phillyrich

WOW. Really? Are we serious? One dud of a game and this is what our board of educated football fans has come to? Think about the drop passes that were thrown on the money today. IT WAS OVER WHEN Cincinnati with a good defense at each level decided not to blitz a high % of the time. Mike Zimmer is a very good D Coordinator. It is no lost honor that we could not over come his game planning for us. Ease up on Fitz. Today was not the Bills day. however, they still should have won if not for a blown ref call on Stevie J's 3rd down and 1 catch. Bills will be fine and will be 4 - 1 by this time next Monday.

I believe the Bills will be fine as well. Chalk the Bengals ball game up to Mike Zimmer winning the chess match vs Chan / Ryan. There is no lost honor in this. Mike Zimmer is a terrific D coordinator and the Bengals have good players at each Defensive Level. Make no mistake, the Bills should have won but put up an ESPN "CMON MAN". I actually think the loss will work to Chan's favor in that he is going to kick the pant's off his team this weak in practice. What really won the game here - the Bengals did not Blitz a high % of the time and this is something Fitz is going to have to learn from. Coming this week, the Eagles, who Blitz a lot and cant stop the run. I am feeling the Bills are going to beat the Eagles and move to 4 - 1. Other 3 - 1 team throw up losses - Baltimore to Tennessee; Tennessee to Jax; San Francisco to Dallas; Washington to Dallas; San Diego to the Pat's in a game San Diego had clearly outplayed the Pat's in.

I don't the media attention we get especially when the media attention focus's in on the break down of how we beat each of our three opponents. I don't think Marv did a stellar job as a GM. To the question of whether Marv as a GM hurt the bills, I have no justification other than to say yes. Marv did not grade out well as a GM was his draft day decision making and the money he wasted in overpaying on average free agents - Derrick Dockery and Langston Walker. With how the Bills missed on picks 1, 2, 3 in the 06 and 07 draft, those misses set the franchise back a few years. In 06 we could have drafted Haloti Ngata, we draft Donte Whitner. In 07, we could have traded up to either draft Adrian Peterson or Patrick Willis, we draft Marshawn Lynch. With regards to FJ, you have to remember that Tom Modrak was working on the staff with Marv when Marv was here. When it comes to uncovering un-drafted free agents, Modrak had a hand in that. Modrak had a hand in uncovering Jabari Greer as well. Make no mistake, we absolutely scored with Fred Jackson. He is my favorite Bill. Me personally, I saw him as a better running back and overall player than Marshawn Lynch. I am happy he is here and I hope he retires a Bill.

Agreed. Raiders D Line is better than Bengals Line. When predicting the score, keep in mind that our D will put up a much better showing this week. Bills come out on top 23-16.

If the ranking took in to account overall impact to either that given teams defense or offense as well at statistics, Dareus would be in the top 3 at least, if not command the top spot.

Raiders are going to physically hammer the Patriots. 31 - 21.

Wow. At least I am not cut! Thanks to all for the feedback. And thanks to all who feel that this is really no big deal.

I am not trying to take the wind out of our sails as Bills Fans. I am thrilled we are 3 - 0 and will be the last to say I thought we would be at this point. I did think 2 - 1. Fred Jackson has been and still is my favorite Bill. However, I am getting more and more concerned about an issue as the hours go by after our victory over the Patriots. What is the issue and Why? Information shared in the Post Game Media Sessions. It started with my favorite Bill, Freddy Jackson's, Post Game interview. I like to read the opponents news reports after games to get the "other side's" view. In the New England News, It was reported that Freddy shared how Fitz has been able to pre-snap read NE on coming blitz's. Please see Freddy's late 4th qtr 38 yd pass to the one yard line. Freddy offered up how Fritz read an on coming blitz then adjusted by throwing to the receiver who would be in the open spot left vacant by the oncoming blitzer. This just so happened to be Freddy. And BOOM, Freddy was gone to the foot races. Offering up this kind of game planning and strategy to the media or anyone outside a locker room in my book is a big no no. We didn't hear any sort of strategy review of how Buffalo beat New England from Belichick or Brady in the Post Game. Since FJ's Post Game Interview, I have now witnessed two analysts on ESPN and two on the NFL Network comment on how good Fitz is Pre-Snap. I am not saying that the comments from ESPN and NFL Network are a result of FJ's Post Game, but it is kind of coincidental. And yes I know the analysts from ESPN and NFL Network are great at breaking down what happens in a game. That is fine, let the analysts break down what happened, not the players in post game. I am sure Freddy was caught up in the moment of the euphoria of finally beating NE. That is fine. If this hasn't been dealt with already, Chan needs to instruct the team to share only Neutral Post Game Information moving forward. Comments such as "Need to do better", "We worked Hard", " We were focused"...... are to be allowed. Not "We new we could do this on this in this type of situation." Maybe this is not such a bid deal. I love to hear your thoughts on this.

