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
shaneC Reputation:91 Level:All-Star Since:Jan 27, 2009	July 8, 2009 12:24 pm Score: 70 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Gus Frerotte Would you fans like to see the Bills sign Veteran QB Gus Frerotte as your 2nd string QB or are you happy with Fitzpatrick? Frerotte took the Vikings 8-3 when T.Jack went down. Reply to this thread (3 replies)
Buffalo247 Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Jul 28, 2008	July 6, 2009 1:02 am Score: 106 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Predictions? Ok im gonna start this off easy and say 10-6 mabey 11-5 wild card berth making it to ...... lets say the 2nd round of the playoffs. What do ya think? Oh and further more 36-24 Bills over Patriots on opening day! Reply to this thread (14 replies)
Hit-N-Run4Life Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Apr 4, 2009	June 21, 2009 9:46 am Score: 112 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Have we signed any of our draft picks?? Ok is it me or am I being a bit too pscyho. I'm seeing alot of teams sign their draft picks and I don't think I seen one or even heard of any rumors of the Bills comin close to signing any of their draft choices?? Am I crazy to think that this isn't right?? Please has anyone heard anything?? Reply to this thread (10 replies)
duhBearz Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Oct 13, 2006	July 9, 2009 7:34 pm Score: 52 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Fantasy Football FYI "The NEW" CBS Auction Draft Reply to this thread
TKOSpikes Reputation:98 Level:Superstar Since:Dec 16, 2006	June 27, 2009 4:23 pm Score: 107 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Graham Harrell Why not take a look at this guy and see if he can compete for a back up spot?  With the inexperience behind Trent Edwards, he would be a good lift in the locker room.  I'm struggling as to why nobody drafted him, not to mention why nobody has him trying out? Reply to this thread (2 replies)
HERBERT464 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Mar 8, 2008	June 29, 2009 1:20 pm Score: 108 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Need a hobby? Like Bruce Smith? Then this is the thread for you http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/messag es/chrono/13387027/0/0/15797204#ID1 5797204 Jack Lambert is going to be voted the best defensive player ever. By a load of Steeler fans. Don't let it happen ...(more) Reply to this thread (1 reply)
winreaper Reputation:97 Level:Superstar Since:Jan 24, 2008	June 4, 2009 5:28 pm Score: 149 Madden 10 League I am looking to put a league together representing all the NFL teams in an online league.  The league would have a formal draft (every player and position so every team would be custom) and play the entire schedule of 16 games.  I am in the process of constructing a website with all the particulars.  If you are interested please respond to this thread and I will contact you pe ...(more) Reply to this thread (6 replies)
GBuck18 Reputation:96 Level:Superstar Since:May 11, 2007	May 16, 2009 2:42 pm Score: 155 Corey McIntyre Really - Knock on a window and pull your junk out?  If this crap keeps up we may as well sign Levi Jones so he can tell us how the control a locker room through all of the player mis-steps.  I think this one bothers me more than the Marshawn Lynch stuff.  The dude rode a bike which makes it even more silly.  M ...(more) Reply to this thread (6 replies)
Denvergregs Reputation:95 Level:Superstar Since:Dec 22, 2007	May 14, 2009 8:24 pm Score: 141 DenerGreg's Buffalo BIlls Offseason Review Buffalo Bills Heres Why There defense is going to be much improved. Leodis McKelvin, Donte Witner, Terrence McGee all return plus they drafted ...(more) Reply to this thread (16 replies)
FoShurlacher Reputation:99 Level:Superstar Since:Oct 8, 2006	June 25, 2009 5:53 pm Score: 69 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: T.O gets ABUSED by a white girl? I'm sure some of you have seen this, T.O gets emasculated by supermodel Joanna Krupa, his teammate on some reality sports show. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmPfLRsx_Bs Thoughts, other than she looks fiiine walking away from the camera? Reply to this thread (4 replies)
bob22 Reputation:58 Level:Pro Since:May 30, 2009	June 26, 2009 5:07 pm Score: 28 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: coach (POLL) How much longer will the Bills keep Dick Jauron as their head coach Reply to this thread
Sportsfreak2369 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Feb 17, 2008	June 19, 2009 11:09 am Score: 53 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Let's go Buffalo! (n/a) Reply to this thread
The_Auroralynx Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Jul 1, 2008	June 2, 2009 5:59 pm Score: 128 Pac-Man Hello all, Out of curiosity, was I the only one that watched Pac-man on Pro's Vs. Joe's last night on TV. For anyone that doesn't know what its all about. This is where washed up retired professional athletes play in simulated game situations against amateur athletes that never made it. With that being said. last night featured Priest Holmes, Steve McNair and Adam (Pac-Man) Jones. I ...(more) Reply to this thread (3 replies)
Buffalo247 Reputation:89 Level:All-Star Since:Jul 28, 2008	June 19, 2009 12:14 pm Score: 46 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Ok this is reall early but im excited (n/a) Reply to this thread
rangers1 Reputation:94 Level:All-Star Since:Nov 24, 2006	March 24, 2009 9:30 am Score: 213 Rest of Free Agency & Draft With the draft around a month away and plenty of free agents left out there the Bills can still make some solid moves to improve this team which I think any Bills fan will agree on. I have thought about the areas that I think the team needs to be improved to make a playoff push this year.  The main area of needs in m ...(more) Reply to this thread (8 replies)
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