Use Your Tivo:

 

            Again, let me recommend to all Bills fans to utilize your TIVO or DVR when it comes to watching the Bills.  I think I have recorded 4 of the last 5 games and then watched at my convienence later in the day.  It makes these disasters so much easier to deal with when I know I didn't stop myself from doing something because "I had to watch the game".  The last two Sundays I have played baseball, then come home and instead of a 3 hour tear jerk-er, it's a hour and a half of comedy.  The Bills are doing everything they can to ruin our existence, but we cannot let them.  You have invested money in tickets, satellite packages, and apparel, now is the time to stop investing valuable time.  As long as you can stay in "media blackout" and avoid calls on your cell phone, this is a great option for all Buffalo supporters.

 

The Game:

 

            Well, on one hand this was another monumental disappointment, on the other hand, you have a game that was much closer than most expected.  The Bills covered the 7.5 point spread, and looked like they were on their way to a solid division, road, win.  However, some things just are not meant to be.  The Bills are not meant to win and the Jets seem destined to get every bounce of the ball this season.  Perhaps it's the magic of Brett Favre to which Dan Dierdorf referred to more times than I could tolerate. (though it is certainly no "magical flutie pixie dust")  The Jets offense didn't record a single first down in the fourth quarter and still were able to pull out a victory thanks to a defensive touchdown.  Early Christmas presents from John Paul Losman to the Jets on consecutive drives sealed the Bills fate.  Probably not the "highlight reel" he was hoping to put together to show teams in the off-season.

 

"The Decision" :

 

            While this catchphrase won't be as famous as "wide right", "in the crease", "music city miracle", or "bench Flutie in the playoffs", it certainly has been and will be, the center of great debate for at least a week.  After the fumble by Losman I was quite perplexed.  Like most of you, I found myself scratching my head (a reoccurring habit that has my follicle density wearing thin)  as to why a pass play was called on 2nd and 5 when Lynch was plowing through the Jets.  Once again, the Bills seem to not understand that number 23 is their best offensive player.  The ball should not leave his hands as long as he is averaging three yards or more a carry.  With that said, a knock on Juron has been his conservative coaching.  The fake punt was a nice call early in the game which led to three points.  How many times have we seen the Bills run-run-run-punt, lose?  For that reason, and considering they had nothing to play for besides pride and keeping their coach out of the fryer, I really don't HATE the call.  Sure, the defense was playing better in the fourth quarter, but when you're on the road you don't want to have to play defense.  Especially considering Favre loves the two minute offense, and the Bills D has been shaky at the end of games this season.  Now, this is all considering that running the ball doesn't lead to first downs, which eventually you would have to think it would have forced a punt sooner than later.

            The play call was not nearly as poor as the execution of the play.  JP has been in the league for too long to fumble there.  He's rolling out of the pocket, throwing the ball out of bounds is perfectly acceptable in that situation.  Even if he just takes the sack, at least the clock keeps running.  It looks like his shoulder got grabbed and instead of just tucking it away and going down, he was trying to do something with the ball.  Add this to the before mentioned highlight reel.  Good luck in free agency Mr. Losman.

 

The QB "Controversy":

           

            Again, I don't know if Trent Edwards is the future of the Buffalo Bills, but can we please officially call the JP "idea" dead?  Is there anyone out there who REALLY thinks this guy is a better fit?  As I mentioned before, I was firmly on the JP bandwagon up until the middle of last year, but you cannot dismiss his lack of progress.  The one thing he always had over Edwards was the "big arm" factor.  Not one long pass yesterday until that hail mary.  By the power invested in me, by the power of Bills Nation, I now pronounce this QB controversy, dead on all levels.

 

                                                    R.I.P

                                    Edwards / Losman QB Controversy

                                               2007 - 2008

 

The Coaching Staff:

 

            Rumor has it Juron did in fact sign an extension.  Let's be honest, the only unit holding this team back on a consistent basis is the offense.  The Bills offense has been a problem since Jim Kelly retired.  Flutie had some moments, and Bledsoe had one good year with the Bills, but scoring points has been a problem for a long time.  Again, keep Juron, fire Juron, I'm not sure it's going to make a big difference.  The Bills are in need of an imaginative play caller, and until they have one, this team will continue to be middle of the road at best.  Special teams has been good, and the defense is much improved.  Enough ball control offense, it just doesn't work with this personnel. 

            Sadly, I think more importantly than a new coach, the Bills are in desperate need of new management, including the owner.  The NFL is no place for 90 year old owners, it's too fast paced with too many decisions.  We don't even have a GM for god sakes!  Selling tickets is not an issue, from that stand point the front office's marketing strategies have been a success. (they are aided by the fact there is nothing else to do in Western New York).  But the on field product has been poor and that goes back to scouting, player development, and spending money wisely.  Ralph Wilson has been instrumental in keeping the Bills in Buffalo since their creation, but now he may be just as much to blame if they end up leaving town.