WickedGame

Bellichick is the Dick Cheney of sports: Does something amoral, is punished for doing something amoral, denies that it was amoral and denies any responsibility for doing it.

A cookie is just a cookie, but a Newton is fruit and cake. For whatever it's worth.

What troubles me more is the notion, as suggested in the Alternate #2 scenario, of Buffalo taking AJ Green in the 1st round. No doubt he's a talent, but cutting Lee Evans and drafting Green is sorta like saying "With the number four pick in the 2011 draft, the Buffalo Bills select a $3 million payroll reduction."

Maybin will unleash an arsenal of moves on Moats. Luckily, Maybin won't be able to get past Cornell Green. Or Al Green. Or Al Davis.

It's nice to see a strong showing in the second half of the season. I'm tempering my optimism until the Bills prove in '11 they can build on this year's progress, but things are looking up. If the Bills make one ROCK-SOLID acquisition in free agency, I'll be pleased. A solid RT would be good. That leaves us 6 or 7 draft picks to find upgrades at LB and D-Line. And yes, the "unknowns" we're getting back (Batten, Easley) are intriguing.

I don't disagree that our offensive line needs to improve. I think ROT is the most urgent need there. But I'm in the "fix the defense first" camp. Between free agency and a draft, we should both be able to get some of what we want.

I traveled 675 miles from Charlotte, NC to stand in the 36 degree non-stop rain starting at 8:30 a.m. Trust me, it was a good game to watch. Honestly, despite a low score, I'd say we played a good game. Our defense kept them in check (pass AND run), kept them out of the end zone, had a goal line stand, and notched a few takeaways. Our offense moved the ball into scoring range, got first downs, gave us a 4th and inches from the six-inch line and a 1st and goal from the 3 at the end of the game. Sloppy? Sure. In those conditions, it wasn't gonna be pretty. But it was football the old fashioned way.

Almost all of the Bills supposed "shortcomings" on offense are not related to the offense. They're related to the defense. We trail in time of possession because our defense lets teams use a run-first strategy. They allow long drives, fail to stop opponents on 3rd and long, and until recently trailed the league in turnovers. Every single one of these defensive weaknesses factors into our offense's ranking in time of possession, points scored, TDs and more. When our offense is on the field, they score points. Not always, but on pace with other good offenses. If our defense gave them the ball more, we'd be in the top third in the league. Just watch: We fix the run D and maybe boost the pass rush (Moats?), and this offense matches anybody in the league.

FitzPassIt. Because Trent wouldn't.

Ditto. We're probably just imagining things -- too much free time between Sundays -- but it's fun to imagine our front office being clever. It's a refreshing alternative to being outsmarted in recent years.

Anyone else think Fitz is about the most mature 28-year-old you've ever seen? They guy conducts himself like a guy in his late 30s. Calm, reasoned, responsible. And yet, when he's on the field, he plays with verve. Even if he can't lead us to a championship, I like him as a guy holding the steering wheel while we get this ship to float again.

Have you guys noticed this team has played up or down to the ability of its opponents in recent years? That was what frustrated me most during the Jauron era: We'd take the Cowboys or Patriots to the wire in prime time, then play like garbage against the Browns. They'd flash a bit of hope to sucker you in, then remind you who they really were. This year, we've definitely played UP to some our best competitors (see Baltimore, Patriots [which was close]), and while we've had SOME cases of playing down to the level of not-so-good teams (Dolphins, Lions), we've also found ways to shake off lousy play in the middle of a game (Bengals). Only the Jets and Packers have completely outclassed us. And we can always chalk the Dolphins and Packers up to Trent. My prediction for the Steelers: Close, but not close enough.

Wow. Fans from a blue-collar town ragging on a guy from a blue-collar part of the country. Solid. Maybe you'd be more comfortable in Cowboy Nation, with their $1 billion stadium and Hollywood girlfriends.

I thought the headline for one of Chris Brown's non-football puff pieces would be a perfect headline for the 'Phins game: http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2010/09/10/bills-to-host-blood-drive/ That is all.

Okay, I'll bite... Hey Trent, it's me, Lee. Trust me dude, I'll catch the ball. Just chuck it, okay? Okay, one more... Hey, look! It's Spiller! Wait...what the...where'd he go? Jesus Christ...I blinked!

