Estro

On a related note: I like the core group of guys the Bills have. I think the list of 10 players below (in no particular order) give the bills a sold foundation to grow on. 1. Marcel Dareus 2. Andy LeVitre 3. Eric Wood 4. Freddy Jackson 5. George Wilson 6. Kyle Williams 7. Ryan Fitzpatrick 8. Jairus Byrd 9. Stevie Johnson 10a. Nick Barnett 10b. Chris Hairston

Fred Jackson is no surprise on this list, the second Buffalo Bill was a bit of a surprise for me. Happy to see him getting some recognition on the national level: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/11/08/2011-midseason-all-pro-team

So I see the Bills are +6 next weekend @ Dallas. Just like I thought the Bills being 2.5 point favorites was showing too much respect for Buffalo, I think this line is giving Dallas way too much respect. Dallas should be a 3-4 point favorite maximum in this game, no way they should be at 6, IMO. This game actually sets up pretty well for Buffalo: 1. Coming off an ugly loss the Bills should be extra focused, sharp, and hungry next week. I expect much more of an effort and execution vs. Dallas. 2. The Cowboys have looked very susceptible vs. the run the last 2 weeks. McCoy shredded them last week and Marshawn Lynch just had a career day vs them today, over 150 yards on the ground. Expect Freddy to have success, and when Freddy gets rolling, so too do the Bills. 3. After facing the Jets this week (one of the top 3 defenses in the NFL, IMO), everything offensively should come much easier next week. I already mention their vulnerability vs. the run, but they're also a lot worse vs. the pass than the Jets. I think the passing game should find plenty of holes next week. 4. Miles Austin repulled his hamstring this week and did not return. Last time he pulled his hamstring earlier this season, he missed 2-3 weeks I believe. If he happens to be out, it can only help the Bills. I'm not saying this will be an easy game. I actually think it'll be a very tough road game, but I just like the way the Bills match up vs. the Boys. My biggest scare is DeMarcus Ware off the edge, but I think the bills will have a good gameplan going in. I love the Bills at +6. My biggest concerns: DeMarcus Ware, the possible absence of Lindell. Early prediction: Bills-28 Cowboys-20

Your right. watching the replay the ball actually hit Donald Jones right in the hands. Donald just seems inconsisent. He'll make a nice grab or two, then he'll look discombabulated on the next couple of passes. His body control and timing of jumps is sometimes a little off. We definitely needed more out of him today if we wanted to play competetively. It was obvious that he was targeted to be key part of our offensive game plan today and it just didnt work out. He wasnt the only one out of sorts today though, to be fair. Fitz and Freddy were both off today too.

Can a team put 6 offensive lineman on the field at once? Im just envisioning a scenario when all the offensive lineman are healthy maybe getting bell and hairston on the field in goal line situations. Anybody know if this is legal?

Where did anyone say that schobels been in Buffalo? I havent heard or read anything about it.

If Donald Jones is a go for this game, which it looks like he is, it'll be a big boost for the Bills offense. I like him 1 on 1 vs. Cromartie. He also helps out a lot on 3rd down because he runs a great slant. I wonder if we'll still see any of CJ at WR with Jones back. I think we may which will add yet another wrinkle the Jets haven't seen. Stevie J, Donald Jones, David Nelson, CJ Spiller and Freddy J all on the field at once. I bet Chan could draw up some imaginative plays with that personnel. Back to the original point thought. If Jones can play a good game (like he did vs New England) and maybe catch a deep ball or two it could really soften up the Jets D.

The last bullet of the article regarding Fitzpatrick. I don't disagree with the contract the Bills gave Fitz. I think it's a decent deal for both side. I can't say though that I totally disagree with the thought that Fitz will never get them where they want to go (and I'm assuming he means as a Super Bowl winner). Coming off the last 10 years of futility though, I'm content with a QB that can help us contend for a division title and a playoff appearance. I'm not certain Fitzy has the consistent accuracy to ever put together a 3-4 game run in the playoffs against good defenses to make that championship run. Like I said though, I think he's a fit now, and I have no problem with the contract, in fact I'm happy with it. There's also no stopping the Bills from drafting a QB if theres one they really like. Witht hey way the rookies get paid now, there's nothing wrong with grooming a QB for a few years. If they are playing well it means Fitzy's doing alright and they won't have a shot at the best QB prospects. If the Bills and Fitz wee to fall flat on their face then the Bills would be in a position to draft a QB high anyhow. http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/30/insider-49ers-rookie-olb-smith-really-impressing

http://5dimes.com/livelines/livelines.aspx I thought the Bills would be 2-3 point dogs vs. the Jets, I was way off. Bills are 1.5 point favorites, much too my surprise. That's Vegas showing a lot of respect toward the Bills. I know it's a new year, but the way they Jets whipped us physically last year was impressive. I'd love to see the Bills win, but this will be one of our toughest games yet. I hate the Jets, but I certainly respect them, and I think they're pretty good.

