Bills in good position heading into bye week
by Brian Galliford on Oct 6, 2008 11:00 AM EDT
in Opinion
54 comments
I know. You're all still mad, distraught and a bit nervous after the Buffalo Bills got blown out in Arizona yesterday. I get that. We'll talk more about that game tomorrow in our usual film sessions. If you're looking to vent, there are plenty of other places on this blog alone to do just that.
But can we please get a little perspective here? The Bills are 4-1, remain in sole possession of first place in the AFC East, and are still on track to end their eight-year playoff drought. Yeah, the team has some weaknesses that have been exposed of late - but the Bills aren't the only team with that issue by a long shot. Take a look around you before you freak out - the Bills are very much alive and well.
Remainder of the schedule
Let's delete any notion that the remainder of Buffalo's schedule is "easy" - it's not. But it is easier than the schedules that a lot of our AFC foes face, to be certain. Games like Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium is a tough place to play), Cleveland and San Francisco are probably the safest bets in terms of wins. But the ascent of teams like the Dolphins and Broncos, and the presence of the Patriots and that Favre guy, means nothing is certain.
Yet there aren't any games remaining on Buffalo's schedule that the team can't win. Without looking at the team itself - we'll do that momentarily - the Bills' playoff chances are still incredibly legitimate, as are their chances at a division crown. They must win their home games, and they must stay near .500 on the road - both are achievable goals. In a worst-case scenario (assuming the health of the players), 7-1 at home, 3-5 on the road, and 10-6 overall seems likely. In a diluted AFC pool, that's a playoff team. I still believe that, at full strength, the Bills are better than 10-6. So don't jump ship yet.
Health of Edwards is paramount
We're all well aware of some of the shortcomings that the Bills have displayed - the quickest three off the top of my head are slow starts, poor offensive line play and the lack of a consistent pass rush. The personnel is there to fix these problems; the Bills have two weeks to place their emphasis on improving in these areas - and it's obvious that they need to do just that.
Fundamentally, however, the Bills are still strong in areas that good football teams need to be strong in. Their offensive play-calling has been (mostly) excellent. They're still very adept at stopping the run. Their special teams, while lacking in big plays since Week 1 with Roscoe Parrish injured, haven't been making mistakes. They're still the most well-balanced team in the division, and their weak areas can be improved upon. It's going to come down to coaching, and there's reason to have faith in this coaching staff.
None of it will matter, however, unless Trent Edwards is healthy. The Bills became a different team yesterday when Edwards left the game after three plays with a concussion - they looked like a team that had just lost its leader, and they played like it. Edwards' loss hurt on more levels than just the playing field - he's quite clearly the heart and soul of this Bills team. The Bills need to find a way to keep him healthy; when Edwards is on the field, Buffalo can beat any team in this league. From what Dick Jauron said after yesterday's loss, Edwards wasn't feeling great, but his outlook looks promising for the Chargers game.
The bottom line
Bad things happen on occasion in the NFL. Those bad things snowballed into one afternoon for the Bills - they lost their starting quarterback, their free safety, and ran into a tough Cardinals team coming off of an embarrassing loss. The Buffalo Bills you watched yesterday aren't the same team that you'll see for the rest of the season. Yes, their play was awful, and it deserves to be criticized. Just don't expect to see those Bills as often as we see the Bills that showed up in the first four games.
Man up. Tough losses happen in this league, and we need to take it on the chin as a fan base. These Bills aren't fickle, and we shouldn't be either. They're going to respond - and while we anxiously wait for them to do so, understand that they're still in a great position to have a highly successful 2008 season.
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good points
It is all perspective. There are 11 games left. The Bills need to go 6-5 at worse and preferably 7-4 to ensure a playoff spot. There is so much left of this season. This bye week and the first 4 games coming out of the bye will probably determine where this season goes. Chargers at home and 3 AFC east games in a row. Time for the coaches to make their money and construct game plans that put this team in positions to win. Edwards is the key. He wins games for this football team. but other players need to step up. And I’m calling out: Aaron Schobel, Jason Peters, Derrick Dockery, Donte Whitner and The rest of the O-Line.
The thing is. Yeah we are 4-1, but this thing can go any way coming out of the bye. Which is why the NFL is the greatest entertainment on TV. Who the heck knows what’ll happen next.
