billsfan1959

Don't misunderstand. I was not commenting on the quality of the entire post, nor was I taking his side or giving him credit for insulting you. I was simply giving recognition for a fairly decent insult. It wasn't the most creative, or the funniest, or the most intellectual; however it did have elements of each. Sort of like olympic scoring - good dismount, nice double back-flip, but didn't quite stick the landing: I give him a 7.8

I don't disagree. My point was that a running back doesn't have to have the ability to punish tacklers to be an every down back. The examples I gave were not to imply that CJ Spiller would be as successful as any of them (only time will tell) or that he compared to any of them in terms of build, running style, or other qualities - only that they were examples of every down backs who didn't have punishing running styles.

...or maybe Hannah Montana

I disagree - somewhat. Ideally, I would like a back that has speed, elusiveness, size, and power; however, it is rare to find running backs that have all of those qualities. While I agree with your assessment that the running backs you named (for the most part) do have the ability to punish tacklers - I don't agree that lacking that ability necessarily means a player can't be an "every down" back. There are plenty of examples of running backs (i.e.; Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Marshall Faulk, etc., etc., on up to Chris Johnson) who were every down backs that would never be described as punishing runners - but, rather, relied on quickness, elusiveness, incredible vision, speed, and/or other skills. Whether, CJ Spiller can be that every down back remains to be seen, but, I haven't seen anything yet that would lead me to believe he couldn't be.

This might be more appropriate

That, my friend, is funny.

Just listened to it. Wish I hadn't. I had forgotten that his ability to intelligently articulate any position verbally is even worse than his ability to do so in writing. Painful. I didn't have a problem with his opinions (He did say he would cut Lynch), as that's what they were: opinions. It was the arrogant, condescending, almost adolescent(as demeaning as that is to adolescents everywhere) way in which he expressed them.

Happy Birthday to your son. Our best wishes and prayers are with him.

Dallas over Chicago

You poor bastard...I'm in awe of your threshold for psychological pain

Don't tell me you are a Cubs fan as well...

For this season, I am suspending my intense dislike for the Patriots and the Dolphins - and any other team for that matter - when they play the Jets. I would like nothing more than to see Rex Ryan's self-centered, self-absorbed, indulgent, pompous, delusional little world implode... That would make me smile

Never quite understood those who panic after only one game.

So wrong But so funny

Agreed. Hard to believe it still is the way it is. Aside from that - is it just me, or does anyone else get the impression that the combined IQs of Ines Sainz and Clinton Portis barely reach room temperature?

Personally, I like Kelsay...My wife makes me bash him Just for the woody

Thanks It's not all bad...

You're right. Amid all the doom and gloom there are some positives with this team. I posted this in another thread but it directly relates to your popint. The overall defense and the definsive line and linebackers in particular played better than I had seen in awhile. The D-line and linebackers finished 2009 ranked 30th against the run and allowed 4.7 yards per carry. The Dolphins are a pretty good rushing team, finishing 2009 ranked 4th in rushing and averaged 4.4 ypc (and also averaged over 200 yds per game aginst the Bills). In this game, the Fins ran the ball 36 times for 132 yds for a 3.7 average - which, alone is a great improvement. Looking at it a little more closely, the Fins had only 3 runs greater than 8 yards (17, 11, and 10). Take away those three runs and they gained 94 yards on their other 33 carries for a 2.8 yards per carry average. I’d say a damn good job and a hell of an improvement from last year. They didn’t generate a great deal of pressure, but when the game was on the line in the second half they picked it up – as Henne went 8-18 for 54 yards and was sacked twice and hurried a number of other times. In addition, while the linebackers had some coverage issues (as to be expected) they didn't exactly get eaten alive (we'll see how they do against Rodgers and Brady - but the assessment is for this game). Overall, the defense gave up a more than respectable 296 total yards. Considering they were on the field for almost 37 minutes and faced 73 plays – and gave up only 4.1 yds per play (and only 5 out of 73 plays greater than 10 yards – 21, 17, 16, 13, and 11) – I’d say pretty damn impressive. They didn't force any turnovers but it wasn't like they had a difficult time getting off the field either. I'd like to see them get their 3rd down conversion rate under 30% and they gave up 70 and 53 yard drives early in the game - but Miami had the ball eleven times and their other nine drives went for 21, 15, 2, 12, 3, 20, 54, 31, and 9. What I especially liked was that there were no 9 - 10 minute 70 yard drives late in the game that we have grown accustomed to over the last few years. This defense actually looked stronger as the game went on against a very physical running team. Again, impressive.

