Dan

Not that I'm a big Willis supporter, but I do think that too many of us have opinions that are just that opinions and not based in reality. I'll attempt to answer a few of the questions, with my opinions. Ultimately, I think the Bills braintrust will have the best answer to all these questions and make the right choice. Ultimately, I could care less if Willis stays or goes; I just want a better run offense. But more importantly, I think it more critical that we stop the run first. If dealing with Willis takes any time from that discussion, then I think the Bills Mgmt should wait a year, seeing as how he's still under contract. Why wasn't he able to break 1000 yards? Good question actaully. I'd blame a little on our offense as whole. We were a pretty bad offensive team for the most part and by the time we started to come together a little Willis was already playing injured. But, I do agree, it seems his yardage should have been hirer. Granted it should be mentioned he missed considerable playing time with his injuries. Why does he go down so easily yet when he plays the Jets he's a one man terror? I'd argue that most backs go down when they're hit. Willis very seldomly got to hit the line or the defender at full speed, so its harder to bowl over defenders when initial contact is made in the backfield. Perhaps the Jet run D is one thing our coaches have figured out; hence his better numbers with them. Of course, it could be motivation on Willis' part. If so, then I'd say... how do we motivate him for all teams is a worthwhile question for Bills Mgmt. Does he even like it in Buffalo? Irrelevant to his success as a running back, IMO. Does he always give his best effort? Certainly, this is relevant and something I've wondered as well. However, playing with broken ribs, ankle injuries, stomach ailments, and the like would seem to suggest that he's putting some effort into playing. The one thing that's hardest for us to know is how did all these injuries affect his play. Maybe the coaches should have pulled him due to him not being 100% (ala Kelly in the Redskin Superbowl after his concussion). Sometimes players want to play, but the coaches should say jsut say no. effort? Why was he looking for a contract extension before he had even reached 1000 yards for the season? Did he think his production was worthy of being rewarded with an extension? I'm lumping these together because they're all similar. I would argue this is a good thing and perhaps helps answer the question about him liking Buffalo. If he didn't like it here and wanted to leave for more money, wouldn't it make more sense to ride out his contract and run to a higher bidder asap. By asking for an extension, he's saying.. hey I like it here and would like to stay. Of course, he wants to get a pay raise, but who doesn't want a raise. But, the fact that he asked for an extension and not a release seems to imply that he likes it here and wants to stay. Why is this a bad thing that's got so many people upset? Is it the offensive line? Unquestionably the line is a factor in the running back's production. And we all know our line is less than stellar. Is that all of the problem? Perhaps not, but it's certainly a part of the problem. Does he care more about winning a Superbowl or does he care more about wanting outside media attention? I think Willis is the only one that could answer that. If asked, I'm sure he'd say the Superbowl regardless of whether its true or not. If I were a coach, I'd ask him; as well as explain that the best way to get the attention and movie contracts, etc. is to win a superbowl. Just my few thought's on the Willis debate.

Well, lately, pride in the way our team looks is about the only thing we have to hold on to. Plus, of all the things to do, changing the uniforms back to a design that's already been designed would be pretty simple. I doubt it'd take Marv (or whoever makes the call) all of about 2 minutes to point to the one he liked.

Amen. What would Packer fans say, if they changed their uniforms to some god ugly seahawk green with a blue stripe and umber numbers outlined in gray? I'm pretty sure they'd be fashionistas as well. Its about tradition and pride in your team.

Excellent!

I agree, very interesting indeed. (also, excellent work Dibs!). I've been cautiously optimistic about our line improvement. Just from watching the games, it seems they're playing much better. But, then we play a truly good team (Baltimore) and don't look so great. And it's interesting that these stats seem to bear that out. (Granted for that game I couldn't watch it all, so I can't speak as confidently of how our offense looked) I think the key is that the position we need to upgrade (OGs) are easier than in previous years (OTs). So, that's a good thing. I think it also becomes important to the discussions regarding Mcgahee and drafting receivers and all. It would seem we still need ot spend a fair amount of attention on our lines and LBs.

