Whites Bay

THIS is a significant comment. BeerSphere, I hope I'm still around to remember this note when it comes time for the Bills to re-sign a "Kelly". If you think you've heard whining and screaming on this board to date....

I understand the vitriol directed at Marrone by this board, and it IS mildly amusing that either he, or his agent, shanked this decision. But trust me, he's the one laughing. He's sitting on the VAST majority of last year's $4 million (let's say he still has $3 million in the bank), plus next year's $4 million, or $7 million in the Bank of Doug. Think about it. If he's able to simply pull 6% out of the market, he's going to be collecting $420,000 annually for the rest of his life without ever touching the principal. When he dies, his kids become millionaires. He's changed the destiny of his bloodline for generations; very likely forever. Not a bad gig for a mediocre journeyman low draft-pick offensive lineman.

I know they're all grown men, and tough and physical and professionals. I'm quite certain Hoyer has spent most of his adult football life training himself to show no fear as the pocket collapses. But I have to believe that sometime in the next 72 hours, he's going to have that private moment where he reflects - probably while watching tape of Monday Night Football - and says "Jesus. I have a real problem here. I'm going to get killed."

I saw your note, and laughed so hard that I had to search for the film clip. It was perfect. WHAM!!! FACE PLANT!!!

Goodness gracious. THAT puts things in perspective. Let's hope it's the treatable variety.

Marcia. Yeah, I went there.

That wouldn't surprise me one bit. The Bills D-Line was stupefying against Kansas City. The Chiefs went backward for three downs on their first series. I don't know if professional athletes get scared before the Big Game, but this could be Eason-esque or Everett-esque. Just watched Jaws' "Key Match Up" on PTI, and he's calling it Watkins-Grimes. No way. It's the Bills' D-Line against the Dolphins' O-Line. The Bills will murdelize 'em.

THIS thread has morphed! But since I've already commented on hot dogs, I'm allowed to chime in on steaks. Dean, the last time I had a TRULY memorable steak was in Pisa (yes, THAT Pisa) about 22 years ago. And MAN. That was for-the-ages. I can't tell you what was different - and, no, it wasn't the ambiance. But it was not something from Texas, or Kansas City.

Zweigle's white hots with grilled onions and horseradish mustard. Nothing else need be said.

Zweigle's white hots. Period. It's a Rochester thing. Don't even bring Hoffman's up here.

And there goes Vick. America's Dumpster Fire continues.

I'm another who has joined this thread late, and I was spurred to do so by Sullivan's column in TBN this morning. One quote stood out in my mind: "The stakes will be the same as when Marrone benched Manuel: A team with playoff aspirations and a top defense can’t afford to wait for a young quarterback to develop. When you have players like Kyle and Mario Williams at the top of their games, you go for it.". That crystallized it for me. The Bills DO have a top defense. Weirdly enough, it's going to be even better next year with Kiko's return. Let's take advantage of it. Sign Orton up for three years and really groom a replacement QB for once, rather than looking for the next bolt from the blue at that position.

Jesus. Relax. My take is that it's still October, and I've already had five (5) Mondays where I don't feel like hating life itself.

I'm approaching tomorrow with my normal brand of wary optimism, but the wariness will recede if the Bills can get up by two scores early (13-3? 14-3?). I don't care how they GET the scores. I'm cool with a Pick 6 or a punt return. Geno Smith does, indeed, show occasional flashes of brilliance. If the Bills get up by two scores, however, he has shown his tendency to become a turnover machine. The Bills DEFINITELY have the horses in Hughes and Williams to come after him, and chase him around the field as he scrambles out of the pocket. And the interceptions will rain down on the Bills' secondary like sugar plums in a child's Christmas dream. If the Jets keep it close, however, I'm not feeling too good about the fourth quarter. Not at all.

