Dan

Did you take all the other games and see if the opposing team had a winning/losing record at the time we played them? Otherwise cherry picking 2 games is.. well not good.

Agree completely.

Multiple posters have made the same assumption about Poz, Hardy, McKelvin, Lynch, Whitner, JP, Butler, Youboty, and Fine. Why can't we make naive assumptions about Trent, as well?

There are, perhaps, a multitude of reasons why our offense struggled mightily at times this season. However, let me just offer 2: the situational awareness/play calling issue and the offensive line. I think the first issue can be largely explained by a rookie OC. All too often, the offense had no rhythm. It almost seemed as though the plays were being called out of a hat. We'd run on 3 and 10 and pass on 3rd and 1. Sometimes it works, but many times it doesn't. The biggest problem with this type of offense is that it leads to inconsistent play and your team lacks any identity. Additionally, it leaves us with no "go to" plays. Add in a healthy dose of predictability, in player formations and tendencies, and you get an offense that's very easily defended. The second issue hasn't gotten nearly enough talk, IMO. We had several injuries on the Oline and switched our Center, mid season. Regardless of how bad Fowler may be, how often does a line change centers, mid season, and not have problems? Is it coincidental that for the first 4 games the offense looked pretty good. Then we had a month or so of injuries and changing the center that coincided with horrendous QB and bad RB play. Recently, the line has stabilized and our offense is looking much better - despite the subpar JP play. Of course, I still think the WRs need work. But, I'm not so sure we need new receivers as much as we need to use them better. A TE would be nice. I still have no idea what the FB does other than make us play with 10 guys on the field. So, there are other issues, as well. But I argue the running game suffered most from the first 2 issues presented.

I must confess... I've done that; but only once. Does that make me a bad person?

Last night in the Colts/Jags game, there was almost the same situation. Colts have the lead, less than 3 minutes in the game, ball around the 30 yard line. What did they do with one of the best QBs, TEs, WRs in the league? The ran it 3 times, causing the Jags to use their time outs, then punted the ball. Jags got the ball back with over 2 minutes to go, Colts defense stopped them. Game over, Colts win. Why is it such a difficult concept to grasp? There are times when running and not gaining a yard is the best play.

I must admit, this is where I tend to sit on the issue. Am I happy with Jauron's team? No. Would I like to see a new coaching regime? Yes. However, at what cost? If Jauron is replaced with another retread-type or a run of the mill coordinator with no HC experience, then why? Seems like we could do far more harm than good - ala Williams/Mularky. So, I'm not so sure. Given this team's past HC hires, who really thinks we would bring in a Cowher type?

Actually, if all the numbers indicate a better or improving team, isn't that an argument for keeping our coaches? It seems Jauron could take these numbers to Ralph and say, "See, its working. We need to stop the turnovers and stay healthy (Trent, Schobel, Greer, Reed, Youboty, Crowell). But, we're on the right tack." Do you really make significant changes in a team that's shown this much improvement? Of course, this is all countered with... have you seen this apathetic team on the field?

I'll chip in 5 bucks.

In fairness, I think that was a situation forced on him due to the unexpected retirement of their existing LT. Credit for drafting someone that could fill in as a rookie, but I'd suggest that they would have preferred not having a rookie LT las season.

I agree. But, you quite frequently see a player respond to a similar question with a.. I'd trade it all for a playoff game. Or something to that effect. Fundamentally, I agree. It's one comment amidst a full conversation that he probably had with the reporter. But, it's not a good comment. Heck, we had a RB crucified just for saying there wasn't anything to do in Buffalo. I'd suggest Peters is a little more concerning comment. Agreed to, no way you trade him. Pay him and move on to the next guy.

Funny. I read some of the articles on TBD and got the same impression. It almost seems like they're all beginning to rally around each other. Oh, I love Jauron. Trent's showing great improvement. Well ain't we all just great. Very much how I see it. However, I would add HC and OC to that list. But, someone not hell bent on a complete remake of the team. But, this is about the most uninspired, apathetic group I've seen in a while.

This quote kinda pissed me off as well. (I made a thread, till I saw this - deleeeted it). For me, at least, it's not so much a matter of his talent or his pay. I think most reasonable people will acknowledge he's talented. Hence, I'd want him on the team. However, his attitude concerns me the most. All too often, you hear of players getting that big contract and then becoming very average. Does Peters fall into this category? I don't know. But, he seems more and more to be motivated by personal gain as opposed to team success. So, does he make the ProBowl a few times, get a mega contract; and then decide he's good to go and just take it easy? Or does he continue to strive to be the best in the game? Given our cap situation and what we've payed other, less talented players, I could care less what they pay the guy. I do want to see him on the team. But, I also worry considerably that he may become very average or slack at times - giving up crucial sacks. Basically, more of the same 2008 play.

Great news for you! If you get the chance, tell him Bills Nation loves the Chroisen One.

Yeah we may have finished last in the division and out of the playoffs. Good thing TE didn't get hurt in week 1.

Just curious... did you just pick three names at random?

requested linkage within

Dude, you're becoming my favorite poster. That's pure gold.

I refuse to believe that the NFL will let the Chroise start. The record books are not ready for the oncoming onslaught. I predict he gets ejected from the game on the first snap for blinding the officials with his Chroise - of course, he'll throw and run for 2 touchdowns before the whistle is blown. Hamdan Rocks!

I must confess, this thread is right up there with one of the more humorous ones I've read. Excellent work to all! One quick question about the concussion - if Trent starts next September and blows, is it still the concussion? One quick question about the groin - if it needs surgery, why not just do it now and get it over with? What's the point of waiting a few weeks? Trent should be afraid of Hamdan. If he plays during the next 2 weeks, I cannot see any way the Chroise doesn't win the starting job for the next decade.

Hamdan Rocks!

Correction.... Hamdan.. yeah that's the CURE!!!! Hamdan Rocks!

Plus it will be cold out. Maybe even a little of that scary white stuff in the air.

Good points. He was the only other Bill that I thought even had a shot.

They have been a fairly consistent part of the team, regardless of who was sucking it up on the field. Makes one wonder.