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Oct 6, 2008 11:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would add Fewell and Defensive staff
Their boys did not look ready to play at all yesterday and he did a very poor job of making adjustments in the game to stop the Cards shot passing attack. And please, don’t tell me the Mitchell is the better choice than Corner shadowing the Cards 3rd or 4th WR, then why did we waste a pick on the kid if he ain’t going to play?
We have a very good shot at going to the playoffs, we have the personnal on O to get it done, but only if Trent is back there, and that means the Oline MUST get push in the run game to take the heat of Trent. Hate to say this, but maybe Kugler needs to start moving people around on the oline and maybe put Preston in? My eyes, I can’t believe I just wrote that!
Trent, get better soon buddy, we need you more than ever now!
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Oct 6, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I never thought the Bills were as good as their 4-0 record indicated, and I dont think they were as bad as one might think from their terrible performance against Arizona. These things happen, and I cant think of a better time then on the road, against an NFC team, right before the bye week.
This should focus their minds right up. Its not like Belicheat didnt know our weaknesses already, at least now our coaches do to.
I have to disagree with you though that Edwards’ health is paramount, or he is the heart and soul of the offense. The offense probably functions better with him in, its been designed around him, but JP played decently while the game was within reach.
For example, I think an argument could be made that we would rather have Peters 07 and JP then Peters 08 and Edwards.
by Thronsen on Oct 6, 2008 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Come on
Edwards’ health is paramount. The offense stunk with JP in there, like it always had. Take out the 87 yard bomb and we put 10 points on the board against a team that gave up 56 the week before. We can’t win consistently with Losman in there, he simply doesn’t do the little things very well. Trent, while not possessing JP’s athletic tools, knows how to play the QB position so much better.
What does your last sentence mean? You’d rather have a good OT and a terrible QB rather than a good QB and an OT playing inconsistently?? Have we not learned anything about how important the QB position is here?!?!?!
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The offense stunk so much, with a terrible QB, it put up more points in the first half then it has all year?
Answer me that.
Ill answer what you said on the importance of the QB position after you get back to me on that.
by Thronsen on Oct 6, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So an 87 yard bomb and one sustained drive
is looking good? Then a FG in the second half? AZ allowed FIFTY SIX points last week and we could only muster 17 w/Losman. I don’t really have any idea what you are trying to prove here. We KNOW Losman stinks.
If you think JP Losman is a guy who can win football games for your team, then I don’t know what QB you’ve watched for 4 years now.
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What game did you watch?
JP is a proven loser. He proves it over and over and over again. You can have JP,Peters 06, 07, 08, and whoever else you want. I will take Edwards. He wins. He makes the defense respect all aspects of the game. He keeps the O on the field and sustains long drives keeping the Defense fresh. With JP all you get is a long bomb, a punt or a turnover. He sucks.
Craig.
by taskersd on Oct 6, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't be too harsh on JP
He played decent, all things considered. He kept us in the game (barely) for awhile, despite the fact that the defense gave up every single 3rd down conversions (did the Cardinals have more than 1 punt?). The defense would have made it impossible for Edwards to succeed, and JP was forced to play a defense that didn’t have to worry about the run. The ones we should criticize on offense are players like Royal and the OL — not JP.
by labill on Oct 6, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, JP wasn’t awful yesterday until the game was out of reach… but we still need Edwards back.
by Brian Galliford on Oct 6, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No disagreement there. Watching JP, though, I thought to myself that we have a good backup that isn’t hopeless — we may possibly need him in the future (I hope Edwards comes back for the SD game).
by labill on Oct 6, 2008 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
When he doesnt turn the ball over he isnt horrible and when he had good blocking. But losman commits turnovers, too many. Not even that, the three yesterday were in Bills territory, thats suicide for us.
by jdol1568 on Oct 6, 2008 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but la’s point is that, given better circumstances, we can win games with Losman. As long as Losman isn’t a starter for any significant stretch, we should be able to get by with him. That obviously wasn’t the case yesterday.
by Brian Galliford on Oct 6, 2008 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Royal?
Yea we should blame Royal for getting his knee so far bent, it actually touched the ground- GREAT REVIEW BY The way JURON!, and letting go of the ball. JP is Terrible- those happy feet taking sacks and missing guys wide open…
by Oaks77 on Oct 6, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I'm sure
You could clearly see the gap between his knee and the ground. The knee came close but never touched the ground
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im not going to go to town on just having 07 Peters. But I would happily have a good Oline and Jp, then our current Oline and Edwards.
by Thronsen on Oct 6, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perfect time for a bye week as it turns out
Edwards should be fully recovered and the coaches have two weeks to figure out what adjustments need to be made, and two weeks to prepare for San Diego.
