dezertbill

The Bills at 3-6 will be more into trying younger players to see who has a future with the team than a player over the hill on his downside. Maybe a championship team struggling with injuries in the secondary might take a flier on him. But not a team like the Bills.

He's not going to be playing this year, and maybe next. At his age it will be tough to catch onto another team with his history. It doesn't seem that this guy belongs in a professional league. He's a piece of work.

He's gone from the best coverman in the game to old and slow. He got torched weekly when he was with the Eagles last year. A big name with a small bite

Here is his profile on NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/draft/2012/profiles/evan-rodriguez?id=2532991 doesn't seem to be one of those practice squad guys, but a true FB that can catch the ball out of the backfield and be used in special teams. Former 4th round pick who lost his job due to off the field issues, not on the field production. Couldn't stick on the Dolphins though, who seem to look for more athletic FB's than what Rodriguez provides. This may be his last chance in the NFL after two arrests stemming from alcohol related incidents. DUI and disorderly conduct. I don't see the Bills dropping Summers though since this guy is no guarantee to not screw up again.

EJ hasnt played as many games as Geno so this is an inaccurate statement. You can't blame EJ for losses he didn't play in. If he was healthy, you don't know how EJ would have progressed. He was doing pretty good when he got hurt. I'm happy with EJ and I think he'll end up the better QB. Only time will tell though.

This is going to blow up nationwide. Word is Martin originally spoke to Philbin back in April after paying the $15K for trip to Vegas that he didn't go to. Philbin said he would handle it yet it still went on. Then Dolphins release statement saying they weren't aware of anything and needed Martin's statement today to act? A strong rumor swirling is that Martin is gay.. His nickname is "Big Weirdo" and people are associating that name with his sexual orientation. If that's the case, WOW! This is going to get much uglier before it's settled. Dolphin vets crossed the line harassing him and other rookies forcing them to pay for trips, nights out, dinners etc that went above and beyond what other teams were doing....and it could cost the coaches , Incognito and maybe other coaches/players their jobs. Bullying is a toxic word in society these days, and if the rumors of his sexual orientation are true this is going to hit a level that is going to touch all sports, pro...college, or high school. It could also end up in the courts. This whole issue could be a huge black eye for the Dolphins

Buffalo was still within one score until 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter, so it's not like Tuel was down 3 TDs playing against prevent. Taking into account the level of talent at the position and the output the team has gotten from the position this year thus far I think Hackett has done great.

This situation is about to get completely crazy. Rumors of Martin paying $15k for Vegas trip he didn't even go to. Other rookies paying thousands to other veterans for social outings, etc. Way above the norm of the "rookie tax" that everyone knows exists as an unwritten rule in NFL lockerrooms. Now word has come out that Martin went to Philbin this spring about the same concerns, and was even contemplating leaving the team. Philbin told him he would "handle" the situation. What makes that critical is that the Dolphins are claiming that they "never new about any issues until this week". Secondly, I found it galling that one of their players left for reasons that SOMEONE on that team had to know of, especially coaches (especially Philbin) and then they come out with a statement saying they have no knowledge of any bullying going on and that no one was being investigated, and that Martin had not brought anything to their attenition? That's almost as if the Dolphins were baiting Martin, daring him to "break the code" of a player such as Incognito who it was written was well respected on the team, one of the 6 captains, and won the "good guy of the year award" in 2012. That's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Hostile work environment. Doesn't matter if it's at a grocery store or involving a bunch of millionaires. Harassment is harassment. I take that as the Dolphins were on the side of Incognito, knowing the situation. Incognito makes another boneheaded move by threatening sports writers who broke the story such as Adam Schefter ala a bully by saying "you know where you can find me" and to "bring it". Idiot. In the end, I predict that more Dolphins are going to be implicated. I also predict that Philbin (and maybe other coaches) will be fined, suspended or even terminated for what happens. This is going to shake this team to the core, and what seemed to be a great 3-0 start is going to turn this season into a nightmare. I also think this is going to change the culture of NFL lockerrooms moving forward. For better or worse. After this season, new guidelines will be in place. Based on the barometer of social consciousness, the locker room will never be the same.

Buffalo has been competitive playing with 2nd and 3rd stringers at QB, including a practice squad player and undrafted rookie. They lost to Cincy in OT, beat a solid Miami team who beat the Bengals, and out played and outclassed the leagues only remaining undefeated team in the league with 470 total yards and 0 sacks allowed. Not sure how you can criticize Hackett for being a poor QB manager. Tuel is an undrafted rookie who made undrafted rookie mistakes. That wasn't Hackett's fault. If anything, he should be applauded.

Great post on a number of points. Had to be that much more frustrating actually being there and seeing it unfold. Bills had some "worst case scenarios" play out which ruined them. I agree with the four wide and QB sneak. When you have a young QB, you sometimes have to keep it simple, and more importantly keep momentum on your side. It seems after that pick six, the tide changed for the worst, and his confidence was a bit shaken.

