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As the season draws to a dismal close, I think it may be interesting to evaluate the performance of our two new coordinators. Hackett: The Bills quick pace offense has the Bills running the 5th most offensive plays in the NFL. Despite this, we are 25th in scoring. We average a mere 4.7 yard per play - 30th in the NFL. Our passing rating is only 72.5 - also 30th in the league. With an ineffective passing attack led by inexperienced QBs, you would have though Hackett would have put in overtime to make the running game work. After all, we have two talented backs. But CJ is averaging only 4.6 ypc this year - down from 6.0 last year. This is a huge drop off. Hackett just doesn't seem to have the knack for getting CJ into space that Chan had. Pettine: Our D is ranked 18th by yards allowed but this again is skewed by the high number of plays they've faced. Pettine's D is giving up 5.0 yards per play - 6th best in the NFL. The Bills are #2 in the NFL in INTs and #1 in sacks. Opposing QBs collectively have a low 78.9 passer rating. Opposing teams have rushed for 4.2 yard per carry which places the Bills in the middle of the pack versus the run - not outstanding but a huge improvement versus last year (5.0). While I understand that the QB situation has been less than ideal, I have to wonder about Hackett's readiness for the job. Pettine, on the other hand, is proving himself to be a solid DC even without Rex to mentor him. What's particularly concerning about the Bills lack of offensive production is that our HC is a former OC. We can say that Hackett is a rookie and he'll get better with experience. But Marrone is already supposed to have that experience. As we look forward to 2014, I worry about the future of the Bills offense, not our defense.

Drafting QBs is a hit or miss proposition. No NFL GM is perfect at talent evaluation, especially at the QB position. I don't think EJ's struggles are an indictment of Nix or Whaley. However, I do think OBD needs to draft another QB. EJ is a rookie and may yet mature into a franchise QB. Then again, he may not. We need an insurance policy. I hope to see the Bills draft another QB in the early rounds to compete with EJ.

This is what I'm hoping for and Jim Kelly's remarks in the past seem to indicate something like this. It might make more business sense for a billionaire to buy the team and move it to LA or TO or where-ever. Let's hope local loyalties and respect for tradition trump business sense.

I've really been encouraged by Pettine. The defense is far more aggressive than it's been in years past and the result has been more big plays (Ints and sacks). And despite all the injuries in the secondary in the beginning of the year, the Bills are only giving up 5.1 yards per play which is solid. Pettine will only make the defense better and better while he remains with the Bills. I've been less thrilled by Hackett. Obviously, he gets a bit of a flyer for the QB situation. Still the numbers aren't good. The Bills run a lot of plays in their fast paced offense so their overall offensive production isn't horrible. But they're only averaging 4.7 yards per play - third worst in the NFL. It's also concerning to see CJ's yards-per-carry drop by nearly 2 yards (from 6.0 to 4.1). Nathaniel doesn't seem to know how to create space for his star back. And Danny Crossman has performed about as expected - badly. He wasn't a good ST coach in Detroit and according to Football Outsiders, the Bills are ranked 27th so far this year. Let's hope the Bills make a run to end the season to create some positive momentum for next year and some credibility for Marrone. But even if they do, Marrone will need to make some hard decisions about his staff during the offseason. Crossman needs to go and Hackett needs to grow.

Jason LaCanfora talked to the same guy you talked to and put his liquor talk in the news.

Sports Illustrated once rated Buffalo the best tailgaters in the NFL. Unfortunately, this website rates Buffalo as the most "dead" city in America: 1. Buffalo In 1900, Buffalo was the eighth largest city in America. It was located on one of the busiest sections of the Erie Canal, the terminus of the canal on the Great Lakes. Thanks to its location, Buffalo had huge grain milling operations and one of the largest steel mills in the country. Buffalo prospered during WWII as did many northern industrial cities. After the WWII, the manufacturing plants returned to the production of cars and industrial goods. The population rose to more than 500,000 in the mid-1950s. It is half that today. Buffalo was wounded irreparably by the de-industrialization of America. Read more: America’s Ten Dead Cities: From Detroit To New Orleans - 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/economy/2010/08/23/americas-ten-dead-cities-from-detroit-to-new-orleans/#ixzz2lR3ZKrEB

In a way, Andre's the Emmitt Smith of WRs. Emmitt was never the best in the game during his playing days. There were always other backs I - and most fans - considered better. But Emmitt was very good for a very long time and that got him into the Hall. Reed, like Emmitt, was very good for a very long time. But he had the misfortune of (1) playing when Jerry Rice was playing, and (2) playing right as passing attacks were starting to take off and thus his stats don't especially shine when compared to some more recent players. Yet Andre was selected for the Pro Bowl 7 times. That's usually sufficient to get you into the Hall of Fame. Then again, Will Shields was a 12 time Pro Bowler and he isn't in the Hall yet either.

There are 32 OCs and 32 DCs out there, most of whom want to be head coaches. That makes 64 guys competing for those 8 openings, not counting the successful college HCs wanting to move up to the NFL. I just don't think Pettine's resume is strong enough yet to beat out all that competition.

How much would it be if we won our next three games against weak opponents and found ourselves smack dab in the middle of the playoff race? How great would this be for building confidence for next year?

I don't think we'll make the playoffs. I do enjoy however that we can talk about the mathematical possibility of it in mid November.

Yep. If a team has a low 3rd down conversion rate, it would probably have a low 4th down conversion rate. A team like that should punt in most 4th down situations, whereas a high-powered offense might be better off going for it.

I think you're right because I believe Rodak has picked against us every week. So far, sadly enough, it hasn't been a bad strategy.

