Dan

me think someone doth troll too much

Under normal circumstances, I would agree with you. But, the Bills just got a new owner. So it's expected some changes could occur. Actually, I think this team is in better place than its been for quite some time, regarding bringing in top flight coaches. I suspect in recent years Ralph was willing to pay top dollar (if you believe the rumors at the time Shanny was shopping), but his age and lack of public transition plan made it unlikely anyone would come here, because there was a perceived lack of long term stability. Now, we have new owners, guaranteed staying in Buffalo, deep pockets, new stadium talks, loaded roster (albeit a few holes, i.e. QB), rabid fan base. The only real knock is the small market. But, I fail to see how anyone could look at coaching in Buffalo and not think it's a good spot to be, at this point in time.

Quite honestly, I came into this season just hoping for an 8-8 or 9-7 season. It's been a decade since we've had that! Yeah, a playoff spot is what we all want, but when you've been a losing franchise for as long as we have, you have to crawl before you can walk. It seems like the Bills are slowly crawling out of their losing ways. Yes, I know a playoff spot was in their grasp this season. But, when I think back to July, this is about where I thought the team would be. So, I try to temper my despair with the notion that this team is finally playing hard and looking more and more like a team that wants to compete each week. I give a lot of credit to Marrone and Whaley for that. I'm not nearly as certain as some are that Pegula should clean house. With that said, our biggest weakness is the Offensive Coordinator position. Marrone and company have to see that and make a change. Yes, we have QB and line issues. But a good OC can scheme around alot of that and at least make them look respectable. All too often our offense has looked high schoolish. And that's not on the players, it's on the scheme that's been implemented by our OC. IMO, this team is really close. Make one big change (OC) and a few smaller ones, and we're a team that should be seen as a post season contender. (Oh yeah... do whatever it takes to keep this defense together.. Hughes and Dareus need to be re-signed!)

Win your division and you're in... even if your division sucks. I have zero problems with that. If the league feels having teams with losing records in the playoffs, then change the divisions not the format.

Excellent article! It's amazing how what may seem like the worst of times can bring out the very best in people. Everyone in Buffalo, including the Ford Family and Lions staff, are the very best of people. It makes me proud, it makes me wish I was there to help too, it makes me wanna Shout. Go Bills... Go Buffalo!

The game is being played on Monday night, due to the weather this past week. Hence, it kinda is appropriate to call it a monday night game. What is really bad is that it took an act of God to get the Bills to "host" a Monday Night game again!

Or could it be the team that prevents the other from scoring more will win? Pretty much sums up our offense philosophy. Thanks. I wonder sometimes if I should keep compiling the information into a pre-game thread, with 26CB's excellent game preparation thread already in existence. Nice to know some find it a worthwhile endeavor.