Although I like Graham, he has had issues. Targeted 33 times and only has 15 catches. He shouldn't be below 50%. I still think he has a future with this team and I like his ability. But something's amiss.

He's not a goalline back unless you use him as a pass option. Better off with Jackson, Choice, or Summers.

I'm in the minority but I really like Chandler. I think he's a great outlet, rarely drops the ball (except that one throw today) and has been clutch for the Bills on many 2nd and 3rd and longs. I think hes very underrated. He's no Gronkowski. But I think he's a top 10 TE if he has a QB that isn't a year removed from college finals throwing him the ball.

Not sure what corner they are waiting for? They have played tough all year against some great teams, beating some as well. EJ can't win a game in street clothes from the bench. Anyone who thought this was a double digit win team in August was dreaming. This is a team on the build, and based on their production thus far this season they are moving alot faster than some experts thought. Myself as well. It's all about seeing the team grow. Despite losing many starters, they have. I hate losing. But i'm realistic about this team this year. This team needs to gain experience and learn how to win. They are coming close, with 3rd string QB's, back up RB's, and secondary guys off the street. Give me a fully healthy Bills team with a season under their belt and I firmly believe you'll see a different result.

Sorry, if I'm a non-Bills fan and I see that catch, I can see how someone may rule it an incomplete. When he hit the ground the balls shifted. When he rolled over it's not like he had a firm grasp, he was barely hanging in. True, the KC defender might have knocked it away as he rolled over, but I can't say he had a firm grasp. Bottom line, that call didn't decide the game. Holding on a punt return for TD, bad interception at the Endzone when they had a chance to go up by 14 points and turned into a pick 6 and KC tying the game, and a fumble deep in their own end resulting in the TD was enough to do in the Bills. They had plenty of chances to win the game and at the point where that incompletion happened, they should have had a firm grip on this game with the previous opporunites they had. Buffalo lost this one for Buffalo, not the refs.

Stats: Total Yards: Buf: 470, KC 210 First Downs: Buf 25, KC 15 Rushing Yards: Buf 241, KC 95 Sacks Allowed: Buf 0, KC 2 Turnovers: Buf 0, KC 3 Points off of Turnovers: Buf 0, KC 17 Points scored by offense: Buf 13, KC 9 Final: KC 23, Buf 13 Additional facts: 8-0 Chiefs playing against a 3rd stringer for a 3-5 team, not a 3-5 team playing vs a 3rd stringer for a 8-0 team. Bills didn't allow a single sack, much of that credit goes to 3rd string QB. Spiller, with double digit carries averaging almost 10 yards per carry, NOT 100% Woods lost in 3rd quarter, Goodwin in 4th. Bills defense held KC offense to 3 field goals, TOTAL. Score is all that matters, but for a team trying to build a winner vs. the only remaining undefeated team in the league halfway through the season, you can't help but see the glass half full.

I heard a ton of cries for Easley to get more opportunities and he had a critical drop. I like Graham. Granted that was a tough fumble to take, but overall I think his skill and abilily are good for the team, and he will be an asset down the road. I don't think TJ Graham is the Bills problem. They need to get healthy.

I really believe that Tuel with experience is another Fitzpatrick. Smart guy who can be accurate in the short game. Doesn't have enough strength and accuracy for the long ball. We need more than that. With that being said, I don't think anyone is thinking Tuel is the future of the Bills. Hence why is is our third string. Give the guy props for an undrafted rookie making plays against an undefeated Chiefs team. I feel Manuel and Lewis are a better fit for what the Bills are trying to do. The Bills are trying to build on speed. Graham, Goodwin, even Wood got behind some guys. They need a QB that can outthrow their receivers. That's Manuel, and when he returns and get's enough experience under his belt, I truly believe this team will do some great things.

No question the Bills did enough to win this game. I think Tuel did some good things, but he also did some bad things. But that's not his fault. He is an undrafted rookie being put in this situation. It's obvious that he does not have the arm strength that many scouts have spoken of. He underthrew a few receivers on long pass plays that would have been TD's had he put enough air under it. Granted, he did make some good throws. But he didn't identify the KC breakdown in coverage in the 100 yard pick six that should have had him pump fake the throw and seen Stevie wide open in the endzone. Tuel was put in the position to play a game that he doesn't have the skill set to win. Granted, he is probably better than some undrafted rookies (or even drafted rookies) this far into his career. But bottom line is his accuracy was horrible, lack of arm strength was a killer, and he made some glaring mistakes. 3 turnovers led to 17 points. YOu can't blame the Bills D for any of those, as 2 were turnovers for TD's and the one interception resulted in the Bills D holding KC and settling for a field goal. Bills D did enough to win this game. What other team can play an undefeated team this tough with a 3rd string QB who is an undrafted rookie. Props to the Defense. Hackett had a great game plan. Tuel just didn't produce, and made enough mistakes to cost the Bills the game. Extremely frustrating, but the silver lining is I think a Manuel or even Lewis wins that game. Doesn't make it any better, but that's the truth. Also more evidence that this team is heading in the right direction.

