jahnyc

Hard to disagree with that.

I completley understand the unhappiness with Jauron as the head coach, but, for what it is worth, I am impressed with his taking full responsibility for the play call (and not throwing JP under the bus). It makes sense why the players like playing for him (other than maybe today), particularly compared to guys like Williams and Mularkey. I am sure the players are very frustrated with the play that was called, but playing JP is a huge disadvantage for this team. Maybe my biggest criticism of Jauron for the play that was called is thinking that JP was even capable of making a play. He certainly did not show that ability during this game or in any game in the past. For a qb with this number of overall starts in the NFL, he could be the worst qb I have ever seen.

The general frustration is that things have not turned around in almost ten years, and we are all having a hard time identifying the problems and even whether our team or individual players are talented. The frustration is exacerbated by Miami (and other teams, such at Atlanta) turning things around in one year and a sense that this team is soft (probably not true, but it is weird that we do not know if Trent can play in poor weather conditions). Finally, the easiest schedule in years and the Toronto situation (and constant anxiety about the team moving from Buffalo) add to the overall feeling of utter frustration.

Time of possession was a real problem in the game against Miami. Edwards seems to be able to sustain drives better than Losman.

Looks to me that the Bills could end up as high as #9.

Some thoughts below: 1. Schonert is in his first year as offensive coordinator, and no one should be surprised that he seems overmatched at times when the Bills are playing teams with experienced coordinators on both offense and defense. I still don't understand why he was the choice, particularly because Jauron's experience is with defense, not offense. I hope it was not a money issue. 2. It seems that we overpay to re-sign our players and free agents. Kelsay, Parrish, Butler and Williams all signed extensions, and I don't think any of them are playing to their new contracts, particularly Parrish. Kelsay has played ok this year, but with very few sacks, most would probably say that he is barely average as a DE (or worse). 3. Our defense has played well the last two games, but it may be deceiving since San Fran and Miami could play conservatively knowing that our offense was inept. 4. Our recent drafting has been average at best. Obviously, missing with Losman, M. Williams and McCargo has hurt. I hope Hardy and Ellis are not added to the list. 5. It was clear last offseason that the Bills needed a number 2 wide receiver. Who thought (on the Bills staff) that Hardy could be that guy? All we hear now is how raw he is and that all he did in college was run very simple routes. 6. It will be another offseason wondering whether we really have a starting caliber quarterback. Can Trent play in poor weather? I have my doubts. 7. I think the overall talent level is better than when TD left the team, but still lacking. We need some all pro type players, not the average or slightly above average players we seem to have at most positions.

The organization needs a real football guy as gm. The way the organization is structured currently is not producing results, and we need an honest evaluation of not only Jauron, but Guy and Modrak as well. The reality is that we seem to have come up short in all areas other than marketing. Our recent drafts have seemed okay, but they have not produced any all-pro players, and busts such as Losman and Williams have really hurt the franchise. Free agent acquisitions have been overall very disappointing. Is Dockery playing like an seven million a year player? Coaching has been a disaster, yet some of these coaches are having success in other organizations (i.e., Mularkey, Hennings, Gilbride). Other teams, such as the Falcons and Dolphins, turn things around in one year, and we can't do so in nine years. It is unfortunate that the team has faltered this year. The organization and, specifically the team, need some stability and consistency. However, it is clear that there is something very wrong with the organization and the team. A new coach will not be enough, we need a gm with real power to change whatever is necessary to turn things around.

There is no way Losman gets tagged no matter what happens for the rest of the season. The Bills would not do it and JP has been very clear that he wants out of Buffalo.

