A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particular order.....

[Coach Tuesday]

 

What lack of strategic planning are you referring to? The offensive design seems to have wide open receivers running free on practically every play. How is that the coaches' fault?

 

Honestly, I think these coaches are getting a bum rap. They're putting the offense in a position to succeed; the QB just can't hit open receivers.

 

No vet mentor to learn behind last year (DONT SAY KOLB)

 

Last year's "hurry up and fail" offense

 

No guards

 

No tight ends

 

No WR screens

 

A poorly-conceived running game

 

Few designed rollouts

 

Watkins instead of Benjamin and a guard

 

No competition at the position

 

No backup plan at the position

Edited September 29, 2014 by Coach Tuesday

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Changing QB doesn't change the HC/OC problem. This coaching staff calls plays as if they are petrified of mistakes just like the Dick Jauron regime did. It's pure torture watching them on offense.

 

I disagree. If this were a Jauron team Spiller and Jackson would have run the ball twice as much today, which actually probably would have equaled a win. And I don't think it is fair to judge the actual pass plays called because of our incompetent QB.

Edited September 29, 2014 by Sammy Watkins' Rib

[K-9]

Can't believe anyone is surprised by the use of a sports psychologist. They are common and I don't know of too many major programs that don't employ them at one time or another. I get that people are going to pick up anything handy to bust EJ over the head with, but this strikes me as narrow minded. Especially when there is no shortage of other things to bust on him about.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[DisplacedBillsFan]

What sucks the most is coming to this board and reading all the pessimism. Reading all the b*tch*ng is WAY harder to stomach than the poor play displayed on the field today.

[DC Greg]

 

 

If I had to choose between Manuel and Trent Edwards, I'd take Edwards. Neither quarterback is going to throw the ball more than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. (Except on extremely rare occasions.) But at least Edwards' 0 - 5 yard passes are going to be more accurate than Manuel's.

 

That is so pathetic and so, so true. How low have we sunk that people are still like "just let him get through a FULL season. No not just 16 games. Start to finish. If he gets hurt again... one more do-over" There have been no "flashes" with this kid, people. We deluded ourselves into thinking him making a few STANDARD nfl throws here or there were "flashes". What a complete joke.

[RuntheDamnBall]

Can't believe anyone is surprised by the use of a sports psychologist. They are common and I don't know of too many major programs that don't employ them at one time or another. I get that people are going to pick up anything handy to bust EJ over the head with, but this strikes me as narrow minded. Especially when there is no shortage of other things to bust on him about.

 

GO BILLS!!!

I can't believe that you can't believe people here are surprised.

[dave mcbride]

Can't believe anyone is surprised by the use of a sports psychologist. They are common and I don't know of too many major programs that don't employ them at one time or another. I get that people are going to pick up anything handy to bust EJ over the head with, but this strikes me as narrow minded. Especially when there is no shortage of other things to bust on him about.

 

GO BILLS!!!

Great post. Some people ...

[K-9]

I can't believe that you can't believe people here are surprised.

 

I can't believe I'm surprised you said that.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[ThrowingFitz]

Remember this thread?

 

http://forums.twobil...-dramatic-tool/

 

All I can say is wow. Their forecast was dead on.

[BillsVet]

I was reading accusation that EJ is mentally weak based on this evidence, to mean that BillsVet is making a value judgment on what toughness is.

 

A team Chaplin though? In these Modern Times?

 

Frankly, you don't know me. And I don't know you.

 

But I know a little bit about mental toughness and leadership from experience being tested in a third world country.

 

The way an individual responds when they're down is important. I don't expect EJ to stand up and say he stunk, but I don't expect sulking either. Leadership is something that becomes infectious to an organization, good or bad. And I believe his teammates are watching their QB get down, which can be a huge negative in that locker room. A mentality coach isn't going to resolve this issue either.

[The Frankish Reich]

I dunno -- Kyle Williams could probably do a great Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker thing for EJ.

 

[DC Greg]

What sucks the most is coming to this board and reading all the pessimism. Reading all the b*tch*ng is WAY harder to stomach than the poor play displayed on the field today.

 

I hear that. Sorry to pile on. But today's performance is hard to view with "pessimism". Pessimism would be like oh we lost and that stinks and i don't think we can win these close games etc. The last two weeks have been more like... wow. This is the most incompetent display of (offensive) football I've seen at almost any level. It's really that bad.

