bowery4 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) It's going to take longer than 2 weeks. CLE and CIN are both currently 2-2, with both losing games they were predicted to win and winning games they were predicted to lose. Those teams are just as large question marks as BUF, so the next 2 are not going to tell much in the short term. We actually could go to 4-2 or 3-3 but I don't see us losing both those games. Really hope McGilmore and dare I say Byrd are back for Cincy. Edited September 30, 2013 by bowery4
mrags Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 It's going to take longer than 2 weeks. CLE and CIN are both currently 2-2, with both losing games they were predicted to win and winning games they were predicted to lose. Those teams are just as large question marks as BUF, so the next 2 are not going to tell much in the short term. even thought bothe the Browns and Bengals are far from Super Bowl contenders, they both show some progress. In the past, these are games the Bills lose. Why I say it depends in these 2 games. In 14 days will we be 2-4, 3-3, or 4-2. That's huge heading into the 2nd half of the season.
Captain Hindsight Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Only stat that matters is the W
Formerly Allan in MD Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 not to rain on our parade, but it seems clear that Manuel is a work in progress who must progress significantly, for success going forward. Yes, we won, but it was a 5 interception game that we barely won, and EJs stats look fairly horrendous. If we had lost.... I think counting on 5 INTs is not a formula that will win us too many more games. the Bills need to develop a killer instinct (the whole team needs what Kiko has!) and EJ needs to be a LOT better. Hopefully it is possible. Never would have guessed that a rookie quarterback in his fourth game is a work in progress.
Meark Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Seemed like two different players by half--all-Pro in the first half and rookie QB taking some lumps in the second half when Hackett's play calling went south. We all expected the second half guy this year, but the first half EJ is a big (and pleasant) surprise.... Urbik went down and they inserted a turnstyle in the beginning of the second half. Just like last week the Oline really suffers without Urbik. Time to grab a guard off someone's practice squad..
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) not to rain on our parade, but it seems clear that Manuel is a work in progress who must progress significantly, for success going forward. Yes, we won, but it was a 5 interception game that we barely won, and EJs stats look fairly horrendous. If we had lost.... I think counting on 5 INTs is not a formula that will win us too many more games. the Bills need to develop a killer instinct (the whole team needs what Kiko has!) and EJ needs to be a LOT better. Hopefully it is possible. they won. enjoy it. If you didn't think Edge was a work in progress you have made a bad assumption. Edited September 30, 2013 by BillsFan-4-Ever
Chandler#81 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Really? Start a toxic thread then don't reply at all? Pretty sure there's a rule about this.. (thumbing through TSW rule book..)
MDH Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Man, I can't believe it. A rookie QB who has played 4 games has to improve? Shucks, I thought he was a finished product.
nucci Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 not to rain on our parade, but it seems clear that Manuel is a work in progress who must progress significantly, for success going forward. Yes, we won, but it was a 5 interception game that we barely won, and EJs stats look fairly horrendous. If we had lost.... I think counting on 5 INTs is not a formula that will win us too many more games. the Bills need to develop a killer instinct (the whole team needs what Kiko has!) and EJ needs to be a LOT better. Hopefully it is possible. Thanks. I thought he was an established 10 year veteran.
GG Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 (edited) But to put those ints in perspective, I don't believe Bills D has scored this year. That's something that the past QBs benefited from. Edited September 30, 2013 by GG
mrags Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Urbik went down and they inserted a turnstyle in the beginning of the second half. Just like last week the Oline really suffers without Urbik. Time to grab a guard off someone's practice squad.. Urbik came back in the field before the half was even over. Now if they changed him in and out thought the second half I couldn't tell you. But from my seat, I clearly watched him come back to the field in our last drive in the 2nd quarter and didnt notice if he was swapped out at all in the 2nd half. Replay of game file will tell. He was without CJ and Freddy much of the 2nd half though. And even Stevie (not that he did anything anyway) was out for quite a few plays in the 2nd half. I specifically remember at least one drive (ended in a 3 and out) where our WRs were Hogan and Graham. No woods, no Stevie.
