thurst44

You know, we were one dropped pass away from beating the Steelers last year and lost by 3 points or less against three other teams who were much better than last year's not-as-good version of the Bills, so really you never know. The Patriots should have "killed" the Browns last year...they didn't.

On a similar tip, had to duck in a big-name clothes place today by my job on 19th st. in NYC and was joyously surprised to see a huge display of Bills gear (we're talking hundreds of items). Just e-mailed to see if it's still showing games, but as of last year, they were showing the games in Hoboken at Northern Soul -- really nice vibe, good group and cool bartenders. Good alternative to McFadden's overcrowds (although calico jack's overflow is usually a great mix of passion and not-getting-jostledness -- although sitting at the bar with 3 dollar drinks, the second half is often a bit blurry for me).

Two years ago, before teams realized they could run on the Bills all day, they were 2nd in yards allowed and 2nd in INTs (which if you want to make an argument that teams didn't pass on them, well, that's even more impressive then). And they have done well with a minimal pass rush. This team isn't significantly different so if Merriman and company get the QB pressure they likely will, this secondary could be a nightmare for opposing QBs. If memory serves, Brady had his worst game of the year against the Bills. Hopefully, we can make it the two worst this year.

You're both right in a sense. It was the first game I ever went to and it was indeed 0 degrees (but only if you speak in celsius) and the snow began to fall as we counted down the final minute to the Super Bowl. The next day, however, was 11 degrees with a hearty wind and I sadly would not have had the fortitude for that. Amazing game though.

Actually, the Pats have not "destroyed" us in half the games we've played the past two years. I see no reason why a young team who finished stronger than they started would do worse this year.

Wow...26 is old now? Just wow. And that Jammie Kirlew dig is absolutely absurd. Well, the Bills pretty much answered almost every question there in pre-season game number three (fitz 11/12, offensive line didn't let him get touched, stopped the run, spiller had some good runs) and hopefully that's a preview of what's to come. It's in vogue to bash the Bills; hopefully, they'll prove them wrong with their play in the regular season.

It's not really apt to say it's badmouthing Lee Evans to say that he doesn't fit the system. His numbers kind of bear that out over the last few seasons. I love Lee Evans and hope he does well with the Ravens, but at this point, frankly, I'm more excited to see the young receivers -- as a UB alum am happy to see Namaan likely make the team (and he looked good in the games he played and from what i've heard in pre-season). Ok, maybe I'll regret these words if SJ is double-teamed and we're 3 and out most drives, but Jones, Nelson, and Roosevelt were all exciting to watch and helped make last year's 4-12 season more watchable and hopeful than that dreadful array of moribund 7-9/6-10 Jauron teams.

Our offensive line was the same or worse last year (how quickly we forget Cornell Green), yet change a few plays and we could have been 7-9 or 8-8 with one of the hardest schedules. I'm getting sick of this "our offensive line sucks so we're going to be the worst team in football" logic. Our offensive line has been about this level for years. The Steelers went to the Super Bowl with one of our cast-offs...offensive line is important and I can't say I love Gailey's shuffling them around (though i get it), but it's not the only part of a team.

Oh, fercryingoutloud, it's the same offensive line as last year when we were mathematically closer to 6-10 than 0-16, coupled with a much better defense. Y'all cassandras need to get some sleep.

You know, I was young, but I recall a lot of people saying the same thing about the original Bruce Smith when his contract first came up.

But then, wouldn't we have to go out-of-bounds on every play?

I think it's ordinary sound byte chest thumping too, but I would say that the likely improvement of CJ Spiller, Fitz with the offense from the beginning, Brad Smith, a healthy O-Line with Wood at center, and as you said, that one more year's experience (particularly for a young team), there are reasons to believe this offense (which wasn't terrible last year), could indeed be more "explosive"

And you don't accept that if the players are improving, that probably means that the team will soon start winning (or that young teams tend to lose before they learn to win) and that losing close games against good teams forebodes better than getting demolished week after week by mediocre teams?

Yes, nobody has ever had a terrible game and ever come back. Oh, wait, practically every good player has at least one terrible game and comes back. But you're right: now we get to see how he handles this. Although he's clearly a uniquely sensitive individual, he had the same dropsies problem in the pre-season and look how he came back...I think he'll be fine. I'm looking forward to a big game next week.

Yes, and that is what a young team does against one of the best, tightest (even if they weren't playing like that this week) teams in the league. They lose. I'm just amazed that they've been in these games (and coming back in these games) week after week.

Well said. And people should stop assuming that absolutely no one wants to play/live in Buffalo. How many players have stayed in the city after their playing days? It seems like the whole 90s bunch found a home in the Queen City. (hell, i've been out of buffalo for over a decade, it's not my birthplace, and i have no plans on coming back to live, but i still initially wrote "here") Maybe, Merriman likes it here...or perhaps he'll want to help the team return to its former glory. Or he doesn't and will follow the money. However, ultimately, we don't really know.

Running Backs are interchangeable, huh? So you could swap out Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson for Felix Jones or Justin Forsett with no effect on the team? You could have dropped Thurman Thomas from the 90s Bills and had the same team? I'm sorry to express this like an ass, it's just that I'm tired of all the absolutes. The Bills drafted Spiller because they see someone who is more than an average RB or even a good RB, but s game-changer who brings a unique set of qualities, a guy who can break for a touchdown at any point, can catch a long bomb, etc. The sort of player who forces you to account for him on every play or else pay the price. So far (after half a season active), he has shown very little of these qualities (as it is with most rookies). There's a chance (as with every draftee) that he never will. However, I give the FO credit for taking the BPA rather than taking an offensive lineman with much more downside.

On the other hand, I was just scouring the internet to see if there was a Stevie Johnson "Why So Serious?" T-Shirt available.

Pittsburgh - Ok, that's a hard one. Minnesota - In total chaos, easily beatable Cleveland - Why do they get credit for close games with some people and we just don't know how to win; it'll probably be some awful football, but this is a coin-toss at worst (and i say we're due in this yearly debacle). Miami - In a tailspin, wracked with injuries and have the look of a team that could lose out. New England - Has anyone noticed their defense is near dead last this year. We have to beat them eventually. They may pick up a few losses in the second half, including this one, which may mean... NY Jets - ...may have nothing to play for. That familiar ol' 7-9 is a distinct possibility, but it would be the best 7-9 yet. And take a look at that Peyton Manning draft that lose-bots like to point out. There's guys who would help us all throughout the first round. If our front office hasn't learned to draft, we have bigger problems.

He's 4 tds behind the league lead (having not started the first games), is 2:1 td:interception and just led a huge comeback with 4 tds. At what point do you start giving him credit that maybe he's better than you have him pegged? He's looked pretty damned accurate all year to me and he's not even 28 yet.

I'm sure San Diego is happy they lost enough games to snag Ryan Leaf instead of getting stuck with some loser like Charles Woodson or Kyle Turley or Tra Thomas or Fred Taylor or Keith Brooking...imagine if they had a winning season, they might have even had to settle for Randy Moss.

Hasn't Fitz engineered two last-minute fourth-quarter comebacks to tie games on the road against opponents with winning records. Or is that weird twist logic?

Yes, you're right. Lindell should be faulted for hitting the crossbar on a 53-yard field goal after making one; a "good" kicker would. Holy cow, we're ridiculous.

Worst thing about that story was (if i recall right and/or am not exaggerating to make a rough story all the worse), the 40-something Junkin had already retired, but the Giants convinced him to join them for that playoff run.

To paraphrase a great movie (and book): "are we negative because we're Bills fans or are we Bills fans because we are negative?"