 

I'm watching a real NFL game right now. Watching the saints get down but not completely crumble. Watching them to be able to run some plays and sustain a drive here or there. The way the Bills lose is just... i mean how do you describe it? How do you describe a team (or offense rather) that always shys from the moment? Never lifts the team. Better hope the D or special teams (or fred jackson single handedly) makes a play. Otherwise, forget it. 3 and out like clockwork.

[Orton's Arm]

Thank you.

 

Tough guy syndrome runs rampant around here. It's a wonder all of the hulking, ultra-confident supermen around these parts haven't already conquered the NFL, Al Qaeda, Antarctica and space the way some people talk.

 

Working with the equivalent of a mental fitness coach is no more a sign of weakness than is working with a strength and conditioning coach.

 

> Working with the equivalent of a mental fitness coach is no more a sign of weakness than is working with a strength and conditioning coach.

 

Agreed. For example: someone will accomplish more with positive visualization than he would have without it. The right mental fitness coach can teach you techniques like that. The fact that Manuel is reaching out to a mental fitness coach is an indication he's making a good faith effort to save his career. Nothing wrong with that.

 

But all the positive visualization in the world isn't going to turn a 100 pound weakling into a starting-caliber NFL guard. Nor will it turn Manuel into a starting-caliber quarterback.

[Prickly Pete]

What sucks the most is coming to this board and reading all the pessimism. Reading all the b*tch*ng is WAY harder to stomach than the poor play displayed on the field today.

 

Then don't read it. No one is forcing you, and what could you expect after a game like that, and so many years of futility?

[RuntheDamnBall]

I hear that. Sorry to pile on. But today's performance is hard to view with "pessimism". Pessimism would be like oh we lost and that stinks and i don't think we can win these close games etc. The last two weeks have been more like... wow. This is the most incompetent display of (offensive) football I've seen at almost any level. It's really that bad.

You should nuke some popcorn and go back to that 6-3 Browns game.

[BuffaninATL]

so here are my thoughts, in no particular order:

• this was a demoralizing game to watch; unlike the SD game, which was clearly played against a superior team, this was a loss against a lesser team. Any way you want to slice it, we gave away a very winnable game due to one player's inadequacies: EJ Manuel, who happens to play the most important position in the game. The 2-0 start now seems like a mirage and playoff teams simply don't give away games like today's
  
• Many have commented in this thread about the poor offensive game plan; I'll add this - great coaches put their players in the best position to make plays; this OC does the opposite
  
• This team has talent on both sides of the ball - lots of it. It's a damn shame it's being squandered by an inept OC and a substandard QB
  
• Speaking of EJ, I for one am skeptical of potential improvement with more coaching/development; I mean, can coaching improve glaring deficiencies in accuracy, mechanics, decision-making, situational awareness, and heart? I think not.
  
• Speaking of mechanics, EJ looks like he is a pushing a shot put....it's pretty obvious when you are called out by Jim Kelly and someone like Solomon Wlicots
  
• He is missing WRs in spades (every game) and is going to get a teammate killed as he insists on throwing a crappy 5 yard pass to a WR/RB who has a target on his head. These are awful weaknesses.
  
• When was the last time you saw EJ really, truly inspire his teammates with exceptional play or carry the team on his back? NEVER
  
• Don't give me this crap about "he's only played 15 games, give him time" - that has been debunked countless times. We needed to win this frigging game and this HC was afraid to make a ballsy decision and give Orton the ball. What's more important Doug - winning the game or hurting someone's feelings?
  
• I worry about the psyche of this team; can they handle a loss like this while giving everything they have to win the damn game if not for the ineptitude of their QB? I am especially feeling bad for guys like Kyle and FredEx, guys who have given everything to this organization and city but are fast approaching the end of their careers......
  
• I hope Pegula makes his mark soon on this team. I feel badly for the people of WNY who are sold hope every offseason, then have to live through a dumpster fire during the season. I know how much this team means to the entire region, how proud Buffalonians are, and feel terribly bad about the crap endured by the most loyal fan base in all of sports because of terrible decision-making, coaching, and personnel management.
  

[DisplacedBillsFan]

 

 

I hear that. Sorry to pile on. But today's performance is hard to view with "pessimism". Pessimism would be like oh we lost and that stinks and i don't think we can win these close games etc. The last two weeks have been more like... wow. This is the most incompetent display of (offensive) football I've seen at almost any level. It's really that bad.

