1billsfan

The whole premise of losing games for draft picks is just so unbelievably dumb. The fans who talk about it sound as if the coaches and players would be in on losing games as a strategy to be able to be in a better position to draft that one special player who would bring the Buffalo Bills a Superbowl Championship...LOL How unbelievably stupid does that sound! These "fans" don't understand that these professional players and coaches on the Bills DO NOT CARE about where they will be picking in the 2014 draft.

He's obviously trying to spin the narrative here. It was a very weak attempt though. Manuel looked solid after having a really bad 1st quarter. I don't care who you're playing, after that horrible Tampa game and that 1st quarter today, it's impressive that this rookie QB proved he can shake it off, gut it out and have a solid rest of the game. I hope he locks down this position with two more solid performances. I think a big part of Manuel's problem is that he's thinking too much which leads to hesitation and bad passes. When he gets his back against the wall he seems to be able to get in that zone.

Who we pick will depend on EJ Manuel's play these last three games. There are a boat load of good QB prospects in this next draft class. If Manuel looks shaky then I wouldn't blame the Bills cutting bait and picking a guy like Bortles who looks a lot like Kelly throwing the ball. As much as I want Mike Evans, Manuel needs to really nail down this QB job. This is why I don't understand people not caring about the rest of the season (a couple of threads I've seen on here)...LOL I'm very excited to watch what happens, especially in regards to Manual's play.

Not a fan of the look. That color on color has always looked like an art dance unitard to me. Especially the Ravens and Saints. For some weird reason, the white on white doesn't do the same thing. It still looks like a football uniform. I like the white on white the best for road games, and since they have played bad on the road in the blue pants I think it's obvious that the Bills are changing it up.

As much I like Stevie Johnson, I hope he plays well enough for the Bills to be able to trade him for a 3rd round pick. While he always has played hard for this team, I think his carefree, fun-loving, loose attitude is not a good model for the Bills young receiving core to emulate. Johnson needs to go to a team that isn't looking for him to be a serious team leader type. Then I'd take either Watkins or Evans in the 1st round, trade the two thirds for a 2nd and use the two 2nd rounders on quality offensive lineman. With Watkins/Evans, Woods and Goodwin then having a solid offensive line for the running game and pass protection, I think the Bills would be ready to finally have the makings for an explosive offense.

Remember at the beginning of the season when almost everyone on here agreed that EJ Manuel was a raw talent who would need at least a year to start showing the signs of becoming a "franchise QB"? Obviously, dealing with it is another matter entirely...lol He's had a couple very good starts a few very bad starts and showed little flashes here and there of performing under pressure. IMO Manuel does his best QBing when the game is tight in the last 2 ins of games. That started in preseason and has been a factor in two of his regular season games. So IMO, that smart, accurate, "franchise QB" is in there somewhere. He just needs to somehow learn to stop over-thinking and play that way for a full 60 mins.

I agree, the rants have been over the top. I'm still very excited to watch these last three real NFL games. The Bills have a very good core of talented players. However, Buffalo's dreams of playoffs hinge on the QB position. This "bad" team looks ready to be a very good team once they get that settled. So having said that, it will be very interesting watching either EJ Manuel's progress or regression. Given the crazy hype that this incoming class of college QBs is generating, what if Manuel looks bad the rest of the season? If that happens, then the QB position is back in the first round/second round conversation. That's what's so exciting for me, how Manuel performs with this next class of QBs looming on the horizon.

Atlanta 34 - Bills 31 I saw a team that was so completely unfocused today that I wondered if that the OT loss to Atlanta last week crushed them. I did not recognize the Buffalo Bills today. Garnering any sort of meaningful conclusions on individual players or coaches in this game is pretty much pointless IMO. Having said that, the Jaguars game will be very telling IMO. Next week there is no longer the "not enough time to get over the season ending crushing defeat" excuse.

First off, EJ Manual is a rookie. In his FOURTH year as a pro, Fitzpatrick was well entrenched in the bottom 3rd of the league's starting QBs. Yet, even with EJ Manual being a rookie QB he has... …shown the ability to make big plays with the game on the line (Panthers and Atlanta) …been mature beyond his years and steady leader for the team …thrown only a small number of interceptions …shown the ability to hit the deep ball at RWS in windy conditions …can make first downs on 3rd/4th and a yard …knows exactly what to say and refuses to throw anyone under the bus …shown to be a very teachable player who's right on schedule with his development to becoming a true top 10 NFL QB within a few years

Oh please, after literally trying to stop an opposing player from scoring and then lying about doing it, Tomlin's no longer respected let alone "one of the most respected". Tomlin's lucky Jones didn't tear an ACL changing directions going full speed. Given the new "safety" rules, if that did happen Tomlin would have been fired by the Steelers and banned from NFL sidelines.