Ignore anyone who hear who tells you we lost the game because J.P. Losman had to come in for Trent Edwards. True, Edwards is definitely the better QB and the team plays better with him but Sunday’s debacle was clearly a team effort. by the Bills….one of those days where everyone contributed to the loss. You shake those kind of games off, and go on.
What disturbs me most is the same thing that has bothered me for almost 10 years – our offensive line. To me, it’s the same-old/same-old: absolutely no holes opening up for our running game. Poor Lynch; that guy takes a horrible beating every Sunday. You wonder how many years he’ll last. By the way, why is it other teams are not afraid to go for it on 4th-and-one – and almost always succeed – while we fail? The answer is easy. Ask any good high school coach: you win or lose most of the your football games on the line.
It’s almost a cliche, but it’s still true: the game will always be about blocking and tackling, more than anything else. Here’ hoping we figure it out!
by ccthemovieman on Oct 6, 2008 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can’t believe how bad our OL is currently. I watch the other games and teams have no problem running the ball. Heck even the Cardinals, led by Mr Mike Gandy, had no problem with us. Why can’t we have any success running the ball, ever? We have talent on the OL, why can we never get it together?
Do we miss Jim McNally that much? Nobody thought he did that great of a job here, but maybe he is the reason our OL was much better last year…..
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just my opinion
but I think we just haven’t had a lot of good lineman. Also, most years we play “musical chairs” with whoever we have, switching people around all the time. You need a set lineup. Injuries have been a big reason for that but also, we don’t seem to know who to plug in where.
I thought we might have some cohesion at the the start of the season, but then Peters comes back, immediately plays and the line looks like it’s in chaos again. Finally, with one or two exceptions we don’t draft OL very high in the draft. I’m not advocating a first-round pick, but I would have liked to have seen more 2nd or 3rd rounders since our Super Bowl years (when we had a great line).
The offensive line just doesn’t seem high on the Bills list of priorities……and it should be.
by ccthemovieman on Oct 6, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OL
THIS is a huge mystery. We cannot run the ball well. It drives me frick’n nuts. But that said, we move teh ball just fine. I think we will se Turk’s real version of this offense coming out of the bye. Turk will realize he has to get the run game going to open up the PA pass, which will do wonders for this offense.
I’d like to see some quick passes to Evans. I mean those corners played 8-10 yds off of him a lot. That needs to be a hot read for a quick throw. Too easy to not do that.
I just hope these coaches fix things during this bye week
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Oct 6, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t you think we’ve been trying to run and Turk already realizes we need to run it better though? Turk can scheme all he wants to improve the run game, but our guys simply don’t block that well. I don’t think we move the ball all that well. We’ve moved it well in the 4th Q of games, but have been pretty terrible for 3 quarters of many of our games. The O just isn’t very good and it starts with our porous OL. Trent has done an excellent job considering what he’s had to endure, and is lights out in the 4th Q’s, but we’ve gotta do a better job early in games. We’re too inconsistent to be considered a good offense yet.
I agree with getting the ball to Evans more. That’s something I’ve been mentioning a lot lately. He has 16 catches in 5 games, 3 per. That’s not going to cut it, even though he makes the most of his limited touches. There is absolutely no reason he shouldn’t be getting at least 10 passes thrown his way a game. Quick slants, hitches, whatever, we have to get him the ball more. Our D already knows how effective quick slants are against CB’s that play so off the ball, I wish our O would capitalize on that too! We heard all offseason about how Turk wanted to move Evans around and get him the ball more. Well, it hasn’t happened. He’s gotten him more big gainers, which is excellent and much needed, but we also have to get him the ball more in general. The end around was a nice start yesterday. We didn’t pay him $37M to be giving him 3 touches a game.
Turk really has his work cut out for himself during the bye week, IMO
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what we have yet to see
is this offense come out fast, I mean offense, not ST (see Seattle) and get up 10-14 pts, and then smash the ball in the 2nd half. We run the ball awful in the 1st half it seems and then somewhat better in the 2nd half. You know what sucked about yesterday is there was no “tempo” at all. We need to think about adding no-huddle and going to that occassionally And enough of the frick’n little inside sweep run out of the shotgun. Turk runs at least 2 of those a game and enough is enough. We need some new plays on 3rd and 5+. Plus, I would like to see some single back, 3 WR, and run out of that formation.
