Barry from MS

I think (oh yes, I'm starting it with the "I Think") that we will see much better O-line play when we see BUF in the Dome and onward into the gauntlet of the season. There are plenty of reasons why I am excited about this group that has been lambasted the first part of the season.

1. Guards & Center playing better: Evans looked like the Evans we all know and love against the Pats, plus he gets an extra week to rest what is ailing him. A rested and healthy Evans automatically makes the whole line better. Grubbs seems to be getting it together after rating average to below-average the first 5 weeks (and getting ridiculously embarrassed in the MNF Game). DLP with our 2 guards coming back to life makes him look much better than he is, but as an overachiever he fits. Evans' injury(ies) through the first 6 weeks set back this group, but we'll see a much better front 3 the rest of the way if Evans maintains his health.
2. Tackles are too: Brown is beginning to play better. Nothing spectacular, as he gave up the only sack @ NE, but helped keep Drew relatively clean. Sounds kinda like a Bushrod type of game. 6 starts into the season, and I believe we'll see these types of performances from here on out: not spectacular, but solid. Interested to see him versus Super Mario next week. Harris' name was barely even mentioned in the NE game, which is always good for an OT. Possibly he and Zach mix and match starts down the stretch? They are both solid in the run game, and it looks like all 3 of the tackles are beginning to "get it" on the zone blocking schemes we employ now. Zach has been solid in pass protection so far this year, and with Drew the OT's don't necessarily need to dominate to be effective.
3. Bye Week "Jelling" Therapy - These cats get more reps together against Ryan's D, so it's like an extra week of training camp to get the communication and trust between them where it needs to be.
4. First game back in action at the Dome (Home Dome Therapy). Where is a better place on the face of this Earth to come together and play solid than in the Dome? Build that confidence in pass protection and run blocking against a good BUF D-line then get that Jets Monster Front 7 the next week.
5. The Evans Factor (Did I mention Evans' health?): His ability week in, week out is the difference between good-to-great versus below average-to-turrible. Period. All other factors and therapies are null and void if he ain't healthy.

Bye Week Blues. And too much time on my hands.

"I'd far rather be happy than right any day" ~ Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
"Honor: if you need it defined, you don't have it" ~ Ron Swanson