This is a question that has popped up in my head a few times. While losing Vanek for the last 3 games has hurt, we've got 5 of 6 points. When Miller went down last year, Enroth stepped in and basically won us a spot in the playoffs. It sort of seems like whenever someone big goes down, the rest of the team steps up their game. I don't have a lot of information, but would rather get a conversation started about this.

What do you think?

I keep reading about all these mock drafts. Some say our biggest need is a developing pass rush, or stability in the O line, or a big vertical game breaking receiver. I say they are all huge needs, but which is big enough to decide the 10th pick? I mean getting a solid OT could really help the Bills establish themselves as a run first team and really chew out the clock while working FJ and CJ together. Getting a pass rush could really help us stop other teams. It will relieve pressure from the DBs and in turn make them looker better.

I don't know what the biggest need is, and really I'd say they are all big enough that we need to take a BPA approach. Depending on who falls to us, there are enough elite prospects that we should be able to nab one of them. What do you think?

It seems like the past few weeks, after each game I hear people saying, almost blaming the loss on a particular penalty / call by the ref. McIntyre's phantom holding call, Stevie's touchdown dance, Stevie's "incomplete pass," etc. It's easy to blame an entire game on one thing. Many people will be sure to point out that their were plenty of other opportunities to win the game and one play shouldn't matter. Person A will be quick to come back and say that things like a bogus penalty can totally kill a drive's momentum and prevent what was going to be a score. Yesterday's example was a scoring play (CJ found room to run, and it was awesome). The commentators for the game watched the replay and said it wasn't really holding, as well as the nfl.com highlights. Oh well...

Ever get that feeling?  Every time you miss a game, they put out a solid showing.  I missed the Ottawa game, but made sure to sit and watch the Boston game.  I missed the Montreal game, but had last night off so I watched the Devils game.  I already barely ever wear my Miller jersey because it's bad luck.  Maybe I'm being too superstitious, but it just feels like whenever I sit down and watch the game, it just goes poorly.  Sluggish play, bad passing, etc. 

I'd like to see some excited, energetic hockey out of these boys.  Please? 

Oh hey, is there any timetable on Ennis' return?

You know, it really seemed like the Bills got away from their brand of football on Sunday.  Yeah, I know the Jets have that stellar secondary, but what happened?  We seemingly abandoned everything that got us to that 5-win point.  You could tell Fitz was uncomfortable out there.  He tried forcing passes that didn't need to / shouldn't have been made.  That's not Fitzpatrick.  I don't think it was a matter of QB pressure either (man am I relieved Maybin didn't tally a sack) There were definitely some questionable play calls too.  4th and 2 so we...bomb it out to Jones?

It just felt like the team we watched on Sunday was not the same Bills team that we've watched all year.  Hopefully we can rediscover what kind of football this team is good at and get back to it!

What are your thoughts?

Go Bills!

I was looking at the Bills schedule today figuring out potential wins and losses again, and it hit me.  What teams in the past have really dealt the major blows to Buffalo's ego?

Superbowl 25 - Bills v Giants

Superbowl 26 - Bills v Redskins

Superbowl 27&28 - Bills v Cowboys

Music City Miracle - Bills v Titans

15 game Losing Streak - Bills v Patriots

It's an awfully big coincidence that in the season the Bills seem to show the most promise in over 10 years, we play EVERY team that has embarrassed us in the past.

Let's go Bills!  All the way!

With our WR numbers thinning out every week, we are looking like we'll need more and more people out wide.  People are talking about picking up TO (well, not any more), TJ, or promoting someone from the PS.  I ask, what about Smith and Spiller?  They've been looking to get on the field more.  I have to imagine Spiller has the speed to burn just about any corner.  They've always been advertised as guys we can put out wide, so why not?  We can at least give it a shot.  Defenses have to respect Stevie, Freddy, and Nelson, so chances are pretty good that they'll have man coverage.  It's worth a shot at least.

Your thoughts?

I still am thinking about that post from a few weeks ago about where to get wings.  The answer was a resounding Duff's, but I replied that Buffalo is more than just wings.  I listed out a bunch of things, and ever since I can't get Buffalo food out of my head.  I won't get to go home until Christmas, so until then it's just a fond memory, like my first girlfriend in high school that I wasn't embarrassed to be in public with.

So my question to you guys, what's the best?

