Die Hard Sports Fan

Well after a few days to process the game (and some time to vent), I will now rationally express some of my thoughts (the good, the bad, and the ugly) that came from the Buffalo Bills 25-16 loss to AFC East rival Miami Dolphins.  Today we will take a look on the bright side of the game by looking at the good things that happened for the Bills (tomorrow will come the more upsetting side, when we take a look at the bad and the ugly).   

Big special teams play from Langston Walker.  The monstrous 6’ 8”, 366 pound offensive tackle broke through the Dolphins special teams line, and blocked a field goal early in the game.  The block came early in the 1^st half on a 46 yard attempt by ‘fins kicker Dan Carpenter.  The game was still very close and the block was a huge momentum changer. 

Lee Evans continued his dominance catching the ball and had himself a very strong game against the Dolphins secondary.  Evans had 7 receptions for 116 yards.  Looks like the new 4 year, $37.25 million contract isn’t making the wide receiver lazy at all.  The guy is a great football player who leaves it all out on the field each week and his performance has showed it.  Evans has now topped 80 yards in four straight games and hasn’t been held under 65 yards all season.   

The Bills top ranked run defense was on top of its game again.  The Bills must have looked at my advice on how to stop the “wildcat” offense, or they just listened to their coaches.  Either way it is fine with me seeing as the Bills only let up only 59 yards on the ground to running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams (in total the Dolphins only had 56 yards rushing).  That is not exactly an esay task seeing as the two have averaged a combined total of over 100 yards a game (103.3 yard average through the first half of the season).

The Bills running backs played well themselves.  Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson combined for 102 yards on 23 attempts (good for 4.4 yards a carry).  Not only was there performance as a duo strong on the ground but they also produced through the air.  Lynch caught 5 passes for 34 yards showing that the Bills will try to get their back involved in the passing game also (NOTE: Personally I don’t think that the Bills are using their feature back, Lynch, the right way but that will come more in depth in tomorrows article).  

The punter and kicker of the Bills squad also did their part in this one.  Kicker Rian Lindell went 3 for 3 on his field goal attempts (1-1 on extra points) while punter Brian Moorman had 3 punts that went for an average of 40.7 yards.  Both of these players are consistent for the Bills week in and week out so I didn’t expect that to change this week.

Head Coach Dick Jauron got a contract extension.  I will get more into him and his staff tomorrow but the Bills locked up their man for 3 more years.  It has not yet been confirmed yet by Jauron or the Bills, but it is being reported by multiple sources that it has indeed happened.

How does tied for 1^st place sound?  Not sure about some people but it sure sounds pretty good to me.  Even with the loss in the division, the Bills are still tied for 1^st place in the AFC East.  That can easily change for the better (or the worse) as the Bills next two opponents are division foes.  Not time to panic yet Buffalo!

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The Buffalo Bills game is of course Sunday at 1:00 (eastern) against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  The next match up that I am going to take a look at is the two teams special teams which will have a huge impact on the game.  The match up is broken down into 3 categories, Punting (punters and punt coverage), Kicking (Place kickers and Kickoff Coverage) and Return Game.

PUNTING

BILLS:

The Bills have one of the best punters in the game with Brain Moorman.  He got a ton of work in the first game of the year.  Punted the ball 9 times for a 46.6 average per punt.  Moorman also had a 19 yard TD pass for a perfect QB rating and he also put the ball inside the 20 3 times.  He really helped the Bills pin the opponent deep in their own territory.  The Bills did struggle a little bit on their punt coverage though.  They let up an average of 13.5 yards on 4 returns.  They didn’t let anyone get a huge return, although there was one punt return that went for 21 yards.  A better job on coverage would really help out the field position battle.    

JAGUARS

Seahawks punter Adam Podlesh was able to put 4 punts inside the 20, despite only averaging a 37.0 average on 6 punts.  He also had one touchback.  The Jaguars coverage team was very well and they will have to continue that this week against one of the most dangerous return men in the league, Roscoe Parrish.  They did do a good job against the Titans.  They averaged letting up 7.5 yards a return (with a long being of 8).  Those kinds of numbers will have to continue if they want to keep the Bills out of end zone on special teams.

