Dan

It's not so much placing blame or making excuses as it is a fact. We have been on our 3rd LOT for several weeks, that 3rd LOT... our starting LG. So, we're on the 3rd string LOT, 2nd string LG, and now who knows what at C. There are few, if any, lines in the league that have the depth to handle that and still be good. That's just fact. Now, do we need more O line players for depth. Absolutely. But, the line started the season pretty good. So, I'd still say its by no means our top priority. Yes, pass rusher is easily our biggest need. And has been for years. I'll add Defensive Coordinator to the mix. Despite all the "focus" on the defensive side of the ball; they're really no better than they've been. And, yeah they've had some injuries as well - Kyle, most notably. But, the defensive problems run far deeper than losing just one player. They haven't looked good all year. I also would throw in that Donald Jones is easily the worst WR on the team. We need a big, physical WR that can handle the jams and adjust to the bad throws that Fitz tends to make down field. IMO, its much easier to get a new WR than it is a new QB. So, the FO just needs to realize Fitz is inaccurate downfield and bring in a good WR that can adjust to the ball and out jump DBs.

Fitz's problem is, and has been, accuracy when throwing down the field. We desperately need a WR that can stretch the field, make adjustments to bad/under thrown passes, and out muscle DBs for the ball. Donald Jones is not that guy. Result? Defenses key in on the short game and dare Fitz to beat them long; then Ftiz either misses open receivers downfield or they drop the ball. Oh yeah, our offensive line is in shambles. That doesn't help much either.

Please, end the Donald Jones experiment. He has hands of stone.

Coming off? ..the wheels are off and laying in the ditch. The defense has been exposed and are completely incapable of doing anything with any consistency. And the offense has zero deep threat. Teams are letting our WRs run deep and be open, because Fitz is horribly inaccurate on long throws.

I would agree. It's entirely possible that both wild card teams come from the AFC North. The best way to make the playoffs seems to me to be a collapse by Cincinnati (only because thats more likely than a collapse by Pitt or Balt). Then we beat out either the Jets or Pats*. It's a long shot, IMO, but a very real possibility... If we get 11 wins. But I doubt 10 wins gets a wild card this year.

I do recall pretty much every paid pundit having the Bills as one of the 3 worst teams in the league. I never thought we'd be that bad, but I really didn't see us doing this well either. Now, after saying that, I'll refer to my preseason thought... I'll reserve judgement and complete optimism until this team wins 8 games. Despite the recent flop, I do feel the Bills are a solidly improving team in most all aspects. Yes, they need depth. And, yes, they need a few more key players. But, in year 2 of the complete rebuild, I'd say that's to be more than expected. I really disliked and was completely underwhelmed by the Gailey hire. But in year 2, the team appears to be very well coached, disciplined, and well on the way to expecting to win. Fitz has also impressed. After a full year as the starter, then a full off season of preparing, I really think his upside is tremendous next year. Bottom line... Are there still holes on the team? Are we still learning how to win week in and week out? Are injuries and depth still a concern? Absolutely. But, in the second year of the rebuild, we really do seem to be going in the right direction.

Seriously... People need to just get over these players that we coulda shoulda woulda drafted years ago. We didn't draft them. All the people involved in those decisions are gone. The players we drafted in their stead are gone. Just get over it already.

It's funny how memories can tint reality. I went to nfl.com and looked at their first half drives. You're absolutely correct. They converted zero 3rd and longs. I stand corrected. However, if you take my original statement and and change... " the Jets convert 3rd and long after 3rd and long and stayed on the field" to " the Jets convert 2nd and long after 2nd and long and stayed on the field" it would be accurate. So, I stand corrected. We need to improve our 1st and 2nd down defense. If we can ever get them to 3rd down; we're pretty good. Our defense is soft and weak. ========================================================== Drive 1 - 17 play drive! Only 2 3rd downs (3-3, 3-4). However, they converted a 2-18, 2-14, and a 2-7. So, they didn't have to get to 3rd down to have big conversions. Drive 2 - 9 plays. Only one 3rd down, which brought up a punt. Again, they didn't get to 3rd down, but did convert 1-15, 2-11, 1-14. Drive 3 - Another 9 play drive, with only one 3rd down which wasn't converted. Once again, not needing 3rd downs as they converted 2-8, 2-7, 2-6. Drive 4 - Their last drive before the half; a couple of passes then FG try.

The Jets finished the GAME... our defense did not. You honestly don't think that giving up the 2nd longest drive of the entire season doesn't indicate a major problem with our defense? Yeah, they made a great play and stopped the score on that drive. But, if they were tired and wore down in the game... its not because our offense went 3 and out... it's because they repeatedly let the Jets convert 3rd and long after 3rd and long and stayed on the field for 10 minutes... in the first quarter alone.

The only way that challenge makes sense is if Chan really wanted a 4 minute timeout. Period. I don't think I've ever seen the refs review the spot and move the ball a couple inches. They only respot the ball if its blatantly clear the ball carrier got at least a half yard, more or less. They never, never come out and say... yep the guy got a couple more inches. So, either Gailey wanted a long time out or he was completely lost. Either way.... if you take all that time and all you come up with is that play, none of it matters. Horrible play call. None the less, its probably a mute point because our D was letting the Jets move the ball at will against them.