Coach Belichick had to burn a time out. Here is why. The ruling on the field of play was that Jackson scored a touchdown. Technically, that means he is in the field of play, not out of bounds. With this in mind, the touchdown went for review, and after reviewing the play, the replay had a clear visible shot of FJ's knee down at the one yard line, in the field of play. That means the touchdown was over ruled, with a new spot of the ball where FJ was tackled, in the field of play. The new spot of the ball was the NE one yard line. When play was to resume, the clock would then restart the moment the referee officially spotted the ball. This is why coach BB had to burn a very important and crucial time out.

Good morning. I begin this post by saying that, I love my heritage in Buffalo. Everything about me, who I am, is from what I learned growing up in WNY. I am in Philly now. As with Buffalo, the people in the Philly area are some of the nicest and coolest people in the world. Philly folks are also without a doubt some of the smartest sports fans I have ever chatted with and hung out with. I can't speak for the folks on this board that have relocated from WNY to other places in the US and the world. I can only speak for what I have experienced here in the Philly area. That said, up until the start of the 2011 Bills season, any time I would meet some one new or hang out with friends and say I was from Buffalo, the typical humorous response has been - "Buffalo? Great people, sorry about the Bills"......"From Buffalo? Very nice people, but sorry to hear that you are from Buffalo"......"Buffalo? That still a city......"Buffalo, cold and dark"........ You folks get what I am saying. Well, since the Kansas City Game, from friends / neighbors / newly introduced folks, I now have had the following Glazed Eyed responses - "Buffalo, I know this person and that person from Buffalo"....."Buffalo? Hey, should I add Fitzpatrick to my fantasy league???"......."Buffalo? Wow, Bills look good"........"Did you see the Raiders game"........"No One Circles the Wagons.."......."Hey bud, see Berman's Bills jersey named Wagons"........"From Buffalo, I really think they can knock the Pat's off this weekend". Or better yet, from neighbors / friends to my wife..."How are Bills doing? Her response "He is in there, I am going shopping, baby!" We all know how awesome WNY really is. However, it is awesome to have the feeling that Buffalo and the Bills are no longer looked at as non relevant or a door mat. There are a bunch of us transplants that have moved on from WNY for one reason or another. What always connects us back to Buffalo are Family, Friends, the Sabres and of course the Bills. If there was ever a Ripe Opportunity for the Bills to re-elevate the perception of, and I quote the dear Tim Russert, the Buffalo "Way of Life", it is this weekend. As of this morning while I wake up, drink my coffee and reflect on the wonderful week me and my family had, and an excellent work week as well, I don't feel comfortable YET in predicting a Bills win for tomorrow. However, because of the performance the Bills will deliver and how our fans will be showcased tailgaiting and in the stands, I do feel confident in stating that after the game clock hits 0:00, or some time in OT mind you, the league and the rest of the US will be put on further notice, that the Bills, WNY and "Our Way of Life" are back and need to be thought of as clearly Relevant again. Go Bills!

God bless our men and women on active duty, and veterans as well. Thank you for your sacrifice and all that goes in to what you do everyday.

The Bills are undefeated in 2011

But that is what is fun about it!

I see similarities between the seasons definitely. hopefully one similarity will play true to form - in 87, the Offense was way ahead of the Defense early in the season. The Offense scored 96 points in the first 3 Non Strike Games. the Defense gave up 92. We went 2 - 1 in that non strike stretch with wins over Houston (last game prior to strike) and Miami (first game back from strike). season opening loss to the NY Jets. Folks, remember something about last weeks Oakland game, Oakland's O Line will end up being one of the very best this season. the O line played so well Sunday, any team would have had challenges. That said, don't sell our defense short just yet. We have 4 new starters with one being a rookie, and one veteran coming back off a string of injuries. Hit Post to soon. Later in the 87 season, the Bills Defense turned it completely around from the first 3 non strike games and ended finishing up #2 to Cleveland and shut out Marino at home (I was there for that game).

