhooed counterparts on the blueline. At 6′7″, his reach and physical style make him a nightmare to match up against and Myers is only going to get tougher as he fills out physically and gains strength. The Buffalo Sabres are going to love this guy.

Captain Thomas Hickey had a real shaky tournament, turning the puck over and failing to move his feet, but he was more sound in the final. I’m not sold on Hickey as the Kings #4 pick; he’s got a lot of work to do to be a solid NHL contributor.

All-in-all, another great WJHC. Canada hosts the next one in Saskatoon, starting Boxing Day, 2009.

2. I’ll take Oklahoma.

3. Don’t know, really don’t care.

4. Leafs miss playoffs, Blues get Tavares.

5. I can believe another 7-9 season is in the cards. Oh well, at least J.P. won’t be blamed.

6. Florida / SC sounds about right. Here’s hoping that the coaches vote Utah #1.

7. Yankees will make playoffs.

8. I’ll go with Colts over Panthers. Looks like the colts may lose tonight though.

9. Jays will be 4th or possibly last.

10. Barcelona will still be part of Spain in May.

That is all

Yes, it depends on your team, but sometimes just good is just good enough.

I hear what you are saying about a great QB making those around him better — no question the QB is in the best position to do that , especially if he can be a leader in the huddle. But the argument of ” a good QB makes those around him better” can be hung around other positions, too.

Let’s look at two LTs — first, the original, Lawrence Taylor. Here is a guy who forced whole offenses to change their schemes and entire formations to account for him. There is no question that his ability to blow up an offensive play helped make the jobs of guys like Pepper Johnson, Eric Dorsey, Jim Burt, etc. easier. And it enabled the Giants to get by with a sub-par secondary, made up of guys like Terry Kinard and Elvis “Toast” Patterson. The Giants fearsome D of ‘86 was unquestionably better thanks to LT’s presence.

Now let’s look at LaDanian Tomlinson in his prime. Here is a back of unique talent who made the entire offense better around him. Opposing D’s are forced to stack the box against the San Diego, enabling a sub-par corps of receivers like Reche Caldwell, Tim Dwight, David Boston, Vincent Jackson, etc. space downfield. Having an elite TE like Gates also helped make the receivers’ jobs a hell of a lot easier, too.

Not to mention Phillip Rivers’ benefiting from LT’s presence in the backfield….

So yes, an elite QB can win games regardless of the talent around him. But though possibly to a lesser degree, the very same can be said about elite players in other positions as well.

This is all to say that building a team around position is important. But the truly successful formula relies on talent, rather than position.