Lothar

I really think Cincy has a solid defense. Now whether they can cover the Bills' 4 and 5 wide sets is a whole 'nother story. What I'd really like to see is the defense come to play from the get-go and dominate this game against a rookie QB. No looking ahead!

Talk about Johnson or Jackson all you want but to me the reason we are becoming a tough out on offense - besides the Chan-Fitzmagic genius is the play of the line. Freddie is Freddie and on of my all time favorite Bills but have you seen the size of some of the holes he's been getting? And the way they dominated the big bad Raider DL? There was an interesting article written before the second game that alluded to our line being one of the biggest in the league. And holy smoke, they can play! I know our schemes tend to be based on shorter drops and multiple receivers but there's no denying how teams are having trouble getting to Fitz or choking off our run-game. After all the gnashing and gnawing about losing Hangardner, Chan obviously realized - better than all of us - that center was the weak link. Now with Wood and Levitre in the middle, we're actually getting 2nd and 3rd level blocking instead of just holding our ground. If the resident O-line experts on the board had their way, we'd have run these guys out of town after the preseason. Instead, I'd argue that we have one of the more solid lines in all the league - especially after watching contenders like Pittsburgh & Philly struggle up front. Props to the front office for finding some diamonds in the scrap heap (Pears, Urbik and Rinehart) to augment our higher round picks. Who knew we'd now be clamoring to draft DBs and pass-rushers after the preseason we had. I used to think our team's achilles heel was depth, and it probably is at several key positions. But if we can keep the primary 7 guys up front reasonably healthy, I like the odds of Fitz surviving the year and as long as he's up, Chan can continue to work magic with this offense. I really do think the talent infusion on defense will show up as the season progresses and when that happens, look out. Belief and confidence goes a long way in a parity-filled league.

I thought they did a nice job on Miller as well but they did run a lot to his side and also passed for less than 5 yards an attempt on average. In essence, they didn't really test the pass rushers in Denver much because they didn't have to. I'm thinking they'll have to this week. Let's see how our revamped front 7 fares.

Ok, so more than half your drives lasted 4 plays or less. 10 of your points came from starting inside the Denver 42. I have loads of respect for the Raider running game. What part of scoring 13 points on long(?) makes this team an offensive juggernaut? We're not that different with regard to potential but I just like our balance. It's all about matchups. Last year, your team would have been our worst nightmare physically. There was an interesting article in the local papers that showed both our lines are actually bigger than the Raider lines. Perception is a funny thing. And I guess we'll find out how things have changed on Sunday. START QTR POSS. YARD PLAYS YARDS RESULT 10:59 1 00:00 OAK 10 1 0 Fumble Recovery (Opponent) 09:55 1 03:55 OAK 20 6 15 Punt 03:02 1 04:34 DEN 42 8 42 Touchdown 13:23 2 02:09 DEN 23 4 4 Field Goal 08:05 2 01:23 OAK 2 3 6 Punt 04:12 2 02:45 OAK 46 11 51 Field Goal 00:24 2 00:24 OAK 24 3 31 Field Goal 00:00 2 00:00 DEN 0 1 0 End of Half 15:00 3 02:29 OAK 20 4 13 Punt 12:31 3 05:29 OAK 20 8 26 Punt 01:55 3 01:30 OAK 20 3 -2 Punt 14:11 4 01:38 OAK 35 3 65 Touchdown 09:17 4 01:29 OAK 20 3 3 Punt 03:43 4 03:43 OAK 20 8 28 End of Game

Roped 'em in again, eh Hogboy? Nice work. But couldn't you wait till the offseason for these "science" posts?

I actually thought he made a few good plays in the game but it looks like the Dolphins are looking for a scapegoat. Sapp gets the axe

Help for LB corps .... but nothing for the OL yet?

uh oh http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2011/08/16/merriman-s-day-over/

Actually, living in the Northwest, I've probably seen more of his games than most on here. Believe me, 2 years ago I was hoping this kid would progress and I secretly wished he'd become a Bill. I couldn't have a more different opinion of him now. I think, in effect, he's a taller JP Losman. He has all the physical tools and none of the intangibles. Frankly, I'd rather have a Fitz - or Dalton - or Ponder who lack in the skills department but have many more of the leadership qualities, including the ability to actually make your team better - pretty much a prerequisite for me in evaluating QBs. If we're going to take a flyer on an athletic QB, I hope it's on someone who showed stretches of accuracy as well as improvement (like Kaepernick). I too am intrigued by Mallett but character concerns leave him wanting. I trust Gailey to see which of these guys can translate athletic prowess and that stuff between the ears into being a good QB.

As was Brees ... terrible QB, no chance for success there. Obviously you'd like to pick the guy with tangibles as well as intangibles. but if you don't have smarts in the NFL, you have no chance. I'm not sold on Ponder either but risk/reward is better for him than the guys who run 4.5 forties and throw the ball 80 yards. From the same site ... Christian Ponder, Florida State Ponder was very accurate all throwing session. I was looking forward to watching Florida State QB Christian Ponder throw live Sunday at the NFL Combine and he did not fail to impress. Looking through the entire QB group I thought Ponder had the best day of all the signal callers. His arm looked plenty live enough to make all the throws, he was balanced in his drop, got the ball out quickly and was very accurate during the session. He showcased good ball location in the three step game, getting the ball out on time while allowing his receivers to consistently run through the throw. Ponder also showcased plenty of zip on his throws in the five step game and was capable of sticking the dig. The one area where he did struggle was on bucket throws when trying to toss the nine (fade), but he did a nice job later in the workout on the post-corner, dropping his first pass into the outstretched arms of the receiver. Ponder seems to be getting stronger and stronger the further he gets away from his injury-riddled senior season and with the improvements to his footwork, he's still the guy who I like the most in this quarterback class.

