The AntiFin

Because the likelihood is he WILL come back from it, and the deal they could make with him now would be far less. If he comes back and has a monster year next year -- He'll want a boatload more. If it were my money, I'd rely on the team docs' expertise (and maybe a second and third opinion) and make him an offer when his chips are down. I don't believe the injury is as serious as you do, from everything I've read. And I'm not going to play the "age card" with this guy. He hasn't taken much punishment. I've never seen Freddie as a "whiner." Everyone has the right to complain -- Fact is, some would mail it in and not care. That's not Freddie. Horrid cliche, but actions speak way louder than words.

How many sacks did McKinley, Abbott, Niles and Stewart get on him during the drive?

If he has lost faith in Spiller, that would make sense.

Perhaps Freddie would be more apt to tangoing now that he's on IR. Wouldn't hurt to try.

Before his injury, Freddie had all the ammo in the world to demand a huge contract. Now's the time to extend it -- Not next year, when he's white-hot again. Stevie? I don't know, I really believe he's a solid #2. He'd disagree, of course.

Thank you. Down here, A Bills loss SUCKS -- But a limited consolation is a Fins implosion.

I shall. Thanks for your permission, though.

... This should be fun Update: Fourth and inches -- Losman fumbles -- recovers -- doesn't get the first down after a Philly challenge.

I'll never believe that Spiller was Buddy's or Chan's pick. That said, I'd be satisfied one day if they use him like -- and he produces like -- Darren Sproles with New Orleans. I think that pick came from someone far older -- and far less wise.

+5 This. Bills and the points, thank you.

Hi Chandler!!! Put down the beer... Just... do... it... ... And take one of these Percs.

I agree on Spiller. I'd like to erase the rest of that draft from my mind. Spiller isn't a sure thing, but at least now we'll get to see what he's capable of. Next year, I'd love to see us use Spiller the way the Saints are using Sproles. We may well have the offensive line for it (especially if we add depth in the draft/FA), and, prior to being forced into using CJ with Freddie's injury, I don't think he's been utilized based on his strengths at all. Line him and Freddie up in the backfield 80% of the time and keep the opposition guessing. Someone would have to scramble to adjust if CJ is open, and that could leave Chandler, for example, wide open -- Much like Graham with New Orleans. Or Jones. Or Nelson. If they don't respect Spiller, he jukes his way for 10-15. I also agree that we need that third back to get us the third and inches -- and it doesn't appear to be White. Someone like Tolbert would be great. I've been overseas quite a bit on business (where American football does not exist), so I've been forced to watch many of the games on DVR. I haven't seen Justin Thomas or Chris White play much. It could be that I was watching the earlier picks more closely. But hey, if they're players -- The more the merrier. To your point on Chan having gone pass happy -- I think he's capable of change. Up until this year, there were lots of folks complaining that he doesn't believe in tight ends. He's disproved that theory. Let's see how CJ does the remainder of the year. I think he realizes this is his chance. Will he rise to the occasion or flame out? Even though we will miss the playoffs, there are a lot of interesting things to watch for as the season winds down, imo.

I miss Rusty, but I can't put injuries on strength and conditioning this year. Due to the lockout, many of the athletes had to train by themselves. For as fit as they were, the NEEDED that extra time and guidance. It seems like every game I watch this season, at least one player is being carted off the field. Not disagreeing, mind you -- Just giving S&C coaches a bit of a pass this year. That will change in 2012.

Absolutely. 6-6, perhaps -- One of the three winnable games (from our losing streak) would have been won, IMO. I really believe they peaked way too early. Agree on this as well. I was around in the '80s... '90s... and all the heartache since the early '90s. I like Buddy and Chan and think they deserve two more years to build this team into a strong contender. Fair enough. I believe that our inexplicable come-from-behind wins (early on) were bound to come to an end. I was loving the wins, but wasn't getting too excited. We simply can't do that every week. No game hurt more than the Miami game. But when we went down that quickly, I thought back to Oakland and New England and said, "They have a shot." Errr... wrong. Essentially, yes. But again, that's assuming all the teams we played were at full strength, too -- per my first post. Nope. Right on the money on this post. We saw some great flashes of what we can accomplish with the comebacks, irrespective of my feelings about them (progress). Our record is better than last year's (progress). We beat the Pats for the first time in 16 games (progress). First win in TO (progress). First shutout win in five years (progress). Handed Shanny his first shutout in 24 years (BONUS). Amid the heartache, we've had some unexpected, pleasant surprises this year, and despite our final record, I believe this is a far better team than last year's. One final thought... And I'm probably going to get jumped on for this. ::shrug:: I don't always look at everything in black and white. For those who want to win *now* -- well, this will be hollow. For those who are patient, and see where we *might* be headed next year and beyond, here goes: Injuries have thrown many of our rookies into the fire, and they won't be "second year rookies" next year. They'll have invaluable NFL experience, and I expect a number of them to usurp some of our vets for starting jobs. I really believe this was our best draft in -- more years than I can count. I believe the Bills will be that much stronger due to the experience these rooks are getting: Dareus: Will be a stud. Showing flashes, but also learning. Versatile Williams: Missed time with an injury, but is back and holding his own. Could be our top CB next year. I can see him starting. Sheppard: Better against the run than the pass, but he starts next year from Game One. Searcy: My second favorite draft choice of 2011. Hard hitter; Mean streak. Has self control. Will be a playmaker -- and starter next year. Hairston: Bell's successor in 2012, IMO Jury's still out on the rest. Nice post.

