Matt in KC

Initial tweets = likely not serious.

Did anyone else feel like the camera work was way off? (And I don't just mean the in-game interviews that drive me nuts.) I kept wanting them to zoom out so I could see more of the field and players. Ron Brooks - He strikes me as a high risk/high reward player that will make a big play or two a game, but also get burned periodically. BUT, he is essentially a rookie, and I expect him to keep getting better and better for awhile, which is exciting. The game was closer than the score - Both teams were missing starters, and they played each other pretty evenly. Second half scores in PS have little bearing on the likely success of the team. (That said, they still looked well-coached.) The game was more lopsided than the score - WTF was up with the officiating? * Fred Jackson had Sheppard all over him during the incompletion that would have been a TD (or a 1st). How was that not PI or defensive holding? * The Tuel "fumble"/TD was a joke. You could see him arm moving forward and the defender actually hit the front of his arm. *The Colts first down at the 50 wasn't even close and defintely would have been overturned by a real review during the season (though I think they decided not to overturn anything in preseason). This lead to a Colt FG 5 plays later. These 3 plays made a 14 point difference for the Colts Counter-balance: The Rolle INT/TD was a similar odd call the other direction. He looked to be clearly down by contact. But, after more thought... The refs have been really watching the receivers fall and maintain control through the whole catch. If he dropped the ball after sliding on the ground they would have called it incomplete instead of an INT, so I guess it's fair that he can't be touched until then if he doesn't officially have possession yet. EJ Manuel - I'm thrilled with the results, obviously. Most of my criticisms were of things that I expect will come together as he gets comfortable and settles in. Running Backs CJ - Looks ready to go! Fred Jackson - looked sluggish to me. I hope he "wakes up" as we hit the season. I like his versatility and leadership, but his play didn't have any spark. Tashard Choice - meh... Gaskins - I know he had a great scrimmage, but he did not impress me at all. That said, I like him as much as Choice, and would rather keep him. I have rookie fever. I'd be okay with trading Kolb for draft pick, even a low one. That said, I do think it's crazy going into the season without a veteran on call. This is kind of like burning the lifeboats to tell the crew you're confident you can plug the leaks. That said, if Tuel ever starts, I will slam the front office if there is no one else behind him. The FO is supposed to have gotten their rookie fever shots before the season!

It's worth ignoring a winning challenge in preseason to find out who the whiners on the team are. I'm sure Morrone just wanted to see who'd get distracted by it. Or the new coaching staff is still working out the kinks too.... I would like them to challenge aggressively and get game-ready just like the players. Was there no post-game Q&A on this? (I didn't watch/listen.)

Thanks so much. I can't wait to watch this D! And the offense actually having time to spare is a nice change. I hope to see the Pats D panting and doubling over in the second half of the opener. I live in KC now, so today's game will be my first peek this year.

Fantastic. Thanks so much for posting. I needed my fix. Any D-line obserations? Are they stunting and creating chaos as much as the (real or imagined) blitzers? I've heard little about Branch for instance, but am excited to see him play. Do we look vulnerable to runs up the middle?

I'd still take him as our #3 RB...

Seconded.

I'm eying Spiller too. I pick 4th in a .5 PPR league. . . . Why is your draft so far ahead of the start of the season?

I thought the new format was much easier to read. You don't need to keep writing "and then on the next play..." etc. Thanks!

I think all the long-ball completions are starting to get the coaching staff nervous...

I remember this, but only in broad strokes. It semed like 6 months later our choices were regrettable for 4-5 players in a row. We had Bledsoe, JP Losman,Travis Henry.... Who else?

Is it true that if he signs by the first game then his full year salary is guaranteed, but if it's after the first game he only gets paid for the games he's on the team? Or did that change with the latest CBA? Note: I don't think we'll cut Byrd, even if he signs after the first game, I'm just curious about this aspect of salary management.

Please, please, please someone start a new thread if there's actually anything new at all regarding Byrd. I hate jumping to the last page of this monster, but feel compelled to do it every few days!

I'll ignore it as long as I can, before breaking down and watching it on a quiet night when I'm hungry for some new Bills content....

But you can try. It comes out as " a r t Foot l "

Fun! I'll take a shot. Do you even know how Hackett is going to utilize Spiller? No, but I suspet he'll be the primary RB. Who is going to be the starting QB? Kolb until 3-6 games into the season, then Manuel. How many WR's are the Bills going to keep? 6 What's the Bills win/loss record going to be each year for the next 5 years? 6-10, 9-7, 11-5, 10-6, 9-7 Who will win Superbowl 50? The Saints When will the earth come to an end? 3429 (from an asteroid) - I assume you mean when will humans be wiped from the Earth. There will still be giant mass circling the sun after the asteroid collision. So if the discussion is pointless to you, why not just skip the thread? If the Bills defense does exceptionally well, and Pettine gets a lot of credit, I think he stays 2-3 years. If the Bills continue on their familiar trajectory, I think he stays 3-4 years and leaves with the next HC change. My confidence in these predictions is ~40%, except the end of Earth prediction is 95%+. I have a feeling about that one.....

Every year I think "What a crock! How can they tell the story of the season just pretneding the departing players weren't even on the team?" I'd love to have a real NFL Films collection of each of the Bills game from each year, not just a promotional piece heading into the next year.

I agree, though I think you mean until someone invents the crystal ball that is 100% foolproof in determining anyone's guilt or innocence, we need organizations like this.

Latest from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/04/justice/massachusetts-hernandez-search/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Local report with video and better info at this link. Still odd, and I personally don't believe in a random malfunctionexplaining it. The car travelled 100 feet in the air and struck the building 5 feet off the ground?!

Welcome to the board, Bob! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I remember my dad watching the Bills from my early childhood. I started watching with him in the mid 70's, though it took a few years for it to really feel like the Bills were my team instead of just the team my dad always watched.

We play Green Bay? When? The first time it came up the interviewer was feeding it to him.

But I think the 30% who thought it was derogatory explains why the 30 page thread. I was one of them, and I care, and have posted a few times... which I think is what you were questioning.

Actually ~30% said "Yes. It's a derogatory word and the NFL should set a good example." and another 12% "Maybe. I don't have a strong opinion but I wouldn't be fazed by a name change" It's all right up at the top for anyone to look at.... I don't think "only 4% of the people on this site seem to care about this" is at all accurate.

He's the second guy I've heard discribe the Bills offense as simple (after EJ who then kind of retracted his remarks). And "We're trying to be a fast fast-paced offense." That sounds great to me. if we have good talent and coaching, it doesn't matter if the sceme is simple. You can't teach speed. And the lesser known corollary: Watching tape won't allow you to defend against speed (or talent, or conditioning). He said his biggest transition is going to be playing in the weather, the snow. I'm not sure he really knows who is in the division yet, saying we play some great teams like Green Bay, New England.... I think he thinks AFC East = Cold Division. It sounds like he wants a fast car that is completely impractical on snow. He seems like a great kid and I'm thrilled to have him on the team.