Dan

Pretty well sums it up. Why is this such a difficult thing to understand. We all learn when we're about 5 that if you have the lead, late in the 4th quarter, you run the ball to run out the clock. It's not pretty, it's not sexy, but it's been done that way for decades for one reason - it works. Now, if it were 3rd and long; maybe. If Lynch was getting stuffed all day; maybe. If JP was on fire and Evans (not a FB) was having a career day; maybe. But if your RB is having a great game, your Oline is actually creating holes, and you're on your own 25yd line (more or less); you run the damn ball. There's no need to discuss or complicate the issue. Jauron or whomever called the play screwed up. Yes, JP should have protected the ball. Peters should have at least touched the blitzer. The FB shouldn't have fallen down. But, those are all exactly why you don't call that play - there's too many things that can go wrong. In that situation, you just don't want to screw up. A running play straight ahead is the best way to ensure that. Period. Done.

Had we beaten the Jets, they'd be 8-6 and we'd be 7-7. How's does that make them so much better than us? Where are they if Bret retires? I'd say the Dolphins are an aberation this year. Who saw them coming on like they have? Will they continue next year? That remains to be seen. The Pats* are... well the Pats*. Have you seen the line play lately? They're not nearly as bad as you suggest. I contend that their biggest problem is coaching. Our team as a whole, especially the Oline, has no identity. However, when they line up and take on guys one on one, they do pretty well. It's all this stunting, trapping, pulling crap that they suck at. If the coaches could see that maybe we wouldn't be so bad. The DEs aren't nearly as bad as anyone makes them out to be, although I agree we need to upgrade this position. As well, we need to upgrade Ellison. Yeah, we're 7-9 type team. But, change a few stupid coaching decisions and we could easily be 9-5 right now. I disagree. Evans is plenty good enough when given the chance.

So you really think we need to get a new FO, new coaching staff, and then blow up the team as a result? Seems a little drastic to me. I'd suggest just a better coach that can get more ot of the existing players is all we need. How are the Jets that much better than us? Without the brain fart by Jauron, we probably win today's game. What happens when Favre retires after this season? Where are they then?

AKA, the Jauron meeting with Ralph thread. Seriously though, how do you explain these numbers: Offensive Rankings: Total Offense (YPG) 2007- 30 / currently in 2008 - 23 Passing (YPG) 2007- 30 / currently in 2008 - 20 Rushing (YPG) 2007- 15 / currently in 2008 - 15 Defensive Rankings: Total Defense (YPG) 2007- 31 / currently in 2008 - 14 Passing (YPG) 2007- 29 / currently in 2008 - 11 Rushing (YPG) 2007- 25 / currently in 2008 - 19 Win/Lose Record: We're currently as good as/better than: San Diego Chargers (6-8) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9) Cleveland Browns (4-9) Green Bay Packers (5-9) Seattle Seahawks (3-11) Granted, I agree we seem to be sucking. But, why does it appear we've improved so much, statistically speaking. So, are we really so bad that we need to blow it all up and start over? Or are we closer than it may appear?

My brother-in-law is a huge Broncos fan. He's just about as frustrated as I am with the Bills. We're pretty sure which Bills team will show up next week, the question is which Broncos team shows up. IMO, it could be a decent game, or the Broncos blow us out. Here's to hoping the Broncos go down, so I can rag on him for a year.

Sorry, couldn't resist. I do agree with most of your most. However, I'd suggest we're better than 4-5 players away. I'd say 2 maybe 3. We need to upgrade Ellison and we need a QB. That's 2 for certain. Trent may still be the guy, but one of the great tragedies of this season has been that we still just don't know. Certainly it can be argued that we need all sorts of other upgrades. But, I'll counter much of that sentiment with.... how much better would we look this season if the offensive coaching and head coaching had resembled anything competent? Today's game was a perfect example. We had the talent on the field to win, but we blew it. The Jets didn't beat us, we beat ourselves. And I think you could say that for about 2-3 other games this season.

