Tolstoy

Truth be told, it was this game against Baltimore that did in my membership card. Up until Sunday, I was hoping for a turnaround. Now I am convinced that all the alarm clocks in the world can't give to Drew what he needs: good instincts and fire in his belly.

Folks, a few words: If this team lacked talent, and good coaching, I would say we were in deep *&%#@. However, we do have talent, and good coaching. One or two changes need to be made, and we will start to see a winning product. Let's look at the facts: 1. We have a very good defense, and will continue to have a such a defense for the forseeable future. If we get a strong pass rush, it could be a dominant defense. 2. We have good talent on offense--at wide receiver, running back, and yes, even the o-line. I happen to think a big problem with the o-line is Bledsoe. I seem to remember a similar problem with Flutie/Johnson. Horrible o-line with Johnson, great o-line with Flutie. Anyway, at the moment, D-ends pin their ears back and go for Bledsoe, in full confidence that he will still be there when they get there. 3. We have good special teams. We need to get Losman playing, whenever he gets healthy. There is no reason why this offense should be so inept. The only reason I can see is that Bledsoe has become a major Achilles heal. No fire in the belly, no motion in the pocket, poor decisions, etc. I firmly believe that once Losman gets in there, and gets a little seasoning, the offense will start to look better all around, and this team will start winning. Whether this year or next. And let's not worry about the stupid draft pick. First round picks are overrated. Look at NE: how many mediocre tight ends have they picked in the first round over the last three years, and they still keep winning. Keep the faith. This Mularkey dude is not dumb. He knows that Bledsoe is a problem, and is simply biding his time. Wait and see.

Thanks Pasta Joe. If it is clear he is starting, that's what I am going to do (I think).

I have to start two RB's each week. My one starting back is C. Brown, and the other has a bye (E. James). My backups at this point are S. Davis, and W. Mcgahee. Davis is coming back from injury, but may not be fully effective yet. He is also going up against the Phili Defense, which allows an average of 85 rushing yards per game. On the other hand, T. Henry may be injured, and McGahee may start. Miami's pass defense is best in the league, so it looks like the Bills will be particularly interested in establishing a running game (and McGahee might be very pumped up to do well). Assuming that both are starting, which would you activate for your fantasy team?

Just curious. This team does not have the structural defects that it had last year, when it had a coach (Gilbride) who simply could not commit to a running game, and a head coach who didn't know how to call a game. Quite the contrary, they have a good game philosophy, good coaches, and players with a lot of potential. Sure Bledsoe and the offense could play better. Give it some time. They will start to click. Ask yourself this, what if the offense does get quite a bit better? What if the line starts to gel, and the running game gets going? What if the line starts to protect better, and Bledsoe starts to hit his targets more consistently? Would this not be a scary team? All you nay sayers are a bunch of whiny crybabies. So what if, in the worst case scenario, our team goes down the tubes this season? Are you going to bail out like a rat, or go down with them like a man? Just curious.

Nobody thinks it is possible. Bills are 0-2 and Patsies are 2-0. That, however, is deceptive. The Bills could easily be 1-1, and the Patriots 1-1. The Bills have an excellent defense (especially at home). The Patriots Run defense is weak. Here is the key folks: the game will hinge upon Bledsoe being able to hit his receivers to loosen up the Patriots and stop them from stacking up the line. And Bledsoe will be ready for this game, if he is ready for any game. This will be the turnaround point for the Bills season. You think I am high don't you? Just wait and see. Remember the name Tolstoy, my friends.

And while you are at it, imagine the Patriots being ambushed in Arizona--please!

Ok, our boys can't seem to get it done on their own. And praying for our team is ludicrous: God is impartial (and probably has more important things to do). So I ask all of you who read this to imagine the following: Imagine the Defense stuffing the run all game. Imagine a frantic Oakland offense lobbing bad passes that Vincent and Clements bat down and intercept. Imagine Shoebel and Kelsey and Posey and Adams each getting a sack. Imagine a Bills punt return for a TD. Imagine Henry and McGahee running all day on the Oakland D, each getting a TD. Imagine Bledsoe throwing for two more TD's, one to Moulds, and one to a streaking Evans. Imagine watching Bledsoe kneeling for the final three plays, and you walking away from the T.V. happy....for once. Perhaps, if we all do this, we will remove whatever etheric obstacles are preventing our boys from the success they should be having. If 300 of us do this, I guarantee we will see the effect on the field. Do it! Now!

