Matt in KC

From my notes (TiVo) they blitzed 20-22 times, threatened to blitz another 9 times or so (typically Posey at the line dropping off at the snap), had two 2 other odd formations where they only rushed four, but because of the design (Adams dropping back into coverage?!) I have to count it as a (zone) blitz. This compares to only 17 plays where they lined up and rushed four (btw 5 of these were on the drive the Texans scored their TD). This was as much as they blitzed in the GB scrimmage, IND and GB PS games, and much more than they blitzed in the CHI and DET PS games. BTW, the D allowed the following # of points in PS: 10, 7, 16, 21, which seems directly (inversely) proportional to the amount they attacked on defense.

While he did better than I thought he would, the change was not due to him, but yes, the run game did start getting better around when he went in. I re-watched the game on TiVo, and was mainly studying the D-Line, and the O-Line, especially Duke. I was shocked they did not try to pick on him; it really looked like the Texans did not notice the substitution. If he starts against TB, I think they'll abuse him. I was great experience for him to get, but he is definitely not an upgrade over CV.

Preston held his own, but was not as strong as CV. He certainly wasn't opening holes for WM to run through; but he was tying up his man, and a few times clearly winning that battle. I'd say Houston was wearing down, both physically and mentally. By the end of the mid-game they respected JP, and this opened more room to run as well.

One reception for 6 yards. Looked good on one Kickoff that i saw. Missed two others that were not thrown to where he was that I remember, one I would guess was just lead too far by JP, the other was behind him a couple feet, and he and JP had words about it -- looked to me like Reed started the dialog, not JP ripping into Reed as others characterize it, but I just have what I could see on DirecTV.

Great points, KtFBD! I agree; the snaps did look a lot smoother. Was Edward held out at the end of the game because it was clear the Texans needed to pass to catch up? The base D-Line for the last 9-10 plays (over the last 3 Houston drives) was 92-95-90-94 (Denney, Adams, Kelsay, Schobel) Here are some other things I observed from the broadcast. (Just read the top dozen topics, sorry if covered elsewhere.) It was great to see the CBs come up to the line an jamb the receivers. They would sometimes start (the familiar) 5-6 yards off the line, then creep up as the D shifted. I never understood why we conceded the short pass so often in the past. On the long pass breakup on 3-17 on Houston's first drive of the 2nd half, McGee looked like he was a bit early (arm), but Vincent timed it perfectly. Now that's solid safety play! Two drives later, on the pass that Carr threw to the endzone, there were four players there: Clements, Milloy, Vincent, and (oh yeah) Andre Johnson. Is it really surprising the Bills ended up with the ball? Again, solid secondary. Does McGahee always wear a flack jacket (is that what they're called)? I noticed when he stayed hown for awhile that he was wearing one. I've also noticed that his stiffarm has been absent since early PS and on Sunday. Does he have soar ribs? One more question: Why did the officials reset the playclock to :10 after the McGahee (non-)TD review immediately before the Peters TD? Mularkey did not look happy about it on the sidelines, and they got the play off quickly, but was that just a ref screw up, or is there a weird rule about this? I thought that if time was called by a team, or for injury, or for the refs that you always got at least :25 on the play clock. No? (While I'm on my rant, why aren't the official NFL rules available online??) -Matt

I definitely did not think that Preston was ready to play based on the preseason games. I'm thrilled he did well, and did not stand out as a weak link at all. Also, I thought the release of Dorenbos was BS (unless they knew something I didn't -- drug use, other issues). But, the snaps from Shrek looked great, not as fast as Dorenbos, but really smooth. After watching the game, I found it very plausable that Lindell can be more consistent because of the better snaps. Also, Bennie Anderson performed better than his recent press here (and Gandy too). I also agree w Denney, Posey, McGee at CB, Vincent, and JP.

I'm pretty sure his foot hit the ground before the ball touched the pylon. BUT, he hit the pylon in the middle, from the side, meaning the ball crossed the plane at some point before hitting the pylon. From all of the angles shown on TV, it was impossible to tell, but it was obviously very close. Given the down, I'm very surprised there was no attempt to review the play (by the officials). I think it's likely he juuuust got in.

It sounds like they're resigning you (and I don't mean re-sign).

Bills: 23 Texans: 16

Lee Evans 55 yard sprint

It's definitely a web bug. Click on Name after the page loads. Suddenly the following are PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM: 85 Everett, Kevin TE 6-4 241 23 R Miami 50 Ezekiel, Liam LB 6-0 249 22 R Northeastern 44 Goldsberry, Jon FB 6-1 246 23 R Purdue 39 Lee, Rob CB 6-0 193 24 R Northern Illinois 79 McFarland, Dylan OT 6-5 290 25 2 Montana 43 Oglesby, Evan CB 5-10 185 23 R North Alabama 91 Ritzmann, Constantin DE 6-3 254 25 2 Tennessee 28 Thomas, Kevin CB 6-0 182 27 4 UNLV

Don't you think it's more likely George Wilson drops to the PS? Mid-year he's less likely to draw attention, when other teams get rolling. ...especially when it appears the Bills are demoting him, versus his being a promising young WR getting cut from a tight roster.

So why not sign him to the PS and let him practice w the team? Also, do you think he was clearly better than Ritzmann? In what way?

it was posted 10 days ago after the Bills won their second PS game, and before they looked off-vanilla in the last two games.... +5 is too much, and top 5 is laughable given that the Pittsburgh game is the only real-season game since the previous ranking. So we're ranked 3 spots ahead of Pittsburgh??

I completely agree, FFS. From my counts, when Posey lines up outside LDE, we almost always rush five (and rarely 6 or 4). Posey drops back into coverage after a half second (causing the O-Line to have to commit to blocking him) on approximately half the plays. When he rushes, it is usually wide so Kelsay can collapse the pocket with abandon, while Posey takes accountability for containing runs to the outside.

Thin at O-Line, TE, DE Burns sticks? Aiken, Reed, Fast Freddie and Wilson stick (only Haddad cut)? 7 Wide Receivers? I hafta think the competition is simply continuing into the season, or until someone else is signed/returns.

You couldn't be further from the truth. I gave up on Teague, but then last year, and theis year he has been one of our best (if not the best) O-linemen.

Completely agreed. shocked to see Jerman on, and Tucker, Esposito and McFarland off... though I bet Esposito makes the PS. Same for Gause and/or Ritzmann, though CR might get attention from another team because of the PS sacks, even though two (in a row) were gimme's.

Surprise: Tucker Haddad McFarland Gause Ritzmann BuffaloBills.com News Release

I'll do whatever it takes to make the team. At very least, keep me on the practice squad so I have a chance to improve....

From what I can tell, the story will be right here when they post it..... http://buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3350

No, it's definitely today http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8801521

What happened to LaWaylon Brown? Where'd He Go? My blast from the past: Matt Stevens. The only Bill that bothered me more than Chris Watson....

I get it too, and I'm all registered, so don't read into the error too far. Each week you can make your picks starting sometime on Tuesday for the upcoming week. You happen to be trying to go in at a time when no one can go make picks.

So, for 2004, the Bills allowed 284 points, and approx 4227 yards. I divide this and I get .067 for their efficiency. So you're saying that this is worse than a Team B that allowed, say 550 points and 10,000 yards?? I think your model might be missing something..... Team B might be more efficient, but they clearly stink. I do think that points allowed is important, and think that ST and offensive-turnover points should be excluded when measuring the performance of the D. To add another consideration: is it a sign of a bad D if the coaches give the second stringers a chance to play (and give up points) when the game is out of reach?