[This Marrone fella, he's gonna be a good one]

With all of the change at OBD since last year, any analysis after six games is not unlike politics - you choose to see that which you want to see. One can easily nitpick any specific coaching decision, clock-management-wise or personnel-wise, to suppport your glass is half full or half empty argument.

 

In judging Marrone, wins are what will ultimately matter, but I am much more of the half-full mindset at this point. His young team showed guts coming back in the 4th quarter on a playoff team, and took them to OT. Other than a bad day in the Meadowlands, we have played very tough and we have certainly had more than our share of injuries to overcome.

 

The biggest change, from what I see, is that (as a team) we are no longer satisfied with any moral victories when digesting the sting of a defeat. That is a pretty big change from what we have watched here since Wade. No coach is perfect, but Marrone has espoused not confusing effort with results.

 

I like that Marrone is not too proud to act on what he sees on gamedays --- for example:

 

Colin Brown continues to struggle? Get Legursky going in there once healthy. Dan Carpenter looks clutch? IR the greenhorn, and keep our mullet-man in there & show confidence in him. Justin Rogers looks awful in coverage? Bench/deactivate him the first chance you get.

 

Tuel shows off a JV arm and looks like deer in the headlights as a #2? OK, we've seen enough of that, let's see what the practice guy can do. There was lots of bashing/demanding answers for Marrone's perceived lack of foresight at the QB spot before the game, not so much now. And we are also kicking the tires on Flynn (which must have been set up before yesterday's game based on his flight time into Buf) - so if he's a better option than Tuel, and how could he not be, I want him to be a Bill. Dennis Dixon will also certainly give our 1st team defense a better look than Tuel, so I'd predict it'll soon be adios for #7 if they sign Flynn.

 

Well said...very well said.

[Let's turn our attention to the Bengals...]

Almost a TD. He finally showed signs of life in this game. I like the idea of having Marquis and him on the outside, which should open up the inside.

Great game yesterday, bummer about the outcome.

 

I noticed the deep balls Thad threw, had a very high trajectory and were out in front giving our speed guys a chance to run under it. EJ's deep passes are more line drive-ish.. Those have to be deadly accurate. TJ made a nice play, finally (he still dropped an easy out pass later tho). The QB gave him a chance. Hopefully EJ is watching and learning how to do it right.

[Is the season about to go into a downward spiral?]

Already gotta start rooting for division leaders NE, Cinci, Indy and Denver to start steamrolling other AFC teams that are battling for the wild card spots. Bills can only afford 2-3 more losses tops. I'm still not 100% buying KC but they have put themselves in a great position to buffer against some losses....and they will be losing some games soon.

[This Marrone fella, he's gonna be a good one]

I think Marrone is doing ok.

 

I give him a pass on the record because the Bills have been competitive in every game, with chances to win it. With rookie/practice squad quarterbacks and no-name wide receivers and defensive backs what more do you want? The Bills have a better record than other NFL teams with their healthier, better players on the field.

 

He could be Kubiak in Houston...they have more talent across the board than Buffalo.

[Is the season about to go into a downward spiral?]

Before the EJ injury i thought they'd go 1-1 vs Cleveland and Cinci. Didn't happen. I'm very high on this team and coaching staff though. They seem to be tougher to play against than recent Bills teams.

 

That said i'd be surprised if they get a win at Miami or New Orleans. I'd be stunned if they won both. Maybe we will get lucky and Jimmy Graham's injury will extend a couple weeks. KC is due to lose a game and they are not (in my opinion) as dangerous offensively as Cincinnati. I think when KC comes to Buffalo (with the Bills possibly on a 3 game losing streak)...it will be a bit of a hornets nest for KC.

[QB Thad Lewis injury discussion]

I'm worried that his foot sprain will be more of an issue (even though Thad downplayed it). If he plays vs. Miami, his mechanics could be screwed up and his lack of mobility could cost him. Hopefully he's a quick healer,

[This Marrone fella, he's gonna be a good one]

I'm waiting to see how well he learns from his mistakes. He has the right attitude. I liked how in his presser when asked if he could highlight some positives he basically said it's hard to do that when the only thing that matters is the W. He's not going to settle for moral victories. Let's see if he can figure out how to get beyond them and get us real victories.

They had Thad Lewis, TJ, Goodwin, Woods, as the WR's and still managed to hang 24 on Cinci who is a very good team.

[This Marrone fella, he's gonna be a good one]

I liked this hire when it happened, I love it now. Yes- we can nitpick a few things but this guy, as the CEO of the coaching staff, can definitely coach these guys up. All 4 home games have been down to the wire, exciting as hell....2 wins, 2 losses. The two road games have been winnable. There are rookies at key positions and some very iffy injury replacements in there. Just listening to him after today's game, he was not pleased with taking Cinci to OT...he gets it. Winning is all that matters, not good showings. I just think Marrone over 2-3 years is really going to get this thing rolling. The only things I can really criticize are having Tuel as backup QB, Not Thad...and going for it on 4th and goal today early. I was screaming to kick the FG.

[Luke Russert on MSNBC yesterday]

Luke is always lamenting the latest failings of Bills & Sabres on Twitter. He's a great fan though. At least the Bills have given us some joy this season.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

So did Ralphie get the $15 discount or did they make him buy at full price?!?

[Thad Lewis Is A Better Option Than EJ Manuel Right Now]

Even though the Bills running game has done well this season...they still ask EJ to throw mostly in obvious passing situations. Against the Jets it was ridiculous. Hopefull they allow Thad to throw a few short passes on 1st down, when things are a little easier....loosen things up and get him some confidence. If he is only asked to throw on 3rd and 9, 3rd and 7, etc.. he is set up to fail.

