Die Hard Bills Fan

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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The season is starting in just under 5 days with the Buffalo Bills home opener just around the corner. The game is of course on Sunday, September 7^th when the Bills take on the Seattle Seahawks at the Ralph at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time).

So what am I going to do for you guys out there reading this? Get you pumped for the regular season opener! From now until Sunday I will be covering the Bills as a team and their chances of making the playoffs. First, I will cover the Buffalo Bills defense. I will list the depth chart of the position in my breakdown of the D position by position and give them an overall grade along with some commentary of the team.

DE

1. Aaron Schobel

2. Chris Kelsey

3. Ryan Denney

4. Chris Ellis

5. Copeland Bryan

The Bills have a very solid group of defensive ends on the roster this year. That means they will have a good duo out there on any play seeing as the Bills like to rotate in the freshest players on the D-line… Schobel has made the pro bowl two years in a row but he is trying to improve his sack total for this year after only 6.5 sacks last year, the lowest in his career since his rookie season back in 2001… Kelsey is trying to return to top form after he battled nagging injuries all last season. He underwent off-season surgery on his torn tendon in his ankle… Denney is also trying to return to top form after he had to undergo foot surgery. He was only able to play in 7 games last year due to the injury… Chris Ellis is the rookie DE from Virginia Tech. He was selected by the Bills in the 3^rd round. Ellis could be used as a situational pass rusher and is also good against the run. Fast fact, the last DE selected by the Bills from VT, Bruce Smith… Bryan appeared in only 2 games last season and was later put on the IR in December. Before joining the Bills last season, Bryan was on the Bear practice squad…

GRADE: B

DT

1. Marcus Stroud

2. Kyle Williams

3. John McCargo

4. Spencer Johnson

The Bills are hoping that a healthy Stroud can return to his former pro bowl form. The 6’ 6’’, 306 lb. tackle was brought in to help improve the Bills D against the run which finished near the bottom of the league last season. Stroud will also get some double team attention at the line giving the DEs and LBs some room to run and make plays… The 25 yard old Williams just signed a contract extension this off-season for 3 more years in Buffalo… McCargo, the former 1^st round pick (26^th overall) in the 2006 draft was fined this spring for being overweight. He reported to camp in shape and looks to build into a starting DT… Johnson came over in the off-season as a free agent from he Vikings. He didn’t put up huge numbers because he played behind the monstrous Williamses in Minnesota…

GRADE: B- (Grade will improve after we see how Stroud plays)

MIDDLE LB

1. Paul Posluszny

2. John DiGiorgio

Poz is BACK! After fracturing his forearm in the Bills Week 3 game last year he is back at 100%. The guy just has a nose for the ball and is a great tackler. Through the first 3 games last year, he led the Bills with 26 tackles (remember he didn’t even finish the 3^rd game)… DiGiorgio had a very good year last year filling in for the injuried Posluzny. He had 113 tackles last season to go along with 2 sacks and 1 INT. Provides great depth at the MLB position…

GRADE: B+

WEAK-SIDE LB

1. Kawika Mitchell

2. Jon Corto

Mitchell was an early free agent signing for the Bills. The Superbowl Champion is highly underrated. He had 86 tackles, 4 sacks and 1 INT to go along with 2 forced fumbles. Something to remember, his last game in Buffalo on December 23^rd of last season, he had 2 sacks, forced a fumble, and returned an INT for a touchdown… Corto is the Orchard Park native now on his hometown Bills squad. He was on the Bills practice squad last season…

GRADE: B

STRONG-SIDE LB

1. Angelo Crowell

2. Keith Ellison

The 27 year old Crowell is entering his contract year with the Bills. This is the last season of the 3 year deal he signed in 2005. He too is another Bills LB that is highly underrated. He had 126 tackles last season that led the team… Ellison also played significant time last season. He had 39 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 INT in 12 games last season…

GRADE: B+

CB

1. Terrence McGee

2. Jabari Greer

3. Ashton Youboty

4. Leodis McKelvin

5. Reggie Corner

McGee was the clear choice for the #1 corner spot. McGee has 78 tackles and 4 INTs last season in 15 games… Greer looked to be the odd man out with the Bills after they selected a bundle of corners in the draft. He has played hard though and the Bills coaching staff is impressed. He earned the #2 spot for at least the first half of the season… Youboty was another guy that was as good as gone before the preseason but he played hard and had two very good games. He won the nickel corner spot because of his great progress… McKelvin was the #11 pick in this years draft. He has looked so-so in the preseason. He has either made a good play or has completely messed it up. It will be interesting to see whether he plays a lot at all this year. A candidate to play in the dime and quarter packages for the Bills (which they don’t run very much at all)… Corner was a ball hawk in college and had a sharp preseason. The rookie has even be rumored to be ahead of McKelvin on the depth chart…

