hondo in seattle

Herm Edwards thinks EJ is ready for the starting job. "All indications tell me right now - the way he played in that first preseason game - he should be the starter." Herm was effusive in his praise of EJ. http://espn.go.com/v...=espnapi_public Does that make Kolb - and his NFL experience - expendable?

When EJ was drafted, I really expected Kolb to be the starter on opening day even though I appreciated EJ's potential. Now, however, for all the obvious reasons, I think Kolb will under center against the Pats. It's still very early in preseason but EJ is developing nicely so far.

Okay, San Jose, you've mentioned this twice and nobody seems to be biting so I will. You are right. To play two rookies in the first preseason game and have them combine for 35-44 and 319 yards is impressive. It's only preseason but that's partly the point, I think. Preseason games, especially inaugural preseason games, can be chaotic and especially difficult for rookies. Marrone, Hackett, et al did a really nice jobs preparing these kids.

I agree that the Bills will not go into the season with two rookie QBs on the roster and no one else. But that doesn't mean Kolb doesn't get cut. As we get closer and closer to the regular season, we'll see known QBs become unemployed. If Kolb continues to struggle, he could get cut in favor of another experienced QB. I don't think this is likely because Kolb knows Bills offense and Hackett has a particularly philosophy and scheme he's trying to implement. He may rather stick with the guy who understands his system than try to break in someone new just weeks before the opener (even if this guy is destined to be a back up).

Wow, I almost feel guilty starting a thread about a B/R article. My apologies. Never again. I just thought the B/R article was a good conversation starter, not substantive, insightful journalism. My own QB thoughts are these... 1st round QBs have maybe a 40%or 50% success rate. FA retreads like Kolb and Jackson have a lower yet success rate. UDFA's like Tuel very rarely become franchise quarterbacks. Given the odds, the failure of any of these guys can't be counted as a disappointment.

The Bleacher Report lists Kevin Kolb as one of the biggest training camp disappointments so far this year. When the Bills signed Kolb, he was both a hedge against the Bills being unable to land a talented quarterback in the draft and a veteran insurance policy in case they did. When the Bills drafted EJ Manuel, perhaps the least polished of the top quarterback prospects this season, it looked like the starting job was Kolb's to lose. In camp, though, Kolb has struggled to play like the veteran he is. According to Joe Buscaglia of WGR 550, Kolb struggled with blitz recognition and pickup in the fourth day of camp—exactly the kind of thing a veteran should be able to do better than a rookie. bleacherreport.com/articles/1732406-the-biggest-nfl-training-camp-disappointments-so-far/page/6 The point might be moot, however, as Peter King lists EJ as one the best training camp surprises so far (or however he phrased it).

Yep... and if I had to pick a group I most wanted to watch it would be the receiving corps. Lot of intriguing new faces.

I wanted to keep TJax, too. We only have one experienced QB on the roster and he's so injury prone, it's hard to guess how long he'll be able to suit up. We might end up playing games with a rookie starter and a rookie backup talking things over with him on the sideline. Then again, Jackson's departure means more reps for EJ (and Tuel) and EJ seems to be doing well with his reps.

And an above average receiving corps. But the ship named Gailey has sailed away and I'm glad. Whatever strengths he had as an OC were ruined by his weakness as a Head Coach. He failed to find a good DC and failed to build a winning culture. But, yeah, as the acting OC he did pretty well with the limited talent he had to work with.

We sucked last year. We have a new Head Coach who is not a proven commodity. Even when he was a good OC with the Saints, he was working under an offensive mastermind. Our DC is also unproven for similar reasons. We haven't named a starting QB yet but either choice is unproven in the NFL. I understand why the preseason power polls rank us near the bottom. But let's dream... What if Pettine is as great as his resume (Top Five in the NFL every year as a DC)? What if Marrone turns out to be the winner his supporters say he will be? What if Hackett, his protege, turns out to be an offensive wunderkind? What if EJ lives up to his potential and our high hopes? So, while I get the polls, I find more reason to hope this year than I have in a looong time. Marrone, Pettine, Hackett, and EJ all might be a lot better than the guys we had in those key positions last year.

Looking at that list, I have to agree that Fred is a Top Ten RB - IF he returns to his previous form and doesn't perform like last year. I'm hoping he does.

Sadly, yes we did.

