That's on Leodis McKelvin, who played with the football smarts of a pinata.
I have no -- let me be clear, zero -- problem with him taking the kick out of the end zone with his team up 24-19. There was 2:06 to go, and he could eliminate the two-minute warning. But to not go down when hit, like you're going to break four consecutive tackles with one hand on the ball? Did Bobby April not relay the "Don't fumble" message? You have got to be kidding me. This team continues to find ways to slice open my soul and pour battery acid into it.
No lie, the Buffalo Bills are the most heartbreaking franchise in the history of professional sports, and those citing the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Browns and anyone else can go home and eat laundry soap.
I guess we should talk about the rest of the game, somehow...
Why wouldn't you go down, Leodis? Why would you do this to me? Don't you know I was repeating the phrase, "Don't be the Bills" for the last six minutes of the game. All you needed to do was go down.
Anyway, the rest of the game...
--- Keith Ellison can't cover a receiver, tight end, running back or manhole. I feel bad for pointing this out when he made 16 tackles and some decent plays in the run game, but he was abysmal in pass coverage. The Bills need to entertain the thought of a free agent linebacker instead of filling their needs from inside, especially if Paul Posluszny's arm injury in serious.
--- Dick Jauron and the coaching staff didn't do anything remarkably wrong all night, so you might want to sit back and find someone else to blame, and if it's not going to be McKelvin, and it's not going to Ellison... you're probably trying way too hard.
--- Trent Edwards worked as the Bills quarterback Monday night, and topped 200 yards on that frenetic last second pass to Derek Schouman and the rest of the team. He did enough to win the football game, and had a number of balls dropped. He was pressed for time often, and only put one super-foolish, almost-intercepted ball into triple coverage, which hopefully encourages him to throw deep more often. It would be awesome if the offensive line could keep him upright, as some of his more impressive plays were navigating around the Pats pass rush to deliver dump-offs.
--- What a pitiful final offensive drive. You know New England wanted less than 45 seconds left when the Bills get the ball.
--- That said, I didn't see too many plays that weren't called in the preseason, for those thinking the Bills were "keeping all the good plays under wraps."
--- You really have to wonder how they'll ever pull off a win in New England. They got all the calls -- those that weren't against Demetrius Bell, or the bogus but within the rules offensive pass interference call against Terrell Owens.
--- They ruined 4-0 and 5-1 last year. Hey, at least they didn't wait this time around!
--- It was our dog Ernie's first time at the house during a Bills game. He bit my buddy Joshua in the nether regions during a celebration. He'll learn (Ernie, not Joshua).
--- Wide receivers caught five balls. Five.
--- EDIT NOTE: Tim Graham astutely pointed out in his "Rapid Reaction" column -- interesting title, ha -- that the final score was the same as a certain Monday Nighter against Dallas. ghjkSDFaskughDVCBK DSAVCIB SDCJK
--- I'm not going to say I told you so about a healthy Aaron Schobel, but... he's good. Loved the defense on fourth down, and sometimes even on -- Gasp! Don't say it, Nick -- third down. They've got a good look.
--- Good for Shawn Nelson grabbing a touchdown in his first game. One day, he could be as good as that Robert Royal guy (For those unfamiliar with my work, I'm being sarcastic about the Royal part).
--- As long as I've got some negativity stuck in my bones, I'd again like to thank Marshawn Lynch for being an idiot. Could've used some "Beast Mode," especially the way Fred Jackson was almost exploiting the Pats run defense, not to mention the way he collected short passes and turned them into more.
--- It was nice of the game to end at a reasonable hour.
Stat line I enjoyed:
-- Schobel, one tackle, one sack, one interception returned 26 yards for a touchdown
I loved his game, and forgot how smart he played. It's actually amazing that Bills fans seem to hate a hard-working player who doesn't show off and plays fairly intelligent football. The lying-in-wait interception was so well-executed that Brady almost fell for it twice. Tom Brady.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
-- Bills offensive line, four sacks allowed, countless pressures and several penalties
After last year's game against Oakland, I wrote, "Get better already. You're supposed to be good at the pass blocking part." They need to get better at holding a pocket, though they run blocked well and got into space after the short completions.
