We can't lose... and other thoughts

[superpunk]

It's amazing, and really has yet to sink in - but can anyone disagree that this team has a bit of destiny to them? I mean, really - WHO wins THAT game? It's not possible, it can't be done in today's NFL. There is no possible way that your QB can turn the ball over 6 times, two returned for TDs and surrender a kickoff return for a TD, and you STILL win the game. There's no way as a QB you can maintain your confidence in a performance like that to still drive and be so clutch at the end of the game. Was it a horrible QB performance? Absolutely. But, Herm Edwards, why do you play?

This is why.

Hello? That's the great thing about sports - you play to win. I don't care if you threw 16 interceptions - you play to win. Up til yesterday, these players had performed in a consistent manner on games where the other team came to hit them in the mouth. They went down with a glass jaw. But yesterday, they didn't "stop believing" and the defense played it's guts out and the offense and Nick Folk (to be referred to heretofore as "Our Lord and Savior, Nicholas Folk) pulled it out at the end.

We can't lose, folks - and we won't lose this sunday against New England.

That's for damn sure.

*We need a franchise RB so hard. Credit the Bills with a great scheme, and that creep package had to be unbelievably hard to run block against, but we need someone who has gamebreaking ability and can still fight to get the tough yards. This is not to say I haven't been impressed with how tough Julius is running, or how dynamic MB3 can be - but neither one of them is THAT guy. Our run stats are deceptive - Tony has to do it all until we turn it over to the run game in the 4th quarter. That needs to change.

*Cricket Anderson is a nice story, and we don't have many options, but I don't think he's doing that hot on lead blocking, or -his primary job. The passes were nice and timely, but does anyone think this guy is doing even a decent job at FB?

*Your Nick Folk jersey is in the mail.

*I'm impressed with TO's demeanor. If there was any performance where you should have ripped your QB to shreds on the sideline if you wanted to - this was it. TO wasn't getting involved, they weren't motioning him around like before, he didn't stand a chance on several of his pass attempts, but he stayed with it and was always right there to have Tony's back. That was solid. You think Chad Johnson wouldn't have made a scene with Carson Palmer? Hah.

*I still can't believe that happened. I still can't believe it had to happen twice. I still don't agree with Wade that the competition committee needs to review the coach's ability to call that timeout. That separates the men from the boys, and Nick Folk's got bowling balls.

*Jason Witten - what needs to be said. He's showing why he is probably the second best TE in all of football, if Tony G. falls off a little bit with age. Only Gates is better and more dynamic.

*What the frack was the booth's obsession with Trent Edwards? This seems to be a common trend with broadcasters. A young QB is in, and he's not losing the game - but he's not doing anything to win it, either. Hmmmmmm...what can we say about him? Oh, I know - let's say he has great "poise". Garbage catch-phrase. He killed any chance the Bills had of putting that away. Poise my ***. Hey Tirico and Jaws, how 'bout you get off the QB's nuts and give some love to that defense that has allowed 1 offensive TD in the LAST THREE GAMES!

*Tony Romo turned the ball over 6 times, and led us on six scoring drives. There is no way that has ever happened in the history of the universe.

*Nice Terrance Newman sighting. When was the last time he had 22 guys in his rearview mirror? :laugh2:

*We can't ****ing lose. We can't ****ing lose. We can't ****ing lose.

Book the victory this weekend, people. We can't ****ing lose.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

There are some good observations there.

The "franchise running back" thing... I'm not sure that's a big problem at this point.

Buffalo way-overloaded their defense to stop the run. AND they took away the deep ball... Neither Romo or Garret took (enough) of what the defense gave us-- short completions underneath.

It wasn't the back's fault tonight-- great scheme by the Bills.

 

[superpunk]

There are some good observations there.

The "franchise running back" thing... I'm not sure that's a big problem at this point.

Buffalo way-overloaded their defense to stop the run. AND they took away the deep ball... Neither Romo or Garret took (enough) of what the defense gave us-- short completions underneath.

It wasn't the back's fault tonight-- great scheme by the Bills.

It's every game, bro.

Julius averages 2.9 ypc in the first half.

Marion averages 3.5.

