CSBill

Someone just watched "The Blindside"

Right, that's how you build a winner, get rid of two of your best players because they are not choir boys!

Concerning Mack: I watched that bowl game just to see him play, and honestly, I'm still looking. Did he play, was he hurt? I did not see one thing to get me interested in him. Maybe he was hurt?

I loved the Bryan Cox days, he made it fun to watch those games . . .

Thanks for dropping by Gregg's mom. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. As for EJ Manuel, the grade is clearly incomplete. He has been inconsistent at best—but he is a rookie. At this point, we all want to believe he's "the guy," but that is very hard to honestly say right now. His only consistent trait this season has been injuries. Only time will tell, but the problem is, this is the new NFL and QB's generally are not going to be given a lot of time. He will get next season, and then a real decisions can be made. (And as a long-suffering Bills fan, that is so painfully hard to accept.)

And as the stats show, the one glaring weakness still remains, Run Defense! This needs to be addressed with better LBs in the off-season. If it can be fixed, watch out league!

BmarvB, on 23 December 2013 - 06:14 PM, said: I'm thinking they should at least give him (and Troupe) a fair chance to compete in training camp before cutting them both loose or working out a trade for whatever they can get for either or both. "Troup was cut this preseason. No one picked him up." Good! Now we can really get him cheap, and then think how good that DLine will be! this!

because you know, NFL corners never get beat by really fast receivers . . . it just never happens, right?

winning always builds winning

at least still looking at the play-offs

The problem with EJ is that, we still don't really know what we have. He has looked very good at time, and has looked like a lost rookie at times. My biggest concerns with him is (besides the early run of injuries): He does not appear to have that on the edge, reckless confidence, "do hard things" attitude that all great QBs have. He needs to show he has the moxy to take some risks and make difficult throws once in awhile. He always seems abundantly cautious in his decision making (reminds me a lot of "Trentative" in that respect). Even when he decides to run on occasion, he never really seems committed to it. Thad Lewis, while maybe not having the natural skills and size of Manuel, does show that kind of moxy. He is, however, best suited for the back-up role, and I think he is a very valuable asset to have on any team. And, he has the confidence of his teammates, he has proven that they can win with him. That is an under appreciated, but extremely important player/role on any team. Back to EJ: What I really wonder about concerning him is, how much does coaching comes into his play? Is he limited? over cautious? because Hackett and company are making him that way, or is it him? While this is hard to measure, the eyeball test seems to suggest the offense doesn't have that same level of shyness and timidity when Lewis is in there? So back to my point: I don't think we know what we have yet with EJ, and unfortunately only time will tell so we're going to have to wait until next year to get a better read on that. We all hope he's the answer, but there just isn't enough evidence yet to come to a conclusion. That being said, this is the NFL, and time waits for no one. If he doesn't prove it early next year, we could be starting all over again . . . and, make sure you have Thad wrapped up and ready to go. He may be needed sooner then we want, but he's not a bad #2 option.

One very positive thing to remember, which makes me affirm the thought that we will not be drafting defensive players early (unless a difference-maker LB falls our way) is that Alex Carrington should be back next year. I believe he was ready to have a breakout season for the Bills—he was the best d-linmen in the early pre-season. Getting him back will be like adding a top draft pick to an already good unit.

hahaha

further proof there should be some kind of minimal IQ qualifications to share "your opinions" on this board

this I would like

70 yards certainly possible, especially in perfect conditions - indoors, at Denver, or a place like Buffalo with the wind behind you.

Anyone who watches the Bills on a regular basis can see the obvious: FredX is the best offensive player on the team. And his value goes way beyond the stats (as good as they are), but also his leadership and example. Yes, one of these days he will hit that tipping point of his age catching up to him. But until then, watch and enjoy what a true profession we have in Fred Jackson.

Me Too! Although Marrone isn't going anywhere no matter what happens.

yeah, but he's still better than what we have now

CJ is from that area As for EJ, "He's injury prone!"

John Wooden did stuff like that, basically teaching his players how to be respectful, smarter, and how to act like men. It seemed to have turned out well-enough for him. That being said, I'm way more concerned about his ability to judge and keep talent. The Bills seem to lead the league (maybe it's just our limited and myopic perspective) in getting rid of, or letting go, All-Pro types (Williams, Lynch, Peters, Spikes, etc.). Coaches are always smarter when they have better players. So I do hope that he can figure who the best players are and do what it takes to keep them—so we can build, not start over, each year.

Well, my wife said, "I like their outfits."

Why do you even watch the games, and even better, take time to post on this board? Is it time to just walk away from the keyboard; obviously there is no joy in any of this for you.

Wasn't #64—JJ 'UNGA—supposed to play today at LG? I kept looking for him, but really didn't notice when/if he played. Did anyone see him out there, and any report about his play?

And can we now put to rest this insidious discussions about whether he is dedicated to the Buffalo Bills.