Game ball:
-- Jackson, 15 rushes, 57 yards; five receptions, 83 yards, touchdown.
He got the ball a lot, and he didn't waste it. A solid job filling in for Lynch.
Lastly...
Don't do that again. I know you will.
Next week:
Tampa Bay. The Bills should win their home opener comfortably, giving us ample time to discuss how they should be 2-0 and waiting for a showdown with New Orleans. Tampa is better than most would imagine, and this one will be close if the Bills don't attempt to stretch the field. Buffalo 20, Tampa 10.
all the "smarties" who knock Schobel prove the ignorance every time the guy plays. Hes a great player like it or not who makes plays all game not just when the game is out of reach like some suggest. Do some research before you pop off
09/14/2009 11:10PM
Cleveland has more heartbreak
1980 Brian Sipe INT vs the Raiders in playoff game.
1985 Browns blow a 21 point halftime lead vs the Dolphins in playoffs.
1986 Earnest Byner fumble.
1987 Elway Drive.
Jordan over Ehlo in the late 80's.
1995 and 1997 Indians lose in worldseries.
Northcutt drop enabling the Steelers to win in 2002 playoff game.
2007 Indians choke vs the Bosox in ALCS
2009 Cavs losing to Magic.
Cleveland's had heartbreak in 3 sports so they win the "City of Chokers" Award.
09/14/2009 11:10PM
optimistic...
I'm a fairly optimistic person, considering we played the pats so equally most of the game. Why can't we expect anything but improvement from here on out?
09/14/2009 11:12PM
ridiculous
there is not a competent high school coach in this country who would ave allowed their man to run that ball out of the end zone...ridiculous.
09/14/2009 11:12PM
Poor final drive
The screen pass to Jackson was working all night, it totally should have been utilized on that drive.
09/14/2009 11:13PM
No one circles the drain like the Bills!
Has there ever been a team that finds more gut wrenching ways to finish a game. If Shakespeare were a football fan - this would be his team! Bravissimo.
09/14/2009 11:14PM
Screen to Jackson
Where was this on the final drive. I'm sure he could have picked up 15-20 yards and put us into field goal range.
09/14/2009 11:14PM
Defense
I have to question any game plan that covers Wes Welker with a Linebacker.
09/14/2009 11:14PM
I dont know why
I keep watching this team. I mean it really physically hurts.
09/14/2009 11:15PM
RochesterFan
Wow! a sensible column on WGR after a painful Bills loss. This must be a first. Bring on Tampa Bay!
09/14/2009 11:16PM
YEAH....
YEA MCKELVIN...THANKS
09/14/2009 11:19PM
as usual
With 5 and 1/2 minutes left, I kept saying, just this once, don't blow it. If the Pats must score, make them take time off the clock. Then it turned into, just don't fumble the ball. Then it turned into the Dallas Monday Night game a year ago. Dick 'the corpse' Jauron didn't lose us the game, but he didn't coach his players to win either as they took dumb penalties and made McKelvin made a terrible decision with the ball. Also, they're in the hurry-up offense, yet they called their last timeout on the last drive when Edwards was sacked. Am I missing something here? I thought hurry-up meant you hurried the hell up and snapped the ball.
09/14/2009 11:20PM
Bills
This is what it means to be a Buffalo sports fan.
09/14/2009 11:23PM
Sick to my stomach
Poz out?? sign Derrick Brooks tomorrow..hope to see some more looks to our big play guys Owens and Evans...Love Jackson
09/14/2009 11:23PM
bugz
wow... what a great game, i'm not a bills fan, but edwards looked good, the running game looked good, and it was the Pats afterall.. who know's.. 8-8 record is possible..
09/14/2009 11:24PM
its too painful
being a bills fan, i blame Moron Jauron, you cannot let him run it out in that situation, end of story.
09/14/2009 11:26PM
Sad bills fan
Jauron has cost us three heartbreakers in three monday night games, dallas, cleveland and new england.
09/14/2009 11:27PM
malsatisfait
I feel bad for the rest of the team that Jauron and McKelvin couldn't foresee that a mugging was in the offing. Two hold him up while the third knocks it out. Just down it or fall down. Two boneheads ruined a fantastic game.
