Dan

Excellent analogy. Definitely shows you how hard up we all are for a decent team. I do agree, though, most peaople had us picked in the 5-7 win range. That means we'll win a few and we'll lose a few. SO we shouldn't get too up or too down, just yet. I say, lets all just wait until we're in the playoff hunt in late November, before we get too excited. Now, that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the wins and hope for even more. Lord knows, I enjoyed yesterday. And I'm really looking forward to Sunday.

The problem I always saw with MM and his offense was more the timing of his play calling. All offenses run trick plays, pass on 3 and 1, and do all the sorts of things MM gets a bad rap for. However, the difference is WHEN you do these things. For example, the Roscoe TD that almost was (to throw this back to Roscoe as well), it was a great call at that time. In other circumstances, it would be a terrible call. MM always seems to make those calls at the wrong time. He seems unable to set up one play with the next. I think it was Peyton Manning that once said in a PC - you use some plays to set up other plays, and you use some games to set up other games. Well, that's what we did yesterday, we set up the dolphins with each play. Hence, the play action TD worked so well; and so did the pitch to Roscoe. Similarly, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see JP airing it out when we play them again in Buffalo.

Mosquitoes are active in the evening hours and not so much in the mid afternoon. So, I think the mosquito (possible WNV) scenario is out.

I took your advice for the Pats game. And now I'm living with my Father in law. Now you suggest I bet his house as well?

That's what I saw as well. But, I thought that if the pass was behind the line of scrimmage then it wasn't considered a pass, and the receivers could be blocking within 5yds of the LOS. ??? I'm not complaining or trying to nit pick, I'm just curious as to the how the rules go. In essence it was a screen, right?

I could argue (although I doubt I will other than this post) that JP faced alot of quick pressure from the fins and rather than run around and get sacked or make a hurried throw into coverage; he was dumping the ball off to the quick outlet receiver. That shows good decision making in my book. On the point about the coaches: Isn't that what coaches are supposed to do... know their players limitations and skills and put them in the best position to win? Why is is so bad that the coaches drew up a game plan that allowed JP to manage a game and get us a win?

Exactly. And that's why I'm loving Losman's play today. He did exactly what he had to do... manage the game and don't make mistakes. How many of his throws were throws just to get the ball away because a rusher was in his face? He looked good, made good decisions, and we got the win. It may not be spectacular play by the QB, but it's keeping us in the game and that's what matters most. Stats shmats.

I was one. It appears I was mistaken, I'll gladly admit.

If the refs are so blatantly bad that us and the media can see it week in and week out, and the NFL doesn't do anything about it. Then that, in itself, implies an intent on behalf of the league.

One thing I can say about Fairchild... 4 and 1; what does he do? He ran it with Willis. Excellent choice. No gimmicks, no passing, no crap play, just a straight up run it down their throat kinda play. It may not have worked, but its exactly what 90% of this board has been screaming for for 5 years. That's why I liked it and that's why I'm likin Fairchild after only 1 week of football.

Nope I agree. Dinfinetly, we need to improve. But, we're light years ahead of the Raiders.

I also agree. Its a good game call. Usually by now in a game like this, they're talking about everything but the game. This is how it should be, talk about the game being played and the players playing.

Has Brooks had any time to pass at all? I mean these guys really suck.

I, too, must admit Reed had a good game. I've thought for several years he should be gone. But, he did make some nice catches. The first catch of his on the sideline was something I thought he was incapable of. To harp on a different player: I did notice Wire chasing, in vain, the Patriot ball carrier on several plays. (Notice I said chasing not tackling.)

I think its time to state the obvious... the Bills played held and shoulders above what anyone expected. They hung with the Pats in Foxboro, well enough to actually win the game. However, due to a number of bad calls/bad bounces; we lost. I see the game as a positive that we can build on. If we win the next 2 games (something that definitely seems likely after yesterday's better than expected play), we're suddenly 2-1 and then the season has a whole new light on it.

I only saw the 1st half. But I too must admit that I saw 2 separate occasions where the Bills Defender was tackled rather than being blocked. It was quite noticeable. Furthermore, there was 1 occasion where the Pat defender appeared to be lined up in the neutral zone - no call. Now to be fair, I thought I saw a false start on the Bills that wasn't called either. So from the 1st half I have a 3:1 (Pats:Bills) ratio of non-calls.

In that situation... going for the kill was what I was screaming for. I definitely liked the call. I also liked that it was a running play with Willis. Something we've all been screaming for for several years now. So all in all good. Just 2 problames. 1. It was a piss poor spot. 2. The defense folded afterwards.

Perhaps its just my selective memeory that wishes to paint the Pats as a bad team that year. You can't blame me for that can you?

Good Points. However, remember that sandwiched between the Pats SB wins was a pretty miserable season. This year has that potential for them as well. They've lost alot of talent. Perhaps this has the makings of a miserable year for them as well due to all the lost talent. Although competitive they may be, Superbowl bound seems highly unlikely for them.

How this fact has escaped me until now, I do not know! But, this is truly the worst news I've heard in a long, long time. Berman talking about the Bills circling the wagon made every win just that much sweeter. Not to mention Jackson was/is one of my favorite game talker abouters. My Sundays just became a little less. This sucks.

Is Dillon no longer with the Pats?

True. so true. But I see it on players past and present; on players we don't even play against often. If there's a player highlight reel being shown, you can almost guarantee, you'll see a Bills helmet in there being bowled over.

Am I the only one that's noticed the fact that, when at all possible (I'm talkin 95% of the time or greater), on any highlight for any player; they show them making a play against the Bills? Whether be a back breaking tackles, a guy intercepting a ball, laying a hit, scoring a td, you name it, they stick a Bill being burned highlight in there. I'm not saying this is part of the national conspiracy against Buffalo... I'm just sayin.

What I love about this mentality is how nothing is ever good enough. Now, not only does Willis have to have the most total yards rushing, the highest YPC, the most TDs, the most recieving yards, the best blocking skills; he must now now have the best attitude. Nevermind that much of that is out of his control; its up to the coaches to put him in a situation to get those stats. A running back on the bench can't catch no balls. Granted his atitude is totally within his control, but I think pretty much the whole team gave up by the mid-point of last season. Hence, the new management and roughly 40 some odd% of player turnover. How can you call one player out, without calling out the entire team? Impossible. If I had people like this supporting me I'd bolt as well.

I agree with much that has been posted. I'll add that the single biggest change from last year is at the top. You cannot underestimate the leadership or positive attitude that Levy will bring. And right along with that is the near complete coachin turnover. MM and co. were greatly outmatched week in and week out. We've had decent talent on this team for years (although I'm not upset to see any player cut at this point). The biggest problem we've had for years has been the coaching. Now, I'm not saying Jauron is the next BB. However, having someone with experience and a decent game plan is bound to make this a better team come Sunday afternoons. I think the coaching changes alone can give us at least 2-3 wins over last year. That being said, this is definitely a young team. And what do all yound teams do... they play erratic. I expect moments that will make us all shout for joy and say that's what we've been waiting for. Followed by bonehead plays and mistakes. Hence an 8-8 season is not out of reach in my opinion, and if a few things go better than anticipated a 9-7 season is definitely possible.