Cold Bills, Hot Topics

The Buffalo Bills find themselves in a very bad situation. Their coach is on the hot seat. They're coming off three humiliating losses.  They haven't found ways to incorporate future Hall of Famer Terrell Owens into the offense; that as a whole, is very out of sync.

At this point many Bills fans are kissing the season goodbye. A road test lies ahead against the defensively stout New York Jets, who behind head Rex Ryan's ultra aggressive scheme, have blitzed over 100 times this season.

Look out.

Though it's hard to find fresh topics on the Bills, here's my reaction to all of the most recent story lines heading into this weekend.

Jauron's Billboard

Some of you love it. You're entitled to your own opinion but here's what I got.

The billboard is another showing of poor fandom in Buffalo. We had McKelvins' lawn, Whitner's jewelry, and now this.  And we claim we have the best fans in the NFL. I still think we're up there, but a few are spoiling that honorable title for the rest of us.

Unless the Bills ride a hot streak into the winter months, Dick Jauron (and possibly others) will be gone, at the latest, by season's end.

Regardless of when he's let go, the team's performance won't change a great deal. There's been too many injuries.

Funny, yes. Good idea, no.

Scrapping the No-Huddle.

In my recent column outlining the 10 things the Bills must do to save this season, I mentioned making the choice on the no-huddle is critical.

Finally.

That finally represents a gigantic sigh of relief that a decision seems to have been made. Bigger than when Brett Favre returned to the league and I didn't have to watch Rachel Nichols report from outside his house anymore.

That big.

The no-huddle hasn't officially been axed. Dick Jauron didn't comment on Thursday after practice, but it looks like we'll witness the first Bills huddle of the year this Sunday.

It makes perfect sense. Imagine that, the Bills coaching staff is making a good choice.

The Bills are the most penalized team in the league. Some has been a direct result of the teams youth, but a lot of offensive lineman have been flagged on frustrating false starts. Huddling allows everyone to be certain on the snap count.

The word describing Trent Edwards recently has been "regressing." He's had trouble recognizing coverages and can't get the ball to his receivers.

So why not huddle up? Give Lee Evans and Terrell Owens time to tell Edwards what they're seeing down field. Help the line figure out defensive schemes—strengthen communication. The Bills need this change. It can't hurt.

Whiter and Posluszny Return

It's official. Both starters have practiced all week and will play in the Meadowlands. Another sigh of relief. Too bad Leodis McKelvin and Kawika Mitchell were lost in the process of Whiter and Posluszny recovering, because the defense, outside of the Dolphins game, has played outstanding.

These two instantly upgrade two paper-thin positions, safety and linebacker. Expect both Posluszny and Whitner to play their hearts out—bring back their leadership. It's a huge boost for the entire team.

There you have it. Believe it or not, there are some positives coming from the Bills camp. I'm curious to see Van Pelt's attempt to mask the obvious issues across the offensive line against the Jets.

I'll be in NYC this weekend, which normally would lead to extreme street ridicule when I wear Bills gear on Sunday, but thank god for Bills Backers Bars.

Bills/Jets 4:15. Keep your fingers crossed. Your toes too. Seen and Herd to follow.