For in-game delirium, head over to my Twitter page. It's probably more fun this week than most.
I'm willing to bet there are a lot of folks out there mad at the Bills for winning today, and I'm sure they'll post there. I'm also willing to bet these are the same people making comments about Ryan Miller's performance against the Hurricanes not counting because Carolina doesn't score a lot.
To those of you, tough meat. The Bills and Sabres put three wins on the board this weekend, and I don't hate the idea of going to work tomorrow.
Oh, snap. Guess what I saw...
-- If our discussion this week is going to be about running up the score, as it was early on the postgame show, throw a rusty rake through my back a couple of times. Do you know how often the Bills have coughed up late leads, or played too conservative? I guess we can talk about the Fred Jackson score that made it 31-14, but not the 51-yard strike from Fitzpatrick to Owens. Not at all. Go somewhere else for that.
-- The time to discuss Fitzpatrick as full-time starter is never o'clock, but maybe we need to take our Perry Fewell for head coach timepiece and wind it to Probably-not p.m.
I want to ignore how I feel right now, because this game is probably very similar to never having shoes in life, and then getting a pair of used wooden clogs. You're thinking, "Hey! This is nice. I'm not stepping on nails anymore!" But you don't realize they make plenty of nice, comfortable sneakers and slippers, and you've got slivers of wood all over your toes.
The bottom line is this: The Bills are in better hands than they were with Dick Jauron, and they just played consecutive watchable football games for the first time since, when? Weeks One and Two? Even then you had some indescribable brain seizures. It's been two weeks under Fewell, and odds are you're better off hoping for Mike Shanahan or some other big name to get pumped about the opportunity.
But like it or not, Fewell has officially made a thesis statement worthy of a book. Whether he can write more than the first few paragraphs of one chapter is something that will play out over the next few weeks, and he deserves to have us read it.
-- There were a lot of gutty calls Fewell made that will have folks saying, "I know it worked, but I hated the call." I understand that sentiment, but I loved him showing faith in a kicker who'd missed from 44 yards earlier. Lindell's a very solid kicker, and it must've really said something to the team when he trotted out there to try that monster kick, and even more when he made it.
-- I'm honestly not trying to pile on, but Alex Van Pelt and Ryan Fitzpatrick are damning the in-season play of Trent Edwards. The plays seem more creative, and the time in the pocket seems longer -- even with six sacks and a load of linemen lost for the year. When Steve Tasker, a former Bill with connections to the organization, comes right out and says, "This is why Ryan Fitzpatrick is a better fit for the Bills right now," you have to listen. It could be a shame someone hadn't said it before the hapless Browns beat the Bills in the worst game in the history of football.
-- I love the play of Owens, and I love the two weeks he's had, but I don't like standing in the middle of the end zone, doing calisthenics with his initials. This isn't about you, pal, as well as you've played. (EDIT NOTE: I loved the Joey Porter part of it. Just not the "T - O" part. Team game).
See, this is the sort of "anti-T.O." conversation I expected to be having this year. Not inane banter about whether he should've leapt for the ball a quarterback threw at the scoreboard.
-- What on God's green Earth were the Dolphins doing having Ricky Williams throw a pass while they were shredding the Bills on the ground? After seeing the Lions and Raiders play on Thanksgiving, I know there's a ton of poor decision-making going on in the National Football League.
-- Good to see Fred Jackson have relative success, but this line is going to struggle for the rest of this year. There aren't too many running backs in the league who are going to post four-plus yards-per-carry behind it, and I'm not sure Jackson would've without those last two runs. The good news is the Bills have performed pretty decent when they've been able to suit up the same line for consecutive weeks (The Tampa win is one of the only times they've been able to do such a thing). Buffalo has used seven different starting line combinations in 11 games. Yikes.
-- I think Jackson's reputation with the fans and on-field production have punched Marshawn Lynch's ticket out-of-town. Lynch just hasn't gotten going this year, and while he became one of my favorite players to watch in the past couple years, he's taken more missteps than the Goonies playing the pirate organ. See ya, Beast Mode. It was fun while it lasted.