09/14/2009 11:27PM
Thank you
Thank you for showing me the positives.
09/14/2009 11:27PM
man...
I have to go to boston this weekend for a wedding. Now I'm probably going to get into a fight, thanks Leodis.
09/14/2009 11:29PM
If Jauron isn't gone by Tuesday AM...
Pure and simple, it was a coaching failure that permitted McKelvin to leave the end zone. I thought these issues were solved a long time ago and was a matter of procedure.
09/14/2009 11:30PM
Well said
About McKelvin, couldn't have said it better myself.
09/14/2009 11:32PM
GOOD AND STINKY
We had a chance to be GOOD and SCHNEAKY, but no... GOOD AND STINKY
09/14/2009 11:33PM
Do we dare look ahead???
After wayching this game and seeing so many good things, what is there to look forward to moving forward. The good - Fred jackson, reggie corner, shawn nelson all seemed to fill their role and give is something to look forward to. As for the rest...well...
Trent - Didnt hurt us, but still isnt that gonna go out and win you any games yet
O-Line - Opposite of last year, got out and up the field to block, but could hold pass blocking
Linebackers - If POZ is out like last time he broke his arm we are in TROUBLE we were already weak there and out depth chart was aweful... Derek Brooks??? Am i to far off to say we just need bodies to play LB now
AVO - I know TO had a drop or to and dont get me wrong I love seeing Nelson and the TE's being used, but what about what people were calling "one of the best 1/2 core of WR?" Lets not leave out Josh Reed, if he is on the Pats isnt he Welker???
Long and short of it, I dont put this one on Jauron other than how do we keep losing games like this. Where is the leadership, where is the fire, do i dare say I want to hear TO calling for the ball and wanting to be a bigger part of the offense.
Players make coaches look smart. Until we got behind all the pre-season moves looked great and jsutified, BUT if jackson doesnt get a 1st down on that screen pass is AVP any better than Turk??? And was that even the call or was it a checkdown. Brady Didnt through deep alot and still had 300 yards playing checkdown, but he got 1st downs and kept drives going.
Go Bills
09/14/2009 11:36PM
live and learn
Mckelvin is still our best return man...2nd year guy in a clutch situation first time..i think he felt he could have gotten to mid field with all that space ahead...got greedy/got stupid...
09/14/2009 11:37PM
Sign
Derrick Brooks to Replace Paul...
09/14/2009 11:41PM
Proud
Very proud of the Bills. Great effort. Should have taken a knee though. I forgive, next week we will rock.
09/14/2009 11:42PM
Pinata
Freakin' hilarious, Nick. You always make me laugh, and you're right on!
09/14/2009 11:44PM
Why?
Why do I continue to watch this team? Maybe it's to find out what new way to blow the game
09/14/2009 11:46PM
Get the jump on Chicago
Nick I could have said it better..Can we sign Brooks as fast as we signed Posey??
09/14/2009 11:50PM
Not that bad
At least we didn't lose 56-7 on national tv like last time
09/14/2009 11:56PM
Again?
If that is the Patriots fumbling the ball with 2 minutes to go we all know the refs would have said "forward progress stopped". Can't have it both ways, typical officiating at New England. I'm surprised they only took away 4 Buffalo third down conversions with penalties, the mean over the last decade has been 7.
09/15/2009 12:05AM
it's puhsnazny
ouch! my arm! it hurts.
09/15/2009 12:05AM
Receivers
You MUST get the receivers in the game. Short slants & out patterns just like the Pats used kept they're drives alive and the Buffalo offense off the field, and chewed up alot of time off the clock. Does Buffalo even have these plays!? Pluses for Schobel, McGee, Jackson. Mckelvin was a mess ALL night, he made one nice tackle for loss on a run play, but that doesn't make up for poor coverage on 3rd down pass play, missed tackles and fumble that ultimately led to the loss. I thought the Bills Defense needed to tighten up on 3rd down, gave up to way many.
09/15/2009 12:06AM
#28
Killed them all night...easily the worst player on the field on D and special teams. Please cut him so he can go back and finish grade school.
09/15/2009 12:09AM
Never gonna be happy
So freakin negative. We did so much better than most expected. We were not embarassed and AVP made some great calls. I'm bummed over the loss but we beat the spread, looked decent on national tv, and gave Trent great confidence.
