By now, you've read and even reacted to the latest in a lineage of gaffes and buffalo-foonery at One Bills Drive.
And for the first time in his Buffalo Bills tenure, Rex Ryan didn't sound like he believed the words coming from his mouth Friday afternoon when he acknowledged that Greg Roman was no longer the offensive coordinator.
Even if Vic Carucci's Buffalo News story is true that Roman referred to Ryan as a "buffoon" and searched for other jobs last offseason.
Rex boasted when he first came to Orchard Park that had Roman been his play-caller in the Meadowlands, that they might still be there.
Need more clues?
Alex Marvez of The Sporting News reported after Rex's supposed mea culpa that management (the four-headed monster who acts as the Rex-and-balance for the one they hired and fed the last 18 months) "leaned" on its head coach to make a move and "appease"the fan base.
That story got out for a reason. So did Vic's.
The Bills either wanted the Bills Mafia to think it actually whacked someone, or sell the idea Rex had enough with the one guy who wasn't "all in."
This works two ways. It either empowers a sheepish fanbase who broke season ticket records, or it casts the blame on a loyal crowd for the Bills 0-2 record like an abuser who blames the victim by saying "see what you make me do???" while deflecting blame on Rex and the team.
More Billssh*t. Just piled higher and deeper. Sift through it if you will, but it really doesn't matter.
This is the same management who gave a prove-it contract to its latest franchise QB, who then failed to meet expectations--or hopes?--by not going through progressions, not looking downfield, not throwing over the middle, not finding Sammy Watkins, despite having former NFL head coach Chris Palmer and "guru" David Lee teaching him the art of the field.
Can't blame the QB though, right?
Can't ax a defensive coach despite allowing a journeyman signal-caller and his offense nearly 500 yards of total offense, so let's cut ties with arguably the best coach on the staff who got people to believe offense could exist in Buffalo.
Carucci also tweeted that Terry and Kim Pegula were unhappy for some time with the direction of the Bills offense, particularly on third down and poor playcalling speed, despite the fact their QB was a Pro Bowler, and the Bills led the league in rushing with a first-year starter under center.
There were the '89 Bickering Bills, and that team went 9-7, won the division and made the playoffs. Imagine what the feeling is in the locker room and upstairs at One Bills Drive.
In the Bible, it's written that God would rather see contrite hearts than sacrifices or begging for forgiveness for perpetual sin. But Greg Roman was never given the chance to turn things around.
The Bills decided to offer their best coach as the proverbial lamb, make Rex take the blame publicly, while privately spinning a different web. All bases covered. But don't worry. Running backs coach, Anthony Lynn, will call the plays even though Rex (say what you will) didn't have the faith to make Lynn the play caller after their six yesrs together in Jersey.
Hope everyone is watching college football Saturday.
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Friday, September 16, 2016
Snickers Time?
Before Thursday night's Buffalo Bills loss 37-31 loss to the New York Jets, the entire panel of ESPN's Around the Horn picked Gang Green to win without hesitation. CBS/NFL Network's crew followed suit. Nobody bet on Red tonight in the league's first Color Rush game of the season.
And they were right. Not because they really believed the NY Jets were necesarily a better team. Because they appeared to show signs of life the week before, unlike the Bills offense.
If it weren't for a bomb, a few broken plays and a fumble return for as touchdown, the Bills weren't in this one much, either.
After the 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills were irrelevant. Now, they're just bad AND irrelevant. And may even get worse with Arizona--NFC favorites--and the Jimmy Garropolo-led Patriots, coming off a few extra days of prep time after next Thursday night's title with the Texans.
Yes, it's that bad. The Bills Mafia and the brass that put this team together--the one that won the offseason--are staring at Year Seventeen.
Fans are already duct taping their jerseys with nameplates of Taylor and Manuel and scribbling "C. Kelly" in black magic marker.
They're wishing for the stability of the Doug Marrone Era, punts and all.
They're asking themselves if they wish they had Ryan Fitzpatrick again instead of the Nine Million Dollar Man, Tyrod Taylor. The former Bill and his former head coach-turned offensive coordinator (Chan Gailey. Remember Chan?) skewered Ronald Darby, Aaron Williams and even Stephon Gilmore at times for 374 yards and a touchdown.
Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall--who gave Jets fans a scare with a first quarter injury--each collected six grabs for 126 and 101 yards respectively, while the unknown Quincy Enunwa added six receptions of his own for 92 yards. And even he left the game for for a bit.
Last week, the defense kept the Bills in the game while the offense struggled. Thursday night neither side provided much help save for a Nickel Robey-Coleman touchdown return after Preston Brown stripped Jalin Marshall of the football.
One turnover out of four fumbles. Doesn't exacty off-set almost 500 yards of total offense or eight-of-13 converted third down attempts, does it?
The Bills defense seemed unprepared, even unsettled in their back seven as the former quarterback carved Rex and Rob's defense, and digested just over 39 minutes of possession.
In essence, eff this.
Let us count the ways:
* In the first drive, the Jets fumble twice and convert three third downs with a fourth in tow thanks to Stephon Gilmore holding call. Gilmore would also miss a tackle on a later third down, but the Bills would hold the Jets to a field goal.