-- My goodness, did I get an alarming number of "So he does exist" tweets and messages about Aaron Maybin. I believe it takes defensive ends a while to develop, but he now has eight tackles through 11 games. It appeared he was on the field an awful lot more than usual this week. Stay tuned.
-- The honeymoon's not over or anything, but I'm not sure Jairus Byrd knows how to tackle. He can hit, that's for sure, but tackling... yeesh.
-- If you're struggling for the right way to feel about Fitzpatrick, I think this is how to feel: You have a decent back-up locked up into next year. For a while, I wanted three new quarterbacks signed for next year. Now, I might be content with a new No. 1 -- rookie or otherwise -- to go with Fitzpatrick and Brian Brohm, which is why it will be imperative to toss Brohm out there at some point before the season is over. This upcoming Thursday game is more than a subtle reminder than we don't know how much time we have.
-- Another good message I got was from Steve B. : "Moorman was standing at the eight and he punted the ball to the Miami 10. That's 82 yards in the air." He's good.
-- There were a lot of feel good moments, but Corey Mace's last-minute interception was top of the pops. He's a very weird Canadian fella, but he's also been cut and re-signed an awful lot the past few seasons, and to make an actual play had to feel great.
-- Something also should be said about three accepted penalties for 20 yards, a marked improvement.
-- I would definitely wear the woolie Fewell rocked this afternoon.
-- So many times, my wife tells me, "Don't get excited yet," during Bills games, and she's usually right. Well, this week, I'm working on her birthday and she's at a benefit. I text her, "Go Bills" after Lindell hammers that 56-yarder. She says, "Not yet." For once, I was right. Stat line I enjoyed:
Owens, five catches, 96 yards, TD
-- Owens now has 40 catches for 659 yards and 3 touchdowns, as well as that rushing touchdown.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
Miami Dolphins, six sacks
-- I didn't enjoy it, but I get it. Hopefully Kendall Simmons looks a lot better with another week of work.
Game ball:
Fred Jackson
-- When you combine his rushes and catches, he had 20 touches for 116 yards and two scores. He's become much more than a check down option; he's a safety valve with some danger to him. The Bills have even run some screens that make sense (and some that haven't_.
Lastly... I felt really, truly good for the Bills fans in attendance. That place was a-plus loud, and that's how it should be every single week if a good football team played there. Next Thursday: A loss would've honestly had me flipping back and forth with the Sabres game against Montreal, but now I'll DVR the Sabres game and watch it afterwards. As I said before last week, the Jets are a terrible team. The Fewell Experiment continues whole-heartedly, and another win would say something. Let's call it an ugly, ugly win: Buffalo 19, New York Jets 17. That's four field goals in there. Hey-a-a-a.
Congrats Buffalo, you just hurt your 2010 April draft pick positioning. Perennial 7-9 seasons are worse that one 3-13 season to give you a chance to take two steps forward after one step back. Right now, you boys are stuck in neutral.
11/29/2009 5:21PM
well
as much as the season is lost, it makes for a nicer sunday afternoon when the bills win. - Bob Z
11/29/2009 5:21PM
re: joke
"have as much" really? half as much. really ruins your credibility.
11/29/2009 5:33PM
re: joke
Presuming an anonymous post on a seldom viewed message board, commands any credibility in the first place.
11/29/2009 5:34PM
Owens and BEASTS GRRRREAT!
Certainly a win against the HATED FISH makes people a bit more GIDDY then normal but...
This is what HALL OF FAMERS DO!!
Make players around them better, REFUSE TO ACCEPT LOSING, and are difference makers,
NICE JOB BEASTS!!!
NICE JOB 81!!!
NICE JOB PERRY FEWELL!
I HATE FISH!!!
Oh... and SPRING'S COMIN!
11/29/2009 5:37PM
fins fans
Bein a wny snow bird in south Fla we love it-Were sick of hearing how the bucs and fish are great-great win for WNY
11/29/2009 5:49PM
re: WOW
really? i'm sorry for u.
11/29/2009 5:58PM
Oh Snap!
Radioshack has the commerical on youtube OH SNAP! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJiOOQ9SY6s
11/29/2009 6:26PM
re: joke
Nick, you like Losman AND Lynch? What the **** is wrong with you?