There are exceptions to all laws and regulations. When I worked for NYC, you had to have a physical residence within the City. It took a lot of effort, but that law was eventually waived and I was allowed to live in NJ. If they want him bad enough and a 10 year contract is the dealbreaker, he'll get the 10 year contract.

I kinda liked "nattering nabob of negativism".

Precisely.

That's what I thought. I assume they would have been fairly remote possibilities, as well. It was just a passing thought as I watched more VY highlights on Point After. That's the worst lasting effect about that game, just more b roll of a young, media star running all over Bills players.

If the Bills could have beaten the Titans, would there be a scenario that would have them in the playoffs after this week? I'm just wondering, that's all.

JP: "When the season is over and I take my week or two vacation, when I come back, it will be all on the negative plays," Losman said. "Focusing on everything that went wrong first, fixing that first, and once we fix those, definitely encouraging the positive, the "Oh, that was great.' Vick: "I don't know. I can't really say," said Vick. "That's for you guys to go watch the film and see what really went wrong. Stat-wise, everything looks good. It looks gravy. " JP: "We" said 20 times. Vick: "We" said 3 times. I think that just about sums it up. JP says he'll take a 2 week vacation, then come back and look at what went wrong and try to fix it. Vick says it's someone else's responsibility to find out what's wrong (because in his mind it was a good year, because his stats are good). Vick is concerned with himself and his stats. JP is concerned with his team and his team's stats. For anyone that still doesn't want JP as our QB, the debate is officially over. You lost. Now go buy a JP jersey and thank your stars we got such a good guy to lead this team.

Good points. And I do agree, wholeheartedly. The thought of going for a TD was just that... a thought. I wondered if anyone else thought about it. I don't think I mentioned it, but I'd contend that the biggest coaching error was not taking the wind in the 4th quarter. Jauron needs to learn from this mistake. He's gotten away with it in a few of the other games this year. But, if we have the wind, I really think we win that game at the end.

Exactly. You play to win. Period, end of story. Hopefully, we come out with a great game plan and show the Nation that we'll be a team to take seriously in 2007.

That's what I was thinking. We seemed to be playing for a field goal, but then decided at the last possible second to go for the TD. So, I ask as well; If the FG was not an option, why the play calling on 2nd and 3rd down?

If I may chime in... I do agree the playcalling has had its bad moments this season; as well as, this past weekend. I agree, more runs at the end of the half eat more time and still allow for the fieldgoal. Also, the fieldgoal on the last play before the half, why not go for the TD? It was only a 4 pt lead if we don't score. Its a ballsy call, I know. The final 3 plays were questionable, at best. However, overall, the play calling has been getting progressively better. I think its a function of the coaches getting more familiar with the players as much as anything. I also, don't think you can put an arbitrary 85% good on the playcalling; but for the sake of arguement, lets assume that's a good measure. 85% is not bad for a first year OC, new starters, new scheme, new everything. In fact I'd call it a great. Now as for the game, it was totally on the defense. We score 29 points, punt only once, and lose the game? Young scrambles for a 36 yard TD, yet another long 4th quarter drive resulting in a score, the list could gon on. Defense, plain and simple, cost us this game. I find it amazing that at this point that I feel more confident in the offense than I do the defense. I know the defnese has better rankings, but I see those as misleading stats. All too often, when it's needed most we can't stop the run. We lost this game because the Titans didn't give up on the run in the 4th quarter, period. Our DTs and LBs are just not good enough. I know everyone thinks Fletcher is great, but where was he in the 4th quarter? I'm giving TKO a pass, but maybe I shouldn't. The bottomline is this: when teams decide they're gonna run on us, they do. And we can't stop them. That should be pretty high on the list for off season activities (my list of priorities): 1. DTs 2. OGs 3. LBs 4. TE 5. RB (of course, resign Nate is understood)

Not even reading this. It's a disgrace. Perhaps he's not your favorite announcer, but to hate one of the better Bills to ever play the game is just wrong. Disagree with him; but give him credit for being a great player and a good announcer that still represents the Bills franchize in a positive light.

