SouthernMan

I wouldn't count out Stupar. He's shown potential throughout the preseason and in his limited playing time during the season. Might turn out to be a real diamond in the rough.

Seeing as how they're all positioned in number order, isn't it logical to assume that the morphed Jairus Byrd part is from a player wearing # 30? You can tell exactly where the "splice" is. Most of the player's right side (left, from the front view), including the "3", is leftover fromt he previous subject. The left side of the torso (our right) is all Jairus Byrd. My Dear Watson, logic says is could only be from a # 30 - the only number in the 30's before Byrd's own 31. Was 30 Xavier's number? Maybe FB who's since been cut? Hmmmm. The plot thickens. Shirley, somebody must have a program or team picture from earlier in the season.

This has nothing to do with the NFL Sunday Ticket. That package covers only Sunday afternoon games - nothing else.

Does anyone else besides me cringe when the national game broadcasters refer to the Ralph Wilson Stadium Wall of Fame as the "ring of honor" ? It happens frequently - at least twice yesterday. I wish Tasker would have chimed in, subtly corrected the play-by-play guy, by replying with a reference to the "Wall of Fame". Sorry, but the Ring of Honor is for guys named Staubach and Too Tall.

For all the over-analysis and the Lynch apologists and excuse makers, you summed it up perfectly. Lynch's stop-and-start style of running may be suited to college ball's inferior all around speed and strength, where he can use his power, but I don't see him as much more than a short-yardage goal line specialist in the quicker, stronger NFL. If the league were to give out awards for East-West running, he'll be a top candidate. Us old-timers remember that mid-80's Bill's running back, Ronnie Harmon, had a similar propensity. His eventual departure made way for Thurman Thomas as the feature back. For those making the "if he had a better line" excuse, then why does Freddie have little trouble gaining yards? If we had a great line, we wouldn't need a 1st round, overpaid RB, who has a knack for finding himself on the wrong side of the law. If he's truly worth anything, then we should be able to get a decent draft pick for him. But I doubt he's fetch much more than a 3rd rounder.

Agreed. At 17-14, I had little confidence. But at 24-14, they had the momentum, and looked like they wanted to seal the deal. They were playing aggressively rather than passively. I think that's a direct reflection of sideline atmosphere created by Perry Fewell. A stark contrast to Jauron's sideline presence.

For What It's Worth department....... Fitzpatrick has started, what, something like four games for the Bills? ..... .....and in the entire 50 year history of the Buffalo Bills, he now owns the team record for longest pass from scrimmage (98 yards, last week) and the longest run by a quarterback (31 yds, this week).

Exactly. I was in south Florida from Wed-Saturday, and temps were in the low 50's in the morning. The Cuban blood of my Florida relatives was freezing, and they were bundled up in hooded sweatshirts, jackets, etc., while I'm out there in my tee shirt. I'd love to have a log of each Bills game in December and November over the past 10 years, detailing temps and weather conditions. I recall an awful lot of games in which the national network announcing team is amazed by the "balmy" temps. It's as if they're perpetually surprised when it's not 15 degrees and blizzard conditions. Maybe it isn't all that unusual to have games played in 45+ degree temps in those final two months of the season. I was at a Dolphins/Bills game in December (at the Ralph). Rob Johnson was the starter, so maybe it was 2001. My recollection is that it was in the 60s, sunny, and I actually got a tan from sitting there. How many snow-covered fields have we seen at the Ralph in recent years. Personally, I can't remember too many, and I watch all of the games. Denver seems to have their share. Didn't New England have a snow covered field in October? The reputation for the amount snow in Buffalo during football season is exaggerated. I think Buffalo typically gets it's greatest and most severe snow after December. That's not to say there haven't been some good snows in December, but I'd guess that most late season Bills games are reasonably clear. Now, if you want to talk about lake effect winds, that's a whole 'nother topic.

Since we're playing the "if" game, just think "if" Mckelvin hadn't made that bonehead play in the opener against new England. Assuming the Bills held on to beat Patriots (and most of think that's fairly realistic), they'd be one game out of first with a head-to-head at home against the division leading Patriots. In effect, we're one incredibly stupid play away from being a victory out of first place. Two stupid plays (Roscoe/Cleveland) from being tied for first with the tiebreaker advantage. Amazing, considering that we could practically field another entire team with our IR list. There is hope. Maybe not for this year, but there is a strong core of players for the future. Kinda of like the 1987 Bills, who became the foundation of the superbowl teams.