I don’t know what to say about the blocking. I don’t know if the blocking is so bad, or if they have 8 guys in the box all the time. If that is the case, I don’t understand why more shots to Evans/Hardy, (like throwing the ball behind them) are not involved.
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Oct 6, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We may want to look for a new Oline coach and some new Olineman come this Spring
And I am not saying just cut dudes, but use the drafted guys for the most important reason, forcing the starters to keep their jobs. PLayers will play harder when they know their paycheck is in real trouble, so lets get a new Center, new tackle and guard this spring, and I mean real ones, not more projects like we have been drafting the past 10+ years. We need guys who will wake the Oline up that we will NOT tolerate mediocraty from them again. DJ has proven willing to do so with the placement of Butler last season, lets give him even more chances to do so!
Also, we may want to bring McNally back for a boot camp during the bye week to get the Oline straightened out for the next couple of weeks. But come offseason, we need to look at the people available in the coaching ranks and maybe make a change.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Oct 6, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Division Games
Arizona was a non-conference away game, so the best one to lose. In a parity division like the East, everything will come down to division games. The scheduling is so odd that we don’t even have a division game until week 8. I believe everyone else is 1-1, so if the Bills are better than 50/50 in division games (4-2), we should easily make the playoffs.
by labill on Oct 6, 2008 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
thats the key
we should be happy our first loss came before the bye, because our next four games come against teams we will be competing with for a playoff spot, 3 of them in the division. These games against the Chargers, Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots will be huge. This game against the Cardinals was a deserved and needed ass kicking as well as a reminder of the value Edwards has for this team. I trust the coaching staff to get this young teams head right before what I feel may be the most important 4 game stretch of the season.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Oct 6, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to make excuses...
but, maybe the weather had something to do with the D being off their game? going from the cool autumn weather of Western NY, then going down to desert heat, it can take something out of you.
A lot of things went wrong yesterday. Maybe it was good to take a beating. Nothing like a slap in the face to bring you back to Now.
by oompaloompa on Oct 6, 2008 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They played in a Dome yesterday. AZ keeps the roof closed until later in the year….
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
By that logic, the defense shouldn’t have played well in Jacksonville. They played well.
And, as K said, yesterday was a domed game.
by Brian Galliford on Oct 6, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the difference is...
its a dry heat.
dome. never mind.
doh.
by oompaloompa on Oct 6, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The perfect bye
It sounds almost cliche to say this but this really is the perfect time for a bye week. It’s never good to get blown out but some would say this is one of those eye opening losses that shows us all exactly what needs to be done and fixed in order to move forward.
This bye gives the team the week they need to lick their wounds and get over this blowout mentally, and then a second week to prepare for the Chargers. I think that if we had to go from this blowout and then face the Chargers it could have started a downward spiral.
The best teams in the league can take a huge (huge in numbers) loss like this and turn it around into a big win down the road and this bye gives us the extra time we need for that to happen.
"Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"
by ArenZimm on Oct 6, 2008 12:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree to an extent
but to say this is the type of loss that shows us exactly what needs to be done and fixed is a bit misleading. We already knew our OL stinks this year, can’t open a run lane, and lets the QB get hit early and often. We already knew we have no pass rush and a lack of playmakers on D. We didn’t need a blowout loss to prove that. But hopefully this loss really pushes the staff into making some adjustments and going with different looks and alignments. We need to get healthier too.
I hope we can respond like the Pats did yesterday. Blow out loss 2 weeks ago, followed by the bye and then a solid enough win. Obviously a different situation, but I’d take similar results.
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Agree 100% by Bdot
This is very reminiscent of my previous post “Don’t Get Alarmed”, you explained things
in deeper detail however. You’re absolutely right we need not panic, if Edwards returns
coming off the bye week we will be just fine. Keeping him upright and hit free is critical
to the Bills playoff quest. If we play our cards right we may even have a shot at an AFC East title this year as well. Like I said before one loss and undefeated in the AFC (2-0) is
not the end of the world. Think about it if you must loose a game why not a NFC one you’re still (as the Bills are) ahead of the division rivals. No disrepect to Losman but the
way he plays the quaterback position doesn’t mesh well with Turks offense. Edwards however is the perfect fit someone that makes his reads and progressions quickly, and gets rid of the ball equally as quick all while making efficient throws. I believe Edwards return will make for a happy home coming in Buffalo when they face the Chargers, I predict a win and happy days will be here again. JUST KEEP TRENT HEALTHY!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Bdot on Oct 6, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good write up
I was sad at the loss and couldn’t watch any more football. I live in Redskin country so i can’t even stand to listen to sports radio and their (redskins) delusional Superbowl aspirations. (Also it pained me to see London Fletcher successfully cover Westbrook 20-30 yds downfield.).
