Dan

Bingo. We have a winner. Yes, the line is still very much a work in progress. But, with Edwards' penchant for -3 to 5 yard pass attempts, the entire defense plays within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. It's tough for 5 guys to block 10. There have been times when Trent had time to step up (or over) and make a throw. But, he's so shell shocked and afraid back there, that he can't see the field. He only sees the rush. Will Fitzy still struggle? Absolutely. But, just like last season, he'll see the field better and take a few shots down field. That will soften the defense a little. And, voila, the line will slowly but surely start to look better. - I'm not say world beater... just better. Of course, at that time, idiots will start clamoring that they never blocked so well for Trent. So, no, Fitzy isn't the team's savior (that's Brohm); but he has shown a level of competence that Trent just doesn't have.

Would these be the same coaches that went all off season, through training camp, preseason and into the season with Trent Edwards as the #1 QB? Now after 2 weeks of completely inept football, they've concluded what many of us have known for a year... Trent isn't a starter in this league. So, excuse me if I don't have as much confidence as you do in our coaching staff to know who is or is not the best player to start. So far, they've done little to nothing to impress me or show a basic level of competence.

I seriously considered that! I also had - vaunted - in there as well, but didn't want to get carried away with the sarcasm.

You're making a rather big assumption that's the Pats* are even preparing/game planning for the Bills offensive attack..

There's not a WR in the league that doesn't drop a ball or two during games. It happens. The problem here, is they only get one ball thrown their way for the entire game. So that one drop is like 100% (or maybe 50% at best) of the passes thrown their way. Watch the Colts last night? Wayne dropped an easy pass that wowuld have been a huge gain, early in the game. It was horrible! Oh that's rght, Manning kept throwing to him all game, and Wayne had a great game. Funny how that works. Again, you can't' be a good WR when the QB is afraid to throw the ball to you.

Throw Trent in, and I say we do it.

I'm for. Why? He's not scared.

It's kinda like how Moss was a washed up malcontent in Oakland. Was it a surpirse when Moss began playing with a QB that would throw the ball to him that he magically became good again? A WR can only catch balls that are thrown to him.

I don't think you'll find a poster any where that claims we have a great O line. But, there's not a person alive that can watch Trent play and conclude that he's even a serviceable QB. The line as bad as they may be are not as bad as the QB is. My question is... how stubborn is Chan going to be and insist that Trent is his guy when it's so obvious that he's made the wrong decision? He has 2 consecutive weeks with less than 200 yards of total offense to show for the season. How bad does it have to get to swallow his pride?

You're all right. Kelsay should be cut to make more room for Poz and Mitchell. I'm wrong. I really hope Chan sees the error of his ways and starts Poz or Mitchell next week.

I'm suggesting that Poz can be the best LB in the history of the game; but if he can't stay healthy what good is it? Kelsay ,for all the grief you or anyone may want to give him, is at the least out on the field trying to make a play.

He played better than Poz. Just sayin..

Why are the Bills the only team in the league dumb enough to throw WR screens with no one blocking the CB covering said WR?

Are they all really discussing the Cowboys not making the playoffs because of one play in week 1? Or the Bears making the playoffs because they won in week 1? Or CJ being on pace for 2,500 yards after week 1? Or any of the other hype after 1 week of football?? Seriously, I know they have to hype stuff. But, are they going completely over the ledge or do I just not remember it from the past?

I think another thing to look for will be how long before Trent throws the ball. A good QB getting blitzed gets rid of the ball within 2-3 seconds, as soon as he plants his back foot. I'm fairly certain the line won't hold up and give him a nice pocket to survey the field. So, he's got to recognize where the blitz is, make a quick decision, and throw the ball. My guess... there won't be a pocket nor will Trent plant his foot and throw. Hence, the pass rush will continue all day and completely shut the offense down. I truly hope to be wrong.

I don't have much to add to the content of the thread, because it's all been said and resaid to death. However, after reading 12 pages (mostly), I can say with certainty: 1. Lori - it's nice to see you post (even if sparingly). It's nice to have genuine and well-supported facts interjected into a discussion. It makes it so much easier for those of us without knowledge to more accurately gain knowledge and form an opinion. 2. Mr Weo - you're an idiot. Are you seriously debating with an AP reporter about how a reporter does their job? Think about that... you're tallking to a reporter about how a reporter does his/her job and you think he's wrong. What's next - debating with SDS how message boards are maintained?

