Mister Defense

You scared me! (This may be the last important game the Bills play for a while...) The Bills are on in Syracuse! They have always been on when the game is in on CBS, have been for years, no matter the caliber of the contest. And this is an important game for several reasons. Where did you get your bad information from??

Huh?

I just went to DVR the game and found that it wasn't on in Syracuse!? The Giants-Redskins instead! How can this be?? Am I missing something? Game not sold out? I am really po'd. Doesn't the syracuse channel have to show the Bills game?

Thanks, but I bought some today; good seats and a good price. Thanks to all for the help--now I am sure that I will see the Bills go 5-1! Go Bills! 31-17

Thanks. It has been a few years since I bought tickets that way. What can I expect to pay for this game, per ticket?

My schedule changed and I can go to the game this weekend, but need 2 tickets. Checked trading post and nothing, and sub hub does not look good. Other options now? Live near Syracuse and don't want to drive to the game, attempt to get tickets, and not be able to. (How much can I plan to pay for 2 tickets at the game from friendly neighborhood ticket sellers?) I need advice! Want to be there for 5-1!

Yes, lots of questions so early in his tenure. A good comparison. The big difference between the two is that Marv has a clear philosophy that he follows. We saw it when he coached here and we see the same thing now, and all great coaches have a sound one, a vision that guides them. Donahoe's was less secure, less defined. I hope he succeeds now, though. I think that Marv will ansswer your questions the next two years. He will be consistent and logical as he learns by doing and from others.

He does not re-sign once excellent players if they aren't cutting it anymore. He doesn't join in bidding wars, even for the best Bills players, if they cost more than they are worth. He drafts well, getting NFL ready players when needed, ones with character. He has improved their offensive line, which will enable Losman to have a more productive year. He can become an excellent quarterback in 2007. Having played in this offense for a year, and, now, with more time to throw, Losman will progress faster than we expected. He has assembled a coaching staff that teaches the players, makes them better, and treats them with respect. This coaching staff is also good at game planning and making adjustments. And Marv has people around him who also have confidence that doing these things will create a winning team, and then, a great team. The last time this kind of foundation was being layed for this team was in 1987 and 1988. Marv is building the same kind of team. (It may be more difficult than it was then, because of free agency, but every team is playing by the same rules.) In 2 years, this will be an excellent team, may be one this year. Thanks, Marv.

And we got rid of him, for your man, Willis: 1 LaDainian Tomlinson SD 1815 348 5.2 28 85 2 Larry Johnson KC 1789 416 4.3 17 47 3 Frank Gore SF 1695 312 5.4 8 72 4 Tiki Barber NYG 1662 327 5.1 5 55 5 Steven Jackson STL 1528 346 4.4 13 59 6 Willie Parker PIT 1494 337 4.4 13 76 7 Rudi Johnson CIN 1309 341 3.8 12 22 8 Brian Westbrook PHI 1217 240 5.1 7 71 9 Chester Taylor MIN 1216 303 4.0 6 95 10 Travis Henry TEN 1211 270 4.5 7 70 11 Thomas Jones CHI 1210 296 4.1 6 30 12 Edgerrin James ARI 1159 337 3.4 6 18 13 Ladell Betts WAS 1154 245 4.7 4 26 14 Fred Taylor JAC 1146 231 5.0 5 76 15 Warrick Dunn ATL 1140 286 4.0 4 90 16 Jamal Lewis BAL 1132 314 3.6 9 52 17 Julius Jones DAL 1084 267 4.1 4 77 18 Joseph Addai IND 1081 226 4.8 7 41 19 Ahman Green GB 1059 266 4.0 5 70 20 Deuce McAllister NO 1057 244 4.3 10 57 21 Michael Vick ATL 1039 123 8.4 2 51 22 Tatum Bell DEN 1025 233 4.4 2 51 23 Ronnie Brown MIA 1008 241 4.2 5 47 24 Willis McGahee BUF 990 259 3.8 6 57 25 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC 941 166 Makes a lot of sense.

Good, Lori, thanks! See above...

MDH, some things never change, ignoring the facts still.... From NFL.com: AFC Rushing Yards Rank Player Team Yds Att Avg TDs Long 1 LaDainian Tomlinson SD 1815 348 5.2 28 85 2 Larry Johnson KC 1789 416 4.3 17 47 3 Willie Parker PIT 1494 337 4.4 13 76 4 Rudi Johnson CIN 1309 341 3.8 12 22 5 Travis Henry TEN 1211 270 4.5 7 70

Actually, I just read most of it for the first time, hadn't seen some. All of those Willis supporters! Hopefully you have learned your lesson--stats, facts, and logic, or BUST! My, how the tune changed... http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showtopic=8108&st=0

Me too tard. Duh. Basin me analysis on facts an relity. So sick of seeing that slow, lethargic running back (McGahee) we have, after growing up watching Cribbs and Thomas.

