Rubes

I saw him in there on a few plays. He had decent penetration on a couple, but they had some pretty good inside blocking today. Anderson had a really good game, I thought.

Even more importantly...the SOB found the ability to pick up a blitz! With style, I might add.

Well, I was referring to our offense, not theirs. But I never thought we'd have a terrible time against the Vikes defense; I just knew we'd have problems running up the middle. Which was the case. That said, big props to Fairchild for not abandoning the plan and letting Willis pound it time after time. The Vikes don't have the pass rush that the Bears do, though. That will be the difference. But...anything's possible!!!

I like your positivity, but I'd really be surprised if our offense can generate more than 150 total yards next week...

When Willis is throwing more vicious blocks than your fullback, there's an issue.

I agree with PG. After his second penalty and who knows how many poor blocks, I was wondering why Shelton was even in there any more.

I loved the way he played today. Confident, comfortable. The one thing I see really missing right now is play action. Where's the play action?

Villarial will likely be out for 4-6 weeks if that's really a high ankle sprain. That's just about as bad as a break. Sucks for us, but it's not like I expected him to make it through the first 1/4 of the season anyway.

Wow...8 people, 3 weeks. 23 out of 24 predictions regarding the Bills was wrong.

I have had a little beef with the playcalling. For the most part, I think he's done a very good job, but my impression is that he has been a little too enamored of the intermediate-range pass plays. My impression of the offense is that the line is about average in pass blocking; occasionally they do well, occasionally they break down. And against the blitz, we are not all that strong. So teams have been able to get decent pressure on Losman. I would think in response to this we would be emphasizing the short, quick routes more...the quick slants, the short dumps to the backs or TEs over the middle or in the flat. But too many times I've seen JP taking seven step drops and scanning the field. Sure, we need to do this now and then to keep the defense honest, but I would think it would help JP's confidence, and the offense's production, to be doing some more short passes. I'm also a little annoyed at his reluctance to stick with Willis in the Jets game. Most of this is nitpicking, however, as I do think Fairchild has done reasonably well so far.

Not to mention the week after, as well.

Is that Dr. Seuss or your own material?

BRING BACK THE PACKAGE!!

Not much I disagree with there, except for two things. For one, I'm a little more positive on JP. I don't think he has that special something that Kelly had, but I also don't think that's a requirement...to be a successful QB, or to win a Super Bowl. I do think that JP has some great tools. I was impressed at how he was firing the ball in that last game despite the wind, and still getting good velocity and accuracy (for the most part). Once he settles down some and gets the hang of some of the finer details, I think he'll be a very good QB, particularly given his arm strength and mobility. For another, I do think TKO can come back and be with the team for a little while. The thing that impressed me in the NE game is that he got on Brady in a big hurry to make the sack. No speed problem there. And this was his first game back from the injury. As has been said before, TKO at [some number less than 100%] is better than most LBs at 100%. I don't know what the cutoff is for that number less than 100%, but until I see more I don't think he'll be a liability in any way.

I still expect this guy to end his posts by asking if any of us would mind opening our U.S. bank account to allow him to wire $20,000,000 from somewhere in Africa.

HUGH!!!

Maybe you should ask Clinton himself:

I was a little surprised at the call at first, but after reviewing it I agreed with it. It's still a pu$$y rule, but it's the rule. After that one, he also explained the call on the Giants receiver in the final minutes of the NYG-Philly game. The WR caught the ball and was tackled out of bounds, but the refs called it "forward progress" and kept the clock moving. Rich Eisen couldn't understand the call, but to me it was pretty clear. I couldn't tell if Eisen was just acting that way to make him explain it better, or if he really is that thick-headed.

I think the real key to this defense is (a) finding and grooming a replacement for Fletcher in the next year or two, and (b) making sure that the Denney/Kelsay monster and the Williams/Anderson monster develop into solid, if not spectacular players. If we conentrate on the offensive line in the next offseason or two, I like our chances.

Actually, I found it. He did have them at #3. Did he even watch the Rams-Broncos game? As pathetic as the Broncos were in that game, the Rams were nearly their equal.

The one thing I am very impressed with concerning our defense is how they are just not giving up. It seems like every time a player is tackled, we have four, five, six, maybe even more all ganging up and making the tackle. On one play in the Miami game, I remember Triplett getting into the backfield on a pass play and nearly disrupting it, but Culpepper got off a short pass and the receiver ran for, who knows, maybe 7 or 8 yards. Triplett was in on the tackle at the end. I couldn't believe it.

Did he seriously have the Rams at #3 last week, or is that a typo??

Another tidbit: Couldn't be....he wasn't high profile enough...

Looks like #2 to me...

Oh snap.