Prickly Pete

+3

What's their cap status? No need to get rid of their only experienced WR. He could have made a difference, and apparently NONE of these guys run good routes. At least he got to the right spot.

I agree with plenty about this post, but the O-line seems to have been built for protecting EJM for a passing attack. I can understand why they would choose that, because they pretty much hitched their wagon to developing him. Could/should they have focused on O-linemen that were run oriented? Maybe with hindsight... The running game isn't good. The QB isn't good. Which way do you want to die? Plenty of stuffed runs, plenty of incomplete passes. I think they rely on the passing game more because it is the strength of the line, and they have more talent at WR than RB, though the WR's need more experience. Again, they hitched their wagon to the passing game way back in training camp. They bet on EJM, Watkins, Woods, and rolled the dice.. Trading SJ was, and still is a mystery to me. It didn't need to happen.

I thought the Denver game was well planned, and they had some nicely designed plays that the players didn't execute well. This actually aggravated me more, because it feels like Hackett put more work into that game plan, and made me think he should have worked as hard EVERY week. I still rank the problems: 1- Orton 2- Oline 3- WR's 4- Hackett 5- RB's

I disagree with this. Hogan has some clutch TD's on an offense that is struggling to score TD's, and has played pretty well with limited time. To say he "all but stinks", but rave about Watkins talent, and claim that Woods just doesn't get the ball enough to show his talents, when neither has really lit it up, is unfair. Do I think he is great? No, but he is doing okay, and getting better. He is definitely worthy of playing in the NFL I think it's a big part of being a QB to get the WR's to adapt to your reading of the defense. Even if the OC isn't taking care of it, Orton is a vet who, by this point of the season, with plenty of time to go over film, and correct mistakes, and let the WR's know how you expect them to respond to different coverages, should have it together. I can see how this could be a problem for a young QB like EJM to take charge of the situation, but Orton has no excuse. They aren't getting more efficient.

I'm sure there is plenty of blame to go around, but Kyle Orton is playing just like Kyle Orton has always played. And if an 11th game, Sophomore year EJM, can play at about the same level as a 9 year vet like Orton with these young WR's (and actually, at this point in the season, they are much more experienced than those early EJM games), maybe it's time for EJM? (I don't really think so) At this point in the season, I think they have seen the same coverages enough to have worked this stuff out, at least enough to get BETTER, not worse. To at least have a small menu of solid plays where everyone is on the same page. I don't see it. I doubt the coaches would have pulled EJM if bad reads by the WR's was this big of an issue. The first natural reaction and solution to that would be, bring in a couple veteran receivers (even mediocre guys, who can be found, or acquired relatively easily), not bench the guy you have staked your reputation on.

I just don't associate those things with "the season". I am really moved by Jim Kelly's fight against cancer, and couldn't be happier that the Bills are staying. There have been great some great things happening off the field.

Nope, but I don't care about off the field, and I don't exclaim "What a season!" unless they are true Super Bowl contenders on the field.

If he is cut outright, I would love the Bills to sign him for the rest of this season. But if he is just let go after this season (obviously more likely), I wouldn't want the Bills to sign him.

Maybe it does, but like I posted "I'm not ready to exclaim 'What a season' YET." I am pleased with their progress, though still frustrated with the quarterbacking.

I expected 10 wins. I'm not ready to exclaim "What a season!"... I mean, I was around for the Super Bowl years. This season hasn't been exactly magical.

I wouldn't call the Gilmore play a "drop". Nelson had his hand up in between Gilmore's hands. And I really doubt, the way Gilmore was falling, that he would have run into the endzone. That play is getting way overblown. Not an easy catch, and not likely returned for a TD.

