1959BillsFan

I'm not so much into the "clutch and grab" style he seems to worship, but this is a new season with new rules. I do think they will have an up and down year, i.e. consistency, trying to figure out an "identity" and relating it to the style of play they decide on. I kind of relate this to the playcalling on the Bills. They are having problems to find an identity, especially on offense. This past week, McGahee ran it 31 times. Why weren't these clowns calling plays like tis when Losman was in??? Identity.

It's only early in the 3rd quarter, but I am truely amazed. I honestly believe Kelly Holcomb has been changing most of Clement's plays at the LOS. THAT is what a veteran QB brings, he's not scared of the OC and will make the right calls. It's just too bad that they aren't giving Losman the opportunity to learn how to do this. But, they are winning right now.

Interception Lawyer Milloy. A my goodness. Why are these "veterans" playing??? What made them change??? Oh Ohhhh Saban is reviewing it.

Time of Position: Buffalo 18:20 Dolphins 11:40 Amazing!!!!!

Is Holcomb changing the plays at the Line of Scrimmage???? I think he is. At least that's what I've heard. Maybe he is playing to win, not the typical Clements "playing not to loose" play calling. My wife made me go to the store with her. I am amazed they are actually winning. The announcers are saying the Buffalo crowd is actually dumbfounded by them winning for a change.

I had this in another thread, but biy is it appropriate here.

I believe that in itself s most of the problem: COMMUNICATIONS. It is obvious when the camera pans to Mularkey's face after a stupid play, he has the "What kind of play calling was that???" Clements maybe HAVE BEEN a good QB in the CFL, but now he is supposed to be a coach in the NFL. Clements doesn't act like it and he doesn't accept any responsibility for his poor planning. Mularkey is accepting all the blame, when in reality, it is one of the Good ol' Pittsburgh Boys club that is screwing up. I see this as a Donahoe/Clements offense and both are screwing up pretty bad. Frankly, Mularkey has his hands full learning how to be a Head Coach, I just hope Sam Wyche steps in as OC pretty soon.

Personally, Losman is one smart cookie. I almost think this was HIS idea. This will be Clements thrid new starting QB in two years. Two of those QBs had same identical results. People have been calling Losman out and saying he is the problem the Bills are not winning. TD is already using that as an excuse for his inability to put anything more than a paper tiger together. Losman is playing the head games right back. It is becoming obvious the offensive "system" is offensive, it stinkes. The guy at the controls, game planning, and play calling clearly doesn't know what he is doing. Three strikes and your out. Losman will not be the excuse this time around. TD picked one smart cookie and it will be his down fall. Almost like Bill Cowher except this time it is at the QB position. I love this kid. Losman will become a great player, but maybe never in Buffalo. Not with Tom Clements and Donahoe calling the shots.

Ralph Wilson entrusted this "franchise" to someone he felt he could trust. It isn't Ralph Wilson to blame for this display of........ It really boils down to ONE person. That person is the President and General Manager. Everyone says that he is not the personnal guy, he is not a coach, he is not a player. In reality, TD micromanages to an unbelievable level. He was run out of Pittsburgh because he tried to mold the Steelers in a way that was not to their historical tradition. Now look at Pittsgurgh. They have been in the playoffs almost ever since TD left. They have a Head Coach, they keep developing OCs into head coaches, the next guy to be a head coach is Russ Grimm, their O-Line coach. The Steelers and Bill Cower recognize that a successful franchise is one that WINS, not one that lies to fans in order to fill seats. Let's take a look at TD's track record in Buffalo: two Rookie Head Coaches four rookie coordinators (both Offense and Defensive) four o-line coaches we are starting our 5th QB (Johnson, Van Pelt, Bledsoe, Losman, Holcolmb) no real consistent/congruent/healthy o-linemen no healthy TEs loosing entire LB depth after this season (Crowell, Haggan, Stamer) loosing 2 DTs after this season (Edwards and Bannon) loosing 3 of 5 CBs after 2005 (Clements, McGee, Greer)and 1 Free Safety (Rashad Baker) Gandy and Bennie Anderson gone in 2006 Jason Peters and Trey Teague gone after 2005 Loosing 5 defensive starters after 2006 (Kelsay, Adams, Fletcher, Posey, Milloy) There are a ton of holes to be filled. It looks as bad as when he got here or may be even a little worse. It's no wonder why the "veterans" wanted Losman out. They don't have the time to develop anyone. They are getting old, as can e seen by the way the D is playing. And their time is coming to an end.

