AKC

Just had a chance to run through the second half. If I hadn't ever seen the first half I'd probably be in fear for our offensive lives- not real pretty or very effective, in fact for the most part out of synch on most fronts. 34-78-83 mentioned Big Ben making a couple of good plays on Willis runs- I do have him sealing the interior on a 11 or 12 yarder very effectively but I believe the other good run over that side was Big Mike's work. On the reverse that gets stuffed it appears Duke misplays the Texan's line shift and leaves Big Mike out to dry by blocking up instead of the down player. It's hardly a worry, more like a simple rookie misread. He was less effective in gaining position though than I first gave him credit for. An understandable work in progress gaining huge experience in a win. I'm coming to agree with others who have speculated he'll close out this season as a starter. Edwards was lucky enough to have finished his game in the third quarter due to Denney getting the reps in pass packages. Big Sam on the other hand remains our every down lineman as he started 2004. Edwards will apparently be taking the PWilliams role from last season and seeing maybe 40 percent of the snaps on that side of the game. Teague and Neufeld cost Willis a TD from the Texan 5 by losing their position and allowing their assignments into the excellent short yardage hole created by their teammates. I thought Neufeld stunk my first viewing. I think even less of him now that I see how many times he gets knocked off his center or simply glances defenders run blocking. "Stunk" was a little too mannerly. Reed seems to back down after JP points out the route on the missed pass. I'm not crazy about QBs who too frequently make a big deal gesturing after a missed pass- it gets old real quick for everyone. Hopefully JP controls his obvious demonstrativeness in the near future better than he controls his willingness to get on his butt and slide (that is if he'd like to play this season out on the field). If Losman insists on exposing his head to safeties we should consider sitting him in favor of KHolcomb when the game is getting away from our opponent.

Maybe within the context that Gandy has been almost a highlight guy for us as far as consistent play so far this year. He looks a lot more like a guy who simply didn't fit another system right now than Anderson does. Granted Anderson got his assignment locked up in the run and pass games at times yesterday, but he also seemed to have no idea at all how to contribute on others. Gandy seems to have a clear vision of his role and I don't expect to see him moved/seated while there remains an "issue" to his right.

While power is being restored elsewhere- Beverly Hills is still down, now going I believe on 2.5 hours.

Might be a bit premature to read too much into the Texan game. Benny Anderson looked at times in the first half as if he wasn't sure he was even supposed to be on the field- and this was after the ball was snapped. On first view I'd say Teague and Gandy were consistent (and playing well), MWilliams was effective on most downs and Villarial was hampered by his ankle enough to have to give way to Preston who played well under the circumstances. It was disappointing to see Cambell whiff some blocks that cost us, I've been a big fan of his improved play until yesterday. Shelton isn't the most consistent player in a Bill's uni either- he runs right past targets at times without any contact. And if I see 88 playing in one more running set I'm going to edit the film of his inept blocking myself and send it to OBD. He's just nowhere near strong enough to be playing at this level. The best thing we could probably hear on this front is "Ryan Nuefeld was suspended after the league discovered signs of steriod use....." I need to go back and watch that bad stretch of offense (otherwise known as the second half) when Houston put an end to us moving the ball consistently. Our drives for the Bill's second half read something like 5 punts and a field goal, with maybe four of those drives ending with only one first down. That ain't power running or the sign of great offensive line work- if fact it makes it far easier to support the argument we WEREN'T effective rushing when we should have been able to.

Beverly Hills is down, traffic lights are out. We're live in Santa Monica though. It'll be interesting to see how Jesse Jackson tries to glom onto this one ;-)

On first viewing Sapp is the last Raider on their defense I'd be dressing down after this game.

I was blown away by how awful their 2002(?) first round pick Gibson plays in coverage- zero leg burst in "impending pass likelihood". A Raider fan in the bar tonight said "he has no instincts" but my own feeling was that he simply has no burst- he seemed to be in solid position on the early critical plays in the game yet he couldn't close them down.

Best thing about the link is it illustrates that while the average football fan is busy obsessing about one position, on the team level equal attention is paid to all the opposing players since you don't get far as an organization if you buy into the fallacy that QB is the "most important" position in football.

Indecision might be worse- for those of us holding tickets to the original game in the Superdome, we'd be far more likely to rework everything to go to another location IF details were ready NOW. The bottom line is do SOMETHING.

