Dan

The problem with preseason is all the fans and 24/7 sports writers want football so much... THEY.. treat it like real football games. Coaches and players, however, realize its still just practice games and approach it as such. Take the games off TV and stop the 24/7 analysis of every player's performance in them, and the number of games comes back to what matters... How much time does a coach need to evaluate his players and get the team ready for a season? I would guess, 4 games is about right.

I agree with you... those were the only 2 plays on that drive, that I thought he really made t wrong decision. On the incredible touchdown, the entire play was designed to go to that side of the field. I'm sure that's not exactly how the play is designed, but it worked. 2 point I'd like to make. First is on the throw downfield when he could have easily taken the TE underneath for a small gain; its nice sometimes to have a QB thinking downfield and not...always...taking the easy underneath stuff. No it doesn't always work out. But, it forces the defense to defend the entire field, every receiever. Because they know Allen has the arm to get it there... And he'll try! For how long have had a safe, always take what the defense gives you kinda QB? How long have we wished for a QB that would make a throw ans give is WRs a chance? And for how long have we been mediocre. All good QBs have to take those chances some times. I'm glad Allen did! Secondly, we've all been conditioned for too long that interceptions are bad. Don't throw an interception, take what the defense gives you. Be safe with the ball. Every good QB throws picks! Every one. Rare do you see the 300+ yard games with no interceptions. Interceptions are going to happen. Its ok. The key is ..is he a Fitzy interception magchine (always make the bad pass on the final drive of the game when all you need is a FG)? Or is he gettign ints trying to make plays but at the critical time, being smart and getting the yards? Me.. I don't mind ints so much, if he's pushing the ball downfield, forcing the defense to defend every route, and setting them up for later drives. That's going to happen and its not all bad. I was really encouraged watching him in that game. With that all said... I find myself repeatedly saying... Its only 1 preseason game. Let him stay on the sideline and learn for now. Especially, if AJ and Peterman continue playing like they did ...in 1 preseason game.

Points taken. I completely agree as well that its nice to hear how he's progressing. My only hesitation is its harder for us fans to know how he's doing with other areas of the game. So I'm not going to scream to get him in. For once, I feel like the coaching staff is thinking about what's best for the team's development long term and not their own interests week to week to try and look good.

So you've already decided that Allen was the best QB in preseason game 1? I think it's funny how everyone blames past regimes for not properly developing our previous QBs, but now so many people have decided that mid way through training camp, Allen has had enough development time and is ready to start. There's a ton more to being an NFL QB than just throwing the ball. In fact, I think you could argue that throwing the ball is pretty far down the list of things an NFL QB needs to do well. And I would suggest that AJ is most likely miles ahead of Allen when it comes to all those other QB duties. How much do people really think you're going to asess Allen's ability to read a defense and handle the pressure and speed of the game in the 2nd half of preseason game 1? (Assuming that's when he plays) I would just hope everyone is able to calm down, trust that this coaching staff and GM actualy know what they're doing and are taking a more methodical and fact-based approach to developing Allen. One good pass or series late in a preseason game does not make or break anyone.

The Chroisen One had no competition.

I'm not smart enough to know who's gonna be good or not. But my first reaction was... why trade up to get a guy that most people were saying would be there at 12... that way the draft was going. So I was upset about giving up the 2 picks more than selecting Allen. But the way you break it down here makes a lot of sense. I'm glad Beane made the moves to get the guy he wanted. There's too much at stake if he doesn't fall and you're left without a seat at the dance. So... yeah. I think it worked out good ...assuming they picked the right guy. lol

I was in the FL keys yesterday watching the draft.... when the Dolphins picked the safety. Half the place just screamed.....FUUU*****k. LOL. Not many people there were too happy either. Just thought it was funny to see. I remembered the same reaction to pickin. Whitney low those many years ago.

Trick question! You can't hit a defenseless receiver. Penalty on the defense, automatic first down. I agree with many here... If you catch it, with 2 feet/knee down, its a catch. If you drop the ball on the way to to the ground... Its a catch and fumble. If the ball moves in your hands, AFTER you have possession, on the ground, out of bounds, whatever.. Still a catch.

Question I have.... Why did AJ slide to the 5th round? If he was so good in college, has all the stats, size, durability. What happened?

Is this a little like the Tyrod signing? A late round guy, that has had time to "develop" while backing up on another team. Bills steal him away and reap the benefits. Not sure if this one works out better or worse, but it sure feels familiar.

This is the type of thread where you confirm the trolls and idiots. There is absolutely no way a Bills fan can truthfully be upset by re-signing Kyle Williams.

