thewildrabbit

lot of fans forgetting just how good Lovie is at setting up a defense... Bills fans starting to realize just how bad Hackett is at setting up an offense

hows that run D

2 holding calls, and illegal hands to the face. a lot of ineffectual blocking. players tripping, and slipping...its not all EJ

loving Mike Williams

at least they went down field, and Hackett trying to run off tackle

What is Chan Gailey doing? At least he would get Spiller in space, instead of keep trying to run him up the middle play after play.

muscle hamster scores...or not... on second attempt Is it to late to fire Hackett, and hire Chan Gailey?

why is hackett so afraid to to go deep after a turnover? a mini statue of liberty play....wth

sweet

yowie, nice D

I'm very concerned over the play calling, and scheme. Very predictable up the middle runs with two RB's that aren't smash mouth, up the gut RB's. A 'hurry up" type offense that was basically a "hurry up and punt" offense because they couldn't sustain drives. The Bills were almost last in the league in three downs and out. An offense that managed to wear out their own defense by the fourth quarter because the offense couldn't stay on the field. That predictable run game that was shut down so often it put the rookie QB in third, and long far, far to often. So yeah, I'm very concerned! Bills OC Nate Hackett was also an NFL rookie last year and it showed. Lets hope he does better this year.

Hey man, cut the guy some slack. After all, he "IS" living on a prayer... to buy the Buffalo Bills. As far as I'm concerned this man is the anti Christ, as he has stated his favorite NFL play ever is wide-right. Seriously, EFF him and his steel horse.

From what I'm hearing, under 900 mill is an embarrassment to the NFL, and that because the bids are so low that the NFL is upset with Morgan Stanley who screwed this who thing up so badly with their "ultra restrictive non disclosure agreement"...ultra secretive bid process. The comish is going to try and speak to the Wilson trust into firing them. Redo the entire process and have it open so there will be more competition in the bidding process allowing others to openly know what the bids are. This could draw out the sale until next year. Just some speculation to think about here

I think the main reason for the outside fan base disdain for this season is simply because there are still so many "IF's" associated with this team. "IF" the O line comes together! "IF" the run game finally becomes dominate! "IF" the coaching staff utilizes its players properly! "IF" those first three things work, and EJ is allowed to settle himself into some confidence. Thus developing into a top 15 QB. "IF" the defense can stop the pass, and run successfully! Lots-0-"IF's". Still 9-7 could easily be attained should things work out. IMO

That Line with Glenn, Williams, Wood, Pears, Henderson could really be very improved, as no team will be able to get a great outside rush. Its the guards that concern me, and I dunno if Hairston - Cujo wouldn't be better then Pears-Williams. Aside from that I think Legursky meets Mr Turk very soon.

Warrow stated he thinks the team will sell for as low as 900 mill. So much for the comparison to the 2 billion for the Clippers... https://sports.yahoo.com/news/initial-buffalo-bills-bids-revealed-200912545.html Only 6 players in the mix now that Kelly and his group are out, and JBJ is done. Besides Tom Golisano, three unknowns, now this entire thing is still scary to me, as the first guy with one Billion will probably win the bid. "Initial non-binding offer from a prospective buyer who takes part in an controlled auction."

I think Russ Brandon wanted to keep everything intact because he believes in Marrone. He had the GM give this coaching staff everything they needed to win games. Its now up to the coaches to field a winning team. With new ownership being announced in the next few weeks, and they will take control by October. I'll wager that should the team fall on its face in the first eight games, then Marrone / Hackett will be goners. Schwartz will probably keep his job.

The ONE thing this coaching staff can do to help win games is to start utilizing the run game more effectively. The ground and pound mentality that the Bills had in the Chiefs game last season is whats needed for this season, in all 16 games. The problem was it didn't always work against every team last year. Lets hope that the new players on that line change things. If you are going to a run heavy offense there really is no need to run the "hurry up", or "no huddle". Which last year did nothing but cause the offense to hurry up and punt the ball away. A solid ground game will allow EJ to manage the game, and not allow him to be forced to carry the game on his shoulders. I will also keep them from being be in 3rd and long every series. it will also help in short yardage situations, and at the goal line. A strong run game will also keep the opposing offense off the field, and keep your own defense on the bench and fresh. Last season the Bills were one of the very worst teams in three and out percentage, 29th in 3rd down efficiency. They had the #2 rushing offense in total yards, and was the #1 rushing in attempts. But that was all for naught because they couldn't sustain a drive with either the passing or run game. The lack of a strong run game kept putting the QB in 3rd and long. It also kept the Bills defense on the field, and caused them to be worn out by the 4th quarter. I think this entire season hinges on if the Bills OC, Nate Hackett can build a proper dominate running attack. He had the talent last year and didn't utilize it properly. Will he get it done this year? If the bills run the ball like they should, I see 9-7.

Who cares who wins, and I just want to see the team have no serious injuries. I would like to see that first string offense for another first half to give those guys more continuity . With maybe the backup RB's getting more reps. I also want to see Dennis Dixon get some reps to see if he outplays Tuel-Lewis. I hope the new first string O line plays better then they did last year on the road against the Bucs. Glenn, Williams, Wood, Pears, Henderson. Yeah!

