FightinIrishBills

1.) Do you mean the staff as a unit? Chan Gailey himself is far from unproven as a coach, with quite a long history in the NFL. Most importantly for the Bills, which later leads into point 3, is his ability to develop mediocre QBs (see Kordell Stewart, Jay Fiedler, Tyler Thigpen). 2.) To be honest, I don't think we really know the identity of our O-line as a unit. Due to the seemingly-biblical plague of injuries, it was quite the rotating cast of characters. O-line is the one position that requires the most cohesion and our injuries simply precluded that from happening last year. Here's hoping for a little bit more luck, as well as better strength and conditioning, in regards to injuries. 3.) Awful QB is debatable, but okay, I'll give you that we don't have a Peyton Manning on our hands. But corresponding to the first point regarding Chan Gailey's track record in developing QBs, might it not be possible that he can turn at least one of the QBs on the roster into something respectable? Given Edwards' previous flashes of potential, I doubt that it is an impossibly Herculean task. 4.) New defensive scheme, not new defense. And while last year's rushing defense was mediocre, the Bills had one of the top passing defenses in the league. Further, as I've said before, I believe the Bills' woes at rushing D was a crushing combination of (again) injuries and remarkably tough competition. Believe it or not, but the Bills were up against some of the league's best run games last year. Yes, they should've played better but based on our opponents, it would have been rough going anyways. 5.) Talented division, yes. But unbelievably talented? Sorry, I don't think that any of the teams in the division is head and shoulders better than they were last year. The Bills, barring a fumbled kickoff return, were in a position to split in the division. If last year showed us anything, it was that even with the most decimated team, the Bills are still able to hang in there with the rest of the division (and yes, I'm aware of that 0-6 in the division the year before). You don't have to be excited, but I just think that saying things like the Bills only have 1 chance at a win this year is just foolhardy. I see the Bills going 8-8, +-2 games in there. Take from it what you will.

Methinks, like countless others I'm sure, that Maybin left college a year too early. While I have no personal experience with it, I'd have to imagine that NFL defenses are probably complex things that build on basic knowledge. This kind of basic knowledge is presumably built up through peewee, high school, and college ball. By the time you hit the NFL, you have to be ready to take that to a whole other level and incorporate that into your game. I'm not saying that all NFL players are geniuses; far from it. But they do have an understanding of the game, ingrained in them so much that it has to be instinctive to them at this point. If Maybin never fully developed that instinctiveness in his shorter Penn State career, then I can see how it would extremely difficult to do it at this level. It has to be like trying to take Calc II without having finished Pre-Calc: you have some idea of what's going on, but a lot of it is flying by really fast and it's tough to pick up the pace. Hopefully the learning curve won't be too bad after another season in the NFL, but you really don't know. I hope for both Maybin and the Bills that he pans out.

I've said it before, but I think it bears repeating: I don't think we've really seen this team the past couple years. As in, due to injuries, we were unable to see this team ever perform as a cohesive unit. The Bills have had no real identity. I think the last time the team could be considered a true unit was back in 2008, when we started the season 5-1 and seemed destined for the post-season. But injury after crippling injury was the predominant factor in the Bills' lackluster campaigns of late. I'm not discounting the role of poor coaching, especially offensively, but sans the plethora of injuries, I believe those teams would perform much better. And yet, and yet, the Bills still managed to eke out a 6-10 record last year. Yes, I understand that it is completely different scenario this year--the schedule is pretty tough (on paper) and teams in the division have made improvements--but it boggles my mind how people in good conscience can predict a record below 6-10. Have the Bills really devolved that badly? Has the talent level declined that much since last year? Do you think the Bills will field a team that won't even be able to hang in there with the worst NFL teams? I'm predicting 8-8 (obviously barring compound major injuries) for this year. Optimistic, sure, but I think it's a lot more reasonable than a few of the 2-14 and 4-12 predictions I've seen.

