JoeF

Cause Jake Delhomme played like he was on grass. Best Case: The worm turns only if the offense starts to give the D a break or two by holding the ball for more than a minute and half a possession (at least we are huddling now--that adds a minute to the time of possession) once or twice a game. This D is a playmaking D -- but is going to get worn out. The last two games this D has displayed what the Tampa 2 is designed to do -- keep plays in front of you, give up yards but not touchdowns and take advantage of mistakes by the opposing O when they get impatient. Special Teams have also cooperated -- giving the opposing O a long field to work with. You can win some games with these two elements performing at a high level but long term we need the offense to sustain drives. So what are we missing on O--here's my list--: 1) The screen play - Look how effective this was against NE-- particularly when we used it at uncommon times. Screens are perfect fits for our athletic but young and generally weak o-line--they can use their athletic talents. 2) Traps - This is a little more complex -- but again -- we run a lot of straight to the hole plays -- this is not our o-lines strength -- they get bullied -- we need some designed cut back plays that fake to the defenses strength but mis - direct. 3) Pitch sweeps-Fred Jackson gets to the edge quick. He has football speed -- get him one on one with an OLB or a corner every once in a while -- he wins those match ups pretty often I think. 4) Move Lee and TO around -- if they are doubling one of them -- use motion to help them get off the press and to drive the D to overload to one side...then use the above (Screens, Traps, Pitch Sweeps) to take advantage of the Defensive overload that will occur. All this says--don't make this line try to be something they are not. If they are young and athletic--get them on the move--we did this in NE game but have forgotten how since then. Worst Case: The D wears down, the O stays horrible and we start losing by an average of 2-3 TD's a game...finish 5-11 or so...

All interesting takes US...I'll give you a couple of counters.. 1) TO-- TO had the corner on the 3rd and 2 play when we up 17-9 and trying to ice the ball with about 5 minutes left. The play happened right in front of us. He got beat to the corner by the safety and the corner who had both momentarily bit on an inside run fake that was nicely executed by Fitz. I was shocked. I agree he still has wheels but he looked like he had a piano on his back on that play. 2) The O-line is also suffering from a lack of continuity from week to week. The starting group has changed every week but the last two. I agree strength needs to be improved -- but its tough to play well -- even with a group of strong vets-- when you trying to synchronize with a guy that you basically just met. The Panthers stunted, run blitzed and pass blitzed the hell out of the Bills yesterday. All things that are tough to adjust for when you are just being introduced to the guy next to you. The Bills best games were the first two when Butler was in there. I guess the good news is that we are building depth...the bad news is the Bills may run out of QB's as a sacrifice. 3) Poz had the penetration and the stop on the 4th and 1 in the 4th Q..he made a great play. 4) Someone else said that this game may have been the Bills best special teams effort since the Tasker and Pike days. I would concur....Kick and Punt coverage were amazing. Moorman, Justin Jenkins, Derek Fine, Corey McIntyre, Ashton Youboty, Ashlee Palmer--the list goes on....all shone brightly. The Panthers had to go a whole lot of yards just to get out of the shadow of their own goal. 5) Until the Offense kicks in and sustains drives the Bills need what they had yesterday. Virtually no mistakes (Turnovers and Penalties); excellent special teams; great execution of the Tampa 2 strategy of bend (bend a freakin' lot) and don't break. The offense will kick in --unfortunately the D may be exhausted when it does.

I want to regress toward the mean in playoff appearances please......

Maybe Larry and Ralph can have a Metamucil or oatmeal party and make up their differences. Ummm--Hello Buffalo News -- the protocol our incompetent and hopefully lame duck coach was referring to was the NFL's protocol on head injuries. Trent is not supposed to talk on the phone....but let's just make **** up to criticize now -- Isn't there enough to squawk about with what's happening on the field? Next article..... Trent's arm couldn't reach the phone so he checked down and didn't get to the phone on time...

