Dan

I just wish the Pats* could beat us when we're healthy. We'll be without Urbik, Parish, and Johnson limping on a bad groin. McGee, hopefully, will be ready to go. Why do we have to play everyone at full strength and healthy to get credit for a win and they get to earn the credit from beating our injury-depleted team?

I agree. I can't fault anyone for being skeptical at this point. But, there needs to be some rationality. For example, if we lose to the Pats* this week; that doesn't mean we suck. It just means we lost one week to one team. And if we finish 8-8; I'd say that a nice improvement and definitely signs that the team is on the right track. I guess what bothers me are the posters that only see the negativity. We're not going to go undefeated. We're not going to play perfect games. Players will get burned; they'll make mistakes. Problem is... too many people expect pro bowl caliber players at every position and near flawless execution. Anything less is somehow a sign that the team and/or a player sucks. This team is progressing; I would hope everyone can see that. Is the rebuild complete? No. Are we Play Off bound? Probably not. But, that doesn't mean we need to bail on the one QB in a decade that's looked good. Nor does it mean we will never be able to beat the Pats*. I'm optimistic we'll win this Sunday. Realistically, I doubt we will. I've thought all along, that I'll wait until this team actually has 8 wins before I consider this a winning season. But, that doesn't mean I'm not optimistic that we can do it. It just means that given past experience.. I'll believe it when I see it. This team has shown a propensity to hang in there and score. If they can score 30+ points... they've got a shot to beat anyone. And that should be reason enough for optimism.

And what exactly is wrong with that?? The Bills have come out of the gate much stronger than most anyone not named Senator thought. Why shouldn't fans of the team be feeling good and optimistic? You speak of reality, yet you disregard the reality that the Bills ARE undefeated and leading the league in scoring and rushing after week 2. I don't think anyone is suggesting that we'll lead the lead the league in these stats at the end of the season; but for now, after 2weeks of NFL play, that is the reality. And myself and many other fans are quite happy about it. I know the Bills have been bad for a decade. I know the front office has had far more failures than successes. But, for now, for this week, we just played a great game. We appear to be heading in the right direction. We appear to be an actual professional NFL team. We are leading in some statistical categories. If you can't enjoy it for a week; may I suggest you pop some zoloft and relax for a week, because many of us will enjoy it. And for at least a few days, we'll not revel in the misery of the last decade.

I was miffed at the use of timeouts at the end of the game as well. But, if that's what it took to make sure they were on the same page and had the right play called; I'm all for it. Given the gravity of the situation and overall inexperience of the team, it was probably the right decision to take the time out and make sure they had it all figured out. I had similar thoughts about the FG near the end of the first half. I wanted to go for the first down.. .then the TD. But, sometimes, it's important to just get something positive on the scoreboard. Had they not gotten a first down; it may have completely deflated the team. Given, the outcome of the game, it obviously all worked out. My only summation is that Chan knows what the team needs to keep them winning and as long as we're winning more than losing... I guess he's right.

I've been saying that for years. Having a base offensive set that can run multiple plays is the single best way to gain an advantage over the defense. All these "situational" players do is just telegraph to the defense what's coming. That's why Chandler turning into a legitimate TE is so important. Having a blocking TE and a separate pass-catching TE does nothing but tip the defense off as to whether its a run or a pass! For the first time in years! I can't sit here on my couch and call the play - run left, pass to the flat, etc. - based on the formation or the pre-snap motion Coincidentally, for the first time in years, we actually look like a real NFL team out there. Amazing.

It was also mentioned in the game recap that Fitz will be one of the featured players on SoundFX. I think it airs immediately after the Replay game on Wed. evening (9:30est).

Agreed. The Bills seem to be on to something with the new kickoff placement. While everyone else seems content to kick the ball into the endzone and let the other team start at 20, for 2 weeks the Bills have been directional kicking to right about the goal line. And more often than not, the opposing team is starting inside the 20. Interesting strategy.

I am by no means predicting a win next week. But, perhaps the single best way to beat the Pats* next week was to win today... especially in the fashion they won. This team has confidence. They really believe they can win now. The defense knows it can take some chances because the offense can bail them out. The offense knows it can come back if the defense gets down by a few scores. They all have confidence that the coaches can make the proper adjustments. One thing I will expect next week.... this team absolutely will not quit. The Pats* will get 60 minutes of football from a hungry team with a chip on its shoulder. Go Bills!

Two weeks in a row of not getting run all over.. .at will. We just played 2 explosive, run first teams and held both their number 1 backs to less than 100yds rushing. I'd suggest that he and the whole defense is doing exactly what they need to be doing.

One hell of a game! This is a perfect example of this team learning how to win. Without a doubt... last year's team loses this game in some heartbreaking fashion. Gotta love the resiliency and attitude of the offense. Just awesome.

Talked to my sister in Idaho after the game. She got the same thing.. cut to the Bronco game at 4th and 1... under review. She went nuts! LOL

For me, that sums up the game more than anything. In fact, talking to my mom after the game, that's exactly what I said! They actually looked like a professional team for the first time in forever. The defense wasn't shredded on the ground. I had long ago given up on a TE ever playing for the Bills again. They had a nice balanced offense, running and passing, but also in spreading the ball around to receivers. They even made the right decisions (a knee to end the half, for ex). All in all, I just kept thinking... wow! So this is what professional football is supposed to look like? I like it. Now lets keep it up in week 2!

