BuffaloWings

I keep telling everyone....if the Red Sox can do it, so can the Bills. It will happen. I think Mularkey has this team on the right track to do so. But I agree - every year around this time is a punch in the gut. Makes it worse when your boss is a Dallas fan and won't let you forget about SBs XXVII & XXVIII, how Jimmy Johnson is the only college coach to have real success in the pros, blah, blah, blah.....

Well, remember that the Bills kicked off in the 2nd half and the Giants ran that 9-minute drive to score. The Bills then immediately marched down the field to answer. I'm not convinced that Marv was out-coached. The Giants offense got enough plays to win. Nonetheless, why are people ragging on Marv about this now? They wait 14 years to do that because they saw Mike Martz, Marty Schottenheimer, and Herman Edwards do the same thing recently? Please.... If you ask me....yeah, I would have loved for them to get the ball closer. But considering that the Bills got from their own 10 to the NYG 30 in 2 minutes against that defense with the NFL/World/Superbowl championship on the line, I think it's pretty darn good. Besides, I think these shots against Marv are unfounded. It's not like Norwood missed it short. That kick would have been good from 57 yards.

I'll be glad, also, but I can't see much dropoff now. Belichick could probably turn any good coach into a great coordinator and the players know what it takes. This is a team with no real egos with a common goal. They remind me very much of the 1998 Yankees. Considering that they've done this over the past 4 years is amazing. That said, I still want them to lose.

I agree. Seems that's the only way it'll survive. This thing may get done in the next week or so, but I'll guarantee that another lockout will happen again the minute after this agreement expires. This will NEVER be settled unless an arbitrator gets involved. Both sides are too stubborn.

If they can't manage their own finances, would you expect them to manage their own job? If they're constantly late paying bills, can you trust them to meet deadlines at work? IMO, it's all about trust. If you're considering hiring someone who hasn't managed his/her money well in the past, think about whether or not you could trust them to do the job.

At least last season, there was an underlying reason why Gael was acting as a mole (Jack had been undercover with the Salazars previously). I don't see anything similar yet....but I'm sure we'll know soon. Usually, I pick up on these things...I didn't see the Marianne/mole thing coming.

Well, it's reasons like this that you should clear up your credit history (provided there is anything erroneous) or at least know what employers would look at. Even if you know there's something questionable in your background check, at least you'd be prepared to explain it. I don't think you can prevent an employer to actively go outside of your references for info about you, so if they "happen to come across something" that could make them hesitant, there's nothing you can do about it. Stuff like this strikes me as more unprofessional than anything illegal. I've been to interviews where I *know* I did well, yet I never hear from the company again. My phone calls and emails would go unreturned, which frustrates the hell out of me since I want to know why I wasn't given an offer.

I think this is the best situation we can hope for. If Drew doesn't want to restructure and gets cut (which I don't see happening), then the Bills are worse off. Even if Losman starts the season, he needs a veteran backup. At this point, Drew is going to have to be just that. It's best to do this instead of grabbing a Frerotte, Warner, or some other backup. At least Drew knows the offense. I think Drew will take a pay cut to remain with the team. I think there are enough teams out there right now that know Drew's capabilities so that they're not willing to take a chance on him. Dallas might be willing to take a chance, if Vinny doesn't come back.

That really sucks for them. They had a good thing going with both Lewis and LJ Smith, too. Smith is a good TE, but the tandem was better.

I think you guys know what I mean. I think an end-around is a little more "tricky" than most plays, but obviously, that's just me.... Nonetheless, my original question has been answered.

Well, that's not the point of my argument. Yes - I agree with putting the game away and not sitting on a 2-score lead. My thinking was based how the Patriots' defense would *most likely* not give up 2 touchdowns in the final 2:30. I'd expect THIS team (not just any team in this situation - we know the Patriots) in a championship game to do just that. Maybe "bush league" was too harsh. As I said in the beginning, it's probably just sour grapes and I wanted something to gripe about since I can't stand NE and the love-fest for them anymore. Belichick has pulled some unclassy moves in the past (dumping the Jets, Milloy), but this is the only time I've questioned his coaching - and it was just one play. Look - I've been around football a long time. I don't mean to suggest that putting the game away isn't the right thing to do. The play obviously worked and Belichick is a Superbowl coach agan. I don't mind people disagreeing with me (I wouldn't have posted, otherwise), so we'll just leave it at that.

It wasn't a running play, it was an end-around. There's a difference. An end-around is just like a reverse, but without the QB giving it to the runner in the initial direction of the play. Both plays are designed to trick the defense and make them change direction. So, let's say NE runs the ball, doesn't get the first down, Pitt calls timeout, then Vinatieri misses a FG. There's still under 2:30 left for Pittsburgh to go 60 yards (at least) for a score, then recover an onsides kick and try to score again - all with 1 timeout left (remember, they lost an earlier challenge). Do you think that would have happened? I don't....not against this defense. The late TD scored by Pitt last night was in garbage time, so don't assume they'd score just because of that. I'm looking at the intangibles here...I really don't think NE would have given up two scores they way they were going. Still a possibility and we've seen other miracles happen, but I'd put my money on Vinatieri making a FG and even more on NE stifling Pittsburgh again if he had missed. And FYI, I've been watching football for over 25 years. Don't think that I didn't consider all the possibilities.

Yes, but a trick play??? New England had control of the game and Pittsburgh could barely do anything at that point (despite the 17 points in the half). All NE needed to do was keep running the ball, wind down the clock, and give Vinatieri a chance to put it away. You don't try a trick play to kill them off. Now, if they threw for it on 3rd and 9 or if Dillon somehow broke through and they still scored, that's one thing. Running a semi-trick play at that stage of the game is wrong.

