Brandon

A great deep pass is one that is caught. You can't expect in stride perfect passes every time on deep routes.

Yep.

While I don't think Trent Green is going to have a 300 yard game or anything, I do expect him to be effective today against the Bills D. Tony Gonzales is my big concern in the passing game, especially if Johnson is running well. If that happens, the LBs will be biting on play action and Gonzales is probably going to catch a lot of 8-10 yard dumpoffs for first downs. The Bills D has its work cut out for it today.

The Chiefs and Bills defenses are mirror images of each other. Ours can't stop the run, theirs can't stop the pass. Given the weather today, this looks to be a game centered around running games and run D, so I think Johnson has the advantage and will have a huge day in terms of yardage. As I stated earlier, if the Bills can keep him out of the end zone, they can minimize the damage, but I think he's going to get his yards today.

We have a TE on the roster?

Mularkey is putting more pressure on him by doing this, not less. Losman now has to be thinking that he has to make something happen on the one or two series that he's going to get. He'll probably force passes that he normally wouldn't and make mistakes that he normally wouldn't. If he plays the whole game, at least he knows that he can play within his own abilities because he'll have plenty of opportunities as the game goes along. On the flip side, it also puts more pressure on Holcomb as well. He knows that this is the beginning of the end of his time as starter unless he starts lighting up the scoreboard. He's got to be thinking that he needs to make some plays to keep Losman on the bench. Look for him to also be taking some chances he normally wouldn't today.

I think it all comes down to whether or not the Bills can minimize the damage done by the Chiefs running game. While I fully expect Larry Johnson to get 25 carries for about 125 yards, if they can tighten up near the end zone and force the Chiefs to settle for FGs instead of TDs, they might have a chance. I also expect Tony Gonzales to have a big day off play action passes because of that running game, but again, if we can keep him out of the end zone, too, we may have a chance.

Either start him or don't. No QB by committee.

I would agree if not for one thing: the 53 man roster limit. Trading back is a great way to acquire value throughout the draft, but do it too often and within a few years you'll find yourself with a team that is either very, very inexperienced, or you'll end up cutting a lot of mid/late picks. The latter situation, in particular, is a problem because it reduces the very value that makes trading down attractive.

Considering that the Bills really could use an upgrade at all four starting DL positions, I think it has to be the priority. I don't care where these guys were drafted or how much they get paid, they don't generate any pass rush without a blitz and we're allowing 150 yards rushing per game and over 5 yards per carry. The DL needs a major overhaul. The good news? With the way things are shaping up, the Bills are going to have a load of 3rd-5th round picks to play with. We have the 3rd for Henry. Then there will be two compensatory picks for Jennings and Williams (I expect a 4th and 3rd, respectively, though it could be a round less for each). The Bills will probably have one more mid round selection, acquired through a likely trade of Nate Clements if (when?) he is franchised. If that trade happens, the Bills will also insist that it brings a 1st round pick along with it. Even if that does not happen, there's still a good chance the Bills will have 7 picks in the first four rounds and are almost certain to have 10 overall. The point is, the Bills will likely have the ammunition in the way of mid and high round draft picks for some serious upgrading this April. Unfortunately, with the D looking like swiss cheese, they're going to need them. They need an elite pass rushing DE, two starting DTs, both an ILB and OLB to develop and possibly start, possibly a starting CB, and at least one developmental prospect at S. They also need depth everywhere on the OL, if not a starter or two, and possibly starters at TE and WR. Some of that can be taken care of through FA, but it is nice to know we'll also have a much more interesting draft than last year.

It could be worse. That contract of his is probably going to net us a 3rd or 4th round compensatory pick next year.

A long 8 weeks, and a long 2006 season, too.

Lee Evans with with Losman at QB: 9 catches for 114 yards and 0 TDs. Lee Evans with Holcomb at QB: 10 catches for 120 yards and 1 TD. Clearly, Losman was having a huge negative impact on Evans...

You're kidding, right? McGahee is a 24 year old Pro Bowl caliber RB who may very well be the best player on the team. Holcomb is a 32 year old career backup who has had four decent games. Terrible comparison. A better example would be to suggest benching Trey Teague or Chris Villarial in favor of Duke Preston. Basically, its the same situation with a talented, but unproven rookie taking over for an adequate veteran. Or perhaps benching Bennie Anderson, moving Mike Williams to LG and allowing Jason Peters to start at RT. Wait, that sounds familiar...

