Matt in KC

The whole D-line seems to be doing pretty well so far. But, given Denney's performance on Sunday, Chris seems like an odd choice of a player to single out for praise. If Crowell didn't make the interception, it looks like it was going straight to Denney (further downfield than the LB?!). That would have made Sunday hands-down the best day statisically he'd ever have (3 sacks, FF, INT!). All this said, the scheme seems to be working. Without Kelsay pushing on so many downs, Denney may not have been so strong on his plays....

I often see threads combined on TSW. Can they be split? I'd be interested in reading more about Parrish, but this has digressed into Mularkey Malarkey.

Yes, it was a penalty. Reed blocked the defender a half second before RP caught the ball. Watching the replay made me excited about the play design. Each offensive player on that side of the field seemed to know exactly where each defender would be, and were running a good angle to throw a solid block. If the timing was a bit better, it looked like this play would consistently result in a huge gain. The key is that Roscoe needs to turn it upfield before someone comes accross from the other side of the field to grab him.

Okay, I'll "pile on" for my next sentence, then play nice.... I'm sure McGee's average is much worse last year if you remove the top 25% of his longest returns. I thought it was great when we had Fletcher in the wedge on returns. That stopped the beginning of last year, when he and Spikes got hurt, if I remember right. Jason Peters replaced him in this role, I think. Now that they gave Peters his big contract, I'm not so sure they want him out there any more, at very least not until we add some depth. I am curious is we've found another wide-body to anchor the wedge. As others pointed out today, our new LBs (Ellison, Digiorno) are not as big.

And if we do better than last year, what does that say about our coaching and draft grade?

I remember an extensive TC write-up from someone here, Rockpile, I think. Also, I think someone linked photos that showed them practicing for awhile after everyone else left a week or two later. And, as someone else pinted out, Evans sung Troy's praise for the extra help in a couple interviews, saying all the right things himself .

I was at the game. I was watching Posey and don't think he was in for any plays on defense. He was in on a handful of kickoffs that I noticed. I did see him standing all alone on the sidlines at the start of the game, however. And, when the player was hurt on the kickoff early on (opening kickoff?) he was one of the only players who went on the field to talk to him (looking for a friend?). On the other side of the ball, I was impressed with Winfield and Pat Wiliams, who were in for every defensive play (Pat minus one series in the 3rd quarter). When I watched Posey in preseason, he looked just okay with the DC 2nd-string team.

I saw those too. Right before the first one I saw Jason Peters roughing up a Pat at the end of a play, so I rewound the TiVo. What I saw was Peters circle late to the left, just in time to see Harrison throwing a big punch the side of McGahee's helmet. I was proud to see him dive over there and shove Harrison into the ground right at/after the whistle, sticking up for his running back.

7-9 +/- 2 games Preseason has me excited we could be on the plus side of my margin of error, but I still want to see how well we can get settled in our new defense and bounce back from losses before feeling confident predicting better than 7-9.

I would have agreed with you a year ago, but last season Shelton was not very good. I don't know, maybe he just didn't look good because of our O-line. It seemed that he ran into our linemen and got in WM's way more often than opening holes for him. This was one of my biggest pet peeves last year and I still think we're better off in general having another TE / WR on the field instead of Shelton if that's how he plays this year. With regards to not having a backup FB on the roster, that is why Neufeld made the team at TE. I don't think think he's anywhere near starting material at either position, but he's not a disaster either. I guess I'm okay with him making the team (over Cieslak) since it opens up another roster spot, but I think we're in trouble if he's on the field for more than a play or two in a game.

Wow. I am stunned that Baker and Leonard were released but Wire was retained. Stunned. And Gates released? Wiliams retained. Wow....

The Official Cuts Here are the cuts, just posted by the Bills: Rashad Baker Eric Bassey Joe Burns Brad Cieslak Liam Ezekiel Lionel Gates Justin Geisinger Jon Goldsberry Jason Hall Wendell Hunter Fred Jackson Jason Jefferson Greg Jerman Eric King Jim Leonhard Ryan Neill Joe Odom Alan Ricard Lauvale Sape Jonathan Smith Jason Thomas George Wilson

Wow, but they still count against our cap?

I'm sure they are, but what is the fine if we were, say an hour late? $100,000?

So does anyone know the penalty for not getting the cuts in to the league on time?

I just want them to post the cuts before my baby wakes up! Last year I quick enough to post the cuts before anyone else here... We'll see if I get it again this year. Crap, what am I doing posting in a thread like this, I should be sitting there hitting F5 on BB.com so I can win the annual fastest-cut-poster title (again)...!

