Tortured Soul

Does anyone know the condition of 20A from 390 to the stadium? That would help us a lot. We need to drive from NJ.

I remember Donahoe saying he tried to trade up past Pittsburgh with either Atlanta or Houston (I think both took corners), but you can't make a trade unless you have a partner. Also, I think you have to ask, would you rather have Big Ben plus a second and fifth in '04 and a first in '05, unless you want to consider what it should've cost to trade up two spots to get Big Ben.

What does he know? Beer guy=RJ

That's exactly the point. TMQ is advocating going against conventional wisdom - which is to punt, if, as you said, the kick would be into the wind. The conventional wisdom is to play it as if New England doesn't have a huge advantage (read: wasn't a ten-point favorite) and that you should be able to stop them if they have to start from the two. Also, as TMQ likes to repeat, this wil save you from criticism in the press. But he says that it makes more sense not to play it safe, but to take chances because the probability of those chances paying is much higher than coaches think. And showing your team that you have enough faith in them to take chances is more than a sound bite. When the defense went on the field after Gregg Williams punted from the 32 (netting 15 yards, btw), you're telling me they didn't give up hope that the offense could score? They sure played that way, giving up a quick touchdown.

Actually, the Saints-Pats game proves his point exactly. As a ten-point underdog with nothing to play for, the Saints can afford to take chances. If they miss the field goal, the Patriots have 60 yards to go, but it gives the Saints a shot at points. With the perfect punt, they had 98 yards to go. And you know what? They went 98 yards and scored a touchdown. Play like you want to win, not like you're afriad to lose.

Thanks for taking the time. Just to put what you said in different terms: 1 out of ever 9.5 plays the Bills have on offense is a 3rd and long. 1 out of every 14.7 plays the Colts face on offense is a 3rd and long.

Yeah, that pesky little problem that they're not as good as their opponents.

Good stuff, Kzoo. The problem I have with ths argument is not that the Bills are poor on third downs, but that they get into those situations in the first place. While the Colts have about 9% fewer third downs, they have about 35% fewer 3rd and longs. The key is to avoid the 3rd and long to begin with. But big picture - if you have the time to do a league-wde analysis, look at how often teams score when they get into 3rd down situations at all. Seemingly, an offense that coverts 75% third downs is doing better than an offense that converts 50%, but if the 50% offense is a big play offense who is generally good at avoiding 3rd downs in the first place, ala the Colts, Chargers, etc., then they will score more than the team that converts 75% playing ball control.

I don't buy this primarily because he built a solid line in NY out of Glenn Parker and Dusty Ziegler - Bills castoffs!

My mistake. Donahoe screws up the picks, Mularkey screws up the plays.

Consistency, kids. When the line had a some time together, by the end of last year, they were looking pretty darn good. So what happens? Two starters are let go and Big Mike goes down with an injury. So, three new starters and no consistency. I bet you all the money in my wallet that MacNally is dying to say that to the media so he can salvage his rep. Corollary - that's why I'd like to see the same five start the rest of the season: Gandy, Mike, Teague, Villarial, and Peters, and switch only one, maybe two (if one of them is Preston) this offseason. No huge changes as some on this board want.

My first choice is to offer complete organizational control to Charlie Weis. Yes, it's possible, but RW needs to open up the checkbook. I also like Kirk Ferentz from Iowa for the HC and the DLine coach from Carolina as the new DC.

Good list overall. Personally, I'd spend to keep Clements. Is there any chance Hutch is available? I haven't seen any reason to think he is, and if it is possible (if they have the tag and cap room, I don't know), I could see SEA tagging him. But he would be great. I've written this in other threads already, but if you want to cut Moulds and Reed, you have to go and get another receiver. Freakin TD! I think we should look at Owens - he has the potential to be a Burress-like steal. Also, I think if there are any good pass-rushing DE's available, we should make our pitch. I know, we can't sign Owens, Clements, Hutch, and a DE, but maybe we can.

I think we need a WR, sad as that is. Evans makes 1-2 plays a game (and gets called for appx that many holds), Moulds is old and cranky, Josh Reed has been covered in other various threads, and Parrish is at best a #2 who hasn't yet earned the trust of the coaching staff. I know I've said it before. The thing I hate most about Mularkey is not that he spends picks on the wrong position, but the positions we spend the picks on - WR, DE - are still areas of need. PS. Anyone else notice Bryce Fisher has 7.5 sacks? Remind me why we got rid of him.

I think a vote for none is a vote for Coy Wire, because that's how much he played yesterday.

He recognizes the problem and wants to do something about it. That works for me.

Well said, PTR. I think all of us are critical of the Bills when they deserve it. But it's not Sully's style to trash the Bills after a big loss. He'll write a more toned-down column, gloating on the inside.

Pass the Pipe for GM. Who is with me?

Off the top of my head...that 3rd and 2 vs. new england where he dropped a crucial pass, and earlier in the game, where he was streaking toward the end zone and didn't look back for the ball. I'm sure there's more.

I'll absolutely agree it's the coaching. Right now, April may be the only one I want to keep around.

At what point do we say it's the blocking and not the return man?

Kzoo, you should probably ge a feel for this, too, living in MI (I was in A2). Doesn't that sound an awful lot like Matt Millen? Sorry to say, but we're the Detroit Lions of the AFC, and the most frustrating thing about this is that it seems like ownership is unwilling to make a change at the top, just like Detroit has been.

onside?

Appreciate the irony that - from a business perspective - the best thingthat ever happened to the Bills was a John Butler move. He brought in Doug Flutie which spurred the Bills to hit their luxury seat sales target, keeping the team in Buffalo. This is better seen in baseball than in football, but the best way to sell tickets and merchandise is to win. Winning will creat more demand - ticket prices will go up, jerseys will sell, etc. Just imagine the added revenue frim ine hime layoff game! It begins and ends with winning, and TD simply hasn't done enough of that.

They're 4 1/2 point faves. I like the Bills today and da Bears. Has anyone realized how weak a schedule Carolina has played? This will be Carolina's toughest game to date.