HELL-OOOO RUMBLERS.  The submissions are in and the finalists are included in the poll below.  Make your voice heard, fans.  I think the choices in the poll reflect the most frequently cited/most clever suggestions but feel free to reiterate other choices you feel strongly about with write-ins.  I think it's clear from the press conferences I've heard over the last few years on buffalobills.com that at least a handful of the players are Rumblings readers so hopefully this is as good a means as any as communicating with our squad.  Getting fired up for today's game against the "Bangles."  LET'S GO BUFFALO!

In Freddy Jackson's latest interview on Buffalobills.com, the reporter asks Fred about the trend that's been emerging at the Ralph of Bills players jumping into the stands (a la Lambeau Leap).  Freddy explains that Stevie started it and that it's just something they've been doing to express the team's appreciation for the fans' rowdiness and dedication to the squad.  He then goes on to explain that the Bills are looking for suggestions from the fan base on what to call the jump into the stands and that the only thing they've heard so far is "The Buffalo Bounce."  This thread will hear all other suggestions and I will post a poll on Sunday to take an official vote. GO BILLS.  BEAT CINCI.

1-  Darren McFadden is held to 47 yds rushing, as Dareus and Meatball clog up Oakland's running lanes, and Barnett and company are there to clean up the garbage.

2-  Brad Smith gets 2 touchdowns in the first half of today's game.  One on the opening kickoff return, the other running a keeper out of the wildcat from the OAK 5 yd line, late in the second quarter.

3- Stevie Styles showcases his elite skill set for the home opener at the Ralph to the tune of 172 yds and 3 touchdowns as fantasy owners throughout the world curse themselves for benching 13 and starting Reggie Wayne (especially my brother).

Why So Serious?!

1.  The Bills running game is on full display with Freddy Jackson leading the way as the unit comprised of Jackson, Spiller and "3rd down QB" Brad Smith torch KC's defense for 245 yards on the ground.  A 64 yard TD rush by Spiller late in the 3rd quarter to give Buffalo the lead is one for the highlight reel.

2.  Shawne Merriman rips off 3 of the Bills 5 sacks on QB Matt Cassel with Marcel Dareus and Kyle Williams each chipping in one for the balance before Cassel is taken out of the game for Tyler Palko who proceeds to deal Aaron Williams his first NFL interception on Palko's first series.

3.  The Bills beat KC 24-6 on the road in Arrowhead to open the 2011 season.  ESPN is all abuzz about Chan Gailey's new look run offense and the "sleeper" tag surfaces as some of the more volatile sports TV personalities start to mention Buffalo in the same sentence as the word "playoffs" after a week 1 loss by the Jets to Dallas and a Miami loss to the Patriots.

1. In a true red white and blue moment, the NFL lockout comes to an end on the Thursday prior to July 4th weekend. Bills players report to St. John Fisher mid-July on schedule with Fitzy's beard abloom.

2. Competition at camp is heated with the Bills linebacking corps commanding the lion's share of the fans' attention. Effective rookie Danny Batten and fellow draft class member, 2010 comer Arthur Moats set the tone for positional battles at outside 'backer. As camp comes to a close, Shawne Merriman is skating on thin ice, overshadowed by Batten and Moats and lacking the requisite veteran leadership skills to compensate for his underperformance.

3. The Bills scoop up undrafted rookie free agent QB Pat Devlin out of Delaware. By the end of camp, Brohm is gone, Levi Brown is a third stringer and Devlin becomes the apple of the Bills coaching staff's eye as an unexpected heir apparent to "The Amish Rifle."

4. Leslie Michael Jasper reports to camp a spry 366 pounds and refuses to be outworked. He makes the 53 man roster and sees playing time as a rookie. He is more frequently, (if sparingly), utilized at left guard than at nose tackle. Fans coin the term "Strong Shadow" to describe the Bills' goal line formation featuring LMJ rotating in for Levitre at LG with 2 options in McIntyre and Spiller lined up in an I behind Eric Wood at center. In 12 snaps using the formation, the Bills see 10 TDs and LMJ records 6 pancakes.

5. David Nelson impresses early in situational action and, in week 3 at home against New England, relieves an injured Lee Evans to go for 128 yards including a diving 65 yard touchdown grab with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter. The Bills go on to win the game with Nelson receiving game MVP honors. Evans recovers from his high ankle sprain within 3 weeks by which time Nelson has solidified himself as a starter, supplanting the 8th year veteran out of Wisconsin. The Bills have their first WR pro bowler since Eric moulds and it's not Stevie Johnson.

6. Bill Belichick is caught on a reporter's voice recorder making profane and disparaging comments against Bills aging Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson Jr. after the Patriots' week 3 loss. Belichick is forced to deliver a characteristically uninspired apology to the media which he reads from a crumpled piece of paper in monotone. Ralph graciously accepts the half assed apology in a publicly issued written statement, lauding the Patriots organization while misspelling Belichick's name in a move Buffalo fans attribute to their patriarch's keen wit.

7. Freddy Jackson shows the best stuff of his career, chalking up 1201 rushing yards. CJ Spiller adds 723 rushing yards in his sophomore coming out party as Buffalo becomes the most feared rushing attack in the AFC East, taking the claim from Miami.

8. Buffalo Bills fans are heralded by ESPN as the most loyal fan base in America. "The network" produces what turns out to be a critically acclaimed documentary that features multiple interviews with Buffalo Rumblings Editor, Brian Galliford.

9. Punter Brian Moorman returns to pro bowl form, joining teammates David Nelson and Kyle Williams in Hawaii after averaging a 43.8 yard net punting average and a whopping 45 punts inside the 20.

