Gerry

These "run the table" threads are nothing more than a clear indication of the desperation of some Bills fans. Thankfully, there are enough realistic fans out there who are able to counterbalance the pipe dreams of the desperate. My preseason prediction for the Bills was 5-11, and I am sticking with that. Here's how I see the rest of the way: Jets-coming off of a bye, outstanding front 7, experienced head coach and QB who has developed due to no injuries/playing time; Falcons-underacheiving dome team playing at a neutral site dome could be trouble; Bucs/Jags-will win one of these in FL; Fins-should be able to take them at home; Pats away-are you kidding me?

It was a bad decision because the Bills went out and signed the most injury-prone journeyman QB available, Kolb. They thought he was a better backup option than T Jack, and they were wrong. How predictable was it that Kolb got injured? He even injured himself in camp by slipping on a mat. Once Kolb was injured, the team was scrambling to find a suitable backup. T Jack threw for over 3,000 yards in 12 starts with Seattle in 2011, was better suited for the Bills offense, has been much more durable than Kolb and would have been a more experienced mentor for EJ. The Bills created their own problem here.

Jets D is very, very good, especially front 7; they are coming off of a bye; Geno has developed much faster than Manuel due to playing time and not being injured. None of this bodes well for the Bills.

Next week not looking promising; Jets D is outstanding, Smith has developed fast due to playing time and Jets are coming off of a bye.

You might think that the call was "perfect" but it cost the Bills the game. In that situation, ahead by 7 and with a rookie UFA QB, the Bills needed to be conservative, run the ball 3 times and kick the FG to go up 13-3. If Brady is the QB, yes, you might try that play but not with Tuel. The KC defender only got "lucky" because it was a bad call.

Given the field, Marrone was the right hire for the job, and I like his attitude. However, he needs to learn to make better game day decisions so that the L's turn into W's. The team needs to learn how to win and cannot afford to outplay an opponent, like KC, and end up losing the game.

What concerns me in every game is not the opponent, but the Marrone/Hackett decision making. The 4th and 3 play and 1st and goal sequence cost them the game against KC. Up 10-3 with 1st and goal is the time to be conservative with a rookie QB and run the ball 3 times; if you don't get in, kick the FG and you're up 13-3. The Bills are improved, but not enough to overcome poor coaching decisions.

As I recall, in the Dallas game the 'Boys were out of timeouts but the Bills kept giving them the sideline and they were able to move down the field. It was almost like the Bills wanted to throw the game.

First of all, this was not first and goal, it was fourth and three. Secondly, I did not say that they should have ran the ball-a screen pass is not a run. The play that was called, with the players involved, had a low chance of success and the result was predictable. One of the big reasons why the Pats have owned the Bills for the past twelve years is because Belichick goes to his clutch players with low risk plays on 3rd and 4th downs to keep drives alive. The Bills need to learn to do the same.

The play call was a bad one, and another example of Marrone/Hackett making poor use of the talent that they have to work with. Why not use one of your horses, Fred or CJ, on a screen pass? In situations like this, smart coaches go to their best players with plays that have the best chance of success. Belichick has been doing this for the past 12 years, one of the reasons for his success. Having a rookie QB throw a fade to a second year receiver who has not distinguished himself was a mistake and resulted in the most likely outcome. Well coached teams run high percentage plays with their best players to keep drives going, which in turn helps them to win games. Using the "I like the agressiveness" line is nothing but a copout.

According to Skurski, Fred commented this morning that they don't practice the sneak.

Just like when Ryan Miller was proclaimed the best goalie on the planet.

They refused to run a sneak even when Manuel was playing, and the guy is 6'4, 235. I wonder if they practiced it in camp.

Spiller should not be eliminated from all goal line situations-he is a weapon that needs to be used. Pitch it out to him to the wide sde of the field-what is the probability that he is going to get into the end zone? It is a high number. Same with a QB that can run, especially Thad or even Tuel. Fake the handoff, roll them out to the wide side and have Chandler run toward the corner of the end zone on that side to keep the D honest. Peyton can do it but Thad or Tuel can't? This is the second time that poor play calling and use of personnel on first and goal have cost the Bills the game, and it is on the coaches.

I don't think this has anything to do with EJ or Thad-it has to do with the coaching staff making the best use of the offensive talent that they have to work with by having players on the field at the right time and calling plays to get them touches. Marrone and Hackett are rookies who are trying but learning on the job and it shows. Gailey was over his head as HC but was a better play caller than these guys. I would also ask this question: where is Marcus Easley? Almost all of the elite wide outs in the league (Boldin, Johnson, Bryant, etc.) are big, physical guys who can run with, outreach and punish DB's. Why not give this 6'2", 215 lb. guy a chance?

Thad's performance and the experience he is gaining mean that the Bills do not have to waste a draft pick on a QB next year. He has proven that he has the ability to be a solid backup; with EJ as the starter and Flynn in the mix (assuming they keep him around), there is no need to draft another. Tuel good for taxi squad.

Although some posters are already sold on the job Marrone is doing, it is too early to make an informed evaluation. He is a rookie HC who is learning on the job, has made and will continue to make his share of game day mistakes. He does seem to have the support of the players as they are not quitting on him and the team has been in every game except today's.

This is really funny-could you imagine what the attitude would be if the Bills were 5-1 today, regardless of strength of schedule, and had already won a Super Bowl within the past five years? We all know that in today's parity-driven NFL, almost any team (have to exclude Jags) can beat another on a given day and many games are close, but a win is a win and 5-1 is nothing to sneeze at.

Part of the problem is that Marrone/Hackett are not making the best use of the offensive talent they have to work with; they are both inexperienced, learning on the job and it shows. Of course, you can make the argument that they are scoring 20+ per game, but the play calling needs to improve. Look at the first and goal a few weeks ago, no excuse not to score there. Gailey was an OC masquerading as a HC, but he was more adept at play calling and maximizing the use of the offensive players. Spiller's drop off in production is not entirely due to his sore ankle; some of it is the play calling.

The Chiefs may be overachieving, but they nailed it with the two most important pieces of a football team-the HC and QB. Could you imagine what it would be like in Buffalo if the Bills had gone from 2-14 to 7-0? Super Bowl reservations would be made and paid for.

Forgot about Bledsoe; I stand corrected.

Don't forget, this is a guy who threw for 4,000 yards last year on a 7-9 team. No QB in the 53 year history of the Bills has thrown for 4,000 yards in a season.

Miami coming off of a break and the Bills are a terrible road team, I will be shocked if the Bills win this one.

Coming off a bye Fins will be sky high Bills suck on the road Miami too much of a load

Totally agree-I have been asking this question for weeks. Guy had a great camp, is a stud on special teams, and has the size to be the big, physical receiver that the Bills need. One of the News writers speculated that the coaching staff may be concerned about hurting Graham's feelings if Easley starts playing. Although this seems ridiculous to me, the only other reason that I can think of is that either Marrone or Hackett or both doubt his ability. Years ago the Bills had a receiver with similar size who was a stud on special teams his first year-Eric Moulds.