Mark VI

I learned that the Bills are a good team that made significant strides during the 2004 season. Terrible day but rather than fingerpoint, which many here will do, I'll calmly offer my outlook on what the Bills need to improve/ take the next step. 1. Still need some beefing up on the OL. Bills probably need a new OT with Jennings leaving ( I believe he will ). Guard depth is needed. We were exposed today when Chris V. was out. L. Smith and Pussywillow aren't even good backups. 2. Kicker - Lindell just lacks consistency and seems to be a head case. Can't depend on him anymore, not even inside the 40. Whatever is left on his contract, eat it and find a new Kicker. This is a must. 3. Drew was terrible, even with time to throw. Held the ball far too long. Brain dead decisions. Had some rough stretches even during the winning streak. Not buying into him anymore. Still makes glaring mistakes that cost your team games. Will no longer listen to the apologists. If he can't take you deep into the playoffs, then what is the point ? 4. Coaching - Stress the discipline angle to cut down on the penalties. Make them pay in practice. Too much self destruction, costing us valuable field position and first downs. 9-7 is a good year, with a 1st year Head Coach. Today was technically week 1 of the playoffs for us and we could NOT win, at home, against a good team playing many 2nd/3rd stringers. How on Gods green earth were the Bills going to do anything on the Road in the real post-season ? That means winning 3 road games to reach the SB. That should be a sobering wakeup call to how much we need to improve. Conclusion : 1. ST's - Needs a Kicker, Strong everywhere else 2. Defense - More Depth due to aging - Good starting 11 for now 3. Offense - OL help needed, more depth, QB change To Losman 4. Coaching - Work on Discipline ( less penalties) This team is moving in the right direction, heading into 2005. Make some key improvements and you can win 1-2 more games, cementing a playoff position and actually being able to play with the Steelers, Pats and other elite teams. Certain key players came up small today and it's time to turn the page. The blame game doesn't mean a thing to me. We are a B+ team that can improve with certain key moves, listed above.

Woke up at 6am, 20 minutes from the Ralph. Look outside. Dry. Good deal. Around 0645 - hard rain with temp around feezing ( 32-33 degrees ). I had a short 5 min. drive to work and starting to slide doing 30 mph. Salt trucks just hitting the roads. Plus I see some problems at work, so I must run around to make it to the Ralph on time. ( sigh )

Mark Weiler says we still suck...so it MUST be true !

" You should have married Skip Peters, the toothless circus carney " said the Mo-In-Law to her daughter...

In the Ken-Ton area, I heard a lot of fireworks going off around 9:30pm-10pm last night. I went for a walk after dinner. Sweatshirt weather, no coats needed.

Kids. That about covers it.

LAB post. ( Look at Beer )

I sense the wife is next to you.

That took up the entire 4th quarter. What a masterpiece.

Buffalo Tap Room has Flying Bison Beers on Tap. My friend takes home Growlers of Amber every time he stops for Wings. That is top shelf.

The smallest team in Div. 1-A goes 10-2 and beats New Mexico in the San Francisco Emerald Bowl. Congrats to the Naval Acadamy and Coach Paul Johnson, the ex-Georgia Southern icon who has been a Godsend for this football team. While serving in the Navy outside Washington many moons ago, I used to make the short drive to Annapolis to attend the Navy home games. To sit among the wave of Midshipmen is a feeling that is indescribable. Every time they show them on camera, I get chills of pride. No pro future for these guys. They are tomorrows Officers heading for Iraq for The U.S. Marines and Navy. Honor, Discipline and Commitment can go a long way, despite being outsized every game. Lesson learned. Here's some kids you can raise your glass to tonight. Salute !

Sam Adams Winter Lager. It's my substitute for water during this last week of vacation. I had some Yueling Amber for the first time this past week. Not bad. I like Killian better. My regular beer is Old Vienna or Labatt Blue. Any good Holiday beer I should be aware of ?

I believe it's Martz. The ESPN crew last night were talking about the multiple bizarre,conflicting statements he's made over the last couple of years. Just seems unable to filter anything through his brain before speaking out loud. That's a great way to alienate the press and lose your team.

So he's a Cardinals fan ?

I'm starting to agree. Someone else started a thread a couple months back about Nugent being our 2nd round pick. I stated then that I thought the Bills wouldn't consider it. They probably still wouldn't... but it might not be a bad idea. Nugent isn't just another good Kicker. He looks like he could be a top 5 Kicker in his rookie year. As a Buckeye fan, I've seen him make many 50 yard + FG's with amazing consistency. Most of his kickoffs are never returned. The Bills are a team that stresses field position and will take the 3 points, when given the opportunity. Lindell is very shaky beyond 35 yards, let alone 40. That's eventually going to cost you a game or two. I'm sure a lot depends on how the Bills lineup looks after making some moves in March free agency. If they see the starting lineup no longer has any gaping holes and the draft is a depth only exercise, then Nugent may be considered as the final missing piece. I wouldn't be surprised if someone grabbed him in round 2. Round 3 would be a steal. He's a rare talent.

There is a God.

Was there a cowbell in the vicinity ?

Sorry to hear that, Guff. Glad the family is OK.

I just called OBD and tipped off stadium security.

That he's the polar opposite of Gregggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

The Steelers run an Offense which takes the pressure off the QB. Their gameday plan is the running game and a smothering D. Sets up some nice play action opportunities for Ben R. They've earned their 14-1 record, no question. Ben R. is rarely put in a situation where he has to carry the team. That's what every Coach hopes for, no matter who plays QB.

Did you see that Buckeye Alamo Bowl win over Okla. St. last night. 33-7. What a killing ! Woohoo ! Did you hear the reports that reports must be verified and rumors don't give a University the recruiting death penalty ? I'll just watch and let things sort out. I'm sure many violations are true and that's up to the NCAA to conduct their investigation.

No one bothers to chase rouge Boosters on a Penn St. team that goes 3-8 every year. They figure that's punishment enough.

He can recruit and win 10 games a year. He also cannot beat Oklahoma. 25 Million dollars. Wow.

While Maddox lacks mobility, he does have the ability to throw the ball and has lots of starting experience. The Bills need to stop the run first, then force Maddox to throw while facing the blitz.