10. The Bills finish the 2011 season 9-6-1, shocking a loyal but pessimistic Buffalo fan base, but fail to make the playoffs as a wild card beneath the 14-2 Patriots in the AFC East. The tie comes in 6 point total at Ralph Wilson Stadium against the Jets in early November. Rex Ryan has an outburst in the post game press conference that rivals Jim Mora's "Playoffs?!" moment.

Really disappointing to hear that Maybin is getting manhandled by our o-line in camp.

Brian Orakpo could have been sooooo meaningful, especially to a 3-4 d.  I was flabbergasted last year when we took Maybin over Orakpo but I was willing to give him a shot.  My patience extends through this season but if he can't figure things out this year, I have very low confidence he ever will.  So much for shaving 78 into your head as the self-proclaimed second coming of Bruce.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/3-4-defense/orakpos-new-role-the-buck.html

...we don't just bring in Jeff Garcia who can help give our young QB roster some perspective and light a fire under their asses at the same time?  As for whether or not he can play...I mean...I know the guy's 40 but he's got a career rating of 88, and has 25,537 career passing yards with 161 TDs for 83 INTs.   Maybe Brohm or Trent or Levi Brown emerges as "the guy" but it wouldn't hurt to have a guy who brings the kind of experience winning games (regular and post season) that Jeff Garcia brings.  Listen, he's never been my favorite player.  I just don't think he has the most likable demeanor but who cares?!   The guy can win games and has plenty of wisdom to pass down.  He had some of his best appearances later in his career and he's a Pro Bowler.  Quite honestly, I think he's incredibly underrated.  He's been documented as saying he still can and wants to play.

I think the real reason is that we're just so focused on starting anew and Buddy just "knows" we have our guy already.  I just don't see how it could hurt all that much to add Jeff Garcia.  Not "a guy like Jeff Garcia," because I don't think there are other options like him available in the free agent market.  What do I know...maybe Buddy is the next Bill Polian.  

It's pretty funny that guys like Jamarcus Russell and whoever else gets thrown around in the rumor mill garner more attention than what seems to be to me a much more obvious fit in Jeff Garcia.  WOW!  I have dedicated way too much of my evening to Jeff Garcia.  Please at least take my poll.

Let me start by saying that I love Freddy.  I love the guy's dedication and the fact that he's worked as hard as he has to get where he is.  He's hard working in the way he runs, too and he plays with a giant heart.  Arguably more heart than Marshawn.  Wire to wire he last season he proved that he has what it takes to be an NFL RB1. From his week 1 showing vs. New England to week 17 vs. the (b squad) Colts in the snow game, Fred held it down.  And who can forget his TD pass out of the wildcat?  Filling in on runback duty...don't get me started.

23 is quicker, stronger, a better receiver, has a better nose for the goal line than 22.  Flat out speed, they're actually probably about even.  Marshawn ran a 4.45 out of Cal but has arguably lost a step with the extra lbs.  Fred is definitely a more elusive back.  Marshawn seeks contact when the juke opportunity is not wide enough for him to rock what I like to call his "kick fake."  Marshawn is a better blocker.  Freddy is notorious for giving up sacks even though I love watching him throw a block probably more than any other Bill.  Both guys have great arms for a tailback.

Marshawn is just the guy.  The thing is, it was never Marshawn's job to lose.  It was his job and then it was Fred's job.  When he got back from suspension, Marshawn got the call in awkward, almost random situations.  Jauron was too clueless to even utilize his size and power in goal line and short yardage situations.  His YPC suffered because he was put in situations to "jump on the grenade" rather than in positions wherein he could prosper

Who knows if we'll be able to hold on to 23, but I hope we do.  I believe Marshawn is a special talent.  Ideally (as I have posted before), I'd like to see the both of them in the Pro Set but that's just the Madden player in me.

We should at least stop the insanity about getting rid of a top multifaceted NFL talent who has yet to be really given a chance to shine and has already shone bright.  To be honest, I'm surprised at how many fans on this board have been so quick to say they're ready to see Marshawn leave.  Even for a second round pick!  Whether we get a Poz or a McCargo or a Jairus or a James Hardy with #2 is anyone's guess.  As much as it intrigues me, the thought of drafting Spiller round 1 and getting rid of Marshawn just seems weird (and stupid)...but appropriately dysfunctional for the Bills organization to consider.

Whatever colors Marshawn is wearing in 2010 and beyond, I'll continue to love watching his approach to the game and his fearless play.  I hope he stays but I fear for the worst.  Because you just know if he leaves, he's not going to become someone else's problem...he's going to be someone else's superstar.

All this talk of the draft and I think it makes sense to think about what we already have in terms of talent.  

Offense: I like running Marshawn and Freddy out of the Pro set with big targets in Nelson and Hardy (if he can emerge) and the over the top guy targets in Lee with Roscoe and Stevie Johnson competing to get sprinkled in situationally.  The (few and fleeting) strengths we have at O-line (more appropriately stated the glimmers of hope) are in our quickness not our mass.

When he HAS to pass, QB1 (Tebow heheheheh) gets the ball to the big receivers on short routes.  On the (God forbid) designed passing play, we have Freddy and Marshawn backing up our vulnerable O-line (which we should be stacking with pass blocking talent during the draft) while QB1 (probably Trent who am I kidding) looks for a receiver (hopefully Lee if he's 1-on-1).

Now with that offense, assuming we decided to go with the run-heavy approach with the 2 headed monster, we continue to go with speed on the O-line.  D Bell can still be the guy on the right side if he can stop jumping early.  Maybe a LT with wheels over pure pass blocking ability is a better bet for a OL draft pick.