[Call me crazy, but I think there's still hope for this season]

I know this will be met with doubt at the least and possibly outright ridicule, but here goes.

 

I see a plausible path to the playoffs for the Bills this season. Stay with me on this. The Bills are currently 3-5 and two games out of the last playoff spot in the AFC, currently held by the Chargers, who are 5-3. A 9-7 record used to give you a decent shot at the playoffs, but in recent years you've needed 10-6 more often than not. I happen to believe that a 9-7 team will make the playoffs this year, since it's not hard to see wild card contenders like the Chargers, Texans, and Ravens finishing the season at 9-7 or even 8-8.

 

So my hopeful outlook is partially based on the concept that if the Bills manage to get to 9-7, and happen to win the right games to put themselves in decent tie-breaker position, they could make the playoffs.

 

Now how on earth do we get to 9-7? A fair question, especially given the way we've played of late. But let's not forget how the season began. We should have by all rights beaten the Patriots in New England to start the season. We followed that up with a strong win against an admittedly poor team. After the Bucs game, I think most of us would have assumed that 9-7 was entirely possible.

 

Granted there have been some ugly losses since (Cleveland and Miami come to mind). But we still managed to win on the road vs. the Jets and Panthers. I would submit to you that those two teams are better than the next two teams on our schedule. If we can beat the Jets and Panthers on the road with Fitz at the helm, why can't we beat the Titans and Jags with Edwards back?

 

If we can get past the Titans and Jags, we're back to .500 with two home division games up next. At that point, I think the complexion of the season changes. Fans' confidence grows, and with it so does the team's confidence. Trent starts looking more like the guy who was among the league leaders in passer rating after two games, rather than the guy who looked lost in the next three games. As his play improves, we start converting 3rd downs. We stay on the field longer, and get the running game back on track. Marshawn and Freddy begin to wear defenses down more. The run game opens things up for Lee and T.O. downfield.

 

All of the sudden, at 5-5, Vegas has us favored to win home games vs. the Phins and Jets (in TO). We expose Sanchez again and get some revenge vs. the Dolphins, who have never been strong in Buffalo in the cold weather. We're now 7-5, and right back in the thick of the playoff race.

 

Who's after that? The Chiefs, who I think we can all agree are one of the 5 worst teams in the league. 8-5.

 

Bad news down the stretch, as we finish with the Patriots (home), Falcons (away), and Colts (home). The Falcons game is a loss. The Colts might very well have wrapped up home field by the last game of the season, which would mean we'd be facing Sorgi, not Manning. That's a win at home. That gets us to 9 wins. If 9 isn't enough, the season might well hinge on that Patriots game (which I'll be at), to get that 10th win.

 

A rosey outlook? Certainly. Impossible? Certainly not.

 

I think it all hinges on Trent. As I mentioned, he looked good the first couple weeks. I remember thinking that he really might be breaking out finally. Then there were injuries on the o-line, his protection failed him, and he lost his confidence. But it's not like his slide was over 8-10 games. He played poorly in just 3 games -- Saints, Dolphins, and Browns.

 

He's still young. Young QBs have a few bad games. These next two games will tell us a lot. We need both of them, but if we get them both, at 5-5 with two home division games to follow, we're right back in the hunt.

 

I know this goes against the grain of Bills fans because of years and years of disappointment, but don't lose hope quite yet. I haven't.

 

 

Ok You told us too...........Crazy

[who will we pick up? Larry Johnson?]

Hardly won't even see the field this year at all. Well, he'll see it, but he won't be on it. He is only still on the team because of his draft position.

 

 

Only on this team because of Draft position. Why do you say that. Are you calling him a bust. When will you bust people realize its the freakin system that the Bills play. You put Hardy on the eagles and He would be putting up some good numbers.

[Hardy in, Omon out]

maybe if Hardy showed some actual WR skills, you would have a point

 

until then, tall it is

 

 

He didnt score 36 tds in college with no skills. Lets hope the coaches and QB can find their skills to get him the ball.

[Hardy in, Omon out]

Hardy is tall - he does not need reps to fine tune his only attribute

 

 

You are getting old with this tall crap

[Who says run first is dead?]

