TigerJ

I've said before, I can stomach a bad call if the ref fails to see something that happens, but when they imagine things that aren't there, the implications are a lot more serious. I hesitate to say they are being dishonest simply because of the ramifications but really there is no excuse for it. The league simply has to do a better job of training and disciplining officials. I wonder if it's time to consider full time officials. I know the big question is what do they do the rest of the year. I think they could start in June with conditioning, review of rules changes, and maybe a virtual reality practice system could be devised by the league. In August they can be involved in NFL team training camps, and continue to spend a few days per week in team practice situations. Then the Bills wouldn't have to hire Arena league officials. On Mondays, however, they should have to review film and disciplined for the most bonheaded calls. For officials that work the post season, that would mean they are working 8 months out of the year.

The other factor that made the line look good was the fact that Buffalo did not have to play catch up at all the whole game. If teams know Buffalo is going to have to pass, they start blitzing like crazy. It's not just the line, but the whole team has had lots of trouble with blitz pickup. I'd like to see how the line performs with our starters(Jennings and Teague) back in there with a lead, or at least no pressure to go to the passing game before I make the judgement that Tucker and Jennings are better. Actually, I think there has been gradual improvement in the whole line over the first five games of the season, though I'm not ready to pronounce it a team strength yet.

I agree, the defense started out with a lot of problems, though you have to give Spikes credit for the interception. They got better as the game went on, particularly after Sam Adams was pulled. Since there is a rotation at all the line positions, I wouldn't be opposed to letting Edwards play a little at LDE, certainly not as a full time starter, but a change of pace player. He is arguably the most athletic of the DTs. I wouldn't want him to give up his regular job (DT) because he's needed to spell our aging starters.

I'm glad I read the entire thread before posting, Bossman, because I missed the sarcasm too. As another poster said there are enough guys around who would say something that dumb and be serious about it, it's sometimes difficult to tell the tongue in cheek from the just plain stupid.

Given all of the other factors already mentioned (speed of the NFL, still healing, etc.) I'm wondering if McGahee is trying to play at a heavier weight than in college. It may make him stronger, and that in the end may be a worthwhile trade off, but if he's playing at 10-15 lbs heavier, that can definitely subtract some speed and quickness from his game.

My thoughts: The Bills played far from perfect. There were still too many penalties (though that was reduced). There were times when it looked like Miami was screwing up purposely on first and second down because a conversion on third and long was automatic. Still too many dropped balls. Buffalo will have to play a lot better if they want to beat a quality opponent. But, they did move in the right direction. Statistically they outgained Miami by around 140 yards. They made adjustments during the game that slowed the running of Sammy Morris. I think the fact that McGahee got stronger during the game is a positive rather than a negative. Don't they say that great running backs get stronger as the game goes on? I think psychologically having the win under their belts can help Buffalo prepare for the Baltimore game. Until you actually win a game, team members may be wrestling with some nagging doubts that they actually can win a game. Yes, your opponent was 0-5 going into the game, but it's still a win.

I'm watching the game as I write. Takeo Spikes, just intercepts Fiedler and runs back for a TD. I wonder if the Miami Herald writer still thinks he's overrated.

Maybe a second.

I don't live in Buffalo proper, so I really can't comment. I am a western New Yorker though for all but the three years I was in graduate school (seminary). I can honestly say that Western New York is a great place except for the climate, the taxes, the job situation/economy, the politicians, and a host of other problems. However, it wasn't cool for Marino, who's never lived here to be making that kind of comment. Just consider his Wonderlic score though (not very high at all).

I hate to disappoint y'all, but I really don't think there is going to be anything close to a steady rain during the game, maybe a quick shower or two. This is a lake effect event. Yes, there is lake effect rain. Today with a cold southwest wind Buffalo and the northtowns got most of it. The UB game today was played in miserable weather. The winds are supposed to shift around to the west tomorrow. I think most of the precip will be south of Orchard Park. It will still be windy though.

I think that's great news. Home fans always want weather that is typical for the home city since it is believed the visitors will be unused to it. If Buffalo were undefeated, it wouldn't be any different. UConn James, you can bet that if the game were in Miami, Miami fans would be hoping for temps in the 90s with high humidity.

I know his name is mud in Buffalo because he wanted out of town, but Peerless Price is a great football name. So is James Jett, the WR who had a modest career in Oakland but couldn't make the Bills.

So, GoBillsinDallas, how many times have you been involved in a car accident as the passenger?

According to the CBA, I don't think he can be released from the active squad with an injury. Was he already on IR and received an injury settlement? In that case, bring him and let Buffalo's doctors evaluate him. Buffalo had a QB on IR with whom they reached an injury settlement. Travis Brown is now on someone else's practice squad. You never know until you take the time to learn.

I think Wanny is AWOL is spirit too.

I saw that on the message boards. It was some guy claiming to have knowledge from another team that has been in contact with TD. According to this guy, the team from which he heard it is not interested because the asking price is too high.

I've tried Priceline.com a couple times. It worked terrifically well once. II got a Four Points Sheraton in the Philadelphia metro area for under $50 a few years back. I tried it for Rochester, NY and got nothing. I am not sure if the difference was timing or location, but I suspect it was the latter. BTW, the more conventional hotel booking sites are all pretty much from a cookie cutter. If you check Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia, Cheap Tickets and others for the same location, you'll get the same prices quoted. We decided to take a vacation in Hawaii in 2003. I started looking in January for hotels and airfare. We checked the usual sites and got discouraged. It looked like a conspiracy to keep prices high. Then I started doing internet searches appart from the usual sites. I found a website that acts as a booking agent for rentals, condos and hotels, which offered a two room suite at the Ohanna Waikiki West Hotel for $125 per night. I couldn't get a single room for that price anywhere else. I was nervous when we went to Hawaii that the price was too good to be true, and it would turn out to be a bogus company or something. We got there, however, and it was as advertized. The rooms were not the newest in Waikiki, but they were clean, roomy, had kitchen facilities and a safe. We were ecstatic. I did a search for airfare on Expedia. I found airfares changed froom week to week. When Continental had an airfare sale, I jumped on it, but booked airfare on Continental's own website and saved an extra $5 per seat. By doing a ton of research and getting a little lucky, I figured out that we saved about $2700 on airfare and hotel.

I did not see it personally, but heard elsewhere that it was reported on Empire Sports, Howred Simon, hence no link.

Fear of missing a deadline. Public speaking I can handle since it's part of my job.

Strange indeed. I don't have a clue what Buffalo is planning with this.

I assume Goodenow has not talked to any NFL players who endorse the cap because it's very tough to carry on a conversation with anyone when your head is buried deep in the sand, or is it solid ice?

Rushing Willis would have been playing him last December. Giving him 10-15 carries a game now is not rushing him. If he'sw looking good, play him.

It's not that I have anything against you, jshockeyguy, but I'm not exactly thrilled by the thought that if my kid gets a speeding ticket (or my wife-who did)she can end up getting screwed because I'm not a cop, and you get off with a slap on the wrist because your dad is. My wife's ticket cost me $205. She was caught driving 60 in a 45 zone. Of course, I don't have great faith in town and village courts anyway. The village court justice where I live is a known alcoholic, whose 21 year old daughter was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and has spent months in jail. Anyway, it is also well known that she gives preferential treatment to her drinking buddies at the local bar where she is a regular. Fortunately, I've never had occasion to be in her courtroom, so I don't have to put on an act as if I respect her.

Again, for breakfast, I eat stuff like Raisin Bran, but for munching Reeses cereal is great. It is supposed to have peanut butter flavor pieces and chocolate flavor pieces. I can't really taste the chocolate, but I think the peanut butter flavor is better than Cap's Crunch Peanut Butter.

McGee is plenty fast enough. On that we agree, tgreg. Clements is very fast too, but I think the fastest guy is the #5 CB (#4 while Vincent is hurt) Jabari Greer. He is world class.