Fan in Chicago

Two points: (1) I am not much for extrapolating short term success so let us see how Maybin plays the rest of the season before proclaiming he is a good pass rusher (2) If indeed he turns out to be good, then imagine the talent we already have that is being unused. Carrington, Moats, Troup, Batten could all be part of a stellar defense if indeed it is a DC at fault

Not too sure that we would win with KW in there in the Giants game. Our problem recently has been the coverage by LBers. While Barnett has been excellent in stopping the run, our overall ability to cover short to medium passes has left a lot to be desired. This may be why Shep gets the start over ADavis. We have decent depth at DT position and while KWilliams makes it better, it appears the drop off may not be very significant. And if Troup plays well (which I have been waiting to see since last year), we may have one of the best front 3 in the NFL.

While I did not see pressure on every play, it was certainly there. But, as others have pointed out, Fitz has dealt with it in the past admirably. Maybe he had a spat with his girl, maybe he had a hangover (I am joking ofcourse) but he was off just a bit that day. Another thing I wanted to mention is that Gailey's offense is designed to work around the shortcomings of the OL as well as Fitz. While the line has looked good, it is a bit handcuffed in not being able to have a deep passing game. This points to needs we have on the OL as well as at the WR position. We are adequate for now but to need upgrades to take that next step.

Yes Fitz was very upset. But he was upset after the first INT also. I am surprised/disappointed to see him do the same mistake twice in the same game. Maybe on that day he did not have the short term memory he usually does. BTW, when Fitz came to the sideline after that second INT, I saw Gailey give him an encouraging pat on his rear almost to say ' yea u screwed up but its okay'. I liked it - it is a sign that Gailey knows Fitz is motivated and he will be hard on himself so no point in rubbing it in. Gailey would probably be in his face if Fitz had an i-dont-care attitude.

Considering that Gailey brought along last year's rookies slowly, this move is quite a vote of confidence in Shep's talent and maturity level. Hope we get better coverage than what we have seen. With Merriman out, Dareus a starter from Day 1 & Shep over Davis, the Bills youth movement on D is in full session. (I bet the coaching staff cannot wait for A Williams to get healthy)

With the amount a ball (in an sport) moves and bounces, I am more likely to get a headache than a different perspective.

Not to joke at Reid's weight but McCoy's fist practically disappears for a brief moment !

I was assuming the Pats* would be in the #1 spot. No idea about the playoff spot. The 'good' thing about yesterday's loss was that it was a non-conference one.

Yes, I am glad we are not irrelevant by this time of the season as we have been for the last several years. First time, counting the year we were 5-1, I feel encouraged and truly think we are always in a position to win. While we could have lost the Raiders game, we could have won the Cincy game (save the idiotic side judge's reversal of Stevie's catch). Also, I think the toughest stretch of 6 games is done. Looking down the list of reminaing games, and based on the way the teams are playing right now, there is no other stretch of even 3 games that is tougher than what we faced in the last 5 games. If we keep playing like this, we should be no less than 10-6 and finish second in the AFCE.

I fall on this side of the argument. The call was risky simply because of Fitz's high likelihood of making such mistakes. If Gailey had, say a Matt Ryan or BenR, he will make that call everytime (I exaggerate ofcourse). But, he trusted Fitz at the wrong time and Fitz came up short.

Both those INts were squarely on Fitz. I am torn on the issue of whether we 'need' a franchise QB or we can make do with Fitz. On the one hand, I see him to be quite smart, plays with guts, has a short memory and has a never say die attitude. On the other, he is prone to making these game-killing mistakes and some poorly thrown balls. Yes, Gailey can live with his shortcomings but it severely hampers the play calling. As an example, Gailey should be free to call whatever plays he thinks will drive the stake deeper through the hearts of the opponents. Instead, he has to play it safe and concentrate on time clock management and trying to keep the ball last. Depending on who is available in the first round next year, QB and WR are both equally possible for us to draft. BPA

Troup is not starting ? I wonder if it is due to his recent injury or if the coaches have been underwhelmed by him ? I just haven't seen enough of him to know one way or the other. I was quite hopeful that he would develop into a quality NT. We will see.