Yep--Saban worked for the Yankees as President...Here is George on their relationship upon Lou's death My friendship with Lou goes back to 1948, when we were both involved in a youth track and field program in Cleveland. He has been my friend and mentor for over 50 years, and one of the people who helped shape my life. Lou was tough and disciplined, and he earned all the respect and recognition that came his way. He spent a lifetime leading, teaching and inspiring, and took great satisfaction in making the lives around him better. This is a tremendous loss to me personally, and I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joyce, and the entire Saban family. A George and Ralph conversation today would probably have only the slightest tether to reality. It might start with Jeter, A-Rod, Poz and TO and end with the merits of rice pudding's impact on bowel movements... (just sayin)

This guy can really fly around on Special Teams...

I vote for a bump......or a pin for this thread... The Byrd is most definitely the word -- (sort of copyright to The Trashmasters)

Topics and answers: - Injuries: - J Scott and B Scott Day to Day - Whitner and McGee Day to Day - Williams - Shoulder Strain - Further evaluation today - Nelson and Edwards - Head injuries being evaluated today - Trent flew back with the team - The Win - Guys fought hard, wanted it. Made the plays to make it happen. We were glad to get a win. - Guys have never stopped trying... - George Wilson - Prepares like a pro. Is a leader on this team as a captain. He will do anything we ask and usually does it well. - Roscoe - Fred Jackson better able to handle to returns now that Marshawn is back. We believe Fred and Roscoe are both great returners. Having Fred in this role allows us to get Stevie Johnson and Justin Jenkins both active and both contribute on special teams. - Follow up on Roscoe--Does this mean a roster move is pending--the perception is Roscoe could be moved? Jauron answer -- Perception is in the eye of the perceiver (Nice one coach)! - Billboard - Fans are not happy where we are. We are not happy where we are. It was nice to get a win yesterday but we are not happy with our situation.

We lost to Cleveland last week at home in perhaps the worst pro football game ever played. This team looks 3-13 or 4-12...I would recommend not looking ahead--just savor the moment.

Plans to sell it as game worn. Already thinking about unemployment.

Finally a billboard without my name on it....I like being on the road.

You know I see these unreasonable demands for our marginal talent all the time. It just disgusts me.... Used or new?

signs point to yes.....Good news is that Poz, Whitner are back...we'll see if it makes a difference....Also-- Go Stevie Johnson!

Gibran Hamdan Third quarterback. Todd Johnson Roscoe Parrish Ellis Lankster Bryan Scott SS Xavier Omon Jonathan Scott Chris Ellis

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4574560 Sad...prayers to his family Alert from campus web-site.. http://alert.uconn.edu/

I think we go 14-0 the rest of the way. Win the Super Bowl. Dick retires immediately after the Super Bowl but Ralph pays him the rest of the contract out of gratitude. As a final act before leaving the city for good, Dick takes out a bill board on the 190 that says -- Shove the Lombardi Trophy up your ass Buffalo....... On February 14th -- TO is named player coach. Pablo is Special Teams Coach, Mo is Offensive Coordinator, Kita will run the defense. Upgrading the talent on the Jills becomes the immediate priority. But whom am I to predict?

Talking smack about Trent Edwards is like talking smack about Stephen Hawking or talking smack about Kelly Ripa... Come on Buddy, Jr. save your breath.

Terrell, I just read your twitter. What does DJ = F'ing IWIAM mean?

Grammy quality. Awesome.

Add Steve Johnson to the above list and it is official

Just saw a tweet that Ellis' mother passed --- so sorry for him--prayers to his family.

We have so many injuries -- we can announce the inactives before they are posted Poz Bell Whitner Ellis Scott McCargo Hamdan will be the emergency QB....(maybe we need an emergency QB to play ;-) ---hee hee) Am I missing one?

I want Rockne--he was coaching before the check down was conceived...

Jenkins Lankster Poz Meredith Nelson Ellis McCargo Both starting corners playing. Florence active. Stevie Johnson active.

Greeter....