fergie's ire

Initially, I thought it was a BS call (though I figured we were owed one in our favor and was happy to take it). However, when they slowed it down, I could see why it was a penalty. Yes, Davis initiates the contact into the defender, but then the defender gets his hands on him and holds onto him when Davis tries to break right. It looked like when an offensive lineman engages a rusher and then the quarterback scrambles the rusher moves to the side to chase and if the O-lineman doesn't release his grip, he gets called for the hold. Looked like the referee had a good look at it, too. It may have been a bit ticky-tack...and maybe doesn't get called all the time, but I could see where that was PI.

And of Belichick who mocked it by listing Brady as probable EVERY week for years.

That is why it was so important for Allen to be able to loft the ball...to put some air under it. Often, in man to man, a quarterback needs to throw over a defender. Against zone, Josh could find a seem and gun it through the open space to his receiver. That was why the "deep ball" problem was never so much about throwing the ball down field. He had some long connections (30-40 yds) but the ball was thrown on a line. It also helps that he has Diggs who is great at beating man to man. There was a completion in the 2nd half Sunday that really demonstrated the benefit of Diggs and this improved ability to loft the ball. It was the pass on the sideline that was reviewed. At first I was thinking "Oh no...an old Josh mistake" because it looked like a very dangerous pass. Diggs was covered tightly. However, watching the replay, Diggs gets just enough separation and the ball DROPS over his shoulder. The defender had no chance. And it's those kinds of plays that Allen could not do consistently last year that make him so dangerous against man to man this year.

Don't know if they have the cap space to do it, but I agree that the trend seems to be to re-sign before the fourth year. The problem with after the fourth year is then they start smelling the free agent money...and even the franchise money for QBs and corners is so good, that they seem to be willing to hold out for huge money....a la Cousins and Prescott.

"Those numbers are very low." Ha.

I know Kyle Shahan was blaming the "sticky" turf in Jersey. Not sure if it is new or why it would be different this year.

I agree that Dodson played well. However, I think that Edmunds provides a unique advantage in Frazier's defense, particularly against quick passing. He is so athletic and has such long arms that he plays like a wing defender in basketball and makes those quick middle plays difficult. I remember last year, I don't remember the game (Patriots, maybe) that the commenter pointed out it was clear the opposing quarterback wanted to go quick, but Edmunds was always there. He had some tips...maybe an interception...and then the threat of him made the qb turn away from the middle as an option. I hope he's back against the Rams.

Yes, but because there was air under the ball, Smoke could adjust...and he beat the defense so badly that they couldn't catch up. That's actually a really good throw in that situation. If he tried to hit Smoke in stride...and the ball was overthrown by six inches, it would've been incomplete. As another poster pointed out, he had a problem missing open guys deep last year. This was a good safe throw which lead to an easy 6.

Yes, and while I haven't seen the replay other than in-game, it looked to me like it might have been the same route on the next play...only this time, instead of continuing across the field, Smoke cuts up the way Josh wanted him to the first time.

Agreed that they need to do a better job with the second half kickoff. As far as deferring, goes, that is something that Belichick really popularized. The idea is that you can control the clock at the end of the half. So, for example, if you get the ball with five minutes left in the first, you can intentionally burn enough clock so that you score a touchdown or attempt a field goal with virtually no time left in the half. Then, you get the ball to start the second. The idea is that you can have back to back long drives to give a big lead and wear out the defense.....but it doesn't work if the team punts right after getting the ball in the second half.

True....but they wouldn't accept him.

Oh, it's OgleTREE? I thought it was this guy: Ogey

Oh no...just heard the Jets signed Oglethorpe. This is an unscheduled surprise.

Man....It's a little thing, but look at the way Josh just floats the ball out there for him. If he can do that consistently....under pressure...he is going to be very impressive.

Probably. Just not sure how it works the first week....and I am goin' through some bad Bills DT's.

Seems we should, at the very least, have a video from practice of a perfectly lofted Allen bomb to somebody. I'm worried the attempts to jump start the big ten season have Yolo distracted.

Over the last 10 years, an avg. of 27 Americans have died from lightening per year. Over that time, the rate of African-American deaths from shootings is 31 per million. Even if there were only 1 million African-Americans in the country, and every person killed by lightning were black (seems unlikely) that would still be more deaths from police than lightning. There is the issue of unarmed...according to a 2012 report, most victims were armed (but African-American victims were much more likely to be unarmed) at about 15%....but that would still mean many more killed by police than lightning. But it sounds good, so.....

I tend to agree with you...but I also remember the Bills opening the season as a much improved team that was going up against a Jets team that was predicted to be one of the worst teams in the league. It was Mario Williams first year...and they crushed us. So, I don't want to jinx it. I'll be happy with any win.

Yolo posted a tweet from Bills PR on p.7 of this thread.

Thompson was cut yesterday....so looks like Dodson.

Dane Jackson? Ohhhhh....the guy they drafted in the 7th. I COMPLETELY forgot about him. No training camp and no pre-season makes it easy to lose track of some of these end of roster guys.

but...but...but...I thought THIS was your job...that you work for us. (You do understand that your posts are our lifeblood at this time of year, right?)

STOP IT!!! I am convinced that there is TONS of Bills news out there, but that Yolo has cut us off for calling him a bot.

Yeah, and my impression is that Diggs got a similar reaction when he wanted to work on things with Cousins. This is a pair that just might work.

Seeing reports that his mother passed away.