JJFIVEOH

Yeah he does.

I did hear that. He deserves a night off, I think.

Although he did stop all 3 shootout attempts and has now stopped 16 straight. :D

It really is that simple.

I'll take a few months off.

I think that was the Sabres first win when trailing after the 1st period.

You'd think after 30 games that WGR could work out those technical issues.

WOOHOO!

Oh no you di'int.

Am I the only one that saw the stick to the face of Stewart in that no goal? If no goal, should have been a power play.

I wouldn't say he's inaccurate. His current completion percentage is better than any season Jim Kelly ever had, which makes him tied with Tom Brady right now. I'm not saying he's the greatest, I'm saying he gets much undeserved criticism. This team has no running game which puts all the pressure on him and every defense focuses on the passing game. Which is why he's had six games of 35+ passing attempts this year. Give him a #1 RB and things might be a whole lot different. Then again, they might not be any different at all. There's something to be said about the earlier mention of how Orton played great when it was out of instinct. He may not be the answer, but Whaley's not addressing the running game and the season long discipline problems are equally as detrimental to this team in not making the playoffs..... if not more.

He's big.

6'1" 236# ?????? :blink:

I'll have to take your word for it, I don't follow college football. ;)

I think one of the biggest problems that hasn't really been touched on is the fact that Whaley never addressed the RB situation. Spiller got knocked out long term early in the season (he shouldn't have carried the #1 spot that long to begin with, but that's another story). Jackson gets hurt on a regular basis and can't play entire games. Without being able to rely on either of our starting RB's to carry the load much of the season the burden was placed on the QB to throw more often which makes it easier for opposing teams to focus on the passing game. Whaley should be criticized for not addressing this problem. Opposing defenses focus on Orton, Orton can't scramble, and the Bills can't convert 3rd downs by running the ball. Is Orton to blame? Sure, to a point. But you can't (not you personally) criticize Orton solely when he has to work with one of the worst running games in the NFL. This is on Whaley.

Good post. You're probably right, he might not be around next year. I just think there's a better chance now that he stays than say 6 months ago. Seems to me he's turned into more of a Nolan type player. Of course it could just be the contract year thing.

If Orton weren't here, we would have been out of a playoff spot three weeks ago. EJ never would have pulled off wins against Minnesota and Detroit.

Another 3 points lost due to penalties.

Almost 3:00 and they haven't even started the 2nd half yet............ It's unfortunate. Can only do so much without a run game and a QB that can't scramble.

Yes they have, it's been a very undisciplined season.

I'm going to say penalties have cost the Bills a playoff spot this year. I know it was a direct result of one loss at least.

I can't keep track of what's going on with this game, what with all the commercials. This is pathetic. Unwatchable.

Here ya go. Sabre Leopard.

I don't think the Sabres are ruining any plan. I think Murray plans to build a team that will be successful for several years. I don't think he had any plans on finishing in a certain spot. If it happened to be a bottom 2, fine. If it happened to be #8 playoff spot, fine. I said this before the start of the season and I'm sticking by it; in this day and age of parity, cap floor and free agency.... it is almost impossible to plan for a last place finish. When you have open spaces that need to be filled and a cap floor to hit, you're going to have players on your team that will net you some wins over the course of the season like it or not. The best way to assure a last place finish is by doing what the Sabres did last year, unloading all their talent and not having to bring in free agents. They did so, the ship has sailed. Murray knows this. (I can't figure out Edmonton) If Murray had planned to attempt a last place finish, he wouldn't have signed Gionta, Moulson and traded for Gorges. Considering their multi-year contracts, they are here to help build and contribute when this team is good enough to make the playoffs. These players aren't fill-ins for a year or two. Murray is going to sit back and watch how the season pans out, and believe it or not, he may actually be ecstatic about the recent success. He isn't going to do anything to make the team worse to attempt a bottom two finish. If he makes any moves, it will be because somebody wants out or somebody doesn't plan on re-signing next year. Don't be surprised if Myers doesn't go anywhere, and don't be surprised to see Stafford stay as well.

They slapped the Panthers around a little bit tonight in Enroth's defense and all they did was take a swipe at his glove before the whistle blew.