I've been thinking about this. All the signs out of Jacksonville point to stopping the run game, and all the signs out of Buffalo point to a determination to run the ball. It looks like the Jags may dare Buffalo to throw the ball. If you were the Offensive Coordinator for Buffalo, would you take the bait? Would you pull a Gilbride and use the pass to set up the run? Or would you play smashmouth with the Jags, hoping to loosen them up eventually? My answer: play smashmouth. We have a good defense. Try to win it in the 4th quarter, when the Jags D starts to get tired. Do some play action now and then, but mostly hit them in the teeth with Henry (and McGahee). Why? (1) We do not want to start the season depending on Bledsoe's arm! Maybe later, when he has gotten his confidence back, but not now! One or two INT's and his confidence (along with the team's) is shot... (2) The O-line needs to get an attitude, develop cohesiveness, etc. The best way to do that is by running the ball early and often. (3) The better the running game, the more rested and better the defense. What do you think?

Brady does live a charmed life. Still, I'm not sure the Colts defense is all that good. It seems to me that a team with a stout defense and a good running game (e.g., Baltimore) would just destroy the Patsies, especially if the Pats play away. Isn't this exactly what we hope the Bills have this year? Look, last year, the Patriots could stop the run (Ted Washington? Is that guy good or what?), but couldn't run the ball. That was a better situation to be in than where they are now, which is the opposite. Winning football games starts, I think, in good run defense. Last night, I would argue, was an exception to the rule.

Patsies did look very good, especially on offense. They have a major problem however: they cannot stop the run. Indi ran all over them. Do you think their upcoming opponents weren't watching this game? Do you think they don't smell blood? Question: how long will a team be successful if it can't stop the run?

Folks, remember that dominating O-lines take talent, time, and dedication to the running game. In reverse order: We have the dedication to the running game, and we should be very, very happy about this. Last year there was no such dedication. We are running out of time, but perhaps after three or four more games the O-line will start to look strong. Remember the days of the bickering bills, when Kelly yelled at House Ballard for being a turnstile? Who would have thought that that line would go on to anchor us to four superbowls? A similar turnaround can happen here, with strong coaching and a dedication to the running game. Talent? I happen to think it is there, but the jury is out. Lets wait three or four more games before rendering a judgment. O-lines, like Rome, are not built in a day.

Hey Toledo Bill, I appreciate your opinion, but are you listening to yourself? You are blaming poor O-line play on the GM's ego?? Could it be that the individuals on the O-line are to blame? Or the O-line coach? Or the offensive coordinator? or the coach? Good teams don't necessarily have O-lines filled with first rounders. I am hoping that this O-line simply needs a little time to gel.

Not having seen the game, I am wondering why our starting offense has failed to produce a TD for the 3rd week in a row. Everyone is blaming the O-line, but that sounds a little simplistic to me. Bledsoe seems to have been sharp, at least in the first half. The coaches stuck to running the ball. All things we wanted to see. So why no TDs? I need an intelligent answer here, from someone who saw the game. What is wrong with this offense?

Let me add one more: (6) Good solid play from Lawrence Smith, and the O-line in general.

Ok, here are five things that I would like to see from our team tonight. Feel free to add one or two yourself: 1. Bledsoe throws no picks, and gets sacked no more than once by the time we get to the second half. 2. We score two TD's in the first half: it would be preferable if Bledsoe throws at least one TD, and we rush for one more. But I really don't care how we score. 3. Evans catches a couple passes. 4. McGahee gets 40-50 yards rushing in the first half. 5. The Defense holds the Colts to 14 pts or less in the first half, and gets at least one turnover.