RuntheDamnBall

People say this about NE every year and somehow they prove doubters wrong. BTW, If we had that many penalties, our was the worse team that day. 10-6 teams don't win with that many called on them per game. I agree with you about the misuse of Spiller, especially with a weakened interior sans Levitre; it's my hope that it's an adjustment that Hackett will make quickly.

Here are mine: 1) No Byrd, no Gilmore, and the secondary held up fairly well. Certainly Brady looks better with Gronk and Welker, but it was still Brady and he will still get his completions. I don't think they played lights out by any means, but when these two get back I think NE will have an even harder time with this defense next time out, especially with Byrd to help out in run support. 2) There were different players in the backfield all the time making Brady uncomfortable. I know people want to call out Dareus and WIlliams^2, but on passing plays there was a team effort to get some push against a tough line. If Carrington can more consistently play to his level I think they could do some damage. 3) Young LBs will get burned but Alonso looks like a guy who hits hard and is opportunistic. As with Manuel, the game did not look too big for him considering they opened up against one of the more formidable opponents in the league. 4) Almost goes without saying, but the same guys can look like different players in the hands of a guy like Pettine.

I disagree. Kiko hit hard and made something happen on that goal line play. That is a distinct difference, to me, in this defense. You could see it and hear it. In the past this team would have been scored upon at will in that situation. Call it luck if you want. I saw something different. Good teams get scored on by the Patriots all the time. At the very least, I think they were paying the price most of the time. When they weren't, it was because they were playing the softer coverages trying to contain instead of disrupting the receivers at the LOS.

This much is true. On the plus side, I really do not think Amendola's body is going to hold up going for those kinds of plays with regularity. He plays a dangerous game. He is effective but I highly doubt he'll be able to take the shots that Welker sustained on a regular basis.

There's the adage (loosely paraphrased) that the great teams are so good that even when you know what's coming, you can't stop them. I'd like them to take this approach with CJ. They are clearly trying (and failing) to fit a round peg into a square hole by asking CJ to be a between the tackles runner. It's not his game. Get him in space and there will always be danger. It won't work all the time but the percentages are in your favor. If you find he's being well covered, someone else will be open.

1) there was that Redskins game where Gibbs messed up hardcore. 2+5) If we get our MLB and QB anchors for the next decade out of this draft, it will go down as one of the best Bills drafts of all time. I saw nothing that showed me that EJ is not ready to play at this level. 3) Carrington got some occasional penetration but it was usually of the overpursuit / Kelsay variety. I expect better of him. 4) Felt the approach to using CJ was all wrong today. The balance looked better in the 2nd half, but I do hope they will be more inclined to ride the hot hand even more in the future. 8) Searcy was terrific. 12) Here's hoping Goodwin's is not a long-term injury. 13) Yes, with the caveat that the penalties need to become a thing of the past. Also, I still feel like this team could be dynamite if it had one of those fancy superstar TEs. With Chandler WYSIWYG, and I think some games like this would be easier to win with a tight end that could actually hurt NE.

Funny, Belicheck and his charges, as arrogant as they can be, without exception tend to come out and mention how challenging just about any upcoming opponent is going to be when they address the media. They don't seem to come out the worse for it, nor do they lack for confidence. They just do their business.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fl1KsKokbw

If no one had covered him all game, my guess is he would have received more than 6 targets.

Dude, I am not sure why you are trying to start something with me here, but you clearly have not read many of my past posts. Today alone, I've singled out: - Marrone and Hackett for not feeding Jackson in the 4th quarter and managing the clock poorly - Chandler for negating anything good he did with a couple of penalties and the drop - McKelvin for lapsing on concentration on the punt return opportunity that ended back at the 7 And I'm generally a fan and champion of Stevie, whom in this very thread I have called a good player that the Bills need to depend upon. But if you think it was a good idea to come out and talk sh-- before NE and then have a game like this, I don't know how to help you.

Uh, they played like rookies who weren't targeted very much. Does the prosecution rest its case?

Why do you beat this drum? Everybody has pretty much said what they feel about Chandler. He should have caught it, and he's a tough, most-likely-replacement level player who is our #1 TE by default. He doesn't get paid like a star, he doesn't run his mouth, it would be great if he were better, but it is a Buffalo Bills team problem that he is our best TE, not his own. Stevie gets paid like a (lower-tier) #1, talks a lot, produces very well, but also has some big brain farts and lapses in concentration. He is a very good player who has placed a target on his own back.

Funny you should ask. I recall Fred Jackson laying out for a throw that was really at his ankles, instead of just in front of him, and gaining 20 yards. It was called back. Any other questions? Yes, other players didn't have the best game. But the best players should have the best game, no? I also recall Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola catching balls high and low, and they were in fact difficult to cover, but they didn't have much to say prior to the game.

Funny, I don't see anybody saying that. There are gonna be growing pains - just hope that Hackett and Marrone will be able to see what we are all seeing and feeling from watching on TV.

No doubt, but is he usually taking it to the house on delayed runs between the tackles?

Yeah, that's totally it. Read through my history and you'll see that I pretty voraciously DEFEND Stevie when Cat is getting aggravated about him. I like his spirit and feel that the game should be fun and entertaining. But look, he didn't need to talk before game 1 against the Pats, and it consequently looks bad on him. Three receptions hardly qualifies you as unstoppable, and when you drop a pass that could have kept this team in the game, you definitely have to face the music. Stevie made his bed, not me or any other fans.

Something like: [This is an automated response] As a courtesy to the other board members, please use your frickin' brain. The topic starter can think twice before hitting "post" so as to start a conversation that isn't a waste of everyone's time. Thank you.

Why make a guy who has hardly played in the past three weeks almost solely responsible for moving the chains and keeping the clock running? Freddie was the answer and Hackett didn't use him.

You have to look at who was being targeted first. Also, a fine conversion to Woods was called back. The backs were getting the majority of targets and it stands to reason that they looked at the short-to-mid game as the recipe for success against a quick rush with a vulnerable spot at LG.

I am in full agreement. NE was not prepared well for Jackson, and they knew exactly how to stop Spiller given the manner in which he was being used. Smart coaches adjust. Prove it, Doug. Jackson should easily have had 100 yards today.

My guess is that given his 3 receptions on 6 targets for 39 yards is that he was being covered well for a number of plays today, but yes, please let's carry on. And it sure as sh-- won't matter if he's wide open if he can't catch the ball.

This team needs Stevie, and it needs him to play his best. He was like everybody else on the team today - moments of greatness and moments that cost the team. I think even the most biased observer should be able to understand that. But Chandler is not putting his cred on the line by making proclamations. Stevie is. I think there's a bit of warranted disgust with that aspect of the guy. Perhaps his pregame boasts can be amended: " Can't nobody cover me, but fear not, I can beat myself."

DERRRRRRRRRP

When Chandler comes out before the game and talks about how unstoppable he is, it'll be the first time. I don't mind attitude in general, but when you cost your team like that you shut up and go to work.