Red

The Patriots are lucky to have escaped with a win. If not for 1 critical error (McKelvin), this game was won by the Bills. The O-line was strong- particularly up the middle. Eric Wood is an ANIMAL! This has nothing to do with Jauron and everything to do with CORRECTABLE mistakes. McKelvin had 2 fumbles (1 critical), Bell had some learning-curve penalties (but also played better than expected- walker who?), and 3 different receivers had drive-killing drops (Jackson, Owens, and Evans) in the first half that could have resulted in points. The D-line is finally getting pressure to Brady AND without having to call blitzes as in the past. Kevin Williams, Aaron Schobel, and the crew were disruptive often and history has shown that that is the way to beat Brady. What about the tackling? I love Gruden's take on Reggie Corner chomping at the bit to take down Wes Welker. And how about the play-calling of AVP? Brady whined after the game that they did not play up to their level. Baloney! They got beat. If McKelvin stays in the end zone... ...I would take my chances with this offense last night to close out the game with 2:00 to go. Who cares about stats? The only stat I care about is the final score. And with the national media having a field day at the Bills expense (I don't know how the league can stand by and let 1 of its franchises be slandered like that over, and over, and over again) predicting wild 41-7 games, I think the Bills can walk away from this with their heads held high BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID THEY BEAT THE PATRIOTS, but they FINALLY SHOWED THAT THEY BELONG ON THE SAME FIELD. If they play like this for the rest of the season, I see 11-5 in their future. GO BILLS!

Yeah, what, 2 field goals and a safety? I guess Maybin contributed to the point total... Screw New England!!! GO BILLS!!!! Bills unveil new no huddle offense led by AVP and destroy NE 47-7! There, now where are my press credentials?

You are really wrong on this one. Moss has certainly not behaved like the 'me first' player he was prior to New England. Once he arrived, his antics were over. You failed to address the Samuel situation, and what about Ty Law? That got ugly, and New England would have none of it. There are way more examples of my point in New England's structure than your argument. Law, Samuel, Gay, Seau, now Seymour, Milloy, Bledsoe, etc. Now, you may look at some of these names and scoff that age was a factor. Could be a contributing factor, but Samuel, Gay and Law were top performers at their positions with the team and league as a whole. The Patriots have a model, and refused to overpay. The only point where you may have some validity is the comparison to the positional equivalent of LT Matt Light. One a separate note- I know it's a business, but Peters went undrafted and was signed by the Bills as a project. The Bills reached and took a chance on him when no one else would, yet there is no loyalty or consideration of team. That doofus McGahee was the same way. He was (still is) extremely damaged goods coming out of college. The Bills believed enough in him to take a chance on the baffoon. A couple seasons in, he is bad-mouthing the team, city, etc. Good riddance to him, but whatever happened to loyalty or a simple 'thanks'? I can remember one of the last real players of the league, waiting until the 2nd round to get drafted by the Bills, and then used that fury against the rest of the league on game day. Oh Thurman, I wish we could have more players like ya...

The Michael Crabtree situation is THE EXACT REASON when the new labor contract is signed, rookies need to have little to no negotiating power since they are UNPROVEN ROOKIES!! That money should go to established veterans, or to retired pros who could use the health insurance and or pension.

Yummy?!!? YUMMY?!!? No offense, but what are you, some 12 year old girl?

wah, wah, wah! - quit crying. The Bills have long been rumored this decade as favoring the New England Patriots as THE model with which to build a franchise. Now, on field success notwithstanding, one of the traits exhibited by the Pats is that of a 'team first' philosophy. After all, it was only a few seasons ago when the Pats opened with 2 rookies on their starting O-Line. Their C went to Detroit, and a G left for Cleveland (I billieve). Now, ofcourse we know that they hit on these 2 guys (or they fit the system that was employed). Regardless, the Patriots did not overpay for the services of 2 starting offensive linemen and let them part via free agency. You could also look at New Englands handling of CB Asante Samuel and CB- Gay. They refused to pay for talent (Samuel is pretty talented- one of the INT's in your highlight video), but to pay for his services would have placed NE out of their structure and 'team first' mentality. Now, obviously the Bills are not the Pats. Yet. But you have to start somewhere, and offsetting your entire salary structure for a player who has proven to have a 'me first' mentality does not fit in the overall plans of the team. So, either get over it or become an Eagles fan.

