Campy

Fixed

There's no bigger EJ fan than me - I met him when he was in 9th grade and he said if was lucky enough to get to the NFL he hoped to play for his Godfather's team, the Bills. But he looked every bit a rookie yesterday. Wind, lack of a running game, etc, are all valid points, but can anybody really say he looked anything other than unsettled, impatient, inaccurate, and totally befuddled? It was a bad showing all the way around. I believe he will get better, but that was a rough out for him.

He changed the mentality of the team. While I'm not on the team, I feel fairly confident in saying that because I've watched every play of every game for the past 13-15 years. Things are different.

I've always heard it was so the Bills players wouldn't have to look into the sun. What was Brandon's response?

I lol'd at the notion that somebody really thinks asking any QB above Pop Warner level to complete a 2 yard pass is equivalent to hanging him out to dry. Thanks for the laugh!

Yep. But it's so much easier to just blame the coach - you don't even have to know much about football.

Excellent post.

And shockingly, you never made it as an NFL talent evaluator. One can only wonder why...

I would think soon. You?

I just don't think asking a backup QB to hit a wide open guy 24 feet away is asking too much but evidently you do, and that's okay - to each his own. Just know that Tuel disagrees with you; he said it was 100% his own fault...

Isn't the ball supposed to go to the open guy?

It's Stevie's fault because he got wide open? Please tell me you're being sarcastic.

Wait, aren't you the guy who just posted "I'm sick of seeing CJ and FJ just barrel up the middle for a couple yards"?

And if Tuel hits Stevie, go up 17-3, and then on to win the game, would you still be complaining about the number of passes he attempted?

I'm with you eball. They have areas upon which they can improve, no doubt. But the defense played phenomonally well (although I would have liked a turnover or two) and an offense led by a non drafted rookie free agent had their way with the #1 defense in the league. To say those are encouraging events is a gross understatement. I would have loved to have seen what this team/season looked like with EJ playing the last few weeks, but that wasn't to be. Instead, I just enjoy watching the fight in this team. Marrone has them ready to play every week and doesn't let anybody feel sorry for themselves. Not only do they look like they have direction for the first time in years, I really like the direction in which they're headed. I think they will be very good, and I think it'll happen sooner rather than later. Go Bills!

And what would you have called? The play was there, everything worked, Stevie's guy bit on his fake and was stuck on the Line of Scrimmage. If he stayed with Stevie, then Graham would've been able to make the play. But he didn't, and instead, Stevie was wide open but Tuel threw it to the wrong guy. How, exactly, is that Hackett's fault?

1. He audibled out of a running play. 2. He's a QB in the NFL, not a high school freshman. 3. Tuel made some decent throws in tough spots like 3rd and long. He was put in a position to go with the running play or audible if he saw a blitz, which he did. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect him to throw the ball to the wide open reciever 10 yards in front of him in the endzone. The whole "Blame the coach" thing is weak. As I mentioned in a different thread, if Tuel hits Stevie to go up 17-3, would you feel the same way about the coaches? I seriously doubt it. The coaches did a fantastic job of getting the players in the right position to make plays. Unfortunately, the players failed to execute in a few instances. But that what happens because players play and coaches coach.

Marrone shouldn't be blamed for Hackett's play calling, and Hackett shouldn't blamed for lack of execution. And for the record: a run was called and it was clear Tuel audibled out of it to a pass, It was confirmed by Hackett after the game. The play Hackett gave to him to audible to if Tuel saw blits was a great call, but Tuel didn't see Stevie in the end zone. How anyone can put that on the coaches is beyond me. Like Tuel said after the game, that was 100% on him.

Two things: First, Marrone doesn't call offensive plays, Hackett does. And second, a run was called and Tuel correctly audibled out of it to a pass when KC showed they were bringing everybody. And that makes me wonder if instead of looking to hit Graham underneath, Tuel finds a wide open Stevie Johnson in the end zone and the Bills go up 17-3, is it still a bad call? Does execution not matter?

Promise? Buh-bye!

It's on Hackett? Really? I mean, really? I didn't think it was Hackett who misread the coverage and didn't realize Stevie was alone in the endzone when he tried to throw it to TJ on the slant (thought it was Tuel). Nor do I think it was Hackett who fumbled a completed pass deep in Bills territory (pretty sure it was Graham) or dropped two passes that hit his hands (that was Chandler). But then again, I only post about games I actually watch. Try it, it's fun (plus it makes you look less assy!)

I dunno about that. I'm not a fan of other NFL teams, but in the NHL, I follow the Sabres and Canucks. The Sabres are my #1 by a mile, but following a team in the other conference helps make watching the west coast games a little more exciting - it provides something of an emotional attachment that makes staying up late to watch the games a little more worthwhile. I started following Vancouver as a youngeter in the mid 70s after learning they joined the league the same year the Sabres did. And the reason I do is not because I'm "not that much into" hockey, it's because I am.

Nothing against the guy. It's not his fault that a certain NFL team grossly exaggerated his value and worth. And let's be honest - he's made more in 4 years (or however long it's been) in pro football than many of us will make in 14 years. Good luck to him; I hope it works out.

I admire your enthusiasm, /sarcasm Bills win by 5. Because, let's face it, it's a helluva lot more fun to Billieve than it is to hate. Or at least it is for well-adjusted grown ups... Go Bills! Shock the world!

Definitely agree - it's too bad he (Lewis) wasn't active for that game.