If its QB rating, completion percentage, and such that we want, Rob Johnson should have been an All Pro. But as you say, stats mean squat. Throwing an 8 yard pass on 3rd and 10 or a 0 yard pass on 4th and 7 will indeed help your QB rating, a stat skewed toward completion percentage. Too bad it doesn't help you win.

Couldn't agree more. Its seems like stumbling into the playoffs is the Holy Grail of Bills football for some. Granted, I'd rather make the playoffs than not, but ultimately, I want to see this team win a friggin' Super Bowl before I die. I don't want to see them become a running joke like the Dolphins were for most of the last ten years, making the playoffs every year just to get clobbered in the first round.

Moulds is the coach, apparently. The fact that Mularkey let his players dictate who starts and who doesn't is embarassing. I can only hope that this is true and he's putting his foot down. Better late than never. Its time to do what's best for the long term good of the team, not to get a couple of cheap wins and chase being average. Even if Losman fails, at least we'll know it definitively and will know for sure we need to find someone else.

They could tie...

They'll have to win their next two games to convince me that there's any hope. Even then, its a longshot. The Bills went 3-5 against one of the softest schedules in the league with opponents combined records at 26-39. The three teams they beat are 6-18. The remainder of the schedule is brutal. The next 8 opponents are 38-28, 29-13 if you toss the three AFC East games out. They've got three very tough games on the schedule: Denver (6-2), Carolina (6-2) and Cincinnatti (7-2). They pretty much have to run the table against the other 5 (and NE is likely a must win for the tiebreaker) and probably need to steal at least one win against the 3 above as well. That would make them 9-7. There's a chance 8-8 will win the division, but realistically, I don't see it happening. Unfortunately, with a run D allowing 150 yards/game and 5 yards per carry, I don't think we have to worry about it much.

Watson ran in the low 4.4s in workouts prior to the draft. Very fast for a TE.