Week 12: New York Jets at Buffalo Bills Monday, November 24, 2014 at 7:00pm (at Ford Field, Detroit) TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots and Steve Tasker DirecTV: 706 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 102 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: Before attempting to dig their playoff hopes out of a deep hole, the Buffalo Bills will first need to dig themselves out of snow-covered Buffalo. The New York Jets have been digging for answers all season. After more than five feet of snow blanketed Buffalo and buried Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills will travel to Detroit to play their "home" game against the Jets on Monday night. Buffalo has won three of the past four meetings with New York, and Orton tossed four TDs -- including a 61-yarder to Sammy Watkins -- in a 43-23 road victory in Week 8. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Spoiler Alert: Week 12 JetNation Preview NFL.com Preview: Jets at Bills NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Jets Total Yds/Game.... 321.6 319.4 Total Rush............. 95.6 140.9 Total Pass............. 226.0 178.5 Points/Game.......... 20.0 17.4 Time of Poss.......... 29.2 30.5 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 321.6 323.7 Rush Yards........... 99.0 83.2 Pass Yards........... 222.6 240.5 Points Allowed........ 20.4 26.5 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 25th; Jets - 26th Overall Defense: Bills - 6th; Jets - 7th MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Brooks, Ron CB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Carpenter, Dan K Right Groin LP FP FP Probable Goodwin, Marquise WR Ankle FP FP FP Probable Hogan, Chris WR Hip FP FP FP Probable Jackson, Fred RB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Lawson, Manny DE Ankle LP FP FP Probable Orton, Kyle QB Toe LP FP FP Probable Summers, Frank FB Neck FP FP FP Probable Urbik, Kraig G Shoulder LP FP FP Probable Watkins, Sammy WR Groin FP FP FP Probable Wynn, Jarius DE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Source: BuffaloBills.com New York Jets NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Aboushi, Oday OL Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Barnes, Antwan LB Knee FP FP FP Probable Colon, Willie G Knee FP FP FP Probable Graham, T.J. WR Neck FP FP FP Probable Harris, David LB Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Ivory, Chris RB Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Jarrett, Jaiquawn S Calf LP FP FP Probable Johnson, Chris RB Knee FP FP FP Probable Mangold, Nick C Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Reilly, Trevor OLB Knee FP FP FP Probable Salas, Greg WR Wrist FP FP FP Probable Smith, Geno QB Rt. Shoulder FP FP FP Probable Walls, Darrin CB Calf FP FP FP Probable Source: NewYorkJets.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Bills -2.5 Over/Under: 41.5 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: As if the season couldn’t seem to be going much worse, now mother nature steals a home game from us. I hope all my friends and family in Buffalo are doing well! Regarding the game.. well, we get two bad teams facing each other in a neutral site. This has all the makings of a dog of a game. The Bills think they’re still fighting for a playoff spot, while the Jets are just trying to hang on to some dignity. What I expect: 1. The Defense will come out strong and play a good solid game. 2. The Offense will look listless and predictably conservative at all the wrong times. 3. The team that makes the least mistakes will win. Yay. Go Bills!

I think he's more of an example of too many fan's unrealistic expectations of every position being filled with HOF players that never make a bad play, let alone have a bad game.

This. Our offense has been on a steady march to the bottom of every significant measure since Marrone and Hackett took the helm. You can see the players regressing with each game. I contend the coaching staff is doing everything in their power to put the players in a position to fail and practically daring them to succeed. The problem with their boring, predictable, basic and simplified game plan is that it forces the players to be perfect. So, when a decent player drops a ball on 3rd and 8, everyone says... the coach didn't drop the ball. No, perhaps not. But, the coach is the one who put the players in continual 3rd and longs all game long and amplifyied the likelihood of the drop. Not to mention when your game plan is overly simplistic and predictable, you're asking your players to succeed when the opposing team knows exactly what's coming. To put that another way, we all know the Patriots cheated and stole signals. And we all know that gave them an unfair advantage because they knew exactly what the opposing team was about to do. Marrone and Hackett are essentially giving every team they face that advantage by saying here's our offense, everyone knows what it is, we're not disguising anything. And then they expect our 5 linemen to block 7 defenders on each run and blame "execution" when they can't?

awesome... thanks!

I agree about the D. I expect they'll show up ans play tough. They always seem to; plus its prime time, I'm sure they're going to be ready to impress the nation. The offense, on the other hand, who knows. But, that's how every game is looking to me. We have an excellent Defense that's more than doing it's part and an offense that's woefully lacking. It's almost as if we get lucky on a few plays here and there... no consistency, no identity, no ability to control a game in any fashion.

In Key West, hoping its on the local channel. If not, finding a bar somewhere.

