Dan

You, sir, win the avatar of the month award. I love it! ...and playoff dreams are definitely still alive! I had a dream last night that the Bills had just won the wildcard game against the chargers and were facing... the Pats* next week in the divisional round.

On my couch... and most certainly pacing throughout the house... in Greenville, MS.

One of my favorite movies! how can you not quote it?

Maybe hevwas cut.. just so Nix would sign him. ...and give Chan false information. sneaky fuggin Patriots*

I want a win Sunday. I'm tired of the moral victories - hanging with Dallas, just to lose on a damn 53yd FG; hanging with Piitsburg, just to drop the ball in OT; leading the Pats* the whole game, just to fumble the final kickoff return. I want a win. But, what I really hope to see is the Bills make a statement with this game. Make no mistake the country is watching. All the media attention, all the air time, all the hype; however, is largely because we're playing the Pats*. This is their division and it's been their division for a decade. And everyone knows it. What I want the Bills to do is come out with some intensity and fire. Tell the league once and for all... that the Pats* no longer hold claim to this division. I know there's a whole season left and plenty of games still to be played, but this is the Bills chance to make a statement and once and for all change their fortunes. In the past decade, they've had similar games. And in every instance (save the Dallas Monday night game), they've come out flat, slow and almost disinterested. The result.... the only statement made was thiat this was the same old Bils team - bad. If the guys want new contracts,if they want to be taken seriously, if they want to become a winning team; this is the game to do it. Play like your hair's on fire and let the chips fall where they may. I can live with that. Come out slow and flat... and they'll lose more than just the game IMO. They lose an opportunity to be great. Chan get the dudes fired up and come hot and mad, I mean plum mad dog mean! Show these Patsies that it's no longer their division to run through. The Bills are here and they're staying! Make a statement! Tell everyone...we're a team to be reckoned with.

I really dislike this mentality. We're all fans... right? Why can't we be excited about the way this team has started the season? No one is saying playoffs. We're just saying that they're doing better ..at. this point.. than most of us had thought. As I see it, sitting back and waiting for the Bills to have a winning record in November and on the verge of a playoff birth before you get your hopes up is pretty much the definition of being a band wagon fan. I'm not calling you or anyone that... I'm just suggesting that it's a bandwagon mentality to say...yeah they're good but let's wait and see how they finish. There's nothing wrong with admitting that after 2 weeks this team is doing better than you thought and being exciting about the rest of the season. Just as..if they crash and burn... there'll be nothing wrong with saying I was wrong after week 2. It's called being a fan.

I can't help but worry about it! And the play where Jackson almost got tackled by Seymore, but he ducked under him and then ran for 11 yards. Imagine if he gets tackled there or worse yet Seymore actually took his head off! And the QB sneak where Fitz dove into the pile and got closer to 4 yards instead of just the 1 yard he needed. What if he got hurt there? Or the time he was jumping up and celebrating. He could have pulled a hamstring kinda how Ferotte hit his head in the wall and was never the same! I can hardly sleep at night!!

I think that's an extremely valid comparison. Pennington had alot of short comings, but he was smart. And it took him and the teams he played on a long way. Now, I would say Fitz has a much better arm than Penny; but Fitz has accuracy issues. If he continues to work on that and becomes more accurate with the ball; the sky is the limit. I'm not a QB coach, so I don't know if its core body strength, poor body positioning, bad foot work, or what.. but whatever it is; that's his biggest weakness IMO.

I came into this season, for the first time ever, with a "don't know, don't know that I even care" opinion of the Bills. I guess the lack of an off season, coupled with an extremely busy work schedule, coupled with a decade of fail from this team just left me as disinterested as I've ever been in football. I will say this... I didn't think we'd be the worst team in the league, as many prognosticators had us. But, I hadn't thought enough about it to think we'd be good either. So, coming into the season opener, I watched just hoping to see a decent football team. I did! Going into the Raiders game, I watched with a little more optimism and hope. By half time, I reminded myself why I stopped really caring this summer. I even texted a good friend... same old Bills - who's in the draft. By the start of the 4th quarter, I was feeling like a Bills fan again. By the end of the game... I'm back! It's amazing but that one game has reminded me what being a football fan... and a Bills fan.. is all about. It was almost a microcosm of the last decade. Going into this week, I once again believe. I'm hoping. I'm watching. I sit here on Thursday thinking that Sunday just can't get here soon enough. Win or lose, there's one thing I'll say... they're a far better team than I or most people had given them credit for just 3 weeks ago. By every measure, they seem to be moving in the right direction. That doesn't mean they'll win every game or that they'll even make the playoffs this year; but if they play like they have the last 2 weeks... well, they really can beat any team on any given Sunday including the Pats*. And, after the last decade, I'll take that and be quite happy! Go Bills!

