A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particular order.....

[Boolay]

 

 

 

Pitchforks ! Clear em all out !

 

Kelly to reed how does EJ Suck ? Game was 24-24 and we were driving when he went out.

 

Misery! Doom ! Aaaaaaaaaa.

 

 

Just remember we do have Gilmore and mck in the pipeline.

 

Repeat after me "We played a good game even though we lost. Next year will be better". That is exactly what this moribund organization wants from you. If you accept this trash they will give it to you forever.

[bobobonators]

This entire board needs a Xanax. My lord.

[billsrcursed]

Oh, brother. Should we pull up Russell Wilson's stats first four games in Seattle?

 

Don't feed it, or it'll keep coming back.

[BarleyNY]

Do we look at Josh Freeman now?

 

The Bills pretty much have to.

[RuntheDamnBall]

Don't feed it, or it'll keep coming back.

You have a point. Sorry!

[8-8 Forever?]

The Bills should have won this game going away. The special teams gaffes swung the momentum. Not just the 2 terrible punt covers, but 2 mediocre punts by Powell in the 2nd half. We lost the field position game and once EJ was knocked out there was zero chance that Tuel would be able to string some passes together. Speaking of Tuel, He was really awful. He didnt even look like he should be on the practice squad let alone a backup. What could they possibly have seen in him in the preseason that would have made them think they could rely on him in an emergency like last night? Finally, I am very disappointed in the defense. They played OK but when they really needed a pick or a stop (the 3rd and 18 play!!!) they blew it. They couldnt intercept Brandon Wheeden? Not even once? Not acceptable! This and the Jets game were opportunities lost that will bite them in the butt come playoff time when they are struggling for a WC.

Oh please. The secondary is a bunch of arena league players and you're looking for picks. I get the point on Tuel but in-game QB switch outs rarely go well on the road with raw rookies. Not sure I can ever remember one. Rookie comes in on the road... nope, can't think of one. That will be fixed, along with LG, TE, etc in FA and the draft. They are building a team. AND IN spite of all the problems, Without the EJ injury the pick 6 and the punt return TD, they win the game. I like what i saw . This is not a playoff team yet. They blew it all up and are starting over. Let's all start dealing with reality please.

[Maury Ballstein]

 

 

Repeat after me "We played a good game even though we lost. Next year will be better". That is exactly what this moribund organization wants from you. If you accept this trash they will give it to you forever.

 

Disagree. With EJ there is a ton of hope.

 

It's a lil diff then the backup qb era we just went thru. I would have agreed with your take then.

 

Gilmore EJ woods Kiko. Young exciting crew. To next year !!

Edited October 4, 2013 by Ryan L Billz

[MikeSpeed]

I am usually pretty cynical when it comes to the bills but I didn't come away from this game feeling all doom and gloom. I thought the st cost us thi s game.

[RuntheDamnBall]

I came away from the game thinking this team needs a better punter, it is thin at QB, and boy does it have some amazing pieces on defense. I'm surprised I am saying this, but a few upgrades in the secondary (most of which are already on the roster and just not playing yet) might make them dominant. Have to tighten up against the run though.

 

The offensive playcalling still blows and needs to feature more screens to combat pressure.

[BuffaloWings]

I am usually pretty cynical when it comes to the bills but I didn't come away from this game feeling all doom and gloom. I thought the st cost us thi s game.

 

Nice...a positive spin!

 

The only doom & gloom I felt was that the game was there for the taking when Hoyer went down and we didn't take advantage. Weeden looked terrible at first, but settled in and ate up our depleted secondary. Had EJ not gone down, I think there's a great chance they keep moving the ball and get more points.

 

Tuel didn't look good, but I'll give him a bit of a pass...he was thrust into a tough spot, though he still has to be ready. I still think this group can win now - as long as EJ is ok, they can get into a better offensive rhythm and score more points. The schedule ahead isn't too promising, but you never know.

[The Poojer]

i am going to disagree at the assertion of how thin we are, we are down Byrd, Godwin, Gilmore, Legursky, Gragg, etc, injured and out of the game was our starting QB and our #1 receiver, we had a gimpy CJ and Leodis, and we had the ball in hand with a chance to go up by 1 in the final 2 seconds....how 'thick' would you like our roster to be???

 

This game simply exposed how thin our roster is. One thing you did not mention is how disheartened Kyle Williams looked at the end of the game. You do have to wonder if like us he is tired of the very few bright spots the team has had over his career.

 

Finally, the season could get very long and difficult with a loss next week. Marrone's coaching honeymoon just ended .

[Beerball]

I didn't watch the entire game, but Williams was OK in my book. He's a safety forced to play corner. His coverage was there but the throws were better. He, like Rogers likes to peek into the backfield too much. Corner can't do that.

