tom webster

Roman, Taylor and the play calling are all a working progress and at this point aren't the problem. There are things that they just aren't asking Taylor to do yet. If he is able to develop to the next step, they will be on to something. The problem as I see it, is Rex and some of the doumbest, unaware players I have seen. Leodis' play at the end of the half is just one example. First, he plays way off a guy that shouldn't be able to run by him, then he jogs to touch him after the catch. He touches him before he goes out of bounds and the half likely ends without a kick. Thigpen realizes after the game that a fair catch at the 40 would be a good thing. Who knows if he knows that you can only run toward the line of scrimmage in the CFL. Those three plays potentially resulted in a 14 point swing and they were just dumb. Toss in approximately 6 false start and encroachment penalties, stupid coaching decisions and its amazing how close the game was.

Exactly. The other thing that should be factored into this season's record is the goaltending effect. I know my analytics friends scoff at the importance of the position, however, I can think of three or four games lost because of goaltending and not one that was won because of it. Flop that number around and the team is in the middle of the playoff race.While I admit to being a little disappointed by some individual player struggles, I think the team is where it should be in its progression. Learning the system, learning each other and still about 3 or 4 pieces and a couple of years away from being a serious contender

Apparently other teams where contemplating signing O'Leary which is why they promoted him and had to cut Mulligan.

A lot of good advice. One thing that I would add is that First Niagara had a program were first time buyers could set up an account before they were ready to buy and the bank matched funds toward the first purchase when you were ready to buy. You may want to check into different offers like that but as always, the proof is in the details and nobody is doing it from the goodness of their heart.

I also saw a photo that appeared to show Hill stepping out of bounds long before he scored. I used to be part of the full time referees side but I'm not sure that's the answer either. It doesn't seem to help in NHL or NBA. I think there are just too many rules for them to worry about which leads to them missing some of the obvious stuff. That and super slo mo ultra hi def doesn't help either.

Yeah, too high. Someone posted that number yesterday then later apologized for being wrong but I never looked back at the whole conversation in between. Either way , I think the front seven could look considerably different next year.

I think the biggest reason may be that he isn't a fit for Rex's Defense. I have also been told that that $13M is an incorrect number but I haven't really looked into it.

Actually, luck plays a big role. You, yourself, advocate drafting one every year in the hopes of stinking upon the guy. Green Bay gets Rodgers after he plummets in a year no one is desperate for a QB. Indy gets Luck largely because Manniing suffers the only major injury of his life. Pittsburgh drafts Rothlesberger because Dallas backs out of a deal with the Bills and the Dteelers just wanted to mess with Donahoe. Seattle trades for Flynn and Whitehurst and give them crazy money only to have Wilson fall to them. Teams like Carolina are fortunate enough to implode the year Newton is available while Cleveland gets Couch. Look, we really want the same thing and if there is a way to trade up for someone or trade for someone established, I'm all for it no matter how Taylor does the rest of the year. And I truly believe they feel the same way, I just don't think it's as easy as just deciding to do it.

Who says they aren't trying? Whaley has been in charge two and a half years and brought in at least five guys and we know he at least tried a couple others. The only guy we know for sure that he passed on that has had any success is Derek Carr. Just because he didn't draft guys for no other reason then they play QB doesn't mean he isn't trying. He has said on at least three occasions that until they gind that "franchise" QB, their only option is to build up the rest of the roster. He knows what they need.

Fans are allowed to wonder and hope for anything they want. The problem I have with all your scenarios is that A) you act like they don't know they need better QB play B) you make it sound like they can just decide to go out and get what 20 other teams are looking for because they want to

Ok, the next Russel Wilson or any other name you deem competent to win the Super Bowl. The season isn't over but I think the progress is evident and I still expect the record to show that progress.

I'm just hoping he has some trade value as a mid level prospect when the Sabres become buyers at the trade deadline.

As opposed to conjuring up some trade scenarios some white knight football guru is going to force some unsuspecting franchise to make with us to give us the next Tom Brady? As long as the team progresses under Whaley, I will continue to believe the best course of action is to stay the course.

The point is they can't just build one. In the timeframe you keep referring to they passed on maybe three QB's, probably less, that would have been an upgrade. This is a league wide problem. You can make a list of twenty quarterbacks and tell us guys like Tannehill and Bortles are displaying signs of superstar ability but it doesn't make it right.

I think your list makes my point.

And how many of those QB's are still in the league? So if they would have drafted 20 washouts we would be happier?

You are right of course. There is no reason to think this team can't right the ship and win out although I certainly wouldn't bet on it.

Even Belichek screws up when it's close. I really think a lot of the seeming rise in bad coaching and bad officiating is just that with teams throwing it more and more and more games being decided by less then 3 points, mistakes are magnified.

What did Whaley do wrong? He built tge team that should have won today and been a leader in the playoff race. Instead, the coaches it up! You can blame him for hiring Rex but you can't have it both ways. If you think Terry and Kim hired Rex, you can't blane Doug

I don't feel like looking it up but I know off the top of my head, The year Plunkett, Manning and Pastorini 1983 The year we drafted Lossman And the Andrew Luck draft Pretty sure the Tim Couch draft

The interesting thing is that Rex implied that he tried to tailor the defense to what they did last year and it wasn't working with the rest of his defensive scheme. Moving Mario inside seemed to make a difference.

The team is 9th in shots per game. The goals will come. You can't really debate a "relative" argument but,again, in my opinion, relative to talent or not, in no way is this team worse then last year, save maybe for your favorite whipping boy.

I still don't get the relative to talent they are worse. Given your feelings about Ted Nolan I guess I shouldn't be surprised but I have to say you have to be the only person voicing that opinion right now. It is like night and day watching this team. I will, however, admit that I don't play much attention to the GDT so I don't know what goes on there.

Huh? Playing worse? What have you been watching? Check out Matthew Coller's article I posted in 2015/16 line up thread. Ennis numbers have been noticed. Read NHL.com talking about the Sabres' improvement. Read some of the opposing players comments. This team's improvement is being noticed.

Pretty good write up here, at least in my opinion. http://www.wgr550.com/At-the-quarter-mark-Grading-every-Sabre/22202924