Week 11: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 8:25pm TV Network: NFL Network (TV Map) Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, and Tracy Wolfson DirecTV: 212 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 93 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins realize they have little room for error in their quest to reach the postseason. With both looking to bounce back from frustrating defeats, the visiting Bills try for a fourth straight victory over the Dolphins on Thursday night. Buffalo and Miami are both 5-4 and tied for second in the AFC East, two games behind New England. However, nine of the 11 AFC teams with winning records are ahead of the Bills and Dolphins. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bills at Dolphins NFL.com Preview Bills Focus: Dolphins-Bills Preview Bills Vs. Dolphins NFL Week 11 Odds, Predictions NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Dolphins Total Yds/Game.... 331.0 350.4 Total Rush............. 100.2 127.6 Total Pass............. 230.8 222.9 Points/Game.......... 21.2 25.2 Time of Poss.......... 29.4 30.1 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 320.7 309.8 Rush Yards........... 96.1 99.0 Pass Yards........... 224.6 210.8 Points Allowed........ 20.2 19.0 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 23rd; Dolphins - 14th Overall Defense: Bills - 6th; Dolphins - 4th MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills 24, 10, 12, NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Brooks, Ron CB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Easley, Marcus WR Knee LP LP LP Questionable Goodwin, Marquise WR Ribs LP LP LP Questionable Jackson, Fred RB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Watkins, Sammy WR Groin FP FP FP Probable Wynn, Jarius DE Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Source: BuffaloBills.com Miami Dolphins NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Clay, Charles TE Knee LP - - - Colledge, Daryn G Back FP - - - McCain, Chris LB Foot FP - - - Miller, Lamar RB Shoulder LP - - - Misi, Koa LB Ankle LP - - - Pouncey, Mike C Hip LP - - - Sims, Dion TE Toe DNP - - - Wilson, Jimmy S Hamstring LP - - - Source: MiamiDolphins.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Dolphons -5.5 Over/Under: 42 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: We finally get to our prime time game, and I’m looking for one thing and one thing only. Can we score once we get into the red zone? When it’s all said and done, there’s only one stat that matters.. score more than your opponent. And our offense has been pretty pathetic at putting the ball in the end zone, especially the closer we get. So, does it really matter who wins their match ups all over the field? Does it really matter if the refs screw us? Does it really matter if Marrone sleeps at home? Nope. They just need to score with some level of competency, ideally more than their opponent. Go Bills!!

Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 1:00pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots DirecTV: 707 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 93 (Internet 803) ================================================================= Game Preview: Orton is taking his success in stride as Buffalo looks to win three straight for the first time since beginning the 2011 season 3-0. It also is thinking playoffs, which it hasn't experienced since 1999. The Chiefs (5-3) are riding a hot streak of their own, winning three straight after defeating the Jets 24-10 last week. Jamaal Charles, who rushed for 90 yards in a 23-13 win over the Bills last season, had another solid effort with 78 yards and a touchdown to give him four during the winning streak. Buffalo's defense seems up to the challenge. Its massive front line has helped it rank eighth in allowing 326.0 yards per game and 92.3 against the rush. Alex Smith will go up against the Bills' 13th-ranked pass defense. None of his 11 touchdown passes have gone to wide receivers. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chiefs at Bills NFL.com Preview Chiefs Vs. Bills: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For AFC Showdown Kansas City vs. Buffalo Preview NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Chiefs Total Yds/Game.... 326.9 338.0 Total Rush............. 98.9 136.9 Total Pass............. 2228.0 201.1 Points/Game.......... 22.2 25.0 Time of Poss.......... 29.3 31.9 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 326.0 315.5 Rush Yards........... 92.2 116.1 Pass Yards........... 233.8 199.4 Points Allowed........ 20.6 17.2 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 24th; Chiefs - 21st Overall Defense: Bills - 8th; Chiefs - 5th MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills 24, 10, 12, NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Brooks, Ron CB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Easley, Marcus WR Knee LP LP LP Probable Goodwin, Marquise WR Hamstring LP LP LP Probable Jackson, Fred RB Groin LP LP LP Questionable Powell, Ty LB Ankle LP LP LP Probable Richardson, Cyril G Not Injury Related DNP DNP DNP Probable Watkins, Sammy WR Groin LP DNP DNP Questionable Woods, Robert WR Back FP FP FP Probable Source: BuffaloBills.com Kansas City Chiefs NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Jamell Fleming CB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out Jerry Franklin LB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out Josh Martin LB Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Questionable Tamba Hali LB Knee LP LP LP Probable Donnie Avery WR Groin LP LP DNP Out Christopher Owens CB Knee —- FP FP Questionable Eric Berry S Ankle FP FP FP Probable Phillip Gaines CB Ankle FP FP FP Questionable Cyrus Gray RB Hand FP FP FP Probable Junior Hemingway WR Hamstring FP FP FP Probable Travis Kelce TE Ribs FP FP FP Probable Sean Smith CB Groin DNP DNP DNP Probable Frank Zombo LB Not Injury Related —- LP —- —- Source: KCChiefs.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Chiefs -1.5 Over/Under: 42 Source: The LineMakers Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: Let the second half begin! What looked like the easiest stretch of the schedule at one point in time has become a critical stretch against some good teams. First up.. the Chiefs. The Chiefs started 0-2, in contrast to our 2-0 start. Yet, here we both sit at 5-3. And for two teams desperate for playoff action, its not completely unfounded to say the second half of our season hinges in the balance. Make no mistake the Chiefs will play tough. They've been putting up some pretty good numbers over the last month and have several statistical edges. Coming off the bye, the Bills should have an advantage of their own, however. But, often times, the team that's been playing and in their rhythm overcomes that advantage with ease. It'll be interesting to see how Marrone gets the team up for the game. Generally, the Bills have played tough for him. This week they need to get back in the groove quick. With all that said, what are the keys to today's game? Here's what I'm watching for: 1. Freddie and Sammy. I think we have decent depth at both position, but there's little doubt these are two of our best offensive weapons. It would be a huge lift to see Jackson start. However, Marrone has to weigh the entire season against rushing either on the field too soon. In this instance, I'm sure he'll make the right decision. 2. The right side of our O line. The Chiefs have a sack machine in Houston snd he's currently on pace to break the single season sack record. How will Henderson hold up? Will Hacket run/throw away from him? Hopefully, they learned from the JJ Watt game that when one of the best in the game is on the field... you don't test him too often. Get Henderson some help! 3. Our LBs on Kelce. Admittedly, I don't know much about this kid, but he's all the talk of the pundits for the last week or so. And we know the Bills always struggle against good TEs. Hopefully, they can contain him and take away the middle of the field. 4. Our run game. Can we run the ball with any effectiveness? Our run average has been steadily declining each week. It'll be interesting to see what Hacket has come up with over the bye week in an effort to jump start the run game. Are they going to actually do something different? Or will they just plug Kouandjio in at RG and keep plodding along with the same predictability? 5. The spirit of the team. They say they have the playoffs in their sights. At 5-3, they have their destiny in their hands. At the Ralph, they'll have the home crowd on their feet. It'd be nice to see the team come out, be the more physical team, and put the league on notice that the Bills aren't going to go quietly into December afternoons any more! Go Bills!!

me too

and Marrone does?

I hope you're wrong. Because, if not, we're screwed!

