I'd Always Win in the End

by Ryan

Four weeks ago we were looking at the division races and talking about home playoff games. Today, we're 5-4 and looking at the rest of our schedule trying to piece together wins. Suddenly we are at the bottom of the division and random Patriots fans are heckling the site like they won some sort of trophy back in February or something. The point is, the Bills season has gone into a sort of tailspin, one that few fans saw coming.



Sure, you can saw you knew from the beginning it wouldn't last. Revisionist history is helpful like that, but I know very few people who weren't excited about this team, even as recently as the Chargers game. There were plenty of good signs in those first few games, despite the schedule and a few last minute heroics. Beating Jacksonville and San Diego is still a big deal, but the last three losses have proven an even bigger one.

So here's the question: what happened?

You can start with injuries but those are to be expected in any football season. However, the sheer number of incidents over the past two seasons can make one wonder just how proper our strength and conditioning is. Edwards' concussion seems unavoidable and it is pure speculation, but that IR list is pretty impressive, and not in a good way. (Perhaps we shouldn't put healthy players on IR like Angel-oh wait, that's none of our concern now, is it? Moving on...)

The turnover ratio, which started clearly in Buffalo's favor, has deteriorated over the season as well. In the last five games the ratio is a -3 and the Bills have a 1-4 record to show for it. Their season total of -6 is good for 27th in the league, which is not a good indicator of offensive responsibility and defensive pressure. I'm no expert, but those seem like pretty important things.

So where did those "important things" go? One could make the case that defensive pressure has been absent for years, and with injuries at key positions you can clearly state it nonexistent thus far this season. Schobel, Whitner, Youboty, and Crowell being out is a huge deal, and a bend but don't break defense quickly turns into a broken defense with that many holes.

However, the issues on offense are a bit more baffling because they begin with two things we thought were in good shape: Marshawn Lynch and Trent Edwards. As of this posting, Marshawn Lynch averages 3.5 yards per carry, with Fred Jackson averaging a slightly better 4YPC. However, their yards per game (56.9 and 26.3, respectively) does not make for a potent offense. In fact, that's downright embarrassing.

The issue with their performance may not be with talent but rather utilization. This team has simply lost all confidence in the run, and that affects how the rest of the offense works. What we thought to be a well-run and well-versed offense is faltering at an astounding rate, with carries few and far between. What was once an easy 3rd and 1 has turned into a shotgun set with five wide receivers, which doesn't make much sense when your third down receiver is hurt and you have two healthy running backs.

What happened to smash mouth, "our running back is going to rip your skull off" football? We clearly have a running back willing to rip off skulls, and a second option in Fred Jackson that is capable of producing when needed. Where is the confidence in your offensive line? Where is the confidence in your playcalling? Where, to be frank, are your balls?

This team's season high in rushing is 119 yards. How is that possible with a player like Marshawn Lynch on your roster? What is this, Detroit? Even Kevin Smith is averaging 4.3 YPC, and he's getting killed week in and week out.

The other problem, and probably the bigger one in the end, is Trent Edwards. Since that boy got concussed things just haven't been right, and even in the San Diego game there were signs that he was still a bit... tweaked. Let's face it, we've all been hurt before, and even after you are "okay" to come back there are still some lingering effects. Terrence McGee showed us that a few weeks ago, and my writing probably showed you that back in July.



If you want proof, here it is. When have you ever seen Trent throw with his mouth closed? Ever? The majority of this post has dealt with statistical evidence, but if there was ever an appeal to reason here it is. Trent Edwards is not playing like the quarterback he has been and we know he can be. Whether it is that defenses can scheme for him or he is not making clear decisions, that is the truth and the major problem.

Both interceptions on Sunday were throws he makes four weeks ago. Something has happened to the face of our franchise, and things are not looking good if he continues to play like this. This Trent Edwards doesn't get Lee involved in the offense. This Trent doesn't look off the safety. This Trent Edwards is not ready to be an effective NFL quarterback, and we were all under the impression that we bought a different model of Trent Edwards.

The fact of the matter is that while we can hope things turn around, something big needs to happen for it to do so. I am always one for hope, but right now I'm not as optimistic as I was when I last walked out of the Ralph. What we need is a big event, a big game, and lucky for us the Bills have that chance on Monday night.

What they also have is an opponent who may be willing to help us out, and that's exactly what we will discuss next.

J.P. and High Speed

by Ryan

"The only difference that I see is you are exactly the same as you used to be" -The Wallflowers



The Bills are 4-1 heading into the bye. The last time they were in such good shape at this juncture of the season was 1999, and Doug Flutie was our quarterback. Thank God we don't have Doug Flutie anymore, but we are also dealing with this:



Oh I know that look. That was me back in July, when I looked something like this for a good week or so. Mine concussion was considered mild, and within a week I was feeling better. It did make for an interesting Fourth of July, however, as fireworks and an aversion to loud noises do not mix well.