I think we win this one big. Those trying to hype the Fewell factor need to remember: (1) Fewell played under the Jauron regime and the philosophy has changed (2) The players on D were vastly different (3) The O is a lot better causing the D to play differently. Fewell's Bills background is a non-factor. (Side note - Notice that both the OC and DC held those positions with the Bills. I dont think any other team has that combination)

This is from the board that PTR linked above. Read and tell me what you think: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=64&f=1867&t=8087396 http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=64&f=1867&t=8076706 These are two threads I saw which specifically discussed the upcoming game

You dug up one post that bashes the Bills. Most of the posts I see are in awe of what the Bills have done so far and think the Giants really need to being their A game to have any chance of winning.

We have a lot of young and new players on the D. The D can stop opposing drives with a strong DL + good DB or through turnovers (allowing yards in the process). As our D matures and gels, this balance will change. That or maybe I dont know wtf I am talking about and GEdwards sucks

Probably because the O is currently designed to take pressure off the OL via quick plays. I may be mistaken but it even looks like Fitz has been getting the ball out a fraction of a second faster than last year. I am confident we will draft a 'burner' type WR next year very high. That with the maturation of the OL will allow Gailey to expand the playbook. For this year, continue to expect the short to medium passing game that we have seen to far.

You are welcome

Lloyd or Wayne will need a couple of weeks before they can start playing (after learning the playbook) and maybe another 2 weeks to get in synch with Fitz. By that time, Jones will be ready to come back. Hence, the value of a veteran is not as high as it would have been at the beginning of the season. I do think that a vet presence can be valuable for experience down the stretch as well as for depth. Hence, I am not averse to making a trade for Lloyd or Wayne. However, given the above points, I would not even go as high as a 4th rounder. I would tell Denver that the Bills next year's 5th rounder is like a 4th rounder for them. Take it or leave it. I doubt any team is willing to give up more compensation for either player.

Welcome back, olivier. How very french of you to abandon ship when the Bills were doing bad and jump back on. (I keed, I keed) Hope you can find time to follow the Bills. It has been a fun season so far.

I am not a Cutler fan but this game was one of his best. He was constantly under pressure, hurried or getting hit/sacked. yet he kept several broken plays alive and completed a high percent of passes even though he was constantly on the run. The O Line sucks big time but Martz's inability to compensate for the lack of a good OL is maddening. He should have been let go in the off season and I doubt he lasts past the Bears' bye week. The guy is one of the biggest morons I have seen masquerading as an offensive coordinator

By the way, three of the five teams we have faced are top 10 in offense (Pats*, Eagles, Raiders). We now go up against the Giants (#13 overall, #6 passing, #27 rushing). On D, they are #20 overall, #18 against pass, #21 against run. Overall, we are superior but we can be hurt by their passing. I think we wil have to score gobs of points and hope McGee is back this week. I feel very good about our chances this week

Besides the stats themselves, I am concerned that we have a tough time protecting a lead. Not sure what it is but doesn't feel right. Individually, there are some really good performers - Barnett, Wilson, Byrd, KWilliams, Dareus, Kelsay. But together, as a unit, we seem incapable of stopping drives and preventing a lot of yards. George Edwards may be the reason or it may be that the players are very young and, with the short off-season, haven't had time to gel. Good to see that we are winning despite a below average defense. But to reach and go deep in the playoffs, things have to change or improve.

While I am excited to see the rise in the Bills' profile, I hope this appearance on national TV doesn't jinx us. (I know I am a nervous guy)

And precisely the point I was making earlier. Do everything in your power to not give the ball back to the opposing offense. That is playing smart and managing the game. Having an ego and have it blow up in your face is not smart. Else we have plays like Homerun throwback which haunts us for a long time.