Virgil

I think a boycott is unlikely. But there are access restricted ways for a bit to send a message

I agree with you about Russ and don't know if I worded it wrong. I'm saying he unqualified in the football world, but does a great job in the business world. Sorry for the confusion.

It's been an interesting week to say the least. I've been doing my best to sit back and just take it all in, read what I can, and then put together my thoughts. I've definitely had a change of opinion about a few things and I'm interested to see how things unfold over the next few months. With that, even though it isn't about a game, here we go. 1. Dareus - It was really interesting to me how quickly he came out and made statements about Rex leaving. Moreso, he didn't give the same cookie cutter answers that many others gave. Dareus was quick to call out how complicated the defense is, how much it relied upon signal callers and what the loss of Aaron Williams did, and just how they lacked an overall identity. This is now two years in a row that Rex's defense has been called out by a major player. Dareus was criticized by many for his inability to get back on the field this season. Between that and these comments, I really do wonder what his commitment level was like this season for us. 2. Buffalo Media - A few weeks back, I remember liking how they went after Rex for some of his game calls and decisions. It wasn't the normal, generic questions where the coach gives a basic answer and they move on. No. They followed up and they pushed the issue. This week has shown me that the Buffalo media is a bunch of entitled, spoiled children. For an organization that gives them a job, indirectly by giving them a topic of conversation, you would think they wouldn't be so quick to absolutely trash the entire organization. Just read and Buffalo media outlet and they are going after the Pegula's, Whaley, Brandon, everyone. We've been called a joke of an organization to everything else you can imagine. Someone posted a link about a reporter who went to Rex's house the day after he got fired. To be clear, this is a football team that plays a football game. They are people who give their opinions on a football game. I get into it as much as the next person. Hell, I'm writing this now. But the Buffalo media crossed a lot of lines for me this week and did so very quickly. 3. The National Media - I'm really curious to see the relevance the Bills have after this next coaching hire. Love Rex or not, he definitely kept us in the national spotlight more than we deserved. If we don't hire Coughlin, I feel like we will go back to the blue collar city with a football team that doesn't get mentioned unless we are playing a team in the spotlight. Also, there have been some tweets by Clayton, Schefter, and Rodak that are coming off as spiteful because they don't have the access and answers to what's going on like they want. 4. The Bills make me want to shout! Kick your heels up and shout! Throw your hands up and shout! Throw your head back and shout! 5. TT - I'm really happy that we are in total control of TT's future because I'd be very afraid to know what he would do if he had all the power. His not wanting to speak to the media yesterday said a lot to me around where his head is at. For me, I'm okay with him being benched this last game. Regardless of my opinion on him as our QB, the decision needs to fall on the next Head Coach. We are all in with that person and have to respect his decision. So, with what happened to Carr and Mariota last week, I'm okay playing it safe and not risking guaranteeing his contract for next year. As for my opinion on TT, I hope he is kept. He is only the 20th highest paid QB in the league and that will probably only drop with the FA contracts. Glennon is projected to get around 15 mil and has done nothing. I don't see a better option at QB in the Free Agent market or draft class. So I hope the Head Coach keeps him as you have to give him the credit for one of our best offensive performances in 20 years. 