hondo in seattle

If I drank beer, I'd drink one for Ronald F. Theel. I was living in California at the time of "The Comeback." My wife (now ex) came in when the score was 35-3 and tried to persuade me to take her shopping. Although I was miserable, I refused to budge. She asked, "Has any team ever come back from a score like that?" I wasn't definitively sure but grumbled, "No... but anything's possible." She responded with something like, "Well then, don't be stupid. You know they're going to lose so it's better to take me shopping." I wish I had instead been able to watch the game in person with someone like your dad. You have great memories to treasure. May he rest in peace.

Carlin Isles was both a sprinter and football player (RB) at Ashland University. As you can imagine watching the vid, he was a talented KR. However, at 5' 8" and 157 lbs, he's just too small for the NFL. But his speed, open field running skills, and understanding of angles make him a natural at rugby. Still new to the sport, he's tearing it up. http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9482734/carlin-isles-future-us-rugby http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlin_Isles

I don't get all the love for Rogers. Yes, I know he's strong & athletic and that some draft pundits (not all) thought he might have 1st or 2nd round talent. They thought that about Woods, too. The difference is that Woods was actually drafted in the 2nd round because he's a polished, talented WR with his head on straight. Rogers wasn't drafted in the 1st, 2nd, or any round because not a single team thought he was worthy of even a 7th round pick. Professional scouts, apparently, have no love for the guy. I hope the Rogers lovers on this board turn out to be correct and the scouts wrong. But from what we've seen of Rogers so far in preseason (and what's been reported about Rogers performance in practices), he's on the bubble. And if he gets cut, he won't end up on the PS because some other team will sign him to kick the tires and see if there's anything there. Roger's problems go way beyond his drug history. Here's what one predraft scouting report had to say about his weaknesses: "Off-field maturity and on-field effort have been issues. Stops his route at times if not the primary target. Body language on the field can be defeating. Lacks great explosiveness to run by corners, no extra gear. Will struggle to track the football at times. Not a very instinctual receiver, doesn't always run the routes he should, doesn't fight to get open when the play breaks down." http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/darick-rogers?id=2540179 We've already heard of similar things at St. John Fisher - like Rogers loafing back to the huddle instead of running like the other receivers. This doesn't sound like the kind of guy that Marrone wants on the team. Right now the NFL WR that Dar'rick Rogers most resembles is Charles Rogers who also had tremendous potential but never accomplished anything as a pro because of issues with maturity and consistency of effort. "Potential" just isn't worth much without some other important attributes. Ike Hilliard will have to do heroic work as receivers coach for Rogers to survive the Turk.

I agree with this. And how about the ability to read defenses? Which implies a wililngness to study film.

I agree with the first highlighted sentence. And I'm hoping the 2nd highlighted sentence proves to be true.

He might be the only small town writer I read. Usually, I can find the same information elsewhere but Pollock presents it well. I'm not surprised he's had other offers.

Here's a different - and interesting - take on the Bills defense... http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/17/the-all-22-christian-ponders-confusion-against-buffalos-defense-speaks-to-a-larger-issue/?sct=nfl_bf4_a4 The article is mostly about Ponder but does break down some of the things the Bills were doing including using psycho fronts (love that expression!). The last sentence concludes: As for Buffalo’s defense? Things are looking pretty bright right now.

I don't have any answers to the OP's original questions but I do have some thoughts about an uptempo offense. For an uptempo attack to be effective, you need play-makers on offense. There's no point going 3-and-out in 60 seconds because you can't make the first down. A bad up tempo offense puts a lot of stress on your defense when it can't convert. But if you got speed and players with big play ability, the up-tempo gives them more opportunities. You need to remember that an uptempo attack just doesn't give your players more chances with the ball, if gives the opponent more possessions too. For example, when the Bills ran the no-huddle K-Gun in 1991, they finished the year #2 in the NFL in plays, #2 in points and #1 in yards. Great offensive production. But despite some of the superstars they had on defense, they finished 2nd last in yards allowed as the Bills lead the NFL in plays run against them. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1991/opp.htm So besides needing play-makers on offense to capitalize on an up-tempo offense, you need highly conditioned athletes all around and good depth on defense because your starters are going to need breathers.