* After the 84-yard Goodwin TD which took all of 85 seconds off the clock, the Bills defense returned to allow another Jets field goal at the end of the first quarter. The defense--mostly due to their ineptitude--on the field for 13:35.
* Taylor & Co. put the defense back on the field after a three-and-out, Brandon Marshall caught two balls over the "best secondary in the league"--Darby and Gilmore leading to a Jets first touchdown.
That's three Jets drives, two fumbles, two field goals, a touchdown and zero punts.
* An ensuing offensive drive that wasn't a three-and-out, but lasted due to its own dumb penalties, including a holding by tight end, Nick O'Leary, which wiped-out a possible fourth-and-two at midfield.
* Then another Jets TD drive. Usual suspects: Enunwa, Marshall, Decker making Gilmore and Darby look like the remnants of the John Butler/Wade Phillips purge.
Sure the Bills would follow with a sputtering drive featuring an EJ Manuel cameo, who would later return thanks to the NFL (finally) acting on it's concussion protocol. What better way for the league to say "See? SEE!" than Thursday Night Football.
EJ's fourth-and-short conversion was actually a curse in disguise, as offensive coordinator Greg Roman seemed to giddy-up after the first one, only to set his offense up for failure on the next one, the more important one, in the second half.
Roman, the innovative offensive mind belongs in the Hall of Fake with The Mangenius and the Blundertwins who were supposedly all-in after winning the offseason. Roman seemed to have ideas for his backup quarterback than his star halfback, who ran east and west like Ronnie Harmon and CJ Spiller.
Heck, things are helter skelter now, Bills fans actually want Spiller back. Much like they wanted a Fred Jackson return and consideration for a Stevie Johnsin reunion. Yes, things have gotten so bad that fans are calling for players who were Bills-good, not NFL good, just because...
Just because.
And it's only Week Two.
Ryan Fitzpatrick floated the ball like a backup QB on Super Tecmo Bowl (if you're young or old enough to remember Frank Reich backing up "QB Bills" because Kelly wouldn't allow licencing, you know what that means.) Yet, back shoulder throws and comebackers and slants and Fitz didn't Fitz no matter how hard he tried.
Oh, no. That was the OTHER quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor doesn't attempt throws over the middle, let alone make them. Other than his Marquise Goodwin rainbow touchdown, the rest of his throws looked more Vince Young than Steve Young; capped by the fourth quarter pick usually reserved for the former Bills signal caller, severely underthown and landing into the hands of underrated corner, Marcus Williams. Williams didn't do anything spectacular on the play; he just caught a ball that died on arrival.
Game. Blouses.
Fitz may only have two wins against Rex Ryan, but Thursday may have been the last laugh. The Jets, not the Bills, look like the buttoned-up team that could challenge for a wild card. Let's not go crazy; Fitz will still Fitz. But the Bills aren't even in his ballpark right now.
New Era Field, one game in, is already a punchline. The Cap (ugh!) or The Lid (really?) should have a cap put in IT.
Not to mention, what other slogans died Thursday night?
"Bills Run Deep." Or sideways, or not at all.
"One Buffalo." (Altogether now) When does Sabres season start?
"We won the offseason." Like Charlie Sheen in 2012.
"All In." Who will get the ax--if anyone does--next?
"Going for Broke." Or broken.
"Bruuuuuuuuce." No, that was just halftime.
"It's only September."
Not bellowed yet, but soon, only nobody is buying. Writers and pundits get angry when fans recite obvious cliches like "if they on't beat the Jets, the season is over," but this is one instance where the truth stands out like a bloody glove behind Kato Kaelin's guest house.
(Sidenote: did your household or crew mention the "other" non-retired non-issued number while Bruce Smith got his honor last night? Of course they did.)
In 2014, Buffalo Bills fans worried about keeping a team in western New York had the Pegulas, again, come to their rescue.
In 2016, the Buffalo Bills lack a quarterback, a healthy No. 1 wideout, a situational run game, a defense, a head coach, an offensive coordinator and a muzzle.
(Spare me this is "last year's narrative. The twins have a frickin' show dedicated to nothing but empty promise.)
In 2016, Bills fans need the Pegulas to come to their rescue and actually build an actual team in western New York.
But don't count on it.
Starting with Rex, they still have another 20 million reasons not to do so.
And they were right. Not because they really believed the NY Jets were necesarily a better team. Because they appeared to show signs of life the week before, unlike the Bills offense.
If it weren't for a bomb, a few broken plays and a fumble return for as touchdown, the Bills weren't in this one much, either.
After the 13-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills were irrelevant. Now, they're just bad AND irrelevant. And may even get worse with Arizona--NFC favorites--and the Jimmy Garropolo-led Patriots, coming off a few extra days of prep time after next Thursday night's title with the Texans.
Yes, it's that bad. The Bills Mafia and the brass that put this team together--the one that won the offseason--are staring at Year Seventeen.
Fans are already duct taping their jerseys with nameplates of Taylor and Manuel and scribbling "C. Kelly" in black magic marker.
