We have spent a lot of time this season giving credit to Fred Jackson and Ryan Fitzpatrick for leading the resurgence of the Buffalo Bills. No doubt the two leaders on offense deserve their props. Fred is a strong candidate for league MVP and Fitz was rewarded with a mega deal showing his worth to the franchise. But I think it's time to really give head coach Chan Gailey credit for the amazing job he has done over the past year and a half with this franchise.
Remember when Buddy Nix was searching for a new head coach and most were dying to see them go after one of the big name, big money guys. One of those guys was on the opposite side of the field Sunday in Toronto looking like the miserable evil genius that he seems to be on most Sunday afternoons. Mike Shanahan got an offer from the Bills, smiled, verbally patted the franchise on the head, then took Daniel Snyder's money to run the proud Redskins. How is that working out Mike? Shanahan has had a worse year and a half in Washington than the current Congress and this year if going south fast. Meanwhile good old Chan has his team in first place and he is a prime candidate for NFL Coach of the Year.
There are so many things to like about Gailey does with this team, but what i enjoy most is seeing a Bills coach who is totally on top of situations in the game. Chan rarely makes errors with the clock or with challenges. He never appears to be confused or flustered. Gailey is one of the great play callers in the game, making a bunch of no names and nobodies look like Pro Bowl players. Maybe more importantly Chan seems to have a great feel for his team. That is shown in the fact that they have played seven times this season and have not had a single flat performance, something rarely of ever seen in today's NFL.
If the voting for coach of the year were taken today I would see Gailey finishing second behind the 49ers Jim Harbaugh. But that is just an award. More importantly for now and for the future, I am excited to see a Bills coach who can hold his own with Bellichick and Ryan and maybe out coach them on some Sundays. When he gets matched up with someone like Shanahan, more sizzle than steak, Chan takes him out to the old woodshed carrying a stick.
Most impressive players
Fred Jackson: See any of the past 6 weeks. The guy is as valuable as any player in the NFL and he showed it again Sunday. Not sure what Fred does at halftime but he had another one of those huge 3rd quarter runs setting up an early second half touchdown.
Marcel Dareus: They lined the big fella up over the center a few times and he was unblockable. Dareus spent more time in the Skins backfield than Ryan Torrain.
George Wilson: Not only did he make another highlight reel interception, but name me a safety in the league who is playing better than George?
Jairus Byrd: The kid made the Pro Bowl by picking off 10 passes as a rookie. But yesterday he played like an all around safety with a sack, a pick and some excellent tackles.
Nick Barnett: 10 tackles and one of the 9 sacks by the guy who was Buddy Nix best free agent pick up of the off season
Andy Levitre: I will use Levitre to represent the entire offensive line. This group dominated a good Redskins defensive line and Levitre led the way by sliding out to left tackle without any problems at all
Least impressive player:
Brian Moorman: This is a huge stretch but I have a tough time finding anything to complain about. Moorman's average was just under 28 yards a game. They really didn't need a lot from him but it wasn't his best game.
Going into Sunday I said we are going to learn a lot about this Bills team over the next 6 weeks. They took care of business in Toronto but now it gets fun. Rex Ryan probably doesn't know what to say about the Bills. My guess is that he will be very complimentary about Chan and the entire team to the point of sounding patronizing. But it won't be about what the Jets coach says it will be about what his team does. Sunday the Ralph will be rocking again.
MCatalana@13wham.com
