Dan

In my opinion, and this is just opinion as I have no stats to back it up, teams have been increasingly playing up to stop the run and short passing game each week. Because, with each week it has become more apparent that we were not looking down field to Lee or TO. Initially, teams were concerned about Evans or TO beating them deep; however, by week 3 it was apparent they didn't need to. So you're seeing more teams cheat their safeties up. As a result, the run game and short passing game have become largely ineffective and our offense has looked abyssmal. Until we have a QB demonstrate that he will routinely and effectively throw 15+ yards downfield, I suspect we'll continue to see limited production from the RBs.

You're missing the big picture. If the Bills turn the season around and somehow make the playoffs, then we'll never get rid of Jauron and be able to hire us a coach that will take us to the playoffs.

I truly don't understand this. It's been well researched and defined that all Buffalo needs is a new owner that will spend money and we'll have a winning team. So how is it the Redskins have an owner that spends money like that and they're not winning every year?

Excellent points made and interesting pass distribution. Thanks for noticing. I was hoping someone would appreciate the effort I made at making up those bullets.

There's a few things at work here. First off, it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks because Jauron has already stated that Trent is still too shaken up to play this week. So, in that sense, there is no debate. Second, stats being what they are, all any one has to do is watch the last first 5 games of this season. Trent played progressively worse in each of those games. It got so bad that he couldn't muster more than 1 FG against the Browns - at home. Now, say what you want about stats or throws or arm strength or anything. But your QB has to be a leader and lead his team to more than 3 points against that Browns team. All else is fluff to a certain extent. C. I'm still a little unclear as to what we've classified as a long ball here, but what's even more important that the depth of the pass is when the pass is thrown. When it's 3rd and long, in the 4th quarter, and you're behind; you do not throw check offs to a RB. Period. We've all seen Trent's propensity to do exactly that. 3C. In reference to the last statement, many of us have pondered... is Trent being coached to throw the dump offs or are the WRs just not open down field. Well, Fitzy, has shown that WRs sare indeed open and Jauron doesn't insist that the ball be checked down at all costs. For proof that Trent checks down more than Fitzy, I prefer to look at the number of RB recpetions: Week 1 - FJ (5) Week 2 - FJ (6) Week 3 - FJ (5) Week 4 - ML (5); FJ (3) Week 5 - ML (6); FJ (2) Week 6 - ML (2); CM (2) Week 7 - ML (1) Seems, easy to me to conclude that the RBs are catching more balls out of the backfield with Trent in the game than with Fitzy in the game. Fifthly, I forgot what I was talking about after looking up those stats. Suffice it to say, I think there's more to it than just the number of "long passes" the QB makes. I think we have to consider the intermediate routes, the timing of the various passes, and the overall offensive production - 20 points (yesterday) is better than 3 points (against the Browns). So, I agree with you Simon to a point, but I just think its more to it than just the number of deep passes that makes many posters want to see Fitzy starting.

What happened to the screen passes we ran so well in Week 1? I'm not saying we need to run them on every series, but a few screens might do wonders to help slow down the pass rush, jsut a little.

True, Edwards has some talent. But, IMO, Fitzy is putting to rest the "gameplan" arguement. Look at the first pass he attempted. Down the middle, about 15-20 yards, to TO with a CB underneath and a safety over the top. Yes, he threw the ball high and TO didn't make the catch. But, that's exactly the type of throw that Trent has just refused to attempt. And, IMO, its been one of our biggest offensive problems this season. More and more, I'm thinking the gameplan calls for plenty of slants and mid-range passes. Its just been that we've had a QB that was unwilling to attempt those throws. Fitz needs to do a ton of work to improve his accuracy, but at least he's trying. I can live with trying and failure, but failure without even trying - well that's jsut demoralizing. And increaasingly, week after week, this team was looking demoralized.

Looked to me that on several passes, the pass rusher got right in Fitz' face and he couldn't step into the throw at all or even follow through properly which made the passes go high and long. So I'd blame poor Oline protection for at least some of those "WTF" throws over winds or Fitz being off.

Sounds like someone around here needs a plate of homemade cookies.

