Fan in Chicago

I have stated this in another thread but - My beef with the no huddle is that I am not convinced we have the multi-skilled personnel to pull it off successfully. Can our OL pass as well as run block well, do we have a real pass catching & blocking TE, can the RBs help pick up the blitz and be a receiving threat, can TE read coverages correctly and make all required throws ? Too many questions to answer before we commit to the no huddle. Else we risk falling behind quickly with a gassed D. And looking like a$$es in the process

With double TEs, we can: - go empty backfield giving us 3 WRs. If they double one of our WRs, one of the TEs will be open - Have Jackson in the backfield giving us 2 WRs, 2 TEs and 1 RB as pass catching options. If they drop coverage, we can run on them

We can lose confidence early on in the game if we play the high risk strategy. If initially we come out with 4 WR sets without adequate extra protection, TE may get pummeled or may fumble/throw an interception. NE* will make sure they will then take full advantage of that situation and not take their boots off our fallen necks. OTOH, if we go max protect and then attempt to take a few minor risks we can see where our OL stacks up in protection. As the game goes along we can then tune our O to be more or less conservative depending on the early outcomes. I am not saying not to be aggressive early, but don't risk too much. We do not want the Pats* to gain a psychological advantage in addition to the coaching advantages they already possess.

Not my thread, but can we keep the negativity out of this one ? There are plenty of other threads for that. Let us, for the moment, think about what strategies can be tried and discuss the pros/cons of them. I don't think Simon intended to debate how the game will unfold but rather what the Bills can do to be successful against the Pats*.

With so many new personnel in our O, coaches on both sides of the sideline will be probing to find out what we really have. To that extent, early blitzes from their side can be expected - the upside is that they can rattle TE early if successful and if not successful, they may not have a huge downside as we haven't shown the propensity to take advantage of the mis matches down the field. Regarding TO, I think there will be opportunities no matter which way the Pats* decide to roll their coverage - TO or Evans' side. Again, whether we are capable of taking advantage is another matter i.e. will Reed get separation ? can Jackson find an opening in the flat ?

I think we will also do a lot of double TE sets till we do (or don't) gain confidence in the OL's ability. We may also come out passing a lot and involving Evans while using TO as a decoy May blitz a lot initially while challenging their WRs to beat our DBs. I do not expect a lot of trick plays in the beginning. The key is to get a jump on the score before the Pats* adjust. To state the obvious, it will all depend on how our key personnel perform - especially Edwards and the OL.

Was there a couple of months back during a cruise. We did not have enough time to explore but did go to the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio and Paradise beach. I would have liked to go to the ruins in Tulum for which you have to take a ferry from Playa del Carmen and a bus/taxi from there. Also go to Aktun Chen caverns. You don't need too many guided tours. You can bargain with and get a cab to take you around. The cab drivers in Cozumel speak English. Also, don't shop in the touristy areas as they gouge you. Find the smaller shops in mid-town and take your time browsing and haggling.

"Gandhi"

What about bags over heads ?

.. or sucker fans ? (like me who signs up for the Sunday Ticket even before knowing how this team is likely to look in pre-season)

At some point, I hope we do have trouble selling tickets as it may wake up the owner and FO to take some positive actions to once again make this a winning franchise. Right now, a little sparkle (T.O) is all that is required for the fans to line up.

Is this NSFW ?

I fully agree with you on this point. I think pretending and hoping that he is a legitimate #2 or #3 is hampering the development of Steve Johnson. That kid plays with enthusiasm and should be given more chances in the absence of TO and Hardy, during the pre-season.

Jauron has protected Bills fans from extreme disappointment due a playoff loss

if ?

To go 0-16 ?

Relax guys, it is just pre-season

Naah.. he can't help this pathetic O either

If we had, Ben would have been out of the league by now

oooh hot brunette in the stands

I missed that - justinTV is too slow. Was it cos Walker blew his block and Harrison caused the hurried throw ?

As I was reading through the posts in this thread, I was thinking the same thing. Before the draft, much is said every year about how drafting a D player offers the best chance of contribution in the rookie year. We needed help on the OL and at the DE spot. My understanding was that 'D players are more ready' was the logic used to draft Maybin at #11. Now, why are people thinking it is okay if he did not contribute this year ? I am okay with him taking the first few games to learn (especially as he missed so much practice time). But, I will be sorely disappointed if he does not contribute in a very meaningful way by games 4 or 6. I am not going to get washed up in any spin the FO puts out about how 'we always knew he would be a project'.

And if it works out, I will be glad they made the change in pre-season rather than half way into the regular season. I would like to see the coaches be a bit more aggressive about allowing good performers to start no matter what their tenure in the league is. As an example, if Nic Harris outplays Ellison, put the rook in and don't be scared of the learning pains he will go through.

Injury cannot be a reason why one vilifies Jerry Jones for acquiring him. However, I do wonder if the 'Boys will be willing to trade or compensate us for the one of the many (not TO or Evans) WRs we have.

Sucks at every position ? I absolutely don't think so. At the risk of repeating myself, we are weak on only a couple of positions on the D - one each of DE and LB and we are very good on ST. The biggest question marks are on the O side of the ball and there too we have some good players at WR and RB. The weakest position on the team is the HC. So putting it in perspective from a player personnel standpoint, if the O were to do decently, our D and ST are good enough to take us to the playoffs.