talkinproud78

Jim Kelly. He's the greatest Bill --- he was my favorite player, so I'm biased. But, in a QB driven league --- he is the one component we have NEVER come CLOSE to replacing. You could argue we've had good RBs, WRs, DEs, etc... (sure, none like Thurman, Andre, or Bruce, but still we've had serviceable players). QB, however, we've been lost since #12 left on the golf cart against Jacksonville. Without a strong QB, you are done. OL is definitely needed, and I used to use that as TEs and Bledsoe's excuse --- until I repeatedly watched other QBs get it done, and in the process make their OLs look strong.

Just read (via Twitter) that Mike Catalana of WHAM-13 in Rochester says Brian and Marty Schottenheimer to the Bills. In what role? He didn't say. http://twitter.com/MikeCatalana

TO is still a great player. I am disheartened by his lack of fight for passes; but, he definitely still has separation ability. I think he's an asset (in theory), because teams still have to pay him attention. But, teams are playing cloud coverage, and covering both Evans and TO. And, until we get a QB who can zip the ball, we won't be able to find anyone. So, TO is pointless unless we have a solid QB, with a big arm. -Check the musings of a Bills and Sabres die-hard: http://www.twitter.com/jeremynickerson

I was at the game as well. T.O. played well - and he was WIDE OPEN several times, and Trent didn't even look his way. I took my 6-year-old son, and I was EMBARRASSED to even look at him. The poor child was so bored. And I was flabbergasted. Just amazed. I drove from NJ for THAT??? I got to see my hometown and my mom, which are very important things --- but the Bills game was the lowlight, for sure. The next statement is not about me. It's about every Bills fan out there, because I know there are a ton like me. Tru blue, die hard --- who spend hundreds of dollars on team merchandise, tickets, etc. just to watch that product. Ridiculous. The front office KNOWS they've got us. No matter what they put out there, we will come. We are desperate for a winner. But, I'll tell you what: That's the last game I attend, until I see a significant difference out there. I'm not saying they have to win every game. But --- they have to play like they want to be there. I was listening to Sirius yesterday, and Lions coach Jim Schwartz was proud of the team's effort. They lost to Pittsburgh, 28-20. The Lions were definitely in that game. With Culpepper starting. Ask yourself: What would happen if we played the Steelers??

I just remember Trent in the game at Washington (was that two seasons ago?), where we won it at the end, vs. San Diego last season, vs. Jacksonville ... Trent was throwing lasers. I think he is capable. But, as I was watching some highlights again, on many occasions, he couldn't even make a 5-step drop. After three steps, Grant and the other Saints linemen were either hitting him, or flushing him. Having said that, I was so frustrated yesterday. I don't blame TO one bit, and I think they should have run a curl route on the last play to get him his reception. That would have been decent. We had already lost the game. Now, we lost the game AND TOs streak.

WOW! What an awesome post. You are right on. I just wanted to weigh in - I'm from Buffalo (born and raised) as most of us here are. My mother still lives in the Nickel City, and I will always love and be proud of my city. I wish I still lived there, but couldn't find a job when I graduated, so I moved (I currently reside in North Brunswick, NJ). I am a diehard Bills and Sabres fan, of course, and always will be. In response to this post from JR, I don't have DirecTV so I go to a local place to watch the games (unless they play the Jets, then it's on TV locally). I go every Sunday with a Bills jersey, hat, whatever I have to wear. And there are always fans of the opposing team there, too. It's rough - I have had nothing to cheer about at all. I think the lowpoint was the Miami game in Toronto. I had to sit there and watch 3 points out of our team, while Miami fans were cheering in my face. In response to the overall thread, I would love to give up on this team (not really, but you'll see where I'm going). I mean, hey, it would save me lots of heartache, because I go through ups and downs every football season depending on how we do (and the Sabres, as well). It would be so nice to root for a team that wins consistently. It wouldn't hurt so bad. But, there is NO WAY I can turn my back on this team, our city, etc. I LOVE Buffalo - and the sports teams there are, like it or not, for better or for worse, part of my identity. They are a significant part of who I am - my history, my blood. So, I wish I could say it would be that easy. Bottom line: I hate the decisions we've made, I hate the team they put out there for us to see. But, still I root. Every single week, and I always will. Why? Because I've decided long ago that if the Buffalo Bills ship is sinking, I want to be on board with them. I have no choice. I'm a Buffalonian. Plus, I'm 30, so when I first really became a true fan who followed every game was 1988 - Jim was our QB, and we were set to make history. So, I am spoiled as well. I never went through the losing years like so many of you did. But, I still hurt like everyone, and my blood is the same as yours. We're Bills fans - we're blood - and we'll always be bound by it, like it or not.

