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After listening to Nix' presser, I'm confident the Bills and Fred will work something out. With that said, I don't think a deal gets done with Fred until after the draft, Buddy almost admitted as much, saying something to the effect of "we have Freddy locked up until March of 2013, so we want to get something done, but there's more pressing needs right now". So if they do work something out I'd expect it to be around training camp, when everyones back and you have the time to negotiate. It'll be an interesting negotation too, because as valuable as he is, the Bills do not want to overpay for a 30+ back with a younger option already on the roster. I sincerely hope the Bills reward the guy for all the hard work, but I'm not entirely opposed to waiting another year to get it done either. Some players seem to play with that extra chip and effort in contract years, and the Bills could use that type of fire next season.

Good highlight video of Freddy J, I found on youtube. Pretty well done, and I appreciate the CL Smooth - Pete Rock tune (true hip hop). BTW, I just want to point out.....I think Freddy J's change of direction is what makes him so potent. He can stop on a dime and reverse course with the best of them. His run at the 1:28 mark in the video is a great example of his running: Hit the hole, follow your blocks, and then make the safety miss to pick up the extra yardage. Enjoy! P.S. - Love the F Bomb by Brady at the 1:50 mark.

I don't think its commonplace to sign a brand new practice squad within a week of the seasons end. Could be coincidence....or could go along with the rumor that this will be whaleys team to run. I also noticed whaleys name has seemed to disappear from the colts list of gm candidates. Perhaps he turned them down. What say you........have the bills ever flipped over the entire practice in just a few days?

Just texted you back. I need your email address to send the tickets and you need my paypal info to send money. Just text me back.

Can't make the game tomorrow, and I'd rathe rhave Bills fans in my seats than nobody at all. I can send you the tickets via e-tickets right to your email address. You simply print them out and head over to the game. Set of 4 tickets together in section 136 (Lower Level Sidelines on Bills side, 15 yard line). $20/ticket. You can send to my paypal account. Text me at 518-229-9248, or respond to this post. One more time that's 4 tickets, $20 a pop. Thanks and happy holidays!

I don't think so. The Bills made it pretty clear that they only viewed 1 Qb worthy of the #3ones overall pick (Cam). In fact I think its pretty safe to assume the Bills had Ponder as their second rated QB. Any talent evaluator who is surprised by Gabberts struggles isn't a very good evaluator imo. The first thing I noticed about Gabberts game was once the rush was coming he couldn't keep his eyes downfield. It's not surprising one team was fooled by his mobility and stronger arm.....but his lack of courage to hang in the pocket and inaccuracy were quite evident all along. Any betters should keep a careful eye on the Jags lines the rest of this season. It's not often you get to bet against a Qb as weak as Gabbert. Last weeks game vs. The Chargers who were only -160 may have been the bet of the year.

After this season ends there will be no team in worse shap than the Bill. Why, you ask? The Texans (expansion team), Bills and Lions currently have the longest playoff droughts. After this season it looks like the Bills maybe the only team left with 0 playoff appearances in the last 12 seasons. Let me put that into perspective: 6/16 teams make the playoffs each season, a 37.5% chance of post season play. The Bills have found a way, in a league that boasts parity, to successfully elude that 37.5% chance 12 straight seasons. Any math majors out there that can calculate the mathematics of successfully avoiding a 37.5% chance at something 12 straight times? I'm serious, I'd be very curious to see the probability, just to laugh away the misery. In fact, does anyone know how many other teams have missed the playoffs 12 straight seasons? I bet you there aren't many teams capable of that achievment.

Bravo Costas. Couldn't have said it any better. Stevie was an utter embarrassment to team sports today.

Made Wayne Hunter (the Right Tackle) look like Aaron Maybin. Just bulldozed a guy whose probably 60 lbs heavier than him.

I stand absolutely corrected on Von Miller. Like many others I questioned his size, his ability to play the run, his physicality and everything else. He's nothing short of a fantastic player. His presence off the edge had Sanchez rushing his throws the entire night. The Bills need to find a guy with an edge presence to make weak QB's (like Sanchez) vulnerable in the pass game. Hopefully this offseason we get someone who can have half the effect Miller has had (Courtney Upshaw, maybe). By the way huge win by the Broncos tonight, for the Bills sake. I hope we can play a good one in Miami this Sunday.

The lack of production we're getting at the WR postion in general is a big reason we're on a 2-4 slide. All of the WR's as a group are not playing consistently enough for us to compete. Stevie and Donald Jones both have serious lapses where they simply can't catch the football. Jones dropped at 2-3 passes today and Steve dropped another 2 I believe. When Stevie is on the left side of the formation and runs his slant, he's catching (mmore like dropping) the ball with his right hand above his left. Fundamentally, he should be catching that ball with his left hand on top of his right hand. I don't know why he can't get it corrected because it's costing the offense. Too many dropped passes on those slant patterns that should be gimmies When it comes to Donald Jones, he's just not focusing on the ball and he also seems to mistime a lot of jumps. The interception that went off his hands was an absolute joke. Fitz dropped a dime over the top right into his hands and his brick hands just popped it into the open arms of the Dallas CB. He also may have cost Eric Wood his season, because it was during that interception return that Wood injured his knee. Catch the football and Eric wood at least stays healthy. Those 2 "starting" WR's better get their heads out of their arses, otherwise this offense is going nowhere.