Many followers are really peeved about last year, as they should be. BUT one thing I do like, Satan is gone. I think it was Briere that said something like, now we can have a T-E-A-M. Satan was all about the STATs and himself. He was the furthest thing from a teamplayer. To me, that was a huge reason for the strike in the first place, the players wanting to maximize their salaries without having a cap. Of course the owners are no saints either, they just want profits. The true loosers were the fans. BUT with actions and comments about T-E-A-M work, T-E-A-M play, and T-E-A-M principles, that is a big step in the Sabre's recognition of their fans.

Clements said he LOVED the throwbacks. AND he said a lot of the other players LOVED the throw backs. Maybe if we went back to the old uniforms, Clements would sign a reasonable, cap friendly, long term contract for next year. He might, as long as there is a clause stipulating that the old uniforms would stay as long as he stayed in Buffalo. In all seriousness, I've been following this team since 1959, they were granted permission for an AFL franchise in 1959, and those days were the days of excitement, pride and respect for not only Buffalo, but as football players on the whole. Now a days, the squeeky wheel gets the grease, they almost all play for themselves. Back in those days, TO's behavior was not tolerated by anyone, especially players. It would be nice to see a resurgance of the players love for the sport, their teammates, AND the fans. Uniforms won't change those values, but they may spark people to dig deep into their past. That blue in those throwbacks does look to be brighter than the old days, I'm thinking it is the material reflection properties. When I look at the old photos, the blue looks deeper than it is in these throw backs.

WGR was never known for their sports analysts. Historically, they are more known for their definite weakness in this area. Interesting to see that some things never change.

Now I have a story about bread: I was up in Canada for a quick run: Gas, Beer, and Bread. I was coming back over the Peace Bridge and the guy asks what I was doing in Canada. Sooo, I tell him I went for gas, beer, and bread. He says, "Bread, did you go to Ontario Bakery???" I replied yes I did, my Mom loves their rolls. He then goes on: "I made some Chili for the guys, BUT I forgot the rolls. If I send over an envelope, could you put some in????" I returned the envelope with 4 of 5 rolls in it and off I went without having to say a word about how long I was there or how much beer I was bring back.

Don't forget Gruden's little brother. Caught driving drunk a few days ago. McKay isn't too happy and said this incident has nothing to do with their reserve CB/kick returner who also was arrested for DUI. I wonder if little Gruden will be on the sidelines this week???

I'll try the first series: three straight McGahee runs, right, center, left. If they get a first down, the first play will be an intermediate pass to Evans for another first down. Predictions/opinions, they can be interesting.

I'm in the Rochester area. I love pizza with a lot of toppings: Pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, pineapple, ham, bacon, greem peppers, cheese. Most Pizza joins charge a lot for each topping, but the more toppings you ask for the less of each topping you get. Is there a place around where you have to eat the pizza with a knife, fork, and serving spoon because the toppings are soooooo thick??????

I read some comments from the Sabres co-captains. I was very pleased on how they are trying to make a real TEAM, not just talent, but most importantly, team work. TEAM meaning player respect for each other and them willing to play with each other. Apparently, Satan was very anti-TEAM, according to one of these guys. Satan was all about HIMSELF and HIS stats. One said he scored a goal and made a phone call type celebration telling Reiger, trade me. The guy told the coach, get Satan off my line, I'll take anyone, but get him off my line.

Predictions are opinions. It really isn't a matter of predictions/opinions being right or wrong. What matters is how objective and respectful the predictors are. The biggest thing that bothers me is when a predictor projects a 14-2 season, or a 61-3 win, but when there is someone with a differning OPINION, that person with the difference is attacked or labled as a non-Fan. I haven't seen anyone here being attacked for differing opinions, but it definitely happens on other boards. Another thing I have noticed here, there is a LOT of very intelligent football conversation, but there is also a lot of light hearted comedy. That is a great combination. Posters are actually encouraged to think in here because of this respect. There is a friendly troll once in a while, but they don't DOMINATE the board with a lot of trash talking. This place is a very nice change.

Game 2 is on Sunday. It's a long, long season. No one knows. Any one saying they do????? Common, be real.

