ATBNG

Let me answer this if I may. The Bills got hosed in the JGITT game between the pass interference and the Jefferson catch on the sideline. The refs were horrible in that game. The result was unjust. Objectively, the Pats have gotten more calls that have gone their way over the last three years than have gone against them. I think that’s a fair statement. I also don’t think this is unusual for winning teams – often times in the NFL the only difference between two teams might be one call, and the team that gets it ends up winning, so it follows that winning teams in the NFL usually have this type of fortune on their side when looking back at their record. Asserting however that there is an NFL conspiracy to “give” the Pats’ calls is completely asinine. The refs don’t care which teams win or lose. They want to make the right call every time. They don’t always, but that is their objective. It’s not roller derby. Also, extrapolating touchdowns and changing losses to victories based on one call changing in a game is usually ludicrous. Reasonable in the JGITT game because it all happened in the final 30 seconds, and with the proper calls the ball turns over on downs and the outcome changes. However, to take some call in the 2nd quarter, assert that it was wrong, that team A wouldn’t have scored and that with the proper call Team B would have scored and then Team A would have lost momentum….– insanity.

I think that Drew is going to be the big key. He has to keep his emotions in check and not try to go fight for the starters' job in Super Bowl 36 all over again. Handoffs, play action, short and deep outs, quick decisions when he is under fire. The Pats have a makeshift secondary and will try to blitz Drew knowing his arm is good enough to do damage if he has time. The corners are going to have to play off the ball somewhat. There will be guys open - can he find them? Can he avoid forcing the ball under the gun? I think that the lack of a playmaking tight end hurts the Bills more than usual this week because Harrison and the other safeties have to play conservatively with these newbies at corner. The Rams' longest play Sunday resulted from this, and I'm sure one or two opportunities might crop up this Sunday as well.

I would gladly take a deal right now where they get to keep my lifetime of contributions for the right for me to opt out from here on out and invest my future earnings myself. I'm 31. The longer it goes on, the more people that will get burned.

Don’t forget John Kerry’s Newsweek quote – “I can’t believe I am losing to this idiot.” I think that this type of stuff is killing the Democrats. As someone who is bright and believes in small government, I think that the Dems need to spend more time convincing voters using intellectual rationale for their positions and stop blithely assuming it already exists. The one change I wish I could make in America is that economics be a required high school course for all students.

It didn't take that long, but you're probably correct. I thought it was cool that it split 16-16.

I disagree with that interpretation. Lots of people that are pro-choice are personally against abortion. He is very much on the record as supporting the right to choose. Definitely Pro-Choice

Great question. Our country does (assuming the DC is literal - you'd join me in Blumerica). 16 teams in Blumerica - combined 2004 record is 65-50 16 teams in Ameredca - combined record in 2004 is 51-66 All four teams that have less than 1 loss are in Blumerica.

I agree wholeheartedly. Just what did Edwards bring to the table? Clinton and Gore brought a sense of youthful professionalism when they ran, but Edwards gives off more of a lightweight lawyer vibe in my mind. That 2 AM speech in Boston with the weird faces and the very odd fist pumping dance at the end was probably the funniest moment of the entire campaign after Howard Dean and Bush's performance in the first debate. Kerry thought Edwards would bring a Clinton effect, but that wasn't what Kerry needed this time. His persona is one of a serious, thoughtful, emotionless man, and I think Gephardt would have been a better choice to amplify that exterior, even if his act was deemed to be a bit dated in the primaries. Edwards did indeed show shades of being the Left's Dan Quayle. With all that said, it's probably an inappropriate time to be picking on the Edwards family. I hope Mrs. Edwards recovers speedily and thoroughly from her cancer diagnosis.

Mitt's pro-choice. After Tuesday's result, I don't see why the Repubs would move away from social conservatism since it seems to be the winning issue for them in the election. All of our libertarian Northeast Republicans (Rudy, Mitt, Weld, etc.) can get elected here but are not viable for the primary process.

I think it is expectations. Before the season, this game was one that everyone expected to win. That they did convincingly is of less import because of their prior record. Now a couple more in a row...then this place will be a bevy of optimism.

