Dan

It's all good, just enjoying a little football talk on a Friday afternoon.

Precisely. So why did you veer off on a tangent in the 5th post about Lynch, Jackson, the team not having a GM and Jauron getting held hostage by palyer's agents? You suggested that you were out of line, I simply agreed (albeit sarcastically). But then you chose to argue it further. I'm really anxious to see what Stupar can do this week. I hope/expect he'll have Fine riding the bench before long.

One other thought... along with SDS' comment... screw the informative, everyone's got information out there. I'd try the funny route. I'm not sure how funny it'd be, but why not (if you can't get players and the like for information) do skit interviews with "important" people from the week. For example, a 2 minute segment asking the spray painters a few questions. What their favorite brand of paint is? Where they studied spray paint art? Can anyone spray paint yards or is this a union job? I think if you kept it light-hearted, tongue in cheek it wouldn't be seen as offensive. Other interview suggestions: Jauron's speech writer, Hamdan's hair stylist, Poz's new bff - his cast maker, the guy Lynch has been playing Madden online with for the last 3 weeks.

I've watched each of them since the preseason. Excellent job. My suggesttions: 1. Are you filming in a garage? If not, it sounds like a big empty room. If you can't score a good boom mic, putting some furniture, carpet, etc. in the room will help to dampen the echo effect.poor sound quality (I would think). 2. Change the format a little to allow for more interactive discussion. Currently, the host present an idea then asks "what do you think about that". Then, he goes to the next topic. If the discussion flowed more as a conversation it would be more engaging. This may require some scripting though to ensure a good flow. Finally, its worth asking for some Bills players. They don't' have to be stars, but you never know. btw, you're nuts with your pick

I'm ready to jump off the Pats* bandwagon this week, both in my pick 'em pool and on my fantasy team (yes I have a FF team for the first time ever, but my boss called and told me to do it.. I swear). Am I just acting on emotion and my deep desire to see the Pats* crash and burn? Or is it actually possible the Pats* will lose 2 in a row? (perhaps the wrong forum to ask this question)

That's not what I'm trying to say. I'm suggesting that Brandon is our GM. His business card may not say General Manager on it, but he's performing all the functions and responsibilities of a GM. And there's nothing to suggest that agents are putting undue pressure on him or Jauron to play certain players over others.

Granted the Oline is young and still has a lot to prove. But, bringing up preseason games to support your argument? You're better than that. And you're getting those opinions. My opinion being that you're making wild assumptions based on nothing factual just to assert your theory that our FO and coaching staff sucks. And they may very well blow... but not for the reasons you're stating.

Can you back that assumption up with any evidence whatsoever? Who's placing this pressure on Brandon? How has he passed it on to Jauron? Do you have some sort of inside knowledge claiming that Lynch's agent is telling Brandon he better start Marshawn next week or Lynch will sit out?

So you didn't just make that up? Can you provide any proof whatsoever that Jauron is forcing HIS draft pics down our throats? Can you provide any evidence whatsoever that one our our player's agents is complaining about why his guy isn't being treated properly and that he is holding our team hostage? Can you define what the PROPER chain of command should be for the Bills or any NFL team? Can you provide evidence of what the current chain of command is and how it's somehow lead to improper team management? Again, I understand your dislike of the FO. However, IMO, you're stretching entirely too far the reality of what may be going on behind closed doors at OBD. You're trying to paint the picture that the Bills, as an organization, are a rudderless ship with no direction with the players and their agents dictating roster moves. When none of that can be substantiated. Yes, you think Peters and his agent dictated to Russ a trade. The reality, however, is that Russ chose to handle Peters differently than you'd like. The Broncos just experienced a similar scenario with Brandon Marshall this year. They chose to keep him. And look at how his production has declined. Russ decided to trade his problem and get guys that want to be here in return. Which is better for Peters, I could care less. But, I know which is better for the Bills. You think letting FAs leave is a bad thing. But the reality is every team in the league lets FAs leave every year. You can't keep everyone. The problem is you disagree with who they let leave and who they retain. We re-signed McGee, I guess the FO gets no credit for that move. They re-signed Jackson and are using him to great success. I guess they get no credit for that either - rather you choose to focus on 3 years ago when Thomas was starting over him.

That's what I was thinking. No wonders my nephew is a weather junkie.