For all or sakes, I hope Trent suffered a similar injury. The bye week will help him sort things out, and even watching a practice will tell him if he's ready to go again. I went to a pickup game when concussed and couldn't keep track of anything out there, let alone get myself up to game speed. This type of injury is completely within the player and only he can say if he's really ready to go.

What I do know is that this team isn't going to get very far with J.P. Losman as its quarterback. Sure, that seems pretty obvious to most people. Even if you "watched" the game on CBS with Steve Christie making game winning field goals while the radio feed played you knew he was awful out there. Take away that bomb to Evans and his numbers (Passing: 14/20/133, Rush TD, 3 fumbles) are downright disgusting. Add in the Evans score and you have JaMarcus Russell in Week Three.

It's easy to just say J.P. is terrible and move on, but there is more to it than that. It is clear as day that the coaching staff has zero confidence in Losman, you can see that much from the play calling. We will never know what would have happened with Trent in there, but aside from the one deep throw the offense was completely castrated. It's no excuse for the defense to be a disaster like that, but how inspired would you be if your offense broke out the kinder toys on your four plays into the game? Don't forget the four turnovers that all dropped the Cardinals in Bills territory, that didn't help the defensive effort, either.

Confidence is everything. We all see that Edwards has it, and he receives constant praise because of it. J.P. Losman simply doesn't have confidence in his abilities anymore. He never had much to start with, and being thrown under the bus for a rookie killed anything he gained over the course of his career. A team under his command suddenly made all the little mistakes we thought this squad was beyond, and offensive miscues cost this team the game.

I'm not saying that Jaruon and company are to blame for all this, nor am I claiming they made the wrong decision in benching Losman. However, as a fan you have to realize that when the Bills made the move to Edwards they made a distinct decision about the emotional and psychological state of the team and its players. I wrote this back in January:

That doesn't mean I'm not happy with the decision to start Trent Edwards. J.P had his chance (late) this year to make a statement and simply didn't. Jacksonville was his last shot for me, and he was just awful in the clutch. He lost the job himself, I will admit that, but my point is that how he was handled by ownership and coaching staff certainly didn't help his confidence and at the very least his concentration.

When they benched J.P. that last time, they lost any chance of him ever succeeding here in Buffalo. They said Edwards was going to be the guy, and within nine months a third round quarterback usurped control of a franchise from you. Try heading to work after that meeting. This is by no means an excuse for Losman, but you can't expect to bench a quarterback and expect those shaky feet and missed reads to disappear.

I do think they understood what the effects of the move would be, and we are seeing them now. When Trent Edwards is hurt this team will be vulnerable, no matter who the backup is. This means that J.P Losman is going to play like a below average quarterback until Trent Edwards is healthy enough to play. The Bills can still win football games, but they will be games won despite their quarterback play rather than because of it.

You can argue that at least two of the Bills' first four wins were because of Edwards' playmaking in the fourth quarter (Jacksonville and Oakland). If he is out for any extended amount of time, this team needs to get better at on all fronts. Fast.

Seven days symptom free was my timetable for return. Trent has 13 days to hit his.

F--k it, I'm Checking Going Down

by Ryan

Did you get a text from Marv Russ Brandon that said Trent Edwards has a right leg injury? I did, and I got it fast too. I knew about Trent's injury before it even hit the AP wire, so Russ must have sent that bad boy out right after sprinting onto the field to see what the problem was.



We are probably going to see a lot of that this weekend. Few things here. First of all, is anyone safe from Marshawn Lynch? Canadian women, starting quarterbacks, Quesadilla Burgers. No wonder Peters hasn't come to camp, he doesn't want to get run over by the Moneymobile.

Second, isn't this the absolute perfect time to have a quarterback controversy? I mean, you just know J.P. is going to look more than competent with the first team offense on Sunday, and Evans is going to get the ball and be happy, and before you know it we are back to where we were last year. F--k. This is why we can't have nice things.

The only good news I have for you is this: J.P. is going to air that mother out on Sunday. Think of it this way, even if Edwards plays it won't be the standard "into the second half" type of 3rd preseason game starters get. Losman is going to get a lot of time, and he is going to look good. Real good. Expect Hardy to get vertical (if he plays), Evans to go long, and Robert Royal to perform well past his potential.

Great.

All Through the Town...

by Ryan

Jon had a nice summary of most of my thoughts on J.P. Losman's glorified press release from Friday, but I thought I'd elaborate a bit. After all, it is Sunday, and Sunday afternoon is football afternoon.

Since Jim Kelly has retired, there has been a veritable quarterbacking carousel in Buffalo. Each one of these quarterbacks has had a defining moment in my mind. For Todd Collins it is the mini-helmet I wasted when I let him sign it. (Seriously, those are like 25 bucks these days...)

