Geno Smith's Arm

Exactly. Half this board can't seem to understand that concept. All around the league QB's are throwing for huge numbers, but still losing. It's difficult to evaluate a defense that is spending 3 quarters defending a big lead. ,The offense trying to come back is playing like it's the 2 minute warning and taking more risks. They force the defense to concentrate on the pass and that allows for the occasional big rushing play. They also are more likely to go for it on 4th down. There are just so many more risks that the offense is going to take. The right way to counter it is to try to contain them and capitalize when the offense takes too big of a risk, or makes the virtually inevitable mistake. This Bills defense has been jumping on mistakes. That's good defense.

So basically , unless they win the Super Bowl, there is no way to say that you are full of ****. Great insight. I don't believe that this is the ONLY way these Bills can win. I believe that the way the games have unfolded that has forced the Bills to play the style of defense we have seen. They have been playing against wide open offenses, forced into a high risk/reward situations. Let's see how well the defense plays in a tight, low scoring game, OR the Bills get blown out, before you judge them as incapable of winning without a bunch of turnovers. I can tell you are an expert, able to evaluate flaws with a discerning eye, so how about a prediction of the final season record? That would be way more impressive than just saying they aren't going to win the Super Bowl.

I don't trust anybody that uses that stupid emoticon. I already have a bet with a fellow forum member that the Bills will win 10 games, otherwise I would challenge you to a wager. The old maxims need to be altered. I think the offense should shoulder the blame for the Eagles comeback, because they didn't keep the ball away from a desperate Eagles offense! The game is different right now, and the Bills defense has been playing under odd circumstances. I can only point them out, I can't make you see them!

Take off your Vince Lombardi glasses. It's a new NFL. The Bills defense has been playing against teams that are playing wide open on offense and taking lots of risks. That's why they are giving up big plays, and also why they are getting turnovers. Until they play in a "grind-it-out", low scoring, tight game, and LOSE, I don't think it is fair to judge them so harshly.

You're blocked.

If the Bills play in a low scoring, tight game, I think the defense will play a whole different style, and be fine. We shall see.

I don't think they are undisciplined either. I think they have had to play against teams that are playing wide open for long stretches, and any defense that has to do that is gonna give up lots of yards, but they better take advantage of the opportunities that will doubtlessly come.

The second Barnett interception was caused by a DB tearing the ball away from the receiver. These kinds of interceptions are caused by the DB's making plays on the receiver. Bounces happen all the time, but for some reason a guy like Barnett catches the ball, while a guy like Poz drops it. Teams are plying high risk offense against the Bills, and the defense is coming up with big plays. That's what GOOD defenses do!

It's not a bad defense. It has had to play against teams that are playing wide open. There are high risk/reward plays happening constantly and this defense has risen to the occasion pretty well. A bad defense doesn't come up with the turnovers that they should get when playing desperate teams. This defense does!

They should, but it's the offense that should have put the game out of reach in this case, either by controlling the ball, or scoring more. The reason the defense had so many turnovers is because Philly had to play risky football. That kind of offensive play leads to big plays, but can also lead to turnovers (if the DEFENSE IS GOOD*). It was the offense that was letting down the defense by not controlling the football. *I think the Bills have a good defense to combat this style of play! They are opportunistic and there will be lots of opportunities in this new style NFL.

It's not. And every team in the league is having trouble figuring out how to deal with the quick scoring. I could easily turn it around and say that any offense should easily win a game when the defense cause 4 turnovers and scores a touchdown. It's a different game and clock management and game strategies are in flux.

They are still figuring out how to play with a lead in "the new NFL". Every team is, because scoring is way up and big leads can fall apart QUICK! Killing the clock for a half ain't gonna cut it any more. Teams can score too quickly. Blaming the defensive coordinator for the way that game unfolded is simple-minded. If anything it was the offense's fault.

It's a new league strategically. People are still judging teams by old maxims. The way teams are scoring now strategy has to change. Big leads are no longer safe. Killing the clock for a half with a 21 point lead can backfire these days. Things have changed, and some of the age-old maxims will need to be altered. The Bills defense is opportunistic, I am not worried about the yards they give up. Today I was actually more worried about the way the offense played. I think they were trying to keep pressure off of Hairston a bit. They were pretty predictable. They are not winning by being "lucky", they are the real deal, and they are gonna win 10 games this year (they still might not make the playoffs though).