I disagree first was a touchdown that should have been against a stout Saints D that forced the Bills into a 3rd down situation. Luckily they converted. Second would have forced the Saints to punt had the call been reversed. I think Buffalo got bad breaks on spots, but in the end there were other more glaring reasons why they lost. I don't think this game was lost on the headsets. This game was lost on the field. I think the Bills turned the ball over too much, didn't take advantage of turnover opportunities of their own and were beat on multiple long plays down the field due to miscoverages or simply being outworked for the ball. The players lost this one, not the coaches.

Just had to make a mention of this, because its seems that there are alot more positive threads about the team as a whole, draft classes, coaching, etc than after a loss. In fact, the posts focus on criticisms, doubting direction, and competence. I'm not talking about questioning a call here or play there, but seriously questioning the skillset or credibility of the team, a coach, a player, the draft, etc a from an overall standpoint this season.. What if Carpenter had missed the 31 yard field goal, or if Miami's hail mary had been answered? Would we be praising our draft class, or talking about Pettine being a genius? All because of one play? One play does not define a team, a direction, or complete competence of a coaching staff. Fact is, the Bills have shown plenty this season to believe that we ARE heading in the right direction. We are at a point where we have a 3rd string QB (Lewis was on the PS where ANY team could have claimed him, but didn't....thus making him a legit 3rd stringer) and three of our main offensive weapons (Jackson, Spiller, Johnson) all playing hurt. Let's not forget our top CB and SS out with injuries for most of the season so far. Yet in last two games we lost to a top three team in the AFC by 3 pts in overtime and a win vs. a division rival that started the season 3-0, including a win vs. "those" Indy Colts. While I agree the defense played their best game of the year vs. Miami, they have shown flashes of greatness at certain points this year. It's all about chemistry and putting it together. ...and while I'm a little critical of the offense at times getting conservative or predictable during games, the bottom line is that they are scoring enough points to win. In fact, the Bills are one of two teams to have scored at least 20 points in each game up to this point this season. The other team....that Peyton Manning guy and the Denver Broncos. No Chip Kelly, no Andrew Luck, no Aaron Rodgers. Rather the EJ Manuel and Thad Lewis led Buffalo Bills. I think there are alot of teams that wished they were promised 20 points each game. Especially with two of the seven games played with a 3rd string QB. Bottom line is the Bills have shown each week why as Bills fans we should have confidence in the direction the team is heading. They may not always win, and they may make dumb mistakes....but they keep it close. That's what young players, and young coaching staffs do. Its called growing pains. Over the past seven weeks, they have learned to win on last second drives and capitalize on key turnovers when all seemed lost to pull out the win. We are growing and learning. Some teams can't say that. I'm glad for once, we can.

WOW. A complimentary post about Buddy and the Bills 2013 Draft. Frame it! ...and yes. I agree.

Safe to say the very reason why they kept Tuel on the roster at the start of the season to backup Manuel will cost him a roster spot eventually this year. With Lewis' performance against a VERY GOOD Bengals defense, along with Tuel's performance in Cleveland, it's obvious that Lewis is more prepared to play in an NFL game than Tuel. Secondly, I don't see Lewis doing enough damage to his image after that great game to where if the Bills tried to move him back to the PS that another team wouldn't claim him. Conversely, whatever magic Tuel had in the preseason that made the Bills fear putting him on waivers vanished on national TV for all the other teams to see. I can't imagine any team creating a roster spot for him on their 53 if he hits the waiver wire. He'll be on his way to the PS once Manuel returns, if not sooner (if the Bills sign another veteran). Kinda how it should have been in the first place. I think Tuel has potential in this league, and has made some good throws in certain situations, which warrants the Bills putting him on the PS to gain experience. Plus, I think having Lewis back up Manuel will allow Hackett to run the same game plan without having to change style of play, since they both have similar skill sets.

I agree. I've liked what i've seen so far Can't blame a coach for going for it on fourth and one in a 10-7 game, especially the way we had been moving it down the field. I do blame the coaching staff for the call. It wasn't a very good one. But that's something they will learn from.

This one's on the defense. They couldn't stop them on 3rd down in the first half. That fourth down completion was attrocious. Buffalo's offense played well enough to win. Their D couldn't make the plays. Granted Gilmore was not 100 percent and it was Byrds first game back. But the secondary got gashed on the short passing plays, plus a ton of YAC. It's a young group that has to get better.