vincec

I went back and re-reviewed the game. The Bills run defense in the first 3 Vikings drives when their starters were in was pretty good. They got gashed by Gerhart as you say but the other runs were handled pretty well. So I agree that things didn't break down vs the run until the backups started rotating in. Minnesotta did get a TD and two field goal attempts out of their three drives vs the Bills starters however so I don't see how you can say that "the defense wasn't that bad". Hopefully the underneath passing can be controlled a little better because they got roasted by it.

This. Don't worry though, it'll all be fixed when the Bills finally start trying. What is it that they say? The first step in dealing with a problem is to admit that you have a problem in the first place. I saw problems in the Bills run defense and their underneath coverages. Hopefully, the team is not in the kind of denial this board is and it working on fixing these issues instead of just waiting for the regular season when everything will magically be fixed.

Sheppard is the MLB now, not Barnett. Even though Sheppard hasn't shown anything, I think that Barnett is too small to play MLB. The teams future MLB may not be on the team yet. I think McKelvin has a ways to go to reclaim a starting position and Gilmore has played well for a rookie and will only get better. McGee can't stay healthy and may be cut outright but if not he is in a dogfight with Brooks for the nickel because Brooks has looked pretty good and, as a rookie, has a high upside. I think the DL is solid but I am concerned that there doesn't seem to be a run stuffing DT. I thought it would be Dareus but he is really more of a penetrator like Williams, IMO. With no run stuffer, everyone trying to penetrate on every down and a weak MLB this team will be vulnerable to the run. Think the Colts during the Tony Dungy era.

It's preseason. The refs aren't really trying so it doesn't mean anything. They will turn it on and be great once the regular season starts.

Haven't you heard, when the Bills play poorly in preseason or training camp then it doesn't mean anything but if they look good then it's an indication that they are going to make the playoffs this season.

What this nonsense again? The other team was trying to play well and the Bills weren't? The same as last week when the Redskins were blitzing and trying to make plays while the Bills were just going through the motions content to get their butts kicked? If the starters on a team that lost 8 out their last 9 games and hasn't had a winning season in over 10 years don't think it's important to try hard and show improvement in the time they are on the field then the Bills are in even bigger trouble. I'm fairly certain that the Bills starters were putting in a strong effort. They just got their butts kicked again.

I'm sure that you will help to keep things in perspective.

I don't know what Troup's propsects for recovery are, but he sure sounded discouraged about them. Chronic back problems don't just go away, take it from me, and I don't have 300# guys slamming into me. I think he's probably done with the Bills. In other news, I though Heard looked pretty good against Washington. He definitely made a better impression than Carrington to me. I think the 9th DL spot is between him and K Moore. I'm actually the most interested in what happens with Lindell v Potter. I have a feeling that if Potter hits his field goals during preseason that the Bills may cut Lindell rather than keep 2 kickers.

More unbiased commentary?

Well put.

I am not convinced that the Bills are going to keep both Potter and Lindell. Potter has been very accurate with his FGs during camp and if we start seeing him hitting field goals during the preseason games I think that there's a chance that Lindell could be gone.

This sums up my view as well. I will never forget Christie hitting the clutch 40+ yard field goal at the end of the playoff game in Tennessee, in the sleet and wind, to snatch a very emotional win against the Titans. Then of course...

He could burn the place down.

That's what I saw too. Maybe he can develop into a nickel LB and eventually replace Bryan Scott. I was not really impressed by any of the LBs to tell you the truth.

Lee Evans is over the football hill now so I'm probably beating a dead horse, but for the sake of argument I ask if Lee Evans isn't good blocking or going over the middle, then why does the coach insist that he do those things? Why not put him in a position to be successful?

The Pats OL has been good for a long time now. I'll believe that they are waning when I see it with my own eyes. Until then, it's all hype.

I doubt it.

Always liked him. He will do fine in Seattle.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see the backup QB job as important as I once did. The Bills are pretty much like everyone else, including the defending SB champions- if they lose their starting QB for more than a game or two, things are probably sunk for the season. There's no way to keep a player who could start and win games as a backup these days. You're really just trying to get a decent game or two from your backup. In the Bills case you just hope that your defense and running game can deliver a win in those one or two games.

"We were confronted by a dilemma: to take the right decision from a human point of view or the right decision from the point of view of fencing rules, which aren`t perfect. The technical committee decided to take the second route." In other words, they could do the right thing or follow some rule even though it is wrong. They chose to do the wrong thing. Yup, that's what athletic competition is all about.

Unfortunately, boxing is littered with questionable decisions- both in the amateur and professional ranks. It almost makes you wonder if they weren't better off when the event went until somebody quit or was knocked out, even if it lasted 100 rounds. Going to the judges is a recipe for disaster.

Exactly right.

If Carrington makes it then Edwards or Johnson will be cut, IMO. It should have no impact on the LBs. I've been reading good things about Carrington but he's still practicing with the 3rd team, correct?

Don't be too sure. Aren't they also giving Bradham reps at middle? And I think that Barnett or Morrison could be moved there in a pinch. I think White and McKilop BOTH are on the bubble right now. I've always had a good feeling about Moats at SOLB. I think he will make it. He is a playmaker and you don't cut those.

Based on Chris Brown's practice notes, I'm more worried about LT. He wrote that Gailey "didn't sound all that pleased" with how things were going and from the other camp reports is appears that both Hairston and Glenn have been getting worked by the DL.