They're wishing for the stability of the Doug Marrone Era, punts and all.
They're asking themselves if they wish they had Ryan Fitzpatrick again instead of the Nine Million Dollar Man, Tyrod Taylor. The former Bill and his former head coach-turned offensive coordinator (Chan Gailey. Remember Chan?) skewered Ronald Darby, Aaron Williams and even Stephon Gilmore at times for 374 yards and a touchdown.
Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall--who gave Jets fans a scare with a first quarter injury--each collected six grabs for 126 and 101 yards respectively, while the unknown Quincy Enunwa added six receptions of his own for 92 yards. And even he left the game for for a bit.
Last week, the defense kept the Bills in the game while the offense struggled. Thursday night neither side provided much help save for a Nickel Robey-Coleman touchdown return after Preston Brown stripped Jalin Marshall of the football.
One turnover out of four fumbles. Doesn't exacty off-set almost 500 yards of total offense or eight-of-13 converted third down attempts, does it?
The Bills defense seemed unprepared, even unsettled in their back seven as the former quarterback carved Rex and Rob's defense, and digested just over 39 minutes of possession.
In essence, eff this.
Let us count the ways:
* In the first drive, the Jets fumble twice and convert three third downs with a fourth in tow thanks to Stephon Gilmore holding call. Gilmore would also miss a tackle on a later third down, but the Bills would hold the Jets to a field goal.
* After the 84-yard Goodwin TD which took all of 85 seconds off the clock, the Bills defense returned to allow another Jets field goal at the end of the first quarter. The defense--mostly due to their ineptitude--on the field for 13:35.
* Taylor & Co. put the defense back on the field after a three-and-out, Brandon Marshall caught two balls over the "best secondary in the league"--Darby and Gilmore leading to a Jets first touchdown.
That's three Jets drives, two fumbles, two field goals, a touchdown and zero punts.
* An ensuing offensive drive that wasn't a three-and-out, but lasted due to its own dumb penalties, including a holding by tight end, Nick O'Leary, which wiped-out a possible fourth-and-two at midfield.
* Then another Jets TD drive. Usual suspects: Enunwa, Marshall, Decker making Gilmore and Darby look like the remnants of the John Butler/Wade Phillips purge.
Sure the Bills would follow with a sputtering drive featuring an EJ Manuel cameo, who would later return thanks to the NFL (finally) acting on it's concussion protocol. What better way for the league to say "See? SEE!" than Thursday Night Football.
EJ's fourth-and-short conversion was actually a curse in disguise, as offensive coordinator Greg Roman seemed to giddy-up after the first one, only to set his offense up for failure on the next one, the more important one, in the second half.
Roman, the innovative offensive mind belongs in the Hall of Fake with The Mangenius and the Blundertwins who were supposedly all-in after winning the offseason. Roman seemed to have ideas for his backup quarterback than his star halfback, who ran east and west like Ronnie Harmon and CJ Spiller.
Heck, things are helter skelter now, Bills fans actually want Spiller back. Much like they wanted a Fred Jackson return and consideration for a Stevie Johnsin reunion. Yes, things have gotten so bad that fans are calling for players who were Bills-good, not NFL good, just because...
Just because.
And it's only Week Two.
Ryan Fitzpatrick floated the ball like a backup QB on Super Tecmo Bowl (if you're young or old enough to remember Frank Reich backing up "QB Bills" because Kelly wouldn't allow licencing, you know what that means.) Yet, back shoulder throws and comebackers and slants and Fitz didn't Fitz no matter how hard he tried.
Oh, no. That was the OTHER quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor doesn't attempt throws over the middle, let alone make them. Other than his Marquise Goodwin rainbow touchdown, the rest of his throws looked more Vince Young than Steve Young; capped by the fourth quarter pick usually reserved for the former Bills signal caller, severely underthown and landing into the hands of underrated corner, Marcus Williams. Williams didn't do anything spectacular on the play; he just caught a ball that died on arrival.
Game. Blouses.
Fitz may only have two wins against Rex Ryan, but Thursday may have been the last laugh. The Jets, not the Bills, look like the buttoned-up team that could challenge for a wild card. Let's not go crazy; Fitz will still Fitz. But the Bills aren't even in his ballpark right now.
New Era Field, one game in, is already a punchline. The Cap (ugh!) or The Lid (really?) should have a cap put in IT.
Not to mention, what other slogans died Thursday night?
"Bills Run Deep." Or sideways, or not at all.
"One Buffalo." (Altogether now) When does Sabres season start?
"We won the offseason." Like Charlie Sheen in 2012.
"All In." Who will get the ax--if anyone does--next?
"Going for Broke." Or broken.
"Bruuuuuuuuce." No, that was just halftime.
"It's only September."
Not bellowed yet, but soon, only nobody is buying. Writers and pundits get angry when fans recite obvious cliches like "if they on't beat the Jets, the season is over," but this is one instance where the truth stands out like a bloody glove behind Kato Kaelin's guest house.
(Sidenote: did your household or crew mention the "other" non-retired non-issued number while Bruce Smith got his honor last night? Of course they did.)
