hondo in seattle

This is why I'm not ready to die yet. Every new day brings something unexpected to make life interesting.

If the O and D coordinated their efforts better, we'd be 1-1. If our O produced against the Ravens liked they did against the Jets, we'd have won that game. That said, both our O and D are giving fans serious reasons to worry. I had previous predicted 9-7. Now maybe 7-9.

Gilmore had a bad night. And Rex seems incapable of adjusting his D for such an eventuality. It seems like he has so much confidence in Gilmore and Darby that he has no contingency plan to give them help if needed.

Did Tyrod's agent blame this loss on Rex and the defense? http://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2016/04/tyrod_taylors_agent_rips_rex_ryan_buffalo_bills_defense_in_contract_dispute.html

Our O Line disappointed us in Baltimore and now Cordy will sit for the Jets. Not happy.

I get this is all said in jest - and some of the posts are truly funny - but on some level this offends my sense of Bills loyalty and fandom.

I agree.

That's my fear. When Sammy says 95%, he really means 65% and he in fact has a serious injury that he'll try to play through.

I confess, I did too. Gailey looks like an offensive genius - he got production out of Fitz, CJ and Stevie that no one else could get.

Son of Reggie Rucker, Browns WR in the 1970s?

Being fair to Tyrod, I thought the whole offense stunk. The performance by the OL was pathetic. They were't opening holes for the backs and weren't protecting Tyrod. Taylor checked down often due to pressure, and often got happy feet. Watching on TV, I can't tell if the WRs were getting open. But I could see they were often bunched together bringing several defenders into the same area and making yards-after-catch (if complete) impossible. Really makes me wonder about the play design and play calling. Tyrod sent out that "We're ready" message a couple days ago. It didn't look like anyone on the offense was ready. Some members of the Rex Sux crowd have said they want GRo to be the coach, thinking he'd hire a good DC. I wonder if that's still the dream after Sunday's abysmal showing.

Bobby April III quoted in the linked article: "Now Reggie's a special player, but so is Zach. He's got all the qualities that we're looking for. Backing up Reggie, he was always a play away. For him, he was ready to go. Maybe on the outside looking in, it was like, 'Oh no, we lost Reggie.' But Zach's a f------ good player, man. He's a good player."

"Sixteen years of no playoffs and an offseason that has brought more negative than positive developments has created an atmosphere ruled by cynicism and pessimism.: ~ Vic Carucci. Vic says there were more negative than positive developments this offseason. Certainly Vic and his fellow BN staff writers have written more negative articles than positive ones. But the injuries to the rooks not withstanding, I'm not unhappy with this offseason. Last season our stars were horribly banged up but our best players are comparatively healthy right now. We're also hearing stories about the defense being much better understood this year and better communication among the players. And we picked up some nice vets to fill out our roster. Certainly, we would have been better if Shaq and Reggie hadn't gotten hurt, but I feel better about this roster than the bandaged roster we fielded last year. And when Vic talks about a atmosphere ruled by cynicism and pessimism, I assume he means the atmosphere at the Buffalo News. When I listen to interviews with the players and coaches, I note only optimism and confidence. I'm not predicting playoffs, but I am just as hopeful as I was on opening day of the 1986 season. Vic is a hit-or-miss writer and this is one of his misses.

It's so easy to have low expectations after 16 years of disappointment. But if Shady was playing on some other team that lead the NFL in rushing and had Roman for a coordinator, I'd expect Shady to have a big year.

Linebackers. They're really important in Rex's D and it may not be our best unit.

Bills 21 Ravens 17

Richie is a little more humble in his ambitions: "playoffs or bust."

There are fans out there who seem to take a perverse pleasure in knocking NFL media types. I'm not one of those. I tend to like most guys who cover the NFL to a greater or lesser extent. But there are two exceptions: Sully and Skip - I don't like either one. Though these two exceptions are not created equal. Sully is just a Negative Nancy. Skip is classless, misinformed, and likes to play the contrarian just to be argumentative - my least favorite guy in the entire world of NFL media.

Let's hope we can add to this... Gilmore healthier - net gain Shady healthier - net gain Sammy healthier - net gain Tyrod both healthier and better in Year 2 - net gain Defensive unit understands assignments - and communicates - better - net gain

I agree. Too many if's. That's why I vacillate between 8-8 and 9-7. And I get the pessimism regarding Rex. He did a horrible job on the defensive side last year. I just think his record says he's not typically a horrible defensive coach. So I do expect a bounce-back of sorts. And if the if's fall into place, we're going to the playoffs!

All the guys you mentioned are backups, weak starters (Mario sucked last year), or untested rookies. I'm not sure the roster got weaker, especially when you consider how banged up we were last year. If we can remain reasonably healthy, this is a better squad. Then you have to consider we're in the 2nd year of the reign of our HC, DC, and OC. The team should execute the offensive and defensive schemes better in Year 2. Last year was probably the worst coaching job of Rex's career. I expect him to 'return to mean' this season. I think he's an above average - not great - defensive coach and will get the D to maybe #10 or so this year.

We probably don't know as much about the seriousness of Manny's pec injury - or his looming suspension - as the coaching and personnel staffs know.

This again?

If he's the tire, he'll kick back. From the OP's link: Miller, 29, reportedly tried to check into the Fisherman's Wharf Marriott Hotel on Sunday night but was told all rooms were occupied. He knocked on the door of a guest and was told that he had the wrong room before he proceeded to attack the guest. The guest's father tried to help his son, but was also punched by Miller. The father is 70 years old and reportedly sustained broken bones after being punched in the face.

Man, what a party pooper! But I'm sure you're right. Still, it's interesting to wonder what Greg Roman, the mad scientist, might cook up with versatile athletes.