KeisterHollow

In this league - especially since EJ is a QB who will run - there's probably a certain advantage to having two quality QB's. I'd be all for drafting a QB in RD 1 of next year's draft if the kid was a slam dunk franchise QB sitting there for us to take. We'd have two Franchise caliber QB's to duke it out and we'd have that security. However, if one such QB was sitting there for us to take, I think it more likely that the GM and coaches would trade that pick/QB to a QB needy team for a bunch of draft picks, which they'd likely believe - and maybe rightfully so - that they could use to cement the roster and make a Championship run. Either would be a good situation for Buffalo to be in, although they'd have to be picking high again for that to probably happen. As of yet I am not sold on EJ. I think he's better than what we've had for a long time - since Kelly - but is he good enough? I can't tell if my issues are with him or with the OC, and I can't tell yet if he'll outgrow those things that I am frustrated by. I will say, though, that we'd have won all of our games so far if he'd of played at a higher level, just as he could have lost all of them for us; so, the rest of the roster isn't far off.

I've got a question - if we have a Defensive Coordinator who is so highly touted - and, I mean that sincerely - I like the guy - why didn't he take a moment to call over to Hackett and say, "Nate - Rex is doing this, and Rex is doing that - you can counter that, or this defense is susceptible in this way"? If Hackett couldn't see the vulnerabilities, and didn't adapt, why not use the defensive specialist on the team to tell them what would work against those defenses?

I specifically remember Easley being reported as having run a sub 4.4 forty. Whatever his "official" speed is, it IS fast enough to be doing the same thing TJ is doing on the deep routes - which is supposedly OPENING THINGS UP for the underneath/run game. However, if the QB CAN'T HIT the long ball, then it doesn't open up anything!!! I was calling for Easley to get a shot all last game - and its frustrating that we aren't giving him SOME opportunities!

Enlightener - I've had this problem with the posting for months now - I can't hit the "return" button and get a new line. In fact, any post I write has to be all in one paragraph! Two Bills Drive MODERATORS - what is going on with this???

As far as I'm concerned, what impresses me about Manuel is: considering he's a rookie, he's played very coolly, calmly, the pressure doesn't appear to get to him. That bodes well for us in future big games. Also, he arm talent looks ELITE. He makes throws that Fitz simply COULD NOT MAKE look EFFORTLESS. He also hits his WR's in stride on those 20 yard passes - something guys like Rodgers do well, and something that enables a team to overcome the 2nd and 15 type penalty situations that often kill drives. I also like his pass first mentality, considering he's such a capable runner. I'm smiling ear to ear thinking how good this offense is going to be in ten games, or next year. I think EJ could work on handing the ball off some - his hand offs aren't always pretty. Also, he'll improve on making reads, but I think we have a QB with all the talent necessary to take us to a Championship - FINALLY! I was hoping he'd look a bit like Cam Newton - as I think Newton is a top 5 NFL talent at QB - and so far I'm very impressed. This offense, when it clicks, is going to be fun to watch. Look out for the Bills if we make it to the playoffs, as by then we'll be one of the most balanced teams in the NFL.

Yes - good point. That read option type run style, where the QB and RB meet and momentarily pause at the handoff was atrocious for CJ. Just look at Philly to see an example of how this SHOULD be done. The RB was usually coming in horizontally, like in a end around motion, and passes the QB with MOMENTUM. We did it more from behind the QB, where they both paused at the handoff, as if deciding whether or not to run, and frankly it looked clumsy and, for sure, CJ didn't hit the holes with any speed. The Bills have to adjust this way of handing off to CJ, or put him in an I Formation more, or some way to get momentum hitting the line.

If we can't beat the Patriots today with a healthy squad - minus Gilmore (and, that's a BIG minus, but it is pale compared to what NE has lost and is playing without), when the things in our advantage are: totally new offense and defense; the Pats have little to prepare for, the Pats are without Gronk, Hernandez, Welker, and their WR's from last year, plus without Dobson! You look at that offense and tell me Buffalo doesn't have considerably BETTER players - by a big margin today (Spiller, Jackson, Johnson, Woods, Manuel). We're playing at home. The cards might not be stacked in our favor like this again for years. Frankly, I want to see the Bills beat on NE when they're at their best, but it is what it is - THE BILLS HAD BETTER PUT A BEATING ON THEM TODAY!!!!

I would have MUCH preferred we brought in Wilson to the kid we've got on the practice squad now. The only reason I can figure we're keeping the kid we are is because he's similar to EJ; a bigger QB capable of running, and I'd assume would be able to step in and play the same type of game as EJ, whereas Wilson would be more akin to Tuel, but slower. Still - in all I'd much rather have Wilson on the PS.