In 2014, Buffalo Bills fans worried about keeping a team in western New York had the Pegulas, again, come to their rescue.
In 2016, the Buffalo Bills lack a quarterback, a healthy No. 1 wideout, a situational run game, a defense, a head coach, an offensive coordinator and a muzzle.
(Spare me this is "last year's narrative. The twins have a frickin' show dedicated to nothing but empty promise.)
In 2016, Bills fans need the Pegulas to come to their rescue and actually build an actual team in western New York.
But don't count on it.
Starting with Rex, they still have another 20 million reasons not to do so.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Ten (Plus One) Take Monday
If there's one thing worse than hate, or criticism, it's apathy. It's the idea that nobody cares.
Outside western and upstate New York, the Buffalo Bills are mostly an aside. An also-mention. An, "oh yeah. You hear about this? Friggin' Buffalo." Two stories come to mind:
* The Jerry Hughes/Zach Brown mis-Uber-standing (if they didn't want to wait foir a second bus, give them credit for getting to the stadium as quickly as they could instead of waiting for the second bus, making this a non-story) is one that's gained national notice. The other?
*Sammy Watkins' foot. He says he'll play through the soreness caused by the Jones fracture that needed offseason surgery.
National apathy should give you an indication how much belief you should put into 2016. These are people who live and breathe the NFL. Yesterday was their Christmas. But, there's always hope; never a shortage of that in this town. So, here's the wet Bills comforter:
If Sammy can't go, well, start your wish list for 2017.
With that in mind, the Bills have a quick turnaround against a Jets team reeling from another Fitz Finish, despite their defense sacking Bengals QB Andy Dalton seven times.
Couple that with an off-day by the Bills offensive line Sunday and the ankle injury by left tackle Cordy Glenn and Tyrod Taylor could be getting no sleep before Thursday--which is now (yes, in Week Two) the biggest start of his career.
But the Bills aren't alone. The Jets are the ones on the road Thursday night. And the Dolphins, despite their defense playing a solid 56 minutes before Russell Wilson led Seattle back at home, don't have a quarterback after the Tannehill experiment seems to be over.
And all are looking up at Jimmy Garropolo and the Patriots.
Imagine that. Well, in reality, this shouldn't surprise anyone. Remember yesterday's "been there" discussion?
With that daunting preface, here's your Ten Take Monday:
1. There are only so many comebacks in any athlete's career. RG3 better hope he has the lives of a cat after going on IR today with a fractured shoulder. He may return, but by November he'd better hope the Browns are as bad as they were yesterday if he wants to showcase himself this season. You can bet on it. Josh McCown will not lead this team anywhere.
2. The aformentioned Garropolo, along with the Eagles' Carson Wentz, the Cowboys' Dak Prescott, the Broncos' Trevor Siemien, and the Texans' Brock Osweiler showed the NFL they can hang with their new surroundings--for one week, at least--while Browns, Bills, and Dolphins fans searched for tissues and started charting college QBs. Then there's the promise of Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariotta, and Blake Bortles, who shared more ups than downs under center yesterday. Looks like the future of the NFL is in good hands with these gentleman, but with the simplifiation of the college game, it's gonna require much more patience and perhaps--gulp!--sitting for awhile.
And the teams in the best positions to draft developmental projects?
The teams that already have them. Y'know, your pals the Pats, the Packers, etc. Good teams.
That's hardly a coincidence.
3. "What a gutsy call by Jack Del Rio, huh?!?!" Yes. And, if he'd effed it up, he'd get killed for it. There are only 16 games in an NFL season.
But let's examine a couple of ideas here:
a. It's about execution. So if they'd missed, the players are the guys ultimately that should get the flack. Remember, the extra point isn't a gimmie anymore. It's a "likely, but..." But, it's easier for pundits to kill coaches instead.
b. The New Orleans Saints, and their Super Bowl-winning head coach, Sean Payton, were the ones who were unprepared for the go-for-two scenario. Can't blame Rob Ryan for that one, Coach.
4. So as Keenan Allen goes, so go the Chargers? The San Diego No. 1 wideout made Marcus Peters of the Chiefs look like Jason Peters trying to play corner. And then, Allen's knee buckles, Melvin Gordon gets 2015'd, and the Chiefs come back for a 1-0 start.
Can't blame Frank Reich for that one, huh Mike McCoy?
5. Did the Giants really have to win another 20-19 game? And Cowboy fans and their over-powered owner, Jerry Jones, weren't the only ones probably tearing what's left of their locks out when Terrence Williams ran downfield instead of to the sideline.
Tom Coughlin was probably sitting in an NFL office wanting to do the same thing.
6. Packer Nation was proud to welcome back Davante Adams and Eddie Lacy back into their good graces yesterday. Probably more welcome into Aaron Rodgers' arms than his brother, Jordan.
7. Carson Palmer may have looked old last night, but Larry Fitzgerald certainly didn't.
8. Ahem! Effin' Patriots. Yes, we've discussed this earlier, and many times before. And stop giving Bill Belichick credit for not calling a timeout, then calling one 15 seconds after he should have. That was clearly a miscalculation, and for the second time in his career, he lucked out by his indecision.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Sometimes luck favors the prepared.
