TPS

Those stats are so last year... Different run D with Dareus, Barnett and Merriman (yes I think he's improved the run D). Dareus, Williams and Edwards provide the beef up front, which allows someone like Scott to play more often than Davis. Probably see Morrison a bit more too. Can you force the run? NO. You can "dare them to run" though, with more nickel and dime D packages. I say the front 3 and Merriman is the key to victory this week--dominate the LOS.

Jackson left and right Patriots don't have the might Hangover Monday....

Word(s).

you're nuts! Actually, there were a few plays the Bills were going to go after Campbell, but the Raiders called screen, and Bills got burned at least 3 times on 3rd and long. I think you are somewhat right in that his job was mainly to hold the edge. The D strategy will be turned upside down this week--stop Brady.

As I posted in another thread, Fred Jackson; and Fitz directing long drives in order to keep their O off the field. On D: I seem to recall one of the games last year where the Bills dared the Pats to run, and they did. I don't think that happens this year, that kind of success in the run against the Bills. I think we'll see a lot of Kirk Morrison and/or Bryan Scott over ADavis, as we'll need speed at the LB positions over braun. KWilliams needs to earn his money this week too. Between Dareus, Williams and Merriman, I think the Bills can get to Brady enough to stop some drives. It would also be nice to have a turnover or two. Maybe McKelvin steps up and into a passing lane this week... This should be a good competitive game by the Bills. They will need a little luck (not in the draft), and they are due...

On a serious note, I think there was also a quote in the B-News (maybe by baby face Nelson) that the goal is to get the play call in quick so Fitz can get to the line, see the defense match-up, then go after the weakness.

I agree with you. But, maybe I disagree too.

How much of "accuracy problems" is actually miscommunication/lack of playing time? The Bills' passing game is about getting to a spot, or finding an open spot in a zone. So much of that is based on knowing your receivers. Fitz was not the starter last year, so didn't have the work with most of the starters with the exception of StevieJ. We read all about how Fitz had his receivers working with him during the holdout. This guy is a good QB. Coming is as the #1 is showing. He will have his bad days, bad quarters, etc. All QBs do. However, like Gailey said, he is a winner.

This is exactly where I had us. I think most of us, who were optimistic early, were optimistic for sound reasons. I'm actually more encouraged by this victory because the Raiders were a test of how far the Gailey/Nix regime has come in their quest to be a big, physical, tough team. That's the kind of team that can play with the Jets and Pats. In my preseason prediction, I had us going 10-6, but with us losing both games to the the Jets/Pats. I think it's quite possible that we win 2 of those 4, which will probably be offset with some unexpected losses. 10-6 is very doable. It's understandable for Bills' fans to be wary. However, this is a different beast. This team has the best opportunity in years to win Sunday.

I think a lot of the criticism of the D is better attributed to HJ's excellent play-calling for the Raiders. Big screen passes that caught a hard-charging Buffalo D off-guard at least 3 times on 3rd down. Long passes on first downs, like Moore's last TD catch. These are things that are easily fixable. For me, this game tells me the Bills are now physical enough to match the Jets, which was going to be my gauge for this team. A physical team like the Jets is how you beat the Pats. I think we can take this game. I also think the Pats will lose to the Raiders. They are a good team.

There is a method to their madness though. Gailey wanted to get bigger and tougher all around. On O, they needed to get bigger and stronger in the middle, so they move Wood to C and bring in a couple of maulers like Urbik and Reinhart (to compete with Levitre). At WR, their game is mainly short passing, so you need guys who can separate quickly and aren't afraid to go over the middle. This philosophy meant Hangartner and Evans were expendable. Other than those two, who else would you put in your category "a lot of vets"? Shirley, you wouldn't count Stroud?

It must be difficult waking up every morning.

They held McFadden down; Bush had one good run; and the WR reverse netted 25 yards. It was a pretty solid day against one of the best running teams in the league. The D got killed on 3rd down screens, which is correctable.

At half time, I told a gloating Raider fan sitting in front of me that the Bills will win it. There wasn't the usual "we suck" attitude. We knew it could happen. Fitz and Freddie were awesome!

I disagree. You will see more pressure against Brady than they have managed in years. Dareus and Williams will get pressure inside, and Merriman will have his best game next Sunday. I think the Bills match up well against the Pats on both sides of the ball now. While I had this down as a loss too, I think we can just as well sneak out a win here.

Fred Jackson. Keep their O off the field.

Doubt it.

It was hot down on the field, so they were doing a lot of rotation to keep guys fresh. We were all dying of thirst in the 4thQ, but no one could leave their seats!

Because I predicted it of course. While I called a last minute drive by Fitz and the boys, with a Lindell FG winning it, I'll take this outcome too. Great, great game.

It was a perfect day for golf. I fortunately had a good day and hit'em straight. If SDS is throwing his wing bones at a bowl, tell him to aim left... Enjoy gents! Maybe we'll see you all tomorrow.

Oh yeah Baby! I want to say we're in 106, as someone else has the tix.

Pearl Jam rocked the house last night in Hamilton. One of the best play lists I've heard in the 4 times I've seen them. And of course they ended with Yellow Ledbetter... Review

If you listen to any of Fitz's pressers, he never says they are targeting anyone. He says they look for the mismatches in games.

Interesting. I've read that the republicans' grand strategy was to run large deficits and run up the debt in order to force future administrations to contract government. Now we have the democrats' grand strategy which is to use large deficits to bring about socialism/marxism? I'm torn...

Ok. I'll be on the putting green around 1:30.