Just looked at the KC game (gotta love DVRs). It's tough to say exactly what happened (crappy angle and no replay), but it looks like he fell awkwardly with his shoulder/arm extended as several big men landed right on it. He clearly gets up quick and runs directly to the side line. Once there, he's moving his arm, bent at the elbow, up and down and seems to be indicating to the trainer that his arm was hyper-extended. So, maybe partial separation of the shoulder? That would be my best guess. Not sure how long something like that takes to heal; but in watching the Raiders replay, he does seem to be favoring his right arm ever so slightly.

I just made a very similar comment in Bill's thread of how to win the game. IMO, he's almost got to be hurting in some way and it's affecting his play.

I think, Merriman is injured more than he or the team has let on. We know he "dinged" his shoulder/arm in week 1. In the Raider game, he had 2 shots to make a tackle if he just lays out and goes after the runner. In both instances, he doesn't and the RB runs right by for a decent gain. IMO, if he's fully healthy or at least not worried about his shoulder... he at least tries to make those tackles. The first 2 games the Bills D played to stop the run. They over committed entirely to it. And it worked. In this game, however, I think they have to switch tactics and play to rush the passer. Get after Brady and get after him all day. That has to be the game plan. The Pats* are all about timing. You have to do disrupt that with pressure in his face and jamming the receivers. It's a risky plan, but one thing we know... if you sit back in a zone and give Brady all day to throw they'll win every time. Offensively, I'd say just keep doing what they're doing for the most part. However, more running will slow the rush down and serve to give Brady less time... so feed Freddie the ball. And they're going to have to work the deeper passes in. Most of the passing game has been quick, short patterns. They have to make them defend the whole field and give them something else to think about.

Thank you! You are precisely correct in my intention. No, I'm not of the opinion that Fred should be the highest paid Bill. Nor do I think he should be the highest paid RB in the league. However, he is clearly a starting RB and performing at such a level and, as such, should be paid appropriately. A significant raise for the next 2-4 years would do wonders to the psyche of this young team, IMO. And I don't say that because I like him (although I do) nor because I'm emotional. I say it because he has performed at this level ..consistently.. for several seasons. Fred's production is not a flash in the pan couple of good games. He's consistently been our top rusher while contributing as a WR, blocker, and kick returner. Furthermore, listen to the statements from his fellow Bills. It's clear that he is much more highly regarded than Peters (for ex). By not paying him, you're sending a clear message to all the other late round and UDFA on the team (to which there are many); that all the talk about playing hard and being rewarded is just that... talk. IMO, it's every bit as much of a business decision as anything.

If there were ever a player that has earned the right to have his existing contract torn up; Fred is that man. I'd call him in; literally tear the contract up, shake his hand, and say.. Fred lets get to work paying you what you've earned. In every aspect, he has outplayed and surpassed the expectations of his current contract. Furthermore, he has done it consistently game in and game out. The last 2 games are by no means the exception. In every way, he's picking up right where he left off last December and even the year before. It should also be done for overall team chemistry and success. Listen to what his team mates are saying about Fred. Don't pay him and the rest of the locker room will feel just a jilted. They're all buying into the "work hard and you'll be rewarded" mantra of Gailey and Nix. No one represents that attitude more than Fred. If he doesn't get taken care of; there's no guarantee anyone will. IMO, Fred's contract is less about money and more about the psyche of the team.

Perhaps, I'm in the minority, but I don't see your "complaints" as unnecessarily negative. You don't normally go out of your way to pick out the bad, when there's a plethora of good to talk about. I think everyone can live with that. I agree. this team just isn't getting pushed around as much. Maybe they will by a few teams. But, heck, the Steelers got beat up pretty good in week 1. It happens. And, for the record, I don't fault the OP at all. Lord knows the Bills have found more ways to crush our hearts than any of us can count. Myself, and others, are just suggesting that he look to the positive, enjoy the fun for the time being and let the season's chips fall where they may. As long time, die hard, Bills' fans.... we all deserve it!!

Exactly. It's important to remember we're still a young team. Still learning how to win. Still in the rebuilding process. Still going to hit some pot holes. But, wow, how can you really complain too much about the way this team started the season! I just can't. "Enjoy the ride" pretty well sums it up. This team may come crashing back down. It may not, but for at least one more week, we're undefeated and in the mix! Which is more than the Dolphins can say.

so you're sayin..... you improved. nice!

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.