ChasBB

I would have liked to see him held out until the Oakland game to just practice the first 2-3 weeks. Well, that didn't happen and so what's the point in pulling him out now? Not that you are suggesting this, but there's no point in this. Peters was essentially allowed to use the first few games of the season as his personal training camp. While this was probably not the way to go about it, it's done and Peters will ultimately be better for it. By tossing him in there, he'll be more valuable to the Bills in the upcoming weeks than he would have been sitting on the bench. He WILL get better as the year goes on. And, what, a guy -- even a pro bowl selection -- can't make a mistake? I've got news for you -- he'll make more. And guess what -- pro bowl players on other teams will make mistakes, too. You are asking for perfection and that is unreasonable.

I disagree with the premise that we even need a veteran wide receiver -- I think we have good experience at the position. However, even if there was one available, there are other teams in much greater need that would snap him up -- like Seattle who has lost something like 6 receivers, I think, to injury. We'll be fine. I think the passing that we saw during the 2-minute offense on Sunday will become more common as the weeks go on.

I do appreciate your argument. Last year's success is no guarantee of future success. However, the Marlins were completely disassembled after they won the World Series. No such thing happened with the Patriots. Yes, I do believe they are weaker this season than they were last seaon -- mainly because of Brady being out, but also for the reasons you state, as well -- a year older, a tad slower, etc. However, this is still a Belichick-coached team and that guy can out-coach a LOT of good coaches. They'll win some games simply on the inertia of winning 18 straight games. Winning has become a habit for them. I respect the argument that they are weaker, but I don't at all agree with posters saying they are "done" based on one bad performance. I can still remember losing 20 straight games to the Dolphins in the 70's -- that really sucked big time. And, as it stands now, the Patriots have defeated the Bills, what, 9 straight times now! My point is until we actually BEAT them, the posters saying they are "done" may end up eating some crow. Buffalo has to prove it on the field when they face the Patriots head-to-head that they are the better team. I'd be very happy with a split this season just to break that 9-game streak.

Sorry, but I agree with the pundits. The Pats are still the reigning AFC champions and until they are "dethroned", they are still the team to beat. For cryin' out loud, they won 18 straight games last season. Suddenly, they're crap because they lost to the Dolphins!? I don't think so. The Dolphins had many close games last season, so it's no big surprise that they were capable of this. The Pats were due for this. They probably even welcome it -- imagine the ridiculous pressure of trying to repeat a perfect regular season? It would be unbearable. With this loss, the Pats might start enjoying to play football again. This is still a dangerous team. Until the Bills beat them, they haven't.

"I am not worthy"

In general, I think teams are pressured to succeed more quickly and seem less interested long player development plans. I don't know if this is due to free agency or what, but it just seems like most teams do not patiently bring players along any longer. Young players just get tossed in and either sink or swim.

Reminds me of Sabres starting out w/10 wins a couple of years ago and people with signs saying 82-0! Anything is possible, but highly unlikely they'll finish undefeated. A division championship and a 1st-round bye would be great, however. Still gotta beat the Patriots. Just because the Dolphins took them out doesn't mean it's a given that the Bills will do so. If we can at least split with the Patriots, that would be great.

Nice additions! Hard to think of them all for sure.

I basically just followed official stats, but valid points.

Some Great (relatively modern) Quarterbacks Records as Starters Early in their Careers (& how long it took them to reach double-digit wins in the NFL) ... Joe Montana (49ers): 0-1 (1979) 2-5 (1980) 13-3 (1981) Peyton Manning (Colts): 3-13 (1998) 13-3 (1999) John Elway (Broncos): 4-6 (1983) 12-2 (1984) Steve Young (Bucs & 49ers): USFL (1984) 1-4 (1985) (Bucs) 2-12 (1986) (Bucs) 2-1 (1987) 2-1 (1988) 3-0 (1989) 0-1 (1990) 5-5 (1991) 14-2 (1992) Ken Anderson (Bengals): 0-4 (1971) 7-6 (1972) 10-4 (1973) Jim Kelly (Bills): USFL (1983-1985) 4-12 (1986) 6-6 (1987) 12-4 (1988) Dan Fouts (Chargers): 0-5-1 (1973) 3-8 (1974) 2-7 (1975) 5-8 (1976) 2-2 (1977) 9-5 (1978) 12-4 (1979) Dan Marino (Dolphins): 7-2 (1983) 14-2 (1984) Tom Brady (Patriots): No Starts (2000) 11-3 (2001) Joe Theismann (Redskins): CFL (1971-1973) (Lost 1 Grey Cup) No Starts (1974) No Starts (1975) 3-2 (1976) 4-2 (1977) 7-7 (1978) 10-6 (1979) Terry Bradshaw (Steelers): 3-5 (1970) 5-8 (1971) 11-3 (1972) Bob Griese (Dolphins): 3-7 (1967) 5-7-1 (1968) 2-6-1 (1969) 10-4 (1970) Brett Farve (Falcons & Packers): No Starts (1991) (Falcons) 8-5 (1992) 9-7 (1993) 9-7 (1994) 11-5 (1995) Roger Staubach (Cowboys): Naval Commitment (1964-1968) -- was drafted in 1964 by Cowboys 1-0 (1969) 2-1 (1970) 10-0 (1971) Warren Moon (Oilers): CFL (1978-1983) (Won 5 Grey Cups) 3-13 (1984) 4-10 (1985) 5-10 (1986) 7-5 (1987) 7-4 (1988) 9-7 (1989) 8-7 (1990) 11-5 (1991) Troy Aikman (Cowboys): 0-11 (1989) 7-8 (1990) 7-5 (1991) 13-3 (1992) What a turn-around for Manning & Elway in a single year! Took awhile for Fouts, Moon, Young, & Theismann to break into double-digit wins (and even Farve & Aikman for that matter, too). Of course, Moon tore up the CFL! Surrounding cast, of course, also has a LOT to do with a young QB's progress & success, but certain QBs seem capable of single-handedly making the players around them look better and I think Trent is one of those guys. Trent Edwards: 5-4 (2007) 3-0 (2008) -- Double-digits in '08?!?! So far, Trent is a bit ahead of the curve it seems for young QBs!

