The Dean

I'm watching the Bronco/Colts game and I see an Bronco WR (Sanders?) stretch out and make a great catch. And in my particular state of buzzedness it occurs to me: When you have a talented WRs, with a QB they trust, special things happen fairly regularly. I know that's a pretty obvious observation, one I should be embarrassed to share on a public forum. (And I would be embarrassed if I gave a damn about what any of you think! ) Anyway... Today I saw 2-3 very good efforts/receptions by Bills receivers, and I haven't really seen that for awhile. I also saw an uninspired effort or two, which I think I've seen a bit too much of recently. A game like this can start to be the difference. (I am not, on the basis of one game, prepared to say it will make a difference.) Guys see guys making plays, and having their number dialed up more, and they know it's time to step up. The more time these guys have to play together, and taste a bit of success. the more confident they will become, This is a young team and they have had very little time together. It's clear that Woods and EJ have a pretty solid connection. I believe I see the early stages between a connection between Williams and EJ. If that's the case, I can't help but believe Watkins doesn't take long after that. Now look, I'm just tossing this around as what might be happening--I'm not, at this time, suggesting that it is happening. So, in a nutshell: I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'

On that we agree. Really? He was brought in for one purpose: Matt Ryan? Did Matt catch any passes?

I will say, this thread turned out to be good for some pretty funny zingers.

I agree completely--at least with the statement there is a lot of room for improvement. And I also hope, and expect, that will happen as they get more time together. Let's just hope they stay healthy.

They were far from perfect, but also far better than they were in preseason. 193 yards rushing and only 1 sack. Stats don't tell the entire story, but they aren't meaningless either. Considering this was the first (or perhaps second) game with this particular lineup (and for one player, his first NFL game) I'd say they acquitted themselves pretty well.

Seriously, you think he looked BAD? What game were you watching?

That's a fabulous site.

Safe bet as they don't play again this year, unless it's in the SB.

Did they stop the screen even once? They'd better get that straightened out this week.

As I'm feeling charitable after a great Bills victory, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and pretend you aren't a troll. It is true Fred isn't the most physically talented of backs. Not really fast for sure,. Not super big (but bigger than I initially thought--the guy is solid). Didn't play at for a major college power. Etc. In fact on a screen pass today that I initially thought was to CJ, I wondered why he didn't juke the one defender in the area. Then I realized it was Fred. But you know what? Fred gets the most out of his talent virtually all the time. He seemingly never takes a play off. He is as relentless and hard-nosed as it gets. The funny thing is, because he never relied on exceptional speed, he's as good now as when he was "in his prime" age-wise. Currently the oldest running back in the NFL yet can still play like he was in his mid 20's. No, Fred isn't Adrian Peterson, or Forte---or even CJ Spiller for that matter, when it comes down to raw talent. And perhaps you don't want a guy like that to be your feature back, and get 30 carries a game. So what? He has filled every role the Bills have thrown at him. Did I forget to mention he is a great protection back, who takes on any lineman and always gives his all? Fred was undrafted. When he came out of college no team wanted him. But you know what? I think every GM in the league would be thrilled to have a guy like Fredex on the roster today. Seriously. He just smacked the crap out of him---not once, but twice.

Then again you might also want to mention a perfectly thrown ball to Chander that was dropped. Or are we not counting good throws where the receiver doesn't make the catch?

That's the first thing I thought. Not that I care about Byrd (great guy, hope he does well unless he plays against the Bills). But blaming one DB (and a safety at that) seems pretty clueless.

He dd slip entirely too much. But I didn't expect McKelvin to make the catch, just like I never expected Winfield to make INTs . Very good cover guys, Bad hands. McKelvin also made a few very good tackles today for what it's worth.

I admit I'm not a fan of EJ taking a knee on that play. I understand it's probably what you should do, but I prefer my football played with a bit more testicular fortitude. There are some plays with minimal risk they could have tried. But with that said, so what? The lined it up and kicked the FG--won the game. When you start complaining about that you are really nit-picking. Starting last year, I'm liking Chandler less and less. It seems his drops come at very inopportune times. But perhaps I am just sensitive to that. What I wouldn't give for a TE like Bennett. EJ's INT was a bad throw and he gets the blame. But aren't WR's expected to come back to the QB when he scrambles? The WR ate turn of that play and was a non factor,. Not excusing EJ, but with he and the WR corp getting more time together, I think those kind of throws are caught, or broken up, more times than not.

Yup. But I'm sure some will tell you that Marv was only responsible for the players in the draft that didn't pan out, and these guys were chosen by someone else. Pinball.

I didn't know that. Good info.

You have Marv to thank for Freddie.

I don't believe McKelvin makes that call. I think that's the way our D is set. As an old CB, I don't like it either.

What was that about? No sound at the bar (Fins/Pats was the sound game in my area).

I disagree about McKelvin being bad. The officiating was ugly. Some bad calls and some bad non-calls, both ways. It's hard to make sense of what is a penalty, and what isn't, when the calls are this random. Chandler dropping an easy pass to kill the first drive was tough to take. \ The screen defense was a nightmare. I'm just glad the Bears forgot about that in OT. EJ was what he needed to be. Very few negative plays. The INT was a bad throw, but you should expect the WR to come back for that, and not eat turf. I'm loving Schmidt. About time the Bills had a difference maker punter again.

You are correct. Gutsy performance by Spiller today, grinding out the yardage. But that was one clutch play by Fred when it counted.

Nice

You know it. He was arguably the difference in the game today.