OK, I've been away a few days enjoying Christmas and I haven't had time to read all the game threads (I'll do that promptly), but this was my biggest pisser after the game. There was serious PI on #24 of the Titans, clearly blocking Reed and knocking him down. I know they never call PI on Hail Mary's, but that's because typically PI in that situation is of the everyone jumping up for the ball and shoving each other around variety. This was a defender not looking at the ball in any way and taking out an offensive receiver as the ball was coming down. Definite PI in any situation! I know there were plenty of other circumstances during the game such that it should have never come down to that single play. But, still, that was blatant PI and should have been called. We were hosed by a tremendous non call. Being at my parents house in TN, all the local stations were calling it another Miracle finish for the Titans. Which begged my question. Why do the Titans always have to beat us with some miracle play that, by its name, implies some sort of divine intervention that you just have to take on faith was legitimate even though all reason tells you otherwise?

What it seems to me he (Gandy, a lineman for the Falcons) is suggesting is that Vick and other black QBs don't get a fair shake by COACHES. Suggesting that black QBs are trained/coached differently. For ex., Manning has been taught to throw the ball away rather than take the sack. Vick has bee taught to run and make a play rather than take the sack. Consequently, black QBs have different expectations placed on them in comparison to white QBs as a direct result of them being more athletic than white guys. And because of these different expectation, black QBs are usually less succesful. In other words, Vick is having a bad year because he's black and therefore treated differently than white QBs. It's not because of his lack of abilities, his bad recievers, bad play calling, or anything like that; its merely boils down to him being black. I think this is pretty well atrocious. I guess the guy never watched Warren Moon play or Doug Williams. I think this article is a clear indication that racism is more prevalent than anyone cares to admit in our society and in the NFL.

I'll go out on a limb and say, this may be one of the few times that having a player not start due to injury is a good thing.

Get a load of this one... Downside to Athleticism just a tease: "In particular, Gandy has a pretty interesting take on why black quarterbacks such as current teammate Michael Vick undergo so much public scrutiny. Gandy has watched teammates – Vick, Aaron Brooks in New Orleans, Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh, Tony Banks in St. Louis and Dameyune Craig at Auburn – operate under a different set of standards"

Actually started going to Quaker Steak and never made it. We saw Champs and went in there. But, I heard Quaker Steak was a great place to hang and drink.

I'd agree with much of what you've said. Although I don't think we'd have the same record. Perhaps 5 wins. I doubt Willis would have played with broken ribs and we'd probably not have A-train on the roster backing him up. Mularkey did not inspire his players to play. Most importantly, I think we'd have a continuation of last year's aura. That is a team that's spinning its wheels trying anything - gimmicks, trick plays, rash player substitutions, etc. - to get a few wins. The single biggest thing Jauron has done is provide a sense of direction, a sense of progress, a sense of stability to this team. That, along with Marv's emphasis on character and team, finally have this team thinking positively. We were dwelling in a repeating cycle of losing and Marv along with Jauron have managed to turn that around in a single season. Not only do the fans think we'll win or at least can win; but the players think they can win. And that is not to be underestimated or undevalued.

Now that's worth reading 8 pages of this thread. Thanks for the inspiration. Ohh.. how often I've wonderd about lickin her... oh nevermind.

Champs Sports Bar. (I think that's the name.) I been there a few times. Good bar with lots of TVs. It's near the Wal-mart, if memory serves correct.

I rememer watching that game with my family. It was like... well its just 1 touchdown. OK. 2, no problem. sh-- 3 touchdowns. 4 we can still.... crap, 5! damn. see all we need is 4, Just 3, now 2.... and the house was getting crazier and wilder as the game went on. At the end of the game we all ran out in the street in front of our house screaming and yelling. It was awaesome!