I came away with the distinct impression that 1.) Pittsburgh's O-line is simply awesome, and 2.) Big Ben is truly an NFL caliber QB in the way moves in the pocket, finds the open receiver, and slings it DOWN THE FIELD for receptions AND touchdowns!

meh, I'll go with the esteemed Mr. Dick Enberg. So many memories of 'ol games on NBC when the Bills were ripping up the league in the Super Bowl years...

For players salaries, I mostly agree with you. But for coaching salaries, it is clear that since Marv left, Ralph has preferred to hire coaches on the cheap. Would Wilson pay $10 million or whatever per season for the likes of a Bill Cowher? Is Cowher (or any coach) even worth that? No, and no as far as I am concerned. But if, after this season the Bills do not make the playoffs and Jauron is in fact fired, IF the Bills once again reach on an unproven (Bobby April- I have an eerie feeling about him being the heir- or the waterboy in Dallas) head coach, then it will be evident when a stable of offensively-minded, coaching GM's WITH PROVEN FOOTBALL AND PERSONNEL KNOWLEDGE (Holmgren, Gruden, Shanahan) will be available for next season. Ralph can hide behind fears of giving all of the keys to the Bills kingdom to one individual (thanks, Donahoe), but clearly GM by committee does not work as the central theme or team identity has no unified direction. Brandon may be an excellent marketer, but NFL GM he is not. And will someone can John Guy and Modrak already?

Methinks that you all jest too much by blaming Levy. Isn't John Guy paid to bring in free agents? Pray tell, why is Mr. Guy still employed at OBD?

Sorry (though I don't know why anyone would actually defend Donahoe), but what I wrote is not what I meant. When I mentioned Royal, I was asking the original poster if he included Royal in his list of failure FA's brought in by JOHN GUY.

my sentiments, exactly. Did you put Robert Royal in there too? He was brought in by Donahoe, and should be canned with Modrak!

can someone tell me why john Guy still has a job at OBD?

AWESOME!! Thanks for the post!

Settle down, settle down, killer. No need to be so knee-jerk.. Whew, ok, all I was saying that you did not clearly articulate those thoughts in your last post. Tim Graham's recent article sheds more light on this situation. It seems more like Jauron set the philosophy, but Schonert did not agree with it, probably did a half @$$ job with it (i.e. did not give it his all as evidenced by his complaining to the players about 'being forced' to run it), and was responsible for his own departure. Ofcourse it is horrific for us all if what we saw in the preseason is what we will get in '09. But, I feel more comfortable now, given what has come to light with Schonert and not being onboard with the hurry-up, with AVP as someone who has run this offense before providing life and spark to the O.

WOW! Dib, where did you get that picture? Whew, that is my dream!

yeah, especially now that he is the,um....starting LT...this week....

But what is your point? Every head coach hires coordinators to ultimately follow the philosophy as set by the Head Coach. There is nothing concerning about this, just 'Get 'er done!'

guys, one possible rationale is that the team is attempting to appear financially secure so that the pool of potential buyers would be greater given Ralph's eventual demise.

you're being too kind to the Bills FO. I believe that they are placing this team to appear financially attractive and solid for sale to a prospective buyer come Ralph's eventual demise. If they do what it takes to field a successful team, this will cost money, and make the team appear to be less profitable than what it is showing now. It will involve risking future dollars to be successful today. This would ruin its appearance to many buyers and only the most serious of candidates would be interested (read: smaller pool). I mean, c'mon...Ralph WAS THERE when the Bills were going to 4 straight Super Bowls!! He knows what he had to do and what it cost to build a winner. Now, for the past 10 years we can't even sniff the playoffs? Ralph and Golisano should just make up their minds already. Either do it right and commit 100% to being successful, or sell the damn teams no matter what the outcome.