Not that I'm overly optimistic that this team can make the playoffs, but before today the Bills needed to take 2 of the next 3 in order to be in a spot to make a playoff push. Now, that they dropped this one, they must win the next two, no questions asked. If they can get their heads out of their arses and show up in Miami they could be 6-4 heading into a must win in New York. The biggest concern moving forward is our defense. They're a wreck. No pressure on the QB, and CB's who simply can't cover. Even our solid play at safety can't cover up how miserable Florence and McKelvin can be. Our offense is regressing, but they had their chances today but just couldn't execute. Spiller was wide open on a bomb, tripped over his own feet. Donald Jones was wide open deep down field and Fitz totally missed him. We had some chances and just couldn't connect on anything deep. We need to do a better job of sticking to the run and connecting our deep shots down the field. Donald Jones beeter start showing he deserves to be on an NFL team quick too. If he lays another egg or two I'd get the guy off the field. Suspect hands and ill timed jumps from Donald Jones is kiling this team. He's single covered all game and he needs to make a play sooner or later. The Phins will be a tough out next week, if we can find a way to regroup we could be back in the thick of it heading into the Meadowlands. If Eric Wood's injury is serious (I haven't heard anything, it didn't look good though) then we're probably done, and that's just being realistic. He's a big part of our rushing success and w/out him manning the middle I think our success moving forward will be sparse. Anyone hear what his status is?

After the Patriots win this team turned me into believers. They're still not good enough to expect to win when they lay a dud (Jets game), but when this team executes they can beat anyone. In fact, there hasn't been one game this season where I've thought "we don't have a shot". That's a big change from last year. The culture is slowly changing in Buffalo. I EXPECT a strong performance in Big D.

As it stands record wise now you have the AFC West which will get 1 team in (the division winner). Same goes for the AFC South, the Titans are certainly still alive, but my feeling is the Texans will be the only team in the playoffs representing that division. That leaves 4 playoff spots open for the AFC North and AFC East (2 division winners, 2 wildcards). In order to keep pace witht he likes of the Pats, Jets, Bengals, Ravens and Steelers the Bills need to go 2-1 in the next 3 games. If, and if they are to dop one of the next three games it'd be favorable for that loss to come vs. the Cowboys, rather than the Phins or Jets as they are conference and more importantly divisional games. This would put the Bills at 7-4. At 7-4 you're right in the think of it with 5 games to go (a few of which look like favorable matchups too). So with that said, do you think the Bills will win 2 of the next 3? I think they have a good shot. Dallas is going to be tough (remember if we were to drop 1 of the next 3, this would preferrably be the one). Miami will give us a fight, but that one is a must win. If we can't go down there and get the W, all of the playoff aspirations I'm hoping for will evaporate. The Jets game will be another mini Superbowl game for the Bills ala the Patriots and Jets games already this year. I expect the Bills to be a "healthy" 6 point underdog that game, and I expect they will win outright. I think the game last week was just about as bad as this team can play and it was still a game in the 4th quarter. Everyone is cooling off on the Bills, and I certainly understand the concerns. Losing Kyle Williams is a huge blow, but let's face it we've been playing w/out him or an ineffective version of him since week 1. The biggest thing for this team is their confidence and belief that they can go toe to toe with any of their opponents. Prior to last week I had no concerns about the mojo of this team, but after lasts week setback it's a bit of a concern. The Bills have to get back on track with what they've done best this year. Scoring points on offense, and creating turnovers on defense. Either way it's at least exciting to be in the thick of it at the midway point, as opposed to thinking about your draft positioning for next year. For the record: I see a split the next two games (that Phins game will be tougher than people expect), which would set the 6-4 Bills up with a crucial must win vs. the 7-3 Jets (I'm prediciting the Jets beat both New England and Denver the week after that). Bills will find a way to escape the Meadowlands with a victory, with the help of Sanchez, and be atop the AFC East at 7-4 with 5 weeks to go. Should be a lot of fun!

NFL.com just released their midseason All-Pro team. They only chose 1 RB, rather than 2 like PFW did. No Freddy, No Wood, another Bill does make the All-Pro squad: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d823ef799/article/midseason-allpro-team-rodgers-leads-highly-productive-group?module=HP11_cp

Good call on David Nelson, he should've been included in the list. I considered Bell, as well, as I think he's a pretty good LT. I just don't know if the Bills will resign him after this year, though. The rumor was the Bills were looking to extend RT Erik Pears. I believe Pears has priority over Bell for a new contract, because the Bills perhaps think Hairston is going to be the guy that takes over the LT spot. I think how Bell responds to his current injury and how well he plays when he comes back will go a long way in if the Bills give him a serious offer. I'd certainly like to see him back with the Bills. Looking at our list of prominent players, I think it pretty obvious where the weaknesses are: CB LB (OLB and ILB) WR (not a pressing need, but w/ Parrish always hurt and Easley's condition we need help in case Jones doesn't develop)

