Fan in Chicago

I see that the new attitude is rubbing off on you also. A few weeks back, I wasn't sure we could beat anybody. Your wording reflects my thoughts in that if we keep playing the way we did yesterday (and to a certain extent last week), we can beat some playoff contenders such as the Falcons. I am tempering my enthusiasm so I don't feel so confident about beating the Pats* or Colts but we shall see.

That last quarter scoring blitz was set up by the long drive that started in the 3rd quarter and ended with a score at the beginning of the 4th Q. That gassed the Miami D enough to the point where we could take some chances in the last quarter. We kept the game close and played good D and O in the last quarter. Don't under-estimate that. By your 'standards' the Colts have been squeaking out wins half of this season so are they are not a legitimate loss-less team ?

Completely disagree

Should have been done at the beginning of the season. A rookie who has been playing DE for this season cannot be expected to kearn a new position and contribute meaningfully in such short a time. Hence, we cannot judge Fewell's personnel judgment based on how he handles Maybin for the rest of this season. I think it is better to finish the season as is and then convert him into a LB in the off-season. We are okay at the DE position but woefully inadequate at LB. One less position to fill in the off-season as Mitchell-Poz-Maybin has good potential. We need to get a lot of OL help in the off-season as a priority.

Indeed. In last week's game, with Fewell being a HC for just a few days, the difference in attitude was apparent. I was left wondering if this was just a new coach- bump that we are seeing. Happily, today we continued playing as such especially the aggressiveness. Honestly, I had lost all emotions for the team and today they were back in full force. For that result alone, I give Fewell credit. Whatever Fewell's fate for next season and if not anything else, these last two games have shown what a passive idiot Jauron was as HC. We won today with a rag tag offensive line and a second string QB.

Could have or should have ? I, for one, was glad we kept the aggressive till the game was decidedly put away. We have been at the other end of the whipping stick for far too long. No need for us to show any mercy to any team, especially the Dolphins. Also, no reason why we shouldn't put a 2 TD+ lead together. As for the OP, I don't know the context of Marino's comments but the game was close for 3 quarters and then we, uncharacteristically and emphatically put it away.

This time around I don't want to invest a high draft pick on a QB unless and until the OL has been addressed via free agency or draft (picks before QB). No exclusions.

I think in a way we are saying something similar but with a slightly different slant. My point was that the decision to take a DB was not wise. As I said, it would have been better to go OL or DL. But, once the decision to take a DB was done, the fact that it was Whitner was not necessarily wrong. There is little indication to know if he would become an impact safety or a average player. To add to your other argument, I think the biggest error in the recent past was the selection of McGahee. He was not a position of need and could not play the first year anyway. That choice started the catch-up we have been playing ever since.

That and also also allowing our draft picks a couple of seasons before declaring them a bust or a wasted pick. It is easy to sit back in retrospect and bash our draft picks but if Whitner had turned into a Polamalu or a Bob Sanders, I doubt if anybody would be gloating on their own right-ness about the pick. Make no mistake, I do agree that our top picks would have been better spent on the lines first but to bash the FO for not attempting to pick a franchise safety is not right. This situation is likely to play itself out again with this years first choice, a front line pick. At the time the pick was made, I was quite happy because coming out of last season we were woefully lacking at the DE position. The FO or the coaches had no way of knowing that Kelsay would suddenly start playing well. As of now, Maybin's lack of impact plays is worrisome, but it is too early to tell if he will eventually be an Erik Flowers or a Mario Williams. Again, when the pick was made, we needed a DE.

Would we want him as GM ?

Gruden turned down the entire NFL The Bills are part of the NFL So Gruden turned down the Bills ergo, no big name coach wants to come coach for the Bills Whats so difficult to understand, SDS ?

Rumor from where ?

No actually what I am saying is that he is not good enough to be hired as any team's head coach. Agree with you on Shanahan.

Lets assume you are correct. So Cowher's jutting jaw is just for show ? He could not tell his player to STFU and play WR ? If Stewart played the petulant child role, he should have benched and released. That did not happen, implying that in reality Cowher is a spineless coach who cannot control a WR on his team. The other possibility is what I presented - that Cowher thought it was a good idea. Which turned out rather badly for the Steelers and ultimately for Stewart. Either way, I don't like him.

Just because there is no word about talks with potential GM candidates does not mean nothing is going on. How about we save the Ralph bashing till such time as the final staff is in place ? We have bought ourselves some time by firing Jauron before the end of the season. If in the next 3-4 weeks we don't hear anything then it is ample reason to get worried.

Valid points but I prefer Shanny cos of similar reasons. His brand of offense relies on the run game and that will be well suited to Buffalo's weather. Also, he has coached in cold conditions, albeit a bit higher above sea level. As a side note, Lynch's performances have me worried. Even with the terrible OL, Jackson seems to get more out of his touches than Lynch.

Really ? Was there really any reason to convert Kordell Stewart from WR to QB ? I argue that the switch eventually ended Stewart's career when he could have excelled as a Reggie Bush-type player. I happen to fall into the camp who is anti-Cowher and am relieved that he declined a meeting. It took a steady stream of pro-bowlers (drafted by their organization) to make him look good. I think a better coach, in the same 15 year period, would have won 1-2 more Superbowls with the talent they had.

That. And I don't trust Shanahan's skills at anything more than coaching. I hope this point does not become the deal breaker if we indeed are pursuing him. I mean what happens if Shanahan says 'full control or bust' ? I say we call it 'bust' and move on to a more amicable and competent GM-HC combo.

I agree with you that if we are going to get a GM as well as a new HC, then the GM should be hired first. But other than that, I disagree with your second paragraph. We have tried a variety of first time HCs with dismal success. We have tried a loser coach with equally spectacular results. We have to play it safe right now and that chance lies with a winning coach, preferably a SB-winning one. Of the choices, I personally prefer Shanahan as he is an offensive minded coach and paired with a good DC, can do wonders for the team. Ofcourse, there is always an argument to be made that it was Elway who was the main reason for his SB victories. But, I think it is a combination of a good personnel and an excellent coach that wins championships. He will have a chance to choose his QB so we will see

As my comments became such a big deal, let me apologize to you. Your apology was not required as there really wasn't any wrong doing. I have valued your posts in the past so should have taken that equity into consideration before writing that first post. I hope we can put this issue behind us and concentrate on discussing real topics.

I totally agree. Shanny and Phillips will be a great coaching duo. If only they get FO support in building a good team, we can be golden. But ofcourse, that is a LOT of 'ifs'

Yea I have realized I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. My point was to not give a teaser but to post the story when available. In any case, I am not going to pursue this any further as it is a worthless waste of time arguing over this triviality when there are more interesting points to debate.

I am not a runner so don't know about the marathons. My thing is doing my cardio on an elliptical or high incline fast walking on a treadmill. I, for one, do not buy into this slow exercise method because I think you will have to work out for a lot longer to achieve the same results. The basic (and obvious) item is that you have to intake less than you use+exercise to lose weight. The fat burning will come and can be aided by adding strength training to your workout routine. In general, stick to the basics and do what you can do consistently over the rest of your life. New fangled workouts and diets only work for so long.

Thanks, Bill. My earlier post (for which a couple of people slammed me for) was wondering why start a post saying 'a story is coming'. Why not start a thread when the story is done and available for reading? kegtapr - see above RayFinkle - yes, I know who jw is Beerball - do the kids really have to be told on Christmas Eve that 'tomorrow there will be a present for you' ?

What was the point of your post ?