Count me among those who think 7 enjoyable Sundays is better than 15 miserable ones (Is 1-14 really an option?). The difference in draft position is negligble -- you're looking at 1st vs maybe 9th-11th. What does #1 get us? A shot at the top QB? The #2 QB, if available at 11, would still be a very good QB. The #1 tackle? Again, whatever tackle is left at 11 would be a very talented player. Sorry, the trade-off just isn't worth it. It's called "rebuilding with a plan," not "throwing the games and hoping Jesus or Steve Jobs declares for the draft."

The Patriots injury woes continued today, as they placed their top cornerback Leigh Bodden on IR. Anyone keeping score of how many Patriots are injured, demanding a trade, or otherwise part of the Pats' troubles?

It should come as no surprise, but Gailey has plans to get Lynch, Jackson and Spiller onto the field at the same time. See the note from Chris Brown during a live chat this afternoon: Commenter: Anything you've seen in training camp that makes you think we'll see freddy, marshawn and C.J. on the field all at once? Chris Brown: Yes, but you'll have to wait and see where they all are. Screenshot here:

If we hired a left tackle named Du Jour, I think we could say all that was meant to be done in this life had been done. Put a bow on it and call it a day.

Just something I cooked up. Although, it wouldn't surprise me if it's part of the base install. There's nothing fancy about the formation -- I didn't mention routes or reads. Something tells me Chan doesn't need me as an offensive coach. I'm sure he's got some smart plays drawn up for the talent he has. Even with Trent's limitations and an O-Line that needs works, you can use mismatches to take pressure off the QB.

It's a two-receiver/two-back set, with Spiller motioning out of the backfield to the slot receiver position. You've get a tight end in on the left side for pass protection and as a possible 4th/5th receiving option if he releases. WR Evans TE Matthews/Nelson/Stupar LT ?? LG Levitre C Hangartner RG Wood RT Green WR S. Johnson RB Jackson RB Spiller QB Edwards The defense wants to use a safety to double on Evans. They'll leave a CB in one-on-one coverage on Johnson, and the other safety creeps into the box for run support or added QB pressure. Spiller motions out to the slot. Now what does the D do? Slide the safety out of the box into coverage against Spiller? That gets rid of the 8-man front, takes pressure off Edwards, and opens up room for Jackson to run. Let a LB cover Spiller? I don't think so. Stack the box against a Freddie Jackson run? Wide open pass to Spiller or Johnson. Go single coverage against Evans? Touchdown. And just imagine of S. Nelson could block in addition to catching... Whaddya think?

I'm a Bills fan living out of state and I've been reading this forum for a few years. It's the best place to find Bills news, because they sure as heck don't cover our team in the Charlotte, NC press. I'm mostly a lurker -- only started commenting recently -- so I assume I'll be deemed to have no credibility. But for what it's worth, the level of bickering and animosity here leaves the impression Bills fans hate each other, hate the Bills, and are just plain angry. I've never met Lori Chase, but I gather she used to be a respected member of this community, until she left in disgust. And the way people treat each other here, I'm not sure I can blame her. I lived through Wide Right, too. I lived through four Super Bowl heartbreaks, The Music City Miracle/Debacle, and the MNF Meltdowns. My family has called Buffalo home for decades and has longed for a return to glory, just like everyone else hear. We've had our hopes rise with each new coach, each new GM, each new player acquisition, and we've had our hopes dashed each year. But we don't treat each other with contempt the way people do here. </rant>

Maybe we should start a new NFL statistic: Wins-to-Tweets Ratio. Any team with an exceptionally low Wins-to-Tweets ratio will be summarily executed.

Okay, so there's not just one area where we need to improve, but here's one that stands out from 2009: Bills Third Down Conversions: 51/198 (25%) Opponents Third Down Conversions: 97/240 (40%) If we had stopped opponents on 3rd down more, we'd have given them fewer opportunities to score and we'd have kept our defense from wearing down to the point of collapse in the 4th quarter. If we had converted on 3rd more, we'd have more scoring opportunities and, again, we'd have kept our weary defense off the field. If Gailey makes even modest improvements on those numbers, I'll be pleased. Thoughts? Cue the "The statistic we must improve on is WINS" comment in 3...2...1...

Batten injury could be two to six weeks...no real certainty how long, per Chan (via Chris Brown) Easley sat out today with a wrap on his knee. Not much to talk about, but it's something.