Die Hard Bills Fan

Hello Bills fans.  After this past weeks impressive win over Seattle, head coach Dick Jauron is up for motorola coach of the week.  Please vote for him on nfl.com.  Coach Jauron prepared the team well and it showed on the field.  All three phases of the game contributed to the win.  The defense was relentless, the offense settled in nicely after a slow start, and the special teams units were just off the charts.  Coach is turning this team into winners and has assembled a fantastic coaching staff.  Go Bills.  Beat Jacksonville. 

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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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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!

The NFL.com Gamecenter: Post Game is attached.

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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Hello Bills fans.  With Jason Peters still holding out, the team signed offensive lineman Dustin Dickinson and released receiver Jason Jones.  Dickinson was a rookie free agent that was released by Seattle on June 25.  He will most likely play tackle due to an injury to Matt Murphy.  The team was back in Orchard Park today.  Trent Edwards was not participating due to injury suffered Tuesday night.  James Hardy, Roscoe Parrish, Derek Schouman and John DiGiorgio were also sidelined.  Coach Dick Jauron also stated that the starters will play at least the first half maybe more this coming Sunday against the Colts.  I hope Trent can play but it doesnt seem likely because the season is two weeks away.  I would rather him heal up and be ready to go on September 7.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  It feels like yesterday that the Bills started their 2008 training camp at St. John Fisher.  I cant believe a month has gone by already.  Trent Edwards was held out of practice today with a thigh contusion.  He is said to be day to day which is great news.  Marshawn Lynch was practicing today after last nights leg to leg collison with Edwards.  Im thankful that Trent’s injury is minor and hopefully he will be full strength by Sunday.  If Coach Jauron decides to hold him out, J.P. Losman will get the start.  I really want to see how Trent performs after last weeks great game.  The starters usually play the entire first half in the third preseason game and it would be nice to see what Trent can accomplish.  Left tackle Jason Peters is still a no-show.  It has been rumored that he would report soon.  Rams holdout running back Stephen Jackson will report to Rams camp tomorrow.  This is a good sign because he has the same agent as Jason Peters.  Hopefully Peters will be back with the team because we need him for the start of the season.  Lets Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  The Buffalo Bills will face the Pittsburgh Steelers tonight at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.  This is the first game out of eight scheduled in the next five years in Toronto.  I wish I was able to watch the game live but will be following it online.  The game also re-airs at midnight on NFL Network.  I hope Coach Dick Jauron lets Trent Edwards and the rest of the starting offense play the entire first quarter.  I want to see Trent attempt more than five passes like he did last week.  Josh Reed and Angelo Crowell will not play tonight.  James Hardy will start at wide receiver and Keith Ellison will start at linebacker for Crowell.  It looks like Donte Whitner will play this week after missing Saturdays game against Washington.  I hope our shortage at tackle doesnt effect some of our key guys playing time.  I dont want to see some of our starting o-line go deep into this one.  Its only the second preseason game so I would rather see our starting units ease into game condition.  Go Bills.   

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Hello Bills fans.  The team has signed two players over the last couple of days.  On Saturday, the team announced that they have signed seven year veteran linebacker Donnie Spragan.  After rookie linebacker Alvin Bowen went down with a new injury, the team needed to add a linebacker.  Spragan worked out for the team a few months back and will be called upon to back up the weakside linebacker position.  The team announced today that they have signed rookie wide receiver CJ Hawthorne.  CJ started for Hawaii in 2007 and caught 61 passes for 859 yards.  CJ will be competing for a slot receiver position. 

Donte Whitner will have an MRI on his ankle as per Coach Dick Jauron.  Whitner might have injured the ankle on Saturday and could not give it a go today.  I hope this is minor because he is one of our leaders.  We need Donte out there and hopefully with a little more rest, the ankle will be 100%.  Wide receiver Josh Reed was held out of practice with a lower back problem.  The team is not going to take a chance because Reed had back surgery this offseason.  Reed has had a great offseason and will be relied upon this year out of the slot receiver position.  Check out the article on both players at buffalobills.com.  Go Bills.

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Hello Bills fans.  As training camp rolls on, the team has still not heard from starting left tackle Jason Peters.  It is not known whether they have even tried to contact him but some teammates have said they have tried and can’t reach him.  First thing, I hope he is ok.  Second, I would like for his agent to come out and say that his client is looking for a contract extension.  Peters has three years remaining on his current contract and is being fined everyday for missing practice.  Bills COO Russ Brandon has said that he would like to see Peters in camp and then they can discuss his contract.  It is starting to worry me that our best offensive lineman is no where to be found.  He needs to be in camp asap working with his team.  Coach Jauron has now decided to give starting right tackle Langston Walker some reps at left tackle.  Coach is hopeful that Peters will eventually show up and Walker can stay at the position he played last season.  Walker did a good job last year on the right side but I fear that he might be a little less agile on the left blocking opponents best pass rushers.  Lets hope this situation gets resolved soon and we can focus on improving other areas.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team started its 2008 training camp.  The guys looked sharp but the most important piece of the offense was not in attendance.  Left tackle Jason Peters was a no-show which does not come as a suprise.  I was hoping that he would make it to camp but he is most likely holding out for more money.  Coach Dick Jauron said that they would love to have him there but will move on.  Backup tackle Kirk Chambers is filling in at left tackle.  I hope this Peters situation gets resolved in the next few days. 

On another note, Lee Evans said that he is hopeful that a contract extension will be reached this summer.  He stated that talks have heated up and are moving in the right direction.  Bills COO Russ Brandon calls Lee one of the core players and wants to keep him in Buffalo long term.  Lets hope this deal gets done before the season starts.  Check out the article on Evans.  

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team wrapped up its mandatory mini-camp as Coach Dick Jauron canceled tomorrows practice.  Coach was asked why he canceled the last practice and his response was that he wanted to reward his players for their work so far this offseason.  Jason Peters was not in attendance and Coach Jauron anticipates that he will be at St. Johns Fisher College when the team starts training camp on July 25th.  Lee Evans did not practice today because he was sick.  I cant believe training camp is only six weeks away.  I hope the Peters situation gets resolved by then so when can build on the success our line had last season.  I watched the highlights video on buffalobills.com and it looks like the defense is going to be a powerhouse.  Our secondary has been outstanding during the OTA’s and in the minicamp the past few days.  Our offense had its share of good plays and it looks like Derek Schouman will challenge Robert Royal for the starting tight end position.  Schouman has been taking first team reps with Royal sidelined.  Schouman has shined making some nice catches.  Paul Posluszny also has made a ton of plays and looks to be 100% healthy.  He is going to be a star and I could see him making the Pro Bowl in the near future.  Go Bills.

Fourth round pick defensive back Reggie Corner signed with the team today.  Chris Brown of buffalobills.com interviewed Corner after he signed his contract.  Corner seems like an intelligent player and was running with the first team at times.  Corner will challenge Will James, Ashton Youboty and 7th round pick Kennard Cox for playing time.  This is the first time since the days of Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements that I can say this team is stacked at cornerback.  Its going to be a tough call for the coaches on who to keep on the roster.  The definites are Terrence McGee, first round pick Leodis McKelvin, Jabari Greer and Will James.  There is going to be a serious battle in training camp come July 25th.  I cant wait for September.  Go Bills.   

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