Given what he has done over the past 4 years with this team, I have all the respect for Bill Belichick and his coaching. However, I completely disagree with what he did late in the game yesterday. Already ahead 34-20 with 2:30 or so left in the 4th quarter, New England faces a 3rd and 9 at the Steelers 23. The Patriots run an end-around to Deion Branch who races in for a 23-yard TD. With the extra point, it's now 41-20 and the game is REALLY over. Does anyone else think this was a bush-league call? I don't know if I should blame Belichick or Charlie Weis, but I just thought this was rubbing Pittsburgh's nose in it and completely disrespected Pittsburgh. It's not a true reverse play, but it's as close to reverse as you can get. It's a minor form of a trick play, really. I think New England could have just as easily run Corey Dillon again and even if he doesn't pick up the first down, they can run the clock down (barring a timeout called by Pittsburgh) and then kick a FG. Yes, it's Heinz Field and kicking anything over 40 yards is an adventure. However, Adam Vinatieri is a money kicker. Knock that through, and it's 37-20 with about 2:20 left at worst. This still requires 3 possessions and the Patriots' defense is controlling the game. I'm not Belichick, but there's no way I run an end-around at that point. I'd have too much respect for Cowher to do that to him. Maybe I'm just tired of the Patriots and this is sour grapes, but someone help me out here...

I agree with this...it's the old cliche of buying into a coach's system. The players have done it and they see it paying off. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I heard that Milloy refused to renegotiate, thus he was cut. If that's the case, I think the players got the message. Rodney Harrison said at one point that this is a team of 7th-round draft picks (or whatever). His point was that every player on that team plays like their job is on the line. They're excellent athletes, but there probably isn't anyone that just assumes they have a job from week to week. This translates to everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) working their tail off mentally and physically to try and win. When you have a brilliant coach and ownership/management that agree with each other on the goal, you have a winning franchise. That's what New England is doing right now.

Good point there, but it has to end sometime. I think I'd rather see Philly win this one since I've rooted for SU since the Dick MacPherson days and McNabb is worthy of a ring. Oh yeah, I can't stand the Patriots, either. I don't heed much to the "another team that wins one before Buffalo" idea. Yeah, it would be true, but as a Bills fan, why would you NOT root for Philly to win it? You know the pain of being inches short of the promised land, so why not let someone else win it who hasn't already? The Patriots have had their turn...it's time for someone else.

Agreed. I have the utmost respect for Norwood. He's at peace with it and moved on in his life. The media (and all Giants and anti-Bills fans, for that matter) gives him far too much crap for this for the type of man he is. The Ronnie Harmon non-catch should be more goat-like. Thurman didn't play well in SB XXVI because of Washington's defense, not his "lost" helmet for the first two plays. These media guys have to pick on the Bills somehow because of the 4 losses.

Nothing on MSG's web site as of yet....

Not to mention, if Droughns is asking for a trade, he wants to start. That ain't happenin' here. All around, it's a bad move from his perspective - the RB market is too crowded to begin with and there are too many "available" RBs better than him.

Well, I'm possibly going on my second downsizing in 3 years. I was let go in 2002 when my company went bankrupt, then got bought out and laid off everyone in the Albany area. I was with that company (my first real job) for 7 years, holding three different jobs there. Now I work for a large company that's finishing up a merger. There's so many people in the technology part of the company after the merger, I can't see how everyone will survive. Anyone need a good networking guy?

You can probably remove Kevin Jones (Detroit) and Julius Jones from this list, since they have yet to *really* prove themselves in the way Henry did (read: actual playing time over a few years). Henry has been in the league for 4 years and his numbers were steadily getting better, so I'd put him above those two for now. I might even put him ahead of Warrick Dunn (remember...he's in an offense run by Michael Vick, which makes him better - I don't see Dunn as a guy that defenses must account for on every play) and Deshaun Foster (average RB that had a good year behind Stephen Davis and an OL that was playing lights out in 2003). On the flip side, a healthy Stephen Davis is probably better than Henry. Overall Henry is an above-average RB. What doesn't make him good is his lack of breakway speed, size, and inability to pass-block (how many times did he not pick up a blitzer in 2003?). So, no - he's not a top 5 RB in the league right now. Having said, I don't think he's saying exactly that. If he was given the opportunity, he *would* be a top 5 RB. Basically, he's trying to sell himself and he's not doing a good job of it. Leave that to your agent, Travis.

http://www.theredzone.org/2005/freeagents/...asp?Position=PK The best of the list is probably Vinatieri, but you know NE will sign him. After that, I'd take Jay Feely in a heartbeat.

I couldn't agree more. I think the biggest problem was that the coaches assumed the Steelers wouldn't come close to matching the intensity the Bills would. Obviously incorrect. Because of this, it seemed like the Bills didn't play their game. They didn't do what they had been doing during the winning streak - running the ball well, mixing in a few deep shots to Evans, and killing the opponents on defense. In other words, the Bills beat themselves by not playing their own game. This is precisely what happened in Foxboro on Sunday. The Colts came out running the ball and not throwing it like their offense has been geared to. Belichick got into their heads as soon as Indy beat Denver the week before. I should have picked New England... Because of all this, I think Mularkey has learned a few lessons from his first season. Things will improve from the coaching standpoint next year.

I agree. With yesterday's field conditions, the lines were probably helpful. But in general, if you need the lines, you shouldn't be watching the game!!!

Hear, hear....I'm with ya there. Peyton is too likable to not win it. Of course, I appreciate everything he did to help me win my first-ever fantasy football championship. And as long as the Jets don't get a sniff of Jacksonville, I'm happy.