SouthernMan

My god, we've been through this, not that long ago. Marchibroda noticed during film review and while gathering team stats, that the Bills offense was remarkably productive in the 2-minute drills, which up until this time, were largely situational (end of half/game kind of things). I've always thought the pace of the no-huddle just happend to be the one that Kelly felt most comfortable with. It was the gear that he was mentally best suited for. The Cincy "sugar huddle" as it was known, was designed to cluster more than 11 offensive players on the field in a huddle, with the excess players running to the sideline at the last second, keeping defenses from making needed substitutions. Didn't matter if the huddle was 2 seconds or 2 hours, as long as they got into their stance and set quickly enough to not allow defensive subs. It was a sort of sneaky girly thing to doand in my estimation, just poor sportsmanship. The Bills, on the other hand, relied on Kelly's (and Reich's) game smarts and ability to call plays at the line of scrimmage. Again, it shouldn't be confused with a "hurry-up" offense, because there was no real rush to snap the ball, as long as the team was in their set. Today, the QBs have a little extra advantage since they can get plays radioed in from the sidelines. Still, the transmission is cutoff when they get to the line, and Edwards will still be relied upon to read defenses and get his team in a position to create mismatches if an audible is required. Just the fact that the Bills are considering this approach, assuming they actually utilize it, tells me they have a lot of faith in Edwards' intelligence and ability. Now all they have to do is keep him healthy.

Do you understand that "Prostrate" is not a noun? Unless you're Andy Sipowitz, probably not a good idea to use it to describe a body part.

As long as we're getting ahead of ourselves here, the need position will be outside linebacker. We need not one, but two studs to flank Poz, and put fear in the hearts of opposing QBs and runners trying to get outside. For some reason, a lot of you are enamored with Kawika Mitchell. Maybe the hair thing is making you confuse him with Stiller's SS, Polamalu, but Mitchell is fairly pedestrian. He's hot and cold. Makes some great plays, then looks like he's missed a few film sessions. There's a good reason the Giants and Chiefs let him get away. Ellison? I'm sure he's a swell guy, but he's more suited for backup or spot duty. He ain't the kind of OLB you expect to have on your starting unit for a championship team. Schoebel isn't getting any younger, and they may be thinking DE of the future. If Hardy or Johnson don't step up to become good #2's, a WR might be in order, depending on what happens with TO. He's only human, and not getting any younger either. A backup QB and future starter could be a consideration. The rest of the team is in pretty good shape with younger players who should still be getting better. The receiver and QB positions might be best filled through FA. The big need now and probably next year will be in the linebacker corp. If the defense falters this year, a lot of the blame might fall on the LBs. Assuming Maybin pans out to be force, just imagine this defense with a couple of big playmakers on the OLB position. I believe the unit would have the potential to be a top 5 defense.

Well, all participants have to sign releases, allowing their image on the show. I'm sure the server was made aware of the circumstance, and realized it was all in good fun. There was nothing malicious about T.O.s imitation of the waiter's presentation and vocal inflection. It could even have been taken as somewhat flattering. I believe TO has muscle, not excess mammary tissue. He's not exactly in the same category as Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, or Gregg Williams - the all-time NFL coaching man-boob triumvirate.

Interesting that this article came on the heels of our recent debate regarding the value and merits of Josh Reed. With his praise of Josh's contribution, I guess Bills' receivers coach Tyke Tolbert doesn't know what he's talking about either, huh? I don't mean this to be a personal attack on TBD posters Lv-Bills and Sharper802, but judging by your opinions on Josh Reed's value to the offense, you guys really don't understand the game of football. In your eyes, if the WR isn't of the speed & flash variety, he's expendable. What you're missing is that each player has specific roles and assignments within the scheme. Josh isn't expected to be a Terrell Owens type. During the heyday and popularity of run & shoot style offenses, it was in vogue to have several speedy receivers who could all be 1s & 2s. How many of those teams won the superbowl? Can you say "greatest letdown ever" Houston Oilers? There are outstanding downfield receivers who are worthless in run support, other than maybe being a sporadic decoy. If they can't get downfield fast and are forced into blocking duty for the ball carrier, about the best they can hope to do is get in the way a little but. That lack of contribution is like having a man in the penalty box; like being a man short. Here's the link from the recent article, which seem to support my view that Josh Reed is an important role player on the Bills. The thought of trading him for draft picks or backup help only shows the lack of understanding for how a team operates. http://www.democratandchronicle.com/articl...t-diminish-Reed By the way, the value attributed to this kind of versatility is exactly why Roscoe won't be on the roster when the real season starts.

How about play linebacker consistently without "whiffing" on ball carriers.

