ChasBB

Yep -- looked like a typical shoving match to me -- definitely not "brawl" status for sure.

It's not a matter of Bobby April allowing stuff like that to happen. The fact is that it is a funny-shaped ball. You can have all of your good-hands people waiting in anticipation of the on-sides kick and STILL not recover it if the ball takes a wild bounce or two. Sure, Buffalo got caught not even looking for it and for that I would agree with you, but my point is that even if they were looking for it, there's just no guarantee that they'd come up with it. Better odds perhaps, but no guarantee for sure.

Joe Montanna was also a 3rd-round pick -- that's pretty good company for Trent! Tom Brady was a 6th-round pick!

I think you said it all above. I can't be sure, but I would imagine that the Patriots players were probably tired of hearing "Brady this" and "Brady that" as though there were no other players on the field except for Brady. In an odd sort of way, the loss of Brady might actually breathe some life into this team. They want to show the nation that they are a great team even without Brady and they will be playing their best football every single week this season! Belichick remains one of the top coaches in the game. Yes, he is a sore loser and a cheater, but that aside, he can still prepare a team for Sunday probably better than anyone else can. Until they are dethroned, the Patriots are still the team to beat in the AFC and that's just the reality of it. Obviously, the Bills are looking good and should be able to compete with NE this season (and I can't wait), but until the Bills actually defeat this Belichick-coached team it will still be Patriots Patriots Patriots in the media. *EDIT* Not that the Patriots needed life -- they did go 18-1, but they just looked machine-like last year -- as though football wasn't fun any longer -- probably because all of the cheater talk. Brady just looked miserable during the Super Bowl -- not loose at all -- not having any fun -- and I think it kind of spread around the whole team. The pressure was just too much between the stress of going 19-0, the cheater talk, and facing a really good Super Bowl opponent. How do you follow a year like that? It's got to be tough. With Brady out, the team can sort of get re-inspired to show they are not a bunch of duds w/o Brady -- that's what I meant by "new life" -- sort of gives the team a new and fresh purpose this season. Do not underestimate this team. It sure would be nice to see us out-coach them for a change. I think it could happen this year finally, but it will take a real effort. Go Bills!!

Awesome. Played like veterans. Didn't panic when they fell behind. Stuck to the gameplan and utilized their talent well. Good things ahead for sure! Let's remember one thing -- this is a marathon and not a 100-yd dash. If I had a choice between a strong start and a strong finish, I'd take the strong finish. However, both a strong start AND a strong finish would obviously be even better. Go Bills!! Great job today -- good stuff!!

Totally agree. The Bills are in no position to overlook anyone. They are a promising team and I expect good things from Buffalo this year, but they are in no position to overlook ANY opponent. The Bills can beat any team they properly prepare for, but can lose to any team they don't. Gotta play the games.

Wow, was he really angry or just play-acting? He looked pretty pissed off for real to me. Seems odd -- he HAD to know it was going to happen and was just a matter of time. *EDIT* -- I just found the real link -- (someone had a little fun editing with the first one)

Remember this! Dan Marino's fake spike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz12sAUzcOQ And here's another very similar to the original post, but looks like high school level: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YnnnnyMjCw&

It would have been hillarious if just one of the defenders caught on to what was happening, crossed the line and body-slammed the QB to the ground.

But I thought I read where he broke from the huddle with everyone else. Did he run straight to his position from the huddle or did he pretend to run backwards to the bench and then sneak back up to the line of scrimmage?

I have yet to see a video of exactly HOW Ryan Denney got into position? I've seen numerous replays, but not a single one that showed exactly how he got where he did. He's just there already.

Oops -- you're right!

The original post was in regards to Trent. Does every single QB thread need to become a comparison between Trent & JP? Can't someone just post a thought about one OR the other without someone changing the intent of the thread and making unsolicited comparisons?! I agree -- Trent has great pocket presence. That in combination with his quick release, intelligence, dedication, and a decent O-line should help to keep him generally out of harm's way.