Why the need to make stuff up? Who dismissed all of the injuries "entirely?" You might want to correct that to "YOUR POINT." I don't agree with "your point." You're just making excuses, and that's embarrassing. Man up and admit we're a mediocre team at best right now. The injuries haven't helped, but I still stand by my original statement that our record would be just about the same now as before the key injuries. We played out of our minds the first six games. And well beyond our capabilities. We caught a glimpse of what this team is capable of and after a solid draft or two -- and a few key FAs (I only wrote this in my last response), we'll be contenders. You're allowed to consider whatever the heck you want. As am I. I listed my "big three" on IR. The rest are not in their league. Sorry. Did you even read what I wrote? I replied with my thoughts on all of those players. The ones *I* believe were big losses, and the ones *I* believed were not. Are you so narcissistic that you believe you're the only one entitled to an opinion? And I discussed my disgust in the wide receivers on IR. No big loss. But I'm sure you'll disagree -- after all, Easley was an all-pro and Parrish was a studly, sturdy QB who hasn't been injured the better part of three seasons. LMAO. This is too funny. It's "irrelevant" to YOU. Not to me. Do you own this board? Just curious. Do an archive search. I went on record time after time after the first of six consecutive losses by Rivers and his beloved Chargers, saying that Rivers is a putz, and his best days are behind him. He lost key players? Really? VJax, Matthews, Tolbert, Gates are all scrubs, right? How about a team that lost its starting QB and has done well? Miami... Denver, anyone? I was waiting for a paragraph that wasn't an attack. Welcome back. Our OL has played out of its mind compared to the way anyone dreamed it would when the season started. What comes up comes down. They had a great run. They're YOUNG. They'll be back. Why are people so impatient? We're getting most of these guys back next year, you know. Disagree. You -- GASP -- sign players to take their place. You don't keep Ruvell Martins on your team. (And please, no B.S. about his special teams play... we can't afford a "luxury spot" on our roster). Stevie isn't new. Nelson isn't new. Martin (LOL) isn't new. Chandler isn't new. Are you saying Fitz has experience with Easley and Parrish? What has Huggins accomplished with Fitz? The only loss of consequence to our WR corps was Jones. Spiller has lined up as a WR before (yeah, he's our running back, I know. But some RBs catch, too!) Brad Smith has 149 yards and a TD in his past two games. How is that horrific? The guy's getting paid like $3 mil a year. Glad to see he's finally being put to good use. Same with the Jets game -- without those two. We could, quite literally, do this all day. To your first point: Argued, but not proven. Sorry. To your second: Nice try on misquoting. Reread my post. Most of the guys on IR are not studs. I pointed out the three I thought were. You conveniently overlooked that. My point is simple, actually: Some people here need to QUIT WHINING and blaming our soon-to-be losing record on injuries, refs, etc. This team is exactly where it should be right now -- a little better than last year, but nowhere near a playoff contender. To think otherwise would be "ridiculous," to quote -- you.

Fair enough. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. I just don't buy the injury excuse in any way, shape or form. Elite teams get through injuries (see Patriots, New England). We're not elite at this time -- but I hold out hope that we could be after a few more solid drafts (like the last one) and a number of key FA acquisitions. I believe quality > quantity. Judging by your post, you go the other way. So I'll play devil's advocate: Three teams that lost one or two key players (not 14) and have crumbled: We needn't look much further than Peyton Manning. Sure, Joseph Addai has been injured much of the season, but he's always been a joke of a RB. I'm sure they've had other (more insignificant) injuries, but I find it hard to believe that the Colts wouldn't be fighting for a playoff spot right now with Peyton at the helm. The Bears were doing well until they lost Cutler and Forte. Those two lost players likely will end their playoff run. And of the two, Forte >>>> Cutler. That's TWO guys. The WAY-overrated Eagles were in contention until they lost Vick for three games. Vick was struggling a bit before the injury, but he has a rep for coming back strong. The Eagles have only four players on IR. With the exception of McCoy, Vick is the heart of the Eagles. (This was supposed to be the "dream team"). Again -- I don't disagree with some of the players you mentioned. Top three on IR: Kyle Williams, Freddie Jackson, Eric Wood. I'm not crying too much over the rest of them. The Senator has been a blow, but to my knowledge, he's not on IR. Merriman is done -- he WAS done. The OL did just fine without Bell. For the record, I really like Hairston -- that was a bigger blow, IMO. But I'm sticking with my top three as the real significant losses to this team. The rest are/were replaceable. Also, don't forget that Wood and Freddie went down toward the end of our November skid -- AKA we lost WITH them. Agree that not one of those receivers excites me. Fitz barely had time to familiarize himself with Easley, and Parrish has been a fixture on Left Bench for years. Jones is newish, and Huggins -- meh. Fitz still has weapons in Stevie, Nelson and Chandler (yes, I know Chandler is out this week). I see no valid excuse here. You're entitled to your opinion. You value quantity; I value quality. Apples and oranges -- and highly subjective. Nobody's going to win a debate when both sides have completely different mindsets.