It's very easy to be blithely spout off that the Bills will be terrible. But what have been our most glaring weaknesses the past few years? At least under the Dick Jauron era, it can reasonably be said that: 1.) The Bills have suffered from a lack of offensive cohesion (e.g. unable to move the ball well enough, poor QB play) 2.) The Bills' defense has not been able to effectively stop the run (although as I have posted before, at least regarding last year, that I think that is also due to the high quality of opposing teams' run games as much as our defense) I wouldn't be going out on too far of a limb if I said that definitely the first point, if not the second as well, was caused in large part by injuries. All I'm saying is that it's not fair to rag on the Bills for being so bad if we haven't had a chance to see the talent work together as a healthy, cohesive whole. Yes, I know that injuries are a part of the game, but the Bills might be the most snake-bitten team in the NFL on the injury front (maybe snake-bitten isn't the right word there; I, like many others, firmly believe that poor strength and conditioning has been the teams's literal Achilles heel). When you're plugging in street free agents at OL, it's doubtful that any QB will look like Peyton Manning. In concert with the fact that the Bills have had a series of uncreative and overly conservative conservative OCs (paging Steve Fairchild), you have no one able to compensate for injuries with imaginative offensive schemes. Long story short, let's hope that we can stay healthy enough to showcase what this team really is. Honestly, I don't know if we can call the last couple years accurate gauges of our talent.

Amen, brother. This is what I say to EVERYONE who shoots off doom and gloom predictions for the Bills. Look, I doubt anyone is rationally saying that the team is Superbowl, or for that matter, even playoff-bound. Yes, I know the schedule is tough but it's the NFL--teams that are good on paper and were strong the year before can fall off the map, and vice versa (look at the Pittsburgh Steelers last year as an example of the former). But I really don't see how the Bills can be the abject worst team in the league, or even in the bottom 4 teams. Even with street free agents at OL, Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing up ducks, and Dick Jauron calling the shots for part of last year, we still ended the year at 6-10. What that tells me is that this team has more talent than those in both the media and within the ranks of Bills fandom care to recognize. At the very worst, I don't see how the Bills don't at least hold serve at 6-10 or perform even better.

Hey everyone, thanks for the thoughtful replies. I believe that you're all right--there are a lot of different reasons why the Bills got run all over last year, not least of which was our anemic offense being able to sustain a long enough drive. But I believe quality showed itself, and the Bills had the misfortune of playing some very powerful run games. That shouldn't be too consoling a thought. If the Bills are to be legitimate contenders at some point, they have to be able to both hold onto the ball and contain the opposing team on the ground. However, I think it is also important to look at what our opponent's strengths are and to account for that as well as the Bills' weaknesses. My only hope is that in spite of the stats shown here, topped with the awful injuries and the poor coaching, we still went 6-10. I also think that maybe we don't need to have a top-flight rushing defense to at least be competitive (though, looking at the correlation between rushing defense ranking and playoff teams, it definitely helps). If we can field an offense that can rattle off more big plays from time to time, we can still pull out wins against top rushing teams.

True on all accounts. I took a look at the combined rushing stats of all of the teams with RBs under 100 yards, and here's what I found: Combined rushing yards: Pats (Week 1): 57 yds Bucs: 57 yds Panthers: 116 yds Jags: 86 yds Pats (Week 15): 112 yds Falcons: 157 yds Colts: 28 yds The combined yards, when considering the Atlanta game, somewhat undermine my conjecture that the Bills didn't let up as much against weaker rushing teams. However, it also gives the Panthers, another top 10 rushing team from last year, over 100 yds rushing against us, making it 8 of the 9 teams we played against with top 10 rushing attacks that performed so well. I think the point still holds up that we faced an extremely difficult slate of rushing teams last year.