K-9, I actually agree. I'm just tired of waiting for the next Jim Kelly. I'd like us to double the probability of finding a franchise QB by taking another QB in the next draft. I'd like to have more than one egg in the basket.

So far, EJ has not proven himself a bust but neither has he proven himself to be a franchise QB. Given the importance of the position, I would draft a QB early next year. Between the two, hopefully one shows himself capable of the job.

I know a lot of people complained how Chan used CJ but look at how productive CJ was last year versus this. I liked the way Chan ran that offense. Fitz's limitations were clear to everyone, include opposing defenses, yet Chan fielded a credible offense. Where he failed was in finding a credible DC.

The Bills are 24th in the league in points per game. Considering the following, I'm not sure that's horrible production: * Our starting QB is a rookie who plays like one. * Our starting QB has been injured. Our other QBs have been a PS player and UDFA. * Our RBs have been dinged up. * Our offensive line is only so-so. * Our TEs are only so-so. * Our WRs have been injured. Also, let's remember that Hackett is still learning. Presumably, he's going to get better with more NFL experience.

The leadership shadow of the HC is exceptionally important. I don't see any problem with Marrone blaming himself for the Bills woes and, at the same time, holding the position coaches and players accountable. I like that he's putting a lot of stress on winning. As fans, we're only exposed to a small fraction of what the HC says and does. But that little fraction is actually encouraging. What may not be encouraging is the result on the field. But I'm not sure what people were expecting. If Bill Cowher had been our coach instead of Marrone, he might have squeaked out an extra win or two but no more than that. Marrone isn't making excuses so I'll make excuses for him. We've had three QBs under center and none of them have been very good: two rooks and a PS player. Our offensive line isn't great. Our WR corps and secondary have been ransacked by injuries. And we're implementing new offensive and defensive schemes. I think it's way too early to conclude that "Marrone-ism" - whatever that is - doesn't work.

He had control when he hit the ground and at that point he was down by contract: play over. What happened after the play was over shouldn't matter. That was a catch.

My stats: 9 times this year, I had hope at halftime. 7 times this year, I still had hope at the 2 minute warning. 3 times this year, I actually got to celebrate a win. Countless times I've muttered something like, "I really got to stop being a Bills fan." I'm tired of so-called moral victories where we outgained our opponent, or took a good team to the wire, or would have won a game except for single play, bad call, or injury. Forget nobles failures, Coach Marrone. Please give me some ugly wins.

Given that he does analytics as a hobby, it wouldn't surprise me that he offered some insight into the Bills that impressed Brandon. While the other candidates talked notionally, Lyons was able to state things in the interview that were potentially useful to the club. Also, I think it's fair to say that not all great players come from Div I powerhouses nor do all great analytics guys come from Big Three consulting firms. I can't see - given the paucity of the information we have right now - how any of us can yet determine whether or not this is a good hire. I'll wait and see.

An interesting thought: Brees in a Bills uniform. FJ and CJ would have space to run because defenses would be afraid of our QB's arm... SJ and Woods would be stars because Brees would connect with them even when they were covered... Some of our defenders would become bona fide stars because winners are made into stars.

Every team has players who are NFL superstars. But how many teams have tailgating superstars like Pinto Ron? He's been in a number of NFL films and even has his own wikipedia entry! ***** According to the SI survey (2008), half of Bills fans will tailgate for 4 or more hours. No other city comes close. I've also heard anecdotally that the Bills have more people partying in the parking lot during games than any other NFL locale. When you think that Buffalo metro has a population of a million and 100,000 are at the Ralph, it's pretty impressive.

Seattle is dead last in some rankings! I'm tyring to prove we're #1. Obviously it's all subjective and rational arguments can be made for Arrowhead, Lambeau, etc. I'm hoping to find rational arguments in print for Buffalo. Btw, I thought this was cool: Buffalo Bills – Ralph Wilson Stadium Tailgating Score: 9 out of 10 Reason – Some people park their campers and RVs as early as Friday for a Sunday early afternoon game… and leave the day after the game. For many, a tailgate that some estimate draws twice as many people in the lots as the stadium, is one of the top 50 things you have to do before you die. With large lots surrounding the stadium, the unbelievable scene spreads in a 360-degree circle around the facility. Touch football games can be found in every aisle, and special tailgate vehicles with built-in grills, sound systems and hot tubs on flatbed trailers make the rounds. (http://www.tailgatingideas.com/nfl-tailgating-cities/#sthash.L3Exi0fM.dpuf)

My fellow Bills Fans, help me settle a bet. I was arguing with a friend here in Seattle about fans, tailgating, etc. And I told him more than one article has rated Bills fans the best tailgaters in the NFL. He denies it. I win dinner if I prove him wrong. More importantly, I strike a blow for Bills fans everywhere defending our honor, despite losing 4 consecutive Super Bowls and not making the playoffs since the invention of the cell phone. What I have so far is that back in 2008, SI put a couple guys in a RV and sent them out to tour all 32 venues. They rated the Bills #1 in tailgating: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/specials/fansurvey/2008/tailgating.html That may be enough to win the bet but I want a slam-dunk victory and know there's more evidence out there. There are lots of best tailgating lists but most aren't written by someone who actually visited all the venues - and therefore don't rate us on top. But I recall someone - besides the SI folks - actually visited all 32 teams to rate the tailgating and also came up with Buffalo as top of the list. There may be other articles about the superiority of Bills tailgating and Bills fandom in general, but my googling is leaving me high and dry. If anyone can add to my argument, I would greatly appreciate it.

Did he have any holes to run through? I really think this offseason we need to look to upgrade our O Line.