dtgolder

Exactly--Rex thinks this is fine. Real issue here is the Bills are developing a reputation as an undisciplined, dirty team. Once the Refs have that opinion, it is IMPOSSIBLE to shed, and you will get more penalties because of your reputation (and I think we are already past the point of no return here). Getting the sense that we are now the laughingstock of the NFL with Rex, and the refs are willing to drop a flag on any questionable call. "Hey--it's the Bills--of COURSE they are guilty!"

Guess the sample set is a bit larger now....17 penalties in the Giants game is simply inexcusable. No team can win with that many penalties. This is so frustrating to see a game played like this...not something to be proud of. The most troubling thing is that it seems the lessons of the NE game have been forgotten. Guess the Bills and Rex never really thought that a high number of penalties was a problem in the first place.

Bottom line is the Bills got a higher draft choice from a guy they recently released to waivers. They were willing to let Cassell go, got lucky when he cleared waivers, and now have a 5th round pick. Well done.

Totally agree that Marv was outcoached in the SB games (certainly that was the case in the Giants game, and one could make a case he was outcoached in EVERY SB). Yet--he was always 100% class. And even if there were some "bickering bills" that's quite different from the current Rex Ryan "bully bills", and there is *no way* the Bills will go anywhere if they remain undisciplined, and are the most penalized team in the league. More often than not, games are won because of a few "pivotal" plays--a turnover, a sack, a critical penalty at the wrong time. Shooting yourself in the foot is never a good strategy. So we'll see what happens next. But if the Bills post another 14 penalties vs. the fish we'll be 1-2 and staring at another year without making the playoffs. Rex needs to get a handle on this (and on himself). I'm just concerned that the zebra may not be able to change his stripes (pun intended).

So as I reflect and lament on the Patriots game, I'm left remembering one of Marv Levy's famous quotes: "Don't play dumb, and don't play dirty" And yet, with Rex we seem to be developing the exact opposite team--one that plays dumb and dirty. Reading this article from the D&C (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/columnist/roth/2015/09/21/bills-lead-nfl-bluster-penalties-and-delusion/72575610/) it seem we now lead the NFL in penalties, and in stupid mistakes. Come on--three penalties on a single play? (the onside kick at the end) and a taunting penalty on an extra point--after the OTHER team scored? News flash--normally you taunt after YOUR team scores. (Really can't believe that one...Aaron Williams I'd be putting you on the bench for the rest of the season after that play...) Just have to think that we're on the wrong path here--Marv may not have won a Super Bowl, but his teams were disciplined, and took pride in what they accomplished. They were never an embarrassment. I don't want this Bills team to be remembered as a bunch of bullies--not a good image. As a friend of mine and I were talking about Rex, he said it reminded him of what they used to say on "Fat Albert": "He's like school in the summer." "School in the Summer? How's that?" "Nooooo class." Rex may win every single press conference. Great. But isn't the point to win games? Rex--time to call up Marv and ask for some advice...at the very least adopt his "don't play dumb, don't play dirty" mantra.

"EJ Fitzpatrick" is a bust...I'd trade him for virtually anyone/anything (as in another year or two he'll be out of the league and worthless, save maybe a backup role in the arena league)

Amen! Norwood never deserved all the criticism. This though...this call will never be surpassed as the worst call in the history of the NFL. You simply cannot have 1 yard to go to win the Super Bowl and not run the ball.

As someone said, if you could give up a #1 draft choice, but be able to cheat and win the Super Bowl, wouldn't that be a good trade? The only way to stop this kind of thing is to adjust the cost/benefit ratio so the benefit is no longer worth the cost. Unfortunately, the NFL will be unwilling to take any such drastic measures...it'll be a slap on the wrist, the cheating will continue...maybe the Pats will "be good" for a year (or two) but then we will have another incident...and...well, as the saying goes "rinse & repeat"

And the more time ticks away, it seems very clear nothing will be done before the Super Bowl. This will be part of the hype, game will be played, Pats will lose (so people can say it didn't matter) and there will be a hand slap in June or July when no one is thinking much about the NFL. Quietly sweep it under the table...move on...nothing to see here.

So...playing with deflated footballs may be a longstanding practice in NE. The pressure is going to be ramped up? Nice pun!