There are a lot of dismal projections for the Bills 2010 season based not just on the team's seemingly inept offense, but also due to its sieve-like rushing defense. There seemed to be a simple formula for beating the Bills last year: run the ball. A LOT. No one would disagree that while the passing defense showed a lot of spark, the team was killed by the run (30th in rushing yards allowed is a testament to that). However, not only as an eternally optimistic Bills fan but also as someone who is skeptical of the hive mind of sports media, I wondered if the run defense is truly as dreadful as the numbers read, or if those numbers looked a lot worse because we were playing against teams with exceptional rushing attacks. For instance, the Jets' 1st ranked rushing certainly proved a test for any team last season. If, based on team rushing statistics, the Bills had to face a lot of teams with solid (top 10) ground games, then those rushing defense stats would look a lot worse than if they had to play weaker rushing teams. Here are last year's opponents and their rushing offense rankings (via NFL.com), listed by week played: 1.) New England (12th) 2.) Tampa Bay (23rd) 3.) New Orleans (6th) 4.) Miami (4th) 5.) Cleveland (8th) 6.) New York Jets (1st) 7.) Carolina (3rd) 8.) Houston (30th) 9.) BYE 10.) Tennessee (2nd) 11.) Jacksonville (10th) 12.) Miami (4th) 13.) New York Jets (1st) 14.) Kansas City (11th) 15.) New England (12th) 16.) Atlanta (15th) 17.) Indianapolis (32nd) The mean rushing ranking for the Bills' opponents was 10.875, so round it up to 11, while the median ranking is 9. Most critically, the Bills played teams with top 10 rushing offenses in 9 out of 16 games (and if you include top 15 rushing teams, that adds another 3 games). Looking at our opponents' top rusher in each game, did the Bills get pounded by the top rushing teams? Were they getting hammered by the weaker rushing teams as well? (RBs listed by week) 1.) Maroney- 32 yds 2.) Ward- 32 yds 3.) Thomas- 126 yds 4.) Brown- 115 yds 5.) Lewis- 117 yds 6.) Jones- 210 yds 7.) Williams- 89 yds 8.) Moats- 126 yds 9.) C. Johnson- 132 yds 10.) Jones-Drew- 66 yds 11.) Williams- 115 yds 12.) Jones- 109 yds 13.) Charles- 143 yds 14.) Maroney- 81 yds 15.) Snelling- 68 yds 16.) Hart- 28 yds It's more of a mixed bag here. Ryan Moats of the Houston Texans is the obvious aberration here, coming from the 30th ranked rushing offense and putting up over 100 yards against the Bills. But in 7 of the Bills 9 games against top 10 rushing offenses, opposing RBs rushed for over 100 yds. Meanwhile, of the Bills' four opponents ranked in the league's bottom 15 rushing attacks, only one RB (Moats) carried for over 100 yards. The Bills had to play against some of the league's best rushing attacks last year; furthermore, these teams tended to perform up to their level as top 10 rushing teams against the Bills. We played teams that had solid RBs and it showed on the field. And again, excepting Moats, the bottom ranked rushing teams weren't pounding us on the run. Compounded by the team's seemingly endless rash of injuries (especially on defense), the Bills had a dreadful time stopping the run against the league's best rushing teams. But the whole point of this exercise was to show that the Bills had a tough road a hoe in defending against the run, based on their opponents. While it might be useless trying to account for the unique combination injuries, bad coaching, and poor play, what can be determined is that the Bills had to play against tough run offenses. Conclusion? The Bills certainly performed poorly as a unit defending against the run, but perhaps the Bills weren't as bad in this category as it appears, insofar as they played quality rushing teams. And while nobody's dancing in the streets over the Bills' defense this year, hopefully their opponents won't turn out to be quite so difficult in the aggregate as rushing teams.

I'm not sure, Spinal Tap might prove that drummers are really a dime a dozen

Buffalo sells out its pre-season games. The team hasn't made the playoffs in ten years, and we still pack the Ralph. For pre-season. Yet there are always nagging rumours about the Bills leaving Buffalo. It's just not right

Trent Edwards goes 10/10 with a brand new O-line (including 2 rookie guards) and without his biggest and strongest receiver, against a tough defense (albeit with a couple injuries). The main problem with the redzone productivity was a lack of open receivers-not Trent's decision making or release. In fact, he was passing the ball tonight with a great zip that I didn't believe was there. He handled the no-huddle with aplomb and led some awesome drives. I'll admit to being a big-time optimistic homer, but I think it's really disingenuous to knock the guy down when he completes all of his passes and gets his team into scoring position. There would have been more points on the board with TO on the field. While criticism should be not only acceptable but welcome, I'm not sure where this unfounded hatred of Trent comes from. I've said it before, the sun just doesn't shine in some people's worlds.

