BigBuff423

Marrone deserves this year AND next, at a minimum...

It was a great watch, well worth the time...and also agree with sentiments made above, listening to Van Miller's call of the Comeback put a smile on my face and immediately transported me back to my parents' living room screaming at the top of my lungs while I watched that game...where we lived in CNY, there wasn't the same black-out rules that apply today, we were beyond that magical and infuriating invisible circle that decided which games made it on and which ones didn't...back when NBC carried the AFC games...man, those were some great memories, and the very reason I'm a BILLS fan today, I just happen to take an interest at the right time for the BILLS...and I was hooked, a sucker for life....I also agree with Yolo, that while this team has not "yet" proven they are similar in productivity to the developing and emerging BILLS team that went to 4 straight Super Bowls, there is a lot to like and some similarities as to how talent has come on this team....don't know how the BILLS will do this year, but *not* seeing improvement and at least a Wild Card playoff berth would seem to be anti-climactic...

And to that point, it was a single TD that the BILLS won easily, and on a ball held up in the wind, else it would have been questionably catchable at best...

Agreed John from Hemet...we (fans) can be impatient when it comes to putting things, like sophomore QBs who didn't even play a full season, into perspective...having said that, to me - EJ has *this* season to show real, marked improvement and progress and that includes playing at least 15 games in order for the BILLS to be able to realistically defend NOT getting another QB next off-season in some manner or fashion...but, win, lose or ugly, I'm all in on EJ *this* and only this season...simply b/c, all the other pieces are virtually there, now is the time to strike while the iron is hot!

I realize the "official" release of who the new owner will have to wait, but couldn't the Wilson estate announce whose bid they have accepted and forwarded to the NFL?? That, would help immensely in relieving some of the pressure to find out the fate of the BILLS. In that, if in fact it were Pegula, I would rest easier knowing the first major hurdle was overcome and the last was to be approved by the NFL...if I / we have to wait until October to find out both of those facts, it's going to be a long couple of months and much, much, much more conjecture...which, I'm already sick of...ughh!

All nicely stated reflections and quite well written...encouraging to say the least, yet won't make any pre-determined assumptions...will allow the play on Sundays in the Fall make that statement and conclusion.

EJ demonstrated marked improvement between the Patsies first game until he got injured in the Cleveland game...in fact, not long before his injury in that game I remember thinking how much better he looked and how he had the Offense really clicking and his development was coming along nicely, and then wham! Down with the knee...that warped his development and his confidence to some degree, IMO...now, with a full off-season and another year to gain experience and strength, I think we will all see a different EJ Manuel once the bullets start flying in September...up for a big first test: Chicago on the road. That, will be at least a fair indicator of how he has or has not progressed. Until then, it's all practice and practice is for mistakes and refining the craft.

Honestly, with results yet to be determined, I don't know *HOW* someone who reads this article does not like Schwartz as the Defensive Coordinator!! That was great to read and the best answer was his last one, honest but without too much "me" in the middle of his statements. I'm sure if / when he gets another viable HC opportunity to a situation he likes, he'll take it...but to answer it the way he did was well done, IMHO....

Boom....+1

Agreed. Furthermore, I think IF the BILLS come away after this season and don't believe that EJ (nor Tuel) are the right fit at QB, I have little doubt that a good to great QB *can* be found in the 2nd round of next year's Draft...Foles, Kap, Brees, Wilson, Dalton, are all examples as stated above of guys who are at a minimum capable to be a playoff caliber QB Drafted beyond the 1st round....only Brees out of those guys went to another team, after SD Drafted Rivers.

Yes...indeed

+1

I agree in general and certainly now that the BILLS have no 1st round pick in 2015, EJ is their guy for better or worse for two more seasons. Also, people forget that EJ was Drafted *knowing* he wasn't ready and not a finished product, that's why they signed Kolb for Kolb to be "the guy" for a year or two while the coaches worked with EJ and gave him time to develop his technique and learn the NFL ways and improve without being thrown to the wolves. Now, I've said before the Draft that the BILLS should give EJ every chance and opportunity to succeed THIS year and if not, for any reason, to get their guy in 2015. However, due to the aforementioned lack of a first round pick, that won't be the case - at least as it appears today. Having said ALLLLLLLLL of that, is it possible that if EJ goes down with another injury or just doesn't have it, that Tuel could take over??? I know, I know, he looked bad last year...but he also had moments of brilliance, ala Flash's long TD in the KC game, and according to reports has looked stellar thus far...I'm not advocating for him to take over EJ at this point nor any moment in the immediate future, but isn't it possible that the BILLS could look to Tuel if EJ falters in some manner or another a few games to five games into the season???