1. I am not a big fan of inexperienced coordinators and we have them on both offense and defense. At least Fewell has Jauron, but Schonert has looked out matched in a number of recent games, particularly against the 3-4 defense. Why no screens or slants? We ran Henning, Gilbride and Mularkey out of town, but they all are performing well now, probably in part due to their years of experience as offensive coordinators. Schonert's performance as OC has been sub par. 2. I don't think Trent can play in poor weather conditions, including cold weather. This does not bode well for playing in Buffalo. Maybe the more important point is the next point. 3. Do we have an NFL starting caliber qb on our roster? I am starting to think that Trent may not be the guy, both in terms of physical ability and mental fortitude. I also thought JP looked terrible today. He is clearly not the answer. If we need a new qb then we are back to square one. 4. Why are teams scoring tds on their first drives against us? Seems to happen almost every week. 5. The problems with our offense are magnified when you consider the excellent field position our special teams will usually provide. There are exceptions (i.e., Parrish fair catching at the two), but our offense has had a short field to start many drives and it still does not manage to score. 6. I don't think the Bills will fire Jauron if he signed the extension. Ralph has tried to get coaches to quit (Phillips and Mularkey) rather than pay them, but I doubt that Jauron will walk away. If we do get a new head coach, I hope he gets rid of the Tampa 2 defense and keeps April. 7. Bruce made McKelvin look bad today. 8. Finally, the Bills should feel humiliated after this loss and the loss to Cleveland. Why does this team play so flat at home? That is inexcusable.

Maybe we have a nucleus of good, young players, but it is hard to be patient with the Bills after so many years of not making the playoffs. It also is difficult to watch Miami and the Jets turn things around so quickly in one year and to the point where they have superior records to the constantly building Buffalo Bills. The progress the Bills are showing is glacial, and it really needs to lead to a playoff berth soon, before some of these good, young players leave in free agency.

I am not sure that I have ever seen a qb that was afraid to throw the ball down the field, particulary where he had so much time to throw the ball. That is not a qb type mentality. Very odd.

1. One of the worst performances by an NFL quarterback in a prime time game. TE was scared to throw the ball downfield. He has regressed and lost his confidence. He may not be the QB of the future after all. 2. Special teams were dominant. McKelvin, Jackson and Parrish were awesome. Provided excellent field position all game. 3. Running game was very good (except for the last drive). 4. Coaching was overall poor. Too many unecessary timeouts, team looked disorganized at times. 5. Virtually no chance to make the playoffs. Huge meltdown after a strong start.

Kajagoogoo

Yes, I should have added that beating the Pats in the near term is unlikely. After five years of losing twice a year to that team, it pains me to think that we are still not close to being competitive with them, even with Brady out. So few of the games over the last five years were close.

1. Free agent pick-ups by Jets are better than ours. Jenkins is better than Stroud and Faneca is better than Dockery. 2. We have no depth at key positions, partly due to cash to cap. 3. No stars on the team and a lot of positions could be upgraded. 4. A lot of average players on defense. Is Poz going to be at least above average? Hard to tell so far. 5. Ditto with T. Edwards. 6. Trading up in recent drafts to take Losman and McCargo has really hurt. I like Whitner, but I still wonder if we could have had both Ngata and Whitner in that draft. 7. Worried that Miami and Jets have the resources to continue to improve. Miami's coach has made a big difference for that team. 8. Yes, we need a center, but is that really most of the problem? 9. Cannot fathom our lack of a pass rush. With blitzes, should be getting to QB more frequently. 10. Still not generating turnovers (and we are making too many turnovers on offense). I was really excited this year, particularly after our fast start. Really not sure how to fix all of this.

The Bills may end up with a better record than last year, but I have lost all faith in this team. If there was a year to have, success this was it. Brady out for the year, and one of the easiest schedules of all time (Oakland, St. Louis, KC, San Fran, Cleveland, Seattle, etc.). If they can't make the playoffs this year, when will they? Miami is improving, the Jets are better, and the Pats will get Brady back next year.

1. Cassell and Edwards were playing similar football going into this game--short, safe passes made up the signficant percentage of attempts. NE figured out a way to stop our short passing attack, Buffalo did not do the same. Why were there no attempts at longer passing plays by the Bills? Why was Welker open all game? I cannot make sense of this. 2. Our rushing attack is pitiful. Enough said. 3. There are no stars on this team, and now there are legitimate questions about whether Edwards will be the guy at QB. 4. We have not been to the playoffs for years, and every year I watch the same games against NE. Outcoached every time. 5. Very little pressure on Cassells today. Very few sacks and turnovers generated over the last number of games.