It's hardly surprising she's getting shot at - she's got them two bullseyes prominently displayed on her funbags. It's gotta be more temptation than the local thugs can resist. Glad you didn't have a zit on your forehead that day. Get well soon Cindy.

Buffalo was portrayed in a very positive light. I don't remember seeing the part where you get shot. Maybe you oughta think about moving to the burbs.

Thanks. Just saw it after the fact. Must've missed that one. Well anyway...he's still hurt. How's that?

It doubt it's as serious as that description suggests. "Indefinitely" almost sounds like IR! Messed up rib cartlige. Can't imagine that'll keep him out of any reg season games.

I think a lot of you are totally missing his importance, not only in the passing game, but in the run game. He takes those quick-footed DBs right out of the play, preventing them from being potential tackles, and making the possibility of long gains by the RB a reality. BTW - real cute photo in the Zubaz. Did you trade some Pokeman cards for those? You do know we're discussing Josh and not Andre Reed, right?

Well put. My hope is that they'll be able to utilize his receiving talent in situational duty (can you say, "red zone"?). I'd give him very limited responsibility instead of throwing the whole playbook at him. Give him his 4 or 5 plays to grab onto until he runs them like an old vet. Gradually integrate the other aspects of the TE game. I have visions of Evans, T.O., Stephens, and Nelson as potential nightmares for opposing D's if they were all running towards the endzone at the same time. Go ahead, put a linebacker on Lynch, Jackson, or Rhodes. Good luck with that.

Right - having an issue with alcohal is the same as training and promoting animals to viciously kill each other. How many readers of this forum do you think have ever driven after a few drinks? I'd bet the vast majority, at some time or another. If not them, somebody they're close with. That doesn't minimize the act, but it's hardly in the same category as Vick's offense, which to most civil Americans, is inexcuseable. Now answer this - how many of you have been involved in organized dogfighting? It's not excatly typical behavior, especially for a highly paid professional! RE: kelly & co: My quote....They don't have to be choirboys, but I don't expect them to casually kill unwitting animals for their own sick entertainment. Vick obviously didn't need the money, so his personal enjoyment of the slaughter must have been his primary motive. Many pro athletes are just big kids, and often engage in sophmoric activity, philandering, etc. There's a big difference between those having to "grow up" and others, like Vick, clandestinly engaging in illegal bloodsport against innocent victims. And beyond all the moral judgement about Vick, he just ain't that great! That's all we need at a time when the team is seemingly coming together very nicely, is another QB controversy or distraction.

Yeah, brilliant idea. Trade him for a draft pick. Let's keep thinking about next year. Hell, why don't we just skip all the discussion about the upcoming season and go right into draft mode. Geeesh. The Bills were 0-3 in the games he missed. His blocking is outstanding. You wouldn't know that, being a minimally aware viewer of the game, I'm sure you focus only on the area where the ball is. There's a lot going on beyond the 3 yards surrounding the ball carrier that plays a big part in the success of the play. Reed was the most sure-handed receiver on the team, and one of the tops in the league in catch percentage. He was dilligent about protecting the ball and didn't get a lot RAC, but he got in position and made first downs when they were needed. Why would the Bills, who have targeted their offense as the unit that needs the most improvement, ship off one of their most dependable offensive weapons? I swear, some of the people who post on this forum don't have a clue.

Word.

What I'm saying is that I have set moral standards and values that I try to live by. I expect the players that I cheer for to have similar values. They don't have to be choirboys, but I don't expect them to casually kill unwitting animals for their own sick entertainment. Vick obviously didn't need the money, so his personal enjoyment of the slaughter must have been his primary motive. Being disappointed with the end result of the Bills seasons doesn't mean I will accept winning at any cost. Character is an important part of being a professional athlete and role model to kids. I want a superbowl win for the Bills, but not at any cost. Not if it means having players of the Michael Vick variety. I guarantee no team with genuine playoff hopes for 2009 will sign him. He'd be huge distraction and would impede the progress of training camp.

It's football season for chrissakes! The pads are on. Quit whining. Try to enjoy each day and week leading up to the season opener. Think of it as foreplay for the 2009 season. This is like the joy and revelry that leads up to Christmas day. Cherish it. Hope springs eternal at this time of year. When the games start counting, it's amazing how fast the season flys by. Before you know it, we'll be in week 10, thinking, "gee, only six more games". At least it's not the grey skies of February, with another disappointing season painfully laid to rest. This is the time of year when expectations are their highest. Go Bills!

I love the humor and irony resulting from the fact that the poster requests "no dumbass comments", then proceeds to indulge in that very activity, first voicing support for Vick and expecting to share this thread with Ralph Wilson (duh), then voting with an "I" rather than an "aye". He should change his handle to Dumbass.

