AFC East mailbag: Bills buzz building

September, 20, 2008
Sep 20
8:30
AM ET
Print
By Tim Graham

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Jimmy from Parts Unknown writes: Do you think that the slight attention that the Bills are getting is a good thing (since there seems to be very little pressure from the outside world)? Is it still too soon to call this team a contender? Even though they've handled two serious playoff shoo-ins? Since the new "beast of the east" -- that is apparently the Jets (according to the media) -- can't seem to close out a drive, or do anything else convincing.

Tim Graham: The notion that the Jets were the new team to beat in the AFC East mostly was floated by the New York press and folks enamored with Brett Favre's performance against the doormat Dolphins. That buzz lasted about three days.

People have been noticing the Bills. No, it's not too soon to consider the Bills a playoff contender. They're 2-0 and have a soft schedule ahead. They should finish with a pretty record. To call any AFC team a Super Bowl contender at the moment is difficult. There simply are too many questions to answer with the Patriots, Chargers, Colts and Jaguars.


Joe in Manchester, N.H., writes: In last week's mailbag, you said that Randy Moss was one of three reasons not to give up on the Pats season. Still think that after his "effort" on Sunday against the Jets and his basically wide open drop?

Tim Graham: If teams continue to defend Moss like the Jets did, the Patriots probably will kill teams underneath instead. The mere threat of Moss is a more effective weapon than many teams have at WR. Cassel threw at Moss only three times the entire game, and Moss caught two. I wouldn't fixate on one dropped pass as a reason why Moss won't help the Patriots.


Tom from Parts Unknown writes: It stinks being a Jet fan. They have a great quarterback, a good offensive line, very good receivers. The problem is the brain-dead offensive coordinator and the same stupid game plan that they have been using for years. You can't run the ball to the left on every first down. Open up the defense with some bombs down field. Let Brett Favre be himself.

Tim Graham: You're not alone in your thoughts, Tom.


Joe in Philadelphia writes: Where do you think Bills' first-round draft pick, Leodis McKelvin, falls on the depth chart? Usually you see a top pick like him he's expected to make an impact right away. However, in the first two weeks it appears the Bills have a pretty good problem to have at CB. Do you think we'll see him take on a more significant role as the season progress or just be used mainly on returns?

Tim Graham: As long as Buffalo's defense keeps playing well, there's no reason to break up the chemistry. Jabari Greer and Terrence McGee were established starters when McKelvin was drafted. McKelvin's best chance to crack the starting lineup was beating out Greer on the right side, but Greer was the better player in camp. So was Ashton Youboty. Based on Bills coach Dick Jauron's comments this week, McKelvin will get more chances to return kicks, but as long as McGee and Greer maintain performance, McKelvin will have to wait.


Earl in Blue Diamond, Nev., writes: Why does the Rams' Richie Incognito wear his name on the back of his jersey?

Tim Graham: I hadn't noticed.


Dave in Boston writes: With another high draft pick coming and some serious QB depth in the draft, shouldn't the Dolphins start Chad Henne somewhat soon in order to know if they might want to consider a top QB now instead of going through another eight years of mediocre QBs ruining the chances of otherwise very good teams?

Tim Graham: You would be spot on with your suggestion if the Dolphins weren't already convinced Henne was their QB of the future. The brain trust is happy with Henne. Part of the reason Chad Pennington was brought was to hold down the job until Henne was ready and hopefully pass along some of his generalship through osmosis.


Marc in Brooklyn writes: Granted, two AFC East teams played each other this weekend, two teams with an intense rivalry and many storylines therein, but how come there's been such little coverage of the Bills' win over Jacksonville? The Bills are a great story. The team nobody talked about in the preseason because of Brett Favre and Bill Parcells just beat two playoff teams from a year ago, the second of which was an amazing game that came down to the wire. The Pats have beaten the Chiefs and the Jets, two teams that won't make the playoffs. The Bills look like the real contender in the division, but nobody in the national media, including you, is talking about them. Why? Is it because you don't want to be a homer? It's only fair you give them some love. The Jets and Pats will show their true colors soon as marginal teams with serious flaws on offense. The Bills will prove they've got what it takes to be the real contender in the division in the long run. Why not start talking about it now?

Tim Graham: I'm answering this question because the past two Sundays I've received several similar complaints (a few more venomous than this) and want to explain how we're covering games on our blogger network.

