Ennjay

I haven't heard anything on him in months.

Thoughtful and reasoned. I agree on most points, but what I really want to say is that I enjoyed reading a thoughtful and reasoned discussion for a change. Thanks.

Cheap but brazen attempt to get this thread back on the radar by elevating it to the top of the column. Where's the vaunted Bills fans' sense of humor? Jeez Louise.

Chill my friend. Just trying to have some fun on a more boring than usual Thursday. It's not even about JP really. And if the Bills leave town when Ralph kicks, we may be naming Buffalo's UFL expansion team.

The real issue: what are we going to call JP's team for short?

Historically Ralph has made his interim coaches into permanent coaches out of some sense that he owed it to them. Hence Hank Bullard and even Kaye Stephenson, who bailed Ralph out when Chuck Knox got fed up. (Harvey Johnson was an interim twice but got replaced because he didn't want to be HC.) The only time it ever worked out was with Marv. So for the overall long-term good of the team it may be better to fire Jauron AFTER the season so that Ralph won't stick with the unqualifed assisitant he'd promote DURING the season and waste another year or two.

And the part of this that's new is ---?

Thanks. I remember him being terrible but I couldn't recall his name.

Once upon a time Alabama (Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Ken Stabler . . .) but not lately. Then there was Brigham Young. And Purdue.

Not at all. Buffalo's where you go to play out your contract and cash in on your dream. Right, Antowain Smith? Right, Todd Collins? Right, Marcellus Wiley? Right, Pat Williams? Right, Antoine Winfield? Right, Nate Clements? Right, Jonas Jennings? Right, Mike Gandy? Right, Sammie Morris? Right, Jim Leonhard? (OK he got cut; same difference)

Who was the guy Miami drafted 2-3 years ago (2nd round I think, when they didn't have a 1) who was a 26-year-old rookie? Was it John something, maybe from BYU? Older because he went on a mission? Backed up Caulpepper? Is he still in the league anywhere?

When JP got here we read and heard countless stories about his endless intense workouts/skull sessions with Sam Wyche. Now we have to wonder why it was necessary. Except we don't really wonder. I don't think AVP would've made much difference.

Says a lot about Florida State. And I think I agree.

I see they've arranged to end the season with that big grudge match between the Sents and and the Locos. And when these two blood rivals get together you can throw away the record book. Anybody yet know what a Tusker is?

. . . which reminds me: Is that link to the weekly national broadcast map coming back anytime soon? Or am I looking right past it?

C'mon, fair's fair. They only cost 12 points.

"I like Belichick as a coach, too, even though I find his actions this month despicable and totally without honor." The more things change . . .

The Colts sold tickets in Baltimore. The original Browns sold tickets in Cleveland. The point is that a new owner will go where the most cash flow/biggest boondoggle is. And don't forget that, unlike Ralph, the next owner will have debt service (interest) to pay on his financing for the franchise.

Ancient history that people on this board already know: The Bills have had three eras of prosperity/winning/playoffs, etc: --the Saban Years --the Knox Years --the Levy Years. What all these guys had in common (besides an occasionally cooperative front office, although Ralph's FO handling had a lot to do with running off at least two of them) is that they were all former Pro Head Coaches. Ralph also tried that with John Rauch (failure) and Wade Phillips (mixed results, but there were playoffs). On the other hand, Joel Collier, Kay Stephenson, Hank Bullough, . . . in each case Ralph seemed to think he owed the "interim" guy a shot at a full season. So if Ralph really makes a change, based on his past pattern I hope it's at season end. But don't kid yourself that Cowher or Gruden would come here; maybe Jim Fassel. But that means '09 is already a wasted season.

This team is just awful. Is there anything else to say?

. . . and 2010 is supposed to be the uncapped year, IF there's football. Don't bet your house on the Bills being major players in an uncapped year.

" Later, during a coaches' evaluation meeting, receivers coach Mike Sheppard says, "85 [Ochocinco] has some plays that he takes off." " Figures. Everyone remember Mike Sheppard? Greggo's first OC here?

. . . but I'm guessing the reason it's Bills/TN is that these are the only two originals whose original owners (Wilson and Adams) are still around.

And a team that hasn't changed names (Titans/Jets.) That leaves the Broncos, Raiders, and Patriots. But the Raiders did move to LA, and then move back to O, so I'd drop them, and the Pats changed from Boston to NE, which bothers me less but might bother true purists. Which is a roundabout way of saying that I would've been OK with a Buffalo/Denver game as between the only two originals that never changed ANYTHING but logos and colors.

How can you be so hard on a guy who's obviously making such extreme sacrifices to get back to the game he loves? I mean, Big Mike actually lost TEN POUNDS to get ready for camp!