WhitewalkerInPhilly

I like. I really think the Bills are getting close. I might swap G for CB, but I think those are going to be the areas where the Bills really need an upgrade and can't realistically find an affordable fix in free agency. Chandler definitely has lost a step coming back from his injury, and that's not even counting the drops....

I hope EJ, if he's healthy. He's been back to practice, is at the end of the original rehab prognosis Other than that (if EJ can't)...I'm torn. I honestly don't think Thad makes that 101 yard pick six. Then again, I don't see him playing the way Tuel did in the first three quarters other than those two horrible picks. Of course, Thad showed that he can rise up when it counts in the forth quarter, sending the Bengals game into OT and pulling out a win in Miami and Tuel suddenly couldn't play for **** once the forth quarter rolled around.

First rounder? Heh, no. Knowing our luck at RB, would I like to see someone in the #3 spot who is better than Choice, and may one day supplant Freddy? Sure. Late round pick, or UDFA sounds like a lot of sense.

Even if EJ is ready physically, I have to wonder if he would be mentally ready for the Jets game. He would have had a long stretch on inactivity, would have lost time on chemistry with his receivers and then would be going up against the defense that smacked him around for the worst game of his career the first time they met. In contrast, if he's held he would get an extra week with the bye to catch up and heal, and then go to play a team with the defense in the bottom half of the league instead of the top 5 and would be a better way to ease himself back before going against the Bucs and Jags (two of the worst teams in the league) I have a feeling that this might get a few sideways glances from people, but I think it had to be said. Of course, if EJ is injured anway, or somehow makes an early recovery to go against the Steelers, then that makes it a moot point.

**Sorry, I realized it was already be discussed in another thread**

Look, I don't think that anyone is saying Brady is bad. There's a reason his team is still the division leader, and it's because he's the strongest QB in the division. That said, I don't think that you can ignore that this is not the Brady we're used to seeing. Yes, he's lost a few people. But that didn't used to matter. It didn't matter when the Pats run game sucked, Brady was just that good. He's still good, and still a top 10 QB (at least), but injuries rack up. Remember Favre left Green Bay at 38 and people were talking about how he should retire with grace. He still played three more seasons, but he clearly wasn't the same man for the Jets and Vikings than he was for Green Bay. I doubt Brady plans to retire, but I think that within a few years he will, right around the time Tannehill, EJ and Geno will have a few years of seasoning.

I'm sorry. I don't usually like to harp on this,but seriously? The pass rush gets hands to the chest, the moment the ball gets released? Roughing the passer? McKelvin intercepts the ball in the end zone? Mario gets held, and as a result has an off angle that causes to him to hit the wrong spot? Facemask. I hope NO used their FEMA money well on this game. Yes, I know this is petty, and that the Bills likely would have lost all the same but I'm pissed.

cosistant? look, no one plays perfectly each week. the phins came up with a way to stop mario for four quarters, but he found a way to beat them and it came at just the right time. plus, he's one of the top five sack leaders. just stop.

the strip was huge, and should count as a sack. honestly, between sacking tanehill to get him out of field goal range and getting the strip, he easily is the most valuble player for the day.

Agreed. To me, most of the problems we saw in the last two weeks weren't safety play, it's that we were down Gilmore, McKelvin and Brooks, and were asking Rodgers to be #1. In the Jets game we sent over Aaron Williams back to CB where he hadn't practiced full time since last season. Gilmore and McKelvin coming back would appear to be more impactful.

As I mentioned, I would want him back. I want him back yesterday. I want him back for Game 1 against Tom Brady. I want him back Week 3 to terrorize Geno. The question, to me, is whether or not he'll ever shake out of "Martyr Mode", because he certainly hasn't played well enough to get the money he was asking for BEFORE the season began, never mind sitting out so far this year. A secondary of a fully willing Byrd, Williams and Leonard at safety and Gilmore, McKelvin and Brooks/Robey at CB sounds scary good. I just don't know if we'll ever see the first, and most questionable part of that lineup. +1 Yes, this this this....I hope. I really do.

