hondo in seattle

Yep. The only ways Smith lines up at QB is (1) we're in the Wildcat, or (2) both Fitz and the #2 go out in the same game.

Yikes... It's only the first preseason game. I've noticed over the years that some players look good in preseason (e.g. Trent Edwards) and then terrible in the regular season. Other players look bad in preseason and then great when the games count. We all need to be very cautious about making judgments after the first preseason game. How many games did Marv Levy win in the preseason? I think we had a losing record in 3 of the 4 preseasons that preceded us winning the AFC Championship. Kelly & Company didn't accomplish much during preseason but they produced when it counted. I take it all with a grain of salt.

I'd love to see an Olympics in Buffalo. But I think Poojer's remarks about logistics are valid. 100 miles and an international boundary separate Toronto and Buffalo. There would have to be two separate Olymipic Villages. Fans would have to choose one city or the other. Etc. Competition to host the Olympics is fierce and a less-than-ideal situation like this would seem to be deal-breaker. But I wonder if there's a way to put a positive spin on two cities in two countries co-hosting?

Yeah, Kelly, I agree. Our offense was high-powered for the first 7 games last year without having a proven #2 WR. Lots of WRs chipped in as did Freddie and Chandler. Fitz had several legitimite targets. Part of our success has to do with the nature of the offense. We had multiple guys running short routes. Our WRs didn't need to be speed demons and they didn't necessarily need to beat tough coverage. They just needed to know what Chan expected of them and then hang on to the ball. Our best plays usually produced an open receiver just because Chan's play-design and play-calling created a mismatch or defensive-breakdown somewhere.

I wouldn't say our WR corps "sucks." I tend to agree with eball. We're still looking for a starter to play opposite Stevie. Nelson is fine as the slot guy. I'm really hoping TJ or Jones or Easley step up this year. But one thing I do feel good about is that we have a lot of depth. Our starters may or may not be in the top half of the NFL, but we have a lot of solid second-teamers. When injuries happen or when you're trying to run 4 receiver sets, that's not worthless. When and if we find a good #2, I'll be pretty happy with our receiving corps overall. This isn't a top to down mess. We're just missing one puzzle piece.

Good research! While PTR is right that the Bills might be reluctant to bring in another QB this late, both Thigpen and VY have been bad thus far so signing a 'bubble' QB from another squad is not out of the question. It could be that Fitz gets hurt this season and one of these guys comes in for him. But let's hope not.

In other words, VY is NOT on the verge of being cut. But he might be cut by the end of preseason. In other, other words: there's nothing new here.

I tend to think about teams in terms of coaches. And I'm just old enough to remember Harvey Johnson's reign. He led the Bills to an impressive 1-10 record in '68 and then we let him head-coach again in '71 when he master-minded a 1-13 season. We were truly pathetic. Those two games we won under Johnson were shocking. The players and fans expected to lose every week. Jim Ringo - a good offensive line coach - was nearly as horrible as a head coach - earning a 3-20 record (1976-1977). Then there was the tough-minded defensive coordinator, Hank Bullough, who came with a good resume (one of the innovators of the 3-4) but produced just 4 wins in 21 games (1985-1986). We Bills fans have been blessed with some truly awful teams.

I hope this is just the beginning. The fact that Tebow completed a long pass for a TD will surely be noticed by some of the Jets players. Let the controversy begin... Tim Tebow takes New York Jets' first-team snaps By Marc Sessler With Mark Sanchez looking on, New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow took a pair of first-team snaps on Wednesday. Now here's the catch: It doesn't matter. "It was just two more plays," Tebow, told Jenny Vrentas of the The Star-Ledger. "Try to execute and do your job like any other play." And that's what it was. Just any other play. Two plays, actually: The first, a deep, incomplete toss to Eron Riley. The second, a completion to wideout Patrick Turner, who beat Antonio Cromartie for a 60-yard touchdown (contain yourselves). Tebow lined up for 11-on-11s as the offense cycled through its third-down package. Rex Ryan chuckled about the scoring strike, which came against the same defensive alignment Tebow saw in Denver on his 20-yard, game-sealing touchdown scamper against the Jets in Week 11 last season. Because it's Tebow, Sanchez and the high-octane stew known as the Jets, this is ripe for overreaction. Let's avoid it. Up in New England, even Bobby Hoyer gets a snap or two with the ones. Graham Harrell sees a little first-team action in Green Bay and, down in New Orleans, Chase Daniel will get to know the starting center. Life moves onward. We'll learn more about this offense Friday, when the Jets visit the Cincinnati Bengals. Ryan told The Associated Press that Sanchez will play "a quarter or so," while Tebow could play about two. That deserves more analysis than two plays in Cortland, N.Y. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000047372/article/tim-tebow-takes-new-york-jets-firstteam-snaps?module=HP11_headline_stack

Hopefully the position coaches will provide the players with solid one-on-one feedback and whatever motivation they need.

The article is nothing but groundless speculation... and, yet, it wouldn't surprise me if Young gets cut. By all accounts, VY has been terrible. I wonder if the Bills might bring in a veteran QB after all the clubs finish trimming their rosters. There's bound to be a couple decent late cuts.