[If the Sabres were a turd...]

I'm pretty stunned at how the team has fallen to pieces in the Pegula era. I figured they could rebuild this thing without having to be historically bad and running all the fans off.

[Adrian Peterson's son]

This is just horrible. I hope the little guy pulls through this.

 

 

http://www.tmz.com/2013/10/11/adrian-peterson-son-assault-battery-2-year-old-police-child-abuse/

 

NFL Star Adrian Peterson

2-Year-Old Son Attacked

Police Investigating

[Thad Lewis Is A Better Option Than EJ Manuel Right Now]

I love this thread title, even tho Thad has yet to take a regular season snap in a Bills uniform.

 

I'll say this about Thad Lewis. He sounds very confident and he has performed OK in a live NFL game...so i actually do expect him to maintain EJ's very average to mediocre level of QB play. If Thad improves on that level of play, it's a huge bonus, obviously.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

I agree, in fact Lewis likely will have a better completion percentage than Manuel, but can he put points on the board is the question...

 

Don't see us dropping off much offensively, potentially getting better actually....

 

as according to PFF, our total offensive grade is one of the worst in the NFL...defense is top 12 in NFL...

 

Yeah, i agree. I mean i like EJ and his potential but he's led the offense on bunches of 3 and outs...and let's not forget the INT and strip fumble on 2 of the final 3 drives vs. Carolina. The Jets game was horrendous. But then you see a throw like the one to Robert Woods in the Baltimore game and you realize he's got all the tools. I think Thaddeus can do OK, Tuel woulda' been lousy imo.

 

Anyway, getting sidetracked. Go to the game people.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

What about those of us who have to decide whether we can eat next week or go to the game?

 

Really? then i'm not talking about you....or the 80+ year old infirmed crowd. There is still a huge population of able bodied and well fed people that can buy a ticket.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

As someone said earlier...this one is on the fans, plain and simple. The team has done everything it can do. The 3 home games so far have been super exciting. The weather is nice. The defense is intact. Thad Lewis is not replacing Drew Brees or Peyton by any means. He should be able to perform at a level comparable to EJ Manuel....which *should* keep us in the game.

 

No excuse fans.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

For what it's worth, I'm taking my 11 year old nephew to the game (his first Bills game ever). He's somewhat noncommittal on what his favorite team is right now, but I'm hoping that being a part of a big crowd and (hopefully) seeing an exciting game will help turn him into a diehard Bills fan (like his long-suffering uncle, lol). It didn't help the Bills sell out the game, but I managed to get 50 yard line seats, 25 rows up, on StubHub for less than $100 each. I don't mind paying a premium if it helps keep him away from some of the rowdiness in the endzone or upper deck.

 

Nice! I brought my young son to his first game vs. Ravens. Let's hope you and your nephew won't have to wade through human waste in the concourse area like we did. ugh.

[2014 Season to feature 3 games in London]

With the Bills already playing one International game in Toronto, i feel like the NFL will look for different opponents.

[WGR NHL v NFL]

I'll listen or watch national shows about the NFL all day because i care about the other teams/players and what's going on in the league. I won't even listen to Sirius NHL channel in my car. I'm a big hockey fan but just don't care about any team other than Buffalo. And i can't even listen to Sabres talk for more than an hour or so.

I think I'm like alot of people regarding hockey vs football.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

The Rams have not sold out a game in a while. Last week's Jacksonville game had about 35,000 in the house. The game was televised locally. I don't get it. They weren't even close to selling out. Haven't been this year.

 

True.

Tampa, Jax and Oak rarely sell out and if they do it's only a "paper" sellout. The stands were half empty last weekend in Miami too, for a very good game. Painting Buffalo as the "first blackout" and lame fanbase is absurd.

[Let's turn our attention to the Bengals...]

I'll say this, EJ to me has not been consistent enough or explosive enough to make me feel Thaddeus Lewis can't maintain EJ's level of QB play. So if he can play QB at a mediocre level (like EJ has been playing)...then we have a good shot to beat the Bengals. This will be like the Ravens game. CInci will move the ball through the air. If we can get a couple INT's, it will change the whole complexion. If Thad can hold the fort, not turn it over, and make a few plays here and there...we have a great chance.

[[closed]So What About Our QB & Our Future ?]

I will say this, Marrone, Whaley, Brandon & Co. will not sit back and let a solid QB pass on by if they don't think EJ is progressing to be a franchise QB. They seem very in tune with needing a franchise QB to build any sort of winner here and that is the case for every team.

I really see this group of management for the Bills going after a QB unless Manuel steps it up when he comes back.

[Tickets left for Bengals game]

Still, after watching that Miami-Baltimore game Sunday it makes me very much appreciate Bills fans. That Miami stadium was 1/3 empty, 1/3 Ravens fans and 1/3 Phins fans. Quite embarrassing for a 3-1 Miami club at the time and an attractive opponent.

 

WHen i went to the Bills/Ravens game a week earlier, every seat was taken and it was a beautiful sight in the stadium and around the Lots. Sure there were probably 4,000 or so Ravens fans in attendance but the atmosphere was mostly Bills and still awesome.

 

Hope they can move those final 7,000 tix but i doubt they sell out unless a corporation steps up.

[Getting on the field on Game Day]

I've been on the field several times and allowed to be in the tunnel for a halftime presentation. It's cool. It's all about who you know. I have a family member that is high up for one of the Bills corporate sponsors. They give those folks all the perks and people like me get to hang on to their coat tails!