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While I'm generally not a fan that expects doom in every game, I do expect Ryan to use the same exact scheme simply because it worked the last time. Why change it, you know? I'll be stunned if the defense looks any different. While I appreciate that Fitz has QB ability and has had a good year, Ryan's stonecutter mentality and hubris will permit Fitz to have an excellent day against a depleted Bills defense.

I don't know what the "czar" role accomplishes. This isn't a game anymore for football elders like Polian. I am wary of asking for guidance from guys who had success in an NFL that no longer exists. You need a sharp person who understands the complexity of football in this era with free agency, salary cap, the intricacies of the CBA, need to win immediately,and the changing strategies on the field. The GM game is increasingly a younger man's game. E.g. Howie Roseman, Dave Caldwell, Whaley, Ryan Pace, John Schneider.

I agree for the most part. The Bills have been flummoxed by the coach pick for a while and he wasn't immune to it. Thought he had some impressive free agency wins early on with Bledsoe, Spikes, Fletcher, Adams, Milloy and Vincent. His teams had talent but terrible coaching. Isn't he responsible for those terrible uniforms of that era too?

If you were going to legitimately try to rank or score who gets to Los Angeles, how would you do it? How do you pick two of the three teams? All those teams have at one time been in Los Angeles. Of course, I expect a completely subjective, illegitimate process to pick those teams because the owners can do whatever they want to do.

FWIW, I've heard Collingsworth and Simms both say that is the new trend at the LB position and that the traditional, somewhat slow run thumping linebackers are obsolete. When you think of it, Urlacher was probably the first - I remember him being drafted as a safety who became a linebacker. It's probably why a guy like Brandon Spikes remained unemployed this year, even when eligible. He's a linebacker built for the 1980s NFL. Can run stuff all day but can't cover.

I think he'd have to engineer the Jets to the Super Bowl to be within striking distance of that award because the people who do the voting are enamored with the big names. .

I'm intrigued by the Cardinals (Deone Bucannon) use of a safety at linebacker. He covers tight ends and backs and has linebacker and safety skill set. I've wondered whether this is what the Bills *should* be doing when thinking of upgrading that position.

You guys who love continuity for continuity's sake... Farmer was there for a while. He was terrible. Consistently.

Absolutely not. Come on now.

Correct. Rex hasn't had a winning season since 2010. This year inspired little confidence in this fan. I expect his tenure in Buffalo to mirror his tenure in New York. We will confuse effort with results for another season.

If the Bills go into 2016 with Rex and all the same assistants, it's going to be a long 2016 season of the same. You'll still have the penalties and a team built to compete in a league circa 2000. I think a 7-9 finish (I expect the over-amped, undisciplined Bills to lose next Sunday to a determined, focused Jets team) demands substantial changes in how things get done. Not only did you miss all of your goals, you're two games worse than Doug Marrone with your hotshot hire and that has to sting the Pegulas.

Fred Jackson being cut. Without him, this team had zero leaders this year and it showed in many of the games.

It would make sense to take HGH when he had the neck problems. He probably had significant muscle atrophy in his arms and his legs from the injury AND the surgery. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find out his doctors recommended he take it. That being said, I don't think he's taken it since - I think the decreased arm strength and the mobility is evidence of that. Neck surgery, like back surgery is like messing around with the frame of a car - it's never quite the same. I for one, don't have a problem with players taking HGH. The deficiency of the hormone (men make less and less of it as we age) piles on to the already damaging effect of concussions.

No. Astute front offices don't cut FJ on a team devoid of leaders. They also don't ice your own kicker with the Cundiff debacle. They don't release two valuable players and then resign them after their replacements play instrumental roles in two losing games. On the field, nothing short of an attic fire that has engulfed the house. If you've missed the playoffs 16 years, no you're not well managed.

I want a Bengals/Vikings tilt for something different.

I can buy the story. Neck surgery creates a fair amount of muscle atrophy.

I think everyone will be in L.A. and no one will be happy. I agree with another poster that demographics and the times have changed. The league should contract by two teams at least. Free agency and the decision to expand the league are two mortal flaws of the NFL business.

I envy you guys who bring the Bailey's for the office coffee and write these inspiring ideas.

"Not going to get into how the mechanics work. I’ve had the same mechanics for 15 years." That's why things are the way they are Rex.

Another player where his talents have been neutered by the "elaborate" scheme. In Philadelphia, they require more than the "See ball, get ball" that he did well here in Buffalo. We all know you can't be "just" a good football player anymore. You have to be adaptable to this scheme or that one and be intelligent enough to learn responsibilities in it, not specific plays. This may generate criticism, but IMO, Alonso is a fantastic football player but he's not the most astute student of the game. He will be lost in a complicated playbook. I think that's what has happened in Philadelphia.

Rams fans were about to run him out of town before the 1999 season happened and he backed into a guy named Kurt Warner. He had exactly one winning season in St. Louis. Chiefs fans ultimately grew tired of him too. Nice guy, great speeches but few wins. Two winning seasons. Game passed him by at that point.

Correct. I'd even offer that the Colts had the defense figured out at the half and if it wasn't for being the first game (new personnel,etc), that score would have been a lot closer. Rex Ryan doesn't feel he has to adapt to conditions or evolve and his scheme will undoubtedly prevail. This has been the Bills #1 critical failure. They keep hiring these stonecutter mentality coaches where they just keep plugging away in anticipation of a breakthrough. With all the technology and brilliant minds around the league, your "scheme" works for a game before it's figured out.

Steve,a loss to Bills nation isn't a LAMP at all. My condolences.

6-10 absolutely. In your opinion, do you give the Bills a better than 50% chance to win either of the last two games? After the debacle in Washington, I'm not so sure myself.

I'm not on the continuity wagon as some - I don't like keeping a kitchen fire going simply because I don't want to deal with the remodel.