Philly is one of the better managed teams in the league. They traded Brandon Whiting + a 5th rounder for Terrell Owens, who is a far, far better player than Travis Henry. They're not going to give up a first rounder for Henry. He can't block, he is injury prone, he's fumble prone, and the shelf life for most running backs is well known to be short. 3rd round is about where I'd put my expectations.

They're going to win today. Then we can talk about the next win. Travis doesn't have much trade value - I'd say he's worth no more than a 4th rounder. He has gained yards, but too many bad intangibles (blocking, fumbling, somewhat shaky attitude). Can't trade him though until we see if McGahee can hold up reasonably well.

All time most world series victories: 1. Yankees 2. Cardinals 3. Red Sox

Jim Brown.

You just keep contradicting yourself over and over Mark. You're all about acquiring proven NFL players versus draft picks while simultaneously pushing three unknown pro quantities as "blue chips." I admire your optimism, but you're not making a lot of sense to me. Banking on Evans, McGahee and Losman is "gambling on college players." They have 525 NFL yards between the 3 of them at this point. They have not yet played in a big game. They have not shown they can take the pounding game in and game out. Hopefully they will, but it is way too soon to tell. Agree with the last point though.

Evans and Losman are two different situations. Evans was a normal pick by the team based on record. He will be judged by how well he plays versus other wide receivers and nearby draft choices from last year. Wide receivers generally take some time to develop in the NFL, so I think obviously it is prudent to wait before passing judgment on him. He’s shown speed and separation, but let’s not get carried away – he’s averaging less than 2 catches per game and that in part is contributing to his high average. Roy Williams has been the clear monster receiver so far in the draft (not that he was an option). Losman on the other hand (and this is unfair to him) represents a far larger investment than Evans because the sum of what was traded for him far exceeds his value. On paper, the Bills got hosed in this deal. Dallas was 10-6 last year. The Bills could go 9-1 down the stretch, and still the end result of this trade would be that the Bills gave Dallas a 2 and a 5 on top of what was an equal swap, making it a bad trade from a value standpoint. The Losman trade is somewhat akin to playing a pair of fours opposite a pair of jacks in hold ‘em. Sure the Bills may win the hand if they catch a four on the flop (and Losman is a star and Dallas doesn’t equal him with their three picks), but in the long run the guy with jacks is going to be the winner.

Donahoe for Pioli.

Keep the faith in the Bills. This is a terrific spot for them. Young QB for an atrocious road team going on cross country against a good defense = ca-ching. Add in the sucker 3.5 line, and you have an excellent investment opportunity. Everyone at the stadium should put $20 on them and pool the million to buy out Donahoe's contract. B)

Bills are a good to great play this week. 3.5 is a sucker line for the underdog. The AFC is still ahead of the NFC overall. Keep the faith!

How is TD a master of the salary cap? Sure he dug them out of a hole, but there were lots of NFL teams in that position. Philly is one of the only ones that really managed their future spending throughout the late 90's. Until his players start winning, what he accomplished is comparable to what would have happened if the Bills hired an accountant to be the GM. He was supposed to bring their spending in line so they would win - not just for the sake of doing so.

Maybe they'll be chanting 2000....

Right - it's all attitude and has nothing to do with payroll. If the Cards and Sox had the cache that the Yanks derive from luxury boxes and cable income, they would dominate because they are that much better managed and are supported by ticket-buying fans. As it is, we'll have to be satisfied with just being slightly better this time around.

Agreed. There's nothing wrong with one having passion for his/her team. I'm ecstatic right now. The Red Sox are World Champions!!! The last thing I would want to do is throw that in someone else's face. Lord knows I've been there. BF - thanks for the commentary during the season, and I know how it feels. The Cards and their fans remain a class act, and always will be. Your day will come.

"Two Thous-and Four" (clap clap clap-clap-clap). "Two Thous-and Four" (clap clap clap-clap-clap). "Two Thous-and Four" (clap clap clap-clap-clap). "Two Thous-and Four" (clap clap clap-clap-clap).

Clayton has early stats but he plays in what has to be the worst division in football. It's WAY too early to be judging Lee Evans. Rookie wide receivers tend to take a while before adjusting to the game. Look at a guy like Chad Johnson and how he has developed.