I recall he was a big, fast power back coming out of college - I LOVE that the Bills seem intent on having a power back with some speed and ball catching ability. I recall the Giants of recent years with their thunder and lightning, and Tampa bay - there are times when you are well served to have a big man hitting that line.

If it is one of those injuries - like certain back problems - that appear as symptoms (pain) but do not show up easily in tests, then I could very well see Byrd showing up, signing, taking the money, and then immediately saying he's hurt, got this foot problem. The Bills doctors say they don't see anything wrong, so Byrd goes to a "specialist" who says, plantar fiscitis, and now Byrd has a specialist backing him and doesn't have to practice much, and can be a POS for the season, just to stick it to Buffalo. Is that the case? I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me. That's one of the things that KILLS me about the NFL. As far as I'm concerned, if a player doesn't want to be on a team, I'd get rid of him. This money is wasted, and you not only don't get a good player, but you lose the money, and you lose out on getting a replacement who does want to be there. Maybe it isn't the case, but I just get the impression the Bills are losing out big on this one - that Byrd is just going to take that 6.whatever million and not have to actually earn it.

There are now Guards, CB's, and a few LB'ers available who look to be an upgrade on the back-end of our roster; in fact, there might be a few players out there who could come in and compete for starting spots at G and CB. Adding a few of the right players could make this roster quite good in eight weeks or so, when Gilmore gets back. I just hope we can integrate the CB in time for New England - as unlikely as that seems.

I was a BIG fan of Everette Brown coming out of college - I'd like to give him a spot on the roster - he'll end up being a player somewhere.

I ask myself this: Did the Bills go into this season expecting to lose? Realistically, did they go into this year thinking it would be a good year to let the young guys play, and to see how good the back end of the roster is? How much salary cap is still available? The front office knew it had one legitimate CB on this roster, and one legitimate Safety (who was, btw, on strike) and did little to address it. I happen to like the safety position WITH Byrd, but without him we're one safety short of a good tandem. I don't know how this team will respond, and as a fan I'm hoping to be surprised - but, to leave such a big portion of your team vulnerable to this, that when one or two guys get injured you're left with so little options, and seem so vulnerable - it makes me think, that since they didn't do anything to safeguard against it, that they were okay with the prospect of losing this year. After all, no one expected them to win anyway, right?

After the first 2 preseason games the Bills were not looking to go 14-2, and after the last preseason game they aren't looking to go 4-12, either. It's just the preseason. The injuries are the most serious effect of this game, and if we're lucky Gilmore will be fine by week one, and EJ will be ready to go. IF either of those two cannot play, THEN our chances are seriously hurt until they are back. That - our lack of depth at certain areas - is surely going to hurt us this year. However, I think our defense and offense will be above average (ranking above 16th in the league), and I see us getting between 8-9 wins, and potentially a wild-card, if all goes well. We have talent, and that 3rd preseason game will only go to strengthen areas that need addressing; it's a good thing it was a preseason game! Anyway, next year we will add another 3-5 starters, and should be looking to be a real player in the conference from now on, so no worries people - unless, of course, EJ doesn't come back or does, and tanks. I'm looking at it positively, though, until they prove me wrong.

I'm with you on that - if Freddie were called upon to be our top RB, he'd still average near 5 yards a carry, I'd be willing to bet. Sure, he'd have his share of 2 and 3 yard runs, but he'd also have his share of 8-12 yard runs, too. IMO, Freddie, as he is right now, is a perfect compliment to Spiller. Freddie gets the YAC, he can catch the ball out of the backfield, and he can block.

Who knows how it will end up - I was only able to watch highlights, so far, of the second game, but EJ just looks much younger, fresher, faster, quicker out there - like he's a young quick athlete running this offense at a brisk pace as opposed to Kolb, who looks like a middle aged QB going at a slower rate - albeit still faster than normal. And, from all appearances, it looks as though EJ's mind is processing things just as quickly as he's running them - and the same could be said for Kolb, which bodes doubly well for EJ. I would like to add - IF EJ is out for the rest of the pre-season, why not let Tuel get a little more of the first, or better defenses, to play against? Lets see if he can outplay Kolb - I mean, as far as I'm concerned, EJ has got to be the starter, so long as he's not injured, but does Kolb HAVE to be the second string? If Tuel shows as much or more promise with this offense, why not give the young guy the chance?

Good points made there! Manuel shows he's got a handle on the offense, his arm is MORE than capable of making any throw, and he's showing he's capable of making reads, of being patient. I really like that EJ isn't throwing deep - he's giving game-plan material to teams that shows an EJ making dink and dunk passes; and come opening day, he's going to LIGHT IT UP deep! Also, it is evident that the team as a whole plays better when EJ is on the field (even Tuel, for that matter, energized the team more than Kolb did/does). If I were the Bills, I'd seriously consider ditching Kolb and keeping Tuel as the backup - and let the young team grow together. They already appear to have a young, we're a team out to prove everyone wrong and to be a great team mentality. All good things so far with this team - and I haven't even touched on that DEFENSE!!!!

