purple haze

Leodis can play. Is he great? No. But he's a good football player. More athletic than a good many. He's improved since he's been in the league, always plays with passion, does whatever he's asked by the team, never hear him complain, and doesn't even fire back at jack-ass fans who paint foolishness on his property. The Bills will miss him on the field. There's no doubt about it.

I wouldn't say delusional. They replaced EJ because they felt Orton was better for a roster ready to make a playoff push. IF they are out of playoff contention they should definitely play EJ. See if he improves. If so, he competes w/ Orton next off-season/camp. If not, draft another QB or get another QB in free agency and let them all compete. But if playoffs are not happening they have to see if EJ shows something for the future.

That's the problem right there. I don't know if this line/team can run block consistently at even a mediocre level. And not that you mentioned him, but am I wrong for wanting Lee Smith on the bench?

They noticed his skill set before the draft. I think everyone believed he'd be an OT. But Henderson showed so well, then Glenn comes back... CK struggled in camp. So the coaches didn't trust him enough to activate him. He wasn't ready to play any position on the line in August. But he's been practicing all this time and it seems like he's gaining some trust from the coaches. If Richardson was playing this week, CK would probably still be inactive, but the fact we are hearing good things about him from the coaches means things are moving in a positive direction. The thing that stood out to me was Marrone saying CK is moving well. Indicates he's either in better condition or the game is slowing down for him and he's understanding the game better. Marrone did say back in training camp he would put his best linemen on the field, regardless of position. Henderson isn't moving from RT, and they have massive issues at the OG spots so if CK has improved as much as they claim it would make sense to try him at OG. Maybe, unlike Pears, he won't get rag-dolled on a series by series basis.http://gifsoup.com/view/5134639/erik-pears-vs-any-dt-in-the-nfl.html#prettyPhoto

Definitely. But he could have a bright future in football too. If he wants to coach, scout, do front office, etc. I'm sure he wouldn't have trouble getting a gig that would put him on the track. He seems well respected.

I definitely wanted management to re-sign him, but when I not at what the Saints offered. I did feel he earned being paid as one of the top safety's in the league though.

He's still unknown. Which means there's a chance he could be good. Everybody knows what Fitz is and, more importantly, isn't.

I don't believe there is any such thing in the modern NFL. Every CB will get passes caught on them in a league this obsessed with passing the rock, and with the rules slanted to favor WR's/QB's. What a "shut down" CB doesn't do is regularly give up big plays, regularly give up plays in big spots and limits the damage when a pass is caught on them. Deion Sanders' of the world are rare indeed. He wasn't normal. Gilmore is a very good CB who is approaching what a shut-down CB is in today's NFL. In the old NFL he would already be there because he would be able to be more physical than he is now. I don't recall many games where Gilmore's given up big yards to one WR in man coverage over the course of a game. I think he has lapses where he gets caught looking at the QB and loses track of his man. The times he's been beaten for TD's he usually is right there with the WR and the WR has to make a great play on the ball. I don't know if many people notice, but Gilmore isn't a guy that QB's go at often throughout a game. There is a reason for that.

Woods isn't physical enough? I disagree. If he had Philip Rivers throwing him the ball he'd be showing much better too. Put Keenan Allen with the Bills and you'd be saying Robert Woods was better. Until we get a QB we will never see the best of Woods or Watkins. That said, they both flash what they could potentially be. Woods has so much more potential than you give him credit for. Bills get a QB Woods is the next Reggie Wayne.

Agree with you here. I hate the idea of yet another reboot, with another coach, OC and DC, but Marrone is getting on my nerves consistently. This team, offensively, is not well managed at all. It's disgusting. Marrone has done some things I like, but all in all I think he's leaving a lot on the table for no good reason. And this latest thing with Mike Williams is yet another iron in the fire. What reason? Spiller doesn't get plays in space. Doesn't run pass routes down field a la Gailey's tenure. Sammy Watkins gets three targets in a big game. Erik Pears, is an average RT who is getting rag-dolled at OG for another week. Fred Jackson is returning punts at times (I love Fred, but really?) and our OC loves to call pass plays that max out with short routes. I'm not thinking anything about Mike Williams. I'm looking at Marrone and his management at this point. Mike Williams has more clout with me at this point.