09/15/2009 12:13AM
Broken hearted again
McKelvin is the goat. He ran tentatively all night. He reminded me of how he did early his rookie year. Absolutely horrible. Don't blame Edwards or Jauron for this one.
09/15/2009 12:22AM
Ellison sucks
Our linebackers are horrible especially Ellison
09/15/2009 12:39AM
cleveland could only imagine
live here.enough said.and yes it seemed like the refs made calls in NE favor when it mattered most.typical politics in the NFL
09/15/2009 12:41AM
The Buffalo Cubs
Let's just face up to it.The Bills are the Chicago Cubs of The NFL.Accept it and move on.
09/15/2009 12:47AM
Ralph your making us look like idiots
If you dont fire him by tomarrow your a worthless coward of an owner.
09/15/2009 12:51AM
the coach has to go.
Dick must go.Ralph your making us look like a bunch of lame ducks
09/15/2009 12:57AM
Hold On
Hold on to the ball, Bills most likely win. Nuff said
09/15/2009 1:20AM
Dick Jauroned
If you get kicked in the man berries, it should be called 'dick jauroned' from now on...
09/15/2009 1:24AM
Classic Jauron
Close game bungled at the end thanks to a combination of ridiculously dumb play and strategy. Playing prevent pass defense all day was brilliant, and after watching it fail on the previous drive, staying with it was pure genius - it's sad when one of your defensive linemen has more passes defended than any of your cornerbacks. Great clock management at the end, as usual. And don't give your relatively young kick returner any special instructions at the end of a close game, I wouldn't want you to interrupt your brainless seal-clapping.
09/15/2009 1:26AM
Linebacker U
Ellison needs to be cut immediately.
09/15/2009 2:02AM
Lets play more ten yards of the wideouts!!!!
Why do we always play 10 yards off the wideout and everytime they get atleast 8 yards everytime, can we try bump and run just one or two times and see how it works out, maybe a INT
09/15/2009 4:09AM
Jauron
Is he alive?
I loved the camera shots of him compared to billicheck... 1 was engaged and the other dazed and confused...guess which coach won??!!
No excuse for the ant of penalties and lack of discipline.
The special teams need to tackle leona in the end zone so he doesn't come out.
Fundamentals pn special teams again cost the bills a W. I say again because Dallas, music city miracle... Need I say more
09/15/2009 4:09AM
peace
easy ladies...more good stuff than bad against a fading dynasty.bills are young , perhaps inexperienced, but on their wayhang in there BUF!!!
09/15/2009 4:10AM
Dick Jauron
Does he have a pulse??!!!
09/15/2009 5:12AM
Final Drive Made me Sleep Easier
If New England had the ball on their own 40 with 37 seconds left, they would have scored the necessary field goal. We didn't as we are not good enough. Regardless of the mistakes, they were still in a position to win, but didn't. This was heartbreaking but they have done worse.Go Sabres.
09/15/2009 5:29AM
Hey
Cheer up. I can accept 15-1. Please No more Penn State linebackers. They are injury pron.
09/15/2009 5:42AM
Good job Bills
You blew the game in typical Buffalo fashion. Everyone is saying their looking forward to the rest of the season, but let's be realistic, how well did the Bills play after they lost to the Cowboys like this on mnf? Point taken!
09/15/2009 6:25AM
HUNG LIKE A BUFFALO
COULD LEODIS RUN AROUND IN THE END ZONE
AND WOULD THE CLOCK HAVE STARTED?
09/15/2009 6:28AM
Screen on the last drive???
For those who are saying that a screen to Fred Jackson on the last drive would have worked are unaware of what a screen exploits! A screen is set up for a heavy pass rush where multiple players are blitzing and you toss a ball in the flat behind all of the blitizing players, allowing lots of field for the receiver to run. A screen to Jackson on the last drive would have been useless.
09/15/2009 6:43AM
Middle of the field
How is it for years that the Bills leve that 15 yard plus route open right down the middle of the field?? Our red zone defense is pretty good but the 80 yards before the red zone is wide open. That has been tough to watch. Any decent QB constantly exploits that...
