Finally...A Win Has Come Back To Buffalo!

Tuesday October 2, 2007

Edwards Earns First Win For Starved Fans

Receivers open downfield? Yardage on first down? New set of downs on second down? Tight ends involved in the passing game? These ideals were obsolete in the first 2 games for the Buffalo Bills in the 2007 season.

Not this past Sunday!

Trent Edwards was calm, cool and collected his first career win and touchdown pass. Edwards played like a season veteran, plain and simple. His poise in the pocket and precision passing allowed him to complete almost 79% of his passes. Who knew there were receivers open downfield? Who knew Josh Reed could catch the ball? The Lee Evans Show isn't just a radio show, he also performs on the field.

Marshawn Lynch was solid yet again, with virtually no holes created by the offensive line. This kid takes a beating week in and week out but continues to produce. I hope his style doesn't wear him down by season's end, seeing Anthony Thomas is as useful as a snow shovel in August.

Not only were the Buffalo Bills fans and organization starved for a win, Edwards hasn't won a football game as the starter dating back to his junior year at Stanford on November 12th against Oregon State.

Personally, I've been starved for a win since the Sabres were knocked out of the NHL playoffs on graduation day.


Dissecting the Quarterback

In the preseason, I read an article in the Buffalo News about how Trent Edwards is a perfectionist, and how he wants to perform perfectly on the field.

By my count, his day couldn't have gone better. Although he wasn't error free, he minimized mistakes. Only 6 incomplete passes and 2 sacks proves he was smart with the football. To his defense, 2 of the incompletions were dropped balls and one was an unexplainable pass interference no-call. What about the interception you say? It was a bit underthrown, but Lee Evans didn't seem to do much of a job to help out his young quarterback.

To the defense of JP Losman, the Jets have not been a formidable opponent for the Bills. Losman passed 32/53 for about 60% against the Jets last season with 4 TDs (1 rushing) and a pick, in 2 games against the Jets last season. And the Jets were playoff contenders last season.

This season's NY Jets were 28th in defense coming into the game. The true test is next week on Monday Night Football. Even if Edwards is absolutely abysmal, I still want to see how he's gonna react the following week.


Just for Shiggles

Stat Line: 22/28, 78.5%, TD, INT, 2 Sacks Tkn

1st career starts:
Peyton Manning: 21/37, 56.7%, TD, 3 INTs
Tom Brady: 13/23, 50%, 0 TDs, 0 INTs

Peyton Manning had Marshall Faulk and Marvin Harrison. Brady had Antoine Smith and allowed Troy Brown to have a 100+ reception season, not to mention Bill Belichick's scheming.


More Dirty Laundry

Add Kevin Harrison to the laundry list of injured players on IR. Harrison was cut prior to the season's start but was added when Paul Posluszny went out. Kevin Everett, Al Wallace, Ko Simpson, Jason Webster, Paul Posluszny, Jason Whittle are the other names among Harrison who are done for the season.


Who's Michael Gaines...A Damn Good Football Player!

I'll be the first to admit that I thought adding this guy was a waste of space. And am I glad to be wrong. He is easily the best tight end on the Bills roster. No, not because of the lone TD reception. It's because of his ability. He ran so tough. He was a true football player. He was a bull out there, taking a pass, putting his head down and shoot himself forward. I want to see more of that and less of Robert Royal's finesse play. We get enough of that from the WR corps. Gaines has now played 3 games in Buffalo. 3 TD grabs. He did against UB in college, against the Bills with Carolina and now with the Bills. On pace for 6 more TDs this season.


Lynch the 'Boys!

However you look at Monday Night's game against Dallas, I see only one way to victory. Give the ball to Lynch. Dallas is 8th in the league against the run, allowing 80 yds/gm. But look who was running against them. Brandon Jacobs was hurt so Derrick Ward ran for 89 yards. Ronnie Brown ran for 33 yards. Chicago's Benson was held to 46 yards but he found the endzone. Marshawn Lynch wants to establish himself in the league and I see no better opportunity than against an undisciplined Dallas (most penalty yards among top 10 defenses). It will help in the passing game seeing Dallas is tied for the league lead in interceptions with 9. The offensive line needs to shape up on the run blocking and let Lynch loose.


Sabres/Isles Start Season

Maybe its something in the water because the injury bug hasn't stopped at One Bills Drive. It made its way to One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. Enigmatic forward Ales Kotalik is suffering knee pain and has not been cleared to skate and is expected to miss the season opener. Andrew Peters has been practicing on a limited basis as well. Veteran defenseman Teppo Numminen's heart surgery was a success and is rehabilitating at home on schedule for a full recovery.

Kotalik's absence makes room for 2003 3rd round pick Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur brings a bit of size to the Sabres at 6'1" and a knack for finding the net at crucial times in juniors. MacArthur looks to elevate his game this season and no better opportunity than the present.

Dan Paille and MacArthur are the two young Sabres that can make a difference. Injuries are unavoidable. Paille was hurt over the last hurrah of last season with a broken finger but should be a mainstay in the lineup this season. MacArthur will get his chances to make Lindy Ruff flinch and think twice about taking him out of the lineup. Marek Zagrapan would be a pleasant surprise to the organization if he can prove he is NHL ready by midseason.


Final Thoughts
Get Roscoe Parrish more involved in the offense
Hockey season starts Friday!!
Get well soon Kevin Everett