CodeMonkey

Is there really a difference? I remember last years statements about buying into the new HC's system, the "game changer" and "explosive" Spiller making the OL better etc. Seems the same to me but I guess much like beauty, attitude is in the eye of the beholder.

It is good to hear that they are confident in their own abilities. But when have you heard the players on any team make statements in camp that they are going to suck this year? This is the same offense as last year. What is going to make them more "explosive" this year than last, a years experience? Hope it's true, but sounds like ordinary sound byte chest thumping stuff to me.

He was going very hard Thursday night, one of the few that were. But he did finish practice and showed no signs of being hurt that I saw, and I was watching the line/linebacker contact drills most of the time. He could very well just be sore and this is precautionary.

The offense is the same as last year so there can be no other reason than the one you stated.

Ohhh right right right. Thanks. I also should say that I thought Thigpen looked like crap the times I watched him. Anyone pay attention to the QBs?

I also saw him bounce anything that looked the least bit congested outside immediately and get run down just like last year. If the OL can open holes he may be able to get through them this season, but based just on last night he still has some learning to do (in my opinion anyway).

Wasn't he the one who left the field 45 minutes early with a couple trainers?

Didn't stand out to me anyway. At least nowhere near Dareus and Merriman ... they were beasts. Caveat: I did spend more time watching the lines and a lot less watching the offense running the short routes against the DBs.

I was there last night as well. Dareus and Merriman impressed me a LOT. They both were putting out full effort at all times and looked good doing it. I didn't see much from anyone else on a consistent basis, including effort.

I can understand optimism in august, its the unwarranted optimism that I do not understand. The defensive line got better almost certainly. We swapped Barnett for Poz, maybe a slight upgrade in pass coverage there, remains to be seen. Merriman has made it through several practices without going on IR, and reports are that he looks very good thus far. Secondary should probably be more or less the same caliber as last year. The offense is the same unless Spiller rises from the ashes of his crash and burn rookie season and kicks ass. If that happens we can be optimistic about a somewhat better offense, if not then same as last year. So while I can understand optimism that the team should be somewhat improved over last season, that's about it. There is a middle ground between koolaid drinker and getting misery from following a team you know. I prefer a even-keeled outlook myself. Much less bipolar that way

I don't have any expectations about Spiller for this season. I have no clue what is going to happen with him. This is probably the single thing that interests me most about this season. Will Gailey figure out a way to use him effectively? Will Spiller get a clue about blocking and picking up the blitz? Will Spiller learn how to run north instead of just east/west? If all of these issues go the Bills way then the offense will have a much needed boost in production. If not, Spiller picks up splinters in his ass instead of yards and the offense is a repeat of last season. Time will tell.

Could still be true. Now his paycheck in in Cinci is all.

I suspect some bungles fans troll this board and think the same thing

Yeah this makes sense. I was comparing to soccer and hockey where you simply don't see these types of injuries from light workouts. Muscle bulk would be a big difference between NFL players and the others. Good point.

Physically intense game? We are talking about 3 days of fairly light practice aren't we? Not full on, game type contact to the best of my knowledge. It surprises me that NFL players are not 100% in shape when they report to camp (at least I assume this is the case, why else so many injuries so early and overweight players). I would think camp time could be used better than having to get players in physical shape.

I think people are pumped that he is simply able to practice thus far and looks dominant doing it, even if it is just against the Bills OL. Remember he walked out onto a Bills practice field last year and after about 10 minutes limped off and onto IR. The fact that he seems healthy at least thus far is the cause for the optimism (that and it is August and hope in the Bills is at a yearlong high ). By all accounts he looks better now than he has in years.

I think the 5.5 is the right over/under split point. If the Bills stay perfectly healthy, and things go all their way, and a dozen more "ifs" they might get to 6 wins. Otherwise 5 or below. I keep my money in my pocket at least right now.

Camp not even 1 week old and they are predicting next years draft order. Man are people so desperate for football related reading material that sites will publish anything?

Pictures? Please

As opposed to the Biils fans last season at camp booing Trentative? There are !@#$s everywhere.

Last year and this year (so far anyway) they have "the autograph zone" which is a tent for kids 14 and under after practice and 3 players each day sign things for the kids (one per kid). Yesterday (8/1) it was Evans, Johnson, and Parrish. I don't know of anything like you are describing however. Yesterday was a light crowd apparently and my kids got all 3 of the guys in the tent and my wife got Fitz and Moats at the fence.

Its receiver day at the autograph station for kids at todays camp: Evans Johnson Parrish

It can happen. I have 3 kids in Rochester, aged 10 and 12. So they have not seen anything but **** out of OBD either. But they are still Bills fans. In fact they are all going to camp today, we are all going Thursday night, and will be there for the kids day preseason game!

I can make my belly stick out farther than yours!

Yeah, he is throwing the preseason hail mary but so what. The reality is the defense should be a little better due to Dareus and Barnett should be a wash for Poz (maybe even a slight upgrade) and the stache should also help some. Are they all of a sudden a force to be reckoned with ... No. The offense is the same as last season with I suppose a upgrade to backup QB. This is the time of the year when Bills fans who have been trampled on by their team of choice for 11 years and counting can have some hope. Some choose to be very optimistic and you or I may not agree. But if you remember they are the same ones last year thinking 10-6 or better and playoffs because of the additions of Gailey and Spiller. The season will start soon enough and we will see what we will see. Who knows, someday they may end up being right!