WickedGame

Anyone else think Fitz is about the most mature 28-year-old you've ever seen? They guy conducts himself like a guy in his late 30s. Calm, reasoned, responsible. And yet, when he's on the field, he plays with verve. Even if he can't lead us to a championship, I like him as a guy holding the steering wheel while we get this ship to float again.

Have you guys noticed this team has played up or down to the ability of its opponents in recent years? That was what frustrated me most during the Jauron era: We'd take the Cowboys or Patriots to the wire in prime time, then play like garbage against the Browns. They'd flash a bit of hope to sucker you in, then remind you who they really were. This year, we've definitely played UP to some our best competitors (see Baltimore, Patriots [which was close]), and while we've had SOME cases of playing down to the level of not-so-good teams (Dolphins, Lions), we've also found ways to shake off lousy play in the middle of a game (Bengals). Only the Jets and Packers have completely outclassed us. And we can always chalk the Dolphins and Packers up to Trent. My prediction for the Steelers: Close, but not close enough.

Wow. Fans from a blue-collar town ragging on a guy from a blue-collar part of the country. Solid. Maybe you'd be more comfortable in Cowboy Nation, with their $1 billion stadium and Hollywood girlfriends.

I thought the headline for one of Chris Brown's non-football puff pieces would be a perfect headline for the 'Phins game: http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/09/10/bills-to-host-blood-drive/ That is all.

Okay, I'll bite... Hey Trent, it's me, Lee. Trust me dude, I'll catch the ball. Just chuck it, okay? Okay, one more... Hey, look! It's Spiller! Wait...what the...where'd he go? Jesus Christ...I blinked!

Count me among those who think 7 enjoyable Sundays is better than 15 miserable ones (Is 1-14 really an option?). The difference in draft position is negligble -- you're looking at 1st vs maybe 9th-11th. What does #1 get us? A shot at the top QB? The #2 QB, if available at 11, would still be a very good QB. The #1 tackle? Again, whatever tackle is left at 11 would be a very talented player. Sorry, the trade-off just isn't worth it. It's called "rebuilding with a plan," not "throwing the games and hoping Jesus or Steve Jobs declares for the draft."

The Patriots injury woes continued today, as they placed their top cornerback Leigh Bodden on IR. Anyone keeping score of how many Patriots are injured, demanding a trade, or otherwise part of the Pats' troubles?

It should come as no surprise, but Gailey has plans to get Lynch, Jackson and Spiller onto the field at the same time. See the note from Chris Brown during a live chat this afternoon: Commenter: Anything you've seen in training camp that makes you think we'll see freddy, marshawn and C.J. on the field all at once? Chris Brown: Yes, but you'll have to wait and see where they all are. Screenshot here:

If we hired a left tackle named Du Jour, I think we could say all that was meant to be done in this life had been done. Put a bow on it and call it a day.

Just something I cooked up. Although, it wouldn't surprise me if it's part of the base install. There's nothing fancy about the formation -- I didn't mention routes or reads. Something tells me Chan doesn't need me as an offensive coach. I'm sure he's got some smart plays drawn up for the talent he has. Even with Trent's limitations and an O-Line that needs works, you can use mismatches to take pressure off the QB.

It's a two-receiver/two-back set, with Spiller motioning out of the backfield to the slot receiver position. You've get a tight end in on the left side for pass protection and as a possible 4th/5th receiving option if he releases. WR Evans TE Matthews/Nelson/Stupar LT ?? LG Levitre C Hangartner RG Wood RT Green WR S. Johnson RB Jackson RB Spiller QB Edwards The defense wants to use a safety to double on Evans. They'll leave a CB in one-on-one coverage on Johnson, and the other safety creeps into the box for run support or added QB pressure. Spiller motions out to the slot. Now what does the D do? Slide the safety out of the box into coverage against Spiller? That gets rid of the 8-man front, takes pressure off Edwards, and opens up room for Jackson to run. Let a LB cover Spiller? I don't think so. Stack the box against a Freddie Jackson run? Wide open pass to Spiller or Johnson. Go single coverage against Evans? Touchdown. And just imagine of S. Nelson could block in addition to catching... Whaddya think?