I just thought I'd let everyone see this: Two nights ago, I was driving home from college, and I thought I would call NFL Radio. I have Sirius, and I have called before to ask about Coach Jauron and what their opinions were of him. I don't honestly believe I can ever get a straight opinion, but I keep trying. I called and it was Gil Brandt - I asked if Coach Jauron and Trent Edwards were the right coach/QB for the Bills. The answer on Edwards was that he's too young to tell, and on Jauron, Brandt said he doesn't think we can get a better football coach that Dick Jauron. So, they love him. I got pretty much the same answer from Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan this past offseason. I don't know if he should be fired, but I have to admit to getting squirmy here. At first, I loved him because we were in most every game. I saw that as a big upgrade from Mularkey, where we seemed to have a propensity to get blown out. So, I see the players fighting hard for DJ, but let's face it: the gametime decisions are simply not good enough. It's one thing to be a players coach, but I'll guarantee you that anyone is a player's coach if they help the player's win.

I have to agree with everyone. I'm in shock right now - I really should be in bed right now, and I can't ... It's amazing how many times I've had my heart broken as a Buffalo sports fan. WHY?????!!?? I will echo what someone said on the board: God hates Bills fans! That is a very reasonable explanation to me.

This is probably not an earth-shaking observation or anything, but sometimes things dawn on me (in fleeting moments of clarity!!). I was watching the Giants-Ravens today - and I noticed that the G-Men play a very similar scheme to ours (it may not be Tampa 2, but I noticed similarities). Everytime Flacco looked across the middle, he had a man (with no Giants corner anywhere near him). They play off the receivers just like we do. The difference is HUGE, though: Pass rush. The Tampa 2 looks so poor each week because we have no rush. And we can't stop the run. The Giants do both, and do both with suffocating success. They were always in the backfield near Flacco, and Flacco was himself the team's leading rusher (even with Willis McGahee ... imagine that - he had 18 yards. HA!). Again, most of you will read and go: Jesus - how obvious! But - I just wanted to post for those of you like me, who watch our team defense each week and wonder why teams are having their way with us, first-down by first-down. The reason is: no pass rush. Without that, the Tampa 2 is extremely ineffective.

I have to say this: Why do we need statistics on this JP vs. TE issue? Can't we just use our football sense? Since Edwards's first full start (at home, against the Jets), I saw a QB who had his head on a swivel, making his reads. I never saw JP doing that. I'm like most of us: a die-hard Bills fan. So, I want any QB to win, and I am rooting hard for any QB who is under center for us. However, JP just never panned out. So far, I like Edwards much more. However, I agree with the fact that Edwards has been suspect lately. His ball security has not been good. It definitely scares me. However, the answer is clearly not JP at this point. TE has great potential that has materialized on several occasions (to his credit, JP's potential materialized at times, too). Edwards does help us sustain drives - Losman definitely had a tough time doing that. Our biggest problem now is finishing drives. I think once Edwards gets his "sea legs" in the red zone, he'll be fine. Just my two cents ...

James Hardy from Indiana is my choice for our target wideout. Here's why: 6'7" - gotta love the size. But what stands out even more is his knack for the end zone. 10 TDs in 05 and 06, but 16 TDs in 07. WOW. Kelly is much smaller (6'4" - not that it's a big deal because he is still tall), but only 9 TDs last season. I just think our glaring need is an end zone threat. Our offense struggles to get in there - unless it's a deep pass. Hardy would be an instant threat down there. Keep your eyes open on draft day - I'll be hoping to hear that we select James Hardy from Indiana.