1. It is easy to forget that Trent is only a second year player who has played in less than 20 games so far in his career. By that standard, he has played very well at times. He seems to have the head for the game, although I hope he will start challenging defenses downfiled a bit more than he has. 2. For a seven million per year guy, Dockery has been a disappointment. I understand that the center situation is unsettled at best, but the offense should be able to sustain a drive in short yardage situations by going left behind Peters and Dockery. 3. The Bills rush defense is much improved, and I suspect that Stroud and Poz are a big part of that improvement. That said, it seems that Jenkins and Rogers have been more dominating to this point. Poz has played well, and he is also only a second year player who missed most of his first season, but I keep waiting for him to make some game changing plays. 4. I think Josh Reed and Greer are free agents after this year. Not sure if I am comfortable with Hardy and McKelvin as replacements at this point. We may be looking for a number two wide receiver again after this season. 5. We need a lot of help at LB this offseason (certainly one new starter). Ellison is having a very quiet season and seems to disappear during games. 6. I have not kept track of where the Bills' injuries are taking place, but is it possible that there are problems with our stadium and practice turf? I recall the Bills installed a type of turf that did not catch on and the company subsequently went into bankruptcy (field turf?). Do we still have that turf? Maybe it is the turf and not the conditioning program. 7. The last two losses have been very disappointing, but at least I can watch our offense this year and not be completely frustrated for the entire game. The play calling is better, Trent has improved, and overall, in terms of statistics, they are making progress.

Agreed. That play was a game changer. I had no confidence that the Bills would come back at that point and it was only the first quarter.

1. Not being able to get a first down by running the ball on a fourth and one at home. This happens way too much to this team on short yardage run plays. 2. Letting the Jets drive for a FG at the end of the game when you know they will be running the ball. 3. Continuing to give up big plays on defense on slants and quick passes. 4. Hesitating or running into the backs of your blockers on kick-offs. 5. Losing at home to a division rival after losing on the road to another. They looked flat today.

Jenkins dominated the interior today. We have a big need at center, but does this explain all of the problems with the o-line? Agreed on McKelvin. He has obvious speed, but seems to lack instincts. No production from our first three picks in the draft. I understand that they are rookies, but we needed some production from them this year and it has not happened. I am starting to worry that at least two of these guys will be busts. What were the injuries to Lynch (who came back) and Whitner (who left at the end of the game)?

1. Looks like it may rain periodically during the Miami/Buffalo game. I have been interested to see how Trent performs in rain and snow this year. I don't think that Trent has had much experience playing in poor weather conditions over his college QB career and it seems he ran into some difficulties last year. Something to keep an eye on. 2. It is amazing that the Cowboys were able to trade for and then sign R. Williams easily and quickly after we spent months working to get a deal done with Lee Evans. I guess this is the difference between the big market teams and the small market teams. I hope this does not portend difficulties when the Bills try to get some of our young players and veterans to sign contract extensions (i.e., Edwards and Stroud). 3. K. Mitchell has been a nice acquisition. I remember last year when the Bills played the Giants and how his interception changed that game and served as a catalyst for the excellent play of the Giants from that point forward. 4. I wonder how involved Marv Levy was with making the actual selections in the draft for the Bills. Way too early to make any judgments about last year's draft without Marv, but there has not been much production from any of our draft picks (other than maybe Mckelvin, who looks like a rookie) so far. These guys did not seem "ready" to contribute, which may have reflected a different draft strategy based on the level of talent of the team improving to the point where this was not as necessary. 5. I think that if the Bills can split against each of Miami, NYJ and NE Pats, they should make the playoffs. The other remaining games are KC, San Fran, Denver and Cleveland and the Bills will have a very good shot at winning three of these games. 6. Bills will need to draft an outside linebacker early in next year's draft.

With possible interest from the Niners, does this mean that Bryant Johnson has been a bust? This appears to be the case based on this stats to date. I know that many on this board were hoping that the Bills would sign him this past offseason.

A few more points: 1. Also wondering why we did not blitz more today, particularly since Warner has a history of getting rattled with pressure. 2. Not worried after this first loss, but I am worried that McKelvin will be a bust. Seems to lack instinct. Sorry, but he reminds me of JD Williams. 3. Wonder if the oline misses Mouse?

The Bills will not win many games this year if they are without both Peters and Walker. When the regular season begins, and the opposing coaches game plan, any substitutes for Peters and Walker will be in a for a very rough time.