TPS

Thanks for that Faustus. I was fortunate enough to live and work there for several years, many years ago. A wonderul place and people.

Have you seen them live? Always liked them, then I saw them, and was hooked. Usually they end their concerts with Yellow Ledbetter. Awesome. I will see them any chance I get. Btw, this version of Corduroy makes me want to pick up the guitar again...

I Sound like a Canadian when I say the. inititals..

Just finished watching it too TC, and same thoughts. Maybe it helps to go in expecting really bad things? I was expecting to see things that would change my opinion about their chances this year, but did not. The bad: - Fitz had a bad night. - D gave up too many medium range pass plays. - Some key drops by WRs, especially Easely's leading to a drive-killing INT. The good: - The front 7 was pretty solid against the run. - Troup looked good, even with the club. - Batten mostly played well. - Two good drives in the second half. I think we'll see a much better performance against Jax.

Good post. There are definitely reasons for people to feel taken and angry by Ralph's team, but in the end it's only football. While I can get pissed and frustrated watching the games, I never try to let a game influence my outlook on life. Some people are just negative and frustrated in general; some are simply trying to get a rise out of people. Like you, I am very optimistic about the change in management, and the changes that have taken place. Being in the optimistic minority, I believe, with some good luck on the injury front this year, the Bills' could be a turn around team too. Someone posted a topic about a nickname for the O--maybe "Ryan's Hope" would be fitting... Go Bills!

Reports from Thursday's camp were a dominant 1st string D-line of Dareus-Williams-Carrington, as Edwards was sidelined. Carrington has all of the tools and will bookend with Dareus and dominate. I like the idea of Williams in the middle of those two. Pick your poison! Now, if only #56 can stay healthy...

I'm surprised it wasn't brought back after the draft, since the assumption was Dareus would be gone. Not only do we have the 5 technique, but if Merriman is healthy, we have all 3 elements OP mentioned for a successful 3-4. Excellent stuff!

While I'm sure most here would agree to that idea, on the other side of the coin I'd suggest we do what the Europeans are doing and add a financial transactions tax. Finance is currently doing more to hinder the economy than help.

While we're at it, eliminate the payroll tax on businesses too. The payroll tax penalizes companies for hiring workers. Instead, charge businesses a VAT. Lump any tax paid by businesses into a single VAT--10%?

What do they smoke in Elma? Dude, Bushjr and Obama have been the two worst presidents since WWII--Carter was better.

Drive-by? Your car doesn't have an engine... And the Bush tax cuts did what exactly? Oh crap! I think I just fell for his drive by...

Apparently Jets fans aren't so enamored with their depth (and a second round pick!)? So even when you draft them higher, there's no guarantee... Ducasse

I thought the most glaring one was about Parrish.

If you read Buffet's actual editorial he says total federal taxes, not just income taxes. He is including payroll taxes. It is funny though that the guy who actually makes billions says tax me (us) more, but the tools still argue against him. He suggests that the top rate be increased on income of $1 million, and a further bump for the really rich bastards over $10 million. Way to go Warren!

I re-watched the first half and saw 4 plays where the O-line made a play-killing mistake. 1. Urbik's whiff on the run play. 2. Wang Bull rushed 3 and 4. Two whiffs by Wrotto. There were a couple of plays that looked bad on first sight, but weren't. 1. A broken screen play, where Thigpen ended up running left. 2. A decent pocket, but Thigpen either thought he saw daylight or it was a designed QB draw, because he took off straight up the middle, without hesitation. Other than that, Fitz' second and last drive should've ended with a TD. CJ might have scored if he continued across the field instead of darting up field (though a better downfield block by Urbik on Urlacher also would've at least got the first down). The drive was really killed by Jones' PI, but they still got the FG. Thigpen/Smith engineered a scoring drive that was also nullified by a penalty. The O-line wasn't as bad as some suggest.

I try to be rationally optimistic, but no one is right all the time, well almost no one... When Jauron passed on Ngata for Whitner, I was leery of that regime. The two drafts under this new regime make me optimistic.

Yeah, I had to laugh at people saying he was a bust last year. Guy's from a small school. I think he'll work his way into the starting lineup at some point this year. And, like many D-linemen, it will probably take until his 3rd year to really break out.

As one of the optimists, I ignore much of the crap, as it's mostly trolls. Also, we're all simply stating opinions. Truth will show itself soon enough....

The fact that Brad Smith is a legitimate WR threat has me giddy. What's a defense to do when he is on the field? Will he line up at WR or QB? I didn't realize he was so big either.

For some reason the game was blacked out live on the NFL preseason package, so I listened to it from 97 rock and read commentary from The Rumblings site, then played it after the fact. My take was slightly different. Listening and reading, my impression was the O-line sucked and the D-line was unstoppable. The truth was in between. I agree, the O-line looked better than I expected, and you could see the potential. There was that terrible Urbik play. On D, the sacks came after Cutler left, and it appeared their QB held it too long--the coverage was just as much responsible. That said, the push was much quicker than in the past. Without MD (a nickname in there somewhere), there would've been a little more time to allow the QB to find his second or third option. On the negative side, Barnett didn't look so hot. ILB could be the weakness of this defense. Hopefully Shep will provide help at some point.

Now that was funny!

Yep, I'm on that Optimistic bandwagon.

Just saw this. Good stuff. I have made similar points. 1. Evans doesn't fit Chan's scheme. 2. I don't think he and Fitz ever clicked. Yes, Evans makes the safeties shade his way. However, the Bills have the talent at WR (especially in the 3 WR set) that one of them will be open. Parrish and Johnson will take the attention, which will open up playmaking for the 3rd WR be it Jones, Roosevelt, Buster, or ??? I don't think this move affects the W-L bottom line, and I will extend a wager on the over for Vegas' 5.5.

Turning into a dog fight. Furyk and Scott are lurking. I have this feeling that Senden in due....

Anyone who says this was purely about one thing will obviously defend that one thing point of view. I'm also starting to wonder if Fitz had anything to do with it? He and Evans never clicked...?