09/15/2009 6:48AM
thanks for disagreeing with beavis and butthead
at least someone in that studio has some sense. there are NO moral victories allowed for this team!!! and over 1600 listeners agree on the web poll!
09/15/2009 6:49AM
no moral victory
if any of you think it is ok to lose. you are kidding yourself. the bills proved again they are not in the same league as new england. 12 in a row we have lost to these guys. to me you win thats the bottom line. today buffalo is 0-1 new england 1-0
09/15/2009 6:56AM
can't wait!
Let the Sabre season begin! Oh wait they suck too! Fire Regier!!
09/15/2009 7:44AM
Another heartbreaker
I think Leodis would have gotten a safety if he took a knee as he kind of backpedaled into the endzone while catching the ball. I would also like to bring up the way they mismanaged their timeouts in that final drive, how did they not have a play ready after the Pats missed the conversion? -usher
09/15/2009 7:51AM
Losers
In the 90's, my friends who were Jet and Dolphin fans would say the Bills were lucky. I'd say "winners win aand losers lose". Still true today.
09/15/2009 7:53AM
Turn the loss into motivation
I want the disgust from this defeat to push them through the rest of this season, not just for the next week or two. I want them to be mad about this loss every game this season, until week 16 and beyond. That will make the heartbreak easier to recoverfrom for us fans, and add plenty of fuel to the motivating fire in that locker room (providing Jauron doesn't put it out).
09/15/2009 8:04AM
Moral Victory?
So we almost beat the Pats with Brady not throwing a TD pass until 2:10 left, the Pats D taking unnecessary penalties, the Bills actually getting a pass rush with 4 linemen and actually scoring 3 TDs. I'm sorry, if we couldn't win that game yesterday, then there is really little hope moving forward. But hey, we already knew that, right?
09/15/2009 8:26AM
....
McKelvin, you have the football IQ of a 5 year old girl
09/15/2009 8:30AM
THROW THE BALL
How do we have a 6million dollar man and manage to throw TO the ball 3x, and Moss catches 15 passes, HEY O, TO is good, get him the ball
09/15/2009 8:35AM
Heart break kids at it again
Once again the bumbling bills break our hearts.... when will all us realize that the given the chance to win, the Bumbleres will undoubtly "F" it up. I think I'll start watching Wheel of Fortune instead
09/15/2009 8:39AM
Good old Buffalo Fans
Awful lot of folks in here who point fingers incorrectly. You cannot blame Jauron for this game, you cannot blame April. Leodis alone made the decision he did. Where he caught that ball I would want him to run it too with the way the refs were calling the game it was too sketchy. However, he also decided to push. 9 times of 10 that "extra inch" mentality is a good one to have. This time it wasn't. Its hearbreak based on a completely circumstancial turn of events. Look ahead Bills fans, not backwards. One HELL of a game against a juggarnaut of a team.
09/15/2009 8:44AM
Ellison
Ellison was great last night...16 tackles and best player on defense.
09/15/2009 8:59AM
dick sucks
is he on crack it's like hes some where else during games the pats weregiven twovspots one that scoring drive one of which was almost a yard off wher the tackel was made no challange would have been 4 th down
09/15/2009 9:18AM
I blame the coach
Gentlemen, you seem to be missing the point with this whole McKelvin situation, the Bills were winning the football game at that point. Yes the Pats had three time outs left, and yes they had the two minute warning – however, McKelvin takes the knee, you start out at the twenty and take a slow drive towards the end zone – run the ball, run the clock . . . what do you think Marv Levy would have told his players at that point?! Run the clock, don’t leave them with anything (and if anyone knew how to hold onto a lead and win a football game it was Marv) . . I see no reason for McKelvin to come out – none – there was no need for a glorious run back! Hands team or no - - you have the lead and you need to eat up the clock – TAKE THE KNEE! We had possession, we had time and we had the lead! You take advantage of that, make your way down the field and eat the clock!! At that point it was 24 to 19 – a field goal would have forced the Pats to score twice . . pretty simple if you ask me. So I see no reason for McKelvin or the coaching staff to defend his decision . . . its nonsense! If the Bills want to win football games, they have to take a page from Marv’s book – it may be a bit boring to play conservative football but let’s face it – that’s how you win football games.
