BillsVet

A LOT can happen in 14 games. This team has already incurred two injuries to starters and no one knows how this will affect them. DJ is the same coach, regardless of who the OC and #1 WR are. The defense made some nice plays on Sunday, but also allowed TB to throw when the run was removed later in the second half. Edwards needs to continue improving and learn to trust Owens and Evans. The lack of passes thrown to Evans was a little bothersome, but I'm interested to see how or if the Bills can stay ahead of opposing defenses. Adapting is the key in the NFL, and Turkey Schonert couldn't do it last year after the 5-1 start.

I do too, but it's still way too early to tell. Pass rushers are not found in abundance, and the Bills took the one they felt was best. Problem is, most fans expect a first round pick to be instant impact and when they're not, they look for someone playing better at the moment. Vince Young vs. Mario Williams is a perfect example. NFL rookies generally need 1-2 years to develop, other than perhaps RB's who rely on instincts and physical ability. Most other positions, including DE, need to build strength and learn how to beat blockers with more than just speed.

No question Brees and the offense can light it up, while their defense is not especially strong. OTOH, Buffalo runs a no-huddle offense which may result in some quick 3 and outs, although their coach is a defense first run the ball type coach. Buffalo's run defense has been good, but their pass defense not so much.

I think McIntyre gets the axe when Lynch returns. He's not featured in the offense, and I don't think he's such a ST demon that they need him. Maybe there's a tackle out there with talent, but who knows if they're ready. This is where Pro Personnel needs to have a plan, and I'm not confident those guys are that great. A WGR reporter made a point of asking why does Jim Overdorf participate in meetings regarding street free agents. I thought it was noteworthy, considering JO's job is to basically sign people and manage the cap. I can't imagine anyone off the street is going to break the bank and put the team near the cap. Then again, it's the Bills we're talkig about.

Passer rating is built heavily on the most useless stat for a QB: completion percentage. Neither statistic provides a good way to judge a QB.

I read on PFT not long ago that ESPN employees no less than 23 former NFL players. And Schlereth does what all of them do: make obvious predictions. Aside from maybe their pre-game show, I could care less about their group of analysts. Rock Hoover can't act either.

Rex Ryan hasn't done anything in the NFL. Mike Tomlin is a SB winning HC that seems like one of the brightest young minds in the NFL. Ryan also wasn't considered for a lot of HC jobs because of his emotions and affinity for talking.

Glad Jay Glazer informed Posluszny his arm was broken. It's those kind of insider reports that keep me logging onto the internet at work. But I still hope he doesn't suffer an MCL tear in 2011.

If this were the NHL or MLB, I wouldn't get worked up long term about one debilitating blown loss. But in an extremely tough AFC where one team went 11-5 last season and didn't make the playoffs, one game looms large. The margin for error in the AFC is extremely thin. Good teams that make the playoffs win those types of games at some point. NFL teams cannot afford to give games away and get into the post-season. This was a division loss to boot, which puts Buffalo in an early hole there as well.

Even of draft day and UFA the Bills have become a DJ team. Instead of being the NYG and drafting pass rushers early and often, DJ chooses to take DB's who sit in zone coverage and wait for the pass to be thrown. All real football fans know the first and best way to stop a passing game is by having 2-3 guys who can get to the QB. We know Schobel still has some ability, but neither Kelsay nor Denney will ever be threats that other teams will plan for. Maybin has a long way to go, but depending on him to improve a pass rush was not realistic. We draft DB's and successful teams take pass rushers. No wonder the pass defense has worsened every year since DJ took over. At least we've got 11 DB's on the roster that can watch Brees on 9/27.

This is the central issue re: DJ. I can't stand micromanagers, but certain situations which can result in catastrophic errors require a degree of this. I've never coached a NFL team, but there were times that I, as the supervisor, have micromanaged things which could not under any circumstances be screwed up. DJ has to go directly to McKelvin after the first Watson TD and tell McKelvin he must go down or out of bounds before NE can strip the ball. I personally don't care if DJ is unemotional, because I don't need a yeller. But I want someone who is situationally aware and knows when to communicate what to which people. DJ has never done that, with the other bad example being the waning moments of the MNF game in 07 when Crayton was allowed to catch a 4 yard out with CB's giving at least 10 yards. This is why this team loses close games, among other DJ shortcomings. Lack of situational awareness.