KICKING

BILLS

Rian Lindell went 2/3 in field goals so far this season.  One of them was blocked though, something that cannot happen in close games.  The Bills last opponent, Seattle, had a pretty respectable average of 26.5 yards on 4 returns with a long of 39.  The Bills are set in the field goal department but again need to improve their coverage team.

 JAGUARS

Josh Scobee went 1 for 2 on his field goals in their game vs. the Titans.  The Jags kick coverage team was very good in the two times they got on the field, holding Chris Carr (of the Titans of course) to a 16.5 average with a long of 21.  Very nice job there and that will need to continue this week. 

RETURN GAME

BILLS

The Bills are loaded with return men.  The starter on kickoffs is cornerback Terrence McGee while the punts are handled by speeding Roscoe Parrish.  The Bills also have an X-Factor in rookie Leodis McKelvin, their first round draft pick.  McKelvin has yet to return a kick or punt in a game.  He is very dangerous though.  He had 8 return touchdowns in college and 1 in a preseason game this year.  McGee didn’t really stand out in the last game seeing as he had 1 return that went for 27 yards.  He has big play capability though.  You have to watch out for him on every play.  Parrish of course returned a punt for a highlight reel TD last week.  The play went for 63 yards.  Parrish also had 6 returns in total that average 20.0 yards a return.  Another big play threat.  All three of these guys are very hard to contain.  

JAGUARS

The Jags return men didn’t do too bad of a job themselves.  Brain Witherspoon had 2 punt returns for that averaged 22.5 yards (long of 29).  He also had a monster game on kickoff returns.  Had 3 returns for 124 yards!  That is good for a 41.3 yards a return average.  He will need to be contained by the Bills to keep him from breaking a long one. 

WHO WILL WIN THIS MATCH UP:

I love the Bills special teams and most weeks I will pick them by a landslide but they might have met their match in Jacksonville.  The Bills overall kicking game is better and I like their return men more but how can you argue with the stats.  It will definitely be a battle for field position all game between these two teams.  It is more of a tossup but there is no way I’m going to call something a tie.  The Jaguars are my pick to have a better game in today’s match up.

Remember if you disagree with anything I said in this article, be sure to put your opintions in a comment below.  Have a good night everyone.

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Wow.  That’s how I can sum up such a great game by the Buffalo Bills in this one.  It was an all-around team effort.  The special teams play was amazing.  The defense played very well too and the offense stepped up when needed.  In this article I will break down all of it, give out the game ball, top plays, and even cover some of the other top stories in the NFL and of course will give my opinions on all of those too.  First though I will start with the Bills vs. Seahawks game, with my thoughts on everything.

THINGS THAT WERE GREAT

• Special Teams: How could I write an article on the Bills and not talk about their special teams. Terrence McGee, on his only return of the game, went 27 yards to set up the Bills in good field position. Roscoe Parrish had the highlight reel return, 63 yards for a touchdown. He was great all day setting a Bills record for return yards. Parrish had 120 yards on 6 returns. That’s good for a 20.0 average! Rian Lindell went 2 for 3 on field goal attempts. On his only missed attempt, it was blocked which was the only downside to an incredible game from the special teams. Also, not only did punter/holder Brain Moorman throw for a 19 yard TD, he also averaged over 40 yards a punt, with 9 of them in this one. His great kicks pinned the Seahawks deep in their territory, which made it difficult for them to sustain drives. 46.6 yards a punt is amazing! That stat in this game will be overlooked due to the other great plays.
• Defense: So they couldn’t get a shutout but man did this group look great. The linebackers stepped up and Keith Ellison played a very good game (couldn’t even tell Angelo Crowell was gone which is incredible). The D-line was great and the coverage by the secondary was also very good. Just got beat on one TD play (should have been another one if the Seahawks could catch) and even that one was played decent by Jabari Greer. Newcomers played GREAT!
• NEWCOMERS: Welcome to the squad Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell. Stroud was a force all day and made his home in the Seahawks backfield. The big tackle also let the linebackers run free. Mitchell was great, and looked like he was everywhere on the field. He recorded a great sack on a two player A gap blitz. Even though he was on the team last year, I still consider Paul Poz a newcomer also. He also looked good. Even with Crowell out for the year, the Bills LB core looked solid.
• Kirk Chambers: Jason who? For a guy who never started a game at RT (and only one at LT) in his entire career he looked great. Kept one of the best DEs in the game off of Edwards. Really placed very well, especially because the Bills left him 1-on-1 most of the game. Will provide great depth with Peters back in the mix.
• Running game: In total the Bills rushed 29 times for 106 yards and a TD. Pretty good numbers for a good squad with Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson.
• 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Quarter Edwards: Trent Edwards struggled coming in to the game but shook off the rust to finish with a good performance. 19 for 30, 215 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTS. That will get the job done on most weeks.
• Kyle Williams: 1.5 sacks and stopped the run all game. Enough said.

