MattM

I didn't click through the relevant link, but Poo noted above on Saturday that 10 years of data out to 2011 showed a 4.2% increase in chances for a win after a full bye. That's statistically significant and would also follow what one might intuit based on common sense.....

I spit up my drink laughing at this one--good job, man!

Didn't the Cheats* have a similar situation last year--something like one or none against folks coming off Thursday or a bye? I seem to recall us having a very similar discussion last year at this time and a lot of people calling those who pointed this out crazy conspiracy theorists. I wonder what point and what amount of evidence, circumstantial as it may be, is enough for some folks. I mean it was literally 4,000 to 1 odds that the Cheats* would play us off their bye in as many consecutive years as they did, for example.....

I went 4 or 5 years ago and got tix from the box office--single game tix went on sale in late spring I believe and went fast (I bought them at like 10:01 that morning). Call the team and ask when they're going on sale. Have fun--I loved the city. Great fans, great stadium and the Warhol Museum was pretty cool, too!

Nope, we're not enough of a threat to the Cheats* this year to merit that, but they will either get Miami, the Jets or a tough opponent after the bye* if history is any guide....

Every time--and I've visited 10-12 away cities over the years, including the Raiders twice. Never had a problem. Key point is don't be a jerk.....

If true, what does that say about us as a society?

Swap Manuel for Nassib and I'd love this draft....

I seem to recall reading a PFF article right before Glenn got hurt in which he graded out with them as the 4th best tackle in the entire League to that point....

Personally, I think they could still salvage this offseason if they do something like: --sign Brandon Moore at G and pickup a CB in FA (perhaps Jenkins) --if Geno's not there, find a way to trade back (perhaps if Dee Miliner's still there someone might bite --perhaps even SF with their CB needs and multiple early round picks) for a 1 and 2 and take someone like Patterson and perhaps package a 2 and 3 and come back up to get Manuel late in the first and then use the remaining 2 on a LB--finding a trading partner here is admittedly not easy --go BPA (which hopefully includes a TE) after that We'd have plugged most of our holes and if the rooks pan out might have a decent team....

I'm not a big fan of Big Vince (that Losman hit and about 4 others that same year should have earned him a suspension, but guess who he plays for?), but good for him for sticking up for his wife. Loved his response and would love to be a fly on the wall the next time Vince and his ex-teammate run into each other....

I don't really like the Donkos, but I'd LOVE to see them put a real beating on the Cheats* this year....

If nothing else, this added a great story line for the upcoming season. I really can't stand Welker personally (that "F-You! You F-ing Suck!" play against the Colts a few years ago, as well as his general smarminess stand out), but even I would like to see him stick it to the Cheats* and Belicheat* next year, as I think they dissed him big time with that joke of an offer. What I'm hoping is that by the time Brady gets on the same page with little Danny, he'll be another year or two older and closer to retirement. Plus, I heard earlier that they were planning on dumping an aging (33? 34?) Brandon Lloyd--is that still the plan? If so, they're going to need at least one more decent wideout, since among the 3 Glass Bros., you can count on at least one being out for a while next year.....

Problem is, none of those other folks (Searcy, Jackson, for ex.) were able last year to beat out the guys who they've replaced, so the team IS worse at those spots at least....

I'm not sure about your counting. Personally, I count Barnett, Wilson and Fitz as starters, and Kelsay as a key backup, all gone, with no one but Manny Lawson to replace them, granted it's early in FA. If they can bring in another LB z(Burnett orDansby or Connor Barwin, please), a TE (I hope Keller doesn't sign with Miami), Brandon Moore and a decent WR, they may salvage something, but I highly doubt much, if any, of the foregoing will come to pass. It kind of looks like they're not really trying right now....

Take every advantage, fair or foul, ethical or unethical, no matter how small....

One or more of Kevin Burnett, Karlos Dansby, Bart Scott and Calvin Pace. My choice would be Burnett (just turned 30 and a pretty good year last year). Brandon Moore and Dustin Keller of the NYets. If we signed these guys and a WR (Gibson or Alexander) I'd be happy....

This team now has so many holes that Buddy has no choice but to pick up 4-5 mid-tier FA's rather than 1-2 top shelf ones, so today really shouldn't be a surprise....

Could be, but I'd wager they have far more fair weather fans than other big national teams like the Steelers or Packers....

I hope I'm wrong, but it's a bit tough to get too enthused about someone who's main accomplishment to date has been turning a crappy college program into a mediocre one....

Welcome to the Board, BL. That description kind of reminds me of Lawrence Maroney, who looked like a HOFer at times during his rookie year, running through or around people, but then seemed to shy away from contact more and more as his career went on. Very odd career arc....

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/09/sports/one-way-to-cheer-up-cheer-harder.html?ref=sports&_r=0 About two-thirds of the way through: "A native of Buffalo, she has endured years of disappointment as a Bills fan, though she has lately found herself siding with the nearby New England Patriots. “It’s actually fun to win for change,” she said. “I like being happy.” " That probably describes more than half their national fanbase.....

That's not bad at all. I think that might mean we'd keep our own and probably be able to pick up a quality WR and LB in FA, plus 2-3 other more marginal guys to compete at spots like LB, DE, S, CB and TE, leaving only 3-4 spots to be filled in via the draft, where we should be able to draft at least 2 more impact players. Unfortunately the biggest of those remaining needs for the draft would be QB....

That's doable--the cities aren't that far apart, and makes for an epic football weekend!

Will hit the Saints game unless it's first week of the season (family wedding), X-Mas or Thanksgiving weekends. My best friend from college is from Baton Rouge so have been down there a few times to NO with him, including a Falcons-Saints game in the mid-90's (that was preceded by HS football on Friday night and checking out LSU beating a 5th ranked Auburn team (remember, this was pre-Saban resurgence)) and for the SU-Auburn Sugar Bowl way back. Had tickets to the Bills-Saints game in 2005, but obviously didn't go. Going to see if we can get our fathers to go to make a 4-some of it. Hopefully LSU will be in BR that weekend. Nothing like a non-stop football weekend--last year caught the Stanford-AZ game before seeing the 9ers stomp us and last year caught the Navy-SMU game before the 'Pukes stomped us. Now that I think about it, the Bills just might pay me to stay home this year....