Sometimes you can win without Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
When will sometime visit Orchard Park?
Maybe the answer is criterion No. 2.
9. This is America and yes, whether you stand, sit or kneel for the anthem, you can, like Burger King, have it your way.
Even on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
At least we're thinking and talking. Something we need to do more of by 11/8.
10. No matter what your circumstances--and America is FAR from perfect--you should thank Yahweh, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit you won the world lottery and became an American.
10 Again. The Buffalo Bills have burned out of their last excuse like Rex Ryan discards timeouts.
One local play-by-play voice offered the lack of preseason reps as a possible reason for Tyrod Taylor's performance yesterday.
To his credit, Rex Ryan said the starting defense was pretty well-rested in August and that didn't seem to bother them yesterday.
Except for maybe Ronald Darby, of course.
But the excuses are over.
Want to protest something red, white and blue? Something near and dear to your heart? Something you care about?
How about a Bills game?
If thousands of fans did a sit-out, maybe the front office at One Bills Drive would get the message.
Sadly, it's not the beginning of the end. It's not even the end of the beginning.
It's starting to feel like the four decades Moses & Co. wandered the desert.
At least there's the Sabres, right?
No pressure, Jack Eichel. You're the next in a long line of contestants trying to pull those two sabres from the stone.
Outside western and upstate New York, the Buffalo Bills are mostly an aside. An also-mention. An, "oh yeah. You hear about this? Friggin' Buffalo." Two stories come to mind:
* The Jerry Hughes/Zach Brown mis-Uber-standing (if they didn't want to wait foir a second bus, give them credit for getting to the stadium as quickly as they could instead of waiting for the second bus, making this a non-story) is one that's gained national notice. The other?
*Sammy Watkins' foot. He says he'll play through the soreness caused by the Jones fracture that needed offseason surgery.
National apathy should give you an indication how much belief you should put into 2016. These are people who live and breathe the NFL. Yesterday was their Christmas. But, there's always hope; never a shortage of that in this town. So, here's the wet Bills comforter:
If Sammy can't go, well, start your wish list for 2017.
With that in mind, the Bills have a quick turnaround against a Jets team reeling from another Fitz Finish, despite their defense sacking Bengals QB Andy Dalton seven times.
Couple that with an off-day by the Bills offensive line Sunday and the ankle injury by left tackle Cordy Glenn and Tyrod Taylor could be getting no sleep before Thursday--which is now (yes, in Week Two) the biggest start of his career.
But the Bills aren't alone. The Jets are the ones on the road Thursday night. And the Dolphins, despite their defense playing a solid 56 minutes before Russell Wilson led Seattle back at home, don't have a quarterback after the Tannehill experiment seems to be over.
And all are looking up at Jimmy Garropolo and the Patriots.
Imagine that. Well, in reality, this shouldn't surprise anyone. Remember yesterday's "been there" discussion?
With that daunting preface, here's your Ten Take Monday:
1. There are only so many comebacks in any athlete's career. RG3 better hope he has the lives of a cat after going on IR today with a fractured shoulder. He may return, but by November he'd better hope the Browns are as bad as they were yesterday if he wants to showcase himself this season. You can bet on it. Josh McCown will not lead this team anywhere.
2. The aformentioned Garropolo, along with the Eagles' Carson Wentz, the Cowboys' Dak Prescott, the Broncos' Trevor Siemien, and the Texans' Brock Osweiler showed the NFL they can hang with their new surroundings--for one week, at least--while Browns, Bills, and Dolphins fans searched for tissues and started charting college QBs. Then there's the promise of Derek Carr, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariotta, and Blake Bortles, who shared more ups than downs under center yesterday. Looks like the future of the NFL is in good hands with these gentleman, but with the simplifiation of the college game, it's gonna require much more patience and perhaps--gulp!--sitting for awhile.
And the teams in the best positions to draft developmental projects?
The teams that already have them. Y'know, your pals the Pats, the Packers, etc. Good teams.
That's hardly a coincidence.
3. "What a gutsy call by Jack Del Rio, huh?!?!" Yes. And, if he'd effed it up, he'd get killed for it. There are only 16 games in an NFL season.
But let's examine a couple of ideas here:
a. It's about execution. So if they'd missed, the players are the guys ultimately that should get the flack. Remember, the extra point isn't a gimmie anymore. It's a "likely, but..." But, it's easier for pundits to kill coaches instead.
b. The New Orleans Saints, and their Super Bowl-winning head coach, Sean Payton, were the ones who were unprepared for the go-for-two scenario. Can't blame Rob Ryan for that one, Coach.
4. So as Keenan Allen goes, so go the Chargers? The San Diego No. 1 wideout made Marcus Peters of the Chiefs look like Jason Peters trying to play corner. And then, Allen's knee buckles, Melvin Gordon gets 2015'd, and the Chiefs come back for a 1-0 start.
Can't blame Frank Reich for that one, huh Mike McCoy?
5. Did the Giants really have to win another 20-19 game? And Cowboy fans and their over-powered owner, Jerry Jones, weren't the only ones probably tearing what's left of their locks out when Terrence Williams ran downfield instead of to the sideline.