Firstly, the insight provided in the OP is precisely why this place is the only place to be if you want the best in all things Buffalo Bills. Thank you KTD. I'm also grateful that it was you that had an afternoon to chat with Doug and not some of the other posters around here. Second, I find it interesting insight into the psyche of the Bills' fan. With all the good (and positive) stuff presented, the primary point of conversation has been the one glaring negative on the team; and perhaps more importantly, the one thing that was not chit chatted about with Whaley. And C, I'll add to the second point with my opinion... Our line was pretty good and by no means the weakest unit on the team just a short time ago. What has changed? Coaching and the offensive philosophy that comes with that coaching. Maybe Marrone's mantra that O line chemistry isn't as important as having your 5 best players on the field is bunk? Maybe your line play suffers when the defense knows exactly what play is coming and even which gap the runner will hit? Maybe NFL game plans require more than just lining up and beating the guy in front of you? Lastly, I especially found the comment regarding EJ being too nice and trying to please everyone, as interesting. It seems the more I read about EJ after his benching, the more it sounds like he needs to work on the mental aspects of his game far more than the physical aspects. Which, if true, seems like there's every reasonable expectation that the FO won't look to draft another rookie any time soon. P.S. I also found the thoughts ln Spikes/Williams interesting. It seems Whaley would like Spikes to stay but if he's got a young capable replacement (Brown), he's not going to overy pay. Similar to having Williams ready to go and not doing everything possible to keep Byrd.

You're looking at the end result and saying it all worked out... what's the big deal? But, in context... The Bills scored first, it's 7-0. The Jets get the ball. INT by Gilmore. Bills go 3 and out, Punt. It's 7-0. The Jets get the ball. INT by Brown. Bills go 3 and out, Punt. It's 7-0. The Jets get the ball. INT by Williams. Bills get the ball at the 1 and finally score. It's 14-0. So... although we just got Geno benched and had geat field postion thoughout the 1st quarter, the offense has only managed 2 scores. The second only required gaining 1yard. The next series, Vick comes in and drives the field. Jets score. It's 14-7. We're by no means blowing them out. At the end of the second quarter, after more futility and bad decisions by our coaches, the score is 24-17. Again, still no blow out. Our first drive to start the 3rd.... a 3 and out. We score next with a FG at roughly the 8min mark of the 3rd. At that point, we're starting to pull away. But even on that scoring "drive", it started at the Jet 27, after a good McLovin return. We went 3 and out, kicked the FG. So, by no means did we completely blow them out from the get go. Yes, we were winning, but only because the defense was all over the Jets. To suggest that all is good because we were up by a TD, therefore, didn't need to show our playbook to future teams is just nonsense. You go to boring, protect mode in the 4th quarter when you're up by 2 or 3 scores, not when you're in the 2nd quarter up by 1 score. The offensive coaching is offensive. There's no other way to put it. I'm happy we won and will soon forget about this game (as I'm going on vacation this week ) but what frustrates me is I truly think this team has enough talent to be in the playoffs. But, coaching plans like this are going to cost us games. And, I'm tired of seeing our seasons wasted with piss poor coaching. Sorry, I'll drop it now

I've been singing the same refrain with friends, as well. I don't have a problem with running the ball, especially when EJ was the QB. But its the predictable, basic formations and misguided game plans. Using Jackson on screens and Spiller up the gut? Repeatedly running behind the guards, when they're the weakest players on the line? And a complete refusal to correct any of the problems.

Same here. Maybe I just hate the Jets too much. Maybe my expectations for this team are higher than normal. But, I was sure they were trying to lose when we squandered one opportunity after another (all due to piss poor play calling, IMO), then went 3 and out before the half. Only to allow them enough time to get the long FG. Then start the 3rd, 3 and out again. I'm ecstatic we won. I guess I just wish I had an inkling of confidence in our offensive coaching.

Ok. maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But, I was terribly frustrated with all the wasted opportunities.

At half time, did you truly think we had the game in the bag? Yeah, by late 3rd quarter is was apparent our defense was not going to ket the Jets do anything. But for the first half, it was horrendous play calling that wasted continually good field position.

The story of this game begins and ends with the offensive coaching. There was great play all over the field, and at times, it looked like Marrone and/or Hackett were purposefully trying to lose. I've never seen a coaching staff continually beating their collective heads against a wall like today. They were trying to do something that just wasn't working... playing to the Jets strength and exposing our weakness. If not for an amazing defensive effort, the season would be all but over. We won today, but for most of the game it felt like we were losing. Such a frustrating game!