For Rob Johnson it will be the picture of him poolside in Sports Illustrated, miles away from the cold and rushing linebackers.

Doug Flutie will probably be that ridiculous 10-10-220 commercial with his brother throwing footballs across North America.

Drew Bledsoe gets a phrase: "I'm so maaad" After the Steelers game where he literally dropped the ball and killed our playoff hopes, our starting quarterback acted like a seven year old who loses his favorite kickball.

Kelly Holcomb didn't happen.

For J.P Losman, my current image looks something like this:



I know Jon doesn't agree with that, but you'd be hard pressed to tell me that J.P. got a consistent backing from the coaching staff in his four years in Buffalo. One year injured, one year of Drew, one year of Kelly, and this year with Trent, Losman never had the keys without a shaky hand keeping him in the driver's seat.

That doesn't mean I'm not happy with the decision to start Trent Edwards. J.P had his chance (late) this year to make a statement and simply didn't. Jacksonville was his last shot for me, and he was just awful in the clutch. He lost the job himself, I will admit that, but my point is that how he was handled by ownership and coaching staff certainly didn't help his confidence and at the very least his concentration.

We all will have to live with the results, and I think I'll be okay with the move in five years. Still, I can't help but wonder how all this is going to shake out. Here we are again, another quarterback left for dead while we rely on the budding talents of a young, warm weather quarterback.

Yeah, I'm sure it will work out just fine.

Missing in Action

by Ryan

We at the Goose's Roost will do anything possible to help the Bills find the end zone.



Pictured above is a pylon, which signifies the goal line in traditional football games. The Bills can't seem to find that little orange guy, and actually seem pretty indifferent to that whole "scoring touchdowns" theory some people have.

It wasn't necessary today, but in the future we would appreciate it if they made an effort to embrace the cornucopia of points that comes with some orange plastic lovin.

It's going to be hard to focus next week with all that orange flying around against Miami. It may help if we get a ton of snow so the pylons contrast better on all that white.

Or maybe you could, you know... LET EDWARDS THROW DEEP!

Either way, let's hope we see some more rectangular cubage next Sunday.

A win is a win is a win

By Chris

The playcalling still wasn't great, but the offense was able to generate 19 points. The defensive scheme was well executed, even at the end when it looked like we were all bound for another last-second heartbreak. As ugly as it was, the Buffalo Bills got the job done. And at this point, that's all you can ask for.

Trent Edwards wasn't flashy at all. He only completed 52% of his passes, but that was all he needed. He ran an effective no-huddle offense, almost reminiscent of the K-Gun and was able to get the win, despite another late interception. Then again, a rookie quarterback only threw one interception against the Baltimore defense. That's cause for some celebration. If Edwards isn't out there next week, then Jauron should be fired. The guy moves the chains and allows the defense to rest. He gives the Bills the best chance to win.

Marshawn Lynch was able to churn out a very respectable 83 yards against a stout Baltimore defense and that was enough. This guy is a freaking horse. That's the only way to effectively describe him. He will fight for every single yard he gets--and behind the Bills line, maybe that's what's required.

The defense continues to play well above the level they're expected to. After all, those are 2nd and 3rd stringers out there late in the game. For them to be able to pull out a win like this is a huge confidence boost.

Sure they almost coughed up another close game, but they didn't. Maybe they're learning how to win. Right now, that's enough for me.



Willis who?

The Hand of Ralph

By Chris

On the homefront, ESPN is reporting that Dick Jaruon is going to name Trent Edwards the starting quarterback for McGahee Bowl I on Sunday.

While it's not fair to Losman to take his job away because he was hurt, everyone has to remember that the NFL is not about fairness. It's about taking advantage of your every opportunity. So far this season, Edwards has taken the bull by the horns and has made the offense watchable.

And the kid can only get better, right? Right?

Now there's no way this was all Jauron's decision. Or even all Marv. This order came straight from the top.

Ralph Wilson has always liked Trent Edwards. He found his way into the locker room after the Jets' game (Edwards' first win) and made himself available to the media, gushing over the kid.

Yeah, he said that the "quarterback controversy" would be left in the hands of the coaching staff. But if you believe that, then you're the person who still hopes for a quarter under your pillow the morning after you lose a tooth. It's Ralph's money and his pen stroke that signs the checks.

Do you really think he wants to pay Losman a big money contract to keep him in Buffalo when his contract expires after next season? Me neither.

Ralph will go the cheap route and hedge his bets with the young guy he fancies that isn't due for a big contract for another couple years.

Personally, I want to see as much of Edwards as possible. I could care less about Losman, really. Let the kid develop and show us what he's capable of. Losman's development was hindered by Kelly Holcomb and Mike "Ralph Bucky" Mularkey's mismanagement of the whole situation.

Let's do this one right.