Shaw66

Yes, my post said I know he said that. But he doesn't say it with passion, and he doesn't say it often. Sure, he remembers who didn't draft him, but he isn't great because of it. He doesn't play harder against the Broncos because they didn't take him. Same as the Jordan story someone posted. Does anyone seriously believe that when he was playing for his fifth NBA championship, he played harder because he didn't make the varsity in high school?

I'm so in love with Allen, I'm hopeless. I have to defend Allen against these "chip-on-the-shoulder" claims. Yes, I know that when asked, Allen has said he'd like to prove some people wrong, but I don't think he's driven by that. Allen is driven simply by wanting to be good. I think he's pure, good-natured competitor, without the edge. There's no hate, no nastiness in the guy. Aaron Rodgers is the guy with the chip on the shoulder. He's been very frank about it for years. He's perpetually pissed off that other teams didn't take him and pissed off that the Packers sat him for three years. There are plenty of reports about the fact that some, even many, of his teammates don't like him. HE's quick to blame others. I don't say any of that to dismiss his greatness - it's taken me a long time to recognize it, but he is one of a very few true greats. His decision making, his quick delivery and arm strength, his accuracy, his running ability, everything, is superb. But he's not very likable. Even his State Farm ads show his tendency to lord it over others, when he throws the tennis ball out of sight or hits his driver on the run, both actions being done to show up Jake. Allen doesn't have that edge about him. He's not motivated to prove people wrong. He's motivated simply because he's always been motivated. He was born that way or raised that way. He was a great student in high school, and a great, motivated athlete. He didn't go to junior college to prove anyone wrong - he went because he wanted to play, and it was the highest level of competition that wanted him. He didn't go to Wyoming to prove anyone wrong - he went because he wanted to paly and it was the highest level that wanted him. He didn't come to Buffalo to prove anyone wrong - he came because he wanted to play at the highest level. He doesn't plan with anger. He rarely, if ever, says "I told you so." He just wants to play, and play well.

And this is about as concise a statement of the accuracy issue that I've seen. Excellent. And it really wasn't even a footwork problem. It was all about having time to be in the right position. When Josh had time, he didn't have a footwork problem. It was all, as you say, reading defenses and making decisions. Now that that has caught up to NFL quality, Josh's natural throwing superiority is on display.

This is exactly right. He was a possible number 1 overall pick, for Petes sake, and people talk about this as some kind of miracle. All you had to do was watch him throw as a rookie. If you did and were thinking about what you saw, you knew this was probably coming. Beane and McDermott knew before the draft. The question should be why didn't the Browns, Jets, Giants, and Broncos know?

Can't be. He's not accurate. Great stat. Certainly consistent with the guy we've been seeing. When he's clean in the pocket and throws, it's a completion.

Out of state rules are too tough. I'm not going to sit in a hotel room for four days. Super Bowl XXV was my last playoff game. I guess I can wait another year.

You're right insofar as "establishing" the run is concerned. You don't need to be able to run first to have a good offense. However, you need to be able to run. There are times in the game - namely, the end of the half and the end of the game, when running effectively is important. That's because at those times, running the clock becomes the most important objective. To run the clock, you need to maintain possession, and yes, it's possible to maintain possession with a passing game, but running the clock with a passing game is much more difficult. Every incompletion stops the clock, and that's 40 seconds that don't run off the clock. An effective passing game also uses the sideline a lot, and that invites the defense to drive the receiver out of bounds. So, if I run for 15 yards on three plays, I get a first down and I take two minutes off the clock. If I throw incomplete once, to the sideline once for seven and over the middle for 8, I get the same 15 yards and the same first down, but i take only one minute off the clock. The Bills haven't had a very good running game this year, but they HAVE been able to run effectively at the end of a few games. That's the minimum you need from your running game.

I appreciate your taking time to say thanks, as many others have, too. It's gratifying that people enjoy reading what I write. Bottom line is I love the Bills and I like to talk, and this is a good place to find some people willing to listen. Happy new year to all!

