Williams had some supporters in the Buffalo locker room as the players liked him. The same cannot be said for Gilbride.

Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who endured the worst season of his 11-year pro career, refused to criticize Gilbride, but it was clear that he recognizes a change probably needs to be made.

"We were getting so much pressure we started throwing shorter, getting rid of it quicker," Bledsoe said, a reference to Gilbride's protection schemes which usually failed. "If that's what we're going to do, what the hell do they need me here for?"

Bledsoe feels he can still be effective as a drop-back, in-the-pocket, down-the-field passer, but he needs more help from his offensive line and his receivers. Neither unit played well in 2003, and when you throw in Bledsoe's own struggles with inaccuracy and his lack of mobility, it made for an offensive nightmare. Buffalo's total offensive production of 4,348 yards was only seven yards more than the franchise record-low for a 16-game season, set in 1984. Incredibly, Bledsoe passed for 4,359 yards in 2002, 11 yards more than the offense gained as a collective unit in 2003.

"We need to be more precise in what we do on the field," said Bledsoe. "Could there have been more help at times? We can all get better. In the league right now you can make a dramatic change with just a few little changes. A player here, a player there, a little tweak in the system and you can make a dramatic change without having to overhaul everything."

In other words, leave the players alone and bring in an offensive coordinator with a workable system.

General manager Tom Donahoe took issue with all the criticism Bledsoe received this year and without pointing the finger at Gilbride, seemed to indicate that a change was in order.

"He took more bullets than a Packard in one of those Al Capone movies," Donahoe said of Bledsoe. "And I don't think it was fair. I think some other people on our team, some of our coaches, should have stood up. I don't think Drew deserved to be treated the way he was treated this year. He's a quality quarterback and he's an even better person. We didn't help him enough. We put him in too many situations where he couldn't win."

Copyright (C) 2003 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.