I'd say the Oline looked pretty bad today; absolutely no runnig lanes, no passing lanes. Pretty bad. IMO, Fitz makes them look better because he moves just enough and throws the ball a lot quicker than Trent. So, he's taking less sacks and looking less hurried. But, several of his bad throws were due to someone being right in his face not allowing him to follow through with the pass. So, I'd say... no, the line was not very good at all today.

Fitzy did little to generate a "controversy". However, he did do one thing that Trent absolutley needs to start doing: It was 3rd and long, first half. He gets rushed out of the pocket; looks and has the RB right in front of him for the checkdown. It's and easy pass to make. Of course, we'd be punting. Instead, Fitz stops, looks downfield and throws to a covered TO (a high throw). TO jumps and the ball goes right through his hands. We punt. Same result as Trent, but completely different attitude toward the game. Trent should probably be the starter when healthy. But, he has to start throwing downfield more. Fitzy did more of that today than Trent has done all season. Yeah, the stat line wasn't good. But, the offense continued trying and never looked defeated. I think that's largely due to having a QB that doesn't give up on every play the moment the pocket collapses (which happens every play). So, no, Fitzy doesn't look like the answer to anything. But, he's shown me enough to say Trent is checking down on his own; its not a coaching decision. Trent needs to wake up. Get out of his house. And go watch Fitz play. He could learn something.

Yep. And they were talking about that on the pregame - the refs getting clocked in the games. They're saying they'll consider lining them up different next year and/or giving them padding/helmets. Seems to me they might want to consider hiring younger, more athletic refs that can actually get out of the way; but I guess that just doesn't make sense.

That... or the size of their vaginas?

This is the 3rd year of this NFL game in London? Not once has it been a good game with exciting fans. It looks and sounds like the Toronto game - boring. Great idea to play in London, indeed.

To suggest that our run defense is suffering because Poz, Whitner,Mitchell, and Scott are injured, would be to suggest that these guys are actually pretty good. And we all know that natural law dictates that no one on the Bills' team can ever be any good. So, we have to reject your post based upon the known laws of the universe.

What I don't get is Nelson. He was reported to have left the game with a concussion. But he was at practice. What gives with that?

uuuuuhhhhh.... yeah. Seriously? Transparent bubbles surrounding the players? Why not just have all the players sit in padded recliners while being networked with virtual simulators? Drink is good! When you sober up, check this out for reality.

Goodell embodies all that is wrong with the NFL. Almost every decision he makes benefits the new, big market owners, corporations and, now, foreign markets at the expense of the small market teams and fans that have been the foundation of the league.

Damn technicalities.

We need an Army General on some wall. The Army General orders a guy to get beat up. They got to trial. We can't handle the truth. Next up: Alien

Seems simple enough to me. It's so frustrating watching every other team and you see some level of NFL caliber proficiency that is just not there with the Bills offense. I think this week we find out for certain if its due to the QB or the HC/OC. Fitz may not be the best QB out there; he may be slightly above adequate. But, we know he can at least attempt NFL caliber throws. We saw that last year in Cinci. So, I'll be watching to see if he suddenly becomes inept and ignores the throws that all NFL QBs attempt. I'm not saying he needs to win or even be successful. Quite honestly, I'll settle for him just trying to be successful. Yes, that's how far I've fallen. I just want to see this offense try to score points; I'll worry about the actual scoring later. If he throws more of those slants to TO/Evans, if he throws more passes into the endzone; if he throws the ball 10+ yards when its 3rd and 9 (as opposed to a -2 yard pass to the RB); then we'll know for certain that Trent is a lost cause. And, although Fitz may not be the answer, we'll know Trent is not.

Thanks. Quite interesting. You'd think the league and/or teams would be all over a new design like this. I guess we just gotta give Brady a concussion before the league trys to actually do something about it.

Care to elaborate?

Actually, I could live with that IF they brought in a proven HC that knows what type of players he needs/wants. It appears our current HC has significant pull in the draft room; hence, all the DBs. So, it would stand to reason that a new HC would have similar pull. If the new guy understands what it takes to win in the NFL and puts an emphasis on the lines, it may not be as bad as its been.

Now there's your irony - someone suggesting the Bills' FO doesn't know what they're doing in one breath then suggesting the Broncos and Ravens may play each other in the Super Bowl with his next.