RuntheDamnBall

I vote we just decide not to hire coaches and players anymore. It'll save us the disappointment.

I think there should have been a penalty for the helmet-to-helmet hit on him. But once again, NE does it, look the other way.

I haven't paid attention to college AT ALL this year so I am just speaking in the abstract. If there was a Bruce Smith game-changing type DE out there I'd take him in a heartbeat if he fell to where the Bills were drafting. I think Williams and McCargo will be OK/ need to be given time. Tripplett's pretty blah.

No, see, you don't understand TSW logic. Let me explain. This statement means that he is therefore awesome. Until he sucks. But he is awesome especially because he looked good for a good team in the preseason. Also, Leinart is good because of the "look in his eye," and his gorgeous look after two days of not having shaven. His team's 1-6 record is actually better than the Bills' 2-5 because it's pretty clear the future looks brighter in Arizona. Clear as day, as a matter of fact.

Run to San Francisco all you want, but just like Jack and Ennis, you'll find it hard to quit the Bills.

I said Stamer. YA RLY

Just a thought. I do think to an extent the coaches have tried to pick personnel suited to this D more than GW's crew did for the '01 offense. However, McGee sucks out loud as a corner in this D. Perhaps he can pick it up and get better. But he is getting roundly toasted week in, week out, so far. Also, it's no secret that the D-line just cannot handle the run on a regular basis, either. They just get pushed around. Have the coaches installed a defense that doesn't suit the players we have? Can we get them soon enough to turn it around in a year's time? Or is this a project to be abandoned/severely modified as was the case with the anemic Sheppard WCO in '01?

Rites of Spring.

We can't afford to lose another 1st on a QB. This line just needs too much help. Both of them do, really, though you have to hope McCargo comes back inspired next year.

Loss of Stamer was killer on that kick return. Don't forget we lost a ST monster out there.

Not true. When it rains, it pours. And when things feel like they're working, it builds, too. This game hinges upon moments, and when nothing is going your way, even less things will go your way in the future.

Yeah, that was my resource too, but as I said 1300AM in Albany was playing the San Diego/KC game. That was some BS. Of course, I think an afternoon stuck in downstate traffic listening to that beating would have been more masochism than I could take.

You've got it, basically. We've got to see if the kid can learn. I do think the team has to look at a guy like Schaub, if JP can't do better than this in the second half.

Maybe bottom 5, but the thing that's killer is the mistakes. When these guys get into a rhythm they actually can do some damage. Most will disagree with me here but there is talent. I think JP is talented, the receivers to an extent are talented and there are times when everything is rolling. The thing is, for the defense, they come up with a big stop and then a killer penalty is taken. On offense, the team marches down to the 30 only to be hit with a holding call, a sack that puts them out of range, or a bad decision to go for it instead of taking easy points early on. The thing that disturbs me is that these guys are playing frustrated and that inevitably leads to a culture of regression, of not learning, of leaning on one's worst tendencies. I really hope they take some time over the bye week to 1) heal 2) forget this terrible storm that happened (and I do think it affected them more than the Sabres who were able to just keep playing through and hit the road for a bit) 3) remember just what it was they were trying to do in the first place 3a) analyze intensely what hasn't worked and what has worked, and install some of the things that have been lacking, particularly in the offense. As we head into the second half, it has to be all about getting Willis the football and letting him do things outside, catching the ball, and taking all the pressure off the QB. This is possible and I believe it. But everyone's gotta be dedicated and the mistakes HAVE to be minimized. This is all about learning, on the part of the coaching staff and on the part of the players. The worst thing about the Mularkey regime was that this never happened and easy solutions were reached for. I really hope this new staff is more aware. And I really hope JP gets some of his confidence back and realizes this is all about learning. The team needs him to learn and not to get shaken. Go Bills, even when you make the day hurt. Get your act together and start small with a win against the Packers.

bump! no help, anyone?

and the undisciplined defense keeps another drive alive. Thanks for nothing, guys.

I'm at a pit stop at the inlaws on a drive home to NYC and couldn't find the game on 1300AM, supposedly part of the Bills Radio Network (they were playing KC-SD instead ). Anyone know what station I can find it on?

[wingnut] He deserved it, regardless. [/wingnut]

Do you mean to say that Mountain Dew is not the signature of all things 'extreme'?

If we're going to get all emo here, I'd go with a couple from '97-98. Braid: Frame and Canvas -- does the angular guitars/dueling vocalist thing really well. The members split up and formed two lousy bands, Hey Mercedes and the Firebird Band. The Promise Ring: Nothing Feels Good -- this would be more on the poppy side, very self-aware and fun; the lyrics can be repetitive but they can also really hook you in. They're not obvious.

This criticism from the devoted Smiths and BNL fan? Come on...

Man, I remember when emo was Sunny Day Real Estate and Fugazi and not songs about the crush who has the locker next to yours or being mad at your boss. Feeling old. I liked the At the Drive-In mention. Vaya and Relationship of Command are superb records. Mars Volta are a mess, but they certainly have some talent. I kinda dug Sparta for a couple months but quickly got tired of them. The whole hard rock scene is generally killing me right now. I'm going to go on a complete limb right now and mention this Chicago band Sweep the Leg Johnny. Ten bonus points if anyone's even heard of them. Sorta like nasty noise-punk meets King Crimson meets Rocket from the Crypt. Just listened to their record "Sto Cazzo!" for the first time in a few years. They were definitely tight and could play capably in some crazy time signatures. Today I just picked up the new Califone (really excellent), the new Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (haven't yet listened to it) and a couple others.

Is that a belief of yours or a challenge you're issuing to Gandy?

Oooh, you've got some good picks. I am totally with you on "On the Beach." "For the Turnstiles," "Walk On," "Ambulance Blues"? Awesome. I'm not crazy about the new Built to Spill record but always loved "Perfect From Now On." TV on the Radio's new one "Return to Cookie Mountain" is pretty excellent. Probably all 3 Mazzy Star albums, particularly "So Tonight That I Might See." It's just that voice. The Books' "The Lemon of Pink" has got to be the most creative electronic music I've heard in a long time. Really lush sounds with live cello, banjo, vocals, and then it's all placed in a blender. Growing's last two releases are also getting a lot of play with me. Really droney, it sounds great loud. Two/three guitars, making sounds you don't think can be gotten out of guitars. They've been referred to as "life metal" (as opposed to the "death" variety), which is a pretty fair assessment. I get a head rush whenever I listen to them. My 'oldster' picks: Brian Eno's first two, "Here Come the Warm Jets" and "Taking Tiger Mountain By Strategy," are two great records of the glam/space rock era that foreshadow Sonic Youth, Talking Heads, and about 50 million other artists.

Mike Williams takes issue with that one. I'm dubious as to the potential for success here but I'll be cheering them on. With luck we can win some games we shouldn't to compensate for the ones we should have won. Aside from a couple banged up guys this is the same team that overachieved in September.