RuntheDamnBall

78. Watching that wood stove glow and the birds at the feeders when I'm back in Fredonia for the holidays.

Looks like you skipped grammer [sic] class...

Plenty of "conservatives" out there whose kids are spoiled and have total control, Cincy. I don't think this has anything to do with politics, and it has everything to do with teaching kids respect and discipline.

Can't pick just one. Eschewing brevity, my analysis: TD can't pick a coach for sh--, and MM can't coach for sh--. So, how does it get better with one of them staying? Can MM really learn from his mistakes? It doesn't seem like it week-to-week, and it almost seems like he coached with more balls and mental clarity last year. As for GM I'm not even sure I have the confidence that Modrak would be good (or want to stay) in TD's stead either. He did make some good moves in Philly but they've had their best success since he left. If there is any way on God's green earth to get Ron Wolf, we should pay to get him and trust him to pick the right coach. I really wouldn't mind seeing a guy like Fassel who has coached a Northeastern team to the Super Bowl, and shepherded some QBs in his time, but who knows. Also, whomever is in charge has to do everything in his power to keep Bobby April and, I'd say, Mouse McNally -- even though he's not been able to do much (many, including myself, would say that he's not been given much to work with). And good strength and conditioning (we can't get back Rusty Jones, but somebody great is needed) would help also. At this point, all we have to go on is that MM has RW's vote of confidence from a few weeks ago. I'm not wishing for it, but a few more shaky losses and that may change.

FRC should be happy, this just gives them more fodder for moralizing and petty intrusion into peoples' lives. I wish these shrill !@#$s would go the way of the pet rock and hammer pants. Dobson is to the word "doctor" as Robertson is to "reverend" -- a disservice to the title.

"Mr. Bates" is pretty close, not so much of a reach (he's no youngster anymore) and you can draw your own conclusions.

You know what, perhaps this is just another example of Mularkey's strategic genius at work. He fake-suspends Moulds so the Pats will think they have to plan a game around Evans as primary receiver, Ralph "declines," and then Moulds actually plays and burns the Pats! No doubt Moulds is just playing along for maximum effect. 2% edge indeed!

Trust me, her singing is not that good.

I'll say that all told, I'm not disappointed in the least in Losman. Things can get a lot better fast with him if they give this kid a game plan and protection. Too bad that is probably going to require a new regime.

Except for in the Super Bowl. Oof.

I am not one of those who feels games are fixed, but I think there are certainly impressions that refs have of teams that leads them to throw more flags, and there are also crews that are much more flag-happy than others. Witness last night's game, SD vs. OAK, no flags in the first half. Yeah, that Oakland. You're telling me the Chargers are never holding? (Even noted dolt Joe T. saw some going on.) Meanwhile, Nate's called for the "body slam" when the play is still active, no whistle blown, and the receiver is still trying to break loose and make forward progress. He was also the only player actually tackling, so it's not like the other player was being ganged up upon and clearly stopped. Do these things happen because the Bills have a reputation of being more penalized / undisciplined? Or is it just that the Sunday night crew was more of a "let 'em play" type?

I will add that it's likely that people get on Nate Clements around here (as we do with McGahee) because he's proclaimed himself to be the best without proving it on the field. Now, McGahee can only do so much with a bad game plan and a bad offensive line, and in the same way, Clements can only do so much on talent and a prayer given a bad game plan (and a defensive line that needs another talented run-stuffing tackle). Certainly, it's worth criticizing these guys for having big mouths, but blaming a global failure on them is to miss the big picture.

So right, Simon. We've watched them get burned game after game with soft coverage schemes, while at the same time our receivers get beat with the press. Either these coaches are not paying attention or they are as stubborn as they are dumb. You give 'em 10 yards every time, they're bound to get something. And it's clearly not helping them stop the deep route when it counts, either, so what is it with this "strategy?" That was a BS call. Fine, the D blew it, but BS calls keep a drive alive and that one was a biggie. And I don't want to hear anyone else talking about some Bills fan syndrome of complaining about the refs. Say what you want about the others (like the defensive holding that the networks never like to show for some reason -- it'd be nice to be able to see what's going on there), but that call was a very, very poor one. It sucks that he was not in position to cover on the ultimate play there, I am not sure whose fault that is, but Jabari Greer is never going to make that play (he said so himself). Clements might have. I am really against overpaying the guy, but we might have to take these things into consideration. However, I am also pessimistic as to whether Jerry Gray will know what to do with whatever personnel ends up manning that spot.

What is "somebody just as bad to take his place?" I'll take "S-Words" for $1000, Alex.

You can probably trade it for a couple of Ryan Fitzpatrick Topps right now.

Well, actually, it'd be tanking the rest of an already putrid season to get a higher pick in each round. Still sucks, though. And if what we'd be doing with those picks is grabbing more soft, finesse guys who can't finish a game, it's all for naught anyway.

I caught "Syriana" last night. A real thought-provoking film from the writer of "Traffic" -- I believe it's his directorial debut. The whole cast was excellent in this one. It was by no means perfect, but some good risks were taken and the subject (the western relationship with the Middle East / oil) is a pretty tough one to try and tackle. In much the same way as "Traffic," it paints the zero-sum game that this situation has become in a way that's pretty rare for American film these days. I recommend it and I think it'd make for some interesting discussion around here and elsewhere.

False. Rusty is working for the Bears. Checked their record lately?

Doesn't matter when you run if you don't know what the !@#$ you're doing. If you run up the middle when it's not succeeding all game, you reap what you sow. Did they even try more than twice to run to the outside today? Teague and the guards were getting manhandled. My name speaks to the fact that I want to see a good run game. But running for the sake of running, or running without a plan, is meaningless.

I think bad karma caught me when I laughed at the girliest Bledsoe pass I have ever seen in the Cowboys-Giants game.

You are the devil.

Right on all points. I've absolutely seen it all at this point. I know guys like Darin talk about how bad the 70s were and I can't vouch for that, but I have never, ever seen a Bills team underachieve like this. Mularkey should absolutely be fired. This team can't finish, can't call plays at critical moments - draw to the second string RB on 3rd and long, season on the line? Brilliant! - Jabari Greer, nickel / dime corner on Miami's #1 receiver on the deciding play? Of course! - And how about that sterling offensive playcalling? 21-point lead? How about passing your way to third-and-outs? How about running it up the goddamn middle when it hasn't worked all game and Trey Teague is getting pushed back into Losman's face on one? This team can neither stick with a game plan that works, nor can they adjust when an opponent is finding success against them. I have no respect for the coach, or the management of this team. None. I can't believe I've spent money (and time) on them this year.

Haven't lost a lot of people, but Milloy is essentially playing with one arm. Fletcher has been sore. Edwards, one of our starting DTs, is out and the other, Sam Adams has a phantom injury (I know, I know, "they suck," but I suppose you're happier with Bannderson in the lineup?). Terrence McGee is actually pretty good and has been hurt. But whatever. Everyone sucks, all the time, and nobody is hurt, and it's all TD's fault. I got the TBD memo.

Modell still had to have a dancing partner. Bad karma for Baltimore. I guess it's just I hate the Ravens, most everything about them, really.

Screw 'em, they stole the Browns.