This is almost crazy. Personally, I LOVE a win! When you think that all of us wait all LONG off-season for what has recently been only 6-7 per season, HOLY CRAP! They're like Hen's Teeth! This having been said, I'm growing deeply concerned about two things (both related). First, the O-Line is just-this-side of a dumpster fire. But second is more disconcerting. So Marrone's ready to bring out the pitchforks and torches this week, and knock over the china and crystal on the O-Line to get more productivity out of it. Here's the big question - it's not like these guys aren't motivated to do better, and it's not like we have scads of diamonds-in-the-rough sitting around waiting for their time to start on the O-Line. The coaching staff has already evaluated all these people, right? I just have to wonder (reaching for my collar like Rodney Dangerfield used to do...)...do the Bills even have the talent on the roster to FIX the O-Line problem? And brother, if they do, they'd better do it fast. The Jets may be a TRUE dumpster fire, but at home against THAT D-Line? THAT'S what keeps me on edge. I love what Orton is doing. He's making plays that EJ is just not capable of making at this point in his career, and I hope he's soaking up all the pointers he can. But that O-Line against the Jets D-Line this weekend is NOT going to be a good thing.

I know (Marv Levy's?) old adage "If you listen to the fans, you'll soon be sitting with them", but...surely if anyone at OBD is reading this forum...they HAVE to see this frustration every goddamn week. You all know what the first play will be. I know what the first play will be. The Vikings know what the first play will be. So here's the question. Why don't we just start the game with...I don't know...2nd and 9, and CJ hobbling to the sidelines with a mildly twisted ankle? Just give up the first down and run 8 seconds off the clock. Because it's just so goddamn predictable. CJ up Pears' ass for a one-yard gain before he's crushed like a beer can at a frat party.

I don't fly as much as I used to, but I'm up in the multimillions range. If you're REALLY concerned, try to get seats in the wing box. It's structurally the safest part of the plane. What kind of books do you like to read? Get one that's completely engrossing, and start reading it a day or two BEFORE the flight. You'll be so into the book that you won't want to put it down. Add to this the many recommendations (mine included) to have a couple of belts, and you're already on the descent before you know it. But I'd stick with wine or hard liquor. Getting up to pump the bilge after too many beers is just going to remind you that you're not on Terra Firma.

To echo the OP's post, I have two grown daughters who are fully infected with the Bills virus. I just LOVE watching the games with my girls, and they are looking forward to sharing the joys and teeth gnashing with their kids. Bills Fans for generations to come. As a side note, I had to smile as I watched PTI during my workout last night. One of the topics was the rumor that two teams would be moving to LA in the next couple of years. NO MENTION OF THE BILLS. A fitting entry for my 1,000th post.

I've spent WAY too many weekends overseas looking for a place to watch the Bills. Mostly with NO success. It may be a pain in the @$$ (what the hell would you expect from the NFL?), but trust me - blow the lock off the vault on Sunday and just get NFL Game Pass. Just do it. You've spent $20 on dumber things. Probably even today. Just get the six-pack, grab the laptop, and do it.

Add to that the score that appears in the corner of that shot. They're down 14-3. Time to hang up the cleats and think about the flight home? Not Fred.

Those with more astute football minds than mine will give a more accurate evaluation of the Pats*...but, baby, they don't look like a very good team, period. They've bet everything around Marcia being able to work his miracles, giving him less and less with which to work every year. And it looks like the bill is coming due. I repeat - they don't look like a good team. The Emperor has no clothes. I think Cincinnati is going to eat them for lunch next week, and THEN the chattering monkeys on ESPN and NFL are going to have a meltdown right on the air. I have mental pictures of that famous scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in which the villain's head melts...

As someone who has flown a LOT, I can tell you that it doesn't matter how far you've flown. What counts is being able to get a few good hours of sound sleep once you land. And trust me, I'm a lot older than these kids playing the game - their bodies bounce back a lot faster than mine. But you know what would suck? Having to try to get a nap with a room mate. Some big dude in the next bed farting and snoring. THAT'S what is going to "F" with these guys. Knowing you have to wake up and share a bathroom with someone you barely know who had week-old sushi last night. Jesus.

Sorry to crap in the punchbowl, but a wet field means a lot of slips, and bad news for knees and ankles. Not cool for either running game. I see a low-scoring game with a lot of mistakes. Glad we have the better running game.

Thanks for flagging this. Just left a message on Corbin's voicemail. Pile on, North Country Bills Fans. The friggin' GIANTS in Watertown? This has to be an awful joke.

I hated the way Marino always got the ball off too fast for Bruce. Well, almost always. But I hate the Pats* and Brady so much more. It's friggin' visceral.