Most of us know what it's like to be there.  In Buffalo.  On game day.  Everyone is into it.  (Almost) everyone is on the same side.  Sure, there are those Bills fans who are just so downtrodden that they've given up on our beloved football team.  But for the most part, Buffalo is definitely a football town.

I'm talking about game day outside the 716.  Even past the 585.  Outside the state.  I live in Richmond, VA.  There is no team here, and the closest thing is the Washington Redskins.  It's a very strange feeling considering most football fans here had the choice of who to root for.  As a result, you see a lot of Redskins, Cowboys, Giants, Packers, and Steelers.  The popular teams.  For the past 5 years, I've been trying to find a little core group of Bills fans so we could watch together.  I've tried about 6 different sports bars, but the story is always the same.  We never get laughed at, but we never get center screen, never get sound, and never have more than 3 or 4 people cheering for our boys.

I've finally found my place.  A bar near Virginia Commonwealth University (remember them from March Madness?) has their owner hailing from Amherst.  The front case is full of old Bills memorabilia, from signed hats and footballs to boxes of Kelly Krunch and Flutie Flakes -- and TOs.  It's a great feeling, because I can always talk to him about the Bills or the Sabres.  At this bar, Buffalo teams are always granted a nice TV wherever we want, and usually we get to juice up the volume on it too.  Well, I had never expected to see this much until this year.  We pack in a side room with about 40 people all donning their jerseys of Dareus, Fitz, Johnson, Kelly, Thomas, etc.  There is literally no room for any other teams' fans.  It feels a little bit like...home.  The Bills score?  We sing Shout.  We chant.  When we win, we go spilling into Main St and drive by honking horns at each other.  I haven't seen this kind of Buffalo unity since I've been in Buffalo.  And let's be honest, there hasn't been a whole lot to root for in the past few years.  I'm not going to walk into a bar chanting "Top 10 draft!"

It just feels so good to have found a place where as a Buffalo fan, I know I can go and not be alone when cheering our boys on.

I'm seeing a lot of mixed sentiment around the Internet about this game.  While the media still is showing Buffalo no love with all its "What's wrong with KC?  They let the Bills pummel them" shenanigans, a lot of Bills fans are already clamoring for a playoff spot.  Yes, we won our home opener.  Yes, we gave the Chiefs their worst loss in 35 years.  Yes, we completely dominated them in all three aspects of the game.  Yes, I am all smiles today, and my students have already commented on it (it's second period). 

I am cautious though.  Haley admits that the Chiefs weren't sufficiently prepared for us.  Who knows, maybe they were already looking to week 2 at Detroit.  I don't think we'll get extended the same courtesy by Oakland...not after embarassing the Chiefs the way we did.  They'll be studying us, and probably be more prepared.  And we still have to face New England...twice.  They always make me nervous. 

Were we dominant yesterday?  Absolutely.

Are we a dominant team?  A force to be reckoned with?  I'm not so sure yet.  The proof is in the pudding.

Do teams have to start respecting us?  They know we're not going to roll over for anyone, that's for sure.

Should we be talking all this trash, shouting about going 12-4, and playoffs?  Wise man once told me to "Act like you've been there before." 

I'm coming out of Week 1 saying "That was an amazing absolutely fantastic game, and I think the Bills are starting to turn things around.  I really really hope we can keep up this momentum."

I've been watching the Chris Brown Roundup every day there's camp and I've been wondering...  Who would I rather hear more about being successful at camp?  If all the highlights are defensive, then that's probably not a good sign for our offense, and vice versa.  Granted, training camp isn't the final word in what will be a successful group of guys, but it's nice to see Dareus getting in the backfield and wrapping people up like he's  supposed to.

So, what do you think?  

With little going on in football right now, I started thinking back a few years.  We've had several shimmers of great moments.  I have two favorites, one from 2003(?) and the other 2008.

2003 - The last time we beat the Patriots.  We did in such great fashion too.  My favorite moment was the Sam Adams pick six.  Big fat guy touchdown...gotta love it!

2008 - I forget if it was after the 3rd or 4th game(which were wins if you remember correctly) EDIT: Brian reminded me that it was the 5th week after trouncing the Chargers, anyway, Marcus Stroud had a camera on him and claimed "We playin ball up in the B-lo!"  That sentence had me hyped up for a solid week or two.

So what are your favorite moments?