As you can see, I'm really, really, REALLY bored today, so here's how I see the Bills offseason needs position-by-position: QB I give this position rather poor marks this season, but at the same time, I expect no major changes. Losman will probably be the opening day starter with Holcomb returning as the backup. There will be no major need of a QB in the 2006 offseason, but if Losman struggles or does not play in the remainder of this season, expect the Bills to draft a QB in the R3-5 area as a contingency plan should Losman continue to struggle or if he recieves no playing time. RB No need. McGahee, Williams, Gates and Shelton are all under contract for 2006. WR This could get interesting depending upon Moulds' situation. If he is released, the Bills could go into 2006 with Evans, Parrish, Aiken and Smith as their WRs. Josh Reed is an unrestricted FA and I don't expect them to make a major effort to resign him. If Parrish can play the #2 WR position, the Bills are OK, but if not, they may find themselves in need of another starting WR. The good news is that they can probably find a decent veteran WR in FA if necessary. Still, a mid round draft choice here is not something I'd rule out. TE This position largely hinges on the recovery of Kevin Everett. If Everett appears as though he'll be 100% for 2006 and the Bills think he can be a top tier NFL TE, then we're likely set at the position. If not, TE could become a major need, and it would not shock me to see them draft Marcedes Lewis with one of two likely first round picks (more on that later). The Bills still have major issues scoring TDs in the red zone and another weapon, particularly at this position, would be a welcome addition. OT The Bills are better off here than they're given credit for. Gandy is not an all pro LT, but he's a capable starter and though I'm sure they'd like to do better, he's good enough that the Bills don't have to burn a high pick on the position if they don't want to. Mike Williams is a solid starting RT, but his contract is a cause of concern and while I expect him to be on the team for 2006, you never know. At any rate, I expect them to draft an OT somewhere in the middle rounds, if for no other reason than to improve depth. OG Big problems here. Bennie Anderson is a good straight ahead run blocker, but otherwise he struggles. Villarrial isn't bad, but he's not that good either, and he is getting old and has missed significant playing time this season. The Bills could use two new starting Gs. Duke Preston has played fairly well as a rookie at RG in relief of Villarrial, but the question is whether the Bills see him staying there or eventually being their starting C. Rookie 6th rounder Justin Geisinger might also figure into the equation, but the Bills will probably need to find at least one starter here in FA or in the first three rounds of the draft next year. C The bad news? Trey Teague is a borderline starting C. The good news? He's also an unrestricted FA, so this is as good a time as any to upgrade the position (and I don't think Teague will be back). Duke Preston could be the answer here, though its possible the Bills want him to be an OG instead. Depending upon Preston's situation, this could be anything from a low need to a high need in the upcoming offseason and could necessitate a high draft pick. DE As bad as the guards on offense, possibly worse. Schobel is a middle-of-the-pack starter and not a consistent threat off the edge, even when blocked one-on-one. They need a better player here, especially considering Schobel's cap impact. I had high hopes for Kelsay after watching him this preseason, but he's totally disappeared. Denney is an unrestricted FA and I expect his situation to be much like that of Josh Reed; he probably won't return. Both starting positions need an upgrade, which is very depressing given that the Bills have invested 3 2nd round picks and a lot of cap resources into the DE position. The lack of production from the starters has forced the Bills to blitz heavily to get pressure on opposing QBs, exposing the secondary, a situation which opponents have taken advantage of repeatedly. DE is a major need, worthy of even a high 1st round pick, but given their investment at DE, it wouldn't suprise me to see them all but ignore it and I think that would be a major mistake. DT More problems. Sam Adams is as good as any DT in the game...when he wants to be. Unfortunately, he's also getting old. Ron Edwards is a decent starter, but can't stay healthy. He's also an unrestricted FA after the season and with his injury history, the Bills may not make an effort to bring him back. Tim Anderson has shown me why he was inactive most of his rookie year. Bannan and Sape may stick around as backups (Bannan is a FA), but I'd be stunned to see the Bills go into '06 with either starting. This is another major need and I expect the Bills to take a DT in the first two rounds. OLB Takeo Spikes may have been the best OLB in the league before that achilles injury. Now? Who knows. Jeff Posey is an OK player, but with Spikes' injury status, another playmaker at OLB would be nice. Crowell hasn't done anything in very limited action to convince me that he's that kind of player, but much like Posey, he doesn't seem to be a detriment to the defense, either. If a Pro Bowl caliber player is available in the first round, by all means, draft him. Otherwise, I don't think the OLBs are in dire shape. MLB Everyone seems to bash London Fletcher, but I think he's a pretty good overall player. He's not that good against the run straight at him, but plays the run to the sidelines well and has good coverage skills. That said, he's also on the wrong side of 30 and entering into the final year of his contract. Not only that, but his biggest weakness, the run up the middle, is precisely where the entire Bills defense has struggled. First three rounds on this position. CB I think Nate Clements is one of the top two or three CBs in the league. I also think the next eight games will be his last in a Bills uniform. He'll be designated the Bills franchise player and I fully expect the Bills to trade him for a 1st and some change. Terrence McGee is a very good CB and I don't think there will be a major dropoff between he and Clements. The #2 spot, will be a concern, however, and the Bills will likely need to burn a 1st or 2nd round pick on the position. Kevin Thomas is a FA and given his injury he may not return. Greer and King look like good nickel CBs. S Both Milloy and Vincent are better than they're given credit for, but then again, both are old and both count an awful lot against the Bills available cap space. It would not suprise me to see both return, nor would it suprise me to see both gone. I expect that any potential replacements would be FAs, though there's a good chance they'll pick a S in the middle stages of the draft to develop for the future. K/P Moorman is the best punter in the league as far as I'm concerned. I can't argue with Lindell's production this season, but I have to admit, he makes me nervous every time he attempts a FG. I fully expect him to return unless he has a miserable finish to the '05 season.

A 200+ yard passing game is nice, but at the end of the day, you have to win or it means nothing. I remember a few years ago this team had a QB that the fans really trashed for putting up great stats but losing games.

There's nothing wrong with the route Moulds ran. If the D doesn't cover it, its an easy first down. But they did. Given the fact that it was covered, Holcomb should've thrown it past the first down line. Maybe it would've gotten intercepted, but on 4th and 7, it doesn't matter. At least there was a possibility of a first down. They had practically no chance of a 1st with two defenders waiting to tackle Moulds on that play.

He's thrown quite a few 0-5 yard passes on 3rd and 10 the last four games, so I wasn't too suprised by it. Of course, I was pretty sure they'd lose by halftime, up only 3-0 after playing an otherwise nearly perfect half. So my reaction was pretty much the same as yours.

What do you guys expect? He's a career backup for a reason. I do not fault Kelly Holcomb as much as I do the Bills coaching staff and management for pulling the plug on Losman four games into the season. They should have stuck with the gameplan, but now we find ourselves in essentially the same shape as we were a month ago. Its time for Mularkey to cut his losses and chalk this season up to developing for the future, not just at QB but all of the young players.