That ain't getting it done. That's all this team is missing, and it NEEDS to be addressed. Our rushing stats are grossly inflated by garbage time runs and Barber averaging 7.5 ypc in the second half. We need better blocking, a better RB to start, or both.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It's every game, bro.

Julius averages 2.9 ypc in the first half.

Marion averages 3.5.

That ain't getting it done. That's all this team is missing, and it NEEDS to be addressed. Our rushing stats are grossly inflated by garbage time runs and Barber averaging 7.5 ypc in the second half. We need better blocking, a better RB to start, or both.

I don't think it's that big of a concern-- yet.

 

[Woods]

I think between Hoyte and Cricket, we have some potential at FB.

Deon seems more confident catching the ball, while Hoyte is a punishing blocker.

Hopefully Hoyte will be ready for the Pats.

 

[burmafrd]

Our O line is not a great run blocking line. It is a fine pass blocking line. That is the big difference between this line and the 90s guys, who just destroyed D lines. We wear them down, but we do not blow them off the line. Except Bigg now and then.

 

[superpunk]

I don't think it's that big of a concern-- yet.

When does it become a concern for you? When we lose, finally? This is a huge problem, IMO.

I think between Hoyte and Cricket, we have some potential at FB.

Deon seems more confident catching the ball, while Hoyte is a punishing blocker.

Hopefully Hoyte will be ready for the Pats.

Definitely. We need to be able to match them physically, I don't think Cricket gives us a chance there. Hoyte is far superior blocker. Catching is clearly not as natural to Hoyte as it is to Anderson, but that isn't a huge deal for a FB. Blocking first.

Our O line is not a great run blocking line. It is a fine pass blocking line. That is the big difference between this line and the 90s guys, who just destroyed D lines. We wear them down, but we do not blow them off the line. Except Bigg now and then.

I think the biggest problem is their execution of the scheme, or our players' fitness for it. We've maintained the zone blocking scheme, but I'm really quite sick of it. It just doesn't seem to work for the players we have. There's never a cutback lane, there's rarely a defined hole. Most offensive lines run a pwer game where the play is designed to hit a certain hole, and the linemen have a direction and purpose off the snap. We just block an area and let our backs pick a spot, or go to a region, and we don't seem fit for that.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

When does it become a concern for you? When we lose, finally? This is a huge problem, IMO.

Well we are 5-0.

NE does not have a franchise back.

I'd be more concerned about our lousy Punt/KO coverage at this point.

I'd also be a little leery of our play calling on offense-- last nights game was a bit too aggressive on the downfield passing.

 

[Cbz40]

Great Post SP......Maybe we change that need of a franchise RB in this years draft.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Well we are 5-0.

NE does not have a franchise back.

I'd be more concerned about our lousy Punt/KO coverage at this point.

I'd also be a little leery of our play calling on offense-- last nights game was a bit too aggressive on the downfield passing.

I didn't get that either. We had a QB having a terrible game, against an anemic
offense and we looked scared to punt and let our D take the load.

Garrett didn't help Romo last night.

 

[Woods]

Great Post SP......Maybe we change that need of a franchise RB in this years draft.

I think even with Turner from SD and Barber we'll be good at the RB position.

I really missed T Glenn. When he's on the field, you can't single cover him or he'll burn you. He really can add that special dimension to our offense.

At the very least, a lot more intermediate stuff and underneath stuff will open up - as well as will the running game improve.

 

[superpunk]

Well we are 5-0.

NE does not have a franchise back.

I'd be more concerned about our lousy Punt/KO coverage at this point.

I'd also be a little leery of our play calling on offense-- last nights game was a bit too aggressive on the downfield passing.

NE doesn't need a franchise back - they're plugging Morris in and getting 100 yards because everyone is playing scared against them, and their offensive line has been together a long time and is ridiculous - probably the best part of their team.

We don't have any of that. We need something to take the pressure off Romo. Whether that's running 8 screens to WRs and backs out the gate, or a stronger run game, I don't know.

But something needs to be done.

 

[big dog cowboy]

*Jason Witten - what needs to be said. He's showing why he is probably the second best TE in all of football, if Tony G. falls off a little bit with age.