Another observation on this--think it was Aikman who said the no equipment manager would alter the inflation without direct instructions from the QB. If they did that on their own they would be fired--QBs are very particular about the game balls, and do not want them altered once they have approved the 12 game balls. Given that, and his "I don't believe so" response, it really is adding up to Brady being the one responsible. Other NFL players have come out and said Brady is behind this, and should come out and admit it is his fault.

Agreed--Brady is guilty. When asked: "Are you a cheater?" He responded: "I don't believe so..." Think about it--if you were accused of cheating, and you were innocent, wouldn't you be a bit more...um...emphatic? Like "(Bleep) NO!! I'm not a cheater--never have been, and never will!! And if you ask me again I'll...(insert appropriate threatening response)" You get the idea...but you woukdn't answer "I don't believe so..."

Best reply yet! The unstated issue here is the Pats have a reputation as cheaters, so "deflate-gate" is totally believable. And frankly no amount of denial is going to change that. Guilty or not, the Pats now have to live with the reputation they have earned. And although some may argue "it didn't make a difference, the Colts woukd have still lost", someone recently made the point that this could have been going on undetected for many games--did it make a difference in any of the Pats' regular season games? If so, would they have earned home-field advantage without deflated balls as an "edge"? And without home field advantage the Pats very well could have lost in the playoffs, and another team would now be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. Given that logic, one can easily make the case for NE being required to forfeit the game, and the Colts being allowed to play in the Super Bowl. Will never happen though...

Please comment on any specifics you think may happen.

Amen!

Scary part is the Leos are second...talk about a superbowl matchup...

Oh that's classic!

Think everyone here will wish you the best next week...hope you guys take out all the frustrations on those jets...we'll all be pulling for you!

Looking at the website--it's a bit confusing-- Can you get this alone (without a DirecTV subscription)? Can you get this without the normal NFL Sunday Ticket (i.e. is it an "add-on" to that service?) Looks like it cost $99 for the whole season? I used to subscribe to the NFL Sunday Ticket, but felt it was just too expensive. Wondering if this is just $99 it might be worth it.... Thanks for any help.

Great tool...here's another interesting one: For single seasons, from 1970 to 2010, in rookie season, player was drafted in round 1, played in the NFL, played RB, requiring Rushing Yds >= 0, sorted by descending Rushing Yds. Take a peek at this for the number of Bills RB's that were drafted in the first round that are on this list (and really never had exceptional careers, although they had decent rookie seasons): McGahee (21) Lynch (22) Bell (26) Miller (29) Smith (39) Spiller doesn't show up until the second page (at 124) A few thoughts--the Bills have gone after that first-round "sure thing" RB a number of times, and none have really panned out. You could argue McGahee worked out (but that was a HUGE risk)...the others all "good" players, but I suspect none will make the hall of fame. So--probably indicative of the difficulty in "picking" a sure-thing at RB (or any position) in the draft, along with showcasing the problems the Bills always seem to have with evaluating talent on draft day.

Have to agree--having lived in Michigan for the past 10 years or so, the Lions have been worse... ...well, until now. (I think the Lions have more reason to hope right now than the Bills...and that's quite a telling statement.) Having said that, they've really drafted poorly (well, Matt Millen drafted poorly--now that he's gone, there's hope.)

I gave up on it 2 years ago...simply too much money. If they had a "game by game" package (where you could buy the games you wanted) or a "team" package (i.e. just get the Bills' games) for a reduced fee I'd be interested. But not right now at these prices.

I can't believe they had a shot at Clausen and didn't take it...amazing.

No way would Detroit pass up on Suh if they were lucky enough to get him. He's a PERFECT fit for their needs right now. It's not just what "the points" say, but you also have to factor in what the owner of the pick would demand for a trade...and Detroit would NOT trade the pick if they could get Suh. I don't think there's ANYTHING the Bills could offer that would let them draft Suh (short of doing the "trade all your draft choices" a la Ditka and Ricky Williams).

Hmmm...doesn't seem like the same guy in the 2 pics: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eh0jgrX2BFw/SbkS...400/1maybin.jpg http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/gg381/akcash1/maybin.jpg First photo says potential...second photo says he ran out of 'roids.