LasBillz

Given the NFL salary cap situation, the quality of coaching on any team takes on a much bigger role than in the past. There is less talented depth available, and because of this, preparation is more important than ever, even resulting in the development of talent that was not forseen on draft day. The fact that the Pats had the two best coordinators in football allowed them to overcome injuries and repeat. Pittsburgh served us our heads with second line players who were well-coached for an entire year, and eager to implement the techniques they had absorbed (in addition to being fresh). That said, Bills fans can be encouraged with the move to Losman, as Sam Wyche will continue to mold this now- healthy talent for an entire offseason. Wyche is inspirational, has seen it all twice, and will not let the kid go astray, even in the face of success. Roethlesberger was not as much of a freak last year as some may think. He was in an established system, surrounded by a solid team, and could hand off to a Bus with something to prove, behind a fine OL. Which brings us to a second critical area- OL. Once again, the quality of coaching could mean the largest potential upgrade there. McNally made strides last year, but the trend must continue to make sure the Bills are a successsful run first team. If that proves true, JP might just drive defenders nuts with his arm or his legs on third and short. Bobby April is proof positive that getting the right coach is the fastest way to improve a unit. Practically a worst to first story, largely because of him. Take heart, Bills fans. This team is in good hands, and ready to take the next step.

I know the feeling. I'm married to a girl who doesn't like to cook, only cleans under pressure, but I'm happy anyway...40DDD's can make up for a lot. (And she knows it, bless her heart).

...can we assume that your adspace would have more ...content?

If he's still involved with that, then we don't need him. Just not Travis to Miami- potential mistake.

What's GHB? Is it like pierogis, golumbis, or kielbasa?

Maybe I don't get it, but didn't Drew have a long-term deal with the Pats before we were suckered- I mean before we traded for him?

Sebastian Janikowski. I know he comes with a little baggage, but he was 8-10 from 40-49 yards last year, and adds a lot of leg to kickoffs. If you check his history, his percentage has gone up every year he's played. He could solve the position for 10 years. Heck, throw in Lindell too so Davis thinks he's getting a deal.

Yes, I do admit that- still, it truly doesn't matter what you think about it. You, on the other hand, just admitted to being a jackass. Thanks.

Lee Harvey strikes again- you must be so proud.

Sorry about the inadvertent clone thread- not my intention. If I'm not mistaken, sports are entertainment, not life and death, and therefore speculation is invited. The funny thing is, I called the 6- game win streak to setup the finale with Pittsburgh. Luck, I know, but it was enjoyable.

How about for once you put out an original thought, maybe stick your neck out a bit, instead of just sniping at everyone else?

We may end up with the same record as now. Mia- 2 wins. Jets- split. Pats- as long as Drew starts, 0-2. Atl-L. Car.- L if away. NO-W. TB- W. Den-L. KC-W if in Buffalo. Oak-W. SD.-L Cin-W. Hou- W. =We probably miss the playoffs again. If this is what keeping a limited Drew as the starter means, then lets risk it and open the competition to give Losman a shot in camp. Roethlesberger was an exception, but look what fresh blood (and in Losman's case, mobility) can do. The reason SD and the Jets are ahead of us isn't their defenses, running backs, receivers, or special teams. Let's see...who does that leave?

I didn't like the decision the minute they called for Lindell. Two and a half feet for a first down, against the second string D- c'mon. If I'm not mistaken, the Stillers were keeping in most of their starting OL, and they were starting to push us around before their last drive. So the decision was, our starting OL with momentum against their scrub D vs letting their starting OL back in the game. Sure enough, they took it to us. Next Bills drive, we move right down the field- to late. I think Cowher was offering Mularkey a way to win- it's a shame he didn't take it.

Watching the Giants game, before they closed in for the winning TD, they got to the 35 yard line and the play-by-play guy said, "Well, they're within Christie's range- he's 3 for 4 from over 50 yards this year". Somebody tell me why we got rid of this guy or didn't try to get him back this year? Sooner or later, a bad PK is going to bite a team in the a%&, and that's what happened to the Bills yesterday. I know it was only Kansas City, but watching Flutie rip them at 42 years old is nothing short of inspirational (no pun intended). He worked a TD drive with a little over a minute left in the 1st half- and looked like a winner, not the slouching, "I-can't-believe-I-didn't-see-them-coming" look that we've grown accustomed to from Drew. Let's hope Losman is as advertised- a larger version of Doug Flutie. We should be so lucky.