Ben - Don’t have time to address your entire assessment but I did want to give my opinion on the defense as a whole - and defensive line and linebackers in particular. The D-line and linebackers finished 2009 ranked 30th against the run and allowed 4.7 yards per carry. The Dolphins are a pretty good rushing team, finishing 2009 ranked 4th in rushing and averaged 4.4 ypc. In this game, the Fins ran the ball 36 times for 132 yds for a 3.7 average. Looking at it a little more closely, the Fins had only 3 runs greater than 8 yards (17, 11, and 10). Take away those three runs and they gained 94 yards on their other 33 carries for a 2.8 yards per carry average. I’d say a damn good job and a hell of an improvement from last year. They didn’t generate a great deal of pressure, but when the game was on the line in the second half they picked it up – as Henne went 8-18 for 54 yards and was sacked twice and hurried a number of other times. In addition, while the linebackers had some coverage issues (as to be expected) they didn't exactly get eaten alive (we'll see how they do against Rodgers and Brady - but the assessment is for this game). Overall, the defense gave up a more than respectable 296 total yards. Considering they were on the field for almost 37 minutes and faced 73 plays – and gave up only 4.1 yds per play (and only 5 out of 73 plays greater than 10 yards – 21, 17, 16, 13, and 11) – I’d say pretty damn impressive. They didn't force any turnovers but it wasn't like they had a difficult time getting off the field either. I'd like to see them get their 3rd down conversion rate under 30% and they gave up 70 and 53 yard drives early in the game - but Miami had the ball eleven times and their other nine drives went for 21, 15, 2, 12, 3, 20, 54, 31, and 9. What I especially liked was that there were no 9 - 10 minute 70 yard drives late in the game that we have grown accustomed to over the last few years. This defense actually looked stronger as the game went on against a very physical running team. Again, impressive. So I give the defensive line and linebackers a B+ and the overall defense an A And just a couple notes on the Special teams. Moorman averaged 41 yards per punt (with half his punts on a short field which brought his avg down) and only two of his punts was returnable. Miami averaged 13.5 yards on kickoff returns and 4.5 yards on punt returns. We only had an 11 yards on one kickoff return and averaged 10 yards on 3 punt returns (didn’t break one but a respectable average). Can’t hold missing a 60+ yard field goal against Lindell. Overall, no big plays but solid play. So, I give the Special Teams a B+

I might be wrong, but it seemed to me that Buddy was certainly implying that they were not happy with what Green did (i.e.; "We watched the same game you did.") and were trying to get Urbik up to speed in the hopes he would be the right tackle. Just my impression

Just a guess here, but I'm thinking assessing the desire, will, fears, and intrinsic motivations of another individual is a tad more complicated than this - and probably shouldn't be done in a heightened emotional state.

Actually, Washington's victory had little to do with the play of McNabb, or quality coaching for that matter (not to say that Shanahan isn't a quality coach or that I wouldn't want him coaching our team), - and more to do with an opportunistic defense (won't say good cause they gave up almost 400 yards) and mistakes/poor play of Dallas at critical times. Actually, Washington didn't look much better than the Bills - but a "W" tends to temper the criticism.

Actually a pretty good assessment. The defense did play well inspite of being on the field for 37-38 minutes of the game (and numerous short breaks due to the number of offensive three and outs) and the lack of a pass rush. Given an entirely new scheme as well - I thought they did well. Unfortunately, the lack of a pass rush is a serious problem, particularly when they face quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Special teams played well also. The offense is a different story - or more accurately - the same old story. It will look exactly the same until this coaching staff devises, and the players execute, some strategies to counter eight and nine men in the box. There were times I counted 10 defensive players within two yards of the line of scrimmage (not counting short yardage situations) - and no answer for it (just like last year...and the year before...and the year before...) frustrating.

Great game and remember it well I was unable to go to that game, but have it on tape (I also have almost 100 other games on tape from 1987 through 1999 - then stopped taping them. Can't imagine why ) And just for the younger fans. The first game I remember going to was the Bills and the Jets in 1969: Our hopes riding high on an exciting young running back we got with the first draft pick after winning only one game the year before (You think things are bad now?). Anyway, we lost and OJ only had about 40 -50 yards rushing - but he did catch some passes, returned some kicks, and scored a touchdown. Made us think he was going to be something special, and he was - until he started killing people. Been through bad times before and it got better. Things will change for the better with this team too.