bigK14094

Actually, I think the players union has won in negotiations that coaches cannot fine players for those kinds of offenses. So, instead, Marrone benches Darius to punish the fans. Marrone thinks he is coaching college here, he is out of his element. These guys are pro's, if that takes handling, it appears Marrone is not up to that. Anyhow, after this dustup, I am guessing that Marcell (still have one year left on his rookie contract, I think) will want out if Marrone is still here. Yeh, that is how decisions get made...the money is likely almost the same everywhere....so who do you want to play for. Not so sure Marrone isn't the second coming of the delusional Gregg Williams in his approach here. If the players don't like you ......he is cooked as HC! But, not a surprise for a team that is "0 for the century" in terms of playoffs. (attribution for that line to the Boston Herald)

Did you see the Pats game....gashed by the run again. Need a run stopping lb....don't have one apparently. Kiko is that tall rangy guy you mention, and he should be playing outside lb. He does not match up well when the big boys come out and get him. He is not a plugger. Buffalo needs a plugger. They are making all pro's of average rb's every week. To many finess guys on this D right now. Need some hitters. Yeh, Kiko is a finess guy at 238lbs....thats really small for a middle lb.

I am in the camp that a 1st round draft choice that has three knee injuries in his first season is a bust......not durible enough to play the pro game, either because of physical limitations, or he doesn't know how to protect himself. In any event, I am hoping the Bills staff is not so invested in the Manuel pick that they don't go out and get another QB...either in free agency or the draft. Lewis is a journeyman backup, and I would not mind seeing him on the training camp roster. I find it interesting that it seems to me that the Hackett seems to call a more wide open game when Lewis starts, than when EJ starts. In any event, the QB situation is the weakest link in this now improving team.

Carrington has not been a part of any big defensive success. I would speculate that he will garner some little interest around the league. IF anybody is willing to take the chance with big money ,he will be gone. We lost Sam cowert to the Jets a few years back, big money deal, the Bills did not match because he was coming off injury. Cowart ate up cap space and did not much else in NY for a few years....he was constantly hurt. Same with Jonas Jennings....78 mil in SF....and didn't play many games in 3 years...injury prone. All in all, I am doubtful that Carrington will be here next year, mostly because Parker likes to stick it to the imcombent teams.....to maintain his reputation. I doubt that he has the interest of his clients at heart all the time. Now Byrd/Parker....I am thinking that the Byrd man is gone. And, although he is competant with what, 4 picks, I would point out that Leonard and Williams also both have 4 picks playing in those safety slots. Not sure the incremental benefit is worth the big bucks. And, Byrd is slow.....I saw Bradham run Byrd down and pass him in pursuit of a TB running back. Hard for me to see the big bucks for Bryd, him being that slow.

I thought the glare out there was from Mario's teeth from his smile at the thought of playing against Tyson Clabo once again.

Thad is a free agent after the season, with four starts this year. He will draw attention on the market. Bills wil need to show him the money, or he will be gone. Not Byrd kind of money, but top backup kind of money. And, if somebody else thinks he is a starter, he will be gone, as starter money will not come from the Bills. so, the bills still have a QB problem......

thanks for this post.

I had to sell my four tickets to the Miami game this weekend. I did it on the NFL ticket exchange...goods seats for slightly below par price. They sold, I believe, because of the blackout policy. So, as a season ticket holder, I am grateful for the "blackout" policy, it enabled me to resell my tickets. Good seats always sell. My buddies and I are all out of town, game should be OK to watch, but we had to move them. So, I support retention of the blackout policy. As a holder of 4 season tickets, I can tell you that we would not be investing $2700 if the product was always available on TV for free. And, the Ralph Wilson stadium will have to be renamed the Ralph Wilson Studio....cause not many folks are going to be there. It would surprise me if the NFL gave up ownership of their property rights (viewing of their games) without a fight. The FCC will loose, at the Supreme Court level , if it comes to a court fight. You cannot confiscate property, physical or intellectual, from private entities. (Unless they use eminent domain, and that ain't happening)