I know this is not Bills related, nor am I a fan, but just on observation with Navy this year. They have run the ball 596 times vs only 73 passes, that translates to 60 runs vs. 7 pass attempts per game. When they beat Wake Forest earlier this year, they ran the ball 61 times vs. 0 passes (not a misprint). At 7-3, they are not doing that shabby.

 

 

Totally different.........NFL = distrubition.........running, Passing, defense and special teams.....

[Who is going to get cut this week.]

Yeah, heaven forbid, anyone like someone on the Bills roster. He was the only receiver with any size that showed any promise. Is hoping he sees the field enough to see if there is anything there some sort of crime? Maybe some of got tired of watching smurfs running around in the red zone not able to get open.

 

Most likely will be a Safety cut, since they are getting healthy again, and we have enough of them. If not a Safety then likely Roscoe, as he hasn't shown much as a receiver, and isn't even dressing since the fumbles.

 

 

Love away all you want. I'm not mad at ya.

[Who is going to get cut this week.]

I'm waiting for people to freak out when one of the following happens:

 

1. The Bills place Hardy on IR.

 

OR

 

2. They release Steve Johnson to make room for Hardy.

 

 

The love for #13 is unreal. It would be like the world coming to an end if that would happen

[Who is going to get cut this week.]

Or are they just going to IR Hardy. Big mistake if they do IR him

[Bob Sanders]

He says he lays it all on the line on every play......throws his body around.

[I wonder if Hardy has learned to run routes]

When the Bills drafted Hardy, they failed to realize that in college he just ran down field and tried to outleap the defender. It worked well for his college years, but it was obvious that he had trouble getting separation and running crisp routes in the NFL. I wonder if the year off included some route running coaching by the Bills' staff?

 

 

Not sure about the so called route running flaw but He was open many times last year so getting off the Jam was not a problems.......Maybe Trent sucked last year too.

[I hope we keep Jauron]

Now, I've done some pretty heavy thinking and drinking on the issue over the last few nights, and I've come to the conclusion that we need Dick Jauron to stay.

 

Why?

 

One word: We need continuity.

 

Remember the 1st game of the year?

We (for all intensive purposes) beat the NE.

 

Then the season went downhill because the air got taken out of us. It's not Dicks fault that McKelvin sucks.

If we had won that game we would probably be leading our division, and headed to the playoffs.

 

If we get a new head coach we will have to start all over again.

And also, the players play hard for him. Some coaches don't even have that.

 

So in short, KEEP THE DICK!!!!

 

 

So you want to keep a guy that has less then .500 winning % lifetime. Its getting worse the more he stays not better.

 

I just lost my job after increasing my terrtory sales by 35% in the second year. 15% the first year. How does this happen. lol

 

If DJ is the coach of the Bills after this year then expect nothing more than a 7-9 season from here on out unless he opens up the play book.

[Cut TO next week]

BUST!!!

 

OK.........Lets just say every player on the Bills roster is a freakin bust.

[Cut TO next week]

I'd rarther have TO for 8 games then Hardy for the remainder of his contract in Buffalo. Hardy is a complete bust and will soon be out of the league.

 

 

And we know this how......because of the awsome offensive scheme the bills play or how great the QB is. You put Hardy on the colts, Pats, or Eagles and he would become a star.

[Cut TO next week]

What could the possible backlash be, of cutting T.O? The season tickets have already been sold. Anyone who thinks keeping him on the field is for the betterment (is that a word?) of the team, is ignorant of the situation. This season, like so many before it, is now a waste.. other than to see what we have for NEXT season. You know, the season T.O. WON'T be here. I can't imagine the "Inner Circle" is worried about upsetting the fanbase. Hell, who here is upset when we lose on Sunday? I've become numb to the losing, myself. Just can't seem to get emotionally invested in the games each week. Oh, I still can't wait for Sunday, and look forward to the game to start.. I just can't seem to get juiced for when the team starts to play well. I guess I'm just waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop on any glimmering hope of a Bills win.

 

It's time for Steve Johnson to be inserted into the #2 spot, and to throw Hardy or Reed into the #3, depending on the situation during the games. Find out what you have in these guys. Who knows, we might find another Miles Austin or Mike Sims-Walker on the team. Might not be a need to scour Free Agency.

 

Now, do I expect any of these things to happen? Absolutely not. Ralph's cheap, Dick's trying to save his job, and Russ isn't a "football guy".. these are the mantra of your 2009 Buffalo Bills. Go Team.

