Bags

Yeah, kinda like the team was 9-6 back in Jan. 2005 when we went into the last game agains the Steelers' 3rd and 4th string. You mean like that 9-6?

He's very effective against opposing teams' 3rd and 4th stringers in preseason games.

I agree that TB and Jax run the ball poorly, but Atlanta is about to get Stephen Jackson back from his hamstring injury, so I suspect the Falcons' run game will improve a fair bit when he returns to the line-up. Not good news for the Buffalo D-- I hope Lawson is over his own hammy by then......

Although Alonso is clearly helping contain opponents' TEs, I think Manny Lawson has added alot in TE pass coverage as well, which was one of the chief reasons we acquired him this past offseason from Cincy. I'm not sure about the ability of CBs to cover TEs, at least not the best ones. The Fox broadcast crew gave alot of credit to Haqib Talib of NE shutting out NO TE Jimmy Graham on Sunday afternoon, but I think Graham wasn't 100% healthy. A 6'6" TE against a 5'9" conner seems like a mismatch to me, no?

Yes, please, let's see what Legursky can do. He's gotta be better than "Turnstile" Brown, and lord knows, the O-line will need to protect Lewis if he's to have any chance of staying upright and completing some throws.

I've been hollering for more screens myself this season, and have wondered why (with backs like FredEx and CJ) we haven't really tried it at all. Colin Brown may be slow, but what about running it to the right side with Urbik and Pears leading the way and Chandler/Smith getting out in front as well? I hope other posters are right about Hackett keeping this play in his back pocket for later in the season b/c it's just another way to get our great one-two punch backfield more involved in the offense. BTW, while we're talking offense--TJ Graham had two good plays yesterday, but how about we get Marcus Easley on the field as a receiver rather than just returning (or watching touchback) KOs? Easley tore it up in the preseason as a WR--I'd like to see him on the outside paired with Woods and maybe move Stevie inside to the slot........

I agree, kobe808lak--The Bills "shoulda, coulda, woulda" signed one or two FA DBs during the off-season to give us some depth in case of injuries. Same holds true for the OG position. And with $20 million+ under the cap, I wonder about this franchise's commitment to trying to build a winner in WNY.

I agree, dascottbills28, he's a class act and I wish there were more like him in the NFL. I'm hoping to score a new Bills jersey this season (without the toilet seat collar) and I'm thinking seriously of getting #95 b/c Williams is such a decent guy and a high-motor player who always gives you his best. Unlike another high-priced D-lineman I could name......

You're my hero, Astro, for these concise but descriptive TC notes! We'll all miss your report tomorrow but we'll look forward to it again later this week.

7-10. I think we all need to get a life.........

Thanks for the stats on Mays, jjmac--it seems he hasn't done much for Denver over several seasons. Ordinarily I'm in favor of trying to bring in vets who might be able to help us, but this guy's a douchebag--no wonder Denver cut him.

I disagree, Snorom--if one of our interior O-Line starters (and I'm including Legursky as the starter at at LG) goes down, we've nobody decent or experienced behind them at G/C to step up. If Wharton can still play I don't care if he's 32 and we only keep him for one year, he can help solidify an O-Line right now that was pretty decent last year but has suffered with Levitre's departure. Get 'er done, Dougie!

Thanks for the info., Fluff!

I don't think I'll need any tickets but I do have a few questions. I'll be in Pittsford on Wed. 7 August (from Virginia) and can attend the morning practice that day, so here's what I need to know. One, do I need tickets for that practice? I'm assuming at this point that I don't. Two, when will we know whether that (or any other) practice will be open to the public? Three, do I have to park off-site and take a shuttle to SJF? Anyone know where that parking area is? Any help with these issues will be deeply appreciated........ ;o)

#81 is right, the Bills' 1965 uni is the BEST! The current Tampa Bay Bucs outfit, or at least the helmet, is pretty cool as well.....

I agree that CB is definitely P1, but I would move TE, ILB and interior O-Line depth up to P2 and slide safety, OLB and DE down to P3. I've posted before that I think Chandler and another decent TE could provide a double TE package option, and I'm not completely sold on Bradham & Alonzo at ILB b/c they're both so inexperienced. And we need depth at C/G b/c of Wood's injuries and Levitre's departure. As for safety, OLB and DE, I think we're decently stocked there after the draft and FA but of course Byrd's situation does leave a potential question mark there, if not for this year then in the future......

The key to any success EJ might have this season will be a heavy dose of Spiller and Fred-Ex and a stout defense that gets off the field with stops and turnovers. The Vikings made the playoffs last year mostly b/c of AP, while Ponder just managed the game and didn't screw up too badly. That's the approach Marrone & Co. need to take with EJ. Remember he's a rookie--no matter how physically talented he may be, he's still gonna have to figure out defenses and make good decisions, which is not easy for the best or smartest of rookies. So play great defense, run the ball and the Bills might win some close ones they're not supposed to.......

I agree with a mess of earlier posters--Darryl Talley for underrated. Overrated--you're right, #81, Rueben Brown. How many damn Pro Bowls did he go to, and for what?

Hooray, this is great news--though I still wish we had another decent TE to complement Chandler so we could run some double TE packages like certain other evil teams (used) to do. I wonder if Dickerson or Gragg can step up to play such a role this year?

I went with 4-6 (since my mortgage was on the line) but I really think it'll be right around 6 or maybe 7 wins this year. The D should be better--especially at stopping the run--but they'll take awhile to come together as a unit with a new scheme so I don't expect we'll see improvement until Games 5 or 6. The offense all depends on who the QB will be. If it's Kolb I think we get Fitz 2.0, and if it's EJ he'll have to learn to read defenses and that will take awhile. Several posters have said "I'll believe it when I see it," and I agree especially when it comes to improved coaching from former college guys. All in all I think we get 6-7 wins but will build a solid foundation for 2014 and beyond.......

I met Bruce Smith at his golf tournament in Virginia Beach where I now live; I also met Thurman Thomas there, and saw Doug Flutie & Darryl Talley milling around. When I was a kid in Williamsville I lived down the street from Billy Shaw. He was really cool--we'd knock on his door and he'd come out and play football in the street with us.

My fandom started during the 1966 season, when Jack Kemp led the Bills to their third consecutive AFL East crown after having won two AFL titles in '64 and '65. My dad took me to the championship game vs. KC at the Rockpile and, although we got blown out, I was hooked then (age 11) and never looked back. I moved away from the Buffalo area in '69 but I went to see the Bills play the Patriots, Jets, Giants and Chargers in their home parks whenever I could. I am still a rabid Bills fan to this day--you cut me and I bleed red, white and blue--and I know I will be until I cash in my chips.......

I'd love occasionally to see a double TE package like the Pats and 49ers (Davis & Walker) have used in the past, just to give the opposition's LBs & safeties something more to worry about, but I don't have alot of confidence that a 2nd viable TE (after Chandler) is on the current roster. Smith or Caussin? Dickerson or Gragg? Hey, Dallas Clark is still out there...... Get 'er done, Dougie!

Brad Smith. Why is he still on the roster?

Marcel Dareus