On a related note: I like the core group of guys the Bills have. I think the list of 10 players below (in no particular order) give the bills a sold foundation to grow on. 1. Marcel Dareus 2. Andy LeVitre 3. Eric Wood 4. Freddy Jackson 5. George Wilson 6. Kyle Williams 7. Ryan Fitzpatrick 8. Jairus Byrd 9. Stevie Johnson 10a. Nick Barnett 10b. Chris Hairston

Fred Jackson is no surprise on this list, the second Buffalo Bill was a bit of a surprise for me. Happy to see him getting some recognition on the national level: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/11/08/2011-midseason-all-pro-team

So I see the Bills are +6 next weekend @ Dallas. Just like I thought the Bills being 2.5 point favorites was showing too much respect for Buffalo, I think this line is giving Dallas way too much respect. Dallas should be a 3-4 point favorite maximum in this game, no way they should be at 6, IMO. This game actually sets up pretty well for Buffalo: 1. Coming off an ugly loss the Bills should be extra focused, sharp, and hungry next week. I expect much more of an effort and execution vs. Dallas. 2. The Cowboys have looked very susceptible vs. the run the last 2 weeks. McCoy shredded them last week and Marshawn Lynch just had a career day vs them today, over 150 yards on the ground. Expect Freddy to have success, and when Freddy gets rolling, so too do the Bills. 3. After facing the Jets this week (one of the top 3 defenses in the NFL, IMO), everything offensively should come much easier next week. I already mention their vulnerability vs. the run, but they're also a lot worse vs. the pass than the Jets. I think the passing game should find plenty of holes next week. 4. Miles Austin repulled his hamstring this week and did not return. Last time he pulled his hamstring earlier this season, he missed 2-3 weeks I believe. If he happens to be out, it can only help the Bills. I'm not saying this will be an easy game. I actually think it'll be a very tough road game, but I just like the way the Bills match up vs. the Boys. My biggest scare is DeMarcus Ware off the edge, but I think the bills will have a good gameplan going in. I love the Bills at +6. My biggest concerns: DeMarcus Ware, the possible absence of Lindell. Early prediction: Bills-28 Cowboys-20

Your right. watching the replay the ball actually hit Donald Jones right in the hands. Donald just seems inconsisent. He'll make a nice grab or two, then he'll look discombabulated on the next couple of passes. His body control and timing of jumps is sometimes a little off. We definitely needed more out of him today if we wanted to play competetively. It was obvious that he was targeted to be key part of our offensive game plan today and it just didnt work out. He wasnt the only one out of sorts today though, to be fair. Fitz and Freddy were both off today too.

Can a team put 6 offensive lineman on the field at once? Im just envisioning a scenario when all the offensive lineman are healthy maybe getting bell and hairston on the field in goal line situations. Anybody know if this is legal?

Where did anyone say that schobels been in Buffalo? I havent heard or read anything about it.

If Donald Jones is a go for this game, which it looks like he is, it'll be a big boost for the Bills offense. I like him 1 on 1 vs. Cromartie. He also helps out a lot on 3rd down because he runs a great slant. I wonder if we'll still see any of CJ at WR with Jones back. I think we may which will add yet another wrinkle the Jets haven't seen. Stevie J, Donald Jones, David Nelson, CJ Spiller and Freddy J all on the field at once. I bet Chan could draw up some imaginative plays with that personnel. Back to the original point thought. If Jones can play a good game (like he did vs New England) and maybe catch a deep ball or two it could really soften up the Jets D.

The last bullet of the article regarding Fitzpatrick. I don't disagree with the contract the Bills gave Fitz. I think it's a decent deal for both side. I can't say though that I totally disagree with the thought that Fitz will never get them where they want to go (and I'm assuming he means as a Super Bowl winner). Coming off the last 10 years of futility though, I'm content with a QB that can help us contend for a division title and a playoff appearance. I'm not certain Fitzy has the consistent accuracy to ever put together a 3-4 game run in the playoffs against good defenses to make that championship run. Like I said though, I think he's a fit now, and I have no problem with the contract, in fact I'm happy with it. There's also no stopping the Bills from drafting a QB if theres one they really like. Witht hey way the rookies get paid now, there's nothing wrong with grooming a QB for a few years. If they are playing well it means Fitzy's doing alright and they won't have a shot at the best QB prospects. If the Bills and Fitz wee to fall flat on their face then the Bills would be in a position to draft a QB high anyhow. http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/30/insider-49ers-rookie-olb-smith-really-impressing

http://5dimes.com/livelines/livelines.aspx I thought the Bills would be 2-3 point dogs vs. the Jets, I was way off. Bills are 1.5 point favorites, much too my surprise. That's Vegas showing a lot of respect toward the Bills. I know it's a new year, but the way they Jets whipped us physically last year was impressive. I'd love to see the Bills win, but this will be one of our toughest games yet. I hate the Jets, but I certainly respect them, and I think they're pretty good.