Agreed. Wow, that's Vegas showing the Bills a ton of respect. I thought the Jets would be favorites for sure. I was WRONG.

I'll be there, section 136.

The Bills will be about +2.5 vs. the Jets next week. Meaning they will be home underdogs. No way the Bills will be favorites in that game. Vegas needs to set the line to get even betting on each side and I suspect anywhere from 2-3 points is about right. Getting Donald Jones back (still a big if) would be big for our offense. We haven't looked quite the same w/out him in the lineup IMO. Wanna bet that!?

Just an update, it looks like some late money is going on the Redskins. After climbing as high as -6 the Bills are back down to -4 as of tonight. Interesting.

Thanks and no there's no relation to nevergiveup. There was some chatter that the Bills had an eye on Hairston throughout the draft evaluation process. Guy looks like a baller too which is encouraging.

I saw the transcript, but no audio, for those that would rather listen to Buddy's recent interview on Toronto radio the link is below: http://www.fan590.com/media.jsp?content=20111027_170300_7400

Just out of curiosity, I'm not doubting this, but where did you hear this. I feel as though they've been pretty quiet about what the problem is. I assume you know someone who knows someone?

Bills are now -6. They opened at -4.5, were pushed to -5 a few hours later, and now one day later are at -6. Looks like the early money is betting the Bills.

Santana Moss was originally listed as out for 3 weeks, although Shanahan said it'd be 5-7 weeks in his presser today. So, yes, he's defintitely out for the Bills game.

Here's Williams media session from today: http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Kyle-Williams-on-His-Injury-Situation/9010ea88-0d32-481b-b286-130f338e1f30 He looks pretty dejected when talking about the injury and it really doesn't sound all that promising. Says he's not even able to jog and it doesn't seem to be making much progress. This would be a pretty big blow to the Bills D. I think this injury also explains why you haven't seen the explosive plays out of KW that you're used to seeing. I believe he's been playing hamstrung by this injury since week 1. He's obviously an integral part of our defense, and a leader so losing him would be a major dissapointment. No KW hurts the run D, but it also severely negates our pass rush. He was monster when it came to penetrating up the middle and his lack of explosiveness this season has afforded opposing QB's a lot of extra time to look downfield in passing situations. Hopefully it heals up with some time. There is no sense in rushing back from it because it's obvious he's not very effective playing with this injury either. Like I said , I'm starting to get the feeling this may be more of a 4-6 week type of injury if not longer rather than 1-2 weeks.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/24/redskins-confirm-hightower-out-for-season/ probably one of their best backs. This is the type of game I want to use as a measuring stick for how far the Bills have come. If they're a team that wants to be taken seriously they need to win the games they are "supposed" to win and this is one of them. This team needs to show what its made of in November/December. Having meaningful games in late December would be an awesome X-mas present for all of us.

I actually thought the Bills would be closer to 6.5 point favorites, a little surprised to see them at -5. I like the Bills by a comfortable margin this week. I also suspect the defense will get back on track with a few take aways and by tightening up in the redzone and forcing FG's rather than Td's. The extra week of preparation coupled with the Redskins injuries helps the bills out a lot. Bills 23-13. Steve Johnson has a big day.

Looks like Hightower was carted off. Anyone see the injury? http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/23/tim-hightower-carted-off-in-carolina/

I was going to say the same thing. Rob Gronkowski seemed like a good fit for a Buffalo weather team. I understand there were injury concerns coming out, but Gronkowski would've been the value pick there, and you could argue it was just as much of a need as a NT. Troup heading into the draft was considered a 3rd-5th round draft pick by PFW.com, although they did predict he would be overdrafted due to so many teams looking for NT.

I honestly believe that false start was done purposely to run an additional 2-4 seconds off the game clock. The way the mathematics broke down it looked like the bills were going to have to kick a fg with 6-8 seconds left on the game clock, prior to the false start. After the false start play a few seconds ran off the clock, and then the play reverted back to 2nd down. Im going to double check the whole.sequence on nfl rewind tonight, but I think it actually worked in the Bills favor. Perhaps this is what Billy Boy was arguing with the refs about.

On a sidenote....who else thinks John Murphy sucks calling the games. He isn't detailed enough for a radio caller, and his calls sound so forced. A very fake excitement and almost forced enthusiasm on the big plays. Not saying he doesn't try, but his calls, IMO, leave a lot to be desired.