With all the negativity around here, you would think the new motto around these parts is "Get your pitchforks ready"

This obviously shows that the kid is a bust, further proving Dick Jauron's ineptitude as a coach and Russ Brandon's incompetence as a GM. Take down Ralph Wilson's HOF bust and sell the team to Toronto, LA, or wherever. I mean, obviously Levitre isn't a rookie playing for the first time against NFL level competition in something that resembles a real game. Oh wait... :thumbsup:

I'll get back to you in March 2010.

College football preseason rankings are all about projection. It's not just how good you were the year before, it's how good your talent is projected to be. And judging by the stellar finish at the end of last year, especially with a healthy and well-rested team, shows a glimpse of what the Irish can do this year. Don't you think that another year of experience, plus the potential they've shown so far, at least warrant some kind of respect? For all of your talk of mickey mouse teams, keep in mind that they lost to two teams that are in the current preseason top 25 (USC at #4 and North Carolina at #20) and to another two in the top 30 (Michigan State and Pitt). The Pitt game went to 4 OTs, the North Carolina game decided by the final drive of the game, and Michigan State was close up until the 4th quarter. Those games could've gone either way, to be honest. Sure, the Syracuse game was a bummer, but upsets happen-that's what make college football exciting. USC did lay another smackdown on us, but honestly, with a team returning so many starters with so much potential, and I think that while Notre Dame gets extra attention for being well, Notre Dame, it's not outrageous to have them in the top 25. And as I've said before...if we suck that bad, then it'll all sort itself out

Good to see another Irish fan! Sometimes I feel like we're outnumbered by the haters And good point on Clausen. He's definitely going to have a helluva year. The guy's a stud and will be on many Heisman watches by the middle of the season. I guess I forgot to include him originally just because I plain don't like the guy. I'm a Domer, and the guy's a legit jerk around campus. He's no Brady Quinn but if he delivers a national championship I suppose all is forgiven

Yikes, not much here by way of Notre Dame love. But I really think the boys in blue and gold are in for a banner year. Granted, we put a stomping on a weak Hawaii team, but boy what a stomping it was. Combine that fact with an O-line returning all senior year players, a stellar receiving corps (Michael Floyd and Golden Tate will be playing on Sundays in a few years, bank on it), and a solid defense, and I really do believe ND is making some noise this year. If we suck, then it'll sort itself out. But I'm firmly entrenched in the camp of Notre Dame AT LEAST making a BCS bowl this year.

Now tell us how you really feel.

For one thing, Tom Brady was in his prime and wasn't coming off a season ending injury the year before. Another factor is an improved passing game (adding Terrell Owens is a big improvement, no matter how empty your glass is). Finally, the Pats are an older team now and I really do believe that this is the year that their defense and possibly their O-line start showing some wear and tear. The Pats are still good, but not great anymore. Bills win in a close upset.

T.O. made Tony Romo look good. Game, set, match.

And if my aunt were my uncle...well, you know the rest. Remember this is the NFL, and that most of the teams in this league are all around equal to each other. "Any given Sunday" might be a cliche, but it's certainly true. Who had us pegged to start last year 4-0? 5-1? Folks were praying to go 2-2 and take the division. Of course the teams that I (like many others) thought were guaranteed losses turned out to be comfortable wins. IMO, Jason Peters doesn't hold out and Trent Edwards doesn't get injured, and Buffalo's a playoff team. So enjoy the off-season. This is the time when dreams are supposed to be made. Yeah, the Bills could go 7-9 (and according to more than a few of you, this might be overreaching). Then again, they could go 16-0...or 0-16. As Bills fans, I think we love this team because virtually no other franchise and city have suffered so much for so long, and the hope that one day, damn it, we finally pull off the big one. The taste of victory won't be as sweet without the memory of the bitterness we've lived with for so long (and that's Bills fans of all ages). Some people always have to be negative. Ignore them. The economy sucks, it's a dangerous and uncertain world, and when I graduate college this year, I'm not sure how long it'll be until I get a job. And on top of it all I live in Buffalo For some (dare I say many of us) the Bills, good or bad, are one of the few things that can take us away from the daily grind and give us something truly priceless-hope. Tim Russert, on being asked if the Bills are cursed: "Cursed? No, blessed." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PlWZDZboQw...feature=related Enjoy.

