shoretalk

Vanilla game plan ... first preseason game ... not in against the best ... BUT, for the naysayers perhaps it has you second guessing your messages on draft night. In the wide receiver shuffle, it's clear that TJ already had an advantage since he was part of this year's draft class but the comments from Gailey, the reports and video from camp, and yes, the first preseason game all seem to show that this kid is working hard to pick up a very difficult Bills' offense and succeeding. I still think Jones has hold of the number two slot but Graham comes is as the fourth receiver. So, a quick look at who is making the team and who is going to be out looking, which pretty much matches the current depth chart: ON THE ROSTER Stevie Nelson Jones Graham FIGHTING IT OUT FOR ONE or TWO SLOTS Hagan Easely (his time is probably up) Roosevelt (he just seems to catch anything thrown to him but I know that he is a long shot) Martin (I do not like him as a receiver but once again in Preseason Game One he showed he has ST skills GET SOME WINGS in your FREEZER Aikin (That lack of effort block on Thursday might be the end ... when you are at the bottom at least try hard.) Clowney Session

Wait ... a veteran wide receiver is on the market? GET ER DONE BUDDY ... this guy just needs the right team ... Seriously, I was an Evans fan but thought Buddy got a great deal for the 4th round pick! It's tough to get old in the NFL ...

I received my bill for the $299 and called. The service I received was the worst since I started having DirecTV. First when I said I didn't pay $300 last year he said it's not $300 this year it's $299.99. He then refused to tell me what I paid last year saying it was irrelevent. There was no give and no offer of the MAX for $210 so I took the vanilla Ticket but plan to call about about the disservice I received.

There are a couple of issues here ... first, shouldn't we be encouraging young people to obey the law? When a large group of individuals come together in violation of the laws that have been established then it is the obligation of law enforcement officials to take actions otherwise what does that say to the rest of us who are teaching our young people to be civil to each other, to obey laws, and to not get intoxicated. The age 21 drinking law was put into place after a major campaign by MADD to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents because statistics indicated that there were more DWI/DUI's amongst the 18 to 21 age group in comparison to older ages (Perhaps, it is because when we were young and foolish we also thought we had control of our abilities while drinking but most of us have since realized that a few too many means we do not react in key situations like we do.). I write that while also believing that the increase in age has led to more drinking parties that are not supervised in comparison to the era when I was 18 and could drink. If someone can vote and go to war then they should be able to have a beer or two but also law enforcement should be there to make sure they are not driving while impaired. Another thread was addressing the foul language and fights at THE RALPH; frankly when I look around the stadium it is almost always young drunken faces in the middle of any fights that occur. And, that thread also talked about roaving groups of young people cursing, etc.. So, I want to say thanks to the Bills and to the Orchard Park Police for attempting to make the roads safer and the game experience more pleasant. Someone posted recently that anyone who said that they didn't go to games to get drunk when they were young was a liar. Isn't it absurd that anyone would state that a professional sporting event was designed for drunks and those who could most creatively curse out other fans, the opposing team members or the referees.

What I struggle with is why anyone would waste a single moment of their time on these two. Get Murph's show on a podcast if you need something to listen to when these non-prepared blowhards are on the air. Their limited knowledge astounds me because the sportscasters in Atlantic City's much smaller market all have the talent to do a more complete sports related show than these two and probably know more about the Bills and Sabres than Bull and Schlep do.

I totally agree with you ... what needs to happen is that the Bills' braintrust has to decide it's time to wave goodbye to Thigpen so that Young can get all the reps with the 2's, we still have Smith for emergencies plus there will be several back-up's floating around looking for jobs during the next few weeks and I am sure at least a couple who qualify for the PS. This organized scrimmage with the worst officiating team I ever remember was just a position test. I liked the push up the middle with Dareus and Williams ... Anderson showed his high energy level in that one heap into the scrum. Sheppard was in the right place in stopping the run and seemed to be doing his job. Impressed with Brooks and the recovery speed of Green. Frankly, I liked what Chandler was doing. He was establishing to anyone watching the game film that the Bills have a tall and viable weapon over the middle. Did you really want him to go half speed? Stevie was Stevie!! And, that's really good for us. And, in TJ we may have solved our deep threat question; he was impressive every time the ball went in his direction. And, we have a kicking dynamic duo that can kick field goals in THE RALPH and boot them out on every kickoff! I wanted a win (Especially since a good friend who is a Redskin fan feels he has avenged last year's game in Toronto ...) but I'll take what we saw with some of the penalties due to the officials not our players. And, I think Gailey will successfully work out the kinks! No injuries ... some decent play and questions remaining about wide receiver and linebacker. Plus some reserves. On to next week ....

I finally had the chance to watch the game and using the infamous rewind ... I was VERY IMPRESSED with Glenn! John you are right on (As always) with your analysis but for his first action he seems to have the confidence of a veteran and even that first play, which people are faulting him on, he provided a good initial hit on his man and drove him before Fitz's holding on too long allowed his man to break off of Glenn. His progress at LT allows Hairston to get some work at RT, which is the position he was drafted for, and gives us when everyone is healthy one of the best lines in the NFL with quality depth (Yes, I know the back-ups looked horrible but such is the reality for all teams.

Hey ... I haven't seen the game yet but from what I read the ONLY SCORE that Washington had was on a well designed pass play where neither of our starting DB's had the coverage. Everything else that I have read or heard about the game indicated that Gilmore, Williams and especially Brooks played very well. Folks, this is a PRESEASON game coming after a short training camp with limited hitting and tackling. Neither Fred Jackson nor CJ Spiller ran the ball. Yikes ... that needs to be a thread ... are we trying to trade Jackson? Is he in Chan's Dog House? Does Fitz hate him? I am so unsettled by the fact that our offense didn't run the ball once ... it must mean we aren't going to run at all this year. Didn't Gailey notice the yards Spiller and Jackson gained last year? WOE IS ME ... oh oh oh WOE IS ME!