I do have to say that 4-1 is far more that we could have asked for especially from a progress standpoint relative to last year. On the national stage, we’ve had our detractors because we’ve beaten bad teams. But that’s the point you do have to beat the bad team; we now how a cushion going into a bye week and with a young team trying to build confidence, it’s the best place to be.
A couple of observations:
It may be too early, but we need to start combing through the draft or other possible FAs for a very decent back up QB.
Also, I may be wrong, but it seems that our defense is built to stop power but not speed. I’m not worried about San Diego but was deathly worried about the Rams and Cardinals. The few minutes of the game I watched, it looked like the Cards could get all the underneath routes they wanted.
Anyway, I am optimistic, and I’m glad the tone for the BR frontpage is positive.
And Peters better not take any time off.
by Ono on Oct 6, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Backup QB and a backup backup
I agree 100% that next season we need to find a suitable backup QB. Even if Losmans’s contract didn’t expire I’d still think that the time has come to move beyond him. He just doesn’t fit our style of play anymore.
I’m thinking we need a solid veteran QB to backup Edwards, someone like Kerry Collins (man I wish we could get him) or A.J. Fealey who can step in and at least keep the team floating
Following that though I just don’t think Gibran Hamdon is the answer and I think we need to fill his role with a late round rookie QB, or a young QB who hasn’t gotten much of a chance in this league to develop not to replace Edwards, but to replace our backup when they retire or straight up leave
"Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?"
by ArenZimm on Oct 6, 2008 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Brian
I’m glad to see the perspective here- we aren’t going to win them all, nor do we need to. And we lost to AZ, but c’mon- the Broncos, who looked awesome, got beat by the Chiefs, who look terrible. That stuff happens in channelling Jaws the National Football League.
And even if Edwards is hurt, JP isn’t nearly that bad. The offense is definitely different with him, but I honestly wonder if he tries to force it too much and win the job back. If he can settle in and just play the game, he could be half-decent.
John Madden told me 90% of the game was half-mental...
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Oct 6, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
On
that hit on trent did someone miss an assignment or was it just a good play by the defence?
Bills Fan in PA
by BILLS on Oct 6, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kinda Both.
The guy lined up over hardy who actually was on the recieving end of the throw. Don;t know if the lineman next to him didn;t see the blitz was coming or didnt have help. I am sure the film review will talk about that play in detail. Either way it sucks, he stayed in there and made the tough throw. and then JP trots on the field and blows a hand off? come on.. i know there was a guy in his face..
by Oaks77 on Oct 6, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The baffling performance of our O line
will be the key to how far we go this year. Some thoughts
1. Just how much grief can one player wreak on the line. Yes I mean Fowler. When your center is as weak as he is, how much does that impact the whole line? Me thinks more than we have surmised thus far. Now, given that, why do we call so many runs up the middle? It looks to me as though Marshawn and Freddie do better running outside. I’d use the straight ahead runs only occasionally as a change of pace.
2. I still remember Joe DeLamielleure’s comment last year that we were using very outdated blocking schemes for our run game. Personally, I don’t know what he means at all, but I sure respect his opinion. Those schemes were installed by McNally. I have a lot of respect for him as a coach of fundamentals, but that comment by Joe D really sticks in my craw. Anyone out there knowledgable enough to comment on this? In all probability, we are still using those schemes. Do we ever compare our run blocking schemes to other successful running teams to tweak our schemes? Hope so.