The reason most of us root for the Bills is because they represent our home town. I'd rather not have a superbowl win than have one with representation by unsavory characters. All the Bills are to the majority of Buffalo area fans is an extension of us. They're doing on the field what we obviously can't. It's a vicarious way of competing in football when our bodies are too old or untalented to risk life and limb. I don't know much about Michael Vick, though he seems like kind of a dumbass from anything I've seen. Even if he's not a halfwit, I've never seen any sign from interviews or news footage to suggest he has much between his ears. Regardless of any limited intelligence, as a grown man, he knows that dogfighting is both cruel and against the law, and ignored those factors completely in order to suit his own agenda. Do I think he's rehabilitated? No. He served the sentence and wuill probably never be involved again, but I doubt he's suddenly become the ASPCA poster boy. If he had any sense of compassion for animals, he never would have been involved in such a dispicable endeavor. He's a scumbag. For those of you who are easily able to dismiss this action, have you really sat back and considered how incredibly cruel dogfighting is? It is vicious and sickening. This is not some Hollywood movie - it's real life horrible pain being administered to another creature at the hands of an uncaring human. I have no sympathy for Michael Vick. It's not as if he was some poor ignorant rural farmhand who had to find a means of income after a couple years of drought and bad crops. This was a man exposed to a wealthy cosmopolitan existance. I make no excuses for his total disregard for another life. It would greatly reduce my joy, exhaltation, and multi-decade longing to see my team finally celebrating with the Lombardi trophy, only to see his face among the winner's throng. It would somehow permanently taint the long anticipated feeling of being champions.

Say hola to the gang at Don Shula's for me. My wife is heading to her Hialeah Thoroughbreds H.S. reunion in a couple of weeks. Oh yeah. House to myself. Party time for me!!! Got it all scheduled already. Day 1: Stop down at the park on Sat. 15th during soundcheck, get Paul to autograph my replica Hofner Beatle bass Give ex-Beatle unsolicited advise on how to effectively play Blackbird and pick up chicks. Stop at local pub for a cold beer. Call cops to recover signed Beatle bass stolen from parked car. Go home, have another beer. Rub one out. Invite some friends over. Order pizza & wings Drink more beer. Watch Bills/Bears preseason game in high def. Get rid of friends. Rub one out again. Go to bed. Day 2: .........etc Oh yeah. A real party animal am I.

I believe the Lake Erie water is actually fairly clean, isn't it? Back in the heyday of Bethlehem Steel, Republic Steel, Hooker Chemicals, General Mills, or whomever - crap was dumped in the great lakes in ungodly amounts, with profit, rather than pollution foremost on the minds of the offending companies. On the wave of the environmental movement of the late 60s and 70s, didn't a slew of new EPA regulation lead to drasictally cleaner great lakes? Anyone know? How clean are the lakes now? I know there's been some algae problems attributed to mussels, or something like that. When I recently flew above the Lake Erie shoreline, upon descent into Buffalo, I was awestruck by the magnitude and beauty of the lake as the sun reflected off of the water and power boats and sailboats floated below me. Funny how many facets of the area we take for granted growing up there, and never realized, until being transplanted elsewhere, how truly beautiful the landscape is in WNY. Speaking of lakes and fresh water.... My water bill last month was $118 (including sewer). In Buffalo, I believe you still only get a bill like every 3 months. Since the fee is so low, it wouldn't be unusual to pay around $50 for the quarter for water. We have lower taxes here, but when you start adding it all up, I'm not sure we're really any better off, particularly when you consider all the amenities (bike paths, numerous parks, Mighty Taco, etc) available to many WNYers.