Here's what the NFL Post analysts added, however: Overall, I thought Washington QB Jake Lockerthrew the best of any quarterback in group one. He showcased good touch down the field, had a strong arm and spinned the football cleanly on all levels of the field. The only time he was a bit inconsistent with his accuracy was on the dig route where he not only had to take his five step drop from under center, but also get the ball out on time. Again, it seems like anytime Locker is asked to process any info into a route his accuracy runs cold. http://www.nationalf...consistent.html Accuracy in a vaccuum is what we had with Edwards. Processing information and translating that accuracy is a whole 'nother thing. I live out west and followed Locker's hype in the hope he might be a target of the Bills one day. The first criterion I'd use in choosing a QB is how good a leader he is and how quickly he can progress through his reads. I've come to realize that Locker is more like JP Losman than a Aaron Rodgers. Ponder is probably the most ready but I don't think he'd be better than Fitz ... perhaps in a couple years. I trust Mayock's judgment on Gabbert but think that's too risky a pick for a non-pro style QB at 3. I'd rather pick Kapernick or Ponder in Round 3 and focus on defense early.

Ya - he's thrown for 74 yards today. We should have picked him.

The Broncos had just signed him away from the Pats* for 20 mil this offseason. Pretty crazy. http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/hot-news-and-rumors.html

oops, sorry - didn't see the original post ... please delete.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/08/23/te-matthews-waived/ Damn

p.s. per TG's latest comments, while I'm no fan of Favre I've lost all respect for Bruschi ... just flappin' his jaws to be heard. Didn't Favre have the same doubts last year? What's your point TB? I think he just doesn't like someone surpassing his own 'God-like' status.

Schobel's situation came up in a conversation I had with Taylor on Saturday morning. Nobody terrorized AFC East quarterbacks more over the past decade than they did. Taylor is the NFL's active sacks leader with all but 3.5 of his 127.5 career sacks occurring with the Miami Dolphins. Schobel's 74 career sacks -- all with the Bills -- are second in the division. Schobel also tops the list of sacks on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with 12. Taylor is next with 9.5 sacks. Despite Schobel's production and two Pro Bowl selections, Buffalo had only one winning season since it drafted him in 2001. "That's sad," Taylor said. "As a competitor and as an athlete, you understand what they go through. Nobody likes to be on the losing end of things. "He's such a good player, plays the game so hard and always laid it on the line. He's one of those guys that we around the league look at and respect the way the kid works. Everybody has a boiling point. I guess he hit his." That's when I mentioned to Taylor that as bleak as the Bills' outlook was for 2010, they also lost running backs Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch to injuries on the opening drive of Friday night's preseason opener. "Yikes," said Taylor, his eyes bulging at the news. "You never count anybody out in this league, though, but goodness gracious." Well down the page Well, the Bills aren't thought of too highly among our division foes ... only way to go is up.

Actually, he had to have been cut to be placed on the practice squad. And any team could have picked him up while he was on there - it's not surprising that the Bills took a flyer on a guy with an impressive college resume. I still think if the line was more solid that Trent would be the better QB but thus far I'm not sold on his mental makeup ... I guess I was hoping Chan would bring the confidence out. I'm all for giving him another shot but if he regresses this week, I'd take my chances with Brohm in week 3 because Fitz is a more competent backup when everything falls apart on the line (which almost seems to be fore-ordained.)

per Chris Brown ... precautionary. DT Kyle Williams left the practice field early on Thursday with a hand injury, but head coach Chan Gailey has been led to believe it’s not a major injury. “They just took him off as a precaution,” said Gailey. ”They’re checking on him. They’ll make sure nothing is really wrong. It was one where he got banged a little bit and we’ll see what turns up with it, but we don’t think there’s anything bad at all.” As we reported earlier, Williams did not appear all that concerned about it when it happened, but team medical officials will probably take a closer look via x-ray or MRI to be sure. Didn't mean to steal thunder, John. I appreciate the heads up, just glad it's not a serious injury.

Depth move potentially since we need more OL. Stiil, he's recovering from microfracture surgery so no guarantees. chris brown on BB.com

Can't really argue with the assessment. I'd feel a lot better if I knew our OL was upgraded entering the season. Still, maybe it's good that expectations are at a rock bottom for us around the league. FWIW, he says things look worse for us because our AFC East rivals have had 3 of the best 5 offseasons. the mouse's blog

I'm pretty sure these stats must include number of plays as one parameter. Let's say the Jets' D forces a 3 and out. But our D gives up 11 plays and 60 yards before giving up a FG - chances are much greater that Stroud or Williams will cause a negative play than one of the Jets D linemen. I still like Williams and Stroud but stats like these are pretty meaningless.

I couldn't disagree more. When you have an offense that can score quickly, the worst approach you can have on defense is to be "bend but don't break". We may have completely broken in SBXV but this is more an issue of approach to the game. Take chances, who cares if you give up a big score - I'll bet that my offense will outscore yours. And it's not like we didn't have playmakers - Bruce, Cornelius, Conlan, etc. Playing a standard vanilla defense allowed us to be good enough to dominate during the regular season but man, coaching sure showed up in the playoffs. Parcells and the other NFC coaches sure knew our weakness and they came up with gameplans to outfox our talent advantage. To this day, I sorta blame Marv and especially blame Corey for their inability to change the style of our defense to fit what was the most dynamic offense in the game.

I think this would be a disappointing move. Ted rode Wade's coattails and our D slowly got worse. He was also let go from San Diego despite inheriting a talented defense. While I'm ok with Gailey's hiring for his offensive prowess, the selection of Cotrell would be a signal we're settling for mediocrity again.

Ditka ... or maybe da Bears Bus.