09/15/2009 9:20AM
Again!!!??!
We do it to ourselves, I moved to a new town, and again I hear how pitiful the Bills are, thanks MNF for nationwide coverage...Excueme I need to vomit!
09/15/2009 9:22AM
what happened in the second half
Everyone keeps blaming the loss on the fumble...however noone says much about the Bills getting absolutely no pass rush in the second half....Brady sat back there and picked us apart...they need to address what happened from teh first half to the second half on the defensive side of the ball...thats where the game was lost
09/15/2009 9:52AM
that was clearly on Leodis McKelvin
where does it say, give the game away with 2:06 left to play people, for the 1st time, this wasn't the coaches fault, this wasn't trent edwards, fault, it wasn't t.o.'s fault, it was leodis mckelvin's fault people, he got greedy, and gave it away. Iwant Terrence McGee returning kick offs
09/15/2009 9:57AM
AT ellison
True,they aren't even in that game without him
09/15/2009 10:07AM
Coaching Staff
Leodis should not have had any decision to make, and as such the coaching staff is to blame. What are they coaching if not for their players to understand the situations they are presented with and what they should do to win football games? If this doesn't smell of a player thinking he is more important than the team and coaching staff I don't know what does. If he didn't question what his coaches told him to do, what are his coaches doing about it?
I don't care how good a returner he can be or has been, this coaching staff needs to do something about this, and if they don't address it we all know where the real problem is.
09/15/2009 10:19AM
Don't Blame McKelvin
Blame soft defense in the second half. Play soft, Brady gets it done.
09/15/2009 10:25AM
Mother Jauron
Wonder if Jauron served them all warm milk and cookies on the flight home to make them feel better? When are the Bills going to hire someone that can light a fire under the players' asses?
09/15/2009 10:38AM
I think the fix was in...
Suspect penalty calls, gracious spots, and color commentary all enjoying a Brady Lovefest...do you really think the NFL was going let the lowly Bills spoil Brady's coming out party???? I think not. Even the casual observer would think something smells bad... remember the saying "If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck"...
09/15/2009 10:41AM
bias commentators
to put aside the b____ing from the game, why is Tedy Bruschi even commentating, all he's going to commentate about him and his boyfriends in New England, it's not fair listening to a bias commentator like him, and Michael Strahan, I can't really consider Cris Carter, Keyshawn Johnson, and Rodney Harrison bias because they're just morons, Tony Dungy is solid, Floyd Reese all he ever talked about was his subpar g.m. skills in Tennessee, and Mike Ditka blows also, Jon Gruden is pretty decent.
09/15/2009 10:42AM
Heartbreak inc
Sorry nothing and nobody comes close to the Bills, forget Chicago and Cleveland. They didnt lose 4 SBS in a row, they didnt drop the pass in the endzone to lose a playoff game (Harmon) they didnt have a homerun throwback, a monday night collapse etc. Noone comes close to us and it sucks!
09/15/2009 11:06AM
McFumble
Easily the worst play of an otherwise decent game. I couldn't even understand what he was saying after the game. All I heard was the thud of defeat on his shoulders, and that he talks like he's got marbles in his mouth.
09/15/2009 11:30AM
hands team
The Bills had hand team in game to cover a on side kick so if they kicked it deep it should of been a no brainer take a knee. I think Mckelvin will win more games than lose us for the bills this year but this was a play the coaches should of realized and told him to take a knee. He had already gotten lucky befor this and harris got the fumble for him on the kickoff. Brady is a egomaniac an belecheat is worse. I loved it when the Bills stopped him twice on fourth down. It to bad the Bills to a man played so well and gave it away. We did alot of good things and I think we will do well this season. Lets pick up Brooks Ralph spend the money. Fred Jackson is a horse reminds me of Thurman Thomas.
09/15/2009 11:51AM
Field General
After all the controversy of training camp Trent Edwards actually looked good.I know a lot of people look at the last minute but he should have never been in that situation.The game should have been over.Jauron did the right thing in backing McKelvin because he cannot throw his guys under the bus even if they deserve it.That's when a veteran needs to get in his face to tell him how selfish that play was.I really didn't think the Bills would play that good but like all terrible heartbreaks you have to think your going to win before you watch them blow up.
