Matt in KC

Actually, if you read the responses more people were okay (or neutral) with the broadcast than disliked it. So you think Steve Tasker is a jerk, a moron, old and washed up, huh? I don't think you'll find anyone here to support you on at least the first couple claims. And your complaint is that he's too anti-Bills.... Do you realise your own hypocricy?

Youboty's stat line plays from nfl.com: 9-R.Lindell kicks 71 yards from BUF 30 to PIT -1. 15-W.Reid to PIT 25 for 26 yards (26-A.Youboty). 1-10-PIT 44 (4:12) B.Leftwich in at QB. 4-B.Leftwich pass deep middle to 85-N.Washington to BUF 32 for 24 yards (26-A.Youboty). Caught on run at BUF 36. 2-3-PIT 48 (10:38) 2-D.Dixon pass short middle to 15-W.Reid to BUF 46 for 6 yards (26-A.Youboty; 27-R.Corner). Caught at BUF 48, crossing from left side. 3-8-PIT 46 (5:33) (Shotgun) 2-D.Dixon scrambles left tackle to BUF 47 for 7 yards (26-A.Youboty). 1-10-PIT 20 (1:37) (Shotgun) 2-D.Dixon sacked at PIT 7 for -13 yards (26-A.Youboty). We blitzed on 1-10 in preseason? The Steelers and I were suprised! And don't forget: 1-10-BUF 40 (6:34) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 10-S.Holmes for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 7 yds. into end zone. 3-Je.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-M.Berger. Corner: 3-13-PIT 46 (7:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 21-M.Moore to BUF 40 for 14 yards (52-J.DiGiorgio, 27-R.Corner). Caught at BUF 47. (Ouch!) 2-3-PIT 48 (10:38) 2-D.Dixon pass short middle to 15-W.Reid to BUF 46 for 6 yards (26-A.Youboty; 27-R.Corner). Caught at BUF 48, crossing from left side. 3-13-PIT 46 (7:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 21-M.Moore to BUF 40 for 14 yards (52-J.DiGiorgio, 27-R.Corner). Caught at BUF 47. (Ouch!) Yikes! Those are bad outcomes. I do think he was throwing his body around, but those are not good results. Scott: 9-R.Lindell kicks 64 yards from BUF 30 to PIT 6. 21-M.Moore to PIT 23 for 17 yards (43-B.Scott). 4-10-BUF 45 (1:35) 5-P.Ernster punts 45 yards to end zone, Center-60-G.Warren, Touchback. N.Washington attempted to keep ball in field, but was in end zone. Penalty incurred during kick. PENALTY on BUF-43-B.Scott, Defensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 20. I don't think the broadcast mentioned this was Scott. 1-10-BUF 32 (3:40) 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle to BUF 30 for 2 yards (43-B.Scott). 3-12-PIT 36 (4:41) (Shotgun) 4-B.Leftwich pass incomplete deep left to 87-M.Rucker (43-B.Scott). Receiver and breakup in flat at BUF 44. 2-1-BUF 9 (3:48) 34-R.Mendenhall up the middle to BUF 9 for no gain (43-B.Scott, 57-D.Spragan). 3-1-BUF 9 (3:09) 34-R.Mendenhall left guard to BUF 7 for 2 yards (43-B.Scott). (next play after the above)1-10-PIT 22 (1:34) 4-B.Leftwich pass short right to 42-B.Latsko to PIT 25 for 3 yards (43-B.Scott). Caught along sideline at PIT 25.

I look forward to educating you as to which specific plays I reacted to. I saved the game on the DVR, so I'll look for examples, but it'll will be awhile since I'm busy at work. I watched late last night, somaybe I wasn't seeing straight, but don't think so. I like throwing my observations out there not because I fancy myself some type of expert or authority (I'm not nearly, just a 30 year casual fan), but more to compare notes and see if anyone else saw it the same way. When Youboty had the INT last week (which looked great) and the sack this game I thought to myself "someone's going to see that and think he had a good game." For the sack he came through relatively unblocked. Sure he may have disguised what he was doing, but the sack was more a factor of the defensive play call and (lack of) O blocking. I'd expect any of the defenders to be able to sack a QB if they were unblocked. Youboty's second best tackle stats: three solo, one assist aren't that impressive. He played (nearly?) the whole game, and tackles are not that good a stat for a CB anyway (why do they keep throwing to his receiver?). The stats for Bryon Scott are basically identical (4 solo) but he looked to be contributing much more to me. And I don't think he was on the field for half as long. For Corner, I mostly noticed that he was throwing his body around like a safety. Also, I noticed him closing quickly and hitting, something that struck me as not being like a rookie where the game is moving too fast for him.

