Thanks Curt.

IMO, the key matchup here is Mike Nolan's defense against itself. The Defense has looked mediocre to putrid in the offseason. We keep hearing how it is a base defense and not a representation of the real thing. I certainly hope so.

The Bills are no great shakes. Our offense should handle them well, we have the running game, and Marshall has abused that secondary in the past. Bills offense has a good rookie RB, and that is about it. If our defense falls apart and makes mental mistakes, and lets the Bills score at will, we will end up in a shootout which would make a win difficult.

Who knows what our defense will look like.

The one thing I HAVE seen is our base defense seems to be really stout against the run. I'm not worried about Spiller.

montequi Wrote:
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> The one thing I HAVE seen is our base defense
> seems to be really stout against the run. I'm not
> worried about Spiller.


Only inside. We've been beat on the outside some. I can chalk this rookie mistakes (or just inexperience on the part of Wake), but if Spiller gets into our secondary we may have problems.

I think we should be able to score, but we will be in trouble if we get into a shootout.

DolfanMike Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> montequi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The one thing I HAVE seen is our base defense
> > seems to be really stout against the run. I'm
> not
> > worried about Spiller.
>
>
> Only inside. We've been beat on the outside some.
> I can chalk this rookie mistakes (or just
> inexperience on the part of Wake), but if Spiller
> gets into our secondary we may have problems.
>
> I think we should be able to score, but we will be
> in trouble if we get into a shootout.

I don't recall any long runs against our base defense in preseason, inside OR outside.

I think the Bills are hurting on the outside of the offense and defense.

1. No pass rushers
2. ranked 30th vs the run last year.. now are still undersized in the 34.

3. LBer's are mediocre and injured.

4. No WR threat. Lee Evans started fast and went downhill fast.

5. No legit pass protector. mediocre left and right tackles.

We should be able to exploit all phases of the defense and generate a good pass rush vs the o-line to force errant throws by Edwards.

The only legit threat to us is Spiller but I think we did get bigger faster and stronger in the off season. We will be good vs the run. Still questions on how our OLB's will set the edge. Should be ok with IAF....Wake is another story vs the run....can he do it?

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

It's simple, we're more talented then them. (the little dot after them stands for PERIOD!) If we come out flat we lose and the Ross/Peterson love affair grows some legs, if we play to the best of our ability we will win. It will be no cake walk but we will win if we play to our abilities.

I agree we are the better team on paper, however it's clear our center is mediocre, and we havnt gelled on offense or defense.

I would guess weel 6 we will finaly arrive as a complete team and hit our stride right after the bye week!

We should win this week, and after watching the anemic pass rush the Vikings had, and horrible timing with WR's, we will beat the Vik's next week, to start us fast.

I still say we shut them out.

I don't buy the notion that our center is mediocre. Sparano says he just plain beat out Grove for the Job which is of coarse partly lip service...maybe.

The fact is that Berger started his first game vs Buffalo. RW ran for 115 yards and 1 TD.

2nd game vs NE Ricky ran for only 75 yards but only had 18 carries. That's 4.2 ypc.

3rd game vs Jax, 108 and 1 TD.

4th game vs Ten he ran for 80 yards and 1 td but on only 18 carries. Over 4 ypc.

The two sub 100 yard games came in games that got away from us and we threw the ball 98 times! (52 and 46 attempts)

The fact is that Berger played well and contributed to the 4th ranked running team in the league. I believe he started 2 other games at LG. He is also 1 inch taller and 15 lbs heavier than Grove. 6'5 315 lbs.

Everyone is so upset that we released Grove but I was more upset when we signed him....considering he has only played a full season once in 6 years without missing games to injury. He played in 8 games, 8 games, 16 games, 2 games, 12 games and then 10 with us. It was an overpriced reach to sign him with that history and expect him to change. Dumb signing when there were better centers on the market without the injury problems.

I would not be so concerned about Berger. He will be fine. Be more concerned about our DB's and OLB's!

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Berger isn't mediocre. Someone is just trying to push a silly agenda to draft a center in Rd 1 next year so they are gonna crowbar that our center is mediocre in every post they possibly can.

Berger is fine. Last years stats back it up when he played

If Berger ends up being as good as Tim Ruddy, I'll be happy. He's no Dwight Stephensen, but who is?

montequi Wrote:
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> If Berger ends up being as good as Tim Ruddy, I'll
> be happy. He's no Dwight Stephensen, but who is?


exactly!

Tim Ruddy was dependable but nothing great. He was good at pass protection but got ate up in the running game.

I think Berger will be better.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Heading to the stadium, wow is the Buffalo area a sh@# hole!