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Rapid Reaction - 10 Observations about Tonight's Game


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I agree about Williams, but I think it could be Fred Jackson's career that could be in jeopardy. Brown looked good, granted was against backups, but if he can stop fumbling, I think you should keep him and let Fred go. Only question I'd have is do you have another RB that can block as well as Fred, is it Dixon? Maybe it ends up coming down to deciding between Fred and Boobie??

 

Probably all the Freddy lovers will burn me at the steak for suggesting this, but Fred's about had it it seems.

 

 

Rapid Reaction - 10 Observation about Tonight's Game

 


 

5) Karlos Williams looks like a real gamer. He ran 14 times for 40 yards and plunged the ball in for his first NFL TD. His upright running style reminds one of the great Eric Dickerson.

 

Bryce Brown's career in Buffalo is in real jeopardy.

 

 

 

 

 

I actually liked Bryce Browns performance and think he should stick, as long as he doesn't put the ball on the ground.

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I agree with the many comments that Bryce looked good last night, too. I just don't hold out much hope that he can fix the fumbling problem or that Rex will give him the opportunity to prove that he can.

How quickly Fred and Boobie come back from injuries will be a factor in who stays and who goes

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I agree with the many comments that Bryce looked good last night, too. I just don't hold out much hope that he can fix the fumbling problem or that Rex will give him the opportunity to prove that he can.

His fumbling problem is kind of overblown. He can definitely fix it.

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over whom? Dixon?

exactly, and it wouldn't be Dixon we need him as backup FB it would be Williams. There's only so much trust you can give a guy. Honestly was anyone thinking anything besides DON'T FUMBLE every time he got hit. I was honestly hoping he would just do a QB slide when he knew he was going down.

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exactly, and it wouldn't be Dixon we need him as backup FB it would be Williams. There's only so much trust you can give a guy. Honestly was anyone thinking anything besides DON'T FUMBLE every time he got hit. I was honestly hoping he would just do a QB slide when he knew he was going down.

Since he didn't fumble every time he got hit , perhaps your concern is a bit overblown.

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EJ is starting to grow on me. He was all but left for dead coming into last night. But I like how he didn't get flustered by the Urbik miscues or 3rd teamer drops, kept his cool and took the shot downfield. He's playing with more composure and confidence now. If he puts it all together he has more upside than cassell or Taylor.

Just clarifying that the center was in fact Alex Kupper (third string) not Urbik - I noticed a few people mention this. Urbik looked good to me and should be a very capable backup Center this year. I agree about EJ - but also want to add that I was REALLY impressed by Frank Miller at G. He was at RG all first half and into third quarter with EJ (Kuojo was RT in 2-3 quarter). Anyways - almost every major run was either behind him or he pulled to clear a path. Great night from the rookie IMO.

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Just clarifying that the center was in fact Alex Kupper (third string) not Urbik - I noticed a few people mention this. Urbik looked good to me and should be a very capable backup Center this year. I agree about EJ - but also want to add that I was REALLY impressed by Frank Miller at G. He was at RG all first half and into third quarter with EJ (Kuojo was RT in 2-3 quarter). Anyways - almost every major run was either behind him or he pulled to clear a path. Great night from the rookie IMO.

John Miller?

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I didn't realize how short Darby is. He needs too play bigger. On the TD he got a face full of Benjamin's jock strap. But he always seemed to be in good position.

 

Bryce Brown is always a threat to fumble. Something about the way he carries the ball makes me nervous and if a boot like me can see it then the coaches must too.

 

Manuel has a cannon arm but sometimes all you need is a .22. A short charge on a cannon round isn't very accurate.

I often wonder how many people that say that type of comment about brown are saying it due to technique vs their own pre-conceived notions. For instance, if carolinas 5th back played identical, would a fumble issue have remotely crossed your mind? Edited by NoSaint
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ChevyVanMiller thanks for the observations and getting things started. I was encouraged by the OLine and noticed Miller did well but did not grade anybody else out. It seemed to me Kujo looked very good which was a nice surprise and everyone that played in the first have looked solid if unspectacular. When you have a QB running around like that it makes everyone look good.

 

I also was surprised by McCoy. He looked like a Spiller that knew how to play the position (not just capable of a spectacular play every once in awhile). And Williams looks like a great RB.

 

Most encouraging of all is that the coaching staff looked great! Finally a real staff?

 

I see the officials still blow. How do you review the TD and not determine that the Panthers QB is not over the line of scrimmage when he throws the ball? Was that a just give it to them because it's preseason call? Why bother reviewing TDs if you can't fix that? I hope we aren't in for another year of this garbage - someone needs to tell Rex he needs to win by two TDs every game to make sure he still gets a win with the calls the officials make during Bills games.