And keep in mind, some of the best "Dynasties" were built by Drafting their QB in the first year, then getting their WR and RB in the immediate year(s) to follow...Aikman and Irving, Bradshaw and Swann, 90's BILLS, etc...so, EJ remains to be seen and is a big question mark, but getting Sammy this year adds to the developing core, and CJ already here helps some but to me, the most underrated guy the BILLS acquired was Bryce Brown...underrated by national media, not necessarily the devout fans...

Money-grubbing a-hole who doesn't have the slightest bit of understanding the pulse of the NFL, sitting in his ivory tower and thinks the little dots walking around below him are ants, instead of loyal and hard-working fans....perspective, get some Mr. Kraft

Your a*s will be this big if you still live in Tennessee when you're 30!!!

Absolutely, and apologize if it came off like a verbal spar....just a counter - point that apparently was unnecessary

If I understand you correctly, you're saying SJ's job was to be a decoy but instead made himself *the* target thereby destroying the designed play..?? Just curious, not that I disagree, just wondering... As to your second statement, I've said it a great deal so won't belabor the point, but SJ did a fine job for the BILLS, but at times his attitude overshadowed his play and he was not the "type" of player fitting into what Buffalo is doing now...that said, wish him well and ready for both sides to start fresh

Ok, get rid of the 2nd kicker, there ya go...I'd rather take Elliot / Hogan over a 2nd kicker given the nature of injuries, WR position, and the promise both seem to show in different ways... And that's fantastic IF the BILLS can get *anything* for Graham, but at this point, how does Graham keep a roster spot given that both Hogan and Elliot have shown more in a smaller window of time?? Just b/c of the 3rd round pick? if so, then that's silly and short-sighted...mistakes are made every year in the Draft, refusing to back down from one two years later with talent already present at the same position, is just a bigger mistake. ^^^see my response to Yolo for my additional take...essentially: Ditto.

Personally, I like Tuel as a back-up QB...I was impressed with how he handled "some" of the situations and liked his attitude throughout the season...I don't know how he would do in the next game he'd be forced to come into, but this coaching staff liked him enough to protect him from the Practice Squad leftovers to prevent another team from signing him, that says something about a QB in this league who came in as an UDFA....Tuel might surprise some people.

I'm all for keeping both Hogan AND Elliot, and letting the likes of TJ Graham go the way of waivers....

Which is why I am not and have not been a Manziel fan and why I am fully on-board with giving EJ this year to show his progress...to me, he doesn't have to demonstrate he's got it all figured out and the perfect QB, just that he shows demonstrative progress and making big strides toward being *the* QB of the future. If, and it's a big IF, he does accomplish that progress as shown on gameday, then no matter the record I'm willing to give him a 3rd year without screaming for a different QB...but if EJ fails to demonstrate such progress, *REGARDLESS* of the overall W-L record, then I'm all about looking for the answer elsewhere next off-season...my gut tells me that 1. I'm full, just had lunch, and 2. that EJ will make good indication he is exactly the QB the BILLS believed he could and will be once he develops and takes steps toward that this year...but no arguing with me about the character of EJ thus far, another reason I am truly hoping the BILLS have their Franchise QB for the next 12 to 15 years....that, and I'm sick of thinking / debating / listening about it...

I don't know you or who you may be, but sometimes we lash out at the person who tells us the truth simply because the truth is too hard to hear....if indeed you are correct, and you're not simply throwing out conjecture or speculation, thanks for taking the time to inform us and sadly, that may mean Glenn is another important BILL to take on the injury bug....I feel bad for him if true, I sincerely do as that becomes a lifetime concern, but man oh man can the BILLS catch an f-ing break with injuries / illneses??? Dear God, it's like an epidemic...Kiko's truly hurts the team, but is understandable due to his nature in wanting to be a work-out warrior, but this kind of thing, is just scary in terms of how often it happens to the BILLS...it started with Everett, and ever since then, it seems the BILLS can't field a healthy team at any point in the season...wtf!!!

The issues some fans, myself included, have with SJ was not entirely his statistics or numbers or "clutch" game time performance, ala drop against Pitt and fumble against Atlanta, but his demeanor and attitude. That doesn't mean I don't respect what he *DID* do for the BILLS while he played, it just means that his attitude or demeanor are highlighted when his statistics or "clutch" performance are overshadowed by the aforementioned attitude or demeanor....SJ is a good WR, there's no arguing that (IMHO anyways), it's that he's not a *great* WR and so when his other foolish antics cost the BILLS yards or plays or penalties, etc., it overshadows what would otherwise be a good contributor for the BILLS...

In general...^^^^this!! Especially, your second point. I hope that's exactly how EJ plays this year: strong and with a chip on his shoulder out to *prove* his value and worth. We'll never really know, but Atlanta trading Favre may have been a catalyst to his career, relentless pursuit to demonstrate his ability to play...possible, but unlikely.