Rubes

What's the story with Sheffler? I thought he was supposed to be a pretty good TE. Is he old? Injured?

Plus...how can you not root for a guy like Thad?

That was unwatchable.

The Saints are ranked #11 in total defense. They're actually #11 in rushing defense, and only #24 in passing defense. So it sounds like they're better at defending the run than the pass. The 5.1 YPC stat is strange, given all of that. As it turns out, opposing teams have rushed only 135 times against the Saints, the lowest in the league. So teams are able to rush reasonably well, but they're just not trying it very much. Sounds to me like teams are having to give up on the run in order to pass and play catch up. They're also #4 in scoring defense. This is a good defense, which is helped by their incredibly efficient offense. The key is to do everything we can to keep their offense in check so we don't get too far behind too quickly, forcing us to give up on the running game.

Fingers crossed that they can keep that up this week.

My first thought when I saw Carpenter's kickoff only went 1-2 yards deep in the end zone was, "Oh ****!" Then I thought, well that's not so bad, our kickoff coverage (unlike punt coverage) has actually been quite good, especially with Easley. Then I saw him run outside and I thought, "Oh ****!"

Oh Lordy.

Now that is funny. I was just reading on a Bears board how they're looking to re-sign Jordan Palmer as the backup to McCown, now that Cutler is injured. One poster responded: "Jordan Palmer? There's no one out there better than Jordan !@#$ing Palmer?" I kind of chuckled, thinking that the reason is because we've already signed all the backup QBs out there.

Agreed. It was concerning when it was happening all throughout the preseason, and nothing changed once the season began. Seven weeks into the season and still no significant progress.

What, you've never watched Shawshank?

Ding ding ding...we have a winner.

Damn, I totally forgot about the fish fry. Man do I miss that. I used to live in Getzville, but I don't remember the Crow's Nest. Where is it?

I think most people here love Freddie, so I can't imagine you'll get a lot of backlash. Maybe at the suggestion he's a top 5 back, but even that isn't terribly controversial. Just perhaps a bit inflated. Personally, I love having both CJ and Freddie. I think Freddie should still be the featured back, and have CJ coming in periodically for a change of pace. I'm comfortable with a 60-40 split between Freddie and CJ.

I haven't watched him play this year, but I've also heard that his performance has been disappointing.

Not sure. That's kind of like asking if dysentery is better than food poisoning.

Interesting point, there. Under the offensive genius that was Chan Gailey last year, the Bills achieved: Total Yds/G - 342.9 (19th) Rush Yds/G - 138.6 (6th) Pass Yds/G - 204.3 (25th) Points/G - 21.5 (21st) So far this year, under the rookie OC Hackett with the rookie QB(s), the Bills have achieved: Total Yds/G - 344.2 (16th) Rush Yds/G - 148.8 (3rd) Pass Yds/G - 195.3 (28th) Points/G - 22.7 (17th) Which is, to be honest, not terribly different. Overall yards per game about the same, slightly more rushing yards per game, slightly fewer passing yards per game. Plus better points per game. (Smaller sample size, I know.)

Oh man I need to get back there soon. But no John & Mary's fans?

And he's talking about the town in Belgium, too!

Well, it seemed clear to me that he wasn't 100% in the last game, and I believe he also confirmed that in interviews. He said he's better this week, but obviously still not back where he wants to be, as he was held out of practice. I think he also admitted as much in interviews this week. Edit: as per this article from BB.com:

With respect to #3, I have seen EJ throw some passes with really nice touch. He has that ability, and he can do it. I just think he doesn't always understand when to rifle it and when to loft it. As for #6, I'm just not sure that CJ is recovered enough to turn it loose the way we/he wants to. I agree wholeheartedly with #5 and #7. Especially #7. A hundred times #7.

A couple more stud linebackers to go with him, and this defense can be nasty.

My largest concern is that the Bengals came out with an outstanding offensive game plan to counter our defense. Hopefully that didn't give Miami (and others) too much of a blueprint to work off of. Then again, I don't know if Miami has the offensive weapons that Cincinnati has to take advantage of it.

First Miami (off last week), then New Orleans (off this week), both on the road. Man, does that suck. Then we get the (likely) undefeated Chiefs and their top-5 defense. We must have really pissed someone off this year.

Well, there goes the web site. Happy birthday. Hope you get this before the crash.

I have a personal vendetta against the phrase "struggled mightily", if anyone gives a ****.