Youboty continued to look very tentative, shying away from being physical and joining in tackles. For a second game in a row I was impressed with Corner's play, for a rookie 4th round pick. He looks like he's going to be an active physical corner. It'll be fun to watch him develop. It's great to see Royal back. Anyone who think he won't make the team for any reasnother than injury is crazy. Of course this is clearer to many poeple after the game than it was a week ago. Expanding to more than just CB / TE: Props to Ellis. He seems to be "arriving" and I expect him to get reps during the regular season. So long as he stops fumbling, I think Wright's performance the last two game really shows improvement from last year. So long as he stops fumbling... I'm also really impressed with Omon for a rookie 6th rounder from a small program. He really showed good punch at the line, and good balance/tenacity. It does seem like he's struggling to see the field a bit (as is to be expected). I'm excited to see him next year after the game slows down and he works out for a year in an NFL program. Since I'm talking about RBs... Jackson continues to impress. I feel much better knowing he can come in if anything happens... [sentence un-thought]. Doesn't look like a rookie to me McKelvin Hardy Corner Still looks like a rookie (but shouldn't) Youboty Preston JP (we all know he's hot and cold, inconsistency I associate with being inexperienced.)

So the throws he didn't make weren't good enough for you? He will also need to throw screen passes in the regular season but there wasn't any indication at all yesterday that he's ready for it. Okay, I'm obviously picking on you. But if your strongest critcism is that Trent seemed to put too much effort into throwing that great pass to Evans, acknowledge that you are nit-picking and ignoring the positives. Did TE clench his jaw when he threw? What worried you? I thought it was a great pass. The story here isn't Trent's clench, it's that the O-line gave Trent enough time to throw, Evans got wide open, TE read the D well, and delivered a strike for a solid gain <<this is where the fans jump up and cheer>>.

I'm not sure, but I think I enjoy Tasker if the Bills are winning, and have a hard time listening if they're losing and he starts to get his monotonous critical (whining) observations going.....

Tasker has grated on me a few times in the past when he has over-compensated and been overly critical of the Bills in front of a national audience to seem unbiased . I didn't get any of that last night and thought the broadcast team was suprisingly decent. Sure they made some mistakes, but that's what I expect. They made fewer factual errors than a typical NFL broadcast, I thought. I usually catch 3-4 per game' Incorrect rule interpretations or missing pertinent info (the tip or the "pass interference" against the Redskins) are what drive me nuts. I don't expect any announcers always to catch the jersy number or pronounce the name right. That's part of why I bought a big TV w a DVR and bring a roster to every game.

Info at end of BB.com article: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=6383 So, broadcast... in HD? Bills Television Network... like they flash up at the end of the video clips at BB.com. Does that mean they're streaming the game on BB.com??

You know, they gave Roscoe #11 because every other number they tried wrapped around his body and was visible from the front....

Alright, here are my observations/reactions after looking through a few game threads. 1. Unlike most posters, I was not very impressed with Youboty's performance. He really looked hesitant on a number of plays to me, for instance pulling up and starting to walk as a teammate in front of him made the tackle. Get up there and make sure the play is finished off! It continues to look to me like he does not want to be physical. Yes, it was a nice INT. I for one liked the lateral. I think you protect the ball first, but after that, yes, lateral if you're confident it's going to work. 1b. So far Corner looks like a pleasant suprise for a rookie 4th round selection. It looks like he may well get significant playing time this year. 2. I agree with the comments that Hardy looked pretty lost. But, I'm excited to see him be physical. A couple times he pushed off, but the right amount, which typically takes rookies time to learn. Too much and you look like a (penalized) undisciplined rookie; too little and the defender dominates. I think when he gets comfortable w the calls/reads/playbook, relaxes, and gets into his flow, he's going to be good. 3. Ellis would have had the sack a quarter second after DiGeorgio got there. It was close enough I thought he might get a half sack as it happened. 4. Anyone see anything to explain Lindell's kick? Did he slip? I seem to remember him kind of kicking diagonally through the ball, leaning to his left. Sorry, it would be easy for me to check, but I um, erased the game. 5. I was suprised that it happened, but at the end of the game I was fed up with Jauron, and decided I'm ready for our coach to display some passion. Burning time outs because we're not ready in time is not acceptable. Hanging in the game so we have a chance to win with a last minute drive is not a winning long term coaching philosophy. It's time to start practicing full speed. I think our guys need to be in the habit of going all out, at NFL speed. Let Trent be heady. Fine. But our defense and O-line need to tap into more primal physical energy and go kick some asss. 5b. As I say, I was suprised it happened, but if we wimp our way through the first 2-3 games of the regular season, I may well be on the leading edge of calling for a new coach, though I usually am one of the last few to grab a pitchfork.

Barring unusual circumstance (i.e. injury or arrest) I would be completely shocked if Roscoe was cut. I also would be shocked if he wasn't signed by another team within two days.