Excellent! Thahks. "This freakin' guy!" Just great,

Good stuff, again. Loved the conclusion. Thanks, Virg

I saw that and really wanted to know what was said. You're correct, it was an unusual gesture from Belichick. If I head to guess, here's what I'd say was happening. Beclichick is a total student of the game. He understands the game at its core, and he understands all the nuances. Beyond that, he understands how to watch film and dissect what's happening, understands what is necessary to respond, and can innovate responses. He loves the challenge of it all, he loves the history. He loves all of it. And he respects it in his way, the cheating notwithstanding. I think Belichick sees in McDermott a kindred spirit, another guy who sees it all and who is 100% committed to putting it all together. I think Belichick sees that McDermott is at the door of a bery exclusive club, knocking.

Thanks for this. I thought it was something like that. It was a really athletic play by Epenesa. It would be nice to see him come on a bit.

Top 10 for sure. They just keep working and coming together as a unit. And, as you said, Milano came back. If anyone had any questions about how good he is (I used to have questions), he answered them last night. With Milano, Edmunds and Poyer on the field, the Bills play defense like they have three linebackers and seven defensive backs on the field, plus four down linemen. Do the math.

Amazing , isn't it!??!!!

All good stuff. It was a dominant performance. Thanks for adding more of the details.

That's great. I didn't see Poyer come back. As for Beasley, we just have to wait. One thing that has me encouraged is that we didn't see a parade of Bills players coming by to console Beas while he was still on the bench, the way teammates do when everyone knows something big has happened. I thought his look on the bench said "well, I'm done for the night but not for the season." We'll see.

I stopped feeling this way last night. It's real.

