folz

Looked at a couple of Packers boards and most ranged from "A.J. is mediocre and we should make the trade" to "He's pretty decent against the run and we're thin at LB so we shouldn't trade him." But there were very few "No way should we trade A.J." And a few saying they'd be robbing us. So, I don't know if he's worth trading Marshawn for (if the rumors were to be true) unless picks were also involved. To be honest though, I don't know enough about him and his situation in GB. A few interesting tidbits I did pick up: A.J.'s house is up for sale (although we've been down that road before with other rumors) A.J.'s agent did announce that A.J. was open to a trade A.J.'s salary for next season is $10,000,000 so I think if he came the deal would have to be restructured Anyhow, I'm against trading Marshawn unless it is for a player who is a significant upgrade to one of our starters (preferably OL or OLB) or the draft pick(s) offered are too good to pass up. It's nice to have depth at at least one position on our team...especially after seeing Fred and Marshawn both go down in the preseason.

I understand the frustration, I too was disappointed last Sunday that we didn't win (or even look capable as an offense---except on 1 drive), I'm sick of losing too, but this is where you lost me... 1. We are not the worst team in the league (Did you see the Jets game <cough> Superbowl contenders?..I'm not saying the Jets are the worst team or worse than us, but they looked pretty pathetic on offense as well). 2. Everything is new, have some patience for it to come together. It was game one, with new coaches, new schemes, Chan's still trying to figure out who does what well, our LT still working his way back, it was C.J.'s first real game, action, we're a young team learning on the fly, etc. 3. This season isn't about a Superbowl run, it's about progression and development. I'll still be expecting and rooting to win each week and be hoping to make the playoffs...but we all knew going in that playoffs were unlikely, and yet, you never know if some magic can happen (look at the Jets last year). 4. I'll be expecting to see improvement each week. If by midseason they still look as anemic on O, then we'll have just cause to call for some heads. But don't let the past be your guide, let's see how it plays out. Can't we at least give the new guys more than one game before we're ready to run them out of town? 5. Did you see how many offenses struggled out of the gates in week one...a player recently said "Defense is easier, see ball, get ball". Most offenses take a couple of games to get rolling (not to say we'll be rolling, but one can hope) Am I still worried about our OL, QB, LBs, pass rush like the pessimists (or realists depending on your perspective)? Sure, but I still feel like this team is heading in the right direction and will get better as the season progresses. You're a Bills fan, toughen up, we've been through worse (a lot worse) and I do believe there is some light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a long tunnel that is going to take us a little while to pass through. If we end up with less than 6 wins this year, or are one of the 3 or 4 worst teams, I'll be right here to eat some crow, but I still don't think that's gonna happen. Let's at least see what happens against the Pack this week, before we give up on the season, players, coaches, huh?

A cold, winter afternoon in Western New York...dark, gray, with skeletal trees; A light flurry falling atop the mountains of snow already piled up on the edges of the parking lot; Beer-battered, rabid Bills fans bundled in red, white, and blue as far as the eye can see; The camaraderie swelling around the garbage can fires and grills as would-be footballers sprint down the rows of cars going out for a bomb; Van Miller's voice hanging faintly in the air from all directions as car radios tune in to the pregame show; And the electricity that can be palpably felt can mean only one thing... Buffalo Bills playoff football! Where would you rather be... I guess Senator's post made me a bit nostalgic...and a little homesick on the eve of opening day. I was at that game too...That team was amazing, a well-oiled, unstoppable machine that day. And now? Who knows, but, opening day is here, a new season, new hope, let's go out and squish some fish... and everyone going to the game tomorrow "Shout" twice as loud for all of us that can't be there! Go Bills!

Expect to Win!

I'm a bit nervous about the defense as well after the preseason, but I'm thinking we'll probably start the season a bit shaky and then get better as the year goes on, becoming a pretty good defense down the stretch. And I think I would call Byrd a game changer...he's only played one year, but the kid is no fluke. Love the post OP!

Shanahan is obviously a good coach, no question, and when we were interviewing him I would have been really happy had he been hired...but now, I don't know, I really feel like being spurned by the bigger names (although I really think Cowher was interested but couldn't accept due to his wife's illness) and then hiring Chan may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I'm just going on my gut here, we'll see how it plays out...but it just feels like Chan was the right guy at the right time for this team. Not to say the others couldn't have turned things around, but Chan wants to be here, has just as much to prove as the players...there's no savior coming in to bail the players out, just a hard work, expect to win, us against the world, they don't believe in me either let's prove them wrong guy.

I had seen most of the highlight films before, but what struck me about C.J. rewatching these vids was not his Sanders/Sayers type of jukes, change of direction, etc. (which is what jumps out at you first), but his Thurman Thomas-like ability to not take the big hit. Watch the way he uses his body positioning, balance, and momentum to keep guys from getting a clean shot, or be able to wrap him up. Going into the draft people wondered if he could get yards in the NFL up the gut...I think he'll get them the same way TT did, with balance and body positioning making him elusive even in tight quarters.

Thanks Dog and Wonderbread...the veetle feed worked for me and I got the stream.

I tried this link last game as well with no success. Does anyone know if it doesn't work for MACs or if the vshare plugin doesn't work with MACs...I can't click he link on the page and can find no where to download it for free.

When is the last time we even saw a successful screen in a game? Or a successful slant? Or... Sure, its preseason, but it is already like night and day between Gailey and Jauron's OC stooges (no offensive to AVP). Did you see that hole on Spiller's 2nd TD...the OL did their job sure, but that's playcalling and formation that creates openings like that.