Reed proven himself worthy of a (backup) WR role last year. I think he's a good choice for suprise cut, but not because of his talent, IMO. If he gets cut, it's because he couldn't really return after his back surgery. My other choices for suprise cut: D. Wright K. Chambers Darien Barnes (going instead w no FB) Youboty (unlike what I've read, I was still unimpressed w him last night) Will James Donnie Spragan

Just to stir things up with something i haven't seen mentioned here: I think Peters played better two years ago than last year when it looked like he got sloppy/lazy on a couple plays per game. I think he just made the pro bowl because the public recognition caught up to his talent. I think he's a great young talent, but not the top LT in the league. He needs to keep working on his run blocking. I'd like to see the passion that caused him to maul defenders his first couple years, admittedly with awkward WWF form.

Did Favre just score a 4th round draft pick for the Packers on his way out the door? The silver lining here is there's a 50%+ chance he'll never take the field as a Jet, IMO. I'd love to see him whip them into a frenzy and leave.... So, if the Vikings would give a first for Favre, should we get in the middle and offer the Jet's a second? I don't think the deal can involvee more than whether the Jets trade (directly) to the Vikings without being collusion.

Maybe there was lightning in the area. They don't need to practice their positions at 54,000 degrees. I do think they should practice catching and recovering fumbles in a heavy rain though.

Well, it's ridiculous!

Okay, a thread I don't feel bad hijacking or bumping (already at the top). What the heck is that in your avatar? A (Doctor Who) Cyberman playing a pink guitar blowing smoke out his shoulder?? (Question/criticism presented knowing I have one of the lamest avatars on all of The Stadium Wall...)

Hall of Fame is such an inappropriate name, since fame/popularity has little to do with whether you get in. Then again, Hall of Special sounds kinda gay...

So yeah, I think Ken Anderson is a good comparison to Bledsoe and is more likely to be enshrined (as a senior, if at all). I think PG has a point that strong competition in a year, especially at your position hurts your chances of getting selected, but I don't think the opposite is true. I think a few years with weak QB candidates makes neither Anderson nor Bledsoe more liely to get in.

Anderson had two seasons with over a 95 QB rating and 300+ yards rushing(!) seven years apart ('74, '81). He is a good comparison to Bledsoe, IMO. Both played just over 190 games over 14-16 seasons. Anderson's personal highs were higher, and his career stats stronger. Anderson was an instution in Cincinnatti. I've always thought if players are so strongly associated with a single team, especially over a long career, it helps their chances of getting into Canton. How could you talk about the history of various teams without mentioning say Steve Largent, Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, Anthony Muñoz, Favre, heck... Ray Guy. I know Bledsoe was in NE for a long time, but I just don't have the same strong association from him. BTW - saw this tidbit in Anderson's Wiki article:

Drew may be happy about Farve, but I don't think he'll ever get into the HOF. http://www.nfl.com/players/drewbledsoe/car...ts?id=BLE195074 Only 5 of his 14 years did he have a QB rating over 80 (top year = 87.7 in 1997), and three years were in the 60's. He was a pocket passer with a big arm, but without enough charisma, skill (stats) or innovation to be enshrined. I always thought he received more respect as a leader in the media than he deserved.

So, send you say $500 via PayPal and show up at Micky Rat's on Sept 6th and ask for ...John? I'm in!

Don't worry, if not having a solid LT kills Trent this year, we can always use our top draft pick to grab a sure-fire QB to start over with.

I'm picking 12th in my pay league too. I assume it's a "snake" draft where you get the 12th and 13th picks? If so, it may not be all bad. Mine is the initial year of being a keeper league playing 1 RB, 2WR, 1 RB/WR. I think I'm likely to end up with Marshawn Lynch, and Romo or Terrell Owens or Brees (whoever is left). This is a solid start to a team, but it sure is a looong time after that 13th pick until we pick again (36th pick). When I ran through a mock draft, it was close whether TJ Houshmandwhatever or Marquez Colston or David Gerrard were left. All are solid picks in my view. By the way, there's a TBD Fantasy Football forum: http://www.stadiumwall.com/index.php?showforum=6. It doesn't get nearly the traffic of the main board, but it's more appropriate to post this there.

Bill, you mention the Salary Cap as one of the causes of hold-outs, but don't specifically mention the constant increases to the salary cap. I think this is a big driver of the sense of inequity belief that big contracts are there to be had. Every year we hear about deals that are jaw-dropping and were unthinkable just a couple years earlier. If Peters doesn't change his stance in the next few weeks, I think his holdout is more than just softening the ground for a big contract next year. The only way this makes sense to me is if Peters really plans to sit the year out (which of course is the usual bluff of a hold out). He might think the Bills will release or trade him before next year and the contract he'll get will be bigger than the Bills would ever give him this year. Personally, I think this is probably true.