Witten > Gonzalez

 

[MichaelWinicki]

NE doesn't need a franchise back - they're plugging Morris in and getting 100 yards because everyone is playing scared against them, and their offensive line has been together a long time and is ridiculous - probably the best part of their team.

We don't have any of that. We need something to take the pressure off Romo. Whether that's running 8 screens to WRs and backs out the gate, or a stronger run game, I don't know.

But something needs to be done.

What should have been done is that Garrett should have used a short passing game to loosen up the Bills defense... and we didn't until the very end.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

A poor running game can be danced around a bit with successful screen passes . The Eagles have done it for years with Wetbrook and New England has been successful with it as well . Dallas either can't do it or won't try . For the life of me I don't understand not getting JJ out in the open field where he can make some plays . He can not pound the ball between the tackles .

 

[WoodysGirl]

NE doesn't need a franchise back - they're plugging Morris in and getting 100 yards because everyone is playing scared against them, and their offensive line has been together a long time and is ridiculous - probably the best part of their team.

We don't have any of that. We need something to take the pressure off Romo. Whether that's running 8 screens to WRs and backs out the gate, or a stronger run game, I don't know.

But something needs to be done.

NE's o-line hasn't been together that long. They just know when to let players go. Only Matt Light might be the lone holdover from their super bowl run. The rest seem to be newcomers to the line.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It's amazing, and really has yet to sink in - but can anyone disagree that this team has a bit of destiny to them? I mean, really - WHO wins THAT game? It's not possible, it can't be done in today's NFL. There is no possible way that your QB can turn the ball over 6 times, two returned for TDs and surrender a kickoff return for a TD, and you STILL win the game. There's no way as a QB you can maintain your confidence in a performance like that to still drive and be so clutch at the end of the game. Was it a horrible QB performance? Absolutely. But, Herm Edwards, why do you play?

This is why.

Herm Edwards is a terrible coach. Just thought I would throw that in.

Hello? That's the great thing about sports - you play to win. I don't care if you threw 16 interceptions - you play to win. Up til yesterday, these players had performed in a consistent manner on games where the other team came to hit them in the mouth. They went down with a glass jaw. But yesterday, they didn't "stop believing" and the defense played it's guts out and the offense and Nick Folk (to be referred to heretofore as "Our Lord and Savior, Nicholas Folk) pulled it out at the end.

On any Sunday you can win or lose or do everything in your power to lose and still put out a win. Is it a sign from God? I don't think so. Buffalo is that bad. Romo was that bad last night. The rest of the team was better Romo was bad and the good that Buffalo could muster combined. If Buffalo was a better team, this would have been a loss.

We can't lose, folks - and we won't lose this sunday against New England.

That's for damn sure.

I think this more depends on the coaching game plan. There was a real lack of one this week.

*We need a franchise RB so hard. Credit the Bills with a great scheme, and that creep package had to be unbelievably hard to run block against, but we need someone who has gamebreaking ability and can still fight to get the tough yards. This is not to say I haven't been impressed with how tough Julius is running, or how dynamic MB3 can be - but neither one of them is THAT guy. Our run stats are deceptive - Tony has to do it all until we turn it over to the run game in the 4th quarter. That needs to change.

I'm having more issues with the offensive line's run blocking than I am with the running backs not being franchise worthy.

*Cricket Anderson is a nice story, and we don't have many options, but I don't think he's doing that hot on lead blocking, or -his primary job. The passes were nice and timely, but does anyone think this guy is doing even a decent job at FB?

He is a very raw rookie and he is playing like a very raw rookie. Without question he will become a starting quality FB in this league and top it off with the ability to accept check downs, you could see him in Hawaii in a few years. Yes, I think he *CAN* be that good.

*Your Nick Folk jersey is in the mail.

I don't know about you but my anointing oil is coming Fedex overnight. :laugh2: There is nothing better than when someone does something unbecoming to try and screw you up and you stand in the face of that adversity and ram it down ****ing their throats!

*I'm impressed with TO's demeanor. If there was any performance where you should have ripped your QB to shreds on the sideline if you wanted to - this was it. TO wasn't getting involved, they weren't motioning him around like before, he didn't stand a chance on several of his pass attempts, but he stayed with it and was always right there to have Tony's back. That was solid. You think Chad Johnson wouldn't have made a scene with Carson Palmer? Hah.

