FLFan

This is the best description I have seen in this thread yet. I am not sure why it seems to be difficult for people to understand this business vs. football thing. This just in - the Bills are in the Football Business. As such, all decisions are "football related" and potentially impact both the profitability and competitiveness of the team on the field. Second point, anyone with experience managing in this size of business would know that while senior managers may be empowered to make decisions and do their jobs, it would be very unusual for any senior manager (i.e. Whaley in this case) to make any significant, impactful decision without at least running it by the boss. Third, in empowering his employees, the boss would set limitations in budgets and authorities, and goals and strategies for the organization both near and short term. Again, all of this is football related. I can't see a scenario in the past two years since Brandon has had this role that he would not have had at least some input or impact on any meaningful decision. It does not mean he is "meddling". Frankly, he has done a much better job at this in my opinion than either Ralph or his only previous hire with this much authority - Terrible Tom.

True enough, but if the Bills beat the fish this week, watch Buffalo move up like 2 spots, while Miami might fall 2. The Bills will get no love in these rankings until they can sustain some positive play, which is OK. The only ranking I care about anyway is the AFCE standings.

+1

Bucky Gleason is an embarrassment to his profession. I refuse to read anything that he writes, and have for quite a while. Why TBN retains him (and throw Sullivan in this turd pile too) is beyond me.

Or it could be Jerry, that real fans can't afford your palace, and those that can have no interest in watching a team that gets continually worse year to year under your management. That could be it. I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with North Texas being such an economic powerhouse compared to the Bay Area. Get serious man.

RB is a difficult guy to evaluate given the numerous roles and sometimes bizarre front office structures the Bills have had over the years. To me, he is clearly a very strong guy with respect to the football business. I think over the past couple of years, since Ralph stepped completely aside and relinquished all control to RB, he has performed very well. Brandon would be a very valuable guy for Pegula to have on-board. However, I do think it is unlikely he stays beyond this season and some brief transition period for the simple reason that any potential role he might have going forward would be a step down from his current role and responsibilities. We will see in due time once TP's intentions with respect to organizational structure are known, but it is probably time for RB to move on from a career perspective.

You should have seen Mario's sack of Cutler last week. Threw the OL out of the way and crushed Cutler. I am not sure he was the same after that. Check it out here: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Five-must-see-plays-from-the-Week-1-win/24d6b56b-085e-43bb-ae11-d4ccec247aeb

Nice write up and I agree with your conclusions after having watched the replay. The Pats were putrid up front on both side of the ball. Some of the worst tackling I have seen on the part of the Pats D. Wolfork looks every bit the fat, slow, old player he is. The Miami rush rattled Brady in the second half and his receivers were not exactly helping him out. The Bills are better up front on both sides of the ball than Miami, particularly their Defensive Front 7, but I think also on the OL. They have better WRs and a better running game. The Bills also have the DBs to match up very well with Miami's wideouts who are not in the same class as Marshall and Jeffries. Tannehill can be rattled into turnovers, if the Bills stop Moreno. They will need another solid performance from EJ, and another solid game plan from Hackett, but this is a game the Bills should win, bringing the Fish back to reality.

Good luck to them on taking over the Ralph this Sunday.

Fortunately, the "experts" are no better at picking these games than the average fan. Probably even less effective when it comes to the fans of a specific team in a given week. I think this is a game the Bills should win. I like the Bills front seven vs. Miami's OL and running game, and like their chances of pressuring Tannehill into mistakes. Can the Bills find ways to neutralize Cameron Wake and keep the Miami Defense off balance? Can EJ repeat last week's solid performance and potentially improve on it? I see this as possibly a 19-16 squeaker, but also possibly a bigger win like 27-13, depending on the Bills offensive execution. I really like their chances of running away with it though in a very emotional home opener.

Exactly. I would not write them off yet, but there run defense was putrid. They could not tackle anyone. Fat Boy in the middle looked old and slow. LBs sucked. On the other side, their OL was also terrible. Miami played well, but the Bills defense is better than the Pats. He usually does once you knock him around a bit.

I watched the rewind. Miami turned it over 3 times in the first half and New England scored 20 points. In the second half, Moreno ran wild on the Patriots who could not tackle anyone. With a strong running game and little pass rush, Tannehill was able to complete passes. Miami's D Line, particularly Wake, dominated a lost looking Patriots O Line. Once Brady got hammered a few times, he could not hit the broad side of a barn. No running game. It was a solid win by Miami, and an impressive comeback after trying to give the game away in the first half, but they are no world beaters. Miami's success had as much to do with a putrid performance by the Patriots as anything. I think they will find the Bills much more stout on both sides of the ball. Buffalo's front seven is much better than the Pats, who surely could have used Brandon Spikes against the Dolphins. If the Bills can stop Moreno, I do not see Tannehill beating them. Quite the opposite. I also think the Bills will be able to run on Miami who have trouble at LB themselves.

This would be a great move. Much better developmental prospect than Tuel for the Bills. I hope it works out.

I am continuing my personal ban on listening to Bon Jovi, initiated at the beginning of his career.

Didn't notice that. Thanks

Not sure thats true - just not part of the game plan yesterday. They obviously did not want a shootout with Chicago. My guess is you will see more of it against Miami to try and create mismatches and slow down their rush. Just a guess. That was a truly GREAT play by Kyle Williams. Many people might see that as a some kind of fluke, like "he threw the ball right to him, and look what I found" but he read the play and put himself in position to make the INT. Great play by the Bills MVP. He had a quiet day otherwise, but gave his team the opportunity to win right there. What an outstanding player.

Ah, yes - the old "eyeball test" argument. The most recent favorite of the armchair QB experts who can't back up their conclusion that EJ sucks and will always suck with any actual facts. This and the old standby "the it factor" are favorite arguments around here.

This board is slow. I am so done with this team! Seriously, i can't help you technically but certainly OK with anything you need to do to handle performance. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by all.

Chicago has an elite offense and there was no way they were going to be contained entirely. Great game plan. As another poster pointed out, it was ugly to watch at times, but overall effective because they made big plays when they had to. That is what it takes to win. They held the Bears to 20 points - I could not care less how many yards or how many sacks they they had. They had enough pressure and enough coverage to make Cutler look like Cutler in the end. Pettine's D gave up 30 points to the Steelers and they lost by 3. How many times did we see that last year?

469

Thanks Bill. I am looking forward to another season of reading your weekly thoughts after the game. Always the first, and often the only post I read after a game. Your thread seems to draw out actual thoughtful football conversation on a regular basis, which I am sure has a great deal to do with the fact that you always present your posts in a reasoned and respectful manner and do not disparage others or hold yourself above when they disagree. An example for all of us. Go Bills!

I have a difficult time imagining the alternate universe in which I care one bit about anything Mike Florio has to say. I am sorry I can't provide individuals but there were a fair number of people advocating starting Lewis over EJ, particularly after the Pitts burgher game.

Anytime. My mama always taught me to give credit where credit is due.

I agree. I think it is far more likely that Cutler throws three interceptions than he throws three touchdowns against the Bills Defenses. Bills fans should be more optimistic about this game.

Proving once again that any thread on any topic can be turned into a Bash EJ thread. Well done.