Tom Coughlin was probably sitting in an NFL office wanting to do the same thing.
6. Packer Nation was proud to welcome back Davante Adams and Eddie Lacy back into their good graces yesterday. Probably more welcome into Aaron Rodgers' arms than his brother, Jordan.
7. Carson Palmer may have looked old last night, but Larry Fitzgerald certainly didn't.
8. Ahem! Effin' Patriots. Yes, we've discussed this earlier, and many times before. And stop giving Bill Belichick credit for not calling a timeout, then calling one 15 seconds after he should have. That was clearly a miscalculation, and for the second time in his career, he lucked out by his indecision.
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.
Sometimes luck favors the prepared.
Sometimes you can win without Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
When will sometime visit Orchard Park?
Maybe the answer is criterion No. 2.
9. This is America and yes, whether you stand, sit or kneel for the anthem, you can, like Burger King, have it your way.
Even on the 15th anniversary of 9/11.
At least we're thinking and talking. Something we need to do more of by 11/8.
10. No matter what your circumstances--and America is FAR from perfect--you should thank Yahweh, Yeshua and the Holy Spirit you won the world lottery and became an American.
10 Again. The Buffalo Bills have burned out of their last excuse like Rex Ryan discards timeouts.
One local play-by-play voice offered the lack of preseason reps as a possible reason for Tyrod Taylor's performance yesterday.
To his credit, Rex Ryan said the starting defense was pretty well-rested in August and that didn't seem to bother them yesterday.
Except for maybe Ronald Darby, of course.
But the excuses are over.
Want to protest something red, white and blue? Something near and dear to your heart? Something you care about?
How about a Bills game?
If thousands of fans did a sit-out, maybe the front office at One Bills Drive would get the message.
Sadly, it's not the beginning of the end. It's not even the end of the beginning.
It's starting to feel like the four decades Moses & Co. wandered the desert.
At least there's the Sabres, right?
No pressure, Jack Eichel. You're the next in a long line of contestants trying to pull those two sabres from the stone.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Been There.
If it felt more like February 2nd to you than the first Sunday of the NFL season, you might be a Buffalo Bills fan.
No, not if February 2 were Super Bowl Sunday; more like the day the infamous rodent from Punxatawny, Penn. sees his shadow and darts back into his cove for six more weeks of winter dread.
Six weeks may as well be 16 years to a Bills fan. And if you had flashbacks of the last two decades, you likely weren't alone.
Quarterbacks. Coaches. Penalties. Missed opportunities. Among them, playoff games are conspicuously absent as the nightmare picked right up today where it left off the moment last season where the Bills clinched their 16th-straight winter without football.
Maybe Pegula Sports and Entertainment should follow-up "The Four Falls of Buffalo" with the "Five Stages of Grief for a Bills Fan."
Stage One: Get angry like you didn't expect this to happen. That you bought everything Rex & Co. sold you starting with that offseason victory in May. Re-air the pilot of Rex & Rob: Reunited tonight after the Bills recap show and tape fans' reactions from Buffalo area bars.
Stage Two: Deny that this year will be like the previous 16. That the Bills offense that sputtered today like the 2010 opener vs. Miami was simply because most of the offense didn't play together in the preseason and that somehow, Tyrod Taylor and Sammy Watkins will get it together because supposedly they're too good to fail. Showcase clips from the first half of last year's Chiefs loss.
Stage Three: Trying to rationalize what's happening by calling The John Murphy Show and offering (screened, perhaps planted) pep talks. New time! New co-host! Three hours! And now on MSG! The footage pratically makes itself.
Stage Four: Sadness and wonder where that money spent on season tickets or another QB jersey could have gone, or simply explaining to friends and relatives why your teen is a Steelers, Packers, or--gulp!--a Patriots fan. Show videos of families opening gifts every Christmas like an NFL Shop commercial, with each sibling and spouse and child opening different colored gear instead of the force-fed "Bills Run Deep" myth.
Stage Five: Do what the Borrellos have done for the last ten years. Treat each game and season like you've been there before, because well, you have. Run highlights of the Pegulas purchasing the team. At least we have one, right St. Louis? Right, Toronto?
Five is way easier.
That having been written and read, here are ten takes from another disappointing opener from you know who:
1. Tyrod Taylor. Offensive "guru" Greg Roman told anyone who'd listen this was the year the Bills would open up the playbook for their second-year signal caller. He just didn't say which page.
Taylor did make plays to keep the Bills lone scoring drive alive, but had a pedestrian day reassuring his former team he was and may still be what they thought he was when he was let go.
He locked onto receivers, overthrew open targets, only sought Sammy Watkins six times, had happy feet, made slow decisions and only threw for 111 yards.
There was a reason he was given a "prove-it" contract. Even Doug Whaley loses by winning with this one.
Which of the five stages will you hear to explain this one? No. 3: "His line was awful. Cordy Glenn left injured."
Yeah, that explains one pass play over 30 yards (Charles Clay, 33) when two Ravens averaged over 30 YPC. And this from an offense that scored one touchdown.
