Rocky Landing

I just woke up here on the West Coast, turned on my computer to NFL.com and saw this story. My first reaction was that my heart sank. I saw a lot of dirty football coming out of Detroit under his tenure. Of course, this is only as a casual observer of the Lions. As bad as we've been over that past decade, I've always appreciated out team's class. Gailey benched SJ over an end zone celebration. Schwartz allowed some truly reprehensible play on the field.

I would think that given Marrone's recent statements regarding Manuel, and the lack of experience in our back-ups (and I am making an assumption that Kolb will not be here next season), that it would not be unlikely for the Bills to bring in another veteran in the offseason- hopefully someone a little sturdier than Kolb. So, to the OP: Would you please write another analysis outlining all of the various results from a 4-way QB competition involving Manuel, Lewis, Tuel, and veteran X?

I'm rooting for the Broncos for the sake of Payton Manning. The guy has had a legendary year, deserves a ring.

He's had three knee injuries in his first season, and not on the same knee. Is there any point in denying that he is injury prone? How many injuries does EJ sustain before we can all agree that he is injury prone? And, what does his weight have to do with it?

I doubt he will be available, but CLOWNEY.

The main reason that the league has stacked so many divisional games late in the season, with division rivals playing each other as close as two weeks apart, is to try to ensure that the late regular season doesn't become meaningless. Apparently, the league doesn't consider it laughable.

I think it's extremely deceptive to compare numbers like this. Nicks has been playing with Eli Manning for the last five seasons, on a team good enough to beat the Patriots in the 2012 SB. Of course his numbers are going to be higher. If Nicks' numbers were identical to SJ's, you would have to assume that SJ was the better receiver.

We're going to see over the next few weeks, as he will likely be starting for the 'Skins for their last three games. It seems likely he will be available, he played well in his few games last season. I said "intrigued" btw. Not, "lets bench EJ for him."

Josh McCown is 34 years old. Not exactly a long-term solution. I would be more intrigued with Kirk Cousins.

Does this men that next year is a "rebuilding" year also? This team should be renamed the "Buffalo Builds."

Easy there, pal...

Kyle Williams is practicing today?

I didn't forget EJ. I'm looking at it from game to game.

I'm sorry, but this is a ridiculous argument. Not knowing whether your team is going to face an injured Lewis, or a healthy Tuel is a slight wrinkle in game planning to face the Bills. Obviously, it has NO effect on the opponent's offense or special teams, and very little for their defense. For that matter, the Steelers not knowing whether they are going to face EJ or Lewis this week represents only a slight wrinkle for them. Throughout the season, our game plans have been consistent, regardless of who has been under center. Has anyone seen a big difference in our playbook? Our WRs are the same, our RBs are the same, we will run the same number of passing vs. running plays. Maybe Lewis would run the ball a bit more, but no one should expect either QB to do a lot of rushing. And their QBRs are almost identical. This isn't the difference between Rogers and Wallace in Green Bay, which caused an 8.5 point drop in the point spread for Sunday. The difference in game planning between EJ and Lewis is not huge, and is certainly not causing any schizophrenia in Buffalo.

Pretty interesting thread. I think it's worthy to note that while Vegas bookmaker consensus has the Bills at around 3.5 point underdogs vs. the Steelers, quite a few casinos have yet to post odds. This is also true of the upcoming Bears/Lions game, and it is safe to assume that they are waiting on who will start at QB. Obviously, if Cutler doesn't start, as he said he wants to, the odds will certainly shift to the Lions. (Bears are currently 2.5 point underdogs, I assume with the expectation that Cutler will play.) I wonder how the point spread would change between the prospect of Manuel vs. Lewis starting? Personally, I think it would be a wash. As it stands NOW, I think the Bucs and the Jags are the only teams that we would be favored in. Maybe the Falcons, but I think they will have some injured key players back by then. I doubt we will be favored vs. the Dolphins- unless their implosion continues, which I wouldn't count on. The Jets have pulled themselves together, and will likely be competing for the same spot, and possibly the division title, which would make our game against the Pats that much harder. Either way, I have a hard time picturing the Pats relaxing against a division rival, especially in Foxboro- regardless of the circumstances. But, of course, a lot could change. Winning our last seven games is certainly possible. many people have said that with decent QB play, the Bills are a legit team- and not just Bills fans. We could easily be favored against the Falcons AND the Phins by the time we play them. And, while the Jets have looked good recently, they have been wildly inconsistent this season and are thin at some key positions as are the Pats. As a fan, I always try to stay rational. That being said, I am still optimistic, and haven't given up on this season. Go Bills!

There are posters who use rhetorical phrases such as, "end of story," "case closed," and "(blah, blah, blah) pure and simple." Those who betray such a one-sided perspective and hold their own opinions in such high regard rarely bend to reason, and I generally ignore much of what they have to say. I've been a member of this site for a couple years, now. I rarely post, but I read it almost daily. The fans who take a reasoned approach, temper their judgements with facts (rather than emotion), and who are seeking opinions as much as they are presenting them, are the one's from whom I have learned much about football.

If we're going to be honest with ourselves, sustaining two knee injuries in his first six games, including preseason, is most certainly cause for concern. How many games did Phil Simms miss in his first season due to injury? I recall you being extremely critical of Kolb for being injury prone, and, as it turned out, rightly so. But, you seem to be applying a different standard to EJ. I think the value you place on your own opinions/predictions is clouding your judgement.

He has two strong knees.... hopefully...

I don't see any reason to believe that EJ, at 100%, will come back and play well after having several weeks off with a bum knee. He was mediocre at best before the injury. After several weeks of very limited activity, he will, once again, be a project in its early stages. To "brace him up," and play him before he is 100%, because we are facing one of the better defenses in the league would be beyond foolish.

Is it me, or does this team seem to have an addiction to UDFAs?

The above bolded statement is absolutely UNTRUE for the Chiefs. The Chiefs are one game ahead of the Broncos in their division, and still have to play them twice. This game is HUGE for the Chiefs. It is most likely the difference between The Chiefs playing at the Broncos in week 11 one game ahead, or tied in their division. (Which also means, it is most likely the difference between the Chiefs finishing that game, tied, or one game behind. No team has better home field advantage, IMO, than the Broncos.) All that being said, we are only 3 point underdogs, apparently. This is a winnable game.

You have to admit, this isn't exactly accurate. He's had two knee injuries in five games. That's not exactly promising.

True, but Right Manuel didn't mention the spread. In context, I believe he was talking about Ws, and Ls.

The Bills will keep it close in the first half until Thad goes down with an injury in the second quarter. Then, we sign Tim Tebow during the halftime, and he rallies us to a win in overtime. 27-24, Bills. Had the experts been wrong more often than not, we would be enjoying a winning season.

I agree with this, more or less (except for calling Lewis, "Fitz with a better arm"- I think that is a nonsensical comparison), but I am looking at it with a very different perspective. Lewis DOES look like a QB who just came off the practice squad. And, he has played one game for us- his second NFL game of his career. How will he look after a few more? Is there any reason to think he won't improve? Sure, his ceiling may have been reached. But, other than the fact that he wasn't drafted, is there any reason to assume that? There isn't any QB controversy now- I don't think anyone is saying that there is. But, if Lewis improves, and proves that he has a higher ceiling than you think he has, and wins us some games, maybe there should be.