ChevyVanMiller

Thanks for the insight on the reason for the gold 50 yard line. Still not a fan, but glad to know why the change was made.

Rapid Reaction - 10 Observations About Tonight’s Game 10) Not since the “Counterfeit Bills” that took the field for 3 ugly games during the 1987 NFL player’s strike have so many soon-to-be McDonald’s fry cooks taken the field for the red, white and blue in a sanctioned league game. Who would have thought that all 5 of the top running backs and the 3 best receivers would all be on the shelf by the second preseason game? Hey NFL, it’s time to seriously consider pruning the exhibition season down to two games, don’t you think? 9) I really like Deonte Thompson. He looks to be a crisp route runner and has that mind set that any ball in the air is his ball that the great wide receivers all seem to possess. With the shaky state of Sammy’s glut and Percey’s hip a door has opened for a young receiver to step through - so far Deonte is seizing the opportunity to make the 53-man roster. 8) Pay Marcell Dareus. The big man is a rare talent who can both stymie the run game and get after the passer with great tenacity. Recent reports are that contract talks between Dareus’ agent and the Bills have reached a stalemate. There is still a lot of time to get a deal done, but a multi-faceted 25 year-old DT just entering his prime is the guy you want to shower with Pegula bucks. 7) It was nice to see Ronald Darby get the two picks tonight. He got torched both on the field and in the next day’s newspapers last week when the Bills purposely put him on an island against a very good NFL receiver. Despite that, I felt his form was good last week and that he would use the game as a learning tool. This week he got called for an early pass interference peanlty, but quickly made amends by flipping the field on two possessions. He looks like a kid that has a nose for the ball and I think he and Gilmore are going to be a formidable tandem that will make some noise this season. 6) It was great to see Dan Carpenter back tonight. Even though he clanked his first kick off of the upright, he has quickly become one of the most beloved Bills. Dan the Man has that North Dallas Forty throwback vibe that just makes you exhale when he lines up for a kick while thinking, it’s going through man, right down the middle. 5) I really can’t wait to watch our front four turn it loose for real in a few weeks. I have a feeling that they are going to break the sack records that they set two years ago. I also think that Jerry Hughes might make a run at Bruce’s single-season Bills sack record. Yeah, I said it. 4) Bye-Bye, EJ. Yeah, Manuel looked good on the winning possession while driving the team to a TD and 2-point conversion. But was it too little too late? Prior to that drive EJ had a horrible night that looked like a guy begging for a ticket out of town. Sure EJ was in with 2nd and 3rd stringers and, at times, was being blitz-protected by a running back that was signed only yesterday. Still, he continually exhibited a trait that he has shown throughout his career - he doesn’t properly set his feet before throwing the ball. At this point, it is evident that he is incapable of correcting that fatal flaw. I don’t know where Manuel will be on opening weekend, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be in the house that Ralph built. 3) Who in the hell are Mario Butler, Merrill Noel and Cedric Reed, you ask? They are young defensive players who just keep making plays during camp and in preseason games. I don’t know if any or all of them will end up on the final roster or the practice squad, but I do know that they are taking full advantage of the shot they’ve been given. Are your ears ringing Dez Lewis? 2) The new distance for extra points will take a little getting used to. Did the kick-after-touchdown really need fixing? Also, what’s the story with the gold numbers on the 50? I guess I’m a purist, just give me white letters and leave the gold-lamé to Broadway. 1) If I’m making the call Tyrod leap-frogged Cassel tonight in the race to be the opening day QB. He made numerous 3rd down conversions with pinpoint passes to move the sticks. He hung in the pocket and made good reads and ran effectively in limited spots. He also threw a nice fade to Thompson that could easily have gone for 6. All in all it was a very good night for a guy playing with scrub receivers and backs. It is the political season: Tippecanoe and Tyrod, too? Hey, a win is a win and 11-10 is a great baseball score in August to get the first “W” of the Rex Ryan era. Just keep everyone healthy and let’s get to September already.

One of my first childhood crushes. RIP, Yvonne.

Whew, that's good news!

Second angle.

Per Scott Pitoniak ( Injury to left leg)

As Sammy said, just for the end of the EJ threads.

Remember, it's preseason for the refs, too. Hopefully, not a harbinger of things to come.

I agree with the many comments that Bryce looked good last night, too. I just don't hold out much hope that he can fix the fumbling problem or that Rex will give him the opportunity to prove that he can.