CAN WE PLEASE STOP WITH THE "JIM KELLY, THURMAN THOMAS, STEVE TASKER, ETC.... AS A BILLS COACH! THIS AIN'T POP WARNER. NFL COACHES WORK A RIDICULOUS NUMBER OF HOURS AND BARELY HAVE ANY LEISURE OR FAMILY TIME. O.k. Sorry about the caps, but this same stupid topic comes up about every 3 weeks. Jesus key-rist. Stop already. It takes a very particular personality to want to commit to the rigors of NFL coaching. The level of dedication and potential for disappointment has to be incredible. Kelly and co. are not going to give up their "retirement" playboy lifestyles to get into coaching in their mid-40's. If they really wanted to be coaches, they would have gone into it immediately following their playing careers, as did Van Pelt, Reich, Metzelaars, etc. They wouldn't just do it on a lark 'cause their golf game went south. Kelly, Thomas, Tasker, have all responded numerous times to the coaching question by saying in effect, "it's not for them". They have all settled into homes in the WNY area, and none have indicated they'd embrace the vagabond lifestyle common to NFL coaches. The numbers of NFL coaches who stay in one place for more than a couple of years are few. SO PLEASE - STOP WITH THE "LET'S GET KELLY ON THE SIDELINES" NONSENSE. YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE SAYING, "LET'S GET KELLY TO BE PRESIDENT". I'd be more supportive of that idea..

Let's put all the rhetoric aside. Lynch has no quick change of gears, no field vision, and no cut-back ability! He's a one-dimensional back who can run through a couple of tacklers only after he's gained a head of steam. That's it. His patented "stop-for-1.5-seconds-with-his-legs-2-feet-apart", then attempt to juke the oncoming assault, ain't working. I could make a whole highlight reel of him getting tackled at or behind the computer-generated blue line of scrimmage. He gets an occasional breakout to bring his overall yards per rush average to 3.1. Not exactly probowl numbers. You can blame the rest of the offense, but why then does his backup have nearly a 1 yard greater yard per carry average? The real measure of his worth would be in trade value. I'd like to see the Bills explore that avenue next spring. Do you honestly think anyone would give up even a late 1st rounder for him? I can't see it.

Sure, pro bowl selection is a great measure of players ability. C'mon he wasn't even a first selection. Didn't he go in as like the 3rd alternate or something? A lot of players end up in the probowl by default, after a few injuries, voluntary self-removal, or other circumstances which eliminate others from the contest. Claiming Lynch to be one of the best backs, attributed to his probowl tag, is like calling Obama one of the greatest presidents ever after getting the Pulitzer Peace prize. Most awards are a joke. Pop band Jethro Tull, well known for their acoustic guitar and flute style recordings, once got a Grammy award for best "heavy metal" album. A distinction that even Tull front man Ian Anderson thought was ridiculous. So don't place too much import on any figure because of some bogus award. Marshawn should change his last name from Lynch to Inch. That's about all he gains on most runs. The guy is a clown. Inchy the Clown (honk-honk). Think of the intensity and seriousness seen in the faces of past superbowl winners like Emmitt Smith or Walter Payton, then compare it to the cartoonish Marshawn Inch. Does he even look like someone who could be on a superbowl winning team? The problem with trying to trade Lynch, Roscoe, or any of the others whose names have surfaced for possible trade, is that other teams have the film on these guys. Do you think any team would be willing to give up anything higher than a 3rd rounder for Lynch? Doubtful. BTW - how's ol' mama doing, Inchy? She still have a house in Buffalo. Better call a realtor soon.

Players who've been there before have a tendency to continue being picked. Ruben Brown went for years to Hawaii as the incumbent, even when there were better performing guards. Byrd won't make it for the same reason. There are other safties who'll get there on reputation alone. Besides that, he's only noteable for having been in the right place at the right time....so far. Time will tell if it's just luck or not. I'd be surprised if he kept up this pace of interceptions. Watch, a couple of weeks from now, when he hasn't intercepted another pass, everyone will be asking, "what ever happend to Byrd?". On the other hand, he might be the ball hawk he's been reputed to be, and get probowl recognition on INT numbers. Henry Jones had a great sophomore season for interceptions (8), and made the probowl based on those numbers. Byrd still has a ways to go before being considered as a well-rounded probowl caliber safety. But since INTs are one of the few metrics on that side of the ball, you never know. He could get the nod. Realistically, Moorman is the most likely probowl player on the Bills squad.

Did anyone yet mention the striking resemblence between Jake Delhomme and Rian Lindell? I'm sure there's a lot of things we can still cover besides "who's your favorite all-time Bill?". If I have to see that one again, I'm gonna hurl.

Thanks. I agree. By all accounts, Jauron is a decent guy. No reason for this.

"It's a stupid adage" not so famous quote from both Steve Young and Joe Montana, circa 1991. Also, see Kemp/Lamonica, Brees/Rivers, Collins/Van Pelt....well, you get the idea.

