Monday, November 19, 2007
IMMEDIATE REACTIONS: New England 56, Buffalo 10
4:22 AM | 
Posted by
Nick Mendola
510 net yards. 8/11 on third down. 2/2 on fourth down. One punt. Seven offensive touchdowns. One defensive score. 10-0.
What. The. Heck?
Football teams are not supposed to be as good as the New England Patriots. This is going to — by far — be the shortest of my "Immediate Reactions" columns this year, and it has almost nothing to do with it being post-midnight.
Look, I was as hopeful as anyone about the Bills having improbable success against the Pats, but a Bills team without their star running back and with quarterback/wide receiver issues against one of the most cutthroat teams in the history of the NFL.
On the eve of the Whiney Awards, there are already a close-to-record 289 calls to the Whiner Line. Guess who listens to and cut that baby every morning? Yeah, we're going to keep this quick...
— First, the "running up" of the score. I don't have much of a problem with the continuing to pass and attempting to score well into the second half, but I have a number of complaints with New England head coach Bill Belichick, who I think displayed classlessness numerous times (Is classlessness even a word? It's awkward to type. Sounds about time for my weekly apology to Linda Bogdan and the UB English department).
Look, Billy, I know you're trying to get your boy Tom Brady his touchdown record, but don't you think he was in there well after the game was out-of-reach. Also, going for it on fourth down, up 36. Stay classy, William.
I wish I could say I was incredulous the entire time, but I expected it. Belichick's established his modus operandi for 2007, and he unflinchingly presses on.
— I'm not sure what Dick Jauron could've done that would've altered the course of the game entirely, but moving away from Anthony Thomas a little earlier couldn't have hurt. I'm sure the logic was that if you established some semblance of a run with Thomas, the Patriots wouldn't be able to read pass every time he was in there. The Bills offensive line was brutal against New England's pressure, but 11 carries for 31 yards isn't going to cut it. Fred Jackson carried three times for 15 yards, and Dwayne Wright had one carry for one yard. Even worse, Losman tied Thomas in yardage on just four rushes.
— Is there any chance the conversation between the official who threw the intentional grounding flag on Brady and ol' Tom himself didn't go like this:
"Intentional grounding, Tom."
"Oh, good, you know my name. I wasn' t sure if you're aware that I'm Tom $&^%$^%$ Brady and I know %$^$%^& well where the ^&%$%&^$ pocket is."
— For the record, because I think those who call me a "Losman apologist" will appreciate it, here are the incredible stats of all the quarterbacks who have faced the New England defense this year (the final number is quarterback rating for the game):
Wk1- Chad Pennington, 16/21, 167 yards, 4 sacks, 2 TD, 0 INT - 130. 5
Wk2- Phillip Rivers, 19/30, 179 yards, 3 sacks, 2 TD, 2 INT - 74.2
Wk3- Trent Edwards, 10/20, 97 yards, 1 sack, 1 INT - 43.1
Wk4- Carson Palmer, 21/35, 234 yards, 1 sack, 1 TD, 2 INT - 65.7
Wk5- Derek Anderson, 22/43, 287 yards, 3 sacks, 2 TD, 3 INT - 58.9
Wk6- Tony Romo, 18/29, 199 yards, 2 sacks, 2 TD, 1 INT - 91.0
Wk7- Cleo Lemon, 24/37, 236 yards, 3 sacks, 1 INT - 71.4
Wk8- Jason Campbell, 21/36, 197 yards, 3 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 71.2
Wk9- Peyton Manning, 16/27, 225 yards, 3 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 83.1
Wk10- BYE
Wk11- J.P. Losman 15/26, 173 yards, 4 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 74.7
In essence, Losman had the same game every quarterback whose faced the Patriots this year has had. If you live by the quarterback rating, which is kind of silly, he had the fourth-best day against the Patriots this year. I listened to Mike Schopp and The Bulldog's post-game show on the way home, and if you want to lambaste Losman and get him out of the line-up, go for it, but not because of Sunday night. Maybe Howard Simon was right about the whole "free pass" thing. I think Losman starts next week against Jacksonville, and I believe it will be his final chance to "make or break" 2007 for the Bills.