 

My Two Cents.

 

Not sure about god almight S Johnson. Why does everyone have a hard on for him.

[Should TO continue to start?]

I don't know ask Lee Evens. Ask Alex Van Pelt why he sucks. The whole offense is a joke. Josh Reed is the only bright spot on that side of the ball. He catches everything thrown to him and only makes first downs.

 

 

Reed = Check Down balls............Insert any player here and will have just as good stats.

[Anyone catch Thurman this morning?]

I agree, but looking back it is hard to believe Peyton has already been in this league for 12 seasons. He is still probably the tops in the game, but will he start showing wear and tear anytime soon?

 

 

I agree. Peyton wont be playing when he's 44 like Farve but He has a good 6-7 years in his game left. Outside of yesterday (3 times) he is very rarely being hit. Sure anything can happen but his Line is getting built back up where he will be unsackable during most games.

[Anyone catch Thurman this morning?]

Being a colt fan.......Thanks....Polian will not leave until Peyton is gone.

[DeSean Jackson v. James Hardy]

The Bills have played 23 regular season games since drafting Hardy and the Eagles have played 22.

James Hardy has been active for 14 of the 23 games.

 

James Hardy- 9 receptions for 87 yards and 2 TDs

 

 

Desean Jackson- 83 receptions for 1,335 yards and 5 TDs, 211 rushing yards and 2 tds, 2 punt return tds

 

One can make the argument that the Eagles are a better offense and that is undisputable. You could also make the argument that the Bills were one of the more desperate teams at WR in the NFL last year and Hardy played his way off the field. Desean Jackson has played his way into the number 1 role on a deep Eagle's WR group. In addition to this he has proved a major value outside of just recieving. It's a joke of a comparison. Hardy wouldn't see the field in Philly, even if he was healthy.

 

James Hardy's injury is part of being a bust. It's unfortunate that he suffered the injury, but a player's ability to stay healthy is undeniably important. The injury couldn't have come at a worse time of his career in terms of development. It will be interesting to see how much action he sees this year.

 

 

Put Jackson on the Bills team...........What are his stats based on what you seen with the Bills QB play and coaching. The Two team are completely different.

[Ted Ginn to Buffalo?]

His career would die even more here in Buffalo.

[DeSean Jackson v. James Hardy]

Not this year he won't. Unless one of our starters gets hurt he won't see any significant action. With a decent amount of playing time in his rookie season, Hardy showed he wasn't close to being ready. His obvious height advantage and straight line speed were negated by poor body control, poor route running, lack of quickness, lack of awareness, lack of strength, and an overall lack of aggressiveness. It would have been difficult for Hardy to overcome all of these faults in year 2 of his career. Given the fact that his injury has forced him to miss the most important parts of his second season, his timetable gets pushed back even further. I don't believe that all of these factors can be overcome.

Wow

 

 

Hard on the kid. Are you a scout. You must do research. You must watch a lot of film.

[DeSean Jackson v. James Hardy]

Really its a Non Issue.....Hardy plays for the Boring Bills in the run run Check down offense and ROyal and Jackson plays for a more exciting Pass first offense. Royal Numbers have gone down this year as a result to a lesser QB play.

[DeSean Jackson v. James Hardy]

UMMMM lets see.......Hardy had a poor year as a Rookie.(some say) TO comes in and so far has failed. Reed has failed as the #2 for years prior to Hardy coming in.........You begin to wonder if it is the WR in place or the QB or better yet the offenseive coaching scheme. Im sorry but you can put Fitzgerald, Wayne, Colsten, Johnson in a Bills uniform, and this offense would still fail. Buffalo is borring. The team is borring. The coaching staff is boring. Indy, Philly, New orleans, New england, Denver, GB, Ariz are exciting teams and will be for years to come.........5 years from now Bills will still be boring.

[Looking at the rest of the schedule]

Better start putting up some #'s Will need 30 to beat Houston.

[Project Stats of Our "Weapons"]

Time to Put in Hardy....

[I hate Tony Dungy!]

Dungy is now helping the college kid who punched the player a few weeks ago. He is terrible. How dare he. How dare a man help out people in a good way.

 

If TO wasnt on the Bill, This would be a non issue. Just get over it. TO needs to learn to catch the balls thrown to him. He wont even catch 30 balls this year.