WhitewalkerInPhilly

Link: http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/jerry-sullivan/article595538.ece Now, I haven't been one to credit Sully with an overabundance of insight. But he does mention something that Chan has done that really is the most important part of turning this team around: our chemistry. Raise your hand here if you thought the Bills were overloaded with talent this year? I wouldn't have. I would stress that the reason why we're doing well is that we AREN'T. No Prima Donnas. No one demanding the ball. What we have is a journeyman QB/WR/RB trio (Fitz, Stevie and Freddy) and a shaky offensive line which has an offensive system tailored specifically to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses. I kept thinking last week that the Bills were the polar opposite of the Eagles. The Eagles were expected to succeed (and are still favored this week over the Redskins) because they had brought in so much star power. The Bills came in with young players who were late picks, who weren't expected to have the talent to excel in the NFL and a bunch of free agents who were considered too old and injured to be effective. The Bills walked away the winners while the Eagles slumped to 1-4. I'm not promising anything. I'm not saying we'll make the playoffs (though a 5-1 start would sure help ) but what I can say is this is the most entertaining Bills team to watch in years. The last time I felt this way was back in 2008, another time when we went 4-1 to start...but this time, we've done it against heavy hitters.

Freddy doesn't, but I do think that Spiller could use some work. At the very least, Chan can start with a two back set and then run to the spread by putting Spiller in motion as a slot receiver. We're down at WR, so I don't see any reasons why Spiller can't excel at slants, screen and shovels.

To be honest...we really are pessimistic enough to expect immanent breakdown. It's been a decade of losing. That doesn't make me any less thrilled, but having that skepticism has made this season SO SWEET.

You know, while watching the game I remember saying "we can't get a turnover every time". Then, George Wilson picked it off. And when I started praying for an interception in the last two minutes, we got one. Is it sustainable? Probably not. But we're got going to play the best offenses in the NFL every week.

I remember the announcers saying something like "there must be three people with number 31, because he is everywhere."

It's FOX. In a game with a small market team vs. a large market team. What did you expect?

I look and see some excellent defensive talent. Giving up 400+ yards a game...we can't keep doing that constantly.

Yeah. My blood was boiling after that.

Yes. The Pats and the Eagles made a lot of mistakes. Which we made, and took advantage of. But let them write us off, make them look on with shock when we actually beat the teams they've been ballwashing.

With offense taking such a vital factor...why not? I do think that turnovers are an important stat to look at. When we can consistently take the ball and, more importantly, turn those into points

Still, the calls for him to start are going to get louder. He still put up two touchdowns when they were needed.

Well, I guess Vick just handed us this one...and hopefully Eli will be so obliging.

I'm encouraged. I think everyone was expecting the O-line to be completely overwhelmed, but they held pretty well. Kelvin did pretty well for a rook, so I think they are promising as they grow in the system.

I think playing the Nickel corner might have helped

Packers are the best team. Good thing we won't play them (unless in the Super Bowl), but the AFC is in tumult. The Steelers and Colts are nowhere near the season people expected, and with the AFC East looking like a free-for-all I have hope for the first time in a long time.

Agreed. Considering many people were picking US to be the 1-4 team right now, I say stick to our strengths. We aren't perfect. We aren't anywhere NEAR perfect. I don't think that we're even close to best team in the league. But at the end of the day, after all excuses are heard, after every detraction is voiced we still have one of the best records right now. GO BILLS

As much as I hate to say it, TO kind of fits of formula for sucess. He's a former star, coming off an injury, who we can pick up dirt cheap. Even if you can debate Merriman's worth, you really can't object to the way that Barnett has been playing. Right now we're the kind of team which makes these kind of players work.

Yes. It never works. And the Wildcat never leads to touchdowns. Ever. Ever, ever ever. Which means that I must have been absolutely blitzed when watching...and we STILL won.

Fair point. But we do need SOMEONE to be the number 2. Brad Smith maybe? CJ Spiller? We have people who can do it, but not at their intended position.

At the very least, he can take some of the attention off of Stevie. He hasn't gotten a chance to shine these past two weeks. EDIT: Hell, I'm for bringing in ANYONE who can take some heat off of Stevie Johnson.

BYRD IS THE WORD!!! Ok, has the hysteria worn off yet? No? Good. Byrd hasn't repeated his insane interception season yet, but I'll be damned if I don't admit that he can hit like a freight train and has made a bunch of good plays.

I have to say, that's not a bad idea. Spiller has been most effective as a receiver for a screen or slant pass. With our current shortage, I'm all for it.

Well, if we can sign him, go for it. If Donald Jones is out we need all the help we can get.

I want to see them take out each other's quarterbacks...oh well, I can dream can't I?

Agreed. George Wilson and Nick Barnett were monsters today. Nick Barnett deserves the game ball for the pick-six and the INT that let us wrap up the game.