BillsObserver

Lee Evans said they DO practice outside when it's cold out (with regularity), just not when it's raining like hell. He said this last night on the Lee Evans radio show.

Here's the problem with that: They should've done that this past week. And Turk will be criticized to no end if he opens the playbook entirely (something he hasn't done all season, so it seems) and calls wacky plays on 3rd down. I'm all for an unpredictable offense, just as long as it's thought out and not Mike Mularkey-esque.

The risk we take by promoting Bobby April before the season ends is, if he is a disaster as a coach it wouldn't be like he'd go back to being our special teams coach. So in short, if he really sucked for the last few weeks, we'd not only have to find a head coach, we'd be in the hunt for a special teams coach (good ones are hard to find).

I've shared this theory for weeks now and posted it recently but someone brought up the point (regarding why they are so hush hush) that it's team policy to not discuss non-player contracts. After some thought, I thought how silly it was to not announce the contract extension of your head coach. Especially at 5-1. Every team seemingly does it. Why wouldn't they be proud of the man's work at that point? I still believe the lone provision with the potential contract is the team has to make the playoffs. That would be wonderful.

Except when we play a team with a winning record.

I'll agree that the defense hasn't been the problem but it's not as if there aren't some serious flaws. You don't think we have any gaping holes on defense?!?!??! Not a single one??? How about the pass rush? Schobel's out, I know, but how do you explain every other end? Don't give me any crap about Kelsay or Denny making plays this past weekend because it was the first game in many, many games where the ends had any sort of impact. And it's not as if we were playing a future hall of fame quarterback, it was against Shaun Hill. We need a legitimate defensive end. If you are willing to settle with these ends, you are willing to settle for an average defense that gives up critical 3rd down plays. And let's not discuss the linebackers. Keith Ellison is a gaping hole. As for the other 2, neither are close to elite. And the depth at that position is pathetic (due to injuries, i.e. Crowell, Bowen)

If only Donahoe got the quarterback he desperately wanted, Ben Roethlisberger (according to legend, of course) Yeah, drafting Losman and McGahee didn't work out as planned. I'd rather not see either guy play again, they just keep reminding me how bad the Bills have been. Unfortunately it seems Willis will be around for a while. I'm not even sure landing Ben would've meant this team could've made the playoffs considering the coaching he would've been under and the talent he would've been surrounded by. That's a huge "what-if" that I'd rather not debate. No denying Ben would've won a few more games than our beloved JP. And yes, having a competent center would be fantastic!! But is it more pressing than a pass rusher, another lineman (either side of the ball), a linebacker, tight end or possibly even a quarterback?! It's definitely up there high on the list, I'm just pointing out the potential gaping holes this team has.

Exactly, you nailed it.

About as intelligent as your original post to start this thread. So, because I haven't played a lick of football on a collegiate or professional level, I'm not allowed to express my opinion? I'm not qualified to question whether it was a good idea to throw 2 consecutive passes on San Francisco's 2 yard line after driving down the field for more than 8 minutes? Marshawn Lynch ran the ball 16 times for 134 yards and I'm not qualified to question why he ran the ball only once in the 4th quarter? Or how about that field goal attempt after going for it on 4th down the drive before? Or how about the hiring of the proven loser Dick Jauron? Guess I can't tell you they made some mistakes because I haven't played the game. I love people like you. You really do provide a lot of entertainment.

I can't take anyone seriously (in a football conversation) who doesn't think the use of timeouts is significant in a football game. And if his players are calling them when they aren't supposed to, then it's a serious sign of lack of preparation. Who's accountable for that? Do the math. I don't care how many degrees your buddy has and I don't care if he thinks we are all "winy." Anyone with half a brain and a community college degree could just as easily make that conclusion, only if they visited this board. We have the right to be after enduring years of mediocrity from this team. Would you prefer no one speak their mind? NOBODY has single handedly called for Jauron's head over THE USE OF TIMEOUTS. But they have added that to the list of reasons why this guy should be canned. Yeah, Dick has a degree too and it's from Yale.. doesn't mean he knows what he's doing and it doesn't impress me. You may resume defending Dick in every thread possible...

Josh Reed doesn't agree. But seriously, between the mismanagement of timeouts, questionable game time decisions, and this blunder (not practicing outside often), one would have to question how many years DICK has been coaching for. Someone has to know. While the answer may be a double digit number, to me it seems like the man makes decisions comparable to a guy who has been coaching for less than a few years. He seems like a really nice guy and all but as far as being a coach, he's a one season wonder.