http://espn.go.com/b...-trick-or-treat I think it was cool to read Ponder saying this in Rodak's article: "Just their whole defense was pretty exotic. They had some exotic personnel and different schemes, it was a little different and sometimes it was a little hard for us to identify." After quoting Leslie Frazier saying something about the Vikes not preparing for the game the same way as the Bills, Rokak goes on to say: Was the Vikings not being ready for Pettine's defense the Bills' problem? Not at all. And come the regular season, when teams do prepare for it, Pettine still has ways of keeping defenses off balance. Seeing Frazier's name reminds me I wanted him to be chosen as our head coach instead of Gailey a few years ago. Frazier went 3-13 in his first year as a HC of the Vikes but 10-6 last year. He's already produced one more winning season than Chan. But Chan's gone now and I'm happy thus far with Marrone.

Good Find! They also listed about a dozen players who they really liked before the draft. Two became Bills: EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State - 6'5" / 237 / 4.65 Manuel almost made it into our underrated group, but he’s well known enough where we wanted to blow the whistle on guys like Jeff Tuel instead. This is an underrated QB class as I got into earlier today on the blog. Back to Manuel. He’s the one guy that has the athletic upside to be elite at the position and he’s as good on film as anybody else in the group. We think he is a good value anywhere after the first half of round one. E.J.’s got all the physical tools in abundance and he’s a winner. While we like Geno Smith some and the same goes for Matt Barkley, Ryan Nassib and Tyler Wilson--Manuel is the guy if we are taking a QB early. Robert Woods, WR, USC - 6’1” / 190 / 4.51 Woods is the total package. He’s got the hands and he can run all the routes. He also plays faster than his timed speed. Woods is a threat anywhere on the field. We love this guy’s floor. http://rotobahn.com/rotobahns-guys/ Goodwin and Tuel both made their underrated list: http://rotobahn.com/respect-the-blog/

This logic makes absolute sense to me!

I agree that the rookie class is exciting. But I'm not sure I like the two TE idea if you're suggesting they're on the field together. The Pats ran two TEs because they had two great ones. Their TEs were better than their WRs. Hackett says he'll put our best five skilled position players on the field together as much as he can. I'm not sure either Chandler or Gragg are in the top five, let alone both of them. Our strength is RB and maybe WR.

This really feels like Rodak writing something just because he's paid to write something. Even he calls it a "potential issue," not an actual issue. Running back is a "potential issue" too if, god forbid, CJ and Freddy get hurt.

Kelly is an offensive innovator. He's more than just an uptempo spread guy. He's a thinker who matches scheme to talent. But his lack of NFL experience does cause worry. Can he work with older, pro players? Can he build and manage a playoff caliber staff? Can he dissect NFL offenses and defenses as well as, say, Bill Belichick? Does he know how to assess NFL talent? Will he and the front office acquire enough talent to win? I expect Kelly will succeed in the end. But if he doesn't start winning within the first couple years, he'll run back to the NCAA. Good article about Kelly here: http://special.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/17159053-41/story.csp Marrone's NFL experience makes him as good a candidate, in my mind, as Kelly.

What does Steven A. Smith actually know about football? Then again, I can't say I loved the pick when EJ's name was called out. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it.