I'm not going to give him that much credit for this. Romo has been playing at an extremely high level and this was but a single game. **** happens and even TO knows it. Now, if he continues throwing INTs like he has been, don't expect TO's behavior to continue.

*I still can't believe that happened. I still can't believe it had to happen twice. I still don't agree with Wade that the competition committee needs to review the coach's ability to call that timeout. That separates the men from the boys, and Nick Folk's got bowling balls.

I see it like this. First off, you can call a timeout anytime you want. It's your right. What I believe they should NOT allow them to do, is intentionally hold the ref (the ref damn well knowning what he is doing) and still allow it. It's not part of the game, it's a loophole and IMO detracts from the spirit of the game. Just as the umpire has the right not to allow a batter to call timeout right as the pitcher is pitching to *ice* the pitcher. As I said, it's only my opinion.

*Jason Witten - what needs to be said. He's showing why he is probably the second best TE in all of football, if Tony G. falls off a little bit with age. Only Gates is better and more dynamic.

Receiving TE? You still have Alge Crumpler who is pretty damn good too though he isn't having a standout year this year. Is he better than Witten. It's close, but I will give Witten the nod. Shocky is a damn good receiving TE too! As for an overall TE, I don't think anyone in the league compares. He is far and away a better blocker than any of the receiving TEs, though Shocky has made lots of improvments in his blocking skills.

*What the frack was the booth's obsession with Trent Edwards? This seems to be a common trend with broadcasters. A young QB is in, and he's not losing the game - but he's not doing anything to win it, either. Hmmmmmm...what can we say about him? Oh, I know - let's say he has great "poise". Garbage catch-phrase. He killed any chance the Bills had of putting that away. Poise my ***. Hey Tirico and Jaws, how 'bout you get off the QB's nuts and give some love to that defense that has allowed 1 offensive TD in the LAST THREE GAMES!

He looked good considing his offense and the defense he was playing. I give him props too. I think JP Losman will lose his job this season.

*Nice Terrance Newman sighting. When was the last time he had 22 guys in his rearview mirror? :laugh2:

What I noticed is how he got ran down from behind...

 

[superpunk]

On any Sunday you can win or lose or do everything in your power to lose and still put out a win. Is it a sign from God? I don't think so. Buffalo is that bad. Romo was that bad last night. The rest of the team was better Romo was bad and the good that Buffalo could muster combined. If Buffalo was a better team, this would have been a loss.

Maybe. Bottom line, that made the plays they had to make. It's a sign, for serious...

I'm having more issues with the offensive line's run blocking than I am with the running backs not being franchise worthy.

They go hand in hand. A great offensive line can make a mediocre RB look good. A great RB can make a mediocre offensive line all-stars. It's easier to fix one position than 5. Maybe they just need more time together.

He is a very raw rookie and he is playing like a very raw rookie. Without question he will become a starting quality FB in this league and top it off with the ability to accept check downs, you could see him in Hawaii in a few years. Yes, I think he *CAN* be that good.

So far, he's a terrible blocker. We've got high hopes, tho.

I don't know about you but my anointing oil is coming Fedex overnight. There is nothing better than when someone does something unbecoming to try and screw you up and you stand in the face of that adversity and ram it down ****ing their throats!

Absolutely.

I'm not going to give him that much credit for this. Romo has been playing at an extremely high level and this was but a single game. **** happens and even TO knows it. Now, if he continues throwing INTs like he has been, don't expect TO's behavior to continue.

I don't see the need to continue to wait for him to throw a fit. We're a year and a half in. Enjoy it as long as it lasts.

What I noticed is how he got ran down from behind...

Evans is ridiculously fast, something looked weird about Newman's running style on that play. joseephus had a good summary of why Newman likely got run down.

 

[theogt]

Holy multiquote, batman.

 

[superpunk]

NE's o-line hasn't been together that long. They just know when to let players go. Only Matt Light might be the lone holdover from their super bowl run. The rest seem to be newcomers to the line.

Unless I'm seeing something wrong, their starting lineup has been on the team for three years, with the only newcomers being drafted Mankins and Kazcur.

Three years, with the same 5 guys. That's an eternity.