Come playoff time, we MUST find a way to consistently run better or it will be one and out. Every other aspect of this team tells me we can win at least one playoff game (even without a strong pass rush). The run blocking will come to haunt us in the post season if our gigantic O line does not improve (and don’t tell me Peters is at fault because he is not).
everything goes better with bacon
by keuka121 on Oct 6, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Everyone Chill
Guys, look at some of the other teams in the league and their problems. San Diego got beat by the Dolphins yesterday. The colts barely beat the texans. The Titans with Kerry Collins as Quarterback have the best record. EVERYBODY and I mean everyone has something to complain about whether its the Offense (Titans). Run defense (SD). Consistency (Colts) or whatever. Were 4-1 guys. We have more than halve of the wins we had all last year and the Bills are a very young team that was riding a little too high for a game. Jauron will give them their buttkicking and whip them into shape. All year the coaches have been great for making great adjustments and the bye week will be no exception. Amen. Go bills
by jdol1568 on Oct 6, 2008 6:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what really burned me
I agree the bad o-line performance and poor pass rush were key reasons why we got crushed. But what REALLY burned me was a couple of our guys on the sidelne (I think Steve Johnson and another player, both in Bills sweatshirts), laughing their a**es off in the 4th quarter as a play came towards them on the sideline. It looked like they were apparently sharing a very funny joke between them (the magic of the DVR pause button). I don’t know about you, but I sure as heck wasn’t cutting any jokes or smiling during the game. And I’m pretty sure no lifelong fans watching the game were joking it up either.
Everyone on the team needs to hate to lose, and figure out what it takes to win. And while I agree in not jumping off the bandwagon because of one poor performance, the team needs to show heart from top to bottom in learning from it and showing progressive improvement, especially in the o-line and pass rush.
We’ll see in two weeks how they can grow as a team!
by cajunasian on Oct 6, 2008 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
for what its worth
wasn’t Marshawn smiling and laughing in the 4th quarter too? I dunno how much that means but I,m sure i saw that.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Oct 6, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I recall that as well. Honestly, would you feel better, cajunasian, if they had been pissing and moaning on the sideline? I know I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t worry about this too much.
by Brian Galliford on Oct 6, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First, thanks Brian for running a first class site with great analysis. I wouldn’t be surprised if the bills had someone reading your analysis and that of certain posters for a different perspective. I definitely don’t want destructive pissing and moaning – I’m more looking for a reaction like I saw out of Kawika Mitchell on the sidelines in the fourth quarter, one of the only Bills to actually win a Super Bowl. He was staring down at his shoes looking unhappy with the results (now I admit it was a 5 second clip and he could have been staring at a bug crawling on the turf, but I would prefer to interpret it as a natural reaction of a veteran who knows how to win and hates to lose). The players need to challenge and motivate each other, and leaders need to impress on the young guys that there’s a lot more at stake than their paycheck (I’m thinking Ray Lewis-like or Keith Bulluck if anyone saw him in the Tennessee game yesterday). It’s a key intangible in winning teams.
Last point – I agree we can’t let Sunday’s performance undo all the good this team has accomplished this season. How many of us would have predicted they would be 4-1 at this point? We always want more, but we should also appreciate what we have. Too many teams crumble under the weight of their fans unfair expectations of perfection.
That said, while I’m very happy with the results thus far, I am no longer satisfied with just making the playoffs as this team is too talented to settle for that. Now I want to win a playoff game (and even get to the AFC championship, especially with every pre-season AFC contender showing one or more serious weaknesses). The coaches can only do so much – the players play the game and must motivate each other to achieve greatness. Because that’s what this team has the potential to achieve this year.
by cajunasian on Oct 6, 2008 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn’t Steve Johnson. He was in uniform and playing in the 4th Q. I’m guessing the two guys in sweatshirts laughing were practice squad guys since I didn’t recognize them.
Lynch was definitely laughing on the bench and that ticked me off too.
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 6, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NFL fun
Part of what makes the game so engrossing is that old adage…on any given Sunday…
The talent level between teams is very close, no matter what the popular national writers that obsess over a handful of teams would have you believe. Look at the Redskins – left for dead after their miserable opening night “performance.” The vaunted Chargers lose to the Dolphins. Houston should have put away Indy, ad infinitum. Yesterday’s loss is hardly the end of the world. AZ has good players, and a head full of hate after being spanked the previous week. And check their home vs road record.
4-1 is 4-1. At the least, for the first time in years, I can watch any Bills game on the sked
and feel confident they have a good chance to win. Yesterday wasn’t their day. Doesn’t mean the sky is falling.
by LeClaireBill on Oct 6, 2008 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
so cliche....
But the game is won and lost in the trenches…..O Line and D Line….and boy did we prove that adage.
Most alarming stat…I actually left my Hooters sanctuary after seeing this stat flash on the t.v.
“# of plays ran in opponents territory”
Bills – 9
Cardinals – 44
this was late in the 3rd…..
by MonStarr_716 on Oct 6, 2008 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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