There have been some posters who say we need to go back to go forward, hit rock bottom first. But what they fail to realize is that last year WAS Rock Bottom...even though it didn't secure us the number 1 pick or anything (it did get us C.J. though)...but just listen to what the players had to say about last year. Last year was as bad and as painful as any 2-14 season (fired coaches, QB carousel, pathetic losses, injuries) . I don't think anyone is looking at the preseason and thinking we are going to all of a sudden tear up the league but it does seem like we are witnessing a team pulling itself up off the carpet and finally taking some forward steps rather than running on the sub-mediocre treadmill. And that is cause to get excited despite what our final record will be this year. If nothing else, this team will be more fun to watch...if I had to live through another 3-6 loss to Cleveland when their QB wins the game having completed like 1 of 17 passes or whatever it was...I might have had to shoot myself.

I wonder if that link or plugin doesn't work with Macs. I've tried with Firefox and IE, click on the download link and nothing happens. Tried to google the vshare download but can't find anywhere to download it for free.

What link are you guys on...I had nothing for a while and am now just getting a radio feed.

Good for Chan! Let's face it, heckling at a practice is ridiculous and what does it accomplish? I know we as Bills fans are disgruntled after the last 10 years, but seriously.. these guys were not complaining about throws or the play on the field, they were mocking his haircut, etc. I don't get why people personally attack our own players. You may think he shouldn't start or whatever, but why bash any of the guys personally? If Trent doesn't play well, I'll be right with you on saying he should be replaced but I won't be saying I hate the guy, or his mother, or make some stupid gay joke about him. This is our team for better or worse this year, why can't we support them until proven otherwise. Do you think Trent (or any other player) doesn't want to get better, or isn't working hard? How can you fault a guy for that...if he just doesn't have it, he won't be around long, but it wouldn't be his fault, its not like he's dogging it, or bashing the team, or fans, or city, or anything that should provoke such hatred towards the guy. And for those that think Trent should fight his own battles, have you seen what happens to players in the media if they yell back at or bash the fans? They get killed in the media and reprimanded by the NFL, players don't get much leeway there. I really like the team mentality, us versus the world, bash one of us bash all of us attitude that Chan is bringing to the team. There was also the article about the whole secondary visiting Byrd at the hospital. These guys are becoming a team, they're going to fight for eachother and that's great. Can't we start fighting for this team as well. When I talk about the Bills I always say we, us...maybe that makes me a loser, but that's how I feel. We can discuss who should start or not, who's playing well or not and why, who should stay on the team and who should go, but seriously to HATE any of our players and personally bash them is not being a fan of the TEAM. I know I'll probably get called a homer and Trent-lover for this post, so be it, but I'm not for or against any one player, if Brohm got named the starter, I'll root like hell for him, I don't think Fitz should start, but I'm rooting for him too...I'm for the Bills as a team and right now Trent is our starting QB, so until he's no longer on the team, I'll be rooting for him.

Shaky start on the first few plays: sack, bad pass... But then settled down nicely and played well. Wasn't shy or afraid with the ball, put the ball up for the receivers to go get. Threw a few nice, quick slants. Beautiful sideline pass to Chad Jackson for 26 yards. Overall, he didn't make a bunch of big plays or anything, but he managed the game, kept the chains moving, and looked pretty poised and confident.

Besides our QBs and C.J., some guys who I thought played well tonight: No surprises here, but good to see: Leodis McKelvin (tight coverage) Kyle Williams (Looked good in the middle, still penetrating) Ashton Youboty (A man among boys playing with the 2s and 3s) Roscoe Parrish (He might be our real #2 even if he's working out of the slot) Young guys coming on? Joique Bell (Wow, 11 for 80 and a TD, nice blitz pickup) Naaman Roosevelt (A few nice grabs, sure hands) Chad Jackson (This kid is sick of moving around, he wants it, 5 for 52) Chris Ellis (3 solo tkls, 2 assists...he was around the ball a lot) Dominique Harris (3 tackles, sack forced fumble play, the kid hits hard) Anyone else jump out to you tonight?

I think Joique earned a spot on the roster after tonight...and he did pick up nicely on at least one blitz tonight, the commentators (Tasker and Bentley) took note of it. McIntyre was blocking well in the first quarter and they were definitely using him. If Fred and Lynch were in would we use a FB as much? Probably not, but I still think Gailey will want to keep one for offensive variety reasons. So, the question is can the Bills keep 5 RBs on the 53? Do any teams ever keep that many on their active roster? Would that mean one more receiver who has to go?

Like what I'm seeing from our young WRs and RBs in this game.

After a few rough plays to start, Brohm has made some nice throws. The Easley injury just might open a spot for Roosevelt...a couple of recs from Brohm, one for a first.

McKelvin has had some tight coverage tonight...nice tackle there.

I'm a little nervous about the special teams too... but don't forget, they're basically learning a new system also... Bruce is a good coach, hopefully he pulls it together.

That was a nice arm tackle by Ellis to save the first down on the Colts last series. He's been in on a couple of plays already.

Keep fightin' the good fight Promo...I'm with you. This team will be better.

Nice find Fingon...I had missed that thread. I was thinking even 2 out of 3 teams being successful switching to the 3-4 would show those posters who say most teams switching in the first year do not improve or it takes 2-3 years wrong, but 10 out of 12 shows that switching the D to a 3-4 should not be an excuse for anyone anymore as to why the Bills (in their words) are going to suck this year.

As to the original poster's question: I did like that in Spiller's interview he quoted Gailey saying something like "As coach says, it's a tough game for tough people" Hopefully Chan can inspire his men as Marv and other great coaches do... Don't underestimate leadership and inspiration...how many teams (in any sport) have we all seen that were loaded with talent and went no where because they weren't all pulling in the same direction towards the same goal or weren't motivated enough to lay it all on the line. And conversely how many times have we seen an underdog upset a more talented team because they were more inspired, motivated, working harder, etc.