What do you get when you combine the outcry of Ben Affleck being named the new Batman and the scene in "Airplane!" where Elaine asked the cabin if anyone could fly the plane?
Bills fans on Twitter today!!
It was a pretty crazy Monday with opinions flying all over the place. I think in moments like these, we probably needed someone to do this to us..
[youtube=://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNkpIDBtC2c&w=441&h=249]
A lot of news out of One Bills Drive this weekend. Some substantial, some indifferent, some that we all panicked about because we just love to panic and yell (ME!).
Substantial: The Gilmore loss is a big one. Although I thought he played well as a rookie, I wouldn't exactly say Gilmore is a true #1 CB yet in terms of NFL standards. Like all rookies, his play was up and down last year, but the potential is there. However, he is by far our best CB on the roster. The thought of Leodis McKelvin and Butler/Brooks starting is going to be a nightmare. If the Bills decide to go all jailbreak with blitzing, QBs will be licking their chops to burn these CBs who will be in single coverage.
On the other hand, did you really think the Bills defense was going to stop a competent offense with Gilmore? Sorry, but this defense is going to struggle this year with or without their #1 CB. It isn't his fault. It is more of the fault of the Bills drafting Leodis McKelvin (And giving him a 5-million a year extension) and Donte Whitner. Would have been nice if those guys worked out here to help Gilmore.
Substantial: As much as I've ribbed on the Kevin Kolb signing and his play during the pre season, you obviously don't want to hear about a guy possibly retiring because of head injuries. I hope he walks away and doesn't take the chance. His last head injury kept him out for 2 months and it just isn't worth it to try it at this point.
Not substantial: MY GOD! Jeff Tuel is the contingency plan if EJ Manuel can't go against the Pats? I'm paying 65 bucks to see him duel it out with Brady at the home opener? Sorry, Mr. Brandon and the NFL…but I'm going to binge drink and funnel Jack Daniels prior to this game.
However…this was probably one of those moments where we needed to get slapped in the face to get ahold of ourselves when the news came out. Obviously, Marrone is stating this is the plan "IF" EJ Manuel doesn't play. He can't say he will play while he's still injured. Also, it's not like Kolb was that better of an option. Maybe slightly. But we ain't putting up points with any of these backups (More on that below). In a strategy sense, it does put up a bit of a smokescreen in making the Pats wonder who is going to be their QB come the opener. I wouldn't be shocked if the Bills play this cat and mouse game for another next week or so. Gut feeling..EJ is going to play in the opener.
Substantial: Ugh. These Byrd droppings (Get it) are going to be hovering over our heads for the entire season. Based on his 'Welcome back press conference', Byrd wasn't exactly thrilled with being here. He also kind of danced around the question about asking for a trade. This is going to be one of these stories that is going to be analyzed to death. Every mannerism he makes will be scrutinized on whether he's happy or not. I can already sense a "Won't talk about his contract" ultimatum from the Bills PR.
I'd also tell him to be kind of careful when it comes to possibly pouting. Funny how a week ago a common narrative around him signing his tender was that he wants to be here..Yeah, you may want to throw that out. Most Bills fans will turn on you if you don't want to be here because of the money (See: Peters and McGahee). I'm not faulting him for being pissed, but most fans don't want to hear about money problems, especially since the Bills suck and most fans are jealous of their salaries (See: "TEACHERS ONLY MAKE $40,000 A YEAR! SO SHUT UP!" narrative.)
I really don't know if Byrd is worth the money or not, but I just have a bad feeling he won't be here next year. This has Jason Peters written all over it. Look, all NFL teams are careful when it comes to re-signing or letting their own leave. Steelers and Pats have done it for years. However, the Bills have always been terrible when it comes to finding contingency plans for these guys leaving. Peters for Bell…Clements for Jason Webster…Levitre for Brown…Spikes/Fletcher for Poz/Crowell…Greer for McKelvin…Lee Evans for Donald Jones…
It never comes close to working out with these contingency plans. I think the death knell for Byrd not staying comes in this quote from him…
"Do I want to prove to them anything? I guess in four years if I didn't, I don't know what I can do, you know what I'm saying? Their mindset is what it is."
In other words, he doesn't know what else he has to do to justify a deal he wants. I mean, he made pro bowls and most experts think he's a top notch safety. He'd have to pull an Ed Reed like season out of his ass to get the deal he wants from the Bills at this point.
Not Substantial: If EJ plays against the Pats, the backup QB musical chairs really means nothing. The Bills are in the same position they were in two weeks ago. It is EJ Manuel's team. You can scrutinize Leinart, Kolb, Tuel and Lewis all you want, but the difference between Leinart/Kolb and Tuel/Lewis are insignificant. They all stink and if any of them get on the field for the Bills, get ready for pain. Most backup QBs suck, hence the reason they are backups. Could the Bills have been better suited to keep T. Jackson or make Fitz take a pay cut to be the backup instead of putting their hopes in a QB who has an injury past and a 1st round bust? Sure. But in the long term thinking, it really means nothing at this point cause EJ is going to start.
Substantial: I've always liked Chris Hairston. Maybe it is because he played pretty well as a LT in 2011 when no one really thought he'd do much at the position. Maybe his play is being over-accentuated on my part because of where he was drafted, but I was happy with what they had with him. With him being injured, this puts a stranglehold on their backup tackle situation, especially since Glenn and Pears missed games last year. I liked him as their backup. Now..It is some guy named Young. Yuck.
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