WhitewalkerInPhilly

Really, the only mistake I can think that we could make with this guy is to not play him. Or, you know, expect too much out of him in his first year. From what I heard he's damn good, and I think that it was a smart pick to take him. But we can't expect him to instantly solve all of our run defense problems. I know someone else on here said it as well, but if we go back to a 4-3 this year with Poz leaving hopefully the Bills can get Kyle Williams to support him.

Yeah, but it's our joke of a team. And even after I bemoan the fact that we are still in for a rough season even if ChIx make all the right moves, I'm still going to root my ass off for them. So all haters: Shut the F k up and enjoy the ride.

Thank you for this. Your approach is a reasonable way to deal with disappointment and has some good research on people we can look at from here.

I seriously don't think that our O-line would have gotten much worse with his presence. Though this may be part of the ChIx (Chan/Nix) plan to pull in big names who are coming off injuries and hoping that they can get back. EDIT: changed tense, since he was re-signed.

Any ideas about who we could sign? Maybe actually improve through this thing.

I also don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but seriously: When was the last time that Poz did something that we were really excited about. In four years he's had three sacks and is part of the worst Run Defense in the NFL. My only concern is this: Who the hell are we going to get to replace him? Our backups aren't exactly hot commodities. Who can we get?

Really refs? Really? Really? Not only do you not call penalties against the Phins, but you don't give us the clock?

son of a B word!!!!

Fred Jackson= our new QB

Maybe we'll get a pass interference call this time.

Now seriously O. Try to not at least not completely suck this time.

At least the D has stepped up.

Wow CBS. Go and congratulate a guy for cheating.

Come on Trent, you can do it! Actually get into that end zone!

The man is actually defending us today, and has been plugging us at every chance! Refreshing!

Well, I don't agree with everything Sully writes, but the man isn't completely wrong here. I would LOVE Chan to surprise everyone and make us a playoff contender. But I can be completely satisfied if everything he has done this preseason, he keeps on doing for the rest of the season: steady, consistent progress. There is ONE thing that will be absolutely essential: We don't blow games in the final five minutes. How many times did we watch victory slip away from the last minute in the last few years. As long as we don't blow games stupidly, we may stand a chance.

I'm not sure whether to thank you for posting this, as I am too young to remember it, or to wince knowing that I can't remember the last time I saw the Bills dominate a game instead of grasping defeat from the jaws of victory.

Well, I think the praise is nice even if it comes with the big caveat of "I don't think they're going to make the playoffs." To be completely frank, we probably won't this season. Teams with a brand new coach and systems don't usually make the playoffs. Still, as many people have mentioned on the boards here, the difference between this preseason and last years is night and day. We are going in with question marks, true. But we haven't fired our offensive coordinator days before the start of the season, Trent doesn't look like he still has a concussion, our starting RB hasn't been suspended and talent we've waited so long to kick in seems to finall start showing signs of life. GO BILLS!

Lori, you probably will never read this, but I am very sorry to see you go. Your pre-games were always insightful and enjoyable. I haven't been on here as long as many people, but even I knew they were something to look forward to. You are sorely missed!!! *SALUTE*

I think it's important, if not for all of the same reasons you guys have been mentioning. One, let's take a look at our schedule: after this week we play Green Bay, the Patriots and the Jets. Yikes. Miami is the first of a several division rivals right after the other. It also is the most winnable of games in that list. People are predicting this to be a close game, and it's a home game. We're still all fired up and hopeful. This game is going to set the tempo. I won't make any bones about the year: it looks rough as hell. We play a lot of the best teams in the league. Logic tell me that we won't have a good year. And then fan pride tells my logic to go f:censored:k itself. The result is the knowledge is that if we are going to be anywhere near halfway decent we have to win games that everyone thinks we are going to lose and win every game where they give us half a chance.

Actually, I think I'm ok if it pours sheets and gusts. Neither QB is what I would call "foul weather" material and I'm drooling at the thought of a running game duel. Their run game, from what Miami papers have reported, has been abysmal this preseason while ours has been the highlight.

I want to believe this. I really, really do. Trent showed enough flashes of greatness with that 4-0 start that I thought he could be special. It's possible that he, indeed, is now just recovering from that concussion. It is possible that Chan Gailey is experienced and clever enough to take stock of Trent's strengths and weaknesses and then devise a style of play that benefits him the greatest. It's possible that this preseason, orders of magnitude better than the previous, is an indicator of a better year. But until we actually step up and start winning games that we shouldn't I'm going to reserve some skepticism.

I have to agree with you. I have a feeling that if someone made a particularly good offer, they wouldn't hesitate to trade Marshawn. But, as many people in this thread have pointed out, Marshawn hasn't exactly been putting up impressive numbers or keeping his personal life under control enough to not be suspended. Therefore, no good offers are going to come and I really doubt Nix would stomach taking such a huge loss on a promising 1'st round pick. It would, however, make sense for Chan to try to jump-start Marshawn this season. This would have the following effects: Create a ground game that will take the pressure off Trent. Help limit the risk to the other RB's and keep them fresh all year. Actually give Marshawn some trade value, if we really do decide not to keep him next year.

...Yeah, I'll be honest. My first impulse was to take this in an utterly horrible direction. Or an UDDERLY horrible direction.

Who exactly would be who? I can definitely see Jackson as Earth, but I'm having a hand time saying for sure which name would go where. Maybe Wind for Lynch, considering how much he's blown lately.