His motor is great. Every time I saw him play this year he ran like it was his last game, as he did during his two great years here. He probably has 4-5 good years left as he doesn't have a lot of mileage on his legs--but he does give it his all and takes abuse, so, maybe 3-4. Marv wants a back who explodes in the hole. Who offers more of that of the backs we may get than Travis Henry? I say the CW is wrong here and that Marv makes a play for him this week. We have the money and Wilson showed this week he is going to spend it. His upside? I think he still has that, that his next few years will be great ones. With his qualities, and what looks to be a dominant left side of the O line next year, he would be a great fit.

Henry is 27-28 years old. And Keep the Faith makes a good point, about the competition of Henry and McGahee if we bring in Travis. Intense is an understatement. I think that would be an excellent

2nd tier? How do you figure? Over 1200 yards in 12 games and 4.5 yards a carry--no way is he a 2nd tier running back--McGahee is, I have always said that, as he doesn't have a burst, doesn't hit the hole hard, and has lost several steps since college. People overestimate McGahee's lack of motivation because, talent-wise, he is just a backup, propped up as a starter by a poor excuse for a GM. 2nd tier? Henry had the 5th most yards in the AFC this past year and the 2nd highest yards per carry of those top 5 backs, with Tomlinson the only back with a better yards per carry. Sounds like you are doing the same kind of research as DonaHo--"screw the fats, as this is what I think..."

The same kind of logic that I saw a few years ago as people jumped on to the McGahee bandwagon and said we didn't need Henry. And the same kind of logic that was the basis for the arrogance shown by Donaho himself. The Titans were his second team --and the Bills--DONAHO--was the other guy to dump him. Get real--he has played for a long time in this league and has only been on two teams.

DonaHo made a mistake. We all know that. He kept an unproven player and got rid of maybe our best player at the time, our most productive player, just to prove what a great move he made by taking a risk on McGahee. Wrong again. But Travis Henry was just released by the Titans! He plays hard all of the time, can get the tough yards, is a touchdown machine, and can still break the long run: In 14 games this year he had 1211 yards, at 4.5 yards a run, and 7 touchdowns. And he is available today! What a great week this will be for the Bills if Marv makes this move--with a vastly improved offensive line and running game before the draft. Then the defense will clearly be the focus in the draft. An excellent running back added to this team now? This will be a great team this year. Henry will be highly motivated to come on home--a place he should have never been forced to leave. With Henry on board this past year the Bills would have been in the playoffs. Pull the trigger, Marv.

I think everyone can appreciate your honesty, bluffodan.

If Willis McGahee has a good year the Bills should have one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2007. They should hire Thurman as an offensive assisstant and have him work with McGahee. Marv wants him to get that burst that the great backs have, and Thurman can help McGahee get it. Thurman Thomas's leadership will also be good for this team, as he can foster in them the same committment to quality that he had and that this young team showed themselves to have this season.

Lori, you left off the last part of my message, my fundamental point: Games are a place to be energetic and enthusiastic--not complacent and immobile. Our homefield advantage won't come back unless the seat potatoes get up off their kiesters and start making some noise. The atmosphere at games has declined, is less energetic now and less noisy when the other team is on offense and at other important times in the game. Now, it is often as if people are sitting in their living rooms watching a distant event--rather than a live sporting event , and one in which their beloved team is playing, occurring right in front of their eyes. The team feeds off the energy. "Pandemonium" was never created by people sitting in their seats--and you know it.

Yeah, very true--it is like the Bills fans are at home watching television. This negative change in fan behvior coincides with the jumbotron. Now, people don't have to see every play on the field--they'll catch it on the giant tv. Fans have the right to stand. Games are a place to be energetic and enthusiastic--not complacent and immobile. Our homefield advantage won't come back unless the seat potatoes get up off their kiesters and start making some noise.

Yeah! Best win, most promising, in a long time. JP Losman has arrived--and he will be our quarterback for a long, long time. He has all of the tools and he will sharpen them with every game. Yes!

A bumpy ride? Why would you say that? Because of the Chicago game? This Bills team is a playoff team, have played very well---and will, like any well-coached team, get better, and better, and better... Funny to read these negative comments on this thread about Losman, questioning him. I guarantee you if I checked the old threads, all of those STILL questioning him were the ones bashing him all along--just trying to hold onto their criticism--and ignoring the talent right in front of their eyes. Ridiculous. I wouldn't trade Losman for ANY of the young quarterbacks in this league now.