Spun

Running the ball straight into the line like the Bills did on their final drive Monday night is Martyball. Martyball sucks! Martyball bad. No thank you to Martyball.

Other: TE is a good, young qb who is not nearly as good as he is going to be. He is learning on the job. Part of that learning includes screwing up just like any other job. Fans are impatient and Bills fans especially so since we are sick and damn tired of losing games and losing seasons. The offensive line has been inconsistent. If the running game was as effective season long as it was Monday night (except for the last drive), the pressure wouldn't be on Edwards to pass as much. Let there be no doubt, the pressure is on the Bills to throw the ball as the running has generally failed this season against mostly mediocre opponents. Fans forget or never comprehend the huge jump in competition from college to the pros. Mistakes such as holding on to the ball too long, not seeing open receivers, telegraphing passes, not throwing the ball away, not taking the sack and scrambling out of trouble are all correctable. I have seen enough of Edwards to know yes, he is struggling, he is making his share of mistakes but he is also progressing. Edwards did not quit Monday night nor did the rest of the team. The Bills are a very young team. At some point, hopefully, the game plans all come together. Once again, the Bills are a very young team (the Bills next opponent the Chiefs, are also very young). Don't quit on the Bills and don't quit on Edwards. I do urge considering an alternative to running three straight times on a potentially game winning drive that only yields a long field goal attempt. In some ways some of us Bills fans are spoiled by September's victories. If we look a little closer, we see that we squeaked out a few of those wins. This last loss was especially painful as the close ones usually are. I do believe that Edwards and the Bills are better than last year. For most of us that isn't enough. We want much better. Now.

There is a book about the OSU / Michigan rivalry titled "One Game Season". It is more than just a title. For both it is their season but especially for Michigan. The Buckeyes better not take them lightly. Who knows how good the Big 12 is? But they all can't be bad. Someone has to knock off the SEC. Penn St. and SC might be a good matchup.

I am more than willing to look past Edwards picks. The guy got up off the mat and did play a part in the Bills almost winning a game that they should of won. I can look past the four turnovers by two second year players. What I cannot accept is running three straight times on the final drive with plenty of downs and time left to burn. That was no gimmee field goal. 1) Coach: play to win 2) Coach: do not play "not to lose". #2) is known as Marty Ball and Marty Ball sucks. The Bills were using safe dumpoffs all night. Let Edwards have a chance to redeem himself. Use Fred Jackson more. It makes Lynch more effective. And why not blitz, blitz, blitz? At this point what do we have to lose? The points made about the play action have merit. Football is a game of breaks and the Bills had some close calls but couldn't pull off the much needed turnovers. I will give the o-line props for the Browns game. I hope it continues. Nice, nice work McKelvin!!! And here's to you Lee Evans. Put your hands down I don't think the ball is coming your way.

"No worries" "Its mines" or "Mines is"...

This Buckeye isn't a Florida lover but the Gators don't need to piss and moan. Alabama almost lost to an LSU team that got blasted by the Gators. If Florida takes the Tide, I don't think the pollsters should deny Florida. Texas Tech seems to be the team that has the mojo going and the least national hatred!

You pining for a whuppin'... "Don't you blaspheme in here..."

Exactly. Not only can't the offensive line run block but now every opponent is daring Edwards to win with the pass because of the inept running game. It doesn't matter where the ball is hiked. Edwards drops back and doesn't have time to look way down field as he senses the line is collapsing or fearing so. He has held the ball too long and he has thrown the ball away too quickly. Worst of all he is feeling the pain of pass rushers running him over. Edwards has lost his confidence. Watching guys whistle inside past Peters and Dockery is disheartening to watch. Coaching can adjust but so far has not. Calling screens is great but then again that requires blocking. The big offensive line needs to display some athleticism for screens to work. Offensive line is one of the hardest positions in football. To play line well they need to work together. The line is not working together. Flutie compensated for an inferior line with his scrambling. Maybe Edwards should roll out and scramble. Move the pocket. The Bills need to reinvent their offense as it seems the rest of the league has the game plan figured out. Edwards is getting rid of the ball most of the time but some of those releases are going to the wrong team. He is playing scared. The hits are adding up. Changing quarterbacks doesn't change the ineptitude. It is looking like the same old *#@* as last year and the year before that, etc.. Poor blocking and even poorer pass rush. Most every other team also has injuries this point in the season. Adjust coaches.

There is no sugar for these types of losses. They are the best to win but the worst to lose. On paper, no way. On the field in crazy Iowa City, anything can happen...

Based on the fact that the Bills running game has been insufficient as of late, conditions are needed that will help Edwards move the ball via the pass. While there are no guarantees that such conditions will be enough as the Bills certainly clunked in Phoenix. More than an open dome, I would like effective run blocking, pass protection, better decision making by the qb (throw it away or throw it out of the end zone but please not to the other team) and coach (kick the field goal) and please, please, please, a sustained pass rush... By the way, the Fins dominated the Bills lines in the first meeting so something other than a good look at the sky will be needed in the second meeting...