2. Clock mismanagement. Burning timeouts for missed challenges when it comes to a possible touchdown at the one is one thing. Timeouts to discuss 3rd-and-16s or to avoid delay-of-game penalties at the 12:06 mark of the fourth quarter are absurd. Could have used those to help slow the Ravens on that final drive.
Stage of Grief? No. 5: Acceptance. They've never been able to manage a clock, so why would it change now?
3. Shady McCoy. At 28, he's trying to do it all, and Trent Edwards--err--Tyrod Taylor made sure to give him plenty of chances. Well, at least in the first half. But even Shady needs some shade once in awhile at his advanced football age.
Stage of Grief? No. 3. You'll hear plenty of praise from Murph & Co. tomorrow.
Back to Shady's age. That brings up:
4. Reggie Bush. Goodness? Gracious! It's not a stretch to assume he may not finish the month as a Bill, let alone a season.
Stage of Grief: Two. Bills fans thinking Bush had anything left in the tank to begin with are the only fools and are as ardent as those who hate Colin Kasepernick right now.
5. Jerry Hughes. Made some big plays, but continued where he left off last season with his usual roughing-the-passer penalty. Fortunately, his highlight reel from Sunday made-up for that and his misunderstood Uber story.
Stage of Grief: Three, with a pinch of No. 1.
6. Penalties. Eight accepted for 89 yards. Yet, none of them cost the Bills other than Jerel Worthy's "leverage" penalty--which ate about two more minutes off the clock (thanks defense for limiting the damage). But two from your longsnapper? Then there's Hughes, and then Ronald Darby with an unsportsmanlike conduct on a PAT?
Stage of Grief: The Terrible Twos.
7. Secondary. Rex took the blame for Duke Williams getting burned on a third-and-one TD pass from Joe Flacco to Mike Wallace for 67 yards saying they doubled "the wrong guy." Then there's Mr. Darby, again, with the dropped pick-six which could have secured the win for and by the defense.
Two plays. Fourteen points? Unfair? Perhaps for an otherwise solid day. Maybe point the finger back at the offense.
Stage of Grief: Three. Kinda hard NOT to wonder about those two misses.
8. Rex saying he's the only coach who gives credit to the opponent--a well-coached Ravens team.
Whatever lets you sleep on the plane ride home; quick turnaround--the Jets are coming to town Thursday.
Stage of Grief: One. Double your misery. Two Ryans. Two years. Same ole' Trump-ian Billsh*t.
9. Brandon Tate's lone punt return for 21 yards. A Bengals castoff, yet, a lesser-known hasbeen than Bush or even Devin Hester, who looked like the NFL version of Willie Mays as a Met. Bills beat writers made Tate's return sound like the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLI.
Yes, it may not have been a Ravens rout, but a Bills drought. And this was one of few shining moments.
Stage(s) of Grief: Two, Three and maybe Five. This is the best we can do, folks.
10. Dan Carpenter. He may have won the preseason since the Bills are into winning intanglible intangibles. And no, a 50-yarder isn't a gimmie. But, really Kick Rock? Really?
Just another Bill picking up where he left off last year.
Stage of Grief: Do we really want to go down this road today?
Yup, it's all been done. Annually. 'Tis the season.
But the only ones who can't seem to get used to it are the ones who keep buying hope like the Mega Millions.
Welcome to 2016, Bills fans. Act like you've been there before. It's way easier.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Ten Take Friday
Here we go. Ten takes in a row. Simple. Easy to read. No room for interpretation.
1. The NFL has another concussion problem: last night they proved with all the hits Panthers QB Cam Newton took to the head coupled with the fact either concussion officials in the stadium didn't seem to notice or were waved-off by their bosses, the league has shown they're simply negligent, unqualified, or just don't care about the health of its players. See the league's antiquated marijuana policy.
2. Buffalo Bills RT Seantrel Henderson will take his four-game suspension. He has dropped his appeal. That only happens when you don't have a case. You need to fail four urine tests--yes, one-two-three-four!!!--to lose a quarter season.
When it comes to Crohn's Disease, all bets are off. But, if the NFL were to cut Seantrel slack, then the NFL would see a dramatic rise in, ahem, Crohn's cases or similar situations.
Sadly, the league would rather push painkillers and create drug addicts than allow weed to be smoked to ease the car accident-like pain felt from the first day of training camp until (maybe) mid-March.
Forget the Chron's for a second. The NFL needs to just eliminate testing for the sticky-green. But they won't without a concession. Good luck, NFLPA.
Meanwhile, for those of you who preach that weed shouldn't smoke recreationally, geez, isn't drinking alcohol always recreational? See, you don't get to choose. And this is coming from someone who has never inhaled. Ever.
3. Back to Denver. It's amazing what a well-timed timeout will do. We'll be talking about the missed 50-yard Graham Gano field goal come December. Will also be talking about the one he made a minute earlier.
4. Staying in the Mile High City: today Trevor Siemian is poised simply because Denver won. If Gano makes the second kick, we're talking about Paxton Lynch.