I have this game pegged as a loss as well, but not, as you say, a bad loss. The Raiders match up vs Buffalo was just a bad match up for the Bills D Line to begin with. The Raiders O Line will end up being one of the top rated lines this year. Add in that Darren McFadden and Bush are both 225+, and that is just tough to deal with by any team. I actually feel pretty good that our D Line is going to have a better game vs. the Pat's O Line this week. I am on the fence as to which game will be a better gauge for how good / bad the Bills are right now - our game vs the Pat's or the Raiders at home vs. the Jets. I actually feel the Raiders are going to beat the Jets. I really would like to know what is slowing down Merriman. Is he still hurt from the play early in the KC game where he banged his shoulder? Is his body still getting re-acclimated to the pounding on Sunday's? Is he still mentally not over the hurdle of the injuries he has had the last few years? Is it a combination of each? If we could get a 75% Merriman, that would be a big. I am still holding firm at my pre-season prediction - 9 - 7.

How about TO, if necessary? He is still unemployed.

The coverage on Stevie hasn't changed because The Bills Offense has at least 3 receivers on the filed every down. I have noticed quite a bit of reporter naivete this off season, this preseason and during the week between the Chiefs / Raiders games with regards to knowledge about the Bills. And the notion of how was Stevie going to handle the double team is one of them.

Absolutely agree with your points about Fitz and Chan's game planning. At the end of the day, the success of any O Line will include combination of the entire offense including coaching and game planning.

46 pass attempts - 0 sacks allowed to the number 2 sack team from 2010 200+ yards rushing to one of the top rush defenses from 2010 Yes, yes, I know, There is a whole lot more involved in this eye popping performance by our O Line vs the Raiders this week. At the end of the day, and in response to the continual questioning of this O Line by many fans and news reporters in WNY all off season, and even during the week leading up to the Raiders games, enjoy what you see in front of you. The O Line is good, actually very good.

The O Line deserves a solid A. To handle the rotation plus how big and talented the Raiders D Line is, Solid A. I told this board that the O Line was going to start to be looked at as a strength of this team and it is happening right before our eyes.

Hey Raider nation, you may have a big bad ass O Line, but they are slow feet wise. You will be in for a shock when you watch our much bigger and quicker D, than in years past, defend the run good enough to win today. 24 - 13 Bills.

I can understand how your are shocked that any one would suggest this. However, take a look at the performance of he and the offensive line during his last 16 starts. I am pretty sure I saw 3500 yards, 31 TD's, 15 Int's and the O Line has only given 25 sacks. To think that Fitzpatrick will be offered this size of a contract is not that far fetched. Truth be told, if he has a 31 TD, 15 Int, 3500 yd season over the course of the 16 games this 2011 year, if the Bills don't offer that kind of money, Fitz would probably get from some place else. Whether the size of a potential deal is deserved or not, whether it is justified or not, it is what it is.

I like conversations like this. Great start to football Sunday. That said, here is the list of team members who I think will get extensions and use up the gushing cap space we have available: Fitzpatrick - I agree he will get an extension to pay him in the top 10. The extension will pay him close to $9 / $10M a year Bell - I have shared my sentiment a number of times this week and this preseason. I don't know what film folks have watched on bell or the rest of the O Line Starters, but what I have witnessed is solid, solid football. Bell will be a Bill for a long time. And if the Bills don't pay him, another team will. Mark my words Johnson - Stevie will get paid his due. Us board rbothers and sisters need to move on from can he handle the double team. Due the 3 , 4 WR sets, he will not be double teamed a lot anyway. And if he is, well, then the opponent will get killed by Parrish, Nelson and now Chandler Wood - see Bell comments about O line, agree to a long term extension this year Levitre - see Wood comments McKelvin - I am of the mind set that we really haven't been able to give this kid a good review, till this year, because of how poor our front 7 was during his first 3 seasons. That said, he is big an strong, unsure about how smart. If he has a solid year, then I think an offer is necessary simply because of the amount of weapons that Brady and Sanchez have If we can accomplish these important contract extensions, then what we need to focus in on either via trade or with the number 1 pick in next years draft is the best pass rusher available. Some food for thought as the coffee sets in this morning. 6 hrs and 2 min till kick off. Oh, shame, shame on me, I hit Post to soon. Freddy Jackson, even at 30, is not GOING ANYWHERE, and will get a nice extension. He is to important to the locker room, to the running game and to the cohesiveness of the Offense. CJ Spiller is just not making the strides the Front Office thought he would

I would not be surprised if the Bills came out with the No Huddle tomorrow. S Huff is questionable, S Mitchell is out, some more youth in secondary, Deep D line, travel cross country after Away Monday Night Game...... The No Huddle can reduce the amount of D Line Sub's and will give our WR depth favorable Match Up's, and even further open up Freddy and CJ. Call this a hunch.

Sorry folks. Game is going to be very close. Trench war fare between two very physical O and D Lines. In the end, Buffalo is home, Raiders fly across country after a Monday Night Game, Fitz hits at least 4 completions to 5 different receivers - Bills Win 20 - 13.