I'm a Bills fan living out of state and I've been reading this forum for a few years. It's the best place to find Bills news, because they sure as heck don't cover our team in the Charlotte, NC press. I'm mostly a lurker -- only started commenting recently -- so I assume I'll be deemed to have no credibility. But for what it's worth, the level of bickering and animosity here leaves the impression Bills fans hate each other, hate the Bills, and are just plain angry. I've never met Lori Chase, but I gather she used to be a respected member of this community, until she left in disgust. And the way people treat each other here, I'm not sure I can blame her. I lived through Wide Right, too. I lived through four Super Bowl heartbreaks, The Music City Miracle/Debacle, and the MNF Meltdowns. My family has called Buffalo home for decades and has longed for a return to glory, just like everyone else hear. We've had our hopes rise with each new coach, each new GM, each new player acquisition, and we've had our hopes dashed each year. But we don't treat each other with contempt the way people do here. </rant>

Maybe we should start a new NFL statistic: Wins-to-Tweets Ratio. Any team with an exceptionally low Wins-to-Tweets ratio will be summarily executed.

Okay, so there's not just one area where we need to improve, but here's one that stands out from 2009: Bills Third Down Conversions: 51/198 (25%) Opponents Third Down Conversions: 97/240 (40%) If we had stopped opponents on 3rd down more, we'd have given them fewer opportunities to score and we'd have kept our defense from wearing down to the point of collapse in the 4th quarter. If we had converted on 3rd more, we'd have more scoring opportunities and, again, we'd have kept our weary defense off the field. If Gailey makes even modest improvements on those numbers, I'll be pleased. Thoughts? Cue the "The statistic we must improve on is WINS" comment in 3...2...1...

Batten injury could be two to six weeks...no real certainty how long, per Chan (via Chris Brown) Easley sat out today with a wrap on his knee. Not much to talk about, but it's something.

Anyway...what were we talking about?

I absolutely LOVE this report from Tim Graham: Three reasons I love it: It's about time we quit telegraphing our entire playbook to our competitors! Chan's policy seems to be "We love the fans, but FU, we'll do whatever gives our team the best chance to compete The players are totally behind Chan on this Finally, football before media! Now if we can just get Trent (or whoever the QB of the moment is) to stop talking to the media about how it feels to be #1, #2, #3 and just focus on playing better football, we'd be good to go.

Anyone else notice a theme emerging with the Patriots this week? To wit: 7/29 Tim Graham reports OLB Derrick Burgess is mulling retirement. The Patriots LB corps was weak last year (22nd in sacks). The team already released OLB Adalius Thomas 7/28 OLB Shawn Crable is released. Crable was a 2008 a 3rd-rounder from and failed to live up to expectations, despite ideal measurables for a 3-4 OLB. 7/28 Andy Hart reports on what's left of the Pats' 2008 and 2007 drafts: 2008 - 1st Round - Jerrod Mayo (LB) - Stud 2008 - 2nd Round - Terrence Wheatley (CB) - Fighting for a roster spot 2008 - 3rd Round - Shawn Crable (OLB) - Cut 2008 - 3rd Round - Kevin O'Connell (QB) - Cut 2008 - 4th Round - Jonathan Wilhite (CB) - Sliding down the depth chart 2008 - 5th Round - Matthew Slater (WR) - Special teams player 2007 - 1st Round - Brandon Meriweather (S) - Starter 2007 - 4th-7th Rounds - Kareem Brown, Clint Oldenburg, Justin Rogers, Mike Richardson, Justise Hairston, Corey Hilliard, Oscar Lua, Mike Elgin -- Not much to say about this group. Now, granted the Patriots have been known for building through free agency, and have used the draft primarily for depth. Still, two draft classes and only two starters? A linebacking corps revealing more and more holes? Anyone else see us taking advantage of the cracks in the armor?

I have a hunch Schobel was never leaning toward retiring. He just didn't want to come to OTAs and mini-camps. I'm sure he'd love to skip half of training camp, too. He's a Pro Bowl player -- the retirement shtick was just his PR-friendly way of saying "I've earned the right to show up late. I'll get up to speed faster than 90% of the NFL, and still be better than half of them." Hey, he's getting old. Ducking out of a practice or two is probably better for his health during the season. See you in a few days, Aaron.

Quote of the day. Actually, I think I'm going to use this out of context as often as possible.

Annual frustration.

Bold Prediction: The bills will score 50+ in at least two games. Aside from a QB quandry and O-Line uncertainty, we have guys who are threats to score: Spiller, Jackson, Lynch, Evans, Easley, Parrish, McKelvin, Nelson, Lindell, Byrd. The final record may not be title contender material, but we'll have at least one game where things click and/or the opponent unravels.

Thanks, good to be here. Long-time lurker, first-time caller. Or something like that.

Alright, y'all...vote and debate!