The real Achilles heal last season was the many things that led to a confluence of events for that 2013 crapstorm. Both Marrone, Hackett being NFL rookies at their respective jobs, along with no NFL veteran offensive senior assistant coach. A complete corps of rookie QB's, and two of those should have been on the practice squad most of last season season. Along those same lines, no vet QB and no QB coach at all. Those last two factors are huge in my view. Bottom line: not enough coaches, and no vet QB really hurt the team, and it cost them a few games IMO. The inadequate replacement of LG Andy levitre who left in free agency was replaced at first with a player that was cut, and off the roster by week six, and his backup was so bad he was also cut and gone by week six. The replacement at LG was the guy brought in to be the backup center. A player who was better then who he replaced, but still graded as one of the worst players in the league at LG. That wasn't the only poor player position problem as the team started the year with an injured secondary, and a player who should have never made the final roster in CB Justin Rodgers. He basically single handed-ly lost that week 3 Jets game. Bottom line: poor player decisions really hurt the team, and probably cost them a few games. The fast pace of the Bills offensive scheme was nothing more then a hurry up and punt offense, as the neither the passing - run game was able to sustain drives. Plus, the play calling by rookie OC Nate Hackett was so very predictable, and stopped often because it was so predictable. Hackett never really called run plays that allowed Spiller to get into space like Gailey used to do. Running the ball up the middle or mid guard 70% of the time wasn't the best way to utilize the two top RB's in Jackson, Spiller. The one solid unit of the team was the RB position, and the play calling was so mundane it never really took advantage of their players abilities. Neither Spiller or Jackson are built to run up the gut all game long. It was more the superior talent of those two RB's that managed to gain so many yards despite the play calling, and line. Bottom line: A more complex offensive run game, and slower pace could have won more games. Finally the QB situation was the most bizarre I've ever seen an NFL team go thru.. I've never seen three inexperienced rookie QB's stay on the roster all season. The Bills signed QB Matt Flynn who has been in the league since 2008, won a BCS national championship (named offensive MVP of that game) at LSU in college. Had previous experience on a playoff team sitting behind Aaron Rodgers, was paid 9 mill guaranteed to play for Seattle. I have a difficult time believing that Jeff Tuel, Thaddeus Lewis are the better option, as Flynn had a career NFL game in GB in which he threw for 480 yards, 6 six TD's which set new GB records. The Bills should have at least allowed Flynn to start a game to see what he could do. Bottom line: if ANYONE deserved a chance to be the backup QB it should have been Flynn. To this day I still have no idea what this coaching staff sees in Tuel or Lewis. Then the team was riddled with injuries to star RB CJ Spiller, WR Stevie Johnson, and starting QB EJ Manuel. The latter who missed two preseason games, and six regular season games. Missing those 8 games equal very valuable learning experience lost for the starting QB. For 2014 the Bills hired a QB coach, and senior offensive assistant. They brought in a new LG in free agency, and drafted three other players for the line. The Bills gave up a #1, 2014 pick, and #1 & #4, 2015 pick for what they think is the next superstar WR in Sammy Watkins. Traded for WR Mike Williams, and brought in two new RB's to help with the run game. As far as Nathaniel Hackett is concerned he seems to be devoted in building an offense very similar to the k-gun, no huddle offense that the Bills ran in the 90's. I just hope its not another year of hurry up and punt. He should know by now exactly how to setup those deep passes, by simply making those safeties move up to commit to stopping the run, and then letting EJ hit Sammy, Goodwin, or Graham on a go route. Sammy looks to be particularly adept at the stop, and go. Bottom line: The Bills appear to much improved in almost every area, save backup QB. What we have seen so far this preseason is... what I hope is a very vanilla offense in not showing upcoming regular season opponents a damn thing. just my two cents.

I read every article they posted after every Bills game last season, and never saw grades that high that says Urbik is #2 in the league or Pears is #12. Unless those snaps are for the camp snaps or played preseason games this year. #"s 2 & 12 in the league at what exactly? If those stats were even remotely correct the Bills would be fielding a very dominate line that would succeed in getting those short yardage run plays. That line was schooled on the road against some really bad teams last season, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and that first Jets game. PFF ranked the Bills the #22 team in O line last season, and #13 mostly because of the outstanding (+23.0) grade by LT Cordy Glenn. The rest of the line was so bad it downgraded to a (-12.5) overall. The Bills graded #11th at pass blocking, #29th at run blocking. What do those stats tell you when the team was the #2 rushing team by total yardage last year. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/01/13/2013-offensive-line-rankings/2/

and that adequate is against mediocre teams at home. While Urbik didn't grade all that poorly last year, and played injured. I still don't want a guy who can't elevate his play against the Patriots, or on the road. Now with Henderson moved to RT, and Pears moved inside to RG. It remains to be seen what the final lineup will look like. If the Bills are smart they will keep Pears, Urbik around even as backups. Urbik is a heck of an improvement at backup center Legursky.

It might be wise to at least wait until a few regular season games are played until making an intelligent comment. But then its Florio...

Please provide a link, as I don't think I can recall ever seeing Urbik or Pears ever graded that high. What I've seen from those two players is that they tend to play their worst against good teams, and on the road.

Jeez, imagine the hilarity that would ensue in New York city should the Bills sign Mr Buttfumble! Heck, why not sign Tim Tebow..oh wait there is already a thread on that lame subject. More laughter from NYC. C'mon guys, I realize things look bad. The current coaching staff / GM have made their proverbial bed, and are currently sleeping in it. Things should change by 2015...hopefully.