6. Jets Game - I believe that, as a team and culture, you have to try and win every game. However, I am not going to risk the injury of any players going into next season. I would rest Sammy, Shady, and anyone else with an injury they are playing through. It's just not worth the risk. I don't want to see Cardale play as it serves no purpose. They say he isn't ready, he's said he isn't ready. Playing him only appeases the fans. Let EJ have his game and move onto the offseason, hopefully with a 9 overall pick. 7. Front Office Leaks - There was at least a 50/50 chance of the rumors of Rex's demise being true. If there was a leak or not, who knows. However, there has been quite a bit of smoke in leaks these past few years and I really believe that the Pegula's need to smoke that out and put an end to it. This is one of the bigger signs of organizational dysfunction and needs to be stopped. People don't want to work in an environment where leaks come out, the team doesn't dismiss them, and they end up true sometimes. It's a bad look. 8. Whaley - I'm not going to pretend to know what Whaley's influence was on the last two head coach hires were or when his influence on the draft started. I will only say this. I really do hope that the Pegula's are truly going to let him run this coaching search, make the hire, and run the draft. He's been in role long enough where he needs to make his bed. I do believe that his job should hang in the balance with how this next regime plays out. If they fizzle and it's 18, 19 years and counting. It's time to fully clean house. Brandon too. 9. Pegulas - I want to say thank you to the Pegulas again. They are getting crushed as owners of both the Sabres and Bills. For me, I don't want a meddling owner. I can't stand Jerry Jones and Irsay. I want my owner to be the PR face in the offseason, write the checks, hire and support the GM, and get out of the way. These people saved our team 2 years ago and that gratitude isn't going anywhere. I hope they are addressing how the organization looks and we see some great press conferences on Monday. But other than that, I'm good. 10. Brandon - I don't know what he does honestly. I believed him to run the P&L of the Bills and all of the non-football operational parts of the team. If it's more than that, I would like to know why and what qualifications he has. I have no reason to believe he does more than that. With that, I think he does an amazing job. We had record ticket sales in years 16 and 17 of this drought. If I'm the Pegula's and this is a business, isn't he doing exactly what he should be? Again, if he's meddling and giving unqualified advice and messing with the football side, then that needs to be shut down. I know this season was disappointing but we all have to remember one thing, the members on here, Rex, the Pegula's, and everyone else just wants this team to win. This season hurt because we absolutely should have been in the playoffs. You take some broken plays out of the equation and we beat the Ravens, Dolphins the second time and we are in. We are in with the talent on the team right now. I don't know what I want for hires. I like the idea of Coughlin as HC, Lynn as OC, and Bradley as DC, but I doubt that's going to happen. Either way, just remember why we are all here. I hope Monday's press conferences eases the attack on the FO, and we don't rebuild this offseason, we just plain build. GO BILLS!