Could be cut, though I'd be shocked and pissed: Haagan Stamer Aiken Baker Most notable cuts I think are likely: Burns Neufeld Eric King Sape Odom Leonard Fast Freddie Wendell Hunter - back to PS for one more year Wilson / Davis (Wilson likely since PS-eligible, maybe Davis too) Cieslak? Could be kept, though I'll be pissed: Jerman Neufeld (esp if we keep 2 FBs) Shelton Goldsberry Pennington - I know we just drafted him, but he lookd horrible and may be our first draft-then-cut player in several years

I agree. Given his contrac status, why woun't we ask Nate to return punts? Maybe that would put a litle pressure on him to sign a contract!

My main criticism of your rosrter is exacly where you said you were unsure. Specifically, I think the FBs have looked pretty bad, and none of them deserve to make the team, though of course we need one. If neufeld makes the team, it has to be because he can also be the backp FB, which saves us a spot. you are cutting both Baker and Leonard. I think there is no chance Burns makes the team when they could have kept Baker instead.

Pyrite Gal, unfortunately, you maybe should update the name of this thread to "Pyrite Gal: insightful posts, or TBD menace?" Posting on that topic, I have to say I regularly enjoy your posts and agree with your points quite often (85%?). On the long ones there are usually 2-3 points I zoom in on, and let the rest go. Often I've read your opinon before and there are only very small shifts from the last time I read. Now on the topic you did post: I had the same thought about Gates not putting enough distance betwen himself and Thomas. After PS game 2 it was clear to me Gates was the forerunner for the backup RB job. I am curious how his choice to play hurt will affect his standing. He looked a bit worse than Thomas the last two games. Will the coaches see it as a positive that he "toughed it out?" Or, will they ignore that and see just that he was outperformed? Thomas has been the better reciever, and Gates has run a bit stronger and likely has a higher up-side. Neither has been great at blitz pick up in my opinion, with Gates maybe having the edge here. (I think Thomas recognizes the blitz faster, but Gates throws a stronger block and protects the QB better in the end.)

I think Parrish is elusive and smart, but is lacking the mass to break away from a head-on tackle. I really hope he works on his upper-body strength in the weight room. This being said, there was a play in the first quarter of the Caroline game that stood out to me. There was a penalty, so the play did't count, but it gave me hope for Parrish this year. For any of you that have this game recorded, check it out: (from NFL.com): 3-5-BUF24 (8:36) K.Holcomb pass left to R.Parrish to BUF 36 for 12 yards (K.Lucas). PENALTY on BUF-T.Reyes, Offensive Holding, 10 yards, enforced at BUF 24 - No Play Parrish catches the ball and is nearly immediately hit by two defenders. He keeps running hard and twisting and drags both of them a full five yards before he goes down. I was very impressed with him on this play, but didn't hear anyone mention it after the game.

Maybe we should schedule an e-exorcism where everyone can log in and post their pent-up negative energy into a single thread. Then the mods can ceremoniously delete the topic and release all of the negativity back to the cosmos. Alternatively, if anyone is capable... perhaps we could submit the final thread on a Patriots message board?

On paper I can convince myself we are as talented a team. Unfortunately, on the field they look a lot better to me. I don't think we'll get blown out, but I also think we have about a 15% chance of winning.

Red, white and blue glasses, huh? You sound like such a ...patriot(!). I think that starting against the Pats is much better than getting them mid-season. While I would loooove an upset, I really think it is a longshot. The Patriots have been playing very well in preseason and don't look like they will need a couple games to hit their stride.

Parrish is one of the WRs who distinctly brings "something else" to the game. More than speed, he brings elusiveness. If he gets a bit stronger, he's going to be a menace to the D. For now, he needs to get the ball in space (between players, not up between the planets) and he gets a handful of yards more than your average receiver by making the first player miss, or not hit him squarely. I think only four are "locks:" Evans Price Reed Parrish I personally think Aiken makes the team after a strong camp/PS. I thought goung into the year we'd drop him, but I've been very impressed. I have not been too impressed with Davis so far. More than helping him, I felt like his big gain last night negated Wilson's big reception last week. I am very intrigued to see what they do. I think Wilson will go to the PS because the roster spots are so tight. I could see them keeping 6, including Davis, then dropping one when Bowen returns to the active roster, assuming Wilson really made it to the PS.