yungmack

For the life of me, I don't know precisely what the FO, including Nix, has done that is so egregiously wrong that a very vocal segment of the "fan" base thinks they should be ushered off the grounds immediately under the aegis of Blackrock security forces. From the moment Brandon took the reins, there has been a clear plan, a top to bottom rebuilding plan, under way. It began with sweet talking Buddy out of his planned retirement and having him renovate the scouting department (and can anyway say with a straight face that that department hasn't improved dramatically?), then getting rid of Jauron, Modrak, et al, from the bad old days. Buddy moved to the GM, where he "trained up" Whaley who, lest we forget, was also brought in through Brandon. We know all about how difficult it was to get a top flight HC after Jauron; we also know that 3 years later, there was a long list of people showing interest in the job, which suggests that those who pay attention to a team's potential for success were acknowledging that the Bills were finally "in the mix" of desirable places to be. And now that the team is loaded with excellent talent, some people think it's time to once again clean house? Seems to me that the Bills FO team has made far more right moves than wrong ones over the last four or five years. The only two big missteps seems to be the deal they gave to Fitz and maybe the Alan Branch one (Maybin is on Modrak and Jauron in my opinion). Some would say that EJ is a really bad mistake, and maybe it will turn out that way. But as far as I'm concerned, it is way too early to make that judgment. Actually, I think he's going to do just fine given another season. In fact, I think he just might do far more than "just fine." And I believe Hackett is going to change a lot of negative minds by the end of the season as well. In short, can we wait until maybe four games into the regular season before we start slashing our wrists? I'm with Spikes who knows far more about pro football than probably 99% of the people who post here. The Bills "are going to shock the world." I'll stick with his assessment over those of the "negative nellies" who see nothing but doom and gloom.

Shock The World!

And your diagnosis is based on what criteria?

I would have been more comfortable had they shored up the BACK UP position in the offseason, but there never was even a million to one chance that they were going to do anything whatsoever that would have seemed like undermining EJ and that includes a mid-round QB pick. It comes down to this: the Bills are all in on EJ. More than that, I really think they believe he's going to be a great one. We may doubt EJ but they don't. My analogy to Thanksgiving has to do with a certain waste of time that goes on around here with helpful advice to the FO about who they could drag in at the last minute as a starter for the Bills. Ain't happening this year and I doubt it's happening next year. And the sooner posters get over that particular fixation, the better their emotional and mental health will be. EJ is the starter, and the only starter, on the Bills and the FO is more than comfortable with that so we might as well be too.

The notable thing in both this incident and the one on Saturday is that the team president seems to have been involved intentionally. If Marrone asked him to be there, it's a big deal. If Whaley felt he had to have the boss go with him, that's a big deal. Or at least a tad more than a casual, business-as-usual accidental meeting.

You sound a little bit like someone who shows up for Thanksgiving dinner and is shocked to find turkey and cranberries on the table. Yes, all the eggs are in the EJ basket; that's the idea, and that's the reason for trading up for Sammy, signing a QB coach, fiddling with the O. No way were they going to sign a vet to "push EJ," and no way were they going to tell McCown the starting job is wide open. Do you not yet get it? They are all in on EJ and so long as he makes progress this year, they'll be all in with him next year. Stop being surprised by turkey and cranberries.

Thanks for the attempt to bring rationality to the discussion especially because, well, you know, those who most need to heed your comments will be the last to do so.

I was thinking the same thing and this happened with the addition of two coaches meant to improve the QB play. Kind of makes me wonder what's going on in the QB room. Is it possible that whatever is going on there is actually retarding the QBs?

For the life of me, I can't see where Promo said anything at all like that. He has pointed out EJ's deficiencies. But it seems to me his point is the poor play of the OL vastly increases those deficiencies. Cure that, and EJ's play improves. FWIW, I think the Oline for the beginning of the regular season will be the same as last year, with Williams the sole new guy. That will create some stability while Henderson, et al, gain time to improve.