But, that's what made that run so good. We needed a first down, and everyone knew it, so we could run out the clock and take a nice lead into the locker room. IMO, Fred is the best back we've had since Thurman and reminds me of the Thurmanator all the time. Put Fred on our 90's team, and I say there's a very real possibility that he's in the HOF today.

Exactly. Win the game. That would impress me the most. It's week 1, on the road, against a playoff team from a year ago... go and beat them. I don't care how..convincingly, ugly, luckily... it doesn't matter just find a way to win!

I gotta say... this may be the best Bills story I've ever read heard! For serving this country, you have my respect and admiration. For sharing this story, you have my appreciation. All the best to you!

Yes. You're being overly negative.

Hell, I'd be happy if we could wait till the end of the second game ..in the regular season.. before passing judgment, let alone the end of the season. The decade of futility has definitely taken its toll on the fan base.

Very much what I was thinking, as well. It's been a couple weeks now since Evans was traded and I'd suggest that we still don't know who's going to fill his shoes. No one seems to be stepping up - granted Parish and D. Nelson have been on the sidelines for the most part. But, IMO, its crucial that we find someone to take Evans place. I think he wanted to see exactly what the line was good at and what they weren't as well. Turns out blocking just isn't their strong suit. But, I'm confident he'll game plan around that, just as he did last season. As I recall, we all had these exact some discussions about the QB getting killed last August. But, then Fitz got in and Gaile devised game plans to mask the weaknesses and somehow the offense wasn't our worst unit.

The answer, I think, is yes. From my viewing, Bell was beaten several different ways on several different plays. He definitely had a bad night. With that said, I don't recall much help at all shifted to his side; and Miller and Dumerville are Denver's 2 best pass rushers. I think this whole notion of not game planning and playing base O and D throughout is interesting. What I saw was the first offensive and defensive series looking pretty good for Buffalo. Offensively, we moved the ball down the field pretty well - until Fitz missed on several passes resulting in the FG. Defensively, we shut them down pretty well. After that, however, things got progressively worse. Could it be the Bills stayed in their base formations and tried specific plays, regardless of down and distance. On the flip side, the Broncos made adjustments and took advantage of the down and distance. ? That's kinda what I saw, or how I interpreted the game. Yes, its better to see 9 sacks and the offensive moving in sync. But, its also beneficial to see the the weaknesses and strengths of your team so you can properly prepare for each opponent. However, I think you gotta balance all that out with trying to build confidence in your players as well; hence, I'm hoping they prepare a little better for next week's game and get some points on the board.

I haven't seen the game yet (will be watching today on the NFL replay); however, that's the number that concerns me the most. At some point, the offense has to wake up and score a touchdown. Between the Offensive Line problems and trading Evans, it seems they just can't get anything going. Everyone scores in the preseason, it seems, but the Bills. Why is that? I suppose we all go back to pretending this week didn't happen and next week we'll see a good team. Problem is... we're in some bad groundhog day movie and next week never seems to arrive. .

I gotta say... your thinking in this thread is so far out there I can only guess you're arguing just for the sake of arguing. And if you really haven't voted for any presidential candidate.. then all your ranting and raving about Obama or any other guy is hypocritical... to say the least. Voting for a losing candidate is not wasting a vote and it is most certainly not equivalent to not voting at all. Your right to vote in an election is the foundation of our entire country. If you don't like the candidates running...write a candidate's name in. He'll, right your own name in. But, to sit back...not partake in the process, other than to complain about it all, and then claim to somehow be better than the rest of us because you don't partake in the process is pretty well the definition of being an ass. You may not like someone else's vote, or their opinion, or the process. Fine. So get up and do something about it....vote for someone to change it all or run for office yourself and change it all. Otherwise, your just wasting all our time because you don't even have the balls to pick a side... whichever side that may be.

You don't make the team better by cutting/trading proven and established starters just because there's a 4th round pick that might develop into a good player. Add in the fact that the player still has plenty of good, productive years left in the tank and any trade/cut would be idiotic. IMO it doesn't matter if he's the number 1 or 2 guy. For ex, how much worse did Cinci's offense get when they traded whosyourmama? Bottom Line.... any talk of trading Lee Evans - one of our best WRs - is idiotic.

Hogboy or GreenWeenie or some other such derivation, I believe.

I do. And, yes, we are hiring and expanding. I haven't opened a new office this year, but we opened 2 last year. I'll be traveling next week looking to expand into another region. For me.... my business grows and shrinks based on the amont of work I do and has little to do with potentially new taxes, laws, or regulations.

Actually no. I don't watch MSNBC at all. You say that there is no plan for these cuts; yet in a post after this you readily admit that all the talking has been going on behind closed doors. So, how do you know there's no specific plan for the cuts? You don't. I'm not saying every deal of every cut is in place. I'm not in the meetings. But, I find it hard to believe that anyone, including our politicians, are dumb enough to meet for as long as these people have been and not have any specific ideas - for cuts and taxes. Pretty much how I'd summarize this whole mess. I've heard or read plenty of speculation - certainly some cuts.. many cuts are down the road. But, certainly some cuts would be much sooner. Just as many of the tax loopholes would be closed down the road as well. Does congress ever pass a bill that has immediate effects?