Lt. Dan's Revenge

You would think that #31 sees this defense playing as well as it is, and is itching to get back onto the field. I hope that's the case, but at this point it's really hard to tell what's what with the Byrd situation.

Yes, there sure are. Particularly in the AFC. Aside from the Broncos, the entire conference is WIDE open IMO.

I did briefly mention his pass blocking. I don't think he's been a concern in that area at all so far this year. I'm curious as to why you think he is?

Exactly. The Raiders are an absolutely awful football team. The Jaguars are just slightly worse somehow and were on the road. The Raiders roster is one of the worst I've ever seen, particularly the offensive line.

It has to be. Anything is better than Brown if he continues down this path.

The first couple weeks have come with a lot of praise for EJ, the defense and the coaching staff. This is all very justifiable. However, two guys who aren't getting enough attention and who have both played huge parts in the success so far this season are two of the big uglies along the offensive front - Cordy Glenn and Kraig Urbik. All Cordy Glenn has done (If my analysis after re-watching both games is correct) is not give up a single pressure through two games. I know PFF confirmed this for week one, and I do not have him down for having been beat on a pass rush in week two either. This is incredible. And it comes against two very solid defensive lines. Chandler Jones is no slouch, as the Jets Pro Bowl left tackle found out the hard way last Thursday when he burned him for two sacks and multiple pressures. Then this past week Glenn spent the day squaring off against Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson who can both really get after the quarterback with both speed and power, and completely dominated. He has some of the quickest feet you will see for a man that size, and consistently anchors so that he is not beaten by a power rush right at him. He has also shown well in the run game, particularly in getting to the second-level, as an unfortunate Jon Beason found out in a 1st quarter run by CJ Spiller in which Glenn lit him up 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. Folks, we could be looking at an All-Pro season for #77 if he keeps this up. As good as Cordy Glenn has been in pass protection, Kraig Urbik has been just as dominant in run blocking at times. Urbik has been consistently sealing his man on running plays, and opening up huge lanes for CJ and Fred, specifically on designed cut-back plays (Some of which, as we know, CJ missed in week one). I noticed at least three separate plays last week in which Urbik blasted off the ball and took his man completely out of the play, leaving huge holes for the backs to exploit. I mean they had 7 yards handed to them before even having to make a guy miss because of Urbik blocks. This was very impressive. He has also more than held his own in pass protection. Consistently provides a clean pocket for Manuel and rarely misses an assignment. Truly one of the most underrated parts of this team. I'm glad we gave him an extension when we did. On one sour note, as good as these two have been, Colin Brown has been absolutely awful. He is getting manhandled by just about any and every one that has lined up against him so far this season. IMO, if he doesn't significantly pick up his play within the next week or two, he should be cut. There just has to be someone, either in-house or out, that can produce better results than what he is giving this team right now. Most importantly, GO BILLS!

Great way to address a young team after a big first win as a group. Not too high, not too low. Praise the way the defense played and the resiliency the entire team showed, but remind them that they haven't accomplished anything yet and that they expect to win. Expect to win. That mentality is what separates the good teams from the great ones IMO, and is something that doesn't seem to have been preached from top-to-bottom in this organization in a very long time. Now it's time to go on the road take care of business next week in a game that the Bills should win. That's what great teams do.

These people are insane.

I noticed the good body language from McKelvin as well. For some players, confidence is the biggest factor, and he seems to be one of those guys. If he keeps it up, we suddenly have a very, very good corner duo when Gilmore comes back in a few weeks. Pettine's already doing a great job, and this would make his job much easier. Very encouraging for #21.

20-16 Bills.

Hell yeah.

Any good strip clubs? Asking for a friend....

Thanks, OP. A review like this confirms most of impressions walking out of the stadium. I have not witnessed a quarterback with the pocket presence and composure that EJ showed in his very first game in a very long time on this team. Beyond that, the most impressive thing that I noticed during both the live-action and review of the game is the fact that Manuel consistently showed the ability to throw receivers open. This is something that takes special physical and mental talent to do on a consistent basis in the NFL, and IMO, is one of the things that separates the good quarterbacks from the great ones. I have never been more encouraged coming out of a loss because we finally might have a very good one at the most important position in all of sports.

Good point. Tough for good threads/posts to live on boards other than TSW and OTW.

I think it's possible. They do not have much of a run game whatsoever. DeAngelo Williams has lost more than a step. And a lot of Newton's success two years ago was predicated on having success in the run game. If he doesn't have that to lean on, I think their offense is average at best. The defense will keep them in games though, as evidenced by Sunday.

The hostess piece is probably an issue at many schools. The decade-long pay-for-production system that is being alleged seems like a whole new ball game. Or perhaps I'm missing something...

Yep. Do this while snapping the ball with about 15 seconds left each time is the recipe.

Stuff like girls throwing themselves at star athletes happens at every school. Boosters, coaches and other school personnel facilitating huge cash payments for play, sex and other massive benefits to their players surely does not.

The Panthers front 7 is very impressive. Both Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy have Pro Bowl-level talent. Star Lotulelei clearly gave the run defense a jolt against the Seahawks. The linebackers are a solid group obviously headlined by Keuchly, but Jon Beason and Thomas Davis are no pushovers either. Physical front 7. This is going to make the pace that the Bills run their offense all the more important. You have to wear out these front 7 starters on Carolina as much as possible, because I do think depth beyond the starters is a question mark for them. If I'm the Buffalo coaching staff, I'm stressing pace as much as possible this week. Good luck, and thanks for the Panther insight!

This brewing Oklahoma State Cowboys football scandal is out of control. Players paid by the tackle. Boosters handing them hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars. Organized sex for top recruits. Wide spread drug use. The list goes on and on. Much of it under Les Miles' watch. SI is doing a five-part investigation into it and the first part that came out today was a great read. Link is below. This could lead to a death penalty for a program that has been rising the last decade or so. Not to mention BIG trouble for Coach Miles. http://sportsillustr.../?sct=hp_t1t_a1

This is mostly due to the cook/bartender. I don't know how he does it. Went on a 6 year hiatus from any type of bar food cooking, yet jumps right back in and mixes up some serious wings while tending bar! And this isn't even his real job!

+1.

So, I have not missed a Home Opener in 13 years. However, on this particular year, for a variety of reasons, I was not planning on going to Sunday's game, thus ending my streak. Then the last couple days happened. Two friends of mine decided that they needed to be at the Ralph and asked me to join. And just like a recovering crack addict with a pipe being waved in front of their face, I immediately caved. And probably just like that crack addict, I feel absolutely tremendous about my decision. Can't wait to help you all rock the stadium on Sunday afternoon! GO BILLS!!!!!!

Can Sunday just get here so we can stop worrying about the #51-53 guys on the roster...

Matt McGloin out of Penn St.