Now, don't get me wrong. I would love it it Jairus Byrd and the Buffalo Bills came to a long term deal in which both sides are happy and a very talented safety is out there playing his heart out for us. But as the season wears on, and we've heard rumblings that Byrd is unhappy, and he seems to refuse to play with the same injury he had during the best season of his career (and one that his teammate Mario Williams is productively playing through). He seems to not want to be here. So with that in mind, I have to ask: How irreplaceable is Byrd to this defense? Yes, we could use him out there. Our DB corps is one of the most snakebitten in the league and I am counting the days until Gilmore comes back. But how much would they improve by the return of Byrd as compared to Gilmore or...I can't believe that I'm saying this, McKelvin? Aaron Williams has done a surprisingly good job transitioning to safety, and oddly enough, it seems that his time there has made him a better CB as well. Seacry, while certainly leaving something to be desired is a good run stuffer and has made some big plays. And the veteran Jim Leonard has looked pretty damn good. Of course, we may have to lose Williams to CB duty from time to time, and Leonard is reaching the end of his career, but this seems to be something that can be solved with the draft or picking up some depth in FA while our last two safety picks develop. So I want to ask: with a group which has gotten 9 interceptions in four games without Byrd, how badly do we need him back?

When I saw this on the schedule I thought this was going to be a gimme. But even when the Brown were 0-2 people were talking about how their defense has improved. With the AFC North being a huge mosh pit right now, them going on a run does not seem outside the realm of possibility. Plus, even if CJ and Fred are willing to tough it out the Browns are (as of right now) top 5 in the league in run defense. Of course, at the time so were the Panthers, Jets and Ravens... I honestly thought they had given up after Richardson. I mean, they put McGahee in the backfield. Hey Willis, meet some new friends we've made since you've been away! The good news then is that the Browns have almost no run game and we've been pretty good at stopping the run (except for unfortunate bursts which mess with stats). McKelvin was a gametime decision and should be back, and Aaron Williams surprised me. If we somehow manage to get Gilmore back, I think our secondary may be good enough to shut Hoyer down.

This makes a lot of sense. He's probably out for the year (which I'm certainly not bemoaning) and I can see him indeed getting cut. It would be nice not to have to face him twice a year.

I think everyone agreed that he had talent. The problem was always that he made dumb calls. Maybe some discipline helped.

I do think that special mention STILL has to go to Kiko. The man has been a beast all season.

I have to say, I'm impressed with this depleted CB group. Even banged up, they have already played beyond expectations. I've liked Williams at safety, but he is being more then serviceable. Yeah, I know! Really, at this point he's really hurting any free agent value he has.

Yeah, that Pettine defense looked great against the offensive juggernaut of the NY Jets. Wait... Kidding aside, I'm thrilled about how they did today. With the 3rd corner and Aaron Williams converting back to CB, they managed to get FIVE picks. But I'm not willing to anoint Pettine the savior until this is consistent.

Nice one.

He is definitely good. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if the Colts backslide a little and that wouldn't be the end of the world for them. The Redskins also came out red hot last year and now look at them. In fact, the team that's done best this year with a 2012 rookie is the Seahawks. Seriously, I've watched Russel Wilson's first game, and he came along slowly at first. His game against the Cardinals wasn't much to write home about, so I'm keeping that in mind while we watch EJ and Geno.

Not anymore. I also agree that Geno has been left out to dry. Of course, the Jets have been taunting about how they're coming for EJ. I want to see the Jets keep throwing Geno into Mario all game

Fair point, EJ probably will have a bad game and take his lumps. But I do think that you can extrapolate a little on how two QB's have done against the same defense. I also think the difference is that EJ is getting more help from his receivers, O-line and most importantly his OC, who is helping him with the transition. These are good indicators in helping a QB develop, as opposed to getting pounded for 9 sacks in two games, and abandoning the run when its working to put pressure on the rookie.

I think you're missing the point of "at times" I LIKE the choice the Bills made. I'm happy they took Manuel over Geno. I think he's a bit more talented, has a better attitude and charisma but owes a great deal to the coaches not trying to rush him while he works out rookie mistakes. The difference is that the Jets have momnts of throwing their QB's to the wolves, as people accused them of doing to Sanchez last year. They push too much, let them get pounded and the fans scream for the backup when things don't go perfectly.

Their defense is looking really good. They shut the Ravens out of the first half. They could prove me wrong, but they're likely going to be putting out their third string QB, and they just traded away their best offensive player. I think that they are hoping to score the lowest draft pick. We need a new version of "Suck for Luck" "Dismal for Manzel" doesn't seem to work.

You could argue that EJ does the same at times (like the TJ throw). The difference is that usually even if he's off, he throws to places where his receiver can at least fight for it, or be the only one in position to make the play. I remember one Geno INT that was just hideously underthrown.