MadBuffaloDisease

So I try to take a "break" from football after that disappointing finish to the season last weekend. But like any junkie, I just can't stay away. So I watch yesterday's games and think that IF the Bills had decided to show up against the Steelers last weekend, they could have advanced to the 2nd round of the playoffs. And that's where I have the problem. I read Coy Wire's comments about how some players weren't taking the Steelers game as seriously as they should have been, and that REALLY burned me up. Then I read that the missed 28-yard FG by Lindell (who I've supported in the past, but has proven that he needs to go) demoralized the team. WTF?! They were still up by 1 point and playing the Steelers' 3rd stringers. Yet the amazing defense (who contrary to popular belief hadn't been on the field longer than they'd been off it UNTIL that shameful 9 minute drive) allowed the Steelers' 3rd stringers to tack-on another 6 points, which was 1 more than the margin of victory (i.e. without them the Steelers would have lost by a point). Add-in the poor play on offense ALL AROUND and the lousy play-calling by the coaches and this team AS A WHOLE was NOT prepared to play last weekend, and that's what I really can't get over. I really thought they were headed for good things, but that loss really ended the season on a bad note. I hope they build on it, but like with JP, I'm finding myself skeptical now and needing to be shown proof that this team will actually be good. But of course next year I'll still watch. Can anyone tell me why I keep doing this to myself? Because I'm an idiot. Oh yeah, that's right.

I was, and still am a little, pissed at the Bills losing what SHOULD have been a sure win for them, and missing a golden chance at the playoffs. But as I said several months ago, the thing holding this team back is STILL the O-line, and sneaking into the playoffs would only have given them a short stay (although it still would have been nice to see). When your stud RB gets zero or few yards on first down 5 times in a game (nice job with that post, Mickey), putting yourself in 2nd and long, and when your stud RB is in the top-3 in runs for zero or negative yardage for the season, that's ALL on the O-line. This team is supposed to be a power running team, or at least a team that is setup by the run. Against the weak defenses, it is. Against good defenses, it isn't. The Bills need to address that in the off-season, with a higher priority than anything else. As for Bledsoe, with receivers dropping passes, comitting stupid penalties, the kicker missing a 28 yard FG, and idiotic play-calling, to blame him solely for the problems is beyond ridiculous. Is he great? No. Is he better than QB's who have won the SB in the past 5 years? Yep. Is Losman ready to become the starter? I don't know, but with the coaching staff not really wanting to get him much PT, my guess would be no. So the best you're going to get with that is having an open competion and seeing who wins, and if that's Losman, so be it. I'm going to take a break for a little while. I'll talk to you all later on, whenever that is.

After the first drive by each team, the game was subdued. I think the Rams played down to the level of their opponent.

BTW, hopefully Alexander has heard about Edge's plan and keeps playing until the end, even if it's a blowout either way. Come on Rams AND Colts!

I'd rather be the Bills. Face an opponent with NO reason to play. The Rams will be looking for a win to get them into the playoffs, and Manning will play a half and add to his TD record, and Edge wants to get the rushing title. The Bills have the best chance to win AND make the playoffs today.

Yep, NFL gameday. So Manning in the 1st half scoring TD's and Edge in the 2nd half running for yards and TD's. Me likey!

Apparently Manning will play a half and then be replaced by Sorgi who will play with the starters . On top of that, Edge, who is 56 yards behind Alexander for the rushing title, will stay IN until he wins the title. Considering that the Seahags will be trying to win their game in order to get a home playoff game and the game is on at 4 PM as well, they'll be running Alexander until the end. So Edge might end up playing well into the 4th quarter. Very cool!

As per Dan Dierdorf, as told to him by Pennington yesterday. Come on Rams!

Sounds good enough to me.

Farrior only has 4 sacks. And he won't be in the game too long. Especially once Shelton lays a few licks on him.

I just find the arrogance of Steelers fans who think their team can line up ANY players against the Bills and win is just amazing! They talk about who the Bills have beaten, well who have THEY beaten since 2 months ago? Hell they've been squeaking-by bad teams since beating the Pats and Eagles. But the trolls will stop tomorrow, and will just say "you only won because we were playing our starters." I hope the Bills crush the Steelers tomorrow and serve notice to the rest of the NFL. Oh and Go Rams!

True. However to hear Manning talk, and to have heard Dungy talk as well, resting the starters and not winning the game is a risk/reward you also have to take into account, because it's bitten them in the ass in the past. Now I'm not saying he plays the whole game, but I could see a half, during which time they get a comfortable lead. And I also don't see Denver as having a top pass-rushing team to get much into Manning's face and cause him harm versus other teams he's played.

Typically, players from developmental leagues are loathe to cross picket lines, because they're hoping that down-the-line they'll make the top league, but be shunned by their peers for crossing the picket lines. The NHL owners will have to go elsewhere probably for players, but all they need is for just a few NHL players (like Ray and the alleged 10 others he says would cross) for the NHLPA to cave-in and accept what the NHL is offering.

No one's done it yet, not even Rodney Harrison. Why it would start now, I don't know, but I guess anything's possible. And if they somehow DO get pressure and/or some hits on Manning, I expect him to be yanked quickly.

The title of the post is misleading. Manning is reportedly going to play a quarter, but is lobbying Dungy to play more. Hopefully he succeeds.

Marry her, and put "failure to allow me to watch Bills games" as a reason for divorce in the prenup.

I guaranTEE you that if the Rams beat the Jets, the Colts will beat the Broncos. So, LET'S GO RAMS!

Exactly. That's what the Patriots focused on doing, as per Martin after the game. Make Chad and his injured "girly arm" beat you.

Hey wait a minute! Don't we STILL suck?

Yeah! And that would be apropos for the porn websites.

As an aside, why isn't it "double v?"

I agree with the above. The Rams have a VERY good chance of beating the Jets. Martz is undefeated at home in December (yeah it's January, but that's a technicality), Bulger is 18-2 at home overall, and the Jets are 2-3 under Pennington on the road this year with him throwing 3 TD's and 5 INT's in those games. Other good things are that as you mentioned, he's still injured, the media has been brutal this week, the Rams can win the division and thus make the playoffs if they win and Seattle loses, which is possible since they're playing Atlanta and Vick will play some, and John Abraham is out and that will give Bulger time to throw to his receivers and backs.

It will probably take the NHL owners going with replacement players for a portion of next season for the NHLPA to finally smarten-up and cave-in. The irony is that those 2 years of salary that players will have lost is MORE money than they would have lost accepting the salary cap in the first place. Oh well, as long as a salary cap gets put in place eventually and the Sabres are finally on equal footing (sort of) with the other teams, I couldn't care less about how long it takes, as long as it gets done.

Hey, I'll admit I thought the Bills were done after losing to the Pats that badly. I wasn't as vehement about it as the posters linked above, though, and I was always hopeful.

Come on, that was a GREAT play! His teammate (a lineman, IIRC) screwed it up!