A lot depends on what your alternatives are. For instance, if you are a white guy growing up in Hamburg, getting a nice education, some nice travel experiences, reasonably successful with women, etc. Well then, the trade off isn't so good. If you are a black kid growing up in some crappy Florida ghetto, where life expectancy is pretty low, with a single mom and a few siblings that could really benefit from your exceptional athletic ability, and without many other options besides joining the army, etc. then the tradeoff looks a lot different. This is crucial. I have many friends who abuse their bodies for the party. They all say, "hey, when my time comes, it comes. I doubt I'll make 50". They never consider that it's unlikely that they will just suddenly drop dead, but is more likely a slow painful process, AND death before 50.

I'm exaggerating, I just don't want him as the starter. He is a great backup.

Sanchez has had some success, but somehow he blows it. I don't know if it's a matter of focus, bad luck, or anxiety, but I don't believe he can lead a team to the promised land. There are a number of guys that have some really nice games, but just aren't steady enough, like Fitz. So much of the game comes down to the last 8 minutes or so. You need a guy that plays his best at that time. I have to give Orton some credit for his play late in games. He hasn't been great, but he has been reasonably good, late in games.

I like this plan. I don't think it would take some massive leap in development for EJM to surpass Orton's performance. I expect EJM to be the starter next season, if not opening day, then after a few ineffective games from Orton, who I only expect more of the same from.

Kyle Orton

Where is JP Losman? He went 7-9 in 2006, imagine what he could do with this defense? I'm only half joking. That is how bad Orton is playing.

The offense is awful. This team has a couple huge flaws, and aren't better than a few of the other teams vying for the wild card spots. I think they would lose in a head-to-head matchup (if they haven't already) against those teams. They aren't deserving. The playoffs are nice, but what I really want to see is a team that looks built to be a year in and year out contender. I think they are on the right path.

I think most fans are taking this game for granted. Considering that the Bills offense is really bad, and it's a west coast road game, it wouldn't surprise me much if the Raiders won.

And how many years will it take for even a great QB prospect (which would take a great stroke of luck to fall to the Bills in the middle of the pack) to be good enough to lead the team to a championship? Are you really counting on the defense being as great as it right now, 3 or 4 seasons from now? Bad plan. It's pretty much either develop EJM, or get a free agent that is (hopefully) a notch better than Orton.

Someone will be available that can do better than Orton. It might just be an incremental improvement, but better none the less. Even a guy as inaccurate, and who misses as many open receivers, but is just a bit more mobile, and able to run for the marker, would make a difference. I have to wonder how the team feels about Orton at this point. I think either Colt McCoy or Nick Foles would be just that much better, but there might be other guys too. I think EJM is as likely to be better than Orton, as any of the others.

You wanna wait until the math counts us out. Great, okay. Then you will be willing to discuss the crapitude of Orton... Have you been critical of ANY of the players or coaches? I mean, they have been winning, so they are all above criticism I suppose. It would be interesting to see if in your past posts there are any criticisms of ANYONE on the team, because, like you said "they are winning". Just leave Pears alone, he was playing against the Jets in that big win, don't question Hackett, he was there too. Ugh, I'm not sure why this needs to be argued, Kyle Orton doesn't f***** cut it. Yes, they have won some games, they win some games EVERY YEAR. Just not enough. It's nice that they are making progress, but the progress from the QB position is LAGGING, Like "dragging the team down".

They haven't won enough to make the playoffs though. SO dance around all you want, that is the bottom line. Winning championships is all Vince Lombardi cared about, and this team is not winning the Super Bowl. So why don't you apply your Lombardi quotes to that fact? Vince Lombardi would consider this team a FAIL!!!! And probably would have benched Orton by now.

He did seem better at deep throws, but he has been pretty bad overall. The Vikings game, that first Jets games...ugh, they were painful, yet so many rolled out "it's a win!". Yes, wins, but terrible quarterbacking. I'm at a loss as to why he hasn't been more consistent (at least more consistently good), I thought that's why you bring in a veteran? Dude, I'm not sure if you are related to Orton or something, but I'm done reading your rationalizations.