RunTheBall

Look, Fitz did enough to win the game against KC and #1 was not turning the ball over. This is exactly how we are going to need to play in order to win games with him - strong running game and good defense. Has Fitz completed a long pass yet that wasn't the result of YAC? Until he does, teams are going to crowd the short routes. Also, Fitz has been absolutely awful on the out routes. His arm strength really gets tested an his accuracy falls as a result. As long as Chan doesn't get too pass happy (a big if) I think Fitz can pay well enough to win games but I don't think he is the type of QB who can take over a game and throw for 400 yards. RTB

Under the circumstances, these refs are doing an outstanding job. Sure, there are some delays and some of the more esoteric rules get a little boggled, but there hasnt been one obvious game defining/changing screw up which is more than can be said for the regular refs. I like that they let the guys play, I love that they haven't gotten the league memo yet about which teams get favored calls. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that NE wins that game with the help of the refs if the regular refs are in. The NFL has no pressure to get a deal done. Only hacks like Perreria (sp?) and crusaders like Florio seem to have an issue with the scabs. And oh yeah, any team that loses will have a problem with the refs that week. RTB

There are so many variables here it's impossible to make an accurate prediction. What exactly was the surgery? "Groin" surgery is a very non-specific term. I'm involved with a very busy sports medicine orthopedic surgery group and in ten years I can't remember doing a "groin" surgery. My guess, based on how quick he came back, is its probably some sort of hernia, not a direct muscle tear and fix. Bad muscle injuries that require surgery usually take a lot longer to come back from. He's probably feeling tightness from scar formation which is part of the normal healing process and will take up to a year to completely resolve. There is a definite risk of re-injuring it but how likely that will be is impossible to say. I think he will be fine and will be dealing with this in some (hopefully minor) way for the entire season. RTB

This has been one of the most informative, enjoyable threads I've read on here in years. So much has been said that I don't have much to add. I'd just say that given our apparent inability to get deep (or medium deep) consistently, and the tendancy for teams to blitz or crowd the box, a well timed, well executed screen play can be absolutely devastating. I'd love to see screens to Spiller or Freddy (not the wideouts) more often. That, and absolutely stick with the running game more consistently. RTB

The word in NE country is that Mallet is quite mediocre. He probably won't beat Hoyer out for the #2 and if that's the case, that is a big cause for concern after 2 training camps and a full year under his belt. He has the arm but not sure if he has the noggin. RTB

I'm in Rhode Island. The app worked great streaming it to my big screen using Apple TV last night. Now, it's telling me the video is unavailable. Anyone else have this problem?

It's not the number of touches, it's his chronological age. Once RBs get around 30 they slow down and lose some explosiveness. That doesn't mean they can't be effective backs, but it's a downhill slide. I think this whole "Freddy isn't beat up" argument is us trying to delude ourselves that we have more time with a solid RB than we really do. He will be on the team 2 more years then I think he's gone. RTB

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/08/06/fred-jackson-im-a-top-5-running-back/ Love the bravado, but you have to back this "chip-on-the-shoulder" act up with a full season and near top of the league all purpose yards from scrimmage. Thurman had the chip, but he also had the yards and longevity. If Freddy stays healthy I think he's a top 5 back, but until then I'll withhold judgement. RTB

NYT on Maybin Interesting article. I wasn't a big Maybin fan. I thought it was the right move to cut him and move on and I don't take (too much) pleasure in seeing ex-Bills fail. It seems like he is getting an awful lot of hype this pre-season. It sounds like he has a big mouth though, which probably fits right in with the Jets collecition of yappers. RTB

As a doc who has been involved in hundreds of back operations, let me give you my professional medical opinion: I have no friggin clue how Troupe will recover and neither does the surgeon who did the operation. Backs suck, period. I'm a big proponent of Darwin but this skeletal organization defies natural selection as a positive genetic trait that should be passed on. I've seen guys have 4 levels fused and go on to play sports, and I've seen others have a minor disk rupture that live on disability because of pain for the rest of their lives. The only way to find out is to throw him out there and see how he does. If he misses any more time because of back pain he's finished. RTB