 

Manuel must fix his feet. He's too sloppy in the pocket. Still tries to 'guide' the ball at times too. Get better dude (physically and mechanically)!

 

Punt return coverage was suckiness beginning with the punts themselves.

 

81 better stay in the EZ when he fields those high kickoffs.

 

Would like to see 81 get a shot at WR.

 

Play calling baffled me at times. We did see at least 1 RB screen though. Did I miss any after I went to sleep? (I'm old, it's allowed) A single option flea flicker?

 

Brown beaten like a drum.

 

M. Williams...very good game.

 

Dareus played well IMO.

 

Why put McKelvin in to return a punt?

[Gugny]

Perspective: Rookie QB. Rookie HC. Rookie OC. Rookie GM. Young WR corps. - The Bills aren't supposed to do much this year.

 

They're (2-3). Far cry from (0-5).

 

[K-9]

Here are my thoughts, its same old **** different year at OBD. Fans are so desperate that they ignore how ****ty this team really is. EJ sucks. The kid is not going to be a good QB, you can just see it. No fire, no decisiveness that I see in rookie QB's that have been successful the last couple years. Outside of Kiko and Woods and a couple others this team is devoid of talent. The coaching sucks balls. Nothing but the same old **** in Buffalo

 

This is shortsighted at best. Other rookie QBs the last couple years? Go ahead, name them. It's a damn short list and, other than Wilson, who EVERYBODY missed on at least TWICE, Luck, and Griffin, no others have set the world on fire. Were you expecting EJ to be a generational QB like Luck? Or RGIII, who without the run threat, has regressed this year?

 

EJ has mechanical issues as a passer that are readily correctable with experience. No fire? You haven't been watching very closely. I wouldn't confuse his composure with lack of fire.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[Gugny]

Here are my thoughts, its same old **** different year at OBD. Fans are so desperate that they ignore how ****ty this team really is. EJ sucks. The kid is not going to be a good QB, you can just see it. No fire, no decisiveness that I see in rookie QB's that have been successful the last couple years. Outside of Kiko and Woods and a couple others this team is devoid of talent. The coaching sucks balls. Nothing but the same old **** in Buffalo

Sitting in a boat. Moving ever so slowly. Your line following behind. Are you using a lure, or live bait, and at what depth?

[JPS]

It was a good game against a good team that went down to the wire. The Bills have been in every game so far. With that roster, I'm happy. Except with Colon Brown.....how much can you watch 1 player struggle before you try a replacement. See Powell.

[Nervous Guy]

This entire board needs a Xanax. My lord.

 

The team was on a roll when EJ went down, I'm disappointed, but a realist and very hopeful. I assume some responsibility for the loss...it was weird, right before kickoff I thought to myself, "what's going to happen if EJ gets hurt, we would be screwed"...hell, I've never had a thought like that before a game...I will banish those thoughts in the future.

[FLFan]

Good post Bill. I would disagree with your number 8 on the hurry up in this case. In fact, it seemed to me that before EJ went out it was the Bills who were wearing down the Cleveland D, not the other way around. As for the McGahee runs, I think the Bills simply overplayed the pass and did not expect the couple of "big" runs he made. It looked to me they were caught in pass blitzes and the Brown's OL blocked the plays extremely well.

 

The real issue here is QB play. The Bills were dead, and their defense began wearing down, when Tuel went into the game and went 4 series without a first down. The elephant in the room since the roster was set was the lack of experienced depth at QB. Its too bad Kolb was hurt but the failure to sign and keep a veteran QB will doom them if EJ spends any time out of the lineup. The Brown's backup QB last night was a former 1st round pick with a full year of NFL starting experience. The Bills backup was an undrafted rookie free agent. This was clearly the difference in the game. The Bills probably win if EJ plays the game.

 

I was really perturbed, however, at the 3rd and 18 completion. Weeden had all day. WTF Pettine! Why get conservative and play prevent there. The Bills still had a chance, albeit a small one with Tuel, until then.

Edited October 4, 2013 by MDFan

[KOKBILLS]

Bottom Line: Not having a Vet backup...or at least a backup QB that has played in a real NFL game...cost us this game. I can't blame Tuel too much, but he was pretty bad. Some relatively easy throws were low and in the dirt, or behind the receivers.

The Bills had 3 or 4 possessions while the game was either tied or behind by 3....and they could not move the ball one iota. Get that kid (Thaddeus?) from Duke in there as the 2nd string QB from now on. He could not possibly be worse.

 

Agreed...There were a ton of minor factors in this game...But one TD drive from our back-up QB and we win the game (assuming he does not throw the freaking pick 6 of course)...

 

I don't blame Tuel either...He's no where near ready and that's on the coaches for not realizing it a long time ago...