What hurts the most, is we could have taken the game with a late TD, not a lame FG try.

Of course, Bledsoe and Lindell completely choked, but other things contributed: 4th and 2-1/2 feet inside the 20, and Mularkey goes for a field goal? 3 face mask penalties? Lack of discipline- goes to coaching. NO RUNS on Steeler's last drive, but we went with a standard defense? Why not run blitz? Couldn't Mularkey see the pattern? We lost this game to Pitt's scrubs- embarrassing. Mularkey did a good job this year, and this is good experience- with a new QB and PK, we should get there next year.

Randy Jackson, who was O.J.'s backup. Mini Max Anderson, who was O.J.'s predecessor.

Alvin "All the Way" Wyatt. DB and kick returner on some of the saddest teams of the early '70's.

It's been bugging me for weeks, but that's who I came up with- Franco. He was good between the tackles, could slide, move the pile, and also in his early years could break the long gainer. Similar size too, it seems, although I think Harris wore linebacker shoulder pads. Now, when Willis is fully 100%, this may be upgraded

Be sure to buy a T-shirt- "When the going gets tough, the tough get f__ked".

FLUTIE!

That said, this Sunday's game will be interesting, to say the least.

Now that the Bills have installed Willis McGahee as starter, the offense is transformed and much more adequate to back up the "D". For the sake of optimism, let's say the O-line continues to grow in confidence, Vincent and Reed come back soon, and Drew plays adequately. The rest of the schedule includes: Miami, Cleveland, Cincinnatti, and the 49ers. All teams the Bills should beat if the above comes true. That's seven wins. We get St. Louis at home, in the elements of the Ralph. If the Bills can beat the Jets at home, they can beat the Rams at home. Eight. That leaves NE, Seattle, and the Stillers, all tough games. Sunday night's game is obviously very tough, as NE is NE. They will pull some of their usual garbage- but the Stillers exposed their DL as weak against a big back- they miss Big Ted. They stacked eight in the box, but still couldn't stop the run. That gives the Bills some hope, if they can use the play action off it. When the run is even somewhat effective, we have a chance. This may be the game that Travis comes in to give Willis a rest and rips a big play, especially late in the game. Seattle on the road- I really haven't followed them much, but this year they've beaten such stalwart teams as Carolina, San Francisco, (twice) New Orleans and Tampa. Hardly impressive, especially considering they lost to the Cardinals. The Bills should be at least competitive here. Nine? The Stillers away- fugeddaboudit, unless they're so far ahead in the standings they fall asleep. The main thing the Bills need for this season to be a solid rookie campaign for Mularkey is to learn how to win on the road- if they can't, then we have to wait for J.P. next year. But if they're on to something big and making that leap, where they play won't matter.

Wait a minute- even if Willis turns out to be the second coming of OJ, you think it's a wasted pick? Let's see, OJ's in the Hall of Fame...Travis Henry will never get there...we traded the overrated Peerless Price to get the pick for MaGahee, so we definitely got the better of the deal. The only thing stopping Willis from being a great deal is the coaching staff stubbornly refusing to recognize the fact that he would have been the 4th overall pick in the draft- that placement happens for a reason. The mistake is starting Travis Henry in front of him, rather than getting some value for Travis on the market. We have seen the best of Travis Henry- yes, he hits the hole fast if there is one- if there is player in the hole from either team, however, he hits them likewise and falls down. Sometimes he falls down for no reason. Little vision, no moves, less power than Willis. Travis can get the job done- in a Joe Cribbs kind of way. But Willis could be something special. MaGahee should play to see if indeed he is the second coming of Simpson- if you wouldn't want to see that, let me know what you're smoking.

Travis Henry is healthy, but if the Bills are wise, Willis will start. He is clearly a more reliable RB, with better balance, speed, and power. I hope the coaches see it, or Ralph demands it. The writing is on the wall for Travis to sit. With Jamal Lewis out on drug suspension, and no possible passing game for the Ravens, the Bills are clearly the more balanced team this week, with our OL getting better and Drew actually having a little time. He still made some poor passes without pressure last week, but he is clearly better than Boller at this point. Both quality defenses result in a push on that side of the ball. Bills 20, Ravens 10.