We can accomplish much on our own and we should never stop trying regardless of who dislikes us for whatever reason. Racism should not be an issue but it still is. Not everything is cured.

Anarchy at the Ralph... Look out Toronto! Then again, TO. is where a "disturbance" in the stadium's adjoining hotel ended up in public view during a baseball game a number of years back... http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/483432.html

It is fairly well known that Andre lives in town however, the article doesn't mention the name of the bar. I am guessing that it was Seau's.

As I write this I am in North Buffalo. Today, I went to a corner market at Hertel and North Park. On the front door was a hand written sign saying "No Hoodies". I joked with the cashier that we could use such signs in California. They didn't laugh. Not only are hoodies a fashion accessory of choice for robbery across the country but it has also become an indicator of which gang one belongs to.

Yep, them too! They are usually gathering B-roll along the coast. The copters that I am referring to are typically heading for Garnet Avenue where the banks and bars are located. Bank robberies by day, bankrupt minds by night.

It wasn't a fun game to watch. 3 - 3 at half time! Yuck! The PSU defense was solid in tough conditions. The OSU offensive line has been mediocre every game this year except against MSU. Pryor made his share of freshman mistakes especially when throwing the interception into triple coverage with a couple of downs to go and thirty seconds left. It has been frustrating to watch the Bucks this year but they aren't first tier. I thought that Tressel was on to something when he used both Pryor and Boeckman against USC. Boeckman is the better passer and Pryor the better runner. I think it was a mistake to get away from the two qb system. I also think that Tressel was asking for too much, too soon from Pryor. I can't tell who is the best in the country. The conferences are very different. Texas has had the toughest schedule and will have the toughest remaining schedule. Alabama doesn't win with glamour but who knows how good they are. PSU will win the rest of their conference games but they need Texas or Alabama to lose. USC, you should've beat the Beavers. No whining USC. Congrats Penn State! Good luck!

I just watched the episode (season two?) on the sci fi channel in which the two groups of survivors meet and they get schooled in how to keep refreshing the digital rundown by computer. It is the one in which Sawyer, Michael and Jin end up in the caged hole in the ground with Ana after being beaten down by Mr Eko. I want to know what that Jacob dude is about. Especially, since even Ben is afraid of him...

It is becoming fairly routine in San Diego. Either these runners are stoned, drunk, desperate and / or stupid. The cops seem to be in a chase with these types most every day. I hear and see the police helicopters starting around 8:00 am, periodically through the day and especially before and after last call from 1:00 am to about 2:30 am. There doesn't seem to be much of a learning curve in regards to challenging and fleeing from the cops. One of the other SD vids on the site of the stolen tank, was through a residential neighborhood, down a freeway and also resulted in death. The crimes are wild out here. From binational drug tunnels to stolen buses, stolen ambulances, home invasions, etc. The hit and runs also seem to be a weekly event. Also, the cops seem to use their weapons more...

If the o-line wa so good maybe the Bills would have punched it in from the one instead of settling for a field goal. If the o-line was so good maybe Edwards wouldn't have had to desperately reach out for a first down only to have the ball slapped away and go over to the Dolphins. The o-line is good for the most part with pass protection but the run blocking, especially those dreaded runs up the middle are well, dreadful...

Of the potential jumpers, SC looks most formidable. The PAC 10 looks weak overall so there is a case for Oklahoma. For Penn State to put it on the Badgers in Wisconsin like they did was impressive. The Buckeye offense woke up for a change last week against the Spartans so who knows. Buckeye crowds can be very complacent unless it is a big game. The Buckeyes will need that noise on Saturday. I suspect a lot of PSU fans will somehow get tickets. Stubhub.com lists tix at between $159 and $800. Penn St. is hungry and good. It has been a while since the Nittany Lions last beat the Bucks.

Thanks for the tips!

I read that a little too fast. I did a double take after thinking I read "The Pride of Attica, New York..." My ears do a little better so if Joe swings around town I'll give a listen...

The backwards seat thingy? What is that? Not like dinner table seating is it?

I will be flying Southwest for the first time next week for a round trip from San Diego to Buffalo and back. I booked within two weeks and it cost $330. What should I expect with the no seat assignment deal? A free-for-all? The lack of a charge for checked baggage was an incentive. I do recall that after 9/11 Southwest was one of of few if not the only airline not to lay off their employees. I used to trade off between USAir and American. Then both airlines pulled their stunts after oil prices got crazy. USAir threatened to take away my 60,000 frequent flier mileage unless I flew by a certain date. Then USAir had the nerve to try to sell my mileage back for a $50 fee. I am sorry to about your ear situation. More importantly than the air (dis)credit, I hope the surgery works out.

FC does a very good Jim Rome...