— While the Bills front four did a decent job against the rush in the first half, they should be berated for their lack of pass rush. New England's line is good, and Brady is poised, but come on. You need more from Aaron Schobel and company.
— A note on Brady: he looks like he could take a nap when he's in the shotgun. His body language is that of a guy who barely cares what's going to happen, and then he proceeds to do things like fire lasers in between three Bills defenders. The guy looks he's listening to Coldplay in the pocket. His passes seem to make open receivers appear out of thin air, a la David Blaine.
— I guess it pays to use early draft picks on good linemen. I guess.
— I hope Stephen Gostkowski's foot isn't sore from kicking all those extra points, eight to be exact. Did anyone else feel like Belichick would go for two every time if he didn't think Anthony Hargrove would eat Tom Brady. Love Hargrove on the field, but Brady's the wrong guy to pick a fight with, Big Tony.
— Tough day for Brian Moorman. It's been an off-year for the All-Pro punter, which simply means he's been "pretty good" instead of "incredible.'
— Also, Terrence McGee has to feel like he ran a marathon. After covering Moss and Donte Stallworth up-and-down the field, he had to mentally regroup while returning eight kicks, which would've been nine if Fred Jackson hadn't been antsy.
— Randy Moss is good, but Brady remade him this season.
— Perry Fewell's done an exceptional job as defensive coordinator in 2007, but there were far too many plays Sunday night that began with two defensive backs despite the fact that Wes Welker was in the slot. Angelo Crowell won't work on Welker, and Donte Whitner and George Wilson simply aren't good enough pass defenders yet. Wilson had an especially rough game, and it's worth watching whether Jauron plugs Jim Leonhard back in against Jacksonville.
— Grades across the board were F's, so if I've missed something, just pretend I wrote about it being "substandard," "insufficient" or "lackluster." That should just about cover it all.
Stat line I enjoyed:
— John DiGiorgio, 11 tackles
What's the old maxim? "It ain't the size of the dog in the fight..." The Bills were out-classed Sunday night, but I was impressed that they pushed forward. Hey, it's not much, but it's something.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
— Eight different receivers, 383 yards, 5 TD.
I know they're good, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. At least we'll be able to tell our grandchildren we saw greatness, again and again and again and again.
Stat line I didn't expect:
— Dwayne Wright/Fred Jackson, 4 carries, 16 yards
That's 4.0 yards-per-carries for the youngsters, and it was extra disappointing for me consider I spent Thursday afternoon writing an article on how excited the kids were to play, and how much the coaches said they believed in them. *Cough* Bull (Expletive deleted) *Cough*
Lastly...
To sum it all up, I'm amazed that I walked out there feeling just slightly worse than I did after the Jets win. It was a foregone conclusion, and while I hate that, it was a young defense that the Brady Bunch tore up in Primetime.
Next week
—I think the Bills of Weeks One through Ten are good enough to beat Jacksonville in Jacksonville, but I also think the Patriots showed the Jaguars far too many ways to exploit the Bills. Marshawn Lynch's status is a big factor in this one, but the Jags defensive line will create a number of issues for Beast Mode as well. My heart's pulling one way, but my brain is saying: Jacksonville 21, Buffalo 18.
The again, I predicted New England would beat Buffalo, 31-20, so what the heck do I know?
The running count...
Here, dear friends, is a list that usually includes the players who have yet to let me down during the course of 2007. With Lynch's injury making him ineligible, this list would likely be down t Roscoe Parrish if I was honest, but do you think "The running count" deserves a free pass for Week 11? If not, it's going to be one player — Parrish — putting the future of the running count in serious jeopardy. So, make the call, and email me with a vote or "yay" or "nay" to a free pass for this list. I'm sure Donte Whitner waits will baited breath.
-Donte Whitner
-Brian Moorman
-Marshawn Lynch
-Roscoe Parrish
-Larry Tripplett
-John McCargo...
—Terrific to see Kevin Everett looking healthy on the scoreboard. I know I'll continue my well-wishes and prayers for him and everyone with serious handicaps or misfortunes. Important to remind ourselves that we've got a lot going for us. Get better, Kevin.
—Howard Simon Show, Monday morning at 6 a.m., followed by The Coach's Extra Point, with Chuck Dickerson and me at 10 a.m. Let's have some fun, Bills fans.