I have to agree - of the many issues and weaknesses of this organization - IN THE PAST - one of the most frustrating was the inability to SEE talent, and to secure that talent EARLY. We've seen too many lousy players get GOOD contracts (Kelsay), and too many GOOD players let walk. However, I'm hoping this NEW Bills team will do things differently, and Carrington and Wood are good players to start that with!

I think Buffalo is going to be competitive this year - and, if we win enough early, I think we could make a push for a wild-card/playoff spot, because I see this team getting better every week. One thing comes to mind when I read these practice recaps: I think next year, come draft day, we're going after CB, OG, and TE. Maybe LB. But, my point here is I think we totally scored on the WR corps this year. In fact, we went from having one legitimate WR to having almost too many decent WR's to keep them all! We'll be cutting a good one or two this year. Even though we're young, I see a team that is stacked in a lot of places now (except OG, CB, and TE / LB). That's why I'm so excited this year. To me, this is the beginning of a run. We're going to be in it for the next 4 or 5 years - or more. The moment is now.

I think Hackett will be calling the plays - but I think He and Marrone will be building this offensive system together, and will already have alternative plays and packages in store for the various reactions the defenses they face will show them. So, in my opinion, it'll come down to how well he communicates with his players, how hard he can get them to play, how fast, and IMO, his age shouldn't have much of a negative impact on those things; in fact, it might help him to relate to these guys. He comes from football, was born into it - he's a lot older, in football years, than many other guys.

The idea sprung from the desire to see that much speed on the field simultaneously. I'm totally happy with what we have now. I'm intrigued by some of the younger, bigger backs we've brought in. However, Freddy is going to be gone soon, and until someone steps up, we don't have a clear 3rd RB who is going to step into that 2nd role. So - IF, and that's a BIG IF, Best was able to get back to playing shape in, say, a year - during that time we'd be okay without him - wouldn't it be at least interesting to see a backfield capable of bringing out Spiller and Best, in a formation that also included Graham and Goodwin. That is four players with sub 4.4 speed. I'd think a bunch of O.C.'s would easily be able to make some dynamite plays out of that group. Then throw in our rookie TE, who has sub 4.5 speed, and Woods, and the combination of elite speed packages goes up. Just an interesting, "what if" idea. Obviously it won't happen (although, there have been some teams in recent years - San Fran, Baltimore, Seattle - who have gone out and made those intriguing pick ups when they've had the chance, so it isn't absolutely absurd).

I think the Bills could do worse than to look at all the teams likely to finish LAST - Oakland, Jacksonville, Jets, etc. - and begin looking at ways to maneuver trades for draft positions in next year's draft, BEFORE the season is underway. Why? Because there will be some Once-In-a-Lifetime talent available next year at the top of the draft. Who here wouldn't go nuts if we could land Clowney? He looks like the next coming of Bruce Smith. I just happen to think its easier to make moves now, while teams still believe they can climb out of the bottom, than when the certainty is there of having X player with the first, or second, or third pick. Besides Clowney, there will be great QB options, and other stellar defensive players available. Now's the time to stock up on draft picks for next year.

Just a quick question to toss out there and chew on (Forgive the absence of spaces / new paragraphs - my Enter button doesn't work on this site anymore, although it works fine on any other application). Okay, I just read Best was released by the Lions. My first, albeit not deeply thought out, thought was that he'd be a near replica of Spiller. We could give him the time he needs to heal up, and if / when he gets healthy, we could field, simultaneously, two of the fastest RB's in the NFL (and, added to our WR corps, no doubt the fastest offense - by a wide margin - in all the land!). I know, it'd be an unnecessary addition, and only worth it, even remotely, at the right price, but does it intrigue anyone else?

I think we solidified our coaching staff this year, we maybe got better in the general manager dept., and we upgraded our offense. Our defense was addressed, to an extent, the last two years. So, I'm expecting this YOUNG team to go 9-7 this year, and to have another good offseason and to be ready next year, 2014 season, to be able to compete with anyone. That timeline is in line with San Fran's and Seattle's.

What bothers me about all of it - the franchise tag - is that the player can sit out and then show up week ten and start getting a paycheck. The franchise tag SHOULD work so that the player either shows up for offseason training (camp, at least) or he has to sit the year WITHOUT pay. I mean, the Bills should have the leverage here, but it seems to me that if Byrd sits out until week 10, then shows up out of shape and without a clue as to his new scheme, he'll be making half million dollars a week to be what - un-playable? I'd just bench him to prove a point, and then I'd threaten to do it again the following year. Of course, as it was mentioned above, the Bills need to know when they can sign a guy and when they can't, and get value for him (i.e. - a trade) WHILE THEY CAN.