Sisyphean Bills

Or try to play him at OLB.

The Patriots are rebuilding while winning though. They have had even more turnover than the Bills and are turning over their roster without having to bottom out.

Really? That will come in handy if the opposition ever ties to block him with a swimming pool.

Depends on how well the smear campaign goes. It would just be another round in the chamber for calling the Bills a farm team, a team that can go all-in to sign players that are just another guy types, but can't generate enough interest, money, or whatever to keep the better players that they have developed past their first contract. And with one more loss the team becomes the only team in the NFL to not post at least a .500 record in the last 7 seasons.

9 wins in 29 games.

Yet, he's arguably the best HC we've had in the drought millennium -- only guy to lead the team to a winning record.

The whole "Diva Showmanship" act thing may not have been the wisest path to endear himself to the Bills front office and coaching staff ... guys that are (ahem) quite literally old school.

Maybin was productive when running around him.

Furthermore, if the play is executed as it was drawn up, the chances of getting rolled up on are much lower.

Agreed. Your slogan could be "Winning creates market."

So, can you fire anyone?

Let's see. No. No. No. No. Par for the course.

I'm excited about it. A Chris Kelsay deal on the offensive side of the ball. About time.

While I do appreciate that they had a running game going, I also think that the fewest sacks allowed argument is one of the most overblown and worthless stats that gets repeated ad nauseum here. The more interesting fact is that Fitzpatrick was getting the ball out so quickly at the beginning of the season, it was physically impossible for a defender to get to him unless he had been propelled by a rocket. I can still recall seeing, for example, Bell getting rolled back into the pocket effortlessly but the ball already being gone. I'm not going to applaud the line there because Fitz wasn't sacked.

It's strikes to the plan. On a broader point than individual players though, an NFL front office ought to know that there is a significant chance that their opening day OL will suffer at least one injury over the season and backup lineman will see significant playing time. This team went into the season with a plan for that eventuality of Chad Reinhart, a 4th round rookie, and this year's version of Ed Wang in Brown, Colin. And the OLB situation is just as bad. The plan beyond Merriman was what? To use a 3-technique DT left over from the Tampa-2 defense to set the edge? Seriously? While we can marvel at their dedication to "finding the beef", we can certainly question their wisdom with such strategic and tactical missteps. Speaking of OLB: an argument could be made that the discussion of the problems of the lack of pass rush and having poor CB play are discounting how susceptible to the off-tackle run this defense is.

Let's look at Seattle's OL. Opening day: Okung, Carpenter, Unger, Moffitt, Giacomini Yesterday: McQuistan, Gallery, Unger, Jeanpierre, Giacomini So, the Seahawks line is fine and well-coached, but the Bills line is excusable because of 3 injuries. Come again?

You really need to read what I wrote and slow down a bit when assuming I wrote whatever thoughts are in your head. Obviously, it is both. The players play the game. Obviously, when the defense can be scored upon at will, it isn't playing well. Nor, is it being coached well. There are clearly situations where players are being asked to do things that accentuate their limitations. Blaming the player in those cases is misguided and perhaps even trying to steer the discussion away from an issue that is perceived as embarrassing. "This team is being built the right way" was a popular saying before any returns were in, but after 2 seasons the buyer's remorse is setting in with the fan base -- if the posts on this board are any indication, that is.

The truth is he's carrying his (new) team (sort of like one might expect from a 1st round pick) and running behind a tattered, patchwork OL. Maybe this belongs in a thread about "Arm Tackle" Spiller, but who's plan did this happen under? There is a truth to the concept that a certain sort of running style is better suited to a personnel situation that requires a back to run over people and gain yards violently on his own. Then again, maybe this belongs in the "Bills have best OL in the NFL" thread.

There is an implicit irony in saying the team has no depth, yet all the rookies are playing well. Frankly, it sounds a little Nix-ian: Buddy criticizes generalities such as "the defense" but praises each individual as a "really good player". Which is it?

Do you honestly think Ryan or Wade would start an athlete like Spencer Johnson at OLB and continue to do so month after month? I mean that smacks of a coaching staff that has a collective learning disability.

Marshawn seems like a back that can get a few yards, even behind a so-so OL that is seriously banged up. Maybe the Bills could trade for him.

The George Edwards defense: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5%E2%80%932_defense

The Chargers have McNeill and Dielman on IR and are starting a LT who played for the Chiefs only 14 days ago.

Indeed. For a box of yards and losses.

So, you think Bill Belichick is still losing sleep worrying about him, eh?