E-mails: nick@wgr550.com
What. The. Heck?
Football teams are not supposed to be as good as the New England Patriots. This is going to — by far — be the shortest of my "Immediate Reactions" columns this year, and it has almost nothing to do with it being post-midnight.
Look, I was as hopeful as anyone about the Bills having improbable success against the Pats, but a Bills team without their star running back and with quarterback/wide receiver issues against one of the most cutthroat teams in the history of the NFL.
On the eve of the Whiney Awards, there are already a close-to-record 289 calls to the Whiner Line. Guess who listens to and cut that baby every morning? Yeah, we're going to keep this quick...
— First, the "running up" of the score. I don't have much of a problem with the continuing to pass and attempting to score well into the second half, but I have a number of complaints with New England head coach Bill Belichick, who I think displayed classlessness numerous times (Is classlessness even a word? It's awkward to type. Sounds about time for my weekly apology to Linda Bogdan and the UB English department).
Look, Billy, I know you're trying to get your boy Tom Brady his touchdown record, but don't you think he was in there well after the game was out-of-reach. Also, going for it on fourth down, up 36. Stay classy, William.
I wish I could say I was incredulous the entire time, but I expected it. Belichick's established his modus operandi for 2007, and he unflinchingly presses on.
— I'm not sure what Dick Jauron could've done that would've altered the course of the game entirely, but moving away from Anthony Thomas a little earlier couldn't have hurt. I'm sure the logic was that if you established some semblance of a run with Thomas, the Patriots wouldn't be able to read pass every time he was in there. The Bills offensive line was brutal against New England's pressure, but 11 carries for 31 yards isn't going to cut it. Fred Jackson carried three times for 15 yards, and Dwayne Wright had one carry for one yard. Even worse, Losman tied Thomas in yardage on just four rushes.
— Is there any chance the conversation between the official who threw the intentional grounding flag on Brady and ol' Tom himself didn't go like this:
"Intentional grounding, Tom."
"Oh, good, you know my name. I wasn' t sure if you're aware that I'm Tom $&^%$^%$ Brady and I know %$^$%^& well where the ^&%$%&^$ pocket is."
— For the record, because I think those who call me a "Losman apologist" will appreciate it, here are the incredible stats of all the quarterbacks who have faced the New England defense this year (the final number is quarterback rating for the game):
Wk1- Chad Pennington, 16/21, 167 yards, 4 sacks, 2 TD, 0 INT - 130. 5
Wk2- Phillip Rivers, 19/30, 179 yards, 3 sacks, 2 TD, 2 INT - 74.2
Wk3- Trent Edwards, 10/20, 97 yards, 1 sack, 1 INT - 43.1
Wk4- Carson Palmer, 21/35, 234 yards, 1 sack, 1 TD, 2 INT - 65.7
Wk5- Derek Anderson, 22/43, 287 yards, 3 sacks, 2 TD, 3 INT - 58.9
Wk6- Tony Romo, 18/29, 199 yards, 2 sacks, 2 TD, 1 INT - 91.0
Wk7- Cleo Lemon, 24/37, 236 yards, 3 sacks, 1 INT - 71.4
Wk8- Jason Campbell, 21/36, 197 yards, 3 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 71.2
Wk9- Peyton Manning, 16/27, 225 yards, 3 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 83.1
Wk10- BYE
Wk11- J.P. Losman 15/26, 173 yards, 4 sacks, 1 TD, 1 INT - 74.7
In essence, Losman had the same game every quarterback whose faced the Patriots this year has had. If you live by the quarterback rating, which is kind of silly, he had the fourth-best day against the Patriots this year. I listened to Mike Schopp and The Bulldog's post-game show on the way home, and if you want to lambaste Losman and get him out of the line-up, go for it, but not because of Sunday night. Maybe Howard Simon was right about the whole "free pass" thing. I think Losman starts next week against Jacksonville, and I believe it will be his final chance to "make or break" 2007 for the Bills.
— While the Bills front four did a decent job against the rush in the first half, they should be berated for their lack of pass rush. New England's line is good, and Brady is poised, but come on. You need more from Aaron Schobel and company.