Pyrite?

Incorrect. You forget that we would have forced them to use all their timeouts. And why assume a bad punt? Moorman likely puts them around their 30yard line. So in a best case scenario for the Jets, they get the ball at about their 35, with 1:50 on the clock, no timeouts. Certainly not impossible for Favre but not easy either considering they hadn't had 1st down in the 4th quarter. But, worst case scenario for the Jets is Lynch gets the first down and game is over. Why take the ball out of your only playmaker's hands?

JP had a decent drive. yes. Lynch had a great game. Regardless of that... the odds are in your favor to run the ball in that situation. If it were 3rd and 5, I might agree with you. If JP had thrown for 250+ yds and was playing with confidence, I might could agree with you. If Lynch had about 60 yards rushing, I might could agree with you. But the fact of the matter is, everything in that game, up to that point, screamed "RUN THE BALL". There was no need ot get cute and over think the situation. Just run it down their throat. Get to the 2 minute warning. Then decide what to do with 3rd and 2or3.

Do you really not get it or are you just arguing for fun?

They've been saving that play for just the right time all season long! Imagine the patience they've shown all year long knowing they had the perfect play, but couldn't call it and win the game because they were waiting for that precise moment when the season was in the balance. It was so perfectly timed. I'm not sure what went wrong, maybe should have called it on first down?

I'll admit that at the end of last year and for the first month or so of this season, I was thinking Jauron may be just what this team needed - an even-keeled guy that could keep the team focused. But, I appear to have been horribly wrong. I can point to at least 3 games we've lost this year directly to his decisions. I'm now firmly on the let's dump Jauron bandwagon.

Yes, because this Orakpo guy guarantees we'll win 10 games next year? Sorry, but I'll kindly disagree with you. I'll never sit here and wish for the Bills to lose, regardless of the consequences.

Yes. Winning always trumps losing.

Exactly. And Jauron says, "well what do we do?" Wilson: "You hike the ball to the RB and he runs or something." Jauron: "The RB, runs? Brilliant!" Wilson: "Brilliant! Let's let the RB do something." Jauron, to Turk: "Hike the ball to Jackson and let him so something." Turk: "The RB gets the ball? Brilliant!" Jauron: "Brilliant!" Turk after the play: "hmmm... we have to work on that execution. I thought Jackson was supposed to do something." Jauron: "yeah, next time let's do something. But ya know its tough do something because all these guys are really good."

No joke. Talk about a piss poor effort to do something. Thank god they stopped that.

You gotta feel bad for a guy that puts so much of himself on the field just to have the coaches show zero confidence in him in the critical moments. He put all the pressure on his shoulders this week, saying the lack of run game was all on him. Then he came out and busted his ass to answer any would-be critics just to have the the ball taken out of his hands when he probably wanted it most.

And the "winning formula" for the game on NBC.... put the ball all in the hands of JP Losman because that Jets were outplayed today. Great. Interestingly, they said Preston pancaking the ref is totally legal. He's in the field of play and therefore has to get out of the way. So don't expect any fines.

Yes, in part. But, on that critical play, Peters doesn't even touch the blitzing DB. So, how can you not put at least some of the blame on Peters for not doing something? By no means do I admonish JP of all blame, but by no means should Peters escape all blame either in that situation.

Here's to you my friend.

Big Ben is looking very JPish in this game.

Well, they are a tough team and its hard to get any win in this league. Hard to believe we're almost certain to go 0-6 in the division.

Agreed. then I sat down and began to cry... knowing the game was so close to being won and we just gave it away.

Yes, for the most part. However, on at least 2 plays Peters guy ran right by him leading to sacks. One other time it happened (I think, but that onw was much more on JP taking to long). The final sack, fumble, TD was Peters' guy and he was in no way slowed down. BTW, love me some Johnson. We should have been playing him all season.