THINGS THAT NEED WORK

• Kick Coverage:  Bills coverage teams did not look well at all.  Averaged 26.5 yards on kickoffs and 18 yards on punts.  Needs to improve.  Really the only bad note for a great game.

GAMEBALL

• Coaching Staff:  Sorry Mitchell, Stroud and Parrish but the Bills coaching staff was on fire this game.  Of course Bobby Aprils special teams played well and he was behind the fake FG for a TD call.  New Bills coordinator Turk Schonert opened up the offense.  Didn’t get into trick plays but got the ball to his playmakers.  The O wasn’t predictable and went to step on the ‘Hawks throat with the Trent play action TD pass, something that wouldn’t have happened a year ago.  Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell also did his job excellent.  He sent blitz all day that bottled up Seattle’s running game and also his secondary was great.  Hats off to all of the coaches involved in this one.

GRADING THE BILLS

• Running Game: B

      Lynch stepped up when needed including TD run in 1^st quarter.

• Passing Game: B+

            Not off the chart numbers but good enough to win the game.  Edwards managed the game well and did not turn the ball over.  Also made some good check offs.

• Run D: A

            Stroud, Kyle Williams and the rest of the line stood out while holding the Seahawks to 85 yards on the ground. 

• Pass D: A

            Pass rush was very good and secondary played well.  Got beat on just one play and also McGee was able to finally get his hand on the football in the 4^th quarter with an INT to seal the game.

• Special Teams: A+

            Two special team TDs, and good punting.  Hey even the bad kick coverage can’t bring this grade down.

• Coaching: A+

            Not only do they get the game ball but an A+ too.  Wow if only the Bills coaching staff cared about this blog…

TOP PLAYS

• Like the top plays for the Bills were even hard to pick.  Very easy to decide these two.  The Fake Field Goal for the TD (Moorman to Denney for 19 yards) and the Parrish return.

NO HUDDLE OFFENSE

This is the first time I am writing this so my no huddle offense is a quick rundown of the top stories of the week, and my thoughts on them.

• Tom Brady placed on IR.  He torn his ACL and as a Bills fan I am happy (does that make me wrong in the head or something).  Now the Pats are without their leader and best player.  I think anyone that they bring in will not come anywhere close.   Knock on wood but I think the Bills will have a good chance to take a run at the AFC East crown.
• Vince Young also is hurt.  Out for 2-4 weeks.  Titans still win their game and lets be honest, Young wasn’t very good anyways.  
• Brett Favre wins his first game as a Jet.  Also makes a Brett Favre throw.  Just threw the ball up in the air and the Jets came down with the TD.  
• Aaron Rodgers also wins his first game with the Packers as a starting QB.  Take that Brett!  Like the comparisons between the two continue.
• AFC GIANTS STRUGGLE:  Chargers lost to Carolina, Colts lost to Bears.  The AFC Giants struggled this week with only the Steelers picking up a win.
• NFC GIANTS DO FINE:  The defending Superbowl champs win their first game and the Cowboys take care of business against the Browns.