I would point out, that if Thad Lewis is not resigned, we don't have backup QB.....that should be resolved before the draft, however. I say resign Lewis, I like him as a backup. so, EJ will get one more season to show his stuff. Who know, maybe Marrone goes down with the ship on EJ.....but, year 3 in Marrone's contract is 2015....and he has 4 years. So, EJ gets another year...no QB drafted in next draft. No question, we need one high draft OL....buddy used to say "draft tackles and play them at guard"...so, a tackle at #1 or #2. And, I am all for Kalil Mack as #1....I think Moats is special teams fodder at best. Bradham is fast....he ran Byrd down (and passed him) chasing that long Tampa run early in the game. (or Byrd is slow, not sure which) Anyhow, a stud LB would help, Lawson is ok, but getting on in years. He likely has a couple left, not more. And, since we are likely to not retain Byrd.....draft a safety. I would like a TE, but resigning Chandler is OK....he is an NFL starter. Neither Smith or Gragg make a lot of NFL teams, so there is room for upgrade if they can spare the draft choice.

Just sold my 4 tickets on the NFL ticket exchange. Nothing game in cold weather.....cashed out.

I would like a better draft pick next year that comes with two more losses, but, really, the Bills need to knock the Phins out of the playoffs. We need to MAN UP on this one........I don't think we will see a high round QB by the Bills, but a trade down and get an extra pick more again if its a deep as rumored. Now, who is our backup....I like Thad Lewis, and, frankly, he played better than EJ, certainly in the downfield passing game. But, he is a free agent after the season. Tuel is still practice squad material. And, we have Dennis Dixon on the practice squad? EJ will get another season to make it or not.

Its strange, the TV announcer made a comment that brought back memories of 1970 the announcer Sunday said that EJ had just broken Dennis Shaw's Bills record for TD passes by a rookie QB. Well, with my grey hair, I remember that season...Dennis Shaw was Rookie of the year, I think. He had great receivers and they made him....he threw a rainbow ball, and they went and got the ball. But, they could not disguise that weak arm very long, and Dennis Shaw was out of the league really quick. I am hoping that EJ has a stronger arm, but, I don't know. Have not seen him rifle one 60 yards on a line. (Took Dennis two throws to go 60 yds ) Jury is still out on EJ

I guess I agree vis a via Moats. Bradham is young and can hit. AND, Bradham has speed.......I watched the replay of the TB 80 yard run for a TD in the first quarter of the game. Byrd and Bradham in pursuit, next to each other. Bradham not only caught, he passed Byrd in the protracted run down effort (futile of course) Having seen that, either Bradham can really motor, or Byrd is really slow....take your pick. And, yes, Kiko needs to muscle up some. He has a big frame, and 10 lbs would do wonders for his ability to play with the big boys inside. He needs to keep his speed though

I think I will catch it on the NFL network Monday or Tuesday....record it and watch whenever.

Actually, my view is that Kiko is making some rookie mistakes, and overrunning his assignment. some of these big runs are on him not being in position. Of course, with all the free lance Pettine calls, its sometimes hard to judge if he is out of place or not. Anyhow, I am not sure these long runs are all on the D-line. some of it is LB group out of position, some of it is the chance taking defense that Pettine dials up. when with the Jets, they always gave up some big plays, thats the tradeoff for all the sacks they get. When robie or Byrd are in the backfield, they aren't covering receivers. whne a lb stunts, something is uncovered. And, sometimes the offense hits the uncovered slot. I think we have good D line folks, and the scheme is part of these long breakdown runs.

I was impressed with the way Woods went and got those balls this past week. I thought a couple of times that EJ had overthrown or led him to far, but he went and got them. That's a real receiver. Looked like a real #2 choice to me.

