R. Rich

Haha!! Exactly; it's just short sighted to try to pin this loss solely on Lindell. Hey, I gave them credit for battling to keep this close enough for the offense to take control (hahahaha!!!!), but I also noted the things I posted. As for QB play, yeah, it stunk. Losman was no more effective than Edwards. It was just a train wreck.

As a unit, I have not been impressed by what our receivers have done this season. I mentioned in my post how even a guy like Tony Boselli saw how the Bills' wideouts did not do a good job of getting open. I agree, and have mentioned it here before this game. They don't run precise routes, they don't break off their routes well, and they don't seem to adjust to what the defense is doing. Now, of the group, I think Josh Reed has done the best job of doing these things, but even he does not do them consistently well.

Thanks, Big Cat. I thought there was something I forgot to mention in My Meaningless Opinion, and you just helped me think of it: the play of the Bills' wideouts.

It's only one game and we're still 6-6. All is...........well? Forget that! It didn't look "well" to me. I was wondering how many scapegoat-ish "Lindell cost us the game" posts I'd see on the board after this game. While it would've been nice for our kicker to hit those FGs, especially a 19 yarder, is he THE problem in a game where the offense can rack up over 350 yards and yet come up w/ just 3 points? All his fault, is it? Get rid of him, and the Bills do what in this game? Lose 10-9? Defensively, the Bills tried hard to keep the offense in a position to win this one, but even they had their rough moments. I saw plenty of poor tackling, coverage issues in the secondary, and the front 7 get blown off the ball on occasion. One time, I saw Marcus Stroud get taken for a ride well outta reach of the play. The (lack of a consistent) pass rush continues to be a huge issue w/ this team. It had a lot to do w/ this loss, as the Bills couldn't generate any heat on Hill and force him into turnovers. I wonder how many more games like this the Bills will endure before realizing that the pass rush stinks and needs to be addressed strongly in the offseason. Once they can bring the heat and force QBs not to have enough time to bake cakes, finish their holiday shopping, or complete work on their doctoral thesis, maybe then we'll see guys like McKelvin, Greer, and McGee come up w/ the kind of turnovers that can work in the Bills' favor instead of working to bring them down. Also, the linebackers really need to do more. Mitchell had a nice open field tackle, but there weren't many other standout plays from this unit. Posluszny needs to step it up big time. Was I the only person who thought the team appeared to have lost their composure @ the end of the first half? Blown timeouts and questionable play calling seems to be more the norm than the exception lately. There were other blunders, such as Roscoe Parrish's attempt to return the punt inside the 5 yard line instead of just letting it go into the end zone and starting @ the 20. I could understand more if it was a once in a while thing, but these types of errors seem to turn up every weekend. Did anyone else see the play on the FG drive where James Hardy, alone on the weak (left) side, did basically nothing on a play designed to go to the strong (right) side? He didn't run a route to steer the defenders away, he didn't try to come back and block down. He did........nothing. It was pathetic. Speaking of the wideouts (thanks again to Big Cat for his thread of his observations), I was surprised that Tony Boselli saw what I've seen in regard to our wideouts. They just do not do a great job of getting open. Now, I know there are times when guys have been open and were not seen (Lee Evans, among others, in the Cleveland game comes to mind), but for the most part, our guys do not create separation and find the open spots in the zone. They run half a** routes (see Hardy's weak attempt @ whatever it was he was trying to do on the FG drive) and don't seem to know when to break them off due to what the defense is trying to do. They have gotten open, but more often than not, I've seen them appear to just go through the motions and not do that something extra to help out the QB. Special teams wise, this game reminded me of the Oakland game. What I mean by this is that the Niners obviously prepared well for Buffalo's special teams and were ready. I don't know if the same can be said of our guys. This was not a stellar game for what has been the best part of this team in recent seasons. Now, that said, I still rooted like crazy for the guys to break one and take it the distance. Why? I just had no confidence in the offense being able to put the ball in the end zone. I sure wish I was wrong 'bout that. So, here we are. The team is 6-6, all but out of the playoff chase, and looking like one of the worst teams in the league. I wish I had better news and a rosier outlook, but it's hard to come up w/ one after witnessing these last 8 games. I had mentioned to someone how I thought there was a chance of this team having their third straight 7-9 season. Now, I'm just hoping they can get to 7-9. A better record would be nice too, but I won't be greedy. I know technically that they could go 10-6. But, seriously, what evidence is there to show that this can be done? They have 3 return games vs divisional opponents and another against a team that just beat one of our divisional opponents ON THE ROAD! Considering this, there is a chance the Bills could finish 6-10, w/ 5 consecutive losses. It seems so unbelievable but, then again, we Bills fans have been through this kind of heartbreaking tailspin w/ this team over the years. How things have changed since my trip to St Louis. Ugh!

You mistook the post. I wasn't giving OU's defense props or anything. They aren't all that, as, like every other Big 12 team, they give up mass points in big games. As for your 'Horns: Gave up 35 in a win over OU Gave up 31 in a win over Missouri Gave up 24 in a win over Ok State Gave up 39 in a loss to Texas Tech Gave up 21 in a win over Baylor That doesn't scream defensive prowess to me.

I've been a season ticket holder for the past 5 years. I drive up from Baltimore, but I usually take 2 or 3 work days off when I make my trips, usually 'bout 3 per season plus one road game.