It's football, football, football, because that and hoops, but especially football bring in the money in college athletics. Hockey, even in college is a niche sport. The people who love it love it and appreciate it. But I don't think most people care. Random people will watch a college football game or march madness. I don't think NCAA hockey or lacrosse can say the same. The biggest state school in NY should have a viable, money making football program. Get that and the other sports you mentioned will follow because they'll be able to afford it. Now if Pegula is feeling benevolent maybe that hockey program could come sooner. And yeah, they could use a new stadium, but more than that they could use WNY to actually show up and support. That would help the atmosphere. No, they shouldn't drop back down. They should keep building. And that's just what they'll try to do. Too much money in football to not do that. Especially at a school of its size.

I don't want to see the house cleaned. That's what they've continually done over the past 10-15 years and it doesn't work. At some point they have to keep building. What would change with a new coach or GM? We would just be starting all over again. Hackett is a change that I can get on board with. I think he is totally over-matched. The O-line was a focal point last off-season and it should continue to be a focal point once the season is over. And they need to re-sign Spikes and Hughes. CJ is obviously not someone Hackett will ever be able to utilize so he should go. I don't think he would get them anything decent in a trade though.

The entire offense and defense. They all played their parts in this loss. Offense was sloppy, giving the ball away, giving up too much pressure across the line, again, can't run effectively. And I challenge Hackett and Marrone to justify throwing the ball to Watkins three times in a game. I don't care who is coverage. In the second half, the defense, specifically pass defense was garbage. And no adjustments in the second half from Schwartz.

Did I miss something in the article? I thought it said the Pegula's were hiring a consultant to evaluate the operation. Consultants usually do that and move on. No mention of anybody being there permanently. But Accorsi, Wolf or Polian would be great choices in terms of consulting.

Yep. I think that's a done deal. Just a matter of when at this point.

Yes he has. He will get his chance again. Hopefully next off-season after Orton helps get us to the playoffs this season.

Nothing wrong with Robert Woods at all that consistent QB play won't fix. Calm yourself.

There is exactly no thirst here for one. The NFL or new owner or both will have to foot the bill for a stadium. It won't be public money, that's pretty much a guarantee. If it happens, it would probably be the Rams and Chargers.

Yeah, but Bills missed a FG and gave up a pick 6. So Bills gave away 10 points. The Lions 9. It all evens out.

Breaking News... Watkins' good.

Bradford is a waste of time. He can't stay healthy. And even when healthy he hasn't lit it up. Granted St. Louis had personnel issues. I wouldn't be opposed to them signing someone like Bradford, but they better be looking for other QB's in the draft as well because, odds are, Bradford will get injured. The good thing? Bills have talent at every level of the field. Come next April/May that draft should be heavy on QB and Oline. And for all those still upset about a first round pick, they can always try to trade back up into the first. Not that a QB has to come from the first round.

I think the message they're trying to send is that once a Bill always a Bill. No reason not to have Lee do it. He played well for the most part and was always good in the community too. Everybody can't be a HOF or WOF. I'm glad to see he's back. Will he bring his playbook?

See the Carolina game last year. He had to throw in the final two minutes. Bills won. Or the Atlanta game. He threw the Bills into game winning territory twice and untimely fumbles out of his control cost the Bills the game. I think EJ has displayed that ability. He needs to put everything together at one time, but he's going in the right direction. Patience.

EJ is going in the right direction. The deep throw to Watkins and the throw to Chandler were beautiful. He's developing slowly, but nicely. Getting more plays down field. Taking care of the ball. So far so good. Bills don't need him to be a 300 yard passer yet and might never need him to be that if the defense plays up to its potential and special teams holds up their end.