billsgpr88

I think spikes played about 15 snaps last sunday, he's looking like the odd man out at this point. At least against pass first teams (phins abandoned the run once they fell behind and lost moreno)

I follow the team pretty closely, but haven't seen any info on this. Injury, behavioural issues?

I like to think that the hind legs are trampling a pile of dolphin carcasses

classy. a true ambassador

Do you think we'll see it from Hackett anytime in the future? We got Goodwin and Sammy, both dangerous with a full head of steam. I think at least the threat of it would create more options. Whaddaya think?

It looks like a sketch from the Tim and Eric show

HACKETT

He just got cut, might be able to rekindle chemistry with watkins.. As long as we're scouring the earth for viable qbs

there is no competition because they wouldn't even consider it in the offseason, another form of coddling EJ. Totally agree with OP, just watched the short post game presser where at one point, he says "talking to coach hackett, coach downing, they told me I did a good job so I was happy with that". That sounds like a helpless child in need of approval to me. I've been very patient with Manuel, but he is not NFL talent, over his head, and clearly delusional. And Hackett is terrible. People throw up offensive stats to stand by these guys, but if you get away from the stats and just watch the game, it couldn't be any clearer that they simply aren't good enough.

Come up to Halle Saale, me and a buddy from Rochester watch every game! Realistically though, There should be an American sportsbar with sunday ticket in Munich

I'm sure Hackett works as hard as anyone, and that his wealth of knowledge and passion will be valuable assets to the Bills O this year. What I don't like though is the go, go, go as fast as you can strategy that he insists on (he has explicitly stated this as his philosophy in multiple interviews). Perfect example of its downside: going into the 4th against the pats opening day last year with a lead (if my memory serves me correctly), they ran the hurry up and had back-to-back 3 and outs. This of course gave Brady more opportunities to save the day, which he predictably did. This tone-deaf attitude is too simplistic in the pros: I really think you have to adjust according your team's performance at the time, as well as the opponent's performance and the overall rhythm of the game. Pettine actually mentioned this in one of his recent interviews. I mean, even Manning and Brady have quiet games from time to time, so how do we expect Manuel to run the hurry-up without slumps and periods of ineffectiveness? The stacked backfield can compensate for a streaky pass game, but to me, keeping the offense in 5th gear at all times is disconcerting. Thoughts?

A lot of new pieces due to FA and a draft with a ton of picks. Will all of the big names (CJ2K, Decker, Vick) form a potent offense to complement their always formidable defense? Or will this fall apart like so many hastily put together teams have in the past?

Exactly. one thing that is never mentioned in the national media: How many busts are there every year in the first 10 picks? The heavy criticism of trading the first round completely disregards the possibility of that pick being a bust. They criticize the present and completely forget about the past. There's no memory and no accountability in the world of sports writing.

I was screaming this on TSW last year, especially early on in the season. I mean, that season opener was in the bag and the hurry up offense while ahead of the brady of all qbs was inexcusable. Nearly everyone on this forum came to Hackett's defense, and to paraphrase mugatu, I felt like I was taking crazy pills. The play calling got better as the season progressed, especially when hackett got out of the booth and on the sideline, but this along with crossman are two big concerns for me. After last season I honestly don't know how crossman still has his job

Sadly, I completely agree with this. Manuel rarely goes through his progressions, and often stares down a receiver for what seems to be an eternity. If he doesn't change this (and unfortunately I don't think he will), he won't make it as a starting qb

There were plenty of good WR prospects in the draft this year, but Watkins was the only one with that 'elite' status. I'm no expert and will be the first to admit I have a hard time discerning the difference between his skills and the other top WRs. But, if he is the elite wideout many say he could be, than IMHO he is absolutely worth the trade up. Look at the impact that current elite wideouts (Johnson, Green, Jones, Fitzgerald) have on the game. Having a threat like that changes the entire approach of opposing defenses, which should especially come in handy considering how much Hackett likes to run the ball. Time will tell, but if Sammy is the stud many are projecting, then the offense should reach another level entirely... And yes, as previously stated, this is all dependant on EJ's progress

Colt Lyerla.. Give him a chance, maybe his fellow duck Kiko can steer him straight. Red flags aside, Colt is a beast

Wow, can we drop this nonsense about how good stevie is? Do you know how many of his yards were garbage yards from Fitzy trying to play captain comeback every game? Or the fact that his groin is ALWAYS injured? He is a good route runner, and may be successful on the niners, but he needs a qb that can anticipate his unorthodox route running and that did not look like it was happening with manuel last year. When I see people put up that 3 straight season 1000 yards stat, IT DRIVES ME NUTS. You're basically giving the same depth of insight as someone on those pregame shows that watches the bills play twice a year at most. Refer to what you saw in the games, stats are a (sometimes misleading) byproduct of that

As much as we can't wait for the season, DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO ANY NATIONAL MEDIA OF THE BILLS. Trust me, I say this out of experience. On several occasions I've seen previews of the division when they don't even mention the Bills. Not the conference, the division.... They stick with big markets and teams that are of national interest. It's a business like any other. I've been burned by ESPN, CBS, FOX, and NFL network too many times to know better. You might as well be a liberal watching FOX NEWS

Are there any possible contributors that the Bills could pick up?

People can put up all the numbers that stevie had, the fact is he had groin problems every year and that's not gonna change. Add to that the fact that he showed very little, if any, chemistry with EJ. Woods was the go to guy for EJ, and Woods has a very similar skillset. And let's not forget the multiple occasions in which Stevie effed up a crucial play. Considering all this and his big contract, a 4th, conditional 3rd is a blessing. He didn't show the potential to have the chemistry he had with fitzy, and anyone looking beyond his career numbers and focused more on watching the game would realize that... Stevie is talented, but there is no place on this new squad for him. A GREAT move for the Bills.

yeah, that guy is invariably critical of the bills. I think he picked the bills lose damn near every games last year, I think I follow what he says just to see him proven wrong. Who cares what he says, that tanorexic looks like a block of cheddar cheese

A decimated secondary (including their stud CB breaking his wrist), injuries to the top 3 wideouts, and 3 starting quarterbacks in a season, their lightning fast RB running on one good ankle... and losing 3 games by a total of 8 points, 2 of them in OT. This is what they had to deal with last year.. Not to mention targeting needs in FA.. Call me sucker but I think this is the most talented team the Bills have had in YEARS