11/29/2009 6:35PM
all of those points!
I *loved* all of those fourth quarter points! Running up the score? Give me a break Schopp and Bulldog. We deserve the fun! We have had too many scored against us in the fourth. It feels great to have that freedom of scoring. What a great 24 hours -- 5 goals in the third for the Sabres, and 24 in the fourth for the Bills!!!!
11/29/2009 6:49PM
Should've gone for 2.
I LOVE running up the score!
11/29/2009 6:51PM
stop them
Like Ronnie Brown scoring on us with 14 seconds remaining in the first game. WAAAA !!!
11/29/2009 6:59PM
your right!
How is running the ball, running up the score? It's not like they threw another bomb to TO.
11/29/2009 7:05PM
Buffalo sports!
Great weekend for buffalo sports! Spencer johnson rocks!
11/29/2009 7:14PM
Winning doesn't matter
It doesn't matter how much the Bills win or lose. It won't affect their draft. They will make the wrong pick no matter what position they select. They need someone who can spot talent.
11/29/2009 7:20PM
Running up the score!!
Schopp and Bulldog are u friggen serious? It was the first nice win of the season and that was all you could talk about!!! Let the bills and the fans enjoy a win!!
11/29/2009 7:31PM
re: Winning doesn't matter
What? You mean Williams, Flowers, Hardy and Maybin were the wrong guys to pick? Say it isn't so!
11/29/2009 7:34PM
Boo Hoo
Are you really complaining about "running up the score" or T.O. firing up the crowd celebrating? Seriously?
11/29/2009 8:49PM
Who Cares
Who cares about the Bills. They suck this year. They have sucked for the past 9 years. The will always suck in the future as long as Ralph Wilson owns the team and as long as the team remains in the joke of a city called Buffalo, NY.
11/29/2009 8:51PM
Refreshing
Like the minty flavor of alternate Listerine after eating liver and onions........this win (and even last week) have been highly, highly refreshing. Thanks Bills.
Side note: The majority of people who post on this board really need to have something else to do outside of......the message board.
11/29/2009 9:08PM
Hey post game boneheaded hosts
way to turn a solid effort into a self-generated issue no one cares to hear about. so they ran the ball with 1:30 to and a 10 point lead. worse has been done and will be done in this league. enough with the holier than though attitude. there are times for it but now is not one of them.
11/29/2009 9:09PM
re: Running up the score!!
Perry Fewell was making a statement with the second Jackson touchdown. He wants this coaching position, and whether he's the right choice or not I don't fault him for trying to hammer that home. I always hear Schopp and the Bulldog say thingslike "the Bills aren't a real NFL team" and "we're not in the same league." Well that touchdown was Fewell and the Bills saying yes we are in this league, and yes we will make an impact.
11/29/2009 9:12PM
Score
Where's the criticism for the Sabres running up the score? Should they stop at 4-1, not to mention never score an empty net goal? Stop whining about EVERYTHING the Bills do.
11/29/2009 9:32PM
Fewell'n The Fire
I like this guy's Coaching style - Would A Shanahan "Deflate" this team's current state? I think so. Keep Fewell.
11/29/2009 9:55PM
what is so wrong with running up the score?
I never really understood why people complain, that running up the score is so bad? Sure u don't want it to happen it to your team, but in the end, big deal it's winning, there isn't a rule in the NFL where u can't run up the score
11/29/2009 9:56PM
people be glad the bills won
it was a super forth just like the sabres 3rd period against carolina. nice game and now win more lol.
11/29/2009 10:14PM
RUN IT UP!!
If only the Bills had a team that could run up the score each and every week. Too bad this is not our problem. I'd be happy as can e if the Bills could do this each and every week! Instead we oten have to worry about the opposite occurance.
11/29/2009 10:27PM
It was a good win...
but I'm still watching the Sabres game Thursday and will flip to the Bills during commercials. It'll be halftime by the time the game is over anyway.
11/29/2009 10:38PM
Bills-Sabres Thursday
Nick, I suggest you do it the other way around. Watch the Sabres and DVR the Bills. Sabres start at 7, and will be done by halftime of the Bills game. With the amount of commercials the NFL has you fast forward through, you'll be caught up by the4th quarter...maybe even earlier.