I would love to jump aboard your wagon, but I feel that it may be teetering way too close to falling off a long cliff to the rocks far below. Phew! Some thoughts... ...I don't believe Brandon deserves credit as the catalyst to any of these personnel moves. I'll give him props for Owens, but I am starting to see that as strictly a marketing ploy for those Toronto/ Canadian dollars more so than building a winning team on the FIELD- not the bank. No, from Turk to Walker, Rhodes to Chambers...I think this is Jauron (and possibly Wilson). Brandon comes across to me as too much of a 'yes man'. I don't see him having the balls or flat out experience to challenge Wilson enough to stick his neck out the way say, an established GM like Polian or AJ Smith might do. Brandon does what he is told. Walker was a weak/ average tackle. Chambers is a weak tackle. The true test is if these guys wait on the free agent market. Chambers cleared waivers. Is it a surprise that he was available? If walker lasts longer than a week on the market, then I would be less judgemental of the Bills and the decision to can him. He, like Kelsay, is way overpaid for the resuting production. I do applaud strong moves, but will they have the desired effect based on their timing? I mean, if I was Trent I would be somewhat scared. First, my offseason offensive coordinator was canned, which regardless of their relationship causes some shakiness leading up to the first game against the Pats, no less. Second, now my backside is in question since a.) my Pro Bowl LT was traded away and b) the veteran who is going to replace him is now waived and he is replaced with a relative rookie. Wilson gave jauron an ultimatum last offseason...that the offense had better be improved or else. Schonert paid the price of that one. But Walker being cut? Why couldn't he be a backup at RT? Dollars and cents... I sincerely wish the Bills the best; I really do. I have my Sunday ticket renewed, and will give my 3 hours every week. And when is John Guy going to be held accountable for bringing in nothing but duds during his tenure? He was brought in by Donahoe (along with Modrak) and should be replaced (along with Modrak). Buddy Nix is back, and that makes me feel better about the prospects of the future. But Guy has GOT TO GO!! I am starting to believe that this 'team' is being positioned for sale given Ralph's age and eventual demise. Just looking at the moves being made, the overall lack of commitment to winning (sounds eerily similar to another Buffalo sport franchise), and the nickel-and-diming of the roster...it all reeks to me of being save and sound and be a solid investment for a potential (any) buyer. The past 3 drafts have been solid (this years looks really promising), and they do have some good players. But I am starting to think that the team is on hiatus until Ralph passes. If they overreach on contracts and thus hamstring it by mortgaging the future...this would hurt its appearance to some suitors. Why else hang on to the useless Guy, Modrak, and Jauron? Bring in Holmgren, Shanahan, Cowher, or Gruden as both coach AND GM if you want to win.

one name everyone seems to forget is Mike Holmgren. He is another offensive minded HC who could also bring instant credibility to our GM position, as well. My order would be: 1.) Cowher (naysayers be damned) 2.) Shanahan 3.) Holmgren 4.) Marty I think Marty could also bring respectability back to the franchise and get them back to the playoffs. however, Marty's biggest issue is his inability to carry a team deep into the playoffs and into the Super Bowl.

I would agree wholeheartedly. Nic Harris has impressed me with his range, speed, intensity, and ability since the 1st preseason game. Palmer impressed me as being very similar to Harris. Its about time some hungry depth was on this team.

Methinks you mis-interpret me. I don't think Evans is the problem. But either the tremendous lack of confidence of Edwards or the wuss play-calling of Schonert is on display. I'm sure Evans is getting open that, oh, say...any REAL QB could find a seam and get it in there.