I completely agree with you! The Defense lost this game more than the offense. Sure, the offense needed to make some adjustments and run a damn QB sneak when you need 2 inches! But, to add to your post, what about the 1st quarter? The Jets have the 2nd longest drive of the season! Plenty of opportunities to get off the field; they were well-rested because the game just started; but what did they do... let the Jets do anything they wanted. Let's face it; our defense is soft and weak. I don't know if its personnel or coaching or both; but they get zero pass rush. Zero. They're a read and react defense that lets opposing offenses have their way with them and hope for a mistake. It's maddening how poor our defense looked.

I'll admit at the time of his signing, I didn't think too much of it. Just figured/hoped he'd be a decent backup to help groom our eventual top draft pick. I certainly didn't envision him becoming a franchise QB. And, IMO, he's still got plenty of upside. The longer he plays in this offense and works on his mechanics, the better he'll get. I'll also throw out there... I was completely underwhelmed with the Chan hiring. Didn't like it at all and was certain that by about now we'd be looking forward to the next big head coach prospect. I was completely wrong. I did, however, see Freddie running in NFL Europe and liked him from day one. So 1 out of 3 ain't bad.... right?

I know what you're saying. I keep watching this game thinking... how did we beat that Eagles team? Just goes to show that very few teams look unstoppable every week. ..case in point, the Saints today. But if anyone still wonders if this Bills team is for real, just look at the quality of teams that we've beaten.

IMO, obviously, Gailey would have to completely redesign the offense. No way JP could process the pre-snap reads and make the quick decisions like Fitz. So, if we're talking about the Bills' current offense... I'd say JP would fail miserably. Now, could Gailey design an offense to maximize JP's strengths... I have no idea.

But to give our defense a little credit... they make EVERYONE look like a pro bowl player. Points well taken. Yes, my memory is prone to flaws. I had forgotten about the injury. I also agree, I think Trent just played the type of offense that Jauron wanted. Of course, JP played some horrible games. All young QBs do; especially young QBs that are labeled as raw in the draft and need several years to develop. The Bills never gave him that luxury and expected immediate success. None the less, this is all water under the bridge. Thanks for making me remember those painful years. LOL It's times like this that I literally take a second to remind myself that this year is real. The Bills finally look like a legitimate team. I'm not completely convinced... I've been burned too much by this team. But its undeniable the Bills are moving forward with Fitz, of all people, while the Dolphins are moving backward with JP. Just funny to say it.

I very much agree. In 2006, he had a decent year and by all accounts was showing decent progress. What did the Bills do... jerked him in and out of the roster in 2007, effectively throwing away any confidence he or the team had. He's been downhill since. it's not often that a player comes back after 5 years and becomes a decent starter given the type of career he's had. So, no doubt he'll probably continue struggling in Miami. But, I do wish him well and hope he can get the fins a couple of wins. One thing I fully expect... if he starts against the Bills, our D will make him look like a pro bowler.

Given Peyton Mannings's weight (230lbs) and the current price of gold ($1,654.25); that puts his worth at $6,087,640. (assuming I can do basic math... not always a good assumption) Hence, I would say a true franchise QB is worth considerably more than their weight in gold. We may want to say he's worth his weight in rhodium; however, I still think that's underestimating a true franchise QBs value. Besides it just sounds weird.

Ralph Bills Fans is Cheap!!

Post more, please. Good to see you back.

I have to disagree. If they lose out and finish 4-12, how do you conclude that they're any better than Jauron and Trent in 2008? At some point winning has to be the result, not just looking good in losses. Now, in no way do I think the Bills will lose out. But, if they did, I'd be firmly off the Fitz and Chan bandwagon and hard pressed to believe that any progress had been made at all.

Actually, I prefer: "Holy crap! Can we stop correcting grammar?"

I really hope someone has shown this to Fitz. I'd love for him to throw the game winning touchdown, then with his back to the Giants bench do one of those gestures where he points to the name on the back of his jersey before running off chest pumping his Oline!

Excellent point. Hopefully, that was the plan and we lull the Giants into some bad coverages early in the game that we can take advantage of. One thing I will readily say... this coaching staff is excelling at game planning for each of our opponents each week. You can see it in the changing game plans as well in the player's press conference remarks. How many times have we heard that they practiced something all week and then they saw exactly that in the game? It's one of the reasons that I truly feel this team can and will compete with any team in the league right now.

Any defensive coordinator worth a dime is going to play within 10-15 yards of the LOS and take away our short passing game while filling the running lanes. The Bills have zero deep threat right now. Did Fitz even attempt a pass 20+ yards downfield against Philly? Until we find a deep passing threat, or at least pretend like we have one and take a few shots downfield, I really think we're going to see the offense start to bog down. By all accounts the Giants are a good pass rush team; so I don't think we need to change our offensive approach much from the Philly game. But, I would definitely add a few shots, per quarter to Smith or anyone streaking down the field just to keep the safeties off the LOS.

I honestly don't know how Martz keeps getting a job. The guy has an offense that he runs regardless of the opponent and regardless of the talent on his team. Cutler continues to get killed, Chicago fans are ready to run him out of town, and Martz just keeps throwing him to the wolves. I am so happy he didn't become our head coach.