[DE Bills Fan]

1) Obviously, it was a shame that EJ went down. What sucks too is that he had time to run out of bounds. He is young and unpolished, but I sense that he is going to be very good.

- Still not sold on him. I had questions about his mechanics (both in his throwing motion and footwork) coming out of Florida State and those concerns are still there. Checkn out some of his games in college and you will see what I mean

 

2) Sure, the punt return before the deuce at the half was a killer, but the stupid play calling led to it. Two useless runs out of the hurry-up, and an incomplete pass under pressure. Then Marrone ran out the clock.

- Agree - Also not sold on Marrone and the OC. They really did not have overwhelming success in college, so not sure why we should think they can win at the next level. To me, they still have a lot to prove. Was not sold when they were hired and still have a lot to prove to me.

 

3) Aaron Williams played like the Aaron Williams I remember. He was beaten like a drum, turned around, and smoked all night. At one point an announcer called him "our best corner." Just a pitiful performance.

- Not sure what to think of him. He has actually played really well this year and seems better suited at safety, so I would not be too harsh on him. Playing out of position is tough and teams will take advantage of that. I would give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

4) Mario Williams played as well as he did in the 4.5 sack game. Almost constant pressure and he forced several plays.

- Agree. He seems to be playing much better this year, but still has a ways to go to justify that mammoth contract.

 

5) Colin Brown threw a nice block on a 3rd and 6 run in the 1st quarter. Then, he promptly gave up 2 brutal sacks. What a mess.

- Agree. He needs to be replaced, but with no depth, not going to happen

 

6) Robert Woods plays like a polished professional. It is SO easy to forget that he is a 21 year old kid!!! Nothing but high hopes for this player.

- Agree - He is the real deal and has a great future. Hopefully he will not get hurt.....

 

7) You imagine me sipping champagne from your boot,

For a taste of your elegant pride.

May be going to hell in a bucket, babe,

But at least I'm enjoying the ride.

At least I'm enjoying the ride.

At least I'm enjoying the ride.!

 

8) Because Marrone, (who is getting on my nerves more and more) just wouldn't stop with the hurry-up, some of the defenders appeared to be a little winded at the end of the game. This might explain some of the key gains by an old, hobbled Magahee.

- See #2 Above

 

9) I'm saying that there must be better punters on the street looking for work. The best part of Powell's game was his ability to go after returners who were of course streaking down the field.

- He did have a bad night. Need to monitor his performance going forward

 

10) Dareus played very well today. I could see the effort he was putting into his game. The kid hurried up to scrimmage, and appears to be in 10 times better shape than I have seen him in since he has been on the Bills.

- I thought that as well. Hopefully he will start to play up to his potential

 

11) Note to Searcy....catch that ball kid. You had a pick six.

- Need to look at that play again. The Browns WR got a hand on the ball and tipped it before it even reached Searcy, so Searcy really had no chance on that play

12) Tuel? Someone forgot to tell me that he has no arm. In terms of arm strength, he made Fitz look like Drew Bledsoe.

- I still am holding out hope for him, although he did look lost out there. I would like to see him with a full week of preparation to more fairly judge him. Don't forget, he came into the game with several starters injured (Johnson/Graham), was trailing and was in a hostile environment without much prep time. Yes, he did not look good I would agree, but I would like to see a little more before demoting him to the PS

 

13) Hughes, Kiko and Alonzo all had big games. You wouldn't know it from the score, but it's true.

- I agree, although I think you mean Kiko Alonzo. Not sure about Hughes. He did have some good plays, but still not totally sold on this Defense. Yes. They have played much better this year than last year and seem more unpredictable. However, they still are giving up big plays and could not shut the door on the Browns back-up QB when Hoyer went down and also seemed to tire and make MaGahee look good as the game went on which was disheartening for me as I cannot stand Magahee for his negative comemnts on Buffalo. I also think the Bills offensive philosophy of hurrying up is hurting them similarly to what happend back in the K-Gun days. The coaching staff needs to make the proper adjustments of when to go faster and slower dictated by game conditions and so far I have not seen any of theat. Just Marrone sticking with what he wants and not making many adjustments. He needs to get better to put the team in better situations.

 

14) A challenge flag because you saw motion. Is this how it works Marrone? I have a better idea...."Hurry up" and learn the rules of professional football.

- I agree that he should know the rules, but I was thinking the same thing about the ineligible reciever and the subsequent flag not being valid. I guess he should have known that, or had someone else who should have known, but I will also give him some credit for trying.

 

15) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Agree. But it's hard to see any real change from the past. Yes. They have some good young talent, but also major questions at QB, LG, in the secondary (although I think there is real promise once the injured players return) and especially at coaching. Without a good QB and good coaching, everything else becomes almost irrelevant