Absolutely! The media isn't going to bite on one impressive game by a team that hasn't made the playoffs in 8 seasons. I wouldn't either if I was them. Just keep winning and the attention will come. Even with Brady out, the media will find a way to work him into the discussion every single week this season. And that's just fine with me. They'll be talking about our guys in January and that's all I care about.

Better to stick to convention here. How many times have we seen a winning streak followed up with a losing streak? Plenty in my mind. One-game-at-a-time -- there's no other way to do this. If the Bills are going to have any crappy games, I'd rather they get them out of the way early and be strong during the stretch they are playing divisional opponents. The only game that matters right now is Jacksonville. Remember 1988? Started 11-1, but managed to finish 12-4 (which, of course I'll take), but the point being you want to finish strong. Just ask the 2007 Giants. This is a marathon -- not a 100 yd. dash.

Who cares? We won ONE game. It's not a big deal. If the Bills have a significantly better record than the Jets at the half-way to three-quarter point in the season, THEN Buffalo will get some media attention. Until then, this is just fine -- better to fly under the radar anyhow.

Well, I liked Edwards from the start, so I know your question is not directed at those like myself. Edwards' decision making ability was evident from the get-go. He has a quick-release like Dan Marino used to have and doesn't take a lot of sacks. He's accurate and just needed more playing time. That said, I also think Losman could probably perform well under Turk. I think Fairchild takes some blame here. I just have this to say -- it's a helluva lot better debating the qualities of Edwards/Losman than it was debating the qualities of Flutie/Rob Johnson. I really feel we have 2 guys who can lead this team to their first playoff appearance in many years. I have complete confidence in both players under Turk. Even Hamdan looks great.

Wilfork on Losman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3POT8n2Qk3g Pollard on Brady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAFtx5emWyk These are not the same. The intent to injure is clear in Wilfork's lunge for the knee while Pollard's simple attempt at a takedown, while producing the same result, clearly was without intent to injure.

I took a brief stroll over on the Pats' board (patsfans.com) to see what they're saying and it's amazing to me that some think it was a dirty hit. It was NOTHING like Wilfork's hit on Losman. To watch the replay and say this was a dirty hit is absurd. Likewise, to watch the replay of Wilfork's hit and say it WASN'T a dirty hit is ALSO absurd. The double-standard continues.

Welcome Back Jason!!

Merriman won't be of much use to his team when the remaining strands of his ligaments tear and his career is over. If he really wants to help his team, he should get his knee repaired and add some years to his career. He could be a game away from never playing football again. Some call it heart -- and it is, I suppose, but I call it short-sighted.

There are SO MANY positives about this team. A new OC who isn't afraid to let his players show off their talents doing what they do best -- someone who will take input from his players. An OC who will be on the sidelines during the game. 3 capable quarterbacks, a mostly experienced O-line -- talent all around in the skill positions. A defense with key additions. Great special teams. There's a LOT to look forward to this season. It's time to put the sideshows truly off to the side and focus on the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS. Go BILLS!

Well, you have to give Merriman credit for having heart, but is playing with 2 torn ligaments very intelligent? If he loves the game so much, he would serve himself better to get his knee repaired so that he can add more years to his career. To continue as he is doing, he may be playing his last few games ever.

lol. I don't yet understand it, but I also will choose for now to accept that the Bills know what they are doing with this move.

Well, I really hope that the Buffalo brass has good reason to do this. I like Brandon. I like how he has stood up to Peters' holdout. However, this just seems vindictive to me. Again, perhaps I am wrong and perhaps the Bills organization knows something the rest of us do not know, but why the knee-jerk reaction? Why not at least see how the surgery goes before putting him out for the entire season? Let him have the surgery and then make the decision in a week or two to see how his knee responds. It just doesn't make sense to do this so quickly and it does seem almost spiteful. Perhaps his knee has gotten progressively worse and he really is concerned about injuring himself more severely if he doesn't opt for the surgery. Also, wasn't the decision made AFTER consulting with team doctors? Something just stinks about this whole situation and we may never really know the behind-the-scenes reasons for all of this.