I think we'd be very close to where we are now. Most teams in the league have been bitten by that same injury bug, due, in my opinion, to lack of proper strength and conditioning in the offseason because of the lockout. If we're going to imagine the Bills at full strength, we have to imagine our record while considering that all teams we've faced were at full strength, too.

"Travelogue," methinks. I would have gone with "montage," personally. ~

Many said the same about Bruce Smith. Super nice guy off the field. Even "nice guys" get DUIs. I really just want to know how the "hometown cops" discerned that he was sober, given the nature of the accident, time it occurred and area in which it occurred. If he blew under .08 -- It's legit. But I have a sneaking suspicion he wasn't even subjected to a sobriety test of any type.

I found this article interesting, especially the quote from the sergeant: "He wasn't drunk and wasn't driving crazy or anything. He wasn't a jerk." I'd love to know the context of the last part -- "He wasn't a jerk." Why the need to protect him, sarge? Could it have something to do with him being a local high school star? The accident occurred in the "club district" of Portland at 1:15 a.m. Police said he "wasn't impaired." Okay... Did they administer a Breathalyzer test? Or did they just take his word for it? Heaven knows Sybil Suh ALWAYS tells the truth. In any case, The Lions didn't need Sybil Suh's attitude to screw up their game Sunday night: Stephen Logan threw the football in the face of a New Orleans player, backing up the Lions and stalling the drive (missed FG) Titus Young threw a punch at a NO player (another stalled drive after the foul) My favorite: Brandon Pettigrew shoved an official -- which probably will lead to a fine and/or suspension. I was surprised he wasn't tossed. Eleven penalties for 107 yards. This team is totally out of control and is very, very easy to hate.

I don't get the bickering in posts like these. Did anyone really believe we were a playoff team coming into the season? We played great when our stars were healthy. As they went down, one by one, we lost worse and worse. We need to fill a few key holes and add DEPTH. If we're not destroyed by the injury bug next year, let's talk playoffs. I'd be thrilled with an 8-8 finish this year. It would show a huge improvement over last year heading into the offseason. Heck, at 8-8 we might even attract a decent FA or two. Oh, and anyone who blames Sunday's game on Fitz simply didn't see the game.

I'll take the over. I'll also take the over on a one-game suspension.

Yet you condone cheating. You went out of your way to express that. So, let's leave the "stomping" out of it for a second. Driving a guy's head into the turf three times isn't dirty? Do you condone THAT? Please DO go on record with your list of Bills' "p***ies." What the heck does this have to do with Suh's out-of-control behavior, attitude and blatant fouls? If you have video of Revis shoving a guy's head into the ground three times then stomping on him, I'd be willing to discuss this point further. Otherwise, have a nice day. Not dirty? Really? Trying to decapitate a QB LONG after the ball was released is "clean?" http://youtu.be/9E_2uC42jsA Again you bring up someone who compares to Suh in NO WAY, SHAPE, FORM. Ward doesn't attempt to intentionally hurt people. Grabbing a jersey or holding has ZERO to do with SUH's dirty style of play. Hines doesn't visibly try to mangle opponents. Nor does his style of play get him ejected. UPDATE: I'm going to start calling him "Sybil Suh" ... After defending his actions after the game, he seems to have seen the light (LOL). So, now Sybil Suh is calling his own actions "unacceptable." Do YOU refute his own words?

Oh, but I *did* read what you wrote. And I replied accordingly. This is your response? Not surprised, coming from an admitted cheater. LOL. You'd trade everyone on our team for a headcase that will be fined, suspended, and eventually chased out of the league within five years? Glad you aren't making personnel decisions. Yeah, shame on all of those doctors who made it to the top by *gasp* -- STUDYING! According to the logic that prompted your response (correctly so, BTW), all that studying meant they weren't "trying."

So, by your logic, a shove (done on every play in one form or another) is equal to kicking a man when he's down? Very interesting. I believe Bill Romanowski would respectfully disagree with you... now.