09/15/2009 11:56AM
Always Remember
Always remember "good teams find away to win" and bad teams "find a way to lose."
09/15/2009 11:58AM
BDD
Once again Bills fans, BEAT A TEAM WITH A WINNING RECORD BEFORE YOU BEAT YOUR CHEST! It's 60 mins of football, and you guys only play 45 to 58 mins
09/15/2009 12:04PM
Stop Blaming Coaches, Idiots
Like Nick said, if you're trying to put this one on the coaches, you're trying WAY TOO HARD. And if you're going to blame a coach, blame April (I know, nobody will, he's a sacred cow in this stupid town). If McKelvin had taken a knee, everyone would be ripping Jauron for allowing a player to do that and New England then being able to use the 2-minute warning and preserve a timeout for offense. All he needed to do was go down at first contact around the 30, let the offense drain NE's timeouts, punt it to NE's 25 and make them go 75 yards in 90 seconds. But McKelvin SCREWED IT ALL UP.
09/15/2009 12:15PM
Returning the kick...
is the right move, the problem was he runs it out with one hand on the ball. I truly believe that half of these athletes have the smarts of a doorknob. Run the ball out to the 20 and fall down with 2 hands on the ball. Six seconds elapse and that takes care of the 2 minute warning. Anyone who thinks he should have knelt on it in the end zone plays not to lose. Fall down and cover the ball and we win, period. How hard is that to understand, really?
09/15/2009 12:19PM
It's Not Ellison
We play Tampa 2 defense, Ellison should not be the cover guy 25 yards down the field it's the safeties area of coverage and Ellison had better coverage than the safeties on Watson.
09/15/2009 12:23PM
record
they will be 11 and 5 this year, mark it down. this is just one game.
09/15/2009 12:26PM
relax
did u really expect anything differant. The bills will end the season 11 and 5.
09/15/2009 12:29PM
Jauron
was he asleep on the sidelines yesterday
09/15/2009 12:29PM
M.C.K.E.L.V.I,N
Moron
Capable of
Killing
Every
Last
Victory
In
New England
09/15/2009 12:34PM
Coaching
Well coached teams don't lose that game. When's the last time you saw a Parcells, Levy, Belicheck, or Shula team lose that game? Never, yet Jauron loses a couple a year this way.
09/15/2009 12:38PM
its NOT on Mckelvin
i have no idea where people are coming from i have no problem with him taking the ball out if the regular kick return team is on the field not with the hands team on the field.All you guys who say he should go down the second he feels contact then whats the point of bringing the ball out He is definitely going to get some type of contact by the 25 yard line so your going to risk a fumble to maybe get an extra 5 yards. the coaching stuff should of told him to stay in the end zone. The risk was great and the reward would of been MAYBE an extra 5 yards
09/15/2009 12:44PM
re: coaching
Coaching had nothing to do with this loss, cover the ball with 2 hands and we win...does a pro athlete need to be told that really? How old is he? How many years has ne played this game? Does he have an IQ over 85? You idiots blaming coaches here are reaching way too hard. As for Parcells, Levy and Shula, they all lost games like this throughout their career...Levy especially, XXV, XXVIII come to mind here. Is Jauron a bad coach, heck yes but he had little to do with this one.
09/15/2009 12:45PM
Hurry up and lose
bills owned the ball all of 23 minutes...defence is gonna die of exhaustion...as the soft coverage in the 4th quarter showed
09/15/2009 12:52PM
Hey record
11-5? Why don't you share what you've been smoking with the rest of us.We want to live in fantasy land too!
09/15/2009 12:59PM
D
I cannot believe what a disappointment Poz is. I am sorry, I was expecting Conlan, Paup, Fletcher... Maulroney carried him after he tried to fill holes for gains a few times, they all were sucked in on counter plays and could not recover, D Line read plays and reacted much better than the LB's. Sorry I just don't see it in him, I would love to eat crow... Don't get me started on some of those 3rd downs and poor coverage short middle. Credit where it is due.. WOW D-Line was impressive. Get them some average skilled Linebackers and they could carry the team.