Rapid Reaction - 10 Observation about Tonight's Game 10) It was a class move and it brought a tear to my eye when the Bills dedicated the broadcast booth to the late, great Van Miller. For many of us Van's voice will forever be the one that we equate with the greatest plays in team history. One word for the Pegulas for honoring Miller - Vantastic! 9) Ronald Darby had a "Welcome to the NFL, Rookie" night as the Panthers targeted him on many occasions and he was burned for a TD. Still, I thought the first-year CB showed good form for the most part and I believe that he will learn from tonight's game and be a better player as a result. 8) Matt Cassel was, well Matt Cassel-like. The veteran signal caller completed 7-8 for 45 yards. He threw a bunch of short passes and showed efficiency in the pocket. If he ends up winning the QB battle, the Bills can win using his "dunk and plunk" style of passing, but man there just isn't any sizzle on that steak. 7) EJ had the biggest play of the evening, a beautiful 51-yard bomb to Deonte Thompson that put the Bills up by 7 late in the 3rd quarter. He finished 4-8 for 77 yards and wasn't helped by some drops from his TEs, which seemed to really tick-off Rex Ryan in the post-game presser. Still there seems to be a pall around EJ that I'm not sure he'll be able to shake. At least he kept himself in the conversation tonight. 6) Tyrod Taylor has that "it" factor. While he had pedestrian passing numbers for the night, 5-9 for 49 yards, his legs provided many thrilling moments as he rushed 6 times for 47 and 7.8 YPR. He led the team to two TD drives and at times looked like Michael Vick in his prime when he took off and made defensive linemen look like park statues in the wake of his high-powered jets. He will get the start in next week's game against the Browns. Another dynamic performance could propel him past Cassel in the QB competition. 5) Karlos Williams looks like a real gamer. He ran 14 times for 40 yards and plunged the ball in for his first NFL TD. His upright running style reminds one of the great Eric Dickerson. Bryce Brown's career in Buffalo is in real jeopardy. 4) John Miller looked good, really good. The 3rd rounder from Louisville has been drawing rave reviews since way back in mini-camp and it's easy to see why. He opened up some big holes in the running game and was stout in pass protection. It appears, at this early juncture, that the interior of the Bills OL is light years ahead of where it was last year at this time. 3) Admittedly, I knew very little about TE Matthew Mulligan before this game. I hope to keep learning more as I liked what I saw from the former Tennessee Titan. He blocked well and caught both balls targeted his way. Chris Gragg is another vet firmly on the hot seat. 2) It may surprise some of the pundits ripping Rex Ryan and the Bills for picking up IK "Jawbreaker" Enemkpali, but the kid looked big, fast and strong tonight. He had a couple of solo tackles and a QB hit. It's just an early return, but IK might be OK for the Bills and not just an excuse for Rex to rattle the cage of Gang Green. 1) Speaking of Rex Ryan, I was actually touched by the fact that he seemed so pissed that the 3rd stringers lost the lead late and gifted a one point loss to the Panthers. Not that I care that the Bills lost, nor do I think Rex should worry himself about such a trivial manner. It's more that I love the passion that he shows. After the two-faced lip service given the "Bills' Way" by Doug Marrone, it is truly refreshing to have a Head Coach that really cares, down to his bones, about winning and establishing a winning culture around his team. Keep on Rockin' in the Free World, Rex and I have a feeling those wins will pile up when it really matters. Next up is a visit by the Browns at SJF before a Thursday night tilt between the two Lake Erie foes. Should be a fun week, can't wait.

Has an avatar that seems to combine Thor and the Silver Surfer - how cool is that?

Great line on the Gang Green forum: "Maybe they gave him a $600 signing bonus."

Can't argue with much of anything, I like your logic and feel that the actual roster will be pretty darn close to what you have here. Well done!

You just know that the next time someone craps themselves during a marathon, they're going to say they were just trying to raise awareness for people without access to toilet paper.

The GoFundMe guy was an attention whore, imo, but it was for a good cause.

RIP, Giff.

Had a discussion with a couple of buddies and would like your opinions. What do you think of so-called. "Super fans," you know, the guys with the face paint, chef hat guys, Elvis guy, etc? Do you feel they represent you and the Bills fan base as a whole? I argued that I admire their spirit, but I find them a bit on the side of buffoonery. Jersey, hat, jacket with Bills logo, great. Anything beyond and I think you're trying too hard to insert yourself into the conversation. What's your take?

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to order them.

Yeah, that's it. On a semi-related note, the email has a link to the permanent seat cushions that can be affixed to your seats. The Bills have sent me two or three advertisements for these seats. Does anyone have them? Are they any good? What stops people from breaking them off and stealing them? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Very glad for Tim. Certainly an article that spawned a movement that Darryl himself has credited as "saving my life" is worthy of such recognition.

It was in his own end zone - safety. jk

Happy Birthday. Marv. Hope there are many more happy, healthy ones to come.

Classy move by Ronda Rousey last night. http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/post/_/id/13357744/ronda-rousey-pays-tribute-rowdy-roddy-piper-dedicates-match-him

Great find. Funny stuff, poor Fergy even got it from the Hot Rod.