11/29/2009 10:41PM
Boredbybiils
I travel extensively and read all the sports pags across the country.Here is a news flash for Buffalo-the Bills and most of thre games are largely ignored. Most large city newspaper will report the score and ignore the largely irrelevant teams like th Bills.
11/29/2009 10:52PM
running up the score?
Accusing Bills of running up the score is the first topic for discussion on a Buffalo station?? Why begrudge the coach some piece of mind, the fans some entertainment, and the players confidence and incentive pay? What should Jackson do on a running playwhen he finds out that the Dolphins have a broken back? Take a Knee? What a killjoy.
11/29/2009 11:09PM
re:Who Cares
Obviously you care enough to find the WGR website, read the posts, then write a post yourself. I care enough to enjoy this win for what it is: a chance to mess up the Dolphins playoff chances.
11/30/2009 1:21AM
keep lynch!!
i hope the bills dont give up on lynch, he is 5 years younger than jackson and has more upside.. too bad he hasnt learned to run as hard as jackson does on every play
11/30/2009 1:51AM
yuck 4 wins?
the season is coming to a close. i feel like puking.
11/30/2009 2:32AM
Not impressed
Nice to see the win, means little though, we are now 4-7, 3 wins to go to get to .500, all it did was break up the misery a little.
11/30/2009 5:01AM
more scoring
Bulldog & Schopp need to grow up. Were the Sabres wrong for scoring the 4th & 5th goals? No they were not. Neither were the Bills. Both teams need to learn how to win the game. Both did that this weekend. Do not tarnish the fun.
11/30/2009 9:17AM
Running up the score
It's absolutely hilarious that people think a 31-14 victory = running up the score. They won by 16 points for the love of god. It's not like they won 59-0; and even if they did, this is professionaly football. If you can't stop the other team, you deserve to have the score run up on you.
11/30/2009 9:18AM
Don't even think about it!
Forget any idea that Fewell should coach this team past this year. Tokn wins against mediocre teams like the Dolphins and potentially a few others is not the standard that we fans should be after. You have to be able to match wits with the heavtweightson the road and Fewell will be over his head in that area. His audition now is for an assistants job or a college head coach gig - thats it!
11/30/2009 9:28AM
Are you serious Schopp and Bulldog?
Oh my God they spend their entire show talking about how bad the Bills offense is, how they can't do anything right, and how they never score. Then they finally put a game away, doing in the last 5 minutes what other teams do to us week in and weekout, and all they do is complain about running up the score? Unreal.
11/30/2009 9:30AM
T.O. isn't washed up
It was Trent Edwards!!! If Owens keeps contributing with Fitzpatrick under center, imagine what he could do with Colt McCoy...
11/30/2009 9:32AM
Bulldog & Schopp=the Jauron way
Only these 2 malcontents could spil the party by suggesting a Jauron-style move: take a knee.
11/30/2009 9:41AM
Running up the score?
What are you talking about? The Dolphins called the timeouts!!! The Bills did exactly what they should have!!!
11/30/2009 9:58AM
uh quick question
why are the Bills now discovering that Fred Jackson is the most important part of the offense?
Bah.
Why do I bother?
11/30/2009 11:57AM
Running up the score
Schopp and Bulldog postgame show is usually a buzzkiller
11/30/2009 1:12PM
the real test for Fewell
If the Bills can manage to beat the Pats in 3 weeks, then there should be serious consideration in keeping Fewell as coach past this year.
11/30/2009 2:16PM
Running up the Score
Complain about 51-3 against the Raiders in the '90 AFC Championship or the 52-17 loss to the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, not a 31-14 week 11 Miami game. Yikes.
11/30/2009 3:38PM
Penny Stock
Leave it to Bills fans to begin to ponder buying stock in Perry Fewell as a head coach. This is no longer a simple NFL game. The level of sophistication needed to compete for a league championship is a difficult task. Lets just say even if Fewell can ride emotion to four more wins against the teams left on this schedule it should still not be enough to bring sufficient value to what amounts to the performance of a penny stock.
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