Speculation from the same guy who tried to convince us that DJ is a "solid coach." Dude, bring the facts. Don't mislead us.

You have no clue.

I say the best possible candidates at this point are: 1) Bobby April - Fire DJ right now and promote this guy to see if he can handle the job for the rest of the season. Can't do much worse than Dick. 2) Marty Schottenheimer - His team always gets to the playoffs. Not many playoff wins but I don't care at this point, get me to the f'n playoffs and I will be ecstatic. 3) Steve Spagnuolo - Dominant, stellar defense. Is it the players or the scheme? Looks like a leader, fresh off a super bowl win and currently at 11-1. 4) And in a perfect world we'd land Bill Cowher. He's the best possible coach we could land that is proven and has won many, many games. But that's not happening. Not in this lifetime.

He didn't quit on this team. We were grooming Jerry Gray at the time and we chose him over Lebeau (I'm sure cost of salary had something to do with that) during the Greg Williams era.

Hard to believe this team was 5-1, eh?

I've been thinking since the losing streak and I am convinced that his extension is contingent on making the playoffs. Ralph said at 5-1, there's no way you'll miss the playoffs, right Dick? Sign the contract with the provision that if you miss the playoffs, the deal is off the table. Why else wouldn't they have publicly announced the contract extension?

- Not a good enough reason to keep him. He is a scrub. We need something we haven't had in a few years, a legitimate veteran backup quarterback. It's clear Edwards doesn't communicate with Losman much during the game, leaving Alex Van Pelt the only guy to talk with (besides Hamdam who is probably nothing more than a cheerleader). It would be cool to have someone who could speak with Trent when things aren't going well. Someone with plenty of NFL experience (not that I'm suggesting any of these but names that come to mind who may fit that mold are Gus Ferrotte, Damon Huard, and Brad Johnson). - Yes, Ellison knows the system. And yes, he's reliable in the eyes of management but this guy isn't good enough if he has to start for your team. The ONLY way I'd keep this guy is if he was on the cheap and he was a back-up which is what he was supposed to be this year. I'm HOPING that this Bowen kid we drafted gets healthy for next year and provides depth for our linebacking trio. We will have to address this in free agency or the draft again but we do some veteran experience back there besides Mitchell. Too bad Crowell didn't work out this year. I'm SURE they were banking on both Crowell and Bowen being healthy and thus having a solid to really good linebacker group. But it just didn't work out that way due to injuries. - We have to either extend this man's contract or re-sign Terrence McGee. Anyone else in favor of keeping him over McGee?? I've liked Greer from the start and thought we should have extended him at a very modest rate last year. Again, we develop and groom an excellent cornerback and his contract runs up. I understand, it's the NFL and that's the way it goes, but I'd really hate to lose this guy and possibly McGee after spending time grooming them. - I agree 100%. A lot of folks have a problem with Preston but I think keeping him for depth is essential. We don't have much talent in our depth as it is, so keeping a guy with many, many games under his belt with the Bills would be good. I'd still like to draft a center or sign a free agent as an upgrade over Duke. I have liked his toughness the past few weeks.

Wonderful pics, SDS. I wish you nothing but the best of luck with your employment status.

Leodis McKelvin has overreacted quite a few times this year. But that's about it for the team.

What is the Schobel countdown at? 2 more games??

As many have mentioned, the Cleveland game will end up screwing us no matter how you slice it, unless we somehow win the rest of our games or only lose 1 of them (even that is debatable). SO.. NO. I just can't believe we won't be in the playoffs again. Ah well, as we always say, there's always next year.

Thanks for the insight captain obvious but you implying Trent playing better "means little" is foolish. Watch the 4 games prior to this one. How about a few more "diffs" that meant a lot: 1) The return of Josh Reed 2) Leodis McKelvin stepping up with 2 interceptions, including one going back for a touchdown 3) The involvement of Lee Evans in the gameplan.

haha, the coordinator who wouldn't allow his quarterback to call an audible. Seriously, he was one of the worst offensive coordinators we have had in a long, long time. How could you miss this guy?

No QB's, WR's or CB's in the first round PLEASE. Let's build both sides of the line, like real teams do. We desperately need some defensive ends, and now it appears we'll need some help at the linebacker position (Ellison is average as it gets, Crowell not likely to return).