rockpile

Thurman Thomas had a classic move where he would hit the hole "off tackle", often turning sideways, pumping his legs to pop through a mere slice in the DL, and get 5 yards from nothing. This play opened almost every game the Bills played. They would do it over and over until someone stopped it or TT got tired. It also drew the backfield in to put Kelly's wideouts one-on-one. Dancing along the line (east-west) and trying to pick a hole only works when your offensive linemen are pulling effectively like a plow. It is almost ballet - like the hippos in Fantasia, LOL! This OL cannot do that.

Ko Simpson took a "late hit" penalty that was almost the Bills "play of the game"! There needs to be some intimidation. If I am a cornerback or safety, I want the receiver looking for ME as much as the ball. If you are in my zone, you better be wearing my colors, or you will pay the dues. I was just thinking about this topic and trying to think of a veteran with fire in his eyes to ignite his teammates, and was having a hard time. You do not have be the bickering bills on one extreme or heads down shoelace gazers on the bench at the other. The middle ground is a player or two pumping the team up: Head knocking with helmets, egging on the home team crowd, tossing in a teeth rattling legal hit (especially when it is not needed), slapping a player who makes a mistake on the helment and assure him "you'll get another chance", and even grabbing the lapels of a kid who is wetting his pants and tell him to man up! This is not college! With some of the borderline late hits on Trent Edwards in the Pats game, I would have been OK with a rumble that caused ejections or fines. You dont do that to my Quarterback! That is how he got a concussion. It is OK for the OL to tell Trent, OK - that time we gave you 6 seconds - get rid of the ball! Which game was it (a Q4 comeback) where the Bills scored, and Trent walked up and down the D bench pumping them up to get him the ball back? I want to see that again! I am fine with Jauron being granite faced when the team needs to be stable, but when the team need a boost - SHOUT at someone! Remind them all why they are there! As Hank Stram said (paraphrase of what he said to a ref who blew a call) "NFL stands for Not For Long" if you keep playing like that! I think 1-4 in the last five games ought to piss SOMEONE off! Go Bills. Looking at the whole AFC, it ain't over after!

The party starts *early*. Pace yourself and watch out for the crazies who cannot drink and still be human!

Is not! Sorry, I could not help myself. Honestly, hasn't this been argued to death?

What argument? I am smart and you are all stupid. Why is that so hard to understand? JUST KIDDING!

I heard a story that Lou Saban stuffed a player (Kemp?) into a locker once and left him there. I think it is the PLANNING as much as the PLAYER that is the disconnect on this team. Try something ten times and it does not work, maybe you should try something else? Ted Cottrell is available, btw.

I humbly nominate myself to be the manager of the Jills!

It will be as entertaining as a trip to the dentist.

I take it one game at a time, and I really believe the Bills can pull off the upset. (and please, I do not Billieve). Been here since 1964, when I shook Tom Day's hand. Look, up in the sky It's a bird It's a plane It's a frog Frogs can't fly It's UNDERDOG! One game at a time KOK. Enjoy the game! Rock

Um, you are here. Why? Do you care?

If the Bills suck so much, why do you keep watching? Thread after thread after thread... Just copy/paste, it saves time.

Great preview and summary of games past, to ignite the fire in even the most complacent Buffalo Bills fan's heart. This is the game that the Patsies look past and the Bills sneak in a much needed road win. Key to the game: "The two teams are closer in overall talent than they have been in several years, but the Bills running game and pass rush will have to be significantly better than they have been lately to earn a road win this week." BTW: Vegas odds have a Bills win even odds with an asteroid striking the stadium in Foxbura (local pronunciation) Sunday. Schadenfreude? I have heard many descriptions of the reaction to Brady's injury but schadenfreude? Don't mess with my weltanschauung, young lady. It makes me cranky! Can I have your autograph?

Since the Bills won their last AFL Championship, Buffalo fans have had to say 'wait until next year'. That's four decades of "close but no cigar". There is a fan mentality that extends from 0-4 to musical coaches and QBs since the 1990's that screams "OK, how will they !@#$ it up this time?". I understand and share the frustration! What I do not understand is the sadomasochistic self-flagellating attitude of some individuals on this board (you know who you are). I have no patience for those who come here weekly (daily?) to rant, rave, whine, and talk stupid after a loss. It is natural to be mad or frustrated or disappointed, but this whiny baby talk week after week astounds me. Got an opinion - express yourself. Hate the Bills - find another team. If a Bills loss depresses you for a week - get a therapist. I grew up with the Bills. Training camp and games at the Rockpile were a big part of my childhood. I love going to the Ralph, seeing friends and tailgating, and I am not BLIND to their faults. The team has potential and it is gratifying to have a Pats fan come here and say that! I like talking friendly banter smack with other teams fans. How boring if everyone loved the same team. That said - The Patriots SUCK! The sad part is if the title of this post was "The Bills will LOSE this week - we suck" there would be 300+ replies.