Can’t wait for Week 2 to begin already!  Let’s go BUFFALO!  Enjoy some Monday Night Football.

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Hello Bills fans.  What a way to start the season.  At first glance at the schedule, I said to myself that playing against Seattle would be a tough first game.  Seattle has been a playoff team since Holmgren became coach and has a real good offense.  The way the first quarter started, I thought this might be one of those 13-10 games or something close to that.  I had left for Buffalo on Saturday morning right before the storm hit here on Long Island.  My flight was canceled and we had to call the airline to get on an earlier flight.  Once I arrived, I was at peace right away.  I love going up to Buffalo.  Its such a great place to visit and everyone is nice to talk to.  I reached the parking lot across from the stadium around 10:30.  There were very few spots available.  The place was packed.  You could feel the energy from the fans tailgating that this would be our day.  The Bills really played well on all three phases of the game.  The offense started flat but I feel that was due to the rain.  Once Marshawn ran it in, the place was loud.  The defense is so quick with guys like Aaron Schobel, Kawika Mitchell, Paul Posluszny, and Terrence McGee.  Marcus Stroud could not be blocked by anyone on Seattle’s o-line.  Roscoe Parrish is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.  I saw the whole punt return unfold and got to see him run into the endzone I was sitting near.  Trent Edwards settled in nicely and had some impressive throws that were hauled in by Lee Evans.  Robert Royal’s td was awesome as well.  Brian Moorman’s td pass to Ryan Denney got everyone up on their feet.  Great call by coach Bobby April.  He is the best special teams coach in the league.  As always it was a great trip but its even better when the Bills win.  Can’t wait till November 17 for the Monday night game against Cleveland.  I will be in attendance and hopefully leave as happy as I did this time.  Go Bills. 

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1st Quarter

Rain was coming down hard and you could tell that both of the teams quarterbacks didn’t play much in the preseason.  It was a quarter filled with incompletions and punts.  The Bills went on a drive with 4:04 left in the 1^st quarter.  It started with great field position (had the ball at midfield).  Trent Edwards dropped back and threw a nice ball to Lee Evans down the sideline.  Completed for 32 yards.  On this same drive the Bills were stuck on 3^rd and 11.  It looked like they would have to settle for a field goal but a great play call changed that.  The Seahawks showed blitz and it looked like it would work but then Edwards handed the ball to Marshawn Lynch on a draw play.  Evans threw a great block downfield that sprung Lynch for a 21 yard touchdown. 

Bills lead 7-0 after one quarter of play.  

2nd Quarter

The Bills special teams is going to have to step up if they want to stay in ball games this season and they showed up big on a punt return for a TD by return man Roscoe Parrish.  Parrish caught the punt and then showed why he is a game changer, makes cut and breaking tackles before he took it all the way to the house, finishing the 64 yard run. 

Later in the quarter with about 5:00 on the clock, the Seahawks went on a drive of their own.  On 2^nd and 10, the Bills had blown coverage and the Seahawks looked like they could take advantage.  Matt Hasselbeck threw a deep ball to Nate Burleson who was wide open.  He jumped up, had the ball in his hands but just couldn’t hang on.  The next play Hasselbeck dropped back and threw a fade to Burleson who made a great catch in the end zone with Bills CB Jabri Greer on the coverage.  Seahawks finally get on the board, 14-7.

Bills kicker Rain Lindell then added a FG to add to the Bills lead, 17-7.

Then after the Seahawks failed to do anything with a minute left, they gave the ball back to Buffalo.  Edwards made a few good passes which set up Lindell with another FG try.  The 38 yard attempt was up and good.

Bills lead at halftime, 20-7.

3rd Quarter

Seahawks wide receiver Burleson was injured in the 3^rd quarter while running a pattern on 3^rd and 7 with under 6 minutes left.  He ran an out and fell to the ground holding his knee.  He did not return to the game.

Seahawks would also add a FG to the mix.  Score is now 20-10.

