T here is a long running pattern that I have subscribed to which states that no matter how bad the Bills are doing, if I don’t watch the game they’ll undoubtedly win.

Last year, with Buffalo reeling from a loosing streak and a quarterback change, I decided that I couldn’t bear to watch anymore. The result? A convincing victory in Cincinnati against the playoff-bound Bengals.

So this past week I decided to take one for all off Bills Country and skip this game because a win was so desperately needed. Well, let’s call this the exception that proves the rule.

Instead of recapping the game, let’s just talk. I know, it’s very unmanly to want to share my thoughts, but I’m not ashamed of my feminine side…

It has become apparent that the Bills don’t have the personnel to fit the Tampa 2 style of defense. It’s painful to watch Nate Clements and especially Terrance McGee flounder around in a zone. It has been proven that those players excel playing man-to-man coverage. I have rambled about the short comings of the defensive line, but that can be masked with number. If there was to be more blitzing running lanes could be swallowed up. As it stands, the opposing offensive line is getting to the second wave of defenders too quickly, and the likes of London Fletcher is not prepared to take on 300 lbs of moving beef.

What else do I feel?

The stir up on the offensive line isn’t for this season, it’s for next. The thought is to move Jason Peters to Left Tackle, where his future could be quite bright and allow him to get experience. At the same time, rookie Terrance Pennington will get some experience playing the right side, where it can be assessed if he has what it takes to play in this league. But why not move Chris Villarial to the bench and play Duke Preston? Villarial, while a sound player, and always media friendly, has limited football life left. As for moving free-agent to be, Mike Gandy, to Left Guard it is obvious that the front office is regretting spending the money on Tutan Reyes. Gandy will be a free agent after this year and isn’t likely to get a new contract unless he can show dominance in the second half of the season.

I also feel…

J.P. Losman just doesn’t have “it”. Whatever “it” is, I can’t define, but solid NFL quarterbacks all posses it. I’m not talking about the “it” that made Jim Kelly great, I’m talking about the “it” that made Doug Flutie tick, that made Joe Ferguson a quality player. Brad Johnson, Tom Brady, and Brad Pennington have “it”, and it seems that Matt Leinart, who the Bills passed on drafting, has “it” too. Aron Brooks, Daunte Culpepper, Joey Harrington, and all other quarterbacks who were drafted in the first round but flopped just didn’t have “it”. “It” isn’t about star power, physical gifts, what round you were drafted, or style-- it’s about making the players around you better through leadership, intelligence and guts. If the Bills don’t draft a QB high in next year’s draft look for Craig Nall to be next year’s starter on opening day.

Did you follow that?

My strongest feelings yet…

I was in two survivor pools and have been knocked out of both in the last two weeks. In both cases by teams with one win or less. I was almost in tears, especially considering the total pot between the two was a shade under $8,000… I’m tearing up again thinking about it.

Take a break this Sunday for the bye week. Recharge and come out hard at McFadden’s on November 10th.

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