BenchBledsoe

Did you guys get to see the Bill Cowher post-game interview on the NFL Network? I couldn't believe it, but he referred to Terrell Davis (I have no problem with this one) AND Ray freakin' Lewis as "What's Right" with the NFL. Cowher also made this comment about a true gentleman, Dan Rooney. To mention Ray Lewis in the same "What's Right" context as Dan Rooney is insanity.

Oh, I know our misery is in a league of its own, no doubt. But, they got a tiny little taste of what we've been choking down for years.

I thought the same. Someone who wasn't paying close attention in another room at my Superbowl party actually wondered what song they were singing!!

Yes, it was ruled that way. . . but since it was so close, definitely gut-wrenching for Hawk fans. Also, remember that key 3rd down pass to Mack Strong that came up about three inches short and they had to punt? Brutal. What about Warrick's big punt return that got called back? Another teeth-gnasher for Seattle fans. I'm not saying they were all wrong. . . I'm saying they were torture for Seahawk fans.

The Seahawks had nearly every questionable call go against them. They also missed a few big plays by mere inches. . . combine the two and you have them losing a championship. Bills and Sabres fans can obviously relate. Can anyone post a link to Seahawk message boards? They must be seething or in despair. . . kinda like a combination of "Wide Right" and Hull's skate in the crease. The worst of both worlds. That must be brutal for Hawk fans. I'd love to hear Seattle sports talk radio tonight.

True. The Chiefs defense wasn't exactly stellar, and neither was ours. I'd say we've got to address all three levels of the defense. All three have question marks, even linebacking.

Yes, but easier said than done. D'Brick will be long gone at #8.

Yeah, I know. Those last few games, because of that false hope, cost JP invaluable playing time. . . stupid MM, trying to save his job.

We all want a winner now but we must be realistic. Consider. . . 1) QB position next year: Either a journeyman who doesn't have a stong as arm as I have (Holcomb) or a guy who has started only 8 games and appears not to be the most accurate passer in the world. The QBs that will be available realistically to us? = NO UPGRADE. 2) New coaching staff: Jauron may help the "D". But let's hope he let's Fairchild really run the offense. Even then, I'm not real optimistic. The new DC hasn't been a DC before, has he? A true unknown. So too, are the other new coaches. 3) Troy Vincent, Lawyer Milloy, Eric Moulds, Sam Adams, Mike Williams ALL in limbo: Which stay and which go? And more importantly, at what cost vs. the all mighty salary cap? 4) Marv is a rookie GM: I pray we have a good draft and Marv leans heavily on Modrak. But, Marv has his own ideas, I'm sure. . . let's hope he transitions to GM as well as he did when he got a second go round as a HC. 5) Count me in the minority, but I don't think our "keepers" like London Fletcher and Schobel are as good as some suggest. Add to that, that Willis opened up real questions about himself this past year, and I don't know if we really have any true "anchors" on this team. We would have if TKO comes back 100%, but by all accounts, he'll have to have lost at least a little something. 6) Losing mindset has seemingly set in: This may be the toughest of all obstacles to overcome. Losing breeds losing. If it continues much longer, the roots will really have taken hold. . . Buffalo will = Lions, Cardinals etc.

Jim Bates is declining the Bills DC job offer per Rotonews. No reason or details given. This blows, I really wanted him. I can't believe that Ralphie wouldn't up his offer to Bates to get him here. Who would be the most likely DC candidates now? Ted Cottrell?

How could we forget Jim Kelly? 1st year in USFL = unbelievable 1st year in NFL = very solid. . . rating about 83, if memory serves me.

A guy named Drew Bledsoe. . .

Yes, I'd actually be pleased with Bates hiring. So far, "Cowboy Logic" tally sheet reads like this: Levy: Good Jauron: Bad Fairchild:Bad (but, I'm hopeful now) Bates: Good

Maybe Fairchild will run a balanced attack, if for no other reason than he's seen his ex-boss run a pass-happy offense. . . and be unsuccessful doing so, and getting canned.

I pray he takes the job. . . he did a good job in GB and Miami. In GB, the defense was putrid the year before he got there, and very solid this past year. He is a good one that everyone should be happy with. I predict that, if hired, Bates hiring will be the first around here this month that doesn't get a bunch of negative posts.

Yes, that is better news than I thought. I do remember reading Fairchild was considered a bit of a rising star when he left us as RB (or was it WR) coach. What job did he leave here for? He resigned here, did he not?

If you can give me a real positive, I'll be happy. Do you have one?

Thank Christ somebody is being realistic. I look around this board and have almost been brainwashed into believing Levy = Polian and Jauron = Don Shula. In all reality, this team is shaping up to be a train wreck.

Granted, that's all we can do now. Basically, keep our fingers crossed and hope he is better than what he has shown so far. But, the fan base is going to be all over him if this team gets off to a slow start/ has a bad season next year. It could get real ugly at The Ralph some Sundays. I hope he's got a rhino-thick skin if this team bombs.

He ran their defense all year, right? How good was that stuff?

And it keeps getting worse. . . for everybody that said we'll be okay with Jauron if we get a good OC, time to back track a little more and come up with something else if this guy's hired. . .

No, I don't. . . you're right, we're screwed.

Nalen is getting long in the tooth, but has been to multiple Pro bowls and still appeared to be playing at a high level this year. If we can't get Bentley, what about Nalen? Also, how healthy is Mawae now? Anybody know? He's a UFA too, I think.

"Football coaches coach. . . he's coached some good teams, he's coached some bad teams. . . he'll coach this team. . ." Do you have any more of these great tidbits of wisdom for us?

Dude, give it a break