With under 3 minutes left in the 3^rd, the Bills lined up for another FG try.  The snap was good, the holder (and also punter) Brain Moorman got the snap and then stood up to throw a fake.  Ryan Denney (the DE and special teams player) was wide open and ran into the end zone for the first TD of his career.  The trick play worked and the Bills are now up, 27-10.

On that kickoff following the Bills TD, Jon Corto the Orchard Park native (who was featured in a previous story) forced a fumble.  Bills recover!  The Bills then went for the stranglehold.  On first and 10, Edwards faked a handoff and steps up in the pocket.  He then delivers a strike to TE Robert Royal who caught it for a 30 yard TD.  Bills now lead 34-10.

4th Quarter

It was just a quarter where the Seahawks couldn’t do anything and the Bills were content with running out the clock.  With :34 left in the game, the Bills finally accomplished something that they were close to the entire game.  They intercepted a pass.  Terrence McGee picked off the Hasselbeck pass and that would seal the game.  BILLS WIN 34-10!

Wrap Up

Trent Edwards went 19/30 with 215 yards and a TD with no INTs.

Marshawn Lynch led the ground game carrying the ball 18 times for 76 yards and a TD.  Fred Jackson also contributed with 31 yards on 10 attempts.

Brain Moorman (holder and punter) went 1/1 for 19 yards and a TD.

It seemed like everyone was catching passes in this game with 6 different players recording receptions.  Evans had 4 catches for 102 yards, Royal had 6 catches for 52 yards and a TD.  Josh Reed caught 3 balls for 37 yards, Denney of course had the TD catch for 19 yards.  The running backs also got mixed into the action with Lynch catching 3 catches for 18 yards.  Not only did Parrish serve as a big return man but he also caught 3 balls for 6 yards (mostly on screens).

Lindell went 2/3 on field goals with one of them being blocked.

McGee had an INT, Denney, Aaron Schobel and Kawikea Mitchell all had 1 sack.  DT Kyle Williams had 1.5 sacks while newcomer Marcus Stroud contributed with .5 sacks. 

Not only did Moorman throw the TD pass, he also averaged 40.6 yards a punt (on 9 punts) with 3 inside the 20.

Keith Ellison played well at LB today in place of Angelo Crowell who will be out for the year.  All of the newcomers on D looked amazing too, not to mention 2nd year man Paul Poz.

MORE TO COME on this game tomorrow where I tell you what my feelings are.  Of course it will be happy though because the Bills WON!  LET’S GO BUFFALO!

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The Buffalo Bills named their team captains today.  Six were named in all and of the 6 captains, 3 are retutning from last season. 

Lee Evans (offense), Chris Kelsay (defense) and Brain Moorman (special teams) were the 3 captains that were named again for a second straight year.  Second year quaterback Trent Edwards was also named a captain on the offensive side of the ball.  Thrid year saftey Donte Whitner, who has showed great leadership for such a young player will also represent the defense.  George Wilson, the backup saftey was given the 2nd special teams captains role.

All of the players were voted captain by their teammates.

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the Buffalo Bills had their first team OTA.  Chris Brown of buffalobills.com reported that only three players were not in attendance.  They were Jason Peters, Brian Moorman and Mike Viti.  Peters is recovering from sugery he had for a sports hernia injury.  Mike Viti is probably still at West Point because they havent had their finals yet.  It was reported that James Hardy made the catch of the day by hauling in a deep ball from Trent Edwards.  It was great to see Marcus Stroud on the practice field as well as Paul Posluszny, who is fully recovered from an arm injury.  Josh Reed also looked good in catching a few balls.  Check out the video on the Bills website. 

Lee Evans is entering the final year of his rookie contract signed back in 2004.  He was interviewed today and stated that the team has offered him a contract extension.  He didnt want to talk about it but did state that he is looking forward to this season.  With the offensive weapons this team has, I dont see why Lee would want to play anywhere else.  This Bills team is young and has added a talented receiver in James Hardy, which will only make Evans more successful.  He might be holding out until the end of the season before signing a long-term extenstion.  The Bills really want Evans and feel that he is one of the core players on this team.  I hope we can sign Evans and keep him a Buffalo Bill for his entire career. 

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