Absolutely! He did nice work on those plays. He'll be fine this season.

I'm going waaaaaayy back for this one: 1972 Buffalo vs. Miami -- Mercury Morris fumbles, Buffalo recovers -- play ruled dead by offical, but clearly was a fumble in replay. Probably cost Buffalo the win and helped Miami with their "perfect" season. Anyone else remember this one?

Remember how Thurman Thomas wrote "Super Bowl" on his shoes in training camp in 1990? It inspired his teammates to think big! That should be the goal. Will it be reached -- who knows, but the Super Bowl should *always* be the goal.

Evans also must consider security. If he sustains some sort of a significant injury (God forbid), then he risks losing his big contract. So, I think it makes sense for BOTH parties to come to an agreement in the near-term.

I disagree. I think Trent can truly be a great one like Joe Montanna. Of course, gotta win some Super Bowls before making that comparison, but I really think he's got the whole package. Just got to keep him healthy and keep a good strong cast around him and the team has a bright future.

Good article! I thought that no mention of Mitchell was a glaring omission, but otherwise pretty good.

I hear what you are saying, but forcing the opponent to score a TD with less than 30 seconds left is pretty good, too. You definitely don't want to turn the ball over and have the opponent beat you with just a field goal. That said, it would have been nice to see at least one shot to the endzone and a throw-away by the QB if nothing is there.

This is also my primary concern w/Jouron. Why couldn't he see just how bad Fairchild was hurting this team? It's about winning and not about loyalty to your staff. Sure, you don't want a knee-jerk type of guy there either who fires 2 or 3 assistant coahes every year, but Fairchild was not showing any signs of improvement. If Buffalo wins a Super Bowl anytime in the next few years, we can all thank Colorado State because I question whether or not Jouron would have taken action on this matter. Oh, he probably would have AFTER a horrible 2008 season, but that's just too long to wait and suffer. Sometimes, you just got to pull the plug on a guy when it's obvious things are not working. EDIT -- That said, there's a lot I do like about Jouron so I would like for him to stay around. I just wish he would be more decisive on matters like this. In this age of free agency, building Super Bowl teams is no longer a 4 or 5 year plan -- it's more like a 2-3 year plan and results need to happen quickly or else the HC gets fired. With that in mind, the HC needs to identify and fix staffing problems sooner rather than later.

I agree with you -- Trent does have good arm strength and should only get better. I think I was just trying to counter some people's perception on that subject (faulty though it may be) that there is more to a QB than arm strength and that these other factors are probably even more important than arm strength. That said, I also think Trent has good strength, as well.

Lots of people like to talk about arm strength as though it was THE measuring stick of a quarterback, yet Joe Montanna was never considered to have a big gun type of arm. He was just intelligent and accurate and that was good enough for 4 Super Bowl victories. I'll take it.

Maybe he was holding out for a new contract

Wilson bailed out Davis early on financially to help keep the AFL going. I don't know the whole story, so I can't provide many details, but I think the AFL surviving even had a great deal to do with Ralph Wilson.

Well said! The Bills won 7 gamees in '87 and took the division with 12 wins in '88 -- they've done it before and they can do it again, but -- as you say -- there are no easy wins and that must remain the focus -- any team can take the Bills out on any week if the Bills don't prepare.

Maybe we should just declare ourselves division champions and ask the NFL if they can just go ahead and start the playoffs next weekend. Gotta play the games. ANY team can win in this league on ANY given day. Buffalo was 2-0 in 2000 & 2003 and missed the playoffs. Keep the opitimism, but contain it a bit -- it's very, very early and a very long season is ahead.

I agree about curbing the enthusiasm, but I still think we beat two very good teams even if they are beat up. It's not an excuse in the NFL as Buffalo well knows. Guys got to step up. Both the teams we defeated will be in playoff contention toward the end of the year.