Looking for the silver lining- it's a possible indication that the intentisty of practice this week is picking up for the opener.

I'm hosting the little ladies parents for a tour of the Paso Robles wine region Friday and Saturday before rising early with a red wine hangover on Sunday to join a doting matron who will be watching her kid make his first regular season start in the league.

I completely agree with you- the QB should be representative of the team's fans. For instance Buffalo is represented by guys like Kelly and Losman, blue collar men who any Bill's fan would be proud to invite over for a barbeque with their family. I'm convinced from the Pat's fans I know they feel the same way about Brady! The "climate" in your area is much different, for instance while no one would show up for this in Buffalo you'd have "fondling room only" for it in New England: Labor Day Fest New England Style- "Join His Eminence Bernard Francis Cardinal Law and his good friend Tom Brady at the Boston YMCA for a picnic packed with sausages and weenies! Don't forget to bring the boys!"

It's quite entertaining observing the level of embarassment Patsy fans harbor realizing that their QB is a rope smoker, and the incredible lengths they go to hide that embarassment such as suggesting that a breeder like Losman suffers the same chromosomal confusion as Little Lord Fauntleroy.

Had we been blessed in the immediate past with a LT who might on occasion show up 20 yards downfield run blocking for his running backs I might find some common ground on you with the play being flagged, but since Jonas was hardly one to help downfield in the running game I'll still hold some delight in seeing Gandy still wheeling that deep into a play.

Was it on "Unwrapped"?

Gandy is still pushing his assignment out the back of the end zone as McGahee scores.

We need to get you in a Hi-Arc league waiting around for pitches like that.

It seems pretty clear by his use of Nate Clements on STs that MM leans to the risk side of the risk/reward ratio. Since he's dodged all bullets so far in adopting this strategy I'd be hesitant to bet against his continued use of it when it comes to bringing up young Losman.

Stay ever aware and may you find your unit well-fitted with others doing the same. Every American is indebted to you for your decision to wear the uniform in our name. May you have a successful tour and return to a safer United States because of it. I salute you and your place in our prayers is eternal.

I saw Don Beebe with Brett Favre farting in his face on some NFL Network show last night- while I appreciate effort guys, Beebe was so much more of a contributor than Marcellus to winning that I will always consider Don a Bill (even though he played for three teams)- Marcellus is a little more slippery guy for me. I think he's more of a Charger than a Bill. To be fair I also lost a large bet a few years ago that his last season in Buff would be his career sack season. He barely crested that his first season in San Diego and then became the DE he had looked like to me for the most part- a vulture sacker who plays his heart out until the whistle blows. But may God Bless him and may he go on to prove me stupid.

And the prosection rests. The whole thing IIRC came from the Roger Craig workout buddies that Rice joined up later and the thing grew. The thing about the one-hander is Rice is a master of it and you'll NEVER see film of him leaving a hand trailing.

Of all the good that came from the off-season group EMoulds has worked with over the years, the worst thing has been the one handed catch drill. It's primary value is in circumstances when a defender holds an arm out of the play, but a few players, none moreso than Eric, use one hand on some catches even when both of his hands are free. It drives me nuts to see that drill get bastardized by players and even worse when ESPN and the other highlight shows play unnecessary one-handers over and over like it's some kind of achievement instead of the LAM catch it really exemplifies.

Spikes is a great athlete and a busy player on the field with exceptional range and instincts, but I'd have a hard time rasing him above his cohort who is all football player- London has excelled at his job in the middle from the moment he was made a starter in the NFL- he's averaged over 95 tackles and 4 sacks a season over that 5 year span and he's never missed a game! That's far superior to the Zack Thomas and Teddy Bruschi media idols and there's no doubt in my mind we have the best MLB in our division and one of the 3 best in the league. Sure you can make a similar argument for Takeo, and no doubt Takeo is a highlight film player, but it's steady London who quietly goes about the duties in the middle of the field and IMO gets far too little recognition for it.

There's some awesome golf courses there: huge, wide, plush fairways- one ofhte best spots in the country to play this time of year. Save your best Fish Story for Bradys- their main bar is the regional storytelling center!

I can't see without creating a formula that includes some strength of opposing offense, etc., how you would find a better indicator than Points Allowed. Problem with formulas is they are inherently flawed. Consider the almost laughable College Bowl Championship or the Passer Ratings that rewards the little dink and pitch West Coast QBs while punishing QBs with NFL quality arms.