Prickly Pete

Has he blocked any kicks? That is the ultimate special teams play in my mind, the rarest of the rare. Has he returned any kicks for touchdowns? I don't think Easley is close to Tasker (and I'm not even a "Tasker in the HoF" guy).

This part is the key. I don't expect them to go deep into the playoffs, or even make the playoffs. But if they finish the season strong, putting up multiple wins in a row, it will get them to think like winners. They need to expect to win EVERY game, and need to be thought of as a formidable team. I want them going into next season thinking of themselves as a powerhouse in the making. This is a attainable achievement for this season.

I like Fitz, and hope he does well. I knew he would get in there at some point, whether injury, or because Locker sucked, and him starting adds interest to the season for me.

I wasn't criticizing (and if you read my later comments, you'll see that). I'm just pointing it out to contrast, that linebackers probably don't get that kind of media training. I'm GLAD that Manuel is polished, and understand why QB's NEED to be coached on dealing with the media. One of the best things about Manuel is that he is polished, and cautious with the media, but not phony.

I'm pretty sure ALL QB's (if they or their handlers are smart) get media coaching. One thing I don't like about characterizing Alonzo as a dumb caveman, is that whether it's true or not, he might have a hard time getting away from the label, and he might not really like being considered an idiot. He seemed normal to me, and not really into having people over-analyze his responses, or bait him with questions.

I just think he acts normally. He obviously hasn't hired a media consultant, and been coached on talking to the media. (Manuel, for instance, appears to have had some). The media can be annoying, and he was fine to me.

I still hate the Cowboys more than any other team. I still think the Herschel Walker trade should have been nixed, and that the league allowed wealthy new owner Jerry Jones to make the deal because they wanted "America's Team" to be relevant again.

He made it to the NFL for a reason. If he had Pettine, and the current roster to work with, he would do a decent job. He never had a good QB, and that's a coach killer.

Manuel's repertoire is expanding. That's what I see. they are adding to what the offense can do, each week. It's gonna take some time before he (and the receiver are learning with him) can execute all the different play well. He is doing really well to me (and not just this game).

Harbaugh knows the Ravens season is gonna blow, and his Qb is mediocre.

I too thought "why aren't they throwing over the middle?" It seemed open... I'm sure the coaches are working on preparing Manuel for this situation. He needs to get these experiences. The Bills will be fortunate to win some games while he gets "schooled". They have at least been competitive so far, and perhaps against some weaker defenses/more favorable matchups, they will win along the way.

While Brown has sucked, there were plenty of plays that Manuel had time to throw, but didn't make it happen. There were also plays where Spiller, chose the wrong hole, or Manuel should have kept the ball and run himself. The O-line is a problem, but the whining is overblown.

This is a full-on rebuilding year, and the CB's that are injured will be returning soon. I'm more worried about finding solutions to problems that might be long term. Like an O-lineman, Manuel's development, and getting the the offensive scheme tuned up.

Yeah, brilliant. This one is good too... http://www.theonion....llecting,34013/ The NFL, more than any other league, is just so ripe for satire. No other league takes itself so seriously. I can picture Goodell running for President as a fascist.

Maybe they are, but as far as the Bills games are concerned, and the plays that the OP dissected, and the point that the OP was trying to make, is that EJ isn't running when running is the correct read. Pretty hard to judge the effectiveness of the Read Option, when the QB is making the wrong read (or just doesn't want to run with the ball).

Definitely.

Yeah, me too (actually I think everybody wants that). EJ is capable of that, but that really isn't the discussion. It's "Why isn't he running when he should be running?"

EJ has a lot to learn. They have to keep adding to his repertoire of plays. Hackett can only call the plays that EJ knows, and has executed well in practice. I think EJ (and the receivers) have a limited amount of plays at their disposal right now.

Yeah, like I said, I don't think he wants to run with the ball. Maybe he is still worried about his injury, but if that is the case, then don't use the read option, until he is comfortable.

Nice job. I don't want a running QB, and I don't get the impression that EJ wants to run. Why is the Read Option Offense being used? I think the ineffectiveness of the RO has been a bigger problem than the uptempo, no-huddle aspect of this offense.

The same reason he isn't dressed for the games. He is injured, otherwise he would be the kickoff returner, like he was in the first game.

His return on Sunday looked like poo. He went right into the the first guy that showed up. I have no hopes of good returns from Easley.

The indecisiveness is what is killing EJ and CJ, and the poor blocking is leaving even less time to make decisions, or no options. I don't really blame CJ. He has proven himself to be excellent when there are decent holes. It's on EJ to take advantage of defenses keying on Spiller.

It is going to take Manuel a while to get good at reading defenses. For now, he just seems to fall back on checkdowns, or the sideline pass. In some ways, he will gain experience quicker, by running more plays. I think he would benefit from more time at the line, but maybe this crash course will move him along more quickly. They aren't going to win a lot of games, either way. This is a year of "seasoning", and gaining experience.

I have a feeling that Graham doesn't have good hands, or he would already have the job. I understand people wanting to improve the team in any way possible, but kickoff returns are practically a thing of the past, and there haven't been many opportunities to return punts. I don't think it will make much of a difference to this teams fortunes. They have way more pressing issues.