Prickly Pete

There is an element of that here, in this thread, but why do you suppose there are Facebook pages, and sports columnists that want the guy off the games?

We are pissed about both, and they go together. I don't care about any "bias", I just find ANY comments by Deirdorf, and especially his delivery, annoying, and he is WIDELY disliked out by fans throughout the league. He is a pompous blowhard, whose commentary is distracting. As fans, each season we only get so many games, and we want the experience to be good, but bad announcers talking over the game you are watching has a BIG effect on the experience. There is a reason why Vin Scully, Al Michaels, and all those guys get big bucks. They are shaping the storyline of the game for the listener. It matters. You might say "turn off the sound", but that shouldn't be necessary, and detracts from the experience. Then you might say "listen to the radio", but it's not synced with the stream I receive.

It's over. Marrone knew it during this game. The schedule is easier, but this team isn't quite good enough to put together the string of wins needed. 8-8 would be good at this point. Either Denver or KC will be one of the Wild Card teams, and the Bills aren't going to win the division. That leaves one playoff spot....very unlikely the Bills will be that team.

The playoff race is OVER for this season. It is time to get EJM as much playing time as possible, to either find out if he sucks, or get him further developed.

He seems to be universally disliked. Maybe we are playing right into his hands by giving him internet action... https://www.facebook...nDierdorfMustGo This guy cracks me up...."I will be posting a list of sponsors soon. A boycott, or just the discussion if one might get the attention of CBS." https://www.facebook...FireDanDierdorf http://blogs.houston...ter_fun_the.php He is the Inspector Clouseau of announcers.

Dierdoof...I actually sat around trying to figure out how he keeps his job. Does anyone think he is good? The television ratings for the NFL are so high, that people will obviously watch the games regardless of the announcing crew, so I would guess that the NFL does some other kind of measurement, random opinion polls or something. Seriously, I could do play by play of an NFL game, and nobody would change the channel, cuz they want to see the game. He must have high approval from the heartland (St. Louis, Kansas City, etc.) cuz his comments are so ....I don't know how to describe it. He is like the most annoying "nice guy", coming over to your house, expressively describing the game to your grandmother, who doesn't quite understand football. If someone out there enjoys Dan Dierdorf's work, please step forward (it's safe, we can't find you, it's the internet), and let us know what it is that appeals to you.

The Bills seem close, but their deficiencies eventually show. There were opportunities to take the momentum, but when one unit makes a potentially game changing play, the other unit falters, or an official blows a call. A poorly officiated game...I'm not one of those hardnuts that refuses to acknowledge that officials can actually take a team out of a game, but I don't feel that way this time. The Bills lost it on their own.

Even if they win this game, they will probably have to go 6-2 for the second half of the season.....unlikely. Maybe 5-3, if they beat Miami, NY, and NE. Again... unlikely.

This offense isn't running well enough to gain the advantage in wearing out a defense, and it's putting undue strain on their own defense. Maybe when EJ (or Thad for that matter) and the receivers have mastered more of the playbook, and the offense is a well oiled machine, then maybe can they properly exploit the Hurry Up, but right now it's hurting the defense.

I think that unless your offense is better than the opponents, the Hurry Up works against you, because it is offering the opposing offense more opportunities as well. Unless your offense is scoring often, or at least accumulating more ToP than the opponents offense, then it's going to wear out your own defense more than the opponents (and isn't fatiguing the opposing defense one of the main benefits proponents of the Hurry Up claim?). Until your offense is really running on all cylinders, it's not to your advantage to run the Hurry Up. This Bills offense...not running on all cylinders.

Everything is magnified. Instead of a 24-17 game, it's a 27-20 or 24-20 game. A couple more scores in each game. This bring me back to the questions about the Hurry Up and injuries. I don't care what people say, there may not be more injuries, but this team is going to be worn out if they make the playoffs. More wear and tear per game IS happening.

I agree on all these points. Which situation would Bills fans be more comfortable with, down by 2 at your own 20 at the 2 min. warning with the Bills offense, or the reverse, up by 2 with the Bills defense?

I don't think the defense is that great, just not any worse than the offense. This is a strange team. It is "modernizing" (or something like that), and it's still forming an identity. It seems like there hasn't been a game yet, where one of the units hasn't been missing (or the guy has one arm...) a key player (even the first game was EJM's rookie debut AND return from an injury). So it's been hard to know what each of those guys bring to their unit. I realize that every team has injured players. I also don't know that the coaches have developed a feel for pacing the game, and playing to the strengths of the team yet.

What does that mean? Is that like "It is, what it is" ?

They are good, but not as good as the Broncos. They got the NFC East at just the right time. Looking at their schedule, I see they have a pretty easy ride the rest of the way. Indy, and San Diego (2) could give them some trouble, and of course the Broncos. They look to finish 12-4 or 11-5, and get beat in the playoffs (Andy Reid's specialty).

5 turnovers vs. the Ravens, and the Bills win by 3.... This offense is doing the (pretty good, but with holes) defense, no favors. I don't think the offense is any better than the defense, and they both have some problems. But the defense can at least make big plays. The offense doesn't get big chunks, can't seem to punch it in at the goal line, doesn't convert turnovers into touchdowns, has too many 3 and outs, and short possessions. Although the hurry up allows the team to score over 20, it gives the defense the short end of the stick.

The reason it was called for the first time is because Rex Ryan (AFTER doing it himself) directly mentioned it to the officials. Obviously, Ryan was saving it for a critical part of the game. He knew officials generally weren't looking for it, so he pointed it out. That's one of the reasons why it was so smart. It's not weird at all, but more a logical sequence in a bit of gamesmanship between coaches. I'm impartial. I can't stand either team.

I don't like the Jets, but I've never had a problem with the way Rex Ryan behaves.

It wouldn't be that shocking if the Bills win this game., or any other single game. I'll be shocked if they win 3 of the next 4.

I think the defense is going to take chances, and will get burned, but also make some big plays. I think Thad and the offense is going to struggle against a very good defense. There will be some long touchdowns in this game. 27-17 Saints

It's not a crappy call, and the Patriots knew what they were doing. Why shouldn't Ryan mention it to the officials (even if he does it too)? He just told them to look for it, and the Pats came through all on their own. They got played, just like they have done to others, many times over.

Beerball is a funny moderator.

Apparently, every poster here feels any opinion that they have, is an unpopular one.

Is Eli Manning still on course for the Hall of Fame?

I don't know what else to say, cuz you covered everything right there.