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BTW who is this Deonte Thompson guy? Nor only did he haul in a nice catch on the long TD, but I noticed him working hard and getting separation on other plays too. Looks like a gamer, hope hw doesn't get lost on this roster.

I noticed that as well. He could have had another TD from Taylor, but that would have had to be an amazing catch.

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Have to wonder, do we really need hogan now? And how long can easely justify his existence on special teams? Barring injuries to starters, those are the 2 guys Thompson needs to beat out.

I cannot for the life of me come up with a reason to keep Hogan, as I stated before- being open is great if you can catch the ball... I don't care how fast you are moving in any direction, if a football hits you from the waist to the shoulder pads- a WR in the NFL has to catch it!!! I've seen him drop too many passes!! I like Easley especially for special teams, but I'm sure there is enough roster talent to fill his void

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Rapid Reaction - 10 Observation about Tonight's Game

 

10) It was a class move and it brought a tear to my eye when the Bills dedicated the broadcast booth to the late, great Van Miller.

For many of us Van's voice will forever be the one that we equate with the greatest plays in team history.

 

One word for the Pegulas for honoring Miller - Vantastic!

 

9) Ronald Darby had a "Welcome to the NFL, Rookie" night as the Panthers targeted him on many occasions and he was burned for a TD.

 

Still, I thought the first-year CB showed good form for the most part and I believe that he will learn from tonight's game and be a better player as a result.

 

8) Matt Cassel was, well Matt Cassel-like. The veteran signal caller completed 7-8 for 45 yards. He threw a bunch of short passes and showed efficiency in the pocket.

 

If he ends up winning the QB battle, the Bills can win using his "dunk and plunk" style of passing, but man there just isn't any sizzle on that steak.

 

7) EJ had the biggest play of the evening, a beautiful 51-yard bomb to Deonte Thompson that put the Bills up by 7 late in the 3rd quarter. He finished 4-8 for 77 yards and wasn't helped by some drops from his TEs, which seemed to really tick-off Rex Ryan in the post-game presser.

 

Still there seems to be a pall around EJ that I'm not sure he'll be able to shake. At least he kept himself in the conversation tonight.

 

6) Tyrod Taylor has that "it" factor. While he had pedestrian passing numbers for the night, 5-9 for 49 yards, his legs provided many thrilling moments as he rushed 6 times for 47 and 7.8 YPR.

 

He led the team to two TD drives and at times looked like Michael Vick in his prime when he took off and made defensive linemen look like park statues in the wake of his high-powered jets.

 

He will get the start in next week's game against the Browns. Another dynamic performance could propel him past Cassel in the QB competition.

 

5) Karlos Williams looks like a real gamer. He ran 14 times for 40 yards and plunged the ball in for his first NFL TD. His upright running style reminds one of the great Eric Dickerson.

 

Bryce Brown's career in Buffalo is in real jeopardy.

 

4) John Miller looked good, really good. The 3rd rounder from Louisville has been drawing rave reviews since way back in mini-camp and it's easy to see why. He opened up some big holes in the running game and was stout in pass protection.

 

It appears, at this early juncture, that the interior of the Bills OL is light years ahead of where it was last year at this time.

 

3) Admittedly, I knew very little about TE Matthew Mulligan before this game. I hope to keep learning more as I liked what I saw from the former Tennessee Titan.

 

He blocked well and caught both balls targeted his way. Chris Gragg is another vet firmly on the hot seat.

 

2) It may surprise some of the pundits ripping Rex Ryan and the Bills for picking up IK "Jawbreaker" Enemkpali, but the kid looked big, fast and strong tonight. He had a couple of solo tackles and a QB hit.

 

It's just an early return, but IK might be OK for the Bills and not just an excuse for Rex to rattle the cage of Gang Green.

 

1) Speaking of Rex Ryan, I was actually touched by the fact that he seemed so pissed that the 3rd stringers lost the lead late and gifted a one point loss to the Panthers.

 

Not that I care that the Bills lost, nor do I think Rex should worry himself about such a trivial manner. It's more that I love the passion that he shows.

 

After the two-faced lip service given the "Bills' Way" by Doug Marrone, it is truly refreshing to have a Head Coach that really cares, down to his bones, about winning and establishing a winning culture around his team.

 

Keep on Rockin' in the Free World, Rex and I have a feeling those wins will pile up when it really matters.

 

Next up is a visit by the Browns at SJF before a Thursday night tilt between the two Lake Erie foes. Should be a fun week, can't wait.

 

 

Not sure where you're getting this assessment given the game Brown had last night. 52 yds on 6 carries plus a TD doesn't exactly mean his career in Buffalo is in jeopardy when that adds up to an 8.7 YPC. Let's see what happens the next 3 games

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