JoeF

Brother from another mother...

Bill--from what I saw of Fowler--they very rarely put him in one on one situations with any DTs -- there's is always somebody chipping or helping him in the run game. I would guess that Mangold is often left one on one.... He is pretty decent in pass blocking with help side to the right or left or picking up a middle blitz...He is pretty quick and gets decent leverage from what I saw--he gets out a lot in the run game.its almost like they pull him instead of one of the guards. I thought they might be shy about running right--and while they do run left more--they certainly don't seem hesitant about running right....There was a formation where both Cieslak and Royal were left and they crossed up and ran right.... If the Jax game is any indication Cieslak is a keeper in both the run game and the pass game.. You have mentioned a ton of times how Peters gets to the second level quickly--the guy is a stud--never gives up on a play and leaves bodies in his wake...its awesome.... I think McNally finally has the combination he wants out there....they will keep feeding him talent -- but of what he has right now he is getting the most out of it and Fairchild is helping because of the adjustments in the passing game.

Lori on TKO--I think it is a rep thing..He was always where the ball was going before...I think its just being out 18 of the last 23 weeks or whatever...The good news is the straight line speed is there I think but the drops and reads are off...it will be interesting to watch the next 5 weeks..we need him big time against the run... Overall-- we are not that far away from being a very good team...we got a good influx of talent this year...and I think we have the line positioned right at Center and the Tackles -- I think we still need at least one guard and one more hefty DT who can penetrate...

Had an opportunity this week to view parts of the last 4 games (since the bye)..here are some things that stood out to me..feel free to add to the list: First the Obvious 1) Lee Evans is a capable #1 receiver and could cross into elite territory very quickly...its not just the speed or the 83 yard td passes its the crispness of the routes and cuts; the willingness to block in the run game...he has it all...extend him this offseason 2) Angelo Crowell sans being one of the guys who missed Garrard on the 4-14 scramble last week is an elite LB in coverage and is becoming more stout against the run almost every week. 3) Jason Peters is our LT for now and the next 5 years and we do not have to address the most expensive line position...its a significant building block for this line ...smart move locking him up 4) Re-sign Nate Clements -- More than the coverage ability -- I think Nate has finally become a leader -- he is the professor for Whitner and Simpson talking to them coaching on the field -- plus he is playing with enthusiasm--I think he is having fun and likes the coaches -- Not so obvious 1) If Ashton Youbooty is somewhat serviceable he beats out Terrence McGee next year for the starting CB job opposite Nate...Terrence's struggles have lessened the last few weeks but he still is a liability covering most #2's 2) Spikes has tempered or lost some of his Football instincts..I got the sense when TKO was in his prime that it wasn't just his speed but his quickness of read and recognition that caused him to be in position to blow up so many plays -- I actually believe he still has some speed--he can chase (the fumble play against Houston for example) -- but his read and react has slowed down...He is often out of position or engulfed on plays that he would have bottled up before. I am going to watch this the next couple of weeks. 3) Terrence Pennington has made vast strides in 4 weeks and could be a longer term answer at RT. The guy has a huge wing span and does not lose battles against the bull rush or in the run game--speed is an issue for him -- needs to work on getting set and showing some initial pop from a good base with speed rushers -- he has only been in a position to give speed rushers a slight love tap on a couple of occasions because he is a touch slow off the snap. 4) JP has checked off more in the last two weeks than the previous 9 games combined. If that's not a show of support from Fairchild -- I don't know what is... Add your own--or disagree with mine

The "U" is a strong fraternity.....and the "U" was an also ran a lot of the time before Jim Kelly and Howard Schellenberger got there....paving the way for Coach Hairspray (or Pork faced satan) and others...

Final Score: Chargers 112, Bills 10 Insert Brees for Rivers and you basically have what last year's game in SD would have been if they hadn't called off the dogs...It's hard for me to recall when I have seen a team so dominated..I would hope that would provide some motivation for the gentlemen who were part of the Bills last year..

Article on NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/SD/9832401

21-14 Chargers now...LT takes over...

In his post-game remarks JP mentioned Pennington and Preston -- said the whole line is improving week by week. Called out Gandy as the leader and Peters as the star but said he was very impressed with Fowler, Pennington and Preston and their progress. Said you can see their attitude changing--the start of the year they were walking from the huddle to the line and now they are jogging--they are setting the attitude for the whole offense.