This whole incident just shows the sad state of the American culture. A very well respected head coach literally and intentionally prevents an opposing player from scoring a touchdown, he then proceeds to lie about it to the entire country. However, because this head coach happens to be black, the media are too scared to call him out as a liar for fear of being labeled a racist. This, in the year 2013! I saw an ESPN poll with 71% of the nation voting that they thought Tomlin's action were intentional. I have yet to see one ESPN "on air" talent say that they think Tomlin's actions were intentional. This from the biggest sports network that makes it's living off of the "bold" opinions from hundreds of their "experts".

The only fraud here is the lying cheating fraud named Mike Tomlin. He's classless and crossed a line that, in my memory, only Woody Hayes has crossed. While not as violent as Hayes, Tomlin's behavior is extremely detrimental to the credibility and fairness of the game. He's lucky that Jones didn't run into him and have a career ending injury as a result. In that event, Tomlin would for sure would have lost his job and probably have been banned from the league. He'd at least have been banned from having a job that required him to be on an NFL sideline during the game.

You guys who still believe Tomlin's continued lying his butt off look so foolish. It was obviously done on purpose. He was glancing backwards as the guy was approaching him. What if Jones didn't break stride and ran over Tomlin and it ended Jone's career? I'm shaking my head in disbelief at seeing Bills fans defending this chump. A high profile NFL head coach lied and continues to lie about the worst coach vs player on field incident since Woody Hayes. I'm surprised the NFL didn't tell him to come clean to everyone or get the book thrown at him. If the NFL does indeed give only a slap on the wrist to Tomlin, then the league will be seen as no better than this lying, cheating, punk coach. The evidence is clear. I think that Tomlin is a very sick man for doing this. I'd suspend him at least 8 games and take away the Steelers 1st round pick. This is a shocking incident to me as an NFL fan. This is a head coach that did this!

I think that Bill in NYC needs to seriously contemplate retiring his "A Few Thoughts" weekly thread. Calling EJ Manuel's performance against Atlanta "awful" is practically announcing you no longer have credibility to this Bills fan. In the Atlanta game, Manuel twice made huge plays to put the Bills in position to win the game. Many times during the game the defense failed to show up, yet Manuel was up to the task of bailing everyone out including Stevie. That's awful? Completion percentages? In his seven starts to date, rookie QB EJ Manuel has only put up two "awful" performances. They are the Jets first game and the Steelers game. The other five games he's played well in, and in those games the Bills either won, were very close to winning or he left the game with an injury after putting his team in position for a go ahead score. What I see in EJ Manuel is a more athletic Ben Rothlesberger. He will put in the work to improve his mechanics and accuracy and a few years down the road I think he'll be one of the top five QBs in the NFL. He's got a ways to go, but calling his performance against Atlanta "awful" is ridiculous. With the game on the line, he twice put the Bills in position to win. When I say he's played well, that's not judging him on the Brees, Manning, Brady HOF scale. He's a rookie QB. He's playing well for a first round "future franchise QB" pick. Can we give him a little time to iron out the wrinkles in his game so he can look pretty doing it a few years from now?

Hold on, you seriously believe Tomlin's big lie? Notice in this gif that there's NO surprise look on his face (he doesn't even open his mouth which is an involuntary reaction), he's clutching his wireless box while he's STILL standing straight up and looking backwards, he sidesteps (doesn't jump) in a preplanned manner... http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3649413/tomlinhop2.gif Tomlin should own up to his actions and apologize for not only doing that, but then lying about it. The Steelers organization has officially become cheap shot garbage organization no better than the Lions. It's too bad that the clowns on ESPN and some fans hold Tomlin in such high regard that they're willing to provide cover for his cheating and lying. I used to look up to the Steelers organization, not anymore.

I'll never understand the overly critical knocks on Manuel. I remember watching Florida State one night and just loving the way Manuel was playing. I thought, qeez how great would it be if the Bills got EJ Manuel. A guy with his kind of size and talents would be there when the Bills pick. This was before I found out about his solid background, personality and leadership skills. I think there was a backlash against Manuel due to Luck, RGIII and Wilson's seasons. They were angry because they didn't see that kind of "instant NFL QB talent" in Manuel or anyone else in last year's draft. After all of the nitpicking of Manuel through the pre-draft process, I was starting to question what I originally saw in Manuel. I was starting to want the Bills to select Matt Scott in the second round if they didn't land Manuel or Smith!...LOL Yikes! In the end, I wanted EJ Manuel first and foremost (I literally fell to my knees in gratitude that it was Manuel and not Nassib) and I'm very happy with how he looks so far. It seems like a slow burn with him. The fact that he plays for the Bills is good since he can work out his kinks in relative obscurity. Imagine if the Jets drafted him in the first? It would be wall to wall EJ Manuel with daily reports and "takes" on whether he has "it" or not. I'm glad that I can still have the outside hope that this team can go on an unbeaten run and beat the Pats on the road to get into the playoffs and still do some damage once in. I think EJ has it in him to guide this team on a "legendary" playoff run. First step is beating Atlanta of course.