I get where you're coming from. Certainly he's a hard worker and has definitely earned his keep in the NFL and then some. But I think on a psychological level, Owens thrives on the pressure and the expectations and I really think it might be a detriment to reward a player who has yet to lace up for the Bills. While T.O. is a great, great player, we have no way of knowing yet if he's more boom than bust in Buffalo. I don't believe for a second that the Bills wouldn't heap a generous contract on T.O. if by mid-season he is performing well and the team is playing good football (see Dick Jauron's premature contract extension). Owens already knows he's getting a lot of love here in Buffalo, and if he lives up to his own hype, then I think Ralph has no problem giving the man his due. But sometimes, a little insecurity goes a long way towards pushing a player. And I doubt that even if T.O. doesn't live up to expectations here, he wouldn't be able to find another team next season that would take a waiver on him. But let's hope for all of our sakes that T.O. is dancing to the Shout Song all the way to January (and maybe even February)

Felton Huggins But seriously, my pick is none other than...Lee Evans. Sure, Evans is already considered a star on this team, but with T.O. lined up with him, I think this is the year he leaves all doubters in the dust. I'm really thinking Pro Bowl numbers for #83 this year. Donte Whitner has to be my other candidate. With a pass rush that's even a little bit improved I'm hoping he can show off his play making ability. Of course, the existence of said ability seems to be a rather sharp sticking point around these parts.

As a Notre Dame fan, I'm still not completely sold on Matty Ice...but that's just my bias showing. Seriously though, I think Matt Ryan had a hell of a year, but I think in a lot of ways the Falcons were able to capitalize on a weakened NFC South, especially down the stretch. I believe Jake Delhomme wasn't all there after the injury the year before, and I expect the Panthers to clock in with a strong showing. I think if the Saints can bolster themselves on defense, they will be a force to be reckoned with (and my pick to win the division). Even the Bucs, with their QB concerns, always put up a tenable team. In a lot of ways, the Falcons remind me of the Browns of a couple of years ago--a good, but not great team that beat the bottom feeders (Lions, Rams, Raiders) and the pretenders (Bears, Vikings), but didn't really impress much. I think the keys to victory are in many ways similar to the Chargers game of this past year. We're facing a young, efficient quarterback who's still prone to making mistakes, a decent receiving corps (with the exception of Roddy White, although Tony Gonzalez may be able to help them light it up), and a strong run game. Keep Turner in check and I really believe they will have difficulties in opening up the passing game. All it takes is for our play makers to step up (think Kawika Mitchell). As for our offense, I really think we can do some damage as long as our O-line shows some consistency (no guarantees there). I may be an optimist (and a Matt Ryan hater ) but I'm chalking this up to a Bills win...as long as we don't have a guy named Fitzpatrick taking the snaps

Not so sure if I agree with this idea. While T.O. is a hall of fame wide receiver, I think the biggest incentive he has to perform well is the 1 year contract. If I recall correctly, most Bills fans lauded the Owens' signing exactly because of the short term contract-it leaves little room for T.O.'s infamous histrionics and if the whole affair is a train wreck, then it would only be a season's worth of headaches. Basically, the 1 year deal allows for this year to be a contract year for a player who is definitely on the sunset end of a remarkable career. Based on T.O.'s personality, the situation he is facing as an aging WR who must prove his value with relatively few seasons left in him, and the fact that he hasn't even played a down in a Bills uniform, our best move is to hedge our bets and see how things go after this year. In the meantime, I'll be getting my popcorn ready