MadBuffaloDisease

The thinking was that if Houck took the bunch of guys they had there last year and over an off-season created a line that allowed just 26 sacks (which is almost half of the 51 they allowed the year before), that "better" talent in LJ Shelton and Bennie Anderson over their predecessors was going to make the line elite, or close to it.

Not true. Everyone was talking about how Hudson Houck turned the Dols' O-line into one of the NFL's best in just an off-season, when in fact it was mostly because of Gus Frerotte. Over the off-season they jettisoned JAG Damion McIntosh and replaced him with big-money and former 1st round FA LJ Shelton, which many considered an upgrade, and replaced McKinney with Bennie Anderson, who most felt would be no worse in pass protection and much better in run-blocking. Oh well.

Volek has no one but himself to blame. Two years ago the Bills offererd him a starting job but he turned them down. I hope he enjoys being a forever backup now.

Exactly, which is why the sooner Bowen (and Spikes!) comes back, the better the defense will be. I was just posting this because I recall a discussion in one of the threads that I couldn't (read: didn't want to spend the time) locate where people were saying that if Bowen were healthy it wouldn't make a difference since the Bills wouldn't have 3 safeties on the field at the same time and that if he played, he'd be playing in place of Whitner.

I just read this on Chris Brown's blog: Here's hoping Bowen comes back soon. Again I like Wire...on ST's.

Culpepper is an even bigger QB.

It's many things, INCLUDING the HC. Maybe in his next go-around Mularkey will be better.

Well he played...but he probably shouldn't have.

It's hard to get a punishing hit on the guy, considering he's 6'5" and 260#.

Probably. Except he's not the coach anymore.

True.

I think DJ can be criticized for his choice, and defense, of the OC's they had in Chicago, but once Angelo arrived on the scene (in 2002), it was all over for him.

Aha, must have been Marv then who said "they said we took you too early..."

I'd take Roscoe over Bucky Brooks ANYDAY!

So JP should have...thrown the rock willy nilly? Did you FORGET last year's game in Miami? And do you THINK the coaches came up with the ENTIRE 2nd half gameplan at halftime and didn't adjust, based on the continued defensive domination in the 2nd half and the 16-0 lead? The long shot to Evans was in the 2nd half and set-up the TD to go ahead 10-0. Without JP being on-target with that throw, no PI, no TD, no 10 point lead. And as for calling plays to remove JP having to make decisions, WHAT do you think the Pats did LAST weekend after the half with Brady? Yep, screens and loads of running plays.

It's a lot of things. First and foremost, it's having Marv and his "winning tradition" back in the fold, not to mention his lack of an ego. It's also having an experienced head coach who theoretically has learned from his initial mistakes (and has a GM in his corner, this time around). It's also a good set of assistant coaches, a competent trainer, sound off-season moves, and a good draft.

Well that will depend largely on whether "Bills fans" sell their tickets at a premium to rival teams' fans like they've done for Steelers and Pats games. The lowest fukkin' ticket prices in the NFL and people have to scalp them to make a profit.

I read he had a 104 temp today. I doubt he plays.

My point exactly.

Williams is an aberration, NOT the rule. Just be thankful he's come through like he has without worrying that McCargo is already a bust.

JP will get his shot at the Titans later-on in the season.

I'd add the block in the back on Welker's long return, that would have backed the Dolphins inside their own 5. I also swear I saw a facemask or two, but I haven't gone back over the whole game. Again, nothing earth-shattering that was missed in favor of the Bills and certainly nothing like what happened last weekend, i.e. with IMHO the refs deciding the game.

I can't remember who it was. It might have been Chris Brown, which is why I believed it.

Yeah, I thought the Welker fumble was a call that the zebras should make correctly the FIRST time, and not need it to be challenged. As for the quick whistle on JP's sack, I think they did the right thing since he was in the grasp, had his forward momentum stopped, and was vulnerable with another Dolphin bearing-down. And even if they didn't whistle it, the ball would have been picked-up by one of the Bills most likely. At best it likely cost the Dols about 4 yards in field position and at best it saved JP from extreme harm. As for the Culpepper fumble, I didn't see it so I can't comment on it. And I saw some bad calls that went against the Bills. But this was NOTHING like last weekend.