I would like to suggest that if there actually is new or breaking news about any player being signed.. That they start a new thread, rather than append it to an umpteen pager thats been going on with specualtion and insults for a week and most of us no longer read. I know we don't like lots of duplicate topic threads. But, adding new information to one that's devolved and most people have lost interest in it due to the bickering and changing the name... Is perhaps worse. Let the old one die, and start a new one, I say.

Actually, it would be. ..or quit because you don't like the way your boss is running the business. But, if you collect a paycheck from someone, then while on the clock in their uniform, decide to make a statement about anything.. You need to think about how that is going to sit with the person signing your check. I agree, these players are more than normal employees. They're public figures and role models. But that's even more the reason they need to be aware of how their stances affect the team. To use your example... Would a team sign a guy to a long term, high priced contract if he was a confessed and vocal nazi? I doubt it. So why should they be expected to support and just allow that same player to fly a nazi flag before games after he signs his contract? We can go round and round with examples and scenarios. But, like it or not, the employer decides what is considered appropriate workplace behavior, not the employee. That's just the way it is.

Same here. Exactly... Hence players need to be aware that they're potentially biting the hand that feeds them, and there could be consequences to those actions up to and including unemployment.

Again..l'm in complete agreement. I feel exactly the same. Unfortunately, few corporations (and that's essentailly what the league is) agree with us. So...we have to shut up and do as we're told. Or go find a new job. The league is in a precarious position with the players, because they can't fire them all. But, that doesn't change the point that the players are flirting with losing their job, just as Kaep may have. Its the risk anyone takes that stands up to the man. Fortunately, he has millions to fall back on. I don't. Lol.

I agree... Hence the owners have a problem. Same with me as a fan... We all have to put up with it.. And the charities the NFL condones... If we want to watch.. Or of the owners want to have those players on their team. Back to the OP... That's why Kim is doing it the right way, IMO. Have a conversation with the players and reslove it in some fashion together. ..not fighting against each other. Because just as the players need to be aware of the owners stance, you know the owners are getting pressure from the league regardless of their personal opinions.

I completely agree with you, on all points. But my point remains... If your boss said you have to behave a certain way at work, you have to do that. I can't use my company car for personal trips to the sex store? If I'm caught wearing my work shirt in a bar, I'm fired. Some other owner may not care, but mine does. I think too many people on this discussion are wrapped up in what the players are protesting. I'm saying it doesn't matter what they're protesting... They are employees and when they are wearing the company uniform, they should be expected to represent the company. Right now, in February, on their own time... Protest away! Call a news conference a day. Do what you want. But, don't do it at the office.

I don't. But given the way most of the owners and the league are responding, they at the least seem to not want the players protesting like this. And ultimately that's all that matters. If they supported it and wanted the players to protest it, then this wouldn't be an issue, Take another example, the breast cancer awareness. All the players wear pink in October. Now maybe they like that, maybe they don't. But, I would guess the league strongly suggests that you'll be wearing your pink flare if you want to be a team player.

I think you have no idea what my problems are. Yes, the NFL stage is used to suuport lotst of causes and things. But, that's the NFL deciding what they want to do. Not the players. The players are the employees, the NFL (and owners) are the boss. As an employee, you follow the company policies and procedures or you get fired. Personally, I think the players can protest whatever they want... On their own time. But that is the key, do it on thier time not the team's. I don't think they should be protesting police brutality and oppression any more than they should be holding up a sign to buy girl scout cookies during the game.

I think she makes a solid, rational point. And its the way to approach this or any issue. However, with that said, you should not put your work uniform on, go to the office and then publicly protest or state opinions contrary to the organziation you work for. That's just the way it is. The players, any of us, have the right to say and protest all we want on our own time. But they're using the stage the NFL and the Bills organization (in this case) provided them to state a personal opinion. That's the problem I have with it..and its the point I think the players need to understand.

Yeah! Totally remember that guy. LOL. Thanks.

What was that guys name? I can't remember, but he was ridiculous.

The bolded sentence is not at all accurate. He confirmed just the opposite. Conducting walk throughs have enough value that the team still did them...just in the hotel where NE couldn't spy on them. If the walk through is meaningless, why go through all the trouble to rent extra space in a hotel just to do it? Furthermore, If BB would never spy on another team's walk through why stage a fake one? You do that because you have reason to believe he might.

Knowing what I know about that team...of course not. But I would go a step further. I'd have fake paybooks drawn up and leave them out. I'd have fake signals throughout the game. I'd call down fake plays in the headset. I'd have several new plays that we hadn't run all year ready to go, just like they did. I'd give all the groundcrew free Eagles gear to wear. I'd hire player look alikes and have them seen at bars all night, hoping BB would see it and suspend the real player. I'd have 10 people who did nothing but coming up with crap like this to screw with BB's head as much as possible.

Which question is that? Lol