I shut them down. The rest for my team is more valuable. At most, I play them the first half

Sad to hear. 2016 is just an !@#$

I like this. The relationship between the GM and HC needs to be strong. As others say, he will live and die by this decision as it should be. So far, so good

You're a joke

Agreed. Everyone wanted him to succeed. Everyone wants everyone to succeed on the team. It's not personal. It just wasn't the answer and many are happy for hope.

I'm not going to root for them to lose. Just can't do it. But I will find the positives and not be upset if we do. Not so much for the draft pick, but the message ownership will hopefully receive when we are 1-5 in the division.

Holy crap, this wasn't a joke? Wow. I have to applaud that it isn't about TT though.

F5

Merry Christmas

And I thought I was going to be bored this morning. Please, carry on.

That really blows. They've really earned their success and I was looking forward to seeing them challenge the Pats. Just unfortunate to happen at a meaningless point in a meaningless game for them

Nope. Try again. The flea flicker pass to Woods put him over 300.

As a Bills fans, you learn a lot of new phrases. Today's favorite has to be "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory." I'm going to do this recap today in a little different fashion. I may repeat a few points, but because I'm going to try this in story form as the game played out. Thank you for your understanding. 1. Players checking out - The game started like the last few games with many players just sleepwalking through the first quarter. Offense couldn't get anything going and were running some head scratching plays. Lynn calling plays where TT has only one read or it's a loss. Or having 5 of the first 6 passes go to the RB in the flats. Defense missing tackles and giving up long 3rd downs. You just felt early that we were going to give this game away and the players had quit on Rex. 2. TT with Sammy - That was until these two got going. Yes, the running game was going okay, but the way Sammy would step up and make catches seemed to really get TT going. You could feel the confidence growing in both of them. All of TT's throws were not great, but Sammy bailed him out and the rhythm of a great game for both of them began. 3. Confidence spreads to Clay - Not only did Clay get involved, he was breaking tackles and running routes we don't normally see from him. In fact, we finally saw some deep crossing routes from other receivers. I was very happy with how Clay, Sammy, and even Goodwin at times got involved and showed a passing game not confined to deep threats or curl routes. 4. If I were a king If I had everything If I had you and I could give you your dreams If I were giant-sized, on top of it all Then tell me what in the world would I sing for If I had it all 5. Giving it Away - With the offense clicking towards the end of the first half, you would hope for the defense from the first half of the season which would figure things out and shut the other team down. Instead, we got the defense we had against the Raiders but with worse tackling somehow. Defense failed time and time again. The DB's seemed to do okay, but with no pass rush and large runs to the outside, you felt like it was a matter of time until the offense couldn't keep up. 6. THEY KEPT UP! - This had to be the most complete game from our offense. We had a game tying drive at the end of the game. We had a full field drive in OT. TT threw for over 300 yards. He was throwing darts and his receivers were making plays after the catch. We used our TE. I mean, what else could you want to see from these guys. If there were a resume game where people are playing for their jobs, I would hire this offense next year based off this game. I know it's only one game, but potential means something. 7. Eliminated - For all the positives on offense, we still found a way. It was nice for a moment to think that we weren't going to be eliminated from the playoffs until week 17. But in the end, we are a Rex coached team and we did just enough to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory. It was exciting. It was OT. But it was Bills football and we've all been down this road before. 8. Carpenter - I'm sorry, but it's time. Maybe it wouldn't feel as bad if it went both ways. But when the Dolphins second year kickers hits that 55 yarder without a time out or anything to help him, it's just that much worse. Not only did he not win the game for us, he helped us lose it. It just can't keep happening and we have to move on. It's nothing personal, and he's one guy. But this one guy may have lost his job and his coaches. 9. Defense - To lose this many games when you score over 20 points is inexcusable. We've now given up THREE 200 yard rushers. We had 10 men on the field for the game sealing run. We continue to lose contain to the outside. And honestly, you can feel the other teams running plays that take advantage of our over pursuit. And then the tackling. That's just poor discipline and lack of heart. It happened so many times it was comical. I just don't know how we can run this defense next year. Which brings me to.... 10 Rex - Sorry boss, time to go. You can't lose this game when your offense plays like that. You can't punt in OT when a tie also eliminates you. You can't allow players to perform like they are on defense. This is his defense, his mental stamp on the game, and his ownership. The playoffs were more than ours for the taking this year and time and time again, he didn't get the team ready. I don't even think he would be a good defensive coordinator anymore as his system may be just too antiquated. His system has always allowed a lot of rushing yards but now with the total points and the sloppy tackling. It's just time. Overall guys, it did feel nice to be a part of an exciting game. I feel terrible for the offense. TT was amazing today and I hope he gets a chance next year with a new coach. I stand by idea that he plays the game the way the coaches tell him and we really don't know what he's fully capable of. Sammy, stay healthy. Clay, keep doing it. Carp, it's been run. Rex, nothing personal. Lets get 8-8 and win the offseason, Buffalo style. Go Bills!

Please update the poll to correctly reflect TT's real cap hit. It's not 27, it between 16-18 I think

Interim Jags coach

17.5 mil isn't that much and we aren't getting a better option.