 

I'm watching a real NFL game right now. Watching the saints get down but not completely crumble. Watching them to be able to run some plays and sustain a drive here or there. The way the Bills lose is just... i mean how do you describe it? How do you describe a team (or offense rather) that always shys from the moment? Never lifts the team. Better hope the D or special teams (or fred jackson single handedly) makes a play. Otherwise, forget it. 3 and out like clockwork.

 

I get the offense was bad. Especially frustrating because we could have won by running more. But, hypothetically here, say PI is called on EJ's pick at the end of the game, like it should have been. Hypothetically, say he throws a TD to win the game one play later. That's one play different than what we saw. By all accounts, still a horrible game for EJ. However, we wouldn't have nearly as much pessimism, because of the win. The missed receivers, tipped passes, late throws, etc. would be an afterthought.

 

EJ is a young QB. Our coaches are a young staff. Both need to improve drastically. That being said, it does the franchise no good firing coaches or benching our 1st round QB at this point. EJ has potential. Our coaches have potential to be great. They need the opportunity to learn from mistakes and take that next step.

 

Don't get me wrong. I would love to win now. Orton could maybe provide this. Maybe not. I'm more interested in finding consistency to win for years. EJ needs to play so we can determine if he is part of the future.

 

Also, we'll make the playoffs this year.

[dave mcbride]

so here are my thoughts, in no particular order:

• this was a demoralizing game to watch; unlike the SD game, which was clearly played against a superior team, this was a loss against a lesser team. Any way you want to slice it, we gave away a very winnable game due to one player's inadequacies: EJ Manuel, who happens to play the most important position in the game. The 2-0 start now seems like a mirage and playoff teams simply don't give away games like today's
  
• Many have commented in this thread about the poor offensive game plan; I'll add this - great coaches put their players in the best position to make plays; this OC does the opposite
  
• This team has talent on both sides of the ball - lots of it. It's a damn shame it's being squandered by an inept OC and a substandard QB
  
• Speaking of EJ, I for one am skeptical of potential improvement with more coaching/development; I mean, can coaching improve glaring deficiencies in accuracy, mechanics, decision-making, situational awareness, and heart? I think not.
  
• Speaking of mechanics, EJ looks like he is a pushing a shot put....it's pretty obvious when you are called out by Jim Kelly and someone like Solomon Wlicots
  
• He is missing WRs in spades (every game) and is going to get a teammate killed as he insists on throwing a crappy 5 yard pass to a WR/RB who has a target on his head. These are awful weaknesses.
  
• When was the last time you saw EJ really, truly inspire his teammates with exceptional play or carry the team on his back? NEVER
  
• Don't give me this crap about "he's only played 15 games, give him time" - that has been debunked countless times. We needed to win this frigging game and this HC was afraid to make a ballsy decision and give Orton the ball. What's more important Doug - winning the game or hurting someone's feelings?
  
• I worry about the psyche of this team; can they handle a loss like this while giving everything they have to win the damn game if not for the ineptitude of their QB? I am especially feeling bad for guys like Kyle and FredEx, guys who have given everything to this organization and city but are fast approaching the end of their careers......
  
• I hope Pegula makes his mark soon on this team. I feel badly for the people of WNY who are sold hope every offseason, then have to live through a dumpster fire during the season. I know how much this team means to the entire region, how proud Buffalonians are, and feel terribly bad about the crap endured by the most loyal fan base in all of sports because of terrible decision-making, coaching, and personnel management.
  

I'll say it again about the coaches -- receivers were wide open all game. The coaches pu them in position. They can't throw the ball though. They're getting a bum rap because the qb is staggeringly inaccurate.

[The Frankish Reich]

Fantastic post, BuffaninATL ... I would add only this: EJ was drafted because he was going to be a mobile quarterback. He showed today that he is less mobile than even Fitz. Longest run this year? 8 yards. I don't know if he's hurting, if he's scared he'll get hurt, or if he's simply been overcoached/cautioned into paralysis, but I do know you can't win when you're that tentative.

[DisplacedBillsFan]

 

 

Then don't read it. No one is forcing you, and what could you expect after a game like that, and so many years of futility?

 

Typical response. Of course I'm not being forced to read it. I guess what I meant to say, which obviously applies to you, is quit being such ****ty fans.