I agree. It's just so annoying that that the subject is even discussed since the Bills will be picking 10 spots beyond where the "two big named QBs" will be picked. As I said, it's a fairytale scenario so why bother. That being said, I do think that Manziel will be a special player in the NFL and the only thing that's in question is if he can handle the leadership/maturity aspect. I'm very happy to have Manuel as our franchise QB to be groom into hopefully a great career. Bridgewater seems like a very good prospect worthy of a very high 1st round draft pick. Although he's no lockdown surefire safe pick. That's the thing about the jump from college to the NFL you don't know for sure unless you're picking a Luck or Manning.

First off, the Bills final drafting position will most probably be in the 12-20 range. Jacksonville, Houston, Minnesota and Cleveland will ALL be picking QBs ahead of the Bills. After Bridgewater and Manziel, I don't see any QB I'd take over EJ Manuel. A guy who's proving to be up to the task of becoming a franchise QB both emotionally and physically. That's a huge deal. He just had a great game in the strong november winds of RWS against a hated rival AFC East team. What, that's not enough? You're still wanting you some Tajh Boyd in the first? Think he could do what EJ did to the Jets on that kind of a windy day at RWS? BTW, San Diego traded away a HOFer. So i'm not sure that "trade away the first QB drafted in the first" scenario is such a great argument for you to keep making! The Bills being in any position to draft either Bridgwater or Manziel is simply put, a fairy tale. Even if either were there, I'd still probably trade the pick and keep EJ depending on if he's looked solid down the stretch here.

I think that sends a horrible message to your team and fans. The first player in a long time that gets drafted by the Bills and he in turn makes himself the top in the league at his position, in fact does not end up "getting the money" and instead gets traded away for picks? If you were a player for the Bills, what incentive would you have at becoming the top player at your position in the league while also wanting to remain playing for the Bills team that drafted you? Because the two couldn't coexist if Byrd got traded away. The Bills need to show the team, it's fans and the rest of the league that they're serious. That the sleeping giant is awakening and that this franchise plans on being a dominant force in the AFC for the next ten years. The Bills need to show Byrd the money. This will be proof to all of the other players on the team that if they play great, they will get paid top dollar.

That would be the dream end to the season...lol As long as they don't lose, the dream remains alive for another week!

Sorry, I was wrong on both counts! The Broncos have 2 losses. However, the same scenario still holds if both the Pats and Broncos win their next four games.

I think the "bridge to far" will be the Pats game. I think the Pats (predicting 13-2) will be fighting with the Broncos (predicting 14-1) for the #1 seeding spot. A Pats win and Broncos loss would make the Pats the #1 seed due to the head-to-head tie breaker. The Bills/Pats game is early and the Broncos/Raiders game is late so the Pats would no doubt give it their full effort. It wouldn't be impossible for the Bills to beat them in this scenario, just improbable. I could see the Bills winning their next four and losing at New England and finishing with a record of 8-8.

He may have been respected before he said Ryan Nassib was the best QB in the draft and worthy of a high 1st round draft pick. But certainly not after that ridiculous statement. Because of how colossally stupid that opinion was, I view Cosell as a complete joke. If he were the Bills GM he would have pick Nassib in the first round at #8. I think there would be a not-so-kind thread about Greg Cosell if that had actually happened...LOL I was amazed at how many Bills fans here wanted Nassib. It seemed like there were about 20-30% in favor of it. I was shaking in my boots when our 1st rd picks came because the draft coverage pundits were STILL talking about Nassib as a possibility. He was drafted way too high in the 4th by the Giants where he couldn't even beat out Curtis Painter.

Bills getting hammered by the fans and press. Jets getting bouquets of flowers by the fans and press. In the todays topsy turvy NFL, you lean towards the team getting hammered all week. Especially when playing at home.

Manuel did look like he needed practice time inside a windy stadium on a cold day. It's obviously the reason why they're doing this. I'm very glad because Manuel can at least spend the day getting comfortable when gameday conditions are the same as they were in Pitt. Manuel's not Brady or Manning, he'll need support from special teams, the running game and a couple defensive turnovers. He'll also need to run it up the middle on a couple of draws to keep those Jet pass rushers guessing.