You don't play the game to "make the playoffs," do you. Cowher had the luxury of time and knowing that a bad decision here or there or a down season wasn't going to cost him his job. He had the Steeler "tradition" enclosing him, along with stable ownership and stable management. And because he did, the fans weren't going insane everytime Cowher's team stunk up a preseason game. Contrast that with the Bills fans, too many of whom are in full "cut and fire" mode at the start of Whaley's second year in command. And add in Marrone and EJ and Woods and Goodwin who are also just starting their second seasons. Do the critics not see what I see, which is an organization that for the first time in over a decade appears to have a workable, intelligent plan, apparently modeled on the Steelers, and one which has already made this a better team? It's the first time in years and years that I actually feel positive about the Bills going forward, where I can see what they're trying to do actually taking shape instead of being some slapped-together, patchwork job. What would derail this is panic because the team isn't already Super Bowl-ready. Give Whaley, Marrone and, yes, EJ some of that patience Cowher got. And, no, this isn't meant to excuse EJ's play or Hackett's calls or Marrone's dourness or anything else. It is meant to put the overall situation in perspective. There is a culture change going on at One Bills Drive. Let's relax just a tad and let it take root. I think we'll be well-rewarded for our patience.

I watched it several times. It's executed just the way it's supposed to be. Spiller even turned the right way and had a lot of daylight ahead of him. Bad break that the defender's helmet hit him right in the hand. Also looked like EJ did a fine job of dekeing the defense.

This isn't meant for you exclusively as this particular form of criticism is endemic around here, but can you tell me what exactly is "the eyeball test" and the "smell test?" This is incoherent criticism, and vague as well.

...who was allowed FOURTEEN YEARS as HC before winning a Super Bowl. So, um, maybe "patience" and a long-term commitment to a program would do it?

Only three?

My biggest take away? Hackett is keeping it simple until the guys can get the simple things right. If true, yesterday was even woese than we thought. I mean, if you can't get the simple things right, how are you going to handle the regular NFL level stuff?

Worst performance by the O this year. Worst performance by EJ in 2 years. Don't believe the play calling is on Hackett...appeared to me EJ was changing plays and quickly going to dump offs. Man, the offense is a mess, mostly because of the QBs. Marrone's got two weeks to whip that line into a semblence of an NFL one.

Oh God, please let the regular season start.

I noticed that too. Far too many QBs these days just mail it in.

indeed I do. I apparently elevated my friend, Russell Brown, to the Bills roster. As he is well into his Social Security years, I don't think he'll make the 53 man roster. On the other hand, sounds like PRESTON Brown is a lock.

Interesting quote from Marrone: "Russell Brown is having the kind of camp Kiko had last year."

Solid report, Astro. Thanks for doing that.

I watched the first half and my impression of EJ is that his overall command of the offense is greatly improved, his reads are quicker and his "view" of the field appears improved as well. He also seems calmer in the pocket. However, his accuracy remains a significant concern. Even on completions, his passes were often somewhat off the mark, either a little behind, a little too high or low, a bit too far ahead. This was forcing his receivers to twist around or slow down or pit themselves in position for nasty hits. Some of this may be on the receivers but it looks to me that it is mainly EJ's problem. And that intentional grounding was a major case of stupidity. Overall the starting O had its poorest performance of the preseason, looking slow and sluggish for too much of the first half.

Stop the madness already! The "gigantic part of the culture" that Brandon is the creator of is taking the dysfunctional, aging, on the garbage heap franchise and rebuilding it from the bottom up. It was Brandon who Brought in Nix to rebuild the scouting department, who brought in Whaley, who brought in Marrone, who "regionalized" the team, who loosened the purse strings for acquisitions and better coaches, and on and on. If you feel the Bills are a better team all around today than 5 years ago, and if you feel that are on the verge of breaking out, you can thank Brandon whose vision it is you're seeing in action. If Pegula is as smart as his fans around here think he is, the first person he locks up is Russ Brandon.

Marrone can change his name to Moron if he replaces Cordy with anyone much less a raw rookie. And I don't believe Mr. Obviously is a moron.