Matt in KC

There will be plenty of time to analyze and figure out what went wrong, and what to do about it later, after (and if) the team loses a couple more games than it wins. I think it's crazy to be anything but excited on opening day before the game starts! I agree the negative articles are a head-scratcher. I don't think the Chief will do much better than the Bills this year, and I think most of the fans expect less success than last year, but it's 180 degrees different here in Kansas City!

1. The Bills will be eliminated from playoff contention... E. after their week 16 game. 2. EJ Manuel's passer rating will be... C. in the 80s. 3. Who will lead the team in tackles? A. Brandon Spikes. 4. The Bills Divisional Record will be... C. 3-3. 5. Who will lead the Bills in receiving yards? C. Robert Woods. <-- I feel pretty sure on reception, but he may be a bit behind on yards 6. Will Doug Marrone be the head coach of Bills in week 16? Will Manuel be QB1? A. Yes and Yes. 7. How many of the Bills 8 home games will be blacked out? C. 2. 8. Will the Bills have an offensive player in the pro bowl? B. No. 9. (In total yards) the Bills Defense will be... E. Top 15 in the NFL. 10. Mario Williams will have how many sacks in 2014? F. 10-11. 11. The 2015 first-round draft pick traded to Cleveland will be: D. In the top 12.

496 yards

Sorry dude. Don't worry, I still think he'll have a really good year once Rogers has a chance to get in the groove. With the extra time after the TNF game, I doubt he even misses a game. I'd play Floyd. I'm just not sold on Tate or a Cleveland rushing attack yet, especially in Pittsbugh. It's as much a concern of the Browns getting behind as Pitts' run D.

Cheers, Bill! It's a great time of year to be a Bills fan. Game on!

Pass to Robert Woods for 7 yards.

I would play Sproles as your flex player this week. On another note, I'm in a .5 PPR league again this year. That has seemed like about the right balance for rewarding receptions to me. A full point is just too much.

I'd start Jones and Crabtree. I have Benjamin too, but am just going to stash him until I see what he can do. With just these choices, I'd play Tate. You say you can start 3 WRs. I assume the 3rd is a flex. Who are your other choices, i.e. 3rd RB?

Brandon Spikes departs Thursday practice for short time (Left Knee) by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com (12:30 pm ET) Bills middle linebacker Brandon Spikes left Thursday practice before a quick return. He went to the trainer's room and had his left knee checked before returning to practice, per WGR. Spikes signed a free agent contract with Buffalo in March after spending four years as a standout with New England. Saw it here: http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/playernews

I think that likely sounds very much like the haiku I posted before last season, and the one before that. . . .

Fresh season awaits All things are possible now Hope springs eternal

He doesn't get flustered.

So is anyone on that list but Corey Graham going to be in on all the Special Teams plays? Is he our other gunner on punt coverage across from Easley?

I agree Dave. There has been a lot of press about the Bills using timing patterns and EJ being inconsistent at best. I would definitely load the line, jam the receivers, and make EJ beat you deep. But, when I looked at EJ's stats recently he did very well against the blitz. I'd do this to rattle him, but only on a fraction of the plays.

I voted no. But, it might make sense to bring him in after the first game if our guards really struggle. Players signed after the first game do not have a guaranteed salary. They could be completely clear he's on a very short leash, that he needs to shut up and make himself invaluable to play the year and salvage his career. In general I don't want the POS anywhere near our team, but would consider it if we're desperate and had significant leverage on him to just shut up and play.

Given where we seem to be as a team I'd recommend the below for playing time. Sit: Kyle, Leodis (he needs playing time, bu trest for his groin more IMO) One drive of 5+ plays: Watkins, Spiller, Mario, Chandler, Spikes, A. Williams First Quarter or until he leads a solid TD drive (whichever comes first): EJ 1st quarter: Other starters 1st half: starting o-line All game: Carpenter, Jordan Gay

At the :02 second mark, EJ is looking at Fred, who is looking back. There is a clear throwing lane and no LB/DB within 10 yards.

There are too many variables to predict a career. I've never heard anyone do that from those types of stats. I would, however, be willing to bet the 2014 season results won't correspond to those stats, i.e. neither Rogers nor Hogan will contribute more than Woods this year. (That's what I meant.)

Nothing personal. I just had reached the same conclusion before, that EJ was a slow starter, and also that he did better under pressure, even though I hadn't looked at any stats. Today I looked, and saw some evidence to support my opinion in the stats. I also thought he got better as the year went on, but did not see that in the stats: - In September he completed 56.9% of his passes for a 6.59 yard/attempt average, with 5 TDs, 3 INTs - In December he completed 59.6% of his passes for a 6.60 yard/attempt average, with 3 TDs, 5 INTs

Thanks for posting. This is a great example of pre-draft measurables not telling the story!

I think EJ starts slow too. I was hoping the OP had analyzed his drives last year when I clicked. This page has his stat splits: http://espn.go.com/n...15803/ej-manuel It looks like he's done best in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The 4th quarter might not be a good comparison anyway because the other team is letting us have meaningless completions (say 3-5 yards when we're down by 14), or EJ is taking risks because we need to do that to get back in the game. He also seems to do best indoors, on turf, Behind by 1-8 Points, with 2 wide receivers in, and when blitzed. . . .

You're asking that as if that's what I said. I think a team should have a backup able to come in for 2-3 games and not preclude them from winning. The teams that end up with 10+ wins either had that, or didn't need it. I think that could well cost us a game or two this year.

I'm an optimist, but still think 9-7 is the top end of my estimate. I agree we have a lot of talent assembled, and I'm very excited to see what they can do. But, we have a lot of reasons to temper our expectations: Young QB, still learning, improving No quality QB depth An unproven Offensive coordinator A new Defensive coordinator A suspect ST coordinator I would be shocked if we won more than 9 or less than 6 this year, unless we suffer significant injuries early in the season

Awesome as always. Thanks!

I'm hopeful Goodwin isn't as fragile as most Bills fans fear. In college, he started all four years at Texas and only missed 2 games. I know the NFL is different than college, but I don't think he's a particularly fragile player where we need to worry about any contact. Also, I've seen him be an eager aggressive blocker and heard him say he enjoys that part of the game in an interview. Corroborating, there's this in his NLF.com draft profile: I suspect in preseason they're just being protective of him; he's not on the bubble at all, and has nothing to prove. For anything related to his "wheels" it's best to rest him and make sure he's 100%. i hope he plays the full time EJ is in PS game 3 for the final tune up for the season.