The question is, if it's not the dline, if it's not the linebackers, and now it's not the corners....then what is it? All that's left is scheme

Another mid-December game where we aren't mathematically eliminated in the books and a nice reminder that we aren't the Browns kind of bad... 1. Shady - This was the kind of game where you don't have any expectations and just get to sit back and enjoy the show. I almost feel bad for him playing on this team because he would be a real difference maker on a playoff team. His cuts and speed make me believe that he has at least a few more years in him and I really hope we will be able to take advantage of that. Hats off to him and his season so far. It's been a good ride. 2. Offensive Scheme - This game solidified what I believed about this offense, even when everyone was hurt. It doesn't matter who our WR's are out there for the most part. It does on obvious passing plays where we need someone to step up and beat their man, but that's the only time. We are not a passing team by design and today showed that. This gives Tyrod a slight reprieve to me because I really don't think many QB's would look great in this system. Don't get me wrong, he still needs to hit his throws when called upon, but this team wants to run the ball first. Unfortunately, rushing teams don't win enough to merit playoffs much anymore and it's an outdated system. We are winning the rushing games and it's not translating overall. It also hurts us when it comes time to 2 min drills and playing from behind. We just aren't schemed for it. 3. Clay - Sure was nice to see him be the TE we signed in the offseason. They made a point to showcase him today and he did not disappoint. Great adjustment coming back for that TD and overall nice job of TT to throw him open. Like many other things today, while it was fun to watch him catch everything thrown his way, in abundance, it was also frustrating to see the potential wasted. 4. Swing in this tree Oh I am bounce around so well Branch to branch, limb to limb you see All in a day's dream I'm stuck Like the other monkeys here 5. Lorax - Guy just continues to prove he's the defensive MVP, although Kyle is making a run for it. Guy just plays hard all game, unlike a certain Brown, and he never gives up. He's the kinda guy you want to own his jersey and I'm happy to see him finding success at this point in his career. 6. TT - I think it was said somewhere else, but it's amazing to see what he can do with time behind the line of scrimmage. I think he made every throw that people complained he can't make today. He had some low-balls today, but overall was pretty on point. The first drive that ended in a FG where he scrambled out of bounds was just a crap play and makes me think more and more that Lynn is a one trick pony. I was frustrated with TT until I saw the replay. In any case, TT's numbers were exactly what they asked of him today with both passing and rushing. Love him or hate him, this is the game he's being asked to play. I would really like to see him in whatever scheme we have next year, assuming coaching turnover. 7. Secondary - Got to give props to Darby and Gilmore. Both handled their receivers today with a little help with bad passing by RG3. Well timed hits and break ups for both. You never felt like we were going to lose control of this game and I give them a lot of credit for that. 8. The Browns - No matter how bad we feel about our team and the futility of not making the playoffs, it was nice to know we aren't that team. The level of talent out there is rough. We might not be playoff ready, but they aren't even close. I can at least appreciate that we are a slightly below average team and still only a few pieces away. 9. Rex - In a game where I think most players expect him to be gone at the end of the season and we are basically eliminated, I felt like most of the team showed up to day (cough Brown). However, I just didn't really see much passion out of him today and I think today was more of a "we can't let the Browns beat us" more than anything else. Today's game didn't change anything about his job security and, if anything, just showed where exactly he fits as a coach. Average. 10. Refs - Anyone else think these guys are just getting worse. It's nice to see that we aren't the only ones getting hosed on calls, but there are just some big misses. I've never seen a facemask call get reversed with the explanation of saying it was all shoulder. I mean, how did they come to that conclusion. For guys wanting full time jobs, they aren't putting a great resume together. Or maybe this is just the crew you get when the Bills play the Browns. On to next week where maybe we can play spoiler and Squish the Fish!!!

I'm not for or against the 4-3. I just used it as an example to show the opposite of what we does.

For the sake of continuity, would you keep Rex if he was willing to abandon his defense and bringing a new defensive coordinator? Someone who runs a 4-3, or something where it's their show. Basically, he would be just the head coach. I don't know how often this happens, where the head coach has no major influence or either side of the ball, but it's the only thing I can think of that would possibly allow him to stay.

What's the deal with the Franchise Tag these years? This will be the second year they put it on him. Can other teams sign him and give up two, 1st round picks?

I'll be honest, I'm good sitting him then. This doesn't mean that I don't think we should pick up his option. But I think Rex goes and the next coach can make that decision. Also, maybe EJ shows something