CJ averaged 6.0 yards per carry last season but 3.6 yards came after contact. That was second best in the league, behind only AP. So was our line good? Or did CJ make them look good? The year before, Freddy also a great YAC metric and also made the line look good. The stats tell an ambivalent story. Fitz got rid of the ball very quickly and therefore didn't get sacked a lot. CJ got lots of yards after contact. And, as kobe888 points out, we didn't always see a lot of push in short yardage situation. While I'm optimistic that Marrone will find a way to move the ball, I think the folks with concerns about the line - especially after Levitre's departure - have a rational argument.

And Fitz had the 4th (tied) fastest time to throw, holding on to the ball less than a 1/10th of a second more than Brady. In other words, the data supports the argument that our line didn't have to hold their blocks for very long on passing plays.

I think Gailey designed his dink and dunk offense to hide both Fitz's and the O Line's deficiencies. Fitz couldn't throw deep and the line - a couple years ago - couldn't keep defenders out of the pocket for very long. It made sense to run short, quick routes. I think the O Line was matured since then. And hopefully it will mature some more with a Head Coach who was a former lineman and line coach. Some of the statistics indicate we had an exceptionally good line last year. But Spiller can do a lot with a very small hole. Freddy was hobbled last year but used to be among the league leaders in Yards After Contact. And Fitz rarely held onto the ball for very long so he didn't get sacked a lot. In other words, I think the QB and RBs helped make the line look good. We'll see.

How did I miss this?!? I do love rain. To a point. Seattle passes that point, but this town & area is beautiful when it is sunny.

I have to agree. Having lived in or near Buffalo, St.Louis, Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Francisco and now Seattle - as well as spending time in other metro areas - clearly Buffalo doesn't have the same quantity or quality of cultural offerings of the bigger cities. When I say "cultural offerings," I mean everything from nightclubs to museums, from concerts to restaurants. And then there's the weather. Certain types of personalities are going to rationally prefer the bigger cities and cities with more temperate climates. I don't mean to offend anyone but there are reasons cities like Miami and San Francisco, for example, attract more tourists than Buffalo. But I also agree with some other points made on the board... some players will like Buffalo... some players will happily play where ever the paycheck is the biggest... some players really want to play for a winning team.... Every player has his own set of priorities and preferences. In the end, I don't think the Bills will have a huge disadvantage signing FAs if Whaley & Overdorf manage the cap well and Marrone starts getting some wins.

It will be interesting to find out. Maybe CJ won't average 6 YPC if he gets 20 carries per game. But Hackett's right, we should find out. Let's see what CJ can do with more touches. On the other hand, I don't want to neglect Freddy.

Yeah. I don't care if it's Kolb, Tuel or EJ. If any of these guys turns out to be as good as Jim Kelly - or even close - and lead us to the playoffs, I'll be in celebration mode.

I agree most players probably think like this. For the partying exceptions, we aren't going to be in the running. Some guys like the South Beach scene or the L.A. vibe or whatever. I hate to say it, but Buffalo doesn't have as much to offer the young rich bachelor as most other NFL cities. But if Whaley and Marrone return the Bills to the playoffs - and manage the cap intelligently - we'll be able to successfully entice good FAs.

Astro, thanks from Seattle!!! When I heard EJ's name called on draft day, I figured he'd hold the clipboard for at least half the season. But your reports, and other sources (e.g. Peter King), make me feel he'll be lining up under center on opening day.

As a former army captain, who always thought of Marines kindly as jarheads, I've now decided to always spell Marine with a capital M. Service deserves respect.

The curse is over. It's time to stop living in the past and celebrate our currently Buffalo Bills. I voted for CJ who's going to the Pro Bowl this year.

I had the same operation as Troup. Not sure what he's talking about. Maybe 7 months after my operations, I asked my doc what my limitations were? Mixed martial arts? Roller derby? He told me "Let your body be your guide." He went on to explain my spine will actually be as strong or stronger than before the way the two vertebrae were fused together, but obviously my flexibility will never be the same. From my understanding, he's not really risking life-long issues. I wonder, though, if the loss of flexibility effects his leverage?

If Marrone turns out to be as good a NFL head coach as I think he will.... If Pettine is as good out of Rex's shadow as I think he can be... If EJ turns out to be the kind of QB I think he can be... If the new WRs step up and live up to their perceived potential... If the Bills stay healthy... This will be a really fun season to watch! How many IFs is that? I understand the optimism because I feel it too - the most I've had since Levey and Kelly teamed up. But I get the Negative Nancies, too.