GRADE: C+

FS

1. Ko Simpson

2. George Wilson

Simpson is looking to rebound after he was injured in the Bills 1^st game last season against the Denver Broncos and then placed on the IR for the year. The 4^th round draft pick from the 2006 draft is looking to have a breakout year and also continue the chemistry with SS Donte Whitner after the two started their entire rookie seasons together… Wilson played in 12 games last season after Simpson and former Bills safety Brain Leonard went down, before of course he went down to injury also. It occurred before the last week of the season. He ended the year with 37 tackles and 2 picks…

GRADE: C

SS

1. Donte Whitner

2. Bryan Scott

3. John Welding

Whitner guaranteed that the Bills will make the playoffs this season. He has been an unofficial team captain since he was drafted. He shows great leadership and also builts team chemistry by having the team over for film watching and he even took McKelvin under his wing during the off-season Hard qualities to find from a 23 year old entering his third season of NFL play… Scott returns for another stint in Buffalo after he played in 15 games last season, most in a special teams role… Same goes for Welding. Will play in the special teams role…

GRADE: B

Overall the Bills defense has a good mix of playmakers and role players. Due to all of the injuries last season, the Bills now have good depth at almost all of their positions. They are a young D that flys to the football. Look for team to improve as an entire unit this year.

Here is the rundown on what I will be covering the rest of the week:

Weds: Bills Offense

Thurs: Bills Special Teams

Fri: Breakdown of the Bills Schedule and Chances of Making the Playoffs

Sat: Game Preview with my Picks of all of the Winners in Week 1

Sun: Game recap with Commentary

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Hello Bills fans.  I can’t believe training camp is only five days away.  The only concern I have at this time is that there are still five draft picks unsigned.  Leodis McKelvin, James Hardy, Chris Ellis, Alvin Bowen and Xavier Omon.  I believe Ellis, Bowen and Omon will get signed within the next few days.  McKelvin and Hardy will be more difficult and might miss the beginning of training camp.  The team needs both guys there from day one to learn from the veterans on the team.  Both McKelvin and Hardy will be relied upon to contribute from the start.  I feel that Hardy is the one that we need to have in our starting lineup from week one.  Hardy has the height and ball skills to help this offense in the redzone.  The team needs Hardy to take pressure off of star wide receiver Lee Evans.  If Hardy can develop into a solid threat, look for Evans to have a monster season.  McKelvin will most likely be the nickel corner unless he has a tremendous camp.  Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer are solid and are more than capable starters.  Lets hope everyone is signed and in camp on Friday. 

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Hello Bills fans.  I can’t believe training camp starts in 10 days.  I am very excited to get this season underway because of the improvements the team has made this past off-season.  I have a few concerns right now going into camp.  The Bills top three draft picks are still unsigned.  Leodis McKelvin, James Hardy and Chris Ellis need to be in camp on day one.  McKelvin and Hardy especially because both players are going to be relied upon from week one.  Hardy needs to get comfortable in this offense because he will eventually become our #2 receiver.  I feel comfortable with our starting corners and would like to see McKelvin learn from Jabari Greer and Terrence McGee.  McKelvin should also be used on special teams as a returner.  He has great speed and showed in college that he is a threat to take one to the house on every return.  Its tough to say if he will beat out McGee or Roscoe Parrish but it will be great to see him get some shots in the preseason.  The only other main concern I have, which probably is the biggest, is the Jason Peters situation.  Peters missed all the voluntary and one mandatory camp this offseason.  It has been speculated that he is looking to cash in after his Pro Bowl season last year.  Peters also must be there from day one to continue the chemistry the o-line developed last season.  Lets hope all the rookies and Jason Peters are at St. John Fisher come July 25th.  Cant wait to get this thing started.  Go Bills. 

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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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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team announced that they have re-signed safety Bryan Scott.  Scott was signed after Ko Simpson went down in week one.  He played in 15 games with two starts.  Scott brings experience to the secondary and at 6′1″ 219 lbs can be used at the line of scrimmage on running downs.  I was hoping the Bills would bring Scott back because he played well last season.  He is also a assest on special teams and will most likely backup Donte Whitner.

It has been reported on NFL.com that the Bills have come to terms on a two year contract with free agent cornerback Will James.  It has not been mentioned on the official Bills website just yet.  I think James will bring experience and might push Jabari Greer for the starting role.  James has played his seven year career with the Giants and the Eagles.  James chose the Bills over other teams that were interested in him because of his chances to start.  If James can stay healthy, the team will be able to use either Terrence McGee or Jabari Greer as the nickel back.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team had defensive end James Hall and cornerback Will James in for a visit.  James Hall had his best season while playing under Coach Jauron in Detroit.  Hall would bring much needed experience to a young defense.  He is a pass rushing specialist that would spell both Chris Kelsay and Aaron Schobel.  Will James is looking for a starting job.  He has been with the Eagles the last couple of seasons after starting his career with the Giants.  James started six games last season and views himself as a full time starter.  He would bring some height to the Bills secondary standing at 6 feet tall.  I would love for the team to sign James to compete with Jabari Greer.  The Bills are also said to be considering drafting a corner with their first pick.  Go Bills. 