I'm confused? Isn't there an NFL team in Cleveland called the Browns? You sound like the guy that cheats on his girlfriend 5 minutes after they get in a bad fight and when she's surprised says, "but we broke up." As others have said, the Jets won't ever move. Why not cheer for them? Or how about the Redskins or Cowboys? Lots of teams have little to no chance of ever moving. Be honest with yourself and us; you just felt like cheering for the Packers cause you like them. No need for false pretenses.

Good points, but... (1) The Bills' O-line hasn't' been able to effectively pick up a blitz or protect the QB in over a decade. (2) The Bills haven't had a QB that can be accurate downfield in about 6 or 7 years. (3) The Bills have a QB that's afraid to throw the ball and prefers to run backwards. So, in conclusion, if the Bills have to rely on their passing game to win this game... well, they're not going to win.

Exactly. Why? With 3 supposed top tier backs, we only run 17 times? Gailey needs to figure out pretty quick where the stregth of this team is... and it's not at the QB position. I think it's entirely possible. Everything about the guy says he lacks the confidence of a leader, from his body language to his press conferences to his demeanor on the field. I've never played organized football. But, I've watched a heck of a lot of it and I've never seen a nonchalant, taking what the defense gives him QB lead a team to any measure of success. I'm sure the other players haven't either.

Evans tries, but fails to hide frustration. "Gailey put his trust in quarterback Trent Edwards, who had a miserable afternoon against a swarming Miami defense in the windy conditions at Ralph Wilson Stadium." And therein lies the problem. As also noted in a D&C article: "...head coach Chan Gailey figured the only way to attack was through the air. However, with Trent Edwards reverting to his reliance on short passes, and the offensive line unable to give him enough time to do much of anything else, the passing game was muted as well." The problem on Sunday was Chan thought he could turn the game over to Trent. What I can only hope he's now realized is that Trent cannot handle the job. The only way this team will find even modest success with Trent at QB is with a stong run game. They need to flip the numbers and run 37 times and pass 17. Otherwise, we'll lose every game until Trent gets his annual injury. There have been several threads about how bad some of the other QBs around the league looked. But, what these people are over looking is at least they tried to play the position. Sanchez for all his suckiness tried to throw the ball, he just happened to be facing the Ravens D. Trent, on the other hand, doesn't even try. You can't be an NFL QB and be afraid to throw the ball. It's really just that simple. Here's to hoping Chan realized what so many of us already know... you cannot put the game in Trent's hands. Establish a run game, use the wildcat, do anything; but do not rely on Trent to throw the ball 35-40 times a game.

I, honestly, can't even imagine Edwards playing like Rivers is tonight. Rivers is mad, yelling at his linemen, throwing the ball into double covered guys, literally lifting that team on his back. And he's gotten them to within a TD. Trent would be sitting on the sideline, looking sad and depressed because he's got more film to look at tomorrow. KC crowd is rocking that place tonight. Hope they get this win.

Not that I in any way endorse Colt Brennan; but Trent has been the unquestioned starter since the first year he was in the league. When has he ever.... ahhh screw it... it really doesn't matter Chan's sticking with Trent and we're stuck with looking inept... this sucks

Would that be the same defense that registered 3 sacks and several QB pressures? How is that a lack of pass rush? The Bills O line also gave up 3 sacks, so I guess the Dolphins didn't get much pass rush either?

I'd rather have a QB that looks good on Sunday, than one that looks good on Friday.

The problem with the run game is you have to be able to back the defense off the line, at least with the appearance of a passing game. The Fins did exactly what everyone has done for years... they stacked the line and dared Trent to beat them. The line, as bad as they may be, are only 5 guys trying to block 8 guys on 9 out of 10 plays. The QB has to make a play here and there to back the LBers off. Until we have a QB that can do that, our run game will continue to look bad and people will start trying to run CJ out of town by mid season. Sadly, I have to agree with you.