Jarrett is outstanding and would be a great pick...but tonight shows once again that the Irish stink on D in 2006, they have all year-Hopefully Coach Weis can add some D superstars to this Clausen kid coming in to take Quinn's place... ... I hope the Bills can lift my spirits some tomorrow.

How did the Bucs get their one--are we moving to Canadian rules? How long was the Bills drive? Did JP look good?

Can we give this team a chance to grow rather than watching them through a magnifying glass. I am sorry--but what the hell board did you think you logged into today ---magnifying glass--this place uses a the world's largest microscope to analyze every step of every player and thus turns silver linings into dark clouds...

hmmmmmmmmmm --maybe looking for an endorsement opportunity

I focused more on the content of the drive--it was well executed; there were no fluke plays that moved the ball toward the goal -- it was solid and the QB made great throws on the two plays that ate up the last 35 yards. You and Dunta focus on the fact JP had never executed a drive like this before. My opinion is that Dunta is surprised and red-faced because he didn't think JP was capable of leading such a drive..I figured JP was capable of doing this so I don't think the Texans D and their spokesperson should be embarrassed that they are the first victim. If he wants embarrassment -- how about the 31 spot that the Redskins laid on them at the beginning of the year... You and Dunta are entitled to your opinion..I just have a different one..

We need to quit signing the last guard available in free agency...big Bennie and now tempered Tutan..

The Bills got the ball with one time out and 1:40 left--the first 20 yards were all secondary receiver plays and improvisation...the play to the fifteen yard line was a bullet; the touchdown pass was also a bullet to his second option and the ball was where noone else could catch it....if it would have been a tipped ball or a hail mary maybe Dunta has a point--but this was a solid drive. The QB took what the D gave him and drove the ball down the field in the clutch. It has to help with confidence...but noone knows if it will happen again. I sure hope it does.

1) Lock on--did a nice job today of finding the secondary receiver--but had more time...B+ on this one 2) Protection of the ball--The Interception was an unforgiveable throw--have to put a sideline pattern up a little taller than that--you want the receiver to be the only one to catch it in that case--close to the goal--all else was pretty darn good though-- B- 3) Sensing the rush--great job on the first TD throw--got rid of it at the last possible millisecond and made the big play; last drive was also impressive--but still not enough use of changing the play-- B A solid start to the final seven games -- string a couple of these together and Marv and Coach Jauron may cross--"acquire a QB to compete for the starting job" off the off-season list...

Scoreboard

No matter how much we write...the only way we see Nall is a JP injury.. It would be more productive to ask can JP improve the next seven weeks under far less than optimal circumstances and position himself as a solid number 1 for next year..areas I will look for... 1) Lock On--there are a lot of plays even when he has time where he is locked onto one receiver and never comes off--Evans is the most frequent lock on target...If he did not have such a great arm--this is usually has consequence in INTs...signs of improvement here are more use of the TE and RB 2) Protection of the ball--this has gotten better the last two weeks but the offensive playcalling has been more bland than the pasta in plain butter my 22 month old son loves...can we open up a bit and still avoid the turnovers... 3) Sensing of the rush before the play--I haven't seen him make a hot read in probably 4 weeks---there is just no sense of a blitz or mismatch and an audible...its almost like watching a human sacrifice on a blitz knowing that he won't adjust...Smart QB's do this...QB's that have longevity in the NFL must do this... If we start to see some of this--he goes into training camp 07 a solid number 1 -- if not more competition is brought in--there is no way he is cut; there is no way he doesn't get a chance to compete no matter how bad the next seven games go...if you want reality--this is it...

Bring Ruben back....we have yet to replace him...I apologize for every bad thing I said about him.

Heard we are going to sign Phil Ford and play a little Carolina 4 corners this Sunday....

My Sources Deep within OBD said Marv was working a deal to bring Travis back at the trade deadline but Coach Sherman nixed it. Marv said -- "I would rather be on TBD right here, right now to see Bill's reaction if we did this deal."

Nothing about paying for drinks in first class or wayward peanut shells...very strange...

I heard Kareem Abdul Jabbar was on the plane as well...complaining about Bob Lanier....

Did you ask the Mile High Club question Ed?