West End Stench

Well said.

Classy move by Chan and the coaching staff. I'll bet Belichick and company would have run it down any team's throat there...

I stopped reading at "asses". Never underestimate the importance of that final 's'.

I don't know if I really agree with this. Last year's Fitz wasn't that far ahead of where he is now, the only difference is that we're asking less from him because the run game has been that much better. I would argue that since the first half of the Jets game, he's been more protective of the ball and thus just as valuable of a player. In 2 of the first 3 games last year we also had to mount considerable comebacks, thus forcing the offense to throw more against deep coverage. This season we have only been in that position during the Jets game. 2011 (Week 1-3): Pass Yards: 841 Rush Yards: 20 TDs: 7 INTs: 3 RAT: 105 Comp %: 64.9% (111 attempts) 2012 (Week 1-3): Pass Yards: 581 Rush Yards: 52 TDs: 8 INTs: 3 RAT: 98.1 Comp %: 58.1% (86 attempts) If Fitz has another game like he's had these last two weeks, especially in a winning effort, then everyone will be signing a much different tune about him.

By now this Bills team should not be intimidated by the Patriots. I would imagine after beating them last year, and being ahead by 21 before last year's meltdown in the finale, that confidence should not be lacking in the locker room this week.

Great post. Thanks, Literate.

Both feet were in, and it was also reviewed by the booth.

I was at both the Bills/Jets game at MetLife and at yesterday's game at the Ralph. Attendance wise, it was the same story at both venues late in the game. In fact, I would give the Bills fan the edge as MetLife was never even at 90% capacity at any point during the game...plenty of empty seats in the 300s and luxury section. I would say MetLife was maybe 25% full with 5 minutes remaining in the game two weeks ago.

26 years old, transplanted from WNY to Chicago, and I inherited my fandom from my dad, uncles, and grandfather during the Superbowl era. I was young and mostly remember the last two of the four Superbowls. Back then I took the losses fine, because I didn't know much better, but I can't imagine having to endure those losses as a die-hard 26 year-old.

Family Guy still makes new episodes? Who knew...

9-6, and we'll need some help to get that Wild Card spot. Fitz struggles in spots but cuts down on turnovers. Our linebackers are our weakest link. I think we're a year away from a very good team.

Sorry, sarcasm doesn't communicate well over message boards, my apologies for a misinterpretation. To clear up something that I thought was not so subtle: the act of collecting t-shirts wasn't the common interest I referred to, but rather, Star Wars and beards.

Lighten up. I don't have to hate a guy because he's an average, or even bad, quarterback. He's our only QB right now, he's one of few likable QBs that we've had in the past 10 years, and he's easy to root for. Being that this is an internet message board, I'd guess that at least half of the visitors are fans of either beards or Star Wars. Unlike yourself, most of us can distinguish between the "cool"ness of a player and his playing ability. We're not asking for him to be invited to the pro bowl or get multi-million dollar deals because he grows a sweet beard, we're just amused that we have a starting player on our team that openly has traits and interests similar to ours.

I not only dig the shirt, but the beard length as well, which has historically proven optimal for Fitzy's success.

I'm excited to be at this tailgate Sunday morning. Flying from Chicago to La Guardia for the weekend, and hopefully flying back with a 'W' on Monday! I'll be the guy in the "crossed-off quarterbacks" shirt.

Also not worried. He'll be fine.

Manage the game and make the safe throws. Interceptions are going to happen, but be extra careful in our own territory. Use the sideline more often on broken plays. Picks on 3rd and long and 4th downs in opponent territory if we're facing a long field goal are fine with me if nothing is available. Stay healthy.

Their starting quarterback has a short history of finding a way to kick our asses. I'm not up for much smack talk this year after they swept us last season. Let's just get an early critical win.

Hopefully by then we'll be able to spell his name correctly. I'm not getting my hopes up. Another update: Thigpen looking solid in the 2nd half.

John Murphy's show is by far the best thing that has aired on WGR in the last 10 years. He brings interesting points, does great interviews and knows the Bills and NFL football in general better than probably anybody else on that station. He is always well prepared and delivers a great show. Hopefully his program doesn't end when the season does. Schopp and Bulldogg could learn a few things from Murphy. There's not much more to say about those two than what's been said already in this thread. They can be the absolute worst at times.

Signed in to post this, but Dolphins fan beat me to it. Well played, teal lover.

The Browns would go nowhere, and if they did, they would have another team back in town with the same name within a short period of time. Despite having almost as bad of a playoff drought as our Bills, Cleveland still manages to sell out every home game with little problem. Cleveland is a football city, and The Browns are a cash cow annually.

I was always a big fan of Lynch's game on the field, and his uniquely funny off the field persona. Mostly because of the latter, I was a little bummed out when he was shipped off, but I wasn't over the top upset because running backs like him are a dime a dozen. Getting rid of him, while it hurt my jersey collection, was one of the best moves this current staff has made so far. I hope Lynch pulls it together though- I love watching him play and can't get enough of his (legal) nonsense off the field.

What the hell is going on here?

How can anyone buy Merriman's stock at this point? I find it amusing just how many people are still hanging onto his preseason performances from last season. I won't be drinking that Kool-Aid until I see him actually make it through the bye week. Until then I refuse to believe he's any better than the other LBs on the roster.