To me that says, last year, Mularkey was not comfortable being held accountable. Is he this year??? That remains to be seen on the game situation and MM's apparent belief in Lindell's confidence.

There are two camps on this topic: 1) Stats 2) Anti-stats Personally, I actually believe in what Troy Vincent said about stats: "Stats are for loosers. The only stat that counts is in the wins column." It may not be word for word, but very close. There will be a time this season when there are close games. That is the style being dictated by the offensive personnel and play calling. History says that in close games, FG kickers either win it or loose it. Two questions remain that will answer the Lindell issue: 1) Is Lindell confident, period??? 2) Are the coaches confident, period??? I define "clutch" much differently than an NFL coach. EVERY FG success, to me, is clutch because, not only are you putting points on the board, but the Kicker is also giving confidence to his team mates that he can do it at any time. It really is all about confidence and preparation. Something Bobby April said about Lindell after the 3rd preseason game: "Lindell is more prepared mentally this year tahn he was at this time last year." Again, not a direct word for word quote, but the words are close and the meaning is there. My point here is: what makes Lindell ready now, but not last year at this time??? I don't have confidence in his "clutch" abilities because my definition of "clutch" is anytime from places including 40+. I don't believe he has that, BUT what I believe vs what MM believes doesn't really matter. IT IS MULARKEY THAT NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, not me.

Blackmon has been a D-Coordinator in Atlanta so he has experience, BUT he also as a ton to work with: Fletcher, Spikes, and Posey are all incredible athletes and players. They have started together for their third season now. They know each other inside and out. They are basically the strength of the Defense and most importantly, they are real T-E-A-M players. As far as Stamer, Crowell, and Haggen, I really think that Bobby April has had more to do with their development than Blackmon. Does the coach make the LBs OR do the LBs make the coach??? I agree with Ganesh. Everyone knows where they are with him. Krummrie is a real no nonsence, straight shooter. But, I'm not a Head Coach nor does the Head Coach listen to fans OPINIONS and that is all I'm puting up, an opinion. OHHHHH and Backindaday, I agree with your most of your assment, but TD didn't pick KillADrive. IMHO, again OPINION, Bledsoe and Williams picked him. There was a Pittsburgh connection, but Greg had no clue of how to plan an offense, not did he want a clue. They looked at Bledsoe and asked, who will best fit his strengths??? KillADrive was the "answer". On the other hand, TD did hang Williams out to dry when they picked McGahee. Great pick, but not for the immediate needs. Williams needed a whole lot more to plug holes and TD wanted to gamble on the future and let McGahee wait for the next Head Coach.

You are 100% right. I hope it isn't the Don Blackmon though. Gray has said he WANTS to be a Head Coach. He will go to the NCAA or the NFL, BUT his goal is to be a HC. Personally, he's been "overlooked" because people want him to actually proove himself and to sustaing his success. He played in then took over took over Greggy Williams defense. It isn't recognized as his. Secondly, he has to demonstrate he can make adjustments on the playing field. That is one main reason why the D has let us down even though they were ranked twice as the #2 D. They need to adjust to surprises. Third, he has a lot of HIGH quality, high athlelticism, team working players. Most teams looking for HC changes are making a change for a reason. That means a rebuilding phase. Who would you rather have, Jerry Gray or Jimmy Johnson???

That would be Chuck Dickerson, right??? He has been anti-Bills ever since Marv Levy let him go years ago. Most people respect Levy for his coaching intuition, sooooo Dickerson hasn't had a coaching job in the pros since. I haven't listened to the guy for years, I don't believe in his pessimisism.

I'm not as confident as many in here. Their run game can be pretty darned good. Their o-line is smaller and athletic, they are conditioned, and they are fast. Dan Buenning is their LG and he is known as a GREAT pulling guard. Ron Edwards was not heard from at all last game. I haven't heard a single thing about him on the telecast, from ANY coaches, Bills Digest, TD, sports "writers", or three message boards. I mean NOTHING. That doesn't seem to positive to me. Thank goodness Sam Adams is wide enough to cover both positions, but will Edwards show up this game??? The other thing, with Cadallic Williams is a pass catcher too. Look for a quick three step from Greise, a pull from the center and/or guards, and a pass to Williams or their TE. Mularkey isn't the only one with tricks up his sleeve. This will be a tough game.