I have found that this works really well. Those of us who want to enjoy a game do not have to be subject to language our younger kids shouldn't hear nor actions that offend us. But, if you remain quiet then you can't blame security because they can't be everywhere. I totally disagree with those who think that we should not be able to bring kids to the game ... I am guessing that you are amongst those dropping F bombs throughout the game! You know what ... I grew up in Buffalo ... I was a young man in my 20's who went to Bills' games then, as I did as a younger child, and as I do now and not once did I have the urge to get drunk before or during a game. Like the vast majority of "normal" adults of every age, I came to watch a football game and to cheer for my team. Sadly, a small minority think it is a ritualistic rite of passage to get drunk before games and to fight at games but that is not normal in the least. I really feel badly for anyone who thinks that such behavior is acceptable at any level. Once again, when it is seen it needs to be reported to Bills' security and they do take care of the problem. I have brought my daughters to games and only once had a problem fan near us, which resulted in prompt action by security who allowed the drunken idiot to enjoy his game outside the stadium fence where he could curse all we wanted out of ear shot of anyone.

By having Smith as our #3 we are able to hold that roster spot giving us room for one additional player. It's so ironic that the other thread about Young being cut written by that "journalist" has attracted so much attention when it's clear that Young makes the better back-up for the Bills. Although having both provides camp fodder, it just might be a wise decision to cut Thigpen and allow Young to get as many reps as possible with the second team. Any rookie free agent QB will have to go the PS route.

I always knew some on this board were off in the Twilight Zone ... Can't comment on the game yet because I still have to watch it ... but from what my brother and others report Brooks is the real thing and McKelvin can't play DB; Tyler needs to pack his bags; keeping Potter and Lindell is going to pay off and is worth losing a roster spot; Graham has more potential than many of us thought; and Stevie is definitely a top receiver in this league!

Wow ... I thought this thread would die out. There would be absolutely no reason to cut Young unless another veteran QB became available for camp. They'd keep him just for camp fodder ... so let's see how he does tonight before we start cutting!

Let the implosion countdown start ... I really like Tebow the man ... but boy I love Tebow the controversy!! Couldn't happen to a finer man than REX!

I just want one huge ... WATCH OUT TOM and SANCHEZ series from the D Line and then it's on to the guys whose roster spot ranges from 44 to PS. It feels so good to know that most of the roster is solid and settled upon. Let's see how the receivers play, VY and TT, and some of the rookies on defense. Of course this board will be alive with the heroes and goats from a meaningless preseason game but it means the real season is almost here!

Yes, I know it would mean putting Brooks through waivers but I kept looking at the DB's and based on what we have heard so far it would appear he is the odd man out. And, like many other Bills' cuts this year there is a good chance someone else would pick him up. I just don't see them cutting Leodis and so it comes down to how many DB's we keep.

Interesting ... I think McKillop makes it if he stays healthy. McGee's lack of recovery will put him on the waiver wire and right now Miller is looking good. It appears that Aiken has vanished this preseason (injuries perhaps) and Hagan is looking like a sure thing to make the 53. Choice Young I think Sam Young makes the roster with Asper, Jasper and Sanders set for the PS although Sanders I believe is working at more than the T spot so perhaps versatility wins out.

Frankly, I have never paid any interest to the photo's of male columnists in any newspaper and am not about to begin now. I will take your word for the size of Jerry's earlobes.

Clearly a depth chart posted before the very first preseason game does not carry a lot of meaning but regarding the wideouts is it possible that this is a motivator for Easley? Sadly (Because I thought he was going to really be a good wide-out before his injury and heart issues), I have been predicting that Easley would be a cut this preseason. It is very difficult for anyone to sit out two seasons of football at any level and then return to the field to truly compete with other skilled players who have been playing. I cannot think of anyone in recent history who missed two full seasons and never actually played in an NFL game who made it back for his third season. He may need some arena or CFL time before he can compete for an NFL job but there's still time. I cannot see Martin making the team. Tank and Bradham's ST skills more than make up for any loss we'd take by waiving Martin. It will also be interesting to watch what happens with the DB's. Will Prince Miller stick relegating Brooks to the PS? Leodis keeps slipping but will his return game skills keep him on the roster. But looking through this roster really makes me want to see the season start!! GO BILLS

It would appear that he's back in the middle ... when you eat college campus food there's always the chance that your stomach may create a medical situation that really needs no additional details provided. We do need him in there getting reps! From the reports in camp it sounds like he is taking on the middle like a veteran!

Ok ... I had plenty of sleep last night, I had several cups of coffee plus some lunch time caffeine ... this post is meaningless.

He may not be star quality but I think he definitely can make an NFL roster and contribute to a team. He might not be on a great squad of receivers but guys who can hold onto the ball over the middle and in short yardage situations are rare and have value. Would love to see him stick with the Bills but think there is too much talent now.

Good stuff!!! THANKS!!

THANKS!!!

THANKS SO MUCH!

You're right on about Promo but I think this isn't necessarily doom and gloom but a reality check with the topic being "You want a position to worry about." If all we have to worry about is the back-up quarterback we're doing pretty good. We know who the #3 quarterback will be but in the end VY or BY if we want to go by another poster should win out because his athletic abilities will cover his lack of fully grasphing Chan's system.