Well put!

I think the Bills will play much better this week. Last weeks game was a snoozer, played in a half empty stadium against a good defense but an erratic offense. That's a hard game to stay in metally for a team that has been living on the edge all season. I think it's obvious that the Bills like high tension games and rising to the occasion, as opposed to controlling the clock and keeping the ball away from the other team. I know everyone wants them to pound it out, but I'm not sure that plays to the Bills strengths. I hope they can, but if Philly gets the first score early, I think the Bills will need to open up the passing game. It's just the way they seem to like to play. It keeps them in the game mentally. I know someone is going to want to school me on the importance of controlling the clock, and being able to run when the weather is cold, yada yada, and I would agree (that is a very Dick Jauron-ish approach to football though, remember? Playing scared. Good thing we didn't do that against the Patriots!). I'm not sure that these Bills are have that in them YET. They can learn it as they go though. It's part of being a "seasoned professional".

I thought they gave up on Billie Jo Hobert way too quick also. And Todd Collins PROVED that given 13 years, a guy can get good enough to win a few games...

It really only worked because the other rusher and the O-lineman got in Maybin's blocker's way at the same time as Flacco left the pocket. Maybin still sucks, but he is fast. I'm sure glad he isn't starting for the Bills. Instead of gushing about the Jets, why not appreciate the 3-1 division leading Bills? Chix know what to do.

Is David Garrard so bad that he can't find a team? Not even as a backup? I hear Miami might sign him, but I can't believe that the Colts didn't try to get him, preferring a very old Kerry Collins. Maybe it's an "Andrew Luck Sweepstakes" thing. I don't usually buy into things like that, but Kerry Collins? Trent Edwards? Tavaris Jackson?

We need to change everything, we lost a road game by a field goal in the final seconds...

I anticipated that teams would start to concentrate on coverage (as opposed to the pass rush) because Fitz has been so good at dealing with the blitz and audibles. Tighter coverage forces Fitz to be more patient and accurate (which is the weakest part of his game). I think Fitz will learn how to deal with it though.

I hear him on the radio broadcasts, and I think James Lofton is an ex-Bill that actually ADDS to the game. His delivery isn't great, but he actually ANTICIPATES plays by teams. To me, this is a sign of a knowledgeable commentator, and someone that is confident enough to go out on a limb. Tasker seems like he plays it safe in an effort to move up the ladder by being as bland as possible. It doesn't appear to be working though, because he still works the low-rung games. Hopefully a different ex-player will soon take his spot. I don't care how good he was as a Bill, I ain't washing his balls. Why should I if he wants to be impartial? (I think he should be, But then I gotta be impartial when I evaluate his performance....he's terrible.) Troy Aikman does a decent job, but everyone accepts his natural Cowboy bias. It's kinda a given.

I haven't watch all the losses by the other team that are 3-1 but I imagine that most of them are as bad or worse than what we saw from the Bills against the Bengals. The Bills played a lacklustre road game in a half empty stadium, a week after mounting a huge comeback against a team that has pushed them (and the rest of the league)around for 15 straight games, and they lost on a last second field goal. This team has glaring weaknesses, but so do almost ALL the teams in the NFL. I believe they will be fine and stick by my prediction of 10+ wins. People on this board are overreacting.

Mostly, he is just dull. I never feel like he is offering any insight. He's never funny, he never goes out on a limb, he's always "good-natured". He is just so self-consciously SAFE that he grates on the listeners by talking, but never really saying anything. All this in addition to going out of his way to sound impartial.

It wasn't the defensive scheme that lost this game, it was poor play. Poor tackling (lack of intensity), and McKelvin was outplayed by Green. I don't think George Edwards should shoulder the blame. They lacked intensity, and the way the road game unfolded (bad drive starts) lent itself to that kind of sluggish play. They will be much better this week at home.

I was worried about the game early on, just because the Bills weren't getting good drive start field position. Those kind of games drive me crazy because they are always close, and the Bills lacked intensity (happens on the road). It was a poorly played offensive game, it's just that the Bills offense played poorer than Bengal's. The Bengals didn't tear up the Bills defense. They only scored 23 points, hardly a drubbing. The Bills will be fine.