I'm getting sentimental as I grow older. Almost had tears in my eyes. Great story. Moats has his head on straight: "I was so honored to meet him because he risks his life each day to keep us safe. He’s always served the country (with 21 years in the U.S. Navy) and the community. It was really emotional and felt really good to know that a small step of kindness meant that much to him... People think that it’s such an honor to meet us football players, but the real honor is meeting them." http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Moats-sends-healing-text-message/9c443889-22d3-44c4-9e3a-97498a35e0a8

I get your point but I don't agree. How do we know what Kolb is if we don't give him some meaningful snaps? Despite his years in the league, he's effectively an NFL sophomore when you look at his playing time. Some people used to be high on Kolb. Philly once upon a time seemed to see him as a franchise quarterback but he's never lived up to his potential due to injuries and bad luck. I just don't know yet who's ceiling is higher: Kolb's or EJ's. I haven't seen enough of EJ or Kolb yet to make that judgment. Apparently, Marrone hasn't yet either and I suspect he knows a little more about these QBs than either of us. My guess is that EJ will win the starting job. The fact that he doesn't start against the Vikes will have zero negative impact on the course of his career here. If anything, it might be good for him. The players watch this stuff carefully. When EJ lines up under center against the Pats on opening day, his teammates will know he earned the right to be there. Knowing that, they'll support him more and rally around him.

I also live near Seattle and watched a few games with the Bills Backers at Jillian's near South Lake Union last year. I didn't get the email though it doesn't much matter. I wonder if it's normal for them to solicit ticket sales like this? A sign of desperation? I'm kind of envious that all the Seahawks games are sold out. Back in the 90s, the Bills pulled in fantastic attendance figures.

I agree 100%. Finding out what Kolb can do is not a bad thing. If EJ is going to be the starter, let him earn the spot in a fair competition where Kolb had his shots. If we go to the playoffs this year, I don't care if it's EJ, Kolb or Tuel that takes us there.

Not to be cynical, but maybe Pettine brought him in to help instill his scheme & philosophy with the other LBs, knowing Westerman has the knowledge - but not the skills - to play this defense. In the end, Westerman gets cut.

I posted the link to Herm's comments about EJ yesterday in the Kolb thread, though maybe it deserved it's own. I guess I'm weak-minded because I feel better when the professionals agree with my opinion that EJ's looking pretty good. http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/160179-does-anybody-else-think-that-kolb-could-be-a-surprise-cut/page__st__100

Obviously, anyone bidding on the Bills will consider operating income, debt service, and the long term prospects of the region. That latter worries me regardless of the current debt, revenue or anything else. We really have to hope someone local buys the team who will generate enough profit to justify their heart's longing to keep the team in Buffalo. My hope is that there's already a plan in place and the Wilson estate does not resort to open bidding or makes staying in WNY a requirement. In such a scenario, the sales price will end up making sense and allow the owner some positive cash flow. If the Wilson estate entertains bidders from around the country, you're right, the business case for staying in Buffalo isn't very strong.

I have about the same number of posts as you so let me say it: Tuel should be the st..................... I just can't do it. I really can't. At least not yet. I'm going to go out on a limb here and make the big assumption that Marrone and Hackett know more about Tuel's abilities than the posters advocating for him. Most of us fans have seen him play one half of preseason NFL ball. Hell, I've seen Rob Johnson, Trent Edwards and J.P. Losman play good entire regular season games. That doesn't mean any of them deserve to be Buffalo Bills starters. Until Marrone proves himself incompetent as a talent evaluator and head coach, I'll be content with his decision. If Tuel eventually proves to the coaching staff that he gives the team the best chance of winning, I won't care. I just want to win. One half of preseason ball against scrubs is nice but proves nothing. UDFAs like Tuel and journeymen like Kolb have low success rates. Even 1st rounders like EJ have a fairly low success rate. I don't care which one beats the odds as long as one of them does. I think its great both rooks did well against the Colts. That may mean we have one good QB.

Herm Edwards thinks EJ is ready for the starting job. "All indications tell me right now - the way he played in that first preseason game - he should be the starter." Herm was effusive in his praise of EJ. http://espn.go.com/v...=espnapi_public Does that make Kolb - and his NFL experience - expendable?

When EJ was drafted, I really expected Kolb to be the starter on opening day even though I appreciated EJ's potential. Now, however, for all the obvious reasons, I think Kolb will under center against the Pats. It's still very early in preseason but EJ is developing nicely so far.