It's obvious BB entered the game without the services of several players who made his defenses, especially at CB and LB. That said, he was indeed forced to cover both Evans and Owens. I've gotta believe other coaches have taken note, and if those people took note, NE played something akin to a C2 defense. Obviously it worked. It will come down to AVP adjusting some routes to exploit defenses that try to cover the underneath stuff with some longer passing plays. Oh yeah, Owens blocked well. And he'll get the ball more as teams try to stop the short stuff.

Reprehensible conduct from idiot mouth breather type fans who should be harshly punished.

Winning is optional to some fans. As long as they tried hard and did their best, that's enough. After 4 off-seasons of rebuilding, numerous practices, 48 regular season games and 9 straight non-playoff seasons it's still satisfactory to have moral victories. Maybe after 20 bad seasons and more debilitating losses these "real" fans will come around. Or maybe not.

Tim-With LB depth limited to UDFA's, and late round picks, do the Bills go shopping at the clearance rack now that veteran salaries aren't guaranteed?

It is, if not for the fact that it mirrors what being a Bills fan is all about Going up the mountain only to be dropped like a bad habit.

Jauron is the common denominator in some of the most humiliating regular season losses in franchise history. DJ's teams have lost 3 times on MNF in three tries, and there are other losses which make one wonder what DJ is doing. A HC supervises the gameplan, as well as adapting that to what the other team does. I've never seen DJ adapt to his opponent, primarily because he believes in out-executing the other team. Furthermore, DJ insists on running the T2. Anyone who knows a shred about that defense knows where the soft-spots are in it. Anyone who remembers the Indy game in 06 can see the similarities to what Manning did in that game and Brady did last night. Neither one tried to go deep, even though they're both good at it, but rather took the 5-10 yard gains all night long. The players may have changed, but the results have not. DJ coached teams, despite the fact the HC doesn't play, end up with the same result. It is no coincidence bad teams lose close games.

My dad is a long-time Bills fan and he's made it clear that he won't be, "led up the mountain anymore." Man was he right last night. Some teams are known for finishing an opponent, but the Bills find ways to finish themselves. After that game, I think emotions ran high, especially considering Buffalo played NE.

Not trying to get cute here, but I think it comes down to money. And the fact that contracts were guaranteed before the other day. Rookies are low cost and don't have a professional history. Tinoisamoa, June, and Keiaho may not be big to play the position, but they'd represent a player with some experience, which is clearly lacking. I can't remember a time when more rookies were starting or receiving significant playing time.

Mitchell struggled in 2006 as KC's MLB. He ended up in NYG, where they translated his in-line speed to play WLB, which is what Buffalo did with him. Most knowledgeable fans looked at Buffalo's LB depth and saw a severe shortage of talent AND experience. Harris is another rookie, and with as many of those getting PT, it's a gamble to think there will be no issues translating.

I think he's referring to the middle of the field, which is precisely where this team was victimized in their short zone coverage. Posluszny seemed to more than adequate in the middle, which is where Buggs, Scott, and Ellison will be in the next(hopefully only) few weeks. Slot receivers and/or crossing routes with a decent QB will give this defense trouble for awhile.

The Bills are once again paper thin at LB with Posluszny's injury. With injuries inevitable, I expect them to sign more depth in the preseason, but that hurts the bottom line. Lack of depth cannot be an excuse each year. Ellison should not be a starter and his coverage ability is terrible. Whitner's presence, even with a pass rush is not enough. He makes a few tackles sure, but he's not near a Polamalu type SS. Bell is not ready.

He's the eternal flame of TBD.

Do I sound happy? Go read my posts. And when you've got a relevant opinion on another deflating and demoralizing loss, please enlighten all of us.

Yippee!!! Playing the Bucs for the first time ever at RW. Wonderful consolation prize for a fan base which has been beaten over the head once again.