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Hello Bills fans.  The New York Giants travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills.  Although we are out of the playoff hunt, a win would show that we are moving the right direction.  All of the players really want to end the season 9-7 and build for next season.  Here are the key matchups to this week’s game.

Bills o-line vs. Giants defensive ends:  This is my opinion is the battle of the day.  The Giants have excellent pass rushers in Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.  Tackles Jason Peters and Langston Walker really have their work cut out for them.  If we can neutralize their ends, Trent Edwards will be able to scan the field and get the ball to his playmakers Lee Evans and Josh Reed. 

Bills Running Game vs. Giants Defense:  Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson must find ways to pick up big gains on the ground.  Lynch will hopefully reach 1,000 yards for the season in this game.  That is a big accomplishment for him as well as the rebuilt o-line.  Look for Fred to get at least 5 to 10 carries and a few screen passes.  If we are able to run the ball, I feel we will win this game. 

Eli Manning vs. Bills Defense:  Defensive ends Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay must apply pressure and force Eli into some bad throws.  If the weather holds true, it’s going to be difficult to establish the passing game.  I’m hoping our defense gets a few interceptions in this one.  Cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer will have their hands full with Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer.  Look for safety Donte Whitner to grab a pick and help out to stop the Giants backs.

 It would be nice to get a win here.  What a Christmas gift that would be.  I feel this team is headed in the right direction.  Coach Dick Jauron will have the team ready to close at the season strong.  Bills tight end Kevin Everett is suppose to be at the game and will make an appearance on the field.  That is great news.  Lets win this one for Kevin.  My prediction….Bills 20 Giants 17.  Go Bills

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Hello Bills fans. Maybe I am an optimist by nature but I feel that the Bills will be a playoff team in 08. Although Trent Edwards struggled yesterday, he gives us the best chance to win. He will only get better with more experience and I believe we have our quarterback of the future. We have a future all-pro at running back in Marshawn Lynch. Lynch has showed flashes of greatness this year with his non-stop motor and his fight for every last yard. Lynch will also only get better with more game experience. Our offensive line has started to play well and will continue to get better with time. Many of our young players that were forced into starting roles this year will provide excellent depth when we are fully healthy next year. Linebacker John DiGiorgio, safety George Wilson, running back Fred Jackson and safety Jim Leonhard have contributed and shown that they can play in this league. Cornerback Jabari Greer has displayed great instincts and has basically earned the starting cornerback job moving forward. Even though my hopes and dreams of the playoffs were crushed yesterday, I am thankful that this team never gave up and put themselves in a position to earn a wild card spot. Trent will lead this team and get us to where we want to go. A few additions via the draft and free agency will only make us better. Our defense is very young and came up big for us this year. We have the talent and with more experience will be a playoff team. Thanks for never giving up this year. Go Bills.

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Hello Bills fans. Tomorrow the Buffalo Bills travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. This is the biggest game of the season because the Bills trail the Browns by one game for the final wild card spot. The forecast shows snow and high winds, which will force both teams to run the ball more. I’m totally excited and can’t wait to see how the Bills respond to the biggest game in years. Here are the key matchups to this week’s game.

Marshawn Lynch & Fred Jackson vs. Browns Defense: To win this game, we must pick up most of our yards on the ground. Lynch and Jackson will both get their share of carries and hopefully can repeat their performance from last week. Look for both to get the ball early and often.

Browns Receivers vs. Bills secondary: This might be the toughest battle of the day. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow will be hard to contain. I hoping the weather is harsh so Browns quarterback Derek Anderson will have trouble getting the ball to his playmakers. Terrence McGee, Jabari Greer and Donte Whitner must bring their A game to slow down Cleveland’s receivers. I have a feeling that Whitner will get his second pick of the season. He is from Ohio and will have a lot of family and friends at the game.

Special Teams: If the weather is as bad as they say it will be, special teams will decide this game. Rian Lindell and Brian Moorman must do their jobs and perform when called upon. I would love to see Roscoe Parrish return a punt for a touchdown. Cleveland has a dangerous return man and our coverage units must slow him down. Look for Lindell to knock home a few field goals.

Every player on both teams know that this is a huge game. I feel that it will be close and the team that holds on to the ball longer will win. I fell both Lynch and Jackson will carry us to victory. My prediction…..Bills 20 Browns 16.

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