Night games bring out the crazies....who knows why,,,,maybe the moon does it.. I was at a KC at Bills night game, I think it was 74 (yeh, older than dirt) and a fan crawled out on the wire they use to hold up the net behind the goal post. He came from the north side, players entrance end. He went all the way out to the net, and back again. We were all sure we were about to see him die. But, he made it back, was met by the police and arrested. They did something to stop that after that. Don't know of another occurance of that mess, and I am a life long season ticket holder. (won't make the Phins game next weekend, though, to cold and useless game) ps I don't drink at the games, I have to drive our little group.

Actually, Greg Williams hiring was also a big one.

As an interesting sidelight to the discussion on the community ownership of the Packers, there is a board of directors (I think thats what they call them in this case), and former Bill's LB Bryce Paup sits on that board! ( I recall fondly his 16 sack season with the Bills)

Lets see, Kaufmann can catch anything in his area. He is big, and slow. Who might he replace......hmmmm...watch out Stevie, who is big, slow, and drops a few now and then......OK, maybe Kaufmann doesn't have Stevie's moves, but, whatever.

That Well, more work required, but at least this D is doing some things right. MY contention is that with a competant offense on the field, the D would be much better based on not being on the field so much. And, they are still a lb short of being the machine we want. I think Kiko needs to move to the outside, and put a real run plugger in the middle....(see Chris Spielman)Kiko is extremely talented, but he is more a tall rangy type, and at 240 about, he isn't quite right to get in there and mix it up with the big boys up front. Of course, we knew that Pettine's systems is agressive, and prone to get burned upon occasion on the best of days...but , it is happening to much yet. And, I hate to say, as I will generate hate replys, but we could use faster safeties. On the long run from scrimage at Tb last week (80 yards), Nigel Bradham, our lb, ran down and passed Byrd while in pursuit. That being the case, our man Byrd, interceptions and all, is SLOW and not able to get to the sideline as well as top safeties. He would be a loss, but he is only a B player, not an A players.

J Rogers never belonged....NEVER...I never understood

Well, I searched out this thread, I have something to say. Byrd is a ball hawk, that is he sees the ball and can catch it pretty good, hence his history and current performance. BUT, I watched the Tampa game on DVR today, and I now know for sure how slow Byrd is on the field.....and the reason he is not quite at the top of the safety list. On the play where the TB rb went off left tackle for 80 yards, Byrd was in pursuit. He could not close on the rb...maybe that was not really a surprise, but the guy next to him, also in pursuit, ran Byrd down and passed him running flat out after the back. That was Nigel Bradham. Now, if our right lb is faster than our safety, something is wrong....and its Byrd's speed that is wrong. He may eventually get top dollar, but, he is not Palomulu. I would say the Bills are correct offering good but not super great dollars. Byrd is 2/3 of a stud safety, not the real deal as he cannot possibly get over to cover the sideline from the center of the field as quickly as he needs to all the time. And, if the Bills offer of good money isn't getting it done, let Aaron Williams have the job. (never thought I would say that) A Williams did pretty good at that job until they had to put him back a CB. (and he had 3 picks as well, I recall)

The refs in the league can turn a game....I am a grey haired fan, and have watched for decades (original season ticket, still) I actually gave up watching the NFL for a year in the 80's because the officiating was so bad...but instant replay has helped some of that...and I was back pretty quickly. But, the officiating is again getting bad....there are calls in other games that are clearly as bad (or no calls, like the Tomlin deal last weekend) It seems to me that the officiating needs a quality control effort again to insure the credibility of the game. I watch Williams on that play...he (maybe unfortunately) did not touch anybody (even close) on that play. Thats OK, he has to play his position....and it was a phantom call. Was it somebod else with a similar or close number...? Maybe the Bills should not group the position numbers together....give some teens, one in the twenties, one in the thirties etc etc.Harder for the officials to mix up numbers then.

Well, Kiko is a real player for sure.....butttt.......he missed a couple of big ones up in Toronto that resulted in Falcons TD's.....he was chasing at the end because he overran the play to start. Still a rookie and learning ...Bills lucky to have him, but, still a rookie.