— A note on Brady: he looks like he could take a nap when he's in the shotgun. His body language is that of a guy who barely cares what's going to happen, and then he proceeds to do things like fire lasers in between three Bills defenders. The guy looks he's listening to Coldplay in the pocket. His passes seem to make open receivers appear out of thin air, a la David Blaine.
— I guess it pays to use early draft picks on good linemen. I guess.
— I hope Stephen Gostkowski's foot isn't sore from kicking all those extra points, eight to be exact. Did anyone else feel like Belichick would go for two every time if he didn't think Anthony Hargrove would eat Tom Brady. Love Hargrove on the field, but Brady's the wrong guy to pick a fight with, Big Tony.
— Tough day for Brian Moorman. It's been an off-year for the All-Pro punter, which simply means he's been "pretty good" instead of "incredible.'
— Also, Terrence McGee has to feel like he ran a marathon. After covering Moss and Donte Stallworth up-and-down the field, he had to mentally regroup while returning eight kicks, which would've been nine if Fred Jackson hadn't been antsy.
— Randy Moss is good, but Brady remade him this season.
— Perry Fewell's done an exceptional job as defensive coordinator in 2007, but there were far too many plays Sunday night that began with two defensive backs despite the fact that Wes Welker was in the slot. Angelo Crowell won't work on Welker, and Donte Whitner and George Wilson simply aren't good enough pass defenders yet. Wilson had an especially rough game, and it's worth watching whether Jauron plugs Jim Leonhard back in against Jacksonville.
— Grades across the board were F's, so if I've missed something, just pretend I wrote about it being "substandard," "insufficient" or "lackluster." That should just about cover it all.
Stat line I enjoyed:
— John DiGiorgio, 11 tackles
What's the old maxim? "It ain't the size of the dog in the fight..." The Bills were out-classed Sunday night, but I was impressed that they pushed forward. Hey, it's not much, but it's something.
Stat line I didn't enjoy:
— Eight different receivers, 383 yards, 5 TD.
I know they're good, but that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. At least we'll be able to tell our grandchildren we saw greatness, again and again and again and again.
Stat line I didn't expect:
— Dwayne Wright/Fred Jackson, 4 carries, 16 yards
That's 4.0 yards-per-carries for the youngsters, and it was extra disappointing for me consider I spent Thursday afternoon writing an article on how excited the kids were to play, and how much the coaches said they believed in them. *Cough* Bull (Expletive deleted) *Cough*
Lastly...
To sum it all up, I'm amazed that I walked out there feeling just slightly worse than I did after the Jets win. It was a foregone conclusion, and while I hate that, it was a young defense that the Brady Bunch tore up in Primetime.
Next week
—I think the Bills of Weeks One through Ten are good enough to beat Jacksonville in Jacksonville, but I also think the Patriots showed the Jaguars far too many ways to exploit the Bills. Marshawn Lynch's status is a big factor in this one, but the Jags defensive line will create a number of issues for Beast Mode as well. My heart's pulling one way, but my brain is saying: Jacksonville 21, Buffalo 18.
The again, I predicted New England would beat Buffalo, 31-20, so what the heck do I know?
The running count...
Here, dear friends, is a list that usually includes the players who have yet to let me down during the course of 2007. With Lynch's injury making him ineligible, this list would likely be down t Roscoe Parrish if I was honest, but do you think "The running count" deserves a free pass for Week 11? If not, it's going to be one player — Parrish — putting the future of the running count in serious jeopardy. So, make the call, and email me with a vote or "yay" or "nay" to a free pass for this list. I'm sure Donte Whitner waits will baited breath.
-Donte Whitner
-Brian Moorman
-Marshawn Lynch
-Roscoe Parrish
-Larry Tripplett
-John McCargo...
—Terrific to see Kevin Everett looking healthy on the scoreboard. I know I'll continue my well-wishes and prayers for him and everyone with serious handicaps or misfortunes. Important to remind ourselves that we've got a lot going for us. Get better, Kevin.
—Howard Simon Show, Monday morning at 6 a.m., followed by The Coach's Extra Point, with Chuck Dickerson and me at 10 a.m. Let's have some fun, Bills fans.
E-mails: nick@wgr550.com
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