Buffalo Bills Message Board
DannyBoy87 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 30, 2009	November 7, 2009 12:38 pm Score: 203 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Expectations (Do we have any?) <p> I have pretty much thrown this season in the trash just like an old bowl of leftovers...I know it is only week 9 but the play of the offense and more specifically Trent Edwards has made me realize that we are headed towards yet another rebuilding stage.  I dont really see any sign that would justify allowing Trent t ...(more) Reply to this thread (2 replies)
aj2c Reputation:69 Level:Pro Since:Mar 4, 2008	November 2, 2009 12:58 pm Score: 180 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Haven't we seen this before? 8 games into this season, and the Bills play a decent 3 quarters, against NE, NO, HOUSTON. The Bills have one of the worse statistical offenses in the NFL and are still in these games. Then comes the 4th quarter, might as well go home or turn off the TV at that point, because WE'VE SEEN IF BEFORE. Problem:Defense is on the field ...(more) Reply to this thread (12 replies)
DannyBoy87 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 30, 2009	October 30, 2009 11:46 am Score: 182 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Sad Comments in Press Conference Has anyone listened to Terrell Owens press conference wednesday?  He basically reconfirmed that Dick Jauron is not an NFL caliber football coach.  Before I get into why I am saying this I want it to be known that this is in no way a negative post directed at T.O.  Owens was asked the question "After this season can y ...(more) Reply to this thread (7 replies)
bills2929 Reputation:53 Level:Pro Since:Sep 11, 2009	October 26, 2009 12:34 am Score: 147 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Fitzpatrick v Edwards Just wondering what anyone else thinks about Fitzpatrick's play at QB.  By no means has he been putting up great numbers but he has shown that he is willing to throw the ball down the field, which I like.  I'm not talking about the 40-50 yards bombs because Edwards threw those occasionally as well, but the 10-20 yard slants and outs, which Edwards just will not throw. I thin ...(more) Reply to this thread (14 replies)
GBuck18 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:May 11, 2007	November 1, 2009 6:29 pm Score: 153 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Dick Jauron <dd style="margin: 0px;"> This is from the updates above: Bills coach Dick Jauron accepted the blame for his offense's performance today. "I think the whole thing falls on me," Jauron said. "I don't think there's any doubt. I take full responsibility for it." Why not just come out and say ...(more) Reply to this thread (2 replies)
BfloSportsDude Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Jul 23, 2008	November 1, 2009 9:18 am Score: 214 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: NFL Best Team of All Time Vote (FINALS - BILLS) Fellow Bills fans, the finals of The NFL Best Team of All Time voting has officially begun. Thanks to your outstanding participation in the prior round, the Bills accumulated the most votes of any teams that made it to the final round! Here are the teams vying for NFL Best Team of All Time bragging rights: ...(more) Reply to this thread (3 replies)
BfloSportsDude Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Jul 23, 2008	October 18, 2009 11:38 pm Score: 177 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: NFL Best Team Vote (Round 3 - Bracket A - BILLS) Hey Bills fans...we have now begun Round 3 of The NFL Best Team of all Time voting. Thanks again for your great participation in Round 2! Our 1990 AFC Champion Bills are in Bracket A against seven other NFL teams. There are a total of four brackets in Round 3 and the top two team ...(more) Reply to this thread
GBuck18 Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:May 11, 2007	October 24, 2009 2:24 pm Score: 159 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Panthers running game The Bills have given up huge ground games to teams that are not running first teams.  DeAngelo Williams and James Stewart have to be counting the minutes until they get to run against a weak run d which may be without ...(more) Reply to this thread (2 replies)
Irishpimp815 Reputation:90 Level:All-Star Since:Dec 19, 2006	October 28, 2009 11:28 pm Score: 130 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Jairus Byrd Jairus Byrd now has 5 interceptions in 4 games starting for the Bills, which puts him 2nd in the NFL in interceptions only behind Darren Sharper of the S ...(more) Reply to this thread (4 replies)
billskid92 Reputation:92 Level:All-Star Since:Apr 13, 2007	October 13, 2009 2:19 pm Score: 34 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Who will be the next coach for the Bills? (POLL) There are many to choose from. Reply to this thread (8 replies)
shaneC Reputation:92 Level:All-Star Since:Jan 27, 2009	October 16, 2009 9:17 am Score: 149 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: I know how you feel. Hey Bills Fans, I know how you guys feel about your team..... I'm a Rams fan so i know all about it. That loss to Cleveland was just plain ugly.... Just like my team being Shutout twice. I hope Ralph Wilson will fix all of the problems with this team ...(more) Reply to this thread (4 replies)
bugman99 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Jun 21, 2007	October 29, 2009 8:01 am Score: 111 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Bill talk with Patrick Ramsey I heard a report Wednesday (10/28) on a DC radio station that the Bills contacted former QB Patrick Ramsey.  Anybody know what might be up with this.  Are the Bills more concerned about Edwards health than they are saying publicly?  God forbid Ramsey ever becomes our guy. Reply to this thread (1 reply)
Fear & Loathing Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Sep 23, 2008	October 31, 2009 7:26 pm Score: 92 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Hello RF365 refugees Looks like we're No Longer Doomed to post over there. Check in on this thread, then send me a private message telling me what your screen name was over there. Unfortunately there's no cursing over here, but we're all gentlemen anyway. Reply to this thread (30 replies)
DannyBoy87 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:Aug 30, 2009	November 9, 2009 6:06 pm Score: 70 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Do you want Mike Vick on the Bills? (POLL) With the recent Bills rumors about Vick to the bills and Whitners comments, the question should be posed to fans.  Do you want the Bills to sign Mike Vick this Offseason?   Reply to this thread (1 reply)
Folgers_Ron Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Jan 15, 2007	October 25, 2009 8:41 pm Score: 101 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: CongratsBills fans, Congrats on your win today ov Bills fans, Congrats on your great win today over the Panthers! Was truely good game! Good luck next week when the Texans come to play you. I think you will win this contest also. Reply to this thread
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