Rubes

Thanks...you know, I don't really expect the Bills to be executing perfectly at this point. We're trying to implement new offensive and defensive schemes, and much of that with new players. It will take time for these guys to get it right. The problem is that we should be seeing progression, not regression. I can't think of one position on this team where we've actually shown improvement over the course of the year. Except maybe Lindell and Moorman.

This game was a complete failure across the board, from the players to the coaches. But one thing was painfully clear: as much as it pains me to say it, Jerry Sullivan was 100% dead on this morning in his column. This game, not the Chicago game, was the game to show what this team is made of. The answer, of course, is not a whole lot. There aren't many places to begin; I can't really think of anyone except maybe Lindell and Moorman who really did their job well. But what's really disturbing is that our philosophies, on both offense and defense, are just plain crap. Whether that's due to preparation, execution, or decision-making, I don't know. Is it because we lack the talent to implement these strategies? Or is it because these strategies just don't work well? I don't know. Does it really matter? Our offense seems to be predicated on running the ball and throwing medium and deep passes. Problem is, you really need an offensive line to do either of those. Willis being the leading rusher in the league at any point this season has to be the #1 most misleading stat. We can't run the ball, and we certainly can't run the ball when we need to. And even more disturbing is that Fairchild just seems to want nothing more than to have JP do 7-step drops. Guess what? We suck as pass blocking. Our five guys can't handle four pass rushers. Hell, even an extra running back or tight end can't handle that. When did JP look most comfortable and successful? When we did 3-step drops and quick passes. We moved down the field effectively doing that on one drive. Then when we get within sniffing distance of the goal line, Fairchild throws that plan out the window. Too often Fairchild tries to be cute instead of keeping the chains moving. How about trying to fool them with the shotgun formation on 2nd and 2? That was a good one. On defense, I don't even know what to say. I'm tired of hearing the same excuses over and over. Everybody in the world knows we really can't stop the run when an opponent decides to stick to it, and it's just embarrassing. This was a team missing most of its starting offensive linemen, and they made it look easy. How is it that this strategy is supposed to work again? Is it just poor discipline, or a real lack of ability? Either way, this is a really crappy strategy to implement if these are the tools we have to work with. And as for our secondary, it really is a complete embarrassment that our two most senior members are crapping the bed. McGee should just have a big target painted on his chest. Roy Williams is eating up the secondary...what does Fewell do about it? Anything? Anybody? Maybe put Clements on him once in a while? Double cover him? Does anyone have an answer for this, or are we just crossing our fingers and hoping that McGee will figure out how to play corner? Do any of our corners except for Greer even *try* to knock the receivers at the line? The Lions receivers wandered around our defensive backfield all day unimpaired, yet every time our receivers catch a ball they have a defender on their back. Hmm, maybe we should give that a try? The most painful thing about this loss is not the loss. It's the wake-up call. The first quarter of the season was just a temporary blip while the rest of the league, even the doormats, got a chance to figure out that all you have to do is take advantage of our weaknesses and you'll be fine. I've been saying all along that this is a rebuilding year, and it will be another year or two before this team really shows if it's arrived. But I fully expect a promising team to be better than this. I didn't think we had a whole lot farther to go to be good, but this loss just proves that I was terribly wrong about that.

You have to wonder what those schmoes think of Rothlisberger at this point. If they just started watching football this year, they'd think he sucks a lot worse than JP.

Always thought he did a great job on a limited budget. He was a big reason for the success of Hanna-Barbera. I didn't realize he worked with Tex Avery before H-B. Might explain it...Tex is one of the greats. Flintstones animator Ed Benedict dies

Makes me miss living in Chicago... Great story! My brother-in-law is a Bears season tix holder and he tells me how sick he is of the whole "time-out" chant. FWIW.

There's an opponent that is sub-par to Tim Anderson?

This proves, once and for all, how disastrous Levy is in the GM position. He is way too old for this league. [/sarcasm]

I was really hoping we'd just do a QB sneak on 2nd and inches. Get the first down, keep the ball, three more plays. Ah well, what do I know.

I still don't understand how CV was the only guy standing up after Willis dove for that touchdown. It'd be nice to have CV in there for such a big game, but I'm fine with seeing what the kid has to offer.

If Willis can get over 100 yards, I'd say we have a good chance. One, or even two turnovers by the Bears is important, but probably not enough.

Let's just hope the Bears are thinking the same thing come Monday.

At the game. Freaking out. I remember being able to hear so very clearly the sound of the football against Fred's hand.

Complain all you want, but this tidbit from the Buff News pretty much says it all:

I got the record right, I just got the Jets and Dolphins games mixed up.

Team looked good, but that Sluggo is just hideous.

Sabres win!!! Nice job by Miller.

Yeah. Like we need another thread hijacked by this.

Sorry, forgot the /sarcasm

37-14. It was quite the splash of cold water in the face. I'm at least a little better prepared for that this week.

Per league rules the Bills are not allowed on any prime time games this year.

The grade is not based only on their catches. I did mention that Royal's blocking skills are solid. But there are other TEs besides him, and their blocking skills are not exactly top-notch. So, as a sum, I would say Royal's blocking earns the TEs a B+ or so, but his receiving, as well as the blocking and receiving of the other tight ends, brings that grade down considerably.

Good points, yes. Like I said above, I was having a tough time deciding between C+ and B- for the overall grade, so I can't really argue with C+. (BTW, isn't that only one half grade?) But overall, I do think that the grade does take into account that the coaches have been working with either raw or less than stellar talent for the most part, and I think so far they have extracted more from this offense and done a much sounder job than I was expecting. And, I think they've set themselves up for more success down the road.

The other interesting thing about his first game against Denver...he was just acquired from the big trade, and he really didn't have any time to practice with the defense, so Denver had nothing to go on. I remember he applied heavy pressure on Elway his first two plays, and the following day Larry Felser wrote something like: "Then, on his third play from scrimmage as a pro, Cornelius Bennet was double-teamed."

I don't think a bear would even give it a try against a pissed off Bison.

Thanks... The overall grade is B-, which is a little above average (but not quite the true above average of a B). I think that's fairly accurate (although I had a tough time deciding between C+ and B- ), given that Willis and JP have pretty decent stats, the receivers are doing better than expected, and the coaching has been very solid. If they were doing a better job of scoring, they would definitely be a B or B+.