Through all those years of futility, years without division titles or playoff appearances, years without respect, years of frustration, I never thought about a game where the Bills crushed the Patriots. Yes, the Bills did beat the Patriots 31-0 in 2003, but that was before the heart of the drought. I just wanted the Bills to be respectable against the Patriots, win or lose, and I wanted the Bills to win a meaningful game against them. This season we saw plenty of things that are different about Sean McDermott’s Bills. We saw the process, the commitment, the superb players, the wins in big games. Through it all, it never occurred to me what it might feel like to see the Bills blow out the Patriots in a game that mattered. The Bills had beaten the Patriots at an important point earlier in the season, but that game turned into a nail-biter and nearly a loss. Monday night, the Bills needed a win again. Granted, there wasn’t a lot on the line, but there was enough. The Bills need wins to secure the number 2 seed in the playoffs, a spot that would allow the Bills to play at home for at least two games, and three if somehow the Chiefs stumble. I’m sure, too, the Bills had some desire to beat the division rival that has been their nemesis for so long, and some desire for a convincing win. There also was something on the line for the Patriots, it seems. The Patriots played like this game mattered to them. It was evident in their intensity early in the game; the hitting was ferocious. It also was evident when Bill Belichick threw his telephone in disgust after blowing a challenge on the Dawson Knox catch on the sidelines. Well, I can say now that it feels good to blow out the Patriots. Really good. It feels good to see the Bills get the final points of the first half, not the Patriots. It feels good to see the Bills score a touchdown on the opening possession of the third quarter, not the Patriots. It feels good to see the Bills execute on third down and on fourth down, not the Patriots. It feels good to see the Bills continue to attack methodically when there was plenty of time left but no hope for the Patriots. It just plain feels good. Josh Allen was positively Brady-like, starting slowly, getting a feel for the game. He spent the first quarter sizing up the Patriot defense with Brian Daboll. After what was just a few turns around the track, it was “okay, we get this, let’s put the pedal to the metal.” Three touchdowns on three straight possessions to end the half (not counting the kneel down), and another to start the third quarter. Allen was in complete control, operating behind a line that protected him like he was the GOAT. Game over. How about one more TD on the victory lap? Okay, got it. I knew so very well how it felt when Brady and the Patriots did it. Now, I know how it feels when the Bills do it. Allen to Diggs was good early in the season, but these two now seem like they’ve been together for years. Allen trusts Diggs to get to where he needs to be, Diggs trusts Allen to get him the ball. They’re seeing the field together, and what they see looks beautiful. Diggs had another big night, going 9 for 145 and 3 TDs, including two highlight-reel scores. On the first, Diggs outran his man from left to right across the field, and when the corner on the far side followed Gabriel Davis to the post, the entire right side of the field opened up. Allen saw it and got the ball out to where Diggs could catch it on the run toward the sideline. Once Diggs made the turn up field it was over. 50 yards. Then on what is becoming their signature play, Allen scrambled out to the left and threw hard, down, and away to a covered Diggs diving in the end zone. It’s one of the most difficult throws to make, and one of the most difficult catches, and they do it like they’re tossing frisbees in the backyard. On defense, it was about the same. They gave up a big play early, then held for a field goal. They gave up one long second-quarter drive, powered by the Patriots’ running game Then it was lights out. The Patriots had six more possessions in the game: Punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt. Matt Milano was the standout defender. Hard hits, solid open field tackles, a sack. The guy was outstanding. This is classic-team defense. They are so well-schooled, so athletic, and so driven, that they seem to be playing with a couple of extra players on the field. Wherever the offense attacks, there’s a defender with a few more on the way. The defensive load was lightened by the fact that the Patriots don’t have a quarterback who can throw effectively or receivers who can catch consistently. The receivers dropped a couple of big-gain opportunities, and first Newton and then Stidham missed plenty of open receivers. They were absolutely Bills-like. The special teams are really good, and Andre Roberts is their poster child. Roberts popped another long return. Bass is kicking off short or long, depending on whether the Bills like their coverage opportunities. The punt coverage is superb – the Bills swarmed downfield to disrupt a fair catch and get an extra 20 yards of roll. They executed a fake punt flawlessly to give the offense the little boost they needed. Was it perfect? No, Taiwan Jones, Dawson Knox, and Gabriel Davis, it wasn’t perfect, but it was darn good. And, ooh, it feels so good to say it: The Bills crushed the Patriots! It will be interesting to see how the Bills play the Dolphins. The Bills rested starters last year and then couldn’t get the job done in the wildcard game; still, resting starters is attractive. On the other hand, a win secures the number 2 seed, and sweeping the AFC East would be satisfying. The Bills need Beasley and Poyer back, but at least they have a week to rest them, if necessary. It’s a tricky spot. GO BILLS!!! The Rockpile Review is written to share the passion we have for the Buffalo Bills. That passion was born in the Rockpile; its parents were everyday people of western New York who translated their dedication to a full day’s hard work and simple pleasures into love for a pro football team.

You know, I read this article in my local paper and thought about posting a link, but then I thought there's nothing in it Bills fans don't even know. (I did react to the guy saying that with Beasley and Diggs the Bills have "a nice little passing game.") What's noteworthy about the article is that it exists at all. It's just so satisfying to pick up the paper and see a feature article with that headline. I never imagined seeing such a thing. What a trip this is.

Whoa! Thought my computer was broken! Great look!!! Thanks.

These stories are amazing.

Agreed. But the bean counters won't be in charge. Bills will pay whatever it takes.

I continue to expect Josh to give a discount. Josh is the perfect team guy. He won't take the last dollar. I'm really not interested in the business end of football, no idea what a contract should look like. The only question I'm interested in is should Josh be extended, and I was sure of that after his rookie year.

Offense IS about where we were, true, but I think that's more a commentary about the beginning of the season than about progress. Like a few other teams, I think the Bills were way ahead coming out of the gate. It took the league four or five weeks to figure out how to stop getting absolutely bombed out of the park by the best passing teams. Probably a better way to think about it that the first four or five weeks of the season was preseason. In the middle of October, teams had caught on. So if you look at the offensive graph starting at week 6 or week 8, you see a serious upward trend. That's what's real, I think. On defense, the graph just confirms what everyone has been seeing. The defense has really come together in the last month. Klein came alive, Edmunds got healthy or woke up, Milano came back, the defensive line started playing better as a unit and learned how to play the run better. Everything just began to click.

Thanks. Gotta admit, it's harder but more fun writing about wins.