We have eight divisional bloggers, and each of us picks the best game to attend. We can be at only one game, and that's where we report from on Sunday. When that game is over and we've posted our last take on it, we take a spin around the rest of the division. I can't provide immediate analysis on a game I didn't attend or, in most cases, watched on TV because I was covering the game in front of me.

My usual Monday will consist of flying home to South Florida from the game I attended, heading straight to the Dolphins facility for their day-after media availability, checking in with sources from around the AFC East, posting a couple of blogs and then sitting down to watch the games I was able to DVR. That routine ends long after sundown. Then I watch the Monday night game and submit my power rankings for the week.

So please understand that by Monday morning one person can't cover four teams and thoroughly analyze each of their games beyond such broad issues as a big victory, upset defeat or significant injury. It's a long week, and there are 17 of them in the regular season. Every team will get covered. I hope you keep stopping by.


Bill in Brooklyn writes: Thanks so much for giving my Bills props. I honestly think the Bills are the most under-publicized team in the NFL. But I like it that way. We are gonna creep up on our opponents and rip their hearts out. I hope we get back to the playoffs this year. It's been a tough road. I have lived every moment of it, and it hasn't been pretty.

Tim Graham: I had no idea Brooklyn was such a cradle of Bills fans. You and Marc ought to get together and watch the game Sunday. Thanks for the kind words.


Daryl in Alberta,
Canada, writes:
Chad Henne went 7 of 12 for 67 yards, led a TD drive, went 6 for 6 at one point. I'd say he did pretty good. What are the chances he's the Dolphins' starting QB by year's end and how soon do you think?

Tim Graham: The Dolphins insist they're not giving any thought to a QB switch, but let's not forget Chad Pennington has undergone two shoulder surgeries and already is resting his arm during the week. The Dolphins will be playing from behind a lot this year, so Pennington's going to be throwing often. It's not unreasonable to think Pennington's arm -- combined with mounting losses -- could force Henne into the lineup earlier than the Dolphins wanted.


Jason from Salt Lake City writes: Since the Patriots are going to have to rely on the run a bit more this season, should they consider picking Shaun Alexander?

Tim Graham: The Patriots don't think they need Alexander. They have four RBs that give them plenty of depth and flexibility. When Laurence Maroney came out of Sunday's game with a shoulder injury (he later returned) LaMont Jordan ran 11 times for 62 yards. Kevin Faulk had three carries for 16 yards and four catches for 50 yards.


Andrew in Olean, N.Y., writes: Why risk any other players' health this season? Just give the Bills their Super Bowl rings because you know there going to get them. Playing the rest of the season is just delaying the inevitable.

Tim Graham: Great question. Because if any two phrases go together they're "Buffalo Bills" and "inevitable championship."


Alex in Pennsylvania writes: Do you think it's time, even after only two games, that the Dolphins choose between Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and make one the featured back? I say this because both are notorious slow starters, and it would seem to me that choosing one as a primary might make sense.

Tim Graham: Brown and Williams are averaging 2.6 yards a carry (a 13-yard Davone Bess reverse raises their rushing average to 3.0 yards). That and the early deficits are putting the Dolphins in frequent passing situations. Brown's versatility as a receiver might make him a more valuable weapon if they were to make him the featured back and throw to him out of the backfield. But that sounds like Cam Cameron talk, doesn't it?


Frank in Toronto writes: Can (and will) the Bills go 5-0 before their bye week? If so, how much momentum does that give them for the next five games against division rivals or AFC playoff contenders? If not, who beats them and why?

Tim Graham: The Bills absolutely can go 5-0. They'll play the Raiders (1-1) at home, Rams (0-2) on the road and Cardinals (2-0) on the road before their bye. But winning week in and week out is hard to do, so I'll say somebody surprises them over the course of the next three weeks. The toughest game will be against the Cardinals because of the cross-country trip, the desert weather and the fact they can sling it.


Jason in Listowel, Ontario, writes: It's good to read somebody who actually appreciates the Bills' accomplishments instead of being skeptical. They do have a good shot of making the playoffs and the city of Buffalo needs them to make the postseason. Quick hockey question: A lot of people have rated the Buffalo Sabres to finish in the basement. You have followed them in depth in the past and was wondering what are your thoughts on the upcoming season?

Tim Graham: They look like a borderline playoff team to me. The Patrick Lalime signing indicates the Sabres intend to lessen Ryan Miller's workload, and that's important because he's a goalie who provides diminishing returns the more he works. Derek Roy, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek shouldn't be considered young players anymore. I'm not convinced the Craig Rivet move will suffice. But they are good enough to finish in the top eight.

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted