Bob in STL

Thanks for the update. Nice job. I have read about 5 well done detailed summaries now and it all comes down to what McDermott and Allen have said. We did not play good enough. We did not take advantage of our opportunities. We left a lot of plays on the field. We made a lot of mental mistakes. They made more big plays. Hey, we can list out every bad call or missed call by the refs and none of it would have matter is we just played better and smarter. Given all the things we are reading about missed blocks, wrong routes, bad coverage, missed tackles …. Our game plan and preparation was not just adequate. Our execution was worse. I'm ready to move on. Lets accept the fact that we lacked both the experience (QB/MLB) and talent (OL/WR/TE) in key positions to win this game. Our offense only scored 20+ [points 6 times in 17 games and 2 of them were Miami. We needed 20 to win. We are a few players away from a very good team. To help Allen develop into a good QB we need: (1) a real #1 WR; (2) better play at offensive tackle; (3) better options at RB than Gore and DiMarco; and (4) better play from TE position. On defense we need: (1) replace Lorenzo - which will not be easy; (2) more edge rush sacks; and a better #2 CB. Beane will have to be very good with the draft and with Cap management to improve the roster but I have faith in him to do it. We need Allen AND Edmunds to take another step up next year. They both improved in year 2 … If they become star players we could be a powerful team.

wow, and if you ever become an NFL QB you will have that part of the game mastered.

congress involved? Like that will help. Congress cannot even do the jobs they were elected to go. If anything, the big NFL owners already have congress in their back pockets. Kraft seemed to ok with his legal troubles. I respect your football posts a lot but the notion of this government fixing things is not going to happen. They might “get involved” but never confuse involvement with results. I closely watched the CSPAN hearings to “investigate and question” the Boeing CEO. Most congressmen and women were unprepared, asked garbage Repetitive questions, and cared more about looking and sounding outranged as if this would lend them favor come election time. After those two days, they went back to politics. Now we have a weakened FAA, a loss of confidence within the international aviation community, and our counties biggest manufacturer and industrial exporter is reeling - hundreds of thousands of American jobs are at stake. Congress did nothing but stir up the obvious and go home. With Congress involved you have one kind of crook looking at what another kind of crook is doing.

I wont be upset if Cleveland takes him. The constant change is not good but in this case it might be.

Josh will get grilled by fans, pundits, and “experts” around the league. To the casual fans they saw that he played panicked. His game got worse as time went on, which went against his normal trend. He failed to get us the 20 points needed to win. But we all know more about the Bills. It was a team loss. Lots of plays not made. Lots of curious decisions. Even some bad calls. Team loss- and who cares about Jets fans anyway.

We have all seen Marino, Elway, Kelly, Farve, Manning, Brees, Brady throw jump balls to men on double coverage. If DMarco jumps at the right time it’s a great play. Still, a very questionable call and play. Josh will benefit from better players around him. He does not have a #1 WR, we saw that yesterday. Singletary looks like a nice player but we will be better off if he is part of a tandem with a fresh and bruising power back. Knox is a work in progress. The OL has graduated to average and can benefit from better tackles. Josh still has a lot to learn but he does have a great set of physical tools and a great attitude. That said I have never witnessed a playoff game with as much chaotic play and dare I say panic as I saw with Allen. He got more erratic as the game went on. Hopefully this is a turning point in the right direction for him.

I go solid C+ rather than B-. I feel his passing on deeper routes just cannot warrant a B grade. more good than bad. Definitely progressing. Next year with the OL even better, more experience, and hopefully a few more weapons (big WR target and a bruising back) he steps up even more

You must keep in mind that most fans know exactly what to call, after they watch the play that didn't work.

So they did try. I imagine the crowd was not very comfortable in what looked like a heavy rain. Oh well.

True. Just play them as they come. I feel that beating Houston is very important to the progression of this program under Beane and McDermott. A win would say a lot about this team.

I saw McD greet him at the sideline with a handshake. Could not hear anything though.

I was watching the game in a Sports Bar and could not hear the announcers. It looked like McD pulled Lorenzo Alexander in a manner to get him an ovation from the crowd. This was likely his last game in Buffalo. How was the crowd reaction? Lorenzo has been an outstanding presence on this team and I hope he got some well deserved fan recognition.

Barkley was shaky and the rain was tough but I agree with you - Foster and Kroft did not step up as #2's. I think that Duke and Sweeney earned the right to dress next week.

The bold part is most hilarious. Almost made a catch and he is a beast.

Ted was hated for awhile too ... until he let Kelly call the plays.

Francis.

Barkley was not good but he was playing with 2's and 3's and the OL was real bad with Bates at LT. If we find a batter backup so be it. A few 2's played well. Duke looks like he adds more than Foster. Foster gunner status has helped him a lot. Yeldon adds more than Sunroise (or whatever his name is). Is McDermott willing to reduce our ST performance for better back ups? Bates looked bad as a OT. Kroft is playing below Sweeney right now and did himself no favors. Gase and Greggo are very hate worthy - I hope they stay with the Jets for awhile. They suck. No one talks about the rain. It was hard for either offense to do anything today. Let's get ready for Houston.

... so you can play defense on that terrible pass.

Ruff ruff Barkley

Well. Let’s add a chapter to the legend of Duke Williams.

It is fantastic that this game does not mean a thing. Back in the Levy era we had a game like this every year for 5 or 6 years. love it. It means we are one if the better teams in the league. Relax.

I think our defense needs to score.

Someone has to play. You dress 8 or 9 OL and 5 have to play.

And Greggggo will be blitzing with reckless abandon, so a quick hitter could go for big yards.

It is hard to run routes on a wet field in heavy rain. You need even more time, which he isn’t getting.