Fan in Chicago

Good games so far. However, I just can't get rid of this depressing feeling of yet another january without the Bills playing ...

Jim Leonhard has made some plays today. Coaching and schemes make a difference...

I agree that Peters had a down year but he had a stellar year before that. I just can't believe his talent disappeared overnight. Even after the first few games, he did not perform well which indicates (1) his injury was still bothering him and/or (2) he was not motivated enough to play to the level he can. If (1) is true, it needs to be determined if he will ever rise back to his 2007 level. If the team thinks not, he should be traded when his value is high due to the ProBowl nod. If it is (2), the coaches better do what they were doing in 2007. My personal feeling is that this was a uncharacteristic down year for him and he will return to his dominating form next year. At this point, the Bills do have leverage due to his lower performance and would be a good time to extend him (after assessing his health ofcourse). We cannot simply chase away key OL players who we do not consider probowl caliber. Ruben Brown is one example we got rid off and who proceeded to have a decent career with Chicago. I say, assess his health and if healthy give him a decent contract. Then go ahead and get a real C and RG.

Saying nothing is always an option.

Very nice work. I would be happy with Batch, Garcia, Carr or Ramsey as back-up. Unless the coaches feel the need to introduce some competition, in which case we may have to bring in someone who is young and prospective starter material. By the way, you did not track who will be the cheapest.

I hate to think about what the combination looks like. At this point, ANY schedule will look tough.

RW ?

Excellent point !

My general thoughts are that first adding even big name free agents not do much for our chances at a playoff appearance. As several other posters have stated, I too have little confidence that the coaching staff can bring out the best in the talent we have, or translate that combined talent into the best chance to win games. Secondly, I think we are underestimating the true loss to the Bills as a result of keeping DJ. There is more to the team's revenues than just the season ticket sales. I think businesses will reduce their Bills advertising which will hurt the team even more than the estimated $1 MM loss due to reduced ticket sales.

umm... what ?

Sure, every owner wants a winner. But I highly doubt RW knows how to build one any more. Arguably, he has never known it and the time we were successful was more due to Polian than RW.

Of the available choices, I am leaning towards Marty also even though in the past I have ridiculed him as a playoff choker. It is sad that, at this point, i will be happy to choke in the playoffs as at least we will be playing in January for a change. It will be great if we can have one of those whiz-kid coordinators who take their team to the playoffs in their rookie year as HC. But we have not done a great job identifying and selecting such coordinators in the recent past (Mularkey, Greg Williams). As much as I hate to say it, I long for the days of Wade Phillips.

Ha. Just to clarify, i lean towards your way of thinking on Cowher because he did have a lot of talent, especially on the D and with the Bus which he essentially rode to the ring. I can never ever forget his attempt to make Kordell Stewart more than what he really was- a competent WR at best. He tried playing up the 'Slash' role, annointed him a QB and destroyed his career while setting the Steelers back a couple of years.

I have read and respect your thoughts about Cowher. But, how do you feel a Bills team led by Jauron will match against a Cowher led Jets ?

Time to resurrect that bio ? Perhaps Soprano was just ahead of his time by 3 years.

Very nice. And to those that asked - that is most certainly Amitabh (in his prime no less)

Agreed. Why can't we just say a thankful good bye to a guy who gave it his best ? Thanx, JP and good luck in your future life - in the NFL or out.

Objectively evaluating a players or team's performance does not equate to being un-supportive of said players/team.

Didn't read through all the posts, but first of all just hope he gets well soon. He is our player and we shouldn't express glee or indifference to his injury. On a different note, we were clamoring for a RZ threat in the past offseason and did not acquire anyone in free agency. The thought was we would draft someone, which we did. Now he contributed next to nothing this season, even before his injury. So, we are left to dig up reasons about how WRs do not necessarily blossom till their second or third year. Which essentially implies the front office blew it in the offseason. They did not fill an area of glaring need - thats the bottom line. This is not necessarily a knock on Hardy as an indictment of the FO to sell us on the false hopes of how somehow this season would be different for the offense due to a change of coordinators and addition of Hardy & Fine. We are no different personnel-wise than we were the last season - shame on the FO.

Do you realize you just made your argument in favor of DJ a lot weaker ?

Lets not get too carried away now. We did have success in the first few games and this last game so it is not entirely unreasonable to think that his replacements aren't too shabby or that he doesn't add too much to the line as a whole. Besides, this year he has allowed quite a few sacks and it is obvious last year was a far better year for him. While I do not advocate we getting rid of him, I don't really think the high accolades deserve merit due to his play this year.

Completely, totally agree. Even if we beat the Pats*, I still would be un-happy with this season in particular and DJ in general. If we lose to them, we will have to suffer the ignominy of being swept by the AFCE, which by itself is quite quite disgusting.

Sorry my comments are many days after the incident. But I am amazed at how people can laugh at the occurence. Like him or not, agree with him or not, he is our President and I do not feel the least bit amused if anyone, citizen or foreigner, throws a shoe at our leader. ** I am originally from India where a kick, or even accidentally touching with their feet is insulting (so even if my foot hits someone by mistake, my natural instinct is to apologize).

Well, at least we know there won't be any more rate cuts: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081216/bs_nm/...a_fed_preview_6

First of all - congratulations. I had been a lazy bum for a majority of my 38 yr existence when I took the step you did - join a gym. Almost 3 years later, I am addicted and get depressed if I don't get my 4 days/ week in. So keep it up and don't go back. Do what works best for you and with what your main intent is. My primary drivers were (in decreasing order of importance): lower cholesterol, slimmer body and muscular shape. As with beerball, I am not a professional trainer of any sort but here is what I do: - 2 days of each: 55-60 minute cardio + 1 ab crunch machine + 1 medicine ball for abs. - 2 days of each: 20-30 minute cardio + 40 minutes machines. I do a total of 8 upper body machines. 10-12 reps x 2 sets at one time before moving to the next machine. I have been happy with the results. What I got was a reduction in trouser size from 38 to 34, more upper body strength and decidedly lower frequency of illnesses. What I did not get yet is a flat tummy. I am not aiming for rippling muscles but rather a muscular upper body. Hope that helps.