Given the Brady/Bellicheck track record, it's hard to pick against the Pats to repeat in the AFCE. But, their defense was truly bad last year and now their O Line looks to be in trouble. The Pats seem vulnerable. Just not sure if we - the Bills - have enough to overtake them.

I agree exactly

If I didn't know the Bills, I would think the recent summary of the Bills in the New York Times was awesomely detailed and accurate. But, as a fan, I found some observations that I didn't agree with. "Most likely, Fitzpatrick did not get content after his big deal – he just got figured out and exposed. Call it the Tommy Maddox syndrome. Often, mid-level quarterbacks who find themselves in the right scheme will flourish early on. Teams will study them more closely and eventually solve the scheme." (Actually, the possible truthfulness of this opinion worries me a bit but I think the Bills offense will be fine). "newly signed backup Vince Young has reportedly struggled to learn Buffalo’s offense and will most likely fail to supplant Tyler Thigpen" (This battle is too close to call so early but I expecting Young to win out). "A big reason Buffalo got figured out last season was their wide receiving group wasn’t very good. It still isn’t." (Our receiving core literally isn't "very good" but it's not as bad as he seems to think. I'm hoping Graham, Jones, Easley... somebody steps up this year). "The hope is he [Glenn] can supplant last year’s heavy-footed fourth-round pick, Chris Hairston, right away." (I've heard Bills coaches talk about Hairston's good feet. His deficiencies are elsewhere I think). "With all of the above receivers lacking acceleration and quickness..." (TJ Graham lacks quickness?) "Fifty million dollars guaranteed was too much to spend on Mario Williams." (I respectfully disagree under the circumstances) "They don’t have much in the way of other resources outside, as Shawne Merriman is a shell of his former self." (I think/hope this is wrong). "Gilmore is more comfortable in off-coverage, so he may not play a lot of press technique." (From what I've heard, Gilmore likes to press and is good at it). "veteran Nick Barnett doesn’t quite play as fast as he used to, but he’s still serviceable on the strong side. He’ll be challenged by Arthur Moats," (Moats is competing with Morrison for the SAM postion, not with Barnett). "There are rumblings that Moorman could be challenged by undrafted rookie Shawn Powell" (really?) I have to give credit where due and Any Benoit, the author of this article, does know more about the Bills than most sportswriters outside Buffalo. I thought some of his observations were dead on. But others were, in my opinion, off the mark. http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/buffalo-bills-2012-n-f-l-season-preview/

Welcome to the club! And even if you aren't just being humble when you say you don't have "any awesome football knowledge" - you still probably know more than most of us. Expertise is not a requirement to post!!!

I'm too old for Madden but I agree with the assessment. I wonder if NFLE and indoor touches really count the same, anyway. I mean, I don't think defenders at that level hit as hard as NFL defenders who run like cheetahs and hit like freight trains.

Yeah, I agree. The Bills, the county executive and the governor all seem to be in the dark. And while Schumer might have plans about what he would like to do legislatively as a senator, he hasn't done anything yet. Schumer - unless he just purchased the Bills - is not someone who can unilaterally guarantee that the Bills will stay in Buffalo. Anything he proposes will need the support of others who don't seem to know what he's up to.

Top 5? Big claim - but he has an argument. Maybe he's not the best runner in the NFL but he's an awesome all-purpose back who can run inside, outside, block and catch. And he averaged over 5 ypc behind a less-than-dominant O Line. I'd probably rate him Top 5!

I don't remember if this was confirmed or just a rumor... but yeah, I remember something like this too. BTW, I think Doug Whaley in his position as Assistant GM is responsible for scouting pro players. Not to steal any of Nix's thunder, but Whaley deserves credit here too.

I agree. I had thought he might make a good backup. But the reports out of training camp are really worrisome. Some people like Fitz. Some don't. But we should all worry if he gets injured. Fitz is far from the best player on our offense. But he might be the most difficult to replace.

Thanks for the update. I'm ex-army myself but can still appreciate a salty old jar head. So... thank you for courageously and honorably serving our country!

I think the reason he mentioned the Bills specifically is what you suggested - we're the Week One opponent. After the first game, other teams will have a better idea of how the Jets plan to use Tebow. But the Bills are completely in the dark. We have no film to go on. Rex is certainly a blowhard. But I personally don't feel these remarks about the Bills are offensive or even especially newsworthy. He's just making a valid observation.

PTR... I like Ralph but not so sure he 'knows more about football then we give him credit for.' I don't remember the exact stat, but the Bills have an all time losing record. We've only won about 47% of our games since Ralph formed the team. That's not a good track record. That's not even an average track record. I agree with you that he's made some poor decisions regarding whom he trusts to run the organization. Exactly that shows a deficit in his football acumen.

Interesting POV and one I hadn't considered. Scratching my head right now wondering if you might be right.

I'm not sure why this offends people. Rex is merely saying that having a viable wildcat alternative forces defenses to game plan different. Don't we have Brad Smith for the very same reason? I'm not defending Rex. I just don't there's much there in this case.