tennesseeboy

Kolb has a role to play as the only veteran qb, but I see him now fighting for the number 2 spot with Tuell. I see us keeping three qb's and I suspect the rest of the preseason will be primarily Manuel and Tuell getting the reps. It would be time for a real heart to heart with Kolb as to his potential role on this team.

We definitely showed we had some very good rookies, but I think I wait til they get a few games in the regular season first

Well we did look very good today and gave reason to think we are at least as good as last year. It's only one preseason game but I wold put us at nineteen or twenty Ok. Biased maybe but there were lots of good signs in this game

you got a great running back and a very good running back on a team that is going to probably have to showcase the running game. I see both Spiller and Jackson getting plenty of touches. There is always to injury bug to worry about as well, so I wouldn't lose sleep over having two good backs. We should only be this deep in other positions. I am going to be looking at the run blocking of the o-line through pre-season as we really do need a new "electric company" to turn on those backs.

First half for sure for Manuel. If he is going to be the guy for the regular season he'll need all the reps he can get. And I think he is going to be the guy this season for better or worse.

Right now its not negative...its not positive. Its NOTHING untl they play a few games. We can speculate, and there is probably more room for negative speculation given EJ's performance to date, Mario's constant litany of excuses, and the failure to add much of significance to a six win team. Positive? Manuel has shown some success, we have some new receivers, and a new coach to replace a very bad one. All in all we'll have a better take on this team after 3 or 4 games.

Excellent post. I couldn't agree more. I could see Manuel getting better, the line jelling, the defense getting better over time and we still get six or seven wins. I'd be okay with that. I'm just saying I want to see performance on the field, from the players AND from the coaches. I'd love to see a winning season, and am not ruling that out...but I'll be happy with significant improvement.

hang in there pooj....maybe they are saving her for season two.

not for nothing....but let's win a few games before we get all happy.

Talk about existential angst. This show has some real stories to tell. I just finished season one and am very very impressed.

Duly noted. He really did suck though.

A very deep and aggressive defensive line is a HUGE step forward and should get us excited. So many good things happen when a team respects your d-line, and when you can keep your starters fresh. This would be a huge reason for optimism.

Lets see. He is a sophomore in college? About 19 or 20? Drinks a few more beers than he should and blows off a counseling gig at a summer camp? Gets rowdy at a fran part and is asked to leave? No charge of drug or steroid use? No allegations of sexual assault or rape? No physical altercations or waving a gun around? Sounds like a sophomore in college who is a little big for his britches. I'm not seeing anything that a little of the normal growing process isn't going to fix. He ought to listen a little more to momma, daddy and the preacher, and probably his coach and realize that with the trophy comes heightened scrutiny and judgment. Remember the rumors about Marino coming out of Pittsburgh scaring off a bunch of teams? This stuff is going to be blown up by the press and by NFL teams to lower his stock in the draft.Just be calm and carry on Johnny Boy...low profile and high performance carries the day.

Rob Johnson threw tight spirals on those rare occasions where he wasn't actually sacked. A lot of them were to defensive backs..but they were tight....

I think Kolb may start if he performs well and we think we can pull together a winning and possible playoff season (unlikely). If Manuel starts Marrone buys a year, and if Manuel is successful Marrone looks like a genius. Manuel will have a first rate receiver, an underappreciated tight end in Chandler and a very good running back. The problem as it has been for over a decade is the offensive line as a unit. Hopefully there will be performance by the additions to that line and we'll get some backup strength in the course of the preseason. If the defense pulls together and stops underachieving, and Manuel turns out to be a good qb, I can see some good results coming from this team, and perhaps even a winning season. That is perhaps overoptimistic, but I think the talent is there if the coaching is up to snuff.

Guy shoots bullseyes and gets a badge in rifle practice. Doesn't mean he's going to be good in combat. Throwing spirals is nice. Throwing spirals to a receiver is nicer. Avoiding the rush, recognizing the open man and getting the ball away and into the hands of an open receiver is nicer. I'm hoping Manuel is going to do all those things, but we won't know until the season actually starts.

Actually both teams were more interested in showering and going home. They were both finishing lackluster seasons. The first game they were tied with everyone else for first place...the last one they were just running out the clock.

The IT factor will be shown when he actually plays some regular season games. I'd love to see IT . IT is defined as actually finishing a game with more points than the other team. Zip on passes and strong arm? JP Losman. Get out there and win the f-ing division.

Last and meaningless game. Not too impressive a win. But hey...with the Bills a mercy win is still a win.

Actually, the topic was "tailoring your defense" to the Patriots. I don't see anything that involves "tailoring" the defense for the Bills. Is he going to game plan? Sure...you have to do that...Spiller is a threat, and if Manuel is any good Johnson is a threat. He'll lose more sleep over the Fish and over the Pats than he will over the Bills, as of now at least. I'm pessimistic about the Bills because they have made piss poor choices over the last decade and I'm not all that confident that that has changed. We'll see. If it has changed I'll be happy. If we continue playing poor football I won't be. As to six wins...it is still six wins....coulda woulda shoulda can't make it a better record.

How can I convince someone whose "facts" by definition can't be refuted. If perhaps we were objective I'd point out that the Patriots are a team you wake up every day planning to defend against, even with there weaknesses (loss of Welker, Gronk and Hernancdez.) The Bills had a six win season and have nothing at the ultimate skill position yet....hopefully Manuel will be outstanding. This team does not appear to be better than last year's team and the coach is untried. Ryan has been to the AFC championships game twice, and has had more winning seasons in the NFL than anyone on the Bills staff. Miami is rebuilding and is a threat. I suspect the Bills aren't much a part of his game planning. Than being said we might beat him, if Manuel comes out of the box as a gamer in the RJ Griffin or Andrew Luck mode. If Spiller has the offensive line to give him a chance to be the All Pro he should be. If Mario Williams starts to show that he is worth what we paid him.All that being said we aren't going to terrify any coach until we start doing the things that terrify opposing coaches. That's called winning (at least doing better than six wins)>

If all of your "facts" are not up for debate...how can anyone respond?

Okay, I'll bite. What has Rex Ryan said or done to indicate any reason he has any concern about the bills. Did you see the first game of last season? Is there any reason to think that we are a priority on his mind? Might we win one or both games against the Jets this season? Yes...we might. Is it unlikely. Yes it is unlikely. Take a reality check.

Rex doesn't really have to "tailor" a defense against the Bills, does he? Frankly I think he has already put those two games in the W column.

I think it is a marriage on the rocks. Divorce proceedings bring out the worst in people, and I suspect that the video is one of many the guy has been making in anticipation of the divorce. Get it over with and go your separate ways.