If I sat in front of the television or in the stadium every week EXPECTING the Bills to lose, and then got all spaced out about it, there would be something wrong with me! Lots of newbies on the boards, which would be fine but it seems like it is 20% fans and 80% stoopid talk. Welcome to the twenty percent club. I expect a lot of discussion, and a lot of it pointing out the weaknesses of the team. Hell, that is the way we would be having this conversation if we were at a bar shooting the breeze. The season is 16 games long unless you are lucky. Enjoy it or wet your pants, I really do not care! I expect the Bills to win. What happens Monday? We are still happy to be in first place! Go Bills!

A chance? Yes. For what? I do not know. Great first post.

Pretty hard to accept being a victim of the economy. Good luck, Poojer!

I try to deal with things one week at a time. It is hard not to look at the past or future and specualte, though. What bothers me the most is the Bills started HOT and are now working on tweaking their performance to get that winner mentality back. The rest of the AFC East is recovering from weaker starts than the Bills and gaining confidence. I do not know if the Bills are gaining confidence, or just trying to hang on! It is time for a few key team leaders to step up and deliver on their potential, and it is time for the coaches to step up and lead the team. This is especially true of Jauron since he is no longer a Buffalo rookie coach and just signed a contract extension. A coach needs to be like a quarterback and "call audibles" to the game plan in the course of a game. I am not passing judgement on Jauron or anyone else - just stating the way I see it. Time to sh-- or get off the pot.

I had the honor of meeting YA Tittle several years ago. I got his autograph on his HOF Card as well on a NY Giant team picture in Sam Huff's autobiography, Tough Stuff. Is that the game played in Baltimore, when fans set the bleachers on fire and the ref sneaked out of town on the Bills team bus? Gee, a week off is not too bad since I was not born yet!

Is that the game played in Baltimore, when fans set the bleachers on fire and the ref sneaked out of town on the Bills team bus?

And another thing.... vistaprint.com has free business cards I ordered a box listing myself as THB Quality Consultants I have a company motto: Quality is the Product , Not the Goal. (yeah corny but so what?) I use my home address. I set up an e-mail account for THBenson instead of Rockpile and auto forward all incoming mail. I got a TracFone just for the business calls/business card. My cell phone rings - it does not play Californication. I went to a few trade shows and job fairs so I could practice how NOT to interview. Since I AM on contract (going on 16 months) I can hand out the biz card (off site) and it is still true. More: I left early for the dentist and dressed real fine that day making sure a few managers saw me leave. I got a Discover Business Card with some perks. I go in a little early every day and stay a few minutes late. Sometimes I finish a project in the early afternoon but wait until 5:30 to distribute it. I sign up for every training class they offer to "contracts". I volunteer for tasks at meetings - it gets mine name in corporate minutes and project folders. I am embedding my expertise in their proproetary systems, so i am not justy a guy who knows MS office. I am honest and treat everyone from the division manager (I am on first name basis with him) to the maintenance folks (always clean my own mess and move the trash basket to the entrance to the cube). Is it a game - YES! But as I said I am honest and play fair - That makes it business! If my boss says "this stays in this room" it does! (and I know I have been tested) Translate this thought into whatever your spititual beliefs are: God never deals me cards I cannot play - but some of the hands might still suck!

Contract work is the way most jobs are going these days. Taking a pay cut (at least at first) is not unusual. If you think you will like it, it has growth potential, and there is a good chance to become full time - give it a try. Do NOT trust your recruiter. Get everything in writing. To a recruiter, you are just one more !@#$ing toaster to sell. Go to the libray and get Guerilla Marketing for Job Hunters it is the bible of unemployed people who have imagination and consider finding a job their job! Good luck! Rock

My brother-in-law started with the county when he was 18 and turns 50 this year. He has done quite well, and has WORKED for everything he has received. He can retire whenever he wants, has a nice nice pension lined up, and will work for himself for as long as he wants. He really has earned it though.

I went through this in January 2007, so I know how you feel. I was only out of work from mid-January to April, but I am still on a freaking contract. Face it, it is a smart decision by the company because they save money. I do believe they will hire me in April 2009 (NYS law - two year contracts only). I think if the economy was better, I would not still be a temp now. I will be dropping lots of resumes all over, giving them my boss's name and phne number so SHE knows what I am doing. Time to be proactive. LINK: March 2007 Here is an excerpt:

Same here - voting took ten minutes. (Rochester NY)

Ever listen to the words of "Triad"?