The shark has been jumped. We will miss you RTB

Heard 2 years 8 million on Sirius RTB

You can certainly be a fan of the Bills wherever you live. I think those of us who grew up or live in Buffalo have an emotional connection to the city/team that is difficult to explain. This doesn't make anyone more or less of a fan, but it brings the whole experience to another level. RTB

Just needed to add my name to this epic thread. Hopefully if Mario fulfills hs potential and joins Bruce in the hall I can show my kids my anonymous name on an epic thread. RTB

Hahaha this is an outstanding maneuver by the owner. I'm not a big fan of management, but negotiations are all about understanding how much leverage you have and when to use it. Obviously these arena league guys don't have much, and they were stupid enough to make public what their plans were. The simple fact is, these guys can be replaced by guys off the street an hour before kickoff and the quality of the product doesn't decrease too much. They over-valued themselves and got burned for it. RTB

Come on, seriously? He is an average running back and a malcontent to boot. How could he possibly fill a TE roll for us?

This has the potential to be a classic thread. How does he keep doing it? Outstanding, I applaud you sir. RTB

I use Toradol every day on patients. Many have already hilighted the salient points. One thing that hasn't been mentioned which I think is the most interesting aspect of using it in football is its effects on microvascular bleeding. What that means is it slows down the body's ability to heal small injuries to blood vessels so patients who have surgery can "ooze" (they don't hemorrhage to death) All NSAIDS but especially Toradol inhibit platelets to some degree so they can increase this type of bleeding risk. Now you go shoot up a bunch of players who are at increased risk of bleeding and then ask them to go bonk heads for a few hours. I'd be very interested to look at the brains of these players who received Toradol regularly and see if they show signs of small bleeds (which can lead to much badness long term). It would be better to compare them to the brains of football players who didn't receive Toradol. We need the brains. RTB

This is exactly what happened to us in Buffalo. RTB

Well, he would be an upgrade from our current defensive coordinator ; ) RTB

I absolutely don't want Tebow on our team. He sucks as a QB. He's a good guy, but so was JP. He sucked too. JP wasn't hyped as the next coming of JC though and don't think for a second Tebow doesn't know exactly what he's doing. He's a marginal talent with very limited time in the NFL who is making the most of his 15 minutes and I give him all the credit in the world for making the most of his limited opportunity. Hes a big boy, he can handle a "Tebow sucks" chant. Buffalo has done the best job of taking away the run and exposing his limited ability to read defenses. The Magic Tebow run is over. RTB

This post almost makes up for all the brain cells I have lost over the years reading some of the crap on this board. There is nothing more to add, it's an excellent synopsis of Fitz, not more needs to be said. I think we can keep our QB talk now to RJ vs, Flutie. RTB

God I love this shiat I'm just sorry its only 3 pages, I have half a cigar left Quick, someone insult Tim or Lori to keep it going. THIS IS SPARTTTAAAAAAAAAAAA! Just awesome, thank you all for participating

I'll give Spiller to the end of the year before I make a judgement, but this pick is starting to look bad, and I didn't have a problem with it at the time. I think he was by far the best player available. I think only Pierre Paul or Poncy would have been better for Buffalo, and at that time Pierre Paul would have been a huge reach and we already had Wood and Hangartner still as centers. No one knew Pouncy would play as well as he has as a rookie. I've seen improvement from Spiller from last year to his year. Better patience, better at blitz pick ups, good hands, running hard between the tackles. I agree he goes down too easy still. I think the next 5 games will give us a good idea in what we have in him. RTB

I don't want to cut Stevie, that's ridiculous. I want Thurman to teach him some class and for him to learn a little humility. Act like you have been in the end zone before, don't hurt your team with stupid penalties in a season deciding game. RTB