5. Brandon Marshall kneels during "The Star Spangled Banner." Colin Kaepernick may have not been the guy you'd peg to start this conversation, but athletes like Marshall who have followed suit are actually doing more than just kneeling. Marshall is donating money and looking to help while letting America know afterward he is not anti-police, or anti-military. He wants the BEST America. Shouldn't we all?
Meanwhile, kudos to Kaep for literally putting his money where his mouth and knees are and doing the same from the revenue garnered from the spike in his jersey sales.
6. World Cup of Hockey: Team USA coach, John Tortorella is getting ripped for saying he'd bench any player who sits during the national anthem.
Every situation--Kaep, Marshall, Megan Rapinoe--is different, as is this one. And y'know what? He's right.
The jersey says USA. If you don't want to represent the country, don't play. Period.
If you're gonna play, you'd better be all-in on an international stage.
6. Yes, the Buffalo Bills season rides on Tyrod Taylor. And yes, he can't just be as good as Eli Manning or Phillip Rivers. He needs to be Ben Roethlisberger.
7. The Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl this year and become the next Pats-like dynasty. Write it down.
8. Good for baseball, good for the Mets, and good for Tim Tebow. Eff everyone else. Especially baseball pundits, purists and the NFL.
Thursday went like this: baseball steals headlines using ex-NFL wonder; football gets back in the limelight talking about headshots to a star quarterback.
Which story would you rather have?
9. The Yankees and Mets have made baseball fun again in New York. It's amazin' what a few fresh faces will do. And, by the way, why does Joe Giardi get so much hate? Maybe because Yankee fans only watch Yankee games. Despite a lack of offense, age and pitching problems the last two seasons, Girardi posts the best pythagorean win-loss record in baseball.
Translation: he's managing his team to victories. What a frickin' concept!
10. Don Henley is one heckuva songwriter. Incredibly underrated.
1. The NFL has another concussion problem: last night they proved with all the hits Panthers QB Cam Newton took to the head coupled with the fact either concussion officials in the stadium didn't seem to notice or were waved-off by their bosses, the league has shown they're simply negligent, unqualified, or just don't care about the health of its players. See the league's antiquated marijuana policy.
2. Buffalo Bills RT Seantrel Henderson will take his four-game suspension. He has dropped his appeal. That only happens when you don't have a case. You need to fail four urine tests--yes, one-two-three-four!!!--to lose a quarter season.
When it comes to Crohn's Disease, all bets are off. But, if the NFL were to cut Seantrel slack, then the NFL would see a dramatic rise in, ahem, Crohn's cases or similar situations.
Sadly, the league would rather push painkillers and create drug addicts than allow weed to be smoked to ease the car accident-like pain felt from the first day of training camp until (maybe) mid-March.
Forget the Chron's for a second. The NFL needs to just eliminate testing for the sticky-green. But they won't without a concession. Good luck, NFLPA.
Meanwhile, for those of you who preach that weed shouldn't smoke recreationally, geez, isn't drinking alcohol always recreational? See, you don't get to choose. And this is coming from someone who has never inhaled. Ever.
3. Back to Denver. It's amazing what a well-timed timeout will do. We'll be talking about the missed 50-yard Graham Gano field goal come December. Will also be talking about the one he made a minute earlier.
4. Staying in the Mile High City: today Trevor Siemian is poised simply because Denver won. If Gano makes the second kick, we're talking about Paxton Lynch.
5. Brandon Marshall kneels during "The Star Spangled Banner." Colin Kaepernick may have not been the guy you'd peg to start this conversation, but athletes like Marshall who have followed suit are actually doing more than just kneeling. Marshall is donating money and looking to help while letting America know afterward he is not anti-police, or anti-military. He wants the BEST America. Shouldn't we all?
Meanwhile, kudos to Kaep for literally putting his money where his mouth and knees are and doing the same from the revenue garnered from the spike in his jersey sales.
6. World Cup of Hockey: Team USA coach, John Tortorella is getting ripped for saying he'd bench any player who sits during the national anthem.
Every situation--Kaep, Marshall, Megan Rapinoe--is different, as is this one. And y'know what? He's right.
The jersey says USA. If you don't want to represent the country, don't play. Period.
If you're gonna play, you'd better be all-in on an international stage.
6. Yes, the Buffalo Bills season rides on Tyrod Taylor. And yes, he can't just be as good as Eli Manning or Phillip Rivers. He needs to be Ben Roethlisberger.
7. The Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl this year and become the next Pats-like dynasty. Write it down.
8. Good for baseball, good for the Mets, and good for Tim Tebow. Eff everyone else. Especially baseball pundits, purists and the NFL.
Thursday went like this: baseball steals headlines using ex-NFL wonder; football gets back in the limelight talking about headshots to a star quarterback.
Which story would you rather have?
9. The Yankees and Mets have made baseball fun again in New York. It's amazin' what a few fresh faces will do. And, by the way, why does Joe Giardi get so much hate? Maybe because Yankee fans only watch Yankee games. Despite a lack of offense, age and pitching problems the last two seasons, Girardi posts the best pythagorean win-loss record in baseball.
Translation: he's managing his team to victories. What a frickin' concept!
10. Don Henley is one heckuva songwriter. Incredibly underrated.
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