NoSaint Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 even thought bothe the Browns and Bengals are far from Super Bowl contenders, they both show some progress. In the past, these are games the Bills lose. Why I say it depends in these 2 games. In 14 days will we be 2-4, 3-3, or 4-2. That's huge heading into the 2nd half of the season. I think the bengals are closer than many think. The browns are a big wildcard week to week much like we can be but the bengals are in the upper tier of the Afc, obviously a cut below Denver but still likely to win their division qbs a tough matchup in the playoffs IF dalton comes to play
thebandit27 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 I'll continue to opine that I expect games like yesterday's from EJ. He threw the ball well; the one obvious exception being the long-ball to Woody that he underthrew--I still think he needs to stop trying to place the ball and just rip it, but that's another topic altogether. Seriously, the stats don't tell the story on this one...another poster covered it quite well, but factor in Stevie's batted-ball INT, Chandler's close call on the sideline, the over-turned Woods TD, Woods' near-catch over the middle, a penalty call-back on a long pass to Woods, Lee Smith failing to turn around for a ball, Lee Smith tripping over the 5-yard line, etc. As I said, the stats don't tell the story here.
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Really? Start a toxic thread then don't reply at all? Pretty sure there's a rule about this.. (thumbing through TSW rule book..) It's probably in the section that discusses banishment from the board for acts of trollism and cowardice.
C.Biscuit97 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Never would have guessed that a rookie quarterback in his fourth game is a work in progress.
thurst44 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Stats are very misleading. EJ should have had a TD to Woods. He should have had a TD to Lee Smith which was a great play and pass (although I think IIRC that was the same drive so you can't say he would have two). He had that great pass to Chandler that was overturned. He had a great pass to Woods that was brought back. Also, one of the INTs was a decent pass (if too hard for the distance) to Stevie (and talk about a crazy game -- perhaps his worst all-around as a pro...and his hustle completely saved the game at the end)
mrags Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 I'll continue to opine that I expect games like yesterday's from EJ. He threw the ball well; the one obvious exception being the long-ball to Woody that he underthrew--I still think he needs to stop trying to place the ball and just rip it, but that's another topic altogether. Seriously, the stats don't tell the story on this one...another poster covered it quite well, but factor in Stevie's batted-ball INT, Chandler's close call on the sideline, the over-turned Woods TD, Woods' near-catch over the middle, a penalty call-back on a long pass to Woods, Lee Smith failing to turn around for a ball, Lee Smith tripping over the 5-yard line, etc. As I said, the stats don't tell the story here. couldnt argue with anything here. Except the "rip it" part might be arguable. Remember how last week we all complained about his poorly thrown balls out of bounds? IMO, that was him "ripping it" but with defenders in his face all game. Just my observation. But I do agree for the most part with the "rip it" statement. There was a play early in the game, he completed a pass near the middle of the field. I clearly watched Graham streak down the right side if the field and would have easily had a TD. Everyone in my area saw it. I wasn't the only one. People were claiming "check down". Obviously EJ didn't see it. He still made a nice play though.
gobillsinytown Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 Any rookie QB is a work in progress. The NFL game is too much to assimilate in one year. The rookie QB's who have succeeded in their first year had enough talent supporting them. A few "once in a generation" QB's have been able to take a team on their shoulders (ala Andrew Luck), but those are few and far between. EJ is a starting caliber QB, but won't really come into his own for at least a year, and hopefully won't get hurt or shell shocked. It's a combination of good coaching, talent and sheer luck. Let's hope the dice roll comes up seven!
buffaloboyinATL Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 I thought this was easily EJ's best game. The one int was all on Stevie. That pass hit him right in the hands. EJ's biggest enemy today was his WR's. Lee Smitg falling, Woods with a key drop or two/foot placement, Chandler missing his feet, and everything that Steve Johnson did. The inverse is, I think today might have been SJ's worst game of his career. I was planning on piling on Stevie today, until he recovered that fumble. Fr that, he gets a pass fom me.
thebandit27 Posted September 30, 2013 Posted September 30, 2013 couldnt argue with anything here. Except the "rip it" part might be arguable. Remember how last week we all complained about his poorly thrown balls out of bounds? IMO, that was him "ripping it" but with defenders in his face all game. Just my observation. But I do agree for the most part with the "rip it" statement. There was a play early in the game, he completed a pass near the middle of the field. I clearly watched Graham streak down the right side if the field and would have easily had a TD. Everyone in my area saw it. I wasn't the only one. People were claiming "check down". Obviously EJ didn't see it. He still made a nice play though. Also just my opinion: it looked to me like the sideline throws last week were him trying too hard to place the ball in a safe spot. The general rule of thumb for a QB is that a safe deep throw is over the top and outside, which minimizes the chance for a pick. When under duress and trying to make a deep throw, that's kind of what I'd expect to see. I could easily be mistaken though...
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