Ah, but what was a comedy routine for you was reality for me.

That was me who had a cooler stolen a couple years ago. Thanks; you've saved me the time of tracking down the person responsible.

Yep. As serious as...

I agree.

Derrick Dockery is the guy who looked "lost" in that game.

I hope they can get a decent group of fans to travel to the game. They were really entertaining this year, giving me more than my money's worth for the season tickets I bought.

'Tez was defensive player of the year in '92 on a team that was 2-14. He was voted to 8 Pro Bowls and was a 5 time All Pro. While he's no Marcus Stroud, he had a fairly decent pro career, I'd say.

W/ the crappy schedule "that school" had this season, I didn't see 11-1 as impossible. Then again, I certainly didn't forsee Syracuse beating them on the road, either.

There's a house a couple streets behind ours that had an older Bills flag hanging on their front door, but the last couple times I drove past, I didn't see it there. I dunno if it was stolen, if the family moved, or something else happened.

Complaint line: 1-800-DirecTV

I said before that OU is, defensively speaking, the class of the Big 12. I'll be curious to see how these schools will match up w/ teams that actually have defense when the bowl games come 'round.

You guys are so bitter.

Damn tall people.

Dems sho is sum bad speakin, boss. You shud whups im good.

The Bills won!! Thank goodness Trent Edwards was able to put together a solid performance today. He needed it, and so did this team. I still think he needs to work on looking down the field more often and also looking over ALL of his options more (instead of locking in on one particular target). But, he did a great job of finding open receivers and taking what the defense gives him. Instead of just whining 'bout the 8 under coverage, he, get this, ran for first down yardage when the opportunity presented itself. Imagine that. I just hope this game ins't some kind of anomoly and that he's progressing towards being a top notch QB. As for that bust Marshawn Lynch? He had a solid outing as well. He ran very strong, hitting holes hard and deliberately. I actually saw him get to the second level in this game! Excellent. Fred Jackson also ran very well. I like this one-two punch, especially when they have the kind of blocking that they got today. Speaking of... Very good work from the big guys up front! There were some stupid penalties (Peters and Dockery), but they really showed what they are capable of in this game. Now, they just need to put together a consistent effort on a play by play, game by game basis and continue to limit the kind of mistakes that kill drives. Nice to see Josh Reed back in action, and I'm sure that only helped Trent's confidence out there. I still think some of the guys need to work harder to get open, especially in the middle of the field (Parrish). And, once they do get open, they need to do a better job of not only breaking on the ball, but making every effort to come up w/ it (Parrish). Evans became a factor again! It was nice that Trent could see him this week. I think the one slant they threw to Evans on the left side pointed out what I've been thinking: Evans can get open pretty often, but Edwards has to trust that he'll get to the spot and throw it to where Evans can catch it and do damage afterward. If he just waits for Lee to be wide open all the time, Evans' performances will be more like last Monday than today. Timing and patience, Trent. Keep working on developing this w/ all of your receivers, and you'll be a very good pro. Solid work by the D line also. Stroud worked hard all game to either push the pocket back, clog up the run lanes, or eliminate throwing lanes. Kelsay actually got some pressure today, and Denney made a few plays in the opponents' backfield....and didn't get abused on misdirection plays (not that KC ran a bunch of 'em)! There is hope. As for the LBs....it didn't seem like a banner game. Mitchell looked lost and confused out there @ times. I also think he was pressing too hard to make big plays, which forced him to make a few mistakes, like overrunning plays or not getting the proper depth on his dropbacks (like the TD play). Ellison wasn't great, but wasn't as much of a liability like Monday (on that horrible 72 yard run that went right @ him). Posluszny was okay, but again, nothing special in this one. Not an awful performance for the 'backers, but not one to put on the resume, either. I thought the secondary was hit and miss. McKelvin did well in keeping w/ the wideouts, but the thing I loved 'bout his game was the way he broke on the ball on his pick 6. It's almost like he said, "to hell w/ the lack of pass rush, I'm going to make a play on this ball and see if I can come up w/ the turnover". Instead of being content w/ playing 7 yards off the ball and just making a tackle for minimal gain after the catch, McKelvin took matters into his own hands and, lo and behold, made a big play! Then there's George Wilson. He seemed a bit overwhelmed today, making poor choices in zone coverage, taking way too long to break on the ball, and taking even worse pursuit angles. Shake it off, George. We've seen that you're capable of doing big things for this defense. Coaching wise, I thought they did okay. They were able to actually use play action to their advantage in this game, they mixed up their blitzing and coverage to confuse young Mr Thigpen, and they were better in clock and timeout management. Their management of this game was 150% better than last Monday. Way to go. Now, having said all of this, I also realize that the Bills just defeated a Kansas City team that has lost all but one game this year and 19 of their last 20. This game does NOT mean that the Bills are back on track and everything's alright. It's a step, one that I hope will lead to a team that can contend for a title. From here, it's important for the Bills to continue to take these steps in the right direction. No more going backwards and please, for the love of all that's holy, no more going 'round in circles. Come out next week and get another big win, then really take a step by going back into the divisional games and coming up w/ wins there. Go Bills!

Hmmmm............hamburger or grilled cheese sandwich? I'll have the filet mignon.

Oh well.

I see dead people.

Yeah. Wilbon has a story 'bout it in the Washington Post. I hope the kid gets that scholarship.