09/15/2009 1:03PM
Ad infinitum
I stopped at the cemetary this morning to visit the grave of my late father who was a big Bills fan. He was upside down -- again.
09/15/2009 1:43PM
Jauron
I'm sitting there SCREAMING at the screen after the fumble: cut to Jauron: Mouth closed, arms folded. Where's the emotion?! He should be in McKelvin's face letting him know what he just did. Why isn't he screaming at the defense getting them pumped for what they need to do? Where is the leadership. No one wants to see their head coach acting the part of a statue when they need him the most. Absurd.
09/15/2009 2:42PM
Bite me Cleveland
"Just give it to him" against Bledsoe's Pats...Home opener against Jax (3 4th down conversions, Ernest Wilford in triple coverage back of endzone)...Denver rushes kicker on the field for game-winning FG w/14 seconds left in Kevin Everett game...WIDE RIGHT...Ronnie Harmon...Brett Hull's foot in the crease...No goal vs. Philly...Monday night against Dallas...Overtime kickoff returned for TD by Jets in opener...Pass interference on a Hail Mary...loss to Pittsburgh's 4th stringers with a playoff spot on the line...This is way too easy....
09/15/2009 2:56PM
Release McKelvin
Nuff' Said.
09/15/2009 3:38PM
You "Fans" are pathetic.
How many of you even realize the bruising coaches are obsolete. Mike Tomlin, when does he rant? Ken Wisenhunt, who changed who the Cardinals are... when does he rant? There is a reason (besides age) that ranting coaches are avoided. Hell, if we follow your mentalities as a majority, why not hire Tom Cable? That way instead of firing Schonert he could have slugged him? Seriously guys I got some news for you. Bethlehem Steel is gone, Pensions and entitlement are gone, and the "Good ol' days" in football are gone. Get over yourselves. The way you folks whine and complain about what worked 10 years ago, its no wonder people (and if your not careful our teams) are leaving the region.
09/15/2009 3:54PM
Come on...
Let's get a grip. McKelvin is to blame for not wrapping up. The coaching staff is to blame for putting him in a position to have to wrap up. His explanation after the game was proof positive that this coaching staff have no control over what he does as he said for all we know he could have taken it to the house. The bad thing is, we didn't need him to do that. I don't need a ranting and raving coach, I need one that has players understanding where they are within the context of the game, and what it requires to win.
09/15/2009 4:13PM
Coaching Staff?
They can't wrap the kids hands up for him. The abpve post (at 3:38PM) hit it on the head. Get over it guys. Get this riled up over this game and the nation's highest heart attack region is going to be overflowing our hospitals even more.
09/15/2009 4:37PM
Blame McKelvin/Jauron
Leodis had no business taking it out of the EZ. None. Anyone defending that, including WGR this morning, knows nothing about football. And Dick Jauron can't even win a close game by accident. See that pathetic inability to spike the ball on the lastdrive? That's not Edwards, that's a QB hung out to dry with no communications.
Pa-thetic, but the Bills are certainly comedy gold. Haven't laughed this hard in a while!
09/15/2009 4:39PM
Bills are Hilarious
Poz is made out of Tinker Toys. McKelvin gets paid millions and knows squat about his sport. Dick can't win a close game even by accident.
Comedy GOLD I tell ya!
09/15/2009 6:09PM
I know why this team loses...
At first, I didn't blame Leodis but after seeing his "that's me" answer as to why he ran it out, I have experienced enlightenment. The Bills lose because there is no actual team atmosphere and Jauron allows this attitude to flourish. McKelvin took no responsibility for his colossal blunder and only talked about how selfish he is. He clearly did not consider how his actions could hurt the team and Jauron defended him! When Bruce Smith was inducted into the hall, he mentioned in his speech how other Bills players sacrificed personal stats and glory in order to benefit the team. This concept is lost on Jauron and today's Bills. You could have the best players in the world but it means nothing when they don't play as a team. A wise man once said an opened hand merely slaps an enemy but when the fingers unite into a fist, the hand becomes a deadly weapon. Cut McKelvin and his ilk and fire Jauron so we can start over and build a real team.
09/16/2009 12:16PM
has any one heard anything on kelsay
is he gonna be back for the home opener or not and bills get over it its one game we will beat them at home go bills go sabres
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