And yet, the Bills and Sabres continue to sell out in the midst of the worst economy in recent memory! Area malls are full. Niagara Falls Boulevard and Transit Rd are both packed. Golf courses are fully booked during decent weather. I wonder if the survey limited the data to actual city limits. If so, not that surprising. Apart from municipal, utility companies, and a few others, most of the businesses that used to occupy Buffalo's highrise buildings are now situated in the office parks and light industrial buildings of Amherst, Orchard Park, and Hamburg - as are the residents. Most of the businesses around Williamsville are within 10 minutes of the airport. Can't beat that if you have a position that requires frequent travel. There's all kinds of activity and seemingly happy/content people throughout the area, unlike my adopted hometown,. Atlanta, where all these "successful" people appear miserable most of the time as they retreat to the safety of their homes for the weekend after spending too many hours in traffic, only coming out again at 6am Monday morning to "beat the rush". I just returned from the Buffalo area last week, and I noticed something that was a huge contrast to the suburban Atlanta area where I live - very few "for sale" signs on the front lawns of homes in the Amherst and Tonawandas, where I spent a good part of my time. I asked about this phenomenon and was told that homes don't stay on the market for long, assuming they're priced right. There's a greater balance ratio of seller to buyers, unlike my current area. In my subdivision alone, there are probably 20 homes for sale, and the competition and lack of buyers has driven prices into the ground. My house has probably dropped $40k in price since 2005. Swell...I was hoping to use my escalating equity and increasing principal to pay cash for a suburban Buffalo home in a few years. In this area (Atlanta 'burbs), everyone (including me) viewed their home as some sort of guaranteed return fund, expecting great annual appreciation, with the idea of maybe selling after a couple of years for huge profit. That actually worked well for those buying the late 90s and selling before the bubble burst around 2007. In contrast. the humble people of Buffalo have historically bought their homes to (imagine this) live in and raise a family, and eventually pay it off, and stay until they're no longer physically able. It's amazing to me how many neighbors and friends from 30+ years ago still live in the same house. Some still have their original rotory dial wallphones! Nobody around here would believe it. They look like something out of "Buffalo '66". I used to think of in Buffalo as corny or quaint, as compared to the fast-paced, "happening" world of Atlanta. I now long for that simplicity. I'll now take the weekly Buffalo area summer lawn fêtes over the 6 bedroom house in Atlanta. The suburban Buffalo area never experienced the boom that the southern cities enjoyed throughout the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. But they're also not being crushed by the drastic downturn in housing prices and high foreclosure rates. Buffalo home prices are actually rising! Buffalo is a conservative community of people who still retain their old world values and financial thriftiness. If not for the insane property and school taxes that keep small businesses from considering Buffalo as a good locale, it could be a very prosperous town, in my estimation. Overall, Buffalo and it's surrounding area, has a fairly healthy economy as compared to much of the nation. Bring in some jobs and I'm there. Meanwhile, Buffalo homes prices go up as my home value slips away. This plan to get back to WNY someday is working out just great. 23 year in Atlanta. God, I really hate this overpopulated, sickeningly polluted air, and unneighborly town. The city of Buffalo may have lost headcount, but I think the overall area is still chugging along as well as can be expected with the retraints of their taxation.

Flutie's drop-kick for score. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Jsz-fSNd4

Beebe, part B: turned fully upside down on a reception, with the crown of his helmet, him still in it, bouncing off the turf like a pogo stick (I believe in Cleveland). Amazingly and thankfully, he didn't suffer any lasting effects from the impact.

If the Bills offense can get prove themselves capable of actually scoring TDs when they get near the redzone, they could use the scheme early in games to take leads and play ball control thereafter, especially to eat up the clock when nearing the final gun. This team has got to start putting points on the board - and I mean the 6 point variety rather than the "almost got there" 3 pointers. I think with the additions of Owens, Nelson, Rhodes, and the (hopeful)emergence of youngsters like, Derek Fine and Steve Johnson (I'm not counting on Hardy for anything), we might now have the weapons to create redzone mismatches - the real catalyst of any sort of no-huddle attack. With a relatively young group, the fastbreak approach might work well, assuming they're conditioned properly and all are on the same page. They might be able to wear out the older vets with their youthful energy. Experience is the big question and how much that will hinder the approach is up in the air. For all I know, the no-huddle might be a reasonable way to mask inexperience on the line, at least on a temporary basis. Never played the position, so I don't know if it helps or hurts. The good news is that every one of the presumed starting 5 are highly intelligent and should be able to adjust well to quick line calls. The cons are that our defense would be on the field for more minutes. Don't have too much of a problem with that, as long as the offense is scoring. If the offense is just zipping down the field, or doing quick snaps, less time of possession, but without any points to show for it, the defense it gonna have some real problems. Wear the defense down, and suddenly we're going to see another rash of injuries on their side of the ball. It only gets worse from there. As exciting to watch as the no-huddle can be, I only like the idea of using the no-huddle as a change up occasionally to gain an advantage. I don't think it's all that sound fundamentally for regular use. Other more seasoned teams have experimented with it with mixed success, but I don't recall any using it to the degree Kelly & Co did. Manning, Elway, and a couple of others come to mind as having given it a shot. Remember, when Kelly was running the K-gun, he had 7 or 8 years of pro experience behind him, some experienced savvy linemen, and a HOF running back who in addition to his ability to quickly find holes in the run game, also had the head of a QB* and the hands of a WR. *Could anyone pick up blitzes better? If, as most seem to think, Woods and Levitre are going to be starters, and in turn, an integral part of the offensive and team's success, getting these 2 signed has to be a priority for the front office. These two cogs in the offensive wheel can't afford to miss a minute of training camp or preseason. Get 'er done - the clock is ticking.