First, give Russ whatever title you want, but he's in effect serving the function as a GM. Second, do you honestly believe Jauron or anyone else is "be held hostage by someones agent"? Third, isn't it one the GM's responsibilities to oversee the draft? Therefore, wouldn't it be the GM forcing his draft picks down our throats and not the coaching staff? I understand your frustration with the FO and Jauron. I really do. But, now you're just making stuff up to re-enforce your opinions. Lynch will see plenty of playing time because for the last 2 years he's out performed Jackson. That's not a slight on Jackson at all. It' kinda like the question of who's the number 1 WR - Evans or Owens? Jackson and Lynch will both see plenty of playing time and have ample opportunities to succeed. Who walks onto the field on the first snap is largely irrelevant. Schouman got the starts because he was the most experienced TE on our roster and the TE that Trent felt most comfortable with. I doubt it was much more than that. Stupar will now be given his chance. And if he continues to produce, he'll continue to play for this team and see plenty of playing time in that same way Jackson is.

I get most of my weather data from WeatherTap.com. Its a subscription site that our pilots use. It's quite accurate. However, as with all forecasts the farther out you go, the more the accuracy declines. I'm not banking on the weather, by any means. Although a blizzard would be a welcome site. I agree with many, our Bills generally play poorly in bad weather. But, I'll cling to any thing I can to help slow Brees down. I have little confidence our defense will. I like the one suggestion of cheering wildly if it does start to rain. How great would that be!

Ya think?

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say TO really wants this year to work out in Buffalo. Whether its because he likes Buffalo and wants to stay or he wants to show all the other teams that he can play nice and wants out is up for debate. However, just as was suggested this past summer, TO needs to be on his best behavior here. He's probably decided that the best and most surest way to do this is to shut his mouth. So, in some sense, he truly is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. If he talks after games, in the heat of the moment, there's no telling who he'll disparage - intentionally or not. If he doesn't talk, he gets everyone berating him for his self-imposed silence and suggesting that its a sign of his growing frustration with [insert whatever angle you want to pursue]. Someone needs to convince him that Bills fans don't care what he says nearly as much as we care about him catching TDs, blocking downfield, telling Jauron to go for it on 4th and inches, and generally just bringing some much needed excitement and attitude back to the Bills.

Agreed. One name to unite them all.

I'd say both. Right now the link is called "Buffalo Bills Forums" in both locations. Seems TBD Forums is better suited to tie in with the name of the site. Of course, I don't know all the other considerations.

I like it, FWIW. Seems sensical. Although I agree with DC Tom, "Two Bills Drive Forums" seems more appropriate seeing as how its the TBD website. Maybe that's too much text though, TBD Forums perhaps.

Currently: Showers likely. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Very well said. When last season ended, I was firmly and passionately in the fire Jauron camp. However, he was retained. So, what choice do we have but to sit back, watch and hope for the best. I will say this... he's shown more in this young season than he has in the past 3 combined, IMO. The team may be 1-1; however, they've played very well and look like a competitive NFL team out there. I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm back in the Jauron's great camp. It'll take more than a couple of decent weeks to do that. But, the team looks solid right now. They're playing well. Can they finish the season like they're trying to learn to finish games, though? That's my question. So, for me, its still very much a wait and see with regards to Jauron's coaching in 2009. Until the end I'll hope for the best.

Seriously? Have you ever been to New Orleans?

Have any teams returned a kickoff/punt for a TD this year?

Dude brings his own bottle to a bar and you think he's gonna buy a game ticket?

Duh... he's got the "I've heard of him" argument going for him.

While I completely agree with you and I think it's important for any good coach to be aware of these statistics/trade offs (or at least have someone in the box that is, ala the Pats*). However, you're forgetting or ignoring the fact that football (and much of life) is more than a collection of statistics and probabilities. By the numbers, Jeff George should have been a Super Bowl winning QB. He wasn't. What's the numbers on a team scoring 3 times in 77 seconds? What does math say about Elway taking the Broncos 98 yards in a playoff game on the road. The Pats* went for it twice on 4th and short 2 weeks ago - failed on both attempts. There are plenty of circumstances where the reality defies the math. So what's a good coach to do... go with his gut, feel the flow of the game and react to the reality in front of him, IMO. Just for fun, there's also another line of reasoning to considering - Type 1 versus Type 2 errors. Both have negative outcomes; however, the Type 2 has a more detrimental negative outcome. Going for the FG in this situation minimizes the Type 2, which could be argued is what you want.

Championship!