It was pretty much the same thing they did with Ted Washington. Like Williams, Washington really liked being in Buffalo. They didn't have to offer him the moon to stay. He just wanted fair compensation. They wouldn't pay fair market value. Washington was getting long in the tooth, but still had a few good seasons left. The Bills won't pay a proven force like Williams or Washington, yet they'll squander millions on damaged goods like McGahee, has-been QBs like Bledsoe, project QBs like Losman, reaches like McCargo and Parrish, and an endless string of 1st round DBs, (who usually jump ship just about the time they're seasoned and playing like pro-bowlers). The lack of common sense at One Bills Drive is second only to that of that at Two Bills Drive. The only time the Bills have had a decent defense in recent memory is when they were able to stop the run or could pressure the QB. These were teams with Adams, Washington, and/or Williams. For some reason, in recent years, the Bills have put a premium on DBs and largely ignored the middle of the front line. As if any old wide body could fit the bill. Hell, I don't care how good your DBs are - if the QB has all day to scan the field, he's gonna find an open receiver eventually. Conversely, if the QB if heavily pressured all day as a result of an ever collapsing pocket, he's more likely to fumble, lose yards, throw INTS, etc. A dominant pass rush can make average DBs look like all stars. So why not put emphasis on the D-line? It helps the pass tremendously, but more importantly, keeps the opponents run game in check and makes the linebackers instantly better - something that's been sorely lacking since the days of the aforementioned DTs.

You know what's really amazing? The fact that the four Bills draftees taken after the NFLs #11 overall pick, Maybin, will probably contribute more this year, and possibly into the future, for the Bills. The four are: Wood, Levitre, Byrd, and Nelson. Imagine what a steller draft this would have been if we'd used that # 11 (the Bills first pick) on a higher-probabilty impact player, instead of what's looking more and more to be the next Eric Flowers. I think Nic Harris may even have a better chance at being a fixture on the defense. Yeah, I know, Maybin is still a rookie (yada-yada-yada), but why on earth did the Bills expend such a high pick on a "project" player, when they could have maybe found someone who could have been more of an immediate contributor.

Which brings me to ask, what if our next head coach, identity unknown to us now, turns out to be a 3-4 guy? How does that effect the choice? I gotta think that we need LBs, especially if we go 3-4. Convert Maybin to an outside LB and draft the next best DE or OLB.

The blonde? Striking resemblence to this guy. Compare the two photos. Long lost siblings? http://images.uulyrics.com/cover/g/george-...rge-michael.jpg BTW, that Texas quarterback doesn't have a body that could ever hold up to NFL punishment. I don't care how much of a gym rat he might be, he's got a puny, spindly girly man frame. Look at those delicate bird legs i(seen n the photo you provided). Think Rob Johnson. Worked like hell to bulk up, but adding muscle only goes so far when you have frame more like Tempest Bledsoe than Drew Bledsoe. McCoy has bust written all over him. Take that to the bank.

You're kidding, right? Did you watch the game on Sunday? Half of his passes were at shoe-top level, thrown from some Bernie Kosar looking sidearm motion. He may have an average arm, but I don't think "cannon" is the first word that comes to mind whn describing his passes.

Laugh out loud - really. Good one!

Agree. He seems out of position a lot and not a great force in run support - yet. But I'll give him the benefit of a doubt, since he missed a good part of OTAs and is still a raw rookie. Hell, he catches the ball better the Owens - gotta give him props for that alone!

Way to misconstrue my sentiments! I guess you missed this part: "Certainly, I have nothing but respect for the participants in the actual Special Olympics. God bless 'em. They're making the most of their ability and giving 100% effort for nothing other than the love of competition." There was never a single comment aimed at "actual" special olympians or mentally challenged individuals. Sorry if the archaic and outdated word "retard" offends anyone. And my hat's off to you for your work with the participants. I'm guessing it's more rewarding than burdensome. Thank God for people like you. I guess my point is that if the Bills are giving their all, well, that's all you can expect. But, I have little tolerence for lack of focus and just plain stupidity displayed in recent weeks by the Bills and the staff, that may have cost them a couple of wins.

The Bills/Retard comparison is an obvious metaphor, and yes it's harsh, but that's the way I write and think. So sue me an call the PC police. Certainly, I have nothing but respect for the participants in the actual Special Olympics. God bless 'em. They're making the most of their ability and giving 100% effort for nothing other than the love of competition. You wanna talk about the origins of the Special Olympics? There's a topic for ya! It was started largely by funding from those wonderful Kennedys, who needed emotional reconcilation, and freeing themselves from guilt after having their daughter/sibling, Rosemary, given a full frontal lobotamy. They said she was "retarded" and was an inspiration for their involvement in the special olympics. Total Bullsht. She was a reasonably normal kid, but not quite up to Kennedy standards in the intellectual/academia department. In Buffalo, she'd have been in the National Honor Society. Being a little slow, and a bit wild (as the hormones heated up), old Joe thought, "we'll just get her a lobotomy - that'll keep her from touching herself in front of the Roosevelts". Well, poor Rosemary came out of the surgury looking like Nicholson's McMurphy, in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. There must've been a collective Kennedy "oops" when they saw her condition. It was a good way to justify putting her away in a special needs facility, never againt to embarrass those dashing Kennedys with such bright futures awaiting them. The Special Olympics was a wonderful cause, even if part of the incentive was to relieve their guilty consciences from permanently destroying their family member's brain - making her "retarded".